“I was wrong to leave Almenara,” I told him now, resting my hand on his cheek. “And I was wrong to leave you in New Orleans. If I had stayed, all those years ago, everything would have been so different.”
“All these years I could have known happiness in your arms.” He kissed my forehead softly. “Now it’s too late.”
I shook my head. “It’s never too late.”
He laughed softly, bitterly. “We both know that’s not true, Fee. We’d be lying to ourselves to think we have a future of happiness ahead of us. I’m going to hang in a few weeks’ time, and you’re going to return to your home, my daughter in tow.”
“If Devlin killed Susan and Kathleen, couldn’t that mean he killed Desi, too?”
“We have no proof he killed any of them, Fee, and unless we can prove it, I won’t let him take the blame for it.”
“But you’re willing to take the blame for it? To hang for murders you didn’t commit?” I cried. “Why are you so willing to die?”
“I thought you doubted my innocence.”
He killed her, Ophelia. I watched him do it.
Should I tell him what Devlin had said? How would he react? Should I wait until Calvin returned? I shook my head. Did I really believe Cade would lose his temper and harm me in an attempt to keep me silent about what Devlin had told me? How could I possibly take the word of a madman over Cade’s claims of innocence? I had come back so certain of what I believed, but even now the words Devlin had whispered in my ear were powerful enough to give me pause.
Cade’s voice was soft, tired and disappointed. “Why did you come back?”
“I didn’t want you to be alone.”
“Even if I killed your sister?”
I nodded, and a sob caught me off guard. “I’m sorry, Cade. I’m so sorry.”
He got up and moved to the other side of the cell, his pain palpable in the small space between us.
“Calvin received word that the judge is caught up in another trial,” he informed me in a dull monotone I hardly recognized as his. “He won’t be in town until the day after tomorrow. There’s no need for you to sit through it. You were right when you left, and it does neither of us any good for you to be here now. Go home, Fee, and take Tabby with you. I’ve already given the paperwork to Calvin. They know she’s yours now.”
I held my tongue as I stood. My body was stiff from the beating I’d endured and the night on the small uncomfortable cot, but I stifled my groan. I washed up in the basin of tepid water and tidied my hair to the best of my ability without the benefit of a mirror or comb. Let him make of my silence what he would. I knew my lingering uncertainty hurt him, but I could not change the fact that there was still some small part of me plagued by Devlin’s words. Therefore, I remained silent, unwilling to injure him more than I already had.
When Calvin arrived, he unlocked the cell and let me out.
“Dennis is waiting outside. He’ll give you a ride to Almenara,” he told me. “Try to stay out of trouble.”
“Thank you, Sheriff,” I said as I followed him down the hall. “Have you had any word about Nellie?”
“According to the doctor, she delivered a healthy baby girl last night. Those are all the details I know.”
“Was the doctor there to see Devlin this morning?”
“He came straight from the Arnolds’ place last night. He diagnosed broken ribs, a concussion, and too many bruises to count. Said he’ll be in pain for a few days but should recover.”
“I’ll help look after him during his recuperation.”
Calvin chuckled dryly. “Eleanor’s with him now, and she’ll protest it, of course, but I’m sure when he wakes up he’ll be grateful for your presence. I believe he finds my sister’s obsession a bit overwhelming.”
“Do you think he killed Kathleen?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“No, that’s something Cade and I agree on. Devlin’s mad as a hatter, but he certainly isn’t mad enough to kill for no reason. Kathleen was dead when he found her. His only crime was being deranged enough to pick her pockets.”
“Do you have any suspects?”
“Don’t need any suspects. I already know who did it.”
“Really? Who?”
He jerked his head toward the corridor we had just exited. “Cade.”
Nothing he could have said could have brought me to my senses faster. I opened my mouth to argue, but what came out was a fit of wild laughter that caused him to step back quickly.
“Fee?” Cade yelled from down the hall. I heard the concern in his voice, and I knew I must sound like a raving lunatic. “Ophelia?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Calvin eyed me uncertainly. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No,” I said. “As a matter of fact, I’m thinking more clearly than I have in days.”
“Fee?” Cade rattled the bars of the cell, and I ran back down the hall toward him. Once there, I grabbed his face through the bars and kissed him swiftly.
“I’m sorry, Cade,” I said. “I know you didn’t kill Desi or anyone else, and I’m going to prove it.”
He grabbed my wrist, worry evident in his voice as he said, “Leave it alone, Fee.”
I shook my head and turned to Calvin, who had followed me down the hall. “You know as well as I do that Cade didn’t kill my sister, and he certainly didn’t kill those other two girls. I know what you stand to gain by his imprisonment or death, and quite honestly I have never seen such a flagrant and intentional miscarriage of justice. It should be you in that cell instead of him.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he huffed, but his reddened face told me I’d hit a nerve.
“I know exactly what I’m talking about, and so do you.”
I marched down the hall, leaving both men staring after me in surprise.
Outside the sheriff’s office, Dennis Ames was standing behind the wagon.
“Good morning, Fee,” he said, tipping his hat, and sauntering toward me.
I bid him good morning and climbed into the wagon without waiting for his help.
