[h3]The Day After[/h3]

With Saints crawling the manor house, it was hard for Victoria to do [i]anything[/i] without being watched. It was impossible for her to leave the house, as she wasn’t allowed. Someone would go out for her errands if needed. Someone from Crest Industries brought the various work documents to the house for her to peruse. She could not spend time training; thus she spent her time figuring out how they ran the family business. It appeared someone else ran the day to day business for Alex. She found it incredibly tedious and difficult to follow. She needed a business advisor, someone impartial and smart. Someone she could trust. Especially when she wasn’t going to just hand it all over to Spencer to look after. But that was the least of her priorities. First, she needed him gone from her family’s life. Without Vail that would be a lot harder to do. 

Sunset fell over the estate as Victoria pondered at her father’s desk in the study. She gazed out of the window with a sigh. She suddenly gasped. [i]‘Wait….Gerald knows Spencer is a  Wynter. So why hasn’t he done anything about him?’[/i]

[i]‘If you kill Spencer, the entire Wynter clan will descend on us like a plague.’[/i] His words rang in her mind. Something did not smell right. It seemed The Order was allowing the Wynters to take over the Crest family wealth. So soon after Alex’s death, coincidentally. She felt a cold sense of dread wash over her. She needed help. The only ones she could turn to were the Hygrace clan for refuge. Perhaps if she kept up her bargain Vail would protect her from the Order and Wynters however necessary. Although she couldn’t imagine his family would agree to him keeping her as his prey, even with her consent. 

She got up from her desk and walked to her bedroom. A Saint was always stood guard outside it whenever she went in. She closed the door behind her, knowing a Saint as right outside. She had to do [i]something[/i]. She looked around her room for inspiration. She eyed the bedsheets and went to the balcony doors. She opened them to the cold night’s air and peered over the ledge. Could she perhaps make a climbing rope of some kind from the bedding? She got to work quickly and quietly. She was a little afraid of heights, but she couldn’t afford to think about that now. 

As she made ready a bedsheet rope and began to climb over the balcony in readiness to descend, she tugged at the knot tied on the balcony door handle. It seemed firm enough. She leaned back and held firmly onto the bedsheets when suddenly her bedroom door opened. She jumped in shock and almost let go. Ray entered and closed the door behind him then rushed to the balcony. He grabbed her arm to prevent her from falling but he didn’t pull her up. “Let me help you down.” He offered as she looked at him confusedly. 
 
“Why would you help me escape..?” The Lady asked.

“Because you’re not safe here. Something is definitely not right in The Order. You need to get word to that Hygrace heir. He may be the only one who can protect you now. I will cover your absence but you [i]must[/i] be back by dawn when Gerald returns.” Ray explained as he had his doubts within his own company. He instructed her to slowly lower herself foot by foot. He then climbed over and started to climb down after her but only using the structure of the building itself. If she lost footing or grip, he would be able to grab her. She managed to abseil down it without much of a hitch except half way when she grazed her knee against the stone.

Once both on the ground, Ray handed her a map. “Take your horse. Go to this countryside inn two miles northwest of here. I’ll send a letter to the Hygrace estate with a letter for Lord Vail’s attention to meet you there at midnight.” He whispered his instructions as she nodded. She turned to run to the stables, but before she did, she turned back to him. “Ray...I….” She felt a little sheepish. “Thank you. Make sure it says Vail Griffiths on it though...” She told him with a weak smile. He nodded and climbed back up. 

Victoria ran to the stables and prepared Phillipe for the ride. She made haste as the horse galloped out of the Crest Manor grounds. Ray stood guard outside her bedroom all evening, when questioned he informed them the Lady was bathing and not to be disturbed. And then she was sleeping after 10pm or so. But she had to be back in her room by dawn or her cover would be well and truly blown.
[hr]
She made it to the countryside inn, aptly named The Shire. She jumped down from Phillipe and tied him up. She ventured inside and it was relatively quiet. She walked up to the bar and presented them with a few coins. “Please may I have a room for the night?”

The barmaid nodded. “Of course. Under what name?

Victoria blinked. “Lady Griffiths.” She used Vail’s fake surname from their first meeting. How ironic. The maid wrote it in the book and took the coin. It was well over a hundred pounds, she actually gasped at how much she gave her. Money was no object to her. “Would you mind sending up some tea to my room?” The maid nodded “Y-yes My Lady of course.”

“Oh and…I am expecting my husband to meet me here later. Lord Vail Griffiths.” She informed the maid who nodded. “I will be sure to send him up.” This way it would not look as scandalous. Though the maid wasn’t sure if she was just using a fake name as many call girls did when they met their clients here at this country inn. The only difference was, she looked like a Lady and had the wealth that went with it. 

“Thank you kindly.” She bowed her head politely and took the key to the room from her. Room 2. She ventured up to the room, once inside she removed her long purple velvet cloak. She sighed and looked around the basic room with a bed, nightstand, two chairs and a table at the window. She didn’t know how angry Vail would be with her when he arrived. He must have thought the worst of her. That she betrayed him and went back on her word. Even if she ran away, the Wynters and The Order would both find her. She was under their hawkeye watch from now on, which would make their bargain all the harder to continue. She had to think of a way to make it up to Vail. 

She decided to remove all of her clothing. Corset and all beneath the dress. That way he could have his pick of a spot to fed on. It was the only way to satiate him and prove to him she didn’t betray their pact. But she did cover herself over with her cloak until he would arrive. She sipped her tea with a shaky hand from the stress of it all. This situation was getting more and more complicated. Twice now she had endangered Vail’s life. But as he did once say to her, he thought she was [i]worth it[/i]. She only wondered how much as she stared at the flickering flames of the fireplace.