Authors: Linda Daly
Back at the Honeycutt’s mansion, Miranda awakened to the sweet
smell of lilacs. Opening her eyes, she glanced over to the nightstand beside
her where a vase full of the freshly cut sprigs of the flowers sat, with a note
in front of them.
Leaning over to read the note, she smiled.
Thank you, my angel of
mercy, Tad
. Absent-mindedly Miranda brushed the note between her
fingertips, while gazing at her favorite flowers.
Oh Tad you remembered . . . What an incredibly tender and romantic
thing to do!
Realizing he must have come into her room while she slept, her smile
faded. Bringing her quilt closer to her chest, her heart pounded as she
looked about her room with uncertainty.
Hours before the school was to begin, Miranda walked through the
wrought-iron gate leading to the courtyard to find Felicity sitting at her
favorite spot on a bench by the massive oak tree. Hearing the familiar
squeaking of the gate, Felicity turned and smiled, gesturing Miranda to join
her.
“I was hoping you would come early today. Come sit and tell me what
made you decide to go with Tad to the theatre,” she said enthusiastically.
“Oh dear, I had forgotten about that . . .” Miranda said, while joining
her friend. “After last evening, I’m sure that will have to be postponed.”
Confused, Felicity asked, “Postponed? But why, for goodness sakes?
We only left you a few hours ago . . .”
“A lot has happened since I saw you last evening,” explained Miranda,
shaking her head. “Let me fill you in . . .”
For the next several minutes, Felicity shook her head hearing the
events as they unfolded at the Honeycutt’s in the wee hours of the morning,
even including how she had relived her own painful childhood. Omitting
the affair between her father and his former slave, Miranda spoke of the
loneliness she had felt as a child and admitted she had been fearful of
loving another. Explaining that witnessing her own parents’ turbulent
relationship had indeed scared her.
“Dear, you certainly all did have an evening, didn’t you. I don’t know
what to say. I feel so sorry for Tad of course, but my heart goes out to
Michael too. I can’t imagine how he endured hearing his son’s pain, which
he caused, and then after reaching out to him, being pushed away like that
must have been unbearable. Not that I blame Tad of course, obviously his
resentment is deep . . . Ah, and poor Sarah, how dreadful for her to see her
husband in such pain . . .”
It was clear from Felicity’s tone that she felt immense sorrow for them
all.
“I shall include them, and you, dear friend in my prayers. But tell me,
this morning after discovering that Tad had cut you flowers and had been in
your bedchamber, did you see him personally?”
“No, in fact, I avoided the dining room all together, coming directly
here after I woke.”
“What do you think about the flowers?” Felicity asked, cautiously.
Before answering, Miranda thought for a moment then a smile crossed
her lips. “In truth that was the dearest thing any man has ever done for me.
However, after it dawned on me that he had actually entered my room, well
of course I became apprehensive. It is rather presumptuous of him to think
that he could take such liberties by coming into my room, simply because
of the kindness I showed him . . .”
Pausing for a moment and looking puzzled, she added. “Come to think
of it, I could almost swear I locked the door after returning from attending
his wounds.” Shaking her head as dismissing it, Miranda smiled wearily.
“Obviously not, since he was able to enter. My, I must have been extremely
tired if I didn’t even hear him.” She added nervously.
Recalling her friend’s concerns from yesterday regarding Tad’s
peculiar behavior, Felicity nodded politely, feeling equally apprehensive
about Tad entering Miranda’s private bedchamber.
Rather than address her concerns openly, in the event she was over
reacting, Felicity asked, “So you say Tad sustained his cuts and bruises by
our iceman, Mr. O’Flaherty? How odd? I would think those two men
would have so little in common. Did you say how it was that Tad met up
with him?”
“No. I didn’t say. In fact, when Tad told me that it was Gilbert he had
fought with, for a moment I wondered if Tad had deliberately gone looking
for him. Feeling ashamed for doubting him again, I dismissed such
thoughts. Do you think Felicity, that Tad provoked this altercation with Mr.
O’Flaherty?” Miranda's voice expressed her concern.
“I couldn't say . . .” Felicity paused, hearing the sound of footsteps
approaching. She nodded to Miranda, and whispered, “But perhaps he
might.”
Puzzled by her comment, she frowned seeing Gilbert O’Flaherty
approaching. Without hesitation, Miranda swiftly crossed the play-yard
calling his name.
“Oh Mr. O’Flaherty, could I please have a word with you?”
Seeing Miranda, Gilbert sighed, giving her a disgusted look and kept
walking.
Angered by such rudeness, Miranda said firmly, “Mr. O’Flaherty, I
know you can hear me.”
“Saints be praised. Haven’t I had enough grief by you and that suitor of
yours? Do ya want me to be fired from me job too?”
