by Unknown
He already knew much more about her than she could imagine. It would have surprised both her and Amiee to know of the unique contacts Gregory Hamilton had.
He could tell that she longed for a life beyond the confines of the Round. She longed for all the luxuries she had never known. She had the questions, and in time he meant to provide the answers.
One Sunday they had taken an afternoon ride and when they finally arrived back at the Round late that night, Gregory stepped down from the carriage and offered his hand to Charity. She disembarked with the aplomb of a queen, well aware that a great number of jealous eyes watched.
She walked up the rickety steps and opened the door to the sound of laughter. Beth and Amiee were seated at a small square table. Amiee held a deck of cards, some spread in a pattern across the table. Both women seemed to be sharing a joke.
"What's so funny?" Charity inquired.
"Oh, Charity," Beth laughed, "Amiee is so clever. She's decided to try her hand at reading cards. She's set up a little stall on Front Street. It would amaze you how many people are just dying to have their fortunes told."
"Fortunes? You can do that?" Charity questioned.
"No," Amiee said with a laugh, "but nobody knows that. They think," she said in a mock mysterious voice, "that the Amazing Madame X can see into the future. Is there wealth . . . love . . . travel? Only Madame X knows for sure." Amiee smiled. ''And it costs a pretty penny to find out."
"Another way to make a shilling or two," Charity laughed. "Were you two practicing?"
"Actually we were," Beth said. "Amiee has given me four different fortunes. I'm waiting for the one that suits me."
"Come on, Charity, let me show you how it's done," Amiee said.
Beth stood up and Charity slid onto the chair opposite Amiee, who was shuffling the cards. Then she set the deck before Charity. "Cut the cards into three piles." Charity obeyed. "Now, choose the one that holds your future." Charity tapped the center one and Amiee picked it up. She pushed the other two piles aside and began to deal the cards out, face up in a single line across the table.
Both Beth and Charity's attention were on the cards, so they were not observing Amiee's face, which for a minute registered surprise, then a faint look of
shock. She was not prepared for what was happening, and she couldn't seem to stop it.
Vague, misty visions began to form before her, blotting out Charity and becoming so real she could not control the words that poured from her lips.
"I see a man," she said softly, "a dangerous man. I see . . . intrigue. You are walking into a dark place and you cannot see who is lurking there. Promises . . . promises. There is a portrait, one that reveals a secret. This man . . . No! There are two men . . . two men, both dangerous. You will taste fear and betrayal . . . pain and . . . and love."
By this time Beth and Charity had exchanged looks. Charity was smiling, but Beth was uncertain. Charity was sure this was a very professional act on Amiee's part and was impressed.
"There is a secret, and the secret brings . . . oh"Amiee gasped and her pale face looked as if she saw something horrible"death . . . you must not believe! You're in grave danger" At this point Charity began to clap her hands together in applause.
The sound seemed to draw Amiee back from her vision.
"That is very good, Amiee," Charity said. "You can really make it believable. You should make a great deal of money."
Amiee remained silent and lifted her gaze to meet Beth's. It was the first time Beth had ever seen fear on Amiee's face. Perspiration dampened her brow, and her hands shook. Beth remained silent, because she wasn't so certain that Amiee was faking, that she hadn't truly seen something that had frightened her.
Amiee was shaken. She had played this game before. But never had she truly "seen" anything. The vision had come as such a shock that she hadn't been able to fight it.
After a few seconds Amiee swallowed heavily and smiled. "You should hear some of the things I come up with. Enough to make a genteel lady faint, and her handsome companion pay for the chance to gather her up in his arms"her eyes sparkled"and perhaps let his hands roam a bit."
"I don't doubt it for a minute," Charity laughed. "You are a very wicked person . . . and I hope you make lots of money." She walked across the room and sat down on a bench. "Amiee, you know so much . . . so many people. Have you ever heard of Gregory Hamilton?"
"The Gregory Hamilton? Heir to enough money to buy and sell half of England? Good Lord, yes, I've heard of him. Rumor has it he stands pretty high with both the royal family and a lot of members of Parliament. Where did you come up with his name?"
"He's the gentleman in the carriage who has been coming for me. I've had such a wonderful time."
There was a silence so deep Charity could hear her own heart beating.
"A gentleman?" Amiee asked quietly.
"Yes. But . . . he's different." Charity told of his offer to buy her portrait, and his recent invitations. "Is this wrong, Amiee?"
"Not if you're careful . . . and if you know and understand that this has no future," she said softly.
"I do, and I don't expect more," Charity said honestly.
"Well," Amiee replied, "you don't need permission from me or anyone else."
"Charity," Beth said in a frightened voice, "maybe you shouldn't get involved." Amiee watched Beth, knowing she had believed the fortune telling and was afraid this man was the one that meant danger for Charity.
"Beth, Charity must follow her own conscience. We live together here, but we do not command each other's lives." Amiee looked at Charity. "We do not even give advice usually. I break my own rules when I tell you to be very, very careful. You know that you will always be safe with us should any . . . problem . . . arise."
