Natasha's Legacy (19 page)

Alex was occupied with Tom and some
volunteers and didn’t see her when she returned home early in the
afternoon. Looking back, that was unfortunate.

Sarah had just returned home when she heard
the engine of an automobile. Although she saw vehicles on a regular
basis, she was not accustomed to seeing the long body, long bonnet,
and small ornament on the very tip. Just under the ornament she
squinted to see the word ‘Bugatti.’ Having seen a similar car in
the city, Alex had said it was a very expensive model.

Clenching the skirt to her yellow dress,
keeping the shirt from blowing in the breeze, she walked toward the
main entrance but noticed the driver open the passenger door. On
rare occasions, if there wasn’t another person available, she would
give a short tour and accept a donation, but she was uncomfortable
discussing adoptions. Sarah continued walking, hoping to avoid the
interaction. Once inside, she tapped and opened the office door.
Finding the room empty, she closed the door and turned toward the
study room as the gentleman entered the lobby.

Not wanting to appear rude and unable to
avoid the inevitable, she smiled to acknowledge their guest. Sarah
recognized the man’s face, but was unable to think of his name or
the location of the acquaintance. Assuming they had been introduced
at the conservatory or a concert, her smile widened.

“Good afternoon. I’d be pleased to offer you
a tour, or accept a donation, but if you are interested in adopting
a child, I will locate Tom or Alex to assist.”

“If you would be so kind, I’d like to speak
with Stewart, Hope, or Alex.”

Sarah was not accustomed to hearing anyone
ask for a family member, but knew Alex would explain the reason
privately. “Of course.” She excused herself as her mind raced for
the gentleman’s name.

Following Hope and Adam down the main
staircase, it came to her. Their guest was a member of the royal
family. Humiliated, her face burned. She actually suggested the
king make a donation or adopt a child. Then, to make it worse, she
had the audacity to leave him alone in the lobby. Every part of
Sarah’s being wanted to turn and run up the steps to hide, but that
would appear foolish. He could see her walking down the steps.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Alex's momma
remarked.

Sarah was aghast as Hope greeted her guest
with a kiss on his cheek. Then Adam, a normally shy, quiet man
shook his hand. Neither bowed to acknowledge the royal member’s
presence or position in society. In Sarah’s mind the entire scene
was disgraceful, but the gentleman wasn’t the least bit
daunted.

“It would be pleasing to state I arrived to
visit. Would it be possible to speak in private?”

“Oh course,” Hope responded.

“Would you locate Alex and my poppa?” she
asked Sarah. “We will be in the parlour.”

The door leading to the study room opened and
Alex entered the lobby.

“Uncle Marcus,” Alex greeted. With his
enthusiasm, he didn’t notice Sarah’s expression or sense her
confusion.

“We must ask Tom to locate Poppa,” Hope said
to Alex.

Alex looked into the room he had exited,
spoke with Tom, and turned his attention back to his family. Alex
grasped Sarah’s hand and then he kissed her cheek, but was so eager
to speak with his uncle, he didn’t notice Sarah’s sober, unusual
mood.

She never uttered a sound but found herself
following Alex and his family outside and then into a private
parlour. With her chest tightening, she struggled to breathe. Then,
the unthinkable occurred.

“I do not believe we have been formally
introduced. You must be Sarah.”

“My apologies. I’m forgetting my manners.
Yes,” Alex confirmed. “This is Sarah.”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Stewart, Hope, and Alex speak highly of you. My apologies for not
recognizing you. I have attended your concerts. You are truly a
talented pianist.”

Sarah stood still without uttering a sound.
Then Alex’s uncle kissed her hand. Sitting on the sofa beside Alex,
she listened as Alex’s uncle informed the family King Joshua had
passed in his sleep the previous night. Sarah’s knowledge of the
royal family was limited, but she knew the prince and king were
twins.

Once or twice a month, Alex would speak of a
telephone conversation with Uncle Marcus. The royal family owned
the box in the centre of the first balcony, but she never looked up
when she performed. She would walk out, look toward Alex, his
family, and hers. Then, as always, she would become lost in her
music.

