Authors: Linda Daly
“That will be enough, Tad.” Alfred said sternly. “This evening I waited
up for you, for the sole purpose to discuss with you things from my past
that I have done, which I’m not proud of. Considering the lateness of the
hour and everything that you have gone through tonight, that will have to
wait until tomorrow. You are obviously distraught, with good reason, and
before anyone else sees you, I want you to go upstairs and clean yourself
up while I gather some medical supplies. All of your clothing, every last
stitch needs to be disposed of. Understood?”
“Yes, Grandfather.” Tad’s voice was barely above a whisper as he
stood up and looked at Alfred.
“Tad, what happened tonight was dreadful. Make no mistake about it.
However, you must remember the death of that man was in self-defense.
The way I see it, you have two choices here. You can choose to be
swallowed up by self-hate and become bitter, or you can learn from this
mistake. The choice is yours. Personally, I hope you choose the later. Either
way, I will deal with Daniel from here out regarding this matter. With you
moving in with your father, perhaps it would be wise to break all ties with
your friends for the time being.”
Nodding his response, Tad left his grandfather’s study and promptly
climbed the stairs as he had done so often in the past. This time however,
the cold icy stare of David Sullivan’s lifeless eyes accompanied him with
his every step. Unable to block out the image from his mind, upon entering
his bedchamber, Tad immediately disrobed and began cleaning the dried
blood from his wounded arm. Rubbing the open gash repeatedly, he felt
nothing. Even when he reopened the wound and fresh blood trickled down
his wrist onto his fingers, Tad still felt nothing.
It was as if this were all a bad dream, not really happening. With blood
dripping onto the wood floor, Tad in shock, stared at his reflection in the
mirror about the dry sink, reliving the events in his mind repeatedly, still
unable to accept that he had killed another. So engrossed in his tormented
thoughts, Tad never heard Alfred enter his room.
“Christ Tad, what in the hell have you done?” Alfred whispered
coarsely at his grandson while trying to stop the bleeding of Tad’s wound.
“Sit down and let me take care of that cut before you get it infected.”
Dazed, Tad nodded and sat on the edge of his bed looking at his bloodsoaked arm, unable to fully understand what his grandfather was doing or
saying. Everything appeared to be happening to someone else rather than
him. After Alfred had dressed his wound and helped clothe him in a night
shirt, Tad obligingly lay his head on the pillow as he was instructed, all the
while the haunting eyes of David Sullivan never left his tormented mind.
Time stood still for the younger Honeycutt as he stared at the ceiling, not
even aware that Alfred had left his room. The only sound Tad heard was
the gasp Sullivan made as the ice pick entered his body, and then the
crashing sound of the bottle as he was struck from behind by Gilbert.
“Gilbert,” Tad whispered, recalling how his nemesis had threatened to
steal Miranda from him. Anger stirred inside him at that thought. Tad sat up
in bed. Despite his throbbing head, he crept across the darkened room
without making a sound. Without the need for light, he made his way
around his bed, past the wardrobe to the corner of the room where he
pressed a lever on the side of a dumbwaiter. Within seconds, he walked
through a service passage that led him directly into Miranda’s room
through the dumbwaiter in her room.
As a child, Tad had used this passage to hide from his nanny, and now
he found it quite beneficial to gain access into Miranda’s room whenever
he wished, which turned out to be often.
Once safely inside her room, he moved freely with stealth precision as
he gazed down at the unsuspecting Miranda as she slept soundly. His eyes
traced her petite frame with the aid of the moonlight that softly filtered into
her room as she lay under the thin linen sheet.
Slowly he crept closer to her until he could feel her breath on his face.
How he yearned to touch her creamy skin that glistened on this humid latespring evening. However, noticing her stir slightly, Tad retreated to the
corner of her room where he knew she would not be able to see him even if
she happened to awaken.
From the very first night that Miranda had come to live with his
grandparents, Tad was intrigued. Not only because she was a Southerner-which was extremely fascinating in itself—but because Miranda appeared
completely uninterested in him. Unlike others who gushed over him, which
repulsed him. This pristine, Southern Belle, seeming not at all impressed
with his good looks, charms or family position, appeared to be equal to his
perceptiveness and shrewdness, which in itself Tad found irresistible.
After their first meeting, Tad was determined to win her heart, yet over
the years, despite everything he had tried, nothing had worked, until the
other day when Miranda actually returned his affection. By this time, Tad
had found himself hopelessly in love with her and now that he had begun
to win her heart, he was determined not to lose it to some Irishman that he
viewed beneath her.
As Tad stood watching Miranda sleep, he recalled their passionate
embrace in the garden that afternoon. Never had he desired any other
woman, or wanted to protect another as when she trembled in his arms.
