Freeing Ebony

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Henry waited until his family’s weekly Sunday lunch to reveal his plans to leave the estate for a short while and search for Ebony’s younger sister. His mother would believe him this time. Her old friend was a fiend and he would rot in prison for what he’d done to everyone in his employ.

Footmen surrounded the large, mahogany table, refilling wine glasses and serving out delicious roast beef along with boiled potatoes, assorted greens and freshly cooked bread. Mrs Norris really did know how to fill one’s stomach.

“I have an announcement to make,” Henry said casually as he reached for his wine glass. Knives and forks paused between mouthfuls as ten pairs of eyes were suddenly on him.

“What’s that, darling?” Emilia asked.

“I’m going away for a while,” he replied. “I’m going to find Miss Seaver’s sister for her.”

“Why?” Kitty asked.

“Where is her sister?” Emilia asked at the same time. His family’s cutlery returned to their plates as they listened.

“Because, mama,” Henry said icily. “Your dear friend, Vernon, is keeping her from Ebony in a brothel. And in exchange for eight year old Celeste not being put into the business, Ebony must give everything to Mr Shaw – her talent, her wages and herself.”

Several gasps escaped the lips of his surprised family members.

“I knew it,” Sebastian said under his breath. No doubt he was pleased that his rival had turned out to be as slimy as he seemed.

“No, no, I don’t believe it!” Emilia exclaimed as she clapped her hands over her mouth. Her brown eyes were wide and were filling with tears. “No … we are friends. I know him, he would never!”

“He has, mama!” Henry snapped. “He has for any number of years. And it’s not just Miss Seaver, it’s everyone else there that works for him. He has a hold over all of them in some way, be it through their children or parents or friends. He helps them so that they trust them and then he makes sure they have no way out from his control. I saw it with my own eyes, mama, he is physically violent.” The images of Vernon striking Ebony and the bruises she was attempting to cover up on her cheeks would be permanently etched into his mind.

“He should hang,” William declared.

“A hanging is too good for a man like that,” Harrison sneered.

“Lord,” Emilia whispered. “I’ve been blinded.” Sebastian took her hand above the table and squeezed it. Emilia looked heartbroken, as if she’d been betrayed. And she had been. Vernon had once been a dear friend to her and he was no longer the boy she knew.

“Many were fooled,” Henry replied. “But Celeste needs to be rescued and I’m going to do it. I don’t know where she is but I figured I would start at the source. I’m going to Suffolk. Ebony is from there and I’m going to try and locate her step father to learn of the events that came to pass. He might have knowledge of Celeste’s location. I can only hope.”

“I’m not comfortable with that, Henry,” Sebastian said reservedly.

“Nor I,” Emilia agreed, her voice gaining a little strength. “If Vernon is this beast then I do not want you going anywhere near or associated with him. I will not have my child in danger.” Her voice was firm, the tone he once would never have dared to argue with, but he was no longer a child.

“Mama, I’m not a child anymore. A little girl needs my help and I’m going to give it to her.” He turned to William and Kitty. “Imagine if it were Millie,” he proposed. “She is about Celeste’s age, could you imagine her being put into such a profession because of a vile, manipulative man?”