His voice took on a different quality. One that held just a touch of contempt. "Don't be such a princess, Amanda."
"I happen to know you have a thing for princesses," she murmured sleepily. Her eyes fluttered open to stare into his. "Don't even try to deny it, Sinclair."
Staring deeply into her eyes, Cameron was overwhelmingly afraid to trust the emotions which seemed to be reflected there. "Amanda?" he questioned.
One of her hands slipped to the nape of his neck, pulling his head toward her waiting lips. "Has anyone told you lately that you talk too damned much?"
~*~
Sitting on the couch in the Cory cabin, Ally watched with worried eyes as Marissa paced restlessly. Some sixth sense told her that protecting her had not been Marissa's original role in this plan. Feeling guilty for putting an obvious strain on Marissa's relationship with Cameron, Ally said, "What are you supposed to be doing?"
Marissa raised one eyebrow as she stared at the young girl. "My pacing disturbs you?"
"That's not what I meant," Ally answered. "I know you must be upset that you have to be here with me instead of being with Cameron. I'm sorry."
For a moment, Marissa gazed steadily at Ally. "You actually mean that, don't you?"
Ally nodded. "I've made lots of mistakes since coming to Bay City. I've hurt a lot of people, including you it seems. Maybe once this is all over you and Cameron can . . ."
Marissa interrupted with a laugh. "Don't worry about Cameron and me, Ally. Our relationship won't be changing any time soon."
Sighing deeply, Ally said, "I seem to be making things worse. I didn't mean . . ." Looking away from Marissa, she said in an undertone, "Never mind. I'm going to be quiet now."
"Well, that would certainly be a change," Marissa grinned. After watching Ally fidget on the couch for a time, she sank down beside her. "Don't worry, Ally. Everything is going to be fine."
Turning to face the older woman, Ally said anxiously, "I want you to know that I won't do anything to hurt either you or Cameron. Not anymore. I know that he's planning on spending his life with you, and I accept that."
"You do?" Marissa asked skeptically. "What about your mother? What's she supposed to do once she's free of Stark?"
The earnest expression on Ally's face never changed. "She won't try to come between you."
Marissa laughed. "You really don't know much about love, do you, Ally? Or the lengths a woman will go to when trying to capture a man's heart?"
Shaking her head, Ally answered, "Maybe I don't know much, but I do know that my mother would never try to steal another woman's fiancé. She just wouldn't do it."
"You think not?" Marissa asked. "If Amanda is half the woman I think she is, she won't be able to help herself." Her eyes took on a far away expression as if traveling to a distant place. "Cameron has that affect on the women in his life. Always has, always will."
"But . . ."
Taking pity on the young girl, Marissa grinned, "It's a moot point, Ally. Cameron and I aren't really engaged." As Ally's eyes grew wide with wonder, she added, "He's fixated on your mother. She's his one true love, and nothing, not even me, can change that."
"But . . ."
"It was a ruse, Ally," she told her. "A way to make Stark believe he was winning the battle. It worked." Marissa's eyes drifted off to the past again as she smiled with feral anticipation. "Jordan Stark has met his match at last."
~*~
Jake McKinnon rifled through Jordan Stark's desk, under the watchful eye of Stark's assistant. "Well, well, well," he said with a note of glee in his voice. "Sparky's been a very bad boy. I think the IRS will find these books very informative, don't you, Ms Allen?"
A muffled grunt was her only answer.
With a grin, Jake said, "What's the matter, Ms Allen? Cat got your tongue?"
"It's a little hard to talk with your mouth duct-taped shut," Chris Madison pointed out. Taking his own pot-shot at the snooty assistant who had so often blocked their attempts at learning the truth about Jordan Stark, he added, "We didn't get those ropes too tight now, did we?"
Unable to move so much as a finger, she glared at her captors. When she had entered Jordan's office a little earlier, she had been overpowered almost immediately by the two reporters who were now searching her boss' office. A sense of dread entered her soul. If either of them found the Book, her life would be worthless. In all the years she had known him, Jordan had never forgiven a mistake of that magnitude. It wouldn't matter that it was as much his mistake for leaving the Book unguarded. She was the one who would be held accountable.
"You know, Jake," Chris said unhappily, "the IRS won't be able to use those crooked books as evidence. They're illegally obtained."
Shaking his head regretfully, Jake said, "You're right, Chris. And you know something? That's too bad. But there has to be a way of bringing this to the public's attention."
The two men exchanged a look of pure bliss. Printer's ink nurtured their souls, and they each knew the perfect venue for the revelation that Jordan Stark was a crook of the highest order. "The Herald!" they exclaimed in unison.