Recalling now her lips on his, he vowed that no one or nothing was going
to prevent him from getting what he wanted, and that was Miranda.
The only one who stood between having the desire of his heart was
Gilbert O’Flaherty. No matter what he had promised his grandfather, Tad
was determined to find and hush his enemy forever. Even if he had to kill
again.
Two weeks had passed since the night of David Sullivan’s death. As
promised, Alfred had opened his purse strings wide to avoid any
connection with the Honeycutt name and the death of the Irish immigrant.
Like Tad, Alfred never suspected he and his grandson were being
victimized by blackmail. Or that Daniel Hobbs was actually responsible for
the cold-blooded murder of Sullivan. The Honeycutt’s predator thought of
almost everything to assure never being found out. The only fly in the
ointment was Gilbert O’Flaherty, who had not been seen since the night of
the incident. Both Tad and Daniel, determined to silent Gilbert, searched in
vain for the man they viewed as a threat to their future happiness.
For years, Daniel had been envious of Tad’s generous monthly
allotments and had resented that the same generosity had not been
bestowed on him by his father, Jerome Hobbs. The senior Hobbs, a welloff business entrepreneur, with high morals and convictions, insisted that
nothing had been handed to him, needing to earn it through hard work.
Therefore, in turn, he demanded the same for his only son.
Opposed to his father’s way of thinking, Daniel viewed manual work
as tedious and demeaning. With no family allotments to rely on, the
unscrupulous Hobbs found other means to ensure he had money to spend.
Shamelessly, Daniel would get Tad drunk and cheat at cards to win the
hands. Unfortunately, this plan was short lived when others in their set,
wise to Daniel’s ruthlessness would drop out of the hands when he dealt.
When an opportunity presented itself through the desperation of an
Irishman down on his luck and unable to make a living, the younger Hobbs
thought of a new scheme.
Having been turned down to work at the Ice Company by the senior
Hobbs, Daniel agreed to hire him unbeknownst to his father and under the
stipulation that he would swindle the unsuspecting Tad at poker. Readily,
Gilbert accepted Daniel’s terms having little respect for Tad whom he had
seen on occasion at Jake’s, viewing him as nothing more than an
egocentric, well-bred aristocrat who had more money than brains.
For months, the two of them had successfully swindled Tad out of his
allowance. And as annoying as this was to Tad--only when he thought
Miranda had become interested in a man he viewed as beneath her--did he
decide to take matters in his own hands. It was one thing to lose at cards to
the ill-mannered foul tempered Irishman, but it was quite another for the
woman he had pined over for years to show an interest in the man he
despised.
Convinced that if it hadn’t been for Gilbert, none of this would have
ever happened, Tad desperately searched for Gilbert to prevent him from
ever telling Miranda what had happened. Both he and Daniel continued
their hunt with both men hating O’Flaherty for different reasons, and both
hell-bent to silent the Irishman. Perhaps they might have been successful
too, if it hadn’t been for the aide of Miranda Brown and Felicity Phelps.
Following a long humid day at the orphanage in early June, Miranda
and Felicity decided to take a leisurely ride through Central Park, a popular
meeting place for women to gather during the day. Although the park was
built for all classes, the majority of those in attendance were those of
wealth, dressed in the latest fashions with matching hats and parasols to
protect their delicate skin. As the Honeycutt’s open carriage passed those
walking, Felicity and Miranda seated across from one another would
occasionally nod their heads to those they recognized, all the while chatting
amongst themselves freely in hushed tones.
“Why is it Miranda, you look so forlorn on such a lovely day? Are you
and Tad having a spat?”
Softly shaking her head while pretending to be interested in the
manicured gardens to avoid eye contact with Felicity, Miranda softly
answered, “No. I almost wished we had and then perhaps it would explain
Tad’s distance.”
Knowing that such a comment would only spark more questions from
her friend, Miranda quickly added. “Of course, with Sarah and Michael’s
desire to leave early now that they are in their new home and having it
redecorated, it’s perfectly understandable. Yet, I can’t help but feel Tad’s
grateful to be leaving so soon.”
While adjusting her gloves, Felicity said reassuringly, “Surely you
must be mistaken. Perhaps Tad has found living with his father and
stepmother more demanding than he had anticipated and he just needs time
to adjust to his new life.”
“Or, perhaps he has discovered we really aren’t suited for one another
and doesn’t know how to let me down gently.” Miranda’s voice trailed off,
obviously too upset to continue.
“I cannot believe a man like Tad, who has openly been smitten with
you for years, would alter those feelings for no apparent reason. It makes
no sense. Are you certain there isn’t something else troubling him?”
