Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman (35 page)

''I think there are a great many things that need to be discussed," Noah said. "I have taken care of the situation with Charles Brentwood. As for Glenda Hamilton and her nefarious son . . . I think a few short days will see the end of them. I beg you all to say nothing, for there's another plot that must be confounded, and I reserve that pleasure for myself."

"Can't you explain it to us?" Beth asked.

"If you will all give me and my family the honor of your presence at dinner tonight, I will explain as much as I am free to tell."

Everyone agreed to this, and after some time of reminiscences and more good wishes and tears, Laura and Andrew went back to Jason's with Beth and Josine.

Noah still had the uncomfortable feeling that in some way he had hurt Charity, yet every time he looked at her she smiled at him . . . but the smile was through a mist of tears, and that he couldn't bear. There was no opportunity for him to speak with her privately, for there seemed to be no end of questions, messages, and plans to make. By the time the dinner hour came, he was anxious to get all the explanations over and to get Charity alone.

The dinner was excellent, but it was obvious that no one was considering the quality of the food. Almost before they were done eating, Noah was being plied with questions.

"It's a fact I'm well aware of," Noah laughed, "that there are none at this table who cannot keep a confidence. In fact, I have never known secrets to be kept so well." Everyone smiled at that. "But I must stress the point. Nothing said here must leave this company, for we are about to close a trap that will put an end to all our problems."

There was an attentive silence, and Noah began from the beginning. Charity's part in Gregory's plot awed most, and the connection between the Hamiltons, Lord Van Buran, and his associates brought looks of anger. Brentwood's attempted use of Charity brought indignation, and Noah's plan to trap the villains brought a collective sigh of relief and voices raised in support of this outcome.

Through the balance of the evening, the entire family spent their time renewing their assorted friendships and filling each other in on the past years. It was with great relief that Noah said good night to Josine, Andrew, and Laura, who were to spend their time at Josine's home until it was safe to bring their acquaintanceship out into the open. Beth and Jason returned home only after eliciting a promise that Josine, Laura, and Andrew would come to the studio the next day.

Finally Noah had Charity to himself, for he claimed exhaustion almost as soon as their guests had gone. Inside their room, he watched Charity as she began

to undress. Finally, he could stand no more. If she was troubled, he needed to know.

He came to her and put his arms about her. "Charity, are you distressed over something? I don't know if you are truly as happy about this situation as you would like it to appear."

"Noah! Of course I'm happy for Beth. She's a wonderful person, and she truly deserves all that fate can give her now."

"Then what is it? Something has been troubling you ever since I brought these people together."

"I don't know, it's"

"Tell me. Don't you know by now that what hurts you, hurts me?"

"I think that is it, Noah. I realized how . . . how terrible my background is. And that I will never know if my parents were . . . were more a part of the Round . . . or here. In the future, what can I bring you but shame if the truth were to come out? Noah," she said softly, "I told the queen who I was and where I came from. She may never accept your family at court again."

"And that is all that is plaguing you?"

"Is that not enough? I could come from a long line of . . . of prostitutes." She was near tears again.

It seemed to Noah that she was overly sensitive. He wrapped his arms about her and held her close to him, rocking her in momentary silence.

"Charity, the truth is, Queen Victoria is entranced with you, and would like nothing more than to have you come to visit her again when she has more time to talk to you. I think you astonish her. You were

thrown into the lion's den, so to speak, and kept both your virtue and your sense of honor." He lifted her chin with one finger. "As far as I'm concerned, I would love you no matter how your past turned out. We will never know . . . and I will never care. I love Charity Morgan, and I am more than proud to have her as my wife. There is nothing more than that. I had thought you were upset because of Beth."

"No, I want Beth to have everything. Besides . . . I enjoy the thought that she is the heiress who will strip from Gregory the wealth and name he tried to steal. Perhaps I am just a bit jealous, because she has a name and a whole background to bring Jason."

