To Walk in the Sun (Wiggons' School for Elegant Young Ladies - Book 1) (27 page)

Vincent lifted a candle from the sconce and
preceded down to the basement. “Darling?” he called softly.

There was no response. He continued into the
wine cellar. She usually lay on the chaise, waiting for him, but it
was empty. “Where are you? Why do you hide?”

The scratching came from the closed door
across the room. Vincent grinned. He walked forward, then reached
out and turned the handle. “Are you in here?”

She brushed his sleeve and Vincent glanced
over. “Ah, there you are. You gave the girls quite a fright today.”
He stroked the soft hair on her head. “They are lucky you didn’t
bite one of them. I know how much you dislike strangers.”

She leaned closer from her spot on the stool,
brushing against his chest.

“I am sorry for being neglectful.”

Her green eyes looked up at him, always
forgiving, and he picked her up and carried her from the dark
storage room.

The present was all desolation and dread;

the future presented the image of a horrible
deed

which he must perforce commit; while the
past

was empoisoned by the memory of his
guilt.

Wake Not the Dead

Johann Ludwig Tieck

Chapter 22

Tess made her way to the woods and hoped the
girls were asleep in their room for a change. Half way across the
lawn she had second thoughts. This was foolish. She should have
alerted Vincent. But she didn’t know how Percer would react to
seeing his former friend. What if Percer had a gun and shot
Vincent? At least she knew she would remain alive. Well at least
until he had the piece of the map. She could not guarantee the same
for Atwood.

She said a quick prayer and stepped onto the
wooded path. Clouds moved over the moon, leaving no light to
illuminate her way. A chill went down her spine. Not only did the
wind pick up and whip the dying leaves from the branches but she
knew he was in here, somewhere. Her hands shook and she shoved them
into her pockets.
I will not let him see my fear. I will not let
him see my fear.

“Theresa, it is so nice to see you again, and
so soon.”

His voice, thick with charm, came from her
right and she turned. Percer stepped out of the shadows. She wished
she could see him better. Did he carry a gun? Was it pointed at her
now?

She backed away. He followed.

“Do you have what I need?”

For a moment she considered lying to him. She
was not ready to die. Especially for an imaginary treasure.

“I was not aware of the intimacy you and
Atwood shared until I saw it with my own eyes.”

Heat scorched her face. So he had been
watching them that night.

“You never so much as warmed to my kiss, yet
you allowed him to seduce you.”

Tess refrained from responding and continued
to back away. The only thoughts on the tip of her tongue were
insulting and she had no desire to invite his anger at the
moment.

“It used to be I could have any woman I
wished and Atwood was often left alone.” Percer stalked toward her.
“Then again, you have always been different.”

Tess made sure she remained out of arms
reach.

“Or, did you think to use your body to get
the piece of the map? I suppose the loss of one’s virtue is minor
when compared to the gallows.”

She continued until she stepped into the
clearing. The clouds moved on, but Percer remained in the shadow of
the trees.

“Stop. Don’t go any further.”

Tess took another step back.

The sound of a gun being cocked splintered
the silence of the night. She froze. Surely he would not shoot her
now. Not this close to the house where anyone could hear. She
continued to walk backwards.

“I mean it, Theresa. I will not hesitate to
kill you. I’ll be gone before anyone gets out here to help
you.”

She wasn’t willing to call his bluff and
ceased moving. “I am going to walk over to that seating area.” She
pointed to a set of stone benches set beside a small statue. “I
will leave the map piece there.” Her heart pounded with enough
force to beat right out of her chest.

“Why don’t you just hand it to me?” His voice
was as smooth as silk. “Do you not trust me? I would never truly
harm you, Theresa. Remember, we were to be married once.”

A short, nervous laugh burst out and she
covered her mouth. He stepped out of the woods. His face hardened
in anger.

“It was all a lie. Had we married, I am sure
you would have found a way to kill me as soon as you had what you
wanted.”

