Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires. ~ William Shakespeare.

Chapter 46.

A Dark Deed.

Summer came to the world, and with it came the month of June, and with the month of June came the battle of Waterloo, and with the battle came the defeat of Napoleon and his exile to St. Helen's.

With the threat out of the way, Lady Blethyn eagerly awaited the return of her son. He arrived in late June and was warmly recieved by the happy mother.

He kissed her upon entering the house. The man servant was instructed to take care of the colonel's horse, and the maid was sent to prepare him a bath. After Iestyn had washed and changed, he came to the sitting room, where a lunch was waiting for him, as was his mother.

"So, Napoloen met his defeat at the hand of Wellington!" She said with a fond smile as he sat down beside her. "And you have returned home the victor."

Iestyn's face darkened a little and he let out a frustrated laugh. "Victor? What sort of victor am I? I have lost the battle, I feel much like that French mastermind must have felt when he realized his defeat. No, Mother, I have returned defeated, utterly defeated!"

Lady Blethyn scowled in confusion. "Iestyn, whatever could you mean?"

Iestyn turned to her, a smirk on his face, anger in his eyes. "Elwyn, Mamma, Elwyn is returned."

Lady Blethyn narrowed her eyes and turned her head a little. "You mean Captain Fleets..."

"No," Iestyn cut her off with an angry smirk. "I don't mean Captain Fleets! William Fleets died of pneumonia and we buried him. No, I mean Elwyn Blethyn, Lord and Earl of Llys Gwyn has returned to the castle."

Lady Blethyn's squint turned into a pair of wide eyes. "From 'Italy'?"

"Huh! From the battlefield, Mamma, from the battlefield. Elwyn went and killed William Fleets to get rid of him,; then he purchased an officer's commision but this time under his real name. I knew of course that the man was not really dead when the 'captain' died, but I never did expect such actions from him. And Elwyn, being Elwyn, weasels and charms his way all the way to Wellington himelf. Not only is Colonel Blethyn his uncle from his father's side, but George Errol is his uncle by marriage to his aunt as well. And it turns out that Wellington and George have some sort of cousin-in-law related, or whatever. It's some connection by some distant relative's marriage, I never did get where or how. Then Wellington tells me that Elwyn confided that he served under him by a different name, and of course I had to say it was the truth, or else that would have made everything very awkward, for Elwyn would have turned to George and Charles to vouch for him, and they would have brought out the truth, and I cannot put my reputation and honest word at rish.

Now Wellington is impressed with the new Captain Blethyn, how he gave so much time, energy, even his good looks, and service to His Majesty and to England, and after some more conversation with my nephew, to which I was not invited, he goes and promotes Elwyn to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel!"

Lady Blethyn let out a small gasp. "So now Elwyn outranks you even in the army."

"Indeed!" Iestyn paused for a moment trying to contain his wrath. "And as now Elwyn is best friends with the Duke of Wellington, and always in his company, I can't just sneak up and get him out of the way. I tried to plan a way to kill him in battle, but then that servant came into the picture."

"What servant?"

Iestyn could feel the cannon going off inside of him, but he fought to control it. He didn't dare lose his temper at his mother."

"Raj, Mamma, Raj. That little native he picked up off the streets while we served in India. Elwyn has a soft side, a side even his gambling, womanizing, money spending self couldn't hide. And that silly little man stuck with him till now. He won't leave him for a second. Why do you think Elwyn is still bloody, I beg your pardon, Mamma, why do you think Elwyn is still alive?"

"That is a question I would love answered, Iestyn. It's been nearly ten years since Elwyn ran away to the army, why is he still alive?"

"Why? Because Bevan knew that he had run off! Elwyn thought he was so cunning, but his father, fool that he was, wasn't completely stupid. He thought the army would be good for his son, said the discipline would be better than idle life. What was more, Bevan told me to keep an eye out for him. Said if anything happened to Elwyn he would blame me; thus I had to keep Elwyn alive until that man died and his wife lived. Then Raj came along. He's sworn to be Elwyn's guardian angel or whatever. Guards his back better than any guardian angel ever could. He was always there to pull Elwyn out of any scrapes I sent his way. That fire was supposed to have killed Elwyn, but no, Raj was there to pull him out just in time. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Raj who was keeping Elwyn alive all those tower years by sending for Charles to come and pull him out of sucicidal thoughts. And of course he was there with him at Waterloo, and watched his back, and Elwyn always looks out for his servant and in the end they both return, alive and well, with medals of honor and some money. Elwyn wants to open up the castle, he wants to be the Earl now. Not to mention he'll get to Miss Morton and...and...and it's over!"

