by Sarah Thorn
Realizing luck was on his side for the first time, he stood up in relief. A shadow in the drainage caught his attention. Papa? He thought as he saw his father’s reflection in the dirty water.
It must have been his own hallucination created by his initial insensibility during the time he was unconscious.
It as it gave him the strength to face Java.
“I told you I have many tentacles. Bad grass is hard to die. Say your last prayer.”
No one was left in the underground, except Anton alone.
It was now Java’s turn to taste the dose of his own medicine.
Chapter Nine
Sitting by the window, Tasia’s mother, Tonya, was thinking about her daughter. She was regretful of gambling their house for the sake of her entertainment. Tasia had not come back home for over a year now. She spent Christmas alone. No gifts. No Christmas trees. Just a simple meal.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Someone was outside the entrance door.
“Who’s that?” Tonya yelled.
No one answered. Instead, the knock kept on going, louder and louder.
For goodness’ sake. Who’s that? “I’ll be right there. Hang on minute….”
As she opened the door, a slim black woman stood before her with a baby girl clutched in her arm. She did not recognize her. She had changed so much. That little girl she had once taken care of was now a full grown woman.
“Tasia? Is that you?” Tears welled up in Tonya’s eyes. Disbelief clouded her mind.
“Mama?” Tasia began to cry.
“It’s you. Thank goodness, you’re alive. Oh, my daughter…”
Lifting her arms up, Tonya let them rest on her daughter’s shoulders as she pulled her in closer, savoring the moment. Every second of it was more precious than diamonds. It was a gold that can never be purchased, its value beyond a price one could afford.
The baby smiled at her grandmother sweetly, entertained by her reaction.
“Is that my granddaughter, Tasia?”
“Yes, Mama. Her name is Alexis.”
“Oh, sweet heaven. She’s beautiful!”
“Like mother, like daughter.” She laughed.
“Where’s your husband?”
“Ummm… Let’s talk about that inside Mama. I don’t think this is a good place for that topic.”
“Yes, of course. Sorry, darling. Come on in.” Tonya shut the door.
****
It had been days since Tasia had arrived back in Chicago. Since then, she had been praying that her mother would not ask about Alexis’ father. She thought Anton was already dead, and she did not want to keep her hope up, afraid to be hurt again.
Since he was gone, Alexis had been her source of strength. She was the reason she found the courage to visit her mother again. Without her child, she would have gone insane by now.
“Alright, Alexis, mommy and grandma will take you to the park. You like that, don’t yah?”
Alexis giggled, exposing her toothless gums.
“Mama…”
“Yes, Tasia?”
“Are you ready? I’m gonna take Alexis to the car, alright?”
“Yes, darling. Just make sure you put her in the car-seat. She’s not allowed in the front passenger seat.”
“Cool. Thanks!” Tasia made her way down the stairs to the carport where the car was parked.
Driving to the park, Anton came to her remembrance as she noticed Alexis was sleeping. She really looks like her dad when she’s asleep.
As they came to stop at the intersection, Tonya noticed her agitated face. “Is there something bothering you?”
“Ha? Ah, no… I’m alright, Mama. I’m just thinking of what we should feed Alexis when she wakes up.” She lied.
Truth be told. She was thinking of Anton.
Sitting on a red picnic mantle, she watched her baby crawl around. How she wished Anton was there to see their daughter’s growth. But he was not. He was dead. As least that was what she thought.
Not far off, Anton stood under a tree, trying to find the courage to approach his family. Papa, if you ever hear me, please help me be a father that I should be to my daughter.
Since the time Anton saw his father’s reflection during the fight with Java, he was convinced his father had long desired his forgiveness. As Anton allowed himself to forgive, a sense of relief followed him all the time. It was the power of forgiveness that had taught him healing.
A cold breeze hissed at him. Goosebumps stood up on his skin. Was it his father’s spirit who was helping him out?
