Heart's Demand

by Cheryl Holt

  For a fleeting instant, he wondered if he was staring at Anne Blair. Could it be?

  André had never been to England, had never met her, but she’d been renowned as a great beauty, a dynamic singer and actress. If any of those talents remained, none of them were discernible, and as quickly as the curious question had occurred to him, he shoved it away.

  Thousands of women had been transported to the British penal colonies. What were the chances that Anne Blair might pop in for a visit? It was too preposterous to consider. Besides, she had to be dead, and André had never stumbled on a shred of evidence to prove she wasn’t.

  Yet he couldn’t help mentioning, “I recently had an acquaintance from London staying with me. His name is Bryce Blair. He’s heir to the Radcliffe Blairs in Scotland. His parents were Anne and Julian. Might your mother remember the family from her former time in England?”

  Mr. Drummond and his mother held themselves very still. If she was Anne Blair, if André had pricked at an old wound, he’d missed the mark.

  Yet he couldn’t resist adding, “Bryce is a good friend and has grown to be a very fine man. If you would like his address in London, I would be happy to provide it. You’d have at least one contact there when you arrive.”

  “Yes,” Mr. Drummond said, “we would like to have Mr. Blair’s address.”

  André motioned to his clerk who was seated in the rear of the room, making discreet notes about the discussion so they could be referred to later on. The notes were useful should there ever be a quarrel about monies owed. André might have been descended from aristocrats, but he counted pennies like the most miserly merchant.

  The clerk brought Bryce’s information and handed it to Mr. Drummond.

  “Will there be anything else?” André asked.

  “No.”

  “I’ll notify you when I’ve arranged your ship.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And I’ll have my clerk stop by your hotel to take you shopping for the correct and necessary supplies. The trip can be especially grueling, particularly when you sail around Gibraltar.”

  “It can’t be any more rigorous than it’s already been.”

  “I’m certain that’s true,” André concurred.

  Drummond and his mother rose, and they started out. André escorted them, which he normally wouldn’t have, but they were such an odd pair and he knew very little more about them than he’d known when they’d entered.

  He hated for someone to venture into Cairo with secrets he couldn’t unravel. It bothered him. It didn’t seem fair that his curiosity hadn’t been assuaged. He had so few interesting events happen in his life. He enjoyed living vicariously through others.

  They walked to the courtyard, and André was surprised to see Drummond and his mother were on horseback rather than utilizing a carriage or renting a chair. It was another odd quirk. Women in Cairo didn’t go about on horses.

  Drummond’s mother mounted without any assistance, and as Drummond swung into the saddle too, André said, “You never did tell me why you’re traveling to England. It’s such a great distance. What is the important task you must complete?”

  “We intend to kill an old enemy—but he deserves it.”

  André was shocked by the response, but he kept his expression carefully blank. “I’m sure he does. Au revoir and bon chance with your killing.”

  “We won’t need any luck,” Mr. Drummond replied, “but I appreciate the sentiment.”

  In unison, they tugged on the reins and left.

  André watched them go, and he suffered a ridiculous wave of nostalgia. Everyone was always leaving, passing through, never coming back.

  The Princess and her siblings were gone. Mr. Hubbard had sailed for England. Bryce had eventually recovered and departed too. Fortunately André had convinced him to ride to Parthenia on the way home. Perhaps amour would blossom there as it hadn’t been able to in Cairo.

  He was frustrated that he might never learn what became of the young couple. He wondered if Bryce would write as he’d promised, if André would ever hear the details.

  For just a moment, he nearly called to Mr. Drummond, nearly asked him to correspond in the future, to apprise André if they managed to commit the murder that had propelled them around the globe. But André didn’t involve himself in other people’s troubles, so the ending would have to remain a mystery.

  * * * *

  Evangeline strolled down the main hall at Radcliffe Castle. Servants bowed and curtsied to her, looking pleased as punch to have her roaming about. She was delighted too. She smiled and climbed the winding stairs to Susan’s old suite.

