Beautiful Whispers (Ausmor Plantation Book 1 - Romance/Suspense)

by Alice Ayden

  I rolled my eyes. “Arrogant bastard. Are you that stupid you can’t take a hint?”

  “I go where I want when I want.”

  “Even if she doesn’t want you here anymore?”

  Byron stepped closer.

  “That’s cute. Like you’d actually try something without your entourage.”

  “You don’t talk to me like that.”

  I stepped closer. “Do I need to use smaller words?”

  “She’ll choose me again. You know that, don’t you?”

  I laughed. “She hasn’t yet.”

  “She’s too good for you.”

  “I know.” I waited.

  He frowned - shocked that I’d admitted it.

  “Better than me.” I looked him up and down as he normally did to his servants. “Definitely better than you. You cheated on her how many times?”

  “I can provide security.”

  “Who’s going to protect her from you?”

  Byron took a deep breath. “Financial security.”

  “The Austens don’t need your money.”

  “I have a prestigious family name.”

  “The Austens are one of the oldest families in Virginia.” I waited to see what else Byron would spew.

  He hesitated. “I’m not the son of a whore.”

  Blinded at first with rage, I couldn’t even see him standing in front of me. But I told myself that’s what he wanted. He wanted me to strike first. He’d never be able to defend himself, and I’d be the violent bastard. More points for him.

  Had to control myself. I closed my eyes. Byron was a prissy little asswipe who swiped at the gutter to get me to react. So, I did the unexpected. I put my hands behind my back to better control myself and looked at him.

  He wasn’t expecting that. “What? You now agree with me about your whorish mother? She should have known her place. Besides, she was married to your father…” He stopped and smiled.

  I prepared for whatever thoughts crept into his pathetic brain.

  “Was that even your father? I mean, god knows, with a mother that spread it around like she did. Your father could have been anyone.”

  “Maybe even your father.”

  Byron’s eyes widened as the thought swirled. “My father would never lower himself with the help.”

  “Right…” I laughed. “Like that’s never happened.” I knew my mother had never been unfaithful to my father, but torturing Byron made it all worth it. I hoped my mother would forgive me for hinting.

  Byron’s face reddened as his anger grew.

  I patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, By. Your father was going to cut you out of the will and make me his heir. I’d have given you a few crumbs to live on until you found a job.”

  Byron shoved my hand away, or at least he tried. In a quick swoop, faster than Byron could react, I grabbed his arm and twisted it around his back until he yelped.

  “I’m faster than you and stronger than you. If we weren’t at Ausmor I’d kick your ass a thousand times.” I tightened my grip on his arm until he stopped struggling. “So don’t hint about my mother. Don’t hold Jane over my head and don’t threaten me again. Me entiendes?”

  Byron struggled and nodded. “Okay, I get it just let go of me already.”

  I let go and pushed him back.

  He held his arm. “You could have broken it.”

  I stepped closer and smiled when he jumped. “Like your little boy toys broke three of my ribs?”

  “You did plenty of damage on your own. One’s still in the hospital.”

  “And what did they do to Jane?”

  Byron blankly looked at me. “Nothing. They took her back to the party.”

  “She can’t remember.”

  “They didn’t do anything. They wouldn’t hurt her. They wouldn’t dare.”

  I believed him. His money hired the best.

  Byron looked down at the ground. “Look, just go home.”

  “I am home. I was born at Ausmor. I grew up here. My mother lived here. My father worked here.”

  Byron held up his hand. “Yeah, I know your story. Just find someplace else.”

  “Why?”

  “You don’t belong here. Jane belongs with me.”

  “You don’t own Jane. She’s in love with me.” I flinched. I’d hoped that was true, but I’d never heard her say that to me.

  Byron laughed.

  “Did I say something funny?”

  “Love? She doesn’t love you. She can’t even remember half the things that have happened to her. Why would she be in love with you?”

  “She’s remembering more every day. You know what that means, don’t you By?”

  Byron shook his head and started to walk away but turned back around. “I’m warning you.”

