Juliette Fleming stared in dismay at the carefully prepared pages, which documented in great detail the sordid past of Alexander Drake and his companion. “I was hoping we were wrong, you know.”
“I was too. Honestly. Which is exactly why we didn’t say anything to her,” he said. “But now Sara has to know the truth.”
“Every page I read, it just gets worse and worse. He’s a despicable character, and we let him in our home, and let him court our daughter. It makes me sick to think of it.” Juliette sighed and closed her eyes, rubbing her fingers on her temples. She opened them again, her blue eyes looking toward her husband. “And we’re positive that he’s here? In London? She must have written to him, but I never expected him to follow her. I thought he’d just lose interest.”
Harrison began to pace back and forth, his feet moving over the thick ivy-patterned carpet. “I didn’t think he would come after her either, even if he’d found out where we’d taken her. But we underestimated him. He’s definitely at the Savoy Hotel, with the woman. McCafferty, the investigator, sailed on the Campania to follow Drake. He’s a very thorough investigator and the reason I hired him.”
Lines of worry drawn on her face, Juliette asked, “Yet we don’t know if he has contacted Sara since he has been here?”
“That he did not know for certain.” He looked at her knowingly. “But let’s assume that he already has. Have you noticed a change in her?”
Juliette shook her head. “It’s difficult to say. Aside from being cold to me, she’s been behaving quite normally. She even seems happy enough, socializing with Phillip, Simon, and Mara, and with Phillip’s friends. Why, she’s even taken a liking to assisting at the bookshop.”
Harrison repeated, “The bookshop.”
Juliette’s eyes widened. “Oh, dear God. He could have been into the shop any day this week and seen her. She’s there right now with Mara and Paulette.”
“Paulette won’t let any harm come to her.” Harrison placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “And McCafferty would have mentioned if he’d seen Drake visit the bookshop. At least I hope so. In any case, we need to have a talk with her before Drake does make it to the shop.” He gestured to the papers littering the desk, and the one photograph that could not be ignored. “I think seeing all this will prove to her that we were justified in our concern.”
Juliette picked up the grainy black-and-white photograph of the handsome Alexander Drake, with his arm around a beautiful blond woman aboard the steamship Campania. The camera caught them both smiling, while the wind seemed to blow her skirt as they stood beside the railing on the deck of the ship. It looked as if they were about to kiss each other. “How did Mr. McCafferty manage to photograph them?”
“Apparently, he carries one of those new cameras with him. He said he made it appear that he was photographing the horizon and not them, so as not to arouse suspicion. I have to admit, it’s a very effective tool in his line of business. It’ll be hard for Sara to refute the findings when faced with photographic evidence.”
Juliette cringed in distaste. “It’s so very crude. We’re going to show her all of it?”
“Absolutely. It’s what we’ve been waiting for. Proof in black and white. It’s not just hearsay or our suspicions any longer, Juliette. Even Drake couldn’t explain his way out of this. Sara cannot read all of this and not see him for the man he truly is. It’s not just that we know he was after her money. Any man would be tempted by that. It’s his character, or lack of, that I take offense to. He is a thief. A swindler. A liar. The list goes on and on. He is devoid of any kind of moral compass and I refuse to have my daughter wed to this good-for-nothing reprobate.”
“Oh, Harrison,” Juliette sighed in weariness. “I hate to do this to her.”
“We didn’t do this to her. Drake did.” His voice was firm. “And we’re saving her from him. We’re doing the right thing.”
“Of course we are, and I realize that. I do. I suppose I was just hoping that she would forget about him while we were here, perhaps fall in love with someone else, so she wouldn’t care so much when we told her. I hate to see her hurt.”
Harrison kissed his wife’s cheek. “I think you underestimate our girl. She’s a lot more like you than you realize, my sweet Juliette. I believe Sara’s going to be more angry than hurt by him when she learns the truth. She’ll be so furious at being duped and taken in by his charming façade that she will want nothing to do with him. And knowing my girl, she’ll probably take a swing at him.”
