Come the Dawn (19 page)

Only with a case of chronic arrogance,
India thought grimly. “No, I’m sure you’re worrying about nothing, Alexis. I think your guardian is merely distracted with various responsibilities. He has been away from London for many months, you know. His business affairs must be attended to, after all.”

Alexis’s nose crinkled as she considered this possibility. “I suppose you’re right. I only wish that nasty old widow weren’t forever hanging about. I
won’t
have her for a mama,” the little girl said firmly. “She would lock us in a closet for the rest of our lives,” she said tragically.

Ian laughed and ruffled the little enchantress’s silky curls. “I doubt that your guardian would let such a thing happen. I think he cares very much about you.”

“I used to think so.” The little girl shook her head. “Now I’m not so certain. All he seems to do is thunder about looking cold and angry. I heard Cook say it was because he was lonely and needed someone to share his bed.” The little girl studied Ian’s face, perplexed. “But why? Do you think it’s because his feet get cold?”

Ian cleared his throat. “Er, I suppose that might be the case.” He took Alexis’s arm gallantly, and led her outside. “But I suspect you will be missed. You wouldn’t want to make everyone worry, would you?”

“Of course not. I simply wanted to explain how sorry we all were.”

India brushed the little girl’s cheek gently. “I’m very glad to know it, but you shouldn’t have come out alone. London is very different from the countryside of Brussels.”

The little girl’s eyes widened. “Do you really think so? I find it very tame. There are not half so many gray people wandering about here as there were near the battlefield.”

“Gray people?”

Alexis nodded soberly. “You know, the ones that come out of the bodies after they’re dead. I saw any number of them near the fallen soldiers after Waterloo. Oh, they’re harmless as a rule, simply as lost as we felt. I tried to make them see that their bodies were gone and they should find their way home, but they didn’t seem to want to listen. I’m only a child, after all.”

Something cold and tight gripped India’s heart. Could this remarkable child, with a maturity far beyond her years, truly have strange powers of sight?

Ian moved away from them over to the carriage. India waited until he was out of hearing distance, then turned back to Alexis and asked softly, “Do you still see these people, Alexis — these gray people?”

The little girl looked anxiously at India. “I hope you won’t tell. Andrew and Marianne say it’s just my imagination, so I don’t speak of it now.”

“Your secret is safe, my dear.”

“In that case, I’ll tell you. I still see them sometimes, but not so often now. Here in London there are ever so many little children. In Brussels it was usually the men. Soldiers, you know. But here it’s the children and they all seem nothing but bones. Do you think they didn’t have enough to eat?”

India thought that was quite likely the case, added to death from sickness. She struggled to find something wise to say to a child who had probably far more wisdom than she had. “You are right to be concerned, but perhaps you had better not think too much about this. Have you told your guardian?”

“The earl? No, he’s too busy these days. I don’t want to make him upset.” The little girl studied India closely. “He said to tell you not to cry,” she said matter-of-factly.

“He? Do you mean the earl?”

“No, of course not. I mean the little boy. I see him around you sometimes — full of light, not like the others. And he always seems happy. His hair is short, with beautiful curls of dark auburn. His eyes are exactly like yours, my lady. He said to tell you it had to be. That the time was not right.”

India’s face had gone sheet white. Her arms tightened against her chest as if she were struggling to protect herself against a physical blow.

As of course she was.

No one knew the secret of her private torment, not until this little girl with the keen silver eyes looked deep and somehow plumbed the very core of her soul.

“You can’t possibly know what you’re saying,” India said hoarsely. “This is some sort of cruel trick.”

Instantly Alexis’s eyes filled with tears and India realized it was no trick. She looked over at Ian, standing impatiently by the carriage. “I shall take her home, Ian. I must have … a little time alone.”

Ian frowned. “I’ll go with you.”

“No!” India gripped his arm hard for a moment. “Just Alexis and I. Please, Ian.”

After a moment her brother shook his head. “Very well, though I don’t like it a bit. I’ll send you ahead in the carriage with Brown, the footman. But I’ll be along in fifteen minutes.”

India knew it was as much as she could hope for from her protective brother.

“I hope you’re not angry with me,” Alexis whispered.

“No, not angry.” India held the girl’s fingers tightly. “Not angry at all.”

~ ~ ~

 “How did it happen?”

