Savage Spring (22 page)

Before Claudia knew what was happening, Howard picked up his cane, which was lying across his lap, and waved it in her face, uttering unintelligible sounds. Claudia had seen her husband angry often enough to know he was in no mood to be trifled with. Taking a step backwards, she grabbed hold of Tag’s arm.

“I told you he was crazed!” Claudia yelled. “He tried to hit me!”

Tag looked into Howard Landon’s eyes and saw they were alive with intelligence. He knew immediately that he was as sane as anyone. He also saw recognition in the old man’s eyes and wondered how long it would be before his uncle would tell Claudia his true identity.

“No, your husband isn’t crazed, Mrs. Landon. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Tag said in a harsh voice.

Howard began babbling something again, and Alexandria bent forward to catch his words. After he finished speaking, she looked at Tag. “Mr. Landon wants me to tell you he is pleased to meet you and wants you to know you are welcome in this house anytime. He wonders if you will come to his room around seven this evening?”

The look that passed between Alexandria and Tag went unobserved by Claudia. Her mouth was gaping open in amazement as she looked at her husband. “How can a little chit who has only been in my employment for several weeks know what you are saying when I can never understand you, Howard?” Her voice sounded resentful as she raised her head and glared at Alexandria.

“It’s not difficult to understand Mr. Landon when one takes the trouble to listen, Mrs. Landon. If you will excuse me, I believe he wants to go to his room now. Will you be coming to Mr. Landon’s room later, Mr. Knight?” she asked, hoping he would refuse.

Tag bowed slightly. “I wouldn’t miss the chance to have a
private conversation with you, Mr. Landon,” he said, glancing back at his uncle. He wondered what Howard wanted to see him about. Even if he knew his uncle were laying a trap for him, still Tag would go to his room. He was surprised when the old man held out his hand to him. When Tag touched his Uncle Howard’s hand, it felt cold and clammy. He was surprised, however, at the strength in the old man’s handshake.

He stood silently as Alexandria wheeled his uncle up by the garden path. Tonight he would also see Alexandria alone. There were many things they had to discuss. He wanted to know what she was doing in this house. He wanted some answers, and damn it, he would get them before the night was over.

Claudia bit her lip. “That was a most unpleasant experience. I’m sorry that you had to be subjected to such a crude scene, Falcon.”

“Not at all, Claudia. I found nothing unpleasant in your husband’s attitude toward me.”

Claudia shook her head. “It certainly seemed strange to me. My husband has never before issued anyone an invitation to his room. He doesn’t even like it very much when I invade his sanctuary.”

“Why is that?”

“He has this fantasy. It’s hard to understand. You see, he has this obsession with his niece, Joanna. In fact, there is a portrait of her and her family that hangs in Howard’s bedroom. He has insisted that her bedroom stay the way she left it, and sometimes he has Barlow carry him into that room, where he spends hours.” She shrugged her shoulders, “I told you he had lost his mind.”

“Who was the girl with him? Is she a relative?”

“Heavens, no! She is some girl I hired to look after my husband. It was a sorry day indeed when I took her into my home and gave her the position as my husband’s companion. I believe in some way she reminds him of Joanna.” Claudia
looked up at Tag and smiled. “Let’s not talk about them. I was wondering if you would stay to dinner?”

Her eyes held an invitation to more than dinner, and Tag wanted to shove the hand away that she placed on his arm. “I am afraid I must decline tonight. I have a previous engagement. I would, however, like to return around seven, if you have no objections. I would like very much to accept your husband’s invitation.”

Claudia’s mouth formed into a pout. “You will accept my husband’s offer, but not mine?”

Tag pushed his dislike for her aside. He knew he must placate Claudia for the time being. With a swift motion, he pulled her into his arms, and his mouth came down on hers, grinding her lips against her teeth. He felt only revulsion at the touch of her hot, moist lips, and he quickly broke off the kiss, feeling sick inside. He knew he had to pacify Claudia for the moment—he must try to cover up the distaste he felt for her.

“Does that seem like I am uninterested in your invitation? You will have to give me my way in time. The day will come when I will ask something of you. Will you give it to me when I do?”

Claudia’s head seemed to be swimming, and she was sure her heart would burst from her body at any moment. “I will give you anything you want, Falcon. You have only to ask. Will I see you tonight when you come to visit my husband?”

“No,” Tag said, as he moved her aside and walked away without looking back. He knew when he returned tonight he might be facing death, but he would come anyway. Somehow, he got the impression that his Uncle Howard never confided in Claudia. He wasn’t sure what kind of game his uncle was playing, but he would soon find out. As for Alexandria, he would force her to leave with him tonight. She would have to answer for running away from him!

