La Flamme (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

Sabine glared at Garreth over Richard's head. "What did you do to him?"

  Garreth shook his head, and turned to the door. This wasn't quite the reaction he had hoped for. "I shall leave you to tend to your brother. Your gratitude is not necessary for what I did. Good night, La Flamme."

  Sabine opened her mouth to protest, but he had already gone.

  Marie and Ysabel were fussing over Richard, and he opened his eyes sleepily. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. I only wanted to see the boat races. Remember, Sabine, when you told me that people camp there so they can have a good view?"

  Marie lifted Richard in her arms and walked toward the stairs. "First we get you tucked into bed. You have worried us all. A boy should not do this to those who love him," she scolded.

  Sabine followed them up the stairs. "I want to know exactly what happened, Richard."

  After he was in dry clothing and under the blankets with a warming pan at his feet, Sabine sat beside him.

  "Now, tell me everything."

  "Are you angry with me, Sabine?"

  "I believe I am. But it's just that I was so concerned about you because I love you."

  "Monsieur le due has told me I must promise never to worry you so again."

  "How did he know where to find you?"

  "I don't know, but I'm glad he did."

  "How did you get out of the house without being seen?" Sabine asked.

  "I slipped down the stairs when no one was looking and walked all the way. I hoped you and Ysabel would think I was asleep. I was going to return in the morning, after the races."

  Marie was hovering over him like a mother hen. "You are a naughty boy to worry us so."

  He hung his head. "I'm sorry." His eyes sought Sabine's. "I was frightened," he admitted. "It was like the night we fell into the water—do you remember?"

  It had been a long time since her brother had mentioned that horrible night, and she had hoped he had forgotten about it. "What else do you remember about that night, Richard?"

  "I remember being cold and frightened, like someone was chasing us."

  She held her breath after she asked the next question. "Did you tell this to the duke?"

  "Of course not. He was nice, Sabine. When he came for me, I wasn't frightened anymore."

  Sabine kissed his cheek and moved to the door. "Go to sleep, Richard. We will talk more about this tomorrow."

  "I'll sit with him for a while," Marie said, pulling a chair to the side of the bed. "I hope my fool of a husband comes in from the rain soon."

  "I'll go below and make Richard something hot to put in his stomach," Ysabel said, moving out of the room.

  Sabine went to her bedchamber across the hall. Tonight, for just a moment, she had thought that Garreth had abducted Richard. Instead, he had found him and brought him safely home. She was becoming confused about her feelings for him. It was strange, but she no longer feared him. Was there danger in being lulled into complacency?

  She had to do something soon to bring these years of uncertainty to a conclusion. It was time for her move against Garreth, and she knew just how she would do it.

  Garreth stared at the note he had just received from the housekeeper.

  "A love note?" Stephen asked, smiling.

  "It seems to be from La Flamme. I told you that I found her brother last night."

  "Yes, but you told me little else."

  Garreth broke the seal. "I believe this will merely be a note expressing her gratitude."

  He read the note to himself:

  Your Grace,

  I am ashamed of my actions last night. I was most ungracious to you after you had rescued Richard. I am having a supper party tonight, at eight, and wonder if you might attend. I look forward to seeing you and expressing my appreciation.

  He raised his eyes to Stephen, who was waiting expectantly. "Did you receive an invitation from La Flamme?"

  "No I didn't," Stephen said, glancing over Garreth's shoulder. He smiled. "Perhaps she has invited only you."

  "Not likely." After last night Garreth had decided that he would no longer pursue La Flamme. She loved a dead man, and he could not compete with her memories.

  "I shan't be attending her little party," Garreth said, wadding the note and tossing it on the table. "Tomorrow I'm going home."

  Stephen was more perceptive than Garreth had realized. "Distance will not cure what ails you, my friend. I have never before seen you this besotted over a woman."

  "Leave it alone, Stephen. It is over. She has made her feelings quite clear. She has ice in her heart and is content to live with the memory of Richard's father."