“I hope you’re right.” But Juliette did not sound hopeful.
“Let’s go talk to her now.” He began gathering the papers from the desk.
Juliette insisted, “Oh, let’s not tell her now, please, Harrison. Not with Yvette and Jeffrey’s ball tonight. The whole family’s been looking forward to it and I don’t want to spoil anyone’s evening. We’ll be there with her and so will everyone else, so I don’t want her to be sad or so upset she refuses to go. Let’s allow her to have fun tonight. It can wait one more day. We will talk to her about it in the morning.”
Unable to deny his wife anything she wanted, Captain Harrison Fleming agreed. “If you insist, my love.” He kissed her again. “We’ll tell her tomorrow.”
* * *
Lady Mara Reeves bit her lip in worry, as she stood at the entrance of the Duke of Rathmore’s ballroom that evening. Wearing a dark pink mask dotted with crystals that matched her rose silk gown, Mara had arrived at the ball with her parents, but all she could think about was Sara. She scanned the sea of colorful, glittering, bejeweled, and feathered masks covering the faces of the five hundred guests, looking for her cousin. It was more than a little difficult to discern who was who.
Earlier that day, Sara had been so elated that she’d arranged to meet Alexander and Lucille Drake this evening, that Mara was swept along in her high spirits and agreed to help Sara if she could. But now, Mara was beginning to have a bad feeling about the entire evening.
Unable to spot Sara in the crowd, Mara groaned with frustration. This was not one of her premonitions. This was common sense and Mara felt that whatever Sara was planning with Alexander Drake was going to end badly. For everyone concerned. Inviting him to the ball was a terrible idea.
She needed to find Sara before it was too late and let her know that meeting Alexander Drake tonight was a dreadful mistake. Perhaps she ought to tell someone that Drake was arriving? Heavens, he could be there already! Mara took the few steps down into the main ballroom and began to wander through the gathering crowd, as more and more guests arrived. Becoming lost in the swell, she changed her mind and headed out of the ballroom. Exiting through the side door, she moved into a less crowded salon.
“Lady Mara, is that you?” a voice asked.
She turned toward the voice. “Lord Bridgeton?” she asked, squinting through her own mask at the tall, imposing figure of Christopher Townsend. Dressed in elegant black eveningwear, he wore a simple black mask covering his eyes that seemed to accentuate the classic lines of his face. She sighed with relief. She had been hoping to find Phillip, but she knew Lord Bridgeton would help her. She gave him a grateful smile.
“I thought it was you,” he said jovially. “But it’s difficult to know who anyone is this evening. You look quite lovely, by the way. The color pink suits you.”
“Thank you.” She paused, wondering the best way to say it.
“Have you seen any of your cousins?” he asked. “I arrived a quarter of an hour ago and I’ve yet to see Waverly or Sinclair . . .”
Mara instinctively knew that he was really looking for Sara. “I need your help, Lord Bridgeton.”
His expression grew serious. “Yes, of course. I will help you in any way I can, Lady Mara.”
“It’s to do with Sara.”
“I see.” He escorted her to a more secluded area, near some large potted plants, clearly eager to lend his assistance. “What do you need me to do?”
Hesitant to reveal her c
ousin’s plan, Mara bit her lip again. It was now or never. “Lord Bridgeton,” she began. “I feel I can trust you.”
“Please . . . Call me Christopher.”
Mara nodded. “May I count on your utmost discretion in this matter?”
“That goes without saying,” he agreed readily. “You have my word.”
Satisfied, she began to explain. “Do you recall our little discussion at the Cabots’ ball, about Sara’s gentleman from New York? Alexander Drake?” She paused, waiting for the nod of affirmation from him. “Well, he’s here.”
Even through his mask, his expression was incredulous. “He’s here at the ball? At this moment?”
Mara grimaced. “Yes.”
His dark brows drew together in concern. “Does Sara know about this?”
“She’s the one who invited him.”
“What was she thinking? Her father will surely call the man out if he sees him. Is the plan for the two of them to leave tonight?”
