Lord of the Abbey (21 page)

Rowena gingerly placed the sapphire back into its box. Lyon returned the lid. Micah replaced the holy
ampullae
in their box and gingerly lifted it into his hands.

“
How does your society protect such relics?” Rowena looked to Harry.

“
Hide them away. Study them, but not speak of them. You see, throughout history, despots, kings and dictators like Napoleon craved holy relics to help them achieve more power. Men obsessed with power search for objects of power oft’ times. We would never turn over such important treasure as the
ampullae
holding the blood and sweat of Jesus to the crown or a museum, or even an abbey. Just as the Ark of the Covenant is believed to hold the powers of God, so too, does something as sacred as the vials brought by St. Joseph which hold evidence of the crucifixion of Jesus,” Harry replied honestly.

“
The treasures need to be guarded. Night and day, you know that, don’t you Harry?” Micah appeared very solemn.

Harry affirmed that he did understand with a nod.

Why had she never realized the consequences of finding such treasure? Rowena chastised herself for not thinking far enough ahead. All her years of researching and planning to find the Abbey treasure, and she had never once considered what should be done with it if it was found. Guards. Thieves. She shook her head as she realized her selfish stupidity.

“
Lady Rowena, what is wrong?” Harry’s hand moved to cup her elbow. She was clearly distressed about something, in fact, Harry could not recall seeing such a dark look shadow Rowena’s angelic features. He looked into her eyes.

“
I never dreamed there would be such danger. I didn’t think far enough ahead, I suppose. It was clearly selfish stupidity on my part. There are thieves breaking in, men following us, and now we must guard a secret so Holy…” She shook her head. “It is my fault for not thinking more clearly about what it would mean if something of this import was found. I am beginning to understand how William Dulac felt, I think.” Rowena mused aloud as they walked toward the gallery.

Harry immediately responded. “No, there is no fault, Lady Rowena. Might I remind you that less than a day after we met, someone broke into your library and stole books on Dulac Manor and the history of the Dulacs. This person or persons may be looking for the very same things we are. And they planned the break-in well before it took place. This is not your doing. Or your fault. These same persons learned of the Abbey treasures or secrets in the same manner we all did, no doubt. Through history.”

“
Do not worry that it will be your burden alone to bear to see that the relics are guarded, Lady Rowena,” Micah spoke in a soothing tone. He went on as they reached the gallery. “I do not know if Harry fully explained the particulars of our Avalon Society to you. This is what we do. We research ancient history, myth, legend, and mysteries. Holy mysteries. When we can, we try to locate lost items. We assist persons who come across such things, just as we are helping you now.”

Micah turned to her as he continued, “We will happily remove these items to a very safe and protected place if you wish us to do so. We keep several secret and safe locations where we store such holy and significant items. Safe from the curious public and safe from those who covet the same items for darker purposes. There are only a trusted few of our membership who know the locations of our safe houses.”

“
And do not fear for our safety in this endeavor, Lady Rowena. We are all of us well trained,” Lyon added, doing his part to reassure Rowena. “Every one of our senior society members is specially trained before admittance. We work together very well. We are an elite club so to speak. One cannot just join. I assure you, you and your aunt and Sir John are in very capable hands.”

Charlie spoke then, “I assure you, Lady Rowena, Micah was itching to get to Glastonbury and visit Harry, and mostly because of the history of Glastonbury Abbey. The secrets here are old. They run very deep. It’s not too difficult for a scholar to realize what some of history’s authors implied was to be found here at Glastonbury. I assure you, any danger here was caused by the lure of holy relics, secrets and treasure, not by you, or anything you’ve done.”

Rowena merely blinked and nodded slightly, overwhelmed as she was. She hadn’t expected so much spoken aloud in her defense. “Thank you, gentlemen,” she managed to say. She felt Harry’s hand move to the small of her back. He meant to comfort her, she knew.

“
The safe is there behind the portrait believed to be by Robert Peake the elder. We think it to be a portrait of a middle-aged William Dulac, though we cannot be certain. The marks are very light and nearly faded away,” Frances informed the party.

Rowena had forgotten about the portrait since her recent visit by William Dulac. She studied it intently. The portrait was of a man perhaps in his late thirties, early forties. His hair was sandy, his eyes a piercing light blue. His face was long and thin as was the ghost’s. Though he did not actually smile, the corners of his mouth turned up. It was a hint of a smile. There was a happy sparkle in his eyes. He wore a dark blue bejeweled doublet and hat. It was a three-quarter length portrait, so only the tops of his gray hose were visible. He stood against a dark green curtain. Though younger, the shape of his face, and definitely his eyes were similar to the aged man who appeared in her room. She sensed the portrait was indeed of a younger William Dulac. At least younger than the elderly man who appeared to her in her bedchamber.

“
Is it William Dulac?” Micah asked Rowena curiously.

“
Yes,” she answered with a smile, “I daresay it is.”

Frances moved toward the heavily carved mantle, obviously original to the old wing. She lifted an ornately decorated lid from a finely painted jar atop the mantle. In seconds she lifted a large old key strung on a ribbon of black silk from inside the jar. “The key.” Frances handed it to Harry.

“
May I keep the key, Lady Sperring?” Harry asked.

“
You may, Harry.”

Together, Micah and Lyon carefully removed the portrait.

“
Ah. A false panel. Do you know where the trigger is?” Harry looked to Frances.

She nodded her head. “Underneath the mantle somewhere. I only saw my mother open it once.”

