Sea of Fire (27 page)

“I thought you told me Hannah was at her sister’s.” He skeptically surveyed either side of the staircase before he glanced upwards to the second-floor landing.

“I did?”
God in heaven. She wouldn’t have told Roderick. How did he find out? “
I don’t think so.”

“Charlotte then.”

She had told Charlotte and apparently had forgotten to warn her not to say anything about Hannah’s departure. She didn’t want word to spread that she was home alone for the reasons she now experienced.

“Sh.” She placed a finger over her lips. “Hannah’s returned. You told me not to tell anyone about this. She doesn’t know. I don’t want to wake her.”

Roderick flashed her his stupid grin and said, “You are such a good girl. I believe you’ve kept our little secret, but I doubt your governess is at home.” He started for the stairs.

She raced to block his path. “Wait. Hannah wouldn’t be upstairs.”

“So true. I forget myself. The servant’s quarters would be on this floor, wouldn’t they?”

He didn’t budge. He stared up the steps. “Even so.” He turned his suspicious glare on her. “Why were you so anxious to prevent me from ascending the staircase?”

They stood nose to nose. If she admitted she was lying, maybe he would cease his intended exploration.

“All right. You win. I didn’t want you to go upstairs or anywhere because Hannah is not here as you suspected.”

“Why make such a fuss? Why did you tell a naughty fib?”

“I didn’t want anyone to know I was home alone.”

“I’d never harm you, Elizabeth. Not yet anyway. I still need you,” he said and chuckled at his humor.

She wasn’t amused, but managed to show no reaction to his words.

He walked away from the staircase, to the center of the entryway. His back was to her. She relaxed and hesitantly crept toward him.

He must have sensed her movement for he instantly spun around and darted up the staircase.

“Roderick, please,” she urged. Her heart beat wildly. “What are you about?”

Her immediate inclination was to follow him upstairs, but why bother? He would either discover Christian or he wouldn’t. If he didn’t, all the better if she remained calm and confident.

She heard him bang about, opening and closing doors. For a moment, her stomach churned with nausea and she fought the urge to rush to the nearest chamber pot.

Roderick appeared on the landing. “You
are
a good girl,” he said with a squeal. “I thought you were hiding someone. Gather your belongings, my dear. We’re off to see Adam.”

It was hard to hold back a huge breath of relief. However, the instant Roderick gave her the command, she sighed while she rushed to follow him. Wherever Christian was, she hoped he had heard.

After she fetched her cloak and reticule, she extinguished a lamp in the parlor and separated the peat in the fireplace. Roderick held the door for her. She quenched the entryway lamp and walked out into the night.

They had only traveled a few minutes when the steady rocking of the carriage rekindled her queasiness. She fumbled open the drawstrings of her bag and yanked out a handkerchief. “Roderick. I think I’m going to be sick.”

His eyes bugged out. “Well, do it outside.” He rapidly flapped one hand in the direction of the door. “I’ll stop the driver.”

Too concerned with her situation, she had not paid any notice to whatever Roderick had done to get the driver’s attention. Thankfully, the vehicle stopped at once. Almost as fast the door flew open, and she stumbled to the road. Seconds later, she bent over and relinquished her supper. In as ladylike a manner as possible for such a shameless gesture, she dabbed at her mouth and straightened. The whirl of the cold night air against her hair and face soothed her. She felt much better and reentered the carriage. Maybe now she could relax before meeting Adam.

“You’re not going to do that nasty again, are you?” Roderick scooted away from her as far as he could on his seat opposite her.

“We’ll allow you to freshen yourself before you go to Adam’s room.”

She didn’t care. In fact, she preferred to be offensive to Adam. He deserved unpleasantries and more. This wasn’t the way to win him over, however. She said, “Thank you. Where are we going?”

“The Sword and the Shield. It’s where all the people who are invited to Dublin Castle for its many balls and festivities lodge. I mean, the gentry who are not invited to spend the night in the castle, that is.”

She had seen the inn on many occasions. It certainly wasn’t opulent from the outside. Neither was the castle though.

“It’s not a large establishment,” she said.

