by Linda Ladd
"Katie, I was so worried about you! No one could find you! Where in the world have you been? You're all wet!"
"I have been swimming with Alysson, and I do not think she is terrible. She says she loves Uncle Donovan and is sorry about what she did."
Olivia looked quite startled by that. She turned to Macomi. “Please take Katie in to dress for dinner. I have need to talk to Alysson alone."
The child went obediently, and after they had gone, Alysson and Olivia looked silently at each other.
"I must tell you that I am very surprised to find Katie with you,” Olivia began, frowning, and Alysson interrupted, not wanting the child to be scolded because of her.
"I know you don't want me here, and I know you believe I am to blame for the duel, but I swear to you that it was the last thing I wanted to happen. As far as Katie is concerned, it's not her fault that we were together. I talked to her first, and I found her to be a very sweet little girl. But if you don't want us to become friends, I'll stay away from her."
Olivia looked at her strangely, then back to the rear gallery where Katie and Macomi were just disappearing into the kitchen wing. She gestured to a nearby bench.
"Will you sit with me for a moment and let me tell you about my daughter?"
"Of course,” Alysson said, surprised but pleased by the invitation. She had hoped for an opportunity to get to know Donovan's sister better. She waited as Olivia looked down, obviously reluctant to begin.
"I was very surprised to find Katie with you because she rarely speaks to anyone other than Macomi and me, and her uncles, of course. It's really quite odd that she has taken to you as she has. With most people she doesn't know, she runs and hides and refuses to come out to meet them at all."
Alysson thought that very strange behavior for an obviously well brought-up child. “Is that because she lives out here alone and is not used to having other people nearby?"
Olivia hesitated, then gazed out over the lawns, a faraway look coming into her blue eyes.
"No. She had a very bad experience when she was little, only four years old. She's never completely recovered from it. Nor have I."
Alysson could see the pain in her face. “I'm sorry. Please, don't speak of it if it's painful for you."
Olivia met her eyes. “Yes, it is still very painful for me as well, but I have learned to live with it. Katie has not."
She stopped, sighing deeply before she continued. “You see, Katie witnessed her father's death.” She paused, the next words coming harder. “He was murdered by a Mohawk raiding party, and he was ... scalped."
Alysson gave a horrified gasp, but Olivia didn't look at her, remembering that day six long years ago with a vividness that she had prayed would dim in time.
"We were traveling on business to Montreal with a large party, several wagons and a detail of armed men. We didn't worry about the Indians, because there hadn't been much trouble since the war. When we stopped at a stream near the Canadian border for the night, Katie managed to wander off. We never understood why she did that because she knew better, but Jason went to look for her, and later, when we found them, he was already dead. Thank God, we found Katie hiding nearby in some bushes. She was unharmed, and we think maybe he hid her there when he heard the Indians. No one knows for sure. Katie has never spoken of that day to anyone, and she's never been the same child since."
"How horrible for all of you,” Alysson murmured with sincere compassion. “It must have been terrible to lose your husband like that."
"Yes. Even after all these years I still miss him.” Olivia smiled slightly. “Katie is the very image of him, all that red hair and freckles. I think I would have lost my mind after his death if Donovan hadn't brought us here to live at Wildwood. Katie still suffers from nightmares, and Donovan's taken her to a dozen different doctors. None of them has helped her, and we have found that she does better here at Wildwood with just the family around her. She usually refuses to come out whenever we have visitors, so I just stopped inviting anyone here.” She met Alysson's eyes. “It was quite a shock to hear her talking to you as she did. She even defended you to me."
"I had no idea of her past, of course, but I thought she must be very shy. I think it was a squirrel who helped me befriend her."
"A squirrel?"
Alysson explained, and Olivia smiled. “Well, for whatever reason, I think she has decided that she likes you. And that is a very good sign. I hope you will become friends."
