Chapter 16

Korina shivered in bed, tossing and turning, she felt feverish and disoriented, her body surged with pain like it never had before. Every so often she would hear voices, whispers, she'd feel, someone on top of her, inside her. She felt crushed under the weight of them. She heard two men arguing about waking someone up but couldn't quite grasp what was going on.

Every time she almost became aware, she felt herself fall away and drift once more. She was reminded of swimming...Every time she came up for air, she was dragged back down before she could catch her breathe. She struggled and fought trying to wake up...trying to make sense of anything.

Eventually she opened her eyes and found herself in a small room, a single candle dimly, flickered. The more aware she got, the more she realized her situation. She didn't know where she was or what time it was. She struggled to sit up, finding herself in a bed. She wondered if she had been sick but it all came back to her. The Ball, West, her ring, the Baroness...the fight...and … and

Korina cried out but barely heard a sound, her throat cracked and hurt from nearly having been choked to death. She rubbed her neck and then got up from the bed, Panicked, she moved about painfully. Her body hurting in places she had never felt before. She hobbled naked to the door and tried to open it. However she found it was locked, pulled at the handle for nearly a minute before she kept going.

She looked for a window, another way out but quickly discovered there were none. She went back to the bed and sat realizing she was trapped...trapped. She buried her head in her hands feeling sick, she wanted to lie back down but knew she couldn't. She had to...to...think of a plan, to find a way out of here but most importantly she needed to prepare herself for when the door opened.

Korina breathed in deeply and got up. She pulled a sheet from the bed and wrapped herself in it before wandered about the room, looking for a weapon. Her mind felt slow coming in and out. She didn't know if it was from what happened or something else. She felt out of it and almost numb. Every so often she'd get a flash of what had happened. She'd begin to cry but held herself together...she needed to hold herself together until she got out of here.

She picked up an ash and then a book, she tested the weight of a brass basin seeing how it swung before putting it down. Slowly she came up with a plan. She'd hide just to the side of the door and when it opened, she'd rush her attacker, she'd give them all she had and get out of here. From there she would get help or at least get away.

She nodded to herself and then thought just in case that didn't work she needed a second plan. Before she could think of one she heard the sound of a key in the door. Korinas' eyes widened, she looked around frantically, she still hadn't found a weapon. She grabbed the first thing she saw, the candlestick. She got into position, pressing her back against the wall and then thought to blow out the candle, making the room completely dark.

She swallowed and then held still barely breathing as she waited...waited for what felt like forever. The room grew quiet and her heart began to beat in her ear as she was rushed with fear and adrenaline. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. She heard the doorknob turned and opened her eyes.

The light from the doorway cast a shadow within the room, She saw a figure and held completely still as they entered. The figure turned out to be the Baroness, he was dressed up as Korina had always known him. He appeared to be carrying a tray of food. He approached the bed but then suddenly paused mid, seeming noticing Korinas' absence.

He tilted his head ever so slightly and she knew this was it. Her gut practically screamed 'it was now or never.' She raised the candlestick and lunged at him. He turned but not fast enough, she got him good, on the back side of his head. Caught off guard he stumbled sideways dropping the tray of food but he didn't go down.

He cried out in pain and she went to hit him again. She planned to keep on hitting him this time until she knew he was dead. She swung and he lunged out grasping hold of the candle stick their eyes locked for a moment as he snarled, "You have to stop doing this! It's really beginning to piss me off."

Frightened Korina let go of the candlestick and turned, rushing to the door. Velona threw the candlestick against the wall and went after her, yet again. Korina grabbed hold of the door as she went and slammed it behind her, hoping to hold him back. She heard the Baroness cry out and realized she'd slammed his fingers in the door.

Korina turned to run down the hall and found herself caught. She quickly discovered not only had she slammed the Baroness fingers in the door but the sheet she was wearing as well. She struggled out of it not caring about her modest. Naked she painfully hurried down the hall. Disoriented it took her a moment to realize where she was and then find the stairs.

