A slow smile began to play on the lips of the wicked Marquis. He appeared to make a valiant effort to maintain his air of aristocratic superiority, but the effort was for naught. Soon his mouth was curving in a definite smile that reached his eyes, slightly crinkling the corners. Anne was shocked to feel her heart beat faster as the steel was replaced by totally unexpected warmth from the same grey eyes. The difference was truly astounding.
"It would appear that I've made a foolish assumption," said the Marquis. "You appear to be one of those rare females who not only speaks her mind, but also possesses both wit and intelligence. I would be a fool to attempt to either browbeat you or trick you into telling me what I wish to know. I'm thought to be many things, but a fool is not one of them. Perhaps we should begin again."
Anne, mentally chastising herself for succumbing to the lure of the warmth emanating from his person, invited the Marquis to sit. "If you would be so good as to acquaint me with the details concerning yesterday's escapade, I will tell you all that I am able."
Anne seated herself on one of the velvet covered chairs that graced the Yellow Salon, and the Marquis settled into a matching chair on the other side of a small ornate table. She met the Marquis' look with a confident forthrightness of her own. She didn't need to tell him all that she knew, as she was the one to determine what she was able to tell. After all, wasn't that exactly what she'd just promised him she'd do?
"I don't believe we have been introduced. I'm Seaforth. Flora and Theo Havershaw are my niece and nephew. Just what is your connection with the Havershaws? What is my niece planning to do with the Star of the Sea, and where is the gem? I'm sure once you understand the gravity of the situation, you will understand why I must have the answers to these questions today."
Remembrance of the previous day's contretemps brought a smile to Anne's lips. In the short span of twenty-four hours her uneventful life as a governess had vanished, leaving her with the feeling that she'd somehow fallen into the middle of one of the gothic novels she loved to read. Or perhaps it was a farce instead; it was very hard to tell at this point.
"I'd never met either your niece or your nephew before yesterday. I was in the park with my charge, enjoying the beautiful spring day, when Flora came rushing at me. She fainted at my feet, so I had her carried to the house. Shortly afterwards you arrived, closely followed by the three men who shot you and abducted me." Anne gave a gasp as she remembered that the Marquis had been wounded. "You look remarkably fit for someone who was shot only yesterday."
"The merest graze," replied Seaforth. "Please get on with the important points to your story. Where is the gem?"
Anne met his quiet insistence with a question of her own. "Why would you possibly imagine that I know anything about a gem? The Star of the Sea, is that what you said it was called? I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it appears to me that if I'm to be of any help I need to know the particulars which led to Flora's precipitate flight and my abduction. In case it hasn't occurred to you, I was in as much danger yesterday as anyone else, and deserve an explanation. What reason do I have to trust you?"
"I'm really not at liberty to give you any details, other than to repeat that I must recover the gem, as it is a matter of life and death."
Anne's determined chin raised as she looked him steadily in the eyes. "And I told you I would tell you all I am able... after I have the details concerning yesterday's events."
The Marquis met Anne's look of determination and sighed. "It would seem we are at an impasse. You won't tell me what I need to know unless I relate to you facts that aren't mine to divulge. I'm prevented from completing a crucial task for his majesty's government unless you share what you know with me. Would it not be in both our best interests if we were able to work out some sort of an agreement?"
Anne was about to reply in the affirmative when Mrs. Brookfield surged into the room like a ship in full sail. "What is the meaning of this, Tilbury? I did not give you permission to entertain male guests in my salon. I feel it is my duty to guard your reputation, as your mother is not here to do so. This gentleman must leave the premises immediately."
Turning to see the identity of the gentleman in question, a not so small gasp slipped from Mrs. Brookfield's lips. "Oh, excuse me! Jennie told me that Tilbury was entertaining a gentleman in the salon, but she neglected to tell me your identity. She'll receive a box on the ears for that, you can be sure. Please forgive me for speaking so rudely just now. You must understand that I feel totally responsible for Tilbury's reputation as long as she resides in my house."
