“Then you guessed wrong. She’s my friend, and her brother is one of my students.”
The three men chuckled and shook their heads. Chris noticed their disbelief and decided to just let the subject drop. “Well, I’ll be going now. Stay out of trouble, if you can.”
As Chris rode away, the echoes of their laughter grated on his nerves. Men like Joe and his friends were nothing but a nuisance. He needed to report them to the sheriff. Hopefully, those outlaws would be caught soon—along with his brother and father. Although his brother changed his profession, he was still a wanted man. Chris prayed the reason his family hadn’t tried to find Joe was because they were sitting in jail somewhere waiting for their trial.
On the ride back home, his hopes dropped even lower. He didn’t trust any of those men, and because they knew he was friends with Ella and Billy, that meant he’d have to keep an extra eye on them at all times. With her father still away on business, that made her easy prey to hoodlums like Joe.
With any luck, Chris would be able to keep the truth from Ella and Billy as well. This was not the time for her to learn about his family connections. Then again, he never wanted anyone to find out.
TEN
Rodmilla drummed her fingernails on the armrest of her chair as she gazed into the low burning fire. The hour was late, nearly midnight, and all the servants had gone to bed. Although her maid had combed out her long hair—one hundred strokes precisely—and dressed Rodmilla for bed, she wasn’t tired. Too much ran through her head. She wouldn’t be able to sleep a peaceful night until Ella was brought back.
She’d never liked the little chit, even though she pretended to while Henry was courting her. Ella was always too sweet, too innocent, and always upbeat and positive. How could anyone be like that? Yet, this girl was. It made Rodmilla physically ill. Thankfully, she didn’t have to put up with Ella and her bratty brother for long. The servants helped raise the children since their mother died, and Rodmilla didn’t want to take over. She was satisfied being pampered by Henry. Yet, if his darling Ella needed anything, all the girl had to do was snap her fingers and Henry came running.
Life wasn’t fair. Rodmilla had never been treated like that when she was a girl. Her parents scolded her too much, and expected her to do more chores than the two of them put together had. They treated her like she was their servant instead of their daughter. They were always poor, and Rodmilla had to wear rags for dresses. The other children in school laughed at her. As she grew, she decided there would be one day that she would rub their noses in her wealth.
Of course, she had to meet a wizard and convince him she needed his help first—and understand that Fomazz’s help always came with a price. Yet, all he wanted from her was a lock of her hair. She didn’t know why. Apparently, he liked the black, silk texture. She didn’t know.
Out in the hallway, the floor creaked. She jumped and turned toward the door. It had been shut, but now it stood wide open. Her heartbeat sped from the unknown.
“Who is there?” She kept her tone demanding, unwilling to show even a hint of fear.
Shadows played in the hallway for the briefest of moments. A heavy thump echoed from the darkness, followed by a soft silk-like swooshing sound.
She hopped off her chair and grabbed the poker by the fireplace. “I demand you make your presence known now!”
Emerging from the darkness came a stooped old man with a cane. He stepped with the cane and slid his left foot behind. When recognition hit, she breathed a sigh of relief and returned the poker.
“You think I’m afraid of that?” he asked in a raspy voice and pointed toward the poker.
“I didn’t know who you were.” She arched an eyebrow. “Seeing how it’s so late and you were sneaking up on me, I thought you were a prowler.”
Slowly, he waddled to a chair, the thump-scrape sound following him until he finally sat. “You are probably wondering why I’m here.”
Rodmilla returned to her chair. “Actually, yes.”
He tapped his boney finger on the handle of his cane. “Did you find that man I suggested to find Ella and her brother?”
“Indeed, I did. And the potion worked. After only one sip of his tea, it took him a few seconds to realize this was what he wanted to do for me without being paid.”
A crooked grin stretched across the wizard’s face. “My potions usually do not take long before they start working.” He motioned his hand toward her. “And I’m happy to see the potion you took is still working. My congratulations to you and Fernand for your engagement.”