"My dear little pickpocket, I am glad Gregory chose you, for I might never have had the joy of loving you otherwise."

"Then . . . all our problems are truly over?"

"Yes, I think it's safe to say that. I will go to Charles's home to make sure he really leaves the country, but I'm not too worried. I don't think prison appeals to him."

"I wish I could have seen his face when he found those letters gone," Charity laughed.

"That was only his first shock. I wonder what happened between him and his friends when they found he didn't have them."

"I cannot believe I once thought I loved Gregory, or that I thought you were a scoundrel."

"Well, Aphrodite, there never was a moment when I didn't love you, even when you snuck into my study and took those letters. You had a great deal of courage, I must say."

"Noah" Her voice softened to a seductive murmur. "I would like it very much if you were to make love to me."

His quiet laugh was filled with pleasure as he swept her up in his arms and carried her to their bed.

The night grew deep, and the lovers found their pleasure in each other, then slept. But there were those who could not find the release of sleep. Those within whom burning hatred would allow no repose.

The place where they met was dark and filled with the rotten scent of the evil they planned. Instructions were given and money exchanged. There were to be no mistakes, for there would be no second chances.

"The man who guards her is powerful and cannot easily be fooled. His vengeance is not something you want to face. For her, he would kill, do not mistake that."

"Don't you worry, gov'ner, we'll shy clear of him. The way you have it planned, she'll be out of his life before he knows what 'appened."

"The ship is ready?"

"It is. It sails just after midnight ten days from now."

"Good, let them enjoy their last days together. They will never see each other again."

"Gov'ner?"

"What?"

"What do we do with her after we sail?"

"You needn't worry, the captain has his orders. Suffice it to say, she will never see the shores of England again." He started to leave, then turned to face the

three men who stood in the semidark. "Remember, you are to bring her directly to me. After I have finished with her, then you may take her to the ship."

"We know."

"Good . . . make no mistakes. I want at least one full night with her before we send her to a place where she'll have long and torturous years to remember that she betrayed me. I do not deal lightly with those who betray me. Keep that in mind."

"Don't you worry, gov'ner, we ain't going to make any mistakes. You'll have her exactly when you say . . . and we'll be ready to deliver her to the ship right on time."

"Excellent. I have rewarded you adequately, but there is a bonus in it for you if you deliver the letter I'll leave with you to her husband."

"Gov'ner, we deliver a letter and for sure he'll have us."

"No, you can leave it where he'll find it the next day. I want him to know . . . I want him to know. The bonus is double your price."

"Lord," one man breathed, "for that price I'll see to it."

The three watched the shadowed man walk away, and for a moment all three stood in silent fear of a man who hated so deeply.

"I sure wouldn't want him mad at me."

"Me either . . . and I feel kind of sorry for that girl."

"Don't waste your sympathies. She's a rich man's woman, and they deserve what they get. There's a lot of pretty ladies out there, and with this money we can

have our pick. Come on . . . let's go to the tavern. I need a drink."

The night swallowed them up, and all was silent again.

Chapter Nineteen

One day, three days, seven days . . . the time seemed to increase the tension surrounding everyone. It was difficult for all to go on with their everyday lives and know that there were those close by who were planning to do murder.

Even though Noah gave no outward signs of it, Charity knew the tension was telling on him. He was the one who knew that two men's lives depended upon him. He had asked Lord Brandywine to wait, and if anything went wrong . . . he shuddered to think of it.

To all outward appearances his and Charity's lives went on as if they knew nothing of the plans. They went to all the affairs and smiled . . . they saw those who watched and smiled . . . they danced, and ate,

and drank, and applauded at the theater . . . and smiled.

The strain was as bad for those who planned as for those who waited. The plotters watched Noah and his movements with an intense concentration, and were satisfied that he truly did not have the ability to decode the letters he had. In a few more days, it would not matter at all.

