John picked up the cards and selected his two from the center.
“Place them face up on the table.”
He did and placed the deck back onto the table. Madame Zeta’s long thing fingers deftly shuffled the second deck and placed it in front of him.
“Please take two cards from the second deck.”
John repeated his actions turning up the cards on the table.
“Interesting choices, my lord.” She removed all the cards but his four. “Let us see what we have.” She moved her hands to his cards. “We have the Fool.”
John couldn’t stop the snort from escaping.
“Is there a problem, sir?”
“I apologize. Please continue.”
Madame Zeta stared at him with those witchy eyes for so long he felt like Nanny was going to smack him in the head. She touched the second card from the first deck. “The Queen of Cups. There is a woman you admire.”
“What?”
She lightly touched The Fool. “You tend to rush headlong into things. You should be cautious to not rush headlong into love lest you lose the woman you admire.” She pointed to the Queen card.
Her hand moved to the other three cards he had selected. “The Tower, and the Star. Very interesting selection.”
John fought an urge to squirm. The woman had a way about her that made him think she could see more than he let on.
She sat back and folded her hands on the table. “The love you seek is there if you have patience. The tower indicates radical change of self or of her. The Star is a wish granted.”
“Wish?”
“The cards only reveal what you choose to reveal.” She lightly touched the Queen. “I think your lady will be difficult to convince.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he muttered.
Madame Zeta chuckled. “The path is not always clear, but if you can find a way to capture her heart, she will be yours forever.”
“It’s the capturing-the-heart part I’m struggling with.”
Madame Zeta gathered the cards. “She is not immune to you. You just need to look for the signs.”
He studied the woman across from him. “How do you know this?”
She smiled. “I know all things.”
He chuckled.
“Find the key to her heart. Once you have the key, you will have all you desire and more. Thank you for coming.”
She stood and parted another curtain. John stepped out into the sunlight blinking from the brightness. Good lord, that was odd. And rather hopeful, come to think of it.
Victoria stood quietly waiting her turn. The tent was dark, cool, and quiet. The thick carpets muffled the sound of the crowds just outside. The smell of incense was strong and caused her nose to itch.
“What do you think she will tell us?” Mrs. Matthews asked.
“I have no idea.”
“I feel rather guilty partaking in this. Like I’m playing false with God.”
Victoria laughed. “I know what you mean, but it’s all in good fun. I doubt we will be judged very harshly.”
“As long as the vicar or his wife do not see me coming out of the tent. There’s been enough scandal regarding Tony and I to last a lifetime. I really don’t want to stir up more.”
Before Victoria could answer, the same breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared in the doorway to the inner chamber. Victoria took the time to study her. Her skin was dark, almost black in the dimness of the tent, but her eyes were palest gray and penetrating. Her hair was hidden behind a colorful turban. She was dressed in a simple gown with colorful robes draped over it.
“Number eleven, please.”
Juliet nudged her. “That’s you, Miss Penwith.”
“Oh, yes.” As she moved toward the doorway, she felt the woman watching her carefully, as if summing her up, before turning to lead her into the chamber. As Victoria passed through the entrance, a thick curtain fell behind her, enclosing her in the small windowless space.
“Please be seated,” Madam Zeta said.
Madam Zeta’s accent was curious. Victoria couldn’t quite place it. She took the old chair with an embroidered cushion at a small rectangular table which was covered in a red silk cloth. Candles flickered around the room providing the only light.
“I am Madame Zeta. How would you like your fortune read?”
“What are my choices?”
“I have the tarot cards, as you see. I can also read your palm.”
“Let’s do the cards, please.”
Two decks were placed on the table.
“Select two cards from this deck.” Madame Zeta’s slim, elegant hand motioned to the left deck. Victoria chose two cards from the center of the deck and placed them face up on the table.
Madam Zeta gasped. “The Devil and Death.”
Victoria blanched. “That’s bad isn’t it?”
“Pick two cards from this deck.”
Victoria selected two more cards and placed them face up.
“Interesting.”
Madame Zeta touched the Devil card. “There’ve been painful moments in your life.”
Victoria stiffened. “I think that could be said of anyone.”
“True, but here is where it gets intriguing.” She touched the Death card. “This past relationship or whatever is causing pain, is ending. Death signifies ending — a change between what was and what is.”
“So, you’re not predicting my death?”
Madam Zeta chuckled. “On the contrary. This signals a change. In your case, good change.”
Victoria felt a bit of hope rise up in her. “What else?”
Madam Zeta placed a finger on the King of Wands. “There is a new gentleman in your life.”
Victoria could feel her face heat, but held her tongue.
“This new gentleman is rather bold.” Madam Zeta winked at her. “That could be a very good thing.” She studied the The World card. “Another interesting selection. You are definitely making me work for my coin today, madam.”
“What do you mean?”
