Henrietta

Accused

~Chapter Nine~

The sentiment of never reaching the carriage felt almost exhausting as Calvin gripped on tightly to the reins in his hands. Once he finally reached the rider's side, he shouted in a loud booming voice for him to halt. The old man quickly recognized The Knight of Theodosia and pulled on his rein's to make all four animals stop. Dust rose as the horses wined and the carriage came to a sudden halt. Calvin wasted no time in hurdling off his horse and rushing past the rider who asked what the matter could be.

The door to the small carriage slung open and Calvin nippily took Ettie by the arm and yanked her out. Her mother's shouts drowned into the background as he took one look inside and realized Henry was no there. Taking Ettie, he draped her over his shoulder and quickly called for his horse.

"I demand an explanation!" Lady Gades shouted.

Calvin was taken by disclosure when Henrietta abruptly gave a hard thrust and toppled off his shoulder. She scrambled to her feet and rushed to her mother's side, her eyes covered in tears.

"Where is he?" Calvin growled.

Henrietta did not reply simply looked at him a bit confused as she held on to her mother.

"Where is he! I go out of the whim to find your mother. My first option was to throw you out in the streets, but I reconsidered because of my son, and this is how you repay me?" Calvin accused.

*****

Ettie fisted her hands and felt a dark blush reach her cheeks as the heat felt overwhelming. Calvin had lastly reached the limit to her tolerance and as she surveyed how he accused her of such a disloyal act, she could not help but feel exasperated. It shocked and frightened her to know that Henry had gone missing, but how could he have the nerve to accuse Ettie of ever stealing his son.

"How dare you," Ettie suddenly snapped out.

"Where is my son?" Calving growled.

"Do you see him anywhere?" she exclaimed. "You Sir are a man who takes and asks so much of people, yet your heart remains that of a stone wall. You expect everyone to live up to your standards...even your needs. How dare you stand there and accuse me of taking Henry? I should have, I should have taken him and upheld my promise to Lady Lydia and protected him...protected him from the likes of you. You have done nothing but make Henry weep, do you think that builds character, do you think breaking your son will help him to become a man of high standards. " She spat out.

"I do what is best for my son," he argued.

"He's but a child! A boy, not an animal, nor a heartless beast like you." She fought back.

"So you think me a beast?" he asked, through gritted teeth.

Calvin glared at her and quickly reached out to pull her from her mother's grasp.

"Unhand my daughter, I know you are a man of great admiration around here but it will not charm me. It matters little that you put your life on the line for Theodosia now." She sneered.

Lady Gades reached out to take Ettie from Calvin's grasp and she felt suddenly like a rag doll begin tugged left and right by two three year olds. Obviously having the upper hand Calvin yanked Ettie from Lady Gades. Quickly scooping her against his chest, he wrapped an arm over her shoulders and held her there.

"She will be my prisoner until my son is found, had it not been for her feeding him all those stories, Henry would still be here, so I suggest you start looking. The beast has spoken." He spat.

"I will have the entire Theodosian Army raining down on your Mansion, give me my daughter back!" Lady Gades exclaimed.

"Then let them come, they know where to find me!" Calvin argued.