“Now if you’ll excuse me, Captain Saberton, I intend to go find my father. Which will be infinitely harder now that you’ve half-dragged me so far from the scene.”
With that, she lost her restraint completely and spun around to rush inside the house. Her tears, and biting words, left Nicholas completely stunned.
Flicking up his collar, he turned and disappeared down the lane, instructing Jonah to wait for Zach.
The temple of our purest thoughts is silence.
~ Sarah Josepha Hale
Thirteen
“Tori?”
Slowly, Tori lifted her eyes from a dazed stare. Someone was speaking to her, but she didn’t fully comprehend until they began to jostle her shoulder.
“Please, Tori. You’re beginning to scare me.” Aurora stood over her chewing on her thumbnail. “Mama says you need to come downstairs. The constable is here, and he wants to talk to you.”
Tori threw off the tear-stained cape that was still alive with Nicholas’s spicy scent. “Has there been some news? Aurora, have they found Father?”
Aurora shook her head. “No, but he’s come to help.”
Driven by desperation, Tori made a brisk flight down the staircase. Anxiety hastened her steps, though she refused to let herself contemplate the worst. There was always hope her father would be returned safe and sound.
Unless he had been found …
“Victoria, honey. For goodness sake, slow down. You’re white as a sheet, child.” Aunt Charlotte stood in the doorway of the dining area and took her niece by the arm to seat her at the end of the table.
Zach sat at one side of her and another man, busily eating a piece of Sally Lunn cake, sat on the other.
“This is Constable G.W. McAllister, dear. He’s come over to ask you a few questions.” Aunt Charlotte took a seat next to Zach. “I don’t understand how this could happen. This sort of thing never, ever goes on in Savannah. I can’t remember the last time.” As usual, her dear aunt prattled on, not caring if anyone listened or not.
The constable slurped noisily from his coffee cup and it proved to be all Tori’s shattered nerves could take. “Sir, is there some information as to my father’s whereabouts?”
The rude man ignored her and took another heaping bite.
Tori took a ragged breath and glanced over at Zach.
“G.W. didn’t get a chance to have dinner,” Zach tried to explain. It sounded ridiculous the minute he said it.
Tori flashed the boorish man an impatient glare.
“Settle down there, missy.” The constable pointed his fork at her, his mouth disgustingly full.
With a quick hand, Tori grabbed the offending utensil that he was waving in her face and set it loudly upon the table. The man’s generous jowls flapped in indignation.
“I would appreciate it, sir, if you would explain what steps have been taken to locate my father.”
G.W. McAllister sucked his teeth and lifted something from between them with a thumbnail, then, took one more sip of coffee before finally looking back at Tori. “I’m going to ignore your sass, being that you aren’t from around here. I imagine it’s mighty scary for a little lady left all alone. But, there’s no reason to panic. Everything’s under control. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. The old earl will turn up eventually.”
“More coffee, G.W.?” Aunt Charlotte sniffed and brought the silver coffeepot over to his side of the table.
“I believe I will, Mrs. Charlotte, thank you.”
What was the matter with these people?
Determined to get a decent explanation from this man, Tori was prepared to take him up by the lapels and shake the living daylights out of him. There was no time for his disregard and time was their worst enemy. She stood abruptly, stark fear spurring her on. “I’m sure you are aware, Constable, my father is an influential man. I suggest you take his abduction a bit more seriously.”
The constable looked from Tori to Zach as if she had threatened his very person.
Zach sat forward and nodded. “I have to agree, G.W.. There’s no time to waste.”
“All right.” Constable McAllister leaned back in his seat and yanked the napkin from around his neck. “First of all, I don’t have to be out searching this city. I’ve got men to do that for me.” He spoke condescendingly, much the way he would to a simpleminded child. “Secondly, who’s to say the old earl didn’t just decide to spend the night elsewhere.” He gave Zach a suggestive wink. “He’ll probably come strolling in here ’round about sunup and everyone will see there was no need for all the alarm.”
