Mark of Caine Trilogy: Book One: Hidden in the Shadows (Victorian Villains) (3 page)

“Allow me to guess. The oath stated that if
one of them lived he should assume responsibility for the other sons. And your
father was the lucky survivor.”

“No, none of them expected to live. The
water was up to their necks when my father remembered there was a hatch for
loading rum barrels cut into the side of the boat. It was hidden behind a stack
of crates; they had to swim down to reach it. He thought his companions were
right behind him when he escaped, but they were not. Bartholomew
Caine
watched the boat sink, dragging his cohorts to the
bottom of the sea. The water was frigid; he was convinced he was about to join
them in death when a small fishing vessel came into view. My father was
rescued.”

“Where is all this leading?” Branson asked
impatiently. “I have no desire to relive your father’s past history. I wish it
was him at the bottom the ocean and not Tobias Reilly. The knowledge that my
father called him friend only makes me hate Bartholomew
Caine
even more.”

“Why—do you fancy your father was morally
superior to mine? You have not asked why four sailors were shut up in the cargo
hold of a whaling ship in distress. They were
prisoners
, Bran. They’d been caught stealing, and one of them had
committed murder to cover up the crime. All four were being transported to back
to England where they would stand trial. The murderer in the bunch was your father—Tobias
Reilly.”

Tanner fixed his black soulless stare on
Branson. “You are no better than me. You may fool yourself with family and
respectability for a time, but you’ll revert to your true nature. What is bred
in your bone is the same thing that is bred in mine. Those four criminals on
the whaling ship swore an oath in their final hours. Unrepentant to the end,
they vowed their sons would follow in their footsteps. Murder, greed, and
ruthlessness are the gifts our fathers bestowed on us with their dying breaths.
We have inherited their evil. We have been baptized with a curse.”

Branson grabbed Tanner
Caine
by the lapels and shook him. “You are lying. You are your father through and
through—as vicious as he ever was.”

“As you are like yours,” he spat. “You have
one or two bodies to your credit, do you not? I attended your mother’s funeral.
Did you not sense me there? I learned of her death through a notice in the
paper. I kept well out of sight. She was my mother too for six years; the only
mother I’d ever known. But she had taken you and left me behind. She
chose
you. Even so, I loved her. After
my father died, I thought she would send for me. You call
Bartholemew
Caine
vicious. What was Ida Reilly when she walked
out, leaving a boy in the care of a vicious drunk? What were you when you were
living in your fine house while I was begging for bread on the streets of
London?”

Tanner shook himself free of Branson’s
grip. He had said too much. The horror of those years was returning and he
still had a job to do. He executed a short contemptuous bow and moved rapidly
to his horse.

“The other two sons,” Branson shouted after
him. “What are their names? Where may I find them?”

“Oh don’t worry about them, brother.”
Tanner swung astride his horse and caught up the reins. “When you need to find
them, they will likely find you first, just as I have done. Your pregnant bride
awaits you in the carriage. You are a lucky bastard. Of the four of us, perhaps
you will be the one to break free of the curse!”

Tanner
Caine
rode
off in a cloud of dust, his husky laugh carrying on the sweet spring air.

“WHAT WAS that all about?” Clara touched
Bran’s cheek. Her husband’s eyes were troubled. “You were conversing with your
brother for a long time.”

They were in the carriage, en route to
Windemere
Hall. Her cousin, who was now her husband, was
breathtakingly handsome in his long navy blue formal coat. The contrast of his
golden hair and sapphire blue eyes against the collar was very attractive. Clara
enjoyed looking at him.

“Tanner was giving me a brief family
history of which I had no knowledge. I’m not sure what to make of it.”

“Well now you must tell me or I’ll go mad
with curiosity.”

Branson shook his blonde head. “It was superstitious
nonsense. But if it had merit, his story would explain some things that I have
kept hidden even from you, Clara. It could explain why I am the way I am.”

She peered into his face with concern. “You
have changed. You are not the man you were.”

“Am I not? I wonder if a man can ever be
truly free of his destiny.” He gathered Clara into his arms. “And what did you
think of this long lost brother of mine, Tanner
Caine
?”

“He reminded me of you. He has a way of
looking at one like a lion examines its prey. And he is ruthless and handsome.
But he is also too confident. Tanner has not met Laura Mayhew and I have. I’ll
wager that Miss Mayhew is just as ruthless and has far more at stake than he
does. In taking on this assignment, your brother may have bitten off more than
he can chew.”

Branson grinned and kissed her on the
mouth. “Then he is like me after all.”

§

Gateshead Asylum, Berkshire ~ two days later

TANNER CAINE presented the letter to Matron
as an attaché to Sir Horatio Mayhew and glanced at his surroundings while he
waited for her to deliver it.