Charity smiled and walked into the next room to go to bed. As she passed Amiee she touched her on the shoulder and whispered, "Thank you."
It was several minutes after Charity had gone that Beth spoke.
"You truly did see what you told Charity, didn't you?"
Amiee was silent for a long time, and her voice was low when she answered. "Yes . . . I did."
Charity began borrowing clothes from Jason's closet so she could dress in style when Gregory escorted her. Beth and Amiee watched as Charity became more fascinated and more charmed by her gentleman admirer.
Gregory showed her a kind of life she had only
imagined. She laughed and danced and watched. Watched and learned. Often she would catch Gregory observing her, and she wondered what he was thinking. He would smile with a touch of admiration in his eyes, and Charity would feel a surge of pleasure. She knew she was feeling more for him than she should, but she couldn't seem to fight it. He was Prince Charming to her Cinderella, and she didn't want the dream to end.
And then, for an entire week he didn't come and sent no messages. Charity swung from pride, which told her she didn't care, to anguish, which told her she cared more than she wanted to.
Beth and Amiee found it best to give Charity a wide berth during that week. Both were sympathetic and knew quite well she was in no mood for sympathy.
Then, at the end of seven days, a bouquet of flowers was delivered along with a note from Gregory. He apologized and begged her to see him that night. Charity swore she wouldn't, but she knew she would. She saw the carriage arrive and went down to meet it.
Gregory was apologetic; he had even brought her a gift. Charity knew she had no right to question him. He had made no promises of any sort, but still she wanted to vent her anger . . . until she had time to watch him for a while. Then she realized that some shadowy thing was pressing on him. He tried to be his old self and to enjoy the delicious food they ordered, but she knew by the end of the evening that he was aware of his failure.
When the carriage stopped, they sat inside in velvet darkness.
"Gregory, what's the matter?" Charity asked gently. "You haven't been yourself all evening. Is it . . . is it me? If it is, I prefer you to be hon
est. Actually I never expected"
"Charity. I'm sorry. I've been in such a state. It's not your fault at all. My sweet girl, you are my only pleasure."
"Then what is it? Perhaps there is a way I can help."
"No." Gregory chuckled and took her hand in his to kiss it softly. "No, this problem does not concern you. It is just something I will have to . . . to work out as best I can."
This was not the Gregory she had known all those lovely nights. A great weight seemed to be pressing him down. Charity was too grateful for the way he had brightened her life to let this kind of thing go on.
"Gregory, I'm not a child. If there is anything I can do to help you, you only need to ask."
"To involve an innocent like yourself in an intrigue so diabolical! No, Charity. I know how generous you are, but this is not a game, it's a serious affair . . . possibly dangerous."
"I don't have one idea what you're talking about. Don't you think it would be fair to explain it to me at least?"
"All right. It's true. I've treated you badly, and you do have a right to know why."
"Are you in . . . some kind of trouble?"
"Not really, but I could have a very serious problem. I . . . it sounds like bragging, but I do have a
great deal of influence at court. There are those who would like to make use of it. That is why I curse myself for getting into this position."
"Curse yourself? What position?"
Gregory turned to her and took her hands in his. "Charity . . . I . . . I've made a very bad mistake. I accepted letters . . . wrote letters to . . . to people who are now under suspicion of treason. If my letters are found, given to the authorities, I could be ruined."
"Then destroy them."
"How I wish I could."
"Why can't you?"
"They've been stolen."
"Stolen!"
"Yes. The worst of it is that I know who stole them, but I'm being blackmailed. He doesn't want them destroyed; he wants to use them to buy what influence I have."
"You know who stole the letters?"
"Oh, I know. He is a relentless man. A traitor himself. I would challenge him if I were not afraid there were others involved who would use the letters as ruthlessly as he would."
"But, Gregory." Charity smiled for the first time. "Why not steal them back?"
"Sounds simple, except that I don't know where he has hidden them. He knows every friend I have. What I need to find is someone he does not know. Someone who could gain his confidence and find out where the scoundrel has hidden them."
"This man is important?"
"Yes."
"Gregory, you can't let him do this to you. You have a fine reputation. You must . . . do whatever is necessary."
"Yes, of course." Gregory laughed bitterly. "He is susceptible to a pretty face. Shall I hire some beauty to get his confidence and steal the papers back? Most beautiful women are not as accomplished as that."
Charity sat thoughtfully for a while and then spoke softly, as much to herself as to him. "What you need . . . is a woman . . . and a thief."
"To put it succinctly, yes."
"You . . . you know so little about me. You've only known me a few weeks."
"I know you are a sweet and beautiful woman, and I have come to care a great deal for you. I am sorry to have burdened you with all this. It is a problem I must find my own way out of. You are compassionate enough to listen."
"You . . . you have come to care for me?"
"More than I am free to express now. If I am destroyed, I would not want your name connected with mine. I would not hurt you that way. When I'm free of this, then we can speak of a future."
Charity felt bubbly excitement course through her. He had come so close to saying he loved her. It was like opening a door and seeing all she had ever dreamed of before her. All she had to do . . . was reach for it.