“In a hurry this morning?” he asked as he settled beside me on the seat.
“I can hardly wait to see Tabitha. I’ve missed her while I was gone.” I had decided against telling anyone else I was trying to prove Cade innocent, even Dennis.
“She’s pretty special, huh?” he observed.
“Yes, she is.”
“Desi was awfully fond of her.”
It seemed a silly statement. Of course Desi was fond of her daughter. Still, his familiarity led me to question how well he had known Desi.
“Were you and my sister very close?” I asked, remembering the other times he had intimated that Desi shared things with him she didn’t share with others.
“I was her friend, if that’s what you’re asking,” he said, sounding a bit offended at the question. “As I’m sure you realized, none of the Scotts liked her much, not even Cade. Desi was lonely, and she and I became friends soon after she arrived at Almenara.”
“I meant no offense, Dennis. It simply seems to me that you knew Desi better than most. After all, you are one of only three people who even knew of my existence before I arrived at Almenara.”
“I think she was embarrassed by what she did to you. Stealing Cade away like that, tricking him into marriage. She needed to confess to someone, and I was the one she chose.”
My shock must have shown on my face, because he laughed lightly as he urged the horses to pick up speed.
“I guess you could say I was Desi’s confidant, and I hope I helped ease her mind before she died.”
“I’m sure having such a good, loyal friend put her mind very much at ease.” I touched his arm and offered him a smile. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He snapped the reins and the horses leapt forward.
Richard’s carriage was in the drive when we arrived at Almenara, and I supposed he was there checking up on Devlin. I had
been surprised that he hadn’t even asked after me when he entered the church last night, but I supposed he could see by looking at me that I had no serious injuries. It had been Nellie who was of the highest concern, and I understood that completely.
Mrs. Hartley greeted us in the hall and, at my inquiry, directed me to the room in which Devlin was convalescing. I felt a leap of anxiety over the idea of sleeping under the same roof as the man, but when I remembered the beating he had taken the day before, I realized it would be quite some time before he could be a danger to anyone.
Dennis followed me up the stairs, much more somber than I had ever seen him, and by the time we entered Devlin’s room, he seemed to have transformed into another man entirely. A scowling avenger, come to reap his pound of flesh from the bruised and beaten man lying against the crisp white sheets.
“He’s resting comfortably,” Richard said as we entered.
“Then we won’t disturb him,” I said, turning away from the sleeping man and expecting Dennis would follow.
“Of course we’ll disturb him,” Dennis protested. “He has questions to answer.”
“And he can answer them when he wakes,” the doctor told him sternly.
Dennis ignored the man completely, however, as he slapped his hand against Devlin’s covered foot with more force than necessary and shouted at him to wake up.
At the command, Devlin’s black and swollen eyes fluttered partially open and settled on me.
Richard ordered Dennis to follow him from the room and Dennis obeyed, although he looked back at Devlin and me several times.
“My God, Desdemona, what’s happened to me?” Devlin croaked. “I hurt like the devil.”
I wanted to tell him I wasn’t Desdemona but had the idea that I could lure the truth from him if I pretended to be her.
I tried to emulate the way she talked, the way her hips swayed when she walked and how she cocked her head closer to men when speaking to them.
“You were set upon and beaten by a group of men,” I said, sounding like my sister even to my own ears.
“Why? Where?” Confusion knitted his brow.
“Perhaps you should rest, Devlin,” I suggested.
“Perhaps I should,” he agreed, “but I’d rather talk.”
The short shallow gasps that punctuated his speech made me wonder how many broken ribs the doctor had found beneath the clean white shirt he wore.
I felt infinitely sorry for the man, mad as he was, and I reached for his hand. It was a gesture of comfort, but because he thought I was my sister, his hand curled around mine and held it tight.
“Where is Cade?” he asked, his eyes searching the room, as if a man of Cade’s stature could be hiding in the corners.
“He isn’t home.” I couldn’t tell him where Cade was. If I did, I would have to explain why, which would make him realize I couldn’t possibly be Desdemona.
As if that was all he had been waiting for, he gave my hand a gentle tug so I was forced closer to him, grasped my head and pulled me down for a kiss. I tried to pull away from him, Desi’s soft laughter spilling from my lips as I put a few inches between our mouths.
“You shouldn’t overexert yourself, Devlin. The doctor says you must rest.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead,” he murmured against my mouth, “but right now, I refuse.”
He pulled me against him again, and it was at that moment that the door opened and Dennis came back into the room.
“What the—” He cut himself short and rushed toward the bed.
“No, Dennis, wait!” I cried, catching hold of his arm. “It isn’t what you think.”
“It is exactly what he thinks, Desdemona,” Devlin said from behind me. “It’s time for this charade to be over.”
“Desdemona?” Dennis repeated, his eyes swinging to mine.
I nodded, hoping he understood and hoping Devlin didn’t notice his questioning gaze.
“Do you know this man?” Devlin asked me, his brow knitted with worry.
“Dennis is my dearest friend,” I answered. “I’m sure the two of you have met each other before.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t seem to remember,” Devlin apologized.
A slow heat spread across Dennis’ face, and he seemed to puff up before my eyes.