Having said her piece, she settled herself into one of the empty chairs, and proceeded to look first at one, then the other. A speaking look passed between Anne and the Marquis. Though neither had as yet decided just what to tell the other, they both knew that they certainly wanted to keep the discussion between themselves so as not to provide any more delectable tidbits of gossip for the loquacious Mrs. Brookfield.
The Marquis cleared his throat and rose to his feet. "I called to make sure that Miss Tilbury wasn't suffering any ill effects from her abduction yesterday. I'd hoped she would feel well enough to go for a carriage drive in the park."
Anne's eyes flew to his and read the unspoken message, telling her that both their conversation and their relationship was only beginning. Mrs. Brookfield was looking at her with a raised eyebrow and a speculative gleam in her eye. Anne knew she would be quizzed later as to why a Marquis should honor an insignificant governess with such an invitation. The words fell from Anne's lips in a rush. "Master Ronnie is occupied with his riding lessons this afternoon, ma'am. He won't be needing me for at least an hour or two."
Mrs. Brookfield frowned with displeasure, but was reluctant to oppose the wish of such a gentleman. "I suppose it will be all right. Get your shawl, as these spring afternoons can quickly change to rain. No more than an hour if you value your position."
With a quiet thank you, Anne excused herself to fetch her shawl. A few minutes later she found herself being handed into an elegant carriage and bowling along the drive.
The Marquis had directed that the carriage be taken to the park, where it seemed all of society was outside taking advantage of the crisp Spring air. Alone with his Lordship and in such close proximity, nerves had overwhelmed the young governess and she avoided initial conversation with him by staring intently out at the park's crowd. It was soon obvious that she would have to say something as the man had been watching her and nothing else for the last ten minutes. Turning to the Marquis, Anne smiled and opened her mouth to remark on the many people in the park, when he drawled,
"Tilbury... Tilbury. I met a Sir Paul Tilbury once, a keen hunter with estates in India"
Anne's face blanched at his words and she quickly turned away.
"Are you acquainted, Miss Tilbury?"
"Sir Paul is my uncle." Anne responded in a quiet voice.
Seaforth's eyebrows arched in surprise. "Really? Your uncle didn't appear to be a man of immodest means, surely..."
Anne's head whipped around and she faced the Marquis with touch of fire in her eyes. "My Uncle was good enough to recommend my services to his friends, the Brookfields. 'Tis only fitting for the daughter of a disgraced fortune hunter."
"Ah, I have offended." Seaforth bowed his dark head. "My apologies, Miss Tilbury, I didn't mean to pry."
The genuine gentleness of the Marquis' voice caused Anne to manage a small smile in reply.
It was out of manners that Anne didn't pry into the Marquis' background herself, for she was very curious to know how the Havershaw's had such a young Uncle º surely he was only five or six years her senior. However, it was certainly not bad form to ask him again to explain the recent alarming events, and she was about to do so when the carriage suddenly lurched and she was thrown forward into Seaforth's arms.
"Blast these roads! The day they fix them..."
Bewildered, Anne stumbled back to her seat away from the muttering Marquis. Upon looking into his white face she saw he was wincing in pain.
"Oh, Sir, you are still hurt, let me see to your..." Partly from habit administering to Ronnie's hurts and partly from concern, Anne reached for his Lordship's arm.
Irritated, Seaforth waved Anne away. "Pray, let one alone, Woman! 'Tis a mere scratch but a painful reminder of the seriousness of this situation. A situation which could grow extremely nasty if you don't tell me where the sapphire is!"
Seaforth's words were ground out with such force that Anne sat back, suprised. The wicked Marquis had resurfaced.
Trying hard to quell her anger, Anne decided there and then, that, however intriguing this mystery was, she had had enough of this nonsense. "I wish to be taken home, Sir, and there I will gladly give you your wretched Star of the Sea, and you and your family can leave me in peace!"
Not a word was spoken on the journey home. The Marquis was now making a point of staring outside the carriage, while Anne watched him and fumed. The governess could tell his Lordship was still suffering discomfort from his wound, as he would wince with every lurch the carriage made. Anne breathed a sigh of relief when the carriage came to rest at the Brookfield's house knowing she would hand over the sapphire, and that would be the end of this baffling escapade.