  Sabine watched for Ysabel's return and met her at the door. "You delivered the invitation?"

  "Oui, but still I do not like this thing that you do."

  "Did he say he would come?"

  "I did not stay to see him, but no doubt he will come."

  "Tonight," Sabine told Ysabel, "you will take Richard to Marie's and remain with him until I come for you both tomorrow. I have already told the servants that I will be closing the house after our possessions are packed today. When I leave this house tomorrow, La Flamme will cease to exist."

  "So it's time for you and Richard to return to the past," Ysabel said sadly. "Are you certain?"

  "It is the only way, Ysabel. I sent another message to my uncle, the marquis de Chavaniac. This time I included my mother's locket, in hopes that he would recognize it. Apparently he did because he has invited Richard and me for a visit as soon as I can arrange it."

  Ysabel's heart was heavy as she moved to her basket of mending by the door. Sitting in a chair, she took one of Richard's shirts and begin making small stitches on the torn sleeve to keep her hands busy. "I will miss you both; you have become my life."

  Sabine took the wrinkled hand gently in hers. "Dear Ysabel, put aside your sewing. This is something you will never have to do again."

  Ysabel dared not meet Sabine's eyes. "It is what I am accustomed to. My hands go to it."

  "Did you think I would leave without you? You will be coming with us, of course."

  The faded blue eyes widened with joy, and for a moment she couldn't speak. "I do not know what I would have done had you left me behind. I ask only to be your personal maid and look after your needs."

  "You will have to do nothing but pass your days in leisure, Ysabel, as my dear and trusted companion."

  "No, this 1 will never do," Ysabel said quickly. "I am happiest when I look after you."

  Sabine understood Ysabel very well. She was not suited to a life of idleness. "If it is your wish to continue as you are, it will be so."

  There was a smile on Ysabel's face. "I will go now and make certain that everything is properly packed." She started to leave the room, and then paused. "Do you intend to be alone in this house with Blackthorn?"

  "Yes. It's the only way. I believe Garreth loves me, and tonight I will use that love against him."

  "Ask yourself why you do this. Is it to punish him or because you love him?"

  "My feelings do not matter. What I do tonight is for my father—at last he will be avenged! Tonight is only the beginning. The rest will be played out in England, and I do not know what will happen."

  Ysabel watched Sabine's face carefully. "There is peril in this."

  "He doesn't know who I am."

  "I would remind you of the day Jacques and I pulled a half-drowned girl out of the stream. If Garreth Blackthorn was the man responsible, who is to say he will not try again—and next time, he might succeed."

  "By the time he realizes who I am, it will be too late, for we shall be under my uncle's protection."

  Sabine glanced out the window and watched as crates were being loaded onto several wagons. "You will see that everything is stored with Marie?"

  "Of course. What have Jacques and Marie said about your leaving?"

  "They were sad, of course, but they understand."

  "I still do not like you being alone in this house with that man."<
br />
  "Understand what I must do, Ysabel. It was you who told me that a woman only has one weapon, and 1 shall use it tonight."

  It was later in the day when Ysabel came to Sabine and handed her a small vial containing blue liquid. "This is a powerful sleeping draught that is my own concoction. Just two drops will put anyone to sleep. But I would caution you to use only two drops."

  Sabine looked at the vial curiously. "You want me to . use this on Garreth?"

  "It will do him no harm and will allow you time to escape. Otherwise, he may not let you leave when the time comes."

  "It seems such an ... odious thing to do to anyone."

  "Use it only if you feel the need." Ysabel's wise old eyes looked deeply into Sabine's. "If a woman loves that which could harm her, she should cut it from her life. Turn away from the plans you have made for this night. Just walk away."

  "If I do not face him now, I shall only have to face him later." Sabine moved toward the stairs, dreading what she must now do. "For now I want to talk to Richard. He is confused by the closing of the house. It's time I told him his identity, and that we are returning to England."

  "Yes, it is time," Ysabel agreed.