Her heart raced a million miles a minute as she was reminded of the last time they had fought. She turned expecting to see him right behind her but he wasn't. She saw Duke Corday, hurrying down the third floor stairs, having heard the commotion.

Korina knew better than to call out to him. She had seen how devoted he was to the Baroness. He saw her and looked in the direction she'd come from. She quickly rushed to the first floor, fearing he was going to come after her but he instead went to check on the Baroness.

Korina frantically hobbled around the manor, looking for someone, anyone that might help her but there was no one. The manor seemed completely empty. She stumbled out of the manor and realized it was early...the sun was just barely coming up.

She heard shouting, "GET HER…JUST GET HER!" and knew she had to run. She pushed herself to move, though it hurt she ran as fast as she could, her body rippled with such pain, it felt as if it would give out at any moment but still, she pressed on, pushing past the pain. She knew her survival depended on getting away, getting help at any cost.

She could barely see, and had no idea what direction she was going. Everything felt so far away, after a minute or so she saw a silhouette of someone in the distance. She couldn't make out who it was but tried to call out to them. Her voice cracked and wheezed barely uttering a sound. She cried out in despair but didn't give up.

Her lungs began to burn and her legs started to fail her but she managed to continue. Drawing closer, she saw the figure was a man. He had a bucket and looked to be doing early morning chores. He froze when he saw Korina running towards him, naked as the day she was born. He had never seen anything like it in his entire life and almost wondered if he was dreaming.

When Korina, reached the young man, she grasped hold of him, begging, pleading, for him to help her. Her words barely came out with her throat injury and now being winded. She sputtered and gasped, "Help...please...help...me…"

"What is it? What's wrong, my lady?" asked the young man taking off his coat. It took him a moment recognize her but he realized it was Lady Andon. He offered up his coat wrapping her in it as she scrambled to explain.

"I've...been attacked," said Korina she struggled to catch her breath feeling sick. "Baroness Corday...she...he attacked me."

The young man looked at her confused. He wasn't hearing everything she said and what he could, he didn't understand.

Before Korina could attempt to explain she heard someone shout, "CLARK! HOLD HER!"

Korina turned to see Duke Corday barreling towards then. Terrified she hid behind the young man and pleaded once more, "Help me... he means... to do me harm."

Clark turned towards the Duke thinking he understood now, Duke Corday had attacked young Lady Andon. He quickly moved to shield her. The Duke drew closer and Korina grew more and more frightened, without thinking, she burst into a run once more, refusing to be captured.

After a few feet, Korina slowed and turned, she saw the Duke approach Clark. He tried to get in the Dukes way and keep him from going after Korina but the young man was no match for the Duke, barely coming up to his shoulders. The Duke made quick work of his servant, shooting out his fist, he fatally punched him in the throat.

Horrified Korina watched Clark fall to the ground. Beckett locked eyes with her as if it were nothing and pursued her once more. Korina knew she didn't stand a chance after seeing the Duke take someone out in a matter of seconds but still she ran.

She sought out any light she could find and ran to it. She didn't get very far, injured and already exhausted, the Duke quickly caught up and tackled her. Painfully she fell to the ground. She tried to get up, to just roll over but the Duke pinned her down. He climbed on top of her crushing her with his weight. Korina struggled in the dirt as he repeatedly slammed her head into the ground. She felt woozy and everything started to go dark. She vaguely heard someone screaming, "BECKETT DON'T DON'T KILL HER!" before she passed out.

**********

After Velona had a few days to collect himself and get things in order, he'd thought it was about time to take Korina off Beckett's special sleeping mixture. It wasn't good to keep her on it for too long and he was finding it hard to care for her.

As far as the servants knew Korina wasn't feeling well. Just in case anyone had heard the commotion after the balls they said, the Baroness had gone to check on Korina and she had vomited everywhere, causing the Baroness to scream. Apparently Korina had caught whatever it was the Baroness had earlier.