In the following weeks, they did become friends. Alysson spent many hours in the company of Katie and Macomi. She was amazed at the quiet maturity of the little child, and she found Macomi fascinating. Alysson asked the old Indian woman many questions about her tribe and its customs, and all were answered in Macomi's laconic way. Alysson was able to very quickly pick up some of her Indian dialect, which she learned was Seneca, one of the six nations of the Iroquois tribe. Soon she could understand much of Macomi's conversations with Katie, and the days became easier to bear as Olivia's guarded acceptance of her began to melt into the beginning of a friendship.
It was only at night, in her luxurious damask-draped bed with her windows open to the night sounds of crickets and tree frogs, that Alysson would relive the feel of Donovan's hands moving over her body with such exquisite gentleness, would again feel his warm lips upon her naked flesh, until she moaned with frustration and growing anger at her helplessness. He was not suffering the same longing and unhappiness, she told herself. He was most probably back in his countess's bed, holding her and touching her. The mental images of such a scene tormented her, but it was only in her dreams that her husband held and kissed her, making her even more sick and miserable upon awakening each morning, alone and forsaken in her empty bed.
Chapter 17
Donovan sat in his open carriage across from Odette and Billy Brock, but he had said not one word to them during the length of time it took to be ferried across the East River to the base of Front Street in Brooklyn. As they rode along the road to Wildwood, they remained quiet, well aware of his anger with them. He shifted the black silk sling on his arm into a more comfortable position as they passed through the arched iron entrance gate of Wildwood. The bullet wound was still painful at times, though Doctor Whittingham had said it was healing well. He had been bridled with the bloody sling for nearly a month now, and it was a damned nuisance. He frowned blackly at the two across from him. Odette looked down at once, but Billy Brock stared defiantly at Donovan as if he would like very much to have his hands around Donovan's neck.
Donovan looked away from Billy, annoyed. Neither of them would be here at all if they hadn't threatened to bring in the authorities if he did not prove to them that Alysson was safe and well. That was all he would have needed, more scandal over the duel, so he had agreed to allow them a visit with Alysson to prove he hadn't beaten her senseless or locked her in some dungeon, as they no doubt believed with their overactive, theatrical imaginations.
His face hardened. There had been moments in the past month when inner devils had driven him to contemplate such punishments with relish. Each time he thought of how she had lain in his arms that night, so soft and innocent with her sweet smile and warm green eyes, only to betray him on the morrow with another man, he would feel sick inside, as he did now, wanting to see her, wanting to hold her again, despite her treachery. He hated himself for that weakness. She had run away from him, damn her, had run to Compton and waited at his house for him to make the challenge which would free her from her marriage.
Halfway down the hedge-lined road, the house loomed into sight, and he could see Olivia where she stood on the side porch waiting for them. A footman ran to open the doors as the carriage came to a lurching stop, and Donovan stepped down and moved up the steps toward her as Billy helped Odette to the ground.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you much advance warning, Olivia, but Alysson's friends over there were bloody insistent about coming today."
Olivia glanced down at the two yo
ung people below them, who were looking around the porch and lawns with a great deal of interest. “I had plenty of time to prepare for tea, and supper later if they decide to stay. Now that you've arrived, I'll send someone for Alysson and Katie."
Donovan jerked his head toward her. “Where are they?"
"Macomi says they went to the old mill. They left early this morning before I got your message."
"Just the two of them?"
Donovan's surprise was evident, and Olivia's smile was pleased.
"You would not believe how Katie has taken to Alysson. It is really quite miraculous how Katie liked her from the very first time they met."
"Alysson finds it easy to charm people,” Donovan muttered sourly, glancing at her two loyal friends below. “Until she decides to knife them in the back."
Olivia hesitated. “I've talked to her, Donovan, and I don't believe she meant for any of this to happen. She feels dreadful about it. She sincerely does."
"So now she has you fooled, too,” Donovan said harshly, angered that his own sister was defending her. “She is quite a good little actress; you'll find that out when you get to know her better.” His black eyes grew harder. “And I don't intend standing around here waiting for her to show up. I'll take them out to the mill myself, so they can see her and then get the hell off my land."