“First off, Mr. Honeycutt is not my suitor, and . . .”
Shaking his head in disgust, he started to walk past her mumbling
under his breath, “Like I should expect anything differently from your
kind. I heard you call him dear with my own ears.”
Outraged by his comment, Miranda raised her voice. “How dare you
speak to me in that manner. If you can’t even tell the difference between a
question and a term of endearment, then it’s obvious that it is you who is
daft, as you so eloquently insinuated I was yesterday. All this leads me to
believe that you attacked such a fine gentleman as Mr. Honeycutt for no
good reason, just as he said.” Flushed from losing her temper, not
expecting a reply, she began to turn around.
“Honeycutt is no gentleman any more than I am. He may be well
educated with means, but he has no honor. And if’n you think he is, then
the two of ya are daft a far sight more than you think I am!” he spouted
indignantly.
Trying to hold back the urge to argue further with this ghastly, meanspirited man, she calmly replied, “Mr. O’Flaherty, I did not ask to speak
with you to hurl insults at one another. I was merely trying to understand
why it was necessary for you and Mr. Honeycutt to come to blows last
evening.”
“That is of no concern of yours. Why not ask that so-called gentleman
friend of yours?”
Every instinct in her screamed to leave, but instead she said,
“Obviously I have. Otherwise, how would I know it was you that attacked
him? What I don’t understand is why you would feel the need to attack
someone simply out of some absurd jealousy.”
Hearing that, Gilbert chuckled sarcastically, his green eyes conveying
his sarcasm. “It’s not I who am daft, but you and the rest of Honeycutt’s
loyal subjects believing such malarkey.”
“Then you aren’t denying the fact that you attacked Mr. Honeycutt, just
the reasons why he gave me. Is that right Mr. O’Flaherty?” she asked
solemnly, ignoring his hurtful comments once more.
“Damned right! And like I said last night to him and those worthless
subjects of his, if I ever see him again I’ll finish what I started. You can tell
him I said so too!”
Miranda gasped at his threat, and looked at this man she now
considered evil, rather than just angry. “Mr. O’Flaherty, I have a good mind
to notify the constable about your threats against Mr. Honeycutt.”
“Oh please do! I welcome the chance to divulge what an upright and
decent citizen Honeycutt is.” His grimace sent immediate shivers through
her.
Not waiting for her reply, Gilbert walked back to the kitchen leaving
Miranda stunned, shaken to her very core. As she walked back to Felicity,
her mind whirled in confusion.
What did Tad do to him that was so awful
he wanted revenge and didn’t care who knew it?
“Well, what did he say? Did he admit to attacking Tad last night?”
Nodding her head in disbelief, she said, “Yes. But apparently it had
nothing to do with me.”
“Really? Then why?” Felicity frowned at her friend who was pale as a
sheet.
Shaking her head, Miranda whispered, “He didn’t say . . . only that he
wasn’t through with Tad.”
“Oh dear! You mean he threatened Tad? Perhaps you should notify the
authorities?”
“No!” she added hastily. “Evidently Gilbert wants that.”
Felicity gasped and watched as Gilbert made his way back to the street
where his cart was parked. Once Gilbert had left, Miranda looked at
Felicity. “Promise me you’ll not breathe a word of this to anyone until I’ve
had a chance to discuss this with Tad?”
“I promise. But do you think that is wise Miranda?”
“What other choice do I have . . . ?” Her voice trailed off, remembering
the hate in Gilbert’s eyes.
Later that afternoon, after Miranda had returned to the Honeycutt’s and
had changed for dinner, she went to the gardens to try to make some sense
of everything that had happened. As she stood smelling the sweet scents of
the lilacs, her confusion and anger increased and suddenly the flowers had
lost their appeal, especially since they now reminded her of Tad.
She knew that what she had overheard between Tad and Michael was
real, and when he thanked her, it came from his heart. Yet, she also knew
from speaking with Gilbert that the fight he had been in had nothing to do
with her as Tad had said. Suddenly, as she chastised herself into believing
any man could be honest, tears stung her eyes and her heart began to
harden again.
“I knew I’d find you here.” Tad said walking up behind her.
Before turning, Miranda hastily wiped her eyes and tried to smile.
“Hello, Tad. How are you this evening?”
“Fine, but I can tell you didn’t appreciate my gift of gratitude.”
“Oh no? The lilacs were lovely. Thank you. But that wasn't necessary.”
Interrupting her, he asked, “Miranda, what’s wrong? After last night I
thought we had finally broken down our barriers. Yet today I feel you’re as
distant from me as ever. Have I done something to upset you?”
“No. Not at all.” She lied, pasting a smile across her lips. “I have a lot
on my mind is all.”