The servants were ordered to stay clear of Korina and the Greyson room until she recovered. Beckett explanation they didn't want to risk the entire staff getting sick as well, not when they had work to do. Velona took care of her checking in on her every few hours. Several times a day he had the servants prepare soup and spent nearly an hour all together, pouring it down her throat. The worst part was when the soup came back out. Korina and the sheets had to be cleaned.

The servants that did the laundry began to talk amongst themselves. They wondered why a doctor hadn't been called. First when the Baroness got sick and now with Korina and of course the Baroness accident.

Velona had to explain why he was wearing bandages. The story was he'd been in a horse accident. He and Beckett had gone for a midnight ride and the horse had gotten spooked by something bucking him off. Beckett had brought him back to the house and bandaged him up.

The servants seem to by it for the most part. It wasn't uncommon for them to take late night rides.. They made it a point to get their staff used to peculiar habits just in case they needed to go somewhere in the middle of the night.

They still wondered if a doctor should see to both Velona and Korina but Beckett quickly put a stop to it. He casually spoke with Hagan mentioning that Velona's mother had died in childbirth to a doctor. Her father had been very superstitious because of this and had sworn off doctors. Velona was raised not to trust them, thinking they did more harm than good. Velona's "superstition" got around the estate and they stopped talking about it.

However word of Velona's accident got around Crestmoore. Until Velona recovered he'd canceled all of his outings and wouldn't allow anyone to visit. He got dozens of letter wishing him a speedy recovery. Korina also got a few letters of her own, when word of her sickness spread as well. Duke Kerr in particular sent over letter and flower nearly every day.

Velona knew his excuse for her, would only work for so long, he was going to have to think of something long term, at least until they left. He and Beckett argued about what to do for hours. Beckett wanted to keep her asleep until they left or Velona changed his mind about keeping her. Velona made it clear he would not change his mind, she...she was a part of their world now.

He could see Beckett didn't understand, it was okay, it had taken Velona some time to understand. Korina had been unexpected, he hadn't planned to be taken in like this. His need for her, his desire, seemed unending. Even after he had her again and again he still wanted more.

At first he wondered if it was purely physical but there were times when, it was enough to just sit by her bedside and watch her sleep. Admittedly he began to miss those big eyes of hers. He longed to hear her voice, the sounds she made. He longed to speak with her...He decided it was time to wake her.

She needed to understand her situation, understand how things were going to be from now on. He expected her to naturally fight at first like any wild animal but once she realized it was futile, she would have no choice but to accept that she belonged to him and she would obey him. If she were good, perhaps in time arrangements could be made to make her more comfortable. However if she denied him things would be quite unpleasant for her.

He ordered Beckett to stop the doses and reluctantly he did. Velona kept an eye on her throughout the day, unsure of how long it would take for it to fully wear off. He assumed she would be drowsy and in pain. He didn't think she would want to do much of anything.

When she had still not awoken by bed, he called it a night and woke early the next morning. He made her food himself and went to her. He found the room was dark and quickly discovered she was not in her bed. Before he could look around she darted up behind him and hit him over the head with a candlestick.

It hurt like a son of a bitch and he dropped everything. The little twat had the nerve to try and strike him again. He caught the candlestick and made it clear he was not happy. Frightened she ran off as she had the other night. He chased after her and she slammed the door on his hand. He cried out as his fingers throbbed and bled. It too him a moment to recover, when he did he went after her.

He ran into Beckett in the hall he was upset, he wanted to know if he was hurt. Velona yelled at him and ordered him to just get her. Beckett didn't want to leave him but did after a second. They both burst into a run. Beckett was of course faster, Velona knew he would catch her in no time.

He didn't expect her to get very far, not with her injuries but Velona also knew fear was quite the motivator. The little bitch ran out of the house and Beckett went after her. Velona was not far behind but his head was killing him. He felt it and of course it was bleeding. He quickened his pace and it was a good thing he did.

