Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) (11 page)

“No, of course not. I just don’t want to feel like I’m by myself when the house is filled with other people.” Adeline sighed, realizing that she would never be able to convince these English servants that she wasn’t a bit provincial. But she didn’t care anymore, it was better than talking to herself.

“Well, I suppose it’s your house so you can do as you please.” The woman shrugged and put her hands on her hips. “Now, what morsel can I tempt you with?”

Adeline smiled, feeling as if she had at least won a small battle. “Do you have any pie? I think I’d like some pie with dinner. And what is roasting? It smells delicious.” She breathed in deeply through her nose to demonstrate that whatever was cooking was tempting her appetite.

“Ah, that would be a grouse. Good choice, Miss James. I’ll get something ready for you. And you can eat it in here if you’d like. I don’t mind the mistress of the house hanging about as long as you don’t tell me how to do my job.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Canter, and maybe another time. Tonight I’ll be satisfied to have something sent up to my room. To be honest, I don’t think I can face everyone’s stares about what happened this afternoon.”

“That pompous arse had no business treating you that way. And we all think you did the right thing, Miss. Mr. Phillips, what are you doing in my kitchen?” Mrs. Canter addressed the butler who had arrived as she was talking to Adeline.

“Miss James requested my presence, Agatha. Otherwise I would not dare.”

“Just so,” the cook said turning her back on Mr. Phillips.

“How may I be of assistance, Miss?” Mr. Phillips was everything an English butler should be; tall, trim, and elegant with a bit of silver in his brown hair and a calm presence wherever he found himself at the moment. His dark gray eyes observed every detail, not missing anything that happened in the house that he was ultimately responsible for.

“Yes, Mr. Phillips, I’m trying to find out where in London people might go to seek out employment. I would be extremely grateful if you could find me an address.”

“Work? But why ever...but of course, Miss. I shall find the information you seek immediately and have something for you first thing in the morning.” Mr. Phillips looked confused at first, but then he seemed to understand what Addie was asking for. She breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t have to explain herself further.

“Thank you, Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Canter, Mrs. McAllister. I shall leave you to your domain and return to mine. You’ve all been extremely helpful and accommodating.”

* * *

“Oh, dear,” Mr. Phillips said flustered by the encounter with the mistress. “I didn’t realize how bad things were for the young lady. You don’t suppose that Mr. James is going to force the issue with that horrible Denbigh chap?”

“It must not be looking good for the poor girl if she’s searching for a job for herself.” Mrs. McAllister said solemnly. “She’s so kind. We must help her find a position and get away from here if that is what she wants.”

“I can make sure she doesn’t starve if she finds herself with no means to support herself.” Mrs. Canter chimed, in adding an extra piece of pie to the tray she was preparing for Adeline.

“We shall all support her and endeavor to protect her from harm.” Mr. Phillips confirmed as he left the kitchen. “It is the least we can do for such a kind young woman.”

* * *

“I should tell you that I’ve planned a house party for the end of the month.” Winston said as they leafed through the stacks of volumes they’d pulled from both the library and study shelves.

“I thought you said there is no money.” Jack responded, slamming another book shut. They’d been at this for too long now.

“Well, true, but that is precisely why I need to invite some wealthy, available women out to the house. I’ve decided I should marry again and I hear there are plenty of heiresses willing to sacrifice their fortunes in exchange for a title.”

“That isn’t what I heard.” Jack said, grinning like a schoolboy.

“What do you mean? What have you heard?” Winston looked at his brother suspiciously.

“I got the distinct impression from Lady Huntingdon that the two of you were more than just acquainted. And she sounded quite smitten every time she referred to you in conversation when we were on board the ship.”

“I suppose it’s no secret, really.” Winston shrugged his shoulders. “But neither of us can pay the death taxes due on our respective estates, so marriage would be out of the question unless we find the money.”

“I won’t let it come to that.” Jack said meaning it. “If I have to, I’ll pay it myself.”

“What about you, Jack? Will you remarry?” Marcus had stopped to pour himself a drink.

Jack looked up and glanced between his brothers. “It’s all well and fine for Winston, here, to consider a new wife since it’s been more than a few years since he was widowed.” He felt himself tense as he remembered how he had behaved with Adeline onboard the ship. “Clara, on the other hand, has been cold in her grave less than a year. I don’t think it’s something I can even postulate about at this time.”

Jack stood and left the room, telling himself he was angry that his brother would even suggest such a thing. But he shouldn’t be that shocked. Marcus had always been an idiot. And it was possible that his anger was with himself and not his brother, since he was even more distraught at the thought of Adeline marrying some stranger while he was helpless to do anything about it.

Jack decided to go for a ride on one of his brother’s prize stallions. Winston hadn’t yet begun to sell off anything, still hopeful they would find the inheritance. Jack needed to clear his head and maybe an afternoon away from his brothers would help him to forget that he was all alone now. The last few months, he’d welcomed the distraction this mystery of the accidents and a missing fortune had created. It was certainly better than moping around missing Clara and, when he dared to admit it, Addie. The truth was it that was about time he finally faced the fact that Clara was gone forever, and that if he did go back to New York he’d be going home alone.

Riding like the hounds of hell were chasing him, Jackson road until he had no more tears and the sun was low in the sky. He returned after the sun had already gone down and handed the reins of his horse to a groom before walking towards the house. Winston was waiting up for him.

“You didn’t need to stay awake, Winnie.” Jackson said, going straight for the whiskey and pouring himself a full glass.

“You know I hate that nickname—Jackie.” Winston responded, holding out his own glass for a refill. “I was worried about you. Marcus was stupid to say what he did. He doesn’t know what it is to lose the woman you love.”