Gateshead Insane Asylum was picture
perfect, an efficient and presumably well-run institution. He could see the
reason for Clara Hamilton’s warning. There would be protocols in place that
would prevent a stranger, regardless of his credentials, from walking off with
one of the patients. He was wondering how he was going to pull it off when a
nurse in the newly-formed Order of Nightingale Nurses stepped out of the
director’s office. Their uniform concealed much, making one nurse
indistinguishable from another. This was deliberate on the part of the founder,
Florence Nightingale, who had upset the medical profession with her clarion
call for standards set in patient care and in the training of nurses.

THE UNIFORM was acquired with some
difficulty. Tanner overestimated the influence he would have as Sir Mayhew’s
attaché on one pretty nurse in particular. He managed in the end to gain his
prize by requesting a sample of the uniform that he may present to his lordship
as part of his report.

The skirt was long plain grey wool with a
matching bodice of puffed sleeves that tightened at the wrist and were covered
with white cuffs. A white bib apron was worn over the dress and a white
headpiece fitted over the brow and covered the hair like a wimple. It would
make an ideal disguise. He folded the uniform and tucked it in leather courier
pouch that he kept with him at all times. If he was unsuccessful through
legitimate means, Tanner would resort to illegitimate means to secure his mark.

“Dr. Rutledge will see you now,” Mrs.
Sutherland said.
“If you will follow me this way.”

The doctor sat behind a large oak desk, his
hands holding the letter and frowning. He tossed Tanner a cursory glance when
he entered, but did not rise to greet him. The office was filled with books,
rich furnishings, and the carpeting was new. Dr. Rutledge waved the letter in
Tanner’s direction.

“What is all this? Sir Horatio Mayhew is
requesting his daughter’s release! This is news to me. Does he complain about
the treatment she’s received here?”

Tanner folded his hands in front of him. “I
do not know the precise contents of the letter. I am only at liberty to say Sir
Horatio has had misgivings about committing his daughter. Miss Laura’s absence
has grieved Lady Mayhew and Sir Horatio would be easier in his mind if his
daughter were at home. He thanks you for the excellent care and compassion you
have shown Miss Laura, and he asks that you entrust her to my care so I may
return her to Dorset immediately.”

“He expects me to sign my patient over to
you.”

“He asks you to do so, yes.”
Quietly unyielding.
That is how to handle men like Rutledge
.

Dr. Rutledge sat back in his seat. He did
not invite Tanner to sit down. He stroked his moustache and scrutinized the man
in front of him suspiciously.

“I confess I am not comfortable with this
proposal. Laura Mayhew is only now beginning to respond to treatment. In my
professional opinion, it would be criminal to remove her at this stage of her
recovery. I shall write Sir Mayhew to make my recommendation. Is he in Dorset?
It shouldn’t take more than a day to receive his reply. Not too much of an
inconvenience, surely, to ensure the well being of the patient?”

Tanner shrugged. “Not too much of an
inconvenience. I am at your service, sir. May I see Miss Laura? I would like to
become reacquainted with her—with your permission, of course.”

Dr. Rutledge wrote a message on a card of
paper and handed it to Tanner. “Give this to Mrs. Sutherland. She will arrange
to bring Laura to the solarium. You are not to upset her,” the doctor
instructed sternly. “Do not question her about her illness or her delusion. She
is still in its grip but I am confident a breakthrough is forthcoming. I will
not have you undoing all of my good work.”

Tanner nodded a brief bow and left the
office. He found Mrs. Sutherland in the room across the hall and handed her the
card. The woman read the message and then gazed at Tanner in inquiry as though she
did not understand. Her eyes then fixed on his deformed face and she seemed to
be rendered speechless by what she saw.

He had grown accustomed to such rudeness.
The cause of the paralysis on the left side of his face was due to his father
infecting his mother with syphilis in the early stages of her pregnancy. It had
been called a birth defect, but Tanner thought of it as a benediction. It had
marred him and directed his mind away from all things good.

“Mrs. Sutherland,” he repeated, “will you
inform Miss Laura Mayhew that a gentleman has come from her father to see her,
and then if you could direct me to the solarium, I will wait for her there.”

The Matron recalled her manners. “I will be
glad to, sir,” she said briskly. “If you will follow me this way, it won’t take
but a minute. Miss Laura will be so pleased to hear she has a visitor at last.
What name may I give?”

“Tell her Mr. Tanner Caine is here to see
her and that we have a mutual friend who sends her regards. Thank you, Mrs.
Sutherland.”

Tanner was ushered into a glass and green
enclosure, moist with vegetation, serene and refined. The conservatory was
furnished was small white tables and chairs of wrought iron filigree. The
impression the visiting relative (or inquisitive social reformer) would have on
walking into the solarium was one of civility and genteel convalescence. Deeper
in the bowels of the asylum, the rooms were sure to tell a different story.

