Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) (5 page)

Sighing, Jack went in search of a waiter who found him a cold bottle of bubbly and he went back to the countess’s rooms. He found Adeline and Lady Huntingdon asleep on the sofa with half-empty cut crystal glasses of fine brandy nearby. He was loath to wake them as they looked so peaceful and happy. He leaned over and gently shook the countess’s shoulder. She woke and looked around groggily.

“Oh dear, what time is it? We must have become a bit too liberal with the libations.” Lady Huntingdon looked over at Addie, who was still sleeping soundly. “Jackson, you must make sure that Miss James makes it safely back to her own cabin. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her at this late hour.”

“Of course. You can rest assured that I will escort her all the way to her door.” Jack helped the unsteady Henrietta to stand up and walk across the room. “Will you be all right, Lady Huntingdon?”

“I can manage from here. My lady’s maid has probably fallen asleep on my bed. I’ll just wake Fulton up and she’ll know what to do with me.” The countess disappeared into her bedroom.

He sat across from Adeline, pouring her unfinished drink into Lady Huntingdon’s glass before adding another splash and taking a long drink himself. Adeline was even lovelier in sleep than awake. Her even breathing emphasized her rounded breasts as they rose and fell beneath the silk of her dress. Her waist was trim, and not unnaturally so. It was obvious that she probably didn’t need confining underclothes to perfect a figure that was quite fine on its own. Her golden hair was curling around her heart-shaped face and a piece was caught between her full pink lips.

Jackson resisted the urge to touch her mouth and brush the hair off her face. Instead he took another drink and then set the glass down with a loud bang. It had the desired effect of waking Addie without the necessity of touching her. Although, watching her sleepy blue eyes flutter open and those pink lips yawn widely had the unexpected and unwanted effect of setting off alarms of desire in him. He stood abruptly and turned away.

“Ah, awake at last, Adeline.” Jackson attempted to regain his control.

“Oh dear,” Adeline said obviously disoriented at finding herself waking up in a strange place. “I must have had too much of that brandy. Where did Lady Huntingdon go?”

“It’s late—she retired. Let me escort you back to your cabin.”

“Oh, no,” Adeline said standing and straightening her clothing. “I couldn’t impose on you. Besides, I’m sure I will be safe on board the ship.”

“Don’t be daft, Addie. Sailors aren’t to be trusted any more than any man when he sees a beautiful young woman wandering about alone. I insist. Besides, your father would never forgive me if I allowed any harm to come to you.”

Adeline blushed prettily at the compliment he had unintentionally given her. Apparently she was even more innocent of the world than he’d always suspected. “Come along then, it’s quite late and your father will be worried if you don’t show up soon.”

Jackson extended his arm to Adeline and however casual her touch was intended to be, it had an immediate physical effect on his person. Where had these new feelings about Addie come from, he wondered? When Clara was alive, he’d cared for her, but he had continued to look at her like a young girl. But tonight, he suddenly noticed that she had fully blossomed into a beautiful desirable woman.

Jack tried not to notice that Adeline practically had to run to keep stride with him as he hurried her through the ship, finally depositing her at her door with a gruff goodnight bow.

He found himself seeking out the cool air on deck before returning to his quarters. Jackson felt like such a cad, responding to her when she was simply trying to be nice. Adeline had no notion of what she was doing to him; the guilt she instilled in his already tortured thoughts. Thank goodness they would arrive in Liverpool in a few days and he would set off for his ancestral village in Berkshire immediately, nowhere near the London Season that Mr. James had planned for his daughter.

              “Are you sure you want to do this?” Emily helped Adeline dress in her factory-girl outfit. “We’re only onboard a few more days. It seems silly to waste time on a cause that you can’t follow up with.”

“I can’t seem to help myself.” Adeline said. “I’m just so bored with all the promenade- walking and sitting in the Writing Room and the Grand Salon. It’s like being trapped in a visit to my aunt Josephine’s.”

“Thomas is waiting at the elevator for you. He’ll escort you to D-deck then come back for you in two hours. Will you be having supper in the dining room or with Lady Huntingdon tonight?”

