by Connie Mason
“No danger of that.” Charles smiled complacently. “You saw for yourself just how weak Fox was. He had been beaten daily by his guards and his wounds were still festering.”
Hope stirred in Alexa’s breast as she replied. “He still could have escaped. Any number of things could have happened without your knowing it.”
“Not likely.” Charles said slyly. “I know for a certainty that Fox is dead. Remember the light we saw on shore before we sailed? If you recall you even remarked on it.” Alexa nodded, dreading the words she knew were coming. “That was the prearranged signal telling me that Fox, or Adam, if you prefer, was dead. Not until I was certain he no longer lived did I take my ship from Savannah. Now, I’m not convinced it was worth the effort,” Charles confided sourly.
Exerting gargantuan effort, Alexa hauled herself from the chair and rushed at Charles, nails bared, opening deep tracks down his cheeks. “You vile beast!” she screamed, grief driving her beyond sanity. “If I had a sword I’d run you through! You killed a better man than you can ever hope to be! I hate you! One day. Charles, when I’m not burdened with child, we’ll meet on even terms and then I’ll take great pleasure in killing you. So help me God!”
Charles experienced a shiver of fear. Never had he seen a woman so grief-stricken as to be bordering on insanity. Wrenching her clawed hands from his blood-streaked face he managed to free himself with great effort. He knew enough about Alexa and the Vixen to realize she had not spoken idly. One day, when he least expected it, he would find himself facing the sharp edge of a sword, and more than likely sudden death at the hands of a vengeful woman.
“Calm yourself, Alexa,” Charles hissed, “remember your child.”
“I am remembering my child. I’m thinking that he or she will never know a father’s love.”
“I think it’s best that I leave, Alexa. You’re becoming distraught and I fear for your sanity,” Charles said, backing away.
“You fear for your life, coward, as well as you should! Get out of my sight! If I ever see you again be prepared to die!”
Charles needed no further urging as he turned and fled from the house, muttering darkly about women who thought themselves equal to men and refused to be subjugated by them. Never again would he attempt to tame such a woman. Give him a timid, demure woman whose existence depended upon her husband’s good will.
Alexa hauled herself up the stairs step by painful step, her fragile, swollen body wracked with sobs. Dead! Adam was dead! A dull ache gnawed at her vitals and sapped her rapidly diminishing strength. She had no reason to doubt Charles, for she distinctly recalled standing at the rail of Charles’s ship and wondering about the lantern winking at them from shore. For some unexplained reason she chose not to question Charles at the time despite the fact that he seemed extraordinarily anxious until he spied the twinkling light that she since learned was a signal proclaiming Adam’s death.
It seemed impossible that she would never experience his lovemaking again, or hear his low, sensuous voice whispering to her of his love. What really hurt was the knowledge that he had died without ever knowing about the child he fathered. Safe in her room. Alexa locked the door and sank gratefully into bed, her grief too difficult to bear without the relief of tears.
Early the next day Alexa arrived complete with luggage at Ashley House where she collapsed weeping into Maddy’s comforting arms. “I hoped you’d come home, my lady,” Maddy soothed, “the moment I heard the news about the war. You’re safe now, lovey. Charles can no longer harm you.”
“Oh, Maddy, Charles has already done me more harm than you’ll ever know. He killed Adam! He ordered my husband’s death!”
Leading her to a chair, Maddy did her best to console Alexa once she was told the full extent of Charles’s deceit. “Perhaps it didn’t happen as Charles said,” suggested Maddy hopefully. “Try not to carry on so, lovey. You’re doing your child no good.”
“You didn’t see Adam that night. He was sick, and so weak he could barely stand,” wailed Alexa, bitterly defeated. “He’s dead, I just know it!”
Attempting to change the subject, Maddy asked, “Did you see Charles this morning before you left? Did he try to stop you?”
Alexa laughed harshly through a wash of tears. “That coward? He knew better than to try to stop me. He was nowhere in sight when I left. The servants told me he failed to return home last night. I think I frightened him. Maddy. I promised to kill him and he knew I meant it.”