The family began to talk, but Sarah stared at
the floor. The man she loved kept important information from her.
Now, sitting in the presence of the prince, her hands trembled. It
went unnoticed.

When Stewart and Izabella entered the room,
she looked up. His uncle placed his tea cup on the table, stood,
and greeted them. They enjoyed a long discussion about Joshua and
his contribution to the country.

“I recall from a conversation, Greg and
Matthew are managing Donovan Contracting and Engineering. You
chuckled when stating the transition was ‘interesting’.” Marcus
remarked.

Donovan? Matthew and Greg worked for an
engineering company with the name Donovan.
That
is Papa Stewart’s company?
She had never inquired or been
told Stewart’s surname. His papa had spoken with pride about the
orphanage, but never discussed his own career. She had never
asked.

The Venderkemps kept a medical staff and
manager. They housed an extended family, but she never inquired
about their financial situation. It didn’t concern her. Sarah was
pleased with her independence. She made a modest income teaching
and performing concerts. She supplied additional food when her
parents or brother dined and prepared the meal. The family knew she
enjoyed cooking.

I am a fool. A gullible and
naïve fool.
Alex had been given the use of an automobile. As
children, Rose and Alex were exposed to culture. Alex made
reservations and treated her to an exquisite restaurant the evening
before the big concert. Sarah fought tears, determined his family
wouldn’t see her grief. Alex wasn’t the man she thought he was.
I don’t know
Alex, or this family I live
with.

Alex had no idea Sarah was deep in thought.
After a lengthy, informal visit, his uncle told them he’d be in
touch with details of the funeral arrangements, bid the family
farewell, and drove off. As his Bugatti disappeared, a young couple
arrived and walked toward the building with a young girl by their
side.

“A potential client?” Adam questioned.

“An adoption. The paperwork has been
completed. Lucy will have a sister a year her senior.”

Alex greeted his guests and walked the couple
inside.

Once the clients left with their newly
adopted daughter, Alex looked for Sarah. He searched the main floor
of the orphanage, the music room, and parlour before running up the
steps. He looked in the nursery and then their bedroom. Finally, he
searched the property, calling her name.

“Have you seen Sarah?” he asked both
volunteers and the children.

Alex ran into the barn and then gazed into
the field. Sarah’s favourite mare was gone. Thinking of the visit
with his Uncle Marcus, Sarah had been quiet. Uncharacteristically
quiet given her normal disposition. “Where is she?” Alex ran into
the building and told Tom he would return shortly. Running to the
gate, he jumped onto his horse and rode bareback to the Tymlin
home.

“Sarah left not ten minutes ago,” her mother
told him.

Alex rode to her brother’s house. Not seeing
any sign of Sarah’s horse, he returned home. His grandfather was
sitting alone on the porch “Is Sarah inside? Did she return
home?”

“I haven’t seen her. Why the concern?”

“She left without mentioning her plans.”

“Did you quarrel?”

“No. We’ve barely spoken since we woke. I
don’t understand why she left without speaking with me.”

“Is it possible she is at the cemetery
tending to John’s grave site?”

“I never thought to look.”

“Izabella enjoys solitude at Charles’ grave
as I do at Natasha’s. I’m certain she will return momentarily.”

In all their time together, she’d never left
without saying something to someone. It was a difficult day for
Alex as he watched for her. The evening meal was being prepared and
Sarah hadn’t returned home.

Alex had just taken his seat at the dining
table when the door opened. Relieved to see Sarah, he jumped from
his seat and ran to her.

“I was concerned,” he whispered. “You
normally speak with me when you’re going out.”

“My apologies,” she responded. “Please excuse
me. I shall return once I clean my hands.”

Sarah was quiet, barely touching the food on
her plate.

“Are you not well?” Alex asked.

“I’m tired.”

* * *

A couple of hours later, Alex walked down the
staircase after settling the children for the night. Humming the
melody from the piano, he entered the office. With his paperwork
completed, he walked through the kitchen and into the parlour.
Sarah did not acknowledge his presence when he kissed the back of
her head.