"No . . . Gregory, you must listen to me. I want to help you."
"Help me?" He touched her cheek with gentle fingers. "You are kind, my love, but there is nothing you
can do. Besides, as I said, I could not stand to see you hurt in any way. He is not . . . he is an unsavory"
"Ugly?"
"Good Lord, no. And he has more than most men in terms of wealth and social position. He has a reputation among the ladies that is difficult to believe. But still he is greedy and unscrupulous. He wants more and more and more, and he doesn't care who he hurts to get it."
"But you are helpless against him because he watches you closely, and knows everyone in your circle of friends."
"That is the way of it."
"But he doesn't know me."
"You! Charity, you can't be serious?"
"I couldn't be more serious than I am right now. Gregory, as I said, you know so little about me. Do you think I live a sheltered life"she gestured about her"here in the Round? How do you think I earn my living? You know I am not a . . . you must realize I make money somehow."
"I never thought about it. I felt you must have family . . . or"
"Well, I have a family of sorts. But not blood relatives. All of the people here in the Round are my family. They are the only ones who extended a hand to Beth and me when we were desperate and hungry."
"Beth?"
"My dearest friend. We were wandering the streets, lost and hungry, when Amiee found us."
"Amiee?"
"My"Charity smiled"mother, sister, friend,
confidante . . . savior. Without her, Beth and I would be . . . well, who knows? Amiee has taught me many things. How to survive is probably the most important." She bent close to him as she spoke and deftly relieved him of both his purse and his gold watch. Then she held them up before them. "And this is what I have learned."
Gregory looked at both objects in total shock. "Good Lord, I never felt a thing."
"And if we were on the street you would never know your belongings were missing until I was safely away counting your money and selling your watch."
Charity waited for his reaction, her heart pounding. This was not exactly the sort of thing one revealed to a gentleman in whom one had an interest. She wondered if she had destroyed his good impression of her.
But Gregory finally chuckled softly; then he drew her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was a gentle tasting of her lips, and she felt none of the panic she had known when Charles had assaulted her. Gregory tasted clean and a bit of mint and tobacco. The kiss was more pleasant then she had expected. Her heart fluttered, and she moved into the comfort of his arms.
"How difficult your life must have been, Charity. I'm sorry. I would like to take you away from all that and give you the life you richly deserve."
She heard the regret in his voice and knew that the only thing that stood between her and all the happiness she'd ever dreamed of was a heartless blackmailer and a packet of letters. She set her mind to
convince Gregory that she could do something about this situation.
''But we can't have a future if this man has his way. Please, let me help you."
"But I don't see" he began.
"Look at everything you've said. You need someone he doesn't recognize as your friend. You need someone who is free to gain his confidence, and . . . most important of all . . . you need a thief who knows what she's doing and isn't afraid to do it. You need me."
"I don't like you thinking of yourself in such a way. Circumstances have made you do things you are too gentle and sweet to do. Why should I place more burden on your shoulders? No, Charity, it is too much to ask."
"You're not being fair to me, you know," she replied.
"Fair to you! Of course I'm being fair to you. What man would ask the woman he"he paused"the woman he loves to do such a dangerous thing. If you are caught, then I would be dragging you down with me."
"If you loved me, you would see how deeply I want to help you. You can't possibly believe that if I were caught, I would confess all? No one would even know my purpose but me. If you loved me, you
would try to understand, and you would accept my offer . . . along with the love that accompanies it."
"Charity," he said softly, "you love me?"
"Yes, Gregory," she replied, convinced that her love was a castle built on solid rock. "But if I cannot help
you, if you will shut me off from such a painful part of your life . . . then I will not see you again."
"Charity!"
"That is how it must be."
"Your terms are harsh. You know I cannot let you go."
"Then," she said hopefully, "you will agree?"
"Agree or lose you. That is hardly a choice," he said, his voice tinged with anger. "But I must see that you are kept as safe as possible. I must undertake to teach you all you need to know to blend into his world. He is a very clever man, Charity, and should he suspect you . . . well . . . he is ruthless and merciless in his self-defense."
"I will be more than careful, and I'm confident that you can teach me all I need to know. Together we will erase the hold this heartless man has over you. When it is done, we will laugh and let him know of our success."
"You are a vengeful little baggage," he finally laughed, and Charity was pleased.
"Against those who would harm me or mine, yes, I am. I have learned the lessons of the streets well. What is yours, protect with all the will you have."
"When this is over, I promise I will do my best never to make you angry with me."
"And then we can marry," Charity said softly. If Gregory could have viewed her face clearly, he would have seen it awash with adoration. He was her dream come true, and when their agreement was finalized, she melted into his arms and returned his kiss with an innocent fervor that stirred his senses. He let her
go reluctantly, knowing this was not the right time or place to consummate their feelings.
Gregory left his carriage in the stable of his mansion and crossed the lawn to enter the house through French doors that led to the huge ballroom. He crossed the polished parquet floor and stepped out of this majestic room into a huge foyer.