“Lucian?”
“Did you see the look on Margery’s face when Katherine picked her up and swung her before launching her? I’m sorry, it’s not funny, but that was the best thing I’ve ever seen,” Lucian spluttered between bouts of laughter.
“We shouldn’t laugh; that could have got serious,” Maggie said sternly before her chuckle broke out. “Do not mess with my mum!”
“No, I think I have already learned that lesson!” Lucian chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes.
Lucian
“We’re ready,” he said with a nod to Mr Evans. Maggie stood by his side, peering as Mr Evans lifted a sledgehammer and slammed through the brick barrier. It splintered easily, and some of his men rushed in with crowbars. Once they were clear, Mr Evans repeated his actions a few more times before making a big enough hole that they could stick their head and shoulders through.
“I’ll do it; I can’t be harmed,” Lucian said, stepping up. He peered through the gap for several minutes before whistling.
“What is it?” Maggie asked.
“Take a look, Darling,” Lucian replied. Maggie blushed at his endearment but stepped up and peeked inside.
“I don’t understand,” Maggie said, staring at bundles of cloth.
“Me either, Mr Evans, please proceed,” Lucian spoke as he moved Maggie to a safe distance. What was in those piles, and why brick them up?
Lucian watched as Mr Evans and his men broke through and removed enough stone that he could step through. Dust coated the air so thickly that Mr Evans made everyone wear facemasks. Stepping forward, Lucian entered the room and peered around. He moved to the first bundle, untied it, and frowned. It contained jars of herbs and liquids that most definitely did not look right. Lucian tipped one jar upside down and reeled back when he saw an adult’s human heart inside.
“Lucian?” Maggie called.
“I think these were Margery’s spell components,” Lucian said as he opened another pile and found a giant cauldron. A third and fourth bundle revealed more jars with unsavoury substances before he opened the last bundle and gagged before recoiling.
“Maggie, stay back,” Lucian croaked as he gazed at the contents. Twelve tiny hearts lay in a jar preserved with liquid.
“What is it?” Maggie whispered, and Lucian heard her anxiety.
“If you wish to sleep at night, leave this bundle alone. Please, for me, see if your orders have arrived yet,” Lucian begged. His sweet Maggie didn’t need to witness this.
“Lucian, if you don’t tell me…”
“It’s to do with the children, Maggie. Leave it at that!” Lucian shouted, and quiet fell.
“I’ll check if the food has come, shall I?” Maggie asked.
“Please, my dear,” Lucian murmured, staring at the jar.
“What is it, my lord?” Mr Evans said, stepping forward and covering Lucian from prying eyes.
“Margery murdered twelve children and took their hearts for a spell. These are their hearts,” Lucian responded with an ache in his voice. His eyes welled with tears. A large, calloused hand covered Lucian’s and the final bundle.
“Here, you don’t need to see this,” Mr Evans said kindly.
“They have to be buried in consecrated ground. I can’t leave the inn far enough to bury them,” Lucian spoke, choked.
“No, lad, but I know a couple of lords who will aid you. Come now, my lord, let’s gather up the rest of this unholy crap, and we’ll burn the daylights out of it. Keep them there covered until someone comes for them,” Mr Evans said.
“There’s another partition. Rip it down, don’t worry about removing the panels,” Lucian said as he rose to his feet. He turned and faced Mr Evans. “You will make sure they get buried in consecrated ground with due honour?”
“Yes, my lord,” Mr Evans answered sincerely and reached out to squeeze Lucian’s shoulders. “Go, lad. We’ll move them somewhere safe until one of the Rakehells arrive, and then I’ll give them orders on what’s to be done for those poor little mites. Meanwhile, we’ll rip this down and see what it’s hiding.”
“Thank you,” Lucian muttered as he strode off to find his peace of mind, which lie in the form of a shapely, loving woman. Wollscombe wrapped herself around his heart, trying to ease his distress while Jekyll soothed his frayed nerves.
The delivery had come, but the men refused to bring it inside. They left the trays on the step, and she told them she’d have someone return them. Maggie was shaking her head and muttering when Lucian found her. He caught the tail end of a grumble.