"The really unexpected affair" Chapter 9 for -The Short Affair Challenge

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Linka to: Chapter 1. Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8


Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #2 – Hunt

-Prompt Colour – Silver

Title: Never a dull moment

Author: mrua7

Illya remained on the sofa until he finally woke. Napoleon, as usual, was sitting nearby in a high back Georgian leather wing chair, reading a copy of the local newspaper. He peeked over the top of it, like a good spy would as soon as he heard the Russian stir.

“How you feeling tovarisch?”

“Like I fell off a horse,” he grunted as he sat up.”What time is it?”

Napoleon glanced at his watch after folding up the paper and putting it aside. “Nearly time for dinner.”

“Good, I’m famished.”

“Hold on a second, I think you need to apologize to Mrs. Dunphy if you expect to get anything more than stale bread and water.”

“Hmm, yes. I was rather peeved at her, was I not?”

“That’s putting it mildly. She meant well.”

“Napoleon, next time an old lady hints at having her way with you; I will remind you of those words.”

Solo grinned,”Well if she’s good looking…”

“As I have said before, you are incorrigible.”

“Nothing new there. Now let’s get you up to bed.”

“What about dinner?”

“Doctor’s orders, bed rest and light broth for now. If you apologize to the cook, she just might slip you something extra.”

“That is what I am worried about.”

“Illya I meant food.”

Napoleon disappeared for a moment, and returned with Cavendish and Maude in tow.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you,” Maude said.

“There is nothing to apologize for it was...umm, my own carelessness and nothing more. Cossack Sun is a beautiful horse and he responded to me very well.  Something spooked him and I was caught off guard.”

She didn’t quite know what to make of that as she was well aware of how careful the Russian was in everything he did.

“Are you sure that’s all that happened?”

“Absolutely.” He didn’t hesitate in responding, as he’d given her enough truth in what he’d said to cover himself.

Maude remained suspicious. She’d give Napoleon the third degree once they were done with dinner; she was a Waverly, after all.

A moment later the cook appeared; her nose up in the air, letting all know that she was quite put out.

“Mrs. Dunphy,” Napoleon said,” I think Mr. Kuryakin has something to say to you.”

Illya squirmed before looking the woman in the eye, fluttering his baby blues, trying to appear quite penitent.

“I wish to apologize for my earlier behavior. You meant well and I was nothing but rude to you. Can you forgive me?”

Mrs. Dunphy squared her shoulders, but the rest of her seemed just melt and her appearance softened.

“You were in a lot of pain I’m sure sir. So I accept your apology. Now I do believe Mr. Cavendish and Mr. Solo are waiting to take you upstairs. I’ll send up your supper shortly. I’m afraid a light broth as per the doctor,” she hesitated.” but I make a fine tasty broth, I do. The doctor didn’t say anything about no dessert.” This time she winked at him.

Illya nodded, hoping what she meant for dessert was actually food.

He stood up with the help of Solo, and was positioned between his partner and Cavendish; together the three of them headed out to the foyer and though it took some time getting up the long flight of stairs; Illya finally made it to his room.

Cavendish had already laid out the Russian’s blue pajamas and after helping him to change, he took the soiled and damaged clothing to be cleaned and repaired.

“I will be return with your dinner shortly sir,” he helped Illya into bed, fluffing up an extra pillow and putting an extra one behind the Russian’s back. Opening a lamp on the nightstand; he placed a newspaper there.

“Will there be anything else sir?”

“No. Thank you for your help Mr. Cavendish. Has Cossack Sun been found yet?”

“My pleasure sir, and yes young Tom has located him and he is none the worse for wear. He is a very spirited horse, though my nephew said Sunny responded to you quite well, as you sit a horse like a well-seasoned rider.”

“I was once taught some very important secrets about working with horses by and old Cossack,” Illya winked.

“Yes sir.” Cavendish gave a little bow before leaving.

“You comfy enough?”Napoleon asked.

“Yes, I am fine.”

“Maybe I’ll take my dinner here with you.”

