The three men ordered drinks and began ribbing one another about events from their past, jokes that were lost on Christopher and Phillip, but they definitely got the gist of them.
“Let’s play some cards,” Phillip suggested, reaching for the deck in the center of the table. “Uncle Jeffrey, I think you owe me some money from the last time I beat you.”
Captain Fleming shook his head. “You all can play. But my reason for coming here this evening just arrived. I have a meeting with someone. I’ll see you gentlemen in a little while. If you’ll excuse me.” With that he stood, drink in hand, and walked over to a table on the other side of the room.
A lanky, balding man with his hat in one hand and a leather case in the other hand was waiting for him. The two sat down at the table nearby and began a lengthy conversation.
“Whom is Uncle Harrison meeting with?” Phillip asked, eyeing them with curiosity, as he shuffled the deck of cards.
His father answered, “An investigator from New York. The one who’s been looking into the affairs of the man that Sara wants to marry.”
Christopher’s heart quickened at those words. The other three men continued to talk to one another, have drinks, and start a card game, while they were discussing something about the masked ball tomorrow evening at the Duke and Duchess of Rathmore’s. But Christopher’s attention was riveted on Sara’s father and the man with whom he was meeting.
They appeared very intense and there was much discussion. Opening the large leather case he’d brought with him, the lanky man pulled out some papers and showed them to Captain Fleming.
As Christopher gathered up the cards that had been dealt to him, he would have given every cent he had to know what was in those papers, but judging from the grim look on Captain Fleming’s face, things did not bode well for Sara’s American gentleman.
18
Steady as She Goes
“Have you seen her yet?” Mara whispered for what seemed like the hundredth time, while she glanced furtively around the Hamilton Sisters’ Book Shoppe the next day.
Sara shook her head, so nervous she could barely speak. The note she had written to Alexander Drake felt as if it were burning a hole in the pocket of the green apron she wore over her dress.
Last night she had shown Mara the note she’d received from Alexander Drake yesterday. Together the two of them devised what they believed to be a good plan and penned a response. She had written that she wanted to see him as soon as they could arrange it, offering to meet him anywhere he wanted.
Now, with her heart racing in her chest, Sara waited in the bookshop for Alexander’s sister to appear. The store was quiet that afternoon, with not many customers. She hoped Lucille Drake would hurry up and arrive already. The suspense was unbearable.
Grateful for Mara’s presence, she gave her cousin’s arm a squeeze. Mara smiled nervously and moved to one of the shelves to arrange the books, while Sara pretended to restock the stationary display.
Although she confided in her cousin about the note from Alexander, Sara did not tell Mara about what happened with Lord Bridgeton in his carriage yesterday. She simply could not bring herself to say the words out loud. For there was no way to describe how it happened or how magical she had felt with him. Oh, but it had been wonderful! Not knowing what came over her yesterday, she cringed slightly at her shameful, completely wanton, behavior. Yet at the time it did not seem shameful at all to be with him in such an intimate manner. In fact, it seemed like the most natural thing to be with Christopher, and she had no idea why it should be like that with him, of all people.
Why should she feel this way about a man she wasn’t in love with or even planning to marry? Especially when she had the man she did love ready and willing to marry her? A man who loved her so much, he crossed the ocean to be with her. Alexander Drake was here and still wanted her. And she wanted to be with him. She had from the moment she met him.
Sleep was elusive for her last night. She lay in bed tossing and turning, thinking about Christopher Townsend and Alexander Drake. Why had she kissed Christopher like that? What possessed her to allow him to take such liberties with her when she’d never allowed Alexander to kiss her that way?
She’d pondered that question all night long and came to no definitive answer.
