Lord of the Abbey (25 page)

“
Absolutely.” Harry truly hoped a contingent of society members showed. “Let’s pray the Duke of Penrose shows up with his Cornish relatives.”

“
Micah how are you? Would you like me to send for a physician?” Frances asked in concern.

“
I’m fine, Lady Sperring. I cleaned the wound. Lady Rowena provided salve to put on it. She also made me show the wound to her and her maid, and she agreed it does not need stitches.”

“
Let me know if you need anything, Micah. Please do not hesitate to ask. I will instruct Mrs. Brimble to have a table brought in here, and luncheon served in the gallery today. I think you all could use some rest, and this way no one has to stay and guard our treasure while the rest of us enjoy a meal.” Frances stood. Sir John escorted her from the room.

After seeing the way Harry looked at Rowena, Micah turned and said, “I’m going to the library to reread William’s letters and see what I can find. Join me, Charlie?”

“
Ah, yes. Yes! We’ll be in the library until luncheon, Glaston.” Charlie grinned at Harry then hurried after Micah.

Harry joined Rowena where she sat on a sixteenth century settle. It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but at least there was a cushion. Harry took her hand in his and smiled at her. He knew at any moment Frances and Sir John would return.

“
I’m sorry this has all become such a burden for you, Harry.” Rowena found herself looking at Harry’s very sensual lips. Strange, how when she looked at his lips, she thought of kissing him. She reached up to smooth back an errant lock of rich, dark brown hair from his forehead.

“
There is no reason to be sorry, Rowena. I am as intrigued by this treasure as you are!” Mostly, he was intrigued by her. Harry’s fingers caressed her cheek. Then he placed a soft kiss there. “I found you, and there is nowhere I would rather be spending my time, Rowena.” He moved to capture her lips in what he intended to be a chaste kiss. Emboldened by the fact that Rowena opened her mouth to accept him and responded immediately and quite passionately this time, he allowed the kiss to deepen. Allowed his fingers to trail up her arm and seek one ripe, firm breast. He allowed his fingers to lightly trace and tease. At the sound of footsteps not far off, they quickly released one another. Rowena righted herself and scooted a little farther away from Harry.

Harry was never so unable to keep himself in check, so unable to keep his hands from a woman’s body before. He was always a master of control in this arena. He felt like a young, green lad who just discovered his – well. Suffice to say, his hands and lips seemed to be rather obsessed with Rowena Locke’s very impressive body.

“
I’m glad you found me, Harry,” Rowena whispered as she looked up into his dark brown eyes. She was, however, unaware that she was positively glowing when her aunt and Sir John returned to the gallery. Then again, so was he.

Lyon returned for luncheon. After the meal, Aunt Frances and Sir John retired to the drawing room to begin writing out the invitations for the Faire and Ball. Charlie took up vigil in the Gallery until it was time for dinner. Lyon rode into town to place orders for the supplies he and Harry agreed they needed to prepare for the Faire.

Harry, Micah and Rowena sat in the library.

“
So the first letter was found in a book that meant something personally to William Dulac. The second was found in the wardrobe we believe belonged to William Dulac. And we are assuming the men who watched us yesterday, and dug in the Abbey today are the same or at least united in their search. We are guessing they knew exactly where to dig for they found one of the underground tunnels right off. We think they also are responsible for stealing the books from the library at Stonedown, and that somewhere in a book on the Dulacs or the history of Glastonbury, two things extremely important to William Dulac, they found a letter stating the exact location of the tunnel,” Harry mused aloud.

“
Apparently, William Dulac hid his letters in places that had meaning for him personally.” Micah leaned back in his chair.

“
For certain one, mayhap two letters were hidden in books. Let’s look at the titles in the library again.” Rowena continued, “Most of the older books original to the Manor are kept in the glassed cabinets. Of course, it is entirely possible there may be one or two on the open shelves.”

“
Let’s look at the titles, knowing that William hid a letter in one that was special to him. Of course we would never guess that
St. Augustine on the Trinity
was special to him. How could anyone know he found the book on the abbey grounds after the Abbey was destroyed?” Micah mused.

“
We might even try making a list of people, places and things that we know were special to William Dulac,” Rowena suggested.

“
Good idea, Rowena,” Harry commended his Angel.

Rowena again noted Harry addressed her by the familiar in the company of Micah Wychcombe. Micah seemed to think nothing of it.

“
Well then, let’s get to it. I think making a list first may help us search for books.” Harry looked to his lady, “Rowena, will you be our scribe?”

“
Of course, Harry.” She accepted the foolscap, quill and ink Micah pushed her way. “I’m ready.”

“
People important to William Dulac,” Harry began.

“
Abbot Whiting and Lady Dulac,” Micah offered.

“
His wife, Anne. Their children. Their children! Oh Micah,” Rowena pointed to a book near him, “I think I remember seeing that some of William’s children are mentioned by name in
The History of the Dulacs of Glastonbury.”

“
I’ll look, Lady Rowena.” Micah took the book and began leafing through it.

“
The King’s knight, oh I don’t remember his name.” Harry looked to Rowena for assistance.

“
Sir John Darney,” Rowena supplied. “Good Harry! William did mention him a couple of times and did seem to genuinely like him.”

“
He mentions the Virgin Mary, Jesus, St. Brigit, St. David and St. Joseph in his letters,” Micah reminded.

“
And King Arthur,” Rowena added.

“
The George and Pilgrim, rather, The Pilgrim’s Inn it was then.” Harry was recalling the compelling story William Dulac told in his first letter.