Jack looked at his brother in surprise. “I didn’t realize you were in love with Lucy.”

“You haven’t been around for the last ten years, so how would you know?” Winston sipped his whiskey before he continued. “When we married, I was fond of Lucy. More so than the other girls that Father paraded before me as the proper sort of wife. And over time I grew to love her. She was a sweet and considerate woman and a loving mother to our children. I could have done much worse. When she died, I realized how lucky I had been to have that kind of marriage instead of the sort that most of my friends found themselves in. Barely speaking to each other except when necessary and, once an heir was produced, never sleeping in the same bed again. I couldn’t have lived that way.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Winnie—Winston. Every time I think about being alone forever, I fall apart. If I can just keep moving and stay busy, I’m alright, but the second I allow my mind to wander, I feel like I can’t go on.” Jack looked down at his half-full glass. “And drinking it away isn’t working either.”

“It does get easier, but that won’t help you today, Jackie. For now, just know that you are home with your family and we need you.” Winston finished his drink and stood to go to bed. “I think I found something while you were gone today. Let’s take a look tomorrow, together. And Jack, you can talk to me about Clara anytime you want. I always did like her.”

Jack sat there in the dark and finished his whiskey slowly. Tomorrow he would go to the village and see if any of Clara’s old friends were still around. He owed it to her to make sure that they knew she was gone. Then, he would figure out who was trying to hurt his family and why. With any luck, along the way he would also discover what his father had done with Winston’s inheritance. He hoped this was just another one of Lord Abingdon’s games, a treasure hunt to find the fortune; but if not, Jack would help his brother rebuild the family fortune. After all, he had no one else now.

Not even his friendship with Adeline. It occurred to him that even now, Addie might be married and in bed with her new husband. He gripped the glass in his hand and took a long swallow of the whiskey. It was a disturbing thought, but one he would have to get used to. He fought the urge to write to her and ask her forgiveness. It wouldn’t change anything, so why couldn’t he just leave it alone? But when Jack remembered the look in Adeline’s eyes when he sent her away, the shame he felt overwhelmed him. He needed to see her again and at least make sure she was happy and safe and make certain she knew she could come to him for anything.

Jack went to bed and slept restlessly. He could feel Clara’s spirit slipping further and further away from him and, even though it hurt his soul to lose her, he was also beginning to get used to the idea of letting her go.

In the morning, Jack and Winston looked at the photo album that his brother had finally found. They browsed through the pictures, trying to figure out which one had meant something to their father. There were photos of the servants, the family, the property, and even some nobility who had visited the park on several occasions. There were some of guests and land tenants. But all were at least five years old.

“It’s got to be one of these, but which one?” Winston banged his fist down on the open book.

“And you are certain it was this album?” Marcus asked for what must have been the hundredth time.

“Yes, I’m positive.”

“Keep looking.” Jackson said standing to leave. “I’m going into the village to see if anyone remembers Clara. I need to get some closure.”

“Do you want some company? I wouldn’t mind getting out of here for a while and a walk sounds nice.” Marcus looked hopeful that Jack would accept his invitation for company.

“Sure, why not? Just don’t slow me down.”

“I broke my arm, not my leg, Jack.” Marcus said in his usual defensive tone. “Besides, it’s fully-healed now.” He extended the limb with only a slight grimace.

“I’ll keep searching the photos.” Winston said, barely glancing up.

Jackson and Marcus walked toward the village at a brisk pace. It was a good distance, nearly two miles, and neither wanted to have to travel the road in the dark. Not with mysterious accidents befalling Bradley men.

“I know it’s been a while, but tell me about Father’s death and the other accidents again.” Jackson requested of his brother. “Maybe we missed something. How did you come to the conclusion that they weren’t just mishaps?”

Marcus cleared his throat and looked around to make sure they weren’t being followed and that no one might overhear their conversation.

“At first, we didn’t even think about it. Father got ill suddenly and died pretty quickly after that. Of course, he was fairly old so it didn’t seem too out of the ordinary, except that he’d always been healthy as a horse. But we thought it was just his time. Then Winston’s eldest son, Edward, was out riding and the saddle buckle tore and he had a nasty spill that could have killed a weaker boy, but he fell just right and barely had a scratch on him. The seams that came apart looked like wear and tear, so nobody thought much about it, except the groom kept insisting that it had been in perfect condition when he had checked several days before. Of course, we assumed the groom was just worried about being let go.

“But then there was my accident. That’s when Winston and I decided that it was just too coincidental and we went back and started asking questions about all three incidents. I thought Winston already told you all this.” Marcus paused to question Jack.

“I wanted to hear your version. After all, you were there when one of these accidents actually happened. Maybe you saw or heard something that you forgot before.”

“It can’t hurt to go over it again, I suppose.” Marcus continued his story. “Anyway, we asked the doctor about Father later, when we finally suspected foul play and he said if he’d known we were concerned about treachery he would have mentioned sooner what had been bothering him about the earl’s death. The doctor thought it odd that Father hadn’t had any symptoms leading up to the sickness and also that some of the things he noticed on the body after death resembled a poisoning he’d once seen. But he discounted it since he’d known Father and he didn’t believe he had any enemies and was on pretty good terms with Winston. Of course, we spoke to the groom again and he was adamant that the saddle strap was sound just days before Edward’s fall.

“And then there was my accident. A hat pin in the horse blanket. You really can’t get much more obvious than that. Such a thing can’t really be attributed to error. It had to be put there purposely. Someone wanted me either dead or badly injured, and I’m betting on dead.” Marcus rubbed his shoulder as if the memory brought back the original pain from the fall.