Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) (24 page)

The large man went down. He was hurt badly but not unconscious and would probably recover in a few moments. The housekeeper wasn’t as frail as she appeared, quickly regaining her feet and grabbing the gun Ralph had dropped, before either Jack or Winston could get to it, and still hampered by the ropes binding them.

Mrs. Hadaway moved swiftly over to the bed and held her weapon up to little Edward’s temple. “Not another move or the boy dies now and you get watch!” she screamed, furious that they’d dared to try to foil her perfect plans for revenge.

Winston sat frozen and Jackson looked on, feeling more helpless than ever. Ralph stirred himself and rose unsteadily before viciously kicking the earl in the stomach. The situation was hopeless and he closed his eyes, waiting for death to come.

“What’s that?” Mrs. Hadaway said, going to the door and looking out. “Someone’s coming. Were you followed, Ralph? You stupid man. Hurry, light the flames and let’s get out of here. No one will be able to save them and we’ll be long gone by the time anyone figures out what is going on. We can take care of Mrs. Bradley later. Pregnant women miscarry all the time.”

Jack watched them pull out matches and light some branches, before running to their horses to disappear into the woods. The flames caught quickly and spread around the edges of the cabin, filling the room with smoke. Coughing, he called out to his brother who was still gasping for breath from the blow he had taken.

“Can you grab the blanket, Winnie? Try to smother the flames. If we can just keep the fire from spreading, we might be able to hold out until those riders can help us.” But the smoke was overwhelming and Jack could no longer speak, he was coughing so hard. After a few moments of the excruciating heat of the fire and the smoke, he blacked out for the second time that day, but this time he could clearly hear Clara calling his name.

“Jack. Jack, wake up. Jack, it’s time to wake up.” The voice wasn’t Clara’s but it was familiar. Struggling to fight his way toward it, Jack finally regained consciousness, only to face agonizing pain up and down the left side of his body. “Where am I? Oh, God, why does it hurt so much?”

He opened his eyes and the vision of Adeline leaning over him, mopping his brow with a cool cloth, greeted him. He focused on her beautiful face but it wasn’t enough to block out the burning on his arm and leg.

“I have no idea how you managed it, but they found you draped over your nephews, apparently trying to protect them from the flames.” Adeline’s voice was strained, as if she was trying not to cry.

“I—I don’t remember anything after they lit the fire and ran out. I blacked out after the smoke...” He started coughing as if the memory was the real thing.

“Don’t try to talk,” Addie said, touching his good arm as if she could somehow stop his pain with her hand. He had to admit, it would certainly have been worse without her there. “Just sit back and I’ll explain everything.”

The story she told was as close to a miracle as Jack had ever experienced and some of it was due to Addie herself, but there had also been a phone call from Madame Lou in London, as fantastical as that sounded. But that was how the story was being told all throughout the county, apparently. Adeline and her father had been about to tell the constable that his assistance might be needed at the Bradley Estate when he and a dozen men had already been mounted up and heading in that direction. They arrived in time to rescue everyone, but both Jackson and Winston had been badly burned before they could all be pulled out safely.

“The boys? Were they hurt?” Jack asked, hating the thought of the children experiencing the same pain he was.

“No, they are fine. A little bit sick from the smoke, but you and your brother managed to keep them from the flames. You both have burns, though, and will take some time to heal. Louisa, however, seems to have a natural talent for the healing arts and is right now preparing a salve that she swears will not only ease the pain, but heal the wounds in twice the time.”

“Louisa? Mrs. Hadaway’s daughter? She’s the reason all this happened,” Jackson said, struggling to move.

“No, her mother was the one behind your father’s murder and the rest of it.” Adeline pushed Jack back down on his good shoulder, then held a glass of water to his lips. “Mrs. Hadaway is on her way to London to be locked up forever, along with her conspirator. But Louisa never knew what her mother was up to. She had a letter from your father that she would have brought to his banker when the time was right. But she didn’t need anything. The earl had taken excellent care of her and her son, giving them a small house and annuities for them both, plus an education fund for Reggie, your half-brother.”