Tori was mortified, unable to believe what she was hearing. “I assure you, sir. My father would never behave in the way you are suggesting. He was seen being tossed into a strange hansom. Are you suggesting he was merely topping off the evening out on the town? That is absurd!”
“Were you there when it happened?’ The constable narrowed his droopy eyes. “How do you know those two fellows weren’t just helping him into the carriage?” The constable shook his head at Tori’s frown. “Now, there’s no use getting yourself all upset. Go on up and lie down a while. We’ll come across him.” He stood and finished the contents of his cup. “I thank you, Charlotte. The cake was delicious as usual.”
“Miss Victoria.” He donned his hat and tipped it at Tori.
“Lady Victoria.” Zach corrected.
A feeling of complete helplessness tightened in her chest, making it hard to draw a breath.
“Certainly, G.W. You’ll be informing us now, if you hear something, won’t you? If say a R-A-N-S-O-M demand comes in?” Aunt Charlotte followed him as he ambled out the door.
Blinking back tears, panic began to overtake her. It was apparent that Savannah’s law enforcement had no intentions of helping. Her father was in desperate danger somewhere, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to help him.
“He’s right, Tori. You’ll make yourself sick worrying about it. We need to pray for Uncle Edward if we want to get him back home.” Aurora, seated next to Zach, looked up with red eyes that belied her brave front.
Reentering the dining room, Aunt Charlotte’s shoulders slumped a bit more than usual. “I know G.W. comes across as unsympathetic, darlin’. But he’s doin’ his best to keep us all calm.” Charlotte said between sniffles. “He’s a good man, I’m sure he’ll find Edward very soon and we can all get back to normal.”
A tear escaped and slipped down Tori’s cheek.
Aunt Charlotte patted her with a pudgy hand. “Oh dear, we mustn’t cry.” With that she held her hankie to her mouth and boo-hooed.
“Ladies, please. What we need is something to take our minds off this. Worrying won’t bring Lord Haverwood home any sooner.” Like most men, Zach would do anything to divert an emotional outburst. “Mama always used to play games with us when she wanted to keep our minds occupied. How about a round of charades? Or hearts?”
“Dottie always knows the right thing to do.” Aunt Charlotte dabbed her eyes.
“Hearts sounds like a wonderful game, Zach. How do we play?” Aurora perked up.
“It’s simple enough to learn. Have you a deck of gaming cards, Mrs. Charlotte?” Zach cleared the plates to one side as the housekeeper set them on a tray to take to the kitchen.
“Gaming cards! Why, if I did, I’d never admit to it.”
“There’s some in your thread box, Mama. I’ll get them,” Aurora offered.
“Dear heavens, I’ll be ruined.” Charlotte took up her fan. “Why, if this ever gets out, Zachery Saberton, I’ll have to relinquish my position on the hospitality committee. They may boot me out of the church all together.”
“I promise not to tell a soul, Mrs. Charlotte.” Zach laughed.
“Tori, you’re so quiet. Can I get you something, honey?” Charlotte laid the fan aside.
“I’d like to go up to father’s room for a while.” Tori gave her aunt a weak smile in trying to ease the concern shining in the older lady’s eyes. “Please don’
t worry about me.”
By the time she reached the door of her father’s room, her frantic thoughts turned to prayer. “H-help… please.” A sob caught in her throat. “Please, Lord.”
Grief tore at her heart as she lit the table lamp and looked around. His belongings were all there, but she longed to see him there instead. What on earth would she do without him? How could she possibly survive?
Inside the wardrobe, his fine suits hung neatly in order. Ten white shirts, all exactly alike, were folded in a drawer. Dozens of ascots and kerchiefs, all embroidered with the family crest, were arranged in another. His jeweled comb and mirror decorated the dressing table, alongside his silver shaving mug and razor.
Everything in its place. Exactly as he’d left it.
Gazing into the cold fireplace, Tori listened to the rain patter against the window. She sank wearily into a tall leather chair. Oh, how she ached to see her father’s bushy gray mustache give a twitch of reprimand at seeing her slouching so unladylike in his seat.
