Fortune's Bride

by VICTORIA MALVEY

  "Surely it can't be that bad," Calla replied, sitting next to Alyssa,

  Seeing the concern upon her sister's face, Alyssa wanted to reassure Calla that everything would be all right, but this time she couldn't summon the words of comfort. Shaking her head, Alyssa said, "I'm afraid it is. This afternoon I tried to discourage Ian once and for all so I... I cursed him."

  Calla's eyes grew round. "You what?"

  Pressing a hand to her temple, Alyssa tried to rub away the ache building there. "I announced... in front of everyone... that by the week's end he would be plagued with a hundred frogs."

  "A hundred frogs?" Calla squeaked, before a tiny giggle escaped her. "Why a hundred frogs r

  "It was alt I could think of at the moment," sighed Alyssa.

  Laughing, Calla reached out to clasp Alyssa's hand. "I think that was a perfectly wonderful curse!"

  "Oh, Calla, don't you see? Soon everyone will know I'm a fraud and no one will ever want to hire me again."

  The smile slid away from Calla's face. "That is a problem." Tilting her head to the side, she gazed at Alyssa. "What are we going to do about it?"

  "Do about it?" repeated Alyssa. "There is nothing we can do about it." Rising to her feet, Alyssa felt the hopelessness of their situation settle around her. "We must simply sit back and wait for the worst to happen ... then perhaps we should throw ourselves on our cousin's mercy and pray he's had a change of heart." A shiver ran through Alyssa. "Of course, I could always accept Mr. Meiser's marriage proposal."

  "Absolutely not!" Calla leapt to her feet. "You aren't going to marry that little toad of a man... not when someone like Ian Fortune is falling in love with you."

  "But that's just it, Calla. He's not falling in love with me. Not at all." Alyssa allowed her disillusion to spill forth. "And I've been deluding both of us these past few months. My act as Madam Zora barely sup' ports us, so there's no possible way we could ever save enough to pay for a Season for you."

  "I don't want a Season!"

  A single tear slipped down her cheek as Alyssa reached out to tuck a strand of flaxen hair behind Calla's ear. "You deserve one, though. Even you have to admit that it would be lovely to have new gowns, to never have to eat potatoes morning, noon, and night, to live in a home that actually keeps you warm and safe. You should have alt of those things, Calla, and it's my responsibility to see you get them."

  Stepping forward, Calla laid her head against Alyssa's shoulder. "I'm such a burden to you."

  "No," Alyssa said quickly, wrapping her arms around her young sister. "You are my greatest joy. After Mama and Papa died, I would have been utterly bereft if it weren't for you."

  For a long time, Calla was silent. "I love you, Alyssa," she said finally.

  "Ah, and I love you as well," Alyssa comforted her sister. "And I promise everything will turn out all right. Somehow, we'll get through this together."

  Lifting her head, Calla offered, "1 can help."

  Guilt plucked at Alyssa, making her wish she'd waited before coming home and pouring out all of her concerns and disillusionment to Calla. There were some things a fourteen-year-old child shouldn't have to deal with... and worrying about where they would get the money to live was one of them.

  "Calla, please. It isn't your mess to fix. I got us into this situation, and I'll get us out again," Alyssa vowed. "Somehow."

  * * *

  "The earl is where?" exclaimed Isaac Meiser, twisting his hands together as he starred incredulously at Lord Tonneson's butler.

  "In Bath," the servant replied. "His lordship felt the need for restorative airs after his upset."

  His upset? Shaking his head, Meiser rubbed at his temple. If the news that his cousins had been seen in London had been so distressing, Meiser could only imagine how the earl would react to the news that Lady Alyssa was masquerading as the famous Madam Zora. Surely it would be enough to give Lord Ton-neson apoplexy.

  "Do you have any idea when he'll be back?" Meiser asked, hoping that the earl would return by the end of the week. He needed advice on how to handle Alyssa's charade... and the curse she'd foretold. Since he'd left his meeting with Lord Covington, Meiser had thought of nothing else. After all, the ton would be furious at Lady Alyssa once they discovered her true identity and realized she'd been lying to them the entire time.

