Authors: Saralynn Hoyt
Her heart was beating too fast and her breath came violently
in short bursts. Sabrina could feel her ears and face burning with shame. How
could she have allowed such a thing to happen? Why had she let her heart and
body rule her mind? Now that she knew the truth, she wanted to cry, she wanted
to weep and scream and throw things, but she couldn’t afford to lose control
just yet. Now was the moment to sit calmly and consider her options. There
would be time enough for tears later when she was alone and no one could
overhear her deep sorrow. Nevertheless, a few wayward drops escaped from her
eyes. Sabrina wiped them away with a shaking hand and released the crumpled
letter from the other. It fell to the floor, unnoticed, as she blindly stood
and made her way back to her room.
Clear thinking was needed now, not the hysterical tantrum
that bubbled below the surface of her calm demeanor. A plan, that’s what she
had to come up with, and quickly. Ford would be home soon and she intended to
be long gone by then. She absolutely could not face the man again knowing that
he’d been deceiving her all this time. How dare he treat her like a common
strumpet! She would not allow herself to be trifled with again. At the moment,
all she could think about was getting out of his house. Sabrina pulled out
their bags began to pack hers and Alice’s things. Alice would be upset, but
there was nothing she could do about it now. Maybe they could go to Cassie’s
house and spend the night? It was the only logical thing to do under the
circumstances. Certainly she now had enough money to find good lodgings, but
until she had a new position, she wanted to have Alice in a safe place with
someone she trusted. A few minutes later, bags packed and a brief letter of
resignation penned, Sabrina entered the kitchen.
"Oh dear, the bad trouble has already started."
Alice’s keen observation was fuel to Sabrina’s raging indignation.
"Mrs. Dixon, will you see that Mr. Northcliffe gets
this as soon as he returns?" She handed the sealed note to Delores. "Let’s
get your coat Alice. We’re going to go stay with Miss Blakemore for a few days."
"I don’t understand, Mrs. Tremaine?" Mrs. Dixon
said, turning the letter over in her hands. "Does this mean you’re leaving
us?"
"I’m afraid so, Delores." Sabrina’s voice almost
broke, but she bravely went on. "Would you be so kind as to tell Roland
and the others that it was a pleasure working with them and due to unforeseen
circumstances, I have to end my employment...immediately."
"Oh my dear," Mrs. Dixon cried and wrapped her
arms around Sabrina. "You know you always have friends here if you need
anything. I can see that you’re too upset to tell an old woman what the trouble
is, but don’t you forget that you can always talk to me about anything. Send a
note around when you have yourself settled in a new position and I’ll come and
have tea with you."
"I will, I promise," Sabrina whispered, barely in
control of her emotions. "Come on now, Alice. Time to go."
They arrived at the employment agency on Tottenham
Court
Road only to find the door locked and a note hanging in the window.
Back by nightfall
.
Oh, how very frustrating, Sabrina thought looking up and down
the busy London street. It was cold out and Alice couldn’t stand around outside
until Miss Blakemore or her mother returned. They had to find someplace to wait
until dark. But where? She wanted to stomp her foot and cry, but as the parent
in this situation, she felt like that wouldn’t be the best tactic at the
moment. Alice was tugging on her hand and Sabrina finally looked at where the
little girl was pointing. A tearoom was next door to the Blakemore
establishment and it appeared to be open. A nice hot cup of tea was exactly
what she needed to see her through the next few hours.
"Excellent idea, Alice."
Bells jingled merrily as they entered the shop. The place
was cozy and smelled pleasantly of herbs and scones. Sabrina’s mouth watered as
she suddenly realized that she was famished. All the walking they’d done today
had increased her appetite and until she had a chance to talk to Cassie, she
didn’t know when they’d be having their next meal.
"Find a table to sit at while I look for someone to
pour us some tea," she said, setting their bags inside the front door.
Sabrina looked around the place, marveling at how exotic it
was. It had the feel of an Arabian tent with all the silk hangings, and strange
decorations. A young boy, not much older than Alice scampered through a curtain
and bowed politely to Sabrina.
"Tea, milady?" he asked.
