Linger in love

(43) Unwanted Visitor

Pen entered the room with Anthony and Kate following suit. A man stood by the window. A face that even Pen's own mother would fear. He had an angry demeanour. His fists clenched. It was a battle she intended and this seems to be what she was getting.

Anthony stood next to her. Pen grew silent. So Anthony did his best to take control of the matter. "Mr Norton. Sit!" it was not an offer, it was a command which was replied with a sneer.

Pen, asked Anthony to take her husband chair behind the desk while Kate and Anthony sat at the small round table close by.

"Well, are you going to speak?"

"Well well. I wasn't expecting an audience you see. Protectors. I thought it only a hunch. Now seeing you both here makes me certain that I am right. She..." he pointed at Pen "tricked Tom into marriage"

Pen thought the man frightening before but his tone did him no justice. He was younger than she first thought. Tried making himself more fierce with his chosen clothes. All it did, was make he look like a child in adult clothing. Pen wasn't taking any of this from a simpleton.

She stood and took two steps closer to the man. Her anger warranted "How dare you come into my home and throw accusations. Who the hell do you think you are?" her tone as fierce as the crackling fireplace.

"I am his friend since childhood and you Miss Featherington killed Tom"

Anthony walked across the desk and took a step in front of Pen. He could feel her anger burning behind him.

"Mr Norton, it is you that is the fraud. Lady Fairaway has known the Lord since childhood"

"That is not possible" Norton pointed aggressively at Pen. "He had no title, in his childhood. Nothing you can rip the bone off. You are nothing but a woman seeking wealth"

Pen growled "I beg your pardon"

Anthony defended Pen who was looking like she may strangle the man in any moment "Lady Fairaway is the most kindest, sweetest person you will ever meet. In fact if you did a thorough investigation, you would know that Tommy" he used Pen's husband name instead of his title "Nearly drowned at a young age"

"I knew that, everybody in town knows that" He barked seething.

"And who do you think that was?" Anthony seemed restrained considering how protective he was feeling. The man's eyes darted to Pen. Pierced with vengeance.

"I do not believe you!" He barked again. They haven't made the man see sense.

Pen stepped in front of Anthony, gently touching his shoulder "He was sick. Very sick. He did not tell me until we were married" Pen already looked tired of this conversation "If you claim to know him so much. Then it is you who killed him by not helping him through his sickness"

She softened her voice "He was dealing with this on his own. No family. The closest thing he had to an acquaintance was the footman. Who dispersed with all other staff so they would not be made aware of his illness"

"Well that's convenient" he clipped. He stood. Staring Pen down. His sarcastic tone was not amiss on Anthony who stood to her side, almost pulling her back.

"I think you should leave" Anthony grimaced "Before I beat you to death myself"

"Is that a threat"

Kate stood and rushed to Anthony "Anthony, you need to calm down" her hand softly gripped his arm.

"No. It is a promise Mr Norton. You have come into my grieving friends home to accuse her of murder. Perhaps, this is the reason he did not tell you, You are a bastard!"

The man stormed off.

Pen clutched her chest. Taking a few deep breaths.

Anthony helped her take a seat on a sofa. He felt sick to his stomach. Perhaps he should have brought his mother, she was good at calming nerves.

Kate was leaning on the door "Will Mr Norton take things further?"

"I believe so" Anthony rubbed his neck frustratedly.

Pen took a hard breath "His friend is dead. He just wants to put the blame somewhere"

Kate couldn't believe Pen was seeing reason when the man could not "Perhaps, he should put the blame elsewhere"

Anthony shook his head "There is no swaying him" he tightened his jaw as he looked upon Pens teary eyes.

"There is a voice that will make him see sense" Anthony smirked.

"The Queen" Kate breathed out. Anthony gave a curt nod "You may be correct, she has her ways of seeking out the truth"

"It will be beneficial to have the Queens favour" Pen added. Stil not seeing how and why the Queen should help them at all. It is not like Her and Pen are aliases.

"Indeed, no one would ever go against her word" Pen poured a whisky. Anthony frowned until she passed it to him. He drank it down in one go.

Anthony smirked. "I will talk to Lady Danbury about an audience with the Queen"

They walked back downstairs, where Mr Gavin had dinner prepared for them all. Kate looked around the table "How does he do it?" He was the only staff and yet he had made a meal fit for royalty.

"Perhaps, he's a magician" Anthony's eyes followed Kates. It was quite a spread. Meat, fresh fruit, cakes.

"Or a witch!" Kate added with a giggle.

They heard a throat clear behind them, they turned to see him with a tray of beverages with a smirk. Clearly overheard their conversation.

"You have outdone yourself Mr Gavin" Pen gleamed.

"You had more visitors while you were with Mr Norton. I will send them in"

Pen nodded. She had no idea who that would be. Hopefully more insults would be coming her way. She could not bear it.

Lady Danbury walked in, with her arms wide "Lady Fairaway"

Anthony swallowed hard, nearly choking on his glass of whisky "Lady Danbury, were your ears burning. We were just speaking of you"

She sat at the table "Good things I hope" hitting her cane.

Kate smiled "But of course. Lets eat and speak about it after"

Pen looked behind her "Who else has travelled with you today, Violet?" Pen tone relieved.

Colin walked through the door "Sorry to disappoint"

Pen smiled "Colin"

He took a relieved sigh "Pen"

The room went deafly quiet. Colin's eyes were unwavering. If he could look into Pens soul that moment, he would. Pens eyes locked onto his. His blue eyes captivating her. She thought it a good idea not bringing him along, but now that he was here. In this moment. Her stressful ordeal seemed close to disappearing. He stepped closed. She could almost feel his hand clutching hers and it was exhilarating, she could feel herself warming up.

Lady Danbury had to break the silence she tapped her glass lightly with a knife "Lets eat! This is a wonderful spread, to be sure"

Mr Gavin poured lemonade for all but Anthony and Lady Danbury who he refilled their whisky glasses. "You must read minds, Mr Gavin" Agatha smiled warmly. "If you like ma'am, I can leave the bottle" Agatha spoke jokingly "Better safe, then sorry"