by Bobbi Smith
As they traversed the city on their way to the marquess's stately townhouse, their fears seemed to melt away. They were home. They were safe.
"Jonesey, I can hardly believe we're here. Everything almost seems unreal now. Like it happened to someone else . . ." Tori turned tear-filled eyes to her companion.
Jonesey could see how their captivity had worn on her young charge, and she reached out to take her hand reassuringly. "My darling, you handled yourself beautifully. I'm proud of you . . . very proud of you."
Tori drew a ragged breath as Serad entered her thoughts. She'd tried not to think about him, to keep from remembering their idyllic days in the desert together, and she'd managed fairly well until now. She stared out the window of the carriage, taking in all that was familiar to her, feeling herself return to being Lady Victoria Lawrence. Yet, even as she felt her true self return, there was a part of her that would always be Tori.
It seemed an eternity before the conveyance rumbled to a stop before the marquess's imposing three-story brick home. As soon as the carriage door had been opened by the driver, Tori descended and ran for the steps. Jonesey remained to thank and pay the man, then followed hurriedly in her ward's wake.
"Miss Victoria! You're behaving like a hoyden! A lady never runs and never . . ." she scolded as she mounted the steps.
"Grandfather!!" Tori was crying as she knocked on the door. She flew through the portal the moment it was opened by an unsuspecting servant.
Alfred had been in the parlor visiting with a group of old friends when he heard all the commotion in the front hall. He had just risen from his chair to see to the cause when he heard his beloved granddaughter calling his name. He stood still as disbelief and shock rocked through him, but those two terrible emotions soon gave way to joy when Tori appeared in the parlor doorway.
"Victoria!? My God, child, is it really you?"
"Oh, Grandfather!! We're home! We're home at last!" she cried, feeling much as she had as a little girl when she was forever swept into his warm, loving embrace. It seemed nothing had changed in that moment, but in her heart she knew everything had.
Malik received the message from the merchant ship's captain and immediately called for him to come to the palace for an audience. He truly believed that the man must have made a mistake. After talking with him, though, he realized the truth. Serad and his ship and crew had been taken by the English and were on their way there now to prison and possibly to death. Anguished, Malik knew he had to tell Rabi the news right away before she heard it through the palace gossip, and it was not something he looked forward to. He sent for her and received her in his private chambers.
Rabi was surprised by the unusual summons from Malik, for she rarely saw him during the day. She went to him as requested without delay.
She had been curious when she'd entered his rooms, but that curiosity turned to worry when she saw his expression.
"Yes, Rabi. I have news . . ."
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"It's Serad . . ."
She gasped. "Serad?"
"I have witnesses who saw the Scimitar under British control being sailed for England behind an armed frigate. Evidently there was substantial damage to the ship. I have every reason to believe that he and his men are now in the hands of the English government . . ."
"Oh, my God!" She raised tormented eyes to him as her mind raced, seeking ways she could help. There was only one way, and she knew she had to do it. "Malik," she said in his name in a heartfelt plea, "I can save Serad."
"How?"
"You must allow me to return to England. If I get there in time, I can help him."
Malik stared at her, his eyes cold at first, wondering why she would dare bring up the subject he had ordered her never to speak of again. "No."
"Malik! Serad will die if I do not go to them and tell them his true identity! You must let me save him! You must!" Her tears were real as she stood up to him as she hadn't done in twenty years.
He didn't know what to say or do. Rabi had asked nothing of him in all these years. She had obeyed his every wish. Now, Serad's life depended on his decision. Did he dare allow Rabi to go and risk losing her? Did he dare to set her free or did he keep her with him and condemn his adopted son to almost certain death?
"What is it you can do?" he asked hesitantly.
"My father is very powerful and very rich. He has influence at court, and I'm sure he would save him. Serad is his grandson . . ." As she explained, she prayed that her father was still alive and that Avery was not now the Duke of Huntington. "Please, Malik, if you allow me to go, I know my father will see to it that Serad and his men are freed. I know it!"
"I will give you my decision tonight," he replied, still unable to face the thought of letting her go. He loved her, and he feared she would never return to him.
"Malik, it can't wait until tonight. If there's a fast ship in port, I could be ready to sail this afternoon . . ." She grabbed his arm in a desperate gesture to convince him of her true fear for Serad.
Malik gazed down into the aquamarine beauty of her eyes and knew he had no real choice. He loved her and he loved Serad. If he allowed Serad to die because of his own selfishness, he would never be able to forgive himself . . . and she would never forgive him.
"Please . . ." Rabi whispered in a choked voice, meeting his gaze fully.
Love her as he did, he could not deny her. In this, she was right. There was no other way. "Of course you must go. I will see that the fleetest ship in the harbor is readied for you."
Rabi threw her arms about his neck and kissed him. "Thank you. Serad's life depends on it." She wanted to say much more to him. She wanted to tell him that she knew what he was worried about, but she could bring no promises to her lips.
