The Defiant Hearts Series Box Set

by Sydney Jane Baily

  The sound of a female voice halted her from running out of the lounge and throwing herself into his arms for comfort. She peered out of the waiting room. A lovely woman, dressed impeccably, had hold of his hand.

  "I'm so glad I ran into you," she was saying, leaning close. "Paris was heavenly, but it would have been much more fun with you there." Then, in full view of anyone who cared to watch, Reed took her in his arms, spinning her around with her feet off the ground before setting her down and kissing her on both cheeks. He held her close a moment, possessively.

  Charlotte felt sick to her stomach. She was still terrified and confused at seeing Thaddeus. She was stunned at seeing Reed holding this woman in his arms. Nothing was as it should be, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe properly. She now knew exactly what it meant to feel lightheaded.

  "Will I see you tonight?" she heard the woman ask.

  Charlotte had been a fool and was continuing to play the fool. His words came back to her: I have known many women. A week later, I bedded her. I'm a man, not a boy.

  Why didn't Reed just acknowledge the corn? He was a womanizer! He might have used Helen to ward off the many girls eager to throw themselves at his feet, however that certainly didn't stop him from trifling with the women he chose for himself. Charlotte could hardly blame him for taking what she had offered. Hadn't she readily behaved as loosely as any Jezebel?

  She stepped into their path, feeling desperate to escape. Reed's eyes darkened, seeing the signs of agitation plain on her face. He stepped away from the mysterious female and into her path.

  "Charlotte, what is it? Is it the children?"

  She thought for a moment about telling him, about spilling her fears in front of this graceful stranger who was eyeing her with a curious glance, and then Charlotte felt a cold fury.

  Why was she running to this man? All he had ever done was be the first to bed her and make her love him and then abandon her the next day, just as everyone she loved had abandoned her.

  Perhaps his marriage proposal was just another way to gain a long-term fiancée, someone to replace Helen, whose only crime, perhaps, was to become too routine. For the first time, Charlotte felt a little pity for the woman—just a little. In any case, she would not pin her hopes of helping Teddy on Reed.

  "No. It was a mistake to come here." She ignored both their astonished faces, and pushed past them, heading for home.

  "Charlotte," she heard him call after her, but she ran to her carriage, glad she had brought her aunt's closed-in brougham and not her open-air barouche.

  "Hurry, Casey," she demanded, slamming the door shut behind her and twisting the lock. Once inside, she saw Reed, just steps behind her; still, he made her jump when he banged on the carriage door just as they pulled away from the curb.

  It was on the way home to Alicia that she thought of Jason. He was, after all, a member of one of Boston's wealthiest families. She spoke into the mouthpiece. "Casey, do you know how to get to the Farnsworths' residence?"

  It wasn't five minutes more and she was there, just a couple of streets away from her aunt's home. The large plum-colored vehicle alongside the curb had never looked so welcoming. She hastened up the front steps of the house on Beacon Street, neither noticing nor caring about the furnishings as she was shown into a large parlor.

  Charlotte counted exactly how many steps it took to cross the black and gold-patterned carpet—one way, then the other—while she waited for the maid to take her message to Jason.

  She heard his footsteps and turned as he entered. Jason crossed the room in long strides, taking both her hands in his.

  "My dear Charlotte. Whatever is wrong?" Half of her wanted to sink into his arms and let him handle everything, but another part of her wanted to charge right over to the police station and demand that the court rescind the order that had put her brother in the Boston Lunatic Hospital.

  "It's my brother." She saw the play of emotions cross his fine features. She should have thought of Jason first; after all he knew Thaddeus. He would help her.

  "Calm down," he said soothingly, pulling her down to sit beside him on the sofa. She filled him in as quickly as she could, wanting only to hasten whatever process was necessary to make Teddy free again.

  "You're certain it was he?" There was a tone of incredulity.

  "Yes, of course."

  After a thoughtful pause, Jason nodded. "In that case, your brother knows you're here now, and he knows you'll be helping to free him. It must be a great relief to Thaddeus to know that he's no longer alone."

