“Probably. I need to go see how our compatriot is doing in the kitchen. Lilybet may need some help.”
“You sent a woman in there?”
“Not my first choice but Lilybet is no timid lass. Did Augusta come in with her men? Did she speak to you?”
“Just for a moment to make certain we knew what was to happen to us and why.” He sighed. “I had thought my too-ready mouth had just cost me my whole family.”
Bened slapped the man on the arm. “Not you, Geoffrey, but Augusta’s greed.”
After assuring himself that the family was fine, if still somewhat terrified and upset, Bened headed for the kitchens. He was not surprised when Bevan fell into step beside him. The split lip had probably come from one of the man’s fists as he had flailed around trying to fight off what he could not see.
“Geoffrey does not seem particularly concerned about how you did that without being seen,” he said.
“Good. ’Tis best that few people give it much thought. While having his family saved might make him more acceptable, it does seem as if most people do not like to think someone can play such tricks on their eyes and even their mind.”
“I can understand that.”
Once near the kitchen door Bened started to move as silently as he could. Bevan did as well, and Bened was pleased that his brother had learned their father’s lessons well. He could not hear anything in the kitchen and that made him fear he had sent Lilybet into a danger she could not overcome.
Cautiously opening the door, he peered into the kitchen and sighed. Lilybet was seated at the table, a battered unconscious man tied to the chair next to her, as she ate what looked to be some very nice little cakes a beaming cook set in front of her. He stepped in, ignoring the fear the servants showed, and looked across the wide table at Lilybet.
“You did not think we might like to know that you managed to accomplish this?”
“Was not sure you were finished and thought I would just wait here until I was certain it was safe out there,” she replied.
“It is safe. Geoffrey and his family are well and he has sent for the magistrate. So, I believe I am done here.”
“Are you now.”
“Aye, Lilybet, and I believe you saw why.”
She shook her head. “And I think you are just being a man, an idiot man who thinks he knows what everyone else wants when he cannot even make up his own mind about what he wants.” She smiled at the cook who handed her a tankard of cool cider. “Thank you, Mrs. Jasper.”
“How did you do it?” asked Bevan.
“Peered in all the windows until Mrs. Jasper caught sight of me. Then I made some noise at the door. He hurried over to see what it was and Mrs. Jasper grabbed the fry pan and swatted him on the back of the head. Brought the man to his knees but he was still trying to aim that fool pistol at me, so I rushed in and told her to do it again. Then we all worked to tie him to that chair.”
“That was embarrassingly simple.” Bened shook his head. “Well done. Before I leave I wish to suggest that you go to Elderwood, spend some time there to get as much information about your family as you can, and have Dob teach you a few things.”
“I just might do that. Want to know what I think you should do?”
“Nay,” he said, and walked out.
Lilybet looked at Bevan. “Are you not going to tell him not to be such an idiot?”
“Nay,” Bevan replied, and grinned at her look of annoyance. “He has made up his mind. Best thing is for him to see his mistake for himself.”
“I was hoping he would see it right now for then he could be the hero that rides to Primrose’s rescue.”
“Primrose needs to be rescued?”
“She does.”
“You saw this?”
“Just before we got here.”
“Why did you say nothing?”
“Because it was meant for us to come here where a whole family was being threatened.”
Bevan grimaced. “I should go tell Bened.”
“No, because then he will not have made a decision about this leaving idiocy. He will go rescue her and then leave. You are right to say he needs to know his own mind and come back because he knows he has to, for her, not just to ride to the rescue.” She finished off her cider and stood up. “But we best get everyone else back to Willow Hill. And see if your cowardly brother even stopped to tell the others what happened here in the kitchen.”
When Lilybet reached the room where the others were, she found Bened saying a few final words to the magistrate and his men. With Bevan at her side she moved to stand with the others. There was an anxiousness building inside her and she knew they would have to take care of Primrose’s problems soon.