“It doesn’t need to be. It costs a pretty coin or two or three to stay there and twice that when extra special events are held at the castle. It’s a delight though. You’ll see. We’re here.”

Roderick escorted her through the heavy door. At once, they stepped inside to a small inner vestibule where he opened another door and was instantly met by an attendant who motioned him aside to speak privately.

She viewed her surroundings. Though the hour was late, many couples milled about in their fashionable dress. A red Turkish carpet covered part of a polished wood floor to their right. Two women dressed in elegant gowns of lace and satin lounged on a red velvet settee while their handsomely dressed male companions each reclined in a matching wing chair on either side of the ladies. They sat facing a glowing peat fire in a larger than usual fireplace. The dark wood of the room combined with several sparkling and dangling crystal lamps resting on side tables created a romantic and luxurious setting.

To her left, the atmosphere was no less. Handsomely set tables, or dining booths, decorated in red cloth and white china, lined the peripheral wall of the room. A rose-colored, crystal lamp sat near the walled edge of each table. Red drapery, when drawn, offered the couple or couples a haven for privacy. Only two booths were drawn. A giggle drifted from behind one. She smiled and wondered if she’d ever feel as carefree as that particular female. A large round table took up the space in the center of the room where parties of ten to twelve could be seated together as in a huge banquet feast. Presently, only six were seated, though more must have dined and left, as the dishes were not cleared away from the table yet. Indeed, the two rooms were the largest she’d seen in any inn.

Several women whispered and stared in her direction, and she looked away. The gesture reminded her, she was not properly dressed for such an establishment. She tugged her cloak more securely around her in an attempt to hide her gown.

Whatever Roderick, the toad, had told the attendant, apparently he was now finished. “Come, my dear. It’s time to meet Adam. Aren’t you excited?”

“Utterly.”

Roderick laughed.

Actually, she hadn’t thought about it overly much until this moment. Once she had learned his true nature, all feelings for him other than hatred diminished. One evening, he was her betrothed. The following morning, he was her enemy and a person she never despised more. True, she had plotted and dreamed what horrible action she would take in revenge if she ever saw him. It wasn’t supposed to be under these circumstances, though. What choice did she have, but to respond in a civil manner?

To her surprise, they walked to a staircase near the back of the inn. Roderick, instead of ascending, directed her to follow him around the steps. She hesitated. It was dark and obvious there was nowhere to go beyond the steps. Next instant, a stream of light shone and Roderick disappeared into it.

She neared. What was a wall, slid open wide enough for her to enter. The moment she stepped into the room from the dark passageway, the bright light temporarily blinded her. The wall slammed shut behind her. She jerked.

“Hello, Elizabeth.”

She squinted in the direction of Adam’s voice until her eyes adjusted. “Adam,” she said.

He didn’t rise to greet her from his reclining position in a leather wing chair. His shirt was partially open at the neck and he looked as if he had just awaked from a nap. Physically, he was exactly the same, with his grey-blue eyes and dark blond hair, but he no longer was handsome in her eyes. His actions had changed that opinion. She hoped her own wouldn’t hint at how she now despised his sight.

“You’re as lovely as ever,” Adam said. He stood and walked to her. “Let’s have a hug.”

He reached for her. She stepped back.

“I demand to know if my father is alive and well.”

“You demand?”

She was as surprised at what she pronounced as he was. “I mean, please, Adam, tell me my father is unharmed.”

“One small hug and kiss, and I’ll give you this.” He flashed her a folded piece of paper as he approached.

She stood her ground until his hands held her by the arms. “I can’t, Adam,” she said. She struggled to free herself from his grip. “The hug would not be so pleasant. I was ill on the way here.” She wanted to add that she’d rather be stuck with pins than be held by him.

Roderick, who had been watching them in silence, spoke out. “It’s true Adam. It’s my fault. I forgot to make arrangements so she might refresh herself.”

Adam released her to return to his wing chair.

“Sit.” He pointed to a sofa.

She obeyed and noted that, besides the sofa, the chair was the only furniture in the room—which looked like a small waiting area.

“Do you want me to leave?” Roderick asked.

“Nay. It’s not necessary. Sit on the opposite end of the sofa with Elizabeth.”

