Tears of Gold (62 page)

Mara took a deep breath and was pushing a tangled strand of hair from her face when a cool, wet handkerchief was pressed against her face and gently wiped across it.

Mara opened her eyes to see Nicholas leaning over her. He lifted her to her feet and, despite her feeble protest, carried her back to the bed. He tucked her beneath the covers.

“Are you all right?” he asked as he stared down at her with those penetrating eyes that wouldn’t allow Mara to look away.

She managed a slight smile, “It must have been something I ate last night. Perhaps the fish?”

Nicholas continued to gaze down on her pale face. “I ate the fish as well, my sweet, and I’m not suffering any ill effects,” he told her softly, a strange look entering his eyes. “Could it possibly be something else?”

Mara’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “I really don’t know what. This is the first time it’s happened,” she lied. “I think I was the only one to have the cream sauce. It must have been that. I’m feeling much better now, really I am,” Mara reassured him as she smiled wider, her tone dismissing his worries.

Nicholas shrugged. “If you say so, ma petite. But why don’t you have some breakfast sent up and stay in bed awhile longer? I shall be going out to check the levee with Alain shortly, so there is no reason for you to disturb yourself.” Nicholas walked to the door, adding with a warning look, “But if you’re not feeling better soon, I shall send for a doctor.”

Mara stared gloomily at the closed door. “Damn,” she whispered. That was all she needed, some doctor poking around. It wouldn’t take him long to determine what was wrong with her.

Mara had dozed off when she was suddenly startled awake by the door opening. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Belle bustling in with a tray.

“Someone around here is sure asking a lot of personal questions,” she told Mara as she placed the tray across Mara’s lap.

“What do you mean?” Mara demanded as she took a sip of tea, relieved to find it going down without protest.

“May the good Lord forgive me for lying, but I’ve been punished for it by the fright it gave me to look into them green eyes of Master Nicholas’s and say that I knew nothing,” Belle said with a look of remembered fear. “Nearly shook my skirt off I was shaking so hard.”

“You didn’t say anything to him about my being sick?” Mara asked worriedly.

“Said nothing, like you asked, Miss Mara. Reckon this be women’s business,” she reassured her. “I didn’t like doing it, but I did.”

“Thank you, Belle,” Mara told her simply, but she was deeply touched.

Belle opened the door and was about to step out when Paddy shot past her and into the room.

“Mara, Mara!” he greeted her excitedly. “Uncle Nicholas said I could ride with him up on Sorcier when he goes to look at the river. Is it all right? He said I had to tell you. Well,” Paddy hesitated, looking shame-faced, “he did say
ask
if I could go.”

Mara nodded her consent, knowing that this time he would be safe. She was pleased that Paddy was back to calling him uncle, a sure sign that he was harboring no grudge.

Mara climbed out of bed after Paddy rushed out, and was on the gallery in time to see Nicholas, with Paddy perched in front of him, and Alain ride off down the drive. Mara shivered as the cold struck her and she quickly returned indoors, not envying them their ride in this weather.

“Warm enough?” Nicholas asked Paddy, whose small hand was clutching his coat sleeve.

Paddy glanced up at the hard face above him and smiled widely. “Sure, Uncle Nicholas, I’m having fun.”

Nicholas smiled down at Paddy’s dark head and then glanced over at Alain. “Did we used to get so much pleasure out of so small a treat?”

“Anytime I got the chance to get on the back of one of the master’s fine riding horses I thought that was something special,” Alain returned, then added seriously, “but do you think it wise to bring the little boy? This weather is not good for one who catches colds easily, as I am told he does.”

Nicholas frowned. “I forgot about that. Maybe I should take him back.”

“Oh, no, Uncle Nicholas!” Paddy cried. “You promised. I want to see the river. I’m all bundled up, Jamie made sure I had my scarf wrapped around my throat. Please,” Paddy entreated, the big, hopeful eyes flashing the O’Flynn charm.

“I don’t suppose it will hurt this once, eh, Alain?” Nicholas smiled.

Alain grinned good-naturedly. “Be a pity to disappoint him.”

The horses’ hooves pounded through the muddy road, sending thick clumps of mud flying in all directions. They splashed through puddles of water still filling the low places along the road and running rapidly through the ditches on each side.

