Summer of the Moon Flower (The de Vargas Family)

by Seaton, Annie

  For a brief moment, she pondered the possibility of breaching the garden one night and collecting the specimens from there, but quickly realized there were few flowers in bloom. She stretched on her toes and froze as a cold metallic finger brushed her arm. Turning swiftly, she put her hand on her rapidly beating heart, and let a relieved breath out when she realized it was only a decorative piece of the fence rail.

  Looking around at the mist settling in the spring evening, she tucked her head down and walked briskly toward the Café Schwarzenberg, crossing the great Ringstrasse boulevard which was in the midst of construction.

  She pushed open the door and smiled at the seated cashier who was flirting coquettishly with a young man in a kilt. Sofia closed her eyes. The city is full of Scots today.

  “Willkommen.” The booming voice of Herr Hochleitner greeted her. “Madame de Vargas. It is such a pleasure. We have not seen you for a few weeks.”

  Sofia glanced across at the young man staring at her with his mouth open, before she reached across and took Herr Hochleitner’s arm. “Yes, Hans. The salon has been busy and I have come to say farewell before I depart for the Alps to take some mountain air.”

  She watched curiously as the young man scurried into the gambling room at the back of the coffee house. Herr Hochleitner smiled down at her affectionately before leading her to the special lady parlour.

  “Now tell me what has your dear wife prepared today?” she asked as she slid into a single bench along the window.

  “An egg in a glass, or a sweet perhaps?” he asked. “Maria has made some Buchtein this afternoon with jam from the spring plums in our garden.”

  “Then I must sample one,” she replied. Settling back against the timber-lined wall, she positioned herself where she could observe the evening crowd who would soon be making their way to the opera. It was early and she was the first customer in the parlor. The gilt edged mirrors reflected the candlelight coming from the many ornate chandeliers hanging low from the high ceiling. A low buzz of noise drifted from the smoky atmosphere of the gambling room across from her. She glanced across to the room; it was full of men, lounging around on the padded seats or leaning over the pool tables.

  Sofia turned her attention to the street as a carriage hovered past outside the window. A footman ran forward and pulled down the steps and she smiled as she recognized an evening gown from her salon. Business had been brisk over the past few weeks as local society prepared for the spring launch of the musical season. The Vienna State Opera hall had recently been commissioned by the Viennese City Expansion Fund and would provide further opportunities for her salon once completed.

  Sofia sighed. As soon as her staff had completed the creation of the elixir from this expedition to the Alps, she was going to hand the research over to Ernst and Johann. It was time—

  “A penny for your thoughts, Madame?”

  The warm rolling words of a deep Scottish brogue interrupted her thoughts. She turned slowly from the window, knowing before she looked up the voice belonged to the Earl of Rothmore.

  “Sir.” She nodded to him. “It is a surprise to see you so soon.”

  “It is a pleasure to see you again too, Madame.” The earl slid onto the bench beside her.

  “You are unaware, sir, this is the ladies parlor?” She was determined not to let the warmth of his thigh pressing against her leg affect her and she moved away. “Are you with your wife? I trust she has recovered?”

  Dougal reached across and held her chin gently with his hand. “I know it is the ladies room. However when my manservant told me you had entered the establishment, I could not resist coming in to see you.” The warmth from his strong fingers travelled down her neck and lodged in her chest, just above her fast beating heart.

  “And your wife, sir?” she repeated.

  He looked at her with a strange expression on his face and did not answer.

  “I am not a courtesan, sir. I may be liberal and forward minded, however I am not in the habit of partaking of a dalliance with a married man,” she said firmly. “However flattered I am by your attention, it is unwelcome. I am about to partake of my meal. It has been a long day and I am tired.” She turned and waited for him to leave but the grip on her chin tightened and the first prickle of unease flickered across her skin.

  “Sofia?” His voice was soft. “May I call you Sofia?

  She did not reply and tried to inject displeasure into the stare she directed at him. He let go of her face and trailed gentle fingers down her neck before placing his hands on the table.