"Wait a moment, my son," Lady Blethyn laid her hand over Iestyn's fist. "It is not over until you are dead. You are still at the advantage here. Elwyn may be the Earl, but his estate is in complete ruin. There is no way he is going to pull it out of that ruin for a long, long time...if he ever will be able to. There are debts and expenses that he doesn't even know about because of his irresponsibility. Secondly, he lied to Miss Morton, first by telling her he was Captain Fleets, then telling her Captain Fleets was dead. How many woman do you know take kindly when the man they have given their heart too has lied to them in more ways than one? And last, but by no means least, Miss Morton has vanished."

It had not been a piece of news Iestyn had ever expected. He raised an eyebrow. "Vanished?"

"Aye, vanished. She ran away from London the night after you told her Fleets was dead. The same night you departed and so never heard the news. I didn't want to bother you about it while you were filled with duties and thoughts of war, but the young beauty has not been seen or heard from ever since March, and it is June now. They've been searching and searching but all in vain. So even if Elwyn wanted to woo her, he wouldn't know where to find her. But," here a glint appeared in the dim eyes of the elderly woman, "but I do."

Iestyn had been listening to his mother with growing alarm. How dare Miss Morton disappear like that? He was ready to tell his mother that he would turn up every stone in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas if only to find her, but now he held his breath and looked at her earnestly.

"You know where to find her?" He asked in a low, rather husky voice. "But how?"

Lady Blethyn threw her head back and let out a laugh. "Do you honestly think you inherited your cunning ways from that father of yours? He was even more of an idiot than your half brother Bevan. I am a shrew woman, I know my capabilities and they are many. Even my age will not slow me down. You will be Earl, my son, and you will have that woman bear you strong healthy children. We will be the salvation of the Blethyn family, not Elwyn. Don't you realize we can play one against the other. Elwyn went out to fight to win back his honor in order for him to get the girl. What do you think will happen when he finds the girl no longer wants him? That man hangs by a thin thread of hope. The fire killed his spirit and she was the only thing that revived it. Take her away, the thread will snap, the spirit will burn out, and Elwyn will really have no reason to live. A woman can kill a man where fire and water cannot."

"But who says that Miss Morton will not want him?"

"Oh who shall ask her?" Lady Blethyn snapped. "Leave the girl to me! Your job is to break that spirit, use whatever lie you want. You told me you do not want to kill your nephew with your own hands, so get him to finally kill himself. And make sure Raj is not around. When you return, I will deliver the girl to you."

Iestyn held his mother's gaze. "What of Charles?"

"Charles!" Lady Blethyn snorted. "Charles has broken with his father, been disowned, and is fighting to make ends meet and survive. I doubt Raj or Elwyn will even know where to find him in London if they were to go looking. This is your chance, Iestyn. It is either now or never. If you do not get Elwyn to kill himself I will put arsenic in his food and kill him for you!"

He could see his mother was dead serious. Iestyn let out a soft chuckle. "Arsenic? I wonder, Mother, if Father had known what sort of woman you could be would he have dared to marry you?"

She laughed along with him. "I didn't kill your father, you know that better than I do. I needed him to live as long as possible. It was only after his death that we moved to his cottage. Silly Caron didn't care to have the two Ladies in the castle. Ugh, I am glad that woman died, she was such a nuisance. Where did Bevan pick her up?"

"I think he met her at a ball, it was quite the summer romance. Pitty it ended so soon. At one point he only came to her once a month in the hopes that she would concieve, and by folly she did. Anyway, no point in cursing the past. I will ride out to Elwyn tomorrow. Remember your promise, Mamma, when I return Miss Morton had better be here."

"Have no fear, my boy, the only reason she is not here yet is because I was waiting for you to come home. She was safer where she was, but now the time is over and her destiny awaits her with us."

Rising from his seat, Iestyn gave his mother a kiss and departed to his room. He needed to come up with a good enough lie to convince Elwyn once and for all that life was not worth living.

***

The next day turned out to be a wet day. The wind blew from the north, a cold, nasty sort of wind and the rain came down in a steady flow. It was the sort of weather that made you forget it was even summer.

"You will not go out today?" Lady Blethyn asked her son.

"Of course I will," Iestyn replied. "It is the perfect weather for my deed."

"Just do not catch cold and die on me."

Iestyn laughed. "Mother, Mother, I have made my living as a soldier; it will take more than a few drops of rain to kill me. I will return late."

Taking his heavy overcoat, Iestyn went out to where his horse was saddled an waiting for him. Lady Blethyn watched him ride off, then ringing a bell, she summoned her two man servants.

"Go to Ilyd Alarch," she ordered. "And bring the girl named Miss Beatrice Morton to me. She is a beauty to behold with hair black as ebony and skin white as snow. If anyone tries to stop you, say you have orders from the Blethyns and if they breathe a word about it they will pay for it dearly, just as their sister once paid for the foolishness of the mother. Use those very words; the Llyod Brothers will understand. Don't even think of coming back here without the girl. Go."