Maddy’s eyes nearly bugged out of her gray head and she clucked her tongue as she viewed the instant transformation of her beloved, sweet Alexa into the cold-blooded Vixen. There was no doubt in her mind that Charles had best look to his own safety.
With Maddy’s help Alexa settled into the familiarity of her childhood home. Though she had spent a great deal of time at her father’s country estate, Ashley House in London was equally dear to her, and she made tentative plans to spend the summer in the country with her newborn baby. Perhaps there, in the peaceful atmosphere, she would at last come to terms with her grief and learn to live without Adam.
In her heart Alexa knew there would be no other man for her. Thanks to her father she had no financial worries. Though life no longer held any meaning for her she would make the best of it for Adam’s child. Thank God she still had that small part of him, Alexa sighed gratefully as she cradled the bulk of her stomach in her arms. For the next two weeks a calmness settled over her—a calmness that often preceded childbirth.
On May 12, 1782, Alexa felt the first pangs of labor. For many hours she hid her distress from Maddy who fussed far too much over her as it was. But by early evening it was all too apparent to the housekeeper that Alexa was deep in labor and she hastily summoned the midwife. Earlier, Alexa informed Maddy that she did not want the same woman Charles had engaged so the housekeeper made inquiries and found a competent woman noted for her cleanliness and compassion.
At ten o’clock that same evening Alexa gave birth to a son she promptly named David Ashley Foxworth. Davie, for short. As births go it was relatively uncomplicated, and afterwards Alexa was able to lie back with her son in her arms and marvel at the miracle of his birth. Each tiny finger and toe was perfect in every way, as were his beautifully formed head, small ears, and miniature features like his father’s. How dearly she loved him!
Alexa was sorely disappointed when her milk failed to come in, forcing her to engage a wet nurse. She supposed the failure was due to the shock of learning about Adam’s death shortly before she gave birth. But whatever the cause, Alexa was devastated the first time she saw Davie suckling contentedly at the breast of a woman other than herself.
Alexa’s recovery was swift and without incident. Motherhood agreed with her; she was radiant, lovelier than she had ever been. By this time her hair had returned to its former lustrous black and her figure had regained its perfect proportions. Nevertheless Alexa continued to shun society. She could not force herself to go out in public or seek the company of others. Not yet. Maddy scolded her repeatedly for living the life of a recluse.
“You can’t hibernate, my lady.” Maddy chided gently. “You’re young. You have your whole life ahead of you. One day you’ll find someone else you can love.”
“No, Maddy,” Alexa denied hotly. “There is no other man for me. If I can’t have Adam I don’t want anyone.” Maddy began arguing against Alexa’s reasoning until Alexa added, “Why don’t you pack our things, Maddy. I think it’s time we returned to the country. It’s been years since I’ve been there and I am so looking forward to it.”
As it turned out. Maddy. Davie and the wet nurse departed for the country a few days later. At the last minute Alexa was prevented from joining them. Just as she was about to depart with the others she received word that Lawyer Carter wished to see her about an urgent matter. Rather than detain the others she sent them ahead without her, promising to follow as soon as possible.
Carter’s summons proved to be a matter of concern to Alexa
as she soon learned when she faced him across his desk. “Lady Alexa, I find myself the bearer of grave tidings.” Her features set in determined line, Alexa nodded for him to continue. “Your only male relative, distant though he may be, has challenged the legality of your father’s will.”
“Billy Ashley? But … what could he do?”
“First you must answer me truthfully, Lady Alexa. Is it true your husband is dead?” Gulping back the lump in her throat, Alexa nodded again. “Somehow Billy learned of it and now considers himself your legal guardian until you reach the age of twenty-five, he wants to be made trustee of your estate.”
“My God!” Alexa gasped, horrified. “I just turned twenty-two. In three years he’ll beggar me!”
“I’m in complete agreement, Lady Alexa,” sympathized Carter.
“Can he do that to me?”
“He’s gone so far as to petition the king. You are to appear before the court in ten days to show just cause why you should be allowed to manage your own estate.”