“Napoleon go, keep Maude company. We can talk over our plans later.” Illya waved his hands, shooing off his partner.

“What do you mean ‘we’? You’re out of commission remember?”

“We will talk later, now go.”

“Yes sir Mr. Kuryakin sir,” Napoleon came to attention, giving Illya a military salute.

.

Napoleon and Maude were seated for dinner, enjoying the fabulous filet mignon that Mrs. Dunphy had prepared.

Solo felt a little guilty Illya was missing out on such a delicious repast, having only broth to eat. That was not going to make for a very happy Kuryakin and he made a mental note to keep that in mind when he went back upstairs to speak with his partner.

“Napoleon, I need to ask you something,” Maude said as she sipped her glass of decanted red wine.  A Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz she called it.

Napoleon smiled as he tasted it, knowing it was another such vintage that was out of reach for him financially.

“Isn’t it remarkable? It’s from South Australia of all places, Eden Valley wine region in the Mt. Lofty Ranges east of Barossa Valley. Sounds a bit exotic doesn’t it? I’ve never been to Australia have you...oh, wait, that’s not what I really want to ask you.”

“Ask away Maude, though if I answer truthfully, then I’ll have to kill you.”

“Oh stop with the silly,” she lowered her voice, “spy quips will you. I’m being serious here.”

He chuckled. “As am I. Go ahead, but again, it may not be something I can’t answer.”

“When I was speaking to Illya about what happened with Sunny today, I got the feeling he was leaving out something very important...was he? Is there something going on that I should know about?”

Napoleon huffed, taking another sip of the shiraz. This was more like the old Maude.

“Yes there is, but your Uncle doesn’t want you involved.”

“If I promise to stay out of things will you tell me what’s happening. I live here Napoleon, this is my home now and if there’s someone or something threatening it, then I have a right to know.”

He hesitated, but decided to at least throw her a bone. In no way was he going to tell her that her husband might be implicated.

“You said it yourself on the boat trip over here, about the odd absence of the children. It seems someone, and we don’t know who, has taken them. They’re being held, but for what reason, we don’t know as of yet, or exactly where they are.”

Maude’s eyes went wide.

“The parents were told not to say anything or the children would be killed. They were also told some would be returned, but that as yet hasn’t happened. The reason why the townspeople have given you the cold shoulders is that the disappearances happened right after you arrived; they seem to think you have something to do with it.”

“Oh my goodness,” Maude covered her mouth with her hands.”This is just awful, and they blame me?”

“It’s a matter of timing I’m afraid, the disappearances...no, kidnapping of the children and your arrival were just a coincidence.”

“But the townspeople don’t see it that way.” Maude was now visibly upset.” No wonder they’ve been acting so strangely, the poor dears. We need to tell them I had nothing to do…”

“No, we’re not going to tell them anything, not for now. You made a promise to stay out of this, remember? I’ll take care of it and get those kids back. Illya being injured has muddled up the plans to hunt for them at the moment, but I’ll figure something out.  The silver lining to this is you get to have the pleasure of our company a while longer.”

Chapter 10

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I don't think Napoleon had any other option but to tell Maude what they knew. She's like her uncle, and would keep digging until she found out. Thank you or another great chapter.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, she is like Uncle Alex, but hopefully she'll keep her promise.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Illya hoped the dessert would be food? Poor thing.

This one still has me guessing...

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

You really have me excited that you're still guessing. Usually you figure things out pretty quickly.

I think Illya is still in good enough shape to fend off Mrs. Dunphy...though I think she got the message. "D

Thanks for commenting!

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

I'm sure if she's in the town before this is sorted she's not going to be able to resist saying something. Which would be understandable, but I'm sure it could cause all sorts of problems. Nice chapter.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hmm, if Maude does say something it would surely cause a row with those who believe she's behind the disappearances, and of course there's the threat against the children. So I imagine the townies might be afraid of even speaking to her, other than what's required of them. I think they'd be afraid to respond to her if she does talk to them.

Thanks for the comment!