Sea of Fire (31 page)

“Good day, ladies.” He bowed and left.

The door no sooner shut when Hannah made to speak. Elizabeth motioned her to silence. “I know what you’re
going to say, so don’t say it. Let’s just continue our visit.” She told Hannah in a nice way and looped her arm through the stocky woman’s.

“Ye like the step to his stride, don’t ye?” Hannah stated.

Elizabeth laughed at her governess’s way with words. The woman’s forthrightness never failed to surprise her. She thought to deny Hannah. Instead, she said, “We have a common goal.”

It was all she cared to admit to Hannah. Her heart was another matter. How could she have let herself succumb to Christian’s charms? Hadn’t one brother used her and left her?

Between her musings, she heard Hannah mumble, but she paid no attention to the woman. Elizabeth believed Christian cared for her, but he didn’t love her. Adam would always come first. Hadn’t he said, “Adam is my brother, for God’s sake?” Family was family.

“You haven’t heard a word I said.” Hannah withdrew her arm from within Elizabeth’s to place her hands on her hips.

“I’ve a feeling I’m not going to like what you say.”

They reentered the dining room and took their earlier seats.

“You’re not,” Hannah agreed.

“Then don’t say.”

“Very well,” Hannah quickly answered.

Elizabeth was astonished. Never was Hannah so agreeable as when Elizabeth knew the woman wanted to lecture her. “You better speak your mind. You’ll not rest easy until you do.”

“Nay. Another time. Let’s talk of other matters.”

Though Hannah was brusque with her, she did not appear to have hurt feelings. No doubt whatever words of wisdom Hannah meant to impart would surface at another time. “Aye, on to other matters,” Elizabeth said, knowing it was going to be difficult to be patient with the woman.

Christian had slipped out nicely, and he would surely
confront Adam as soon as possible. She wanted to be at Christian’s side when he did. If she was resourceful or fortunate enough, she’d find a way.

* * * *

Christian checked the time on his pocket watch. It was so dark and dreary outside he wondered if the hour was later than he thought. Nay. Almost suppertime. He snapped the timepiece shut and shoved it back into his waistcoat. The cold air nipped at him through his overcoat as if to warn him that the clouds that threatened overhead would dump snow rather than rain. The snow would brighten the night and increase visibility. Hell. He and Bloomfield would need every advantage this eve—as soon as he told the man, that is.

He was certain his new friend would want to accompany him to the ruins. From his position on the pavement near the street, he focused on Bloomfield’s front door. The man should be at home he decided and started up the walk.

Before he could take his first step, he was suddenly surrounded by street urchins with outstretched hands, begging for coins.

“Spare a halfpenny,” a tiny voice said.

The lass, not more than four years of age, tugged at his heartstrings. Still, begging was a problem in the better neighborhoods of Dublin, and some of the impoverished had become violent. It would only cease when the coins weren’t freely given. Perhaps then, the indigent would make use of local charities.

“Scat, you heathens,” a male passerby said, shooing them with his hands. The children stood their ground.

“Please, sir,” the small voice said again.

The three older children had played this game long enough to be wise enough to remain quiet while the little lass wormed her way into one’s pocket.

Though Christian knew what they were about, he could
not resist to offer his help. “I’ll give you each a halfpenny if you want to earn it.”

This caught an older lad’s attention. “Ye mean work for it.”

“Aye. That’s exactly what I mean.”

“Let’s try another,” the lad said and began to walk away.

The small group of urchins followed him.

Christian shook his head in disgust. He was afraid of this scenario. The wee lass glanced over her shoulder with a sad face as she walked away with the others. He waved to her. This made her happy. She waved back and skipped after the rest.

Poor lass doesn’t know any better, he thought. At once, Adam came to mind. His brother had the fortitude to deal with orphans and the less fortunate, whereas their situation simply saddened Christian. How could a man such as Adam, who cared so much for homeless children, act as he apparently had been doing? It was a mystery he soon hoped to have solved.

He walked the short distance to the door to Bloomfield’s terrace house and sounded the knocker. Seconds later and to his pleasant surprise, Walter himself answered.

