Part XXXIII

The town wasn't big, which was a problem. In a bigger, more crowded place a single person like him could get lost. Here Joel was sneaking from one corner to the other one. He noticed the familiar shape of Mr Herford's house. He was almost there. Then he saw them. Two guards were standing on their watch.

That bastard told them where to wait. Fucking Mat. What was he thinking, did he decide to score points in front of the duke? Wasn't he interested in Joel anymore? Whatever, he will deal with it later.

Joel left the horse a few streets away, now he decided to go round the estate and get inside through the back door. He made it through a fence, climbed a wall and was running along the wall till he saw the stables of Mr Herford. Joel jumped on the roof of the stable and was now sliding down the roof to land elegantly on the ground well almost elegantly. It was quiet, nobody was here. Joel marched straight to the back door. It was open so he entered it. In the narrow corridor he came across a servant.

"What are you doing here? Who are you?" The annoyed servant asked.

"I need to talk to Mr Hefrord. It's urgent." Joel explained calmly.

The servant looked suspiciously at him.

"Please follow me." Joel was led into the well known hall. The servant disappeared and within a short while Mr Herford came out of his office.

"Mr Herford,- Joel bowed – I'm here with some good news." Joel took out the pearl earrings out of his pocket.

"I believe these are well known to you." He had his triumphant smile right on his face.

For a moment the rich merchant was looking at the earrings with a "I know nothing" look. Joel's triumphant smile started to fade. Fuck, his wife would have been better.

"What's up with those earrings?" He finally asked.

"They belong to your daughter." Joel clarified.

"They do? Well yes maybe, but where is she?" He looked behind Joel's back as if Francine could hide herself behind him.

"She's on her way with Brian that red haired guy who took the place in the wagon instead of that young boy when we were drawing the lots."

"She's coming here? Oh my god." Mr Herford touched his head in deep shock. "Honey, honey!" Joel supposed he will soon see Florence in person. Mrs Herford appeared quickly wearing a peach color dress.

"Oh, Joel! You're back? Where's Francine?"

"She's on her way. I'm here to check the way. There are two guards in front of your house. I need to send a servant to the outskirts of the town. Next to that old barn at the crossroads. They will wait there." Joel explained everything trying to be convincing and professional.

"They, what THEY?" Florence frowned.

"Brian and Francine."

"Who is Brian? Why is my child with an unknown man? " Joel could see his plan to convince them that Francine is all right and he has done everything to earn those golden beauties, going down the drain.

"Madam, your child was with unknown people the whole year long. Brian is a well known person, he is from here and is taking care of her as best as he can." He needed to turn this discussion in another direction. "Now we need to send someone to pick them up and lead them here without drawing any attention."

"Yes, you are right. How did you get here unnoticed?" Mr Herford asked knowingly.

"I used the back door and had to climb over a wall and jump down the roof. Brian will make it but Francine … She's a fine lady." He managed to explain it diplomatically.

There was a moment of silence. The Herfords seemed to be thinking hard about the situation, when suddenly the silence was broken.

"Florence darling, we will go for a visit to our friends, The Pactstones. On the way we will pick them up." Mr Herford suggested.

"That's a great idea but to be sure, really go to your friends, stay there for a tea and make sure nobody follows you. It's a good idea to take a servant with you and he will find them and will let them know, so they are ready." Joel suggested.

"This is how we will do it." Francine agreed.

"Let's go. Joel you should take a rest, eat something, wash whatever you want. We'll be back with Francine."

"Thank you sir, madam." Joel bowed. The Herfords left swiftly. They got ready and without any further talk, they were about to make this plan work. Joel went back to his old room, he ordered a bath to be prepared and food. The bath was amazing, he didn't have to hurry or be careful. It kind of reminded him about the duke and their first encounter. He got out of the bath, dried himself snuggled in a warm robe and enjoyed the served food. Man that was life. Pity that it was only for a short moment. He was waiting for Francine and Brian to come back. As soon as it happens he will leave, in the middle of the night.

Joel actually fell asleep, he was woken up by some commotion. They were back.

Joel got dressed in some simple male clothes provided by servants and went downstairs. Brian and Francine were there too. Joel felt relieved. He was a bit tense thinking " What if..? ", all the time, but now it was clear.

"I'm glad you are here safe and sound as promised." Joel smiled and turned to Mr Herford who was ecstatic because of his daughter's return.

"Sir, I fulfilled my part of the deal."

"Yes, yes you did. I will settle everything tomorrow first in the morning." Mr Herford agreed without a single bit of hesitation.

"I'd like to leave right away, sir." Joel decided to push the matter to a very end.

"I object." He heard Francine saying behind his back.