Page 18 of The Demons of Wychwood

THE NEXT DAY

Oh my gawd! I was awoken by a sharp pain in my rib, a pain in my head, and a bladder full to bursting. Bess was screaming up a storm this morning, so that explained the pain in my head. I rolled over and opened my eyes to discover the pain in my rib was caused by the roguishly handsome Lord in my bed. He was prodding me with his finger. When he saw I was awake he said, “You’ve slept through that blasted racket for the past ten minutes. How the devil—?“

I groaned and rubbed my face, then laughed, “I’m used to it. She’s just hungry and as soon as she gets something in her belly, she’ll be good as gold,” I explained. “Babies are simple creatures, crying’s just to tell us that they’re sad, hungry, bored, or need a new napkin.”

“I can’t see me ever having children.”

It amused me how snooty and shocked Kit sounded. I clambered over Kit’s sleep warm naked body and pulled the gazunder out from beneath my bed. I lifted the lid to see Kit had already used it, and the scent of fresh warm piss was strong. I gripped my half-hard prick and emptied into the pot while he watched me again with a curious look on his face. It always made me laugh how men liked to watch each other pissing as if it was an unsaid competition between us all. When I was done, I reset the lid and pushed the pot under the bed to empty later. The fire in the grate was long dead and the room was freezing. I grabbed one of the crochet blankets from the bed and wrapped it around my shoulders. I moved to the bedroom door and could hear Elowen singing to Bess. Now the baby was laughing and cooing to her Ma. I could also smell that my sister was making quite a treat this morning, my favourite, honey cakes. I turned back to Kit who was propped on his side dozing in my bed.

“I must say…you look well fucked, milord!” I was proud of myself, for it was me who put that sated smile on his lordship’s face.

Kit opened his eyes and in a languorous sleepy drawl said, “I feel well fucked!”

“So, in the light of day what’s your conclusion about the rights and wrongs of us laying together?”

“Gods! Are you always so insufferable in the morning? Are you sure you don’t want me to explain the meaning of life?” Kit reached behind, picked up a pillow, and threw it at me. I clutched it out of the air and held it to my chest .

“Yes, I am. I like all my ducks in a row. And this is important. If you believe that what we did was wrong tell me now.”

Kit winced at hearing my words. He turned to lay on his back with his arms behind his head.

“I was thinking about it as I watched you sleep,” he admitted. I felt the heat rise to my face at the thought of him watching me unawares. To know Kit had watched me sleep did funny things to my insides. It was the kind of intimate thing that I’d always wanted to do but never had the chance.

“Edward and I never lay together…like this. There’s something very…natural and rather wonderful about sharing a bed with a lover, don’t you think?”

I moved to the bed then and sat beside him. Our gazes collided and, in the look, there was silent communication between us—something that made my chest feel full and words catch in my throat. Kit reached out and threaded his fingers into mine. He had bigger balls than me cos he found his words,

“I understand how Edward has been trying to prevent me from exploring my…needs with other men. He’s been manipulating…controlling me, using me for his own ends.”

“He has,”

“I had a wonderful night. You’ve treated me with the utmost care and consideration, Felix. I don’t know how I could ever thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me!” I said mildly outraged, as if I’d done him a service.

“I feel like the luckiest fellow even to have spent one night with you,” I said.

The corners of Kit’s eyes crinkled with bemusement as if I’d told an outrageous joke. How could he not know what a catch he was?

“Do you know what draws me back to Wychwood each and every time I get the date for a party?” I asked rhetorically, “Yes, the money is a pretty good lure, but what kept me risking everything was the chance of seeing you!” I admitted. It was Kit’s turn to blush now.

“Oh!” He licked his lips and then his smile widened and shone like the morning sun.

“Do you have any idea how bloody handsome you are. I’ve had my eye on you for months. I dreamed about you. I never knew your name until I delivered that letter, and I never thought you’d look twice at a cove like me, let alone take me for a tumble!”

“I’m…touched. Thank you. I must admit, I thought that there must be something underhand going on with you arriving at Wychwood, but I was wrong. You’ve treated me in a way that I don’t quite feel worthy of.”

I cupped his face and shook my head. We were a right pair! Kit rose then and kissed me. Neither of us tasted too good with morning breath but the rough dark stubble rubbing against my lips was lovely. He drew back.

“I think I’ll need to experiment a little longer to see if I am really suited to illegal activities!”

“Is that right!” I said dryly, finger combing his unruly curls back from his face.

“If I had my way, I’d drag you back under the covers and we’d do it again!” Kit admitted.

I snickered. “Much as I’d love to, no-can-do today! You’ll need to be up and dressed within the next five minutes if you want any of the honey cakes Elowen’s baking. They’re my favourite and if you ain’t quick you won’t get a look in!” I gave Kit a peck on the lips and then rose, tossed the crochet blanket back onto the bed and headed straight for my wardrobe.

