Tomorrow she would be left to her own devices. Well, she and Mrs. McGafferty, she amended. They made quite a pair, one blind, the other practically deaf.
Kala knew that she needed to help find the person who had done this to her if she were to have any peace in her life.
Who knew? Perhaps she would make enough money to build her own shipping business and give Blackhawke Shipping a run for their money. Mayhap she could captain her own ship after a while. She felt the excitement course through her at being in charge of her destiny. She fell asleep with a smile on her face and felt at peace for the first time since the accident.
***
Across the square, the taciturn duke looked out his window at the house across the way. He observed the last of the lights put out for the night. Gabe had stayed away from her for almost a week. Five long days, in which the only way he knew of her welfare came through his best friend. He tried to keep himself occupied and went to visit Lady Clarissa on several occasions only to find her feeling under the weather and unable to visit each time he stopped. Her father left town to attend to estate business, but her step-mother found time to flirt outrageously with him. The Duchess of Hamilton could be no more than ten years older than Lady Clarissa Blackerby, and Gabe had found her behavior embarrassing.
He brought himself back to the woman who occupied both the house across the square and more of his thoughts than he should allow. He slammed his hand against the window frame. When had she weaseled her way under his skin? More importantly, when had he begun to look at her as a woman and not the child who used to tag along behind him and Derek? His grandmother had not helped by continually bringing her up. He ruthlessly pushed aside all thoughts about Kala other than her injury and the person responsible.
Gabe had several men surreptitiously watching the house. He didn’t trust whoever had set the explosion to be satisfied with the job they had done. In fact, he suspected the only reason another attempt had not been made at this point was due to the number of people surrounding Kala. He had been informed that she had had two male visitors, but both had been turned away. There had been the women that had come in and out. When he questioned Derek, he had been told that they were interviewing as companions for Kala.
“Why?” Gabe had asked him.
“Kala refuses to retire to the country with any of us for fear of putting us in danger.”
“And so you all just let her have her way once again and stay here by herself? That’s her problem. Too many people have given into her or looked over her indiscretions all her life. Someone needs to take her in hand.”
“Are you volunteering for the job?” Silence. “Well, whether you want it or not, you are. I am counting on you to watch after her while we are away. That is the only reason I can in good conscience leave her here.”
“I didn’t protect her well enough once.”
“You did the best you could.”
“The best I could?”
“I know my sister. No one can keep her safe all the time. That is Kala’s nature.”
“Kala’s nature should be curtailed before something worse happens.”
“People are who they are, Gabe. Now, we have hired a companion who is an ex-military wife to stay with her. She knows her way around a gun and has been instructed to have one within reach at all times. They are not to leave the house without one of the guards Director McKenzie has placed around the house. Speaking of, he will be around at some point to see if he can question her about the meeting since the two of you seem to end up fighting before she can tell us anything substantial. Is that satisfactory enough?”
“It will have to be, will it not? If her family is satisfied, then I must be as well.”
“Gabe, I am anything but satisfied. However, I have discovered something very important in dealing with women.”
“Really? Do tell.”
“If you try to keep them in a glass case, they will suffocate. Their choices may not always be the wisest in your opinion, but you love them and support them anyway.”
“Sounds like a bunch of crap to me, Derek.”
“Perhaps, or perhaps you just have yet to find the right woman to understand.”
Gabe mulled over that last part of the conversation for quite a while. “Definitely crap,” he muttered, still staring out the window at the dark house across the square. If it were his choice, he would lock Mikala up in that house, or somewhere even safer, until they caught the bastard and hung him for his crime, and to hell with her feeling suffocated.
Chapter 14
Kala somehow slept through the hustle and bustle that followed Dru and her family as they left their townhouse. She stretched and then quickly climbed out of bed. Now theoretically on her own, she had developed a plan. Her excitement bubbled over as she performed her morning rituals. She struggled with tucking her camisole so that it did not peak out of the neckline of her dress when her bedroom door opened.
“Mrs. McGafferty?”
“Yes, dearie. Do you need some help there?”
“Yes, please.” She felt Mrs. McGafferty’s work-roughened hands take over the task. “Mrs. McGafferty, do you feel up to a little work today?”
“Certainly. I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t work. What do you have planned?” Kala outlined her plan to the older woman and she clapped in delight. “Oh, dearie, I do wish I had your sharp mind. My dear mother might have felt more independent if we had done something like that.”
“We need to send a footman for several lengths of rope. Do you think they will know where to find it?”
“Of course, dear. With all the horses and ships in this town, it shouldn’t be very difficult to find rope.”
“Excellent. When we go down for breakfast, I’ll let Thompson know. We should be able to start by this afternoon at the very latest.”
Mrs. McGafferty guided Kala out of her room to the stairs. Kala informed Thompson of all the supplies they would need, impressed that he did not question her sanity and instead said, “I will see to it right away.”
