by Jen Turano
“Down.”
Grayson’s hold instinctively tightened on the little girl as she began to squirm. He glanced up and caught Felicia’s eye, and she nodded ever so slightly, even though her expression was decidedly wary. He drew in a breath, slowly released it, and helped Ming scoot off his lap. His vision blurred, and he wanted to pull her back into the safety of his arms, but the minute her feet hit the ground, she twisted out of his hold and scampered across the space that separated her from her mother. She stopped directly in front of Mei and tipped back her head.
“Mama?”
Tears coursed down Mei’s face as she bent down and cupped her daughter’s chin in her hand.
The next second, Ming was wrapped in her mother’s embrace, with her father’s arms around both of them, all of them crying—crying in a way that couldn’t help but warm Grayson’s heart, even though it ached at the same time.
Felicia let out a sniff, wiped her eyes with the hand that wasn’t holding the pistol, and nodded to him. “I think it might be best for everyone if we were to get on our way.”
Grayson simply stood there for a moment as everything he’d learned in the past couple hours whirled around his mind.
Quite a few things he’d believed regarding his past had changed, most importantly, the belief he’d been carrying around that he’d been responsible for the murder of his Chinese family.
“Grayson, are you all right?”
He turned to Felicia and opened his mouth but shut it as his gaze drifted down and he saw that the hand she was using to hold the pistol had begun to shake. Striding to her side, he took the pistol and smiled. “I’ll be fine.” He nodded to Francisco. “Was there anything else you needed to say before we take our leave?”
“Do you really think we’re free to go?” Felicia asked before Francisco could respond.
“Yes,” Mr. Blackheart said as he burst into the room, “Miss Murdock, you’re definitely free to go.” Theodore, Zayne, and Hamilton followed right behind, all of them armed, and all of them looking rather lethal.
Grayson smiled. “Gentlemen, you have no idea how glad I am to see you.”
Theodore returned the smile. “I’m sure you are, and just so you know, the police are here as well. They’re waiting on the docks for my signal to board.”
“They have no reason to board this ship,” Francisco snapped. “We’ve done nothing wrong, and Grayson I were just finishing up a business deal.”
“Kidnapping is a serious offense, and . . .” Theodore gestured to the case. “Mr. Blackheart told me you forced Felicia to bring that case filled with jewels in order to keep Grayson and Ming alive, so you’re looking at attempted theft as well.”
Grayson shook his head. “The jewels are Mei’s to do with as she wishes.”
“Who is Mei?” Zayne asked, looking confused.
“Ming’s mother,” Grayson said with a nod toward Mei, who was clutching Ming tightly against her as her husband stood in front of them, obviously trying to protect them.
“I thought Ming’s mother was dead,” Theodore said.
“Yes, well, so did I, but clearly she is not.”
Francisco rubbed his hands together as he walked over to the case of jewels, bent over, and picked it up. He released a hearty laugh. “Since everything is wrapping up so nicely, and since it should now be clear that I’m not a jewel thief, I’ll just take my prize out and leave all of you to conclude your business.”
“Wait.”
Grayson, along with everyone else, turned to stare at Mei, who handed Ming to her husband before she stepped forward.
Francisco was standing stock-still, his face turning deathly white as he clutched the case of jewels against his chest. “You speak English?”
Mei smiled a smile that was less than amused. “Enough to understand.”
Sweat began to immediately dribble down Francisco’s cheek. “Understand what?”
Mei moved up beside him and tilted her chin. “You kill Lin.”
“It was an accident.”
Mei shook her head. “No. For that, you pay.”
“You promised me a reward if I got Ming back for you.”
Mei’s smile turned downright frightening. “You not die. That be your reward. But you pay for my sister’s death.”
She shouted something in Chinese that turned Francisco white as a sheet, and before anyone had a chance to move, two Chinese men—one of them the man with the scar Grayson had recognized in the pub—entered the room. Theodore and Mr. Blackheart shifted and repositioned their guns but made no other move. The Chinese men took Francisco by the arms and, without a single word, pulled him through the doorway, his protests drifting back into the room.