  “This should be good.” I crossed my arms over my chest to prepare for Byron’s latest.

  “Don’t push me. Jane will never be with you. She’ll always choose me. I’m going to ask her to marry me at the Christmas party.”

  The pain struck me as if he’d hit me. Jane couldn’t marry Byron. I trusted her feelings for me but wasn’t sure she wouldn’t go back to Byron. He was her routine. I needed more time.

  “Her family will help her decide, and then it will be done.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not what she wants. It’s not what she needs. She won’t marry you.”

  “I’m warning you to walk away.”

  “You know I won’t.”

  “Then you’ll force my hand, and it will be on you.”

  I tried to imagine what that asshole meant.

  “Jane is mine. I’ll do what I have to do.” Byron grinned.

  That smug gesture told me he wasn’t worried at all. What would he do? He turned around and casually walked away.

  The Christmas party was tomorrow night. Not much time. I dropped my tools and forgot what I was doing. Had to find Jane. Had to protect her from Byron. If I didn’t leave her side… I raced through the house and heard her voice on the second floor.

  I looked up the moment she looked down. Our eyes met, and I motioned that I’d be in the library. I raced through the Old Wing.

  “Alexander…” Mrs. Kiness said stopping me from rushing past her. “Did you get a chance to study that banister? It looks not at all safe.”

  “Fixin to take a look at it now,” I said racing past her, up the stairs and through the connecting door. I avoided the maid who usually smiled at me and ran into Tour Guide Taylor.

  “Oh, young man,” Taylor said blushing. “I assumed you to be someone else.”

  “Byron’s in the garden.”

  Taylor gasped. “Mr. Bashley is here? Oh, my.” He straightened out his hair and smoothed his coat.

  I left Taylor in the hallway to fidget and slipped into the Morgan library while Jane talked with one of Mrs. Kiness’ protégés.

  Jane tried to cut her conversation short, but whoever it was… Marcy - I think - wanted to talk on and on. I moved closer and hid behind some book cases so I could hear.

  “Then Joshua said he wanted to see that movie, but he wasn’t there when I got there. It was his idiot cousin, Hank or Steve or something. I didn’t like him as much. I made out with him the last half hour of the movie, but the movie totally sucked. I didn’t like all that romantic stuff anyway, but I think I had too much to drink because I think I went back home with him.”

  Jane backed farther away as she nodded.

  “At least I think it was his apartment because I didn’t wake up in my house, but no one else was there so how will I know who I went home with last night?”

  “Quite the dilemma,” Jane said as she gave me the look.

  “I mean asking Hank or Steve or whoever would be kind of slutty, don’t you think? I mean I think I should know, you know? Is there any way I could know for sure?”

  Jane shrugged as she backed farther away. “You could find out where whoever lives and see if it matches where you woke up?”

&n
bsp; “Yeah, I could do that…” Marcy crunched her nose a bit. “But then, I can’t really remember where that was, you know? I mean I took the bus cause my car’s in the shop again, but it’s not the normal bus route. So I didn’t pay any attention. With all the transfers and stuff I can’t remember where it was. But do you think the bus driver would know where he picked me up?”

  Jane nodded her head enthusiastically. “Absolutely. I’d get right on that.”

  Marcy smiled. “Thanks, Miss Austen. You’re a lifesaver.” She skipped down the stairs.

  Jane ran into the library and found me. “Sorry, Marcy is…I don’t know what she is.”

  I pulled her to me and kissed her. I didn’t want to let her go. “Tell me you remember me.”

  Jane touched my face.

  “Do you trust me?”

  She nodded.

  “Promise me you’ll stay away from Byron.”

  Jane frowned. “What’s he done now?”

  I started to kiss her again, but she pulled back.

  “Seriously, what’s he done?”

  I noticed the twinge in her eyes. Worried. “Nothing…” I pressed my forehead to hers. “He just said some things…”

  “What things?”

  “Something about doing whatever it took to make you forget about me.”

  She pulled back and took my face in her hands. “I won’t let that happen.”

