The Regency Witch and Werewolf

Chapter 4. A Dead Duke

Chapter 4

Gently Duke Waywenth left arm linked about my waist as I raised my arm to hold his arm gently. We began to twirl and sway to the strings of the waltz. I was aware that some eyes were on me. But whom was watching and who wasn’t was far from my mind. I focus on keeping a smile on my lips. To keep the Duke thinking all was well. That tonight he wasn’t going to die. But perhaps my vision had been wrong. Perhaps the Duke's fate was changeable. Though I have yet to come across a vision that was changeable. Briefly I glanced away from him to spot my mother. Her eyes were on us , until the Duchess beside her leaned over to whisper something to her, and she looked away with contentment in her eyes.

Tearing my gaze from her I allowed it to travel up to the upper balconies. My eyes like a magnet being attracted to another felled on a man all dressed in black. A white cravat standing out from his neck. His eyes were locked on me. The stranger that came to my rescue not too long ago in the hall was watching our every movement. At last my attention was pulled away as the Duke called my attention to him.

"I hope I am not boring you miss Scarlet. Perhaps you feel a bit uncomfortable. Shall we remove ourselves from the dance floor.?"

My eyes quickly felled back on the duke's face. His eyes seem quite dark. The eyes that matched the murderer. Shaking my head. "No your grace. I was just puzzled over some faces in the crush tonight. There seems to be quite a lot of new faces. " I hoped he would fall for that excuse.

"Ah this is indeed true, "came his soft reply. His eyes seem to lighten. The man I knew as the duke seem to take over again. I must have frown at the change cause the duke inquired rather I needed a bit of fresh air. "Perhaps we should take a stroll in the gardens. You looked troubled." leaning in far more than he should've he whispered. " Remember my future wife. My dearest River I know of your illness you need not try to hide it from me. "

Outside was not a good idea. That child Abigale had said that Lord Black would come and fetch me away right after this dance. No I must not venture far. But before I could let the duke know of my thoughts on the matter, I began to feel a chill creep up my spine. All I could do was shake my head. The duke's voice suddenly sounded far away as if he was trying to wake me up from a dream. I wish it was a dream. But I knew it wasn't. The duke continued to spin me about the room. But I was barely aware, my eyes were on the circle of people watching the dance. Scattered among them watching us was a growing number of women that stood apart from those attending the ball. They range from all sizes. Some fair hair, some blonde, some red heads, some with black hair. They were of all kinds of races. Their ages seem to fall between 16 and 30. Their clothes, either ragged or covered in dirt. Blood was splattered about their person. Their skin looked paled, which informed me they were as I thought them to be all dead. And as it always was, I was the only one that seemed to know of their presence. Slowly as if in cue they all took one step forward separating themselves from the circle of people along the outer rim of the dance floor.

I hadn't been this afraid since I was a child of ten. Fear washed over me to the point I could feel myself shake. "Miss River get a hold of yourself. Come let’s take you outside for a bit of air." Came the Duke's voice. It sounded so far away.

I was aware that I was being moved off the floor. The duke held me tightly about the waist as I walked, stumbled beside him towards one of the side doors. As he led me the ghost watched us as we passed them by. One close enough in passing reached out for me, and I found myself turning my head towards the duke’s shoulder to hide my face. I knew they were the last thing I should be afraid of but old habits die slowly. Spirits rather good, or bad only brought one feeling to mind for me. Fear. Fear of what they wanted of me, from me, or to do to me.

The feel of the night air on my skin seemed to pull me out of the darkness I was starting to feel myself fall into. Glancing back to the lit ballroom as we made our way down the stairs to the gardens I found much to my pleasure that none of the women seem to follow. But I now faced another problem. The duke and I were alone in the garden. And currently he was leading me around the great house to the other side of the garden. A side that I knew would not be visible to anyone.

I was just about to inform him, now that my speech had returned, that perhaps we should not stray too far from the view of the ball. But no sooner than I open my mouth to speak of such things the whispering begun. It had been so long since I heard them. With each step we took the whispers grew louder in sound until I felt like I was in a large tunnel surrounded by rushing water on all sides. I felt helpless. Fear consumes me once more and memories of what happened the last time I heard whispering of such came flooding back. I couldn't. I didn't want to relive that year as I did when I turned ten. Please please stop I could hear myself begging. So many voices. All speaking at once. I felt as if my head was going to explode.

"It's alright Miss Scarlet. Sit here. We're stopping, and I shall go see about getting you home immediately." I hadn't realized I had spoken out loud. With tears in my eyes I reached up to cover my ears. The Duke was staring down at me with worry in his eyes. A gentle hand reached out and squeezed my shoulder. The whispering reaches an all time new high. I could no longer hear. But I read his lips. “I have been waiting for my wife."

