Authors: Linda Daly
Following the party, discovering from Rupert what had happened
following Miranda’s daring escape to free Gilbert--although Rupert had not
explained precisely why it was necessary for Lavinia and Benjamin to seek
lodging at his home--Alfred could only imagine. Calling a family meeting
in his study, seeing the concerned look on everyone’s face, he said nothing
to relieve their minds. Waiting in silence as the last servant shut the door,
trying desperately to know where to begin, Alfred cleared his throat.
“Tonight, many things have transpired that will undoubtedly change our
lives and those we love forever. Until I have completely said all there is to
say, please I must not merely insist but demand, that everyone hold their
comments until I have finished.”
Without waiting for a response from his family, Alfred began. “This
evening, with the assistance of myself along with others I care not to
mention, Miranda has successfully left New York, with her husband--a fine
man by the name of Gilbert O’Flaherty.”
At once everyone gasped and Tad stood up protesting that Gilbert was
nothing but a murderer. Alfred shouted, “Sit down, Thaddeus. And I do
mean now!”
At Michael’s insistence, Tad did take his seat, jaw clenched and face
red, while glaring at his grandfather who returned his look.
“Mr. O’Flaherty, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, is
a fine and decent man who was framed for a murder he did not commit and
was deliberately run down by the actual murderer. This, thank heavens,
was witnessed by Miranda, and through her persistence and foresight, not
only managed to save his life, but prove his innocence as well--discovering
the truth of who actually ended the life of Mr. O’Flaherty's friend.”
Alfred paused and looked at Tad before turning his attention to Elise
who was crying softly in Joshua’s arms. “My dearest Elise, Miranda has a
letter for you that I shall give to you following this meeting. But let me say
this on her behalf--not sharing with you, in particular--her greatest joy and
happiness has caused her great pain. Precisely why she was ill, the stress
was far to great on her. However, if she hadn’t done what she did, an
innocent man more than likely would have been murdered since the
individuals who committed such heinous acts were still actively trying to
kill Mr. O’Flaherty. So as you can see, she had little choice but to protect
the man she loved and to begin a new life elsewhere. And I must say, the
courage and determination that Miranda has shown has made me very
proud of her. And Mr. O’Flaherty who could have, at any given moment,
turned in those who tried to silence him, chose not to for reasons I will not
discuss at this time. So you see why I am very fond of the man Miranda
has chosen to share a life with.”
“Is that it, Grandfather?” Tad asked still glaring at him.
“No, actually that is not it. The latter part of this week, the Robbins’
will be returning to England along with Mr. and Mrs. Myles, and Mrs.
Sterling. Again, I look at you Elise, because I’m certain Felicity and
Annabelle will want to say their good-byes to you, in particular. It would
appear my dearest granddaughter, that your charms have spread across the
Atlantic, and you will be missed terribly.”
Smiling warmly at her, he asked, “Dearest, I’m sure you will want to
read your letter in private. So why don’t you and Joshua go to your home,
but before visiting the Robbins’ or the Myles’, please come and see me
tomorrow so I can tell you of Miranda’s wedding. By the way, she asked
me to tell you, she never broke her promise to you--there was no maid of
honor. Only myself and Gilbert’s sister were in attendance, and strictly as
witnesses.” With that, Elise stood and ran to Alfred who kissed her tenderly
then handed her the letter.
Following Elise and Joshua’s departure, Alfred insisted everyone else
remain. He immediately informed Tad it was not he who had killed David
O’Sullivan as he had thought, but was in fact, Daniel Hobbs. Michael
stunned, held Sarah’s hand listening intently as his father continued. While
Alfred shook his head glancing at both Tad and his wife, he had discovered
that Vivian had been paying Daniel money to silence a blackmailer, who at
the time they had believed was Gilbert.
Reassuring them that was impossible since Gilbert had been living
under their roof since Tad and Daniel had run him down, Alfred pointed
out that the money was probably paid directly to the murderer. The
murderer, who by now, he was certain was on his way to a poor-farm
where he would work for his room and board since his father had disowned
him for what he had done.