He took a seat at one of the tables and
drummed his fingers impatiently. Whatever plan he could concoct, it had to
happen quickly and during this visit. He could not be in the neighbourhood when
Rutledge received word that Mayhew was out of the country. Tanner wanted a
decent lead before he was discovered. They had his name and a description of
him. Laura Mayhew’s death would inevitably be traced back to him.

Tanner was pondering a solution to this
problem when a young woman entered the solarium, carrying a book. She wore a
dull gown of institutional green and her hair was cut to her shoulders and tied
back. Shining hair of burnished copper, and when Tanner stood up to greet her,
he saw her eyes were brilliant green—a true green. Her full mouth was pale pink
and her complexion was flawless, translucent.

She was the most beautiful creature he’d
ever laid eyes on.

An angel in Hell.

“Laura, this is the gentleman I told you
about,” Mrs. Sutherland said maternally.

Laura
Mayhew.
Tanner stared at the green-eyed beauty who
was watching him with a similar intensity.

“
Let
me not to the marriage of two minds admit impediments
.”

He tilted his head. “I’m sorry?”

Her eyes lifted to his, remarkable green
eyes, the colour of the ocean. Looking into them, Tanner experienced a
presentiment of disaster.

“
But
that your trespass now becomes a fee; mine ransoms yours, and yours must ransom
me
.”

“Mine ransoms yours, and yours must ransom
me?” He smiled but his heart was pounding. His palms were damp and his mouth
felt dry. Laura Mayhew and her words sent a shiver of alarm and horror through
him and he did not know why. “What does it mean?”

“It means whatever you want it to mean,
given the situation in which you find yourself. In my situation, your trespass
is my ransom. Don’t you see?”

Tanner felt he was being pulled down under
the ocean, deeper and deeper into those fathomless green eyes. “No, I’m afraid
I don’t. What is my trespass?”

“Oh, don’t pay this one any mind, sir,”
Matron sighed impatiently “She is only quoting Shakespeare. The sonnets are a
favourite with her. Miss Laura, the gentleman does not care to listen to your
ramblings. He’s come from your father to check on your progress.”

“That is not quite accurate. I’ve come to
take you home,” he said when he could find his voice. The girl standing demurely
before him with folded hands and a faraway expression on her face was not at
all what he expected.

“My father has sent for me?”

“He has, indeed. I have given the letter
requesting your release to Dr. Rutledge. I am to escort you to your home in
Dorset. Did you know we have a mutual friend, Miss Mayhew? Mrs. Hamilton sends
her regards and wishes you joy in your endeavours.”

“Do you know Clara?” Laura set her book on
the table. “Did she speak to you of my endeavours?”

“A little.
She was not specific.” Tanner had resolved to say as little about
himself as possible, but he could not help adding, “Her husband and I grew up
together. Branson Hamilton was my brother for a time.”

“Was he really? How fascinating. I would
love to hear more about it. Are you a lover of Shakespearean poetry, sir?”

“I cannot say that I am. I’ve not had much
time for reading or study. Your father keeps me very busy attending to his
business, and I’ve been away at sea for the past year. Mrs. Hamilton warned me
I must not be a bore. She said you enjoy hearing about the world outside. I
daresay you are accustomed to conversing with your visitors on all manner of interesting
subjects.”

“I very much doubt the young lady is
accustomed to any such thing, sir,” Mrs. Sutherland laughed. “Laura Mayhew has
been with us since March of last year and she has had no visitors in all that
time. You are her first. Though she’s good as gold. Mayhew has earned
privileges such access to the library and she is free to roam the facility
without supervision. It was not always so, was it, dear? At one time, the young
lady found it quite difficult adapting to her situation. But she has been
making a wonderful progress.”

The girl smiled at Matron. “I suppose that’s
why Father has sent for me. He knows I am well again. Will you send an orderly
to pack my belongings, Mrs. Sutherland? We do not want to keep this gentleman
waiting any longer.” She turned to Tanner. “I’m sorry sir, I was given your
name but I cannot recall it.”

“I am Tanner
Caine
.”

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it
gently. “Mr. Tanner
Caine
, I am delighted to make
your acquaintance.”

“Miss Laura Mayhew.
At
your service.”

She did not release his hand nor did he
release hers. Were it not for Mrs. Sutherland’s gentle cough of interruption,
Tanner believed he could have stood with Laura Mayhew in the solarium holding
her hand for hours.

“Laura, you know the rules. Dr. Rutledge
will not authorize your release until he has confirmation from Sir Mayhew. We
do not want anything to jeopardize the progress you’ve made, now do we?”

Laura gazed at Tanner, bewildered. She held
his hand as though she expected him to disappear at any moment. “I don’t
understand. I thought my father had already given his permission and I am to go
home.”

“He has,” Tanner replied neutrally. “But
Dr. Rutledge asked for time to present his case to your father advising against
your removal at this stage in your treatment. He has written him a letter and
when we have your father’s response, which should take no more than a day or
so, we shall journey to Dorset.”