The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter 3

Periwinkle was left ambling by a small patch of grass whilst I worked up the courage to knock on the front door of the tall, looming building. I made a quick adjustment to my dress and a final glimpse behind me, just to confirm I hadn't been followed down the winding street. After a deep breath, I drifted towards the door and reminded myself of etiquette. As much as I wanted to throw the box into the hands of the receiver and be gone to Robin, I could not come across as rude and risk upset with another. 

A light knock on the door seemed to echo throughout the concrete, followed by clanks and jingles of locks and chains being undone. 

As the door crept open, an elderly man, with long grey and a wrinkled face, peered his head from around the door. He squinted at me with his silver eyes. "Can I help you?" He muttered quietly. His eyes were anxiously darting from side to side behind me. 

I was so enamoured by his manner that I was completely lost for words. "I - I have a token for you, from my Uncle, Sir Benjamin Merryweather." I finally spoke. 

He grunted. "The Moon Princess. You best come in." He opened the door wider to welcome me into his home. It was odd how he knew me only by my title, and not my name, and it began to make me wonder whether he really knew who I was. Besides, this was not going the way I wanted it to go. Why could he not just accept the token and be on with the day?

The house was dark and damp, with only a small candle lit lamp perched next to an armchair in the room ahead. Ancient bookcases lined the walls with hundreds of books, almost outdoing the library back at the Moonacre Manor. It was a very peculiar house indeed.

"Please, make yourself at home." The old man waved to a tattered old chair in the darkest corner of the room, much like a chair in the manor. He delicately placed a book on the shelf before sitting on the chair by the lamp.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Charles Blacksmith, a good acquaintance of your Uncle Benjamin."

I nodded. "Maria Merryweather. Nice to meet you Mr Blacksmith." I said politely. 

He smiled to himself. "Oh I know all about you, Maria." Well, without me, he would most likely be a slave to the De Noirs, so that did not surprise me. "And you may call me Charles, please."

"Very well, Charles." I smiled, trying to ignore the awkward tension in the room.

As if he could sense my thought, Charles spoke on. "Thank you for the box. Please relay to your uncle it is in safe hands, and Duncan will be chasing his tail trying to find it."

I frowned at the mention of Duncan. Who was this person he spoke of? I did not recall him being a relation to me, or someone I knew of in Moonacre. Besides the fact, I thought this was a token of appreciation, not a delivery of a delicate item. Non the less, it was my uncle's business, and I was best keeping my nose out.

Charles questioned my expression. "I take it that your uncle has not warned you of Duncan?"

That raised my suspicions further and I shook my head. "He has not. Who is -"

He raised a hand to silence me. "Your uncle must be protecting you, although I have said too much. Forget this conversation happened and be on your way, Maria."

I nodded and stood up in a temper. Has no one yet worked out to stop hiding secrets? They will be the end of this valley when I am long gone. "Goodbye Charles. Thank you for your hospitality." I left the house with the door slammed shut behind me, giving me the chills now I had been thrown back into the breeze. 

Periwinkle lifted her head as she saw me, and I shrugged to her. I gave her a pat before swinging on to her back and we headed back through the village to find Robin. 

I was beginning to worry that he had not found me already. I really hoped he was alright and that nothing had happened to him. If I rode slowly enough through the village I might just happen to bump into him. 

However to no avail, there was no sign and I was contemplating giving up. The weather was beginning to turn anyway, dark clouds were rolling in, and the wind was picking up. Goosebumps raised on my arm, as if to warn me I was about to get caught.

We set home at a brisk pace, keeping a sharp eye out. Being out alone at such a time was a good adrenaline rush, urging me to pick up the pace and race Periwinkle home. As the manor grew in sight, we slowed and I gave Periwinkle to the safe hands of Digweed, who I knew would look after her well for me.

I hurried up the manor steps and inside the hall, where the fire remained burning and of course, there was my uncle in his armchair, Wrolf by his side.

"Glad to see you raced the weather home." Uncle Benjamin nodded. "I take that it was a successful delivery?"

There was no chance that I was going to worry my Uncle by mentioning our encounter with the ruffians, or the fact I was with Robin. Uncle was still hesitant about Robin, he didn't think a young, well mannered lady should be accompanying herself with such a person. So, I lied. "Yes, very easy, Uncle. Thought I might have a browse about the village too, hence why I am home later than expected."  

"That is fine by me. Glad you are making use of your time." He approved. I am glad he bought into my lie. 

I was about to turn away before I remembered the message I was meant to deliver. "Charles Blacksmith wanted me to deliver you a message."

"Go on" he said eagerly.

"He wishes to thank you for the box, and to let you know that Duncan shall be chasing his tail whilst trying to find it."

He shifted uncomfortably in the armchair and proceeded to stare at the fire. 

The question was burning through my head. "Uncle, forgive me for asking, but who is Duncan?"

"A name that shall be forgotten nor spoken about from this moment on." He snapped. Wrolf sat down and groaned.

"As you wish, Uncle." I nodded and disappeared to my study. Secrecy was going to tear this family apart once again, and there was no chance it was going to happen again, not after all we had been through.