Tag mounted his horse, wondering obsessively what in the hell Alexandria was doing in this house? Didn’t she
know that when he faced his uncle for the final showdown, she would be in danger?

Today, for the first time, he had seen her dressed as a woman. She had looked like a delicate flower, and her beauty had reached out to him. In spite of the fact that he had been angry with her, he had still wanted to take her in his arms and make her understand that he hadn’t betrayed her.

Alexandria was by far too stubborn and willful for her own good, he thought angrily. Morning Song would never have defied him as she had. But then Morning Song had never been alone and had to depend on her wits for her very survival. Tag couldn’t help smiling. No one, including himself, would be able to push Alexandria around. She would fight for what she believed in, and he pitied the poor devil who got in her way.

Suddenly Tag’s heart felt lighter. At least now he knew where to find Alexandria. He no longer had to spend sleepless nights wondering where she was and if she were safe!

Alexandria removed the tray from Howard’s lap and gave him a bright smile. “You didn’t eat all your meat, Mr. Landon. I prepared it just the way you like it.”

He caught her hand, forcing her to look at him. “You…know about Taggart…don’t…you?” he said, in a much clearer voice. By now Alexandria was able to understand him better, and she could see a marked improvement in his speech and attributed it to the fact that she had encouraged him to talk more. However, she knew he always played a game with Claudia, because when his wife was around he slipped back into his garbled speech.

The color drained from Alexandria’s face, and she avoided looking into his eyes, fearing he would read too much from
her expression. Turning aside, she placed the tray down on a chair and began to straighten his bed.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about, Mr. Landon,” she told him, tucking in the bedsheet at the foot of the bed.

“You know,” he wheezed. “The moment…I saw the two of you…together, I knew you weren’t…strangers.”

“You shouldn’t be talking—it would be best if you saved your strength.”

“Alexandria, you…won’t believe this, but today is one of the happiest…days of my…life. I was glad to see…Tag! I have been…waiting for…this day for a…very long time.”

Alexandria looked at him doubtfully. “Did your wife not introduce the man in the garden as Falcon Knight? Who is this Tag of whom you are speaking?” She hoped her voice sounded convincing, since she had never felt comfortable when speaking an untruth.

“You play…games with me, Alexandria,” he wheezed. “No matter, it will all come…out soon.” He turned his head to the portrait, and his eyes rested on Joanna’s face. “Soon…very soon…I will know about…Joanna.”

Alexandria wiped Howard’s face with a damp cloth. “Tell me about Joanna, Mr. Landon. What was she like?” she asked, trying to turn the tide of conversation.

His eyes never left the portrait as he began to speak. “I will never forget…the first day I saw…her. She was the loveliest young woman…I had ever laid eyes on. It was…like a breath of springtime…just to gaze at her face. She had courage and daring. I have…never known anyone…like her.” His eyes went to Alexandria. “You…remind me a little of her.”

“Nonsense! The girl in that portrait is far more beautiful than I,” she said, smiling.

“Will he come, do…you think?” Howard’s eyes kept going to the door, as if he were expecting someone.

“Will who come?” Alexandria asked.

“Still you play your…little game, Alexandria. I know Tag will come. Come hell…or high water, he’ll be…here.”

Alexandria looked at the clock on the bedside table and saw it was nearing the seventh hour. In a panic, she realized that Falcon would be here at any moment. She decided she would meet him in the hallway and prevent him from coming into the room.

“Why don’t you rest now? You have had a very tiring day, Mr. Landon,” she urged.

“I can…rest later. For the first…time in a long while, I feel…alive!”

Alexandria picked up the tray and started for the door. When she had almost reached it, the door was opened and she stood face-to-face with Falcon. His eyes bored into hers, and she found herself wanting to look away. She had to prevent him from seeing Mr. Landon!

“You must leave immediately,” she said lowering her voice. “Mr. Landon knows who you are! Go quickly, before it’s too late!” she whispered hurriedly.

“I will not leave, Alexandria, Alex, or whatever you are now calling yourself. I have come to see Howard Landon, and I will see him!” Tag demanded in a cold voice, before he brushed past her and entered the bedroom.

Alexandria felt her face flush with shame as she realized that Falcon knew how she had tricked him. She pushed her shame to the back of her mind as she rushed after him. She placed the tray down on a chair and watched Falcon move across the room.