“Traynor,” Walter said. He motioned him inside. “What brings you here? I was on my way to the club.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Christian answered. He had planned to search for Walter even if it meant catching him depart from Charlotte’s. “Can we talk?”

The two men adjourned to Walter’s study. “Remember our discussion about Roderick when we first met—not at the theatre, but at Bailey’s Club? You mentioned how you found it odd that Roderick sold nothing else to subsist.”

“Aye. I do,” Walter said and lit a smoke. “I thought then as I do now that something is not quite right, for he seems to spend more than he takes in. I’ve kept my concerns to myself though. I wouldn’t want to upset Charlotte, especially since I’m only speculating about the matter.”

“Your speculations are correct. Elizabeth has inadvertently learned where Adam is, through a letter to her father. Roderick was mentioned as a counterfeiter.”

“Good God,” Walter sat forward in his chair. “It’s more serious than I believed, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so. I need your help, but I must warn you, we could be endangering ourselves.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to assist and to protect Charlotte. You have my word.”

“Your love for Charlotte runs deep. I knew you wouldn’t want to see her hurt. I also knew I could count on your confidence. Thanks.”

“Let’s have a drink while we discuss details.” Walter stood, tossed his smoke in the fireplace and reached for a bottle of brandy.

After each took an initial sip, Christian began. “Please understand, I could not inform you about any of what I’m about to say until now, when I have an idea where my brother is.”

“Go on.”

“It seems my brother is not himself. I’ve learned he is responsible for the abduction of Elizabeth’s father Edward Corry. He and Roderick are currently using extortion on Elizabeth. As long as she makes the drawings for their dies to counterfeit the coins, Edward will remain alive.”

“Goddamn,” Walter uttered slowly. “You must be frustrated as bloody hell.”

“I can’t understand Adam’s change,” Christian said. “This is the same man who came to Dublin to start an orphan house. He has children. I swear he’s lost his memory or is drugged. Whatever—I’m about to find out. Are you still with me?”

“Aye,” Walter said. “Where did the missive Elizabeth opened say that Adam was?”

Christian chugged his drink and answered. “One of two
places. The ship,
Aurora,
or the ruins of the Cullenmore Abbey north of here.”

“What are you planning to do?” Walter asked. He gulped his brandy, set it down on a side table, and lit another smoke.

“I’ll go to the ruins first. If Adam has lost his memory, perhaps if he sees me it will jar some thoughts loose and he’ll recognize me.”

“And if he doesn’t, you’d be in serious danger.”

“That’s where you come into the scheme; however, I may be asking too much from you. The situation would be dangerous for you, too, and Roderick may be there.”

“Aye, but I’m still with you. If Adam recognizes you and Roderick is on hand, maybe I could use the opportunity to assist you into talking them into ceasing such foolishness. Either way, I’m afraid Charlotte’s going to be hurt. Roderick surely would not be able to stay in the country for long.”

Christian thought of Adam. The same would apply to his brother unless he suffered from memory loss. Perhaps then, the courts would be lenient.

“You’re right,” Christian leaned back in his chair. “I’m afraid once this matter is cleared—it is going to be difficult on my parents.”

“Don’t fret,” Walter said and ran his hand over his hair, causing several dark strands to come loose on either side of his face near his grey temples. He retied his queue. “You know your brother. There’s a logical explanation. As for Roderick, I’m afraid I always sensed a reptile laying in wait for prey, where he is concerned.”

“I’d like you to meet me there. After we survey the grounds and determine whether Adam is present, I’ll go inside. If I don’t return fairly soon to tell you Adam knows me, you’ll leave to get help.”

“I certainly can do that.” Walter drew a puff from his smoke. The end momentarily glowed before he flicked the
ash into a tray. “I presume you want to go at dark. What eve do you want to arrange for this meeting?”

“I’d like to do it this very night.”

Walter rubbed his chin. “How about tomorrow eve? Since there is a certain danger, I’d like to leave some of my paperwork in order. I’d also like to have a missive prepared for Charlotte. If something happened to me, she’d deserve an explanation. I’d like to think death won’t be knocking at my door, but it is a possibility. I can’t tell her beforehand—she’d panic and send us into jeopardy.”