“Alexis, don’t go that far,” Tasia told her daughter.
Oblivious to who was behind her, a hand grabbed Tasia’s shoulder. She recognized his smell and the texture of his palm. Don’t tell me his ghost is haunting me?
Every doubt was abolished when she heard him speak.
“Tasia?”
She could not get it wrong. His strong, but soft Russian accent was remarkable.
“Anton?” She excitedly turned.
Gems of precious tears began to roll down involuntarily from their eyes. They were both speechless – tamed with surprise and gladness that miracles really do happen. And a happy ending was possible.
“How did you find us?” She asked with thankfulness in her voice.
“I’d do everything to find you and our daughter.”
He shifted his gaze at Alexis while she was crawling around, exploring her skills. She got her golden brown hair from her father. Her eyes were Hazel, a little bit lighter than her mother’s eyes. But her skin tone was mixed. A little lighter than Tasia’s. And a little darker than Anton’s.
“She’s beautiful. She looks just like you, Tasia. Can I hold her?”
“Yes, of course. She’s your daughter, you know. Our child.” Tasia blushed.
Taking her up from the ground, she wiggled her hands as she played with her father’s nose and eyes. Her smile was priceless. Suddenly Anton felt that same sensation of love that his father must have felt when he had held Anton for the first time.
Watching, Tasia was crying. The tears of pain and sorrow were replaced with tears of joy and thanksgiving. Finally, they could now live in peace and harmony without worrying about tomorrow.
She stood up, and then approached them. As she did, Anton wrapped his arm around her while the other was holding Alexis – the chain that interlocked them together.
****
THE END
CLEAN REGENCY Romance Collection – Dashing Dukes
Saved From a Scoundrel – A Clean Regency Romance
Chapter One
Lady Isabeau Camm collapsed in a cushioned chair in the row along the wall, waving her fan in front of her face. It was entirely too hot in the ballroom, and there were entirely too many people there. She continued fanning herself until she saw Anne coming toward her. She lifted her fan high in the air and called out loudly, “Anne! Anne! Over here!”
Anne saw her and made a beeline toward Isabeau, dropping herself into a chair next to her.
“Oh, Izzie!” Anne looked as exhausted as Isabeau felt. “It feels like this ball will never be over. We should just start walking home.”
“It’s much too cold to walk, Anne.” Anne had lived next door to Isabeau and her family since they were very small children. They had played together from the very early ages, sharing dolls and secrets throughout the years. This was their first time on the season and were both trying very hard to keep up with the Ton and present the best appearances possible.
“Do I look terrible, Anne?” Isabeau raised the hand she wasn’t using to hold the fan and patted down her auburn hair, feeling just a few strands that had come loose from the barrettes and pins. She instantly flushed, picturing her hair fluffed out all over her head. Anne shook her head.
“No, you look beautiful, Isabeau,” Anne said, using her handkerchief to dab at her forehead and face. “My, it is quite hot in here. Someone should open some windows and doors.”
“Let’s take a walk on th
e veranda, Anne. Come on.” She stood up and held out one hand to her friend. Anne took it and stood up. They made their way through the pressing bodies to the massive double glass doors that looked out over the veranda and the vast field beyond. Anne pressed the door handle down and swung the window doors out wide. The two women instantly felt a breeze flow past them, and they both sighed, enjoying it immensely.
“This was a wonderful idea, Isabeau.” Anne stepped out into the evening, taking a small fan similar to Isabeau’s out of her handbag and opening it. I thought I might die in there!”
“Me too.” Isabeau nodded. “I don’t want to be on the verge of fainting when I have my next dance.”
“Who do you have next?” Anne took her card from her bag and put the fan back in it. “I have…” She scanned the card. “It looks like Lord Rupert is next in line.”
Isabeau laughed softly. “Lord Rupert. I have already danced with him. Watch his hands and be careful of his feet. He is quite a talker, as well. My goodness, his business is doing so well, you would think he would be the richest Lord on earth, richer than God!”
