Follow Mr. Blackwood

The sight of Nathaniel Blackwood leaving the clearing lingered longer than you expected.

Perhaps it was nothing.

A gentleman was entitled to wander where he pleased on an estate such as Kingsmere Hall.

Still, something about the way he had slipped away had seemed deliberate.

After a moment's hesitation, curiosity got the better of you.

Keeping a reasonable distance, you followed the path between the trees.

You told yourself there was no harm in knowing where he had gone.

The woodland grew quieter the further you walked.

Eventually, voices carried through the trees.

You slowed your pace.

Ahead, beyond a line of bushes, you spotted a small clearing where several members of the household staff were preparing supplies for the hunting party's luncheon.

Emily Carter stood among them, arranging folded linens and checking the contents of a basket.

Nothing about the scene was unusual.

Except for the fact that Nathaniel Blackwood was standing some distance away, partially hidden among the trees.

He was not passing through.

He was simply watching.

His attention remained fixed upon Emily as she moved between the other servants.

There was something uncomfortable about the intensity of his gaze.

Not the casual observation of a guest noticing the household at work.

Something far more personal.

You watched for another moment, hoping there might be some innocent explanation.

None appeared to you.

Blackwood seemed entirely unaware of your presence.

You could have confronted him.

But an accusation without proof would accomplish little.

Instead, you stepped forward deliberately, making enough noise for him to notice.

"Mr. Blackwood."

He turned sharply.

For the briefest moment, surprise crossed his face before being replaced by his usual composed expression.

"Well if it isn’t Edward’s valet."

His tone was perfectly polite.

"I did not expect to find valets wandering around here."

"Nor I you, sir."

A polite smile touched his lips.

"I was merely enjoying the quiet."

You glanced towards the clearing.

"Of course."

You allowed a short pause.

"I thought perhaps you had taken a wrong turn. The paths around Kingsmere can be rather confusing for those unfamiliar with the estate.", you said.

A convenient excuse.

A poor one…

But enough.

Blackwood studied you for a moment.

Then he gave a tense laugh.

"How considerate of you."

"I would hate for anyone to miss the return of the hunting party."

"Of course."

His eyes briefly moved back towards the servants before returning to you.

"Well, I suppose I should make my way back."

He stepped past you, offering a polite nod as he did.

"Enjoy the rest of your morning, Mr. Thomas."

"And you, Mr. Blackwood."

You watched him disappear back towards the clearing.

No rules had been broken.

And yet, you could not shake the feeling that your interruption had stopped something you would rather not have witnessed.

For reasons you could not quite explain, Nathaniel Blackwood had left you with the distinct impression that he was a man worth watching.