Ice and Embers (Regency Redezvous Book 10)

by Melanie Karsak

  “Well,” he said, seeming to understand the problem, “I am confident that given time, you will catch the attention of anyone who is able to recognize natural talent.” Lord Waldegrave opened the door, and we entered the lobby. “Do you perform every night?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  “And during the day?”

  “We vary our matinees. At present, I am not on the stage on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

  “I…” he began, then twisted his hat in his hands. “Might I call on you? This Thursday?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek. There was no way I could accept such a fine gentleman caller at my garret apartment. Aside from that, I had no proper chaperone. A girl who didn’t care much about her reputation would have accepted the invitation with no regard to either. But I was not such a girl, and I wanted to make that abundantly clear.

  “I’m afraid…I do not have…You see, my home…Lord Waldegrave, I’m afraid I—” I began then burst out laughing at the absurdity of the situation. I covered my mouth with my hands then looked at him.

  He smiled softly, seeming to understand. “Miss McKenna, may I propose that we take a tour of the British Museum this Thursday? I can meet you there, perhaps?”

  I exhaled a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I would love that.”

  With a bow, Lord Waldegrave put on his top hat once more. “It was a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday,” he said, and with a smile, he exited the lobby.

  I stood a moment trying to catch my breath.

  “I am amazed and know not what to say,” I said to no one in particular, snatching a line from Shakespeare’s Hermia. He had understood my situation and had, in the kindest of ways, sought to remedy my discomfort. And with that, his behavior suggested that this gentleman was not merely looking for carnal entertainment. I scarcely knew what to think.

  I slipped on my pelisse. I was buttoning it up when Kai entered the lobby.

  “Ah, sorry I’m late. The Haughton’s son had a terrible cough. How was it?”

  “Amazing.”

  “Amazing?”

  “You won’t believe what just happened,” I said then shared the exchange with Kai whose face grew darker, or so it seemed, with my every word.

  “Go cautiously. He may be ill-intended.”

  “Must you assume the worst of everyone?”

  “Seems prudent to do so.”

  “Perhaps I’m so ugly that you can’t imagine a fine man courting me?” I teased.

  “On the contrary. I can imagine all men, fine or not, trying to court you. That’s what has me worried.”

  “You jest.”

  “Do I?” he said. “No. I worry. Such a man cannot court you without scandal. So either he is braced for a liaison that may call into question his reputation or he doesn’t have honest intentions.”

  “Kai,” I said in an exhausted huff. I reached out and tickled his ribs. He yelped, evoking a boyish squeal.

  I giggled.

  “Don’t do that again,” Kai said with a smile, snatching hold my hand to prevent me from pestering him again.

  “Or what?”

  “Or I’ll forbid you from meeting your fancy gentleman.”

  “And just how do you propose to enforce that?”

  “Hum,” Kai said then looked thoughtful. “I’ll find a way.”

  I blew air through my lips. “Instead, wish me well.”

  “You know I do. Speaking of, how are you feeling? Is the performance taxing you too much?”

  “A little, but I’ll never admit it to anyone but you.”

  “Be sure you rest tonight. You’re just getting well.”

  I squeezed Kai’s hand, grateful that he watched over me as he always had.

  My mind drifted back to the present. If John formed a genuine attachment to me, if there was a chance I could marry him, then what? What of Kai? He had been in my life all my life. How would I live without Kai across from my window? As I drifted off to sleep, a single thought pricked at my heart. How could I live without Kai?

  It was some time in the middle of the night when I heard the latch on my window rattle. Sleepy eyed, having been lost in a dream, I looked up. A moment later, the panes opened, letting in a gust of cold winter wind. Feet first, Kai slipped into my flat.

  I smiled sleepily at him. “What time is it?”

  “Nearly three o’clock.”

  “You’re just getting in now?”

  “Obviously,” he said with a grin. Kneeling before my fireplace, he banked up the flames.

  “How is the gentleman?”

