Chapter Twenty-Three

Serena took her Bible and closed the door behind her. She found her way to the chapel, which seemed warmer. The light shining through the stained glass windows cast a colorful aura. Each window showed a date. One in particular dated back to the fourteenth century.

There were prayer chairs as well as pews. Serena knelt at the chair and clasped her hands. She opened her King James Bible to a favorite. Psalm 23:1-6. She read.

The LORD is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou are with me…

A door opened behind her. She turned. Lord LeBran was walking toward her, his gait menacing. He paused beside her. The light through the stained glass window seemed to dim. Could this man be the devil’s disciple?

“It is good you seek guidance, but why do you pray so hard? Do you have that many sins?”

“I pray for salvation, my lord. We are all sinners. Evil resides in us like a plague.”

Damn this wretched man.

She argued in a soft voice. “Do you consider yourself a moral man?”

“Yes.” He loomed over her.

“Let me leave here. I do not wish to marry you.” She held his gaze. Hatred dwelt behind his eyes. “I see the revulsion on your face. You loathe me.”

“You are everything I am not,” he hissed, and pointed his thin boney finger in accusation at her. “Your brother and I have larger-than-life plans to control the House of Lords. In order to do that, we have to form alliances. Some have to be bought. That requires money. You have a vast sum and I do not. We wish to change the future direction in England. In short, Serena, as I have said before, you are a means to an end. I will tolerate you if I must.”

“Then I shall pray for you, too.” She turned from his sinister face.

“I do not need a harlot to pray for me. I know all about you and how you tempt men with your wicked ways. Your brother informed me of everything. You must have provoked your husband. You deserved the ugly scars.” His words boomed.

“Please do not shout. We are in God’s house. I am not a harlot, but even if it were true, Jesus forgave Mary Magdalene and took her into His flock. He demonstrated compassion and mercy, believed in forgiveness.” His unyielding expression terrified her.

“I am a French Huguenot. My family settled here in the sixteenth century. We endured many persecutions. The English branch summoned my ancestors to assist in this fortress’s settlement. You are an abomination to me and all I believe in.” His rant continued. “Yet I am obliged to give you my proud family name.”

“In exchange for my inheritance,” she reminded him. “We can remedy this if you so choose. If you are so moral, set me free. I will pay you a significant sum.”

“It is a temptation, but as a man with principles, I made a bargain with your brother and I will keep it, rest assured. Do not attempt to leave this keep without my permission. All exits are locked. There are eyes on you wherever you go. Remember that. Continue with your prayers, you will need them.” He left the chapel.

It was now a moral imperative for her to escape this man’s clutches. Serena lowered her head to her folded hands. “Lord, please help me. I am a good woman with a sad history. I can bend but I must not break.” She gazed at the stain glass window depicting a man struggling against a torrential sea.

She feared she was at the breaking point.

At the supper hour, Serena appeared in the main hall dining room. Madame Yolanda motioned for her to sit near Josephine. Lord LeBran sat at the head of the table. She held no appetite for the plain simple fare, and picked at her food. She noted Lord LeBran drank ale while the women were served water.

His mother asked, “Are you not hungry, Serena? You do not eat. Is the beef not to your liking?”

“Everything is fine, Madame. I am fatigued by the long ride and if I may be excused, I will pick a book from the library and retire.”

Madame Yolanda asked, “Is it permissible, Leland?”

He nodded.

“Good night to all,” Serena spoke in a whisper.

“I’m finished eating, Serena,” Josephine said. “Let me show you the library and how it is catalogued.” She turned and kissed her mother on the cheek. “Good night.” She nodded to her brother.

Serena’s smile held no emotion, and they left the room together.

“We are dominated by him, Serena. It is best not to resist. My mother and I have learned the lesson,” she whispered, yet looked over her shoulder.

“Josephine, you seem like a kind person. How old are you?” Serena asked.

“Five and twenty years.”

“Are there no entertainments here where you can socialize?” She shivered; her hands shook.

“This is our way of life, day in and day out. On rare occasions, we do go to London for a short stay at a hotel while Leland attends to politics. He allows us a small allowance for new clothing, but we know fripperies are not suitable here in this harsh climate.”

“Have you no suitors?” Serena questioned this horrific lifestyle.

“I do not have a suitable dowry. My brother will seek a husband for me one day. He has indicated he does not want to continue to support me. Our staff is small here so we make do as we can. There is nothing else for me to do but wait.”

