The Price of Innocence (The Legacy Series) (23 page)

Eventually, he felt the tension ease from her body, and she became limp in his arms. He released her and stepped back, holding her hands. “It’s time, sweetheart. Say your last goodbyes to France and come to a new life.”

Suzette nodded and tried to say something but could not. Robert knew that her voice had choked from emotion, so he smiled in reassurance. He led her through the door, closed it behind them, and then escorted her downstairs.

“Wait here, just for a minute, while I settle the bill.” She stood in the foyer, and he smiled at how beautiful she looked in her new dress. He walked to the desk and spoke with the clerk. Moments later, after business had completed, he returned to her side and held out his arm for her to take. As soon as she did, he felt the tremor of her body. Giles stood by the carriage door holding it open for their arrival.

“Thank you, Giles. The young lady has decided to accompany us to England.”

Robert assisted Suzette to her seat, climbed in, and sat across from her unsure of how she would react. Giles closed the door, and a minute later the carriage headed for Calais.

Suzette’s eyes widened with fear, and she wrung her hands together in her lap. It was apparent that she needed comfort. He slipped across the seat and drew her close, giving her a hug, and then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

“Be of good cheer, Suzette. Enjoy the trip.”

His presence appeared to calm her body, and eventually her trembling subsided, though she often sighed. Within a few minutes, they had reached the outskirts of the city, which gave way to a plush green countryside and tree-lined lanes. With the gentle, consistent rocking of the carriage, he encouraged her to rest upon his shoulder.

“We will arrive in Calais late afternoon, Suzette, and then board the ship for England. Why don’t you take a nap? You’ll need your strength for the remainder of the trip.”

The fear and anxiety had taken its toll upon Suzette, and she succumbed to the gentle rocking and warmth of the man who held her in his arms. A faint whisper left her lips before she closed her eyelids and finally drifted off to sleep.

“Thank you, Robert. Thank you for everything.”

He stroked her hair and kissed her once more gently on the side of her head. “You’re welcome, Suzette. You’re more than welcome.”

* * *

The carriage jerked to a halt, and Suzette, startled over the movement, opened her eyelids. It took a few moments to make sense of her surroundings, but she still felt the warmth of Robert’s arm around her. He removed it from her shoulders and stretched.

“We’ve arrived at Calais,” he said, obviously pleased.

Suzette yawned and then glanced out the window. Curious about the ships in port, she told Robert nonchalantly, “I’ve never been on a ship. I’m afraid I’ve never been to England either.”

Giles opened the door, and Robert jumped out to assist her from the carriage. Her foot stepped on the pavement, and Suzette inhaled the fresh ocean air laced with a fishy smell from a boat nearby. It was late afternoon, and the warmth of the sun felt glorious upon her face. Her vision captured the seagulls screeching overhead, and she smiled enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells.

Robert grabbed her hand and patted it.

“It will not take long to cross the channel from here. We’ll be in Dover within a few hours. It’s only thirty-five miles.”

He led her down the dock a few yards, while Giles gave orders to the footmen to unload the trunks and carry them to the ship. As soon as they were finished, he would board with Suzette.

“Do you need something to drink, perhaps, or a moment to freshen up?”

“Yes, that would be nice,” she replied, needing a few moments of privacy.

“There’s a small café on the right a few doorways down. We’ll stop in there for a minute while they load my things.”

Suzette held Robert’s arm tightly and followed him to the café. Upon entering, she inquired for the location of the ladies’ parlor and disappeared from Robert’s side for a few minutes. He ordered tea and pastries. Upon her return, he escorted her to a nearby table where they sat together.

“I thought you might like something to eat.”

“Thank you.”

Suzette settled into the chair with Robert’s help and began sipping her tea.

“I hope I don’t get seasick,” she said with a chuckle. “I have no idea what to expect.”

“Just a gentle rock,” he responded, “no more than being on a carriage—even a little smoother in its motions.” He sipped his tea and decided to share a private thought. “Frankly, I love the sea. I find great comfort in its beauty and its ever-changing nature. One moment it can be peaceful as heaven, and the next stormy as hell itself.” He looked at Suzette with a playful gleam in his eyes. “Just like a woman.”

