"Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive." – Walter Scott, Marmion

1815

Valarie had settled quite nicely into life at the Castle, though she worried constantly that she'd be unmasked as the woman who ran from Victor Madden. Harriet was a woman who Valarie could very well do without and a thorn in her side that she didn't need. The woman had been watching Valarie closely and always had a glare or two to spare her. It seemed to Valarie that there were many flaws to her plan of hiding here. Yet, she could not bear to send herself away when life was becoming so pleasant. She was a fool for wanting to remain here when she should have been running for the hills.

"My dear, I believe you and I need to have a talk."

Caught unaware, Valarie spun around quickly to face Carlotta who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

"About what, may I ask?"

Carlotta stared down at Valarie and thought Valarie wasn't one to be intimidated easily, she did worry about what had been discovered.

"I do not believe you'd want your laundry to be displayed so publicly and I do not trust who might be lingering in the shadows...come, we shall go somewhere more private."

Having been given no time to contest Carlotta's words, Valarie was rather angry at the sudden command thrust upon her. Given the choice she certainly didn't want to talk to Carlotta about things that had come to pass. She may well consider Carlotta an ally within the Castle but that didn't mean she was entitled to spill all her secrets to her. The tightness on her arm suggested otherwise as Carlotta frog marched her to a place she deemed 'safe to talk.' Valarie hated being used as a toy, dragged around to suit the needs of the controller. Her life had been one long fight for freedom, and it frustrated her that Carlotta thought it acceptable to make such allowances with her.

Once they had reached the safety of the room chosen, Carlotta removed her grip on Valarie's arm and very discreetly the woman ran her and over the patch, hoping to sooth the pain there. Valarie had coached herself into being cold and distant to those who could cause her harm. She hadn't followed this route with Carlotta and now realised she should have. If Carlotta knew what her secret was it would be incredibly bad for her. She couldn't show her worry though. She knew a weakness when she saw one. She'd hold her head high and keep her cards close till she knew what was really happening.

"You've got yourself in quite a pickle haven't you, girl?"

Raising one eyebrow Valarie fought with Carlotta's own steady gaze.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

"No need to play games child, I am actually on your side. The world is a harsh place and you did well to avoid a life with Victor Madden, that whole family is poisonous. I doubt however, that you knew of the consequences when you started your flirtation with him. Things will be different here, I won't let you use my Great Nephew to your own gain. Though I wager you already knew that."

Valarie nodded stiffly.

"Now that the formalities are out of the way, your story is a sad one child. Please tell me what worries you, perhaps I'll be able to help."

Valarie shook her head vehemently.

"Come now, don't be shy."

"You cannot help me ma'am. I appreciate the offer, but my past is mine alone and I am the only one who can solve my sins."

"I can hardly believe you have sinned as much as you seem to believe."

"Then you must believe me to be of a greater character than I am."

Carlotta studied her then and she felt a small slither of vulnerability seep through the walls built around her.

"Do not ask me to divulge my secrets ma'am, for little good it will do. They are better left in the dark where no one else can be harmed."

"I see," said Carlotta but Valarie knew she really didn't. "The secrets you hold must be very dear then. I wonder will you ever let anyone see past your cold exterior. We're alike just as I've said before but the path you have set yourself on is a lonely one indeed. There is still time for you to turn back."

"No there isn't, not for me."

There was no doubt in her mind, she knew this path was the only one left for her to take.

"Well, I shall always be here to offer you sanctuary should you need it."

Nodding in thanks, Valarie didn't quite feel like herself until she'd left Carlotta's company. She'd thanked the elderly woman for her kindness, but she didn't know what to make of it. People were usually only kind when they wanted something from you. It unsettled her so, kindness wasn't something she had much experience of. Carlotta had offered sanctuary, but would she really offer that if she knew what dark secrets hid in Valarie's past? Valarie thought not. Carlotta said they were similar, and they may well be in personality and behaviour, but they had led different lives and ultimately, Carlotta would never know what Valarie had experienced.

Worrying about Carlotta seemed pointless when there were other things to be done. She would figure out what Carlotta stood for another time, for now she had more pressing matters to sort out. She smirked, the left side of her mouth curling up and giving her a smile that appeared more like a sneer.

Stalking the corridors for her victim, she contemplated what she was going to do. 'Weeding the garden' seemed such a simple phrase to throw around but all flowers needed to be pruned, roses most of all.

