Lady of Greystoke (Sequel to "At all costs")

Taking off

'John! John, please, you can't be serious about this?!' Jane Yelled frantically as she walked into their bedroom, where her husband was rummaging through the wardrobe, gathering his things. He looked over his shoulder, his gaze falling onto his wife.

'I am serious about this, Jane. I can't sit by and do nothing and let our daughter get hurt!'

Jane sighed as she walked towards John and placed her hands on his chest, forcing him to look her in the eyes, hoping it would calm him down.

'John, we don't have proof. We can't prove that that man is holding our daughter. If the police told you not do it, what will protect us if she turns out not to be there?! You could end up in jail, John!'

John sighed and Jane looked down. She could see in his eyes that his instinct had taken over. The instinct of a protective father, and he would ignore all voices of reason. 'Our daughter is in a place worse than jail, Jane. If there is even a slight chance of saving her, I will take it.'

Jane stepped away from him, with slight nod. 'I know I won't be able to talk you out of this... But don't you dare bringing Christopher or Anthony into this. You are not afraid of what this might bring, and you feel like you don't have much to lose. Maybe you don't, but they do. Christopher has a family; if he goes to jail they will not have a penny to live on'

'And Anthony still has all of his life to live, a love to find. Something he cannot do if he goes to jail. I understand that Jane. I will not ask of them to come with me.' John answered before embracing Jane into a hug, and kissing her passionately. 'I am sorry, my dear Jane, that I have to put you through this, but I cannot risk Alice's wellbeing. I will return with her, or not all.' He swiftly let go of Jane and walked out the door.

'Or in shackles...' Jane mumbled under her breath.

Alice was sitting on her bed up in the attic, her heart beating faster than it should, as she tried to calm her breathing. Not long ago, when she was in the master's room, to take away his dinner tray, he had moved towards her, and placed his hand on her waist. She had felt the man's warm breath on her neck, and it took her everything not to jump. He had whispered words about her beauty into her ear, for nearly a minute before finally releasing his hand from her waist and stepping away. After bringing the tray to the kitchen, she had run to the attic, knowing not where else to go.

She had known women all her life who shied away from any form of touch. Girls her age who wouldn't let their father take them by their arm, or let their brother's hand rest upon their shoulders as gesture of comfort. She had never been like those women or girls. She never shied away when Anthony or Chris would gently squeeze her arm or shoulder as a gesture of fondness. She cherished the hugs her father gave her every so often, but this man holding her waist, being so close to her, it scared her to death. She wasn't sure, but had a daunting feeling what his intentions were, and more than ever before did she wish for her father to open the door and take her back to London.

'Father, please come save me. I need you, Father.'

John walked through the stables, readying his horse for his trip to the north.

'Father!' He heard someone call his name and turned around.

'Christopher...'

'Let me come with you father, please. I want to help her...'

John shook his head. 'I can't let you come with me, Christopher. The police don't support this, if we are wrong about this, I could go to jail. I can't do that to you, son.'

Christopher nods. 'Very well. Is there anything I can do?'

'Find more information and try again with the police. I might need all the help I can get.'

'Good luck father...'

John gave one quick nod and climbed onto his horse and took off into the night.