Passion's Series

by Adair, Mary

  "On horseback. A much faster way to travel wouldn't you agree, compared to a leisurely coach ride across the countryside? I would expect Raven to purchase half the town and arrive back in London a good day ahead of your friend, the good Lord Blake. Whoever is after Raven is not opposed to killing anyone who gets in his way. Remember my man Charlie?" Sara shivered as the Captain drew his thumb across his throat.

  "Oh, my." Lady Montgomery gripped her fist to her chest. "It's my fault, all my fault," she whimpered.

  William rushed to his grandmother, but not before Sara saw the pain and concern in his eyes. He knelt down before Lady Montgomery and took hold of her wrists. "Grams, please calm yourself. There is no need to cast blame here. Raven and Dawn are going to be just fine. Getting them out of London was the best thing. I'm sure Raven and Dawn could confound anyone wishing to do them harm. I have every faith in Mr. Cloud's ability to bring Dawn back safe and sound. Now I must insist that you go up to bed. I'll call the doctor to have a look at you."

  "No, noooo...don't you see?" Lady Montgomery cried.

  Sara put her arm about Lady Montgomery. "Dawn left me with very specific instructions and I am going to be in a lot of trouble when she returns."

  Lady Montgomery turned saddened eyes to her. "You just don't understand. No one understands."

  "Lady Montgomery..." Captain Brown offered gently from behind William.

  William did not allow him to finish as he stood and turned to him. "There has been enough interference in my family's affairs for one day."

  At that moment the door swung open and the butler announced, "Mr. Fitz-Gerald!" The biggest, angriest man Sara had ever seen pushed his way past the flustered butler. Although he was old enough to be her father, he was one of the most handsome men Sara had ever seen. He must stand well over six feet tall. His dark auburn hair hung loose and was windblown, as if he'd ridden fast. His clothing was that of a colonial, leather britches with slashed fringe down the outside of the leg. The same fringe decorated his leather shirt, as well as fancy beadwork. Sky blue eyes sparked with ire. Oh, my. This man fit perfectly Dawn's description of her father.

  All eyes turned toward the intruder as he bellowed out, "Someone had better tell me where to find my daughter."

  "Great! One more wrinkle in my life," William exclaimed in exasperation. "Nothing to be concerned about, Fredrick, you're excused."

  The butler bobbed once, cast a superior glare down his considerably long nose at the new intruder and then backed from the room, pulling the door shut as he left.

  James Fitz-Gerald's angry glare landed first on Captain Brown, who shrugged his shoulder and nodded at William.

  William glared at Brown, "Now you have nothing to say?" he remarked sarcastically.

  Sara saw the heated glare in Mr. Fitz-Gerald's eyes and once again jumped from her seat, this time to step in front of William. She stood with her arms held akimbo, her back straight and ready to do battle with a man whose size eclipsed her own slight frame. "I assure you, Mr. Fitz-Gerald, William is not at fault here."

  Mr. Fitz-Gerald raised a quizzical brow as William gently moved Sara aside and gently turned her to face him.

  When William gazed into her tear-filled eyes, Sara saw his own expression filled with confusion. "Please, Sara. Try to calm yourself. You are no good to my grandmothers like this."

  Sara stepped back and placed both hands over her mouth as she realized she had just referred to Lord Montgomery as William. What must he think of her? Worse, how could she be concerned about something as trivial as her feelings for William when her best friend was missing? She sank to the couch as Lady Montgomery and Lady Gaylord pushed themselves up and hurried to Mr. Fitz-Gerald.

  "I am so sorry for all this confusion," Lady Gaylord stammered.

  "It's all my fault," Lady Montgomery wailed, on the verge of hysteria.

  "Nonsense, it's no more her fault than mine." Lady Gaylord wrung her hands.

  Mr. Fitz-Gerald pulled Lady Montgomery into his arms and patted her back gently. "Now, now."

  "Will someone please tell me what this is all about?" William demanded.

  "How will you ever forgive me if anything happens to Dawn? You cared so well for my grandson, and now I may have lost your daughter."

  "You what.. .you cared for her grandson? What does that mean?" Brown asked in confusion.

