Free Flight From Blithmore by Jacob Gowans

witnesses that know I was gone during the time your gold went missing.”
    “They
will search your home and find the gold!”
    “You
won’t find it, Father.” Isabelle’s voice sounded much braver than she felt, but
saying them gave her a deep sense of satisfaction. “But it will interest you to
know that Mother did not have a thousand crowns, but over three thousand. You
may have it all if you give me written consent to marry Henry.”
    After
two strong puffs, Lord Oslan pulled the pipe from his teeth. “You think you can
bribe me, Isabelle? You’ve hated me—despised me—even when I’ve given you food
and shelter for almost two decades. Should I feel shame for wanting to keep
your honor and name intact for you and your children?”
    Isabelle
wanted to scream about how he cared not one whit for her or her children, but
held her tongue. Henry had his eyes closed, rubbing his temples. Lord Oslan
took another long puff before speaking.
    “Think
of me however you like, but always remember that you are ungrateful and
unworthy of what I’ve already given you.” The pipe in his mouth trembled up and
down with his jaw, and the spit that had formed at the corner of his lips flew
as he spoke. “You will never see the day when I allow you to bribe me with
money that is legally mine!”
    “Go
to the city officials. Order your investigation. Henry and I will hide the
gold.”
    “And
by the time the magistrates decide anything we’ll be gone,” Henry added.
    “And
good luck finding someone who cares enough to help you,” Isabelle finished.
    Lord
Oslan’s face reddened once more. His teeth clamped down on the pipe as he
sputtered twice and finally hissed, “I am through being the pauper nobleman. I
have played that role for thirty years. I’ve tolerated the smirks and comments
from my own peers, and will not stand for it another day. Not one more day.
Hear me?” He stamped his foot hard enough to shake the room. “Do you hear me? I
will have that money! Now. Get. Out. GET OUT!”
    Henry
and Isabelle took hands and left through the back of the manor. The rain had
lessened, but not stopped. When they crossed the hedge, Isabelle’s pace slowed,
unable to put up a front of strength any longer. Henry helped her to the
ground, not worrying about ruining her dress now with all its stains and tears.
Then he put her head against his chest and held her, stroking her hair as he
did so. Listening to Henry’s steady heartbeat calmed her. As he whispered to
her, telling her things would turn out alright, she believed him. When she
pulled away, she kissed him fiercely.
    “Thank
you.”
    Henry
took her face in his hands. “I’m so sorry about your mother. Brandol told me
the moment I returned home. I came as quickly as I could.”
    Isabelle
nodded quickly to tell him she was fine. She brushed away her tears before he
could do it.
    “You
can’t go back there,” he said. “He wanted to kill you.”
    “What
choice do I have?”
    “Isabelle,
you are not going back!”
    A
sad laugh came from her. “Everything I own is there. Look at the state of me!
What am I going to do?”
    “We’ll
think of something.” His hand caressed her cheek. She closed her eyes. “But
it’s no place for you anymore. I won’t feel safe until you’ve left that house
forever.”
    Her
eyes opened again. “Are you suggesting what it sounds like?”
    Henry
nodded solemnly and pulled a long piece of grass from the lawn. “Yes. We’re
leaving as soon as possible.”
    “You
can’t say that, Henry. It’s not that simple.”
    “Why
not?”
    “What
about Brandol or your apprentices? Where will they find work? What will you
tell Maggie? Will she come with us?”
    “I
will answer all those questions as soon as I can.”
    It
amazed her that they had so quickly come to terms with leaving Richterton. They
had discussed it on occasion, but it had always been one of those ideas she
believed would never really happen.
    “I
have—I have so many