They bounced along toward Belgrave Square with Alexis’s shoulder propped against India’s as the girl toyed restlessly with the frayed edge of her dress.

“I don’t quite know. There have always been other people around me, people that no one else could see. I think it was after the battle there in Brussels that I began to see the gray ones.”

Even now India felt a little tremor of uneasiness at hearing such words spoken so casually. “And the little boy you mentioned?” She caught a breath to steady her voice. “Tell me about him, Alexis.”

“Well, he was ever so nice. He has such kind eyes, deep and without bottom. Like a lake my parents once took me to see in Switzerland.” The girl gnawed at her lip for a moment.

India fought to keep her voice level. “And … do you see him now?”

She could feel Alexis’s head turn, studying the shadows of the carriage. After a moment the little girl sighed. “Not now. It happens that way. I never know when they are going to come. Maybe he doesn’t want to disturb you, my lady. You look ever so beautiful in that gown — like a fairy princess. I’m certain he didn’t want to spoil your evening.”

India gripped the girl’s fingers tightly, then sat back slowly, her heart pounding.

Of course it was all true. She had lost Devlyn’s baby after Waterloo. She had been devastated by Devlyn’s death, and the loss of the child had only driven her deeper into her grief. She had stayed on in Belgium for several months more, until she felt ready to face her family and hide the truth of her loss.

Afterward India had never mentioned her pain to anyone. To speak of it would have opened too many wounds. She had decided it was far better to bury all the sad memories as deep as she could.

And now this precocious child with the clever silver eyes looked deep inside her and saw what no one else ever had.

He said to say the time was not right.

India held tight to the words, feeling foolish, but at the same time taking comfort in what Alexis had told her.

“I’m sorry if what I said upset you, my lady. I didn’t mean to bring you pain. No one ever believes me when I talk about the things I see. Especially about the man with the scar who comes sometimes at night.”

India frowned. “You’ve really seen this person?”

“I wouldn’t lie! I see him hiding in my room sometimes. There is something cold about his eyes, as if he can look at you and turn you to a block of ice.” The girl shivered.

“Think carefully, Alexis. Have you really seen this man or is he like — like the gray ones, the ones you see but cannot touch?”

The girl was silent for a moment. “I’ve never touched him, if that’s what you mean. But I can see him there, as surely as I can see you right now in the shadows beside me.” The little girl’s voice fell. “As surely as I can see that you are crying.” Her fingers stole up and brushed India’s wet cheek.

“Thank you for telling me, Alexis. Don’t feel bad. I … I’m glad to know. But I wish you would not speak of this to anyone else. It shall be our secret, just yours and mine. Can you do that?”

“Of course. I keep secrets from Andrew all the time. He doesn’t like me to hide slices of cake from dinner, but I put them in my pinafore and take them upstairs to the nursery. I slide them behind a pile of books.”

Suddenly Alexis was a normal six-year-old again, a rather sad and lonely young girl concerned with hiding sweets from her brother.

India reached out and gave her a tight hug. “I promise I’ll speak to your guardian. I shall see that you get to Astley’s Amphitheater and Gunter’s for ices. Do you think you would like that?”

“Oh
yes.
But we don’t mean to bother you, especially not when the earl is acting like — like he has ale froth for brains.”

“Alexis!”

“Well, he is. I heard Cook say so. And he’s every bit in love with you. Whenever you’re in the room, he gets what Andrew calls a dopey look on his face. But he hides it if he thinks you’re looking.”

India sighed. It was clear that the child had built a fantasy in her need to find a mother. “Let’s not worry about that, my dear. Just look, we are back at your house.”

The carriage creaked to a halt and the door was flung open by Ian, who stood outside to hand Alexis down to a waiting footman. “Stay there,” he ordered India. “I shall see Alexis inside and deal with Thornwood.”

India smiled slightly. When Ian was in his domineering mood, there was no crossing him. Besides, she was not looking forward to a discussion with Thorne, not after their last meeting.

So she sat back and let her brother escort Alexis gravely up the steps to the waiting butler.

As she sat in the darkness of the carriage, some strange compulsion made India look into the shadows, yearning for a sight of auburn curls and smoky blue eyes. “Are you there?” she asked softly. “My little lost love, are you truly there?”