The girls laughed. Isabeau glanced at her card. “I have Jonathan Barnaby. He’s an Earl, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is extremely wealthy!” Anne raised her eyebrows. “He would be a good husband, I would think. But he’s very young. I’ve danced with him, too. He’s very agreeable.”
“I don’t want to marry anyone unless I love him,” Isabeau said. “I don’t care if he is a rich man or a pauper.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply anything otherwise, Izzie. I know you. I wonder, though, if you would really feel the same passion for a pauper as you would for a Lord. Having money does make a difference.”
“Money also changes the way people are inside,” Isabeau said. “I know several wealthy men who had delightful personalities until they became wealthy.”
“I think it’s different when they already have a fortune they have inherited through their family name. I think men with old money are a little more judgmental than the others who have had to work their way to wealth.”
“I would agree with that.” Isabeau nodded her head. “It is because they were once paupers themselves…or close to it. When you are poor, and you grow up to be rich, you can see things from both perspectives.”
“Who else do you have on your card? There are four more dances. After Lord Rupert, I have good old hairy Lord Henry.”
“Oh no!” They both laughed. Lord Henry had not cut his hair from the time he was about ten years old. He was another local, and both girls knew him well. They were all friends and had a good time together, so her dance with him was more for fun than anything
The doors the girls had come out of burst open and two young men came through in a hurry, their eyes in search of something. When they spotted the girls, they both called out to them.
“Anne! Isabeau! We’ve been looking for both of you!”
The women turned to see Lord Rupert and Earl Barnaby heading toward them.
“Oh!” Anne flushed. “Have we lost track of time? Oh dear! Has the next dance started?”
Lord Rupert held out his hand to her, flashing a brilliant smile that made his eyes flash. “If we hurry, we won’t miss more than a few moments!”
Anne matched Lord Rupert’s smile, took his hand, and the two of them jogged across the veranda to the door, slipping in swiftly.
“Well, they are very much in a hurry to dance, aren’t they?” Earl Barnaby turned a smile to Isabeau. “I, however, am less motivated to find a spot on the floor. I am feeling…a bit overheated in there.”
“That’s why we came out here.” Isabeau nodded. “It is extremely hot in there. And with that many people crowded in there…I’m actually quite surprised by how many people came tonight. It’s as if everyone from all around the country came here for this one ball.”
The Earl laughed. He held out his hand, and she took it, letting him take her back across the veranda to the doors. “I think that would be quite a lot more people,” he said when they got to the doors. He stopped her when she put her hand on the door handle.
“We don’t need to go in yet, do we? Shall we skip this dance? Or perhaps dance out here? I can hear the music fine. Can you?”
Isabeau was intrigued. It would be quite lovely to dance out here on the veranda. She lifted her arms and smiled at him. He put his arm around her slender waist, and they began to dance. “Have you had any interesting partners yet?”
“None that had me dancing on the veranda,” she responded softly.
“It certainly seems less stressing than being in there, surrounded by all the others and feeling somewhat suffocated.”
“I agree. How have you fared tonight? Any of the Ladies catch your eye?”
“None yet, present company excluded. I must say I am enjoying this dance in particular.”
“That is very pleasing to hear.” Isabeau smiled at him. “You realize that if we are spotted, everyone will come out here, and we will be surrounded once again?”
“I’ll take that chance. It’s a nice evening out here. I don’t want to stop now.”
“I’m glad! I don’t either!”
They laughed, and he spun her in a circle. They finished the dance several minutes later, and he stepped back a foot to bow deeply to her. “That was a lovely dance, Lady Isabeau! Most enjoyable! I do hope you will consider me as a friend and we can dance again next time we see each other!”
She lowered her head. “I certainly would like that, Earl Barnaby.”
“Please, we must dispense with the formalities! I am Jonathan to my friends and you, dear lady, I do call friend.”