  I appreciated the words but wasn’t sure Jane would be able to stop it. I knew Byron. I knew what he was capable of. She remembered him from when they were kids He was harmless then. But I knew what he was capable of. I’d seen it that day seven years ago. I wouldn’t take any chances.

  “Jane?” Mrs. Kiness called from the hallway.

  “Promise me?” I whispered. “Stay away from Byron until after the party.”

  Jane hesitated, but she nodded. “I promise.”

  “Jane? Are you up here? Marcy said you were up here?” Mrs. Kiness bellowed.

  Jane took my hand and kissed it and started to leave but came right back and kissed me. She pulled away and looked deep into my eyes. “You’ll have to keep me at my word. I might slip. Who knows what I would do.”

  “Jane Eva Austen? Where are you?” Mrs. Kiness said.

  “Three names means business,” Jane said.

  I pulled her back to me. “What are you getting at?”

  “You’ll have to stay by my side until the party. It’s the only way to be sure.” She kissed me quickly and skipped away glancing back at me with a devilish grin.

  I sighed. I was a lost cause. No matter what - I’d never be able to walk away from her. She’d caught me and wasn’t letting go. I was hers forever. I’d do anything.

  For the rest of the day, I managed to fix everything Mrs. Kiness wanted and watch over Jane. Maybe it helped that Jane pre-followed me. As soon as Mrs. Kiness ordered me to another part of the house, Jane would be within eyesight doing something. She’d glance at me when no one was looking and smile. If I could live on that I would… I stopped.

  I knew Jane all my life, and I’d never known a day without loving her. My mother saw it. She saw the way I looked at Jane. She told me when I was eight that I wasn’t good enough for her. That my life would be misery because I’d never have her. I listened, but, in my heart, I hoped Jane and I would be together. She’d choose me regardless of the stupid convention or society or rules or whispers or damn gossip. She’d choose me and tell Byron to go to hell.

  When mom and I moved to Williamsburg, I was without Jane for five long years. I saw her when I’d sneak away and return to Ausmor without mom knowing. I promised mom I wouldn’t return, and I didn’t…officially. Unofficially, I had to see Jane. Had to know she was okay. I’d heard about her accidents. The things she chose to forget. I didn’t know if she’d ever remember everything. I had to be with her in case she decided she was strong enough to deal with the truth. She was right in believing it started with her mother, but I wasn’t sure about the accidents.

  Rumors hinted that Jane hurt herself, but the assholes that spread those rumors didn’t know the real Jane. They thought she was some weak, pathetic creature. They didn’t realize how strong she really was and how much she’d already survived. Jane didn’t hurt herself. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. Someone else hurt her. I wasn’t sure who, but I could guess. This time, he wouldn’t get the chance to hurt her again. I’d kill him first.

  32 Jane

  “Poor Alexander.” I make him nervous. It’s like he either doesn’t know what to say or is afraid to say the wrong thing. When I told him he had to stay by my side till the party, he stopped breathing. Wherever I go, I sensed his eyes on me.

  Whenever Byron watched me, I was conscious of every breath, every movement which is why I dropped things or stuttered about like an idiot. I withered under so much scrutiny, but Alexander’s attention didn’t choke. I flourish; I breathe.

  Maybe he’s the air I craved? The oxygen I required to survive? It makes me that much more determined to remember everything. I need to know all the details - even the painful ones that peek slightly above the surface before my stomach queases and my head pounds them back into the ether.

  But why the physical reaction? What is so painful that my body and mind revolt? Would it drive me mad? Am I not strong enough? I must have looked very dreadful because, without warning, Alexander nudged me.

  “Are you alright?”

  I nodded and smiled. “Fine.”

  “I’m right here if you need me,” he said quickly before Mrs. Kiness and her crew blew into the Grand Entrance Hall.

  “Make sure the swags are straight. Check each fireplace. Know the location of the flashlights and candles. We do not need any blown bulbs or fuses.” Mrs. Kiness waited until her crew had finished scribbling their notes and looked up anxious for more. “Ensure glasses are not placed upon the side tables. Do not trust the holiday rugs will stay down on their own for the corners tend to ride up with too many feet upon them.”

