by Karla Darcy
Drew raised an eyebrow as he handed his cape to his aunt's butler. Even without Robbie's note that had brought him to Portland Square, he would have known there was something amiss. Timmons had the look servants reserved solely for houses of mourning. Behind the closed door of the drawing room, he could hear a high keening wail and he quickened his steps across the marble foyer and opened the doors.
Robbie sat on the sofa, his arm around a crumpled Fleur who was weeping desperately onto his waistcoat. He recognized Tate, La Solitaire's dresser, in low-voiced colloquy with Frau Puffentraub, Fleur's governess. Sarge, La Solitaire's bodyguard, wore a black expression that boded ill for someone. Drew's eyes searched the room but he did not see Val and, most ominous of all, there was no sign of the imperious Lady Yates.
"Thank God, you've come, Drew!" Robbie cried.
Suspecting that whatever the calamity, there was little need to broadcast it beyond the drawing room, Drew quickly closed the doors and moved into the room. Robbie attempted to climb to his feet, but Fleur clung to him convulsively. The servants stared at him, their eyes clearly weighing him.
Drew tried to control the fear that invaded him at the presence of both Tate and Sarge in the room. He had never seen them outside of the theatre and he supposed that since their arrival at the Portman Square house they had played least seen. From their sharpened glances at his entrance, he had little doubt of their complicity in Blaine's masquerade. She could not have succeeded in such a deception without their help. He was proud of their loyalty to her but he could not refrain from giving them an accusatory glare, then ignoring them, he pulled a chair up to the sofa and addressed Robbie.
"I gather there's been some disaster," he said.
"It's all my fault!" Fleur wailed.
"Stop that bleatin', girl," Sarge snapped before anyone could say a word.
Instantly, Fleur stopped her crying, sniffling into a soggy handkerchief Robbie must have given her. Drew was much impressed and saluted the enormous bodyguard before he turned back to his brother.
"I just got here myself, Drew, but, as near as I can figure it, Val, Jamie Wildebrand and Lady Yates are missing," Robbie blurted out.
"All of them?" Drew asked in amazement. "Where did they go?"
"The lads was with me, your lordship," Sarge ground out. "I had taken Val and his friend Jamie out for the day. We were on our way to the docks. To see the ships."
"How long were you there before the boys disappeared?"
"We never arrived." Sarge's brows met over his nose in a line of thunder. "We had just started off and the traffic was heavy. The boys was ridin' up top with me. All of a sudden Val shrieks that he feels mortal sick. Then Jamie says he'll help the lad back to the house since there's not enough room to turn around. Afore I can make a move, the little bleeders are off, racing back toward 'ome."
"They weren't here when you got back," Drew finished, before the man could spit out the words. "It sounds to me like it was planned. Did the boys mention anything like a fair or a cockfight?"
"All they talked about was the ships." Besides being worried about the boys, Sarge was clearly furious that he had been so easily tricked.
"It would seem to me that the boys are clearly off on a lark. There is little we can do, without at least some idea of where they have gone," Drew concluded.
"Should we alert Jamie's father?" Robbie asked.
"We will hold for the moment. Val is a responsible child and I cannot believe he is unaware of the upset he is causing. I would hope the boys would return shortly with a very good explanation for their conduct. And it better be good," he said grimly. "Now then. Where did Lady Yates go?"
In the midst of the silence, Drew's eyes roamed the room, settling at last on the figure pressed to his brother's chest. There was a stillness to the blond girl that did not fool him.
"Sit up, Fleur." Drew's voice indicated he would brook no nonsense. When she complied, her violet eyes began to overflow and he fought back the desire to shake her. "Stop that immediately and tell me where Lady Yates went."
"To the park," she whispered.
"What?" Drew shouted, expecting anything but that.
"I say, Drew, there's no need to shout at the girl," Robbie said as Fleur cowered in the circle of his arm.
"There is every reason to shout at her. They are all playing a May game." Drew waved his hand at the still figures of the servants, hovering behind the sofa. He fought down his temper and leaned toward his brother, his voice calmer. "Listen to me, Robbie. It is time that you knew at least some of the truth. There is no Aunt Haydie. She doesn't exist. The woman you know as Lady Yates is Fleur's sister, Blaine."