As soon as Anne stepped from the carriage she was swept up into a flurry of activity. The front door to the Brookfield's house was wide open, a servant was running about in a state of panic, and from within a woman was screaming.
"Oh, my goodness, its Lady Brookfield!" Anne called to Seaforth before hurrying inside. My lady was in hysterics in the parlour, Phipps was trying in vain to calm her, he saw Anne rush in with the Marquis at her side and cast a pleading look of help at them both.
Anne reached out to calm her ladyship, when My lady suddenly stopped screeching to stare wildly at the younger woman.
"You! It was you who caused all this mayhem and for my poor Ronnie's life to be placed in jeopardy! " Lady Brookfield thundered while waving an accusing finger in the young governess' startled face.
"Ronnie! What do you mean? Please, Lady Brook..."
The enraged woman thrust up a hand stopping Anne mid sentence. "I want you out of my house or I will call in the authorities and have you sent away to prison!"
Shocked beyond words, Anne faltered backwards and would have fallen if not for the steady hand of the Marquis at her side.
Anne, with the Marquis at her side, regained her equilibrium and thrust her chin up.
"Please calm down, my lady, and tell me exactly what is going on."
The calm voice of her governess immediately caused Lady Brookfield to subside sheepishly. Despite her overwrought high-handedness, Lady Brookfield realized how valuable and useful her governess really was.
She took a few puffs of air, then took a few more for her corset prevented really deep inhalations. Lady Brookfield's eyes began to fill with tears, "Some horrible man took my little boy!"
Anne's eyes widened in alarm. She was terribly fond of Ronnie and if anything had happened she herself would, in a very Anne-ish way, be just as upset.
"Show me. Tell me exactly what happened."
Lady Brookfield became a bit flustered. "Well, I don't really know what happened. Dickens was the one who discovered it." She turned and bellowed for the upstairs maid.
Miranda Dickens, the upstairs maid, must have been standing right outside the door because she entered immediately, clearly distraught.
"Oh, Miss!" she meeped to Anne, "I should have been paying more attention! But I had just finished the Lady Brookfield's chamber..."
'And quite an ordeal that must have been,' Anne thought to herself.
"...and was heading downstairs to take my luncheon. I had seen Master Ronnie playing with his ball in the playroom and thought he would be shipper than shape for a few minutes."
Lady Brookfield turned a motley red, "Imbecile! Incompetent!"
Anne shushed her unceremoniously and then, as a worrisome thought struck her, "Ball? What ball?"
Dickens sniffled into her handkerchief, "That pretty shiny one he found in your room, miss."
Anne groaned. The Marquis started, he wasn't aware ladies could quite groan like that. Then an ugly suspicion started forming in his head.
"That's not our ball, is it?" He asked suspiciously, his face scrunching up in horror.
Anne nodded glumly.
Dickens continued, "And then when I came back, Master Ronnie had disappeared and Coopie said she had seen a horrible man outisde the kitchen window a few minutes before."
Lady Brookfield yelped, "My baby! My poor little baby!"
The Marquis stood forward, grasped milady by the arms and shook her twice. "Contain yourself, madam. We will retrieve your boy, have no fear."
He turned to Miss Anne and began to speak... before being cut off by her.
"You and I need to talk," Anne said with an ominous gleam in her eye.
The Marquis gulped and the two retired to the withdrawing room, withdrawing from the circus in the parlor.
Anne, a somewhat militant look on her face, turned to the Marquis.
"I want to know exactly what is going on."
He dithered. His resemblance to a certain fruit was once more quite pronounced.
She took a step forward.
He took a step back.
"I don't do this for a living you know! All I ever wanted to do was breed racehorses. Then this whole thing blew up in my face and now people I don't even know are demanding help!"
He took a deep breath and regained some semblance of control. He usually was in control, but then he was usually not in this kind of situation.
"My brother was a dear sort. He often settled debts in less painful ways then most. Before he died, he accepted two gems as repayment for a debt from a friend. Unknown to him, those gems were not his friend's to give. We must return those gems to their rightful owner."
Anne took another step toward him.
He took another step back.
"And ... ?"
"And, our enemies are cunning and have ties to certain... other... problems."