Kala felt empowered by her idea. She had informed Mrs. McGafferty of the trick that Gabe had taught her in regards to plates of food. She reluctantly acknowledged to herself that she owed Gabe thanks for his help and had called on someone to describe the location of her food ever since. After Mrs. McGafferty told her where all her food could be located, she quickly dug in, finding her normal vigorous appetite had returned. Breakfast passed quickly with the two women chatting and sharing ideas about the day ahead.
“What would you like to do until the supplies arrive?”
“Do you feel up for a stroll?”
“A good stretch of the legs never harmed a body.”
“Good, let’s walk in the square. The park shouldn’t be too crowded.” Kala waited for Mrs. McGafferty when Thompson entered.
“Pardon me, ladies, there are two gentlemen here to see Miss Kala.”
“Who is it, Thompson?”
“Lords Southerby and Dewhurst.”
“Please, send them in,” Kala informed the butler, excited that she had not run off her friend after all. She greeted the men upon hearing them enter the room. “Dewhurst, Southerby, thank you so much for visiting.”
“We tried to visit all last week, but were turned away every time we came by,” Dewhurst answered petulantly.
“Well, that explains that. I’m glad you finally broke down the defenses.”
“Our pleasure,” Justin replied dropping a kiss on her cheek. “How’re you feeling?” He whispered in her ear so that Dewhurst couldn’t hear. She merely inclined her head, a forced smile hovering on her lips.
“In fact, you gentlemen are just in time to escort me and Mrs. McGafferty on a walk.”
“Who?” Dewhurst questioned.
“Oh, that’s right. You two have not had the chance to meet her.” Kala made her voice louder before speaking again, “Mrs. McGafferty, this is Lord Southerby and Lord Dewhurst. Both gentlemen are friends of mine.”
“Shall we, gentlemen?”
“Of course,” Justin answered. Kala held her hand out expectantly and heard footsteps near her. Instead of meeting the person she simply waited until she felt her hand gripped and draped over an arm. She felt fairly certain from the texture of the cloth that it was one of the gentlemen, and the smell of sandalwood would have her guessing Southerby.
“Miss Simmons, is something amiss?” Dewhurst asked, sounding confused.
Kala realized at that moment that Dewhurst didn’t know about her injury. “Lord Dewhurst, I have lost my sight due to an accident I recently found myself involved in,” she answered vaguely.
“Oh, my. What kind of accident?”
“Nothing of import,” she waved her hands in the air. “Shall we?” The quartet made their way out of the house and down the steps. “Have I missed anything in the social scene?”
“People are slowly beginning to leave for their country homes and the holiday seasons.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
“How is the couple of the season?”
“And who would that be?” Justin asked.
“The Duke of Hawkescliffe and Lady Clarissa.”
“Odd that you mention them,” Dewhurst commented.
“And why is that?” She asked more curious than she would like to admit.
“Hawkescliffe has only made one or two appearances in the last week, and always alone.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Lady Clarissa has not been seen at all, and her father is reportedly away at one of their estates on business.”
“You have reason to doubt otherwise?” Justin questioned. Kala noticed a bit of an edge to his voice.
“Well,” Dewhurst drew out, “her lovely step-mother is still making the routes with her brother.”
“Perhaps Lady Clarissa is attending a house party as well.”
“There is a rumor going around that she has been sent to a distant relative, if you get my meaning,” Dewhurst answered slyly.
“No, I don’t think I do, Lord Dewhurst,” Kala replied, anger tainting her words, because she feared that she very much knew what Dewhurst would say next.
“Rumors are abounding that she is enceinte and the Duke of Hawkescliffe is the father.”
“That is quite enough,” Justin interrupted coldly.
“How dare people start such terrible rumors,” she said vehemently.
“Thought she was too good to be true,” Dewhurst said a bit crudely.
“Dewhurst, watch yourself.”
“Lord Dewhurst, please don’t speak of Lady Clarissa that way in front of me. She is the most genuine girl that I have ever met among the ton. If there is any truth in the rumors, which I sincerely doubt, I will stand beside her as her dearest friend.” As she spoke, she realized that she truly meant what she said. She also knew that if Gabe had indeed done something of this magnitude to a lady he would own up to his mistake and make things right. A deep depression overtook her at that thought.
“Think of your reputation, Miss Simmons,” Lord Dewhurst said sounding shocked. While at the same time she heard Southerby say, “Bravo,” but only loud enough for her to hear.
“Dewhurst, I think you should have a care with what you imply about Lady Clarissa in front of me. Her aunt is my godmother after all.”
Dewhurst began blubbering when Mikala cut him off, “Why, Justin, I never knew.”
“Not many do,” he vaguely replied.
“No matter, I would rather not have my reputation and have genuine friends than believe the rumors that abound the ton.”
“I see.” Dewhurst’s voice sounded a bit huffy to Kala. Besides the few comments, Southerby had remained surprisingly silent during the exchange. The group took another turn around the square before heading back towards the townhouse. They were chatting about safe, inane topics when they reached the house.
“Miss Simmons,” Thompson said after he opened the door, “your supplies have arrived.”
