by Adair, Mary
The dark, heavy cloud that hovered over him settled itself more firmly about his shoulders like a cloak, bringing with it the weight of heavy responsibility for those around him, as well as his own safety.
"We can't take many more disasters like last night's. First there was the fire in one of the ship's cargo hold, and now this one on the docks. One fire might have been an accident, but not two." Raven looked up at the one man in London he could trust with his life.
How well his friend fit his station in life, Raven mused. With his fair good looks and proud bearing, William looked every bit the aristocrat. Raven still marveled that this member of the gentry had become a best friend to a ragamuffin half-breed.
"I agree," William finally answered as he turned toward Raven. He sat down on the narrow window seat. "Who do we know who wants to ruin you?"
"Phfft. Who do we know that doesn't? But I think there is something more sinister behind all this."
"What are you talking about? Murder? Don't be so dour, ole' man. So you've stepped on a few toes. You're a shrewd businessman. You've done nothing that every other businessman in London hasn't done. Except remain honest, that is. I suppose making a profit while remaining honest does make one a bit of an outsider...a business threat perhaps, but not a candidate for murder."
William pushed himself from the window seat and walked casually to the large mahogany desk where Raven sat with ledgers and shipping schedules spread before him. "You look as though you could use a break. You go goggle out the window a while and let me have a go at this mess."
Raven grinned as he took a glance at the piles of ledgers. With a deep sigh and an exaggerated shove against the desk, he pushed himself up and stepped to the side. "There you go." He indicated the chair with an outstretched hand. "I hope you didn't expect an argument from me."
William chuckled and sat down as Raven moved toward the window.
After being told to leave Chota, Raven felt he no longer had a true home and no family in England, except the one man whose identity he sought. William, however, was as closely bonded to him as family. He took the responsibility of William's safety as dear to heart as that of James Fitz-Gerald and the family he left in Chota Town. He couldn't discount the thought that William's life might be in danger because of their association.
He concluded only one reason why these things have happened. "Could it be that I'm getting too close to learning the identity of my father?" he wondered aloud. "Could the man hate me so much as to wish me ruined, or even dead? It wouldn't surprise me, you know. It makes me wonder just how high is the man's position that a bastard son could be such a threat."
"You're really becoming quite paranoid, old man," William responded without looking up. "I doubt very seriously the man you search for has anything at all to do with the present incidents."
Raven leaned against the sill much as William had, and looked down at the street. A coach pulled up and came to a stop just below the window. The bad wind shifted and settled a little heavier around him.
A stocky man whom Raven recognized at once stepped from the carriage to the street. "That's odd."
William looked up. "What's odd?"
"It seems Mr. Brown has come to pay us a visit."
"Captain Thomas Brown? When did the Golden Lady dock?"
Raven shrugged. "This morning, I suppose. Now this is a surprise. The old reprobate just helped a lady from the carriage."
"Oh, really?" William sat back in the chair as he turned his full attention to Raven. "What does she look like?"
"Can't tell a lot from here. She's well-dressed...and wearing a veil."
"A veil? Really? How interesting. A full veil or a half veil?" William waved his hand in dismissal. "Oh, never mind that question, I don't suppose you can tell from this angle."
"It's a half veil. She looked up. I would say she's rather tall, almost as tall as Brown, slender and quite shapely."
"You can see quite a lot from there. Have they entered the building yet?"
"No, Brown is speaking to the driver. Listen William, not a word of the troubles to Brown or his mysterious lady friend. I would like to have it handled by the time Uncle hears of it."
"I won't say a word. Even after all these years, it seems odd to me for you to call Fitz-Gerald, uncle. Did it ever occur to you to call your adoptive parent, father?
"I called him uncle as a show of respect long before he became my guardian. I am one of his legal heirs, but not his legal son, not by English law at any rate. You know the story."
"Yes, I know the story, what I don't understand is, why you can't be happy with Fitz-Gerald. He's done more for you than this father you insist on finding. You know, maybe if you didn't hate this mystery man so much, he'd be easier to find. You're letting this hate cloud your judgment. You just might be scaring him off. Have you ever thought of that? You should be happy with what you have. I'd say you have a lot to be thankful for."
Raven held his hand up in warning and glared at his friend from beneath drawn brows. William was heading down a long exhausted path and he didn't have the time or patience to rehash it with him now. "Here they come," he said in a low tone.
A knock sounded at the door just as William stood. He looked at Raven.
"Well, aren't you going to open the door?" Raven asked with a grin.
"Why me?"
"You're standing."
The knock sounded again.
"So are you." William crossed his arms and stood firm. Raven sat down on the window seat.
"Oh, I see. You think you will make a better impression on the lady if you're lounging about like Lord Somebody while I open the door. Well, we'll see about that." William walked to the door, opened it, and stepped back.
"It's 'bout time one of yaw opened the door." The sturdy man looked from Raven to William. "What took so long?"
Both men grinned. Brown strode into the room as if he owned the world. As soon as Thomas moved his considerable girth from the doorway, the lady stepped around him. She stopped for only a moment to glance at William and then at Raven through the cover of her veil before she hurried to stand in front of Raven.