  "I didn't think of that," Charlotte agreed, "but I can't forget how he looked, like a caged animal. It was awful. And then to have him gesture for me not to give any sign of recognition—it was downright frightening. I can't imagine why he did so."

  "Perhaps he feared for your safety."

  She frowned. "But why?"

  Jason only shrugged. "That's what I've got to find out."

  "We've got to find out," she corrected. "Where are we going?" But he shook his head as he stood up.

  "You, my dear one, are going to stay put. I don't need to be worrying about you and Thaddeus. Just stay here and don't talk to anyone until I can determine if you're in danger. You haven't mentioned this to anyone yet, have you?"

  She thought of Reed with that woman in his arms.

  "No."

  Jason seemed to consider that a moment. "I'm going to City Hall to see what I can discern. The Farnsworth name will open doors at the police station and get answers. Stay here, Charlotte, so I know you're safe." And with that, he was gone.

  Almost immediately, she stood up. What if some other Farnsworth family member walked in? Surely, they would think it odd that she was in their home. She looked down and saw she was clutching her hands together.

  Good God, she thought, I will not be reduced to a hand-wringing ninny.

  Grabbing her gloves and her bonnet, she headed outside. Casey jumped down from his seat and opened the carriage door.

  "Where to, Miss?"

  "Home," she said, craving the company of her reassuring aunt and a good hug from Thomas and Lily.

  * * *

  In the front hall, Charlotte was removing her hat when Reed came rushing out of the parlor, Alicia in close pursuit.

  "What the devil is going on?" he asked, his eyes blazing. "And why did you run out of my office?"

  Charlotte eyed him warily. This was not the calm, collected man she'd seen handling everything from wolves to women.

  "Everything is under control," she assured him. "Jason is helping me with the situation."

  "Farnsworth?" He looked as if he were about to explode.

  "Yes. You seemed too busy with your... your—"

  "Sister," he finished for her, flatly.

  "Oh, which one?" Alicia asked, seemingly oblivious to the war that had erupted in her entranceway.

  "Sophie," Reed answered without taking his eyes off Charlotte, who was turning an ugly shade of red.

  Alicia just smiled. "She is a lovely girl, so refined. Please give her my regards next time you see her. Why, Charlotte, she would be an exceedingly suitable friend for you. The two of you must meet."

  "Just what I was thinking," Reed agreed, looking pointedly at her.

  Twice guilty of the same crime! Charlotte accepted the fact that her blinding jealousy had caused her to reach the wrong conclusion yet again. However, in her defense, she knew she had been overly distraught with panic and with the seemingly endless waiting. She only hoped that she hadn't let her emotions get in the way of helping Teddy.

  "What's all this about your brother being in the insane asylum?" Reed asked without preamble.

  "How did you—?" Charlotte began.

  "John arrived back just as I was coming after you."

  "It doesn't make any sense at all," Alicia interrupted. "Are you sure it was my nephew?"

  Charlotte tried not to feel exasperated. "It has only been fourteen months since I last saw Teddy, and I don't believe
that even if it had been fourteen years I could forget what my own brother looks like."

  "But why didn't you just explain to whoever was in charge that Thaddeus was not demented, or a killer, and then you could have brought him home for supper?"

  Charlotte glanced at Reed, then tried to explain to her aunt about Thaddeus's silent warning, but the older woman would not understand.

  Hearing a carriage, Charlotte raced to the window, thinking perhaps Jason had returned with news. Instead, the hall was soon filled with excited voices as Thomas and Lily came in from an outing with Bridget. They grabbed onto Reed and hugged him for all he was worth.

  "That's enough, bub and sis," Alicia intoned. "Upstairs to the nursery and do so quietly please. Charlotte, why don't you explain the details to Mr. Malloy while I try to teach my grandchildren the civilized way to enter a house." She bustled up the stairs, shooing the children in front of her.

  "Tell me what's going on, Charlotte," Reed asked as they sat down in the parlor.