"Yes, please, and scones," Sabrina answered trying
to look behind him into the swirling silk camouflage. "Are you here alone?"
"No milady, Madame Lou will be out shortly." The
boy bowed again and scampered back into what had to be the kitchen.
Sabrina was sorely tempted to follow him. He looked very
familiar and she wanted to see what he was about. But she couldn’t leave Alice
alone.
"Madame Lou?" she said, suddenly realizing just
whose shop they were in. This was the infamous fortune reader’s establishment.
Goodness, how in the world had she been tricked into this predicament?
"Alice!"
"Yes, Mummy," Alice answered, already sitting
primly at a table with her mittens removed and her coat hanging on the back of
her chair.
"Young lady, did you know this was Madame Lou’s shop?"
"Oh yes, Mummy," Alice said with a happy smile. "Cassie’s
told me all about it. Do you think we’ll get to meet her?"
Before Sabrina could answer, the boy returned with a tea
tray that he carefully set on their table.
"You must be Danny," Alice said holding her hand
out to the lad.
"Yes miss, and you must be Alice." He took her
fingers in his and bowed. "Just like my sister described."
"You two know each other?" Sabrina was truly
stunned.
"This is Cassie’s little brother," Alice stated
between nibbles of her scone. "She told me he works for Madame Lou
sometimes."
"That’s where I’ve seen you." Sabrina nodded in
recognition. "Next door at the employment agency. Well, do you know when
your sister or your mother will be returning? I must talk to them as soon as
possible."
"Nightfall, milady," Danny bowed again and
scurried away.
"Hmmm," Sabrina muttered, pouring the tea and
stirring in sugar for both herself and Alice. "Not a very talkative young
man."
Suddenly, from the kitchen area, a great rustling and
jingling erupted and grew louder until from the multiple hangings of curtains
emerged the woman who had been the topic of so many conversations lately.
Madam Lou.
Ford was whistling as he stepped out of the motorcar. He had
just spent a long afternoon with Felix, his solicitor and he almost couldn’t
believe what he’d learned. The young man was a genius at law and could break
down any situation to its bare bones and simplest terms as quick as a judge
could get into robes. He had to find Sabrina before he did anything else. She
was going to be so happy when she heard about Felix’s opinion regarding her
papers. It was excellent news and he couldn’t wait to tell her, anticipating
the warmth of her response, the soft look in her eyes.
He looked for her first in the library, then, poked his head
into the study. Something there seemed out of place, but he didn’t have time to
wonder about it. Next he checked all the parlors. She wasn’t anywhere, and
neither was Alice. Taking a chance, he went to her suite and knocked on the
door. There was no answer. Finally, he headed downstairs to the kitchen. He
would have preferred to find Sabrina alone, but regardless of who else was
present, this news couldn’t wait. But only Roland, Freddy and Mrs. Dixon were
there. For some reason they all looked as if they’d found a dead puppy. He
cleared his throat to get their attention. "Have you seen Sabrina, I mean,
Mrs. Tremaine?" He hoped his slip of the tongue hadn’t been noted. "I
have some important matters to discuss with her."
Mrs. Dixon burst into tears, Freddy ran out the back door
and Roland frowned as if the weight of the world was upon his shoulders. "I’m
sorry, did I interrupt?" Ford suddenly realized that something was very
wrong. "What is it Mrs. Dixon? Roland?"
"Mrs. Tremaine has left us sir," Roland said
stiffly and handed his employer the letter Mrs. Dixon had been gripping. "She
instructed us to give you this."
Ford’s mouth dropped open with his surprise and he feared he
looked as big an idiot as he felt. Blindly, he extended his hand to accept the
note. He stared at it for nearly two minutes before he could move a muscle. His
brain actually seemed to seize up for a moment and he feared he might fall over
if he dared to breathe.
"Left? When is she coming back?"
He knew it was a ridiculous question. Mrs. Dixon wouldn’t be
crying if Sabrina was on her way home.
"I…I’ll be in my study if you need me." Ford
walked blindly out of the kitchen and shut the door behind him.