"Devil, you say!" Robbie leaped as though he'd been stung, his face set in denial. At the low moan issuing from the blond girl at his side, his eyes widened in confusion. "Fleur, is this true?"
The girl continued to moan and finally even Robbie lost patience with her. "Look at me this instant, Fleur Meriweather!"
The note of sharp authority, brought her head up. It was amazing that despite her tears the girl still was lovely. Her eyes shone like violets after a rain and there were rosy spots of color high on her cheeks. Robbie swallowed convulsively but continued to command her attention.
"Is Lady Yates your sister?" he asked.
"Yes," was the whispery reply.
"Why was she pretending to be your aunt?"
"For the moment it does not matter, Robbie," Drew said impatiently. "I am sure, later on, Fleur will be delighted to fill you in on the details. What is of immediate concern is the whereabouts of Lady Yates. Or Blaine. Whichever you prefer." Drew held Fleur's eye as he asked, "Where is Blaine?"
Now that the terrible secret was out it appeared that Fleur was prepared to cooperate. She seemed to think she had no more to lose. Drew had seen the agonized glance she had given Robbie but he suspected she had little to worry about on that head. Despite the shock of the news, his brother was as much under her spell as he had ever been.
"There was a note," Fleur began. "It said that he was going to tell everyone in London about Blaine. He said we would all be ruined unless I met him. Even though I was frightened, I would have gone, but Blaine said I mustn't. She would go in my place and meet Lord Stoddard."
"Damn!"
Drew jumped to his feet, glaring furiously around the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the uneasy glances between Tate, Frau Puffentraub and Sarge. He started to speak but was checked by a slight shake of the little dresser's head. Unconsciously his eyes dropped to Fleur's youthful face.
It was obvious that Fleur did not know of her sister's life as an actress. Blaine had sacrificed much to protect her sister and brother and to keep this intelligence from them. Since she had chosen not to tell them, could he break her confidence. He understood that Stoddard's letter referred to La Solitaire not Lady Yates and he suspected that Blaine was in grave danger. He fought to control his impatience. He wanted to dash out of the house to her rescue but he couldn't until he got all the information.
"Robbie," Drew said. "I want you to take Fleur into the music room. It is quiet in there and she will have a chance to recover from all the upset. She can tell you all about Lady Yates while I remain here to discover what has become of her missing relatives. Not to mention the abominable Jamie."
Despite the lightness of his tone, Robbie stared at him sharply. He suspected there was more to this business than he was aware of and he disliked the fact his brother was obviously trying to get him out of the room. If the idea of soothing Fleur hadn't appealed to him, he might have put up more of a battle. As it was, the chance to be alone with his love and his curiosity over the impersonation of Lady Yates won out. He helped the girl to her feet and, with his arm around her, left the room. There was silence after the door closed, and Drew met the hostile stares of the three servants without flinching.
"I know Blaine is La Solitaire," he said and the tension in the room eased.
"He took her, Lord Farrington," Sarge said. "She
went dressed up as Lady Yates and he took her anyway. When she didn't come back, I went to the park. There were no sign of her at the spot where they met. There was holes from her walking stick leadin' off into the brush and the wheel marks of a carriage. It were beside the path, what I found this."
Grimly, Drew reached out to take the reticule. He remembered seeing Blaine with it several times when he had escorted her in her role of Lady Yates. His fingers stroked the jet beads and they were cold to the touch. "Where was it?" he asked hoarsely.
"Underneath the hedge beside the bench where she met Stoddard. The strings ain't broke. Looks like she throwed it there."
"Good girl." He grinned at Sarge and there was an answering twinkle in the otherwise glum face. They both knew that it was a fair indication that although Blaine might be frightened, she was still thinking. Drew was filled with a wave of warmth for his brave lady. Then he returned to the business at hand. "Did you go to Stoddard's?"
"He were gone." Sarge's mouth hardened. "He took his carriage afore noon. There was two thugs on the box according to one of the grooms. Stoddard's expected back tonight."
Every muscle in Drew's body tightened at the realization of the danger Blaine was in. He was only slightly heartened that she was dressed as Lady Yates. It would give her some protection unless her impersonation was detected. One false note and she would give the game away. What would Stoddard do when he discovered that he had the woman he was obsessed with right in his hands? Drew knew and the thought terrified him.