Grayson cleared his throat. “What will you do with him?”
Mei stepped closer to him and shrugged. “Why you care?”
Grayson looked at Mei for a long moment. “I would not want him to die.”
“I said he will not, but . . . not your concern. We deal with Francisco. No more about him.” She smiled a genuine smile. “Thank you for helping my Ming.” She turned and gestured to her husband, speaking rapidly in Chinese. Chao stepped forward and, to Grayson’s surprise, held Ming out to him.
Grayson took the little girl and drew her close.
“We leave. You say goodbye.” Mei looked to Mr. Blackheart and Theodore, and then to Hamilton and Zayne. “You go too.” She waved toward the door, and everyone—including Felicia, who sent Grayson a reassuring smile—walked out of the room, leaving him with Ming in his arms. He moved to a chair and sat down, tilting Ming’s chin up so he could look her in the eye. He forced a smile.
“I have to go now, darling, but you have your mama and papa back.”
Ming frowned. “You come.”
Grayson blinked when he felt tears sting his eyes. He drew in a breath and slowly released it. “I’m afraid I can’t. You belong with your mama, and she loves you very much. She crossed an entire ocean to find you, as did your papa.”
Ming’s little brow wrinkled, but then she smiled and patted his cheek. “Okay.”
And that was it. He set her down, she ran to the door, and then Mei was there, scooping her up. He didn’t see them leave because his eyes were now filled with tears, but then Felicia was back by his side, taking his hand into hers and squeezing it tightly.
“She’ll be fine, Grayson. She’s where she belongs now.”
“I know, but it’s difficult to let her go.”
“Yes, it is, but it’s the right thing to do.”
“You two, come on, now,” Mr. Blackheart said, poking his head into the room. “We’re getting the distinct impression the crew is readying this ship to leave, so if you don’t want to end up in China, may I suggest we make our way to the dock?”
Grayson got to his feet, kept Felicia’s hand tucked into his, and followed Mr. Blackheart through the ship, down the plank, and finally to the dock. He looked around, noticed far too many policemen to count, and grinned. “So Theodore wasn’t exaggerating when he said the police were here.”
Mr. Blackheart returned the grin. “He takes this type of matter very seriously and began setting things into motion right after he saw Felicia drive off in your phaeton—something, I might add, that took years off my life as I was forced to watch her careen through the streets.” Mr. Blackheart shuddered. “It took everything I had to keep up with her and yet stay out of sight.”
Grayson frowned. “When did you meet up with Theodore, Hamilton, and Zayne?”
“Here at the docks. Sam told Theodore, right after Felicia was seen driving away from the park, that they should go to the docks. He’s a bright boy, that Sam, but stubborn too. He was not pleased when Theodore wouldn’t let him come here but instead made him promise to look after his sisters.”
Felicia smiled. “That was a wise choice on Theodore’s part. Sam would never refuse to look after his sisters.” Her smile suddenly disappeared. “I think they’re pulling up anchor.”
; Grayson turned and watched as the anchor was lifted and the ship began moving. He realized he’d never see Ming again, but instead of feeling the grief he’d been expecting, he found himself happy for the child, knowing she wouldn’t face the prejudices she would have if she’d remained with him.
His eyes welled with tears when Ming suddenly appeared at the railing, held fast in her mother’s arms as she waved cheerfully at him. His hand, seemingly on its own accord, rose and waved back, waved until the boat moved so far away that he couldn’t make Ming out any longer. He turned to face Felicia and found a river of tears trailing down her beautiful face.
“She’ll be all right,” he said.
Felicia took a deep breath and nodded. “She’s not the one I’m worried about.”
Grayson took a deep breath of his own and slowly released it. “I’m fine, really. Strange as it may seem, I feel better than I have in years. I know you’ll find this odd, coming from me, but I get this feeling that God might have had His hand in this business today.”
“I’m sure He did, but what do you mean?”
