Authors: Saralynn Hoyt
Looking back, he could see he’d been a fool. Women were
honest creatures by nature and they expected honesty in return. Men, on the
other hand, were always looking for a way around the truth. That’s probably why
there were so many cheats in business dealings. He wondered if women ran the
world, would all people be treated equally and fairly? But that was a topic for
another day. Right now he needed to concentrate on getting Sabrina to
reconsider her refusal of his proposal. What an idiot he’d been to phrase it in
such a manner and at the worst possible moment. He felt terrible about it
because he’d left her flustered and she didn’t seem to understand the gravity
of her situation. If Gerald had killed Edward, and it seemed likely that he
had, he was a real threat and if Sabrina didn’t take legal action immediately. The
man was capable of the worst sort of crimes. Thank goodness Sabrina and Alice
were safe with Miss Blakemore for the night.
Mrs. Sabrina Tremaine was a tough customer. Alice, on the
other hand was a delight. Madame Lou had thoroughly enjoyed herself during
their reading. Now she mused over the cards pulled for the lovely widow. The
Empress and Justice showed that the outcome was good, but there was trouble
brewing with the King of Swords. Madame Lou finally understood that it was
unavoidable and part of the whole story that would unfold exactly as it should.
The mother was quite clear about it and so was the husband. Without the
impending tribulation, the two would be separated forever. Madame Lou sighed
with resignation. At least Mrs. Tremaine would have darling little Alice to see
her through the worst of it. Poor Mr. Northcliffe would be on his own, though,
unless he opened his mind to the spirit of his little sister who seemed
emphatic about telling him a secret. Goodness, if the man didn’t believe any
part of the mystical world, how, Miss Piper Northcliffe, do you expect me to
convince him of such a thing? Of course the spirits didn’t take any of Madame
Lou’s complaining seriously. They thought it was quite entertaining when she
tried to tell them off. Indeed, they were becoming increasingly obnoxious in
their demands. Well, Madame Lou would just see about that!
Cassie hugged Sabrina tightly. She was the only one who knew
the truth about her relationship with Ford. It was such a relief to have a
shoulder to cry on.
"I wish you could stay with me, but with Mama and
Danny, we have a full house." Cassie was apologetic. "Why don’t you
stay at the Savoy? If what you say is true, you can afford it."
"You’re absolutely right," Sabrina said, standing
a little straighter.
She was a woman of means now. She didn’t need anyone,
especially any man, and more specifically, Ford Northcliffe. Although, he had
been the one to figure out what Gerald was up to. And it now made sense why her
brother-in-law was so insistent on marrying her. If he didn’t, he would get
nothing. As it stood, he was actually in her house spending her money. Sabrina was
furious about the way Gerald was trying to cheat her and Alice out of what was
rightfully theirs. The man obviously had no scruples and would probably stop at
nothing to make sure he got what he wanted. First thing in the morning she
would seek out a solicitor to help her enforce her rights of ownership.
"We’ll find a hackney to take us there and check in
tonight," Sabrina said, trying to sound strong and confident. "Then
in the morning, everything will look much brighter."
"Oh, Sabrina," Cassie said, giving her hand a
squeeze. "Dearest, I know your heart must be breaking, but you have to
give poor Mr. Northcliffe a chance to explain. Didn’t he say he loves you and
wants to marry you despite his pledge to his mother? Personally, I think it’s
terribly romantic that he would break such a sacred vow."
"You don’t understand," Sabrina said, lowering her
voice. Alice was playing with Danny, but children always hear what they
shouldn’t. "He made love to me before he decided to break his promise.
Ford knew he wasn’t going to be able to keep me around, and yet he seduced me
anyway."
"Come now, Sabrina," Cassie chided. "You
wanted to be with him too. Don’t try to relieve your conscience with me because
I know better. What the two of you need is some time alone to talk it through.
I’m sure that if you just gave the man a chance, he would be able to prove his
love. Goodness, you’re being stubborn."
"I am not being stubborn, just realistic," Sabrina
said lifting her chin obstinately. "The man isn’t trustworthy. If he would
go back on his word to his dying mother, there’s no telling what else he might
be deceiving me about. And for that matter, the last thing Alice needs is an
influence of duplicity in her life."