Directing his attention to his grandson, Alfred eyes warmed. “Tad, you
have chosen unwisely and it cost you more than the blood money your
grandmother paid for you. You lost the love of a fine woman. Until
Miranda saw you help Daniel run Gilbert down, you had her heart. All she
needed or wanted in return was a man with integrity who would not lie to
her or break the trust she had placed in you. And Tad, as much as it pains
me, rather than trust in her and her love that she genuinely had for you, you
sought to kill another man whom you feared was a threat, never realizing
the only thing that threatened your relationship with Miranda was you. Tad,
I pleaded with you that night you came home after you had thought you
took a man’s life that you could either choose to be swallowed up by selfhatred and become bitter, or you could learn from your mistake. I pray Tad
at last, that you will learn to be the man both your father and I know you
can be.”
Excusing himself, not saying a word, Tad went to his old room and
immediately went through the secret passage that connected to Miranda’s
room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, her scent still lingering in the room,
Tad wept for the love he had let slip through his fingers.
Felicity, still quite upset, lay next to Annabelle as she spoke of the
events that had led to her attack and why she had felt so safe with James.
No longer crying or shaking, Felicity at last felt safe near her dear friend.
“So do you think all those months he had planned this?” Annabelle
asked, assured by Felicity that it helped by talking freely.
“I honestly don’t know. It makes no sense. For weeks at a time,
Benjamin has been gone and at anytime during the past few years if he had
wanted to attack me, he would have had the opportunity now that I think
about it.”
Frowning, Annabelle said, “Oh Felicity, you know how much I care for
Benjamin, but surely he had to have known it wasn’t safe for you alone
here?”
“Alone?” Felicity smiled. “Dear Annabelle, I’m hardly alone. Why we
have over a hundred children that we tend to.”
“Yes, and none of them were able to prevent what happened tonight.
I’m sorry if that hurt you, but promise me, you will never be alone again,
no matter what. When you return to England, I do hope you will stay with
Rupert and me for a spell. I know Anne will want you with them of course,
but before we go to France for the season, I do hope you’ll spend a little
while with us.”
“Oh Annabelle, how can I possibly think of England, after what has
happened? Don’t you see, nothing will ever be the same between Benjamin
and me? If he were to find out, how could he ever hold me in his arms,
knowing that another man had soiled me? Or worse, every time he did, I’d
be worried he was thinking about what James did to me. On the other hand,
if I don’t tell him, I am willingly and openly lying to my husband. So as it
turns out, James was right. He has spoiled it for us forever.”
Felicity had no more tears to shed, her heart was broken as was her
spirit, and Annabelle tried desperately to show her that one night could not
erase the love that Benjamin and she shared.
Nodding as if in agreement, Annabelle knew her friend was merely
appeasing her, and the two of them lay side by side both pretending to
sleep.
As Felicity lay there, suddenly it all made sense to her.
James had
chosen that night in particular, since it was Annabelle and Rupert’s
introduction to New York society.
Especially knowing that by Rupert
proclaiming Benjamin’s innocence--the true perpetrator--Lavinia’s father
was made public, which ultimately banished Lavinia from England’s
society. Recalling James’ words as he left her, Felicity winced.
Had
Benjamin taken Lavinia by force? Was it possible her tender, loving
husband was capable of such a vile act against Lavinia when they were
married?
Felicity couldn’t bring herself to believe Benjamin capable of such an
act of violence. Surely, it was Lavinia who had lied to James, telling him
that Benjamin had forced himself on her to excuse her from being intimate
with Benjamin.
Realizing that Lavinia would do such a thing, and understanding how
deeply it must have hurt James to think the woman he loved had been
abused in such a manner, Felicity still couldn’t excuse him from
committing such an act himself.
How could a man, after violating her in such a despicable manner, say
he loved her as James had, and then in the next breath excuse his actions?
Felicity had to understand why he would do such a thing if she ever
were to find a moment’s peace, so she forced herself to process what she
knew to be true, rather than focus on the act itself. As if her mind was
trying to heal her body by logically figuring out why she had been violated,
she thought,
Obviously James had harbored such hate in his heart all these
years
.
Seeing her and Benjamin happy, while his and Lavinia’s marriage
was anything but blissful only had added to his hate and jealousy toward
Benjamin
.
Recalling James say as much following his attack on her, the pieces
began to fall into place. This made sense in some sick and twisted way,
since James, after committing such a heinous act, had made it a point to tell
her he had a right to do it.
What better way to avenge his wife’s honor then to make certain
Rupert suffered as his wife had, and pay back a dept he felt Benjamin owed
him. One dastardly deed took care of both men whom he despised for
causing Lavinia’s torment, and what he believed was the cause of his illgotten and tumultuous marriage.
