Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Celia’s Futile Effort

Enoch had sharp features: a strong nose, thin lips, and intense eyes set beneath heavy brows. He didn’t look at Vivian with disgust, but he was definitely sizing her up.

She didn’t flinch. “Horses have poor eyesight,” Vivian explained. “They recognize people by sound. If their hearing is shot, even a good horse becomes impossible to control. It could even hurt its owner.”

Enoch’s chest heaved.

His uncle had come by just days ago to borrow that Friesian.

Back when the king tried to strip his title, it was his mother’s family—his grandfather and uncle—who risked it all to get him into the military camp. They’d saved his life and his position as crown prince.

If that horse hurt his uncle now, Enoch would never forgive himself.

“What’s wrong with Thunderhoof?” Enoch asked, using the Friesian’s name. “What makes you so certain about its hearing, Miss Snyder?”

“When I passed the Royal Stables earlier, the horsebreaker kept calling Thunderhoof’s name,” she explained. “The horse didn’t react at all. In fact, it grew agitated. If someone tried to mount it now…”

Enoch’s eyes darkened. He waited for her to finish.

“Best case, they get thrown and injured,” Vivian said bluntly. “Worst case? They don’t make it out alive.”

“If Thunderhoof’s hearing is really shot, the token is yours.”

Enoch didn’t think twice. If what Vivian said could save his uncle, giving up the token was a no-brainer, especially since she’d already saved Gloria. That alone was reason enough to pay her back.

The king had kept Vivian’s help on the down-low because the attack on Gloria was a sensitive subject. But Enoch figured this move would square the debt.

He sent a vet to check out the Friesian. Before long, the guy came running back, sweating bullets.

One look at the vet’s face, and Enoch knew. He waved the guy off and told a servant to grab the token.

“Miss Snyder,” Enoch said, handing it over. “Take this to Moonbay Abbey. Mother Hadley will go with you to Aurea Manor to help your brother.”

He paused, then added, “Your sister’s been waiting outside the abbey all day. If you’re the one bringing Mother Hadley back, you’re gonna steal her thunder.”

“I get it,” Vivian replied. “But my brother’s just a kid, and he’s in bad shape. We can’t afford to wait.”

Enoch gave a slow nod and stayed quiet. Taking the hint, Vivian turned and took off.

*****

An hour later, Vivian’s carriage pulled up to Moonbay Abbey.

She stepped out and immediately spotted Celia on the stone steps. The wind was whipping at Celia’s dress, making her look frail but stubborn.

Sylvia was standing next to her with a handsome, polished guy: Matthew Snyder, Quentin and Flora’s oldest son.

Matthew had been away at Pinecrest Academy, but he rushed back the second he heard Simon’s condition was getting worse.

He’d come straight to the abbey instead of heading back to Aurea Manor.

Matthew was white-knuckling a glass bottle, his face full of concern. “Celia,” he said softly, “it’s getting late. If you keep this up, you’re gonna pass out.”

Celia bit her lip and shook her head.

Sylvia crouched down to wipe the sweat off Celia’s forehead, tearing up herself. “Lady Celia,” she whispered, “Simon matters, but so do you. You can’t run yourself into the ground like this.”

“I know what I’m doing, Sylvia,” Celia answered, her voice weak.

Matthew frowned. Without a word, he bent down and scooped Celia up.

She put up a weak fight, but he held on tight. “We’re coming back tomorrow,” he said. His voice was gentle, but he wasn’t asking.

Just then, Vivian walked up the steps toward them.

“What are you doing here?” Matthew asked coldly.

“I’m worried about Simon, too,” Vivian replied. “I’m here to ask Mother Hadley for help.”

Flora rushed over, her heart sinking at the sight of her daughter’s pale, drained face. She grabbed Celia’s cold hands. “Please, don’t go back there.”

“Mom, Simon is my brother,” Celia said, tearing up. “I could never forgive myself if I gave up on him now.”

Tears filled Flora’s eyes as she watched Matthew help Celia to her room.

Not long after they got settled, Beatrice showed up.

Her cane tapped against the blue tiles as she walked in. “I thought Simon just had a cold? Why do we need Mother Hadley?”

Flora went pale. “Beatrice, I didn’t mean to hide it from you.”

“I know you didn’t want to worry me,” Beatrice said. “But Simon is my grandson. I feel terrible that Celia has done more for him than I have.”

“Celia stood outside Moonbay Abbey all day,” Matthew said. “She wouldn’t eat or drink a thing.”

Beatrice reached over and gave Celia’s hand a comforting squeeze.

“Grandmother, really, I’m okay,” Celia said between coughs. “Besides, I wasn’t alone. Vivian went to the abbey, too. She wanted to help.”

Matthew scoffed. “Vivian should know her place. Even if she crawled to the gate, Mother Hadley wouldn’t give her the time of day.”

“Matthew!” Celia tried to protest, but a coughing fit cut her off.

“Here, drink some water,” Matthew said softly, rubbing her slender back. “Save your voice.”

Flora glanced at Sylvia and said, “It was nice of Vivian to try.”

“If Lady Celia hadn’t thought of it first, Vivian wouldn’t have even tried,” Sylvia remarked gently. “She’s young and impulsive; let’s just hope she wouldn’t bother the nuns.”

Right then, one of Beatrice’s attendants rushed in. She announced, “Lady Vivian actually brought Mother Hadley back with her.”