Yesterday, such a great feeling of sadness at never seeing Christopher again had taken over her and she had felt powerless to stop herself when offered the chance to be with him. As soon as Christopher took her in his arms, she melted and any pretense of asking him to stop simply evaporated into thin air. Once his warm lips touched hers, the word “no” was nowhere to be found. She had wanted, needed, everything he offered her yesterday. He’d been quite passionate, desiring her as much as she desired him, while also acting remarkably sweet and tender toward her afterward. She’d been lost in the all-consuming sensations of the experience while her desire for him overwhelmed all else. And it had been exquisite.
But as Christopher had said to her, this was something she need never tell anyone about. Not Mara. Not even Alexander. Especially not Alexander. She could never confess to him what she had done with another man.
But all of that was behind her now.
Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, was completely behind her now. She needed to forget him. Forget all about him. He, and his seductive kisses, belonged in her past.
Her future belonged only to Alexander Drake.
She rearranged the same stack of notecards for the hundredth time, her nerves as jittery as the sails in a windstorm. She wondered where Alexander was and when she would get to see him.
And suddenly there she was. Lucille Drake. Alexander’s sister.
Sara froze in place, simply staring at her.
Lucille meandered casually through the store, perusing the book displays, and acting as if she were a regular customer. She was smartly attired in a day gown of black and white stripes, with huge puffed sleeves and a matching black-and-white-feathered bonnet, with a pretty veil. Alexander’s sister was quite beautiful. They both had the same coloring, blond hair and fair skin, but her lips were full, almost pouty. There was a raw earthiness about her, in spite of her fashionable attire. And there was something else . . . There was something vaguely familiar about her and Sara found it difficult to pinpoint what it was.
With slow deliberation, the woman made her way toward her.
Her heart thudding against her chest, Sara placed her hand in her pocket, her fingers brushing the thick writing paper she had carefully folded for him to read. Oh, she had so many questions! Where was Alexander? Was he somewhere nearby? When could she see him? How had he found out about the bookshop and known she would be there? When could they get married?
“Good afternoon, Miss Drake,” Sara murmured.
“It’s so nice to see you again, Miss Fleming.” Her grin was almost blinding. “I was a bit worried I wouldn’t find you here today.”
Again Sara glanced around the shop in nervousness, thankful that Aunt Colette was at home today and Aunt Paulette was upstairs in her office, busy with accounting the inventory. Only Mara was watching them with great curiosity, while she pretended to organize a bookshelf. The other women who worked in the shop were going about their own business, taking no notice of the exchange between Sara and the other American woman.
“Is Alexander nearby?” Sara couldn’t help but ask, hoping that he was. How she longed to see him again!
Lucille Drake shook her blond head, looking at her intently. “No. My brother and I thought it would be too risky, should he be recognized if your parents happened to be here. They aren’t, are they?”
“No, they’re not here.” Sara stared at her, a bit fascinated by this woman she’d never really known about before. Excited to finally meet a member of Alexander’s family, she’d realized that he had never talked about them in detail, just made a vague reference to a large family on a farm in New Jersey. It was only now that it seemed odd that Alexander had a sister, cl
ose enough to him that she’d want to assist in his romantic life and sail to London with him, yet he never once mentioned her by name to Sara.
Yet, she’d already met both of Christopher Townsend’s sisters, Evelyn and Gwyneth.
Lucille Drake did not seem like a woman who grew up on a farm. Then again, neither did Alexander. Sara needed the answers to so many questions! Why had she never thought to ask them before?
“Well, that is a good thing that your parents are not here. We thought it best that we keep our little meeting secret.” Again, that blinding smile. Lucille Drake was startlingly pretty. A bubbly laugh escaped her full lips. “Unless, of course, your parents have suddenly had a change of heart about you and my brother marrying.”
“No, unfortunately, they have not.” Sara had been careful not to even mention Alexander’s name to her parents since they arrived in London.
“I thought not.” Lucille gave her a sympathetic glance. “So, Miss Fleming, have you a message for my brother?”
“Yes, I do.” With a trembling hand, Sara reached into the pocket of her green work apron and retrieved the letter. Handing it over to her, she asked, “Why did Alexander never tell me about you, Miss Drake?”
