“Yes, he did,” I said without giving up anything.
“Did he now? Well, then, I’ll tell ye this. Odd doings that night. Servants lived here in the castle then and one of ‘em…was but a boy then. The lad snuck into the kitchen for a snack and heard someone at the door. He, being a curious lad, took a peek and saw her.”
“Saw her?” I knew, of course, Mrs. Tunny was referring to Allora.
“Aye, her ladyship, who the servants were fond of, invited the woman indoors and the lad was stunned by the stranger’s beautiful face, though he said he feared her at the same time. The lad nearly passed out when he watched the beautiful stranger suddenly produce a sword and just as suddenly strike. He said it happened just as his mistress realized what the woman was…but before she had a moment to defend herself.” Mrs. Tunny looked at me hard. “The lad was twelve, so when he told his parents, they couldna believe him. There was no body, no blood, no sign of her ladyship. She simply vanished. The lad’s name was Tom Franks. After that, the family was kept on even after his lordship, unable to deal with his grief, moved abroad.”
“I see, but what precisely are you telling me now.” I wanted to know what she knew.
“Tom Franks is a good friend of m’son and friend of Davis’ son. They work at the same corporate firm in London. Aye, so we knew his side of the story directly from him. He was a friend and we know what he saw really happened. He wasn’t a fanciful lad and wouldna make it up. We know there was something…wrong that happened in the castle and then last month, Tom and m’boy, William, were on business in Paris when Tom saw her. He saw her. He saw her ladyship’s murderer in Paris. She looked, even after twenty-two years, exactly the same. We, all of us, already believe in vampires and Tom was sure that night that he was looking on an ancient vampire. Davis and I both believe him.”
I studied her for a moment and asked, “Have you reason to believe in vampires? Do the villagers all believe in vampires?”
“Aye, many do and Davis and I have reason. M’husband was killed by one. They wrote it off, but I saw the puncture marks and they couldna hide that he was drained of blood. They said it was a cult with a blood fetish, but I knew. Davis was m’husband’s close friend. He was with me when I had to go to the coroner’s office. He saw what I saw, and he believes. There are stories villagers tell that go back a hundred years…about vampires.” She eyed me. “Do ye think I’m just a superstitious fool?”
“No. I agree with you. Vampires exist. I don’t just believe it, I know it. I will take precautions,” I told her.
She sighed. “Garlic won’t work. And that one…that killed her ladyship—she was invited in, don’t ye see. Her ladyship made the mistake of inviting her in. She can come and go at will at MacLeod. So then, Mr. Ascot staying here is all well and fine, but how can he protect ye from an ancient vampire?”
“We are on it and you don’t have to worry,” I said, and threw my arms around her.
A minute later I devoured the lunch she set for me and before I left the kitchen, she wrapped a large cookie in a napkin and handed it to me.
I grinned and waved it at her as I left the kitchen, calling out, “Back to work for me.”
Whew! Mrs. Tunny and Davis believed in vampires. Well, now that explained a great deal. No wonder they didn’t want me here at night and no wonder they always made certain to get home before dark.
I spent another hour reading and studying Jeremy’s manuscript, took a call from him saying he was delayed at the closing, and decided to head to town.
I got the SUV keys from the brass key rack near the front door and hurried out and to the four car garage in the courtyard.
Inside the neatly kept garage I found three classic beauties from the seventies—a Corvette convertible in blazing red, a silver Jaguar, and a black BMW. I smiled to myself. Devin MacLeod had apparently liked cars back then.
I walked over to the SUV, a dark green Jaguar F-pace and admired its lines. As it was new, I imagined that Jeremy had purchased it for use at the estate.
I got inside and realized from the ‘new car’ aroma that it had to have been a recent purchase and wondered if he had installed it for me.
I set the GPS for the village and started off, but as I backed up the car, I heard Devin say, “Aye, lass, do what ye must, but coom back before nightfall.”
I turned in the driver’s seat. There he stood, his legs akimbo and his arms folded across his muscular and massive chest. His glorious black hair framed his chiseled handsome face and his blue eyes devastated me with his obvious concern.
“Hi…don’t worry. I practiced putting my shield in place and yes, I’ll get back as fast as I can.”
“So ye say, but remember, ye dinnae know the likes of Allora Brently.”
“I won’t be too long,” I answered, and backed up the SUV.
I looked in my rearview mirror and saw him still standing on his side of the transparent wall, watching me.
He looked forlorn. He was a big man, a supernatural. He stood watching me go, and his expression told me a story.
Hmm. Wheel was on the wrong side, I chuckled to myself as I got the hang of driving on the opposite side of the road. Yup, I was no longer in Kansas.
Devin MacLeod took over my thoughts. I was drawn to him. I told myself it was because of the circumstances, my grandmother had cast the spell, but…even so, something about him called to me.
Damn, but I was going to find a way to free him!
~ Eleven ~