Alexa groaned. What else could go wrong in her life? she wondered dismally. Why should a wastrel like Billy Ashley be allowed to govern her life? Must a woman be deemed incompetent solely on the accident of being born female? She’d go to America and claim Adam’s estate before she’d buckle under to the likes of Billy Ashley! Alexa vowed in a surge of unbridled rage.
“Does Billy know I have a child?” Alexa asked suddenly.
“Why, no,” Carter admitted slowly. “You kept yourself in strict seclusion. I doubt anyone knows.”
“Good,” Alexa sighed. I don’t want Davie dragged into this. He’s on his way to the country and I’ll keep him there for as long as it takes to resolve this mess. I know your firm will do its best for me, Mr. Carter,” Alexa said in parting.
Back at Ashley House Alexa considered enlarging her staff while she remained in residence, the bulk having left with Maddy, then decided against it. There was only herself to care for and the pair of old retainers left here to care for the house in her absence was sufficient for her needs. Owen could serve as butler and general caretaker while Bertha, his wife, could take care of what little cooking was needed to satisfy her as well as do the housework. Though the couple lived in a small apartment above the carrige house, which meant Alexa would be alone in the house at night, she decided she had little to fear there. As soon as Brown, the coachman, returned from the country she’d send him back with a note to Maddy explaining everything. Alexa hated to part with her baby for ten days but there was no help for it. She thanked God for Maddy, knowing she could be trusted to care for Davie properly in her absence.
22
His long legs stretched out before him. Adam stared morosely into his glass of ale. Despite the fact that each one of his arms encircled the bare shoulders of an attractive woman seated on either side of him, his mind was anywhere but on his companions. Since his arrival in London three days ago he had tried everything from drinking to whoring in order to keep his mind from the only woman he had ever loved. Alexa! So close yet out of his reach. Had he tried he could not have counted all the times during these past months he had dreamed of confronting her, of laughing in her face at her failure to do away with him, and of the punishment he would mete out to her should she be unfortunate enough to come under his scrutiny.
Dear God! The thought of her nearly drove him insane. The scent of her, the taste; the way her violet eyes sparkled when he made love to her, and how she callously turned her back on him when he needed her most. Had he not heard her say the words Adam would never have believed her capable of, hating him to the point of wanting him dead? What had happened to change her? Had she only pretended love. Adam pondered, until the right moment arrived in which to exact vengeance for the way he had taken her from her home in order to destroy her father? Aye, Adam decided dejectedly. That had to be the answer. It was not love for him she harbored in her heart, but hate.
“What’s wrong, luv?” asked the woman on his right, a pert brunette with bowed lips painted a bright red and green cat eyes. Her name was Lucy, an actress of dubious renown whose greater success lay in pleasing the male patrons of the theater.
“What makes you think something is wrong?” scowled Adam darkly.
“Do you scowl like that all the time?” pouted Lucy prettily.
“Perhaps he needs some cheering up,” piped up the blond occupying Adam’s left arm. Fannie, somewhat older than Lucy but no less enticing with her overblown figure and bewitching smile, was not averse to sharing any man who took her fancy. And Adam had definitely taken her fancy. His brooding good looks attracted her the moment she spied him in the audience, his bored expression a challenge she couldn’t resist.
Adam, in his rush to self-destruction, boldly invited both women to share supper with him, hinting of better things to come. Both Lucy and Fannie accepted with alacrity. They were waiting now for Mac who had been invited by Adam to share the favors of one of his lively companions.
Due to Adam’s unstable state of mind and his frequent bouts of depression these past months, Mac rarely left Adam’s side. Their meetings had been postponed for a few weeks and Mac cursed the inactivity that left Adam at loose ends. As he walked into the inn now and saw Adam carelessly fondling the two women, both obviously actresses or whores, he cursed roundly. How he wished he could bring Adam and Alexa back together. But he was not even allowed to mention her name in Adam’s presence. Adam also forbade him to call on Alexa, but Mac decided he would do as he pleased in that respect. He felt obligated to speak to Alexa at least one time in order to learn the truth of what had happened to cause her to leave Adam. He found Adam’s story about Alexa wanting him dead hard to digest. To Mac it just didn’t make sense.
