Blazing Love: A Hot, Romantic Suspense Series, Book 2 (The Carlisle Sisters) (10 page)

“We make a good team,” Blaze said.

“I think so,” Tracy grinned.

Blaze put his arm around her waist and they joined the others.

“Let’s go.  It’s going to be a steep climb back up to the road. Watch your footing,” Grey said.

While it was still daytime, the shadows from the thunderclouds covered the earth in a dark and dreary gray.  And when they turned to start the climb toward the road, they saw a light dancing to and fro at the top of the embankment.  Someone was waving a flashlight over their head.

“Someone is there!”  Tracy said as she waved her own arms.

“Down here!”  Blaze called out.

A man shouted back.

“Stay there.  You will never make it without a rope.  It’s far too slippery and steep,” the man shouted.  “I’ll be right back.”

“He’s right,” Blaze said.  “Look at the mud and falling rocks.  We could easily be caught in a mudslide.”

“Thank goodness he saw us,” Grey said.

They saw the back of an SUV easing toward the edge of the embankment and watched as the man tied a rope to the trailer ball.  He threw the length of rope down the ravine and it ended just out of their reach.  Grey climbed a few yards, grabbed the end of the rope and turned to extend his hand to Beth.

“Give me your hand, Beth,” Grey said.  Blaze helped Beth hop over to Grey.  She clasped his hand tightly and he pulled her up in front of him.  “Grab the rope and hold tight.  I’ll be right behind you so you cannot fall.”

She nodded and began climbing; taking one cautious step then another.  As she took a third step her uninjured foot slipped and she fell backward into Grey’s chest.

“It’s okay.  I’ve got you,” Grey whispered in her ear.

Beth took a deep breath and started moving again.  She climbed steadily and finally reached the top of the embankment where a pair of hands pulled onto solid ground.  Grey joined her and turned to face their rescuer.

“How can we thank you?”  Grey asked sincerely.

“Let’s get the rest of your party to safety then you can buy me a steak,” the man grinned.

Grey liked him immediately.

“Deal,” Grey returned.

Beth looked over the edge and saw Davet making his way up the hazardous incline. Davet proved to be sure-footed and had little trouble making his way to the top.  Once there, however, he complained of dizziness and sat down on the edge of the SUV’s bumper to rest.

Tracy, always the tomboy while growing up, was next in line and appeared to be navigating the precarious terrain without difficulty.  But just before reaching the top, a rock Tracy had stepped on gave way and she began to fall backwards.  Beth sucked in her breath as she watched, unable to reach her to help.  But Blaze, barely even strained by the climb, quickly grabbed her and helped her the rest of the way. 

Once they’d reached the top and Grey helped each of them over the edge, Blaze kissed Tracy’s cheek and wrapped his arm around her.  Beth smiled at the obvious affection Blaze held for her sister.  She thought they made a wonderful couple.

“Thank goodness you happened along and saw us,” Beth said.  Thank you so much.”

“I saw your vehicle tumble into the ravine from the house and rushed down to help,” the stranger said.

“We owe you a debt of gratitude.  How can we ever repay you?”  Tracy said.

“We’ve already worked it out,” Grey joked.  “All the kind man wants is a steak for saving our lives!”

The man laughed.

“Repayment is not necessary.  I am just glad that you are alright.  You are very lucky,” he said.  “This is a dangerous road and many who have suffered your same fate over the years have not emerged as well as you.  Can I give you a ride?  Where are you headed?”

“La fin de la Victoire,” Tracy said.  “Do you know it?” 

“Indeed I do,” the man smiled.  “I will take you there.”

“Thank you so much.  Let me introduce everyone,” Beth said.

She made the introductions.  “And what is your name?”

“I am Jehan.  Jehan Lemaire.  La fin de la V
ic
toire is my family home,” Jehan smiled.  “It was from the castle window that I saw your misfortune.  But we can discuss that when we arrive.  For now let us be off, as it begins to rain harder.”

Chapter 7

J
ehan escorted them into the castle.  Margot was there to take away their wet jackets.

“Thank you,” Tracy said to Margot.

The French woman smiled and nodded as she moved away with the jackets.

“Mademoiselles!  I feared it might be you whom my nephew went out to rescue,” Hélène said worriedly.  “I am so glad you are uninjured.”