He had the audacity to shrug and her anger
grew. “Perhaps in time, after I tired of you. A wife does serve a
purpose.” He grinned and focused on her breasts. “They are as
lovely as I imagined. I wonder if Atwood appreciated them as much
as I would.”

Bile rose in her throat with the thought of
sharing a bed with that man. She had to erase the image of what he
insinuated or she would vomit.

“Hand me the piece of paper,” he
demanded.

“No. I will place it on the bench and go back
to the house.”

Percer walked parallel to her as Tess
approached the seating area. She needed to deposit the map piece
and retreat before he could grab her. There was no guarantee he
would not shoot her once it was out of her hands, but she had no
other choice. She bent down and placed the piece of paper on the
bench. Her eyes focused on Percer. She put a small stone on the
corner of the parchment.

He continued to approach. Tess straightened
and moved back.

The wind gusted and ripped the document from
beneath the rock. It flew through the air. Tess turned and sprinted
back to the house. Percer shouted curses and ran for the map,
ignoring her. She made it to the safety of the library, slammed the
door and locked it behind her.

Percer chased along the tree line after the
piece of paper. He caught it only when it became wedged against the
tree. He bent to pick it up and a cat lurched at him from the
branch above. It clawed his face and bit is ear before Percer threw
it off and bounded into the woods, the paper clutched in his
hand.

* * *

“For an intelligent teacher, you are one of
the most idiotic women I have ever met.”

Tess whipped around and stared at him. “How
long have you been there?”

Vincent pulled away from where he leaned
against a table. He had a very good view of what occurred outside
from where he had stood. His blood ran cold when he came up from
the cellar and saw Tess with Percer on the back lawn. The man had a
gun pointed at her the entire time. Vincent had pulled his own gun
from his desk drawer and waited. As long as Tess remained in
control of the situation, which she did as long as she held onto
the map piece he knew he could remain hidden. However, his own gun
had remained ready and aimed at Percer the entire time.

It took every ounce of his will not to simply
shoot the man. It would have been easy to just put an end to
Percer’s life and to the disaster he brought but now was not the
time. Tess’ name needed to be cleared and he wanted proof that
Percer was behind the other murders. That would be impossible if
the man was dead himself.

“I’ve been watching since you stepped out of
the woods.” He walked over and set his gun on the desk.

Her eyes widened with surprise.

“Did you think I would simply stand here
without a means to protect you?”

“I am surprised you did not come out and
confront him.” Tess stepped further into the room and sank into a
chair. She smoothed her gown and he noticed her hands shook.

“I wanted to, but I knew whatever plan you
had in that head of yours had to play out.”

“Thank you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He stood, feet
braced, arms crossed over his chest.

“I was afraid you would stop me.”

“How long have you known when you were to
meet him?”

Her frightened eyes looked up into his. “I
didn’t. I saw him from my room when I retired.”

“You acted on impulse?” His anger mounted.
The thought that she planned this meeting angered him. To know she
acted without thought made him livid.

Tess pulled back at his harsh voice. “I want
it over with.”

“You could have been killed,” Vincent
yelled.

“He could kill me at any time.” Her pitch
rose to meet his.

“Not while you had the map.”

“What was to stop him from simply doing away
with me and then searching the house himself?”

“He would have never have gotten in. My
servants are always alert.”

“Even in the dead of night?” she stood and
countered. “No, this needed to be done now. That man cannot have a
need to come here. Especially with the girls living under this
roof. It is far too dangerous.”

Vincent did not want to admit she had a
point, and refused to acknowledge her reasoning. He let his arms
drop and took a step forward. “Nothing could have happened to your
students. He would have never made it that far before being
stopped.”

“How are you so sure?” Tess cried, her face
flushed in anger.

“I am positive,” Vincent offered in a calmer
tone. “Besides, he wanted the map piece and Percer knew none of
them would have it.”

Tess turned. “It no longer matters. He has
what he came for and has no need to come here again.”