After Roderick was comfortable, Adam leaned forward and handed her the folded missive.

Nervously, she snatched it away. It didn’t take long to read the two short sentences that said her father was well and to do as Adam directs. “This is my father’s script,” she confirmed and sighed in relief though wished he had written more.

“You’re a talent, Elizabeth. Your work reflects how skillful you are. I reward those who do good by me.” Adam placed his forearms on each armrest.

“How much longer must I continue counterfeiting and passing spurious coins? When will my father be free?” All she wanted was her father returned and to be rid of Adam. Blast be to any other rewards.

“Edward Corry will be released when I’m ready—as will you.” He checked his pocket watch. “The hour is late. I’m tired. Unless there’s something else, this discussion is over.” He stood to emphasize his decision. “Roderick, you may take her home now.”

“Nay,” she said. Her voice was a bit too bossy before she checked her tone. “Please, Adam. Can you not give me the littlest bit of an inkling when we will be free to return to a normal life? Other magistrates are getting concerned when my father will return. They’ve started to come to the house. I’m not certain how long I can keep them ...”

“You’ll keep them from discovering the truth,” he interrupted, apparently understanding what she meant to say next. “Remember, Elizabeth. It’s only because I do care about you that I’ve considered this discussion.”

Roderick grabbed her by the arm to help set her feet in motion for Adam’s words had numbed her. There was naught to say. Her circumstances were not about to change anytime soon.

“One more item.” Adam spoke, but she remained in place and kept her back to him.

“Next time, don’t get sick.”

Chapter Twenty

“That’s a good way to get killed, mister,” the hackney driver told Christian as he jumped aboard the speeding vehicle.

“Bloody right you are,” he said somewhat out of breath.

The driver stopped and eyed him curiously.

Christian said, “Catch up to the carriage in the distance, but don’t follow too closely. When it stops, drive slowly past and take notice of where the passengers go. Stop a quarter of a mile beyond. I’ll tell you what to do after that.”

“Aye,” the driver said, but not without a skeptical frown. He waited until Christian closed the hackney door behind him before he slapped the reins and proceeded.

Christian straightened his overcoat. He ran both hands over his hair at once, trying to relax. The man had stopped the vehicle barely before it was upon him. When he realized the driver had not seen his wave, he had jumped onto the side of the hackney just in time. He couldn’t fault the badly shaken fellow, for he had stepped between two parked carriages right before the hackney’s approach. Not smart. He knew. However, neither he nor Elizabeth had considered that Roderick would personally escort her to Adam. In the past, he always had her meet him somewhere. This fact had created a major problem in trailing the two. He was frantic, and ready to steal any unattended parked vehicle, or flag any oncoming one and demand
that the driver, regardless of the passengers, follow Roderick’s carriage. Fortunately, he hadn’t had to resort to such deeds. Now, the only problem that faced him was to find which room Adam occupied, without bringing undue attention to himself, and he couldn’t ask Elizabeth.

He was anxious to see Adam. Christ, he hoped his brother was not suffering from memory loss or sickness, but if he wasn’t, what reason was there for such outrageous behavior—abduction and counterfeiting? Was he involved in extortion? He’d not leave Adam this eve until he had answers and saw to his brother’s welfare.

The hackney traveled in the direction of Dublin Castle as Roderick had told Elizabeth they would meet at an inn nearby. When the hackney slowed considerably and next stopped, he exited instantly.

“Where did the passengers go?”

“Ye mean the pretty lady and the man?” the driver stupidly asked.

“Aye. Where did they go?”

“The Sword and Shield.” The driver gave him a pathetic look. “She must be your wife.” He shook his head. “Adultery. ‘Tis never easy and harder to prove.”

Stunned by the man’s assumption and boldness, Christian said, “ ‘Tis none of your affair.”

The man rattled on just the same. “Don’t blame yerself. Some women are helpless against sin. They’re attracted to evil. It makes them excited,” the driver said, obviously considering himself an expert on the subject. “Ye don’t plan to hurt anyone, do ye?”

Christian choked back a chuckle. “Nay, but I’d watch who you speak with of such matters.” searched into his pocket and paid the driver. “No need to wait.”