Mrs. Halloway looked startled by the intensity of their response and the expression on their faces. “Well, of course, Domnika will stay. Only a man would suggest something so foolish. And I know for a fact Sicily hates anyone helping her plan her parties.”
“But you helped her plan,” Catherine challenged.
“Did I? How thoughtless of me, but don’t worry about that party. Sicily has no intention of having one. However, it was rather fun telling her what she must do.”
Standing up, she reached out for Amy’s hand. “While the girls unpack, I have something I wish to show you. It’s a picture of your Uncle John in knee highs.”
Amy laughed at Uncle John’s groan from his seat in the window.
“I hate that picture,” Uncle John grumbled. “If you are truly a good niece, you will demand that she give it to you and then tear it into a thousand pieces.”
When they entered the library Uncle John became even more upset. “Dear God, she has it on the mantle. Amy, I beg you to ask to keep it.”
Amy sat down on the couch as Mrs. Halloway closed the door and then went to the mantle and collected the picture. Holding it as if it were some grand treasure, she presented it to Amy.
Amy smiled at the tinplate. The little boy looked so solemn and determined, far soberer than the Uncle John she had known.
“Are you certain this is Uncle John?”
Mrs. Halloway laughed. “There were many sides to your uncle. He could not have been such a good soldier and a good man otherwise. The same goes for those men upstairs. You’ve seen their good side, so I do not have to tell you what good men they are. But you’ve not seen them as soldiers. I have in a fashion, and thus, I have seen their darker sides, some would say terrible side, but they were never terrible. They did what they did for good reason—to save our country. There are few men who can be both good men and good soldiers, and happily my house is full of them at the moment. I keep this picture on my mantel to remind me of those days. For the fierce look in John’s eyes reminds me of the colonel he would become. That is precisely why John never liked this picture after he returned from the war. He saw the same thing, and he thought that meant the terrible part of him was there from the beginning. But you do not see a terrible little boy when you look at that picture.”
Amy smiled. “No. I see a little boy determined not to move, lest he ruin the picture.”
“Precisely right. What you see here is determination to do what he must to obtain his goal. Naturally, he was disappointed with the results. He had wanted a happy smiling photograph like mine.”
“Where is yours?” She looked up at the mantel but could not see it.
“Oh, it was lost long ago, nothing special about it at all, but this one I framed and have guarded it most carefully, including hiding it when John would come to visit. And now I would like you to have it.”
Tears welled into Amy’s eyes. “I can’t accept it. This means too much to you. I have such a clear image of Uncle John in my mind, smiling—”
“I am not smiling,” Uncle John warned her.
“I don’t need this reminder. But I think you do. That you were willing to part with it just the same, touches me more than you can imagine.”
“Betrayed by my own niece,” Uncle John declared to the heavens.
Mrs. Halloway set the picture down upon the coffee table and dabbed her eyes. “Catherine said you always thought of others first, that it was your sweetness that turned Domnika from tormentor to a great leader and role model for herself and the other girls. John would be very proud of you.”
“Well, she has that right,” her uncle said. “You did right to leave her the photograph. I had no idea it meant so much to her. I thought she kept it simply to torture me.”
“So you knew my uncle when he was a little boy?”
“Yes, we are cousins. If I had been a boy, you would not be in the situation you are in now.”
Amy stared at her in shock. “What situation are you discussing?”
“Well, I was referring to the fact that Nicolas lost your substantial dowry, and due to his growing debt, is no doubt trying to steal your winery as well. If only women were allowed to be guardians.” She sighed and placed the picture back upon the mantle. “I would have made a damn fine guardian for you.”
Amy sighed. “Yes, you would have. Why…why did I never meet you when Uncle John was alive?”
