Alice caressed his handsome face. Her beloved hero had fallen asleep the second his head hit the pillow. She glanced down to the tent formation below his waist. Well, most of him had fallen asleep. One impressive part seemed wide-awake.
She had never seen a man’s member before. She always kept her eyes closed when Mr. Carson would force himself upon her. She assumed they looked like the ones on statues. Now she realized they could be much larger in real life.
She was glad she had protected her mind from any images of Mr. Carson. While she could not come to Jacko as a virgin, she still could come to him innocent in love and experience the wonder of discovery.
Unable to resist, she lifted the sheet for another look and smiled. Yes, he far surpassed any Roman or Greek statue she had ever seen.
Her loins stirred with desire. She wanted him deep inside her so they could become one.
A brief knock on the door resulted in her dropping the sheet and turning just in time to face her mother at the door.
“Yes?” Alice asked as she picked up his pants and hung them over the chair back.
Her mother stepped in and recovered his silk shirt from the floor. The tension in her mother’s face left no doubt she was angry.
Alice took her arm and led her across the hall. She did not want Jacko to hear this fight, not even in his sleep.
Closing the door, she prepared herself for battle. “I can see you are upset…”
“And I have every right to be. I know I owe a debt to Victor, but otherwise, I would send our guest from the house right this minute.”
“Mother, Jacko is exhausted from rescuing these people. You of all people should appreciate that.”
Her brows furrowed in confusion. “Jacko? I am not talking about him. I am talking about Claire Hamilton.”
Alice blinked several times. “You are angry with Claire?”
“Yes, she came down complaining about the noise of furniture being moved to make room for the servants.”
“Servants?”
“As best as I can make out, these young men and women came expecting jobs as servants. They said a young man at Thorn’s Private Inquiry had promised them as much.”
Alice frowned. No one except Claire could possibly need a hundred servants. “What was Vic thinking?”
“Well, I would know what Victor had in mind, except the letter he wrote was addressed to Claire. Instead of simply opening it and reading it aloud, she runs to her room to read it in private.”
Alice hugged her mother. “I thought you were angry at me for putting Jacko in my bed.”
She broke the hug. “He hardly looked capable of leading you down a path from which you cannot return.”
Alice took a deep breath. “Perhaps I do not wish to return.” She looked into her mother’s eyes. “I love him. I know it is sudden, but I am quite certain of my feelings.”
Her mother neither fainted nor shrieked in horror, but her eyes filled with concern. “I understand your attraction to him. He is handsome, brave and charming. Only…”
“Only what?” Despair rose in her chest. How could her mother object to Jacko being a gypsy? She certainly hadn’t objected when he saved her from Bedlam.
“You have known him for less than a few hours of time. I do not see how you can love a man so soon.” Her mother then fell into silent contemplation.
“You are thinking of the consequences of our marriage.”
“Marriage? You have already gone from love to marriage?” She laughed softly. “And I thought I had been fast to act.”
Alice glared at her. “Jacko is no Mr. Carson!”
“No. I was referring to your father. I fell in love with him within a few weeks. My parents ignored my feelings and insisted I meet other, younger men.” She shook her head. “None of those silly boys could hold a candle to your father.” She sighed. “My parents feared when the bloom of ‘first love’ faded, I would regret my choice of husbands.”
“And did you?”
Pain etched across her face. “I only regretted his early death. Had I known I would have him so few years, I would not have wasted four months on other boys. I would have married him at once and spent every hour in his company. Unfortunately, I was too young to grasp the concept of death. I thought he would live forever.” Tears welled in her eyes. She turned and stared out the window. Only her delicate sniffles betrayed she was crying.
Alice wrapped her arms around her mother and held tight. In the past, her mother would have pushed away, but now she returned the hug. “Because of you, I did not lose him entirely. You are like him in so many ways.”
Alice pulled back and stared at her, both pleased and confounded by her declaration. “Why have you never told me that before?”
“I was afraid you might repeat my words aloud and Mr. Carson would hear.”
Alice nodded in understanding. Such a slip could have had horrible consequences.
A knock on the door ended their tearful discussion. Alice wiped her eyes and opened the door.
Thomas, his eyes wide and intense, as if he were at his wit’s end, stood in the hallway. “Miss Hamilton wishes the presence of you and Mrs. Collins in the library.”
Alice smiled at his use of her mother’s former name. “Mrs. Collins and I will be down shortly.” She then turned to her mother. “You are Mrs. Collins. As of now, Mr. Carson never happened. We have never met the creature.”
“Can I do that? Just change my name back?”
“We just did. I will talk to Victor later about how to do it legally, but you are my father’s wife. Collins is your rightful name.”
With a final hug, they joined Claire and her servant in the library.
Alice was shocked to find their guest sitting behind the desk as if this was her estate and her library. However, since Alice needed to know the content of Vic’s letter, she held her tongue. She seated her mother before the fireplace. “Claire, come sit beside Mother and tell us what Vic has to say.”
Claire’s mouth turned to a pout. “Well, I was prepared to tell you from here. Why did you sit over there?”
