Prince Charming (4 page)

A burst of laughter came from the salon. The sound jarred Taylor. She turned toward the noise, then spotted two strangers garbed in black attire lounging in the back of the hallway adjacent to the stairs. Both men, she noticed, held champagne flutes in their hands. She suddenly realized the house was packed with guests.

“What are all these people doing here?”

“They're getting ready to celebrate with your uncle Malcolm and your cousin, Jane,” Thomas told her. He added a nod when Taylor looked so infuriated, then hastily added, “Your uncle invited a few friends . . .”

Taylor wouldn't let him finish his explanation. “The vile man doesn't have a single redeeming quality, does he?”

The anger in her voice inflamed his own. “It appears not, milady. Your father, God rest his soul, seems to have inherited all the good qualities, while your uncle Malcolm and his offspring . . .” Thomas paused to let out a weary sigh. He noticed that Taylor was about to pull open the salon doors and hastily shook his head. “Both Malcolm and Jane are inside, milady. If they spot you, there's bound to be a scene. I know you want to chase everyone out, but you really don't have the time. Your grandmother is waiting.”

Taylor knew he was right. Her grandmother came first. She hurried back across the foyer, took hold of Thomas's arm, and started up the steps.

When they reached the landing, Taylor turned to the servant again. “What does the physician say about Madam's condition? Isn't it possible she could surprise all of us once again? She could get better, couldn't she?”

Thomas shook his head. “Sir Elliott believes it's only a matter of time now,” he told her. “Lady Esther's heart has simply worn out. Elliott's the one who notified your uncle Malcolm, and that is why everyone has gathered here today. Your grandmother was fit to be tied when she found out, and I do believe Elliott's ears are still ringing from the tongue-lashing she gave him. It's a wonder his own heart didn't quit beating then and there.”

The picture of her grandmother berating such a giant of a man like Elliott made Taylor smile. “Madam is an amazing woman, isn't she?”

“My, yes,” Thomas replied. “She has the ability to make grown men shiver with fear. I had to remind myself I wasn't afraid of her.”

“You were never afraid of her,” Taylor scoffed at the notion.

Thomas grinned. “You wouldn't let me be afraid. Do you remember? You told me all about Madam's bluster while you were dragging me home with you.”

Taylor nodded. “I remember. Madam didn't raise her voice when she berated Elliott, did she?”

“Good heavens, no,” Thomas replied. “She's a lady, first and always,” he boasted. “Elliott flinched as though she were shouting. You should have seen his expression when she threatened not to leave him any money for his new laboratory.”

Taylor started down the long corridor with Thomas at her side. “Is Sir Elliott with Madam now?”

“No. He stayed the night through and only just left to get a change of clothing. He should be back in an hour or so. That gives us sufficient time. Your grandmother's guests are in the parlor adjacent to her chambers. She suggested I usher them up the back stairs so no one would see them. Your uncle Malcolm won't have an inkling what's going on until it's too late.”

“Then Madam is still insistent we carry through with that plan too?”

“Yes, of course,” Thomas answered. “My dear, a word of caution if I may. It will upset your grandmother if she sees tears in your eyes.”

“She won't see me cry,” Taylor promised.

Lady Esther's suite of rooms was located at the end of the hallway. Taylor didn't hesitate at the threshold to her bedroom. As soon as Thomas opened the door for her, she hurried through the entrance.

It was as dark as midnight inside. Taylor squinted against the darkness while she tried to get her bearings.

The bedroom was gigantic. Taylor used to believe it was at least half the size of Hyde Park. The square platform with the four-poster bed was on one side of the long chamber. On the opposite side were three wing-backed chairs and two small end tables, placed at an angle in front of the heavily draped windows. Taylor had always loved this room. When she was a little girl, she would jump on the bed, do endless somersaults across the thick Oriental carpets, and make enough noise to wake the dead, or so her grandmother often remarked.