“Thank you very much, Ea…Jonathan.” She giggled.
He took her hand and kissed it as the doors opened and several people came wandering through. Isabeau looked, but Anne was not one of them.
It was Tomas Hurley. He was the brother of a duke, the beloved Edward Hurley, who was a business acquaintance of her father. But unlike, the Duke, Tomas was rather disagreeable. He had an unpleasant look on his face.
Isabeau’s heart hardened instantly, and she pulled back a little, not wanting to be too close to him until she had to be. He was on her card and she had forgotten it. She probably didn’t want to remember. He had a strange fascination with her, and if she could have avoided the invitation, she definitely would have. But her mother had insisted that both the Duke and his brother would be on her card, whether or not she liked them. They were prominent in society and must not be shunned.
She watched as Tomas Hurley passed the Earl. Both men nodded once and said the first name of the other. There was no love lost between them. She wasn’t surprised. She took a few steps toward the door, hoping to avoid having to speak to him but he was coming straight for her.
She curtsied when he got closer. “Mr Hurley. How are you feeling this evening?”
“I’m doing well.” His voice was somewhat high-pitched, reminding her of what she felt a weasel would sound like if it could talk. “I saw that Earl Barnaby had to go in search of you before the last dance. I hope you will see to it that I do not have to do the same.”
“I…I do believe there is another gentleman before you on my dance card,” she said hesitantly. She didn’t want to dance with him in the first place, much less go out of her way to make sure she was present on time.
“Precisely why I came to find you. I have told you previously of my fondness for you. It looks somewhat inappropriate for you to be dancing with another man on the veranda where no one else is present.”
Isabeau blinked. It was true that he had expressed his desire to see her more often, and he had come by the house on occasion to make it clear to her family, as well. But they knew she had no affection for him, which doubled her frustration that her mother had insisted Tomas Hurley be on her dance card.
“I…am sorry that you feel that way, Mr Hurley. If you would like to cancel your dance with me because of this blight, I would understan
d.” She could only wish. She knew he would answer the way he did.
“No, I am still willing to dance with you. You will just have to curb your desire to stray when you don’t believe you are being seen.”
Isabeau felt rage surge through her. Outwardly, she curtsied again and smiled at him as she went past. She dared not say a word or her anger would betray her. She wondered if she could run out the door before her dance with him and make it home before he could sound an alarm. She could barely contain her anger, and it ruined the dance with Lord Carlisle, who was next on her card. He was friendly, but she could do no more than fake a smile and dread the moment she would be dancing with Mr Hurley.
There was a ten-minute break before the last two dances. Isabeau spent that time standing to the side with Anne, wishing she had the courage just to leave. If it hadn’t been for the Duke, Tomas Hurley’s agreeable brother, she would have. She knew it meant a lot to be on the Duke’s good side and if that meant dancing with his brother, then so be it.
The time was almost upon her. She felt pressured, anxious.
“Oh, I am not going to like this dance, Anne.” She moaned. Anne took her hand and squeezed it.
“I know. I didn’t enjoy my dance with him either. He is very cold and goes through the motions as if I was a big doll of some kind. He only has eyes for you and that is a sad situation for you, my dear.”
“I know. It is extremely troublesome. I fear what he might do when he realizes I am not going to marry him. I don’t even want to dance with him.”
Anne nodded. “I understand. It’s only a short while. Then you will be free of him.”
“But for how long? Until he comes knocking at my door again?” She shook her head and sighed.
“Here he comes,” Anne said, dropping her eyes. “Stay calm and just dance, Izzie.”
Chapter Two
From the moment he had her in his arms, Mr Hurley was forceful and firm. He moved her around the dance floor instead of dancing with her. His movements were jerky, and he stomped his feet instead of moving them gracefully. She understood Anne’s analogy of a feeling like a doll. It was not easy to keep up with him.
