La Flamme (Historical Romance) (19 page)

He watched her move away from him, wanting to call her back. God help him, he loved her. There had been moments when he had felt she loved him too—he couldn't be wrong about that. Whatever was troubling her was also robbing them of happiness. He intended to discover what devils haunted her.

Seated in the coach, Sabine stared into the darkness. It had taken all of her willpower to leave Garreth. It was not supposed to happen like this—she had lost control tonight. The next time they met, she would be prepared. And the time and place would be of her choosing.

21

When the coach stopped in front of Sabine's house, all the lights were blazing. As the footman was helping her from the coach, Ysabel came hurrying through the door.

"It's your brother!" she cried in distress. "We have searched everywhere and cannot find him. I did not know where you were, so I sent for Jacques and Marie."

Garreth's coachman bowed to Sabine. "Is there something I can do to assist you, Mademoiselle?"

Sabine was so fearful for Richard that she could not think clearly. "No. You may leave." Frantically, she hurried into the house and flew up the stairs to her brother's room.

"Richard," she called, opening the door to his bedroom. "Richard, answer me!" His two hounds came to her, licking her hand and wagging their tails, but Richard was not there.

Ysabel entered the room, puffing to catch her breath. "As you see, he has not slept in his bed."

Sabine stooped to pick up a toy soldier, held it in her hand for a moment, and then placed it on his trunk. "Have you questioned the servants?"

"That was the first thing I did. No one has seen him since early evening."

"He has no friends. Where could he have gone?"

Ysabel was so frantic that tears filled her eyes. "1 have tried to think where he would go, but I cannot imagine."

Panic was building up inside Sabine. "He would not do this to me. Richard understands that I would worry. Someone has taken him—I'm sure of it."

"No one could get into the house without our knowing. And the dogs would not have allowed an intruder into this room."

Sabine frantically looked around for some clue, anything that would tell her what had happened. "Is it possible that Garreth found out who we are, Ysabel? Could he have deliberately distracted me tonight while someone took Richard?"

"It would make no sense. He had you and let you go."

"I must find Richard. I'll report his disappearance to the authorities, and they will help us."

"Jacques and Marie have already done that and a search has begun."

Sabine was not aware that she had begun to pace. "I cannot just do nothing." She went to the window and stared out into the inky darkness. Her brother was out there somewhere, alone and frightened. "Oh, Richard, I pray that God will keep you safe."

*                                          *                                          *

On returning to the chateau, the coachman asked to see the duke, and was shown immediately into the salon, where Garreth was answering his correspondence.

"Ackerman," Garreth said in surprise, "did you deliver your passenger safely home?"

"I did, Your Grace, but I thought you might like to know about her brother."

Garreth frowned. "What about Richard?"

"Mademoiselle was told that her brother was missing, and she was most distraught."

Garreth stood, his face creased with worry. "La Flamme is famous, so some deranged person might have taken the boy, although I think that is unlikely. It's more likely, with his adventuresome nature, that the boy struck out on his own." He looked at the coachman. "Where would you go, if you were a young boy looking for adventure, Ackerman?"

"I can't say that I ever had an adventure, Your Grace."

Suddenly Garreth smiled. "I believe I just may know where to find him. Have you unhitched the horses?"

"No, I came directly to you, Your Grace."

"Then let us hurry."

It was raining when the coach reached the park where Garreth had spent the afternoon with La Flamme and Richard. Now the park was dark, and the empty stalls cast grotesque shadows in the misty rain.

Garreth hurried toward the river, where several people were camping beneath makeshift tents, so they would have a good view of the boat races at sunrise.

He called Richard's name and questioned several people, but no one had seen the boy. Garreth was just about to give up hope when he saw a lone figure huddled against the side of a statue, trying to keep dry.

"Richard," he said, bending down to the boy.

"Monsieur le due," Richard said with relief, "I was praying that someone would find me, and you came. I was so frightened, and I am so cold." He threw his arms about Garreth's neck, and Garreth lifted him up and hurried toward the waiting coach.

"Your sister is worried about you, Richard," Garreth said, as he placed the boy inside the coach and covered him with a lap robe.

"How did you know where to find me?"

Garreth looked at him sternly. "I merely thought as a young boy would think, and I remembered how badly you wanted to see the boat races."

Richard looked up at Garreth searchingly. "My sister is going to be angry with me, is she not?"

"I believe you worried her a great deal. You know you did wrong?"

Richard nodded, his face full of misery. "I would do anything to see the boat race, but I am sorry if I caused my sister distress."

"You must promise her that you will not do this again. Will you promise, Richard?"

He nodded. "I only want to go home."

Marie had returned, but Jacques was still searching. Sabine paced the floor, often going to the door to listen. "1 hear a coach," she said hopefully.

"Perhaps Jacques has returned with news of Richard," Ysabel said.

Sabine rushed into the entry with Ysabel and Marie, just as the door opened to admit Garreth, who was carrying Richard in his arms.

Sabine snatched her sleeping brother from him, looking him over carefully. When she was sure he was unharmed, she hugged the boy tightly.

"Richard, what happened to you?"

"He will tell you later," Garreth said. "He's wet and tired—you should get him into some warm clothing as soon as possible."

Sabine glared at Garreth over Richard's head. "What did you do to him?"

Garreth shook his head, and turned to the door. This wasn't quite the reaction he had hoped for. "I shall leave you to tend to your brother. Your gratitude is not necessary for what I did. Good night, La Flamme."

Sabine opened her mouth to protest, but he had already gone.