  Meiser's hopes of the earl's speedy return were dashed when the butler replied, "I do not expect his lordship to return until the early part of next week."

  "Next week," muttered Meiser. It was Thursday, so there wasn't even time to send the earl a missive.

  Thanking the butler, Meiser left the house, praying for wisdom to strike him. One way or another, it was Left to him to solve this problem.

  * * *

  She was getting a headache.

  All evening long, the members of the ton had been atwitter about the curse. Wagers abounded—wagers on how many frogs would appear, when they would appear, if they would appear.

  Oh, yes, the ton delighted in the many possibilities.

  But each laugh, every speculation, was merely an' other reminder foretelling the end of her career. Alyssa knew that by this time tomorrow, all of society would realize that she was a fraud. And, much as she dreaded it, tomorrow was also the day she must throw herself upon the mercy of her cousin. She'd decided it was the best course late last night, long after Calla had fallen asleep. Alyssa would only marry Mr. Meiser if she had no other options. Indeed, her cousin seemed the more palatable solution.

  The most she could hope for was that the earl would reinstate their small stipend and send them back to their little cottage. Her dreams of a Season for Calla were fading away with every hour that passed.

  "Madam Zora?"

  Looking up from her table, she saw Lord Essex standing hesitantly before her. "Would you like me to tell your fortuner Smiling at him, she gestured toward the seat. "I've finished up for the evening, but I'd be more than happy to read your palm before I head off for home."

  Shaking his head, Lord Essex braced his hands on die back of the chair and leaned forward. "I don't need you to tell me my fortune tonight I merely came to thank you." His excitement was clearly visible as he continued, "Because of your advice, Tin going to invest the remainder of my fortune into a company I'd been considering... even though Ian advised me against it"

  Something inside of her froze. "But isn't Mr. Fortune quite knowledgeable in his business dealings?"

  A slight frown marred his brow. "Well, yes, he is, but I know he's wrong about this investment. Lord Coving-ton's done exceptionally well with his investment and you confirmed the success of the venture when you told him to follow his heart. You gave me the same advice."

  For a long moment, Alyssa remained silent, then she allowed her conscience to win out I gave you hope, Lord Essex, but that was all. I can no more see into the future than you can," she admitted softly.

  "But...but..."

  Rising, she moved around the table and placed a hand upon his arm. "If your friend advised you not to invest, then I would follow his wisdom. Unlike me, he would never tell you something that might harm you."

  "You wouldn't harm me," he protested.

  "Not intentionally;" she agreed, allowing her hand to drop back to her side. "But if anything I said caused you to go against sound advice, then I was wrong." She smiled at him. "Trust your friend, Lord Essex."

  With a Sigh, Alyssa gathered her belongings and left the room.

  * * *

  "I take it you heard everything she said," Peter re-marked to Ian, who stood in the entrance to the ballroom.

  "Every word," he admitted, still amazed at the Gypsy's generosity of spirit. She didn't have to expose herself in order to save Peter, a stranger, but she did.

  When it counted most, she had come through.

  Shifting his attention to his friend, Ian asked, "Are you going to listen to her?'

  A grimace flickered across Peter's face. "As much as I'd like to ignore her advice... and yours
for that matter, somehow I fear you're both right. After all, it's following my heart that has depleted my family fortunes; perhaps my instinctive reaction is dead wrong,"

  "Peter, my friend, your gut is always right, but what you need to understand is that you must do the exact opposite of what it tells you," Ian said, smiling broadly to take the sting out of his words.

  "You're undoubtedly right." Peter sighed lightly. "Then again, you usually are when it pertains to financial matters."

  "True... and I am right about this investment as well." Seeing his friend's dejected expression, Ian relented. "Still, why don't we head out to the coast and look into the business ourselves. That way we can be certain."

  Peter nodded eagerly. "I think that's a sound plan."

  "Very well, then." Ian nicked another glance at the door, wanting to follow his Gypsy, to ask her why she'd been so angry at him the last time they'd met, angry enough that she'd cursed him. And set herself up for failure.

  The reasons behind her fury eluded him still and he wanted nothing more than to discover why...

  "Don't just stand here. Go after her."

  Peter's command captured tan's attention. "Pardon me?"