She scowled. “Unless Ella is brought back immediately, there isn’t going to be a wedding.”
The wizard chuckled, making his whole body shake. “She’ll be back. My potions always work.” He leaned forward on his cane. “And I expect you to bring me her locket as soon as she arrives.”
The man was very crafty, and she was also a very curious woman. Sitting back in her chair, she entwined her fingers across her middle. “Tell me, Fomazz, how is Ella’s locket going to help you? Is it made of pure gold? Diamonds, perhaps?”
Sadness encased his face and his gaze lowered to the floor. “When I was a young lad, I had given that locket to her grandmother. I was in love with the girl, and I wanted to marry her.”
Shock washed over Rodmilla. Fomazz actually had feelings? How odd. She adjusted in the chair, sitting up straighter. “What happened?”
“She ran off and married another.”
“You didn’t place a spell on her?”
Shaking his head, he lifted his gaze to hers. “I did not practice magic back then. It would be five more years before I was introduced to the man who taught me how to conjure spells.”
Rodmilla tilted her head. “Why did you not get your true love at that time?”
“Because it was too late. She was already starting a family. Besides, I had wanted her to love me for myself, not because I put a spell on her.”
She arched an eyebrow. So this man did have a heart at one time. How interesting. “And you want the locket back because you feel cheated?”
“No!” He slammed the bottom of his cane on the floor. “Because it holds...my broken heart.”
She gasped, slapping her hand to her mouth. No, it couldn’t...it would be impossible to hold an actual heart. Perhaps he was talking in metaphors.
“Once I combine that with another object that I had given my true love, I shall be able to create the greatest spell of them all.”
The old wizard had caught Rodmilla’s interest now. “Indeed? And what might this spell be?”
Fomazz sat in silence for the longest time. Rodmilla wasn’t a patient woman, and the wait was driving her mad. Yet, he didn’t move. He stared into the low burning fire.
Was he dead? She couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not, and she wasn’t about to touch him to find out. Perhaps she should wake one of her servants to check the old man.
“Fomazz? Are you all right?”
The silence filling the room was unnerving. Indeed, this man must be dead.
Slowly, she stood and stepped toward him. “Fomazz?” She reached her hand out, but dared not touch him.
Suddenly, his gaze shifted to hers as his head snapped away from the fireplace. She jumped and placed a hand to her bosom, feeling the crazy rhythm of her heartbeat. “Oh, you’re alive,” she muttered.
The expression on his face shifted and he was back to grinning. “She’ll be coming home very soon.”
“Who?” Rodmilla feared he was talking nonsense. The woman he gave his heart to had died. He didn’t mean she was coming back as...a ghost, did he?
“You fool, I’m referring to Ella!” He struggled to stand, resting all of his weight on the cane. “I just had a vision, and the imbecile you hired will indeed bring Ella back.” He snickered. “Finally, I shall be able to create my greatest potion.”
She clapped her hands together and released a joyful cry. This was excellent news. There was no time to wait. She must
start making preparations for her houseguests soon.
Anger quickly replaced her momentary happiness. She’d make sure Ella was tortured beyond imagination for what she had done. By the time Rodmilla was through with that girl, nobody would even care about Ella Spencer.
CHRIS HAD A GRIN ON his face all day. Tonight he would take Ella on a date. The kiss they’d shared had been on his mind, and it had definitely affected the way he taught his class. In fact, he was certain his students were able to get away with a lot today. But he didn’t care. Nothing and nobody could take away the peaceful feeling sweeping over him whenever he thought about her. Nothing would be able to remove from his mind the wonderful memory of them together in her parlor as they shared in their passion.
He didn’t know how he had arrived home, because he couldn’t remember much of his day, but when he walked into the house, Darby sat at the table waving his hands over the stick in front of him. The stick rattled, but that was all the farther it moved. He’d been with Darby for too many years to ask such frivolous questions, especially since he knew his friend dabbled with magic. Chris supposed Darby was doing something along those lines now.