He sat at the desk and turned the sealed letter over and
over in his hands. He was desperately afraid to open and read it. She was
probably so ashamed of what they had done, that she’d run away to find an
employer who wouldn’t take advantage of his status over her. Ford rested his
forehead on his arms and took several deep breaths. This was for the best, he
tried to convince himself. She would be better off without him anyway. Now that
he knew who she really was and what she possessed, there could be no question
of their continuing their affair. But he still had to find her and tell her
what her husband had done for her.
With a deep sigh he sat up and opened Sabrina’s note. It was
crisp and to the point. She couldn’t stay under his roof another day knowing
that soon she would be asked to leave. No explanation was given and Ford
couldn’t understand what she meant by that cryptic remark. But then, as he sat
contemplating her odd explanation, he noticed the crumpled piece of paper on
the floor. Usually, this room was neat as a pin, between the maids cleaning it
and Sabrina making sure everything was in order, the one scrap was certainly
out of place. Ford leaned over and picked it up, noting the vaguely familiar
penmanship. He smoothed the letter out and began to read it. When he finished
Luella’s innocent correspondence, Ford finally understood why Sabrina left and
would never be able to forgive him. Taking her to his bed while being promised
to another was inexcusable. He’d known all along and had intentionally let
Sabrina believe there was hope for them. The only thing he could do now was to
find her and make sure she knew that her future was secure no matter what she
decided to do.
Ford tried not to think about his own devastation. His heart
constricted with the pain of losing Sabrina before he was ready to let her go.
But that was selfish and cruel of him, he had wronged her and he knew he could
never make it right. But he had to find her so he could give her the news from
Felix and, of course, to apologize. Not that it would do any good, but it would
be better than leaving things as they stood between them. Even though she
didn’t indicate where she was going, Ford was certain Sabrina would have made
her way to Miss Blakemore’s first. At the very least, Cassie would know where
she was. It was nearly five o’clock, and Ford would have to hurry if he wanted
to catch Miss Blakemore before she left for home. He rushed back downstairs and
had George bring the motorcar back around. Before he left, he stopped back in
the kitchen.
"Did she go to Cassie’s?" he asked, hoping he already
knew the answer.
Mrs. Dixon blew her nose before answering. "Yes, Mr.
Northcliffe. Will you be bringing her home then?"
"I have some news for her that cannot wait," Ford
said. "But no, I don’t believe Mrs. Tremaine will be coming back with me.
She has too many reasons not to."
Delores looked confused by his comment, but he couldn’t
explain without betraying too many confidences.
"I’ll be home later. Don’t worry about dinner, I’ll
stop at the Savoy or my club."
He hurried to meet George and they left the house just as
the sun was beginning to dip towards the edge of the city. The chilly evening
air was thick with coal smoke and a bit of a fog was moving in. It wasn’t a
night Ford wanted to be out after dark in, but getting this information to
Sabrina was more important than his personal comfort. Ford sat in the passenger
seat of the vehicle as George drove him across town, contemplating what he’d
done and what he could do to fix it. He had hurt the woman he loved in a way
that if anyone else had done so, he would have beaten the dickens out of them.
This was ridiculous. He was about to let his whole life be ruined by something
that made absolutely no real difference anymore. What was the worst thing that
could happen to him? Would he burn in hell if he disobeyed? Would he somehow be
cursed to a life a misery? Why did he so emphatically believe in keeping a
deathbed promise, and yet he scoffed at the thought of ghosts and spirits in
the world? Wasn’t the belief in one incompatible with doubt in the other? Ford
was more confused than ever and he hoped he would have his thoughts and
feelings sorted out before he attempted to share them with Sabrina. He had a
lot to think about and his whole future depended on what conclusions he came to
in the next few minutes.
They arrived at number 15 Tottenham Court Road quickly. Ford
jumped out of the Daimler, not waiting for George to open the door and headed
for the Blakemore’s door, but it was locked tight. A sign on the door stated
someone would be back by nightfall. That meant that she should be returning
soon, for the darkness was edging closer. But if Cassie wasn’t here, then where
were Sabrina and Alice? He peered through the glass pane of the door, but the
place in darkness Or maybe there was a sliver of light down the hallway? He
knocked loudly just in case.