  She filled him in on exactly what had occurred and his face became more and more dour. Finally, he ran a hand roughly through his hair.

  "I have contacts in the police department. I've been on the defense end of a few trials. At least, it should be easy to discern who charged your brother and for what."

  She hated to bring up his name again, but she had to. "Jason has already headed to City Hall."

  "I wish he'd go to hell!" Reed exclaimed, standing up. "Look, I'm not going to address this now, but as far as Jason Farnsworth is concerned, I don't want you to share any more information with him, to go anywhere with him, even to speak to him, until I tell you otherwise."

  "Blazes!" she said, jumping up from her seat. "Ever since I arrived... no, ever since you returned to Boston and met Jason in Aunt Alicia's garden, you have done nothing but bully. I am a grown woman, and you have been overprotective and overbearing."

  "Overprotective. Overbearing," he repeated her words, while she stood there quivering with anger. Slowly, he took a step forward, forcing her to step back if she did not want to be nose to chest with him.

  "I suppose you do bring out in me a primal urge to protect you. But contrary to what you believe, I see that you are making your way admirably in Boston, better than I could have hoped. However, I will repeat myself just once. Stay away from Farnsworth. Contrary to what you think, I believe you are ignorant of his true character."

  "Explain yourself," Charlotte said, feeling as if she wanted to choke him.

  "Shall I waste time talking about Farnsworth, or shall I go see about your brother?"

  "But—"

  "But me no buts, Charlotte. I don't want you even leaving this house until I tell you that it is safe to do so."

  Charlotte watched his tall, straight back retreat from the parlor. She heard the door close with only the slightest of emphasis. And he was gone. Blast the man! Why did it annoy her so much more when Reed gave her orders than when Jason did?

  Realizing she was once again wringing her hands, she dropped them to her sides before taking a seat in the chair he had vacated. It was still warm. Charlotte sat only a moment, however, before dashing upstairs to tell her aunt of her intention to go out.

  * * *

  "This is absolutely not a good idea," Alicia said, standing in front of the door. "I can't possibly allow you to run off in the state you're in."

  Charlotte pinned on her hat and adjusted her cloak. She took a deep breath. She was not going to shove her aunt aside. Unless she absolutely had to. She needed to get command of her emotions and deal with her rationally.

  "I am perfectly calm, Aunt. I am level-headed, and I am determined. I simply cannot wait any longer. Mr. Farnsworth talked of his family's influence, and Mr. Malloy mentioned his police contacts. As a writer for the Boston Post, I have influence, too, and two days ago, I made contacts at the police station. I'm determined not to sit here helplessly while the men run around getting nowhere."

  She knew Reed would not be happy. But this was her brother, and she had a right and a duty to take care of Teddy, just as she had done when they were children.

  Alicia pursed her lips and gave her head another shake, her impossibly high curls springing around her pale face.

  Charlotte tried again. "Aunt, I appreciate your concern, and I will act with all due caution, but you cannot," she gentled her voice, "stop me."

  Her aunt sniffed. "I have lost my sister and my daughter." The words came out without a waver in her voice. They were an undeniable fact that the older lady was relaying, not to seek pity but as a warning. "I am not inclined, Charlotte, to lose you."

  "I know." Charlotte's voice broke. "I am not inclined to lose you either. Please, understand, I was not raised to sit idly by."

  Alicia looked at her feet a moment. "No, my sister would not have raised you so. You very much resemble her in manner and spirit." She pursed her lips. "Well then, I expect you home by supper."

  Charlotte felt a surge of warmth for the older woman. Family. Family was so important. She hugged her aunt, who returned the embrace tightly, then stepped aside.

  "Be discreet, be calm," Charlotte coached herself on the way to City Hall in Alicia's carriage. What worried her was that, undoubtedly, there had to be officials who already knew they had the wrong man. If those men found out that she knew who Thaddeus was, she could, indeed, be in danger.