“We’ve met numerous times, sir,” Dennis snapped, but Devlin shook his head.
“Again, it isn’t something I recall.” He waved a weak hand toward the door. “If you would be so kind, Desdemona and I have things to discuss in private.”
I had never seen Dennis as anything but a sweet congenial gentleman, and the change that came over him was as frightening as it was fascinating. His face mottled with rage, he stepped toward the bed, and spoke in a voice tight with fury.
“Maybe you’ll remember who I am when I arrest you for murder.”
“Murder? Whose murder?” Devlin looked at me, then Dennis. “Are you the sheriff, then?”
“I think we’ve played your game long enough.” Dennis put a hand on his arm. “You know I’m not the sheriff, and you know we’ve met before.”
“Are you mad, man?”
Dennis lifted his fist, intent on connecting with Devlin’s face, and for the second time in as many days I stepped between Devlin and a devastating blow.
My backside was pressed firmly against the side of the bed as Dennis caught his swing in midair and, cursing wildly, grabbed my arm to drag me from the room.
“What the devil is wrong with you?” he demanded once we were in the hall. “That man may have killed your sister and two other innocent girls. Why are you so intent on saving him from injury?”
Appalled and infuriated, I straightened my spine and held my ground. “That man is in no shape to defend himself, physically or legally, and I won’t let you hurt or question him.”
“He seemed in good enough shape to kiss you. Which, I must say, you didn’t seem to be protesting.”
“He’s delirious, Dennis. He thinks I’m my sister.”
“Why don’t you tell him the truth?”
“Other than thinking I’m Desi, he seems so sane at the moment that I’m afraid to tell him the truth. I don’t know what he would do if he learned of Desi’s death.”
“You’re right to be afraid. He’s a dangerous man.”
“If he thinks I’m Desi, he may say something that proves he killed her, or at least, that Cade is innocent.”
“Cade will be furious if he learns what you’re doing.”
“He’s the reason I’m doing it.”
I went back into the bedroom and found Devlin sleeping soundly once again. Dennis had obviously calmed during our conversation, because when I turned to leave, he followed silently in my wake.
I bid him farewell in the hall and he leaned toward me, his lips brushing my cheek with a gentle kiss.
“See you tomorrow, Fee.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
I ate dinner in the nursery with Tabitha that night, only halfway listening as Janie rattled on about the rumors that were going around in town. It seemed three murders in just as many weeks had not only sparked the vigilantes last night, but had set the rumor mill afire.
“Some of them are saying Mr. Devlin is a devil, miss, a heathen come to steal away the souls of women.”
“Well, that is simply ridiculous, Janie.”
“Kathleen’s granny says he stole Mr. Cade’s soul years ago, and that’s why Miss Tabby is how she is. She says it’s the mark of the devil.”
Outraged, I surged to my feet. I could feel my anger suffuse my face with heat, and Janie sat back on her heels.
“Don’t you ever again speak such nonsense in my presence. Do you understand me?”
She nodded. “It isn’t like I believed it, miss.”
“Maybe not, but repeating it is just as bad. Tabitha is as God made her, Cade’s soul is right where it belongs, and Devlin is simply a man whose mind is ill.”
“I’m very sorry, miss,” she said, her eye
s huge with worry. “You will still let me come away with you, won’t you? I love Miss Tabby, and I could never believe she has the mark of the devil.”
“I can’t abide hatefulness, Janie. Especially when aimed against an innocent child. If Kathleen’s grandmother is given to such imaginings, no wonder her poor granddaughter was so superstitious.”
“Have you heard her, miss?” Janie asked in a rush. “The crying woman?”
There was really no reason to lie. Everyone here had seen me rush to the rooftop in search of a woman who was nowhere in sight.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve heard her.”
“Is it true you’ve seen her, too, miss? That you followed her onto the roof the night you were hurt at the lighthouse?”
“Yes, that’s true, too, Janie.”
“Kathleen’s grandma says if you’ve heard her and seen her, she’s got you in her sights. You could be the next one, miss, and then poor Tabby would be all alone.”
“No one has me in their sights, Janie. I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation for all of it.”
“My mama said the same thing, miss, when I told her how worried I was about you.” She dabbed a napkin over Tabitha’s face, gently wiping away any trace of the yams and chicken soup the child had consumed. “But that was before Kathleen saw the woman in white.”
“Kathleen saw the woman?” I’m sure my relief showed on my face. I had not even admitted to myself how frightened I was at the idea that I could have imagined the woman in the hallway. “When? Where?”
“She saw her the night before she died. After you left that day, Mr. Cade locked himself away in his study. He started drinking something fierce, and when he drank all he had in there with him, he started yelling for more. Kathleen took it in to him, and the first time everything was fine. But the second time she went in, she came out white as a sheet, claiming she’d seen the woman in white outside Mr. Cade’s window.”
“Did she see her face?”
Janie shook her head as she picked Tabby up and changed her into her nightgown.
“She disappeared over the dunes before Kathleen got a good glimpse of her.”
“Was she certain she saw her? What about Cade?” I held out my arms and she placed Tabitha on my lap.
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