“The settee is more comfortable and Mother deserves every comfort I can give her.”
“Oh, that is true.” Claire gathered her letter and sat down by Mrs. Collins. “This letter is actually from Gregory, which explains its tedious length.” She held what looked to be twenty pages. “He has interviewed all the poor creatures saved from a life of white slavery.”
Mrs. Collins gasped. “White slavery?”
“Yes, evidently a gentleman hired servants and forced them to service his friends. When they displeased him, he would send them to an establishment in the London docks and hire a new servant. Between those found at the dock and those at the gentleman’s home, there were over a hundred in all.”
“My Lord,” Mrs. Collins whispered. “They are barely more than children!”
“Well, some were not very honest children. Fortunately, Gregory has weeded those out so these should be fine, assuming, Mrs. Carson…”
Alice interrupted her. “Collins. My mother’s name is Mrs. Collins.”
Claire paused and then nodded. “Of course. Mrs. Carson is dead. She can hardly find the servants new positions.” Claire frowned and looked at Mrs. Collins. “I suppose you cannot help us at all, given you are dead.” She sighed and looked at Alice. “Which puts the task in your lap, Alice, because I don’t believe anyone in society is speaking to me.”
“Really?” Her mother pretended shock at the idea. “Have you any idea why?”
Claire sniffed. “They don’t approve of the books I read at the library.”
“Maddy Hamilton’s friends have distanced themselves because they don’t approve of the books you read?”
Claire could not hide her misery as she nodded.
“Claire, unless they were anti-suffragist books, I cannot imagine those women caring one whit what you read.”
“Well, then perhaps it was because I travel without a chaperone when I
go to the library.”
Mrs. Collins took the thick letter from Claire and handed it to Alice. “Start working on this while Claire and I have a talk.”
Alice nodded and happily left the room. A few seconds later, Claire’s manservant exited the library, looking most unhappy with his dismissal. Good. Hopefully, her mother could talk some sense into the silly twit.
Alice sat down on the entryway bench and read the letter. Beyond a brief introduction explaining Vic’s hope they would be able to find them employment in London, the rest of the pages listed each servant by name and their apparent skills.
Alice called for Thomas.
“What now?” he snapped as he stepped out of the kitchen.
She gave him a hug to soothe his ruffled feathers, then let him read the letter. “I think the sorting of skills is better left in your hands, but there is certainly no reason why our regular household should work themselves to death. Assign the servants to chore and test their claimed skills. Then tell me their true level and I’ll contact Mother’s friends and try to place them as soon as possible. Until then, you should make our people managers of their new training staff.”
She had hoped her plan would improve Thomas’ mood, but so far he gave no hint whether he liked her idea at all.
When he finished reading all twenty-one pages, he sighed. “I’ll call my staff together immediately. If these young people haven’t lied about their skills, then they should be able to wash, clean and feed themselves—with the proper management and supplies.”
“Buy all the supplies you need. Don’t worry about the cost. I just want my staff to survive this good deed we are doing.”
***
After allowing the rescued servants five hours of rest, Thomas woke them up and divided them into training groups. He also provided schedules to ensure everyone received meals, just not at the same time.
Curious to see how he’d get on with a hundred servants, Alice slipped in the back of the room and listened to him lecturing the young men and women. Had he not become her butler, she thought he would have made a very fine professor or perhaps a judge. He was quite the authoritarian.
When one fellow had the audacity to question him, he stormed over to the boy. “I am the butler. That makes me God and master over the likes of you. Now, because you may not recall the rules of a real household, I won’t send you packing for your impertinence. If it happens again, from any of you, you are gone. We cannot find homes for bad servants. If you listen to your supervisors, follow orders and work hard, then Miss Collins will be able to find you honest work in good homes. Anyone who does not like that can sit out by the barn and go back to London with the wagons.”
The boy he scolded didn’t leave, but two others did. “Names?” Thomas demanded before they left.
One of the boys, a tall handsome boy of seventeen or so, turned to face him. “You don’t need ‘em, we ain’t staying.”
“I wish to mark you off my list.”
The boy shrugged and they left the room without providing their names.
Thomas glared at the young men remaining. “Who knows their names?”
One boy raised his hand. “The tall one is Joey something. The other on is Leroy Biggs.”
Another boy provided Joey’s last name.
Thomas thanked them and crossed the boys off. He then paced before them with his hands clasped behind his back. Alice knew a lecture was coming.
“If you place loyalty to fellow servants above honesty, then go with those two. In a proper household, when a butler asks you a question, you answer him to the best of your ability. If he thinks you have lied or fudged the answer, he will fire you. He will do so because he knows there are a hundred young men and ladies who would desperately love a job in a good home.”
He went on to explain they must never steal, not even if the object coveted has no value. “And if you know of a fellow servant who steals, you must let your butler know at once. If he discovers you knew and said nothing, he will fire you.”
A boy who had been sitting by Joey raised his hand. “You should check Joey’s pockets. I saw him admiring a very fine woman’s locket.”
Thomas frowned. “Where was he admiring this locket?”
“Sitting here next to me. He put it in his pocket when he decided to leave.”
