Page 24 of Witchbane

She raised an eyebrow as I clicked my tongue for Warrior to walk on.

‘She was a witch, that’s what,’ the girl hissed in a loud, angry whisper. ‘Burnt at the stake by your own father, she was.’

She seemed to be enjoying this revelation far more than was seemly. What could Rue Underwood have done to deserve such a vengeful reaction? My intrigue increased about the woman I was tracking. I needed to see for myself the kind of person who was capable of stirring up such intense dislike.

I hastened Warrior forward, wanting to move away from such a distasteful person. I knew I wouldn’t forget her in a hurry.

I thought about a message I had received from my father while eating my breakfast that morning at the inn. Its contents shocked me when I saw his instruction to bring Mistress Underwood before him, regardless of whether I had been able to find out any information about her. My appetite vanished as I read the change in his plan, but I decided I must do as he asked.

Now, as I looked ahead and saw the sky lighten beyond the woods, I knew I was getting closer to the manor and to meeting this mysterious woman for myself. I had initially assumed that the only interesting part of this job was that it was the first one my father had given to me to deal with on my own. However, the reactions of the locals, and especially the maid’s determination to want to help me, had piqued my interest. Who was this woman, and how did she earn such loyalty from people who, I sensed, didn’t know her that well or even liked her? And what could she have done to arouse such loathing in the maid Beattie? Was it jealousy because of her beauty, or being the daughter of a lord, or some other thing entirely?

I pulled gently on Warrior’s right rein and we turned into the entrance to the manor. I was surprised to see that the gates were in dire need of repair and repainting. Both were rusting and one seemed about to fall off its hinges. Clearly this wasn’t a thriving estate. We continued up a long drive bordered on each side by rows of majestic elms. The appearance was marred by overgrown grass and weeds around their bases. I wondered at the state of the manor house and what I would find when I reached it.

The trees ended and the drive opened up into a curve that took us to the front of the house. I stopped and studied the building. Everything needed patching up. The stone walls had cracks running along them, especially on the upper two floors. I sensed someone watching from an attic window and glanced up but saw no one there. It was clear that no money had been spent on this property for years. The thought saddened me. This place must have been beautiful once.

I waited for someone to come to the door, but when no one did, I dismounted and tied Warrior’s reins to a low tree branch. He was well-trained and would know not to move away.

I walked up the wide front steps and pulled the lever for the bell. Hearing the ringing coming from inside, I reasoned that at least it worked. I waited. And waited. Surely someone must come to the door.

I decided to walk around the side of the house and see if anyone was around. I heard distant voices. They sounded urgent, as if something was amiss. It dawned on me they had known I was coming.

My determination increasing, and not seeing anyone in the yard, I hurried to the back door and knocked several times. It was slightly ajar, but I didn’t like to enter without being asked.

‘Good day. I am here to speak to the lady Rue Underwood,’ I announced in case anyone feared I was there for another reason.

Silence. I pushed the door further open, taking care to remain outside but wanting my voice to be heard by those in the house.

‘Is anyone at home?’

‘Who are you and what is your reason for being here?’ a man asked from behind me.

Surprised, I turned and recognised him from the inn. I suspected he had warned the Underwood woman that I was in the area.

I wanted him to know I recognised his face. ‘We have met before.’

He stared at me without blinking. ‘Aye, we have.’

There was a steely determination about him. I gauged he must be in his early to mid-fifties and I sensed he was going to do all he could to keep me from the woman I had come to find.

I had no intention of being deterred, so tried once more. ‘I am here to speak to Mistress Rue Underwood, as I’m sure you know. Is she here?’

He shook his head without even considering my question. I looked past him and saw he must have come either from the row of cottages lining the other side of the yard near the barn, or from the barn itself. How could he know where she was when he had not come from the house? ‘Have you a time when will she be back?’

He rubbed his chin. ‘I do not recall.’

I frowned. ‘Then I shall await her return.’

His scowl deepened. ‘There is no point, sir,’ he said more forcefully. ‘The lady will be away for a few days at least.’

I stared, hoping my gaze would intimidate him. It didn’t. ‘I do not believe you,’ I said quietly before smiling.

His expression darkened. ‘Maybe if you came back another day?’ he suggested after a moment’s pause. ‘I will pass on that you were looking for her.’ His eyes narrowed very slightly. ‘May I enquire as to your reason for calling at the manor?’

Careful not to give anything away by my demeanour, I raised my chin. I suspected he knew exactly who I was, and if I gave him my name, I would confirm his suspicions.

‘I am Theo Le Cerf and am here on business at my father’s behest.’

‘And what, may I ask, is your business with Mistress Underwood?’