“Thank you, Thompson. Gentlemen, if you would excuse us, Mrs. McGafferty and I have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“What supplies?” Southerby asked curiously.
“Didn’t I tell you? I am making myself independent.”
“In what way?” She quickly outlined her plans of hanging ropes throughout the house to serve as guidelines for her. Once she had finished Justin gave a boisterous laugh. “Mikala, I swear you are the only person I know who could become more independent upon losing your sight.”
“It is solely determination.”
“Whatever it is, I admire you for it. You two ladies have a wonderful afternoon. I have business to attend to,” he dropped a light kiss on Kala’s cheek. “Coming, Dewhurst?” He turned towards Dewhurst, his tone of voice did not invoke another option.
“Of course. If you should need anything Miss Simmons,” Dewhurst offered.
“Thank you. Goodbye gentlemen.” They echoed their goodbyes before the door closed on them. “Well, Mrs. McGafferty, what do you say we get started on our project?”
“Let’s get to it.” A footman brought in their supplies and the two women began sorting and stacking.
Across the square, a rap sounded on the Duke of Hawkescliffe’s front door. He stood in the foyer, straightening his cravat before he left for the office. He had found that McKenzie had been called out of town and in his place he had a meeting with the head of the Foreign Office, Home Office, War Office and the Prime Minister. The War Office was so expansive with the war effort that it had an appointed Cabinet member to oversee it and then Director McKenzie ran the day-to-day issues. His head already pounded, and his scar was pulling, drawing down the left side of his lips. He ran his hand along the puckered skin and turned towards the door.
His butler turned towards him, “A Mr. Dixon is here to see you, Your Grace.”
Curious, he motioned the man to follow him. He walked into his study and turned on him. “Who are you, Dixon, is it?”
“Yes, Your Grace. I am in charge of the protection detail for Miss Simmons. When Mr. McKenzie left, he told me should anything occur to report to you.”
Gabe felt slightly taken aback by this. First, he left him in charge in lieu of his absence and now his men reported to Gabe as well. He would have to question him when he returned to London.
“Well, what information do you have?”
“Two well-dressed gentlemen came, stayed ‘bout thirty minutes then left.”
“Do you know who they were?”
“Asked the lad who watched their horses. They were Lords Dewhurst and Southerby.”
“And you say they both left?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“What did they do while there?”
“They, Miss Simmons, and her companion walked around the square.”
“They never went inside?”
“No, Your Grace.”
“Good. Keep your eyes open. I will be at the office. Send word if necessary.”
“Aye, Your Grace.” The man left the room. What did Southerby and Dewhurst want? Right now, both men were at the top of his list. He would have to see if he could find more information on the two. Gabe made a mental note to ask the Director of the Foreign Office about Southerby after their meeting.
He retraced his steps to the foyer and left his house.
***
Still blind. “Damn,” the man swore before continuing away from the house. Either she had not yet shared her information or she did not know as much as he had originally suspected. Right now she remained an unknown factor that could be very dangerous to their mission. Most women in her predicament would have retired to the country and allowed family to care for them. He really had underestimated her. She appeared much stronger than he had given her credit.
&
nbsp; He still did not know how she had come across his meeting with Natalia. He had been so careful to make certain he had not been followed. How long had she stayed, and what had she heard? She had heard enough to set up a meeting with that damned Hawkescliffe. It became more and more difficult to slink around that man. He tended to be everywhere.
His thoughts turned again to the meeting with Natalia and how it had ended with them both sweat-soaked and breathless. Had Mikala witnessed their carnal appetites? Just considering the possibility had his loins tightening to an uncomfortable level. He wouldn’t kill her right off. No, he would find out what kind of lover she made first.
Perhaps he would allow Hawkescliffe to watch. He could picture the scenario in his mind, Hawkescliffe bound, unable to move or look away as he ravished the young, nubile Mikala. Excitement coursed through him. Then he would show the little bitch a thing or two before he finished her off, with the stoic, condemning duke sitting helplessly nearby. He chuckled softly to himself. Indeed, he had plans for Miss Simmons. A great many plans, but first he had to find that damned grail.
Chapter 15
The butler announced dinner just as Kala and Mrs. McGafferty attached the last rope.
“Well, what do you think, Miss Mikala?”
“I think I have some freedom back,” she clapped her hands. “Mrs. McGafferty, I’m so excited. Now I can get through the house and part of the gardens on my own.”
“You just remember not to go outside without supervision.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kala attempted to sound meek but failed.
“You mind me now, miss.”
“I will, I promise.” They went into dinner and for the first time in two weeks Kala did not have to be led like an invalid. The next few days passed in a rather boring manner. Kala found that there were not a lot of things a blind person could do. She couldn’t write letters to let her family know of her accomplishment with the ropes. She did catch up on her reading, so to speak. Mrs. McGafferty had a strong reading voice and could read quite well. The two spent many hours reading history tomes because anything else bored Kala.
A Thin Line Page 12