“What is your name?”
“Colby Layson,” the boy said with uncertainty.
Thomas marked on a page. “I’m placing a star by your name, since I have proof of your proper allegiance.”
He then walked to the door of the drawing room and motioned for his footman.
Alice guessed his instructions and decided to follow the footman for the more interesting drama.
She stepped outside and breathed the fresh air. Hard to believe only five hours ago she had been upstairs reading a book to her mother.
Her thoughts went to Jacko. She desperately wanted to wake him up so they could visit. She didn’t because he needed his sleep and she suspected he would awaken if she even opened the door to look at him.
Thus, for his sake, she remained away. And perhaps for her sake, as well. Her mother was right to question her speedy leap to love. Alice knew Jacko’s character, but little else. She would not buy a horse with so little information; surely, her husband warranted a bit more investigation.
She laughed as Dom and several of the stablemen picked the tall one up by his feet and shook him until his pockets emptied. They then trussed and tossed the fellow into a wagon. The other boy looked ready to run. Dom spoke to him, and the young man pulled out his pockets to prove he had nothing.
Dom picked up the contents on the ground. She was about to go over and investigate, when a warm hand pressed against her back. She turned and discovered Jacko beside her, dressed and wide-awake.
“You are up so soon?”
His eyes seemed to devour her as he smiled. “I have to return to London as soon as possible. I have urgent business there.”
Her heart fell.
“I’m sorry. I only came out here for the chance to see you.” His face twisted in regret. “And then I slept through our time.”
“You were exhausted.”
He nodded, and then squinted at the sun. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
Her response made him smile. He looked as if he wished to kiss her. To her disappointment, he resisted. “I need to borrow a fast horse. A friend of mine is missing, and if I do not find him soon…”
He stopped, as if the possible outcome was too horrible to say aloud. She suspected the unspeakable outcome was death, and her heart ached for Jacko.
“You may have my horse. He is strong, gentle and dependable in trouble.”
Jacko laughed and stroked her cheek. “Much like his master.”
She stared at her feet. “Good thing I didn’t mention he was fast.”
Jacko pulled her against his chest and pressed his mouth next to her ear. “You are the finest woman I have ever met. Never doubt yourself. I greatly admire your honest emotions.”
She breathed in his wonderful musky scent, feeling safe and loved. Wrapped in his strong arms, nothing or no one could hurt her. She was in heaven. He broke away long before she wished to relinquish her heavenly cocoon, but she made sure her face did not betray her disappointment.
He walked her to the barn. She took smaller than normal steps because she did not want Jacko to leave. But then she recalled the reason he needed to depart and picked up her pace. “Are you always rescuing people?”
“No. Sometimes I draw maps.”
“Maps?” She stared up at him in confusion.
“Special maps,” he clarified and then turned to her. “Once I have found my friend, I would like to return here so we can share all the details that created the people we have become.”
Until she met Jacko, she could not imagine a man with whom she would dare share her past, but with him, she had no fear. She smiled. “I would like that very much.”
/>
Dom handed her Joey’s loot, none of which she recognized. She placed it in her pocket to sort out later. “Dom, saddle up Thunder for Jacko. He needs to return to London at once.”
Her groom hurried inside.
Jacko took her hands. “I’d prefer to set my own saddle, so let me say goodbye now.” He pulled her into his arms and his head tilted as if unsure of his next move.
She gripped the collar of his red silk shirt and tugged him closer. His eyes sparkled with delight as he leaned in and kissed her tenderly on her lips. Her lips burned at the touch of his and a fire surged through her body. She pressed against his muscular chest, and opened her mouth, hungry for more.
Jacko released her at once and stepped back. For a moment, she feared her forwardness had repulsed him, but the love and admiration in his eyes assured her otherwise. His hand stroked her check one last time. “I will return as soon as possible.” He then hurried into the barn.
***
Watching Jacko ride off was hard. However, knowing he had to come back, since he had her horse, and that the friend he needed to save was male, her spirits rallied.
She carried Joey’s loot to the house and verified none of it belonged to her staff or Claire. She then returned to the wagon and untied the young man.
He showed no appreciation for her rescue, but she didn’t expect nor think she deserved any. She handed him his property.
He latched on to the locket and pressed it to his heart.
“Is she your sweetheart?” Alice asked.
He shrugged.
“She’s very beautiful.”
He sniffed. “Don’t matter. She had her fill of me and then tossed me off. Found herself a gentleman, she did. Said I couldn’t stay, or else she’d never love him. So off I go, broken-hearted. I decide I don’t want to work in a fine house. So I take on as a garden boy.” His eyes narrowed with hate. “Buggering bastards is what I got…all because I broke the rules and fell in love with her.” He glared at the house. “I tried to warn the fancy boy inside what’s in store for him, but he thinks he’s special.” He then glared at Alice. “He’ll learn soon enough. The fancy miss will toss him off, just like you’ll toss off the gypsy. Women claim they live by their hearts, but they’ll choose money over love every time.”
A Right to Love: Romantic Spinoff From The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2.5 Page 11