“How was your day?” he asked.
Startled, Darby dropped his hands, which made the stick stop moving. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Chris shrugged. “I think it’s because you were concentrating so hard.” He nodded toward the stick on the table. “What are you trying to do?”
“Well,” he scratched the section of his scalp that was bald, “remember a few weeks ago when I had put a spell on my brush so that it led me to those things I had misplaced?”
“Yes.”
“Well...I lost the brush, so now I’m trying to put the same spell on this stick so it can help me find my brush.”
Chris held in a laugh. “What did you lose this time?”
“My favorite shoes.”
“I hope your spell works.”
Inwardly, he chuckled and walked to his over-stuffed chair and sat. He inhaled slowly and released it with the same speed as he closed his eyes. What could he fix for tonight’s meal? He’d told Ella they were going on a picnic. He’d have to find cold cuts of meat, cut some cheese and bread, and he’d probably have to find some fruit as well.
Where would he take her? As his mind wandered around the area, he knew wherever they went, it would have to be secluded. Peaceful. They should be able to enjoy the cheerful songs of a bird while the sun warmed their faces. Perhaps there could be a small stream nearby and they’d get to experience the serene sound of a gurgling brook as the water cascaded over boulders.
One thing he shouldn’t do is gaze at Ella for too long, or sit too close to her. He’d lose himself in her beauty, and he wouldn’t be able to think straight. And would he try to kiss her again? The emotion between them had been so wonderful yesterday. If the mood was like that again, he doubted he’d be able to control himself. Most certainly, he’d take her in his arms and kiss her soundly...
“You’re thinking of Miss Parker again, aren’t you?”
Darby’s voice was too close. Chris jumped and opened his eyes. His friend stood right beside his chair, wearing a wide grin that showed his missing teeth.
Groaning, Chris rubbed his neck. “Why would you think that?”
Darby snickered. “Because of the smile stretching your mouth so wide you could catch fish in there.”
Chris chuckled. “I wasn’t smiling that big.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Well, if you must know, I’m taking her on a picnic this evening.”
Darby clapped his hands and giggled. “I knew it. She thought you were gallant, didn’t she?”
“I couldn’t tell you that.” Chris shrugged.
“But she must. Why else would she want to go out with you?”
Chris was certain Darby didn’t mean to ask that question in a rude tone, yet it almost sounded like it. “Actually, I’ve been thinking the same thing. Why would a wealthy woman want to be courted by a penniless schoolteacher?”
“Because you are gallant!”
He rolled his eyes. “No, I don’t think so.” An unsettling thought came to him and he narrowed his gaze on his friend. “Darby, you didn’t put her under some kind of spell, did you?”
A loud laugh sprang from Darby, sounding more like a snort. “Honestly, Chris. Even if I wanted to place a spell on her, do you think it would work?” He shook his head. “I’m not that good.” He pointed to the stick. “I can’t even put a spell on that thing over there.”
His friend did have a point. “Good. Keep it that way. If a relationship grows between us, I want it to happen naturally, not because of magic.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Darby hobbled toward the kitchen. “Well, I suppose I should start getting your picnic ready. You definitely need to sweep her off her feet and show her the loveable and giving man you really are.”
Chris sighed. Darby was right. If he wanted to win the fair maiden’s heart, he couldn’t do it with money. He’d have to show Ella what was inside his heart. Hopefully, it would be enough. He didn’t think he could handle another rejection so soon after the first.
ELEVEN
Ella strolled to the library, one of her favorite rooms in her home. She loved to read and insisted that the library contained a variety of genres. Shelves filled with books lined the walls. She had probably read each book at least twice and was starting on the third round. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she glanced toward the clock on the mantle above the hearth. Five o’clock. She still had one hour to waste. Yet, reading didn’t interest her right now. Her mind had been jumping all over the place since she made this arrangement with Chris, and anticipation grew inside her the closer the time came to see him again.