“Not quite, Aunt,” Jehan corrected.  “Mademoiselle Beth has a sprained ankle and Monsieur Davet is sporting a severe wound on his head.”

“Oh, no!  We must send for the doctor immediately, Margot.” Hélène said in concern.

“Yes, Madame.  Right away,” Margot agreed.

Hélène paused as she looked at Grey.  She could not help but to stare at him.

“He looks so much like his père, René,”
she thought.  “He is indeed a Lemaire.”

“Your bedrooms are ready if you would like to change into dry clothes,”  Hélène said.  “When the doctor arrives we will have him tend to whoever is in need.”

“I believe their luggage is still on the vehicle that lays in the gully, Aunt,” Jenah explained.  “But I have no doubt you will think of a brilliant solution!”

Hélène smiled warmly.

“Indeed.  You ladies are the size of my niece who often visits.  She has plenty of clothes here, most of which she has never worn!”  Hélène said brightly, taking the ladies by their hands.  “Come along!”

“And I will find something that fits the gentlemen,” Jenah added before leaving the room.

Hélène turned toward the grand staircase then frowned at Beth, realizing that her ankle would prove problematic.  She’d opened her mouth to speak when Grey swept in and scooped Beth into his arms.  Hélène smiled her approval and then led the three of them up the stairs.

Blaze watched them for a moment then walked over to the fireplace to wait.  He extended his hands to the warmth and wondered what was to come.

“Who are you?”

Blaze swung around at the harsh voice.

“Blaze Hartford,” Blaze answered evenly.  “And you are?”

“Claude Lemaire.  This is
my
home into which you have intruded.  Why are you here?”  Claude asked suspiciously.

“We have business with Madame Hélène Lemaire,” Blaze replied.  He disliked the man immediately and had no desire to elaborate.

“What kind of
business
?”  Claude demanded.

Blaze wasn’t sure who the man was but he knew he couldn’t be Hélène’s husband; the true master of the home.  That gentleman would have already known who they were and why they were there.  Before he could speak, Jenah returned.

“I see you’ve met my father.  Père, this is Blaze Hartford,” Jehan said.

“Saved in the nick of time,”
Blaze thought.

“So he has said; but little else,” Claude snapped.

“Come, Blaze.  I have a change of clothing for you.  And I am sure you are freezing to death.  If you will excuse us, Père,” Jehan smiled.

Blaze left the room with Jehan but could feel the cold eyes of Claude piercing his back.

*****

Hélène escorted Grey and the girls upstairs and down two corridors.  As they walked, Tracy worked to memorize their path to avoid getting lost during their stay.  Finally, Hélène stopped at a beautifully ornate wooden door.

“Beth, this will be your room,” Hélène said.  Then, after a moment, she added, “I have put your sister in a separate room.  But, of course, if you prefer to share I can put you in a room with two beds.”

Beth, still in Grey’s arms, wondered if Hélène realized that they were an item and would be sleeping in the same room.  She began to explain but Hélène’s stern expression stopped her dead in her tracks.  Apparently Hélène had old-fashioned views on unmarried couples sleeping together.  Respectfully, Beth changed course.

“I think I would rather have my own room.  Tracy and I did enough sharing when we were kids,” Beth smiled.

“You can say that again!” Tracy chirped.

Hélène nodded and opened the bedroom door.  

Grey carried Beth into the huge and exquisite bedroom.  The muted lamps on the nightstand and dresser projected a soft light that illuminated the pale-yellow walls with tan crown molding and a white ceiling.  The contemporary blue and cream furnishings were accented with pops of tan and red pillows.  It was a surprisingly modern room for such a centuries-old abode.

“It’s beautiful,” Beth said as Grey sat her on the bed.  “I love it.”

“I’m so happy that you do.  This has always been one of my favorite rooms,” Hélène smiled.  “I decorated it myself.”

“You have a lovely sense of style,” Beth complimented.

“Thank you,” Hélène said graciously.  “I will return with a change of clothing for you as soon as I show Tracy and Greyson to their rooms.”

“Alright.  Thank you so much,” Beth said.

Grey allowed Hélène and Tracy to precede him and gave Beth a rueful smile as he left the room. 