Felicity asked, no longer able to conceal her concern.
Shaking her head in frustration, Miranda said, “I honestly don’t know.
I’ve asked him several times and he always says the same, ‘What could
possibly be wrong?’ In truth, at first I thought he was hiding something
from me, and now it’s as if he avoids me so he won’t have to answer my
annoying questions, though I can hardly blame him. Heck-fire, I’m tired of
hearing them myself! But I can’t seem to stop myself from asking when I
know something isn’t right.”
Not sure how to comfort Miranda, Felicity sighed and said, “Well, it is
peculiar. However, before you give up on him entirely, why not have a talk
about your concerns with Sarah. She seems like such a lovely woman.”
Leaning closer to Felicity, Miranda strained to keep her tone just above
a whisper. “Sarah is a very loving and kind woman, but I’m not about to
ask for her help regarding this matter. What am I to say? Can you please
see to it that Tad is more attentive to me? Absolutely not! This is one
matter I cannot discus with Tad’s stepmother, no matter how close I feel to
her personally. It’s already so humiliating to be with them nightly. You
can’t imagine how embarrassing it is to see the looks they give one another
as they witness the change in Tad’s demeanor toward me.”
“Oh dear, I had no idea it had escalated that far. Surely there must be a
way of finding out what’s troubling Tad, without appearing to be worried
about your relationship with him.”
Sighing in frustration, and on the verge of tears Miranda softly asked,
“Can we please not discuss Tad anymore today? Why don’t you explain to
me again, why it is that you think Mr. Sterling comes around almost
everyday instead?”
Miranda knew that asking any question about the Sterlings’ would
preoccupy Felicity’s mind, so she added, “It really is quite puzzling to me.
Not that he comes to the orphanage so often, but rather when he is there,
Mr. Sterling is jovial and friendly, unlike later in the day when he and
Lavinia arrive at the Honeycutt’s and his disposition is so solemn. It really
is such a shame. If you saw how he and Lavinia sniped at each other every
night, you would just keel over in embarrassment.”
Hearing such a distressing comment from her friend, Felicity frowned.
“Oh, I really hate hearing such things, Miranda. It is strange, considering
our history in England and all, but over the past few months, my opinion of
James has altered considerably. In fact, I have grown very fond of him. His
generosity is immense; food, clothing, offering the orphan’s
apprenticeships at his shipping company, and now, James has contacted
business associates with political connections to put pressure on Congress
again to help orphanages like ours. Isn’t that so kind of him?”
“It is indeed. I just find his actions peculiar is all.”
“Peculiar? Why, for goodness sakes?”
“Not that he wants to donate his time and money, but that he does so
much without Lavinia knowing anything. When I see Mr. Sterling at the
Honeycutt’s, he rarely speaks of seeing me during the day. As a matter of
fact, I have gotten the distinct impression he prefers no one knows of his
visits to the orphanage. If in passing, it is mentioned that we saw one
another earlier in the day, James is very quick to change the subject.”
“Well I’m sure it’s simply to avoid any unpleasantness with Lavinia.
You and I both know how trying she can be, if provoked.”
“Precisely why I can’t help but wonder why he would keep something
like this from his wife.” Seeing the look of confusion on Felicity’s face,
Miranda quickly continued. “Don’t you see? By not telling her of his visits
to the orphanage and his generous donations, with her way of thinking, she
would probably assume he had ulterior motives or was deliberately trying
to do something behind her back. So why go to all the trouble of keeping
something so innocent from her, especially when she is bound to notice the
familiarity of you three?”
“Ah, I see your point. Having been the recipient of her nasty
disposition, I wouldn’t wish that on another living soul.”
“Precisely my point. Why deliberately provoke her? It just doesn’t
make any sense to me.”
“Well, when you put it like that, it doesn’t make sense to me either.
Surely, James must have a good reason . . .” Felicity’s voice trailed off, her
voice barely above a whisper as she gazed out to those milling about
Central Park. Judging by the look of concern on her friend’s face, Miranda
knew instinctively that Felicity was deeply troubled, and rather than push
her, she waited patiently for Felicity to think it out.
“You know what troubles me too? When we were in England, Lavinia
risked everything to be with James and now that she is his wife, it’s almost
as if she loathes him as much as she did Benjamin.” Shaking her head,
Felicity added. “How sad, to be so miserable all the time.”
Hearing such a befitting description of Lavinia Sterling, Miranda
nearly broke out laughing, yet seeing the concerned look in Felicity’s eyes
she said, “Dearest Felicity, only you would feel sorry for someone as nasty
and evil as Lavinia Sterling.”
Miranda’s last comment went unanswered as Felicity gasped and
pointed. “Oh dear! Is that man accosting that poor woman in broad
daylight?”