“There were complications.” She paused and then shook her head. “To hell with it! If I am going to ask you for the honest truth, I should speak it myself.” She sat down beside Amy on the couch and faced her. “My husband forbad John to bring you with him. He knew our daughter would take to you and he did not want her best friend to have such a cloudy past. Although, I am certain he was correct, in that Catherine would have loved you on sight and insisted on keeping you with her day and night, I have no concerns that the association would have harmed her. In fact, I am certain that you would have stood by her last season, unlike all her other dear friends.”
“They abandoned her?” Amy asked in outrage.
“Unfortunately, yes. A few have indicated that once she marries they might be able to resume an association, however, since Catherine is marrying neither great money nor title, even these promises are vague. I must admit, when neither of you joined Sicily for our tea, I thought you had deserted her as well. I was thankful I had not told her of your arrival at that point.”
“I didn’t know Catherine was downstairs. In fact, the only reason why we appeared at all was because Sicily was so adamant that we stay in our rooms that she attempted to lock us in. As for Catherine, I did not realize she was in town yet. Nor had I figured out a way to find out who was in town. My one attempt to leave the house was firmly refused. I began to think I had entered a prison.”
“A dangerous prison with such caretakers,” Mrs. Halloway said. “Now I answered your question honestly, despite the embarrassment it caused me, so I hope for the same from you.”
Amy nodded.
“What has happened that made all of you so determined Domnika could not be returned?”
“I cannot answer.”
“Amy, I was expecting better of you.”
“I don’t know what has or has not happened.”
“What do you suspect has happened?”
Amy frowned.
“Amy, if the reason is what I think, then you will need my help.”
Amy nodded in agreement. “We do need your help. Domnika has nowhere to go. Whoever paid her tuition all those years stopped a year ago. I paid it myself until my money ran out. Madame Cousec offered to let us remain without tuition, but I didn’t want to be a burden upon her. She is so very good. And I thought there was no need. I thought we would visit Nicolas, I would explain the situation, and he would agree to send us on to the winery. But he has changed so much. He was upset I even knew about the winery and said the document Father Duncan witnessed had been misfiled by the lawyer. Then he claimed he had filed a second document, but the lawyer had changed the age of maturity to twenty-one, thus, he could not send me there now.”
Mrs. Halloway sighed heavily. “We will return to this point but continue with your story.”
“Despite my letter which he clearly did receive, there were no rooms prepared for us and Sicily was absent when we arrived. My opinion was firmly set against her by the outrageous and costly furnishings in his house.”
“That is an excellent way to judge people.” She then nodded for Amy to continue.
“In our first conversation, Nicolas asked if Domnika had family or friends that could take us in, since there was no room for Gunter and the Silent Three, and Sicily would not like their presence.”
“Good, that will be useful. Continue…”
“When I finally met Sicily and watched the way she seduced Nicolas to give her whatever she wanted, my opinion of both of them took a turn downward. I was especially upset with Nicolas, since I knew he should be better. That evening I asked t
o use the carriage the next day so Domnika and I could go to the library. First, he said yes, but then Sicily got him alone and later, he told me we could not go out and we must use his library instead. I tried to use my own manipulation and he became very angry. I could not see in him even a hint of the man I once loved.”
“Nor I,” Uncle John added from his position at the mantle where he had been glaring at his picture.
“After you left yesterday, Domnika and I were called into the library for a scolding for leaving our rooms and making our presence known. During his tirade, he asked if we were purposely trying to ruin his marriage. Domnika replied she didn’t like him well enough as to do him such a favor.”
Mrs. Halloway chuckled.
“I thought it was funny as well, but Nicolas did not. He ordered me out of the library.” Amy stopped and pressed her hands to her temple. “I had thought he would try and intimidate Domnika, bluster a bit, but I never thought he would harm her.”
“But now you think he did?”
“I don’t know. By the time I returned from Antonio’s house, Domnika was already asleep. I noticed the next morning that she was very quiet. Since we still had Nicolas’ library books, she volunteered to take them down, saying it would be better to do it now so he could calm his anger while we were away. She was down there a very long time and was not herself when she returned.”
