Lord Maxwell’s Quest, page 19
“No thank you,” Rosemary and Max answered at the same time.
“Tea perhaps?”
“The sword was simply a lure to get us to London?” Rosemary asked.
“Fate finally shined, and my prayers had been answered. I always knew that if I had patience everything would all align.”
A chill ran down Max’s spine. Was Fernsby mad or simply eccentric?
“You outwitted my men at every turn.” Fernsby shook his head. “Rylan thought they’d be able to take Miss Fairview in Jerusalem, but she disappeared.”
“We don’t even know what was written on the scroll,” Rosemary said.
“I didn’t want the scroll. They were to take you,” he answered flatly. “Once I had you, a message would be sent to Lord Maxwell because I knew he would attempt a rescue.”
“There was no guarantee Max would do so,” Rosemary argued. “It could have been for naught.”
There she was wrong, which showed how little faith Rosemary had in him. Had Max found the Holy Grail and word came to him of her kidnapping, especially the name of her kidnapper, he would have rescued her first, then returned for the most sought-after antiquity of all time.
“He would have,” Fernsby responded with confidence. “You may compete, you may argue, but he’s protective and he cares.”
“Why kidnap me? There is no purpose in doing so.”
“To get me here,” Max answered.
Rosemary narrowed her eyes on Fernsby. “Even if the sword was a ruse to get Max to London, how could you have been so certain that Lord Crispin wouldn’t have searched for it himself?”
“The three of you are predictable.” Fernsby stated with confidence. “I already knew Lord Crispin had been called home and when he planned to leave London when I had the soldier seek him out with the story about the sword. Even if you hadn’t been in Cornwall, he would have written to you both to bring you here. He’d not want anyone else to find it if he couldn’t.” Fernsby paused for a moment looking first at Rosemary and then Max. “I have people everywhere, and little escapes my notice. Lord Crispin is a source for antiquities in England, so little about his life escapes me.”
Max glanced about, noting there were two doors from the room. They could leave as only Fernsby and an ancient butler were about. He’d been lured here, and Fernsby was not above using Rosemary. What did he want?
“However, I had not foreseen the two of you working together,” he admitted. “Which was why it became more difficult than anticipated to take Miss Fairview.”
“I’ve been in England for months. You could have kidnapped me at any time if that was your intention.”
“Unfortunately, you were always with people who would note your sudden absence, which is why I waited for you to come to London and go out on your own in search of the sword.” He slowly smiled. “Again, it was fate that your bodyguards are visiting family.”
Had Max not gone into the pawn shop and had he stayed with Rosemary, she would not have been taken outside of the bookshop. They also would have never known Fernsby sought to take her. Had they not separated, he and Rosemary would have parted ways only after they obtained the sword and delivered it to Crisp. And since Fernsby was intent on taking her, Max could have been already gone and in another part of the world before word reached him.
“Had one of my men not overheard you tell that man from the Thames River Police that you were going to pay me a visit, they would have tried again to take Miss Fairview.”
“That man was unconscious. He couldn’t have heard anything,” Max argued.
Fernsby chuckled. “Another man was coming to his aid when that Valentine showed so he stepped into the shadows and listened. That is how I knew that you’d arrive either today or tomorrow, thus saving much trouble in kidnapping Miss Fairview.”
He and Rosemary had walked into a trap. A trap that had been in the making for some time, and Max still didn’t know what Fernsby wanted. “Why kidnap Miss Fairview? Why not simply make the request to me directly?” Max demanded.
“You would refuse no matter how much of a reward I promised.”
Max frowned, as anger surged and pieces fell into place. Fernsby didn’t want simply to kidnap Rosemary to get Max here. He intended to hold her until Max did his bidding.
What could be so bloody valuable that the man would go to such lengths?
Maybe Fernsby was after the Holy Grail. If that were the case, then Fernsby was going to be greatly disappointed because even if it did exist, people had searched for centuries and not found it.
“Why not send your men after what you want?” Max demanded.
“Rylan and his men are only good for intimidation. They cannot go where I need you to go.”
If they’d been watched and one of Rylan’s men already knew they were coming here, it was likely Rylan and his men were on their way. He needed to get Rosemary out of here before it was too late.
“How did you come by so many antiquities?” Max grasped Rosemary’s hand and began backing to the closest door so that they could make a quick exit. Their progress was slow because there were items everywhere and not a clear path to walk.
“My father was a collector, as well as my grandfather, my great-grandfather, and generations before,” Fernsby said. “Now, I only need this one item, and I will have everything that I could ever need or want.”
Rosemary had grown increasingly uncomfortable from the moment she and Max had stepped into this manor, and now to learn that she’d been watched and followed for the single purpose of being kidnapped was beyond unsettling. How could she not know?
She’d thought her father had been overly protective when he insisted she have Cronus and Crius with her at all times, now all she wanted to do was thank him, and wished she would have brought her guards to London.
England should have been safe. But, when someone wants something bad enough, is any place safe?