“Please, call me Lucy. We’re about to become sisters soon, aren’t we? There’s no need to stand on ceremony, since we’ll be spending so much time together after you’re married. And since Alexander loves you, I know I will too. He and I are very close.”
“Then why is it that he’s never mentioned you to me, if you’re so close?” Sara couldn’t help but ask.
“Men. Who knows what goes on in their little heads?” Lucy shrugged daintily and gave her a knowing smile. “But I suppose since I’d been away, visiting our cousins in Virginia the entire time he was courting you, he didn’t think to mention me. I suppose he only had eyes for you, since you’re quite the beauty. He must have forgotten all about his little sister. But when I returned to New York last month, I found him despondent over losing you. You were all he talked about. How bright, and charming and beautiful you were! I happened to be with him the day he received your letter. He begged me right then and there to come to London with him. How could I refuse any man in such a heartbroken condition, let alone my own dear brother? I had to come with him! Besides, I was dying to meet the woman who’d captured my brother’s heart. And now not only am I so glad that I agreed to come to retrieve you, but now I know exactly why he fell in love with you.”
“You’re kind to say so, Lucy.” It delighted Sara to think of Alexander heartbroken and despondent over losing her. “Thank you so much for all your help.”
Lucy tucked Sara’s note into her reticule. “Thank you for making my brother so happy. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s quite devoted to you.”
“I’m equally devoted to him.” Sara’s heart swelled with longing. “Where is he?”
“We’re staying at the Savoy Hotel.”
“When did you arrive in London?” Sara was bursting with questions.
“About a week ago. Alexander was very careful not to be seen, but he watched you and figured out that this shop was the safest way to contact you.”
A little shiver went through Sara at the thought of Alexander watching her without her knowing. But she understood why. If her parents believed him to be in London, she would be on her father’s ship before she knew it, sailing for God knew where.
“He was smart to consider that.” She wondered why she hadn’t thought of it herself.
“My brother is very, very smart.” Lucy stared at her with an odd look on her face. “So, can I expect him to receive good news when he reads your note?”
“Yes, of course.” Sara nodded.
“That’s wonderful! He will be so happy to have this. I cannot wait to give it to him.” Lucy leaned in closer to Sara, whispering in a conspiratorial tone, “Yours is the most romantic love story I’ve ever known about. I’m so excited to be able to assist you and my brother in getting married!”
“Thank you for all your help.” Sara paused. “Lucy, are you quite sure we’ve never met before? There is something so familiar about you.”
“I imagine I seem familiar to you because I remind you of Alexander. But I don’t think we’ve ever met before. I would definitely remember meeting someone as lovely and stylish as you, Sara,” Lucy said, her eyes glittering with envy.
“Thank you,” Sara murmured. “I suppose you do simply remind me of Alexander.” Yet Sara couldn’t shake the feeling she had met this woman before.
Lucy paused for a moment, then suddenly said, “Sara, I just had the most wonderful idea. Why don’t you come with me right now?”
“What do you mean?”
Her smile sparkled and her blue eyes danced with the excitement of her proposal. “Why not just come with me back to the hotel, right now? This very minute. We could surprise Alexander! Then we can be on our way and you and Alexander could be married as early as tomorrow!”
Sara’s heart skipped a beat at the possibility. She wanted nothing more than to fling off the green Hamilton’s apron and follow Miss Lucille Drake to the Savoy Hotel and right into Alexander’s waiting arms. It could be so easy. So simple. After weeks of longing for him, missing the sound of his voice, the light of his smile, and yearning to be his wife, it could all be hers in a matter of minutes. She only had to walk out of the bookshop with his sister. No one knew. No one would stop her.
Yet suddenly faced with the immediate possibility of leaving her parents, her family, everyone she loved, with no clear idea of when she would see them again, or how they would receive her after her marriage, she hesitated. And Boots! She couldn’t leave without Boots. No, now was not the time. It was too sudden.