“The World is a new beginning. To sum it up, this new gentleman in your life will bring new change and an end to the old pain. He will bring you your heart’s desire.”
“I doubt that very much.”
Madam Zeta chuckled. “Men do have their ways about them, don’t they?”
“Indeed.”
Madam Zeta reached across the table and touched Victoria’s hand. “You must allow yourself to trust this change. The Death card signifies a life split between what is and what will be. If you do not allow it, you will remain in what is.”
“How will I know who to trust?”
“This man,” she removed her hand to lift the King of Wands card. “This man will help you, if you let him. He will reach you at your deepest heart and can grant all you desire.”
This was nonsense, but there was a small part of her that grabbed onto the hope the fortune stirred inside her. “And how shall I know who this man is?”
“I see you are one of those who needs proof — a sign. So, I shall give you a sign and you will believe.”
Victoria tightened her lips to keep from laughing. “What sign.”
“A kiss. You shall receive a kiss from this man and you will know.”
“You are serious?”
Madam Zeta stood and crossed her arms. “I have given you a reading and advice, yet you mock what you do not believe.”
“I apologize. I didn’t mean—”
“That is all I have for you today. Thank you for coming.”
Victoria knew she was being dismissed. “Thank you.”
As she moved past Madame Zeta, the woman grabbed her arm.
“Wait. You have lived here all your life.”
Madame Zeta’s words were a statement, not a question. “Yes.”
“Do you know of family by the name of Elliot in this area?”
“No, I don’t believe I do.”
Madam Zeta released her arm and turned
back to the table to gather the cards and shuffle them.
Victoria pushed aside the heavy carpet covering the doorway and stepped outside into the sunlight, her mind swirling. The fortune was eerily specific and personal. She hadn’t expected that. This man, she assumed was Sir John, would kiss her.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about him or his kisses. On the one hand, he had quite the reputation but on the other he was great fun to flirt with. She just wasn’t sure yet if she could trust him. Or if he were more interested in her or her horse.
Victoria clutched her reticule in her hands and resolved to put the silly fortune behind her. As much as she hated to agree with Sir John, he was right. This was just stuff and nonsense and she should put the entire stupid episode behind her.
“So how did your fortune go?”
Sir John’s voice startled her and she jumped a bit.
“Must have been pretty good to have you so deep in thought, Miss Penwith.”
“As you said earlier, it’s just a game. I doubt anything will signify.”
He shrugged. “Is Juliet still inside?”
“I believe so. If you will excuse me, I must find my father and see to preparation of the race.”
Sir John straightened and bowed. “We shall see who wins the wager. I’m determined to win an afternoon of riding with you.”
“While I hope you brought some old boots. I’d hate to see you ruin those fine Hessians mucking out my horse stalls.”
As she moved towards the path that would take her to the stables, she couldn’t stop the shiver of awareness that his low rumbling voice caused deep within her. He couldn’t be the man in the cards. He just couldn’t be.
Chapter 4
Sir John stood against the wall at the edge of Juliet’s drawing room. He’d not had much luck these past three days. He’d lost the race to Penwith’s horse, again. Now he had to figure out when he could muck the stables at Rosethorne. And find an old pair of boots.
“Penwith seems rather subdued considering the size of the purse he won yesterday,” Luke Connells said as he stood beside him. He’d spent his time wisely at the Fair investigating Penwith and his winning horse. Unfortunately, it meant investigating Victoria.
“You never told me what you discovered from the stable manager.”
“The man takes his orders, not from Penwith, but from his daughter. She apparently runs the entire operation.”
There was a part of him that wasn’t surprised by this. Victoria clearly loved her horses. It was evident in the way he had watched her calm her horse before the race. “Where was Penwith before the race?”
“Watching wrestling and wagering a fortune. He knew he would win the purse, even when your horse was the odds-on favorite.”
Sir John surveyed the room, his eyes landing on Victoria who quickly looked away. Penwith was taking risks. Large risks. John knew what that was like—a dangerous, slippery slope into hell. He knew better than anyone what gambling could do to a life. He’d lived that life for years before being rescued by his sister’s husband. He was still recovering from his slide into hell. “Is he in good financial standing?”
“He plays deep but so far luck is on his side. That horse is the genuine article.. The stable master told me that Penwith just profits from his daughter’s hard work. She is the one who determines what horses breed. Tychee is all her doing.”
Now that was interesting. “Why isn’t she married?”
Luke chuckled. “That’s not part of the investigation, Townsend.”
“I know, but it seems strange that she wouldn’t be married with a few children of her own. She’s not travelled outside of Beetham except for a few horse races. My sister says she’s been engaged, but jilted.”
Connells turned to him. “Not my concern, though I see that it’s yours.”
John shrugged. “I like her. I have from the first moment I met her.”
“As long as we get what we want out of the investigation, fine, but if we do not approve Penwith’s entrance into the Jockey club, you won’t get near the daughter.”
