His Impetuous Deputante (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 1)

by Charles, Jane

  “What happened?” Phoebe was almost afraid to ask.

  “Well, in a way, she got her wish. She conceived.”

  “Oh no.”

  “That was when she was the happiest. We spent hours together playing chess, walking. She enjoyed the garden the most. Heather became the best friend I ever had and I miss that friendship more than anything else.” He turned away and walked to the window. “One night, she was out walking during a break in a storm that had gone on for days. Apparently she came too close to the flooded creek and fell in. Chambers heard her scream and went in after her but she was already gone by the time he had pulled her from the water.”

  Tears were in her eyes now. “Oh Taylor, I am so sorry.”

  “I was too. I spent the night cursing everything from fate to my grandfather’s will. I believe I was drunk for weeks.”

  “You had good reason.”

  “Yes. I did.” Then he turned and looked at her. “Now I have you.” He paused and tried to put his emotions into words. “I never loved the others like I love you. I did love Heather, but in a different manner. You are my passion and my life. If anything were to happen to you, I don’t think I could or would want to go on.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “It is true. When I saw the horse rear today, all I saw was an empty life ahead. I didn’t think about the heirs I wouldn’t have, or losing the estates, or anything that had prompted me to take a wife before. All I could see was a life without you and I don’t think I could live with it.”

  * * *

  He knew he was dreaming, but yet, everything seemed so real. The sunlight was warm, a soft breeze was in the air, and he stood in the center of Heather’s garden, where they had often laughed and talked together. Looking around he saw the roses in bloom. He had forgotten their beauty, having not ventured here since the burial. Why was he here now? Turning, he took in his surroundings until he saw her, standing before him, as beautiful as the day they had married. Golden blond hair flowed down her back, strands being caught by the wind and carried away from her body. Her blue eyes sparkled with the love and joy she had felt after she had conceived, and her hand, long elegant fingers reached for him, a warm smile on her full lips.

  “You have chosen well this time, Taylor.”

  He knew she was talking of Phoebe. “I am not sure there was much choice in the matter.”

  Her laugh was musical, just as he had remembered. “You did choose her, even if you don’t realize it.”

  He shook his head and knew she was right. How often had he allowed himself to be pulled into situations with Phoebe that would force his hand? “You always knew me better than I knew myself.”

  Heather smiled at Taylor with warmth glistening in her eyes.

  “Why are you here?” Taylor finally asked.

  For a moment her smile faded, then returned with reassurance. “You still need me. You both need me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You love her deeply don’t you?”

  Taylor didn’t know how to answer. How could he tell Heather how Phoebe made him feel? Guilt that he was somehow betraying Heather began to grow.

  As if reading his thoughts, she stepped closer, placing a cool hand on his chest. “Don’t feel guilt over loving her the way you do. She is the wife you should have always had, and she will make you happier than anyone has ever before.”

  Taylor opened his mouth to speak, perhaps deny, but couldn’t. Already Phoebe had made him happier than he had been in his entire life.

  “Taylor, love her with everything you feel. She returns the feeling more than you will ever comprehend. You both have been given a great gift in each other. Cherish it for all your days.”

  Relief washed over him, as if he had needed her permission first, he could now move forward. He never realized he had been holding back a small part of himself.

  Heather pulled away and strolled among her roses, though she didn’t stray far from him. “Her music is beautiful, don’t you agree?”

  “Yes.”

  “Her heart is in her music. Did you know?”

  “I have been told.” He watched Heather, her beauty, in the garden, and loving her as he had before, as his best friend. Yet, deeply in love with Phoebe. She was wrong. He had been given two gifts to cherish. Phoebe and Heather.

  As if reading his thoughts, Heather turned to him and smiled. “Thank you, Taylor. I will always love you as well.”

  “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “I know you. Remember?” She gave him an impish smile, the way she used to when she teased.

  “Why do I still need you?” he finally asked in a quiet voice, suddenly realizing he should be concerned about having a conversation with his wife, who had been dead for over a year.

  Her face lost all laughter, replaced with sadness. “There is danger.”

  Chapter 18

  “Explain,” Taylor demanded, becoming alarmed.

  “Phoebe is in danger and you need to protect her. I am here to warn you. I can’t tell from where the danger comes, nor can I see where it will appear in the future. Just know that evil wants her gone, as well as your child.”

  “My child?”

  Her face lit again with a warm smile. “Your son. Though I shouldn’t tell you. Phoebe carries your son now in her womb.”

  “But she hasn’t told me,” Taylor stated, confused, they hadn’t been married very long.

  “She doesn’t yet know herself. Let her realize it herself, then share the happiness with you.”

  “I will.” Taylor was stunned that Phoebe was carrying a child and Heather already knew.

  “For these reasons you need to protect her and watch for danger. I will warn you, when it is possible.”

  “Shouldn’t I be able to spot the danger?”

  “Evil is not easy to see until it is too late and sometimes not even then. Accidents are not always as they seem.”

  “How so?”

  “That is all I can say for now. Hold her close and keep her safe.”