"Oh, that is very clever indeed," Cassie said
clapping her hands in mock appreciation. "When perhaps this was the most
painful thing the man has ever done. How he must have struggled with his moral
values for the past few weeks. He loves you, but has sworn to marry another.
Someone he barely knows and doesn’t care a fig about. Yes, I can see how you
would think he was a horrid, devious, insidious man. Maybe you should write a
letter to the innocent Miss Ellison and let her know exactly what her fiancé
has been up to."
"Don’t be ridiculous." Sabrina was pacing now. "Ford
is a wonderful man. He saved Alice’s life and has never treated me like a
servant. All of his staff adore him, even Mrs. Fitzsimmons, although she
prefers female company, and they would do anything to make him happy."
"Really, Sabrina. Make up your mind. Is he a scoundrel
or a saint?" Cassie’s lips twitched with humor.
"Oh, you tricked me," Sabrina said, stomping her
foot with irritation. "If I knew the answer, I wouldn’t be having this
conversation at all. Cassie, what should I do?"
"Rest. You need to rest," Cassie said, reaching
for her own coat. "Danny and I will help you find a cab to the hotel. Then
you and Alice will get a good night’s sleep and in the morning you’ll be able
to think more clearly."
"Yes, yes, exactly right," Sabrina said, helping
Alice get bundled up. "Tomorrow this will all be much easier to deal with."
By the time she and Alice were checked into their suite at
the Savoy, Sabrina was utterly exhausted. It had been an interminably long day.
A maid brought up a late supper and ran a bath in the fancy
new bathing chamber that each elegant suite possessed. Sabrina sunk into the
steaming water while Alice ate and changed for bed.
Her daughter had been unusually silent since leaving Madame
Lou’s, only talking to Danny and Cassie. Sabrina was worried that Alice blamed
her for this most recent upheaval of her young life. But at least they had
stability to look forward to. Just as soon as she could find a solicitor to
represent her, they would once again be living the life they’d become
accustomed to when Edward was alive.
Sabrina was even looking forward to taking over the running
of the Tremaine business interests. She’d always been fascinated by it and just
never had a chance to do anything because Gerald had been in charge. Now that
she actually owned everything, she would make certain her brother-in-law had
nothing more to do with it. Not after what he’d tried to do to her and Alice.
She drained the big claw footed tub with its gilt hardware and wrapped herself
in one of the luxuriously soft towels provided by the hotel. Drying off, she
found her nightgown and wrapper. Alice was already in her own bedroom, nearly
asleep.
"Goodnight my darling," Sabrina said, leaning over
and kissing Alice’s forehead. "I’m sorry today was so frantic."
"Today was fun, Mummy," Alice said with a yawn. "It’s
tomorrow that I’m worried about. Papa said we’d be fine in the end, but it
won’t be nice until we’re rescued."
"Oh, dear." Sabrina never knew what to say when
the child brought up what her dead father had recently told her. "Well,
we’d better get a good night’s sleep then, hadn’t we?"
"Yes, Mummy." Alice closed her eyes obediently and
was soon fast asleep.
Sabrina wished she could do the same, but her mind was too
busy with thoughts of the day. Sabrina went into the main salon of the suite
and found the liquor tray. Maybe a bit of sherry would help her to relax. She
poured the golden liquid into a cut crystal glass, nearly filling it to the
top. Taking a long swallow so she wouldn’t spill any on her way to the
comfortable chair in front of the fire, Sabrina took the whole decanter with
her. There was no telling how much Sabrina would need to drink before sleep
overtook her. A sigh escaped her lips as she settled in to stare at the flames,
tucking her feet underneath herself. What had she gotten herself into? Sabrina
had an affair with a man who had promised to marry another woman. Suddenly, she
was the mistress, the other woman. It was an unsettling thought. Sabrina had
never even contemplated such a thing happening to her. After years of being
married to Edward, the thought of him taking another woman to his bed had
certainly crossed her mind. After all, it was quite common place in the social
structure they occupied. But never, not even in her wildest imaginings, had Sabrina
ever considered that she might become the other woman herself.