With eyes closed, she was overcome by loneliness that settled around her like a heavy cloak. Her father was the single, most constant, thing in her life. He was no less than invincible in her eyes. Because of his distinguished name and powerful influence, she had never lacked for anything. He saw to her every need.
“Dear Lord,” Tori whispered in utter desperation. “Be with him and bring him home safely to me.” Wracked with a sob, she folded her hands and brought them to her forehead. “Please, please, Lord, see that he is taken care of. I simply can’t bear the thought of him suffering.” Hot tears streamed down her face. “He’s all I have in this world.”
She sank to her knees beside her father’s chair and continued pouring out her heart.
Thou shalt cry, and He shall say, “Here I am.”
The scripture verse from Isaiah came to her mind over and over until there was no room for doubt. Speaking it aloud, the warmth of this promise took hold in her heart and washed over her tattered nerves. Before long, her fears began to quiet and peace calmed her soul.
Lightning flickered through the window. Tori to shut her eyes against the blinding light. Upon reopening them, her attention was drawn to the leather-bound book on a small table next to her father’s chair. She recognized it at once. Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott, inscribed in gold lettering across the brown leather cover. It had always been his favorite.
In spite of her tears, Tori smiled when she reached for her father’s cherished possession and held it to her chest. Somehow it made her feel closer to him, knowing he had held these same pages in his own hands so many times in the past.
Running her hand over the cool, smooth cover, she opened the book carefully and read the familiar inscription. “To my dearest, Edward. Forget-me-not.” The signature was hidden beneath an old ink blot that made it illegible, yet Tori knew it was her mother’s name scripted underneath.”
Returning to his chair, she sat and read from the romantic passages as time seemed insignificant. Sir Walter’s lush description of the beautiful Scottish countryside made Tori homesick for Wrenbrooke and the times spent there with her father.
Just as her eyes were beginning to grow heavy, a piece of paper fell from the pages of the book. Sleepily, she unfolded the yellowed document and glanced at the contents.
With a sudden jolt, Tori sat up. Blinking, she stared down in disbelief, the words jumped out at her. Surely there was a mistake.
The document in her hand was a marriage certificate joining her father and an unknown woman—a Lucinda Martin. Taking a second, closer, look, she confirmed the name was most definitely not that of her own dear mother, Rachelle Beauchet.
The year recorded was eighteen hundred and thirty-six. Four years before her parents had married, and five years before Tori was born. Stranger still was the location of this supposed marriage—Augusta, in the American state of Georgia.
Could this have something to do with her father’s disappearance? The marriage was an obvious farce. It couldn’t possibly be legal. But what if this Lucinda Martin had revenge in mind? What if she had decided to retaliate against the earl for pretending to marry her all those years ago?
With determination, Tori sprang from the chair. This was the first real clue she had and was determined to pursue it. If they located the Martin woman, it could lead to her father.
Just short of the door, Tori stopped in her tracks. She had nowhere to go for help.
Back in England, she had access to any number of advisors. But here in the Americas, she was at a loss.
Aunt Charlotte had nearly lost the family business due to lack of sound guidance. So she wouldn’t do. And that inept constable was out of the question. He wasn’t interested in the leads he already had.
Purposefully, she avoided the most logical choice, hoping to come up with—anyone—else to assist her.
Driven by distress, she had been terrified for her father—and still was. Every moment he was missing meant he might be suffering unimaginable torment. His health could not possibly hold up to the strain.
The document in her hand was the only piece of evidence she had to go on. Otherwise, he was lost to her with no hope of finding him in a city full of strangers.
Thanks to her impetuous temper, going to Nicholas for help now was next to impossible. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed herself to stay calm.
Lord, forgive me, and lead me to the help I need.
There is a wisdom of the head and a wisdom of the heart.
~ Charles Dickens
Fourteen
Retracing her footsteps, Tori found Zach still sitting with the women in the dining area. Trays of cheese and sweets were scattered on the table around them. All three looked surprised when Tori dashed into the room.
Aunt Charlotte brought her hand to her chest. “Mercy sakes, child. Did you have a nightmare?”