“Everything got wrapped up so nice and tidy. I found out the truth regarding my past, Ming found her parents again, Francisco will not get rewarded for the evil he has done, and . . .”
He looked up and found Theodore, Mr. Blackheart, Zayne, and Hamilton watching them. He narrowed his eyes, which caused all the gentlemen to grin back at him, but they dutifully turned around and disappeared down the dock.
“Where was I?”
“You were saying ‘and . . .’”
“Ah, quite right, well, and . . . since everything is coming together so nicely, it might be exactly the right moment for me to tell you that, since I’m no longer a murderer, well, I would be delighted if you would agree to marry me.”
“You want me to marry you because you’re not a murderer?”
“Well, I mean, I love you—”
Before he could get another word out, he felt a sharp shove against his chest, and the next second, cold water washed over him as he tumbled off the dock. He splashed to the surface, pushed his sopping wet hair out of his face, and scowled up at Felicia, who was peering at him from the edge of the planks.
“Are you out of your mind?” he sputtered.
“I do beg your pardon, Grayson,” Felicia called down to him. “I might have acted a touch hastily. Did you, perhaps, actually make the claim that you love me before you hit the water?”
She really was incredibly exasperating. He dipped under the water for a brief second, kicked his feet, resurfaced, and then, after he spit water out of his mouth, managed a nod.
A brilliant smile blossomed over Felicia’s face. “But, that’s marvelous because I love you too and would be honored to become your wife. Although, you really do need to work on your romantic side.”
Grayson went motionless at her declaration and promptly sank. He struggled back to the surface, spit out another mouthful of horrible-tasting sea water, and blinked when he discovered Felicia bending down to offer him her hand. He took it, hefted himself to the dock, and before the infuriating woman could get a single word out of her mouth, he kissed her.
Epilogue
ONE WEEK LATER
Felicia knew she was grinning like a lunatic, but she had no control over it whatsoever. She’d been grinning on and off for no apparent reason ever since Grayson had proposed, and even though people were beginning to watch her a little oddly, she simply couldn’t help herself.
“I must say, this is a lovely day to be out and about. Central Park is absolutely gorgeous at the moment, but . . .” She looked down at her gown and then lifted her head, catching Arabella’s gaze. “I feel rather overdressed. Are you quite certain this rally we’re attending is to be a formal event?”
Arabella evidently didn’t hear her, because instead of answering Felicia’s question, she turned to Ruth, who was waving a delicate fan in front of her face and standing underneath the shade of a large tree. “You must be tickled pink that Felicia and Grayson are engaged.”
Ruth smiled. “Indeed, I’m beyond thrilled. Although . . .” She caught Felicia’s eye. “I am disappointed that you won’t allow me to plan a large wedding. Why, every mother dreams of the day she gets to see her daughter exchange vows, yet all you’re willing to allow me to plan is a simple service at the church with a small gathering back at the house afterward. Add to that the fact that you’ve yet to tell me when you’d like to hold this all too small affair, and I must admit, I’m not having much fun.”
Felicia wrinkled her nose. It was somewhat odd, but for a woman who was supposed to be downright disappointed, her mother’s eyes seemed to be sparkling quite a bit. She blew out a breath, wondering what plotting was currently going on in her mother’s diabolical mind. “I don’t want a large wedding, Mother. After that debacle with Reverend Fraser and having wasted so many years trying to be someone I’m not, now that I’ve finally found the gentleman who loves me for who I am, well, I don’t see the need for a lot of fuss. I just want to marry the man—simple as that.”
“That’s rather sweet . . . and nauseating at the same time,” Agatha said, slipping up to grab Felicia’s hand. “I am happy for you, my darling, but I do wish you weren’t going to be moving so far away.”
“Grayson wants to resume his role as earl and finally take over his estates back in England.”
“Noble of the man,” Ruth said with a nod. “And he did tell me and your father that we’d be welcome to visit any time.” She grinned. “Since the man has six homes, I’m fairly certain there’ll be room enough for everyone to visit, including you, Agatha.”