Amy could see Mrs. Halloway was not convinced. “I thought he had just yelled and blustered, yet oddly, he didn’t seem angry at all when I came down. I remember he kissed my head and placed his hand on the back of Domnika’s neck as he told her to keep me out of trouble. It wasn’t until the three of us went off on our own and Catherine spoke of the count that my suspicions rose. Domnika seemed very determined to know how Catherine had stopped the count, and—this is so embarrassing—how to dampen the passion so such a man cannot control you.”
“So, Catherine told you what happened to her?”
Amy nodded. “But it was in the strictest confidentiality. I cannot speak further than I’ve said, even to you.”
Mrs. Halloway smiled. “Good girl. I had advised her never to speak of it to anyone, but then I had not yet met you and Domnika.” She grabbed Amy’s hands in her own. “I am glad she finally has two good friends with whom she can share the whole of that nightmare. She has told me some and I have guessed much, but there is only so much she could tell her mother.”
Amy squeezed the woman’s hands, willing her serenity. “While horrible at the time, I don’t believe she bears any permanent scars from it. In fact, I believe she has learned many valuable things from this experience, which she kindly shared with us, so we will not make the same mistakes.”
Mrs. Halloway pulled Amy into a hug. “You are truly a godsend, Amy, and I only wished my husband had not been so stubborn on this matter. I now find I greatly resent the years I have not known you. And I believe you would have been a great comfort and help to Catherine during this last year.”
“I wish I would have known. When Catherine stopped writing I assumed she was simply too occupied with her season.”
“Well, as you have assured me, she survived her ordeal intact. Now let us focus on you and Domnika. However, before we get to that, one of your statements requires clarification. You said, ‘that night after you came back from Antonio’s.’ Why were you in Antonio’s house?”
Amy blushed. “Oh dear, I hadn’t meant for it to sound like that! I went to visit Gunter and the Silent Three. If I go visit them, then they do not have to stand in the cold outside, lurking about windows. Gunter suffers terribly from arthritis. I have this salve that makes it better. So, I always try to visit him at least once a day and apply it.”
“So, Antonio was not even there?”
“Oh, he was there. In fact, he walked me over. For some reason, he seems to have become an added protector. While I don’t think I currently require so many, I haven’t objected to his participation because it gives the others more time to rest.”
“Is that all?” she challenged.
Amy blushed again. “No. I greatly enjoy his company. I have heard Antonio Bandito stories all my life. I spent much of my youth wanting to be him. And then I finally meet the real Antonio and he is all I thought him and more.”
“In what ways more?”
“Well, he was a small boy in all those stories, not the painfully handsome young man he turned out to be. Honestly, I never thought a person could be too handsome before meeting Antonio.”
“And what makes him too handsome?” Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Well, everything about him is well-formed, but I think it is his eyes that make him extra special. They literally sparkle with joy and amusement.”
“Do they? I have never noticed that.”
“And then there is his mouth. He has a beautiful smile with such perfect white teeth.”
“Well, I have noticed the teeth,” she admitted. “And his form is pleasing as well?”
It was then her uncle advised her that the topic of her conversation was at the window listening.
“Well, all except for his ears.”
“His ears? What is wrong with his ears?”
“They are very large. And his nose! It is very long. Yes, if I must be honest, Antonio is a big eared, nosey fellow with no sense of shame about eavesdropping.”
Mrs. Halloway laughed. “You might as well come in, Antonio. I don’t know how she knew you were there, since she never turned once, but it is clear she does.”
Antonio came in and sat down across from them as he fingered his ears and nose with a worried expression on his face.
Amy ignored him and faced Mrs. Halloway. “And another thing about the person we were discussing. He has the strangest sense of humor, quite inappropriate for a valet.”