“Reggie.” Jack said the name thoughtfully, growing sleepy. “Did you give me something? Why are you here, Addie? You should be in London, planning your wedding.”

“Shhh. You need to rest,” she said gently. “The laudanum will help with the pain until Louisa finishes preparing the salve.”

“Will you be here when I wake up?” Jack didn’t hear her response, as he’d already slipped back into unconsciousness.

* * *

“Are you coming back to London with me or not, Adeline?” Simon James had been as patient as possible, but now he was demanding answers from his daughter. They were walking in the garden. It was the only place they could have a private conversation and Adeline knew what she had to say would be upsetting for him.

“I don’t think I can go through with it, Father,” she said, wringing her hands, afraid to look him in the eye.

“And by ‘it’, I suppose you mean fulfilling the vow you made to me and your dear-departed mother?” Mr. James had guessed what Adeline was referring to. It wasn’t a difficult assumption, considering he’d never made any other request from his daughter.

“I love Jackson,” Addie said, deciding the truth would be the best way to proceed. “And you know none of these other men love me. All they want is my money. How can I ever be happy knowing that?”

“This is a mistake, Adeline. You have no idea what you are giving up.”

“I don’t care about the money, Father.” Addie was crying, not sure now that she could do this to her father if he was so set against it. “But I do care about what you think. If the only way to make you happy is for me to marry a man with a title, even if he never loves me and I never love him, then that is what I will do. Just let me stay here until Jackson is feeling well enough to take care of himself.”

Simon looked torn between giving into his daughter’s fancy and fulfilling the final wishes of his beloved wife. But it was clear he wasn’t going to be swayed this time. He was set on the path they’d chosen years ago. “I expect you to be in London by the end of the month with a wedding date picked out and this infatuation put you behind you.” He sighed, shaking his head as he watched the tears fall down her cheeks. “Addie, you can be with Jack all you like, after you give your husband an heir. I’m sure he’ll be just as relieved as you once the duty is behind you both. And don’t you ever let on that I’m the one who told you that. It should have been the responsibility of your mother to explain these things to you, but she’s not here so it’s left to your poor father.”

“Is that how your marriage was, Father?” Adeline asked, knowing very well it wasn’t and wishing she could take back the cruel words.

“That is unfair, Adeline,” Simon said kindly, surprising Addie. She was sure he would be offended by her crassness. “You mother and I married before we had two dimes to rub together. There weren’t any empires or titles or estates passed down through a hundred generations to consider. But you, you have the opportunity to be a part of all that and help carry on one of the great noble families of Europe. It is the least you can do for your mother’s memory and I won’t let you throw away this opportunity when it was her greatest desire. Not for something as fragile and possibly fleeting as passion. Someday you’ll see I was right and if you find after you’ve married and had a child that your heart still belongs to Mr. Bradley, then I won’t stand in judgment of whatever you choose to do.”

Adeline knew her father intended for his words to be a comfort, but she couldn’t help but wonder if the baron would be quite so willing to share his wife’s attentions. But it was quite clear that her father believed what he was saying.

“What about the séance the other night? Where that medium told us mother wanted me to be free? What do you think she meant by that?” Adeline knew she was grasping at straws, but she had nothing left to lose, except her father’s love and respect. She wasn’t quite willing to make that sacrifice for Jack, not yet anyway.

“You didn’t really believe any of that hocus pocus, did you?” Mr. James said, scoffing with disdain. “I wouldn’t have expected a young woman like you to give even the slightest consideration to a spiritualist parlor trick. Really, Addie; your life has always been about the workers and reform. You’ve always put the women and children ahead of your own needs. I would think that a marriage to a husband that would put next to no demands on your time would be exactly what you wanted. And you must know that Jackson Bradley would not be as absent as one of these overly-privileged titled lords. If you really believed what that mystic was saying, I think you mother was telling you that freedom lies in marrying one of them.”

Adeline did not have a rebuttal for her father. Besides, he was right. She did miss her rallies and working for a cause that was greater than her own petty wants and desires. Maybe this was for the best.