And then tonight after she’d found out the truth and Ford
had followed her to Madame Lou’s, he’d actually had the nerve to propose to
her. Oh poor Miss Ellison!
Then there was Madame Lou. Sabrina still didn’t know what to
make of that whole experience. It had been like something out of a bad penny
dreadful. The woman was most assuredly adept in the art of deception. It was
obvious to Sabrina that underneath all those scarves and jingling jewelry that
the woman was not at all what she seemed. For a moment, it even occurred to her
that the psychic might actually be a man. It had almost been a relief when Ford
showed up. Almost, except that Madame Lou, or whatever her name was, had
predicted that Ford would show up with papers and good news pertaining to some
legal matter. Sabrina had been stunned nearly speechless when the crone was
proven right. Which make her other predictions all the more disturbing.
The mystic had warned her of being prepared and had given
Sabrina a list of items to hide in her clothing the following day. Things that
would probably be lying about the hotel room or already in her possession. A
threaded sewing needle and scissors, matches and a candle stub, a fork and
knife, something to eat, a flask of water, and the papers that Ford had shown
up with. As ludicrous as it sounded, Sabrina had already slipped the sharp
bladed meat knife from dinner and some matches into her skirt pocket. Not that
she actually believed the woman, but it never hurt to have a few matches on
hand. And as for the knife, well, one could never be too safe, especially a
lone woman and her child. But even now, she was feeling silly about her actions
and might have removed the items from her garments if she wasn’t so comfortable
and relaxed all of a sudden. The sherry was finally doing its job. Sabrina
sighed with resignation. Between Alice, Madame Lou and Cassie, she was no match
to completely disdain the urgings of the spirits. If the warnings came to
naught, then she was no worse off, but if they were correct, then she would be
prepared for the worst.
Crawling into bed, Sabrina tried not to think about Ford.
But it was impossible not to remember the delightful hours spent in his arms,
sleeping and making love. For a while she had been blissfully happy. With a sob
she wondered if she would ever feel that way again. Crying quietly, she finally
slipped off to sleep.
****
The morning came too quickly. Sabrina woke to the sound of
Alice singing in the next room. There was too much to do today and she didn’t
even want to get out of bed. But of course, a mother had to hold herself to a
higher standard, and Sabrina managed to pull herself up and face the sunny
winter day.
"Mummy, did you know that it’s nearly Christmas?"
Alice called from the sitting room while Sabrina washed her face and put up her
hair. "Do you think Saint Nicholas will be able to find us?"
"I sent him a note telling him to leave our presents
with Miss Blakemore," Sabrina said as if such things were an everyday
occurrence.
"Good thinking, Mummy."
Sabrina smiled as she dressed herself. It was nice to have
Alice thinking of ordinary things this morning, instead of ghosts and ‘big
trouble’. Her fingers brushed the knife and matches in her skirt, only part of
what Madame Lou had instructed her to stash away. Sabrina was about to empty
her pockets disgusted with her own foolishness, but a knock on the door
interrupted her thoughts.
"That must be breakfast," Sabrina said, going to
answer the door.
But when she turned the knob, the force of someone on the
other side of it pushing in sent Sabrina stumbling backwards. A man she had
never set eyes on before stood inside their suite, looking menacing and quite
out of place in his ill-fitting bellhop uniform.
"Sir, what do you think you’re doing?" Sabrina
asked, outraged at such treatment. "We are guests in this establishment,
and if you don’t explain yourself immediately, I will be forced to complain to
your superior."
"It wouldn’t do you no good, milady," he laughed
in a most unpleasant way. "Seeing as I don’t work for the likes of this
place."
Before Sabrina had a chance to take in his words or the
implication that she and Alice were in a dire predicament, the man had picked
up her daughter and slung the child over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
"Don’t be calling out now, or you’ll never see the kid
again."
"Mummy," Alice cried.
"And you, little miss, keep your mouth shut or I’ll
hurt your mum." Before Sabrina could respond, the scoundrel pulled a
pistol from his waistband and pointed it at her. "That’s right milady,
you’ll be doing exactly what I say, won’t you?"