  “Alive. He’s still out of his mind, but his heart is steady, and the color has come back to his extremities. The local surgeon will look after him for a few days. Master Hawking was very obliging.”

  “He’s a kind man,” I said, feeling my eyes shut once more. “I’d like to visit the gentleman tomorrow. Will you take me when you go?”

  “Of course. Are you performing in the morning?”

  “At ten. I’ll play the role of the faerie godmother in the morning pantomime.”

  “Fitting.”

  “The godmother and not the maiden? Have I lost my bloom already?”

  Kai smiled. “Hardly. By playing the faerie once more, you’ll steep yourself in a mystique for the fairgoers.”

  “Mystique. I like that.”

  Kai covered me with a thick blanket. “You should get into your cot.”

  “I’m far too comfortable here. You take it. It will take too long for you to get your fire going at this time of night.”

  “Stay here? Are you certain? It’s not entirely prop—”

  “Proper, proper, always on with what is proper. Kai, you are like my own blood and know me as well as I know myself. Since we were children—”

  “But we aren’t children anymore. And we are not brother and sister.”

  “Indeed. But who knows you are here save the mice and me? Stop arguing with me and lie down. I’m going back to my dream.”

  Kai sighed then I heard the frame of my cot creak as it took on his weight. “What were you dreaming about?”

  “I was in a forest. It was very green.”

  “Most forests are.”

  “Tease. I mean, it was very green, lush, with leaves and flowers galore, and someone was playing a harp. People were dancing around a maypole,” I said with a yawn, feeling myself slip back to sleep.

  “Sounds nice. I’ll try to meet you there.”

  I chuckled, or at least I tried to, as I was half asleep once more. “Nosy boy. Go have your own dreams.”

  “Yours are much better than mine. And I want to see you dance in the forest, nymph.”

  “Rogue.”

  Kai laughed softly. “Goodnight, Elyse.”

  “Goodnight, Kai.”

  Chapter Six

  The following morning, after we shared breakfast, Kai retreated to his flat to get ready for the day. I closed the curtains on the garret window, refreshed myself, and then waited for Kai. As I sat at my small kitchen table stirring my tea, I wondered for the hundredth time why Kai still kept a residence in his little garret apartment. He didn’t have the money for anything better when he was an apprentice, but now that he earned a doctor’s wages, he could afford a modest home. Indeed, if he went into the country, he would likely be able to find a position and fine house. I frowned. Was he, like me, attached to the space out of sentiment?

  I heard a tap at the window.

  Kai and I kept an endless supply of pebbles at the window sill. I rose and went to the window. Pushing the curtains aside, I expected to see Kai leaning out his window waiting for me. Instead, I found a mourning dove on the ledge. When I opened the curtains, I startled the poor creature, and it flew away, leaving behind what I’d thought was a twig. Then I noticed a splash of purple color. I opened the window and discovered that the twig was not a twig at all but a lovely spring crocus, deep purple and vibrant yellow in color.

  I turned to call
to Kai when I noticed that his window was still shut. I looked through the glass and caught sight of him as he buttoned the top of his trousers. Shirtless, he stood adjusting his trousers. His undershirt and shirt sat on the chair nearby. I moved to go back inside but paused a moment. I hadn’t remembered Kai being so fit. Granted, it had been years since I’d seen Gram scrub him down, complaining that he smelled of dirt, but I had not realized he was so muscular. His chest had a smattering of dark hair. His stomach was firm. Trailing down from his belly button was a line of dark hair that led to—

  Gasping, surprised by and embarrassed of, myself, I closed the window. I felt my cheeks redden. I closed my eyes and tried to shut out the images that played across my mind. The thought of Kai naked had made my heart quicken.

  “Elyse, you need to get married soon before you sully your virtue,” I berated myself as I pushed the last of the lustful thoughts away.

  Keeping myself busy, I turned to examine the Frost Fair roses. Overnight, they had warmed to a pale purple color. The smell coming off the blossoms was heavenly.

