“Jack,” I began cautiously, “I … well I’m not sure, but I think I saw someone on the grounds that first day you saw someone in the trees”
Jack raised his eyebrows, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I was worried. I think, well, it looked like that boy from the marketplace. Seth Swaggart. It was from a distance, but he looked so skinny standing there, and he was dressed in all black.” I shivered but I was not cold.
Comprehension dawned on Jack’s face, “You know … the person I chased fit that profile. He was wearing a long black cloak. I’m sure that probably bulked him up a bit.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions.” I didn’t want to face the truth.
“But it fits.” Jack complained, “Why on earth is he lingering around the Forsythe manor?”
“To finish me off?” I said sarcastically, though somewhere deep down it made sense.
Jack eyed me warily, “But that’s ridiculous. You’re just a girl, just a-a-”
“Nobody?” I offered.
“Well, no.” He flushed pink, “But this is bad news anyway.”
“Why? I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. We’re being paranoid.” Oh god I hoped we were.
“Well … it’s not really a good sign when Seth Swaggart starts following you.” Jack admitted. We had stopped outside the stables and were talking in hushed voices now.
“Care to elaborate?” I pressed.
“Well, I suppose you could call it … a-a death omen.” Jack said slowly and seriously, “Think about it. On that first day you were in Frost Arch, we think Swaggart tried to curse you, but I stopped him-”
“So how do you know he’s not after you?” I hissed.
“Why would he run away from me if I were the target?” Jack reminded me.
“Shush.” I huffed, “Okay, so let’s say he’s lingering around the grounds hoping to catch me alone. I was alone in the stables all night. Anyone could have gotten in and finished me off.”
Jack shrugged, “Maybe we’re over thinking it.” He decided, “I’m sure no one wants you dead.”
“Exactly … I haven’t done anything wrong.”
As I said those words I thought about Mortlock, how I had run away, and those ghastly scars on Helena’s shoulders that were the exact shape as my hands.
“It might not have been Swaggart anyway. Probably a thief.” Jack muttered as he opened the door to the stables and led me inside.
Late that afternoon I was on the second floor of the manor relighting a fire which someone seemed to have put out for a joke. Probably Jack getting me back for the kidney jabs.
As I left the room and bustled away down the hall; a house maid with whom I was not familiar with was hurrying down from the third floor.
“Miss Redding.” The woman called, speeding up when she spotted me.
I turned and watched her approach, “Yes?” I was sure I had never spoken to one of the cleaning staff before. She was an older woman with greying hair, and was quite plump.
“I was up on the third floor, cleaning Miss, when Master told me to summon a Miss Redding from the staff. Is that you?” She panted.
“Yes. How did you know who I was?” I asked curiously.
“Master described you Miss.” She said, “He said look for a pretty lady with long black hair, blue eyes and a nervous disposition.”
I scoffed, “A nervous dispo-”
“Please Miss, Master Noah requests that you see him in his study immediately.”
My heart stopped. Noah.
“H-He wanted to see me, right away?” I felt faint.
The old maid nodded and looked simply terrified of me. Or for me. I wasn’t sure.
“O-okay. Thank you.” I stammered. I gave her a swift smile before hurrying up the stairs, trying desperately to flatten my hair. I caught my reflection on a highly polished suit of armour and tried to fix myself as much as possible. I then hurried to Noah’s study. I knew where this was as I had been lighting the fire in there since day one. It was just two doors up from his bedroom.
I knocked on the door, more loudly than I had intended in my excitement.
“Come in.”
The voice was much softer and nicer compared the last time I had knocked upon his door. I wondered if he recalled our last meeting well. He had been rather intoxicated.
I entered the familiar room laden with books and tables. Candle holders lined the walls and flickered light upon the scene mysteriously. Noah was in the far corner, a book held open before him, but his eyes were not moving across the page, and I strongly assumed that he had not been reading it at all. Perhaps he had picked it up from the shelf at random when he heard my knock in a ruse to look intelligent and preoccupied. Another piece of evidence which supported my theory was the fact that the book was upside down. As I stepped clearly into view Noah looked up and smiled.
“Ah, yes, Avalon Redding.” He said my name with a slight edge to his voice, “That was quicker than I thought.”