Growling, she turned and left the room and walked up the corridor to the music room. Playing the pianoforte had always calmed her because it reminded her of her father, who had loved to hear her play. She sat on the bench and placed her fingers on the ivory keys. Over the years she had memorized many tunes, but at this particular moment, she couldn’t recall one of them.
Frustrated with her impatience, she left the music room and rushed back upstairs to her bedroom. Just inside the door she spotted her full-length mirror. She checked herself over once more to make certain every hair was in place and that her gown was absent of wrinkles.
This evening she chose to wear a blue cotton walking suit with Venetian point lace sewn in the bottom of her skirt and cuffs of her jacket. The white high-neck blouse with pearl buttons down the front made the ensemble complete.
Instead of winding the bulk of her hair in a styled bun, she decided to leave it long, flowing down her back and over her shoulders. Her maid had pulled the top section of Ella’s hair back away from her face, fastening it with a silver and blue flower-shaped clip.
She strolled to the window and parted the lace curtains. Peering down into the yard, she allowed her mind to drift back to yesterday and those magical moments with Chris. She’d been a fool to tell him as much as she had. When he’d startled her out of her short nap, she couldn’t stop from rattling on like a loose-lipped woman. She’d nearly confessed her secret. Yet, knowing how calm she’d felt around him, was it any wonder she almost couldn’t stop herself? He was such a good listener, and he’d made her feel so protected while he was here.
The chime from the front door jerked her out of her thoughts and she jumped. Her heart pounded so fast, she thought she’d pass out. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her moist palms down her skirt and walked out of the room, grabbing her shawl on the way. As she passed the grandfather clock, it showed only fifteen minutes after the hour. Apparently, Chris must be excited about their date to arrive so early.
She finally reached the end of the stairs and Hobbs stood nearby.
“Miss, the gentleman caller wanted to wait outside for you.”
She furrowed her brow. “He did? I wonder why?”
“I didn’t ask, Mi
ss.”
“Well, I shan’t keep him waiting any longer then.” She smiled. In five steps she walked out the door and closed it...then came to a halt. Where was Chris? She glanced around the empty space on the porch. Wouldn’t he be right here waiting for her?
Cautiously, she stepped off the porch and made her way around the large potted plants and manicured bushes outlining the property’s drive. Eeriness crept over her. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t see Chris or his buggy, or anyone for that matter.
She should turn around and go back inside. If Chris were indeed here, he’d come in the house, not stay out here and wait.
From a section of the bushes, she heard a man’s voice. It wasn’t clear. She took a hesitant step closer. “Chris? Is that you?” When silence greeted her, she scowled. “If that is indeed you, I fear you have chosen a most inopportune moment to tease.”
“Come closer.”
The voice was deep, but almost too quiet. She wasn’t sure if it was Chris or not. Yet, who else would it be?
She followed the instructions given. “Chris, I mean it, if you—”
Large hands grasped her wrist and yanked her into the bushes. She started to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth just as an arm wrapped around her shoulders, holding her in a lock against a man’s body. The shawl slipped from her hands and dropped to the ground, but she didn’t care. Fear tightened her throat even though she wanted to scream. She couldn’t see who it was, but he certainly didn’t smell like Chris. Instead, a disgusting odor of sweat and onion-breath circled around her.
She squirmed, but his hold only tightened. Pain shot through her limbs and face, so she ceased from struggling. That made him relax, but just slightly.
“Who is Chris?” he demanded.
Now she could hear his voice more clearly, but his scratchy tone frightened her. Panic consumed her and her eyes stung with tears. She wasn’t certain she knew this person, but what worried her even more was...what if this was someone Rodmilla hired to bring Ella and Billy back home?
Keep on Believing Page 10