Marie and Ysabel were fussing over Richard, and he opened his eyes sleepily. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. I only wanted to see the boat races. Remember, Sabine, when you told me that people camp there so they can have a good view?"

Marie lifted Richard in her arms and walked toward the stairs. "First we get you tucked into bed. You have worried us all. A boy should not do this to those who love him," she scolded.

Sabine followed them up the stairs. "I want to know exactly what happened, Richard."

After he was in dry clothing and under the blankets with a warming pan at his feet, Sabine sat beside him.

"Now, tell me everything."

"Are you angry with me, Sabine?"

"I believe I am. But it's just that I was so concerned about you because I love you."

"Monsieur le due has told me I must promise never to worry you so again."

"How did he know where to find you?"

"I don't know, but I'm glad he did."

"How did you get out of the house without being seen?" Sabine asked.

"I slipped down the stairs when no one was looking and walked all the way. I hoped you and Ysabel would think I was asleep. I was going to return in the morning, after the races."

Marie was hovering over him like a mother hen. "You are a naughty boy to worry us so."

He hung his head. "I'm sorry." His eyes sought Sabine's. "I was frightened," he admitted. "It was like the night we fell into the water—do you remember?"

It had been a long time since her brother had mentioned that horrible night, and she had hoped he had forgotten about it. "What else do you remember about that night, Richard?"

"I remember being cold and frightened, like someone was chasing us."

She held her breath after she asked the next question. "Did you tell this to the duke?"

"Of course not. He was nice, Sabine. When he came for me, I wasn't frightened anymore."

Sabine kissed his cheek and moved to the door. "Go to sleep, Richard. We will talk more about this tomorrow."

"I'll sit with him for a while," Marie said, pulling a chair to the side of the bed. "I hope my fool of a husband comes in from the rain soon."

"I'll go below and make Richard something hot to put in his stomach," Ysabel said, moving out of the room.

Sabine went to her bedchamber across the hall. Tonight, for just a moment, she had thought that Garreth had abducted Richard. Instead, he had found him and brought him safely home. She was becoming confused about her feelings for him. It was strange, but she no longer feared him. Was there danger in being lulled into complacency?

She had to do something soon to bring these years of uncertainty to a conclusion. It was time for her move against Garreth, and she knew just how she would do it.

Garreth stared at the note he had just received from the housekeeper.

"A love note?" Stephen asked, smiling.

"It seems to be from La Flamme. I told you that I found her brother last night."

"Yes, but you told me little else."

Garreth broke the seal. "I believe this will merely be a note expressing her gratitude."

He read the note to himself:

Your Grace,

I am ashamed of my actions last night. I was most ungracious to you after you had rescued Richard. I am having a supper party tonight, at eight, and wonder if you might attend. I look forward to seeing you and expressing my appreciation.

He raised his eyes to Stephen, who was waiting expectantly. "Did you receive an invitation from La Flamme?"

"No I didn't," Stephen said, glancing over Garreth's shoulder. He smiled. "Perhaps she has invited only you."

"Not likely." After last night Garreth had decided that he would no longer pursue La Flamme. She loved a dead man, and he could not compete with her memories.

"I shan't be attending her little party," Garreth said, wadding the note and tossing it on the table. "Tomorrow I'm going home."

Stephen was more perceptive than Garreth had realized. "Distance will not cure what ails you, my friend. I have never before seen you this besotted over a woman."

"Leave it alone, Stephen. It is over. She has made her feelings quite clear. She has ice in her heart and is content to live with the memory of Richard's father."

Sabine watched for Ysabel's return and met her at the door. "You delivered the invitation?"

"
Oui,
but still I do not like this thing that you do."

"Did he say he would come?"

"I did not stay to see him, but no doubt he will come."

"Tonight," Sabine told Ysabel, "you will take Richard to Marie's and remain with him until I come for you both tomorrow. I have already told the servants that I will be closing the house after our possessions are packed today. When I leave this house tomorrow, La Flamme will cease to exist."

"So it's time for you and Richard to return to the past," Ysabel said sadly. "Are you certain?"

"It is the only way, Ysabel. I sent another message to my uncle, the marquis de Chavaniac. This time I included my mother's locket, in hopes that he would recognize it. Apparently he did because he has invited Richard and me for a visit as soon as I can arrange it."

Ysabel's heart was heavy as she moved to her basket of mending by the door. Sitting in a chair, she took one of Richard's shirts and begin making small stitches on the torn sleeve to keep her hands busy. "I will miss you both; you have become my life."

Sabine took the wrinkled hand gently in hers. "Dear Ysabel, put aside your sewing. This is something you will never have to do again."

Ysabel dared not meet Sabine's eyes. "It is what I am accustomed to. My hands go to it."

"Did you think I would leave without you? You will be coming with us, of course."

The faded blue eyes widened with joy, and for a moment she couldn't speak. "I do not know what I would have done had you left me behind. I ask only to be your personal maid and look after your needs."

"You will have to do nothing but pass your days in leisure, Ysabel, as my dear and trusted companion."

"No, this 1 will never do," Ysabel said quickly. "I am happiest when I look after you."

Sabine understood Ysabel very well. She was not suited to a life of idleness. "If it is your wish to continue as you are, it will be so."

There was a smile on Ysabel's face. "I will go now and make certain that everything is properly packed." She started to leave the room, and then paused. "Do you intend to be alone in this house with Blackthorn?"

"Yes. It's the only way. I believe Garreth loves me, and tonight I will use that love against him."