  Heather began to disappear from his sight.

  “Wait. Don’t go.”

  “I must. We will speak again.” Her voice faded away, leaving Taylor alone in the garden, feeling empty and afraid as everything darkened around him.

  His eyes flew open and looked straight into the deep, worried emeralds that were Phoebe’s eyes. “Taylor, are you all right?”

  It took him a moment to realize he was no longer in the safe haven of the garden with Heather, but in the safe haven of his bed with Phoebe. Was it really safe? “Yes, I am fine. Why do you ask?” he answered a bit incoherent.

  “Who did you want to wait and not leave?”

  She was clearly worried about him. Had he mentioned Heather’s name out loud? What would she think of him if he told her he had just had a pleasant conversation with his dead wife? She would think him mad. “What do you mean?” He decided not to confess until he had a chance to think over the dream.

  “You shouted, almost begged someone not to leave. Who were you dreaming of?”

  His eyes narrowed as he thought it over. She didn’t know, that was good. “I’m not sure. I feel as if something has been left unanswered.”

  “Dreams have a way of doing that at times. Perhaps you will recall it later.” She settled down beside him, her head on his shoulder. Before long, Phoebe was fast asleep again. Though Taylor wished he could return to slumber, hoping Heather would visit him again, he remained awake, remembering everything she had said and how she had looked. What had caused him to dream such a dream? Either Heather had truly come to him from beyond to give a warning, which Taylor had difficulty believing. Or, was she a product of his imagination because of the danger Phoebe had been in earlier today?

  That was the most likely reason. His imagination was overactive and created Heather in his dreams because of the raw fear that had raged through him earlier. As Heather had been the last to die, it was natural he would dream of her
. Confident he had come to terms with the strange dream, he finally drifted off as the sun was rising.

  * * *

  Despite his best efforts throughout the day, he could not shake the dream, nor the message. Finally in the afternoon, while Phoebe was at her pianoforte, Taylor made his way to the stables to check on the horse.

  “Did you learn what caused him to rear yesterday?”

  “We are not sure, Lord Sandlin.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well,” the stable master started and turned to a young assistant. “Bring the saddle Lady Sandlin uses.” He turned his attention back to Taylor. “The saddle had recently been repaired and some of the stitching tightened. We found needles still within the saddle and we suspect when she put her weight into the run, the needles were pushed into his side.”

  Taylor bent to examine the saddle, seeing the short, silver points.

  “We watched him through the night, and he was as skittish as a trapped fox.”

  “But why would he act that way?” Taylor was having difficulty understanding why this horse, of all horses, was acting strangely.

  “The best we can guess is he ate something that didn’t agree with him, and added to the ride yesterday, he just reacted poorly.” The stable master shrugged his shoulders.

  Taylor simply nodded and wondered if it was just a few minor coincidences, or if someone had done these things on purpose to his horse. He couldn’t allow such thoughts. Those who worked in the stables had worked there for seven years or more. The most recent were those he hired when he inherited the title. Had there been a new employee, he would be concerned, but he knew them all. No, it was just an accident that Phoebe happened to be riding yesterday.

  Accident. The thought made Taylor’s blood run cold. Hadn’t Heather warned him of such? Knowing he would never know the truth, he left the stable to search out Phoebe, to assure himself of her safety, vowing to watch her and everything surrounding her.

  * * *

  Ever since the horse had reared, Taylor had stayed by her side constantly whenever she left the house. She wasn’t even allowed to take a leisurely stroll around the grounds, without him by her side, and Phoebe began to feel suffocated.

  Seated behind the piano, her fingers brought forth the sound of Vivaldi, the only music that conveyed her anxiousness being held at bay and increasing from the lack of activity and restlessness.

  Her eyes drifted to look out the window. She longed to walk and run, but she knew the minute she left the room Taylor would be at her side in an instant. She loved him dearly, but a little solitude outside the house would be very welcoming.

  The energy it took to play the piece was not giving her the peace she needed. Taking her hands away, she stood and walked to the windows, trying to come up with a way to escape. There were few exits from the house. One was through the ballroom, which he would note immediately. The door in the foyer wouldn’t go unnoticed either. The doors opened up to the seating area outside of his library. The only door she could possibly sneak through would be from the kitchen. Should she chance the escape? He had never told her not to leave without him. He just suddenly appeared at her side when she was ready to leave. Taylor had suffered a scare the other day, and she could understand his protectiveness. But strolling the grounds, close to the house, certainly wasn’t a reckless adventure. Her decision made, she walked to the kitchen. As usual, though busy, the cook and her assistants worked in a relaxed atmosphere. Phoebe had been to the kitchens before and servants no longer jumped to their feet when she entered a room. Thank goodness she had put a stop to that nonsense. “Good afternoon, Lady Sandlin.” This particular afternoon, the young assistants were peeling apples, while the cook worked with dough for a crust.

  “The apples look delicious,” Phoebe murmured.

  “They are the best around. Not quite ripe yet, but they make a nice tart pie,” one of the women stated with pride.

  “Did these come from the orchard?”