As she spoke, wind ruffled the linden trees in the small park across the square. For a moment India could have sworn the sound was just like the muted laughter of a small and very happy child.

Vauxhall was a glittering fairyland alight with dancing lanterns as India and her brother made their way through the crowd. At ten o’clock there was a concert and at twelve o’clock the fireworks began, at which point the crowds in attendance usually turned quite rowdy.

The pleasure gardens to the south of London included narrow walks through half-hidden groves, which provided privacy for meetings of a more illicit sort. But Ian was careful to keep his sister to the lighted walkways and the laughing crowds where gay waltzes drifted through the cool air.

In one corner beneath a cluster of lanterns in the shape of stars, a tall man behind a black satin mask was holding forth before a crowd of enthusiastic listeners. “Lord,” Ian muttered, “there’s the Duke of Wellington thronged by admirers. Let’s go the other way.”

Smiling, India let him lead her off toward a row of hedges, her satin slippers crunching over the gravel.

“I’ve reserved a place for us at a box not too far up the hill,” Ian explained. “We’ll have a perfect view of the spectacles and the fireworks at midnight.”

At that moment a raucous crowd of young bucks, clearly drunk, stumbled past laughing wildly. Ian drew India out of the way. “As you can see, this is no place for an unescorted female,” he said grimly, “especially not the Dark Walk.”

“I’ve never heard of it. It sounds wonderfully illicit, however.”

“There’s nothing wonderful about the place. It’s damned dangerous and if you’re found there it is commonly assumed that you’re a woman in search of whatever she happens to find.”

India snorted. “I dare one of those drunken louts to lay a hand on me.” Her eyes sparkled behind the little golden mask that the duchess had given her, its color perfectly matching the edge of her sash. “Do you remember that time in Egypt, Ian? When we had to hold off a camp full of nomads who were bound and determined to take all our horses.”

Her brother laughed softly. “How can I ever forget, hoyden? You stole the leader’s horse and raced off, with the lot of them howling in pursuit. That’s when they discovered that I had hobbled all the horses by tying together their legs.”

Ian chuckled. As they stood laughing, a pair of women dressed in gowns far more translucent than India’s wandered past arm and arm. The taller one, her face hidden beneath heavy rouge and a beauty patch, slanted Ian a seductive look.

“Heavens, Ian, do not tell me that those two are—”

“Your suspicions are correct.” Her brother cleared his throat. “And I really think it’s time we moved on. I have a table reserved.”

A pair of drunken soldiers ambled past, hot on the heels of the two ladies of the evening. They turned, caught sight of Ian in his regimentals, and gave him a dashing salute. He shook his head, laughing, but of course in Vauxhall any sort of informality was permitted, perhaps even expected. It was in fact one of the particular attractions of the place, for here prince and pauper might stroll together casually, formality and virtue forgotten in the fantasy of the dancing lanterns. It was a place where one could be seen and at the same time be entirely invisible, for whether one wore a mask or not, whatever took place in the shadows would not be commented upon the next day.

Nearby India heard low laughter spill over one of the carved boxwood hedges where a pair of lovers were having a quiet tryst. For a moment she felt a pang of sadness, thinking of the fury on Devlyn’s face when he had left her at Hampstead Heath, but she dismissed the thought, angry at him for disturbing her peace yet again.

Near the center of the gardens the orchestra was tuning up. “Perhaps we had better take one more turn around the orchestra area and then go look for our box.”

“Very well,” India said.

But at that moment she saw a most disturbing sight. Three small forms were creeping between a row of tables behind the area where the orchestra was playing. India’s eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of pale blond hair on the smallest one.

It was impossible, of course. It could not be—

The figure moved and beneath the light of a dancing lantern India had a perfect view of big gray eyes and a very pale face.

Alexis’s face.

“Oh no,” she said to her brother. “It’s the three children. What in heaven’s name are
they
doing here?”

Ian frowned. “They can’t stay here, that is certain.” He studied the area beside the orchestra. “Those three over there?”

“I’m afraid so.” When the tallest of the shadows turned, India recognized Andrew beneath a hooded cloak that very nearly dragged on the ground. She waved quickly and gave a sigh of relief when the boy waved back.

“Thorne’s here, you know,” Ian said tightly. “I saw him by the grotto. He was with Lady Marchmont.”