When he found Korina, Beckett was on top of her smashing her into the ground. Velona knew he might kill her. He called out to him urging him to stop. Beckett continued but eventually got off her. It was then that Velona learned Beckett had killed Clark the stableman. It was...not good...not good at all..

Velona nearly panicked but knew there was not time, the sun was coming up and soon they would be spotted. Velona carried Korina while Beckett grabbed Clark they brought them into the house and took them into the basement. Velona made sure Korina was still breathing before he tied her up and gagged her. He put her in the wine cellar and locked the door.

Once she was dealt with, he helped Beckett stuff Clarks' body into a barrel. They had to dump out a rather nice vintage of Cariot but it was the best place to hide a body, on such short notice. Velona then paced and thought of what to do. At first he was upset thinking they were screwed but then...it appeared to work out in their favor.

Clark had been having an affair with Lady Wendy Water for some months now. It would appear he had gotten her pregnant. It was all anyone could talk about at the ball. Velona pretended not to know who the father was. It was all still speculation. A rumor was only a rumor until it was truth.

He knew he should have gotten rid of Clark as soon as he learned of the affair but it had been of some use to him with Countess Bray. He was still considering what else he could make of it if anything and now...now it was the perfect alibi for what they needed.

Velona quickly filled Beckett in on the plan as he tied up all the loose ends in his head. The plan was to make it appear as if Clark and Korina had run off together. Clark had been having multiple affairs but had only fallen in love with Korina. Velona would make a letter in her hand writing saying they were in love and just wanted to be together. It would excuse both Korina and Clarks' absences until they left Crestmoore.

Beckett liked the plan but was concerned about the servants buying it. They knew Clark and might be skeptical. Velona assured him it worked because it was a secret, so secret he hadn't told anyone. Every time he snuck off to see Wendy who was to say he wasn't seeing Korina instead.

Beckett agreed to it but there was still the question of what to do with Korina and now Clark. Velona told Beckett to keep Clark in the barrel until they could bury him in the basement, the floor was made of dirt and it should be easy enough to conceal.. They would bury him and if he were discovered it wouldn't be until long after they were gone.

As for Korina Velona would keep her in the wine cellar, he knew the basement was more quiet and secluded. When they bought the manor they had looked for places they could openly speak, not that they had needed to until now.

They would lock the basement and tell the servants it was off limits. That on their way out it was discovered they the lovers had stolen some expensive wine to no doubt sell and now they didn't trust anyone else. Beckett wanted to dose Korina again but Velona explained they needed her to be awake. He needed to talk to her and prepare her for when they traveled they couldn't just carry her about it might raise questions.

Velona assured Beckett he would be more careful with her. He knew it was yet another mark for Beckett. Clearly he was beyond upset but there wasn't time, they had to prepare. Beckett was to get Clarks' things and hid them to make it look like he ran off and Velona had a letter to forge.

They quickly got to work, they were lucky Clark lived alone above the stables. They had two other stableman and two couch man but they had yet to wake. Beckett went into Clarks' room and shoved all his things in a potato sack before rushing off in the early morning light.

Velona pulled out several examples of Korina's handwriting and crafted a farewell letter. His head ached something fierce but he got it written, The ink was barely dry when he sealed it in an envelope and wrote his name on it. He quickly rushed it to the Grayson room and put it on the bed. He quickly cleaned up the tray and food placed the candlestick back in its place. Then went upstairs just as the servants were coming into the house.

Velona waited a few minutes and then wandered down as he did every morning. He took his breakfast, ordering Korinas.' He made it a point to comment she was looking better last night and that she might be recovering. She requested some bread to go along with the soup and then took it up stairs.

He took his time and then when he got to the room he acted as he would if he didn't know what was going on. He set the tray down on a table near the bed and lifted the letter, curiously. He looked at his name and then turned it over, opening it. He read the letter twice for good measure, knowing he read fast and then he closed his eyes and screamed.