  "Go after her!" he repeated, waving toward the door. "It's plainly obvious that you'd like to run after her, so do it. No one will even notice if you leave." A side of his mouth tilted upward. "Besides, this way you can flirt outrageously with her, and no one will be the wiser."

  "I don't—" But he did, Ian realized, stopping his protest in mid-sentence. Every chance he got, as a matter of tact. The kiss they'd shared in the garden had been one of the most sensuous he'd ever experienced. He'd wanted to take it further... much further. Hell, if she hadn't pulled back he would have...

  "So what are you waiting for?" Peter asked, slapping a hand on Ian's shoulder. "If you don't hurry, you'll lose her."

  Laughing, Ian headed out the door... eager to follow his Gypsy.

  10

  "W hy are you looking out the window?" Calla asked for the second time that evening.

  Allowing the curtain to fall forward, Alyssa turned toward her sister. "All the way home I had the most disquieting sensation. I felt as if I were being followed."

  "You're probably on edge because it's Friday."

  "I'm sure you're correct. By tomorrow, everyone will know I don't possess any powers," Alyssa conceded, removing her coin-laden veil and folding it for what would probably be the last time.

  "I'll put it away for you," offered Calla, reaching out to take the veil from Alyssa.

  Grabbing hold of one of Calla's hands, Alyssa looked pointedly at the dirt beneath her sister's fingernails. "Really, Calla," she chided gently. "You're beginning to look like a street urchin."

  They would be returning to Northumberland none too soon.

  * * *

  Ian's hand shook as he poured himself a brandy. Dear God, she lived in squalor. The image of her rodent infested building would forever be burned in his mind. He'd been born into poverty, yet compared to Zora's home, he'd grown up in a mansion.

  And after tonight when her curse failed Co come true, even the meager amount she earned as a fortuneteller would be taken away from her.

  Remembering her generosity toward Peter, he couldn't bear to have her exposed for a charlatan. All he had to do was make the curse come true. Taking a sip of his brandy, Ian turned the idea around in his head. If he ordered a trusted servant to gather a few frogs or toads, then have them released in his home, Zora's prediction would then have come true. And her only visible source of income would be secured.

  Draining his glass, Ian realized that he'd worked to expose her from the first, yet now, when he was offered a perfect opportunity to do so, he found he couldn't take advantage of it. Zora had proven herself to be an honorable woman by helping Peter. She deserved for better than to be revealed as a trickster. She deserved to be kissed senseless in a garden filled with moonlight.

  Pushing aside the image of her falling into his arms, Ian strode from the room.

  He had some frogs to catch.

  * * *

  The morning sun shone brightly upon Madam Zora's building, illuminating the dirt and disrepair that had been partially cloaked by the shadows of the night. Though he would have sworn it impossible, Ian thought the place looked even more disreputable.

  Determination hardened within him as he crossed the street. All night long he'd fought with indecision, part of him wanting to forge onward with his dreams of marrying well and the other part recognizing the fire in his blood for a certain Gypsy. By dawn, he knew he couldn't fight his longing for Zora any longer. He would set her up in a cottage nearby and see to her every need... and together they could explore the depths of passion.

  Squelching the heat ignited by his thoughts, Ian stepped into the front entrance. The stale air strengthened his resolve to get Zora out of this place. Looking at the rows of thin, warping doors, he realized he didn't know which apartment belonged to his Gypsy.

  Suddenly, a sweet voice calling out a greeting echoed down the staircase. Zora. Though he wanted to vault up the steps, Ian made his way carefully up the stairs, fearful that they might give way at any moment. Just then an elderly woman appeared in the hall.

  "Excuse me for my boldness madam, but I was wondering if you might have been speaking to a young lady known as Zora?"

  "Don't know no Zora," replied the woman.

  The woman's assertion didn't surprise him. He'd never believed his fortuneteller was actually a Gypsy named Zora. "The lady has dark hair and dark eyes and she..."

  "Ah, you mean—"

  "Mrs. Greggs, you forgot your—"

  Ian's head snapped around. He smiled at his Gypsy in her plain dress with her hair swept up in a simple knot at the back of her head.

