Guarding the Treasure (6 page)

Colleen stood resolute. “Miss, I could not. Mrs. O'Connell's things are much too lovely for someone like me.” Her gaze lowered to the floor. “I am a servant from the country, and—”

Anya broke into her words. “Remember, Colleen, so was my mother. Please take what you wish and give the rest to those you think can use them best.”

“Thank you, Miss, you are very kind.”

“Thank you for being so kind to Mother.”

 

Anya lay on her bed, poring wide-eyed over the entries in the black book. There was a brief knock on the door, and only seconds later, Sean abruptly appeared. Her eyes automatically moved to him as he greeted her coolly but gently.

“So little lass, I finally find you in this big house,” he said, lying on the end of her bed. “Tell me, why you are closed up in this room when you could be out enjoying the light breezes of the early evening?” he asked, looking at the closed book in her hand. “Don't tell me you have taken to reading now?” Sean rolled his eyes and moved closer to her. “You are too young and beautiful to have your nose stuck between the pages of someone else's writings. You must live, so one day you will have something to write to others about,” he said, running his eyes over his sister's shape.

Anya caught his eyes considering her, and then looked away. “Sean, is there something you wanted to talk to me about this good evening?” Her voice was civil but held a direct tone.

“Aye, little one, come downstairs with me and sit for a while,” he said, pushing off the bed to stand and holding his hand to her.

She wanted to protest but knew he would be in charge as soon as Father said his goodbyes. She needed to learn to do as Sean requested. Anya gave a deep sigh and, without a word, took his hand as he easily brought her to her feet. She turned to see to the diary's safety. It seemed to have hidden itself from her brother's eyes.

“So what is it you wanted to tell me, brother?”

“Not so fast, Anya,” he said, pouring something black in a small cup. “First, we must toast.”

The change is his voice put her on guard. The tone had changed to something murky, and it startled her for a moment as did the look in his eyes. They flashed something she did not understand but had seen a time before. “And to whom, may I ask, are we giving a good wish to?”

A look of distinct evil filled his eyes, and she felt his mind look right into hers. “Father wanted me to say his goodbyes. He left a few hours ago.”

“What? Father said he would say goodbye to me personally before he sailed. You are lying to me, brother,” she said, standing to her feet.

“Sit down, Anya.” His voice boomed loudly, his body tensing.

Anya lowered herself to the edge of her chair, narrowing her eyes at the man sitting across from her.

“Good. Now let me finish.” He rubbed the lines that had formed on his brow. “The first ship was ready to sail and the winds were in their favor, so they set out. It was the proper thing to do, Anya,” he said, touching his fingers to her reddened cheek. He moved close to her, matching his eyes with hers. “Besides, he had, let's just say, some fine company to join him on his journey. I do believe, little one, that you were the last thing on his mind,” Sean said, enjoying the pain in her face, laughing as he held his glass up to her.

Anya watched as he tipped his head back, allowing the descent of the dark drink from his mouth to his stomach. She wished he would choke on it, but even more, she felt an unexpected loneliness fill the room in spite of her brother's presence. She wished Colleen was still in the house but knew she was gone for the evening.
Mother I need you. I need someone
, she thought.

“Drink, little one, for as you may recall, I am in charge of you while Father is absent. So you will need to get used to a few changes,” he smiled as he pushed her hand, holding the cup to her lips. “Drink it!” he yelled, tensing again.

Anya took only a sip then loosed it from her hand. It spilled, landing on Sean before the glass shattered on the floor. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up. Her brother was laughing deeply. Tears trickled down her cheeks. “Sean please do not make me do things that are against Mother's—”

Sean stood suddenly. “Mother is dead and is not here to protect you any longer.” He slowly bent over her slender body. “She has kept you pure for too long, Anya, and that is going to change,” he said as he reached to catch a tear.

Sean felt power run through his veins as Anya's tears continued to trickle. He had not felt such a strong sensation of control before, and he reveled in the feeling as he watched her fear of him. “Anya, tomorrow night I am going to a gathering, and you will accompany me.”