Olivia shook her head at the terrible controlled rage her brother was displaying as he hurried down the steps and led their two guests away. She knew Alysson was hoping his anger had cooled during the past weeks, but it still burned inside him. She could not help but pity poor Alysson. She sighed, hurrying toward the kitchens to see about having tea served, if Donovan let Alysson's friends stay long enough.
The walk through the woods was not a long one, and Donovan led the way with Billy and Odette close behind him. He had not been to the mill spring for years, had nearly forgotten it even existed. He rarely came to Wildwood at all, except for Sunday visits to see Katie and Olivia. His business affairs made it necessary for him to reside in the city.
The path was more overgrown and wild now than he remembered, and he made a mental note to have it cleared, especially if Katie liked to play there. When they came out into the clearing beside the millhouse, no one was in sight.
Donovan saw a pile of clothing lying in the shadow of the mill's wall, and he left Billy and Odette at the edge of the stream to walk over and pick up Alysson's gown. He frowned, then jerked around as a shrill scream shattered the peaceful afternoon. His jaw dropped, when at midstream Alysson came sliding into sight from the top of the curving rocks, Katie held firmly between her knees. Neither saw the three people watching them from the riverbank, and Katie squealed with unqualified glee as they went airborne off the smooth slide to plunge with a loud splash into the deep pool below.
Seconds later, both came up laughing and splashing, and it was not until Odette called Alysson's name that the two in the water became aware of their presence. Alysson saw them first, her face mirroring a shock that went quickly into pure delight.
"Odette! Billy!” she cried, paddling to waist-deep water where she could stand. She sloshed toward them, smiling, still unaware of Donovan, who stood in the shadow of the crumbling wall. But he saw her, and his eyes riveted like iron on a magnet to her firm young body, the thin silk chemise plastered provocatively to every lush curve. His mouth went dry; his loins reacted with so powerful a surge that he was appalled. It was then that he remembered the presence of another male, and Donovan's muscles went rigid when he found Billy staring with openmouthed appreciation at Alysson's scantily clad body.
Before Alysson could reach her friends, Donovan waded into the water, fully dressed. She stopped in her tracks as he loomed before her, his face black with fury. His dark eyes swept her body, and her delight at seeing her friends diminished a bit as she realized what she wore. She crossed her arms over her breasts, unaware such an action made them even more enticing. Her eyes were drawn to the silk sling holding Donovan's injured left arm. It was the first time she had seen with her own eyes the consequences of the duel, and the color drained from her face.
"For God's sake, put your clothes on,” Donovan ground out the words between tightly clenched teeth, thrusting her gown toward her. Alysson took it, red-faced with embarrassment and humiliation.
Donovan turned his back on her, then glared at Billy until the boy turned his eyes elsewhere. Odette met Alysson at the bank to help her pull the gown over her head.
Odette laughed softly as she watched Donovan wade out to Katie and swing the child up with his good arm to ride on his hip as he stalked out of the water.
"So, mon amie, he is still possessive of you. Billy and I feared he was treating you badly, so we made him bring us here. But I see you are having a good time with the little one, there."
"Oh, Odette, I am so glad to see you!” Alysson whispered, hugging her close. “And you too, Billy!"
The young man came to her, and Alysson hugged him with equal enthusiasm, despite a disapproving frown from her husband.
"Are you all right, Aly?” Billy asked, his eyes narrowing on Donovan. “Has he done anything to you?"
"No, of course not. I'm fine!” She laughed and shook her wet hair. “Can't you tell?"
"I'm taking Katie back to the house,” Donovan said tightly. “I trust you can find your own way."
Long, angry strides took him away from them, and Alysson put her arms around her friends’ waists as they followed, happy to be with them, but even happier that Donovan had come home, even if he was furious with her.
