Not that Alice cared a wit about society’s opinion of Jacko. She had no problem spending her life running her estate. However, for her mother’s sake, and his future children, he was more than happy to take on his Spanish name, established last year when this property was given to him for his part in saving Lady Anne.
An hour later, with his wool clothes and guns neatly packed in a tailor’s box, Jacko stopped by the bank and exchanged his English pounds for Spanish dollars.
Knowing his estate had many fine horses, he rented, rather than purchased, a horse for the journey home. With all his tasks accomplished, he tied the tailor’s box to the side of the saddle and headed to the villa.
An hour later, his horse crested a hill and the view of Tierra Rico filled him with delight. The verdant green farmland was reputed to be the best winery in the country. He breathed in the air and smelled life at its purist. What a perfect place to ask his beloved to marry him.
He laughed as he imagined her surprise when he brought her to his humble dwelling. She would scold him keeping such a secret, but he had mentioned to her his investments. He simply failed to mention how vibrant and beautiful this particular one was.
He nudged the horse forward, anxious to be home.
By the time he arrived, a man stood before the house. Jacko recognized his estate manager, Raul Gomez. The Spaniard was taller and leaner than his brother, the tailor. Nor did Jacko see a striking resemblance in the face, until the man smiled, showing similar crooked teeth.
Raul hurried to him and took hold of the horse while Jacko dismounted. “Señor Bienora! I was not expecting you.” He whistled a shrill note and a young boy ran from the barn and waited breathlessly for orders.
Raul ruffled the boy’s black hair with affection. “Shall I send this horse back? You will much prefer our…I mean your horses.”
He could see by Raul’s pained expression that he regretted his slip of tongue. Jacko squeezed his manager’s shoulder. “I am pleased you think of the place as ours. I can see pride of ownership and love everywhere I look.”
Raul relaxed. “Come inside. Is your luggage coming in a wagon?”
“No luggage, but I did come across a tailor who claims to be your brother. He has promised to set me right.”
Raul frowned. “Tomas or Javier?”
When Jacko described the tailor and the location of his shop, Raul smiled. “Tomas is very good.” He then frowned at Jacko’s clothes. “Or at least he can be. That suit is terrible.”
Jacko explained how he came to own the suit, but he could tell his story had not soothed Raul’s anger burning beneath his quiet exterior.
“Well, I was thankful not to travel here garbed in wool. So do not be angry on my behalf.”
They entered the hacienda and the temperature dropped fifteen degrees. Jacko breathed out with a sigh of relief. The house looked as beautiful as the first day he’d seen it. Large windows on the east and west side allowed the breeze to move through the main room. The use of rugs and large plants designated the various ‘rooms’ in the open space. The furniture was massive dark wood, beautifully carved by masters of the craft, and fitted with the softest down cushions.
He eyed the settee. A man could do many things on such a beauty: Stretch out for a comfortable nap, or make love to a beautiful woman. Jacko smiled. He was looking forward to both.
Chapter 18
Alice hurried to the barn and found Dom first thing in the morning. “Is everything set?”
Dom frowned. “He came and left.”
Alice could tell by the flatness in his voice that something was wrong. She noticed the basket of food and looked inside. Jacko had not touched the food. She turned and faced Dom. “Why didn’t he eat? What has you so worried?”
Dom brow furrowed as if her question confused him. His eyes darted away as he kicked the straw about on the barn floor.
“Why was he upset? Was it the letter?”
Dom remained quiet as he pulled out a dirty cloth and wiped his brow. “This ain’t my business. I should have never been involved.”
“Dom?”
“I was hired to tend your horses and I do a fine job of it.”
“Dom, tell me what happened!”
Her servant shook his head in distress. “It don’t matter now. He just got on his horse and left.”
Alice could tell by his grim face, he had worse news to deliver. “Tell me what you don’t want to say. I am strong enough to hear the truth. You don’t have to protect me.
The man sighed. “He won’t be coming back.”
His words drove a knife into her heart. Her sense of balance abandoned her along with her strength. If not for Dom’s firm grip on her shoulders, she would have tumbled to the ground.
He helped her to a stool and knelt before her. “Should I get your mother?”
Alice shook her head. “No.” She had expected Jacko to laugh at the silly plan. Never did she think it would anger him to the point he’d break off their engagement.
Even now, she found the idea inconceivable. Their love was too strong for a mere inconvenience to destroy their future. She looked up at Dom. “You said he looked upset. Did you mean angry?”
Dom shook his head. “No, he looked sad and resolved when he left, not angry.”
Alice searched her mind for an explanation to explain his response. What could have upset him?
Had she been too dictatorial in her suggestions about his housing and clothing? She cringed as she recalled her note so hastily written. In retrospect, her words sounded like she thought him incapable of being a gentleman without precise instructions.
She covered her face and groaned. Why had she not given her wording more thought? Why had she presumed he would understand her intentions despite her ill-written advice?
She had hurt his feelings and he left saddened by her thoughtless letter. But he would go to Spain. He must. A love this strong could not break by a mere insult.