  "Aha, there is a bit of the puzzle you are unaware of." William remarked dryly. He raised his arms heavenward as if asking the gods. "Will wonders ever cease?" He lowered his arms and readjusted his waistcoat. "This calls for a toast. Would you like a brandy, Captain Brown?" he asked with maddening cordiality.

  "Humph." Brown turned to William. "Aye. I think a brandy would do, although I'd rather have rum."

  "Sorry, fresh out of rum," William answered.

  Sara watched Captain Brown shrug and follow William to the liquor cabinet. Brown accepted the offered glass. Holding the glass up, he appraised the small amount, downed it in one gulp and extended the glass for more. "Don't be so stingy with that watered down fop's drink. Fill 'er up."

  Mr. Fitz-Gerald looked to Brown for an explanation. "Thomas?"

  Brown swallowed quickly. He faced his distraught employer. Sara knew they had been friends many years, which might explain why Captain Brown seemed unafraid of the fearsome Mr. Fitz-Gerald.

  Brown shrugged. "It appears that the young Lord has no idea what is going on in his own household"

  "There is at least one secret I know that you haven't been privy to," William said as he raised his glass in salute. He downed his drink and refilled it to match Thomas's own healthy portion. "Besides, I set my own runner after Raven yesterday."

  Fitz-Gerald turned his attention from the two and held Lady Montgomery back just far enough to see her face. "Does William know about Raven, Wilhelmina?"

  Not being able to speak, she nodded.

  "Yes," Lady Gaylord answered for her. "William knows he and Raven are half-brothers. Raven doesn't know as yet."

  Fitz-Gerald patted Lady Montgomery gently. "You asked me to allow the two of you to tell Raven. I expect an explanation why you haven't told him. But first, I must know where Dawn is."

  "Well, that is where I can help you," William offered with a slight slur. "She is with Raven."

  "What the bright young man can't tell you with any certainty is where Raven is," Brown added with a sneer.

  "You two are drunk," Fitz-Gerald spat out with annoyance.

  Lady Montgomery tugged at the fringe hanging from Mr. Fitz-Gerald's rawhide jacket until Sara feared the slashed leather hangings might detach. "Would you please listen to me. I sent Dawn and Raven to obtain medicine for my heart on pretence. If anything happens to them it will be all my fault," She wailed in

  Fitz-Gerald led her to the couch and forced her to sit. "You did not send them on pretence, Wilhelmina. Do you think you could trick Dawn or Raven? I am sure they could see the frailty of your heart as easily as I can. And there would be no way you could stop them from going."

  "Wait a minute," William intoned, no longer foggy headed. "Grams, what is he saying? Are you truly ailing? Why did I not know? You said the ruse was to get Raven out of London. You said only you and I were to know the truth. You lied to me. Why?"

  "Why indeed," Brown, still cradling his empty glass.

  Lady Montgomery glanced to Sara.

  "Tis true, milady. Dawn knows. She told me herself. 'Tis why I am to have you comin' downstairs once a day to walk in the garden. And why I must air out your room and make you walk back and forth in the hall. Dawn said if you were allowed to sit in a dark stale room till she returned you would be every bit as ill as you were pretending."

  Sara caught the look of frustration and honest bewilderment, which flickered in William's eyes. "Grams, are you pretending or not?"

  Fitz-Gerald looked up at William. "Your grandmother is a strong woman with a weak heart. Dawn knows exactly what Wilhelmina needs and I have no doubt my daughter will see that she ge
ts it." He rose to his feet. "Now the two of you get ready to travel. William, I suggest you dress more suitably. We'll go by horseback."

  Fitz-Gerald nodded toward Lady Montgomery and Lady Gaylord. "Ladies."

  "Where are you going?" Lady Montgomery asked quietly.

  "To retrieve my daughter and your grandson."

  Halfway to the door the three men were brought up short by Lady Gaylord's suggestion. "Willie, dear, you had best leave your balls in Sara's care. You know how Dawn feels about them."

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Raven woke with a start. Though immediately aware he lay in a strange bed, his knowledge of any facts beyond that was worrisomely void. He raised himself up on one elbow. Pain tore at his flesh and he grasped his side. With the pain and the discovery of a fresh bandage came the onset of memory.