Blaine had fought so hard and suffered enough lonely years that he would spare her if he could this final indignity. It would make no difference in his feelings for her. He loved her for herself, for the character he knew she possessed. If the worst happened, she would be devastated. Drew vowed he would spend the rest of his life making her happy again.
To do that, he had to find her and he hadn't a clue where to look. His grim thoughts were interrupted by a commotion in the hallway and the sound of a boy's high-pitched voice. Drew threw open the doors and strode into the foyer.
"Jamie!" he cried as he glanced at the disheveled boy.
"Lord Farrington. Goodo!" Jamie grinned and the flash of teeth was all the brighter for the streaks of dirt that lined his face.
"In here, lad." Without a word, he whisked the boy into the parlor and closed the doors once more. "Before I call you to book, where's Val?"
"He's still following the bloke that nabbed his old auntie." Jamie grinned again at the thunderstruck expression on Lord Farrington's face. He had never thought to hand the man such a facer and was thoroughly proud of himself.
"Spill it, Jamie."
"It was Val's idea, but I did help him out," he admitted as he sat before the spellbound audience. He avoided Sarge's eye, embarrassed that he had tricked the man. Focusing his eyes on Lord Farrington's face, he began. "Val wouldn't tell me much because he had sworn a blood oath and he would die a most grievous death if he broke his word. He did say as how his aunt was meeting a sly boots in the park and he was right worried about her. So we thought it would be good experience to be right on her trail. We're planning to join the Bow Street Runners, you know."
"I am sure they will be delighted that you will be expanding their ranks," Drew said drily. He was relaxed for the first time since he had entered the house. If his suspicions were correct, they would soon have the solution to Blaine's whereabouts. He smiled fondly at the filthy child, who was looking uneasy at the tone of his voice. "Go on, lad."
"We got there early so we might get an idea of the set up. Val had copped a peek at some letter with directions so we knew where to go. I found a smashing climbing tree. We skinned up it and waited and sure enough along comes this bloke and, believe it or not, Lord Farrington, the man leaned right up against our tree."
"Good God!" By his triumphant smile, Drew knew that Jamie had little conception of the danger they had been in. He hoped Val was more perceptive.
"Along comes Val's aunt. There was a lot of flapping back and forth and I can tell that the old lady's not best pleased. I didn't 'azactly' understand all that was said and when I look up at Val he's just as confused as me. There was a lot of talk about cards. The man wanted some card game and the old lady wouldn't give it to him."
"Solitaire?"
"Righto, guv!" Jamie congratulated Drew for his guess. "Well, sir, they nattered awhile and then the fancy dress bloke whistles up two real mean types and they haul off the old lady. Val wanted to jump down right away but I couldn't see any sense in it. We waited a few minutes and then as soon as we could, we lit into the bushes. They were just stowing Val's aunt in the carriage."
"Did all three of them go with the carriage?"
"Yes, sir. The two bruisers on top and the fancy Dan inside."
At a growl from behind, Drew glanced back at Sarge who was gripping the back of a chair with both hands. He had been so caught up in the boy's story that he had quite forgotten that he was not alone. Tate's usual expression of disapproval was replaced one of unvarnished fear and Frau Puffentraub sat on a chair, her face pinched and white. Drew turned back to the child, anxious to hear the end of the story.
"When the rascals moved forward to talk, Val crept along the ground to the boot. I followed him, of course. We climbed in all right and tight just before the carriage took off. I can tell you, Lord Farrington, I'm never letting Momma put my turtles in the boot. It's a very nasty ride."
Drew hid a smile behind his hand at the disgust in Master Wildebrand's voice and marveled at the bravery of the boys.
"We bounced and jounced for ever such a long time until I felt like I had a touch of the quinsy. Then all of a sudden the ride seemed to smooth out, even though the horses were going a fair clip. Val could see a bit of the road and he told me we were going out of London. He told me as how I would have to get out so that I could tell someone where he had gone."
Here the boy's voice broke and there was a suggestion of dampness to his eyes. Drew leaned forward and clamped a comforting hand on the small shoulder.
"The ground was moving frightfully fast and I knew it wasn't going to be a great comfort when I smacked up on the flat. To my shame, sir, I didn't want to jump."