When Max clutched her hand, she unquestionably followed, knowing he was pulling her from the library, and then they’d run for the entrance. They had to get out of here before Rylan and his men discovered they were here.
“You aren’t planning on leaving are you?”
Max turned. “Yes, we are. I don’t care what you want. I won’t work for you, or any man who would use kidnapping as a means to attain his goals.”
“Such the pity, but I anticipated your reaction.”
The hair stood up on the back of her neck at Fernsby’s announcement. “Your coach has already been told to return to London, so your means of escape is gone.”
Would the driver take the word of someone else, and not Max, to leave?
Even if they didn’t have a carriage, they could walk out of here, and keep walking until they came to the village where they might seek assistance.
“It matters not.” Max placed a hand at the small of her back and gently pressed Rosemary toward the door. She didn’t need him to urge her. Rosemary was ready to run from this gothic manor and never look back.
“Rylan, our guests wish to leave,” Fernsby called.
Rosemary’s stomach knotted. They could get around Rylan, if he were alone, but if he had his men with him, their escape would be nearly impossible.
Rylan stepped through the entry at the other end of the room, along with one of his henchmen.
She and Max moved toward the door closest to them, but were quickly blocked with three more men, and her heart sank. Even though one man was likely sitting in Newgate for attempted kidnapping, it was still five against Max and Rosemary.
Max turned and faced Fernsby. “What is it you want?”
“I want you to travel to Mount Athos.”
“Greece?” Rosemary asked in surprise.
“To the Holy Monastery of Xeropotamou.”
Rosemary looked to Max. What was there that was of value to Fernsby?
“You wish for me to retrieve the pieces of the True Cross of Jesus Christ?” Shock and outrage laced Max’s tone.
She’d heard rumor of such, but there were often rumors surrounding religious relics, and she had never trusted anyone claiming to have a piece of the cross all these centuries later.
“My health is poor, and my legs failed me long ago.”
Rosemary was surprised Fernsby could even maneuver his chair through the room, it was so cluttered with items.
“You believe these antiquities will help you?” Rosemary asked.
“They are not simply antiquities, Miss Fairview,” Fernsby barked. “They are pieces of the cross upon which Christ was hung.”
She blinked and drew back at the force of his tone.
“I only need one piece,” Fernsby explained in a calmer tone. “The monastery possesses more than one, but I’m not greedy. If those pieces can heal an entire village, then one piece shall heal me.”
He was mad and belonged in Bedlam. Even if what he said was true, it was impossible for Max to obtain such. Besides, they did not steal but returned what had been taken or was found.
“You will find your way into the monastery, obtain a piece of the True Cross of Jesus Christ, and return it to me.”
“No.” Rosemary answered before Max could respond. “We won’t do this.”
“Actually, my dear, you won’t be doing anything, as you will remain as my guest.”
Blood chilled in her veins. She was to be held hostage all to get Max to do Fernsby’s will. She had already suspected that was his plan, but to hear him say so caused dread to settle into the pit of her stomach.
He then turned to Max. “You will make the journey. You will obtain a small piece and return it to me. When you do, I will return Miss Fairview to you.”
“If I don’t?” Max asked.
“She dies.” Fernsby’s eyes and smile were both cold. “If you continue to refuse my request, members of your family will also meet their demise until you finally agree.” He leaned forward. “Further, if you tell anyone what you are about, or are so foolish as to attempt to take her from here without bringing me what I desire, she will die before you ever return to the manor.”
Chapter 27
Max’s heart pounded as his mind sifted through various options to escape this situation, but he and Rosemary were no match for Rylan and his men. They’d likely die fighting.
“I’ll give you time to think on the matter,” Fernsby offered. “But know, escape is impossible. My men will continually surround you, as well as escort you to the monastery where they will wait for you to return with the item and then escort you back here. If you try to send word to family or friends, or seek assistance from anyone, Miss Fairview will die. If you attempt to escape, Miss Fairview will die. If you refuse my offer, Miss Fairview will die, and each person in your family until you agree. Until you agree to my terms, you will remain my guest as well.”
Even if he were willing, Max had no idea how he’d gain access to the monastery, let alone steal one of the cherished pieces of the cross.
If he failed, Rosemary would die, which he would not allow. Further, members of his family could die too. “You are asking the impossible.”
A guard stepped from the shadows and placed a blade at Rosemary’s neck.
Terror filled her brown eyes as well as his heart.
“Think on it, Lord Maxwell, or I’ll not hesitate to spill her blood as a way of encouragement.”
“I’ll need to plan,” he finally said. “It will not be an easy task.”
Fernsby’s cold smile returned. “I knew we’d come to an agreement.” He signaled to someone behind Max. “My men will escort you to your quarters. And make certain to take his knife.
The only plan Max was going to make was how to escape this place, with Rosemary by his side, and once he was in a chamber, he knew that it would be easier to do.
