Elizabeth Drake

Chapter Five 2

There was a faint light in the window of the small cottage. The house was almost completely enclosed by the trees that surrounded it, but when the carriage pulled up the long drive, the quiet serenity called to Elizabeth.

“Is this where he lives?” She asked curiously as she glanced curiously through the window.

“Stay here,” Vincent ordered as the driver opened the carriage door. “I will be right back.”

The interest was set aside once Vincent left her view. The idea of having to replace her shoe caused Elizabeth to test her pain. Though she continued to watch out the window, she slowly rotated her ankle. The movement was painful, but she continued it anyway. Each turn of her foot seemed to be easier and more flexible. However, she was not ready to put the shoe back on.

 Vincent was gone for quite a few minutes. Although, she did not know where they were, or what he was doing. By the time that he returned to the carriage, the anticipation was nearly unbelievable.

“Where have you been?”

“Alright, we will stay here for the night, but remember what I said. Don’t make him mad, and don’t respond to any of his comments.” Vincent held out his hand to Elizabeth as she stuffed her huge ankle into the tiny shoe. “He hates people that don’t have a sense of humor.”

“Why can’t we just go to a hotel? Surely you can’t mean to put Mr. Hawke in the same danger that we are in?” Even as she protested Vincent pulled her out of the carriage. When she placed her feet on the ground, he led her to the door.

“I think he can handle us for one night.”

The city was invisible from where she stood. The sounds of the country were around her once more. An owl called in the distance, making Elizabeth want to jump at the sound. There was an almost eerie appearance to the location of the small house. However, despite her concerns, Vincent pulled her up to the door.

Ryan’s eyes went directly to Elizabeth’s as she entered the small lamp lit entryway. A dark parlor extended off to the left, but she could not see much beyond that.

“There is a room upstairs to the left.” He looked toward the hallway behind him. It was more than obvious that Ryan was not happy about their intrusion. “No one has been up there in a while. So, don’t expect it to be immaculate.” Turning away from them, Ryan walked toward the hallway. He stopped just short of the stairs and turned to face Elizabeth. “The lamp is on the right of the door. Breakfast is at seven.” Before Elizabeth could begin climbing the stairs, Ryan added quickly to her, “I like my eggs poached.”

Placing her foot on the step, Elizabeth turned to her brother with a confused and insulted glare. Vincent did not say anything. He simply lowered his head a little and shook it gently to show that Ryan was not serious. When Elizabeth had taken to the stairs, Ryan looked after her.

“She’s a lot of fun, isn’t she?” Ryan asked.  Sarcasm was not one of Vincent’s favorite qualities. So, he turned back down the hall and entered the parlor.

“There has to be somewhere that I can hide her, while I find out how to get to Oswald,” Vincent stated.

“I hate to point this out, but the woman is leaving a path of destruction in her wake.” The large caramel colored chair looked inviting. Ryan was not going to resist the urge to relax. “You are not keeping her here.”

“I need a drink,” Vincent said as he looked around the room. “Where is your Brandy?”

“I don’t have any.” Ryan leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

“What do you mean, you don’t have any? You always have something around here.” Vincent checked the shelves on the wall and then looked at the desk in the corner. Ryan opened his eyes and yawned.

“I don’t buy it anymore.”

“But you have no problem drinking mine,” Vincent remarked.

“I have no problem drinking it. I just don’t buy it.” Lifting his head off the chair, Ryan decided to explain.

“You are getting pretty cheap there, Hawke.”

“How else could you afford me?” Raising his hand to his eyebrow, Ryan ran his finger along the scab that was beginning to annoy him.

“I am going to go and find Lawrence Malone in the morning,” Vincent began.

“Isn’t he on Oswald’s payroll?” Ryan asked.

“He is the accountant.” Vincent leaned his shoulder against the wall. “He has been to the bank a couple of times.”

“I know the man,” Ryan added.

“He does not deal with Andrew that often, from what I know. Maybe I can get into see Oswald through him.” The idea seemed possible, although Vincent knew he was taking a risk by bringing Elizabeth out in the open. “The only other idea I have, is to go back to Caterwood.” Holding his focus on the rug under his feet, Ryan nodded his head again.

“That makes sense. Someone either knows what is going on or Daniel might have left something at the house.”

“Or the office,” Vincent added. “I am fairly sure the house will have been cleaned out by now. Whoever went through the Inn was pretty thorough about tearing it up.”

***

The night had been long and cumbersome for Elizabeth. Within the small room, she had tossed and turned endlessly. Although the bed was comfortable and warm, she hardly slept more than a few hours.

She had already replaced the dress shoes that she had worn the night before. After pulling her snarled and straggly hair away from her face, she made a quick braid of her golden blond tresses. When the sun rose high, Elizabeth finally left the room and ventured through the narrow halls, until she returned to the parlor that she had seen the night before.