Her eyes widened with question. “What type of gathering, Sean? You know I have never been to gatherings that were not in this house.”

Sean poured another cup of the black drink, hastily downing it before he spoke. “It is a meeting with potential customers and a few men I do business with at the present.”

Anya's voice faltered. “Then why do you need me with you, dear brother? I know nothing of your business dealings, so how can I possibly be of help to you?” she pleaded. “Besides, you have plenty of women friends you can put on your arm, so do not use me unnecessarily.”

His lips tipped up into a casual smile as he turned from her. “Anya,” he said, running his hands back through his hair. “You will know soon enough my plans for you, so in the time you wait, you must do all that I say.” He turned and held his hands out to her.

She took his hands in reluctant obedience, looking at the person she thought was her brother, but he was away in the head and stupid with pride. Feared gripped her mind—she did not want to be the tool her brother used to carry out his sinister plans, whatever they may be.

 

“Miss,” Colleen said, walking up the garden path as fast as her feet would carry her. “I happened to see you as I entered the front gate. What are you doing out here so early in the morning?”

Anya noticed a look of concern had replaced Colleen's usual soft features.

“And you are still in your bedclothes?”

Anya eyed her once again with a feeling she could not explain. What could she tell Colleen about Sean and the gathering she had been ordered to attend? She sat silent, too deep in thought to search for words.

“Miss, there is something troubling you, I can see it on your face. Possibly when your father rises for the morning meal, you can speak to him about your troubles.”

“He's not coming for the morning meal,” she said, her words quiet with lack of expression. “He sailed yesterday.” Her lips continued to move, but no sound escaped them.

Colleen stood, considering her words. “Ah, I see. Come with me, Miss. That is, if you would. Sit with me in the kitchen while I make up some buns and wet some tea.”

Anya's brows perked. “The kitchen?” she rarely entered the kitchen—it was a place for the help.

Colleen recognized her surprise. “Your mother sat with me often, Miss,” she said, urging her with her hands. Anya agreed and walked alongside the young servant woman.

Anya watched as Colleen skillfully floured a board and kneaded the soft cream-colored dough. “How did you learn to bake and cook as you do, Colleen?” Anya asked, sipping a small cup of black tea.

“My mother,” Colleen said, smiling as she pushed the dough flat to the board. “She works for a lovely family in town, and before I was hired by Mrs. O'Connell, I would go with her each day and do just as you are—I watched.”

Colleen gathered the dough and pulled it into three large sections.

“Sean has requested I go to a gathering with him tonight.” Anya's eyes followed the skillful hands of the servant. She swallowed hard. “I am fearful, Colleen,” she confided, now looking into the face of the young woman who was partly in charge of her. Anya now realized her feelings for the servant. It was as if she were a Mother or perhaps an older sister. Either way, she was someone to guide her.

Colleen didn't look up or say a word, but continued to separate the dough into small balls, placing them in round pans. Each pan was then draped with cheesecloth and positioned near the heat of the cooking stove.

“More tea, Miss?” she asked softly.

“Yes.”

Colleen poured the tea then sat down near Anya at the servants' table. “Sean is in charge of you while your father is absent, aye?”

Anya nodded her head.

Stillness filled Colleen's heart as she looked at the young woman. Once again, she was pained, not knowing what to say. She knew Miss O'Connell dare not disobey her brother, but also knew that, if the night's course of events unfolded as she suspected they might, it would not be a pleasurable evening for the young woman. There would be too much Guinness and men forgetting their manners.

“Has Mr. O'Connell told you what he would like you to wear for the gathering, Miss?”

Anya's face fell into a wrinkle, “Colleen that is a strange question to ask of me. Unless you know something about these gatherings that I do not. Tell me what you know. I insist on it.”

“Miss, I have had little experience at these gatherings but know that not all men are perfect gentlemen whether they have Guinness in them or not. I do know that many of the women who attend flaunt themselves, and the attire they wear tells much about their intentions. I pray, Miss O'Connell that your brother does not expect you to act in such a way.”