  I stood in the center and looked straight up the Grand Staircase where Sadie - killed before the Civil War - resided. I wondered her thoughts of another Christmas? “Will I haunt Ausmor after I’m dead?”

  “Do not bother any of the Austens or Morgans.”

  I smiled at the five people who were about my age or a little older. They hesitantly semi-grinned back as if my last name was Borgia, and I was itching for bloody retaliation.

  “They are the family of residence and not here to help you. Any questions will be directed to either me or Miss Mason.”

  Julia Mason. I breathed a sigh of relief. Marcy must either be occupied with finding out where she slept last night or Mrs. Kiness found out about her activities and relieved her of duty. Every day, Marcy had managed to corner me with some tale of slutty woe which I couldn’t sit through again.

  “And bother not Mr. Ravenswirth,” Mrs. Kiness said as a few of the girls looked him up and down and smiled. “He has his own duties and will not help you.”

  “He could help me with anything,” one of the girls noisily whispered to another.

  “Excuse me?” Mrs. Kiness asked loudly. “Something you care to share with the rest of us?”

  “Sorry.” The young girl bowed her head but continued her incessant giggle.

  Mrs. Kiness groaned. “Thank you for coming, Miss...what was your name?”

  “Nancy.”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Kiness said with the enthusiasm of the dead. “Thank you for coming, but your services are not needed. Perhaps a bar might be a better suit for you?”

  “But…” Nancy looked at the others. “You can’t do that.”

  “Can and did. Now, for the rest, please respect the history of this grand house and keep up.” Mrs. Kiness led the remaining group into the next room.

  Nancy took off her name card, threw it down and tramped out the front door.

  I faced Alexander. “Didn’t know Mrs. Kiness was that strict.”

  “She’s a hard ass.” He
sheepishly peered around and waited for a few seconds. “Glad she didn’t hear me say that.”

  “Any questions?” Mrs. Kiness marched her troupe back into the Grand Entrance Hall.

  Alexander quickly grabbed the name tag Nancy had thrown to the ground, pocketed it and went back to work.

  “Well?” Mrs. Kiness looked at her charges. “The family is not paying you to mingle.” She snapped her hands together.

  They glanced at each other and quickly dispersed like rats looking for a maze.

  I gave the minions time to leave. “Geez, Mrs. Kiness. You don’t dick around.”

  Alexander suppressed a laugh with a cough and turned away so Mrs. Kiness wouldn’t see his smile.

  Mrs. Kiness shook her head at me. “The things you say, Jane.”

  “Are you always that tough?”

  Mrs. Kiness nodded. “Must stay on ‘em at all times. No matter the names some bestow upon me.” She glanced at Alexander who stiffened immediately and remained busy. “Anything I can do for you, dear?”

  I shook my head. “Don’t think so. Wait, is your sister making—”

  “Her world famous chocolate cake? Yes.”

  “Death by Chocolate.” I swooned. “Life is good. Have you had any of that, Alexander?”

  “Don’t think so,” he said but continued working.

  “You’d remember if you had. I even remember it,” I mumbled.

  Mrs. Kiness peered around the corner when she heard some whispers. They immediately silenced. “Miss Dingo has decided she wishes to stay awhile with Mr. Morgan, but she is missing an ear to her latest victim. I have looked in your room, but…”

  “I know where it is. I keep it safe because she freaks if she loses it. I’ll get it.”

  “Thank you.”

  I lingered for a bit hoping Mrs. Kiness would be off on another errand. Alexander could follow me to my room and... The scenario stopped because Mrs. Kiness stood right where she was and surveyed the lights, the ceiling, the floor, the paintings, the rugs...

  Since she refused to budge, I left. I ran past her crew scurrying about doing whatever she wanted them to do, and took the connecting door to the New Wing. Once the door to the original part of Ausmor closed, I was in another world. A world of quiet and dread. No Christmas decorations. No rushing workers. No peppermint candy or hot cocoa scent wafting in the air.