“I haven’t heard from Henrietta yet. I’m hoping that Jack will show up wherever she does, but he’s been so unpredictable lately. Just be ready with two gowns, Stone. And after dinner I’d like to go below deck again and see what that dance is all about. We can go together. It should be fun.”

“Fun for who?” Emily didn’t look convinced. “I’ll be so busy watching out for you I won’t be able to fit in any snogging on the side.”

“Emily!” Addie pretended to be outraged, but she dissolved into laughter. “I promise to give you plenty of opportunities for side snogging.”

“And don’t forget to call me ‘Emily’ below decks. We are equals as far as they are concerned, so I’ll call you ‘Addie’.” Emily looked extremely uncomfortable with the idea.

“Harder for you than me.” Adeline confirmed. “I’ll be back soon.”

Adeline met Thomas at the elevator that went from first-class all the way to the lower decks. He was properly deferential to her as they rode down.

“I’ll be back in precisely two hours, Miss James. But if you’d like, I could just wait here.”

“Oh, no need, Thomas. I will be fine. I’m just going to walk around the deck and see if I can meet a few of the ladies.” Adeline had no intention of limiting her conversations to women, but telling Thomas that would not be wise.

“Very well, Miss.” Thomas didn’t look convinced but he knew when to leave well enough alone.

The afternoon was uneventful for Adeline. She managed to convince a few families to tell her about the conditions of the shipyards they were headed to, but they had little information to share. The bad news was that the Irish shipyards did not share the same benefits that the English labor laws guaranteed, like ten hour workdays. It was clear to Adeline that there would be a need for unions, which meant hard days ahead for these people. Fighting the status quo was never popular and the rich men who ran these companies would not be happy to see the unions arrive.
          It would mean their ships would not get built as quickly or cheaply as they hoped. And if they didn’t allow the unions to set themselves up, there would be riots and men would be hurt, maybe even killed, as a result.

Two hours later, Adeline showed up at the appointed place and Thomas escorted her back to her suite. “If you please, Miss James, may I be of any further assistance?”

“Why don’t you come in for a moment and if I have a message from the countess, would you deliver my reply?”

“I would be honored.” Thomas said practically holding his breath as they entered the sitting room.

“Stone.” Adeline called out. “Do we have dinner plans?”

Emily came out of her bedroom and stopped in her tracks when she saw Thomas. She raised her eyebrows but didn’t waver. “Lady Huntingdon suggested a repeat of last night. Here is her invitation.” She handed over the velum envelope to Adeline.

“She says that Jack has also agreed that it was a nice alternative from the crowded dining room.” Adeline read the rest of the note. “Father is invited, too, although I’ll be surprised if he accepts. I believe he does not approve of the countess.”

Thomas tried to pretend not to listen, looking around the room and focusing on the artwork.

“Thomas, please let the countess know that I will be attending and I’ll send a message around later if Papa will be joining us.”

“Of course, Miss James. Right away.” Thomas bowed and retreated.

“I think I’ll rest for a bit.” Adeline was quite tired and decided a nap was just what she needed, especially if she were to stay up late tonight. “Stone, would you remember to ask Papa about dinner and send a note to Lady Huntingdon with his reply?”

“Of course, Miss. I’ll wake you when it’s time to dress.”

Later that evening, Adeline, Jack, and Henrietta enjoyed another companionable meal while Simon played cards. Papa said he was on a winning streak and he might as well carry on with it. Dinner ended too soon as far as Addie was concerned. She hated to say goodnight to Jack, but she and Emily had a party to attend. As soon as she entered her room, Emily was helping her into a dress that she’d altered specifically for tonight. It was one of Addie’s older day-dresses with the expensive trimmings removed.

“Come now—Addie—we don’t want to miss the fun.” Emily had put on her best dress and the two looked like a couple of working city girls on their way to have a good time.

The below-deck party was already well under way and they joined in, dancing and drinking the watered-down beer and wine.

A big rough Irishman grabbed Addie around the waist and swung her into a country square dance. She enjoyed herself up until the bloke pulled her off into a dark corner and tried to steal a kiss.

Much to her surprise, Thomas came to her rescue. “Sorry fella, the lady promised this dance to me.” Thomas grasped her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. He was dressed in his street clothes and gave her a wink as he led her in the more modern two-step the band was attempting. “You shouldn’t be here while they are getting foxed, Miss. Proper manners don’t mean much after a few too many beers.”