She shook her head. “No. She wants to see him first. But I have a terrible feeling about it all. I didn’t know whom else to turn to, although I’ve really no idea what you can actually do to help me. Or her. I simply need some advice.”
Lord Bridgeton asked, “And no one else is aware of this?”
“No one. Just me. It only came about this afternoon, when his sister visited the bookshop. For a moment I thought Sara was going to leave with her then and there. Instead she asked them both to come to the ball tonight. I’ve no idea if they’ve arrived, or even if they will, and I have no way to recognize them if they did. But I feel I must tell someone, even though Sara swore me to secrecy. Suddenly I’m very worried.” Mara’s words had come out in a mad rush. She could hardly stop them.
Lord Bridgeton placed his hands gently on her shoulders, calming her. “It’ll be fine, Mara. You are right to tell me. Someone besides you needs to know what is going on, just to have another person to protect Sara.”
Reassured by his commanding presence, she took a deep breath. “Perhaps I should find Aunt Juliette and tell her what I know, although Sara may never forgive me for doing so.”
“Listen to me, Mara. I was with Sara’s father last night at our club and I saw him meeting with the man whom he’d hired to investigate Drake in New York,” he explained in a low voice. “Although I was not privy to the details of this meeting, Captain Fleming was clearly not happy with the outcome. From what I gather, this Drake is not a reputable character.”
Mara’s heart pounded and wild thoughts rushed through her head, increasing her dread of something terrible happening. “Do you think she’s in danger?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I agree with you. I’m worried about her too. He may not wish her bodily harm, but I wouldn’t want to see our Sara married to a man with such a base nature.”
When Lord Bridgeton said, “our Sara,” Mara’s heart skipped a little beat. “You do care for her,” she whispered. She’d been right about him all along.
“I do.” He nodded. “A great deal.”
She stared at him. What a wonderful man he was! It was a shame that Sara was so besotted with her American that she couldn’t see what was right in front of her eyes. Mara’s intuition told her that Lord Bridgeton wished Sara could see it too.
“But enough about that,” he said, dismissing the moment of sentiment. “Where is Sara now? Where can I find her?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her yet tonight. But I know she’s wearing an emerald gown, and a half mask just like mine, only in green. We had them made together,” she explained.
A rueful smile played across his face, knowing as well as she did that finding anyone in this disguised crowd would be a challenge. “Well, that helps narrow it down a little.”
Mara shrugged helplessly. “It’s all I know.”
“Do you know if they had a designated meeting area?”
“If they do, she didn’t tell me where.”
“Then I’ll just have to keep looking until I find her. Hopefully before Drake does. In the meantime, you can look for Waverly and tell him what’s happening. And if you feel you should, let Sara’s parents know.”
Mara felt better already knowing that they had a plan. If Sara was angry with her for breaking her promise and divulging her secret, then so be it. Her cousin’s welfare was more important. Mara would never forgive herself if something happened to Sara and she hadn’t done anything to protect her. Because the sensation that something dreadful was going to happen this evening still gnawed at her.
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“Do you have any idea what this Drake fellow looks like?”
“Oh, yes! Sara told me that he’s tall with fair hair and blue eyes, and he’ll be with his sister, who is also blond and very pretty.”
“That doesn’t help much, but at least it’s something. Thank you for telling me about this, Mara.” He suddenly leaned down and quickly kissed her on the cheek. “Now let’s go. And good luck!”
* * *
Jeffrey Eddington, the Duke of Rathmore, pulled his niece aside. “You’re looking lovely this evening, Sara.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you, Uncle Jeffrey. You’re looking rather debonair yourself, in your black mask. It suits you.”
“I am debonair, aren’t I?” He grinned broadly, enjoying the attention, as he always did. “How are things going?”
“Just fine,” she said a little too brightly. But things were not fine in the least.
She’d been on pins and needles all evening, constantly on the lookout for Alexander Drake. She’d instructed him to meet her near the bottom of the main staircase, but it seemed her aunt Yvette and uncle Jeffrey had taken up residence there, greeting guests as they entered the ballroom. Now she had to hope that Alexander would see her and somehow wait to approach her when it was safe. She also had to hope her parents didn’t see him first. Luckily for her, the masks made doing so unlikely.