They entered the library where Josephine showed Serena the catalogue system. “If you want to take a book, you sign out the card and place it here in this box. When you return it, you put the card back in the file. Leland says it is important to do this because the volumes are centuries old and irreplaceable. Sometimes, he makes them available to esteemed friends.”

Josephine sighed. “Even in your black dress, you are stylish compared to what I wear.” Serena noted the girl wore the ugliest dress in the worst color.

“Your dress is a drab color and does not complement your hair. There are no adornments. Perhaps I can help you,” Serena offered.

“I am aware, but we are not allowed such things. Leland would object.” She cast her eyes downward in obvious regret. “What is the book you seek?” Josephine asked, leaving the subject of dresses.

“I look for a book on French translations to English. Is there such a one?” Serena formed a plan in her mind. “Is there a book on the history of this keep?”

“Yes.” She pointed to a shelf which held many volumes. “Over there is where this fortress’s history can be found.” She moved to another shelf. “Right here is where the translation book is,” she replied and handed it to Serena. If you need writing paper, I can find some for you. Will you require a pen?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Josephine placed the card in the antique box.

“Let’s go back to our chambers together. May I stop at your room, Serena? I would love to see the gown you’ve brought to wear at your wedding.” They exited the library and walked up to their rooms.

“Josephine, I did not have time to choose one. My brother told me to pack and be ready in three hours.”

“How can we plan for a marriage without a proper dress for you? I shall speak to Mother about it.” Josephine smiled, her eyes flashed excitement, “And I could be your bridesmaid.”

“You are a sweet woman and I feel close to you already, but this marriage arranged by my brother does not suit me. Your brother disliked me on sight, yet he does not even know me. He is formidable.”

“Serena, you are different than what we are used to. That is all. You sparkle from within and perhaps he is not accustomed to seeing anyone happy.” Josephine turned to look behind them, saw no one and whispered, “I am not encouraged to dance or even play the piano. This is more like a convent with my mother as the Superior. I shouldn’t speak so or there will be chastisement. I must go to my room now. Good night.”

Emma waited for her mistress. “I brought your salves. Why not lie down and let me minister to you?” They attempted to maintain their normal routine.

“Mistress, I do not wish to distress you, but I have been told I must help out in the kitchen. It will be difficult. Is it what you would want me to do?”

“Yes, do as you are asked. It will end soon. It could be a boon in disguise. Keep your ears open and report back to me anything you hear that could be helpful.” Serena sat up, pulled her wrapper about her. “I believe it is time for you to contact John when you go to the market. You did make arrangements with him?”

“Yes, mistress. We spoke about it when I gave him Adonis. He will wait in the village every second day and will look for me around ten in the morning. He knows it is a three-hour ride. When he sees me, we will go to the small church at the west end to speak.”

“Emma, that is tomorrow. I must hurry and compose a note to give you to take to Lord Geoffrey. Tell John to bring you and Adonis to the Duke, but first get the portrait, the sketchbook and pup to him. He must know that I love him. Perhaps he can devise a rescue.”

“Mistress, I saw Lord LeBran leave in his carriage. Now would be a good time to write the note. I will hide it in my bosom until I can hand it to him. John will have to secure the things the night before and be prepared to meet me with them as we ride to London. I will make a detailed list of where everything is.” She chattered like a magpie. “I will make sure I leave a little early on my way to the village market. Every minute will be accounted for. Because it is such a long trip, I have been given permission to visit my sick father.”

“You don’t have a sick father.”

“No, mistress, I do not. It seemed a good excuse to cover my trip with John.”

“Emma, you can be quite devious when you must. I will hurry with my note. For the first time, I feel hopeful, dear friend.” Serena looked out the window at the storm. “Go, Emma. Tend to your other duties. I can manage myself. I am lectured by his mother and tormented by him.”

“I have never seen you in this mood. Is there anything we can do, mistress?”

Serena sat on a small chair. “We must escape this awful place. I fear he will poison me.”

“He wouldn’t dare, would he?” She placed her hand to her lips, obviously distressed at her mistress’s plight. “Is this why you eat so little? I can bring you cream from the kitchen and fresh baked bread. At least, you will have some sustenance.”

“Thank you, dear Emma, that would please my empty stomach. Do not get caught. They might think you are stealing.”

The maid left the room.

Serena gazed at the mirror in her bedroom only to see the shaded circles under her eyes. The reflection changed when she envisioned Geoffrey’s face. It gave her strength. Serena wished she could be on the other side of the looking glass—with him.