When they reached the house, Odette accompanied Alysson to her bedchamber to change into a dry gown, leaving the unfortunate Billy downstairs alone with a very unfriendly host. Once in Alysson's room, Odette smiled as she helped unfasten the back of Alysson's damp gown.
"Are you truly all right?” she asked, holding the dress as Alysson stepped out of it. “You look a little pale, and thinner too, I think. We have all been very worried about you."
"Yes, I'm fine, really. At first I was lonely here, but now Katie and I are together often, and Donovan's sister, Olivia, treats me with kindness."
They sat on the bed together, and Odette searched Alysson's face.
"What on earth happened? When you left with Monsieur MacBride the night of the opening performance, I never expected such terrible things to come of it. Everyone in New York is still talking about it."
"Nor did I. It all just happened. Douglas said things that weren't true, and Donovan believed him. I never meant for there to be a duel or for Donovan to get hurt. I felt awful today when I saw his arm."
"You mean you haven't seen him since the duel? That's been weeks ago!"
Alysson looked away. “No, he blames me for everything.” She met Odette's eyes again. “And he is right in a way. I should never have gone to Douglas, but I wanted to explain to him why I was giving up the play. I don't know why he challenged Donovan."
"Because he wants you too, of course. Donovan will forgive you soon. He is your husband, is he not? It is just all the scandal and newspaper accounts that have wounded his pride. Soon he will come to you. I saw it in his eyes when he saw you in the stream today."
Alysson sighed. “I am afraid to hope. He won't even talk to me."
"That is because he is a man, and men have such stupid and stubborn pride. Do not despair. He will not last long, now that he is near you again. He will fight it for a time, then he will grab you up and make love to you."
Alysson smiled, hoping her friend was right. She looked at Odette, realizing that she had missed her best friend very much.
"What did the newspapers say? Were they very unkind?"
Odette's lips curved as she lifted the small velvet purse dangling from her wrist. She opened the drawstring and pulled out a folded scrap of newspaper.
"I brought these in case you had not seen them. Much of it is speculation and much is simply lies, I am sure."
Alysson slowly unfolded the paper, not
sure she wanted to see what was written there. “TWO PROMINENT CITIZENS WOUNDED IN DUEL OVER ACTRESS,” she read with dismay, then looked at the next clipping with equal horror. DUEL OVER ACTRESS RUINS POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS OF MACBRIDE. COMPTON RECOVERS WOUND WHILE ALYSSON TYLER HIDES IN SECLUSION."
Alysson didn't want to see any more, and she gave the clippings back to Odette, her face stricken.
"They are horrible,” she said, feeling for the first time the very real humiliation Donovan had suffered because of her. “Has Donovan answered any of these accusations?” she asked, afraid of another duel.
Odette shook her curls. “No, it is said he has carried on his business as usual, and even frequented the Tontine Coffeehouse and the Belvedere Gentlemen's Club as if nothing had happened. No one dares to confront him about you, of course, except for Billy and me. We threatened to get the constable if he did not let us see you."
"You didn't!"
"Oh, oui, we did! We were very worried about you."
Alysson's smile faded. “What about the countess? Have you seen them together?"
"He has not been with any woman, I am sure. At least not in public, for everyone would be talking about it if he escorted anyone. I have seen the countess only once, with Captain MacBride."
That relieved Alysson a great deal, but there was another question she had to ask. “And Douglas? How is he faring?"
Odette looked uncomfortable for the first time, and a barb of fear snagged Alysson's heart.
"Odette! He isn't dead, is he?"
"No,” Odette answered slowly, “but the doctor says he will not walk again without a cane."
Alysson stared at her. Her anger with Douglas had begun to fade long ago, and now she only felt sorry for him. His lies had cost him a great deal. She smiled slightly as Odette put her arm around her, giving her an encouraging squeeze.
"Come, let's go down. Billy will be squirming under those terrible black eyes that Monsieur MacBride always puts upon him. Billy's been beside himself since you've been gone. You should have seen the way he stood up to Monsieur MacBride this morning. He is becoming very brave."