Malik wanted to clasp his love to him and never let her go. He wanted to demand that she return to him quickly, but he feared to even broach the subject. He feared that once she was away from him, she would eagerly return to her old life and never come back. In all the years Rabi had been with him, she had never told him that she loved him and she had always declined to become his wife. Even now after all this time, it still pained Malik to realize that he had failed to win her love.
It was with a heavy spirit that Malik held Rabi close to his heart for a moment and then released her. If he kissed her again or touched her any longer, he would never be able to let her go. His face was set when he stepped away from her, but his eyes mirrored the pain and agony of his soul.
"I will send one of the servants for you when the ship is ready to sail."
"Thank you." She tried to meet his gaze again, but he turned away from her. Though she could feel his desperation, she had to go!
With that she turned and left him, saving Serad's life foremost on her mind. She knew the voyage to London would be the longest trip of her life.
Chapter Thirty
David held Tess close and kissed her tenderly. They had just passed another blissful night in each other's arms, and he was trying to ignore the fact that the morning sun was casting its first blush across the horizon.
"I have to go," Tess whispered regretfully. As she spoke, though, her arms were still looped around David's neck and her lips were still softly seeking his.
"I know," he answered with a sigh. In the months since their first passionate encounter, the feelings he had for Tess had blossomed. Though he'd known in the beginning that there could be no real future for them, he hadn't been able to resist her, and now he found that he loved her with a fierceness that surprised him.
Guilt ravaged David. Care for her as he did, it hurt him deeply that he was using her. Still, he couldn't deny himself. Tess was the most important thing in his life right now. Where all else was falsehood and lies, his feelings for Tess were real and good and very, very special.
Tess hated leaving him, but she knew she had to. Slipping from the bed, she began to dress silently while he lay quietly watching her. She glanced up to find his gaz
e upon her, and she gave him a warm smile.
"Don't tempt me, Tess," David told her in a soft voice, imagining how wonderful it would be to take her in his arms and make love to her for the rest of the morning. He loved the way she cried his name when they came together, and he loved the way their bodies melded. It was almost as if they'd been made especially for each other, and it grieved him to think that he could never take her as his wife.
"I would love to tempt you, but imagine what Dalton would say if I was found out," she replied in a hushed voice as she finished pulling on her clothes. Returning to the bed, she kissed him once more, then started from the room.
"Tess . . ."
She turned to look back at him and was surprised to find that he followed her across the room. There was no chance to speak as he swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately and with desperation.
"Oh, Lord Alex . . ." His kiss left her breathless, and her eyes had an almost starry quality as she stared up at him in wonder.
Her use of his false name ruined the moment for him, and he stepped away from her. "Take care of yourself, Tess."
She thought she heard a touch of sadness in his voice and she didn't understand it. "I'll be thinking about you all day," she promised.
"I'll be thinking about you, too," he told her gruffly.
Tess left the room, moving cautiously so as not to be discovered as she moved through the mansion to return to her own quarters.
David watched the door close and then went to stare out the window at the rising sun. He didn't know why he suddenly had such a feeling of unease and discontent. Things were the same as they had been for months, and there was no reason for him to be this unsettled. He loved Tess, and though they would never be able to marry, they could at least share this much. Telling himself that was going to have to be enough, David turned away from the view of the bright new day and back to the dark shadows of his room and his life.
Tess was as happy as she could be given the circumstances. She loved Lord Alex and would have done anything for him. It thrilled her that he wanted her, too. She knew they could never be married, but she intended to love him forever. A small, satisfied smile curved her lovely lips as she thought of the night just past, and she prayed that he would not grow weary of her.
David was in the study with his "grandfather" going over some important papers regarding one of their estates when a messenger arrived from London late that afternoon. Edward had not been expecting anything, and he was curious to see what the urgent news was.
"You say he's from Alfred?" the duke asked.
"Yes, Your Grace," Dalton answered.
"Bring the man in."
"Right away." The elderly servant stepped out into the hall again to usher the messenger into the study.
Edward was seated at the desk with David standing just beside him, and they both looked up expectantly when the man entered the room.
"Your Grace, the Marquess of Ravensley sent me to deliver this to you," he said, handing the sealed missive to Dalton to give to the duke.
"Thank you. You may remain while I read it and see if there's any need for a reply."
The messenger nodded and remained respectfully silent.
David had tensed when he'd heard the letter was from the marquess, and he looked on expectantly as Edward opened the note and scanned it quickly.
"Edward—
God was with me and has answered my prayers. Victoria and her companion returned to London just this week in excellent health. All is well Look forward to hearing from you and Alexander.
I remain—
Alfred
Edward reread it again just to make sure he hadn't misunderstood anything, then handed it to David with a wide, happy smile.
"Thank God!" Edward said with emotion.
"What is it?" David asked.
"The girl's back. Victoria's home."
"She is?" he repeated, stunned.
"Alfred didn't say much, but it looks as if everything will go as planned after all," he announced, his pleasure obvious as he handed him the letter to read.
David read through it, and as he did his feelings became turbulent. While he wished only good things for his unseen fiancé, he now knew his time with Tess would be ending and the realization tore at him like a vicious, clawed beast.