Startled by such a comment, Miranda immediately turned her attention
to where Felicity was pointing. From their vantage point, both of them
witnessed a red-haired woman struggling to be freed by a well-dressed man
in a top hat and coat. As their coach drew nearer, the blood drained from
Miranda’s face as her eyes drifted to a familiar man standing beside a
parked coach only a few feet from where the man and woman were
scuffling with one another. Even from this distance, she knew immediately
it was Tad at the carriage. Confused as to why he would stand by watching,
doing nothing as the other man grasped hold of the woman’s arm, yelling at
her, Miranda’s heart began to race.
Sheepishly she looked at Felicity to see if she had witnessed Tad too.
Judging by the surprised look on Felicity’s face, Miranda knew she had.
Her eyes trailed back toward the disturbing scene just as they were passing
them on the trail. Horrified, she heard Daniel Hobbs yelling, while shaking
his assailant. “Tell me where he is, damn it!”
Unable to keep their eyes off the scene, both women gasped when they
realized the woman being accosted was Margaret-Anne O’Flaherty, as they
were now able to see her face for the first time. Shrinking from sight and
turning their parasols to avoid from being seen, Miranda whispered to
Felicity, “What should we do?”
Without hesitating, Felicity hoarsely whispered to Montgomery, “Pull
over at once!”
Following his orders, Montgomery pulled on the reins and the buggy
came to a halt. Waving her hand, motioning Miranda to slide over, Felicity
discreetly took the seat beside her. Then tilting her parasol to avoid being
seen, she whispered, “Let’s see what Tad and Mr. Hobbs want with Maggie
first, shall we?”
Nodding her head in agreement, Miranda craned her neck to look
discretely at Tad and the others.
Within seconds, both men leapt inside their coach and drove off in the
opposite direction, toward the Boulevard. Noticing how distraught Maggie
was, both women hastily left their buggy and called to her. “Miss
O’Flaherty, are you all right?” asked Miranda as she ran to the woman who
was crying.
Upon seeing Miranda and Felicity, Maggie quickly wiped her face. It
was clear she was not happy to see them, and was either hiding something
or extremely frightened at seeing them. Nervously, the servant managed to
smile over at them and said, “Why Miss Brown and Mrs. Myles, what a
surprise to see you today.”
Ignoring the woman’s attempts at concealing her encounter, Miranda
boldly asked, “Why on earth was Mr. Hobbs yelling at you like that?”
The blood drained from her face hearing Miranda’s question and
immediately the frightened woman looked down as she tried to pass them
on the narrow sidewalk. “Please Miss Brown, if you don’t mind I have lots
of work to do this afternoon.”
“Maggie, why don’t you allow us to escort you to the Carmidy’s. That
is where you’re headed isn’t it?” Felicity said softly in a comforting tone.
Nodding nervously, Maggie said, “Yes, Ma’am. But there’s no need to
be troubling you both like that. I can make it just fine on me own.”
From the terror in Maggie’s eyes, Miranda knew that the woman’s fear
stemmed from something deeper than the confrontation she had just
witnessed. Following Felicity’s lead, Miranda gingerly took Maggie by the
elbow and softly whispered, “Nonsense, Maggie. We were heading over to
see you anyway. So you see it’s no trouble at all.”
Reluctantly, Margaret-Anne entered the buggy while Miranda frowned
disapprovingly at the Honeycutt’s driver. “Take us to the Carmidy’s at
once, Montgomery,” she ordered sternly, annoyed that Montgomery hadn’t
assisted them back into the carriage as he normally would have.
“Yes, miss,” Montgomery replied boldly, seemingly not the least bit
interested that he had annoyed her.
Never had the servant been so insolent before and Miranda’s cheeks
burned with anger. Rather than address his insubordinate behavior now,
Miranda decided to deal with him later, and she stepped into the carriage.
As she took her seat, her eyes stayed focused on Margaret-Anne, who sat
stoic in the seat next to Felicity.
Dear God, why are you so frightened
?
Miranda wondered, noticing the servant’s hands were trembling in her lap
while deliberately avoiding eye contact with either of them.
Needing time to think herself, Miranda also glanced at the scenery of
Central Park, her mind whirled as she tried to make some sense of what she
had just witnessed.
Why would Tad watch as his friend practically
assaulted Maggie? And why would Montgomery react in such a
disrespectful manner?
Having no answers to either of her questions, she
shook her head.
Has everyone taken complete leave of their senses?
Slowly
the shock began to wear off and she found her temper rising recalling
Daniel’s words. “
Tell me where he is, damn it!”
Her mind raced for
answers.
Where who is?