There weren't any restrictions inside the chamber. When her grandmother was in an accommodating mood, Taylor was allowed to play dress-up in Lady Esther's wonderful silk gowns and satin covered shoes. She would put on a wide brimmed hat with clumps of flowers and feathers perched on top, drape mounds and mounds of precious jewels around her neck, and don white gloves that came all the way up to her shoulders. Once she was all dressed up in her finery, she would serve tea to her grandmother and make up outrageous stories about the pretend parties she had attended. Grandmother never laughed at her. She went right along with the game. She would diligently wave her painted fan in front of her face, whisper, “I declare” at the appropriate moments, and even gasp with mock dismay over the scandals Taylor would conjure up. Most involved a Gypsy or two and Ladies in Waiting. Occasionally Madam would even make up a few outrageous stories of her own.

Taylor cherished this room and all the wonderful memories, almost as much as she cherished the old woman who lived here.

“You took entirely too long to get here, young lady. You will now give me your apology because you made me wait for you.”

Her grandmother's raspy voice echoed throughout the chamber. Taylor turned and started forward. She almost tripped over a footstool. She caught herself before she was pitched to her knees, then cautiously edged her way around the obstacle.

“I apologize, Madam,” she called out.

“Quit dawdling, Taylor. Sit down. We have much to discuss.”

“I cannot seem to find the chairs, Madam.”

“Strike light to a single candle, Janet. That is all I will allow,” Lady Esther instructed her maid. “Then leave the chamber. I wish to be alone with my granddaughter.”

Taylor finally located the chairs. She sat down in the center seat, straightened the folds in her dress, and then folded her hands together in her lap. She couldn't see her grandmother. The distance and the darkness made it impossible to see much of anything. She still kept her posture ramrod straight. Her spine was as stiff as a starched petticoat. Grandmother hated to see anyone slump, and since she happened to have the vision of a cat, or so Taylor believed, she didn't dare relax.

The light from the candle on her grandmother's bedside table became a beacon in the darkness. Taylor felt rather than saw the lady's maid cross in front of her. She waited until she heard the click of the door as it was closed, then called out, “Why is it so dark in here, Madam? Don't you wish to see the sun today?”

“I do not wish to,” her grandmother replied. “I'm dying, Taylor. I know it, God knows it, and so does the devil. I won't make a fuss. It wouldn't be ladylike. I won't be accommodating, however. Death is going to have to stalk me in the dark. If fortune stays on my side, he won't find me until all of my business here has been concluded to my satisfaction. Light might give him an advantage. I fear you're ill prepared for the tasks ahead of you.”

The switch in topics took Taylor by surprise, but she was quick to recover. “I beg to differ with you, Madam. You have trained me well. I am prepared for any eventuality.”

Lady Esther snorted. “I left a good deal out of your training, didn't I? You know nothing about marriage or what it takes to be a good wife. I blame my inability to discuss such intimate topics on the times, Taylor. We live in such a restrictive society. We must all be so very prim and proper. I don't know how you came by it, but you have great compassion and love inside you, and I will tell you now, I'm thankful I wasn't able to take those qualities away from you. You never caught on that you were supposed to be rigid, did you? Never mind,” Lady Esther continued. “It's too late to change. You're a hopeless dreamer, Taylor. Your infatuation with those dime novels and your love for the ruffian men is proof enough.”

Taylor smiled. “They're called mountain men, Madam,” she corrected. “And I thought you enjoyed listening to me read the stories.”

“I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the tales,” Lady Esther muttered. “But that isn't the issue now. The stories of Daniel Crockett and Davy Boone would entice anyone, even rigid old women.”

She'd mixed up the names. Taylor thought it was done on purpose so that she wouldn't think Madam had become as fascinated by the mountain men as she had. She didn't correct her again. “Yes, Madam,” she said, guessing she wanted to hear her agreement.

“I wonder if I'll meet up with those mountain men in the afterlife.”

“I believe you will,” Taylor replied.

“You're going to have to get your head out of the clouds,” her grandmother warned.

“I will, Madam.”