  Sabine found Richard sitting on the window seat in her bedchamber, watching a servant packing her trunks.

  Sabine sat down beside him. "Richard, you will be happy to meet our Uncle Joseph, the marquis de Chavaniac."

  Richard was immediately excited. "Why did you not tell me before that we had relatives living in France, Sabine? We have a family, and I did not even know about them."

  "There is much you do not know, Richard." She watched the smile leave his lips and his eyes become sad.

  Concerned, Sabine dismissed the servant and gave Richard her attention. "I have kept many things from you, Richard, because you were too young to understand. Until now, the time was not right."

  He ducked his head, avoiding her eyes. "I know more than you think I do, Sabine. I've heard people talking about me." His lips trembled, and she could see that he was trying to control his emotions. "You are not my sister—you are my mother! And do not pretend otherwise."

  Sabine was so startled that she could hardly find her voice. "Is that what you think, Richard?"

  "Why else would we leave England, keep our names secret from everyone, and you keep me hidden? It's because you were ashamed of me." He raised clear eyes to her and placed his hand in hers. "I want you to know that I love you, no matter what. And I'm glad that you are my mother."

  Sabine realized that he'd heard the cruel rumors and had been hurt by them. He thought that he was illegitimate, and yet, he had never spoken of it to her.

  She gathered him to her and he leaned his head on her shoulder. "Oh, Richard, dearest, why didn't you ask me about this before?"

  His arms tightened about her neck. "You don't have to feel guilty, Sabine. I know everything, and I do not blame you—I love you."

  "Oh, Richard, you are wrong."

  "I know that you loved my father and that he was a great nobleman. He could not marry you because your family was not of the nobility, and he already had a wife."

  Sabine held him away from her, looking into his eyes. "Who has been filling your head with such absurdities?"

  "I've heard the whispers among the kitchen scullions and the other servants. 1 realized why you never allowed me to use a surname—it's because I don't have one—do I?"

  She took both his hands in hers, feeling like crying. He had been so dreadfully hurt, when all she had meant to do was protect him. "Richard, listen to me. You have a fine old name, one that has known great honor and is respected throughout the whole of England."

  "Yes, I know, but it is not my real name. It was my father's and he could not give it to me. I remember so little about him—but it seemed that we lived in a big house with many rooms and many servants. My father must have loved you."

  "What else do you remember?"

  "I remember the water and the cold."

  "That was because we were running, Richard. We escaped death that night, only because I took you into the stream."

  "I have somehow known that we were in danger that night, and I have thought about it many times. Was it my father who wanted us dead? Had we become a humiliation to him?" There was pain and bewilderment in Richard's voice.

  "No, Richard. What I am going to tell you now is the truth—I want you to believe that. I have not told you this before because I thought 1 was doing what was best for you. Little did I know what you were suffering because of my silence."

  His eyes were filled with hope. "My father did not want us dead?"

  "Our father, Richard. No matter what you have heard, or what you believe, I am your sister. The truth is going to be as painful as anything you may have imagined, for it is a tragic story that I now reveal to you."

  He listened intently as she explained the events that led to their escape from Woodbridge Castle. Tears swam in his eyes as she told them how their father had died, and how his last thought had been for their safety.

  "So you see, Richard, I am your sister. I wish you could have known our mother. She was gentle, kind, and lovely, and she was so proud of you. Our father was a man of honor, though sometimes intimidating. He was not afraid to tell even the king himself when he thought his majesty was wrong. He was a great man, and you are his legal heir."

  Richard was quiet as he contemplated everything Sabine had told him. "I have a family name," he finally said in wonder.

  "Indeed you do. You are also lord of vast lands and holdings and have great wealth." She brushed her lips against his cheek. "In truth, you have so many titles, I cannot remember them all. I do know that you are the viscount of Ironsworth, baron of Rummedale, baron of Wimsley, and most important of all, you are the earl of Woodbridge!"

