Chapter 5: Scheme

        Jaylyn ran home in a haste not realizing  her appearance was so unkempt. She was saddened that she hadn't properly thanked her savior knowing the state of things at home. She tried remembering his face, he has a bright or rather dazzling face. His eyes stared deep into her as it shines like a blue sea twinkling at night. This was the first time she had seen anyone as astonishing and handsome, she felt red sparks around her cheek bones.... She hurried through the thorny bushes for it was the easier path home.

     From across the stable as Lord Bennett mounted down from his horse he watched Jaylyn running into the Manor looking roughly inappropriate.Her hair covered with bush leaves down to her gown ripped off from the side revealing excessive part of her skin. He beckoned his footman to send for her before she made her way into the house.

      As she walked shamefully towards the stable, she tried covering up her exposed body as some of the stable workers watched her lustfully. While she was still struggling with her clothing, she noticed her uncle sparkling with an inflamed stare but made no attempt to stop his men from their sinful stares. She flinched back when he barked

"What happened to you?Why are you dressed like a harlot!? "

   Bittered by his words, she explained herself by narrating the incident that took place by the stream.

His anger darkened, she thought for once he cared but his responses dismantled her expectations.

"It's seems you ready for the market, I see...."His voice thrummed

"I think it is time you become of use to me.. " he said as he sent her off. While she pondered over his words, she felt shattered that he couldn't even defend her honor, 

"What had she anticipated?'' His actions were expected.

"If I  were to be one of his daughters", she thought, those lousy men's heads would be hanging on a stack before the morning cock crows.

*****

"My lord, the captain came calling this morning."

      Lord Bennett Valet Cornelius informed him. Lord Bennett grunts,

'What does that moron want this time', he asked no one in particular.

"And you !, what are you still waiting for, bring him in immediately,  let no one in.." He ordered.

Captain Lewis entered his lord's office chambers still speculating on how to deliver his message.

"Good morning, your grace."

"What's good about this morning, since you visited unannounced today."

Perceiving his visit was not welcomed, he decided to go right into his reasons for coming.

" Your grace, I beg for mercy from the message I bear that knocked me down in haste that I fear if I don't act fast..... it will leave me headless."

"I would have preferred you headless..., speak!". He ordered

" Three months ago, we lost the second cargo sent from Lanercost. I decided to check in on who was behind this.. Only to discover that the royal knights under the leadership of lord Bryan were ordered by his majesty to investigate smuggled goods made by you, your grace."

   Not able to contain his anger,  Lord Bennett moved away from his table and grabbed Captain Lewis, grasping him tightly with his hands around his neck.

" You fool, first you made me lose money now you're telling me, I am under investigation by that little boy whose naming ceremony I attended!, you good for nothing freeloader." He blurted out his anger. Captain Lewis tried gripping out for air as he also kept ransacking his brain for ways to save himself from impending doom for he was not sure how long he would live anymore.

"Coming here was a bad idea, " he thought to himself, considering the fact that he had lost his ship and majority of his crew members just to please one old greedy man who will never value him. As cunning as he is, he tried buying  his way out. Lord Bennett called out for his guards to take him away.

"Guards!, "

     As they were about to drag him out the captain kept struggling on the floor knocking everything with his legs as he kept on yelling about Lord Bryan's arrival  from Dutchmall. Having seen him in a local inn he was  certain he had arrived to investigate him for his illegal smuggling deals. Before they could drag him out, he noticed that his last message had finally hit a mark on lord Bennett.

" What's happening here! My lord why are you guards going haywire, " 

       Lady Alfreda rushed inside her husband's office to see what was causing the commotion. Lord Bennett began to enlighten her about all the captain had told him now he was in deep trouble because of Captain Lewis inability to handle things in his own end with Lord Bryan on their trail it would lead to no good.

     Lady Alfreda enunciated her disappointment on how her husband had turned deaf ears over her earlier plea when they lost the first cargo to eliminate the Captain.

"If only you had listened to me six months ago, this issue would have been resolved. "

"Cornelius!, " she called out with total control.

"My lady, "

"Bring in the captain, today he had caught himself a lucky star."

       Puzzled by his wife's decision Lord Bennett sat down to watch things unfold. As he was brought back, he knelt down to once again plead his case. He was happy his last message had aided him.

      After a while of silence Lady Alfreda, a woman of many tricks skillful enough to make one feel safe even when she is about to devour you the next moment.

"Tell me how Lord Bryan got intel about your ordeal?"

      The captain began his tale again after he lost his cargo the first time when he discovered that Lord Bryan was on to him, he had no order option but to kill some of his crew members and burn down his ship in order to escape exposure and ran into the nearest village by the sea before he started his search for who had sold them out.

"Who was it? " Lord Bennett asked, still restless and had no idea what his wife was up to.

     Captain explains how they were betrayed by one of his men called Stiles who was against the goods smuggling because his wife was labelled a witch and killed by Lord Bennett. When he discovered he had been caught he went into hiding. Now has his only daughter who works with the local seamstress in Ravengate. He went on about Lord Bryan being seen in a local inn unlike other Noble who would have chosen a better place for a man of his status, this alone had exposed his intention and now they suspect his intention for visiting was to investigate the illegal smuggling.