Arabella stepped closer to her. “I’ve just realized something—you’re going to be a countess.”
“Don’t remind me. That thought makes me a little queasy.”
Ruth shook her head. “Nonsense, you’ll make a fine countess, and have you told everyone you and Grayson have decided to adopt Sam and his sisters?”
“Well, no. There hasn’t been much time, what with everything going on, but after the rally today, I’m sure I’ll be able to have a chance to catch up with everyone.” Felicia looked around. “And speaking of the rally, shouldn’t we keep moving? I wouldn’t want to miss it.”
Arabella opened her reticule, pulled out a watch, looked at it for a moment, dropped it back into her reticule, and nodded. “I suppose it is almost time, which means we should get moving.”
Agatha gave Felicia’s hand a tug, and the ladies began walking, chatting about this and that as they strolled along.
“I thought Eliza was joining us today,” Felicia said as she peered into the distance, unable to detect even a hint of a crowd just yet. “And forgive me, but wouldn’t it have been easier if we’d had the carriage deposit us a little closer to the rally?”
“Eliza’s probably already waiting for us,” Arabella said, “and it was such a marvelous day that I thought everyone would enjoy a nice long walk.”
Felicia noticed that everyone was acting more and more peculiar the farther they walked. “I’m all for long walks, Arabella, but since this is a formal affair and we’re dressed in silks, this hardly seems the appropriate time.”
Arabella shot an unreadable glance to her, then turned her head forward again. “Ah, well, you see, the walk is actually a way to allow Agatha time to gather her emotions before she has to once and for all bid Zayne goodbye. He is leaving tomorrow, if you recall, and this time he says he means it.”
“I can’t believe you just said that,” Agatha exclaimed before she let out a good snort. “I’m fine with Zayne leaving, as I’ve said over and over again.”
“Of course you’re fine, now that you’ve walked off all those pesky lingering emotions,” Arabella muttered before she nodded her head ever so slightly in Felicia’s direction.
Felicia narrowed her eyes and was considering demanding an explanation immediately, but before she could get a single demand out of her mouth, Agatha suddenly came to an abrupt halt
, tugging Felicia to a halt in the process. She then grabbed onto Felicia’s arms and tried to turn her around, while Arabella suddenly began waving her hands to the side, as if she were trying to swat away a bee or . . . distract someone.
Felicia dug in her heels and swiveled her head. “I think that’s Eliza up ahead. Eliza, wait up,” she called.
Eliza turned rather slowly, looked down, thrust a bouquet of flowers she was holding behind her back, and sent them what appeared to be a halfhearted wave.
Everyone was behaving quite oddly. Felicia drew in a breath and opened her mouth to insist someone start talking, but snapped it shut when a familiar voice spoke directly behind her.
“Ah, Miss Murdock, you’re here.”
She turned and found Reverend Fraser smiling back at her. “Reverend Fraser, this is a surprise. I thought you were still on your wedding trip.”
Reverend Fraser’s smile widened. “Mrs. Fraser and I got back just last night, and I’m thankful we did. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this special occasion for the world.” He lowered his voice. “Before I say another word though, please allow me to apologize most profusely for sending Reverend Bannes to New York. I had no idea you’d settled your affections on Mr. Sumner, or I would never have attempted to meddle in your life.” A rather sheepish expression crossed his face. “It would appear I did you a grave disservice, Miss Murdock, seeing as how I failed to realize you thought of me as something other than your minister.”
Felicia waved the remark away and grinned. “You mustn’t give it another thought, Reverend Fraser. I fear I was simply suffering from a bad case of delusions for quite a few years. You were meant to be with your lovely Julia, just as I’m meant to be with my Grayson. But tell me, you said something about a special occasion. Are you and Mrs. Fraser planning on attending the rally as well?”
“Rally? No, I’m here for the . . . Good heavens, do you not know?”
Ruth came marching up beside them, took Reverend Fraser’s arm, and pulled him away, something about “a surprise” drifting back to Felicia on the breeze.
She looked at Arabella. “What surprise?”