  “Sofia, I am an honest man and not used to deception.” He held her gaze and continued. “I do not have a wife. The woman you met this afternoon is… my…” He paused and looked at her.”She is the wife of an acquaintance who knew I was travelling to Vienna.”

  Her first reaction was relief, but then discomfort covered her like the cold fingers of the mist outside as suspicion began to build in her mind.

  “Why, then sir, did you pretend she was your wife?” Her voice was heavy with displeasure. He hesitated and she sensed he was being less than truthful with her.

  “I did not want you to think I—”

  “Why were you in my salon?” She cut off his words before he could complete the lie she knew was about to come from his lips.

  “The truth?”

  She nodded.

  “I wanted to meet you and it seemed the only way to make your acquaintance. You do not mix widely in society.”

  “No, that’s true,” she replied. “However, sir, you have me intrigued. Why would you wish to meet me? So far from your earldom and your island…or is that all a fancy as well?”

  Dougal straightened in the seat and smiled at her. “I apologize for the one and only untruth I told you today, Sofia. Yes, I am an earl. I have a castle on Little Rothmore and I am travelling to the Alps to take the mountain air. I am with my manservant, Edward and I will be leaving the…my acquaintance’s wife in Vienna until her garments are ready.”

  “And her health?”

  “Er…she is indisposed and is need of medical attention which has been arranged.”

  He turned his gaze to the window as he spoke and she knew once more, he was not telling the truth. Despite his lies, she was pleased he was sitting here with her. It was not often she had the company of intelligent men in a social setting. The time she spent in the laboratory with Ernst and Johann was fraught with tension, and Henri, her own manservant was more like a father to her.

  “Would you like to join me for coffee?”

  His features relaxed as a smile broke over his face and he reached across and picked up her hand. “I would be delighted, Madame.”

  Hans returned with her Buchtein and sweetened milky coffee. He assured Dougal it was acceptable for him to stay in the ladies parlour until more customers arrived later in the evening. Sofia sipped on her coffee and observed the man sitting across from her.

  His dark hair was pulled back and tied in a tail with a strip of leather, and left his features clear for close inspection. Deep blue eyes of a clarity she had not seen before, were framed by dark curling lashes. Her gaze travelled down to his full lips and on closer inspection, discovered a narrow white scar ran from the side of his mouth to the centre of his cheek.. His cheeks had the ruddy glow of a man who spent a lot of time outdoors and the hand that had held hers was work-roughened.

  “Tell me about yourself, Dougal. Why are you in Vienna?”

  “I had business to attend to and then I am taking a holiday in the mountains,” he replied. “There is an Austrian cattle breed which survives in the rocky conditions and cold temperatures in the alpine pastures I wish to inspect.

  “The rocky condition and bitter temperatures are the same as my island home.” He laughed. “Very different to the sophistication of Vienna.”

  “I am well used to travelling in your country. My sister lives in Cornwall and I visit her.” Sofia sighed. “Although not as frequently as I would like.”
/>   The sound of laughter drifted in from the foyer and Dougal stood and held his hand out to her.

  “I shall depart the ladies parlor,” he said with a smile. “Perhaps you will allow me to escort you to your apartment?”

  Sofia looked up at him, torn between her suspicions of him and her intuition he was a good man.

  She shrugged. “Certainly, it is a lengthy walk, but a pleasant evening. I would appreciate the company.”

  Dougal insisted on paying the cashier for Sofia’s coffee and after a quick word with his young manservant, led her out onto the street. Sofia shivered as the cold wind from the Alps met them. Dougal’s warm fingers brushed her throat as he tucked her cloak more snugly about her shoulders and she shivered again, but not from the cold this time.

  “If we walk close together, it will shield the wind from you,” he said thoughtfully. “I am used to the cold. My castle is cold and draughty and the wind blows from the sea in all directions.