William whined, "Ah, well I can see that I have lost once again to my friend's dark, brooding charm." When no one responded, he politely stepped aside and took a seat in the corner. He leaned back and crossed his legs as if he were about to watch a play unfold at the theatre.
Raven looked his way and arched one brow. William grinned and Raven knew he wouldn't leave, short of being bodily tossed out.
Raven turned his attention to his mysterious visitor. "How may I be of assistance?" His eyes focused on her veiled face. He felt a twinge of familiarity and the heaviness of the bad wind threatened his balance.
The woman lifted the veil. What greeted him were eyes shining with the warmth of a summer sky. There was a spark of mischief in their blue depths, and he thought at once of another pair of blue eyes. His head swam when he noticed strands of dark golden curls beneath her bonnet that gently kissed her cheeks and clung to her neck. His throat tightened.
Then she smiled...and he knew.
"Dawn?" his voice cracked.
"Yes, Buffalo, it's me."
It took only a moment for Raven to regain his composure, yet it felt like a lifetime. "What are you doing here?" he demanded in his most commanding tone. Her response did little to ease his confusion.
"I came because you need me."
She'd changed little since he last saw her. She'd grown, most definitely, but her ability to toss him right over the edge with simple statements, spoken as if nothing else needed saying, remained.
"What?" He turned on Thomas, "What in the world is she talking about? Why have you brought her here? Does her father know?"
"Not exactly. Now settle yourself." Thomas took Dawn by the arm and shoved her behind him.
Dawn pushed at Thomas and resumed her position before Raven. She stood straight and tall, and tiled up her chin. "My mother knows I'm here."
; There it was again, her one sentence 'that's all you get' answer. Raven scowled at Thomas.
Thomas slapped his hands together and chuckled, "Well, now that we have everything all straightened out, I must get Dawn settled in a room."
"You will get her settled right back on the Golden Lady, or whatever other ship you were so foolish to bring her here on..."
"Well, yaw see, I can't do that. The Golden Lady will be leaving in the morning to make a very important pickup. A pick up that is of no concern to you, because the Golden Lady is Dawn's ship. And, I might add, the one ship in James's fleet you have no control over or interest in." He hooked his thumbs in his belt and chuckled.
"Stop that, Thomas," Dawn scolded just as William stepped forward.
He offered his hand to Brown. "Well, Captain Brown. I am delighted to see you again."
Brown took his hand, "Nonsense! You're just as tickled as a pig in a mud hole to be in the middle of somethin' interestin' that don't concern you."
William laughed. "You know me so well. And as you know, I'm pretty good at solving dilemmas. And it looks to me as if we have a dilemma here. You must be on your way and Dawn can't go with you. Propriety demands that she not stay un-chaperoned in London, and most certainly not in a bachelor's apartment. So, her staying with Raven is out of the question. But I have a most brilliant solution. May I suggest that she stay at Montgomery House with my own dear grandmothers?"
"It occurs to me, good sir, that yer dilemma solving always works to yer own best interest. Nonetheless, I see yer suggestion as a good one. What say you, Raven?"
The three looked at Raven who stood with his back to them as he stared out the window, the flat of his palms braced to either side of the windowsill.
At his lack of response, Thomas took it upon himself to accept the offer. "Very well then. I know the way. I hate to barge in on the old dears in such a way, but I suppose it can't be helped."
"Nonsense, they will be delighted. Just tell them I sent you."
William opened the door and held it while Dawn passed through. As Thomas exited, he tossed over his shoulder, "Thought you would have better control over that temper by now, Raven."
Chapter Two
Raven leaned one shoulder against the mantle and looked with singular attention across the crowded ballroom. The grand ball arranged in honor of his birthday had become the vehicle to introduce Dawn to the cream of London society. Great Spirit, how he hated these tedious affairs.
Dawn's golden curls danced with her graceful movements. She appeared unaware of Raven's close appraisal. That, of course, was not true. He knew she enjoyed his discomfort this evening as much as William.
She pushed the point home when she turned in their direction, spread her lips in a smile that would dazzle her namesake and wiggled her fingers in what must appear to others as an innocent little wave.
William laughed out loud and returned the gesture.
"Put your hand down, William. You look as foolish as all the other sops here," Raven growled irritably. He flexed his broad shoulders and tugged at his cravat. The nagging chill raced down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck prickled as he looked around the brightly lit ballroom.
William cleared his throat and Raven gifted him with his most piercing glare.
"No needs to turn that look on me, friend. It doesn't bother me in the least," William remarked casually.
"No, I'm sure it doesn't," Raven muttered and returned his gaze to his former point of interest. "At least, it never seems to matter to you."
"Oh, poo, Raven," his companion chided.
"Oh, poo? Did you actually say poo?” A black brow arched questioningly, but the piercing eyes remained locked on Dawn.
"I am your friend, you know. You should be nicer to me." William grinned with obvious pleasure.
Though spoken in jest, Raven knew William spoke the truth. Thanking the Great Spirit for one true friend in this terrible time, he considered the gala taking place around him. Dancing couples whirled by. William's grandmothers had spared no expense for the occasion. They would settle for nothing less than the best musicians and the most aromatic scented candles. The three chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling had been polished until they sparkled like diamonds.
