Flight and Fancy

Chapter 2

Lord Graystone unlocked the door to the girl's room and entered. He had expected to find her awake and prepared for the usual walk. He looked around and saw no-one. The room appeared much as it had been when he locked the door but for one exception -no girl. Her bonnet was on the dresser so he figured she hadn't gone far. Anger burned up inside him and erupted like a well primed volcano.

"Isabelle!" he called out and looked around. She did not answer.

He hastened back to the door, "Albert! Jesse!"he yelled loudly down the hallway.

The servants scurried and gathered to their master like obedient dogs. His fury at not finding her was obvious and now directed at the staff.

"Where is Isabelle?" he thundered.

The servants struggled to find any words to speak. Their minds were racing. They hoped their guilt and knowledge of events did not show on their faces.

"Find her and bring her to me!" His irritation and annoyance showed in his tone.

Off they bolted as if trying to be the first to catch the scent of a hiding rabbit, knowing all too well that they were all to be lined up and flogged if the girl was not presented with-in the hour. Lord Graystone stomped his way to the study and paced it's floor as he waited for news.

Graystone's patience was wearing thin when a stable boy knocked on the door and announced that one of the horses was missing from the stable. The Master shoved the boy aside and made his way to the stable followed by the boy. He looked around for any clue as to the girl's where-abouts. Disbelief was now rattling him. How could she get out her? How  was she able to escape? The door had been locked and he had not let the key out of his possession. His thoughts ran circles in his mind.

"Boy," he called sharply to the lad who was standing a fair stride from his master, "Saddle up Samson!"

He left the boy to work and quickly returned to the house, gathered up his whip and coat, pulled on his boots, threw the chains in a saddle bag and ran back to the stable. He barked his orders to the servants that he would be back either when he found me or at dark and that all things had better be in order for him at his return. He secured his bag to the saddle and in what seemed to be one swift leap he was up on the back of his horse.

Samson's hooves threw sparks as he was set to a stirring pace on the cobbled path between stables and house. He strode full gallop in seconds. His powerful hooves beating the ground and his muscular body moving at speed almost effortlessly. Samson had carried Lord Graystone to the main thoroughfare in a few short minutes. Lord Graystone had no way of knowing how long the girl had been gone nor in which direction she had chosen to travel. He pulled Samson's head around to the right and headed in the direction of a large wooded area. It was a good 2 hour ride to the wood but Lord Graystone felt sure she would head this way.

Mixed emotions now filled his being and his mind filled with panic as he thought Isabelle may have been set upon by some bandits or other unsavoury character. Why couldn't his horse go any faster? the anger welled up again. How could that girl be so ungrateful for the riches he poured upon her? His crop slapped mercilessly upon the dutiful animal who was trying to push himself beyond limits. At the edge of the wood Graystone allowed the horse to slow his pace somewhat. He guided his beast from the path and into the trees criss-crossing the path and looking for any sign that might lead him to know if she had travelled in this direction. His thoughts wandered back to Amelia. he couldn't lose the only piece he possessed of her. He had to have Isabelle back!

"Isabelle!" he called her name as he searched. His searching had now taken him through the woods and he was making his way to the village of 'Robin's Nest'

An old lady was carefully stepping her way along the street being steadied by a long sturdy stick in one hand, her basket in the other. Lord Graystone stopped beside her and dismounted. He roughly grabbed the old lady by the arm with which she was carrying her basket, nearly knocking the poor dear to the ground.

"Have you seen a young woman come this way on horseback?" he gruffly questioned her.

When the old lady had regained her balance she lifted the stick and swung as hard as she could at the man who had her arm and just as gruffly replied "No, I aint," as the stick collected him on the shoulder. He huffed and grabbed the reins of his horse, letting go of the woman's arm.

He could hear someone talking to the old lady but his curiosity was spiked as the village became quiet. Windows were shuttered and doors closed tight. The only noise he heard was from the Tavern. He slung the reins around a pole and headed to the door. As he went inside the owner of the Tavern recognised him.

"Lord Graystone, welcome to my humble establishment." He greeted the Lord with a nod and grimace.

Lord Graystone grabbed the man by his shirt front.

"Have you seen a woman on horseback come through here?" he snarled.

Calmly the man replied, "No, m'lord. There has been nought but the local folk through town in recent days."

Graystone released his grip and thought to himself, "I must search in the other direction, she must have gone the other way."

"Thank you," he said to the Tavern owner and peered around to see grown men cowering at the walls of the room. They knew his reputation and were wont to stay out of his way.

"Good day, sir." He ran out of the doorway and returned to "Samson, grabbed up the reins and threw himself up into the saddle. He headed back in the direction from which he had come, pushing Samson as hard as he could gallop.