Harry’s fingers first moved across the mantle, then underneath. It took him under a minute to find the trigger to open the false panel revealed behind the painting. There he placed the key in the lock and opened a safe which was about three feet by three feet square.

The boxes containing the cruets, or ampullae, and the sapphire were returned to the larger box. The top was set on it and Lyon pushed it into the safe. After Harry locked the safe, Micah and Lyon replaced the portrait of William Dulac.

“
Lady Sperring, if you will escort me to the study, I shall place this key in the study safe. We will probably alternate the location of the relics every day or two, for safe measure. Until they can be moved to a safer place,” Harry informed her.

Rowena followed Harry, her aunt and Sir John to the study, leaving their gentlemen guests to return to the library.

Returning to the library on Harry’s arm, Rowena was surprised to find the other gentlemen already drawing up plans for the Faire to be held on the abbey grounds.

Another hour or more passed and soon it was growing late. Aunt Frances and Sir John looked very weary indeed. Since Rowena knew she could not be left in the company of four gentlemen alone, she announced that she was retiring for the evening, assuring the men they were welcome to continue their pleasures. Her aunt and Sir John seemed relieved to be excused from company.

“
Harry, your things were moved to the room to the east of Rowena’s, and Micah, your room is on the west side of Rowena’s, nearer the head of the stairs. Your things are there. Lyon and Charlie, I believe Hanford showed you to your rooms when you arrived. They will be in the wing where Sir John and I keep rooms. Everyone sleep well. We have much to accomplish in the morning,” Frances bid the gentlemen good night.

Once Rowena was alone in her room and preparing for bed, her thoughts returned to the very eventful day. The threat to them at the Brides was a concern. She worried most about Aunt Frances and Sir John. They were older, less able to defend themselves against such men as they faced earlier that day.

Then there was the kiss. Harry Bellingham kissed her again! It was no accident. No chance encounter. He intended to kiss her, even asked her permission to do so. She smiled happily as she finally rested her head upon the pillow.

Rowena had her life well planned out before meeting Harry Bellingham, and though she did not think she could ever trust any man well enough to marry, there was a part of her that believed Harry Bellingham might be the one man she would consider. Remembering the scandal, the secret that tainted her, she frowned. If not then to marry Harry Bellingham, then perhaps she might find out what it was like to truly be intimate with a man. For, if she did not marry Harry, she would never marry. She would at least hold the memory of being once with Harry to carry to her dying day. It was definitely something to think about.

Port and brandy were brought to the men in the library.

“An eventful day.” Harry shook his head as he sat to enjoy his brandy. They took their leisure in a sitting area of the monstrous library where very large overstuffed chairs and various tables were arranged.

“Danger, a little romance…” Lyon implied, raising a brow in Harry’s direction.

“You saw me kiss her? How?” Harry narrowed his eyes at the amused trio.

“No, I did not see you. I could not help but notice Lady Rowena’s lips were a trifle swollen, quite rosy, and she sported the most adorable blush upon our arrival to the ruins of St. Bridget’s Chapel.” Lyon grinned widely.

“And you did appear to look something quite resembling a besotted mooncalf,” Micah offered drily.

“Mooncalf?” Harry queried in irritation.

“He wasn’t that bad!” Charlie jumped to Harry’s defense.

“Thank you, Charlie.” Harry chose to ignore the snickers of Lyon and Micah.

“Though I cannot blame you, Harry.” Micah sighed, “A lady of such beauty and intelligence is a rarity. I just want to make certain your intentions are honorable and that you do intend to offer for her hand.”

“I was under the impression I left my mother in London, Micah.” Harry glared at Micah. “Of course my intentions are honorable!”

“We shall hold you to that, Harry.” Lyon laughed wickedly. “For if you do not intend to wed her, I’m certain Micah would do so in your stead. He is as taken with her scholarly beauty as much as you are.”

“Shut up, Lyon!” Harry and Micah growled simultaneously.

Harry looked to Micah, “Have you designs on my Lady, friend?”

“No. You should know better than that, Harry. I knew love, and lost it. I don’t look for it again.” Micah drained his glass, rose to pour another. “Lady Rowena has eyes only for you, Harry. I admire her, is all.”

“Fine, just so long as you admire her from afar!” Harry raised his brow.

His fellows were still highly amused. They continued to rib him. Harry took their jabs good naturedly. Eventually, their laughter died down. After moments of silence, Micah raised his glass, “To us, that we endeavor to help Lady Rowena on her quest to find the Abbey secrets. And to Harry, that we endeavor to help him in his own, ah, quest.”

“I don’t need help.” Harry warned.

“Oh, I think you do. We can help you find moments alone with your Lady.” Lyon wagged an eyebrow at him. “We can be very useful to you.”

“Thank you, but truly I need to clarify something. Lady Rowena must not be aware I am pursuing her with the intention of marriage. She has very definite fears to overcome before she can even begin to think of marriage. Charlie is aware of some of them. I am merely trying to gain her trust right now.”

“We’ll keep that in mind, Harry.” Lyon winked.

“You had better.” Harry pointed a warning finger at his friend. Then he completely changed the subject. “I feel now that the four of us are together, this is a good time to discuss the seriousness of the situation that occurred this afternoon at the Brides. Both men were fairly non-descript as were their horses. And they had not a care that we saw them.”

“True. I’ve mulled it over several times tonight and I cannot understand why they were so bold. Unless it was to either try to scare us, or a trap to lure some of us to chase. More perturbing is that it was a warning of some sort,” Micah mused aloud.