“I always thought I was more discreet than that with my adventures into the world of common folk,” she smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

Her father laughed and put his arm around her for a quick hug. “I knew where you were every minute of every day. Sometimes, when you found a really rough crowd to help, I had a few men dressed in laborer’s clothes there just to keep an eye on you and make sure you didn’t come to harm.”

Sighing, Addie kissed her father on the cheek. “The end of the month?” she asked.

Simon looked thoughtful as he considered the situation. “I’m doing this because I love you, Adeline, and it really is in your best interests. If you don’t come back to London and agree to marry one of those men, I’m afraid it must be where we part. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive you for such a grievous lack of respect for your mother. It was her only wish for you.”

Madame Lou knew that she had to do something, and quickly, if she was going to salvage the situation. And the only one who could help her was Maggie James. But the stubborn woman had been avoiding her, and even when she’d been able to contact that particular spirit she had been wildly uncooperative. Clara was trying to help as well, but it wasn’t proceeding with enough speed to change events. At least they had a few weeks now to try to fix the mess that she’d made of things. Obviously, she’d underestimated the degree of loyalty that both the Jameses were currently displaying. Pulling out the cards and shuffling them in hopes that maybe something would be revealed to her or some sort of help offered, Madame Lou began the process of lighting her special incense, arranging the crystals, and going into the trance that had served her and her ancestors for many centuries.

The cards practically shuffled themselves as the medium’s practiced hands handled them, almost as if the spirits themselves had taken over. They quickly revealed the Seven of Cups which represented the wishful thinking of her two lovers. Next was the Moon which represented the fear and anxiety that went along with the wishful thinking. Not a great combination. The final card revealed was the Hierophant. A very good card reversed, if it could prevail. In that position, it was the card of challenging the status quo, exactly what these two needed to do. However, upright, it was conformity and tradition. There was only one way for this to come out the way Clara wanted and it was all on Adeline’s father to change his mind. And as Madame Lou feared, there was only one soul who could accomplish that feat. It would be quite a leap of faith for the older man, and the mystic could only hope that his dead wife not only had a really good hidden secret to reveal, but that she might finally come around and begin to cooperate.

“Come on, Maggie,” Cassie said under her breath. “The happiness of your whole family is in your hands.”

“I’ve remembered something,” the disembodied voice was familiar, but changed. It most certainly sounded like Margaret James.

“Mrs. James?” Cassie asked, wanting to be sure. She had her eyes closed, hoping it would help her to focus on this elusive soul.

“Yes, I’m here, and I finally remembered who I truly am. Oh dear, what have I done to poor Simon? Have you seen him? Goodness, we must do something to help the dear.”

“Of course I want to help him and you daughter, Adeline. Do you remember Adeline?” It sounded to the medium as if this spirit had finally let go of her earth-bound desires and was now moving closer to the light where she would eventually find peace in the ever after. “How can I help Mr. James? What can I tell him to make him believe you are reaching out to him through me? He’s a non-believer, so it must be convincing, Mrs. James.”

“You may call me Maggie. For Simon, you must say that it’s his Magpie. That was his special private name for me.”

“Sorry, Maggie; I don’t think that will be quite enough. We’re going to need something more secret then an endearment if we’re to make Mr. James believe I’m really getting my information directly from the grave.”

“Yes, of course. And I have just the thing.” Margaret’s corporeal voice was quite convinced that she knew what to say. “But you must bring him here. It’s very important that we speak in person, or very nearly so.”

Cassie sighed; she knew the ghost was right, but how to get the stubborn man to her shop? That would be the challenge. She might have to get Danny and his special sleight of hand talent involved if she couldn’t come up with something more direct.

“Oh, here comes help...” Cassiopeia felt her psychic powers diminish and fade away with Mrs. James’ spirit as the bell over her tea shop door jingled and someone entered from the street.

“Bother,” she muttered, realizing she’d have to do a reading before changing out of her gypsy garb to go find her little brother.