India’s heart fell. If he saw the children he would no doubt punish them severely and India couldn’t bear the thought. “Hurry, Ian, we can take a shortcut through the Dark Walk. There must be some quiet grotto where we can sit down and find out why they’re here.”

Her brother, ever the resolute campaigner, studied the shaded greenery. After a moment he nodded. “Just to the left of the oak tree, I think. Come along, my love.”

True to his word, less than five minutes later they were assembled beside a gurgling fountain lit by lanterns, and Alexis was clinging to India’s waist.

“We told her it was nothing but a foolish story, but she wouldn’t listen.” Andrew’s face looked very grave. Despite his curiosity, he was out of his depth in this place and feeling reluctant he’d ever agreed to his sister’s demands.

“But why in the world did you come here? It is not at all safe.”

“I made them,” Alexis explained, her voice trembling. “We had to come and warn you. You are in very great danger, Lady India. I saw the man again, the man with the scar. He was following your carriage when you left Belgrave Square.”

“What man is this, Alexis?”

“He’s a bad man. I see him sometimes at the foot of my bed. He wishes us all harm, and he’s here tonight.”

India exchanged a quick look with her brother.

“You’re sure that he was real, Alexis? Not like one of the others, the ones we spoke about?”

The little girl shook her head sharply. “No, not one of them. He was real. I know it.” Her hands tightened on India’s. “You must believe me.”

“Hush,” India said softly, smoothing the girl’s hair. “Of course I believe you and I think that you are all very, very brave to come here and warn me. I shall be very careful, and of course I have Ian to help keep me safe. But now that I know, I think you must return home before your guardian finds that you have slipped out.” As she spoke, laughter trilled past the high boxwood hedge that ringed the grotto.

Lady Marchmont’s laughter.

Alexis’s hand rose to her mouth. “Oh, he’s here! He’s here with
her.
” The little girl looked up at her brother anxiously. “He will be ever so angry if he finds we disobeyed him, Andrew.”

The boy looked clearly uncomfortable. “I dare say we’d be put on bread and water for the rest of our lives.”

“All the more reason for him not to find you here then,” India said crisply.

“Fortunately I have just the solution.” Ian had moved to the back of the grotto and was holding open a small door all but concealed behind the hedge.

“How in the world did you know that was there, Ian?”

The soldier’s lips curved. “It always pays to have an escape route, no matter where you are,” he said jauntily. “Now, be quick about it, you three. I have the carriage not too far away. I’ll take you there and have the coachman see you home.”

Ian looked at India. “I’m afraid it means leaving you alone for a few minutes. I believe I saw Pendleworth back there, however. I’ll track him down and send him to you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I shall send any drunken roués packing,” India said firmly. “Just see the children to safety.”

“But the man with the scar.” Alexis shivered. “He’s here! You must be very careful.”

India patted the girl’s head. “And so I will, my dear.” She reached into her little reticule and pulled out a beautifully worked pistol with silver and golden mounts.

India smiled as Andrew gave a low whistle. “You don’t think I’d come to a place like this unprepared, do you? After all, who would protect my big burly brother from all the women who would try and waylay him for their dastardly ends?”

~ ~ ~

On the other side of the orchestra, Devlyn Carlisle was surveying the throngs of revelers, his features hidden by a black satin mask. “But I could swear I heard the children. They were here just a moment ago.”

Beside him Helena Marchmont clicked her tongue and poured her lush body even closer. “Your devotion is the thing I like the most about you, my lord. But the children wouldn’t dare come to a place like this at night. And if you keep on imagining them I should really begin to feel most slighted,” she purred, her mouth taking on a luscious pout.

After a moment Devlin shrugged and turned back to his companion. “I suppose you’re right. They wouldn’t dream of flouting my orders, especially not after I told Andrew what punishment would await them if they were caught in another escapade like today’s. Very well then, where shall it be next?”

The widow’s eyes glittered. “Why not the Dark Walk?” Her hand toyed with the curve of his ear. “It would be so deliciously exciting to be there alone with you.”

As Thorne stood undecided, a clock somewhere in the grounds struck the half-hour. He had another half an hour to wait until midnight, when he was to track his prey to a covert meeting at the far end of the pleasure grounds. Until then he needed a good excuse to be present and there could be none more obvious than the attractions of a woman such as Lady Marchmont.