“It’s getting late and I know you’re tired.
I’m going to bed. Are you planning to join me?” She didn’t respond.
“Sarah?” he questioned, his voice a little louder.

“My apologies, goodnight.” Her voice lacked
any emotion.

Alex recalled the same tone in her voice in
the days leading to the concert. Having listened to her play while
in the office, the melody was different, not the usual angelic
sound. This evening, she lacked passion while playing. She barely
touched her meal. Something must be wrong. He sat on the bench, one
leg on either side.

“Sarah, you disappeared today. Speak with
me,” he pleaded. “What’s wrong?” Her hands dropped to her lap but
she didn’t look at him. She didn’t make a sound.
Could her silence have something to do with Uncle Joshua
passing? No, that isn’t possible, Sarah never met him.
Sarah
had visited her parents. He had forgotten to inquire about
them.

“I am aware you spoke with your parents. Are
they not well?”

“They’re fine.”

“Sarah, speak with me,” he pleaded. “It pains
me to see you grieve. If it’s possible for me to help, I’ll do,
anything.”

Sarah’s attempted to avoid looking at him,
but her eyes were glossy with tears.

“Sarah?” he questioned.

She turned to face him. “May I ask a
question?”

“Anything.”

“Your relationship with Elaine ended when you
spoke of your desire to remain at the orphanage.”

Alex nodded. They hadn’t seen Elaine since
the day the women went shopping. He didn’t expect to see her at the
orphanage again.
Why is Elaine on Sarah’s
mind?
“Yes.”

“Was she aware of your Nana Natasha’s
heritage or Papa Stewart’s business?”

“No. I didn’t tell her. To this day I am
grateful I didn’t.” His words brought a stream of tears racing down
her cheeks. Alex’s mind drifted to a conversation with his momma
shortly after Sarah moved into the orphanage. He promised to speak
with Sarah. That conversation never took place. Bile formed in his
throat.
No. No.
How
could I be so stupid? How is it possible I have forgotten to
discuss my heritage with Sarah?
Alex closed his eyes and
placed his hands over his face. During his relationship with
Elaine, he avoided discussing Papa Stewart and Nana Natasha, but
had intended to speak with Sarah once she joined him in his
home.

Earlier in the day, during Uncle Marcus’s
visit, everything had been discussed in Sarah’s presence.
She has every reason to be upset.
“My
humble, humble apologies,” he whispered.

Straddling the piano bench, Alex placed one
hand on Sarah’s shoulder and the other on her cheek, attempting to
force her to look at him. She clenched her eyes shut as the tears
continued to pour down her cheeks. She opened her eyes and looked
at the ceiling.

“Why did I return to this building? When John
passed, I missed him. I missed his friendship and prayed to God
every night. I thought God granted me a soul mate when we became
acquainted. Obviously, I was far too eager to fall in love.”

“We
are
soul mates,
Sarah.”

“That’s what I’ve always wanted, but
obviously it hasn’t occurred.” She tilted her head down and stared
at the piano keys. “If only I could step back in time. I would stop
John from travelling that day. We would be together and happy. I
miss John and the love we shared.” Her focus shifted back to the
ceiling. “Please God, please find it in your heart to bring my
husband back to me.”

Alex clenched his fingers into fists,
struggling to breathe. It was impossible to cause her more pain.
Then Sarah stood.
She’s leaving me
.

* * *

“You are a brute for punishment, Alex. Poor
Sarah,” Keeghan groaned. “I can’t imagine what’s she’s
feeling.”

“What a day she’s having,” Will admitted
before turning and looking at Alexander. Constable let out a soft
whimper.

“I know, Constable. What was I thinking?”
Alexander petted her back. With his free hand, Alex pointed back at
the screen.

“Sarah, please. Let me explain.”

She placed her hand on the edge of the piano
to steady herself and then looked at him. “There is nothing to say.
I believed with all my heart my love had the strength to … no. Love
must be reciprocated.”

Sarah turned and walked toward the door. Alex
jumped from the piano bench and darted after her. Reaching out, he
grabbed Sarah’s arm to stop her.