“
Oh!” Rowena’s brows drew together. Determination suddenly burned in her eyes. “Of course, the George and Pilgrim! How did I miss such a thing? Where is the first letter, Micah?”

“
Right here, Lady Rowena. I was going to read it again, along with the other. For about the tenth time.”

“
What is it, Rowena?” Harry asked. His lady was on to something, he was sure of it. There was a spark of determination in her blue eyes. Though he preferred her lips parted awaiting his kiss, he found when she pursed them in concentration it fired his blood as equally as the other.

“
Perhaps William Dulac and Abbot Whiting weren’t the only ones who knew about the treasures.” Her free hand waved animatedly as she spoke with the excitement of her discovery. Rowena paused to skim the letter. “Aha. Here it is. Esau Davitt. I thought it was Davitt. How could I have missed the connection? Esau Davitt had to know something to open the door from the tunnel to the cellar of the Pilgrim’s Inn and allow William entrance. William was sitting in the public room waiting for the Dulac servant to arrive when Sir John Darney arrived and took him instead. The Abbot had to trust Esau Davitt implicitly to not give William away, for William might have been turned over to Cromwell’s men as were some of the other monks. Esau Davitt surely was loyal to the Abbot for he would have been in danger had it been found out he helped William escape. Why did he take such a risk?” Rowena posed to the two gentlemen whose attention she held fully.

“
He helped them!” Micah rose. “Of course! Why had we not questioned this before? Harry, Lady Rowena, think about it. It is recorded in history that the Abbot had long been frail and ill. William was a ten year old boy. They carried chests filled with gold chalices and other Abbey relics. The bones of many saints and kings. Books and holy manuscripts. All heavy burdens to bear. The Abbot was being closely watched. They could not make many trips being watched as they were. They had to have help. I’ll wager it was Esau Davitt!”

“
Oh, I agree. Esau Davitt had to help them. That is why the Abbot trusted him to get William safely to Dulac Manor that day. William did not mention Esau Davitt in the later letter, but just the one mention of him in the first I find to be quite enough,” Rowena thought aloud.

“
It would have taken many trips and hours of agonizing work for the Abbot and William alone to carry so much treasure through the tunnels. I see what you are saying.” Harry surmised, “This Esau Davitt may have left a written or verbal record with his family.”

“
Who still live in Glastonbury.” Rowena rose. “At least, there is a Davitt family still here. Perhaps they are his descendents.” She beamed brightly.

“
Tell us about them,” Harry encouraged her.

“
They live in Glastonbury at Bove Town. They run the George and Pilgrim. Percy is the eldest, but only about thirty or so, and came into some money some years back, though I do not remember how. He left Glastonbury somewhat suddenly. He lives in London, I think. When he does return to town he is dressed as a gentleman. His brother Joshua took over the George when he left, and does a much better job they say. There are two sisters, both married, Grace to Simon Pennycross who runs a small store in town. Mercy, the youngest, married a wealthy merchant named Philip Milligan from Wells. The parents have been deceased for some years now.”

“
We have a couple of hours left before dark, Rowena. Would you introduce us to this Joshua if he’s at the George and Pilgrim today?” Harry raised a questioning brow to his Angel.

“
Of course, Harry.”

Frances pleaded a headache, and sent Micah, Harry and Rowena on to town without her and Sir John. She requested they stop at the apothecary to pick up some Willowbark tonic for her.

They chose to take the phaeton. Harry took the reins, with Rowena beside him. Micah sat upon the smaller back seat. Once they arrived in front of the apothecary, located conveniently near the George and Pilgrim, Harry escorted Rowena in to that establishment. Micah went on to the George.

“
Hello, Millie,” Rowena greeted the plump young woman behind the counter.

“
Lady Rowena! Always a pleasure. What can we do for you today?” The young woman smiled brightly.

“
Aunt Frances has a head-ache and is low on her Tonic of Willowbark.

“
Papa is not in this afternoon. He was called over to Street. The elder Mr. Burns is very ill. I know he will not mind if I send some along with you for your aunt. He wouldn’t want her to suffer unduly. I’ll step into the back and get a bottle ready.”

Harry looked about the clean and tidy apothecary shop curiously while they waited. He looked to Rowena. Admired her shape, silhouetted as it was, in her fine fitting gown. Though her waist and limbs were long and trim, he would describe her curvy breasts and hips as voluptuous. He looked away when he felt the heat stir within him, as it always did when his thoughts strayed regarding her. He turned toward her again, found her smiling at him. Noted that her eyes were a little stormy looking.
Interesting.
No doubt her thoughts were mirroring his. He returned her smile, yet his was a wolfish one that brought a stain of pink to her cheeks. He wished he could do more than merely smile at her.

“
Here it is.” Millie came out carrying a small bottle.

“
Thank you, Millie.” Rowena went to open her reticule. Before she managed to extract her coin from inside, Harry’s gloved hand reached around her, depositing coin in the young lady’s hand.

“
Millie, have you met Lord Glaston of Abbey Grange?”

“
No. Welcome to you, my Lord! We’ve heard you’re to make Glastonbury your home. The whole town is quite happy with the news.”

“
I am happy to make Glastonbury my home, Miss Smythe.

“
Oh, Millie,” Rowena began and quickly told the girl about the Faire and Ball. She finished with, “Be sure to tell your father.”

“
I will, Lady Rowena. Lord Glaston. We shall see you at the Faire then. Good day to you both.”

“
Thank you, Miss Smythe. It was a pleasure.” Harry bowed to the young woman before he led Rowena out of the shop on his arm.

“
Shall we join Micah?”