“I know you’re right, Thomas, but I had to see the merriment for myself.” Adeline laughed as the steward spun her around. “And you must admit, we are having a good time.”

“I’ll take you back upside after this tune is over.” Thomas lifted Addie up and spun her about again. “Your maid will be wanting to stay a bit longer I think.” He nodded over to the other side of the room, where Emily was deep in conversation with a handsome young man.

“Thank you, Thomas. You’ve been so good to me.”

Adeline managed to undress herself that night without her maid’s help and she crawled into bed, feeling like she’d made a friend for life in Thomas. She hoped she would encounter the young steward again before the voyage was over. She’d told him that she would gladly give him a reference anytime he asked.

Adeline thought she would like to see Jack tomorrow and tell him about her latest adventures. Drifting off to sleep, she imagined making him smile and laugh as she told him about the music and dancing. She dreamed that instead of Thomas, she was in Jack’s arms, spinning about the room and smiling into his hazel-green eyes and there was no one else but them.

Cassiopeia was woken rudely from her deep restful sleep by the recently dearly departed Lord Abingdon’s restless spirit. This happened sometimes when she least expected it. A soul, that didn’t want to wait for her to seek them out, would come to her at the most inconvenient of times. It was Jackson’s father this time, concerned about the state of mind of his son. He’d been an awful father in life and he was trying to make up for his cruelty to his youngest son in death. Cassie rubbed her eyes and sighed in resignation, allowing the spirit to interrupt her slumber.

“What is it I can help you with, Lord Abingdon?” Cassie yawned, speaking out loud even though it wasn’t necessary for talking to the dead.

“I shouldn’t be dead.” the spirit complained. “It was too soon. You must help them before it’s too late.”

“I don’t understand.” Cassie was still half asleep. “Are you saying Jack might be in danger?”

“They’re all in danger.” The old earl’s voice began to quiver and fade. He clearly had more to tell her about his own untimely death, but the connection was fading and Cassie drifted back into a dreamless slumber.

“Mr. James, may I join you for a drink?” Jackson indicated the chair next to Simon in the men’s smoking room, trying to find some excuse to distract himself.

“Of course, my boy.” Simon folded the newspaper he had been reading for probably the third time since departing New York. “I look forward to arriving in London and getting all the latest news.”

“So what are your plans once you reach town?” Jackson asked as he accepted a glass of whiskey from the waiter.

“We’ll be leaving for Paris immediately.” Simon lit up a cigar and took a few puffs. “Then I must marry Adeline off to an earl or a duke or any of those sorts. If I can get a little business done as we go, all the better.”

Jackson, of course, knew what Mr. James had planned for his daughter, but he’d never been able to imagine Adeline married to a man for business purposes. Not with her fire and passion for her causes. But of course, her father knew nothing about her social reform activities.

“And Adeline has agreed to being married off, regardless of her feelings?” The question was rather personal, but Jackson couldn’t seem to help himself.

“Oh, no, not just to anyone, I’m afraid.” Simon sipped his own drink thoughtfully before continuing. “She will not allow me to choose for her. She’s become an independent lass since her mother passed away and was firm that she would agree to this marriage not only because I desire it, but because it was her mother’s greatest desire as well. However, my little Addie insisted that the man would have to be of her choosing or she would simply never marry.”

“Well, from what I know, Adeline is going to be hard to please.” Jackson didn’t say what he was really thinking, that choosing among the willing—or more specifically—desperate Toffs he’d known growing up would severely limit Adeline’s choices.

“Indeed, indeed.” Simon stared off into the distance contemplating his near future. “I fear we will be staying in London for quite some time to come. That’s precisely why I decided to buy a house for Adeline instead of just letting out a place. I want to be sure that if I need to get back to New York before she’s made a decision, that I can at least leave her with a staff that is dedicated to her safety and comfort.”

“Are you having dinner in the dining room tonight?” Jack asked politely, wondering if Lady Huntingdon would invite him back to her cabin again this evening.