My eyes widened at his words, and he suddenly jerked his head to the left. His hand dropped from my shoulder and his mouth moved . He was speaking to someone perhaps but my eyes were focused on the undead that joined us. The women were appearing one by one around us making a large circle, their eyes on the Duke. Suddenly the whispering disappeared and the sound returned.

"Avon darling, "came my mother's high pitched worried voice. I pulled out my daze as she reached for my face. I instinctively moved back. For a brief moment I saw pain in my mothers eyes. I brushed it to the side my eyes falling on the man that stood behind her shoulder. The man in all black his white cravat standing out under the moons glow. A worried look was etched across his face.

"Raine please lower your hands my darling." Once again my mother reached for me and she pulled at my wrist. I allowed my hands to be pulled away and my hands deposited in my lap. I wanted to speak to say something but I was afraid of what I might say. I allowed instead my eyes to look around again. The women had not yet moved.

"Miss scarlet perhaps you can stay here with your daughter. My grace." The man in all black turn to the Duke. "Shall we go and see about the ladies carriage. Perhaps you should return to the ball. Whispering to would not do well in your favor your grace. "

Turning my head towards the Duke I found his gaze on me. As if he himself had been in a daze he shook his head and straighten. "Yes you're correct. I shall go inform the hostess that you have fallen ill. And that shall take care of any whispers for now. And you sir....." I could tell by the look on the duke's face that he wasn't aware of who this man was.

"Black your grace. " Lord Black." I saw a look of surprise and interest briefly cover my mother's face. My eyes traveled over him as well. So this is Lord Black. And it seem the Dukes possible murder was one in the same.

"You go see about their carriage," said the Duke a tone of worry in his voice. He was quite the good actor. Perhaps on his free time besides killing women he dabbled in plays. Turning on his heel he headed not for the the direction from whence we came, but towards the glass doors that connected to what seem to be the private office of Mr. Irewick . The very office that was to be the duke's death chamber. My eyes widened as I noticed finally the area in which i now sat. But I didn't remember the bench.

"You should follow shortly after me Mrs. And Misses Scarlet."Said Lord Black softly. I turned my head in his direction away from the doors to find his eyes on me." Give yourself time to get ready of course. " Lord Black bow quickly before turning quickly retreating back the way he and mother had come.

At last I sat with my mother in a garden surrounded by the dead women ghost, that the man my mother intended for me to marry murdered in cold blood. Taking a deep intake of breath I exhaled and moved to stand. We couldn't stay much longer. My eyes drifted around to the women, much to my surprise the women were looking towards the doors of the office. Turning my head I found the ones behind me as well, we're looking in the direction of the office. Good they were focused elsewhere. Not that I was worried that they were there for me. But I figured this meant I had no worries of them following. "shall we mother?"

"Yes." Standing quickly she straightened her skirts and held her head up high. The mother who had come running to my aid was gone. Replaced by my real mother, a money hungry mongrel. I knew there was bound to be a conversation about what had transpired in the carriage ride home. I dreaded that more than the thought of the ghostly women following us. Turning the corner of the great house mother suddenly stopped before me. "My handkerchief." Her hand came up to her chest as she turned to me. I must have dropped it when I sat on the bench. Your father brought it for me. We must find it. Go back and check the bench. I shall retrace my steps and we'll meet you outside the ballroom doors." Blinking a bit I stared at my mother who stared back at me as if mentally asking why I was still standing there. "Of course mother." Turning quickly I headed back to the bench.

I stopped suddenly finding the ghost gone, the bench we had been seated on, was being covered in the moon's soft glow. Mother’s handkerchief rested on the ground where she had been seated beside me. Quickly I darted for her handkerchief. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck starting to stand. The air I swore tasted funny. Stooping I grabbed my mother’s handkerchief and stood, my eyes glancing in the direction of the office glass doors. I felt other than hear the gasp fall out of my lips. Through the glass doors of the office, a body could be seen resting on the floor. Standing over the body a dagger in his hand, his eyes a glowing golden like a cat, stood lord black. A frown graced his features. He looked rather confused. My eyes traveled to the right where I knew the door would be opening soon. As if on cue the door swung open, and in came the young girl Abigale that I spoke with earlier. As she locked the door behind her, her eyes immediately fell on me. I froze on the spot. She obviously could see me so there was no point in trying to run away. Already Lord Black had straightened and was moving towards the door. I clutched my mother’s handkerchief in my hand and started to back up only to trip on my skirts and fall onto the bench. Silence suddenly consumed me as I clutched to the back of the bench to straighten myself. Abigale had said earlier that Lord Black was supposed to make sure I was away. Damn it mother and her damnable handkerchief. What would they do to me now…………? A hand on my shoulder, flowed by little jolts, informed me the Lord Black was at my shoulder. Glancing up I could see his mouth moving but I could hear nothing. As if a plug of a drain was pulled sound suddenly came rushing back in. “I think she is in shock Abigale. I am going to take her to her carriage. We will deal with her tomorrow. In the meantime make yourself disappear. We will have to figure out who took care of the Duke for us later.”