  A few moments later, I heard a tap on my window once more. I waited, listening for a second tap. This time I wanted to be certain it was Kai’s call before I called my modesty into question again. A stone tapped on the window again.

  I opened the curtains. Kai was leaning in the opposite window frame. I pushed open the latch.

  “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?” I called lightly, making Kai smile.

  “Are you ready, Juliet?”

  “I am.”

  “You know they both die in that play, right?”

  I laughed. “But what a romance first. Meet you below?”

  Kai nodded.

  I latched the window then turned and pulled on my heavy jacket. Bundled in layers of clothing, I headed outside.

  By the time I got downstairs, Kai was already waiting for me. As always, he carried his doctor’s bag. Offering me his arm, we headed out. A light snow had started to fall. Given it was early morning, the new dust covered everything with a beautiful shimmer of white.

  As we headed in the direction of London Bridge, I said, “Kai, I was thinking—”

  “Oh dear. So much mischief has always followed those words.”

  “Not always.”

  “Kai, I was thinking, why don’t we make dinner for our grannies? Kai, I was thinking, should we try to crawl down the drain spout? Kai, I was thinking you would look very fetching without any hair. Let me see: fire, a broken arm, and a bald head, complete with several small cuts, which also earned me a switching.”

  I laughed. “Yes, but wasn’t it the broken arm which introduced you to Doctor Thompson who later supported you in your studies? You see, if it weren’t for me, you would never have studied medicine.”

  “Because you talked me into breaking my arm?”

  “I did not talk you into breaking your arm. And if it had worked, sliding down the drain spout would have been much faster than the stairs. But anyway, I was thinking, why do you still live in the flat? I mean, it’s not my business, but haven’t you saved enough from your practice to afford a nicer home? Something larger? In a better neighborhood?”

  I felt Kai’s muscles tense under my arm. “I have been saving my money, you are right. And I do have enough saved so I could do as you suggest. But…”

  “But?”

  “Now is not the time.”

  “I see.”

  Kai laughed lightly. “You see, meaning that you will think it over then quiz me later.”

  “Precisely. You know, it’s very annoying that I’m so predictable.”

  “Only to me.”

  “That’s true. John has told me that I am very clever. He finds it quite surprising and not at all predictable,” I said teasingly.

  “Interesting. Your wit doesn’t come as a surprise to me at all,” Kai said stiffly.

  “He doesn’t mean it the way you are suggesting.”

  “No. I’m sure he doesn’t.”

  “You know, you could try to like him.”

  “I could. But I will wait to ensure that I should first.”

  “Kai, you are a grumpy old bear,” I said, reaching up to ruffle his dark hair sticking out just from under the back of his top hat.

  He grinned then caught my fingers. “It’s not wise to provoke a bear,” he said, setting the lightest of kisses on my gloved fingers before he returned my hand to me.

  It was a movement he must have made a hundred times in the past, a familiarity I’d never thought anything of before, but given my immodest thoughts, the gesture struck me oddly. I felt a strange stirring in my stomach.

  “Careful here,” Kai said, setting his hand on my lower back as he guided me around a patch of ice.

  “Thank you,” I replied nicely.

  Kai smiled. “Of course.”

  We worked our way through the streets until we reached London Bridge. Turning down the narrow riverside road, we soon came to the home and workshop of Master Hawking.

  Kai rang for the footman while I looked out on the frozen Thames. Already the river was busy with activity. I still had time, however, before I needed to join my company to prepare the morning’s performance. And I hoped, above all, that John would come today. I hated to think that something had happened to him.

  “Doctor Murray. Do come in,” I heard the footman say.

  Turning, I joined them.

  “Master Hawking is in his workshop. I’ll inform him you’re here.”

  “Is the surgeon still here?” Kai asked as we entered.

  “Yes, sir. Miss Hawking convinced him to stay for breakfast. He is in the dining room.”