“Yes, and I’d invite you to join us, but the Viscount of Denbigh will be paying court to Adeline. With a little luck, he will be the one and my work will be done.” Simon laughed and slapped Jack on the back. “Who am I kidding, our Addie won’t be that easy to convince. Well, Jack, wish me luck anyway.”

“Good luck, Simon.” Jackson said without meaning it. Walking back to his cabin he’d already decided to accidentally interrupt the James’s dinner. He knew Denbigh from when he’d been in school and he wanted to make certain the man didn’t misrepresent himself to Adeline.

* * *

“Oh, Miss, he is going to be smitten the moment he lays eyes on you.” Emily hurried her mistress into the dressing room. “I’ve picked out one of your Worth gowns; I hope you approve.”

“Yes, this is one of my favorites.” Adeline said, stroking the apple-green silk gown trimmed with silvery-black lace and silver piping and beads. Cunning little black bows were lined up in a row straight down the back of it and the neckline was demure but slightly off the shoulder.

“Will you let me add some additional cosmetics to your toilette?” Emily was even more eager for the evening than Adeline.

“I suppose, if you keep it very light. I don’t want him to get the wrong impression. And you know Father doesn’t approve.”

“Well,” Emily pushed Adeline down to sit at the small vanity and began to brush out and arrange her long golden hair. “Your father wants you to make a good first impression and wrangle yourself a proposal, doesn’t he? So we must do everything we can to ensure that outcome from the beginning.”

“I really don’t think I want a proposal from the man the first time I meet him.”

“Why ever not?” Emily asked looking for her curling tongs in her bag of lady’s maid accoutrements. “After all, he’ll need to get in line for your attentions once you attend your first ball in London. He should be wanting to make the best impression he can while he has you all to himself on this ship with no competition in sight for hundreds of miles.”

Adeline wanted to scoff at her maid’s silly predictions, but she knew the young woman was quite right. The penniless titled men of the Ton would be lining up to ask for her hand once they realized the extent of her inheritance. She sat and contemplated the near future of trying to maneuver the treacherous waters of society that awaited her once she reached town. She had already been warned by several experienced ladies of her acquaintance in Manhattan that between being snubbed by the ladies of London and chased by the destitute lords, it would be a constant test of Adeline’s resilience. But this evening, there would be only one gentleman to fend off.

It would be the perfect opportunity to practice her English etiquette taught to her so diligently by Emily ever since she’d been hired for that very purpose over a year ago. During that time, Adeline had grown quite fond of her lady’s maid, even though Emily kept reminding her that a friendship between them was too American by far. After her hair was curled and piled on her head, a few discrete cosmetics applied and her dress buttoned up and brushed clean, Adeline retired to the main sitting room in the suite to wait for her father to appear and escort her to dinner.

Simon entered the room a few minutes later, arguing with his valet. Having risen from nothing, it was not natural for Mr. James to be pawed and fussed over. Although he’d realized long ago that he must succumb to this blue-blooded custom if he was to rub shoulders with the sort of society he expected his daughter to marry into. However, that didn’t mean he had to enjoy it.

“Come now, Adeline, let us escape before Albury tries to tuck something else in.” Simon held out his elbow for his daughter to grasp and they made their way to the first-class dining room. “Now don’t forget, the Viscount of Denbigh isn’t used to our colonial ways, so you must try not to shock him with your outspokenness and independence.”

“I think I know how to behave properly, Papa.” Adeline scolded. “Between mother, my tutors, and Stone, I will be the epitome of a proper English lady, but not quite so boring.” Adeline added playfully.

It had the desired effect of making her father laugh outright. “Naughty child. That is exactly the sort of outrageous talk you are to avoid.” Simon patted her arm as they strolled the deck to their destination. “But of course, that’s why I adore you.” He sighed with resignation, making Adeline smile to herself.

Lord Denbigh was indeed a handsome fellow, with his blond curly hair and expressive brown eyes. He stood and bowed gallantly when Simon and Adeline approached the table.

“Ah, the lovely Miss James. What a pleasure to finally meet you.” he said, smiling with only half his mouth in a way that Adeline didn’t especially care for. It was as if he was not quite sure that it was a pleasure to be introduced, and he might have to reconsider.

Adeline curtsied as Emily had taught her, and allowed the viscount to pull out her chair as she sat down.