Who took care of the Duke for them? Then Lord Black didn’t do it. Grabbing his wrist with my other hand. “I promise……” I could hear my voice c***k. Were they going to kill me now? “I won’t tell a soul…..please…….”

A slow devilish smirk spread across the dukes lips. His hand sipped from my shoulder and under my arm yanking me swiftly to my feet. “Lady Scarlet…….Don’t worry……..I have no intentions of harming you. No. You’re a complete interest to me and Abby. You have a glow……a strong glow. A glow that the Duke was very attracted to. And we need to know what that glow of yours is about. So we need you alive for that now don’t we?” he c****d his head to the side. The look in his eyes was completely predator-like.

“Don’t go scaring her Gabriel .” Abigale had joined us. Beyond her I could see the body of the duke still lying on the floor. “Get her in the carriage before any more unwanted company joins us.” Reaching out she tapped my arm her bright blue orbs rising up to meet my emerald colored ones.” No fear Miss. Scarlet. You’re our friend and you fall under our protection. Get her to her carriage Gabriel .” Turning she waved a hand and headed in the opposite direction disappearing into the darkness of the shadows. I would have inquired where she was planning to go when Lord Black tugged at me suddenly. He moved my gloved hand onto his arm and led me swiftly back towards the ball. His steps are swift and full of purpose. I followed as best as I could. As we reached closer to the doors and the gardens that reached up the ballroom he slowed his pace. “Make no eye contact with anyone. We’re going to head straight for the doors. I will put you in your carriage and find your mother quickly. If we’re lucky she might already be near the doors to go. Abigale and I will call on you tomorrow. If by chance the constables come I would expect you to be smart enough to tell them nothing that would put you in trouble of seeing three dark walls and metal bars for the rest of your days.” His words were spoken quickly and curtly. I responded with a quick nod to my head. A million and one questions were in my head. But for now all I wanted to see was the seats of my carriage.

As we entered the ballroom again. My eyes remained focused on the door exit. My mother was already there apparently chatting away with the one of the Duchess. She didn’t seem too worried about her handkerchief. Forcing myself to grin I dipped a curtsy to the Duchess and straightened as we joined them.” Mother I have your handkerchief….please can we depart. I feel very fatigued and Lord Black so kindly has offered to escort me to our carriage.” The Duchess eyes widened and quickly felled over me and Lord Black. “Please hurry along and get your rest Miss Scarlet. “ Though her face expression was one of worry her eyes said she was curious about me and Lord Black. Great rumors shall spread like wildfire. I danced with Duke, but left with Lord Black. Tongues will be wagging tomorrow.

“Of course my dear,” said Mother taking her Handkerchief. If you will excuse us your Grace.” My mother and I both dipped a curtsy. I felt Lord Black bow beside me before he retook my hand resting it once more on his arm..The constant tingles when he touched me was becoming such a heady feeling. We made our exit quickly. Our carriage awaited at the bottom of Irewick stairs. The doors of the carriage were open by the foot men and my mother was led up and inside. As she arranged her skirts I turned to look up at Lord Black. His eyes the golden iris that I had saw as he leaned over the duke’s body had long faded. Deep dark greys stood in their place. Removing his arm from under my hand he retook my hand once more and led me up the small steps into the carriage. “I shall come with my young sister tomorrow and call upon you if you shall allow it. Just to make sure you’re well. And to see if there is anything I can do if you allow it. “Bowing his head he stepped back from the carriage as the door was closed.

“But of course we would be honored Lord Black if you would call upon us. I am sure Raine shall be much better by then. Perhaps a visit from you and your lovely sister might even brighten up her spirits. “My mother was all a glow. The Black family was an enigma in the circles that we traveled in. What their business was. How they remained so wealthy all these years. They were an ancient family. And a very ancient name. From what most knew about them they had to marry outside of England. Children were produced. Aires were created and the life cycle in the Black family continued. They attended balls and such as one is supposed to. But never did they court any of the ladies. And neither did any of the women allow themselves to be courted. Hence why most assumed those, that the Black family married, were foreigners. Their family was known for their beauty and foreign looks. But with such a well-do history my mother was all joyful to have any of the Black family call on ours.

“Very well until tomorrow. “ Lord Black raised his hand and the carriage set off. Leaning back on the cushions I refused to look out the windows. I just wanted silence. And if I could have it my way I would turn off all thoughts. A deep sigh escaped my lips. The Duke was dead. I would not have to marry him. But who killed him. Lord Black didn’t to my knowledge. And what is with this family. Am I wrong to assume the sister he referred to was Abigale. Answers might be answered tomorrow perhaps. Glancing over to my mother I awaited her sharp tongue at my doings this evening but it never came. She sat looking out the window and smirk on her lips. Had she forgotten the Duke already? Was she already plotting my marriage into the Black family now? I suppose if she already planned to marry me off to one murder unknowns to her why not marry me off to family of them.