Oh what a scream it was, with the door opened it didn't take long for the servants to come running, Hagan was first to arrive followed by the servants and chef, they must have thought Velona was getting murdered. He turned to them working himself up. He waved the letter about unable to speak.

Hagan took the letter and read it realizing what was going on, his eyes widening. The Duke arrived then storming into the room. Beckett had shaving cream on his face and Velona swore he could have been an actor as he demanded to know what was going on.

Hagan explained and showed him the letter as a maid helped Velona setting her on the bed. She tried to calm Velona as he burst into fake tears. He kept saying he didn't understand and that he was responsible for her while her grandmother was away. How could this happen and all that nonsense he assumed would be said…

Beckett got to work ordering Hagan to keep a lid on this but get the men to look for them. He wanted them found at once. Hagan gathered men with in the hour and they rushed out looking for any sign of the runaway lovers. Velona and Beckett both did all the proper things anyone in their situation would do.'

Several of the maids helped Velona calm down and he went back to bed laying down, he was so "distraught." He got a few hours of sleep and thought things would play out slowly over the next few days. The search would go on, nothing would be found and at some point the Countess would arrive, he would calm her and then they would cover things up.

However things happened sooner than he thought. A little before noon Beckett came rushing into the room and told him the Countess had arrived and had come to collect her granddaughter. Velona let out a heavy sigh, of all the times she just had to show up today when they were already dealing with so much. He took a moment and then told Beckett to have Hagan put her in a sitting room.

Beckett groaned but left. Velona dressed and then went down stairs. He heard several servants whispered amongst themselves and scolded them to get back to work. When Velona got to the sitting room he reminded Hagan to keep the servants lips tight, that she didn't want this getting out, He said he would see to it and then introduced her.

The Countess was sitting on a couch and had already been served tea. She looked up when Velona entered. He moved to her stiffly, playing up his injures a bit. The Countess looked Velona up and down, seeing his injuries and was quite surprised. She acknowledged him saying, "Oh my Baroness Corday what has happened to you,"

"I...I am alright," said Velona, "I had a riding accident a few days ago,"

"A riding accident," said the Countess, "Oh my please sit, don't let me keep you," Velona moved carefully joining the Countess on the couch, after a moment she asked, "How did it happen?"

"My horse became spooked and threw me. I am fine really, but I must speak to you,"

"Speak with me," repeated the Countess realizing there was another matter then the Baroness's accident.'

"Yes," said Velona he shifted his gaze nervously for good measure, "It is about your granddaughter."

"Korina," said the Countess looking around as if to spot her, "What is it? Where is she? Has something happened?"

"I am afraid something has happened," said Velona he watched the Countess hold her breath. "You know Wendy Waters has been having an affair with one of my servants,"

"Y...Yes…" said the Countess confused. She expected to hear news about Korina and was thrown off.

Velona was trying to keep her flustered, the more emotional she was, the easier he could manipulate her. He continued, "Well, it would seem….he...Wendy wasn't the only young Lady he'd been inappropriately pursuing,"

"Oh my, but I don't understand what this has to do with my Korina,"

"I…" said Velona he looked away for a moment, showing embarrassment and then looked back, "I just learned this morning, he, my servant was also seeing your Korina, they...they were having an affair and seemed to have run off together.

Velona watched the Countesses eyes grow wider and wider as the news dawned on her, "What!"

It was then that Velona pulled out the letter. "I discovered this letter, this morning, when I went to check on her" He offered it to the Countess and she looked it over frazzled. It was clear Vira couldn't read the small scratchings, her eyesight not what it used to be. The Countess looked at the letter squinting for several minutes, she was to prideful even now to admit she couldn't read it.

Velona kindly took the letter from her shaking hands, "Shall I read it for you, you must be tired from your travels."

"Yes please...I am rather tired."

Velona cleared his throat and began to read the letter aloud.