The two men exchanged glances but nodded and went to do as they were told. Lady Blethyn looked up at the sky, overhund with clouds, making everything seem grey and dark and lonely.

"It really is the perfect day for a kidnapping," she laughed to herself as she settled down by the fire and picked up her needlework.

***

Iestyn was quite soaked through when he reached the castle. He came over to gate and was greeted by the butler.

"I see things really are picking up," Iestyn said.

"Aye," the old butler nodded. "Who would have thought we would see the day when Llys Gwyn would be opened up again. There is so much to do, I hardly know where His Lordship will begin."

"His Lordship," Iestyn muttered as he removed his coat and handed it to the butler. "What a perposterous name to call Elwyn. He's hardly a man, much less an Earl." Fighting to keep the fury off his face, Iestyn went over to the tower, which was the only real livable part of the castle as the moment. He found the window wide open, the room fresh, and Elwyn sitting by his table, going over a host of papers.

"Ah, Uncle," Elwyn said, rising from his seat. His face was no longer pale from years of hiding, but sunburnt and healthy. The white mask still covered the hideous side of his face, however, and he still wore the white glove over his left hand. Despite this he looked very smart in his officer's uniform, which he still wore."

"No doubt to rub in the fact that he outranks me," Iestyn growled silently.

"I see you have returned as well." Elwyn held out his hand and Iestyn shook it.

"Yes," Iestyn replied with a fake smile. "And I thought I would drop in on you. I half thought you would go to London with Wellington."

"No," Elwyn shook his head, guiding his uncle to a chair. "I'm not sure I want to be out in London society. I've still got so many scars to hide. It is easy to bear it on the battlefield, surrounded by soldiers, who understand what scars mean. But in fashionable, London society..." Elwyn's voice trailed off. "I hardly know if I'll be able to go out there ever, but not now for sure. Besides, I've got Llys Gwyn to handle. The place is a total mess. I thought you said you would look out for it."

"Well yes," Iestyn let just a hint of his annoyance come through. "I do have my own life to live, Elwyn, and my own way to make through it. I cannot do the entire job for you."

The rebuke made Elwyn cringe a little. "You are right, Uncle, I am sorry. Don't worry, I'll take the burden off of you soon, but I will need some help. I'm not too good at this, all I've ever been taught to do is fight in the army. What of you, have you been in London?"

Iestyn glanced around, Raj was not in the room. "Yes," he lied. "I passed through there on my way to Wales. I only stayed a few days with George, but I was able to see Charles and congratulate him on his marriage."

Elwyn had not been expecting such a shocking piece of news. "Charles...Charles is married?"

"Aye, who would have thought. It happened sometime in May. George wanted his boy married before he turned twenty seven. At that time, however, you and I were far too busy with Napoleon matters."

"Why didn't he invite us? Or at least write?"

"Why?" Iestyn let out a hearty laugh. "Because he is Charles, that is why. Does he ever write? And like he would care if we were there or not. It's all 'boring' anyway. It was a matter to get done quickly, you know George is so obsessed with getting a grandson so his famiy name will live on. Oh that man is something. I wonder what my sister ever saw in him, he's a regular old humbug. Not even Welsh. Errols are so terribly British, and living off land that King Charles II stole from Kevin of Avol. "

"Well, whatever Aunt Arianwen saw in him, it did see didn't last long," Elwyn pointed out. "So, Charles is a married man. Uncle George must be happy. Who is the woman?"

"Ah," Iestyn smiled. "A pretty thing to be sure. You remember the Earl of Worthington?"

Elwyn made a bit of a pouting face as he tried to remember the name. "Earl of Worthington? Yes, yes I do. Real snobby man, totally in love with himself and his wealth. And that silly wife of his. I think I remember the wife better, didn't you have an affair with her?"

"I?" Iestyn was taken aback. He pulled his eyebrows together in a tight scowl, then his face relaxed. "Ah yes, Lady Margaret, of course. Yes, quite a silly thing, but it was fun while it lasted. Dear me, now this is an embarrassing connection, for Charles has married the Earl's niece. She goes by the name Beatrice Morton."

The name stabbed Elwyn right in the gut and he glanced up sharply. "Beatrice Morton?"

"Mmmmhmmm. Oh, but wait, you heard of her. Charles mentioned her to you. Remember, he couldn't make up his mind between her and her stepsister? She's not exactly a friendly person, but she got along well with Charles right from the start, it is no surprise it ended in marriage."

Elwyn found he was having trouble breathing, but he tried to hide the panic inside of him. He gave a little shake of his head. "It cannot be Miss Morton he married."