Alexandria found when she reached Mr. Landon’s bedside that her legs were trembling. She couldn’t understand what was going on. If Mr. Landon was the monster Falcon claimed he was, wouldn’t he have prepared some sort of trap for him? Wouldn’t he have alerted Claudia that Falcon’s true identity was Taggart James?

She watched Falcon’s face and knew he was angrier than she had ever seen him. By now she had worked herself into a frenzy. What should she do? She shivered when his cold, ice-blue
eyes rested on her face. Alexandria felt such overwhelming shame that she couldn’t bring herself to look into his eyes any longer.

Folding her hands together, she clutched them tightly. She lowered her eyes, remembering how shamelessly she had gone to Falcon at night, pretending to be Xandria. She hoped that Falcon wouldn’t realize she had not only pretended to be the boy, Alex, but Xandria, as well. Please let him think Xandria is my sister, she prayed silently, remembering she had once told him that Xandria
was
her sister.

Tag looked past Alexandria and walked to the bed where his Uncle Howard lay. He noticed that the old man’s eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping. Tag looked at the frail hands that rested on the outside of the covers, remembering a time when there was strength in those hands. His eyes moved up to Howard Landon’s face, remembering when his uncle had been cruel and unfeeling to Joanna and himself. He reminded himself that he had every reason to hate this man, but now he could only find it within himself to feel pity for him.

Howard’s eyes opened slowly, and he stared at Tag. His eyes locked with violet-blue eyes that were the same shade as Joanna’s.

“So, the…boy has become a…man,” Howard said in a raspy voice.

“You know who I am,” Tag stated flatly.

“Yes, I…always knew…you would come back. I have looked forward…to this…day.”

Tag was having difficulty understanding his uncle, so he motioned for Alexandria to translate for him, since she had seemed to be able to comprehend what he had said earlier in the garden.

“I came back to kill you, but I see you are worse than dead,” Tag said, as his eyes blazed with anger.

Howard started babbling rapidly, and Alexandria had to translate for Tag.

“Mr. Landon says he wishes you would kill him.”

Tag’s piercing eyes locked with the old man’s. “Why shouldn’t I kill you? You are responsible for the death of my wife, Morning Song.”

Again Howard spoke, and Alexandria translated. “He says he doesn’t know what you are talking about. He didn’t even know you were married.”

“Like hell he didn’t! It seems he and Claudia were aware of everything Joanna and I were doing.” He stepped closer to the bed, and Alexandria could see the muscles in his neck standing out. “I could understand if you wanted to kill me, Uncle Howard—but why Morning Song? She had never harmed anyone. The two men you sent to kill me shot her instead. Did you know before she died she gave birth to my daughter?”

Alexandria saw Tag clench his fists and felt tears in her eyes. Dear God! she thought, Tag had every right to hate Mr. Landon. She felt sorrow in her heart that his life had been touched by so much tragedy.

Howard seemed to be struggling to sit up, and he was jabbering so fast Alexandria had to ask him to slow down so she could understand him. When he regained his composure, she turned to Tag. “Mr. Landon said that he never sent anyone to kill you. This is the first he’s heard of it!”

Tag bent over and grabbed Howard by the shirtfront. “You lie! I overheard the men talking, and they said…Claudia sent them! I have learned that you had my father killed, also. Just try and deny that!”

Alexandria pried Tag’s hands loose and pushed him away. “Can you not see that he is an old man? I don’t think he would conspire with his wife for any reason. They hate each other! If this thing was done, you are accusing the wrong person. I believe Mr. Landon.”

Tag’s eyes went back to Howard. “Tell her, Uncle. You didn’t even know Claudia when my father was killed.” He turned to Alexandria. “My father had been in Oregon country and was recuperating from a broken back. I was told by a
very reliable source that he lay helpless while someone smothered him with a pillow! Ask my uncle if he knows anything about that?”

As Howard answered, tears ran freely down his face. He seemed so excited that Alexandria feared he would have another attack. As she listened carefully to his words, she was horrified by his confession.

“He…he says it’s true that he sent a man to Oregon to kill your father. He…even confesses he shoved your Aunt Margaret down the stairs, but he had nothing to do with your wife’s death.” Alexandria tried to keep the horror from her voice. She couldn’t associate this tired, sick old man who had been so kind to her with the unbelievable deeds to which he had just confessed.

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t kill you?” Tag said in a deadly calm voice.

By now, tears were streaming down Alexandria’s cheeks. “He…says he wishes you would end his life, since he is living in hell.”

