David Wise - Tales of Ravenloft

Bluebeard gazed at me and said," You are very much like your sister, Henredon. "He smirked. "You have her eyes. "His fat red hand smoothed his embroidered waistcoat, and his watch fob jingled.

I leaned forward slowly, splaying my hands across the intricate parquetry of the desk between us. I responded tightly," You are mistaken, sir, as my sister was adopted when I was fourteen. "I smiled back at him smoothly. "But that is neither here nor there, Bluebeard. What matters, of course, is Lorel. Where is she? I've come far to visit her, and I'd like to see her immediately. "I kept my voice cool and my gaze bland.

The man's expression did not change, save for a passing flicker of his left brow. He returned my look, meeting my eye measure for measure, but I did not yield. Then Bluebeard gestured with one ringed finger toward my hands. "Pray sit down, Henredon. Your coat is dripping upon my table."

I raised my chin at his tone, but to take offense would be churlish. I nodded stiffly and said," As you wish," as I sat in the wing chair behind me. Not quite as large or as elaborate as Bluebeard's own chair, it was nevertheless well padded, and the cushioning was welcome to my fatigued muscles. But I resolutely pushed away the memory of my long journey and turned to the matter at hand.

"My sister is here in this castle," I stated. "You have spirited her away from her home, Bluebeard, and I would speak with her."

Again that raising of his left brow, which I began to believe was a habitual manner with him. "Would you now?" He drawled the words, though elegantly. I was finding his speech and mannerisms sharply at odds with his appearance, for at first impression Bluebeard had struck me as a coarse and ill-bred man — a view that warred with his gracious words and abode.

I allowed myself a cursory glance about the room. The walls were lined from floor to vaulted ceiling with books. Inside the hearth, the fire cackled merrily, lending a welcome warmth to my chilled bones. The rug beneath my feet was thick and luxurious, its pattern intricate and many colored. Ponderous rosewood furniture completed the stolid tone of gentility and breeding. My eyes flicked past the silver and gilt candelabra and returned to the books. The scholar in me yearned to explore them, but I was not here in that capacity; I was here as a brother to find my sister — and perhaps, the gods forbid, to avenge her. When I had learned of the man with whom Lorel had eloped, I was caught in an emotion so deep, in a pain and rage so encompassing, it had carried me forward on this desperate journey. A spasm passed through my jaw, and it was with the taste of blood upon my tongue that I returned to my host.

I folded my hands, steepling two fingers as I did so, and stared at Bluebeard. "Yes, I would speak with my sister now," I drawled as slowly as he," or I will have to believe that something has. . befallen her. "I smiled icily, then arched my brow in imitation. "And I cannot believe — as the townspeople would have me — that this wife, too, has met with some. . misfortune, can I?" His smiled reply was every bit as cool as mine. "But of course not, Lord Henredon. "He laughed shortly, glancing away. "I can assure you, sir, my wife Lorel has met with no such. . misfortune, as you call it — certainly nothing of the sort that befell my previous wives. "His lips twitched.

Inwardly something constricting my chest loosened. Perhaps I had arrived in time to show Lorel the truth, to free her from this monster. Admittedly, the tales I had heard of Bluebeard warred with the image of the elegant gentleman sitting before me, but I could not discount my belief that he would soon grow tired of Lorel and that death would befall her as had his previous wives.

"Then you surely have no objection to my seeing Lorel," I said smoothly. I heard the sudden catch in my voice at my sister's name, and I prayed that Bluebeard had not.

He cocked his head to one side, as if considering my request, then gestured forward his manservant. "I have been remiss, Lord Henredon, in my duties as a host. Please, allow me to offer you some refreshment. "His man returned, carrying a silver platter upon which rested two snifters of cognac.

Gratefully I accepted one, though I was determined to sip it but slowly. I leaned back in my chair as the fiery liquid slipped down my throat. "Lord Bluebeard," I said firmly," I would see my sister now."

The man spread his hands wide, then stroked his silken beard with one, his gaze returning to me. "Ah, but I must tell you, sir, that I do have some objections to your seeing my wife."

My eyes narrowed. "What, pray tell — "I could not keep the sardonicism from my voice "-could those be? "

"Your insinuations regarding the. . untimely deaths of my previous wives, for one," Bluebeard responded blandly.

I took a sip of the cognac, locking eyes with the man before me, and said slowly, "Sir, my insinuations are merely that — they are hardly accusations." I grimaced. "You have but to let me see Lorel, to speak with her, and I will know that you have been subjected to slander and false innuendo. "Some nerve inside my mouth twitched, and I bit my lip. I did not blink. "However, if you do not produce my sister, Lord Bluebeard, I will be forced to believe you to be a murderer and a madman. As such, I would kill you. "This time my smile was slight, though filled with the resolve that burned in my heart.

Bluebeard's brows both rose as he cocked his head. Then he nodded slightly and murmured," And if I allow my wife to see you?"

I leaned forward. "Then I shall ask her to come away with me this very night, Bluebeard, for you are a monster!" I cried, unable to restrain myself further.

Abruptly the man threw back his head and roared. One meaty red fist pounded the desk, knocking over his drink, and coarse laughter filled the room. I felt my face flush, and I struggled for composure. When his laughter subsided, he stood, walked around the desk, and sat in the chair next to me. He leaned forward, his elbows resting upon his knees and his girth spilling out of the confines of the chair. His gaze was steady and even amused, though now tinged with a malice that matched the darkness of his beard.

"I find I cannot allow that, Lord Henredon," he demurred, the mask of elegance once more in place. He tidied a turned-over ruffle of one cuff. "I cannot have you take my beloved Lorel, leave my home, and spread such. . slanders about me. "One indigo brow arched upward.

I gritted my teeth and then, with slow, ineffable care, I leaned toward Bluebeard and gripped his velvet lapels with my hands; I saw his eyes widen at the affront I was committing. Then, with a violent effort I hauled him to his feet. I tightened my grip on Bluebeard's lapels, catching some of his corpulent flesh as I did so. Bluebeard winced, then shook his head at his man, moving toward us. The valet subsided. My host's expression was remarkably unconcerned, his brow unfurrowed and his eyes clear. And did I dare believe that his infuriating little smile still played about his fleshy lips?

Bluebeard tapped my straining knuckles with his hands and said, "Henredon! Is there really the need for this? Surely we can talk about this like gentlemen?"

Nonplused, I could not speak. He stared at me coolly, with a bland expression loitering in his eyes. The scent of sandalwood and bayleaf toiletries that he used upon his person assailed my nostrils in these tight quarters, and I found myself struggling to believe that he was less than the gentleman he portrayed to be. But I did not let my hold on the larger man relax."

A gentleman would have let me see my sister by now," I said grimly, tightening my grip still further. This time he did not wince.

Bluebeard smiled thinly, his full lips compressing into a line. "An excellent point, Henredon, but I must make a point of my own in return. "He tapped my chest. "But first, a gentleman would not have his host in such a position, Lord Henredon. "A grimace of annoyance flashed across his face. "Please, this is a most ridiculous scene — will you sit down and let us discuss the matter. . like gentlemen?" His voice was silken and smooth to my ears, but still I did not yield. He continued," I can excuse your inappropriate actions as those of one who is overwrought by both fatigue and by the depth of his concern for his sister."