"Why ever not?" Iestyn laughed good naturally, completely blind to his nephew's discomfort.

"Because Charles came to me and said that he fancied Miss Llewelyn."

"Ah, but his father fancied Miss Morton. The mother of course wanted her daughter to marry your cousin. Miss Llewelyn has money and a manor, Miss Morton was left with a very small allowance by her father, who was younger son and who died quite early in life."

"But...but...Charles...he said...he didn't..."

"Charles went along with whatever his father told him. You know that man has no will of his own. George threaten to disinherit him. What was the boy to do? Work in Parliament? He got bored of it far too soon! We both knew he would. His only hope is Denster Hall and all the money it brings. Of course he went ahead and married Miss Morton."

Elwyn's face was rapidly losing color. "And Miss Morton...did she...go along..."

"Miss Morton is a well bred lady who cannot afford to marry cheap. Ah, to be sure her marriage caused a lot of broken hearts. But then, she is known for breakig hearts as it is. That girl play with men's hearts in the same way you once did with women's. I can tell you all the names of the men she turned down. A flirt and a jilt, one moment she encourages your attentions and the next she turns to another man. The mother was quite beside herself. I mean, the girl had been in society for five years and had nothing to show but a jar of broken hearts."

That was so not the Miss Morton Elwyn had known. He tried to remember what Charles had said about her. Could she really have been showing him one face, and living by a different one? One that broke hearts and tossed them aside? Had she really never cared about him? Or had that jilting face been the one she was trying to get rid of. The one her mother had given her?

"But really, Elwyn, why would you care?" Iestyn asked. "Not like you ever hand a chance with Miss Morton, even if you had met her. She would have broken that heart of yours, scars or no scars. I wonder how Charles will manage her, with that immature, careless attitude of his. She'll take him for the fool he is. If you don't believe me, come to London and see for yourself."

Elwyn gave a sharp shake of his head. He didn't want to go and see Charles with Miss Morton! Or rather Lady Errol.

"I said I don't want London society gossiping about me," he sharply stated.

Iestyn shrugged. "As you wish. Perhaps Charles will bring her here then. At either rate, that is that. Now, you were saying something about needing help with the estate? Are those papers something you need help with?"

"No," Elwyn said. "I don't need help right now. Thank you, Uncle. Go and rest. We'll work out the estate later."

Iestyn gave a smile. He shook his nephew's hand and departed from the room.

"Oh the look on his face," he laughed. "Elwyn, Elwyn, how can you be so gullable? How can you base everything on a woman? She is a woman! A woman! Right from Eve they were our downfall, and you are just as gullable as Adam was, as your ancestor Bleddyn ap Illyd was. Those English ladies were the end of all Blethyns, from then until now."

Getting his coat and his horse, Iestyn pretended to ride off. Elwyn, in the meantime, sat staring into nothing. Could it really be true? Could Beatrice have married Charles? Why would she do that? Was it because she had thought he was dead? Had he played her straight into the hands of his cousin? That must have been it. She wasn't all play and hurt. Maybe it was he who hurt her with his 'death' and she felt that the dragon went and won for good and there was no point in fighting any longer. Should he have somehow written her? How would he have explained everything?

All these questions and more poured through Elwyn's head until it was so muddled and confused he could hardly think straight. He needed to get out, to breathe some air. Rising abruptly from his chair, Elwyn went down the stairs, through the tower door, and out into the wind and rain.Walking had always helped him and his frustration in the past, maybe it would help now. At any rate, it was the only thing Elwyn could do at this rather helpless moment. He didn't notice the rain as it soaked through his cotton shirt and waistcoat. He didn't notice the rain droplets running down the tips of his dark hair and falling on his face. He just walked and walked and walked, hoping to walk the hurt and pain and confusion out of him.

He really had done this to himself. And to Beatrice.

In the distance, Iestyn watched him, a smile on his face, a glint in his eyes.

"That's it, Elwyn," he smiled. "Just walk, walk, walk all day and walk all night, you'll never find comfort, but I'll find peace. Poor fellow, you did so much, pulled yourself out of the mud, got so far and now? Might as well never have even bothered. She's gone, Elwyn, gone! Only stupid Charles doesn't have her! I do! How ironic, my boy, how ironic. You killed Captain Fleets from pneumonia, and now the Earl will, hopefully, find his end in it too. It killed your father it did, why shouldn't it kill you? And you better hope it does kill you, or else my mother will, and wouldn't that be embarrassing. You surived so much only to meet your end by an old woman with a handful or arsenic."

Turning his horse, Iestyn hurried home before he came down with the sickness he was hoping would end the life of his nephew. Besides, he had a beautiful young woman waiting for him and he didn't want to keep her waiting.