Miranda read over the reports again, trying to assuage her frustration but it only added to it. Elizabeth Ryan had not only taken to her job but excelled at it. The longer she held her position, the more respect and acknowledgment she had gained from her fellow soldiers. The outpost had become comfortable with the woman, the aberration. Her superiors and fellow corporals had all sent reports commending her deeds as a corporal and her quickly growing skill with a blade.
She pushed away from her desk and ambled over to her bookcase. She pulled out a book that had become well-worn over the last few months. She had read through every law she could find on women working but couldn’t find one that she could use against the woman without putting herself in a position to defend her job. It was highly unorthodox for the council to allow a woman to sit within its members, but they had made an exception for her. She might feel differently about the situation, if not for the fact that Elizabeth had the virus swimming in her blood. She returned to her desk and began thumbing through the tome.
An urgent knock came to the door, and she huffed in annoyance. “It had better be important!” The door opened, and a boy shuffled into the room. “Private Kenley, what is it that Desmond wishes to discuss with me, today? I happen to be busy,” she snapped at the young man.
“He didn’t send me, Madam. A coach just arrived with a military escort. You told me to let you know if I saw one come in this week.”
A smile crept across her face. “Vespin, finally!” She lept from her chair and nearly knocked the young soldier from his feet, as she plowed passed him. She rarely used the alleyways, finding them demeaning, but it was the fastest way to the entrance of the outpost. She hurried through them, quickly making her way to the stables.
The two men pulled themselves from the carriage, stiff and weary from the long journey. Soldiers rushed about, unloading trunks and preparing the horses for the barn. Miranda stopped when she saw Vespin’s slender form standing in the courtyard. She took a deep breath to clear her throat of the lump that had formed there and to steady her mind to the task at hand and the reason for his visit. She stepped from the alleyway when she was sure that she had composed herself and strolled over to the two men. The smile that lit up Vespin’s face, when he saw her, nearly caused her to forget herself. She swallowed, then said, “Welcome, Lord Cresswell and Doctor Potts. It is an honor to have you join us. I have prepared accommodations for you both on the far side of the compound. The soldiers will attend to your things.”
“Thank you, Miranda. I’m looking forward to sleeping in a bed again. I had forgotten how much I despise sleeping on the ground. I’m not sure I should thank you for the reminder.” He gave her a teasing scowl and smiled when he saw the twitch at the corner of her mouth.
“I apologize for the inconvenience, my lord, but I’m afraid it was unavoidable.”
“If you two are quite done with your ill-conceived attempt at not flirting, I would very much like to get on with this farce, so that I can retire for the remainder of this excursion.”
Miranda couldn’t hide her shock, and Vespin cleared his throat, “Forgive him, Miranda. He’s ill-tempered from the long journey and his time in his laboratory has caused him to forget how to speak to a lady. We would very much like to meet the woman in question, at the earliest convenience, if it can be arranged.”
She flinched and stated, “I’m afraid there was an attack on her family estate early this morning. She rode out with an accompaniment of soldiers to track the beast. I can, however, arrange a meeting with Head Councilman Desmond Richards. I’m sure he can answer some of your questions, in regard to this farce.” She looked pointedly at Eldric, who only glared at her.
“It seems that will have to do for today. Lead the way, my dear. I am weary from our journey and I would much like to retire.”
She gave him a slight smile, turned, hurried toward Desmond’s office. “I must warn you, he does not know of your visit and he will be very reluctant to answer your questions on this matter.”
“What’s going on, Miranda?” Vespin gave her a hard look, no longer preoccupied with seeing her after so long.
“The captain and the lieutenant I spoke of in my letter to you are his nephews. Furthermore, the captain and the woman were wed some time ago and she has found herself with child.”
“He has proof of this woman’s affliction, and yet, he has allowed this?”
“Privately, I believe he may have even encouraged it. What is even more troubling, is the fact that the former lieutenant has developed vampiric abilities, as well. I have seen his speed and strength for myself, during his training.”
“Former?”
“He is now the Captain, as Captain Anthony Ryan was released from duty after he was seriously injured in the attack on the outpost.”
Vespin’s expression was dark, as he continued, “I see there is much we must discuss, Miranda. When this interview is complete, I would like for you to join me in my quarters. I want to know all that has transpired within these walls since the night that woman was brought into this outpost.”