Beth grinned as she ran her hand over the huge bed.  She wished she didn't have to sleep in it all alone.  But she understood Hélène’s point of view and respected her values.  Plus, she’d have plenty of nights to spend with Grey in the future.

Only shortly after having left, Hélène breezed back into the bedroom with her arms full of clothes.  A man carrying a doctor’s bag followed close behind her.

“Beth, dear, this is Doctor Eugene Estelí.  He is a very dear friend of mine and a brilliant doctor,” Hélène said.

“Bonjour, doctor Estelí.  Thank you for coming to see me on such a horrid day,” Beth said.

“You are very welcome, Miss Carlisle.  It is my calling to heal when and as I can!”  Eugene smiled genuinely.  “Now let’s take a look at that ankle.”

Beth thought he was a handsome for an older man.  He was of medium height and build with brown hair that was graying at the temples and a smile that was as kind as it was wide.

The doctor knelt on the floor and laid her ankle across his knee.  He gently pressed his very capable fingers against the swollen appendage and Beth winced.

“Hurts?’  he asked.

Beth nodded.

“A little,” she answered.

After further evaluation, he reached for his bag and pulled out a tube of ointment and an Ace bandage.

“Thankfully, it is not broken.  But it
is
sprained,” Dr. Estelí said.  “I’m going to apply this ointment for the swelling and wrap it.  Try to stay off of it as much as you can so it may rest.  I will leave a cane that you are to use.”

“A cane?”  Beth wailed.

“Yes and you must use it.  I am quite serious.  Hélène, make sure she does not walk without it,” he insisted.

“I will see that she doesn’t,” Hélène said seriously.

There was a twinkle in Hélène’s eyes.  She would enjoy having someone to take care of.  And Beth thought that it might be nice to be fussed over by a motherly figure.

*****

“I hear we have guests.  Who are they?”

Claude turned from the fire to look at his older sister.  Manette had manipulated her way into the household a year ago claiming financial difficulties.  And of course Marceau, ever the family man, had invited her to live with them.

But Claude thought Manette was lying.  She was too tight-fisted and stingy, in his opinion, to squander the sizable entitlement that she had inherited from their mother.  Claude was sure that she had other motives for wanting to be at Victory’s End and he was determined to discover those reasons.

He looked at his tall, thin sister.  She had never been a beauty.  She was too long and angular to be considered as such.

Claude had always marveled at the fact that she’d married and had children.  He thought it was a miracle that a man had ever looked at her in that way.  But it
had
happened and her son and daughter were both grown with families of their own.

Her husband, however, had died; leaving her a widow.  And when she’d first shown up at Victory’s End, crying poverty, Claude had wondered why she hadn’t been asked to move in with one of her children.  But since becoming reacquainted with her over time, he had to assume they wanted nothing to do with her; he certainly didn’t.

“They are friends of Hélène,” Claude answered.

“What
friends
?”  Manette asked.

“I do not have all the answers, Manny,” Claude explained.  “You will have to ask Hélène.”

Manette bristled.

“Do not call me that!  You know I cannot tolerate it,” Manette snapped.

“But it is such a cute name,” Claude smirked, well aware that he was getting under her skin.

“Don’t use it,” Manette demanded.

“Oh lighten up,
Manny
,” Claude chuckled.

“You insufferable cad,” she spat.

Claude laughed.

The two had never had been close, even when they were young.  In fact, she had almost turned down Marceau’s invitation to move into the castle due to Claude’s presence.  But she needed to be there; her objective could not be achieved otherwise.  Even so, she did not trust Claude and was sure he felt the same about her.  Perhaps it was time to accelerate her plans.

Manette moved to stare out of the window.  Claude’s eyes were filled with hatred as he pierced his sister’s stiff back.  Hélène entered the room just at the conclusion of their sparring and she’d heard Manette’s name-calling.

Hélène knew there was no love lost between the siblings.  And she knew this would only make things even more difficult in the near future.  They would not be happy to hear that she and Marceau had found their grandson.  In fact, they would be incensed.

“So be it,”
Hélène thought.
 
“The time has come.  The future of Fin de la Victoire would soon be passed into the rightful hands.”

“What is going on?”  Hélène asked.