As they neared the river, Nicholas sent Sorcier into a gallop, a frown crossing his face as he saw the trickling streams of water winding their way from the high bank and into the fields beyond. No additional water could be absorbed by the rain-soaked earth.

“Looks like the river’s risen another foot since yesterday,” Nicholas said grimly as he steered the big bay farther along the bank to where the land seemed firmer.

Alain urged his mount alongside the stallion, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at the river. “It’ll go down soon,” he predicted even as a loud clap of thunder sounded overhead.

“Eventually, yes.” Nicholas brought Sorcier to a halt at the crest of the bank. As he surveyed the wide, swiftly moving river beyond, he asked, “But will the levee hold that long?”

Alain stared up and down the banks for a long moment, his eyes unfocused for a second as he searched his memory. “It’ll hold, it always has,” he said on a note of confidence.

Nicholas had been staring at him curiously, watching the play of emotion crossing his face. “This is where my father fell into the river, isn’t it?”

Alain shook his dark head as he pointed upriver a short distance. “By the big oak with the drooping limbs that are almost under water.”

He suddenly became aware of Nicholas’s steady gaze and shifted uneasily in the saddle. “Is there something wrong?”

“How would you know exactly where he fell in?”

Alain smiled sadly. “You forget that I have lived here almost all my life, Nicholas. I know this river, my friend. I know the way it eddies and flows without reason, the sand bars it will leave where one does not expect them. Yes,” Alain said with a loving look at the muddy expanse of water, “I would know where Monsieur Philippe fell into the river because of where they found his body.”

“I see,” Nicholas said, but Alain thought he did not quite understand.

“Also,” Alain added modestly, “he told one of the stableboys he was coming this way.”

Nicholas’s gaze sharpened with interest. “Did he say why?”

Alain shook his head regretfully. “I do not think so, but the slave who knew has been sold with so many others. When the stables were diminished, well, there was no need for so many stable hands.”

Nicholas’s lips tightened. “So many unanswered questions,” he said to himself before turning his horse around and descending the bank. “We’d better head back. I think I’ll go ahead and send the rest of the horses to Sandrose, as well as clear out some more valuables from the house.” He took a last look at the river.

“Very well. But I think you’re going to a lot of unnecessary trouble, Nicholas,” Alain advised him.

“I’d rather go to the trouble now than see my father’s portrait being washed downriver when the house is flooded,” Nicholas said grimly.

“Will we get washed downriver too?” Paddy demanded, his eyes round with wonder. “Where’s our boat? I didn’t see one.”

Nicholas sighed, chastising himself for having spoken unguardedly before the little boy. “You don’t need to worry. We won’t be taking any boat rides downriver for a while. And I don’t want you saying anything about this to Mara, do you understand me, Paddy?” he warned.

It was a long day, busy with the activity of moving valuables from the house and loading them up in wagons to be taken to Sandrose. All the while it continued to thunder ominously in the distance. Jagged lightning struck through the black rain clouds time and time again until Mara expected to see the bottom ripped out of them and a deluge fall.

The following morning Nicholas awoke early, listening intently for the sound of rain. All that met his ears was silence. He reluctantly left the warmth of his bed and Mara’s soft body and, walking to the window, stared out into the darkness that would lighten within the hour. He tapped his fingers against the pane thoughtfully, hardly daring to give rise to his hopes. They had gotten through the night, the levee holding firm. He glanced back at the dim outline of the canopied bed and felt a second’s desire to climb back in and seek the inviting warmth of the woman who slept beside him each night.

He heard the stirrings of the house servants, however, and he shrugged into his robe. He’d have time for a quick breakfast before riding out to the levee. He wanted to be there with the first light of morning, to see how it had weathered the long night and swollen river.

When Mara awakened, the coldness of the room was being chased away by a bright fire crackling in the fireplace. Mara stretched luxuriantly, lazily snuggling beneath the satin quilt as she eyed Belle, who was just entering with a tray.

“That Miss Jamie, if she isn’t the one,” Belle exclaimed as she placed the tray on a small table drawn up close to the bed, then helped Mara into her bed jacket. “Did you know, Miss Mara, that she’s got all her bags packed, as well as your clothes and the young master’s?”

Mara stared up into Belle’s indignant face. “She’s packed everything?” she asked in confusion.

“Mumbling about the end coming,” Belle told her as she placed the tray across Mara’s lap, “and crossing herself. I swear I’ve never seen such a mournful face, even on an old hound dog.”