“I should have taken the time to teach you how to train a man to be a good, caring husband.”

“Uncle Andrew explained everything I need to know.”

Lady Esther snorted again. “And just how would my brother be knowing anything about that topic? He's lived the life of a hermit all these years in the Highlands. You have to be married to know what it's all about, Taylor. Don't pay any attention to anything he told you. It's bound to be wrong.”

Taylor shook her head. “He gave me sound advice, Madam. Why didn't Andrew ever marry?”

“Probably no one would have him,” Madam speculated. “The only thing my brother was ever interested in was his giant horses.”

“And his guns,” Taylor reminded her. “He's still working on his patents.”

“Yes, his guns,” Madam agreed. “I'm curious, Taylor. What did he tell you about marriage?”

“If I wish to turn a rascal into a fine husband, then I must treat him very like a horse I'm trying to train. I should use a firm hand, never show him any fear, and dole out affection only sparingly. Uncle Andrew predicted I would have him eating out of my hand within six months. He will have learned to value me and treat me like a princess.”

“And if he doesn't value you?”

Taylor smiled. “Then I should borrow one of Uncle's fine guns and shoot him.”

Madam's smile was filled with tenderness. “There was a time or two I wanted to shoot your grandfather, but mind you, child, only a time or two.”

Her mood turned from jovial to melancholy within the space of a heartbeat. Her voice shook with emotion when she said, “The babies are going to need you. Dear God, you're little more than a baby yourself. How will you ever get along?”

Taylor hurried to soothe her. “I'll do just fine,” she insisted. “You think of me as a child, but I'm a fully grown woman now. You've trained me well, Madam. You mustn't worry.”

Lady Esther let out a loud sigh. “All right then, I won't worry,” she promised. “You have given me your love and your devotion all these years while I . . . do you realize I have never once told you I love you?”

“I do realize it, Madam.”

A moment of silence followed Taylor's acknowledgment. Then Lady Esther changed the topic again. “I wouldn't let you tell me why your sister was so desperate to leave England. I'll admit to you now it was because I feared what I would hear. My son was the reason Marian left, wasn't he? What did Malcolm do to her? I'm prepared to listen, Taylor. You may tell me now if you're so inclined.”

Taylor's stomach immediately tightened into a knot. She took a deep breath before answering. “I'm not so inclined, Madam. It all happened such a long time ago.”

“You're still afraid, aren't you? Even the mention makes your voice tremble.”

“No, I'm not afraid any longer.”

“I gave you my complete trust and helped Marian and that worthless husband of hers leave, didn't I?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“It was difficult for me, knowing I would never see them again. I certainly didn't trust Marian's judgment. Look at the man she married. George was only slightly better than a street beggar. He certainly didn't love her. He latched onto her for her money. She wouldn't listen to reason though, would she? I disowned the both of them. It was a spiteful thing to do. I realize that now.”

“George wasn't worthless, Madam. He just didn't have a head for business. He might have only married my sister for her money, but he stayed with her after you took her inheritance back. I think he learned to love her, if only just a little. He was always good and kind to her. And from all the letters he sent us, I also believe he was a wonderful father.”

Lady Esther nodded. “Yes, I, too, believe he was a good father,” she admitted grudgingly. “It was you who convinced me to give them some money so they could leave England. I did the right thing, didn't I?”

“Yes, you did the right thing.”

“Did Marian want to tell me what happened? Dear God, she's been dead eighteen months and I'm only just now able to ask you that question.”

“Marian wouldn't have told you,” Taylor insisted, her voice urgent now.

“But she confided in you, didn't she?”

“Yes, but only because she wanted to protect me.”

Taylor paused to take another breath in an attempt to hold onto her composure. The topic was so distressing, her hands started shaking. She didn't want her grandmother to know how upset she was. She tried to keep the tremor out of her voice when she spoke again. “You showed your love for her by protecting her without demanding reasons. You helped her leave. She and George were happy in Boston, and I'm certain Marian died at peace.”