  Kai nodded, and we followed the footman to the parlor. The room, while properly adorned, reminded me much of the rest of Master Hawkings’ home which I had visited but twice before—full of his tinkered contraptions. On the wall, a framed picture depicting a waterfall ticked like a clock as blue-colored balls rolled down the river and over the waterfall. The effect of the moving image was enchanting. An elaborate grandfather clock stood at one end of the room. Rather than having a single face, the clock showed several times in several locations from London to Constantinople to Bombay to New York City and even more. Every piece of furniture was stacked with books. I smiled when I realized that there was nowhere to sit.

  “Look,” Kai said then turned the windup key on what looked like a music box. A moment later, the box opened to reveal a stage. Metal drapes drew back to reveal a tiny clockwork ballerina. The ballerina pirouetted via a groove in the metal. Music played, giving an added grace to her steps.

  I gasped.

  “Miss Hawking has been working on pairing clockwork and tone. I believe this is one of her works.”

  I was about to reply when a voice interrupted me.

  “Indeed it is,” a man called.

  I turned to find Master Hawking. Dressed in a wool suit covered by a leather apron, it appeared that the tinker had already been hard at work that morning.

  “Good morning, Doctor Murray. And Miss McKenna. Always a pleasure to see you,” Master Hawking said.

  “Sir,” I replied, curtseying.

  Master Hawking smiled.

  “You must be here to see your patient. Shall we?” Master Hawking said, motioning to the stairs.

  Kai nodded to me, indicating I should follow.

  “I’m sure my footman informed Mister Blackwell that you’re here. We’ll have him come up after breakfast. Your drowned man slept well through the night. He had a spot of tea and bread with jam this morning.”

  “Have his senses returned?”

  Master Hawking shook his head. “I’m afraid not.” He led us to the door of a bedchamber then knocked on the door.

  A maid appeared.

  “Is he awake?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Very good,” Master Hawking said then motioned for us to follow him.

  The man who had quite nearly drowned the evening before was sitting upright
in bed. He’d been changed into a nightdress. To my surprise, he appeared much younger than he had the night before. Apparently being near-death gave one the hue of middle-age which did not speak well, of course, of the middle years. This morning, I would guess him to be a man in his late twenties. The fire in the room burned brightly. In my outdoor wraps, the room felt over-warm. Kai must have thought the same as he loosened the top button of his jacket. The man was sipping a cup of tea which he set aside when we entered.

  “Sir,” Kai said, nodding politely to him. “Do you remember me?”

  The man coughed in an attempt to clear his throat. He motioned for us to wait a moment as he sipped his tea once more, then he said, “Yes, sir. I believe you are the doctor to whom I owe my life.”

  Kai bowed his head politely. “I am Doctor Murray.”

  The man looked around Kai and stared at me. “I…I know you, I think,” he told me.

  “This is Miss Elyse McKenna,” Kai introduced.

  The man furrowed his brow. “Onion soup,” he said then shook his head. “But I do recall you from elsewhere. Sounds silly, but I keep thinking of faeries,” he said with an awkward smile.

  “I am an actress, sir. We believe you saw me perform yesterday night before your accident. I was playing the role of Titania at the Ice House Theatre on the Thames.”

  The man lifted the cup of tea and took a sip. “Yes. I…I do remember something of the play.”

  “Something of it?”

  “I remember you kissing…pardon me, Miss. I don’t mean to be rude, and I know this sounds absurd, but I remember you kissing a donkey. That, and onion soup.”

  I smiled. “There is no offense on your part, sir. It is Master Shakespeare who is at fault.”

  The man chuckled.

  “Miss McKenna, I would like to examine Mister…our guest,” Kai told me.

  “Master Hawking, perhaps you would be kind enough to take me to your daughter?” I said, turning to the tinker.

  He nodded, and I followed him out of the room.

  Kai closed the door behind us.

  “Poor chap,” Master Hawking said as we headed back downstairs. “The Thames took his memory, but it seems she was cold enough to save his life.”