“I’ve admired you from afar on this voyage.” The viscount startled Adeline with the compliment. It seemed he might have been aware that she was a bit put off by his demeanor. “And your father tells me this will be your first visit to London. Just in time for the Season and all the balls and parties.”

“What else has Papa told you?” Adeline smiled at the man. She realized that it would be unkind of her to judge him just on a look. Besides, his eyes were kind and his figure was fine, and just because he had been raised to discount American robber barons—as the common term for her father’s status was sometimes referred to—didn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t be swayed to a new, more modern opinion.

“Not too much, really,” the viscount replied, glancing at Mr. James. “As it is, we’ve mostly been discussing business. It seems that Americans are quickly learning how to make money just by looking at something new, while we English are managing quite the opposite. It’s an interesting dilemma. But come now, you can’t possibly be interested in such things.”

“On the contrary,” Simon James said, joining the conversation. “Adeline here has quite a sharp mind, and a nose for good business. We enjoy discussing new endeavors and solving employee situations together. She has many progressive ideas, as well. Most are too progressive by far, but it’s always a stimulating conversation, nonetheless.”

“Indeed.” The viscount looked surprised by Simon’s comments. No doubt he wasn’t used to a woman concerning herself with the family business.

Emily had warned Adeline that
ladies
did not discuss anything so base and common as business. Their realm was the home, fashion, and gossip; politics on occasion, but only as a passing interest. Adeline was curious to see what the viscount would think of a woman who did not fit this English ideal.

“I’m concerned with the growing problems of labor and the responsibility of employers, like my father, to ensure his workers’ welfare.” Adeline watched the viscount carefully as she continued. “I believe that if the workers are given care and respect, they will be far more productive and therefore become assets to the factory or other large manufacturing enterprises, thereby creating an even more profitable situation for all involved and especially men like my father.”

“You see what I have to listen to?” Simon patted his daughter’s hand affectionately. “She just doesn’t understand the way things are done. You spend as little as possible and collect more profits.”

“I’ve heard this sort of talk as well back home,” the viscount commented as he sipped his wine. “There are all sorts of demonstrations and protests going on in the streets about this and women’s rights as well.”

“Oh, please, do not get my daughter started on suffrage as well.”

“But, Father, you must know that England is quite progressive in both movements. They’ve had the mandatory ten-hour workday for decades and, I’ve heard that Mr. Lansbury has been quite the advocate of women for many years. I wouldn’t be surprised if English women had the vote before Americans embrace the idea.”

“Your daughter is quite well informed,” the viscount said, turning away from her and addressing her father.

Adeline wondered if he would now dismiss her as a potential wife since she had quite spoken her mind on several matters that were traditionally men’s territory exclusively. She sighed quietly to herself as the gentlemen deftly changed the subject to lighter issues like how much longer until they landed in Great Britain, what kind of weather they could expect upon arrival, and who the Jameses should rub shoulders with upon entering the social whirl.

“So has Miss James been given an invitation to Willis’s?”

“Alas, entrance to that well-guarded institution has not yet come our way.” Simon shook his head at the touchy subject of how Americans were generally shunned by the highest echelons of the English society. “We shall have to rely on individuals like yourself, Lord Denbigh, to help ease her way into many of the events that are traditionally closed off to all but the upper ten thousand. I am hopeful, though, that it won’t be necessary for long.” He reached over and patted Adeline’s hand. “I don’t think my lovely daughter will be on the marriage mart for long. After all, just look at her. Between her beauty and her wealth, there won’t be an available bachelor able to resist her charms.”

Adeline turned her head away from the viscount, embarrassed by Simon’s words. Although she was used to her father’s praise, for some reason—now that he was trying to marry her off, possibly to the man sitting next to her—it had the ring of unseemliness on this occasion.

“I can certainly put in a good word for Miss James, but the only ones with any power in these matters are the ladies.” The viscount did not appear to be distraught by his own inability to influence ‘the ladies’, as he put it.

Quickly growing tired of the men’s conversation, that was obviously not intended to include her participation, Adeline retreated into her own thoughts. As soon as she returned from Paris, she would be looking for ways to continue with her social reform activities, which she fully intended to pursue whilst her father was spending his time looking for business opportunities.