Beloved Lies, Book 2

by Marti Talbott

  The man at the other table had a pleasant smile, which she returned and then took a moment to look over his goods. He sold ordinary leather bridles, thick ones, and thin ones too, but his decorative horse adornments were the most impressive. She and Cullen had been to his table before, and she recognized some of the bridles, which meant he had not yet sold them. Annella first admired one with leather that had been dyed green, and then one with steel buttons on chains that hung down the horse’s forehead. She especially liked the jeweled horse’s breast plate the Kennedy displayed on a thick white horse’s blanket.

  She smiled at him again, and as soon as she picked up her basket and sat down to wait for customers, he was the first to buy one of her cheese rounds. He took out his dagger, sliced off a piece, put it in his mouth, and then made a display of savoring the taste. Cheese was cheese in her opinion and unless spoiled somehow, it all tasted the same. She appreciated his compliment, but she was not all that flattered.

  She glanced up the road in the direction of the Graham village and then took time to survey the Kennedy man’s looks. He had trimmed blond hair that he wore pulled back, although a front lock seemed to prefer falling on his forehead. At first glance, he was neither handsome nor unsightly, yet there was something that attracted her. Perhaps it was the glint in his brown eyes.

  He busied himself arranging his bridles. “I am Tavis Kennedy and you are Annella MacGreagor. You came to look at my bridles once.”

  Annella looked up the road again. “So I did. You have a good memory.”

  “Only when it suits me.” He smiled, which made her smile at him for the third time already that morning. “Are all MacGreagor lasses as pleasin’ as you?”

  Annella rolled her eyes. “Flattery this early of a mornin’?”

  “Have you not heard? I am known far and wide for my flattery.” When his first customer arrived, he gave the man his complete attention until the customer moved on to the next table. “Tell me, why do you keep lookin’ up the road?”

  “The Grahams are threatenin’ to attack us,” Annella answered.

  “Oh that.”

  She was surprised by his answer. “You heard?”

  “Apparently, I made no good impression, for I stood nearby when Graham made his threat.”

  “I remember now.”

  “Is the MacGreagor your husband?”

  “Not yet.”

  “I see.” He watched her check the road again and then added, “Odd how Graham’s daughter somehow gets hurt each time she comes to the market.”

  Annella’s eyes widened. “Do you mean ‘tis trickery?”

  “‘Tis precisely what I mean.”

  “Our laird has gone this very day to try to bribe him.”

  “Aye, all the clans must pay a bribe, it seems. I wonder that no one has challenged him.”

  “I hope Laird MacGreagor does not. I would gladly give over all my cheese to prevent a battle. Lads are the fortunate ones, for they die and leave their wives with children to feed and a second husband to choose – one they do not love nearly as much as the first.”

  His lips turned into a slow smile. “Aye, death is better.”

  Annella realized what she said and giggled. Her expression soon turned more serious. “Shall the world ever learn to live in peace?”

  “‘Tis doubtful, which is why we must not wait to claim our happiness. Why have you not yet married?”

  She found his question far too personal and looked away. Thankfully, a woman came to buy cheese and Tavis paid attention to several men about to approach his table. It was the last they said to each other for it turned out to be a busy market day and her cheese sold quickly. Annella admired the coat one last time, took her chair back inside the shop, and went home.

  RMS MAURETANIA

  Robin had been up for hours. When she could wait no more, she left her room and walked down the hallway to wake Blair. To her relief, Blair was not only awake, but dressed and Lucy was almost finished with her hair. Overly excited and at the same time filled with dread, Robin breathed, “The viscount is missing.”

  “Missing?” Blair asked. “How does a lad go missing on a ship in the middle of the ocean?”

  “That is what I asked, but his sister has looked everywhere and he has not yet been found.”

  “I dinna know he had a sister.”

  “Nor did I.” Instead of watching the look of horror on Robin’s face, Blair watched Lucy, hoping the chambermaid knew something Robin did not. Lucy looked just as surprised by the news.