  They walked soft-footed in the stillness of the clear night and only her occasional direction to take a turn, here or there, broke their companionable silence. It seemed to be no time at all before they reached the Lindengasse and they stood together under the gas lamp outside the door of her salon.

  Sofia gasped as a rhythmic clicking surrounded them and looked over her shoulder waiting for the metallic grasp of an automaton. Dougal pulled her close and his arms banded tight around her.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  She grasped his shirt and burrowed into his hard chest trying to control her shaking.

  “Can you see it? Where is it?” She was barely able to get the words out as fear snaked up her spine. Lifting her head, she peeked around his solid bulk. A piece of metal had come loose from the gas lamp and the wind was blowing it against the lamppost. She drew a shaky breath and let go of his shirt.

  His hold gentled and he reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Why so timid?” he asked gently.

  Her heart was thudding in her chest and she leaned into him once more. It was safe…and warm…and comforting. She could get used to this very quickly.

  Dougal lowered his head into her hair and breathed in the exotic fragrance. She was so small, he thought. Delicate shoulders barely reached the middle of his chest, her waist beneath the flowing cloak was tiny— he could almost have spanned it with his hands. Without giving it more thought, he gathered her even closer and a soft sigh settled in the air. She fitted against him so well, almost as though she had been tailor-made to fit into his body. He inhaled the fragrance of her hair once more as he stroked the tension from her shoulders. Guilt overcame him as he understood how much the chase at the station must have frightened her. But despite her fragile appearance, he knew she was brave and determined.

  Would she be so brave if she knew she was beneath the watch of the Knights Templar?

  An overwhelming desire to protect her consumed him and he vowed to himself he would protect her. Before he knew what he was doing, his mouth lowered to hers and it took his breath away. Her soft lips opened under his and her sweet breath mingled with his. His knees trembled and his mind cleared of any thought apart from the delight of her lips. She returned his kiss and the sensation ran through his blood.

  “Dougal,” she murmured his name against his mouth as she lifted her hands to caress his neck.

  The soft gasp of his name brought him back to reality and he pulled back and blinked to clear his head.

  Dear Lord, what was he doing?

  He was here to protect her, not molest her. He could ill afford for her to get into his blood. Look how much one simple kiss had distracted him. He had a mission to accomplish although he had no idea what he was going to do about it.

  “I’m sorry, Sofia.” He lowered his hands and put his arms by his side, away from temptation. Her wide green eyes looked up at him and the flickering light from the lamplight reflected in the four small brass studs in her delicate ear lobe.

  “Don’t be,” she replied softly. She turned to the door and ran her hand in front of a square brass plate. A sharp snap was followed by the slow opening of the door as the cogs freed the lock. She looked up into his face, which he knew was full of curiosity; he had never seen a door open with a simple touch of the hand. Most of the doorways in his castle did not even have a door to lock…and that would be problematic if the plan formulating in his head came to fruition.

  “A recognition device embedded in the cogs,” she explained with a laugh. He sensed she was trying to lower the emotional tension lodged between them like a solid door. At the moment, he had no wish to pass through that doorway, although if all went to plan…

  He gathered his thoughts and harrumphed before taking his leave. Taking her small hand between his, he lowered his lips gently to the inside of her wrist and pleasure shot through his body as she shivered at his touch.

  “May I call on you again before I depart for the Alps?” he asked.

  Sofia nodded without speaking and stepped through the doorway. She turned and smiled up at him.

  “Thank you for a pleasant evening, Dougal.”

  Before returning to their lodgings in Mariahilfer Strasse, Dougal called into the Café Schwarzenberg to collect Edward. The young man was still sitting in the entry flirting with the cashier.

  “There is no doubt, Edward. We are a fine pair. Too long in the wilds of Scotland and the first pretty face brings us both to become a quivering mess.” Edward followed Dougal to the street and flushed when Dougal slapped him jovially on the back.

  “Enough of that. We have some serious planning to do.” Dougal lowered his voice as they retraced almost the same route he had taken with Sofia, less than an hour ago. The streets were now busy with carriages, both horse-drawn and steam-powered as the city came alive after the end of the evening’s music recitals.