Anne arched an eyebrow, "That relate to His Majesty's government?"
"Mmm." He tried to reply noncommitally.
"And Theo's story of you stealing the title?" She realized her mistake at once.
The Marquis perked up, took a step forward until their noses practically touched and said urgently, "You have seen Theo? Where is he? I must know! He must be stopped!"
Anne's confusion telegraphed itself to the Marquis and he took a deep breath. Then he realized how close he was standing to her and grew somewhat flustered.
He took a step back.
Anne thought that this was beginning to feel like a minuet. Except with dialogue.
"I received a letter from a friend of mine the day before yesterday." The Marquis drew from his pocket a well-worn note and showed it to her. She drew out her reading glasses and peered at the messy scrawl, the only words she could decipher being "The Guardians" and "Roly."
"My friend has... shall we say, connections with the more unsavory types around England and he was able to help us. We know now who the leader of the Guardians is, but not how vast the organization is. Judging from the scale of the operation it is vast indeed. My friend says that they are involved in all sorts of illegal activities, including free trading, smuggling, and various lesser forms of treason. Though how there could be lesser forms is beyond me. The leader himself is..." the Marquis' face darkened "...in the unique position of being in control of my family." He paused, "He is our man of affairs and engineered this family contretemps to divide the family. Theo is trying to regain the jewels himself and foil the Guardians' plans, but he'll get himself killed!"
The Marquis' face was twisted in anguish, "And then I really will be the Marquis!"
He seemed truly upset at this idea, Anne thought. He must really rather be with his horses.
"So what do we do?" she asked forthrightly.
The Marquis thought for a while. "We need Theo's help. We need the gem. And we need to contact... um... my contact."
Anne nodded, "But first we need to get Ronnie back."
The Marquis smiled, "Agreed. But for that we will need Theo, and I have no idea where he is."
"I do," a quiet voice answered. Flora Havershaw peeked around the curtains.
The Marquis started, "You've been eavesdropping!"
"I know where he is, Uncle James," she repeated stoutly and, evidently used to this infraction, the wicked Marquis sighed and smiled.
Anne looked curiously at Flora, "How do you know where he is?"
Flora gazed at her calmly, "We're twins. I always know where he is."
The Marquis clapped his hands together, "Very good. Miss Tillbury, would you please get your shawl and equip Flora with some better walking shoes. I am going to question... Coopie, is it?"
Anne winced, "Mrs. Coopersmith, the housekeeper. You'll probably find her in the kitchen. She doubles as the cook."
The Marquis raised an eyebrow, nodded, and departed.
As they departed upstairs to get their things, Flora murmured sotto voce to Anne, "I've never seen Uncle James so confused."
Anne was surprised. "That's confused?"
Flora replied, "Oh, yes. He's usually much more in control of things."
Anne could see that, from the way the Marquis had been acting.
"Does he really work for the king?" Anne asked out of curiousity.
"Not regularly. Only as a favor, usually. Wait... you mean, he's working for the king now?!" Flora asked in surprise. "Oh! That means! Oh, Theo will be so happy that Uncle James isn't a bast..." she stuttered to a stop guiltily.
Anne almost choked on a giggle, seeing that dainty thing utter such an un-dainty word.
When they returned downstairs, it was to find the Marquis had bearded the lioness in her den and acquired a sidekick. Miranda Dickens stood beside him in a most sensible outfit with a most determined expression on her face.
The Marquis sighed and rolled his eyes as Dickens once again said, "I'm not gonna be left behind! Ronnie needs me, the little Friar. And if Coopie hadn't been an Elephant's trunk, she could have rescued the poor little bugger."
So off the motley crew tromped, forward to gain another ally and then to save the world (which included a little boy and a title).
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 3c | Chapter 3d | Chapter 3e | Chapter 4 | Chapter 4b | Chapter 4c | Chapter 5 | Chapter 5b | Chapter 5c |
| Novel 1 Notes | Novel 2 Notes | Novel 3 Notes |
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AUTHORS: Although changes to the story are not allowed, please email any grammatical corrections, punctuation errors, or typos related to your installment to Tonia Izu.
Changes last made on: Saturday, March 1, 2008
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