  Robin suddenly giggled. “Lord O’Dell said the viscount would likely be found where a gentleman ought not to be.”

  “He said that to you?”

  “Of course not, I just happened to be standing right behind him.”

  “Have they searched the ship?” Blair asked.

  “The Captain is doing that at this very instant, and all the stewards have been alerted to look for him.”

  Blair thanked Lucy for securing her hat, and then got up. “For a lass who greatly favored him last night, why are you not worried?”

  “After you left, he asked to be introduced, at last.” Robin went directly to the candy dish, got her favorite caramel, and plopped it in her mouth. “He had very little to say, although he did enquire as to the size of your inheritance.”

  “How disappointing,” Blair muttered.

  “That is what I thought too. I had no answer, for I know not how much it is – and do you know, he said not another word to me after that.”

  “You are fortunate he did not ask about your dowry.”

  “True, for I might have told him how generous it is.” Robin took a deep breath and let it out. “I am older and wiser now.” She slowly smiled. “Besides, he is quite possibly the worst dancer in all of society. He is unusually stiff and unyielding in his movements.”

  “I thought the same,” said Blair.

  “But what do you suppose has happened to him, Lucy?” Robin asked.

  “He most likely got lost and they shall find him in steerage,” Lucy answered.

  “I hope not,” said Robin. “There is nothing I love more than a mystery and a missing passenger is the most divine mystery of all.”

  Blair examined the front of her high-waisted frock in the mirror. “Robin, I have been wondering. Why did you go to America?”

  “My stepfather had business there and I had not yet seen that country. It was most kind of him to take me for I might not ever see it after I am married.”

  “What sort of business?” Blair asked. She sat on the edge of the bed and let Lucy button her high-top shoes.

  “I cannot even guess. He does not share such things with us. We went shopping while he went off to this place or that.” Robin opened the candy dish again, decided against another, and put the lid back on. “Are you ready? I hunger for news of the search. Oh, my mother sends her regrets for mentioning that your mother had been in an asylum. She hopes you shall forgive her.”

  “I say we put your mother and my most beloved Mrs. Whitfield on suspension, for there is nothing either of them loves more than gossip,” said Blair.

  “Suspension?” a troubled Robin asked. “How?”

  “We shall forbid them to play Gin Rummy for the remainder of this day complete.”

  Robin giggled. “Very well, but you tell them. I am not nearly brave enough.”

  Blair laughed, took Robin’s arm, and playfully pulled her out the door.

  WHEN A VERY WELL-DRESSED man walked down the hallway, Lucy stopped and dug a note out of her pocket. As he passed, he reached for it, held her hand just a little longer than was necessary, let go and continued on until Lucy was out of sight. At length, he stopped and unfolded the note.

  I know not how much, but Miss Robinson’s dowry is considerable.

  He crumpled the note, and stuffed it in his pocket.

  BY THE TIME BLAIR AND Robin arrived, small groups of people had gathered on the deck, all speaking in tones too soft for the two of them
to hear. As soon as Lord O’Dell spotted them, he gave a slight gentleman’s bow to the ones he was with, and came to talk to them.

  “What news?” Robin eagerly asked.

  He nodded to Blair and then gave Robin his complete attention. “You have heard then?”

  “Only that the viscount is missing,” Robin answered. “What have you heard?”

  Lord O’Dell watched one of the stewards for a brief time and then answered, “Unfortunately, it appears he has not yet been found.”

  “Surely he will be soon,” Blair said. “Where could he possibly be?”

  Lord O’Dell hung his head. “It is feared he fell overboard.”

  Blair caught her breath. “Overboard? Are we going back to find him?”

  With Blair and Lord O’Dell right behind her, Robin dashed to the stern of the ship as if she could somehow see the viscount. “We must go back!” she demanded.

  “I am sad to say there is little hope of finding him, even if we do go back,” said Lord O’Dell.

  “But should we not at least try?” Robin insisted.