"Ah, Jamie. You would have been stupid to want to jump. War heroes know the danger but still do what they have to do," Drew said, as he squeezed the scrawny shoulder. He ruffled the boy's hair. "I think you've shown great courage all the way. And so I will tell your father."
"Wizard, sir!" An enormous smile erased the doleful expression and he wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve, distributing the dirt into a more uniform design.
"The proof of your courage is that obviously you did jump," Drew said.
"Well, more or less. Val called me some names and then gave me my instructions. When he threatened to shove me out, I decided it was time for my move. We waited until we clattered into some woods and then I rolled out of the boot."
"Bravo, lad," Sarge interjected much to everyone's surprise.
Jamie winked at the giant before he took up the tale. "I was rather winded at first. My ears were ringing something fierce but all in all I was in good shape. Val had told me to lie perfectly still until the carriage was out of sight. In actual fact, sir, I couldn't have moved at all. After I cast up my accounts, I walked as fast as I could until I finally was able to hitch up with a carter who was going to London. And here I am."
The low-key triumph at the end of the boy's tale was more touching than a shout of joy. Drew could well imagine what the child had been through, more from what was left unsaid than what he had mentioned. Beneath the dirt, there was a gray pallor to the boy's face that indicated his exhaustion.
"You've done an admirable job, Jamie. Tell me about Val and then we'll see about getting you washed up and fed. It's almost four and I can imagine with all your activities, you may have worked up quite an appetite."
"I'm bloody starving, Lord Farrington!" the boy howled, delighted when his audience broke int
o laughter.
The tension in the room had eased once they realized that the boys were not lost in London but hot in pursuit of Stoddard. Although Val and Blaine were still to be accounted for, at least the situation was not as hopeless as it had been earlier.
"Just a little bit longer, Jamie," Drew said as he noticed the droopy-lidded eyes of the boy. "What was Val's plan?"
"It was pretty difficult talking much for fear of being overheard. We were whispering and such but I think I got the drift. I gave him the pocketknife that my father gave me and a bit of the ready. I was flush today because Momma slipped me some coin for our trip to the docks. Val made me keep some in case of emergency but he's plump in the pocket, I can tell you. He was going to stay with the carriage until he was sure they had gotten to their hidey-hole and then he would hightail it back here."
"Excellent plan, lad."
Drew was more and more impressed with the boys' enterprise. The Bow Street Runners could not have produced any better detectives. He was silent for a moment as he considered his own plans. Once decided, he began issuing orders.
"Tate, take the boy up to Val's room for a wash. I'm sure you can find something for Jamie to wear until his own things arrive. Frau Puffentraub, you will arrange for a tray and the preparation of a room for the night." He turned to the boy, taking in the wide grin of delight. "I will send off a note to your father, asking permission for you to remain with us until tomorrow. You have played an important part in this drama so it is only fair that you remain for the denouement."
"Good show, sir. I'd rather like that," Jamie said.
Suddenly his expression changed and the eyes staring up held a haunted quality. Drew was painfully aware that for all his bravery Jamie was little more than a child.
"Lady Yates will be all right, won't she?" The boy swallowed several times before he could continue. "She a grand old girl. Didn't take a bit of lip from the fancy Dan and when those two bullies come up on her, she snapped at them and they shuffled their feet like babes with their nanny. You will get her back all right, won't you, sir?"
"You have my promise," Drew said.
The boy's eyes flicked over his face, then nodded in satisfaction. Drew was incredibly moved by the word picture Jamie had drawn of his courageous Blaine confronting the two thugs. He clenched the muscles in his jaw as he turned to Sarge.
"Alert the stables to ready my rig and tell them to keep a sharp eye out for Val. It would be best if you waited out front. He'll be in a hurry so he might not take time to go round to the stables. Also, on your way out, send Timmons to me." Drew ground to a halt. He took in the motionless figures, then barked, "Jump to it."
Like well-drilled troops, they leaped into action. Sarge jerked open the doors for the bustling Frau Puffentraub as Tate swept down on the startled Jamie. Drew grinned as he strode across to his aunt's dainty desk. Uncaring of the chaos he was creating, he rummaged through the contents until he found some stationary. The cough behind his left shoulder alerted him to Timmons' presence and he spun around to address the unflappable butler. He noticed with amusement that, always the soul of tact, the man had closed the doors when he entered.