“Good afternoon, my dear Madame Lou.” Lord Suffolk entered with his usual fanfare, removing his hat as he bowed gallantly. “I hope you are doing quite well on this fine late summer day.”

“Bugger,” Cassie said under her breath, then changed her voice to fit her appearance of an older woman. “My Lord, do you miss my company already? It’s only been a few weeks since you requested my presence at that lovely house party in West Berkshire. You couldn’t possibly need another séance so soon”

The earl came to the table where she was now gathering up her cards and wrapping them back in their black silk cocoon. He sat and leaned forward on his elbows, obviously trying to get a better look at her through the veils that she wore over her head in order to better disguise the very unusual sea-green color of her eyes. She tried to avert her gaze to make it more difficult for him to see past the layers meant to create an optical illusion.

“Hmm,” Lord Suffolk gave her a half grin then casually picked up one her hands, examining the dozen rings and black half-gloves that neatly covered her too-young-looking fingers; another piece of the deception to hide her true identity. “No, actually, I’m not even here to see you. I was really hoping to run into Miss Blakemore, your neighbor. Do you happen to know when she’ll return? Her mother was unclear and that little brother of hers took one look at me and was gone like a wisp of smoke.”

With some effort, Cassie pulled her hand away from his gentle grasp that, for some reason, made her catch her breath. The earl was altogether too astute and she didn’t need him figuring out that she was Miss Blakemore and the infamous Madame Lou. For goodness sake, what did he want with her anyway?

“I’m sure I wouldn’t have any idea where the young lady is presently. Why don’t you go next door and leave her a note?” It was all Cassie could do not to just take off her costume and tell the man who she really was. They had played this game multiple times over the past year. He kept coming around trying to call on her as Cassiopeia Blakemore, which was completely inappropriate, given his aristocratic station compared to her nearly-shop-girl status. And since Miss Blakemore would not agree to see him, knowing full well he was trying to engage her as his mistress—the cad—he would wander next door to look for ways to ingratiate himself with her neighbor, Madame Lou.

The only problem was that Lord Suffolk was a good customer as well. He engaged the psychic quite often for his séance parties and paid extremely well. It was also impossible to refuse his business without offending all of the Toffs in one fell swoop.

A voice suddenly whispered in her ear, “He knows Simon. They are members of the same club.” Mrs. James was not going to allow the opportunity to pass by.

Inwardly groaning at the realization, Cassie knew she would have to engage this extremely handsome and equally insufferable man’s help if she was to complete the difficult, but important, task before her.

“Lord Suffolk, if you would indulge me and bring to my shop an acquaintance of yours, I will endeavor to do the same for you and pass a note on to Miss Blakemore.” She waited for him to consider her offer.

“Madame Lou, if I bring someone here to you directly, the very least I would require in return is the pleasure of Miss Blakemore’s company for tea at the Savoy this Friday afternoon,” the earl countered, smiling like a cat who’d tasted the proverbial canary.

“You must, it is the only way...” Maggie said, still hovering nearby. “I must speak to Simon.”

“Oh, very well,” Cassie conceded, throwing up her hands in defeat. “I will make certain the young lady joins you for tea in two days, but you must bring Simon James here to me tomorrow evening—agreed?”

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Madame,” the earl nodded in agreement, donned his hat, and left her establishment whistling a tune.

Cassie had been avoiding the earl for months now. Ever since he’d first tried to propose that they meet on a personal level. She was very aware that a man of his station could only have one outcome on his mind when pursuing a woman of her low birth. Well, the social status she advertised, anyway.

It was a secret her family had been able to keep for as long as she could remember and she’d been told by her father that it had been generations since the Blakemores’ true rank had been revealed. According to the brigadier general, as Father preferred to be known, their status had been bestowed on the family in the time of King Richard the Lionheart, during the Crusades. The family legend said that one of the Blakemore males had saved the king’s life during his travels. Of course, that time was so steeped in mystery and tall tales that one couldn’t necessarily believe everything one was told. But the general had a document with the royal seal hidden away, or so he claimed. Unfortunately for Cassie and the rest of the female members of the family, that item was reserved exclusively for male Blakemore eyes. Father said it was to be used in emergency situations only. And since the Blakemores rarely found themselves without other resources, Cassie had not heard of it being used since King Henry VIII’s reign, when no one had been safe. To this day, Cassie still did not know what level of nobility she was related to, but she suspected it was one of the highest or it would not be so well- protected. Danny was just about the age now when all the male Blakemore secrets would be revealed to him and she was hopeful that, since they were so close, he might see fit to share a few with her.