  The twins weren’t inclined to domestic chores, so they were outside, checking on the stables, the farm, the animals and crops.

  She had taken charge of things inside the castle, but there weren’t many who mourned the deaths of Susan and George Blair. Yet even though they were generally reviled, Evangeline thought it appropriate to maintain the correct rituals. There wasn’t any other kin to assume the burden, and the property belonged to her family now, so she didn’t mind.

  Mr. Thumberton was her attorney in England, and he’d referred her to a colleague in Scotland who was handling the legal wrangling, which would conclude with an investiture ceremony once Bryce returned from Egypt.

  The twins had arranged for the lawyer, with several other officials, to record Susan’s deathbed statement. It had been her last act. After she’d confessed her crimes and moral transgressions, she’d been able to die in peace.

  George’s demise had been more appalling, with two days passing before anyone had realized he was deceased. A traveling peddler had stumbled on his body, crumpled in the trees in the mud. Apparently he’d been thrown from his horse and had broken his neck.

  There had been some fussing over the funerals and the burials, and Evangeline had taken charge of that fiasco too. Considering how George had tried to murder Susan, Evangeline didn’t think Susan would want to lie next to him in her grave.

  Evangeline had ordered separate services. Then Susan was buried in the Catholic cemetery up the road, and George was buried at the church in the village. Some had complained that he shouldn’t be lowered into hallowed ground, that he should be interred with the heretics and suicides, but she’d told the vicar to allow it, and thankfully he hadn’t argued the point.

  She didn’t know if it was the best decision, but it was over and she wouldn’t second guess.

  “It’s Bryce’s now, Father,” she murmured, “as it should have been from the start.”

  She paused, wishing she’d sense his presence, but she didn’t so she continued on.

  The door to Susan’s suite was open, and Katherine was seated on a chair in the corner. She was dressed in black mourning clothes, appearing forlorn and afraid, and Evangeline couldn’t blame her for being scared. A woman’s lot was difficult, but a woman with no money and no husband was particularly vulnerable.

  Katherine had defied George and bravely delivered the documents to the twins that had proved his perfidy. She’d performed such a great service for the Blair siblings. Did she suppose they weren’t grateful? Did she suppose they wouldn’t reward her?

  Well, probably. Her only experience with the Blairs had been with Susan and George, and they hadn’t exactly been a stellar example of kindness or generosity.

  “Hello, Miss Blair,” Evangeline said.

  “Hello, Lady Run.”

  Evangeline went over and laid a palm on Katherine’s shoulder. “Since we’re cousins, would you call me Evangeline?”

  “I would like that very much. And you must call me Katherine.”

  “I will. Why are you sitting up here by yourself?”

  “I’ve been tending Susan for so long, and I’m feeling lost.”

  “I understand.”

  “She suffered so much at the end, so I’m glad it’s over, but it will take time for me to adapt. It’s strange for the room to be empty.” Katherine fiddled with her skirt, ran
a kerchief through her nervous fingers. “Might I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Could I stay at Radcliffe for a bit?” She seemed to fear Evangeline was about to kick her out the door for she hurriedly added, “Just until I can find another situation for myself.”

  “You can stay forever if you wish.” Evangeline pulled up a chair, and she grinned, hoping to put her cousin at ease. “Actually I probably shouldn’t say forever. The castle is my brother’s now, so once he returns from Egypt, he might have a different opinion. But for now, you can stay.”

  “Thank you.”

  “If he comes back with a bride in tow, or has some wild plans for the place that don’t include you, we’ll make other arrangements.”

  “Truly?” She looked so relieved that Evangeline wondered if she might slide to the floor in a heap.

  “Yes,” Evangeline assured her. “We have several grand estates in the family, and there will always be a spot for you at one of them.”

  “I’m so glad.”

  Katherine had tears in her eyes, and Evangeline reached out and patted her knee.