She breathed in and stood. Dom gripped her shoulder. She smiled at him. “I’m fine now. I understand what happened, and I regret causing him pain, but Jacko will forgive me.”
Dom nodded, but she sensed her words confused him.
Alice returned inside where Mr. and Mrs. Hathoway and her mother were enjoying breakfast. She fixed herself a plate and joined them, but her stomach rebelled after a few bites.
She was certain Jacko would be in Spain when they arrived, but she hated a week must pass with her thoughtless words un-recanted.
Mrs. Hathoway was a sharp old bird. She noticed Alice’s lack of appetite and presumed to know the reason.
“Don’t worry, Alice. I will not introduce you to anyone dreadful when we are in Spain. You will find the Spanish men more pleasing than our English boys. Besides being dark and remarkably handsome, they are renowned for their bravery. They won’t fail your tests I dare say.”
Her words only reminded Alice how badly she had failed Jacko. “I am tired of tests.”
Mrs. Hathoway chuckled. “Well, I for one, am glad to hear it. A lady of your age should be practical, not romantic, in her selection. What you need is a good man with interests matching your own.”
Mr. Hathoway looked up from his paper. “Moreover, avoid men with a penchant for gambling or are rumored to be in debt. You deserve better than a fortune hunter.”
Alice was suddenly glad Jacko possessed a good fortune. Otherwise, the Hathoways would be set against him, making this charade more difficult.
***
Once they saw the Hathoways off, Alice confessed her poorly written letter to her mother.
Mrs. Collins laughed off her concerns. “My dear, I’m certain Jacko has put it aside by now and is searching for a fine residence in Cadiz. He is simply not a man to take offense over nothing. Your concerns are baseless. Now, if you truly wish to worry, then teach me what must be done in your absence. I’m certain my slow progress will give you more than enough concern to keep your mind occupied.”
Alice fro
wned. “You cannot be slow, Mother. You have a great deal to learn.”
***
Alice had high expectations of her mother’s ability to grasp her temporary responsibilities and the dear woman proved her mettle. By Thursday, she could maintain the books to perfection and knew what to do with the various types of mail that might arrive.
She looked longingly out the window, her thoughts focused on Jacko. She frowned as she spotted an enormous man approaching on a horse, with another horse traveling at his side.
As the giant man came closer, his battered face gave testimony to a life of violence. “Thomas!”
Her mother rose and joined her at the window. “Oh Lord, he looks‒”
“Like trouble,” Alice finished. “Thomas!”
The butler arrived, his forehead furrowed and his eyes tense. “I’ve seen him and we are getting the guns.” He rushed to the window. “You should get your gun from the safe and stay here. I will see what he wants.”
Alice hurried to the safe and retrieved her gun. She was not keen to sacrifice her butler to an assassin, but the suggestion of protecting herself was a good one.
Mrs. Collins squinted as she stared through the window. “Is that a boy with him?”
Thomas nodded. “It is. I thought he had brought the extra horse for an abduction, but you are correct, madam. A young boy sits atop the second horse.”
When they reached the house, the giant man dismounted and helped the lad down. Then the man remained with the horses while the cute cherub approached and knocked on the door.
The butler turned to leave the library, but Alice grasped his arm. “I’ll get the door.”
Thomas’ eyes flared with outrage. “No, miss, you will not. Getting the door lies clearly in my duties.”
“Not today.”
Determined to have their way, each stormed from the library.
***
Mrs. Collins looked through the window to discover a little cherub, with an angelic smile, standing on the other side, pressing a letter against the glass.
She nodded and pointed the boy to the door. She hurried from the library and passed Thomas and Alice still arguing over who possessed dominion of the vestibule.
“The lad was sent by Victor,” Mrs. Collins declared as she squeezed past them and let the boy in.
Thomas slammed the door closed behind the child and locked it.
***
Alice stared at her mother in shock. “How do you know he is from Victor?”
Mrs. Collins took the letter from the smiling boy. “I recognized Victor’s handwriting.”
Alice was not yet satisfied. “When?” How could her mother have known the child was from Victor before she let him in?
The little cherub smiled at Alice. “I showed her me letter at the window.” He then grimaced. “I’m sorry if Mr. Tubs scared you. I know he looks mean, but he’s truly a nice man. I’ve just learned to ride a horse and Mr. Thorn said Tubs had to come or he’d not let me deliver the note. And delivery is under my purr-view. That means it’s my job.”
Alice knelt down beside the boy. “You came all the way from London?”
The cherub beamed with pride as he nodded.
“I bet you are hungry and thirsty.”
His nod quickened.
She looked at Thomas. “Will you ask May to fix a meal for our little friend?”
The boy looked up at the butler. “Can you make it a big meal, so I can share with Mr. Tubs?”
Alice brushed the lad’s curls from his face. “Of course we can.” She imagined Jacko had looked much the same as this boy in his youth. “What is your name?”
He smiled beneath his curly brown mop of hair. “I was L’il Pete, but now I’m just Pete. Mr. Thorn says it makes no sense to point out my…” Pete’s head tilted and his eyes stared up to the left as he searched for his word. “hinder ants as I’ll outgrow it soon enough.”