It was brass monkeys cold and so I pulled on my smalls, a vest, shirt, and trousers. Then I pulled on thick woollen socks and stuffed my feet into a pair of house slippers. I felt Kit’s eyes on me all the while. I then went to my small sink, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. Looking in the mirror and seeing the debauched reflection of my Lord, decided I wouldn’t shave my blond stubble today. I returned to the bed then, gave Kit a final peck on the lips, and left him to his own devices.

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Elowen busied herself at the range and I was happy to see there was a good pile of honey cakes keeping warm. A pot of tea was waiting on the table with place settings for four, including Bess, who was propped up on a chair on cushions and tied in place with one of my old belts so she didn’t fall. The baby was feeding herself a honey cake and sipping from her milk bottle, quite content. I ruffled her riot of blonde curls, and I seated myself. Bess and I said our ritual good morning and how do you do , a little game we always played to teach her some manners. Even though she hasn’t quite got the hang of making the words she babbles in the right places.

“You have a good night?” Elowen asked her back to me as she flipped honey cakes.

“Might have,” I said coyly. I did not want to talk about my personal affairs with my sister.

“You do know your bed sounds like a sack of angry cats!”

“Oh, gawd!” I moaned and held my face in my hands mortified that she’d heard what we’d been up to.

“It makes quite the racket. I have offered to buy Felix a new bed!” Christopher Havelock’s cultured voice made me lower my hands, sit up straight, and turn to the doorway. All three of us laughed then.

Kit had thrown on his trousers and shirt, but not his waistcoat or frock coat. It was nice to see him dressed down and comfortable.

“Please, take a seat, milord. Help yourself. We don’t put on airs in this house,” Elowen said.

“Thank you, Mrs. Lazarus,” Kit took the seat opposite me and I poured a cup of tea for himself and me. Then Elowen placed a plate of honey cakes, and a pot of jam in the middle of the table. I dug in, smothering a honey cake with jam and eating it before Kit had spread jam on his own.

“Awww. You’ve done yourself proud with this batch,” I praised as my sister sat with us and placed a honey cake on her plate. I poured tea into her cup and passed the milk. We ate in silence for a while; Bess keeping us all entertained with her babbling nonsense words as me and Her Highness continued a long, heated conversation that only she seemed to understand.

“They were delicious. Thank you, Mrs. Lazarus,” Kit said when he’d finished eating.

“You can call me Elowen, milord.”

“Very well, as I’m a guest in your house you may call me Kit.”

“Oh no. I couldn’t do that,” Elowen said, shocked. “It wouldn’t feel right, milor d

“You worked at Penhelligan Hall, yes?” Kit asked as he refilled his tea cup.

“I did, milord,” Elowen said ponderously, ”I was taken on as a housemaid.”

“I’m sorry, but…I don’t remember you,” Kit admitted.

“I’d be surprised if you did. Mrs. Trelawney made sure we knew not to disturb the masters. I remember you though. You didn’t visit much cos you were at university, just came on the holidays. The maids all thought you were awfully handsome!” Elowen blushed as she said that.

I watch the conversation as I ate. It was a delicate back and forth as if both Kit and Elowen were walking on a frozen lake.

“I hope it’s not too much of an impertinent question, but why were you let go? Your brother mentioned some bad business attached to Penhelligan Hall and it troubles me greatly. I know nothing of it. Please be frank. If there is anything I can do to help, you have my ear.”

Elowen sent a daggers glare at me and her jaw tightened. The atmosphere in the room turned icy and I knew that if his Lordship wasn’t here I’d have been in for a right telling-off. Elowen’s teacup shook in her hand, I reached out and took the cup from her and placed it on the saucer.

“Tell him Elly, go on. You won’t get into trouble,” I said softly.

Trembling, Elowen rose from her chair and went round to Bess. She untied the belt and picked the child up.

“No one’s taking my Bessie from me!” Elowen said fiercely as she held her baby in a protective embrace.

“What are you going on about?” I said confused.

“Ain’t that why he’s here…to claim Bess for his family?”

“Forgive me, but I don’t understand. Why would I be here to take your daughter?”

“Because the brute that got me with child is… related …to you.”

That revelation was like a hammer blow and all three of us shared wary looks.

“Elly, please sit down,” I urged. “I swear, no one’s taking our Bess from us. You’ve been carrying this weight for too long now. It weren’t your fault.”

Elowen started to cry then, and that set Bess off too. I got up and rounded the table.

“Come ‘ere,” I said, my arms open wide. I enveloped my girls in a hug, Elowen crying on one shoulder, Bess on the other.

“Forgive me,” Kit sounded dumbfounded and alarmed. “I did not intend to cause such distress, but I assure you, whatever happened, I can help. Please let me help you, Elowen.”

“Tell him Elly. Let him help,” I urged. She snuffled then pulled back, passing Bess to me. Elowen searched in her pinny for a handkerchief, found it, and wiped her eyes. The resilience of nippers always amazed me. I jigged my niece on my hip and she began to laugh. The storm clouds were forgotten, and Bess pointed toward her toy box. I put her down on the rug and opened the lid. I knew she’d play quietly while the grown-ups dealt with this messy business.