  The door opened and a pleasant looking older woman with sad, troubled eyes entered, her arms heavily laden with a tray supporting a large bowl. Grandpa Wallace held the door wide for her and then followed her into the room.

  "See, dear." Her voice held a kind and gentle tone that Raven recognized at once as the voice that had captured his soul and held it firmly, while he fought the fever and poisons that racked his body.

  "I told you he would be waking soon," she told Grandpa Wallace.

  "You are always right, Mother," Grandpa answered, confirming Raven's conclusion that the woman was Granny Wallace.

  "How do you feel this morning?" she asked Raven as she set the tray upon a nearby table.

  "Hungry, and that soup smells wonderful." His empty stomach rumbled. Weakness assailed him, and he hoped the soup would offer strength as well as satisfy his hunger. He wondered if Dawn was in the kitchen.

  "Good, ye should be hungry. When ye arrived ye put yerself into a trance. I have to admit I am unfamiliar with such a spell. After that first day when ye sunk deeper, I knew ye was no longer in control. I was concerned ye wouldn't come out of it." She glanced at Grandpa as if for support, then back to Raven. "Ye been here for a total of four days."

  She avoided looking into Raven's eyes as she busied herself adjusting his pillows and helping him situate himself into a more comfortable position. "Now, I want ye to eat this soup. We’ll find no meat, but it is a rich broth packed with all manner of good herbs to help ye get yer strength back."

  Apprehension danced along his skin, but he obediently dipped his spoon in the bowl and tasted the broth. "You're right. This is very good." Where was Dawn? His gaze scanned the room as he spoke. "You must be Granny Wallace. Do I have you to thank for my care?"

  She nodded and blushed prettily, but the sadness did not leave her eyes. He fought to rein in his building dread. Raven recognized this woman must be the great healer of whom he'd heard and deserving of his respect. He knew it was her voice calling him back from death's edge while he was ill. He also knew there was more for her to tell him.

  "You are very skilled, "He said, "If you were in my home village you would be greatly honored for your skill and your kindness."

  She looked askance. "I seek no special honor or payment for what I do. To witness with me own eyes a wee child become well, or a young man such as yerself returnin' whole and healthy from tha grips of such a horrid fever, is enough for me. I be assured every day of the power of the Almighty. I count me self blessed to be allowed to help and to witness such miracles."

  He nodded in understanding and took another spoonful of broth. Unable to wait longer he asked, "Where is Dawn?"

  Granny glanced to her husband. Raven fought with his inner demons as he forced his voice to remain calm. "Granny, where is Dawn?"

  She twisted a corner of her apron apprehensively "There be somethin' I need to tell to ye, but first I insist that ye finish yer broth."

  Grandpa placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mother, ye must tell him."

  Granny stiffened her spine, but the sadness was still etched deeply in her features. "I know, but 'e will need his strength to do what comes next, and I will not tell 'im until that broth is down."

  Raven picked up the bowl, brought it to his lips and drained it. "Tell me," he growled as he lowered the vessel.

  It was if a veil fell from her face as she leaned closer to plead with Raven. "Oh, Mister Raven, ye must find Dawn." She took the bowl and set it aside, so she could come even closer. No longer willing to cover her distress, she placed her small hands on Raven's chest and gazed at him with tearful eyes. "She went to look for you shortly before yer friend brought you 'ere. I 'ave not seen 'er since. Grandpa has asked all 'bout the village, but no one 'as seen 'er. I be consumed with fear for 'er safety."

  He tossed back the cover and pulled his legs around to lower them to the floor. The room whirled and he sat there a moment to let the dizziness pass. He was weak…too weak. Refusing to let another moment pass, he pushed himself painfully to his feet. Granny now stood as well, her hands gripped together and tears flowed unchecked down her plump cheeks.

  She motioned to a small chest. "Yer colonial clothes, the ones like Dawn was wearing, is on top of your saddlebags. I laundered and mended the others and packed them inside. I knew ye would be going after Dawn and ye would want the more durable garments." She beseeched him with her eyes. "After yer dressed, come to the kitchen. It's just across the hall." With that, she and Grandpa hurried from the room.