“Mac,” Adam gestured, waving Mac toward his table the moment he saw him enter the crowded room. “You’re in luck tonight. These two lovely ladies are willing to share their … er … time with us. Sit down, our food is ready.”
Mac seated himself and immediately the brunette sidled over and placed a slim hand high up on his leg. “I’m Lucy,” she batted her lashes invitingly as she bent over to give him an unhampered glimpse of white breasts bared nearly to the nipples.
Mac smiled his appreciation to Adam who promptly raised his glass in a silent salute. Somehow Adam muddled through the meal, suddenly hot to bed Fannie with those tempting red lips that promised to dull his memory of violet eyes surrounded by thick dusty lashes. As soon as it was decently possible he took Fannie by the hand, excused himself and propelled her up the stairs to his room. He hadn’t had a woman since Alexa, in fact, hadn’t desired one.
“God, you are eager,” Fannie laughed, licking her red lips expectantly. No sooner had the door closed behind them than Adam grasped Fannie by the waist and flung her on the bed, falling heavily atop her. “Wait, can’t you?” she gasped. “At least let me take off my clothes.”
“No,” grunted Adam, raising her skirts to hover about her waist. “Later. I want you now!” He tore into her unprepared flesh and she groaned. But it wasn’t long before she began moaning not from pain but from desire as Adam dug his fingers into her buttocks to press even closer in order to sheath himself more fully between her quivering thighs.
“Oh, yes, yes,” Fannie gasped, oblivious to all but Adam’s pounding haunches. Adam exploded first, but being the considerate lover he continued until Fannie followed him only seconds later.
Afterwards, guilt-ridden over the way he had shamelessly used Fannie as a means to exorcise the woman he really wanted in his bed, Adam undressed her and made love to her more leisurely. Completely beguiled by the first man considerate of her own pleasure, Fannie would have killed to have Adam exclusively hers. Late that night she left considerably richer and with a promise that Adam would see her two nights hence for a repeat of what they had just shared.
Though physically sated, Adam remained wakeful, unable to corral his wayward thoughts. For him there was no peace. Pulling on his clothes he wandered below stairs t
o find that everyone had settled down for the night; Mac was nowhere in sight and rather than awaken him for conversation Adam bought a bottle and returned to his room to drink himself into a stupor.
The next morning found Adam in a foul mood as well as badly hungover. He consumed a gallon of tea before the liquor was sufficiently diluted to allow him to function with minimal pain to his head that seemed to have grown to monstrous proportions.
Sometime during the interminable night Adam had come to the inevitable conclusion that he must face Alexa, if for no other reason than to prove to her he still lived. Perversely he wondered if she had already committed bigamy by marrying Charles Whitlaw. What a joke on her when she discovered her new marriage to be illegal. Perhaps she already carried Charles’s child, Adam thought, grimacing with pain. The possibility was too terrible to contemplate.
Unable to eat breakfast. Adam left before Mac awoke to question his destination or his motives. Boldly he approached Charles’s house and rapped on the door. An elderly butler answered the knock. “I’d like to see your mistress,” Adam said in a voice brooking no argument.
“The mistress, my lord, has been long dead and buried,” replied the old retainer, undaunted by Adam’s threatening tone. “And the master is on his way to India.” He started to close the door but something in Adam’s face stopped him.
“Dead!” gasped Adam, staggering backwards. “No, it can’t be! Alexa can’t be dead!”
Upon hearing Alexa’s name spoken in such grieving tones, the butler’s face immediately cleared. “I’m speaking, sir, of Lady Diana, Sir Charles’ wife who died giving birth. The Lady Alexa left here some months ago.”
So relieved was Adam to hear that Alexa was alive that he drew in deep gulps of air, unaware that he had been holding his breath. “Do you know where I might find Lady Alexa?”