Tori rushed to her aunt’s side and handed her the certificate before turning to Zach. “Zach, please, I need to speak to your mother as soon as possible. Will you take me out to Brechenridge?”
Zach had risen when Tori entered the room.
“Tori, honey, where did you get this? And for pity’s sake, what does it mean?” Aunt Charlotte looked puzzled as she glanced from the paper to her niece and back again.
“Let me see, Mama.” Aurora reached for the yellowed document dangling from her mother’s hand. “Who is Lucinda Martin?”
“A shabby girl that used to come around sellin’ garden vegetables from a little farm south of here. She took a fancy to Edward the summer he came out for our wedding. But he certainly never married her. I can assure you of that.” Aunt Charlotte laid the worn paper on the table. “Why, it’s nothing to worry over. Obviously a forgery.”
“Please, Zach. Can we leave tonight?” Tori was impatient to be on their way. The earl’s life could very well depend on Zach’s answer.
“Well, I suppose we could. But it won’t do you any good. Mama’s in Philadelphia meeting with a prospective buyer.” His voice softened with consideration.
“Tonight?” Aunt Charlotte shook her head so adamantly, two long ringlets escaped the purple cap on her head and bounced down across one eye. “Goodness, no. You can’t go anywhere tonight. It’s rainin’ out there. Besides, they’re liable to bring Edward home any minute, now.”
“Can I go?” Excitement lit Aurora’s face.
Tori lifted her hand to still the confusion and collect her thoughts. “Please, listen, all of you. I don’t know exactly what it is that I’ve found. But you have to admit it’s something to look into. If my suspicion is correct, it may very well have something to do with father’s abduction. It was in one of his books. Zach, I was hoping your mother could help me find this woman or at least refer me to someone who can. Before it’s too late. Can you tell me when she is due to return?”
“Not until a week from next Monday,” Zach answered.
Tori’s shoulders went slack. Nearly two weeks. She couldn’t wait that lon
g. She needed answers now.
After looking over the document, Zach tapped it on the table. “You know, Tori, Nicholas has access to any counsel mother has. And then some. Why don’t you go to him?”
Aurora nodded, as did Aunt Charlotte.
“Oh dear.” Tori rubbed her temples. Her head was pounding. “I’m afraid I’ve ruined any chance of your brother ever doing anything for me. I was quite mean to him earlier.”
“Nicholas isn’t one to hold a grudge.” Zach took his seat again. “He’s too sensible for all that. How about if I take you to him first thing in the morning?”
“No. I shouldn’t wait that long.” Having lost the battle with her pride, Tori was prepared to relinquish it completely if Nicholas would help find her father. “Do you know where we could find him tonight? Now?”
Aunt Charlotte gasped. “Victoria! Surely you can’t be thinking of seeking a man out in the middle of the night. Why, the scandal such a thing would cause.”
“Please, Zach.” Tori’s eyes were heavy with unshed tears as she laid her hand on his arm. “This woman could be desperate. Desperate enough to …”
Finally, with a nod he was unable to refuse her.
“Mercy sakes, we’ll be ruined. Never in my life have I heard of such goings-on. The world has gone mad right under my nose.” For lack of anything better, Aunt Charlotte took up a napkin and fanned herself.
“Tori, can I go with you?” Aurora was on the edge of her seat.
“No.” Aunt Charlotte lifted a finger to wag at her daughter and Aurora’s enthusiasm wilted.
“It’s settled then.” Refolding the certificate, Tori pushed away from the table. “I’ll go get my wrap.”
Hurrying up the stairs to her room, she grabbed up the first thing she could lay her hands on. Nicholas’s cape. Without a second thought, she threw it around her shoulders and headed back down to join Zach.
If he and Aurora were surprised at seeing the overly long cloak, they didn’t show it. Opening the door, Zach gave Aurora an affectionate kiss on the cheek and followed Tori out to the waiting carriage. A sleepy-eyed Jonas climbed up onto the driver’s seat.
True Nobility Page 11