Although she found it hard to believe, Ms Allen's predicament had just gotten worse. Not only would she be held accountable for the Book, but Jordan would also place the blame on her for his ultimate humiliation in the newspaper. Making a split second decision, she did her best to draw the attention of the two reporters.
Prodding his boss in the side, Chris pointed to the assistant. "I think she wants to tell us something, Jake."
"More likely, she's trying to make us think she wants to tell us something so that we'll take off the duct tape and she can yell for security."
Chris snorted. "Like that would do her any good. Security has been taken care of for the duration."
"I know that," Jake said. "But she doesn't."
"I'd be willing to bet that she knows where all the bodies are buried," Chris stated. "We can always duct-tape her mouth shut again if her yelling gets on our nerves."
"Talked me into it," Jake grinned, crossing the room. With a single jerk, he pulled the duct tape from her mouth.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed.
Looking at her expectantly, Jake said, "Well, do you have something to tell us, Miss Allen? Or do I put the duct tape back on?"
"Oh, I'll talk all right," she said. "Look in the top left hand drawer of Jordan's desk. You'll find the only extant copy of his book."
Chris moved to the desk, tugging vigorously on the drawer as he asked, "The one from 1798?"
"Yes," she said, inclining her head once.
"It's locked," Chris muttered under his breath. But with the help of a letter opener and a flick of his wrist, he broke the lock. He carefully pulled the drawer open as if in fear of a booby trap.
"Don't worry," she said. "Jordan would never risk the safety of the Book by setting a trap. It's the most important thing in his life."
After easing the book from the drawer, Chris opened it cautiously. One page was obviously more well-worn than the rest. A pencil drawing of a female head caught in profile was prominently displayed. Although the woman's hair was worn with ringlets cascading over one shoulder, Chris was stunned into silence.
"What is it?" Jake asked impatiently. His gaze was locked onto that of the woman as well. "I'll be damned."
Chris exchanged a worried look with his boss. "It's Amanda."
~*~
Reluctantly Cameron raised his head, and gazed into Amanda's eyes, which were full of love for him for the first time in months. "Amanda," he whispered, his complete devotion to her expressed in that single word.
"The kissing part is over, isn't it?" she asked with a sigh of regret. "I suppose you want to talk now."
Cameron smiled at her. "It's not what I want, believe me. I would much rather hold you in my arms forever, and spend every waking moment kissing you."
"But?"
"Stark will be here soon, and I need to get you to a safe place," Cameron told her.
Amanda pulled herself erect, and shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere, Cameron," she stated emphatically. "Not without you."
"I don't have time for this," Cameron muttered under his breath. Staring into her eyes with concern mixed with determination, he said, "You are going someplace safe, Amanda. Unless I know Stark can't get to you, I won't be able to focus all my attention on him."
"But . . ."
"Please don't argue with me, Princess," he pleaded. When he saw she had not wavered in her determination to remain at his side as he faced Stark, Cameron played his trump card. "You're being as pig-headed as Ally."
Amanda's eyes glazed with grief as she recalled the reason for her collapse. "How could I have forgotten," she whispered with horror. "Ally. I have to identify Ally."
Placing his fingers under her chin, he tipped her face up so she could look into his eyes. "Actually, you don't," he said softly. "She's safe, too."
"Ally's not dead?" she asked, tears streaming from her eyes. "I don't understand."
Cameron touched her face with gentle fingers. "She found out about Stark, and came to me for help. She's perfectly safe, I promise you."
"Why did Joe tell me she was dead?" Amanda asked, beginning to shake with relief.
Tightening his hold on Amanda, Cameron confessed, "It's my fault. I'm sorry we had to scare you like that, but we needed some way to get you away from David Halliday. And out of his power."
Amanda trembled with fear. "He's evil, Cameron. He scares me."
"He should," Cameron told her. "David Halliday is Jordan Stark."
Eyes blazing with unsuppressed fury, Amanda cried triumphantly, "I knew it! I knew he was dangerous!"
"Since when?" Cameron snorted. "You've always defended Halliday. What happened to change your mind?"
Resting her head on Cameron's shoulder as she touched his face with her hand, Amanda said, "I woke up several weeks ago. It was weird. I woke up one morning, knowing that David was not what he seemed."
"Were you wearing the locket I gave you?" Cameron asked.
"As a matter of fact, I was," Amanda smiled, turning in his arms to face him again. "I've seldom had it off since I found it in my jewelry box."
After staring at her for several seconds, Cameron mused aloud, "Marissa said that returning the locket would work. Seems she was right."
"Marissa," Amanda whispered, pulling away from Cameron. "I completely forgot about your fiancee. I'm sorry."
"I'm not," Cameron grinned, refusing to let her go.