"That boy isn't a fool, he's  sure up to something," Lady Alfreda pounders over all she had gotten from the Captain. Before Lewis could plead his case again, lady Alfreda sent him free.

"Why did you let him go? " lord Bennett asked

"I want that fool dead! "

"Hush... Now my husband," She moved over to where he was seated and slowly massaged his shoulders.

"Give it time... I think we can still make use of that Captain for now" she said with certainty .

***

     Bryan was aware that his decision to stay in a local inn had welcomed suspension by drawing the attention of his prey. His father's sudden demand to bring that girl he claimed is his goddaughter was a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

     His current investigation over the illegal smuggling of goods in Witherhall had led him back to Bennett. This was deeper than he had anticipated,  after the death of these women who were forcefully accused of witchcraft three year ago after the king was about to set a ban for smuggling. This killing was a way to stop the king from approving the law and to purposely create another by creating a death sentence for witchery. The Baron is a man loved by the people accusing him of any crime without solidified evidence would create suspicion without debt the citizens will protest against it. The Baron, being wise, created an outward appearance by presenting himself as a jolly and peaceful man who always advocates for peace but yet his true nature is despicable.

    Growing up, Bryan had wondered what had caused conflict between his father and the Baron; his father had perceived his character right from the start, maybe finding Jaylyn would provide him with answers.

     His every move was monitored by the Bennett men who reported back to their master. Lord Bryan asked people for Jaylyn, his niece. As he visited the marriage register to make an inquiry about her supposed wedding, he found no trace of this marriage or the family she was married to. It was never documented, which gave rise to his suspension. His mind tried to create different scenarios, could it be that she was dead? or sold off. Now time has come for him to send out his request for an invite.

       When the baron received his request this came as a surprise, it only meant one thing. A request for marriage or a request for an official demand. He was disturbed not knowing how to plan his next move, so he asked for his wife's help again; she was his greatest aid.

    Lady Alfreda wondered why Bryan had asked for Jaylyn. She was perplexed by their current situation,she thought to herself that with so much going on has he come to know about Jaylyn's false marriage being a charade,  an upfront just to make people think her husband was a good man or was he coming to propose marriage to one of their daughters.

"We need to be careful !," she warned.

"If he finds Jaylyn he will expose us for practicing falsehood , this will damage our status as the king's trusted allies and terminate any chance for our daughters marrying  into royalty."

"That's true, what do we do about Jaylyn?,"he asked.

"You know the reason I  brought her here three years ago was to cover up the killing of those peasant women that I  once claimed to be witches to show them how kind and good I am even to a disgraceful family member" 

" That's true leave her to me, "

      Before dawn Jaylyn returned from work only to be locked up in the dungeon for three days with no food or water with no idea of what crime she had committed. She waited patiently but no one came to her rescue.

******

    Lord Bryan made his way that morning to Bennett Manor.

He was welcomed with a delinquent breakfast prepared by the Bennett who were hoping he makes a choice from their daughters.

     During the meal, Lord Bryan noticed their fears, and over the past day he had dug more dirt on the Bennett than he had expected; now all he needed was a living witness and Captain of his ship. He sat down calmly pretending to be unaffected by their display of hospitality. His plan was still undergoing progress, he made sure his arrival had been noticed, this gave his men time to search for clues as everyone had their eyes  focused on him . Over the last couple of months he had dug deep into his crimes..The illegal witch hunt he created just to hide his illegal business of selling absinthe using his majesty name.... Not to mention a few.... The killing of three widows claiming they were  witches just to gain access to their lands. He smacked as he visioned the Bennetts in prison but for now this was not his main focus now he was ready to take Jaylyn home....    According to town folk she was married but yet no documents could confirm who and when she was married... It was just a mare saying... With no fact to prove it. His main purpose is to be sure it was what had happened... But something tells him he had made a mistake by informing them of his arrival.

        After the meal.. He and lord Bennett entered his study to discuss the matter of his arrival.

Lord Bennett offered him a seat..

"So tell me what brings you here to Dutchmall? "

"Well I am here to officially collect  Miss Jaylyn as my father had instructed. For her father made him her official guardian. ".... After showing him the letter. Lord Bennett pretended to be in shock and explained his well planned story....

     He claimed that Jaylyn was already married to a wealthy rich Spanish sailor by now she may have put to bed.

     When he asked about the documentation he claimed they married in Spain by showing him falsified marriage documents made in Spain . Lord Bryan accepted his explanation and decided to inquire about the marriage privately without raising any suspicion after much thanks and praise for a satisfying meal Lord Bryan took his leave.... Not before Lady Bennett tried again with her matchmaking tricks but cleverly he declined and left.

     Lord Bennett described Lord  Bryan's aim of visiting his wife,  and he furiously  explained their situation, especially if It was proven that Jaylyn was not married... Not only will their name be rid but they would be stripped of their title.

He then  plans on marrying her off as soon as possible.