"There will be no return message." Edward dismissed the messenger, then he announced to Dalton, "This is the best news we've had since Alexander returned, Dalton."
"Indeed, Your Grace."
Both men were beaming with pleasure. Neither was aware that David was struggling with his reaction to the return of the missing girl.
"Have the staff prepare our things. We will be traveling to London at once. Lady Victoria Lawrence, the future duchess, has returned home. I think it's time she met her duke, don't you, Dalton?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Alexander?"
"Yes, Grandfather?"
"What do you have to say?"
"I'm glad Victoria's back and I'm very glad she's safe. I'm looking forward to finally meeting her," he replied tactfully.
"The introductions may be a few months late, but I have no doubt Victoria was well worth the wait."
"I'm sure you're right, Grandfather," David tried to sound enthusiastic, but all he could think about was having to leave Tess. He had never wished anything bad for Victoria, but everything had been very simple when she'd been missing. He knew it was going to be a real test of his abilities to court Victoria and be convincing, while Tess held his heart.
Edward was eager to be on his way to London so he could congratulate his old friend on his good fortune and welcome his future granddaughter-in-law properly.
David was caught up in the flurry of activity involved in getting ready to make the trip and had no time to say good-bye to Tess. As the Wakefield carriage pulled away and moved down the drive, he did not know that Tess had heard the news of Victoria's return and was standing at the window of the now-deserted parlor watching him go and fearing that he was riding out of her life forever.
Wearing one of the new fashionable gowns her grandfather had ordered for her, Tori was waiting in her room with Jonesey for her fiancé to arrive.
"Miss Victoria, you look lovely. I think your hair done up that way is very attractive," Jonesey complimented her.
"Thank you," she replied mechanically as she continued to stare out the window of her second-floor bedroom at the busy street below to see if there was any sign of the Wakefields.
"I can tell you're excited about meeting your Alexander."
Tori wanted to tell her that he wasn't "her" Alexander, but she didn't. "I'm nervous, that's for sure."
"Well, there's no need to be. You look positively radiant. You'll do beautifully. I'm sure he'll be impressed."
"Oh, Jonesey, you are so wonderful!" Tori turned and embraced her companion with true affection.
"Of course I am," Jonesey replied, a little flustered by the unexpected hug. "But you are, too."
"Isn't it strange, though, how completely everything has changed?"
Jonesey saw the shadows lurking in Tori's eyes. "You mean life today as opposed to a month ago?"
Tori nodded. "The time with Serad almost seems unreal . . ."
"Eventually I hope you'll be able to look at it as if it were nothing more than a bad dream. You haven't changed. You're still the same sweet, loving child you always were."
Tori wanted to tell Jonesey that she was wrong, that she had changed. Being with Serad and knowing him for just that short period of time had changed her in ways she couldn't begin to describe.
It had been particularly ironic, too, that Jonesey had mentioned dreams. Though Tori had not told anyone, since they'd arrived in London and their lives had settled into a routine of sorts, she had yet to get a full night's rest. Every night she would fall asleep easily, but then in the dark hours just past midnight she would come awake, haunted by dreams of Serad. Some nights she would never get back to
sleep as visions of him loomed in her thoughts. Others she would doze fitfully until dawn and then give up the effort and rise for the day. Tori was beginning to wonder if he was going to haunt her for the rest of her life.
"I'm glad Grandfather waited a week before contacting the duke," Tori remarked.
"So am I. It gave us the time we needed to get you a suitable wardrobe made up, and it also gave you some time to rest."
"I needed that," Tori agreed, just wishing that she'd managed to get some. "But our reprieve is over. This is it, Jonesey. Tonight, I get to meet Alexander face-to-face for the first time."
"I'm so happy for you, dear," Jonesey told her with deep emotion. "I wish you only happiness."
They shared a tender smile, but Tori quickly looked away when she heard a carriage stop out in front. A glance out the window revealed the Wakefield carriage and two men climbing out of it.
"They're here . . ." she breathed.
"And everything is going to be wonderful."
"I hope so, Jonesey. I truly do."
A few minutes passed before the butler came for Tori, and she followed him from her room with all the grace and presence of a future duchess. As she descended the staircase, Tori said a small, fervent prayer that Alexander Wakefield would be man enough to wipe Serad out of her mind once and for all.
It was just a short time later that Alfred was proudly finishing off the very proper introductions.
"Victoria, this is Alexander . . ." he announced, beaming with pride at what a marvelous match this looked to be. "And Alexander, this is my Victoria."
Tori had only managed a quick glance at Alexander when she'd first entered the room, but she lifted her emerald gaze to regard him forthrightly now. While she had seen his likeness in the locket that Serad had taken from her and had known he had dark hair and gray eyes, she was still startled by the uncanny resemblance he bore the pirate. Tall, dark, and handsome with arresting gray eyes, Tori almost groaned out loud. How in the world was she ever going to be able to forget Serad when Alexander looked so much like him? She hid her distress well, though, and managed to greet him with equanimity.