  Holding his dizziness and its threatening weakness at bay, he slipped on the garments Granny left him. He threw the saddlebags over one shoulder and headed for the kitchen.

  Granny hurried toward him with a bundle in her hands. '"Ere are some supplies for the journey and the herb I promised Dawn." She flipped open his saddlebag and stuffed the bundle in. "Now ye go and find Dawn."

  He met her gaze. "I will be back to repay your kindness."

  "Ye just find Dawn," she pleaded. "And ye must hurry, Raven. She would be finding ye, ye know that. And I be just as sure ye know she would pay any price to keep ye safe."

  Raven smiled as he bent to kiss her cheek. Before he straightened, he whispered in her ear, "I do know. You'll see her again soon. I promise."

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Sara slowly sipped her tea, trying in vain to calm her jangled nerves. Quiet reigned in the kitchen. Both ladies rested in their rooms. Sara had even insisted Cook take a break from her duties long enough to enjoy a few moments with her granddaughter, Theresa.

  Now that she was alone and the house had fallen into a semblance of waiting calm, her earlier foolery came back to haunt her. How could she have called Lord Montgomery by his given name? Only in her dreams was she his equal, or he unmindful of their difference in station.

  She took another sip and let her mind fill with wondrous dreams that tugged at her heart with the sweetest of longings. Soon after came pains of loneliness and feelings of hopelessness.

  "Sara?"

  With an audible sigh for what would never be, she turned to Fredrick. "Yes?" One look at his face and she pushed herself up. "What is it?"

  "There is a man here. He said his name is Jeremy Thorton. He insists it is most urgent he speaks to Lord Montgomery. With the situation as it is, I didn't feel I should tell him that Lord Montgomery is not available, and with Lady Montgomery ill..."

  Sara raised a hand. "I understand." She turned away to hide her concern. She was a lady's maid, not to mention the youngest of the servants and the last to be employed. How did it come to pass that the others turned to her for instruction?

  "Sara?"

  "Yes, Fredrick?" Stiffing her spine, she turned once again to the butler. "You did the right thing. Is he in the parlor?"

  "That is where I asked him to wait. Do you want me to accompany you? He looks the unsavory sort."

  "No, I'll be fine. Captain Brown spoke of him yesterday."

  "Very well, but I will be just outside the door should you need me.”

  "Thank you, I will call out if the need arises." With a quick pat to her bun and a brush to her skirt, she hurried to the parlor.

 
As she opened the door, Mr. Thorton turned toward her. He was as Fredrick said, unkempt and haggard.

  "Hello, Mr. Thorton. My name is Sara. I am Dawn's personal maid. Lady Montgomery is indisposed at the moment. If you will please state your business, I will try to help you."

  Sara stood firm as he rushed forward in a most threatening manner.

  "Look, little lady," his voice ground out like a carriage wheel over gravel. "I have news of Dawn and I must speak to someone right away."

  Sara fought the urge to back away under his harsh appraisal. Dawn would not shy away from such a bullish show of false strength, she reminded herself. What harm was she in? She was safe in Montgomery House with Fredrick waiting just beyond the door.

  With as much calm and dignity as she could muster, she answered, "Then I suggest you tell me quickly, Mr. Thorton." At his look of surprise, she pressed on. "Tell me now or I will call in Fredrick. I can guarantee you that you will tell one of us."

  He glared down at her as if trying to decide what to do. Would he just leave without confiding in her? She held her breath.

  "Very well. Dawn is being held prisoner."

  Her breath rushed out. "Are you sure of this?" She gripped her hands as she realized her worst fear.

  "Yes, of course, I am. I 'ave seen it with me own eyes," he rushed on. "I was told to keep an eye on her by Captain Brown, and I 'ave done just that. I feared leavin' her long enough to bring this message, but I knew I must let someone know where she was. I've written the location of the warehouse down 'ere." He shoved the piece of paper into her hand.

  Sara read the scribbled note. The address was indeed that of a warehouse on the docks. "I will be sending a couple of young men to the warehouse to verify your story. You keep an eye on Dawn." She gazed into his eyes. "I am holding you responsible for her safety. Keep your eyes and ears open and keep a look out for two young street urchins. How long do you expect these people to hold her there?"