“Oh, you think women are changeable from one extreme to the other?” she queried, with a sly grin upon her face.

“At times,” he said, chuckling.

“Well, I find your comparison quite interesting.” Suzette enjoyed the moment of levity between the two of them. It had been a long time since she laughed and it felt odd. A burden lifted from her heart.

"I wonder what father would think, if he knew that I was leaving Paris," she mused aloud. Suzette thought of the pictures in her purse and wondered if she dare share with Robert a part of her past.

"Would you like to see a picture of him?" she timidly asked.

"Of course, I’d like that.”

Suzette opened her purse and pulled out a small photo that was one of the few she had left of his memory. She glanced at it first with love and then handed it across the table to Robert.

“Papa was an intelligent and kind man, Robert.”

Robert took the photo in hand and immediately saw the resemblance of the father and daughter. “You have your father’s eyes, he noted, as he studied the picture.” He handed it back to Suzette. “Thank goodness you still have something tangible to remember him by, Suzette, after all you have lost.”

She took the picture and put it carefully back in her purse. “Yes, I know. When I left home after the sale of his estate, my only possessions were a few pictures, my rosary, and . . .” Suzette stopped not wanting to mention the letter. “Well, I had little, and what I did have by way of clothes were stolen at the charity house.”

They finished their tea and pastry, and Robert pulled out his pocket watch from his vest and noted the time. “We should go now, Suzette. It’s near time for departure.”

Suzette sipped the last of her tea, and then allowed Robert to pull her chair back. As she stood up, he held out his arm for her once again and led her to the door, where they proceeded outside and down the boardwalk. He helped her up to the gangplank, and Suzette’s heart beat wildly in her chest. For a moment, her fear returned, and she felt slightly dizzy. She held tighter to Robert’s arm for support, and he responded by a firmer grip in return. Once on board, her eyes darted about taking in all the interesting scenes.

“It will be all right, Suzette,” he assured her again.

Suzette forced a smile.

“Would you like to stay on deck and watch the ship leave port? If you prefer, I can take you down to one of the cabins below.”

“Oh, no. I would love to watch,” she blurted out in excitement.

“Good then. Come with me, and we’ll walk toward the bow out of the way of the men as they rig the sails.”

Reaching out, he took her hand and gently led her to the front of the ship on the starboard side. Suzette watched as the men untied the lines, and the sails dropped overhead. The captain called out orders. Fascinated with all that was occurring around her, Suzette’s eyes darted back and forth. A smile spread across her face as anticipation grew. The wind caught the sails, and the ship pulled slowly away from the dock. As the distance increased from the shoreline, Suzette looked upon France for what she believed was the last time.

“Goodbye, Papa,” she muttered under her breath. Robert came up behind her and placed his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his body.

He heard her farewell and spoke tenderly. “I think, Suzette, that your father would understand your choice. He would want you to have a good life, not what you chose at the brothel.”

Suzette swallowed the lump in her throat. She grabbed the railing tightly with both hands and inhaled the ocean air, while saying a silent prayer of goodbye to France and pleading for strength to face the future.

Robert held her tightly until eventually she let go of the railing and turned around to face him. “What is it like?”

“What is what like?”

“England, I mean.”

“A grand place,” he said enthusiastically. A broad smile spread across his face. “It’s my home, Suzette—my heritage, my life, my family.” He sighed in embarrassment as he admitted his weakness. “I only come to Paris when I wish to be rebellious.” A mischievous twinkle in his eyes spoke honesty. “My dear mother, the Duchess, would absolutely die if she knew I frequented the brothels. Father, on the other hand, turns a blind eye.”

Suzette looked out over the channel as the ship headed for England. “You’re right; it’s like the gentle rocking of a carriage, only smoother. I think I will be all right,” she replied relieved.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Robert kept his arm around her waist. “In a few hours we’ll board a train at Dover Priory and arrive in London late tonight.”