“Not until he learns you tricked him.”

Tess paused in the middle of the room. Her
shoulders slumped in defeat. “At least I bought us some time. He
still has one more piece to get. Only then will he realize he has
been duped.”

“What if he has pieces that already match the
one you gave him? He could know of your trick before the sun rises.
Did you think of that?”

Tess turned to look at him. Her eyes wide and
face pale with fright.

“No, you obviously didn’t.”

“I’ve got to go.” She turned and headed for
the door.

Vincent hurried after her. “Go where?”

“Edinburgh. I plan to take a ship
somewhere.”

“You are
not
going anywhere. This is
the second time you have tried to run away from me. Do you not
think I can keep you safe?”

“I am not running from you,” she insisted.
“It is Percer, he is dangerous. He will stop at nothing to get what
he wants. When he realizes what I have done, he will undoubtedly
have me arrested. I cannot risk that.”

Vincent pulled her into his arms. “I will not
let anything happen to you, Tess,” he whispered into her hair.

She tilted her head and she looked up at him.
“How can you prevent it?” Tears glistened in her eyes and it tore
at his heart. He brought his lips to hers. Tess melted into him and
he tightened his hold and delved deeper. After a moment he broke
away and looked down at her. He raised his hand and brushed a tear
off of her cheek with his thumb. “Trust me.”

* * *

Tess flopped on her back in the bed. Why was
she staying? Percer would learn of the deception and come back.
What if he brought the magistrate? What if he was so angry he
didn’t bother with the magistrate and found a way to kill her
instead?

A knock at the door brought her upright in
bed. Had Percer figured it out already? She clasped the blankets up
to her chin. She heard the handle turn on her door and watched as
it slowly opened. Tess held her breath, her pulse raced.

“Miss Crawford?” Mrs. Zobard stuck her head
in the door and called.

The breath audibly exited Tess’ lungs. “Come
in, Mrs. Zobard.”

She pushed the door open and entered carrying
a tray. A smile creased her face. “Wesley and I thought you might
have difficulty sleeping.”

Tess pushed the covers back and stood. “That
I am.”

“Well, here is some warm chocolate. That
should do the trick.” She placed the tray on the table next to the
fireplace and poured a cup.

“Oh, that sounds perfect.” Tess walked across
the thick rug to accept the cup she offered. Poor Mrs. Zobard was
in her nightgown and robe. “I am sorry he disturbed your slumber on
account of me.”

“It isn’t a bother.” She dismissed with a
wave of her hand. “You will have to let me know how good it is. The
McClarys down the road sent it over this afternoon. A young man who
is courting their daughter, Katie, bought the store out when Katie
proclaimed it was the best chocolate she had ever drank. It was far
more than they needed and sent some over to the house for the girls
to enjoy.”

Tess blew on the hot liquid and smiled over
the rim of her cup. “That was very kind of them.”

“They are the sweetest of souls,” Mrs. Zobard
agreed. “Now, I will leave you to your chocolate and may you have a
good night’s rest.”

“Thank you,” Tess called as Mrs. Zobard
exited the room and closed the door behind her.

Tess settled into the overstuffed chair next
to the fireplace. She curled her feet beneath her and took a sip of
the liquid. It was delicious. Though not any more delicious than
other chocolate she had tasted. However, it was sure to do the
trick for she sorely needed a good night’s sleep. She could not
recall the last time she went to bed at a decent hour and slept
through the night. At least a week.

* * *

Vincent rubbed his eyes and turned down the
lamp by his bed. He couldn’t recall the last time he had actually
retired when the rest of the world also slept. It shouldn’t be
unexpected. He stayed awake most of today.

Vincent had been ready to retire earlier. He
had sipped wine in the cellar in the company of Darling. Nobody
calmed him the way she did and he had been prepared to fall into
bed asleep once he quit the cellar. However, his agitation returned
the moment he spied Tess backing out of the woods.