“I’ll grant you that. I’ve been amazed Nicolas has kept him on. The fact he does costs me twenty pounds a month. Each month I renew the wager, certain I will eventually be right.”
Anthony sighed and looked at Mrs. Halloway with pretended despair. “Given I packed Domnika’s trunk contrary to his direct order, I expect you will finally win that wager.”
“That and the fact you have abandoned your post, yes, I think so,” she agreed.
Antonio leaned forward and smiled. “So, have you any jobs for a clever fellow like me?”
Mrs. Halloway’s eyes sparkled with humor. “Indeed, we do. First of all, do you know if either the first or second deeding of the winery to Amy was filed?”
“I don’t, but I will have the answer by tomorrow.”
“If you find a deed, check the age of maturity listed in the document. Now, as to the girls, I will respond to Nicolas’ letter that I cannot possibly split the girls without a downpour of tears. In fact, Catherine has become so attached to her dear friends I wish to keep them until her wedding. They have a wonderful calming influence upon her.”
Antonio choked. “You might want to come up with another reason. He’s not going to believe that one.”
Amy’s foot edged beneath the table, but before she could kick him, he shifted his chair a foot away.
“Say they are a wonderful distraction, that is believable.” His eyes sparkled with joy.
Amy turned to Mrs. Halloway and pointed to her eye and then let her eyes flicker to Antonio.
“Yes dear, I see his sparkling eyes.” She laughed. “It’s most strange, I had not noticed all that joy before today. I am usually so attentive to details. Now, let’s see what else do we need to worry about?”
“What if Nicolas insists we return? I am still his legal ward. If that were to happen, will you keep Domnika?”
“Of course, dear. But we are not going to let that happen. We plan to keep you both. Now what would do the trick? I know, I’ll offer to throw your coming out party. He’s no doubt dreading the cost of that.”
“He would be if he actually intended to throw one,” Amy grumbled.
“Well, we will put it in as if he wer
e.” She sighed. “If I were a man, I would petition the court for your guardianship and that would be the end of this nonsense. But despite the poor job Nicolas has done, no court would ever allow a woman to be a guardian.”
Amy paused, suddenly remembering Mrs. Cole’s plan years ago. “If a man that could easily prove to be my uncle were to claim my guardianship, would it matter if he were poor?”
“Not unless he is a criminal. A direct uncle would easily win a custody case. Do you have such an uncle?”
“I may. I seemed to have one four years ago. Mrs. Cole planned to use him in her plan to abduct me and get my inheritance.”
Mrs. Halloway frowned. “That hardly sounds like a man we would wish to engage.”
“Well, Mrs. Cole had never actually approached him with the plan. So, I don’t know if he is a good or bad man, or something in between. I don’t even know if he still lives in London.”
“What do you know?” Antonio leaned forward.
“Well, his name is Tom Goodheart. He was my mother’s younger brother and he lived at 178 Tulla Street in South End.”
“That’s a rough part of town, but I’ll make some inquiries. Does Nicolas know about this man?” Antonio asked.
“I don’t think so. Not unless Mrs. Cole told him.”
“Why would she tell him?”
“He never fired her, which struck me as odd. I thought he’d send her packing since she was a horrible woman, forcing all the vendors and staff to pay her kickbacks, padding the books, and breaking into the safe to steal all the money inside. But Uncle John…’s priest and my friend Father Duncan, said she is still there. This would suggest perhaps they came to some unholy alliance.” Amy mentally kicked herself for almost attributing the information to Uncle John. She would have a hard time explaining how Uncle John could tell her anything. They would think her mad if she said he had stayed on earth as a ghost to watch over her and that only she and Gunter could see and hear him.
“Well, we had better look this fellow up since he could be used against us as well as for us. Whichever way he falls, he cannot be ignored. As a direct kin, he could be your worst nightmare or your savior. We need to know which before he is brought into the game.”
Love's Betrayals (The Extraordinary Life of Amy Winston Book 2) Page 8