Suzette tried to enjoy the moment. As the sun lowered in the late afternoon sky, the shards of silvery rays over the water were breathtaking. The skies above were clear, but a slight chill of the ocean air sent a shiver down her spine. Sensing her discomfort, Robert took his coat off and placed it around her shoulders.

Suzette looked up at him with thankful gaze. Her life was changing again in the arms of a man she adored.

* * *

Robert was thankful the trip proved uneventful and the sailing smooth. He had often been stranded between France and England because of high seas and stormy weather, but the gods were on his side today. He could think of no reason why, except that maybe they were blessing him for rescuing the latest throwaway.

Suzette seemed to enjoy herself immensely. He observed her face that appeared like a child’s, displaying wonderment as she watched the ship traverse the waters. She was also fascinated by the seagulls overhead, which added to her enjoyment. Robert acquired some bread from the cook below deck, so she could feed the gulls. In no time, the boat was surrounded by gulls, but after a disapproving gaze from the captain, he decided to forgo the sport.

Throughout the voyage, Robert watched Suzette closely. It was obvious by her demeanor that her virtue, which he had taken the night before, had changed her into a young woman. She appeared mature, though apprehensive over her future. He tried hard not to encourage the adoring gazes she would throw his way. Instead, he inhaled the fresh air and watched the scenery.

During the journey, they strolled on the deck, sharing and laughing about superficial subjects. Suzette’s countenance was joyful, but Robert occasionally felt her trembling hand betray her nerves.

Upon their arrival in Dover, the sun had set, and night was upon them. The ship docked, and Giles stayed behind to ensure the trunks were unloaded and placed on board the train for the next leg of the journey. They proceeded to the Priory Train Station and boarded a private rail car for the remainder of the seventy-five-mile trip to London. In a few hours, they would arrive, and Robert was thankful to be home.

The train pulled from the station, and Robert offered to take her to the dining car for something to eat. Tired and weary already from the trip, he wondered how Suzette was holding up. He could have stayed the evening in Dover, but decided to forgo the delayed return due to pressures from his family.

The waiter greeted them as they entered the car and escorted them to a table for two. After sitting, Robert took it upon himself to order dinner for both, as well as a bottle of Chardonnay. He handed the menus back to the waiter and paused until he left them alone before speaking to Suzette.

“I hope you’ll forgive me for taking the liberty of ordering for you.” Suzette’s eyes were forming dark circles underneath. “You looked tired, my dear. I apologize for the long day of travel.”

“I am tired,” she said, fiddling with her linen napkin next to her the silverware. “It has been a very long day.” She confessed further, “And a stressful one, I’m afraid.”

“Understandable,” he replied.

The waiter arrived and poured two glasses of wine. Robert picked up the crystal glass and lifted it to Suzette. “Here’s to your new life. May it be one of happiness and safety, Suzette. If I have anything to say about it, I assure you that it will be just that.”

A smile spread across her face. They touched their glasses together and drank to his toast. Neither took their gaze off the other.

“This wine will certainly put me to sleep. I’m half there already,” she chuckled.

It brought an endearing smile to Robert’s face. “After dinner, we’ll return to my compartment, and you can take a nap.” As he took another sip of wine, his mind wandered to all that needed to be done upon his return. “When we arrive in London, I’ll take you to a hotel. I have my own townhouse, but I don’t wish to bring you there alone. It’s not proper behavior, I’m afraid, in London society, to bring an unmarried woman under a bachelor’s roof.”

Robert was not worried about Suzette’s reputation; he was more concerned about his own. There was no need for his household staff to raise their brows, as he had always acted as a gentleman in his private aristocratic life. What he did while in Paris, however, was another matter entirely.

“That sounds fine, Robert. I just feel terrible how much money you have spent on me already.” She bit her lower lip. “After all, you paid for my freedom, purchased clothes for me, and now this. How shall I ever repay you?”

Robert reached across the table and touched her hand. “No, don’t worry about it. It’s my pleasure to help you, Suzette. From the moment I met you, my heart was moved and touched by your beautiful spirit. Think nothing more of it. Promise me,” he implored.