The time had come for the dedication ceremony of a new library, a ceremony at which Lord Brandywine was to officiate . . . a ceremony where he was to die.

Noah had been awake the whole night, worried that something in his plans might go wrong. But when he and Charity rode out to meet Lord Brandywine, it was only Charity who could see past Noah's smile to the fear that lingered in the depths of his eyes.

The spectators arrived on foot, in carriages and coaches, in groups and singly until the area surrounding the building was swarming with people.

Noah and Charity saw the arrival of Douglas Van Buran, his daughter, and both Gregory and Glenda Hamilton. Charity studied Gregory closely for a minute. His posture, his manner, his actions all were polished . . . but compared to Noah's air of real elegance, they seemed vulgar and affected. It was as if Gregory were merely copying the actions of others. She realized now how he deceived most people, charmed them. Now she seemed to see beyond the smile and the handsome features. There was avarice behind his smile. Charity gazed at the beautiful Eleanor Van

Buran and remembered when she had felt jealous of her, and the thought that Gregory meant to marry her. She turned to look at Noah, and felt a wave of gratitude that fate had decreed otherwise.

Impulsively she kissed Noah, and watched him smile. She didn't care how many people were watching. She loved him so much that she could not resist him.

"You will be creating a scandal, my love."

"Better a scandal over too much display of affection than a scandal over none. Besides, you're so handsome I couldn't resist." He reached to take her hand and press it to his lips.

"Are you afraid, Charity?"

"Yes . . . I'm afraid for you. If you succeed, these terrible people might have a way to revenge themselves against you. If you fail . . . oh, Noah"

"We won't fail, and when this is over I will make sure there is no one left free to find revenge. I must save a very good man, Charity."

"I know. It is just that . . . I feel so"

"Don't worry, love, we have everyone protected."

"Protect yourself, Noah. I would die if anything happened to you."

Noah returned the kiss she had given him and smiled a reassuring smile. "I must go. Now, remember, no matter what happens, I want you to stay in this carriage. It will all be over faster than you can imagine. All of them are gathered, and we only have to wait for them to make their move."

Noah had placed his carriage so that it was some distance from the library, and had taken the precau-

tion to post a guard just to keep an eye on Charity. When he descended, he smiled and pressed Charity's hand. Then he was walking away from her, and she felt herself trembling. Noah would take care of everything, and she had nothing to worry about, she told herself. Why, then, did she feel this sense that something dark was about to occur?

Noah moved slowly, as if he, too, were enjoying the festive air of the ceremony. But he was alert and knew exactly where all his men were placed, and where everyone involved would be.

Noah moved past one of his guards and paused just long enough to whisper, ''Keep your eyes open, James. It's going to happen in the next few minutes."

"Yes, sir, I'm not taking my eyes off him."

"Can you see the two thugs he just nodded to?"

"Yes, sir."

"I suspect one is the killer, and the other is his support."

"Looks to me like they're moving into position."

"Stay alert," Noah said.

Gregory watched Noah as closely as he surmised Noah was watching him.
Yes
, he thought,
keep your eyes on me, Noah, while my men do what you cannot stop
.

He glanced across some distance and saw Anne Ferrier, who was sitting in the safety of her carriage, giving the appearance of a loving and supportive wife. She was a bit put out with her husband, for his mood for the past few days had been terrible. He had shut himself in his study, and claimed there was work

that needed to be done, and he had not come to her bed for the past week. She no longer cared, for he would be out of her life in a matter of minutes. She wondered if she should purchase the black gown and veil today, or wait until tomorrow . . . when she had displayed her sorrow.

Charles Brandywine, Rodger Ferrier, and several other dignitaries were assembled on the wooden stage now, and all the conspirators were prepared.

There was a hum of tension in the seconds before the move was made . . . then pandemonium broke out.

The assassins moved swiftly and surely . . . but Noah and his company moved just a step faster, and much more effectively. There was wild shouting and milling about when the onlookers finally figured out what was happening.