Page 10 of Haunted Hearts

“Milo said the man he saw wore a hooded cloak. It was dusk so he didn’t see his face and doesn’t know his identity, but he thinks it could have been Lord Payne.”

“Why didn’t anyone mention this to me?”

“I don’t know, my lady. All I know is that Lord Arthur thought it best not to upset your mother with too many details of her husband’s death.”

“That’s preposterous. We need to know what was going on.”

“I agree,” said Huntley. “Especially after what the witch did to your brother.”

This didn’t sit right with Lillith. She had been doubting from the start that the Paynes had anything to do with Robert’s death, but now she wasn’t so sure. Huntley was insinuating her father’s demise had something to do with the Paynes as well.

“Huntley, are you saying Lord Payne had something to do with my father’s death?”

“I don’t know, my lady. But talk is that the man Milo saw was Lord Blaze.”

“You can’t go around accusing innocent people of foul play with no proof.”

“Well, Milo says he saw a witchy-looking dagger on the ground next to your father’s body. There was blood on it. He was so frightened that he ran for help. When he returned with Lord Arthur, the dagger as well as the man were gone.”

“Why would anyone purposely want to harm my father? Especially Lord Blaze. This is absurd.” As soon as she said the words, she knew that it wasn’t so hard to believe. After all, they’d been feuding with the Paynes and things had gotten out of hand at times. Now that Roger Payne, Blaze’s father was gone, perhaps Blaze was carrying out the plan by himself.

“I’m sorry, my lady. You’re right. I’m sure there is nothing to it at all. I didn’t mean to speak so brashly.”

“You only insinuated what everyone else is thinking.” Lillith knew Huntley was being careful with his words because it was no secret how close Lillith and Blaze had been while growing up. Everyone knew it. They had been seen together by all. Lillith had even told all her hired help that someday she and Blaze would marry and become man and wife. Now, she was truly regretting her immature actions.

“Still, I was out of line, my lady.”

“Did Milo get a good look at the blade?” she asked. “Is it recognizable in any way?”

“I don’t know much more, my lady. Just that it had moons and stars on it and a skull on the hilt. I suggest you talk to the page to find out more.”

“Yes, of course. I will.” Lillith didn’t need to talk to Milo, because she knew that blade was Blaze’s. She’d seen him with it many times in the past.

“Thank you, my lady. I’ll be going now.” Huntley turned to go but Lillith stopped him.

“Huntley, thank you,” she said, handing him the extra coin after all. “And please, for now, until I can find out more, do not tell anyone else what you told me.”

“I won’t.” He pocketed the coin. “Thank you, my lady. Let me escort you back to your castle now. It’s not safe in these woods alone.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine, but I’ll take you up on your offer since it looks like the storm is about to return and I don’t have a torch to light my way.”

“I’ll also protect you from any witches or warlocks that we might encounter,” he said, mounting his horse.

“I’m sure we’ll see none of those,” she scoffed, shivering when the thought of Blaze’s intense stare went through her mind once more.