Luxton Manor - Part 9

The rain fell heavier then it had done in months, pounding the pavement and soaking anyone who stepped outside. Henry sprinted through the village, splashing in puddles and slipping on cobblestones. It happened so quick he didn't realise until the screams of a woman and the whinnying of a horse could be heard. Henry was on the floor, his leg throbbing. He tried to move it and he couldn't. It wouldn't work.1

'Oh my. Are you OK dear?' A woman in her 50's with a strong Irish accent ran over to Henry.2

' I'm fine, i just need to go.' Henry attempted to drag himself to his feet, but was unable to do so. His leg collapsed underneath him and he landed in a pile on the floor.3

' No love, you'll have to come with me. I need to take you home. I'm surprised your still here. That carriage ran straight over you. You need to go home.'4

' No!' He shouted in the woman's face and made another attempt to stand, this time staggering and leaning against a wall. He managed to stumble forward and carry on making his way to the manor.5

' Wait! You can't go anywhere with that leg.' He dismissed the woman's calls and continued on, ignoring the throbbing pain in his leg.6

'Weather's horrible, isn't it Edd?'7

'Yeah, it is George.'8

' Do you remember that girl. The one Master Luxton wanted dead and we had to go kill her. Horrible job that one. I prefer standing guard, don't you?'9

'Yeah.'10

Edd and George stood still a minute, surveying the heavy rain falling and figures dashing by.11

'Who's that Edd?' A young boy staggered towards the two guards. He was coming closer and closer and eventually reached the steps. Edd could tell he was in pain and had only made it here through desperation.12

'What do you want?' George asked pointing his gun at the young lads chest13

'George, let him speak.' Edd watched the boy through narrowed eyes. Henry clutched his chest, attempting to stem the pain flowing through his body. It didn't work.14

' I.... need to see... Elizabeth... now.' He panted to Edd who clearly had sympathy for this young lad.15

' Sorry, your not allowed to enter the manor. Not without masters permission.' George said hastily, dismissing Henry and looking over his shoulder as though he wasn't there.16

'Listen to me!' Henry lunged forward and grabbed Georges collar. He held the man close to his face and whispered threateningly, staring into his eyes. ' I love that girl. I need to see her. She has asked for me. Now you let me through that door, or I'll have to do something I'll regret.' He threw George back so he slammed against the tall oak door.17

'Steady now lad. We don't want no accidents.'18

'I need to get in there... now! Please, I'm desperate.' He begged, pleading with Edd.19

' I can see that. How do you know the young lady?'20

' I have been meeting her for years. We're quite attached.'21

Silence followed.22

'Do you love her?'23

' I would give my life for her.' Edd smiled and stepped back allowing a small space for Henry to squeeze through and access the oak door handle.24

'Thank you.' Henry shook Edd's hand with gratitude.25

'Just you make sure she knows how much you love her.'26

'I will.' With a parting smile, Henry turned and opened the door, leaving Edd to deal with a furious George.27

The decor in the mansion was unbelievable. It scaled the walls and the ceilings. Henry almost lost himself in the place, staring at the art work. He made his way up the stairs slowly, trying to avoid being heard. Each step he took was harder and his leg was really giving him grief. But he had to continue, he wouldn't stop until he found Elizabeth.28

He reached the top of the staircase and was lost. He didn't know where to start looking. He moved as quickly as he could, moving down corridor after corridor. He stopped, spinning on the spot. He had heard someone move, he could hear heavy breathing. He stopped, listening so hard he thought his ears were about to bust.29

'Henry?' A heavy voice whispered his name.30

'Elizabeth?' Henry turned and saw a sight he would never forget. There she was, standing in the middle of the hallway in a long white robe. Her hair was knotted and hung limply past her shoulders, her eyes were dull and her skin gaunt. Henry's face creased and he ran forward taking her in his arms. He clung onto her desperately, never wanting to let go. She was stiff in the way she moved. Silent tears graced her face.31

'Here... remember this. I told you i would give it back when it was complete.' He took out the box and placed it in Elizabeth's hands. She looked at it, and opened it. Her locket was inside. The one she had found in the river bed the day she had first met Henry. She looked at him in disbelief. She didn't know what to do. She lifted her hair off the back of her neck and turned round, implying to Henry that he was to put it round her neck. 32

'No, open it first.'33

Bewildered, Elizabeth clicked the locket open with ease. She smiled at what she saw. Inside was a beautiful painting of her and Henry. The detail was amazing and it was so special that Elizabeth thought she was going to cry. She looked at Henry and her eyes told him everything. She adored it. After another hug, he placed the locket round her neck and she admired it. Suddenly her smile vanished and she looked as though she was in great pain.34

'Henry, i feel a bit ill.' She swayed on the spot then doubled over, clutching at her head.35

'Elizabeth? Help! Someone!' Henry shouted and shouted, desperate to draw attention to his ailing love. She was on the floor now. Her body was shaking violently and her eyes were rolling.36

' Elizabeth, i love you. Don't ever forget that.' She stopped shaking. Her eyes were closed and her body was still but cold. Overwhelmed by tears Henry held on to her hand tight whispering 'I love you' over and over as though she could hear him.37

They were the last words she heard.38

*39

They buried her body two weeks after. Many people were present, all bearing gifts and flowers. Words of sorrow and grief parted from their lips and met the ears of the Luxton family. The only one who wasn't there to hear them was Henry, for he also had been placed beneath the soil only two days before. After Elizabeth's death Henry had simply lost the will to live. He ailed quickly and suddenly. There were no symptoms, no vomiting, no physical abnormalities. Doris knew what he had died of. He had died of a broken heart. There was no doubt about it.40

As people left the cemetery, one by one, the sun shone brighter and the birds sang louder. The day was beautiful. Doris stayed long after everyone else had left. She wished both Henry and Elizabeth good luck for the future. She knew they were happy together now and for eternity. She left a single rose on each grave and walked away. She didn't look back.41