Tag walked over to the window and threw the curtain aside. “This was once my mother and father’s bedroom. I cannot rest easy knowing the man who killed my father and took all that belongs to me and Joanna lives in this house.” He turned to face his uncle once more. “I want you and Claudia out of this house! If you are innocent of killing Morning Song, then the blame rests on Claudia’s shoulders. I will see her punished for the deed. The day will come when she will beg for mercy.” Tag’s threat hung heavy in the silence until Howard started speaking.

“Mr. Landon says he wants nothing more than to see Claudia pay for what she has done. He wants me to warn you that she is very dangerous. Right now, she doesn’t know who you are, but the moment she finds out, you will be in danger.”

“Does he intend to tell her about me?”

“No, he says he will not betray you to her. He says to remind you that Claudia wouldn’t suffer under the law for
having an Indian killed. If she is to be punished, it will have to come from you.”

Tag walked slowly back to the bed and stared down at the frail old man. For some reason, he believed him. “You have my word that Claudia will suffer before I’m through with her, but, so help me God, I’ll bring you down with her! You have much to answer for yourself. While the law won’t touch Claudia for having Morning Song killed, they sure as hell will hang you for having my father killed. Joanna and I will not be at peace until you are both dead!”

Alexandria shivered. She had never seen a man so eaten up with hatred and revenge. This wasn’t the Falcon Knight she knew. This was a man who was dangerous and would sweep anyone out of his path to get what he wanted. She knew he had every right to hate Mr. Landon and his wife, but she shuddered inwardly, thinking how cold and unfeeling he was at the moment.

Howard started babbling again, and Alexandria had to ask him to repeat what he had said before she could tell Tag. “Mr. Landon asked if you would tell him about Joanna,” she said at last.

Tag’s eyes went to the portrait over the mantel, and he smiled. “You obsession for my sister was your downfall, Uncle. I wonder what she would do if she could see you now? I believe she would spit in your face!”

Howard seemed to wince visibly as Tag continued. “Joanna, as you know, is married to Windhawk, chief of the Blood Blackfoot. She has two children, a son and a daughter, and is extremely happy. I don’t believe she will ever want to return to Philadelphia, even after I have settled with you and Claudia.”

The old man closed his eyes, and Alexandria looked at Tag pleadingly. “He is exhausted, Falcon—please allow him to rest now.”

Tag looked into her eyes. “Before long he will have a long, peaceful rest.”

Alexandria wanted to plead with him to rid himself of his
bitterness. “You could go to the authorities and let justice be served, Falcon. Don’t take this into your own hands!”

“You heard my uncle. The authorities will not care that Claudia paid two men to slay an Indian. I will see that she suffers before I’m through.” Tag looked down at Howard Landon, who was now sleeping. “As for him, I believe he is already paying. I couldn’t have come up with anything that would have been more appropriate. It must be pure hell being bedridden and having Claudia for his wife.”

“I never knew anyone could hate so deeply, Falcon. I find I don’t know you at all.”

He glanced at her, and she saw unleashed anger in his eyes. “I’m not sure I know you, either,” he said sarcastically. “Who am I addressing…Alex, Alexandria, or Xandria?” He clamped his mouth together tightly and took her by the wrist, pulling her into the outer room. He tightened his grip and stared into her golden eyes.

“I think I much prefer you as Xandria. You did give me some degree of pleasure as her.”

Alexandria tried to spin away from him as his insult struck home. Was she to be spared no shame? Falcon had guessed that she was also Xandria! “Let me go!” she demanded, raising her head and looking into his eyes daringly.

“What did you do, Alexandria, go over to my enemy? Did you tell my uncle about me?”

“No! No, I would
never
do such a thing!” She knew it would be useless to tell him that she had taken this position in hopes of helping him. “You are the one who betrayed me, Falcon. I learned from Farley that you went to see my stepmother behind my back.”

He smiled without humor. “Ah, yes, I see. It might interest you to learn that I went to see your stepmother, but I didn’t betray you, Alexandria. I wanted to find out if your stepbrother was dead. You might be interested to learn that he is very much alive!”

“I…he is?”

“Yes, very much so. I also learned that the authorities are
still searching for you. I would take care not to be recognized, if I were you,” he said, releasing her hand and walking to the door.

Alexandria watched him leave, feeling somehow abandoned. She wanted to rush after him and pour out the love she felt for him, but she dared not. Falcon was so eaten up with hatred and bitterness that he had no love to give anyone, except his dead wife and his sister, Joanna. Alexandria buried her face in her hands and cried out her misery. The way Falcon was acting must mean that he had added her to his list of enemies. She should have known he wouldn’t betray her to Barbara. She knew that she should feel grateful that Rodney was still alive, but at the moment Alexandria was too miserable to feel anything but pain.