Anya felt a thread of alarm enter her mind. She stood to make her way to the dining room. “Come now, Colleen, we have had gatherings in this house and no such display took place.”

Colleen followed close behind the young woman. “Your words are true, but your mother and father were present and would not allow such behavior.”

Colleen looked away to hide the grim feeling in her chest that she feared had made its way to her face. “Please be aware tonight, Miss.”

Anya turned, and she saw grievous fear steal across the face of the young servant. “I will, Colleen, I will.”

 

Anya stood to observe her reflection in the mirror. The black dress fit her small waist tightly, showing off her figure. The short puffed sleeves were perfect for the warm evening, and the scoop neckline was not so low as to make her look like a bar girl. She smiled at the image in the mirror.

“Mother, I think you would be very pleased with this dress,” she said, as if her dear departed parent was about the room. She tied a small string of pearls around her neck and touched the long blonde curls that hung loosely on her shoulders.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the hurried sound of her brother. “Little lass, are you ready to go?”

No
, she thought, her smile fading. She would never be ready to go with her brother, but there was no choice. Anya turned from the mirror. She had to be submissive. She stepped lightly down the stairs to join Sean near the door. Anya could feel his gaze burning through her as she faced him. “So brother, what do you think?” she asked without a true smile.

Sean's thoughts ran wild as he touched the pearls around her neck, his fingers caressing her skin at the same time. “I am feasting on you with my eyes just as I know every man in the house will be doing tonight.”

He put his hands on her waist and pulled her close to him. “You look perfect, little one,” he said, kissing her forehead. His lips traveled to the side of her face near her ear. “And tonight you are going to play a little game,” he whispered, his hot breath lingering, almost burning her skin.

“Sean, I don't want—”

He cut her off sharply. “It matters not what you want—it's what you will do,” he said firmly. “Now listen to me and listen closely,” he said, his eyes darkening. “I am going to introduce you to a very influential businessman from France, and you are going to spend some time with him tonight.”

“What do you mean by time, brother, and how will that be a game?”

His smile became raw as he looked into her large green eyes. He loved the thought of her innocence. Mother had done a fine job of keeping her from being promiscuous, as many of the other young women her age were. She would serve his plan perfectly, and by the end of the night, he would have the business deal in hand that would help him surpass his father's financial empire.

“Your questions will be answered as the evening goes on. All you need to do is be just as beautiful as you are right now and leave the rest to my thinking.” Sean laughed under his breath as he gently took his sister by the hand.

 

“Good evening, Sean,” Aedan said, looking past him to Anya, who followed behind. Aedan complimented her with his eyes as he spoke. “Anya, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. All of twenty-one now, aye?” he asked, his eyes surveying her shapeliness.

She gave him a sweet smile. “No, still eighteen, but my brother treats me as if I'm no more than ten,” she said, pressing her lips together and folding her arms in front of her. “But thank you, Aedan,” she said, returning her gaze back to her host. “You are very kind.”

She had always enjoyed Aedan's sense of humor but wasn't allowed near him for any length of time. Mother said his influence would be in poor taste, and perhaps so. There were times she wondered how Aedan could be such good friends with her brother. They did not think the same, nor haunt the same places. Aedan was the perfect gentleman and had never stepped out of line with her as long as she had known him.

Sean cut into their light chatting. “Is Mr. Dubois here yet?” he asked, giving his cloak to his friend.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he arrived about twenty minutes ago. He asked about you as well. Seemed quite eager, he did.”

Sean let the locked air from his lungs out audibly and bared his teeth in a wide smile, “I bet he is, my friend, about as eager as I.” His smile melted into obscurity. He reached for Anya's hand and lightly kissed it then met her eyes. “You are going to have a memorable night, little one,” he said, looking at her after his second kiss. “Just remember—do everything you're told. And as for your words to Aedan, know this Anya, I am well aware of your age, and it will be put to good use.” His eyes pierced hers as he kissed her forehead. “Now let us play the game.”