Alice laughed when she realized the lad meant “hindrance.”
She glanced up to her mother still reading the letter.
“What does it say?”
Mrs. Collins took a deep breath. “I could use a seat and a stiff drink.”
Alice nodded and hurried her to the library settee by the fire. “Pete, come in here, as well,” she called as she poured her mother a sherry.
Pete stepped through the doorframe and stopped. His mouth fell open and eyes rounded to saucers. “Jeepers, this place must be a palace. Me mum’s not going to believe this. Look at all them books!”
Alice smiled. “Well, come sit by the fire if you like.” She then sat down by her mother and gently took the letter from her hands so she could read it.
Dear Mrs. Collins.
I hope this letter finds you well. I just wanted to bring you up to date on several issues.
The Women’s Franchise League began legal proceedings upon the initial reports of your death, resulting in a judge freezing all assets so Mr. Carson could not deplete the estate.
Better yet, Scotland Yard has arrested Mr. Carson this morning on charges of murder and attempted murder.
Having lost access to your bank accounts, Mr. Carson has no funds to buy a lawyer with sufficient influence to parole him from jail. Thus, he currently resides at Giltspur Street Comptur and will be moved to Newgate to await trial.
I have spoken with Mrs. Prankhurst and she is greatly relieved to learn you are alive and well. However, she says she will fight the removal of the League’s claim to your assets until she sees you for herself.
May I suggest you wait until you are required to return to testify at the trial? Then Mr. Carson cannot use your money for his defense.
On another topic: How does the servant dispersion go?
Sincerely,
Victor Hamilton
Alice looked at her mother in shock. This was grand news. Why did she look so upset? “Mother, you cannot still have feelings for that monster?”
Mrs. Collins finished her sherry in one hard swallow. “Oh, I have feelings, but none are benign.”
“Then why are you upset?”
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I should have just let the two of you marry. This charade is pointless. A wife always bears the sins of her husband. I will be persona-non-grata for the rest of my life regardless of your marriage.”
She turned and clutched Alice’s hand. “I just pray I haven’t ruined your life with my foolishness.”
Alice frowned. “You ruined nothing. At worse this is a misunderstanding between Jacko and me. We’ll get it straightened out.”
Her mother’s lips tightened. “Yes, I’m sure you shall.”
Pete popped up. “I need to see about Mr. Tubs. Excuse me please.”
Alice grimaced. The boy was so quiet, she had forgotten his presence. Well, what did it matter if Victor learned she had almost chased yet another beau away?
***
Mr. Tubs stopped brushing the horse when he saw Pete running from the house at full speed. The boy looked upset.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can I tell them Jacko’s on a mission and will be back?”
“No! You could get him killed that way.”
Pete nodded and ran back inside.
Mr. Tubs shook his head. He should have told the lad to hand over the letter and leave, but he had hoped they’d feed the tiny fellow, and Tub’s horse desperately needed rest.
A fellow came around the side of the house and eyed him as he walked to the barn. Mr. Tubs gave him a nod, but refrained from smiling. Smiling only cleared alleyways for him.
When his horse nickered with excitement, Tubs looked up expecting trouble. He was shocked to see the man walking towards him with two buckets of water for the horses.
“Thanks,” he said with caution. Wouldn’t be the first time someone bearing gifts tried to kill him.
The man nodded and left. Tubs reached into the horse’s bucket and extracted a handful of water. He was thirsty too.
The man returned with
two oat sacks and handed them to Tubs. “The cook is fixing you and the boy a lunch. Would you prefer eating in the kitchen or on the grass?”
His act of kindness shocked Tubs, so it took him a moment to gather his words. “The grass’ll be fine.” He didn’t want to horrify these nice people with his bad eating habits.
The man nodded and studied Tub’s horse. “You might want to give this fellow a long rest.”
“Gotta get the boy back before dark, but I’ll ride the other one and let Pete ride him.”
The man seemed satisfied and returned to the barn. Tubs smiled. Davy would like this fella. They could talk about horses all day long.
***
Mrs. Collins watched her daughter rise and walk to her desk. “Alice, I’m so sorry.”
Alice sat down and pulled out a sheet of paper. She dipped her pen into the inkwell. “Don’t apologize. You bear no guilt over my mistake.”
“But if I hadn’t insisted upon this charade…”
“The charade was not the problem. I am the one to blame. Had I only read my letter aloud, I would have realized how terrible it sounded. But I do not believe Jacko will leave me for this. We love each other too much to allow such a silly matter to end our happiness.”
“Then you are not writing the Hathoways to cancel your trip?”
“No. I am responding to Victor’s question about the servants. I hope he is not disappointed that we have only placed fifty-three so far.”
“Disappointed? I cannot imagine the employment services could do half so well. I have imposed on every friend I have…” Mrs. Collins sighed. “Or had. I doubt any of them will speak to me now.”
She turned to Alice as a horrible thought occurred to her. “What if the Hathoways no longer wish you to accompany them to Spain?”
A Right to Love: Romantic Spinoff From The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2.5 Page 19