They had reached Desmond’s office, and Miranda quickly turned to the door to hide her blush. She knocked, then waited for his answer. The door opened and Private Kenley, after a brief pause, pulled the door aside to let them in. “I’ll let him know you’re here, Madam.” He scrambled into the councilman’s chambers, wishing he had turned the woman down when she had enlisted his help with her plan. “Councilman Desmond, sir?”
“Yes, my boy, what is it?” The kindly man looked up from his paperwork with a worried look on his face. He had spent the last two hours staring at the same piece of paper, pretending to read the reports from the night before. He had honestly tried, but since the soldier that informed him of his nephew’s kidnapping had left his office, he could not concentrate on his work. All he could do was worry about his family.
The young man swallowed his guilt and regret and answered, “Councilwoman Miranda is here to see you, and she isn’t alone, sir.”
“Very well, Kenley. Send them in and bring us some tea, please.” The older man sighed and quickly straightened his desk, as the young private escorted his visitors into the office.
Miranda waited for Desmond to look up from his desk, then announced, “Head Councilman Richards, I’d like to introduce you to Lord Vespin Cresswell and Doctor Eldric Potts. They have traveled to us from London and would like to speak with you.”
Suspicion danced in Desmond’s dark eyes, as he looked from the two men to his second chair. However, he gave the two men a warm smile, as he said, “Welcome, Lord Cresswell and Dr. Potts. What brings you to our humble outpost?”
“It has been brought to my attention that certain regulations have been trampled on within the walls of this settlement. I have come to inquire as to why and remedy this grievous offense.”
“And what allegations have this outpost been charged with, my lord?”
“Ignoring the Fifth Law of Contagion, in which you allowed a bite victim to survive and Collusion.”
Desmond’s jaw snapped shut and he glared icily at Miranda. He took a breath to steady himself, then said, “Any decisions made regarding this matter was thoroughly discussed by the council over a period of six weeks, wherein we received daily reports from Captain Anthony Ryan. We deliberated on what actions to take against the woman Elizabeth Rose Garner at the end of this period, at which time, I abstained from the final vote, as my nephew, the captain, had grown fond of the woman. The council was in agreement, save for one vote, that if the woman would put her life in our hands, we would not execute her.”
“It is not the place of this council to question the laws set forth by the crown. I intend to fully investigate this matter, during my short stay here but for now, I will retire to my quarters. Furthermore, the woman in question is to be arrested upon her return to the outpost and placed in a holding cell, until further notice. If she resists in anyway, she is to be put to death, immediately. Is that understood, Head Councilman Richards?”
Desmond fought to keep himself calm and show no outward emotion. He couldn’t afford to do anything foolish, as his position may very well prevent what this man intended to do. He gave the man a stiff nod and replied, “If that is your wish, my lord, the council will comply. I trust your accommodations have been seen to?”
“Yes. We will return first thing tomorrow to continue this inquiry.”
“I will look forward to your return, Lord Cresswell. Please, feel free to let us know if there is anything you or Dr. Potts need during your stay with us.” The group turned to leave, and Private Kenley entered with a tray of tea. “Private Kenley, can you escort our guests to their quarters, while Councilwoman Miranda and I finish up a few things?” The boy visibly paled, then nodded, as Miranda gave a silent gesture for Vespin to leave. He set the tray on a table by the door, then led the men from the room.
Once Desmond was sure the men had left the building, he wheeled on Miranda, “What have you done?!”
“What you should have done from the beginning.”
“You know very well that I didn’t inform the Royal Court to protect Anthony from execution. I don’t understand your hatred for Elizabeth. She is not a vampire, Miranda, and she not only survived the bite, but she can cure those infected.”
“Yes, and I imagine, by the time this is over, she’ll be a lab rat in Dr. Potts’ experiments back in London.”
“You are a vile woman, Miranda! I will never forgive such a grievous act toward my family. Get out!”
She winced at his words. She had let her anger blind her to the pain this would cause him. They had been close friends for twenty years and after the death of his wife some years before had thought they might become more. However, she could never bring herself to let go of Vespin and he still grieved for his wife. She regretted that her actions had driven a wedge between them, but her duty was more important than such things. She turned and walked from the room, resigned to accept the consequences, but she would do all she could to protect his nephews. She owed him that much.
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