  Charlotte was still talking to herself as she got out of the carriage. Before she had taken two steps, she was grabbed from behind with a vice-like grip clamped over her upper arm. She closed her eyes and would have shrieked, but the wind was knocked out of her as she was swung back against the side of the barouche.

  "I should throttle you," came the menacing voice in her ear.

  Chapter 27

  Charlotte opened her eyes at the sound of Reed's voice. She looked up at him, his deeply furrowed brow displaying how livid he really was.

  "In front of the police station?" she asked softly, her heart beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it. He had come out of nowhere, surprising the breath out of her. "I could have you arrested for manhandling me," she added, trying to make light of the situation. She didn't succeed.

  "You are going to climb right back into this carriage and go back to your aunt's house. And when I get there—"

  "I'm not going anywhere. And what have you accomplished? It's been nearly half an hour, and I've beaten you here. I'm going in there to speak calmly to some of the gentlemen I interviewed two days ago. I'm sure they'll help me."

  "I stopped at the office to make some discreet phone calls. I had to confirm something about the carriage that nearly sent you flying the other day."

  "The shay? What has that to do with my brother?"

  "Maybe nothing, maybe everything. It belongs to—"

  "Isn't this cozy?" It was Helen Belgrave, and all Charlotte's best intentions to stay calm and to be discreet were forgotten.

  The dark-haired woman was walking along the street, her reticule swinging from her wrist, and her carriage following along to take any packages she purchased. But she didn't look as if she was in a shopping mood. In fact, Helen's mouth was tight with anger as she approached them.

  "So, you are out in public now, groping on the street! Reed," she directed her gaze at him, "this is not to be borne. I won't stand for it. You will cease gallivanting with this country girl, at least until I've told people that we are no longer together. I will not be humiliated by this guttersnipe. I have been patient, but I promise you, I'll shred her reputation and yours. Is that clear?"

  Reed opened his mouth to speak, but Charlotte, who was in no mood to be polite, spoke first.

  "No, Mrs. Belgrave. Let me make one thing unequivocally clear. Your threats are tedious and pointless, not to mention showing a general ill-breeding that I would think you ashamed to display. You have a reputation in this town to ruin. However, I do not, so I suggest you shut pan all together."

  She took a step toward Helen, who stood o
pen-mouthed as Charlotte continued.

  "The mud you sling will be of no great shakes to me, but will be seen as the embittered ranting of a woman who didn't have the dignity in the first place to leave a relationship when she knew—and apparently the whole of Boston knew—she was utilitarian at best and a physical amusement only occasionally." Charlotte paused, her chest heaving as she looked back at Reed.

  "You did say only occasionally, did you not?" she asked him for confirmation.

  Looking somewhat stunned, he nodded before leveling his azure gaze on Helen, who was now staring, white-faced, at the both of them.

  "Helen, what the impassioned Miss Sanborn is trying to tell you is that you're fighting a losing war. I have explained the situation to you thoroughly more than once. We are finished."

  His voice was firm but not harsh as he continued, "I truly believe that you deserve better than I can give you, and I know I want more than what we had. Besides you can't hurt Miss Sanborn's reputation, since I've already asked her to marry me."

  Without batting an eye, Charlotte let Reed escort her past the speechless Helen and into City Hall. Once inside, however, they halted. Reed looked down at her.

  "Are you quite collected?"

  "Yes, though I feel as if I've whipped my weight in wild cats."

  Charlotte smiled at the desk sergeant whom she had spoken with previously. He looked surprised to see her again, and even more surprised to see one of Boston's foremost lawyers with her.

  "Miss Sanborn has enlisted my professional help in her article," Reed explained. "As I have represented a number of defendants who ended up institutionalized instead of incarcerated, she thought I could give her some information on how the men behaved before treatment. I usually rely on you to keep the detailed records," he lied, "and I'm wondering, Sergeant, if we can have a look at some recent murder trial records."

  The heavyset man considered the request. "As you know, Mr. Malloy, murderers hardly ever end up at the Lunatic Hospital," the officer replied. "However, I believe there were a few who have done so. Whether you represented them or some pettifogger did, I can't say."