“I see. After taking your advice, I had a long talk with my father this
afternoon.” From the look on his face, Miranda knew he expected her to
respond.
Sincerely, she said, “Oh Tad, I’m so happy for you both.” Hesitating to
ask him more, not wanting to interfere in his private affairs, she waited,
hoping he would volunteer more information.
“Of course nothing can be resolved in a day, but at least we’re talking
so hopefully in time . . .”
Looking up at him, she truly felt his sincerity, but after what Gilbert
had said, she doubted her own abilities at reading him any longer. Smiling
she said, “You’re lucky to have that time, Tad.”
Frowning slightly, he said, “Miranda, I know you said I’ve done
nothing to offend you, yet I can’t help but feel you’re holding back from
me. Are you upset that I came into your room last evening?”
“No . . . well perhaps a little. As much as I enjoyed the lilacs, I must
say it was a bit unnerving to know you were watching me.”
“Actually, I saw more of you while you were in my room than nestled
under the coverlets, if that eases your mind any.” His eyes danced merrily,
which caused her cheeks to burn like fire and she turned her head.
“Oh please don’t be embarrassed. Last night was perhaps one of the
most memorable events of my life. I shall always cherish it.”
Hesitantly, she returned his look. Their eyes locked, and she was swept
away by such truth she witnessed. “Please Tad, can we change the
subject?” she asked, whispering shyly.
“Yes of course. What shall we discuss then?”
Just then Gilbert--delivering ice--hearing them, stood off to the side of
the fenced yard, able to hear their every word.
“Well actually, I was hoping you would tell me the real reason for your
fight last evening. I ask only because I saw Mr. O’Flaherty this morning.”
Immediately she detected Tad’s mood change from warmth to that of
contempt.
“Oh really? And you would question me over the likes of him?” There
was no denying it--his eyes darted daggers as spiteful as his tongue.
“No. In fact, he admitted he did attack you. Yet, I had the distinct
impression, not for the reasons you gave. In fact, the whole incident left me
shaken rather badly. Tad, he worried me by threatening that he wasn’t
through with you yet. What does he mean by that? Should you go to the
authorities?”
Tad was clearly agitated, and said, “No. I can deal with his kind.”
“Oh please, Tad, talk to me. I’m so confused and frightened over this
whole affair. I want to believe what you said last evening, you have no idea
how much . . . but with him acting like he did this morning . . .”
Seeing that she was trembling, he took her hand in his, softly saying,
“Miranda, come sit with me and I’ll try to explain everything.” Nodding,
she followed him to a bench nestled between evergreens. Taking a seat, he
began. “What I’m about to tell you I’m not proud of . . .”
“Please Tad, I have no right to judge you or anyone for that matter. Just
please be honest with me.”
He gave her a small smile as he began. “For quite sometime now, as
you probably have noticed, most evenings following dinner I go out.
Where I go has been to a pub to gamble with friends.”
Tad explained in detail the friends he gambled with and how he came
to meet Gilbert O’Flaherty. Listening intently to him, she related to Tad’s
desire to rebel against his father by choosing a lifestyle he knew Michael
despised, as Miranda had rebelled against Lucas by helping runners. As he
spoke candidly of his second life, her trust for him increased. Tad was
forthright in explaining the only harm he had caused was to himself and
Michael’s bankroll. That was, until O’Flaherty, who had been winning
regularly, had insulted Tad’s pride and intelligence. Tad explained that for
weeks he had suspected that Gilbert had been cheating, yet could never
prove it. He then reminded Miranda of the agitated state Gilbert had been
in when she had observed them speaking with one another, telling her that
he had in fact hinted of his suspicions to Gilbert yesterday after he had
refused Tad an opportunity to win back some of his money.
Suddenly the story Tad was telling made sense. Especially as Tad
spoke about Gilbert’s pride being injured further when he tried to warn
Miranda of his kind. This was something Miranda understood as well,
recalling how her half-brother Joseph, the son of such a powerful and
important man never could claim his inheritance or position in society,
forced to remain a slave.
As Tad relived his version of what had happened at the pub, Miranda
found herself believing every word this man--gifted in persuasion--spoke,
even as he twisted the truth, placing the blame on Gilbert. To assure his tale
was convincing, Tad included how Gilbert duped him as ‘his lordship’ and
Tad’s friends as his ‘loyal subjects’. If Miranda hadn’t been convinced of
Tad’s sincerity before, recalling Gilbert had made such a reference himself
this morning, only added validity to his tale.
“Ah, now I see why you said the fight had something to do with me.
The truth is Mr. O’Flaherty has no interest in me, as a matter of fact I
honestly thinks he dislikes . . .”