That was true. Penwith was extremely cautious about who Victoria spent time with. John’s own behavior from three years ago wasn’t going to help matters.
“I had better mingle with the other guests,” Connells said softly. “Are you still suspicious of Penwith’s success with this horse?”
John considered the question. “It’s all too perfect.”
Connells nodded in agreement. “I’ve reviewed the information and can find nothing untoward. There’s nothing to give me any cause to question a decision of yes save for the character of the man.”
John had to agree. While Penwith was a bit bombastic and gambled too much, that just made him more like the rest of the members of the Jockey Club. The puzzle was missing a piece and he couldn’t seem to find what that piece was. “Then we’ll have to approve the request.”
“Honestly, there was no doubt that we would, if you ask me.”
“I’ll try to get more information from the stable manager when I go to fulfill my part of the wager.”
Connells chuckled. “Not a bet I’d want to lose. I value my boots too much. When do you go?”
“I plan to make the arrangements tonight with Miss Penwith.”
Connells chuckled. “Miss Penwith is going to run you in circles, my friend.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
Connells wandered off toward Penwith and the group of men in the far corner of the room. He leaned against the wall and watched Miss Penwith at the piano. Her father would be approved for the Jockey Club. There was no real reason to not do so. There were plenty of members who gambled away their money only to earn it back with one race.
But there was just something about Penwith that did not ring true. He would neither confirm or deny his daughter’s involvement with the stables. She clearly was involved and loved working with her horses. If Tychee was an example, she was damned good at it. He just couldn’t figure out why he disliked her father so much.
“John, dear, if you do not wipe that frown off your face, I’m going to think dinner threw you off,” Juliet said as she came up beside him. “Unless dinner did throw you off.”
He glared at her and went back to staring at Victoria.
“It wasn’t dinner.”
“There are several young ladies who’d like to be introduced.”
“I’m not really in the mood, Juliet.”
“As we are all aware, brother. If you are going to stand here and stare at Victoria Penwith for the rest of the evening, excuse yourself and go upstairs.”
“That would be rude. Does Victoria always play the pianoforte when she is in company?”
“She is the best musician in the group and honestly, I think she does it so she doesn’t have to make small talk with the rest of us.”
“She is an intelligent woman.”
“I think I should be insulted.”
John glared down at his sister. “I’m not in the mood to be teased, Juliet.”
“Fine, but don’t assume that just because we appear to gossip and discuss fashion that it’s a sign of a lack of intelligence. We just prefer to talk in code so you gentlemen have no clue what we really discuss.”
“Hilarious.”
Juliet shot him a cheeky grin. “Still, she cannot always be conversing about horses with the men in the group. Her father discourages it. Were you able to get her to tell you her fortune from the fair?”
“No, she ran off to the stable shortly afterwards. She seemed rather undone by the whole thing. Did she say anything to you?”
“No, and I don’t blame her. I was rather undone with mine. Madame Zeta was really very accurate. What was your fortune?”
John looked down at his sister. “That my wish will come true.”
“Do you have a wish?”
“Juliet, everyone has wishes and dreams they want to come true. I’m no exception.”
“Does that wish involve Miss Victo
ria Penwith?”
“Perhaps.” He refused to elaborate on anything to do with his trip to the Fairy Steps or his fortune with his sister. A man had to have some secrets.
“Have you set a date to fulfil your lost wager?”
“I am hoping to negotiate that tonight while she is here. I was waiting for her to finish her performance.”
“She’ll wriggle out of being there with you. She seems set on avoiding you.”
“I know.” He wasn’t sure what could be done about it. He didn’t want to force his company on her, but the only way to get to know her was to spend time with her.
“Well, you must make of it what you can. I’ve made sure she’ll be there when you do muck the stalls.” Juliet shot him a cheeky grin.
“What the hell does that mean?”
Juliet leaned close. “I told her I wanted a description of you mucking out stalls in your good boots as you brought nothing else with you.”
“I was going to borrow a pair of Tony’s.”
Juliet grinned. “I know, but I must help you win her.”
He turned to Juliet. “I don’t need help in winning her.”
Juliet chuckled. “Nathaniel acted the same way when he fell in love with Anne, yet he fumbled around like a fool. Tony was no better either. Let’s face it men do not have a clue how to approach a woman when they are in love. You know it’s true.”
John’s mouth tightened. “I know no such thing. You speak nonsense. Besides, I never said I was in love.”
“Denial is the first step.”
“Step to what?”
“Men always deny love. I’ve never understood why? It’s a human emotion. Perfectly natural.”
There wasn’t anything natural about it, from his point of view. “Can we talk about something else, please?”
“Classic case of denial.” Her voice took on that sing-song quality that drove him mad.
John crossed his arms. “I think I’ll retire for the night.”
“But we are playing cards? How will it look?”
Fortune's Wish (Fortunes of Fate Book 4) Page 4