  Richard's eyes were round with amazement as he stared at her. "We are of the nobility?"

  "Indeed, M'lord," she said smiling.

  Suddenly his eyes flamed with anger, and she was reminded of their father.

  "I must avenge my father!" Richard said. "Who is the person that caused his death?"

  Sabine realized that she must still keep secrets from him, at least a while longer. "Richard, trust in me, for 1 cannot reveal anything more to you until we reach England. The day will come when father will be avenged— this I swear. And it will not be long in coming."

  He leaned his head against her shoulder, and her arms went around him. She smiled. "So you thought I was your mother?"

  His shoulders slumped. "It was not so bad to think that, even when I believed you were ashamed of me. I love you better than anyone. I realize now that for all the years we have been in France, you have guarded and protected me." He looked up at her. "You still believe that our father's enemies want to harm me, don't you?"

  "I have never been willing to take that risk. I may have been too cautious, but you're still alive."

  They sat there for a long time, drawing comfort from each other. At last Sabine stood. "Enough of this. We are off to the province of Auvergne to visit our mother's brother. While there, we can both be ourselves."

  "Will our uncle know us?"

  She walked to her dressing table and opened a wooden chest where she kept her jewelry. "This is the letter 1 received from him." She smoothed out the pages and began to read:

  "My dear niece, it is with great happiness and much astonishment that I received your letter with the locket. It was my unhappy understanding that you and my nephew, Richard, were missing and were ultimately considered deceased. I await your arrival so I may judge for myself the validity of our relationship. I have many questions that beg to be answered."

  Sabine smiled. "There you have it, Richard. An uncle that is looking forward to your visit."

  He was looking over her shoulder, and he reached into her jewel chest, lightly touching a diamond necklace. "I wish we could leave today."

  "Tomorrow will be soon enough."

  He picked up a ruby ring with a d
ragon carved in the stone. "This is not our family crest."

  Sabine took the ring and closed her hand around it. "No, 'tis not your crest."

  He could tell that she was being mysterious again. "Do not keep secrets from me, Sabine."

  She laid the ring in his hand so he would not think she was deceiving him. "It belongs to a man I know. I have no wish to speak of him tonight. One day I will tell you about him."

  "He gave the ring to you?"

  "Yes." She kissed his cheek and led him across the room. "Now off to the kitchen. You may ask cook for a sweet."

  Reluctantly, Richard moved out the door, but stood in the hall, looking back at Sabine. "I will have many responsibilities when we reach England."

  "Yes, you shall."

  Suddenly his face brightened. "Do Jacques and Marie know that I am of noble birth?"

  "Of course. They have known for a very long time. You have my permission to ask Jacques tonight how they pulled us from the stream and saved our lives."

  He nodded solemnly and walked to the stairs.

  Ysabel entered the room, a wide smile on her face. "I passed Richard on the stairs, and he informed me that in the future, I should address him as my lord, but that you could still call him Richard."

  Sabine couldn't help laughing. "There will be no living with him now that he knows his true identity. Perhaps I need to tell him that I outrank him."

  Ysabel went about the room, gathering up items and placing them in a trunk, then slammed the lid shut. "That's the last of the clothing." She raised her eyes to Sabine. "There is still time to reconsider."

  "Oh, Ysabel, I want desperately to get through this night. If only it did not have to be—but Garreth Blackthorn must be punished!"

  22

  The fire had long since died down and was now only glowing embers. Sabine sat alone in the salon, unmindful of the chill in the room or the candles that had burned low, casting the room in shadows. Eight o'clock had come and gone, and still she waited for Garreth. She glanced at the mantle clock as it struck the eleventh hour.

  She had been so confident that he would come. She had taken particular care with her toilette, pulling her hair away from her face and fastening it with diamond clips. She wore a sweeping, red velvet dressing gown that was trimmed with silver lace. Her heart was heavy with disappointment as she bent to blow out the candles, when she heard the front door open. She held her breath as she heard Garreth calling her name.