  They entered their lodgings at the end of the street and Dougal looked across at Westbahnof, just across the road from their building. Much had happened since he had chased Sofia along the departure platform and he smiled grimly as the sight of the railway station reminded him of the journey ahead.

  “Tomorrow we shall book out our tickets to Salzburg. I would not feel safe travelling through the Alps in our airship. And if the quality of the mechanicals in the ship is anything like those in dear Celestine, I would prefer to be on the ground.”“How we will travel from Salzburg to Schladming?” Edward asked.

  “It all depends how quickly we want to get there and when we wish to arrive.” Dougal laughed at the expression on the younger man’s face as he tried to decipher the cryptic reply. He crossed the room to his travelling bag and removed a velvet pouch.

  “It will all depend on how long Madame de Vargas takes to return from Cornwall with her nephews.” If the interlude with Sofia in the Kaffeehäuse had not been pleasant enough, he had also gleaned information from her about her forthcoming trip to Schladming and the fact she would have her nephews with her.

  He reached into the pouch and slowly withdrew an elaborate inclinometer from the bag.

  “What is that?” Edward asked curiously.

  “This, my dear man, is an Astrolaberors which will get us to our destination. As long as we can plot against the sunrise or sunset, it will allow us to navigate through time. We shall arrive at Schladming before we leave Salzburg if we so desire.

  The young man’s eyes were huge in his face. “So we dinna need the airship after all?”

  “Yes, we needed to bring the automaton. However, now she is no longer functioning, we may send her back to England on the airship. We will use the Astrolaberors for our return journey when the time comes. An inclinator of this size can transport three people with little worry.

  Dougal smiled as understanding dawned on Edward’s face.

  Chapter 7

  Sofia passed the first two days of her journey in Paris taking delight in visiting three couturier houses. At the end of the second day, she was met by Mr. Grimoult, her sist
er Indigo’s manservant, who conveyed her to Indigo’s airship for the short journey across the English Channel to the manor house in Cornwall.

  The old man held her arms and looked at her closely. “As usual you are working too hard. You have shadow under your eyes, Sofia.”

  “The season has been very busy and business from the colonies is growing,” she replied with a smile. The Grimoults had looked out for both her and Indio after their father had been murdered in the Amazon jungle.

  “And the other business?” he asked softly.

  “There has been a problem,” she answered. “I believe the information sent from Captain Thoreau was a set-up. We are obviously being watched so I have taken the utmost care. Ernst is working at the laboratory alone and we have stopped all shipments for the time being.”

  “And I am sure there is a reason for your holiday to Schladming with the boys…apart from being a loving aunt?”

  Sofia reached down and handed her carpet bag to Mr. Grimoult. “Yes, we are going to have some walks in the alpine summer and who knows we may even come across some botanicals. It will be a good experience for the boys.”

  Mr. Grimoult rolled his eyes. “Those scallywags. Quite honestly, their behavior has been appalling and they need to be taken in hand. Captain Thoreau and madam are both so strong-willed, they can never agree on a suitable consequence for the two lads and they are becoming wilder by the day.” He put out his hand and assisted Sofia up the steps of the dirigible. “A week with the calm influence of their aunt will do them no end of good.”

  “I am looking forward to it.” Sofia smiled. “As I am looking forward to reacquainting myself with my dear sister…and Captain Thoreau of course.”

  She settled into her seat and closed her eyes as Mr. Grimoult prepared the airship for ascent. Thoughts of Dougal flitted through her mind and she wondered if he would write to her as he had promised when he had come to bid her farewell two days ago. He had been quite withdrawn and although her heart had raced when he took her hand and kissed it farewell, she doubted she would hear from him again. Although it had been very kind of him to visit her, he had been distant. The mistruth he had told her about having being married to the strange woman they had fitted in the salon, had been peculiar and she could still see no reason for it.