Servants in neatly starched uniforms moved back and forth between heavily laden tables. There was enough food in the room to keep all of London's wharf rats and their families fed for a year. Lord knew they needed it more than anyone here did.
Raven shifted slightly when his line of view was obstructed.
William laughed again as he roughly elbowed his friend. "Dawn is beautiful. Is it any wonder she has the attention of every male here?" He glanced at Raven and then back to the guests. "You shouldn't frown so. You know the affect that expression has on others. Ah, but then I think you quite enjoy being able to jangle the nerves of those around you."
Raven shrugged. "My expression doesn't seem to be jangling your nerves, or Dawn's."
"No, my friend, it isn't." William raised his glass in salute, "I suppose you have just met your match in the two of us." He lowered his glass and sipped his drink.
"You really should stop glaring at Dawn," he teased. "Someone might get the wrong idea. Besides, it's Marguerite you should be watching."
"I have been watching Marguerite." Raven's irritation surged as the bad wind swelled around him.
"Then you've seen the daggers she's shooting in Dawn's direction."
Raven fought with a premonition that he should in some way protect Dawn. "Marguerite hates any competition." Damn, now his palms were sweating. Something was definitely about to happen. He could feel it billowing around him, gathering like a great black cloak about his shoulders. Damn this half-baked insight of his!
"Exactly, old man," William agreed. "You're going to start a catfight that all of London will notice. Oh no! Here come my grandmothers." He turned, panic-stricken. "Let's pretend we don't see them and make a timely retreat to the garden. As much as I love those two, they can be trying at times. Can you imagine? They actually made me change at the last minute."
This caused Raven to turn his full attention on William. "Yes, I can. Now stay put. They're coming over to speak with you."
"I know that," William huffed. "You wouldn't feel so accommodating if they had insisted you change."
"But then, my taste in clothes is impeccable, while yours is comical at best. Where did you drag up that awful orange striped thing anyway?"
"I will have you know that vest and waistcoat are the latest fashion." William's green eyes darted about the room, searching for a plausible route of escape.
Raven halted his friend's retreat with one word. "Stay."
"Willie, dear," Lady Victoria Gaylord called out as they approached.
Raven grinned as William flinched.
"Don't call me that, Grams," William whined. "It's either William or Gaylord. I would think that you, of all people, would prefer to call me Gaylord."
"Nonsense. Willie suits you." The plump matron dabbed at her naturally rosy cheeks with a lace handkerchief and then fanned it up and down delicately before her face.
"How are you doing, Willie?" Lady Wilhelmina Montgomery asked, as if unaware of the proceeding remarks.
Raven didn't try to suppress a chuckle that brought a dagger-laden glare from William, a glare as well known to herald danger as Raven's own. It was Raven's turn to witness William's discomfort and he enjoyed it immensely.
"Fine." William sneered through clenched teeth, only to receive a loving pat on the cheek from his grandmother.
Lady Montgomery glanced disapprovingly at Raven, then back at William. "You two young men look as if you are taking a nap on my mantle. I assure you it will not fall from its place upon the wall if the two of you are not there to hold it up."
Both men obediently shifted away from the mantle. Lady Montgomery showed her approval by slipping a thin, blue-veined hand under Raven's elbow and patting his arm affectionately.
"Your new ward is a beautiful young woman. And she's causing quite a stir." Lady Montgomery pulled her shoulders up like a child contemplating some new mischief. "I like that. She's bringing life back into this old house and joy to this old woman."
"Not so old a woman. And sometimes Dawn can bring a bit more excitement than one might want." Raven placed his larger hand over the frail aged one and squeezed gently. Lady Montgomery beamed with pleasure.
The much shorter and plumper Lady Gaylord, not to be ignored, firmly captured his other arm and won for herself an equally warm greeting.
It was no wonder to Raven that these two lifelong friends chose to share the Montgomery home after the death of their spouses. Lady Montgomery's only child, Walter, had delighted both women by marrying Lady Gaylord's only daughter Diana, and the couple had produced William. Though Raven had known them for many years, he had never seen the ladies quarrel or show anger toward each another. He was equally fond of both, and they in turn adored and pampered him, much as they did William.
William fidgeted again, adjusted his waistcoat and then crossed his arms tightly across his chest. "The man has not smiled all evening and you two come over and he's all flashing teeth. I just don't understand it."
Raven turned his most notorious grin at William. "Why, Willie, the Ladies Montgomery, and Gaylord are our hostesses. Show some respect."
"They are my grandmothers, Raven," William whispered harshly, as if revealing a great secret.
"Exactly, Willie. I only wish I had such loving grandmothers."
Both ladies giggled and each squeezed his arm.
"But I am your grandmother, Raven," Lady Montgomery scolded with a brisk pat to his arm. "I say it is so, so it is."
"Quite so," added Lady Gaylord. "The same goes for me."
William groaned.
Raven knew that William loved his grandmothers and understood their affection for Raven, but at times William allowed their doting to annoy him. And their meddling! Raven smiled again. They were the most notorious meddlers in all of London.