  “Yet, we have no proof he fell overboard,” Blair tried. “He likely had too much to drink and fell asleep somewhere.”

  “You are right,” Robin said, as she turned her back to the aft railing.

  Lord O’Dell drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Unfortunately, a steward found a strip of cloth caught on a railing nail. It appears to be from the lining of a gentleman’s jacket.”

  “Oh no. Are they no longer looking for him onboard then?” Blair asked.

  “I am assured they are,” he answered.

  Robin hung her head. “His sister must be quite without comfort at a time like this.”

  Lord O’Dell seemed surprised “I did not know his sister was aboard...but then I hardly knew the man.”

  “But you knew of him?” Blair asked.

  “Not enough to speak on the subject. I have heard a bit of scuttlebutt after the altercation he had with Mr. Dedrick. I suspect everyone has,” Lord O’Dell answered. “He is a most unsavory man, the way they tell it.”

  “What sort of scuttlebutt?” Blair asked.

  “I would rather not say,” said Lord O’Dell.

  Blair looked out over the water again, but there was clearly nothing to see and certainly no sign of the viscount. “Do you happen to know where Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield are this morning?” she asked Lord O’Dell.

  “They are having breakfast in the small dining salon. Shall I escort you there?”

  “Aye, thank you.” She touched Robin’s arm. “I am starved. Are you coming?”

  Robin sighed, paused once more to scan the water, and then went with them. “I say he was murdered.”

  “Murdered?” Blair repeated. “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, he did argue with Mr. Dedrick and later with a steward in the lounge over as little as a spilled drink. Either of them could have done the horrid deed.”

  “My dear Miss Robinson, you have read far too many mystery books. Come along.” Blair let Lord O’Dell lead the way, and easily found her guardians enjoying an egg and bacon breakfast. “What? No David this morning?” Blair teased as Claymore rose up to greet her.

  “Not this morning,” Claymore answered. He lightly hugged Blair and then held her chair for her. “Lord O’Dell, would you care to join us?”

  Lord Jaminson O’Dell seated Robin, and as soon as Blair was seated, he slightly bowed. “You are very kind, Sir, but I have already eaten.” With that, he left the room.

  Abigail touched Blair’s hand. “Lord O’Dell did not jump at the chance to sit with you and Robin? I am greatly impressed.”

  “Come to think of it, so am I.” Blair unfolded her napkin. “Have you heard about the viscount? That he is missing, I mean.”

  “I imagine everyone has by now,” Abagail answered. “They say he did not get on well with several people.”

  “Who said that?” Robin asked.

  “Your stepfather,” Abigail answered. He and your mother were here earlier and have gone to take a morning walk on the deck.”

  Robin wrinkled her brow. “My stepfather knows the viscount?”

  “I think he has only heard rumors to that affect,” said Claymore. “He believes such a man is not a reliable sort.”

  “You’ve not secretly taken a shine to him, have you?” Abigail asked Blair.

  “Hardly,” Blair answered. She lowered her voice. “He asked Robin about my inheritance.”

  Claymore raised an eyebrow. “Oh he did, did he? How brazen of him. Had I known, I might have tossed him overboard myself.”

  AS SOON AS BREAKFAST was over, Blair and Robin strolled out of the dining salon, leaving the Whitfields to enjoy their coffee. The moment they were out of sight, Robin pulled Blair aside. “I say we search for him ourselves.”

  “Ourselves?”

  “Why not? We know what he looks like, whereas a steward in second class or steerage might look him in the eye and never know it.”

  “True, but should we? There are places a lady is not allowed to go, you know.”

  “Such as the smoking room?”

  “Aye.”

  “I have seen ladies go in on occasion. Times are changing, especially on a ship where there is no place other to go.”

  “How many lasses have you seen go in?”

  “One or perhaps two.” Robin examined the look of doubt on her friend’s face. “Well, perhaps only one. We can be silly girls this once, curious as to what it looks like inside.”