“I understand,” Christian said. Walter’s explanation was unnecessary; however, it brought Elizabeth to mind. He’d have to avoid her. She’d want to be included in their plans and he didn’t want any harm to come to her or Edward because of them. The notion that he might never see her again created a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He took a deep breath, and told Walter, “Surely, Adam would not do in his own brother—even if he didn’t remember him. And, I’d certainly vouch for you. I’d not turn you over to wolves. Let’s think positive. I’m not ready to meet my maker. Do you know of which ruins I speak?”

“Aye. What hour?”

“Before midnight. Say ten. If they are not there we’ll go to the ship.”

“The ship seems like it would be too visible, but for that reason Adam may be there thinking he’d be less a suspect.”

“For either place, the time has come. I’ve waited too long to find Adam.” Christian stood and offered his hand. “At ten then.”

Walter shook Christian’s hand. “Tomorrow eve, and may God be with us.”

Chapter Twenty-three

“Hannah, truly. You need not stay awake on my account.” Elizabeth had watched Hannah’s yawns become more frequent. In fact, she had hoped the woman would excuse herself to take a nap. The more time that passed, the more anxious she became, knowing Christian would be preparing to confront Adam.

At last she said to Hannah, “You should go to bed.”

“I need to prepare for supper,” Hannah argued. “If I sleep now, I’m so tired I may not wake till morn.”

“If you do it’s because you need the rest.” True, Elizabeth wanted the time to leave. Yet, Hannah was being too polite. She really was tired.

Hannah rose. “Since ye don’t mind, I think I will.” She started to clear the teapot and plates.

“Nay. I’ll do that. You go rest.”

“Bethy, I am suddenly faced with such sleepiness that I’ll not argue with ye. Thank you, cracker.” She hugged Elizabeth and retired to her bedchamber.

Elizabeth hurriedly gathered the dishes and returned them to the kitchen. If she was fortunate, she could make it to Christian’s town house on Dawson Street and return before Hannah woke. She listened at Hannah’s door, a few feet from the kitchen. Silence. Her governess had fallen asleep so fast and soundly, not even her normal snoring could be heard.

Elizabeth grabbed her cloak and reticule and headed for the front entryway. The heaviness of her bag reminded her of the sacks of coins she had earlier tossed inside. They’d have to wait. She’d take them to Roderick’s after her visit to Christian. She opened the door the same moment a gust of cold wind slapped her in the face. It startled her so that she accidentally banged the door against the wall so hard that it seemed to have shook the house. She reached for the handle once more and listened. Hannah was still sleeping. She hustled out the door.

A short ride later she was deposited in front of Christian’s town house. A light shone in one of the front windows. If she recalled correctly, it was the Traynor library. God in heaven. He was at home. As she approached, the light flickered out, and she figured he had seen her and was on his way to the door.

She tapped with the knocker just the same. A few moments passed. She heard no footsteps from within, no one’s approach. She clanked the knocker harder. Its noisy sound penetrated an otherwise quiet street. Still, no one came. She tried the door. It was locked. She had not imagined a light. If not Christian, someone was home. Why wouldn’t the person answer the door, though? Surely, they would have heard the knock, having been so nearby, in the front library.

What if Christian had seen her and decided to avoid her? She’d have none of it. She’d not be put off so easily. She glanced one way down the row of neatly manicured homes and next the other. His town house was equal distance from either end of the block. She’d walk around to the back to the servant’s entrance. He’d not dismiss her like she was some pesky insect. If Adam was to be found, by the saints, she’d be there too.

* * * *

Christian sat perfectly still behind the desk in the library. He had heard the impatient imp’s knock. Christ! The neighbors at the end of the block probably heard, too.

He knew what she was about the moment he gazed out the window and saw her march toward the door. He smiled to himself. It was quick thinking on his part. Had he opened his home to her, the action would have been the same as welcoming trouble. He had avoided her this time, but Elizabeth was a fighter. She’d be back. He’d be gone, though. If she remained clueless to his whereabouts, she’d not be implicated when he at last found Adam.

A part of him saddened. He did not want to hurt her. He cared for her. Still, he did not know what to expect of his own brother. He wanted no harm to come to her. At the least, Adam would not associate her with him.