  "Is this the lady you wanted?" asked Mrs. Greggs from his side. "Why, that's—"

  "Here's your hat," Zora interrupted, her face still pale. "It might rain later this afternoon."

  "You are such a dear." Accepting the knit cap, Mrs. Greggs smiled at Zora, then at him. "And this fine gent is lookin' fer you."

  Color flooded Zora's cheeks when Mrs. Greggs waggled her eyebrows at her.

  "I'll be leavin' the two of you alone, then." She paused to give Ian a stern look. "You be lookin' like a lusty sort of fellow, but you'd best keep it in check. This here's a good gel."

  Ian heard Zora's soft groan, and held in his smile. Instead, he offered Mrs. Greggs a solemn nod. "I shall do my best to keep my... lusty nature at bay."

  "See?" Mrs. Greggs said to Zora who had turned beet-red at this point. "I knew he was a fine gent."

  Smiling weakly, Zora remained silent until the front door shut behind her elderly neighbor. Ian could see the panic in her eyes as she turned toward him. "What are you doing here, Mr. Fortune?"

  "The name's Ian and I should think it's rather obvious why I came to this... place,"he finished.

  Zora's chin lifted. "It might not be much, but I call it home."

  "The hallway belongs to your he asked, glancing around pointedly.

  "No, but—"

  "Then why don't you show me into your flat." He didn't wish to have a conversation here in the blasted hallway.

  Alarm flashed over her features, piquing his curiosity even more. "I'd let you in, but—"

  "Excellent," he said, interrupting without care for his rudeness. If Zora was nervous, then there was something of her past in that apartment, something to identify who she truly was.

  Placing his hand on her elbow, Ian steered her back up the stairs to the apartment door that stood ajar. "Ah, here we go."

  "Ian, no, I—"

  "There's nothing to fear," Ian reassured her, pausing in front of the door. Stroking his hand down her cheek, he allowed all the feelings he'd pushed away to wash over him. "I'm certain you've realized I'm attracted to you, Zora, and I believe you desire me as well." Slowly, he leaned forward, brushing his lips against her brow. "I'll take you away from this sq
ualor and set you up in a lovely cottage where you can be happy and you won't have to pretend to be a fortuneteller anymore."

  Abruptly, Zora stepped back, swatting away his hand. "What makes you believe I would accept such an offer?" she rasped, anger flashing in her eyes. "I'm not a harlot, sir."

  "I never said you were." Ian shook his head. "My offer has no conditions set upon it other than the chance to call upon you."

  Indecision wavered in her expression. "You would give us all that—"

  "Us?" Ian asked, cutting Zora off.

  "I mean—"

  "Alyssa?"

  The soft call froze Ian's blood as he turned to face die young girl framed in the doorway. "Calla?" he rasped, recognizing her immediately.

  Calla's eyes flared in alarm as she turned her gaze first to him, then to her sister. Suddenly, the pieces fell into place for Ian.

  Snapping his head toward Zora, he pinned her with his stare. "Lady Greenald, I presume."

  Her mouth opened as if to respond, but she shut it without uttering a syllable. Instead, she nodded slowly.

  Feeling light-headed at the stunning news, Ian reached out to brace himself against the wall. "All this time you've been playing me for a fool," he whispered, wanting to believe he was wrong, but unable to deny the evidence before his very eyes.

  "No," Alyssa cried, laying a hand on his forearm. "I didn't intend to deceive you, but—"

  "... you just happened to be walking in the very park in which I take my daily constitutionals and your sister just happened to pretend to taint in front of me and then you just happened to show up and—"

  "Enough!"

  "Enough?" Snorting in derision, Ian shook his head. "I hardly think so. Not even close to enough for some-one who deliberately set out to deceive me by pre-tending to be a poor widow. Why did you feel the need to invent Lady Greenald anyway? Did you realize that all Zora could become was my mistress while Lady Greenald might have been able to entice me into marriage?" A bitter laugh escaped. "How you've played me for a fool."

  "Please, Ian, it wasn't like that."

  "Of course it was," he retorted coldly. "But luckily for me I discovered your game." His stomach tightened as he gazed down into her beautiful, deceitful face. "Perhaps you should learn from your mistake when you pick your next dupe and choose someone less cautious."