Someone from behind grasped his arm then forcefully turned him toward the door after searching and finding his knife. The other guard had Rosemary. He studied her as if he wasn’t certain if he should search her too.
“I’m certain we only need worry about Lord Maxwell. Miss Fairview is a gently bred miss and is unlikely to possess weapons,” Fernsby said.
Rylan’s thugs weren’t honest with Fernsby, Max realized. Perhaps they feared him too, because if someone had been present when they attempted to take Rosemary, they would have known she was the first to stab the man. Unless he arrived later and hadn’t realized it was her. Either way, it left Max with two knives that Fernsby didn’t know about, and hopefully, they’d put them in a chamber together and not separated, making escape easier. Except, they weren’t led to the stairs leading to the next floor, but down a long corridor and to stairs leading below.
Tension filled his body as they navigated the narrow stone steps, the only light to make their way were more torches along the wall.
“I don’t believe the accommodations Mr. Fernsby is providing are going to be comfortable,” Rosemary murmured.
As the man escorting Rosemary lit lamps at the bottom of the stairway, rats scurried away into darkness.
Max suppressed a chill. Not only did he not want to be down here, but he could not allow Rosemary to remain here, especially if he was forced to travel to Greece and back.
No, he argued with himself. He wasn’t leaving this estate without Rosemary. He just wasn’t certain how he could manage their escape.
One of their guards marched forward and opened the iron doors of a cell. Max glanced around. There was only one, so apparently they didn’t keep that many prisoners.
They had to find a way out of here before something disastrous happened.
“In here,” the guard grunted.
“Both of us?” Rosemary asked.
“Incentive to make certain Trent reaches the right decision.”
They were marched forward and into the cell that held a bucket and a single cot, then the door was slammed behind them, and the key turned in the lock.
A rush of panic swept through Max at being confined, then he noted the small window at the top of the cell. There was no glass, which meant it offered fresh air. He was locked in a somewhat confined space, but he could see the sky, and he was able to breathe fresh air, and the bars in front were open so that he could look out. The only solid objects that made it impossible for escape were the stone walls. This was nothing like before, and therefore, he was able to fight the panic and anxiety until he had it under control.
“How long do you intend to keep us here?” Rosemary demanded after Rylan came down the stone stairs.
“You will stay until the task is completed,” her guard answered. “He will stay for as long as necessary to make plans.”
Even if Max managed to travel to Greece and back, with a piece of the cross, Rosemary knew they’d not leave this manor alive.
“As incentive, Mr. Fernsby believes that Trent should stay where you will be held as a reminder of the conditions in which you live in his absence. A way to make certain that he is quick about his task, and what will happen if he fails.”
“Get comfortable,” one of the guards ordered before all three made their way up the stairs, leaving Max and Rosemary very much alone, with the only light the torches along the wall. At the thud above, they knew the door had been sealed and they were very much alone.
“This reminds me of an old castle I was in once.”
“Did it have a secret passage in which to escape?” Max demanded.
“Not that we found,” Rosemary answered calmly. Terror threatened to well up as this was likely the third most frightening experience of her life, but she fought to push it away and keep it at bay, as panicking would solve nothing.
At least she wasn’t alone—for now. When they took Max, it would be weeks, possibly months, before she left this cell. If she left this cell. If they didn’t kill her after Max agreed and left.
Rosemary needed to draw on everything she had learned of how to quiet her mind so that she didn’t sink into madness if it came to be that she would be stuck here for any length of time.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I plan on keeping you safe, first of all.”
“You can only achieve that by agreeing to go to Greece,” she reminded him. Though she was still just as certain she’d be killed not long after. However, she wouldn’t mention such to Max, in case it hadn’t occurred to him as of yet.
“I know,” he said with frustration. “Which I will agree to do, however, once I’m beyond these walls, I need another plan.” He pushed his fingers through his dark blonde hair and began to pace.
“It will depend on the number of guards and how closely they watch you.”
“If it’s Rylan and his men, they will be even more careful. They’ll likely chain me, or something, to make certain I don’t get away from them.”
Rosemary didn’t have any doubt that they’d keep Max heavily guarded, possibly until they reached the monastery. “Perhaps the monks will lend assistance. Once you gain access, you can explain.” At least he had a chance to escape even if her fate was sealed.
Max stopped and stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.
“I plan on being away from the guards long before I even leave this country,” he insisted.
“You may not be given the opportunity.” It was better to think this through to the end instead of holding onto hope that they’d escape from this cell. Rosemary was a realist, and as much as she hated the idea of being locked in here any longer than necessary, she feared they might not manage an escape, or that Max might attempt something foolish. Yet, she could not just sit here and accept their fate. Especially when she suspected that Fernsby would kill them in the end anyway.
“We will be missed before long,” she finally said.
“I won’t be. My family thinks I’m off to Italy.”
“Everyone?” She’d assumed his brothers had helped him fool her.
“Harrison knows I came to London, and the reason, but he wouldn’t expect to hear from me, or get a report on what I found.”