The library of the Castle, a grand and statuesque room, held no comfort for Valarie for the books that lay inside could not help her. However, the smell of leather was most alluring and the movement she heard coming from inside...prompted further investigation.

Standing at one of the windows and staring out onto the vast landscape, stood Harriet. In any other lifetime the two women might have been friends but here and now they remined enemies. Neither wanted to know the other or spared a thought to what life was like. Harriet was a mess that needed to be cleaned. With Harriet around, Valarie would never have full control over Raff. She needed Raff to be fully committed to her if she intended to stay at the Castle. Of course, she knew she wouldn't be able to stay at the Castle indefinitely as her past wouldn't allow it.

Still, if she were to stay here, Harriet needed to go. She was an unsightly meddling woman whose voice and actions Valarie couldn't stand. Yes...she had to go.

Unfortunately, it seemed that everyone else loved Harriet for reasons Valarie couldn't understand. To her, she was the worst sort of woman, a busybody who wanted to be involved with everything, whether it was her business or not.

"You can't sneak up on me. If that was your intent," said Harriet.

"I wasn't trying to hide from you, but I think you and I need to have a chat."

"Whatever about? I don't think it's appropriate to socialise with people of a lower class than I."

Glaring, Valarie took a threatening step forward. Valarie had never met someone who could beat her in the art of manipulation and intimidation. Harriet was no exception to that. Valarie would beat her anyway she could.

"I'd watch your step if I was you. I could have you thrown from here at a moment's notice."

Valarie sneered at Harriet, "I think that's what you want to believe but I think it if came down to it, we both know who'd be believed."

Harriet paled and Valarie laughed in success.

"That's it, isn't it? You know you've been replaced as Raff's right hand confident and it bothers you. Did you think you'd be best friend's forever? The world doesn't work like that."

"No, of course not," replied a flustered Harriet, the tops of her ears turning a delicate shade of red.

"Don't tell me you actually fancy yourself in love with Raff? Please, like he'd ever go for you."

She caught the hand that flew towards her face before it had time to impact. Valarie's expression turned stony and hard as she glared up at Harriet.

"Don't you ever lift your hand against me again."

Harriet wriggled in her grasp, but Valarie didn't relent.

"You're hurting me," mumbled Harriet.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, I heard."

Valarie released her and smiled sweetly.

"Sometimes it's just too easy. You wouldn't want Raff knowing what you almost did would you? How do you think he'd react if I came running to him with news of what you'd done?"

Valarie quickly turned on the water works and made herself look vulnerable and small. Harriet paled.

"P-please Raff. I did nothing wrong, she just attacked me. I never did anything to her, but she hates me. I know she's your friend, but I can't stay here if I'm living in fear all the time."

As soon as the tears had started, Valarie stopped them. She looked triumphantly at Harriet, knowing she had her beat.

"What do you want?" came Harriet's defeated response.

"For you to stay out of my way. No more inferring and no more rumours."

"What if I don't?"

"I think we've established what would happen if you didn't cooperate."

With a cackle and a flick of her hair, Valarie sauntered from the room. Two down, one to go she thought. Though she knew what she was running from would finally catch up with her, she just couldn't stop his bad behaviour of hers. Just the thrill of it was enough to keep her going. Perhaps it was just wired into her DNA to be like this and she certainly couldn't imagine her life as anything else.

As she walked, she noticed there was a wind fluttering in the air, but I was neither cold or vindictive. It merely followed her on the journey to her next destination, like an unwanted silent companion. The fresh air of outside greeted her like a lost child, and she walked, unhurried towards the Estate village.

"I heard a rumour you were here."

Valarie looked up from where she'd been sitting. The house had been empty when she'd arrived, but it had also been unlocked. Forgoing the manners instilled in her, she walked in, sat down and waited for the owner to return.

"Quite like the rumour I heard about you living here."

The elderly woman glanced at Valarie with a mixture of pity and concern, "you've come to ensure my silence I suppose."

Valarie glared venomously at the woman.

"You know very well what that secret could cost me."

The woman nodded, "I imagine it'll do as much damage as the others you keep."

"Do not pretend to understand me just because you were there in my hour of need and don't look at me with such pity. I don't care for it."

"It is not pity child, it is concern but I'll keep your secret for you. Though I'm not sure what good it will do."

"Thank you, Cora."

For a moment her mask slipped, showing the true gratitude that lay in her eyes. Then the guard was back up once more and she was gone from the house.