"Dear Baroness Corday,

Thank you for being so kind to me. Thank you for training me and teaching me the ways of being a Lady and of Crestmoore. Please thank my grandmother for me, for taking me in and taking such good care of me. I am sorry to inform you but I must go away. For some time now I have been seeing your servant Clark. We have fallen in love and want to be together. We know the rules of Crestmoore would never allow our love as such, we have decided to run away as my mother and father once did. Please understand it is not our intention to hurt anyone, perhaps one day when we are settled we shall contact you again to let you know we are okay, until then please understand and allow us to be happy.

Korina"

Velona finished reading the letter and folded it up. All together he thought he'd done a fine job. He chose his words carefully and made sure the letter was not proper, he considered mentioning the Duke but decided it was better he not. After all the Countess only knew so much.

Velona looked at her as the room fell quiet. She stared off into space for a long moment and then he watched her slowly drift off to one side, fainting. He just barely caught her before she fell. He laid her on the couch, wondering if the news had killed her. He waited a moment and then when he saw she was still breathing, he called for Hagan to get smelling salts.

It took the Countess a moment to wake and then to recall what had gone on. They nearly lost her again but she centered herself, wanting to know every detail. Velona explain Korina had mostly kept to herself after she'd been dropped off. She appeared to have a good time at the ball but then got sick, catching the Baroness's cold. She seemed to be recovering and then she was just gone…

The Countess was beside herself, "I...I don't understand...how! How could she do this. How could they both do this to me…"

Velona attempted to comfort her, "I know this must be a lot to take in and especially with losing your friend-"

"No," interrupted the Countess. She pulled out her ornate handkerchief and began to dab her face. "She, my friend is alright. Things looked like they had taken a turn for the worse but when I got there she started feeling better. I thought it wouldn't hurt to spend a few days with her...We hadn't seen each other in such a long time. But...I...I should have just come straight home, maybe I could have done something."

"You couldn't have known," said Velona, shaking his head. "Even I did not know what she was planning. There was no warning just this letter."

A moment of silence passed and the Countess took up a necklace she wore around her neck. More to herself then Velona she said "I thought things were going well...I thought I'd been given a second chance…Whatever shall I do." She began to panic, "What will people think and….the Duke...oh the Duke. I can not bare the shame! Not again!"

"It's alright, Countess Bray," assured Velona. He reached out gently touching her shoulder to draw her from her panicked spiral. "We have people out looking for her, right now. She will be found,"

"And if she isn't…" said the Countess distressed.

"We shall handle it...I have taken care with my staff. I have warned them to say nothing of this. There will of course be rumors but rumors are just rumors. We...we shall tell people you sent her away, that she was too fragile a creature like, her mother and went to live...with...with other family members," Velona spoke slowly like he was just coming up with this, on the spot but had already planned out just what to say. Of course he had no idea he'd need to so soon.

"But she has no other family members,"

"Does anyone else know this?" asked Velona.

"Well, no I don't think so,"

"Perhaps she had family on her fathers' side, who reached out. Death has a way of bringing out long lost family members,"

"Yes, I...I suppose so." said the Countess thinking on it.

"Allow me to instruct you on just what to do and we shall take care of everything. No one ever has to know the truth," said Velona

"Oh Avianna I do not know what I would do without you." said the Countess.

Velona smiled at her, "It is nothing really, after everything you have done for me and my family, it is the least I could do."

"Oh no," said the Countess, shaking her head "You have gone above and beyond. It would seem I now owe you a debt of gratitude."

"Not at all," said Velona.

"I must insist," said the Countess, "If there is ever anything I can do to ever repay such kindness, let me know,"

Velona smiled at her, loving every second of this. Oh how the tables had turned, if she only knew the truth. He humbly continued, "Let us first see to the matter at hand. We have much to do and little time,"

"Yes," said the Countess nodding.

Velona reached out taking her hand, "Now, the first thing your going to want to do, is write a letter to the Duke…"

Thank you for Reading ^^