After talking to the Abbess, Alexander knew in his heart that Arabella was the Counts missing granddaughter. He hadn't said as much to the Abbess, or Marcus yet. He needed to speak with the Count and Countess first. He didn't want to get anyones hopes up if he was wrong. He also needed to be careful as Arabellas life was already in danger. The only problem was that he couldnt leave Arabella. He didnt trust anyone to protect her but himself. So he decided to wait until she was well enough to travel. Then he would take Arabella with him to Asterley Park. There he could keep her under his protection until they could flush the killer out. He hoped his skill at deduction was wrong, because if it wasn't, than the killer was at this very moment having dinner at his table.

After Alexander spoke with Marcus, he sent him to Asterley to watch over his home. He told him to report anything out of the ordinary, immediately. He then went up to check on Arabella. The Abbess had sent a maid to inform him that Arabella was awake. He knocked on the door.

Sister Rose opened the door and motioned him in. Arabella was sitting propped up by a mound of pillows. She looked so small and fragile consumed by the overly large bed. Her color was returning but she still looked very weak to him. She still looked beautiful however, with her pale hair cascading around her shoulders. Her smile lit up the gloomy sick room. It melted Alexander's heart at the pain she was trying to hide. God he wished he could hold her in his arms and make it all better.

"Good afternoon your Grace," she said as he approached the bed.

"Good afternoon Arabella, how is our patient fairing today?"

"Other than the pain and the fact that someone wants me dead, quite well, your Grace," replied Arabella.

"I'm sorry Arabella, this is all my fault. I should have protected you better."

"No!" She cried. "Please dont think that. It was my choice to go along. I wanted to help find Jemmy and we did. That is what matters most, besides if you hadn't been with me I would have died. I owe you my life."

Alexander was glad she didnt blame him. However, he still felt responsible for her getting shot, especially since she had been under his protection. He wouldn't make that mistake again. He would keep her safe even if it meant dying himself.

********

The man was getting restless. The inn he was at was losing its charm, and he had already had his fill of willing barmaids. It had been three days since that day in the forest. Surely she had healed or died by now. He was running out of time. "Damn that bitch," he cursed to himself. If only she would have stayed away he wouldn't be in this predicament. He should have gotten rid of her when he had the chance eighteen years ago. He had let her live thinking she would never know who she was. However, That stupid maid had double crossed him and left a note with the child. Then that meddling priest sent her here. Well he got rid of them both after finding out what they did. A little toture and they sang like birds. But not before that idiot priest had contacted the Count. Now they were here in England looking for their 'precious' granddaughter. He laughed to himself, knowing they still hadn't a clue as to where she was. Only he knew that, and he would get rid of her before they found out. That inheritance was his by right, he waited long enough to claim it. He certainly wouldn't give it up now. Now if he could lure the Duke away, then he could do what he came here too, and get back to France.

The man had no idea he was being watched by someone.

Marcus was watching the stranger from the other side of the tap room. The man looked deep in thought so he didn't even notice Marcus was there. He had sent a couple of his men to Asterley to watch the Dukes home. That way he could check out some of the surrounding inns. He had a hunch that the kidnapper would go to a nearby inn. He got lucky on the second one. Marcus knew if the man was a gentleman, nobody would recognize him or question his presence there. The owner of the inn had pointed the man out immediately. He not only matched the description Jemmy gave him, he also arrived right after the shooting. Marcus drained his mug and left the taproom. He needed to get back to the Abbey and speak with Alexander. He mounted his horse and rode away, he had a plan.

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