God have mercy on your soul, James Sterling, because I never shall!
You can go straight to the devil where you belong!
The following morning as Rupert had promised, he took Lavinia to her
home to gather what personal belongings she wanted to take with her back
to England. Arriving there, longing to have an opportunity to be alone with
James, she glanced at Rupert wondering how she might accomplish such a
feat without jeopardizing her current standing with her brother-in-law.
Much to her amazement, Rupert made it easy for her.
“Lavinia dear, after last night’s incident, perhaps it would be wise if I
wait for you here. That is if you feel safe with your husband, this one last
time.”
Nodding, she said, “Perhaps you’re right, Rupert. Just knowing you’re
near if I should need you is reassuring. After last night, I should think
neither you nor James should ever be alone with one another again.”
Climbing the stairs, she glanced back at Rupert who stood tall and
erect by the carriage, to show James he was near, she imagined.
As a servant answered, Lavinia, said, “Where is Mr. Sterling?”
James replied as he walked from the parlor, his head and neck wrapped
in bandages. Glancing out the door as the servant shut it, he said, “Ah, so I
see you’ve brought the guard dog with you. No need Lavinia, your
belongings are packed and ready for you, and all I can say is good
riddance.”
Turning back to the parlor, Lavinia directed her attention to Andrew,
their butler, before following her husband. “See to it all my trunks are
taken to my brother-in-law’s carriage at once.”
Andrew paused and looked for direction from James, who nodded to
him before following Lavinia’s directions.
Chuckling, Lavinia said, “James darling, don’t tell me you had directed
the servants to protect you from Rupert. Were you afraid he’d finish off
what he started last evening, after you viscously attacked his beloved
cousin?”
Turning at her, he glared. “Allegedly attacked, my dear. I would hate to
have to bring a lawsuit of slander against my own wife, who stood by and
did nothing as her brother-in-law viciously attacked me without
provocation.”
“You must think of a far better excuse than that darling, if you think
anyone in this god- forsaken country is ever going to believe you.”
“What do you want, Lavinia?”
“Want? Why James, how considerate of you to think of my needs when
obviously you’re in so much pain. My only question is who hurt you more,
your precious little tart, or her cousin, after finding out you attacked her?
This by the way, truly was an act of sheer genius on your part, and
especially on Annabelle’s welcoming into America’s society. I couldn’t
have planned a better or more befitting way to destroy such a joyous
occasion for the little will-robber. Thank you so much for assuring my
welcome back into England society after my exile. Too bad you won’t be
able to attend my victorious return as the poor helpless wife of an
unscrupulous brut who made my life as miserable as he did his first wife.”
Not responding to Lavinia, James walked over to his liquor cabinet and
poured himself a stiff brandy and winced as he gulped it back then
promptly poured himself another.
“Oh dear James, does your throat hurt this morning? Why how silly of
me, of course it must, having Rupert’s boot pressing on it as he did or was
it that punch in the jaw? Tsk, tsk, tsk, pray tell, James, was bedding that
precious tart worth the pain and humiliation it has caused?” Lavinia’s
amusement was undeniable by the twinkle in her eyes and James raised his
glass to her.
“I can assure you my dear, it was indeed! Especially after bedding such
a droll and cold woman as yourself.”
Hearing his remark, Lavinia’s smile faded, she glared at her husband
and said in retaliation, “To bad though you felt the need to avenge my
honor, James, considering there really was no need. You see darling,
Benjamin never forced himself on me. On the contrary, that puritan had to
be seduced before he would take advantage of even his own wife. But I can
assure you, once I sufficiently aroused him, Benjamin found bedding me
more than enjoyable. As I recall, I too scratched him rather deeply as I
clung to him while he excited me beyond anything I ever felt with you.
That is, I’m assuming your lusty little tart scratched you out of enjoyment.”
“Get out!” James yelled in a strained voice.
“Oh I shall. Just keep this in mind, James, while I’m basking in my
homeland, and you are banished in this god-forsaken country with your
lusty little tart nearby, you can be assured that everyday I will make sure
her life is a living hell for what she has done and there will be nothing you
can do about it.”
With that, Lavinia turned and James threw his glass across the room
then slumped in a nearby chair, saying, “Christ, what have I done?”