She wasn’t ready just yet.
“I’m not sure, Lucy . . .” There was something about Alexander’s sister that gave her an uneasy feeling as well. What was it about her exactly that caused her to feel that way? Sara couldn’t say.
“Why not?” Lucy’s voice held a note of pleading enticement. “Your parents aren’t here to keep you apart. Alexander is waiting for you. You both wish to wed and there’s nothing now to prevent you from doing so. Come with me, Sara . . .”
An unexpected, cold rush of fear washed through Sara. Her words came out rather quickly. “No . . . I don’t think so. I’m not quite ready. I’d planned for the day after tomorrow, as I told him in my letter. There are things I wish to bring with me and I need to pack some clothes. I need to say good-bye to my parents, without their knowing I’m saying good-bye, of course. No, Lucy,” Sara said, with a firm shake of her head. “I can’t come with you just yet.”
“Don’t you wish to see my brother?” she questioned, a delicately arched eyebrow raised.
“Oh, of course I do!” Sara protested. “I’ve thought of nothing but him since I left New York. As a matter of fact I want—” Sara suddenly had an idea of her own. “Lucy, my aunt and uncle are hosting a masked ball this evening. Hundreds of people will be attending. Why don’t you and Alexander attend? Only my parents would recognize Alexander, but not if he were wearing a mask! There wouldn’t be any reason for them to suspect that Alexander was there. With so many guests there, you would blend in easily. Then he and I would have a chance to see each other before I leave with him the day after tomorrow, as we planned.”
“A masked ball . . . That could be perfect. And rather amusing too.” Lucy gave her an admiring look. “You are a clever girl, aren’t you?”
“Do you think Alexander would agree?”
Lucy grinned. “I know how to ask him in such a way that he can’t refuse me.”
Quickly Sara took a sheet of paper from the display case and with a fountain pen began to write the address of Uncle Jeffrey’s home and instructions on how to gain entrance and where and when to meet her in the house. Her hand trembled so much she hoped they could read her writing. She suddenly needed to see Alexander first, see his face and hear his voice, before she ran off with him to get marr
ied. It’d been far too long since they had seen each other.
Lucy took the sheet of paper, waving it to let it dry, before she placed it securely in her reticule. “This is so exciting. And fun. I’ve never been to a masked ball!” She patted Sara’s hand, whispering, “We shall see you tonight!”
With that, Lucy Drake exited the bookshop.
Sara released a shaky sigh. This was it. This was the beginning of her new life. Everything was about to change.
Immediately, Mara was by her side, her green eyes wide with curiosity. “Well, what happened? You spoke for quite a long time.”
“They’re coming to the masked ball tonight.”
“What?” Her mouth hung open in surprise.
Sara stared at her cousin. “I need to see him again, Mara. I need to see Alexander first before I can leave with him. So I invited them to Aunt Yvette and Uncle Jeffrey’s masked ball tonight.”
Mara gasped in astonishment. “Sara, have you gone completely insane?”
Sara gave a little laugh, which may have bordered on hysterical. “Perhaps I have. But I need to see him first, Mara. And I’m going to need your help in making sure no one finds out about this.”
Her cousin hesitated, her gray-green eyes filled with worry. “Oh, this could be too risky. Your parents are sure to find out.”
“Well, it’s too late now. I’ve already asked him to come.” Sara shrugged. “In any case, we should both hurry home. We have to get ready for the ball.” Knowing she had the most gorgeous emerald gown to wear, with a cunning little crystal studded mask, Sara grinned with excitement at the prospect of finally seeing Alexander again.
19
Batten Down the Hatches
“When do you want to tell her?” Captain Harrison Fleming asked his wife that same afternoon. He gestured to the sheaf of papers he had laid out on the desk in front of her in their suite of rooms they shared at Devon House. After meeting with his New York investigator last night, Harrison shared the evidence with his wife.
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For Page 19
