The Earls lie or a scoundrels promise

His deepest fear and his biggest dream had come at once

Chapter 18 - his deepest fear, and biggest dream had come at once

Elizabeth stayed where she was, feared to move in case it set off Lady Bovingdon, who seemed to have gone completely mad. She knew She had to tread carefully, she did not know what this woman was capable of, she had always felt some unease around her, right from the moment they met but now she was utterly terrified. She edged toward the door which lead to the dressing room, she could make her escape through their if she could move fast enough. She debated for a second, stay or flee, she took her chances and made toward the door, she did not get far.  'Hold up missy' Lizzie darted through the door and Melissa had a hold of her before she could make it to the next door that would give her the escape she sort. 'Let go of me!'she turned ready to fight, she would do whatever she had to, but as she turned to push the woman off her, to free herself and run for her and her unborn baby's life, she was face to face with a shining blade. She stilled and let her arms fall in front of her belly.
Melissa smiled at her as she noticed the lavish style of the blade and recognition sparked in her eye.'You have seen this before haven't you?' Lizzie nodded. She knew who the Blade had belonged to. She had tried not to let her thoughts linger on that night, spent years avoiding it and suppressing it, yet in this moment it seemed every dam thing was being trudged up to the surface. Yes, she had seen that dagger as he had attempted to rid his clothes and hers. Had Mary and Jones not found her when they did, she didn't want to think what might have happened that night. 'Fancied it for myself.' She watched Melissa eyeing the blade, holding it up in the light, admiring it.  'if that imbecile had just done what he was supposed to do....' The knife flicked carelessly through the air. 'Men are useless Elizabeth, If you want a job done properly, you must do it yourself.' She tried to swallow but her mouth was dry. She didn't dare take her eye off the blade threatening her or the insane woman that wielded it.

It was dark when Blake made it back home. The wind had picked up and he was chilled to the bone. Winter was really setting in and he could think of nothing more than a burning fire in the grate whilst making slow love to his wife. The Perfect end to a cold day spent in the saddle. He approached the house up the main drive way and let his horse and gig be taken to the stable. He could almost feel the warmth of the glowing rooms within. He stretched out his frozen fingers as he stepped through the door and the homely warmth wrapped itself around him. He rid his coat and debated with himself, bathe and change before supper, or find his wife now. He had made a habit of coming in and finding her before doing anything else, so perhaps this once he would make himself a little more presentable. He looked at the old grandfather clock ticking in the hallway. He was earlier than anticipated, the darkness of outside had made it feel far later than it really was, he had time. He was sure his wife would appreciate he follow some decorum every once in a while, even if it is just at the dinner table. He sat in the tub of hot water, thinking over his successful day, the small happy family that was safely settled in for the winter, blissfully unaware that his wife was somewhere under the same roof in an all together opposite state of mind. He stood gloriously nude with nothing but a towel to cover his manhood, when a commotion came crashing through the door.

'M'LADY?' Mary threw herself through the door frantic and out of breath. Blake turned almost losing the small piece of material keeping his manhood hidden. She froze and her eyes widened with shock and then horror. She turned around so her back was to her naked master but she did not leave the room 'Mary! out!' she flapped her hands and spoke not to him but to herself  'God forgive me.' 'out!' he spoke louder 'But M'Lord, Shes missin! The door's locked, I couldn't get in, I'm sorry, I didn't mean too...Oh god oh god, forgive me' He threw on some breeches despite the dampness to his skin. He walked over to her grabbing a shirt to chuck on and lightly touched her shoulder to turn her to face him now he was clothed. She jumped as she did and she looked more than relieved he was no longer sporting nothing but a towel.
'Calm down' he tried his best but she was frantic 'What has happened? Elizabeth is not here, as you can see, can I help you?' She was almost sobbing. 'Yes, she is not here! I cannot find her!' he took only a second to realise she had not come seeking help from his wife, but was looking for her. ' What do you mean?' Mary looked at him and then made her way through to his wife's room, their room they shared, he was hot on her heels 'She is missing M'lord' 'Did she return from her ride today?' she nodded as her lower lip trembled 'aye sir, her horse is in the stable but I din't see 'er' the lad said she left but came back, I've not seen'er since.'

Blake looked around their chamber. He found a small piece of paper screwed into a tiny ball. He smoothed it out and found his own words upon the paper. He had left it to her this very morning. Why would she screw it up?
He scanned the room but nothing seemed out of place. He checked her wardrobes and drawers, everything was still in its place. 'Check with the other staff, see if anyone has seen her.' Mary had already taken off back out through the dressing room into the adjoining room and out the door before he'd finished his sentence. He headed to the main door tha lead to this room, reached for the large brass knob and yanked the door expecting it to open but it was locked, and there was no key sitting in its place, locked from the inside? Strange. Blake turned back through the dressing room, the hallways being swallowed up as he strode unrelenting, panic started to fill him as he launched back down the large staircase and into the main foyer.

'Elizabeth?' He called her and was given silence in return. 'Wesley?' the old butler emerged 'Yes M'lord? 'where is the countess? Has she gone out today at all other than her ride?' 'No sir. She has not.' 'Has anyone called by the house today? Any visitors?' 'No sir, none.' 'you are certain?' 'Yes, no one has called here today, and her Ladyship has not left.' He heard the shrill voice as Mary came hopping Into view 'Master, none have seen her for at least an hour or two' Well if she was not with you where was she...where is she?' She looked awkwardly around her 'Mary? Where were you?' 'er Ladyship ask me not to. It's a surprise, I was out collecting something for her.' Now he really began to panic. She must still be in the house, and as if on que, a loud crash sounded and all three of them looked up in unison.

'Liza?' he took the stairs three at a time back to their bedchamber, He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, empty he went to leave to turn the house upside down, from top to bottom, when he saw something shining from inside an open draw. He pulled the draw from her beuro and found inside a black box was a silver rattle. Another box lay closed and when he emptied it, out fell a white baby blanket. He dropped both items to the floor when he saw the small message. A name that constricted his beating heart. Blake took a second to take it all that was before him, baby blankets and a rattle, somehow Melissa was involved...He read the note again as if somehow that would show him more, show him what he was missing, perhaps give him an explanation of some kind but Of course it read the same as before and he was no wiser. Baby blankets, a rattle...congratulations...he had the feeling his darkest fear and his biggest dream had just come at once.

Congratulations.

Lady B

He fled the room leaving the note in his wake. He began to throw back every door but found each room empty. His heart beat faster each time 'Liza!?' he reached a door he had not been inside of for a long time. The Nursery.