Cassie knew it would take Lord Suffolk some time to find Mr. James and convince the man to visit the tea shop, so she decided to change back into her own clothes and go do a bit of shopping. If she was going to have tea with an earl at the Savoy, she would need a new gown, and possibly a hat.

* * *

Jack woke up to the beautiful sight of Adeline standing next to the window, appearing like an angel with the sun bathing her and lighting her golden tresses like a halo. She had been tirelessly nursing him back to health, day and night for over a week, refusing to allow anyone else to see to his wounds. He’d had a slight fever those first days, and the only thing that made the pain bearable had been her soothing hands either bathing his skin with cool water or applying the wonderful salve to his burnt skin. The doctor had said that he and his brother were extremely lucky to not have suffered worse, but because of that telephone call from London, the rescue party had arrived just in time to drag all of them out of the burning lodge.

“You’re awake,” Addie said, turning back toward him. She looked exhausted. “Would you like something to eat?”

“Yes, I’m starving,” Jack said, noticing his hunger for the first time in days. He pulled himself up to a sitting position, wincing slightly at the pain in his arm and the lower part of his leg. Addie frowned as she rushed to his side. “I’m fine, it just stings still and kind of pulls at my skin. As a matter of fact, I think I’d like to get out of bed and walk around today. “

“Let me have cook prepare tray of food for you first. You’ll need your strength.” Addie leaned over him and arranged the pillows behind his head. Having her lean in so close was like a balm to his senses. She seemed to smell of flowers and sunshine, even though he knew it must just be her French perfume. Still, having her so close when he was actually feeling better was having all sorts of interesting and not unpleasant effects on him. He hoped she wouldn’t notice, not yet at least. But maybe tomorrow he would have the strength and ability to show Adeline what was on his mind when she came so near. But for today he would allow her to fuss over him and treat him like an invalid.

He watched her as she pulled a cord that set a bell ringing in the kitchen. Cook would know the request had come from his room, and would have an appropriate repast prepared and sent up in short order. Jack was pleased that Adeline had not left him to seek out the meal for him but instead trusted the servants to manage on their own.

“How long can you stay?” Jack asked, knowing Simon James expected his daughter to already be back in London planning an engagement and wedding.

“I promised Father I would return by the end of the month,” Adeline answered. She turned her back on him so he couldn’t see her expression, but by the sound of her voice, it seemed that it was not necessarily what Addie wanted.

“And have you told him who you’ve chosen?” Jackson asked, knowing it wasn’t what she wanted to talk about, but needing to hear it from her lips.

“No.” She turned back around, looking like she was about to add something, then seemed to change her mind and turned away to continue folding some clean linens. “I’m going to go see what is keeping Cook,” Addie finally said, with a slight catch in her voice that was barely noticeable. But Jack had detected it and was sorry he’d brought the subject up.

She returned with his nourishment a few minutes later, and they both pretended as though Jackson had never mentioned anything about her leaving. When she uncovered a few dishes with delicious-smelling things like roasted pheasant, fresh warm bread, and creamy butter, he forgot about everything except his growling stomach.

“Tell me how everyone is. Whatever you left out the first time and everything about Louisa and Reggie?” Jack asked, picking up his knife and fork and starting to eat.

Adeline picked up the napkin that he had ignored and tucked it into his pajama top. “Louisa is a dear and Reggie is the sweetest boy. He resembles Marcus the most, with just a bit of ginger in his dark locks. Winston is already up and about, although he probably shouldn’t be, but he refused to be kept from his boys. Edward and Alex are fit as fiddles. They had a bad cough for a few days, but otherwise not a scratch on either one.”