  “Where else?” the cook chuckled.

  Phoebe’s eyes widened with delight. “Where might the orchard be?”

  “It is only on the other side of the stables,” the cook indicated.

  “If my husband should look for me, tell him that is where I have gone.” Phoebe knew full well it would only be a matter of minutes before Taylor came for her, which he often did as soon as her music was silent for too long.

  She rounded the stables and came to the orchard, at least what she would call an orchard. An area, surrounded by fields, contained about twenty trees, all just beginning to ripen with apples. Beneath, there were patches of grass, as not much grew within the shady environment. Small animals scurried about, pilfering a few of the green apples that had already fallen from the tree. Birds sang above, and bees went about their business, landing on rotting fruit. She walked into the center of the orchard and looked up into a tree. The limbs appeared strong and sturdy. With an eager smile, Phoebe kicked off her shoes, unhooked her stockings from the garters, and rolled them down her legs. Folding the items neatly on her shoes and hiking her skirts, she put her mind to climbing the tree. Though her hands suffered a few minor scrapes, she finally made it to the first limb she thought would hold her weight. Standing, she braced one hand on the tree and looked around before plucking a green, not nearly ripe apple, and bit into the tart fruit. As she finished her first bite, she heard Taylor enter the area.

  She stayed as quiet as she could and observed him walk deeper and deeper, stopping just under the tree. Hands on his hips, appearing a bit irritated, he scanned the area, neither looking up, where he would find her, nor down, where he would find her discarded clothing. She caught a glimpse of his profile, his worry, and it took some of the fun away. Leaning slightly, she dropped the apple she had been eating. It landed directly in front of him.

  He looked down and picked it up and must have noted the bite. His head tilted up and met her eyes.

  “What do you think you are doing?” Taylor shouted at her.

  “Climbing a tree. Care to join me?” She shouted back.

  “No, I do not. Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?”

  “Don’t tell me you have never climbed a tree before,” she teased back.

  “Of course I did. When I was a boy. You are a lady.”

  “Ladies can’t have fun?”

  “Not when they could break their neck.”

  “Oh, Taylor, you really are too stiff. Come up here with me,” she beckoned sweetly.

  “I will not. You get down here.” He pointed to the ground while looking up at her.

  “I don’t want to.” Phoebe pouted. “You really do need to learn to have some fun.”

  “You cannot expect me to enjoy myself when I expect you to fall at any moment.”

  “I am not going to fall. I have done this for years.”

  “Well you should have stopped doing this years ago,” he shouted up.

  She sat down on the limb and began to swing her legs. “Now, are you going to join me or not?”

  Hands on hips, lips pursed together, he studied her. “Please come down.”

  Phoebe rolled her eyes to the sky. “Oh, very well.” Leaning over, she grasped the limb with both hands and let her body fall, hanging for a few moments before she let herself drop to the ground. She brushed off her hands and faced her husband. “Feel better?” She gave him a mocking grin, then turned to retrieve her stockings.

  “Yes. I do.”

  She stood and faced him, not trying very hard to hide her irritation. “Taylor, it is a tree. I have been climbing trees for as long as I can remember and haven’t been injured since I was ten.” Bending, she retrieved the apple she had dropped and brushed it off with her skirt. “Even that wasn’t my fault. If the snake hadn’t startled me, I wouldn’t have fallen and broken my arm,” she told him before she took another bite.

  “I suppose you think I have overreacted?” He raised eyebrows.

  “Again,” she retorted.
r />   “What brought you out here in the first place?”

  “I wanted an apple.” She shrugged her shoulders.

  “One of the servants could have retrieved an apple, not to mention there are plenty in the kitchen.” He gestured back to the house.

  Sighing deeply, Phoebe admitted, “If you must know, I wanted to stroll without your constant guard.”

  His face dropped. “You don’t want my company?”

  “No. You misunderstand.” She gave him a smile. “I love being with you. But, when we are away from the house, you hover, afraid I may be hurt. It is getting to be as stifling as watching what I do and say in London.”

  “I didn’t realize I was suffocating you,” Taylor bit out.

  “You are not.” Throwing up her hands she turned away from him. This wasn’t going well at all. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. He did have her best interest at heart. “Taylor, being careful is one thing. Being afraid to do anything is another. I understand your fear and you have good reason. But I can’t live under constant guard. We haven’t even ridden since the horse reared and I wonder if you will allow me to ride again.”

  “I am sorry. I can’t help myself.”

  “I can’t help being myself,” she returned with a loving smile.

  He sighed and his shoulders relaxed. “I’ll try not to be so confining if you let me know what you are up to.”

  “Can we have some fun?” she asked with a tilt of her head and mischievous smile.

  He returned with a wicked grin.

  She slapped at his arm. “When is the last time you climbed a tree?”

  Taylor studied her, then he looked at the tree. “I suppose it has been years.”

  Her grin widened. “Care to give it a try?” she challenged him.

  He continued to study the tree. “Very well.” He removed his jacket and pulled himself up. When he lifted his leg up on the limb, there was the unmistakable sound of ripping trousers.