“You’ve been enjoying yourself then?”
“Of course, Uncle Jeffrey.” Was she mad to have suggested that Alexander meet her here? What had possessed her to make such an outlandish suggestion?
Jeffrey lowered his voice and leaned in. “Have you heard from your young man? Did you tell him about being disinherited if you married him?”
“No.” Sara shook her head and murmured, “I haven’t heard from him.”
There was no possible way she could explain to her uncle that not only had she heard from Alexander Drake, but that he was more than likely somewhere in the ballroom that very moment, waiting to speak with her.
“I’m sorry, my dear,” he said kindly. He looked genuinely hurt for her. “Then it’s probably for the best that you see him for what he truly is. Not worthy of a beautiful girl like you.”
Unable to reply, she merely nodded. She fumed in silence. Uncle Jeffrey didn’t know Alexander. Had never even met him. How could her uncle possibly know what was in Alexander’s heart? Or how much he loved and adored her? There was no way Uncle Jeffrey could know if Alexander loved her only for the money.
“And how has it been for you without the burden of being an heiress? I’ve quietly made it known that your father lost all his money through many foolish investments, which I must say has brought me great fun. I’ve been needling your father about his ‘financial losses.’ Have you enjoyed playing at being penniless?”
“I suppose,” she said noncommittally. To be honest, Sara had quite forgotten about the little ruse they’d come up with the day Uncle Jeffrey had gifted her with Boots. Nor had it been important for her to have perpetuated that story, at least from her point of view. Her father’s money hadn’t come up in any situation.
Mainly because the topic of marriage had not been broached to her. She supposed all the gentlemen she’d been introduced to while in London were aware of her newfound financial status, but she’d never gotten close to or interested enough in any of them to make such a discussion necessary. Her mind had been consumed wi
th other thoughts. Thoughts of Alexander Drake. And Christopher Townsend, whom she had to admit, surprised her. She’d found herself thinking of him more often than not.
Especially after the carriage ride yesterday. There was something about the way he held her that made her feel . . . cherished. If that made any sense. Yes. He made her feel special. And yet here she was, waiting breathlessly for Alexander Drake to arrive.
“Jeffrey! There you are!” Yvette Eddington, the Duchess of Rathmore, walked toward them, wearing a stunning pearl-studded mask that matched her elegant black-and-white gown. “Oh, Sara.” She gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You look so lovely. Your parents were just asking me if I’d seen you. They’re in the card room now, I believe.”
“Thank you, Aunt Yvette. I’ll go to them right away.”
“Enjoy your evening, Sara,” Yvette said before she took her husband’s arm and pulled him toward her. “Come with me, darling. I must introduce you to someone!”
Uncle Jeffrey gave Sara a wink through his mask and grinned.
As her aunt and uncle disappeared into the crowd, Sara made her way to a little alcove by the steps to the ballroom, to watch and wait for Alexander Drake.
She wondered what Uncle Jeffrey would say when he found out that she’d eloped with a fortune hunter. Would he be hurt or disappointed in her? She knew her parents would be both of those things. But she would prove them wrong.
Sara would prove everyone wrong when she was happily married to Alexander. She knew he loved her for herself. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man. She loved him. And he’d come for her. He had proven his love. She didn’t believe he was only after her for her money. In all honesty, Sara didn’t care about the money and Alexander didn’t either. Not once while they had been together had the subject of her money ever come up.
No, she knew without a doubt that he loved her. Now she simply needed to see him again, to hear his voice, to calm the doubts she had about running away with him. She wished they didn’t have to run away, but her parents had given her no choice. Would she rather have a grand wedding with her family and friends around her to celebrate? Instead of skulking off and getting married in some unfamiliar little place? Of course she would! But if that’s what it took to marry the man she loved, then that’s exactly what she would do!
The Heiress He's Been Waiting For Page 20