  “Father said ‘tis a smoky room where the lads gamble away half their holdings on a poker game.”

  “Good, then they shall be too busy to notice us.”

  Blair rolled her eyes and followed Robin anyway. One hallway led to another, then another and at last, they stood in front of a closed door. “Suppose your stepfather is in there?”

  “If he is, I shall be admonished most severely, but...” she boldly opened the door and began to look around.

  Just as curious, Blair leaned around her and looked in as well. The room was filled with thick blue smoke, and to her surprise, there were several women, each daintily holding a long cigarette holder between two fingertips. She disregarded them, and saw Braxton Dedrick seated at a table, but there was no sign of the missing viscount. She did not mean to, but Blair suddenly caught her breath hoping Robin did not see what she saw. “Come, let us leave here.”

  “Now?” Robin asked. “Now that I find my mother in here?” She put her hands on her hips and kept her eyes glued to her mother. “I cannot tell you the number of times she has said a lady does not smoke.”

  Blair took hold of Robin’s arm and pulled her away, and when she did, the door slammed shut. Worse still, when she turned to hurry away, she nearly ran into Lord Jaminson O'Dell. Horrified by the way he was grinning at her, Blair skirted around him, and calmly walked away as though nothing at all was wrong. It was not until they turned the corner and started down another hallway that she remembered to breathe.

  “You need not look as though you have been caught with your hand in the candy jar,” Robin said.

  “If you say a word of this to the Whitfields I shall...”

  “I smoke all the time, though Mother has only caught me once. Last night, I snuck out on the deck. Truly, Blair, you must see the stars at night. They are magnificent.”

  “Alone? You went alone?”

  “Well, I could hardly ask Mother to accompany me, could I?”

  “And you did not see the viscount?”

  “I saw no one at all, except a steward, who kindly lit my cigarette.”

  At the end of a hallway was a red and white bar, hanging horizontally alone the side the door, signifying a barber shop. The shop even had a window just as if it was on a busy city street, but when the girls looked in the barber was all alone reading a catalogue.

  “Not there either,” said Robin.

  “I say we let the Captain look for the viscount. I would rather go on dec
k, feel the sun on my face, and see what we might learn there.”

  “Yet, we might go to the lounge and play cards,” said Robin. “I am quite fond of the sport, myself.”

  “Very well.”

  As soon as they arrived, however, they quickly changed their minds. In the lounge, a woman sat sobbing and the captain appeared hard pressed to console her.

  “The sister?” Robin whispered as she tiptoed back out of the room.

  “She does look a little like the viscount.”

  Robin shrugged. “The deck it is then. We can always play cards another time.”

  FOR THE MOST PART, being up on deck yielded little information they did not already know about the missing viscount. Couples strolled up and down, and small groups of men were again gathered, none of whom spoke loud enough for Blair and Robin to hear. At length, they gave up and went to the railing to gaze across the water. It was not until Blair heard someone jingling change in his pocket that she turned to look and found Mr. Dedrick standing only two steps away. He seemed content to watch the water and no matter how sorely she wanted to question him, she waited for him to greet her first. Even so, she couldn’t help but glance at him more often than she should have.

  “His bed has not been slept in,” Mr. Dedrick finally said as though he anticipated her question.

  “I see.” She glanced at Robin, who pretended not to be listening. In the distance, the black clouds of a storm appeared to be gaining on the ship.

  Mr. Dedrick sighed. “I suppose I shall be forced to explain my aversion to the man.”

  “I should imagine so,” said Blair. “What have you against him?”

  “Lord Ashton Hartsford sold a plot of land he does not own to a friend of mine.”

  Surprised to hear it, Blair turned to face him. “‘Tis what you discovered in America?”

  He reached in his pocket and produced a well warn pamphlet that showed a small town with a river, paved streets, houses, businesses, a buggy shop, a train station, and it boasted of having corn fields that yielded over 45 bushels an acre. He waited until Blair finished reading before he added, “The town is nonexistent and the land worthless.”