  “You’ve been fretting, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I should have spoken up sooner. I hate that you’ve been worrying.”

  “I’m happy to search for a position, perhaps as a nurse or a lady’s companion. You and your brothers don’t have to support me.”

  Evangeline waved away her concerns. “You needn’t work—unless you want to. In fact, I own a girl’s academy in England. It’s where I went to school when I was growing up. My husband bought it for me as a wedding gift. You could teach there if you like.”

  Katherine’s jaw dropped in amazement. “I’ll definitely ponder it. It would be better than tending another dying relative. I’ve done it four times in a row.”

  “You poor thing. A school of giggling, cheery girls might be just the ticket for you. But you don’t have to seek employment. Would you like to marry? Is that an option you’d enjoy?”

  Women usually married, but occasionally there were some who liked to buck the trend, who thought they could be modern and independent, but they were few and far between. And they were mostly shunned as being too eccentric and unfeminine.

  “I would like to wed,” Katherine admitted, “but I haven’t had the means.”

  “Then we’ll get you the means. I’ll talk to my brother, Michael, to see if he’ll dower you.”

  “Oh, Lady Run—Evangeline—that’s not necessary. I wouldn’t dream of asking him for such a favor.”

  “Well, I would. Michael is rich as Croesus. He wouldn’t miss a penny. He’d likely earn the whole amount from one night of gambling income at his London club.”

  She couldn’t imagine Michael would refuse, but if he did Matthew might agree instead. He was very rich too and so was his stepbrother, Rafe Harlow. Surely among all of them they could scrape together a few farthings to secure their cousin’s future.

  Katherine was very fetching, and with her even temperament and loyal character, she was a marvelous matrimonial catch. Briefly it occurred to her that Bryce might be interested. With Katherine already being ensconced at Radcliffe, she could help him settle in once he arrived to take possession.

  At the notion, Evangeline chuckled to herself. Her family was expanding so rapidly that she was having a chance to play matchmaker. It was a far cry from the lonely period when she was an orphan and charity case.

  “You’re so kind,” Katherine said.

  “Not too long ago, I was in a spot similar to yours. I nearly wed a vicar who was completely wrong for me, but I managed to pitch myself into my husband’s path. I’ll never forget how adrift I was before that happened. It was scary to have no options.”

  “I’ve been scared too.”

  “Those days are gone. From here on out, you’re part of our family. You’re our cousin, and I’ve spent my entire life wishing I had cousins, so I’ll hardly abandon you.”

  “I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

  “Now then, I’d like to clean out this suite and remove all the reminders that it was a sickroom. It feels like bad luck to me.”

  “Susan’s fate was one of bad luck, but it was of her own making.”

  “I thought I’d send up the maids, and you can direct them. Or is it too soon? I realize Susan just perished, and I would hate to insult anybody.”

  “No one will be insulted.”

  “I want to open the windows and let in some fresh air.”

  “Maybe then her spirit will depart,” Katherine said. “It seems to be haunting the bedchamber.”

  “Have you sensed her lingering?”

  “Yes.”

  “Gad, then we must be rid of her. My father seems to be dawdling too. We can’t have ghosts feuding.”

  They both laughed, and as they quieted they heard boots on the stairs. Momentarily the twins blustered in. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon, and they looked healthy and full of mischief. Their cheeks were rosy from the cold, the smell of leaves and horses wafting from their clothes.

  “Why are you up here?” Michael asked Evangeline.

  “Katherine and I are having this suite cleared out. I’m eager to wipe away any trace of it being a sickroom.”

  “While you’re at it,” Matthew said, “clean George’s too. It couldn’t hurt to make a new start in there as well.”

  “I agree,” Evangeline said.

  Katherine promised to find servants to handle both tasks, then she excused herself so Evangeline was alone with her brothers.

  Once her strides faded, Evangeline said, “I like her.”