"Unless you're deaf and blind, Timmons, I suspect you have a fair idea of what's afoot," he said.
"Yes, Lord Farrington. Thankfully the boys were not lost only strayed. Master Val will soon be back in the fold, I gather, although Lady Yates is still unaccounted for." There was no break in the bland expression of his face as he reported these events.
"Must have been quite a scene before I got here."
"Miss Fleur was in spasms, milord." An ever-so-slight smile, crinkled the corners of the butler's eyes. "I have kept the servants below stairs and cautioned them. Your aunt's staff is trained to discretion."
Inventing quickly, Drew explained that Lady Yates had been trying to abort the kidnapping of Fleur by an overeager suitor when she herself had been taken. He reminded himself to talk to Robbie and Fleur when he returned. They would all have to tell the same story to avoid any possible scandal that might arise from the day's event. After thanking him for his support, Drew dismissed the butler and dashed off a note to Jamie's father. He chuckled as he wrote, contemplating the retelling of the story for his old schoolmate's delectation. Like father, like son, he thought as he blotted and sealed the note, then left the room to give it to Timmons.
"Have cook prepare a basket of food, suitable for myself and Val. Send something out to Sarge so that he's ready to leave when the boy arrives."
"I've told them to prepare your aunt's coach. The new grays are dependable and built for speed," Timmons declared authoritatively "If I might offer a suggestion, Lord Farrington, it might be a good plan to send Lady Tate's abigail. Lady Yates is not a young person and may be considerably overset by her experiences. It is always good to have another woman along in such circumstances."
Drew hardened his heart to the shaft of pain at the parade of ugly pictures that rose in his mind at Timmons' words. He turned, biting off his words as he headed for the door. "Have Tate ready to leave when I return."
After a quick word to Sarge, Drew leaped into his curricle and returned to his townhouse. He changed into buckskins and then went to his library and removed two pistols from the gun cabinet which he quickly loaded. After throwing down a rejuvenating glass of brandy, he returned to Portman Square.
The wait was agonizing. His mind was filled with the danger to Blaine and the helplessness of his own inaction. Although it seemed like centuries, it was only an hour before his patience was rewarded.
At the sounds in the foyer, Drew hurried into the hall to find Val, dirty but jubilant. The boy's face was gaunt and the expression in his eyes spoke volumes of his harrowing day. Unlike Jamie, who thought of Lady Yates as an old lady, it was obvious Val had considered the real dangers that were facing Blaine. Drew's eyes were reassuring as he squeezed the boy's hand.
"Well done, Val," he said, his voice deep with pride.
"I know where she is, sir, but I think we should hurry."
"Steady on, old thing." Drew felt the shaking of the boy's body as he pulled him against his side. "Your troops are ready to march. Just give me a direction and then you can tell me the rest on the way."
At the touch of humor, the fear eased in the boy's eyes. "The west road out of London. Just beyond Twickenham."
Without a word, Timmons opened the door and Drew strode outside, followed by Val with Tate bringing up the rear. In a twinkling they were on their way, the grays moving steadily through the early evening traffic.
"I would guess the inside of my aunt's carriage is significantly more comfortable than the boot," Drew said as he noticed the stiff movements of the boy.
"Rather!" Val said. For the first time since his arrival, a natural grin creased his features. "I shall think twice before I travel that way again."
Drew nodded to Tate to open the basket of food. He was amused that the first thing she presented the boy was a wet cloth to make his ablutions. He relaxed, eating sparingly as he waited for the first pangs of Val's hunger to be satisfied. The efficient Timmons had included a bottle of wine, and he savored the sharp bite on his tongue as the carriage sped through the twilight.
"It's a cottage, sir," Val said, talking behind a partially gnawed chicken leg. "Just outside of Twickenham. I just waited long enough to make sure they were set for the night."
There was a bleakness in the voice that was painful to hear. "It won't take us long now," Drew assured him. "One road out of town?"
"Two. The one we want is near an alehouse. I put a mark on the sign post so I would be sure of the right one."
"Very sound plan. Jamie told us he had lent you his knife."