“Vincent,” she called quietly as she entered the room. When there was no answer, Elizabeth took to investigating the house. “Vincent,” she called again as she found the kitchen and a small den. The lack of response was unnerving to her. “Mr. Hawke,” she finally called as a last resort. There was still no answer as Elizabeth walked through the small cottage.

With light colored paper on the walls, the tranquil dwelling was not what she had expected from a man like Mr. Hawke. He seemed like someone that would live in a pub and have no fashionable sense at all. The house was not spotless, by any means, but it was well kept with some small nice pieces of furniture and decoration.

As Elizabeth continued through the rooms, her search for her brother came to an end with no success. When the thought of being alone began to make her nervous, she ventured outside. The few clouds covered up most of the sun’s rays, but it could not hide the lush green life that surrounded the cottage.

The land that was hidden from her sight the night before enveloped her senses. An old wooden fence surrounded the front of the property and separated the bright green grass from the gravel that lined the drive. Elizabeth allowed her eyes to follow the fence to the east. In the far corner of the fenced in yard was an old doghouse. The wood was warped on the sides. The condition of the doghouse was not her concern. It was the location of the missing dog that bothered her.

After looking around cautiously, Elizabeth lifted the bottom of her skirt off the grass and headed toward the back of the house. Once she had rounded the side of the cottage, she heard a rhythmic sound coming from one of the sheds behind the house. She knew the sound well and decided to find out who was splitting the wood.

The sound grew louder as she came to the edge of a garden. Whoever cared for the grounds had done an excellent job. A small rabbit fence had been placed around the garden as well, but holes along the outside proved that it had been invaded more than once.

Around the side of the large shed, Elizabeth finally reached the origin of the sound that had taken her attention. As she came to the corner of the building, she could see him wield an axe over his shoulder before slamming it into the end of a block of wood. Shock and embarrassment caused her to look away as Ryan lifted the axe again.

With his shirt hung over a nail on the side of the shed, Ryan continued to drive the axe through the firewood. Elizabeth raised her hand over her eyes as she kept her focus on the grass, but when the sound of the axe continued, her eyes seemed to rise against her better judgment.

Elizabeth found herself entranced. Ryan had his back to her and was unaware of the attention that he was drawing. Long lean muscles spanned from his shoulders to his waist. Every curve of his body was defined and flawless. Simple brown pants and unlaced boots were all that he wore, and Elizabeth forced herself to look away again. However, when a dog barked behind her, silence and propriety was thrown to the wind.

“Ryan!” It was not until her feet were gliding across the grass that Elizabeth realized her own voice had called out. When she looked over her shoulder, the huge black animal was in a full run at her heels. Without a second thought, she bolted toward the half-naked man.

Ryan did not expect was to see a cloud of material at a full run toward him. Her skirts flew behind her and a look of terror streaked her face.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” He called out as she plowed into him. Elizabeth threw herself into the arms that had opened instinctively and crashed against his bare chest. Ryan turned her away from the dog. “Runt, back down!” He yelled. The black Labrador began to jump around them. She nipped at the train of Elizabeth’s dress, like she had found a bright new toy. “Get down!” Ryan ordered again. Keeping the terrified woman in one arm, he pointed at the dog and repeated the command, “Get down!” His voice had a calm pitch to it as the lab whined at him. “No, you can’t have the damn flowers,” he added. It was then that he realized the woman was practically clung to his chest. Using the same tone, he looked down at her wide crystalline eyes. “You too,” he added. “Get down.”

“Why is that thing loose?” Elizabeth asked as she stepped away from him.

“She’s not going to hurt you.” Ryan looked back at the dog that had lain down on the grass in front of them. The thick black tail was wagging, and she was panting from the long run. “She’s just a pup.”

“A pup,” Elizabeth exclaimed. However, Ryan did not seem interested in her fear. “Why don’t you have her tied up?”

“Come here, Runt,” he called. Elizabeth jumped behind him but was careful not to place her hands on him again. When the dog came near, Ryan bent down and scratched the dog’s ears. “She is too lazy to get into trouble. I’m surprised she even barked.” Pushing her hair behind her ear, Elizabeth sighed heavily.

“Where is my brother?” She asked as she noticed his undressed state once more.

“He went to take care of some business. He should be back soon.” Ryan lifted the axe that had fallen out of his hands and rested it against the block. “Is there something you need?” Diverting her eyes from his body once more, Elizabeth stared at the dog that appeared more playful than deadly.

“No,” she answered.  Ryan waited for her to say something, but when Elizabeth began to step away from him, he looked down to Runt.

“Go lay down,” he ordered calmly. The dog walked to the side of the shed and curled up on a burlap sack that was on the floor. When Ryan turned his attention back to Elizabeth, she was walking toward the house.