  “What’s not to like?” Michael said. “She’s courteous and pretty, and she helped us obtain all that we sought. I can’t believe it was so easy.”

  “It’s odd having a cousin, isn’t it?” Matthew said.

  “Odd, but nice,” Evangeline replied and she stared at Michael. “I want you to dower her. Would you consider it?”

  “You’re not supposed to gaze at me with those big blue eyes of yours. You know I can’t tell you no.”

  Matthew added, “How does your husband stand living with you? He must never be able to put his foot down and mean it.”

  “He’s very generous,” Evangeline said, “and it doesn’t have anything to do with my eyes.”

  “He’s a complete idiot for you.” Michael sighed with exasperation. “How much of a dowry are we talking about?”

  “I’ll think about it and apprise you of how much would be appropriate. She is cousin to the new Earl of Radcliffe. That should propel her to a higher level in the marriage market so she’ll need a few extra pounds.”

  “This is already sounding expensive and you haven’t even provided a number.”

  “I like to keep you in suspense.”

  “I hate to interrupt,” Matthew said, “but this room gives me the willies. Could we return to the main hall? Would you mind?”

  “Are you afraid of ghosts?” Michael taunted.

  “You know I am,” Matthew responded, “and I’m not too manly to admit it. If a ghost decides to haunt me, I only want it to be my mother or father. I don’t care to have any others patting me on the back.”

  “Come on, you poor boy.” Evangeline stood and led them down the stairs.

  They arrived in the hall, and the butler brought over the mailbag, and it was crammed with letters from England. Evangeline grinned and dug into them as if she’d stumbled on a secret stash of Christmas presents. She had a dozen from Aaron, and Matthew and Michael had nearly the same amount from their own spouses.

  The most precious one was at the bottom of the bag. It was from Bryce, and Aaron had jotted a note on the front. I didn’t open this because I figured you’d want to read it first. But please reply immediately to tell me what he says.

  She held it up and waved it at the twins. “It’s from Bryce.”

  They had moved over by the massive fireplace, had pulled up chairs and we
re sorting through their own letters, arranging them by date so they were in the correct sequence.

  “Where is he?” Michael inquired as Evangeline sat next to him.

  “He’s still in Egypt, but…he’s had enough of adventuring and he’s about to start for home.”

  “About time,” Matthew grumbled.

  “I’ve been so worried about him,” she said.

  “When did he write it?” Matthew asked. “Is there a date? He must be on his way.”

  “Yes, but he’s riding horseback. He decided not to sail.”

  “Riding rather than sailing? Why?”

  “He plans to see a bit of Europe, and he’s included a detailed itinerary. I’ll have to locate a map so I can track where he’ll be.”

  She handed the letter to Michael, and he read the list of cities. “If he left Cairo right after he posted this, he must be halfway to England by now. He’ll be here before we know it.”

  “We have some great news for him when he arrives,” she said.

  “I hope he’s happy,” Matthew said. “Wasn’t he opposed to the whole idea of retrieving title to this rotting pile of stones?”

  “He simply couldn’t bear to fight about it,” Evangeline said. “He felt no one would believe us.”

  “Yet it was so easy to get it all back.” Michael snorted with amusement. “Like taking candy from a baby.”

  Matthew chuckled at his brother. “It was only easy because you terrify everybody. You walk by, and they tremble and pray you won’t cause too much trouble.”

  Michael raised a cocky brow. “It’s my best trait.”

  Evangeline stared around the hall, wondering about her ancestors. The butler had mentioned that a portion of the building was six-hundred years old, so some version of the Blairs had been in residence a long time. Or had the Blairs swooped in during a border war and stolen it from a Scottish family?

  She couldn’t guess, but she would learn her entire history. As a girl, she’d assumed she had no history. Now, with the truth revealed, she was keen to know every fact.

  “I was thinking…” she mused.

  “Uh-oh,” the twins said together, and Michael teased, “Don’t hurt yourself.”

  “Very funny,” she muttered.