Elowen wiped her eyes and nose again as she seated herself and poured another cup of tea. After a minute to catch her breath, she said,

“It, um…happened after the Spring Ball near three years ago,” she began. I took my seat and gave my sister a nod of encouragement to continue.

“I shared a room with another maid, Nelly Parkin. She had an awful sweet tooth and was always bugging those of us who worked in the kitchen to get her leftovers of sweets. It was all hands-on-deck to prepare the spread for the ball. Mrs. Trelawney knew I was kitchen trained and so I was given the job of decorating pastries. Our Ma had taught us all the skills of the kitchen, and so it was a doddle for me. I piped cream and added summer fruits to hundreds of tarts. Nelly kept pestering me, lingering over my shoulder like a bad smell . ‘Put one aside for me Elly, no one will ever know’ . Cook would’ve had my hide, and so I told her no. But then, after the ball was over and the ladies and gentlemen were going home or up to bed, Nelly was on at me again. We’d been told by Mr. Jenkins to cover the remaining food and tidy up in the morning. We went up to bed as told. But Nelly wouldn’t shut up about those bleedin’ tarts. She suggested that maybe we should creep down to the dining room and see if there was any left. I knew it was a daft thing to do, but I said I’d do it to shut her up.” Elowen paused to take a sip of tea.

“Nelly took a candle and we went down the servant’s stairs in our nightgowns. She said she’d be the lookout and stopped outside the dining room while muggins here was to fetch the fruit tarts. There were lots of leftovers and I found the display of pastries. I picked up a napkin and put two tarts inside and tied it up. Then I heard a gruff voice say, “Who’s there?” I was too afraid to move, or even breathe. He said again, who’s the bally hells creeping around in the dark. Say something or it will be the worse for you! I was terrified. It’s only me, Elowen, one of the maids. Forgive me for interrupting you, sir, I said. I heard two sets of footsteps then. The fellow had walked from the sitting room and into the dining room, and Nelly, the scaredy-cat, was running away up the stairs. The man who came into the dining room was holding a candle. I saw his face, I knew him. Why are you skulking around in the dark like a thief ? he said. Are you a thief girl? Then he saw the bundle in my hands “Ah, yes, you are! ” He grabbed my wrist then and pulled me to his chest. I dropped the bundle of pastries. He put his hand over my mouth and told me “ Don’t make a sound. ” I could hardly breathe and I couldn’t move. He…he dragged me into the sitting room. He was strong and drunk and he smelled of cigars. He said, we can’t have maids thinking they can steal and get away with it. An example needs to be set .”

Breakfast was now a stones weight in my stomach. I chanced a look at Kit to see the colour had left his face.

“He forced himself on me, milord. He was too strong …I couldn’t get away—“ Elowen’s head drooped and her hands came up to hide her face. She cried so hard my heart shattered.

“Who did this to you?” Kit’s voice was soft and careful. Elowen didn’t answer. She folded in, her arms on the table and her head hidden. Kit turned to me, anguished. I rounded the table and crouched beside Elowen. I rubbed her back in circles as we did for each other when we were upset as nippers .

“Who did this love?” I said softly.

“I’m so ashamed,” Elowen said brokenly.

“Who did this?“ I asked again.

“The…the General.”

Those words were a lit match to a touch paper. I shot up, standing straight.

“No, you must be mistaken,” Kit exclaimed in disbelief.

Elowen’s head rose then and met Kit’s gaze full on. “Oh no sir, I ain’t. I was in service at Penhelligan for three years before that night. We were all warned to avoid the General. He has his pickings of the maids, and he takes what he wants. I ain’t the only one he’s got with child right under the Ladyships nose, but I’m the only one who survived the birth.”

I felt sick, and looking at Kit I saw he was just as gob smacked as I was. Elowen had never told me how she got pregnant. I’d hoped it was a love match but that her beau was rich and couldn’t marry her. That was bad enough, but this…finding out a brute had forced himself on her, was appalling. I hated General Edward Napier with a fury I’d never known. My incensed gaze collided with Kit’s and I could see that he was distraught with anger and betrayal. The only sounds in the room then were of Bess building a tower with her wooden blocks and then laughing as the tower fell. It felt like the whole world was falling down around us, and in the centre of the storm was General Edward Napier. Kit’s eyes hardened as he looked at me. He nodded decisively as if we’d reached an unsaid understanding.

“Mrs. Lazarus, Elowen. I honestly don’t know what to say except I believe you, and I’m so sorry that this happened to you. I am the heir of Penhelligan , not General Napier. He is not related to me by blood. But the responsibility in this matter lies firmly on my shoulders. There will be a reckoning, you mark my words. Please leave this matter with me. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have news.“ Kit rose from the table and gave a bow, “Thank you for your hospitality,” he said.

Then Kit addressed me, “I’ll get washed and dressed. Will you walk to town with me? I don’t think I’ll find a hansom cab around Stepney this early.”

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