Before he could continue, Gary knocked on the window impatiently. "What's the verdict, Cam? How much intervention will we have to do to get our old Amanda back?"
Amanda looked at Gary in amazement. "The bigger question is what happened to you, Gary? What are you doing here? The last I recall you hated Cameron."
Shrugging his shoulders as he stepped back from the car so the others could exit, Gary said, "I don't like to see bullies beating up on my little brother. That's my job."
"Speaking of your job," Cameron said, "I need you to take Amanda, Rachel, and Paulina to the rendezvous point."
"No way, Bro," Gary refused categorically. "I'm staying right here. You are not facing Stark alone."
"Gary," Cameron began. "I need to know that everyone is safe. Otherwise I'll be distracted. I trust you. Please, do this one thing for me."
When Gary just shook his head, Joe interjected, "I'll do it, Cameron. I'll take my family to where Ally and Marissa are waiting, and I'll protect them."
Cameron nodded. "Good. I'll contact you once all the fireworks are over."
Amanda crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I'm not going, Cameron."
Looking at the three Cory women who each wore similar expressions, Cameron sighed deeply. "Ladies, this is no impingement on your courage. I know that each one of you is more than willing to help, but the fact is that the best way to help me is to go to a place of safety and wait. Please."
Although she clearly wanted to argue further, Amanda was gently prodded back toward the unmarked police car by her mother. Finally giving in, she re-entered the car after her mother and sister. Before closing the door, she looked up at the man she loved, saying, "Be careful, Cameron."
"I will, I promise," he answered with a smile. "Now get out of here."
Her eyes never leaving his face, she whispered, "I love you, Cameron."
As he gently closed the door, he mouthed, "I love you, too, Princess."
"Ain't love grand?" Gary smirked as the car pulled away.
"Shut up," Cameron retorted, elbowing his brother as he watched Amanda disappear from his sight.
~*~
Jake and Chris stared spellbound at the drawing of Amanda in Stark's 200 year old book. "Weird," Chris muttered.
"You can say that again," Jake murmured.
"Weird," Chris obliged.
Turning an irritated gaze at his ace reporter, Jake merely shook his head for a moment. But almost immediately his eyes returned to the image of Amanda. Seeing her in 18th century clothing, made Jake wonder if he were losing his sanity. "We need to take this to Cameron," Jake said.
"Yeah," Chris answered. "He is not going to like this."
Jake shuddered. "I don't like it much myself. It's really eerie seeing someone you know as well as we know Amanda in the pages of a 200 year old book."
Ms Allen watched with amusement. Having seen the two men in action in other venues, she knew that both were usually unflappable in the face of adversity. Amanda Cory seemed to be very important to many people in Bay City. A knowing smile crossed her lips. Jordan had obviously miscalculated. Again. He would be so surprised when he realized the full extent of the power ranged against him. A power she would happily augment.
"Turn a few more pages, gentlemen," she urged. "Tell me what you see?"
Given the great age of the book, Chris continued to take extra care as he turned the pages of the book. Several pages of text separated one pencil drawing from the next. His eyes widened when he saw the image on the page.
Jake couldn't take his eyes from the image on the paper. Although the hair was longer, the smile and jaw were unmistakable. "I'll be damned," he murmured, repeating his earlier statement.
Chris exchanged another look with his boss. "It's Cameron Sinclair."
From her chair on the other side of the room, Ms Allen said, "Guess again, Mr. Madison. Look at the inscriptions beneath the images."
Barely able to decipher the 200 year old handwriting, Chris studied the inscription for several minutes. "Captain Conall Sinclair of the 79th Cameron Highlanders."
"Who's the one who looks like Amanda then?" Jake asked, becoming impatient.
After carefully turning back to the first image they had found, Chris said, "I think her name was Amaryllis Stark. At least that's what it looks like."
"Damn!" Jake exclaimed. "We have got to get this book to Cameron. He needs to know what he's up against."
Ms Allen laughed with sardonic amusement. "What makes you think he doesn't know already?"
~*~
David Halliday was edgy, but the only indication of his agitation was a clenching and unclenching of his jaw as he waited for his limousine to be brought around. Although he and the others had searched diligently for Matt Cory, he had proven virtually impossible to find. Losing patience, Halliday had informed Cass Winthrop that he was going to the hospital without Matt and Lila. Winthrop had said nothing, but his expression spoke loudly, informing Halliday of the disdain the attorney felt for him. David once again found himself regretting that he had not taken steps to put Winthrop in his place. *But that is a particularly easy mistake to rectify,* he thought to himself.