"It came in dreadfully handy, sir. I used it to mark a trail from the cottage because I didn't know if I would be able to find the place in the dark." The boy wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand until Tate coughed sharply and then he reached for his napkin. "I'm glad that Jamie got back all r
ight. I was feeling pretty awful that I had got him into such a bramblepatch. He was good to go along even though he didn't know what it was all about. I had promised Bl-my aunt that I wouldn't tell anyone what was going on."
"If it would ease your mind any, Val. I am fully aware that Lady Yates is your sister Blaine."
Wide eyes flew to Drew's face. "Oh."
"Quite," was the crisp reply.
"I suppose it was Fleur that cried rope," he said in disgust. "Girls have no sense."
"A sentiment in which I can wholeheartedly concur." Drew's voice was dry as he eyed the discomfited child. To smooth over the embarrassment of the moment, he returned to business. "What was the place like?"
"I only took the briefest of looks. I was anxious to return for help. It's a small cottage with a thatched roof. Several rooms below but I spotted a window above so I think there's an attic room. Set in a copse of trees and no other houses visible. If I hadn't been so worried, I wouldn't have half-minded the place. Lots of flowers about, even this early in the year."
Drew could picture the quaint little cottage outside of Twickenham. It had all the sound of a rented lovenest. Close enough to London for convenience, yet secluded enough for privacy. Stoddard would pay dearly, he vowed.
"Aside from Lord Stoddard and the two ruffians, was there anyone else around?"
"None that I could see. His lordship flung out of the carriage and shoved open the door of the cottage as if he were really in a temper. Blaine waited for the uglies to come around and then, believe it or not, they helped her down like she was their own mother."
Drew snorted at the mental picture. He had seen Blaine at her haughtiest, playing the part of Lady Yates. Thank God, her disguise was still intact. "Now before we get to the village, suppose you tell me how you made your return in such timely fashion."
Val wiped his mouth carefully with his napkin, shooting a mischievous glance at the primly observant Tate. The little dresser nodded her head gravely but there was an answering smile in her eyes.
"Well, after I left the cottage, I marked the trees as I told you and just kept walking until I arrived in the village. I wasn't quite sure what to do then. I wanted to ask for help but I wasn't overly confident that a magistrate would be moved to action on my word alone. So after a bit, I decided the only thing to do was come back to town for help."
Drew could imagine the hopelessness that must have threatened to engulf the boy. He wondered what exactly Val had planned, since there was really only Fleur and Blaine's servants for the boy to apply to for help. Though the danger to Blaine would be uppermost in his mind, there also must have been a fierce need to protect his family from scandal. A heavy responsibility for a twelve year old.
"It was the correct decision, Val," Drew said. "We were at a stalemate until you arrived. Incidentally, Sarge said to tell you he was quite impressed with your steed."
"Bloody fat cow, is more like." Drew laughed at the boy's obvious disgust. "It was all I could find, sir. It's a sad state of affairs when adults slum-guzzle a child."
"A sorry state indeed," Drew agreed, trying desperately to keep his expression serious.
"I went to the livery first and spun them a tale about gypsies stealing me away. Jamie thought of that bouncer. Said country folk believe gypsies kidnap children to sell into slavery. Unfortunately, they weren't having any." It was apparent Val was downcast at the suspicious nature of the citizens of Twickenham. "After wandering around, I finally bought a horse. The price the farmer quoted was much too dear so I jawed him down a bit. Then the bloody sod took all of my coin and gave me this great, ugly bag of bones which goes by the unlikely name of Chastity."
Drew choked on his wine at the outraged tones. For several minutes laughter filled the carriage, with even the taciturn dresser joining in. The amusement did a great deal to ease the tension that had been building as they approached their destination.
While Tate put away the remains of the meal, Drew and Val talked. After Drew had given him the latest news, he ordered the exhausted boy to stretch out for a rest. He stared out at the darkened night, his eyes unfocused as he considered his plans. He was exhilarated by the thought of imminent action, although he was still filled with a sense of urgency.
He knew what lengths Blaine had gone to in order to protect her family. Knowing her as well as he did, he knew she would risk much to keep the secret of the notorious La Solitaire. Escaping Stoddard would offer no solution to her troubles. Only if she could strike a bargain with the man could she ensure his silence. For Val and Fleur she might be willing to risk all, even though the sacrifice would ultimately destroy her?
Chapter Fifteen