Mara smiled. “Don’t let her bother you. Jamie’s always been one to see the darkest side of things. It’s just her way,” Mara explained, unconcerned.

“’Tis me way of staying alive, that it is,” Jamie retorted sourly from the doorway. “Wouldn’t be as old and wrinkled as I am today if I’d shrugged me shoulders at me feelings,” she said as she pounded her thin chest with a tightly clenched fist.

Belle raised her eyes heavenward. She gave wide space to the little Irishwoman and left the room.

“You’re going to have half the servants thinking you’re a witch, Jamie,” Mara commented as she sipped her tea and waited for the inevitable morning sickness.

“Can’t help what folks are thinkin’ about me,” Jamie muttered irritably as she began to set out Mara’s clothes. “I’ve got hot water comin’ so ye’d best get yourself out of bed and into the tub, or ye’ll be washin’ yourself in river water instead of scented,” she predicted with a black scowl.

Mara gave an exasperated sigh, but hurried to finish her breakfast, pleased that the nausea had not come. She laughed at some of Jamie’s superstitious antics, but in the back of her mind was the thought that Jamie was often right.

***

Nicholas sat astride Sorcier, looking down on the muddy Mississippi, cold dread spreading through him. The levee had held through the night, but it wouldn’t through the day. Already huge chunks of earth were crumbling beneath the continual pressure of the tons of water surging against it.

Nicholas glanced around at Alain who was sitting barely an arm’s reach away on his right side. Etienne sat silently on Nicholas’s left, staring at the banks. Water was lapping gently over the tops.

“I wish now you had not persuaded me to accompany you, Nicholas, for this is a most distressing sight. Mon Dieu, but it is,” Etienne said, shaking his white head in dismay.

Suddenly Sorcier jumped forward and came precariously close to the edge, his hooves slipping in the mud as his hind legs slid down into the muddy water. Nicholas fought mightily to pull the big bay’s head up, his knees tightening against the heaving belly of the frightened horse. It dug its hooves into the slippery mud and tried to fight its way up the bank. A less powerful horse would never have managed to pull itself up, but Sorcier—and Nicholas was later to think he did it out of pure meanness—reached the top with a mighty leap, his coat muddied and dripping, while Nicholas’s boots, thighs, and chest were soaked.

“My god, Nicholas,” Etienne breathed, his face white. He stared in horror at his nephew. “You could have drowned.”

“Are you all right?” Alain demanded as he moved between Nicholas and the dangerous edge of the riverbank. “That damned horse. I always thought he should be shot. He’s a killer.”

Nicholas was breathing heavily as he patted a soothing hand against Sorcier’s wet neck. “He saved my life,” Nicholas said in a cold voice. “Something startled him, and if he weren’t such a big brute we would both have been swept downstream,” he said as he glanced between the two men sitting on either side of him. He was about to say more when there was a sickening sound and all three men turned. Along the bank, only a few hundred yards away, the levee was giving way. A rush of water poured through it.

“It’s gone!” Nicholas yelled above the roar of the water coming through the break in the levee. “The whole damned bank will go within half an hour or less.”

He turned his mount around and began to gallop back toward the trees that surrounded Beaumarais. He could see the line of oaks guarding the drive as he raced toward the great house, knowing that he didn’t have much time to get everyone out safely. He glanced around to see Alain and Etienne not far behind him as their horses ate up the distance between the waters of the river and the house.

When Etienne and Alain caught up with him, Nicholas was issuing orders from Sorcier’s back for the carriage and wagons to be hitched up.

Etienne stared across at Nicholas, dismay written across his aristocratic features. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

“I’m getting everyone out of here,” Nicholas answered shortly.

“But why? The fields may be flooded, but we’ll be safe enough in the top floor of the house.”

Nicholas barely glanced at him as he swung down from Sorcier’s back. “We’ve never had the levee go completely before, and I don’t intend to be stranded here at Beaumarais until the waters go back down. I don’t know how long that will be. Nor do I know how much higher the water will rise. I can’t take the chance, Etienne,” Nicholas told him. Pausing at the front door, he said, “You’d better get what things you’ll be needing for a while because we’re going to Sandrose. Just be thankful that you decided to remove some of your treasures yesterday while you had the chance. The carriage will be here at the front of the house.