Glancing down at his watch, David allowed his displeasure to become more readily apparent on his face. He had never been forced to wait over twenty minutes for his driver to bring the limousine around. Henry had always been much more punctual, usually anticipating his need for the vehicle. Although he found it difficult to remain still, Halliday refused to let anyone else see his inner strife by pacing. He removed his glasses, polishing them on his handkerchief. Holding them up to a streetlight, Halliday made certain the lenses were perfectly clean before putting the glasses on again.
Although tempted to call the hospital once again to check on Amanda's condition, Halliday restrained himself. The previous attempts to reach Amanda had been fruitless as the registrars at the hospital claimed to have no record of her admission to their facility. Becoming ever more agitated, Halliday worried that somehow Amanda might slip from his control once she was in the hospital. He sighed deeply. Her soul was like liquid gold, always slipping through his fingers just when he thought he had captured her heart forever.
His limousine pulled up before him, and Halliday didn't wait for his chauffeur to open the rear door for him. Quickly entering the vehicle, he ordered, "Henry, take me to Bay City General immediately." As he settled back into his seat, he added ominously, "We shall discuss your dereliction of duty later."
"Yes, sir."
As was his custom, Halliday ran up the privacy glass between the driver and himself. Since he was now closed off from the world, he allowed his mind to rest, reverting to his normal visage. Laying his head back on the seat, he closed his eyes for a moment to allow the soothing music of the harpsichord to flow over him. In his mind's eye, he saw his beloved Amaryllis caressing the keys of the harpsichord. But the pleasant memory was almost immediately replaced with one of horror. Her delicate hands covered with her lover's lifeblood, as Amaryllis clutched his lifeless head to her breast crying out his name, pleading with Conall to wait for her.
Stark jerked his head upright, and thrust the memory from his mind, refusing to dwell on the past. Even though Conall Sinclair had lost his life, he had won the battle for Amaryllis nonetheless for she had quickly followed him in death. But his rival would not win this time. Amanda would be his. Once he found her at the hospital he would pressure her to marry him immediately. Determined to make Amanda his wife, he ignored the small voice in his head which reminded him that marrying Amaryllis had not ensured her love.
Becoming angry with himself for dwelling on Amaryllis and her infidelity, Stark forced himself to gaze out the side window. Trees lined the roadway instead of the tall buildings and streetlights he expected to see. Enraged by the sight, he said, "Henry! Where are you taking me? This is not the way to the hospital." When his driver made no answer, he commanded, "I demand you turn this vehicle around immediately, and take me to Bay City General."
The only answer he received was the snicking sound of the doors being locked. He tried to lower the privacy glass to no avail. Opening the door of the small bar before him, Stark reached for his car phone only to realize with some trepidation that this was not his limousine. He wondered for a moment who had the nerve to abduct him. Immediately, the image of Amanda's blue collar Lothario came to mind, but Stark was certain that Cameron Sinclair had neither the intelligence nor the courage to confront him face to face. It had to be someone else. "Whoever it is shall pay," he vowed, settling back in his seat with a look of arrogant disdain on his disfigured face.
~*~
The car had barely rolled to a stop before Amanda leapt from the vehicle and raced up the steps to the Cory cabin. Joe's announcement at the party had chilled her to her soul as she received the worst news a parent could ever hear. Although she knew Cameron would never lie to her about Ally's safety, Amanda needed to see her daughter with her own eyes before she could truly believe it had been a ruse to free her from David Halliday.
Just as she reached the top step, the door flew open and Ally emerged with an enormous smile on her face. She threw herself into her mother's outstretched arms. For several moments, neither spoke, but simply held each other tightly. The tensions of the last months faded away as each of them realized how close they had come to losing each other forever. And all because of a man whose soul was as twisted as his face.
Pulling away from her mother slightly, Ally brushed away her tears of elation with her fingers. She looked around expectantly. A frown marred her forehead as she asked, "Where's Cameron? I thought he'd be with you."
Amanda tried to smile brightly, but knew she had failed by the scared look on Ally's face. "He'll be along shortly," she promised. "He had something he had to take care of first."
"Let's move inside, Ladies," Joe interrupted, gently prodding them toward the door. "No sense in making yourselves a target."
Gazing at Joe with a worried expression, Amanda asked, "Do you think Stark has men out there just waiting to attack us?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I want to be prepared for the worst." With a smile, he urged her inside. "Go on in the cabin, Amanda. If something happens to you, Cameron will have my head."
"I doubt that," Amanda told him as she entered the cabin, glancing over her shoulder to see Joe put a pair of night-vision binoculars to his eyes. Clearly, Cameron was not taking any chances with her well-being.
When he followed the ladies inside a few minutes later, he slid an arm around Paulina's shoulders, dropping a kiss on her hair. "No one in sight," he told them.