Secrets of the Prairie (3 page)

Chapter Five

The mornings gave me a lot of joy. As I watered my window side flowers, I thought about how I would be hosting the finest guest in all of Oxford. Lord Ballam and his picky wife. Yes, I liked the picky ones. They were the ones whose eyes shone brightest when they were impressed and indeed, they were the ones whose words spread like wildfire. My popularity was about to skyrocket.

The sound of a dozen rushing hooves jerked me out of my reverie. My eyes darted about the dim living room. Something was off. The horses. My feet carried me like the wind and I ran outside, then around the mansion to the back where the stable was.

The air was chilly and the ground wet but I cared nothing for my soiled house slippers or that I was clad in only a simple see through tunic night gown with a bonnet on my head. My eyes were wide with horror because my worst nightmare had been realized. My horses were gone. I could see them in the distance, running free. Though this made my knees weak, I refused to fall.

“DENNIS!” I cried out, as I staggered to support my weight on the stable.

Dennis hurriedly emerged from his servants’ quarter. He sleepily rubbed his eyes as he was not accustomed to being awakened before the sun was fully in the sky.

“Madam?”

“Who let them out?”

He stopped short of me when he realized the horses were gone. He scratched his head, then made up his mind and dashed into the stable as though somehow we weren’t seeing right. A few servants peeped out of the window to see what the commotion was.

“Lady Lauren. I did see a man walking about here yesterday night. A soldier. He had brought Spark…”

I moved into the stable and collapsed on the hay. It made me weak to imagine that I had invited a thief into my household. Certainly, I had trusted Jack. How could I have trusted a man again? As though Duke had not been a lesson enough. All trust had brought me was loss and pain. For a full hour, I sat unmoving. Dennis watched me, doing nothing.

“Certainly, we will find them,” he said. When I did not answer, he decided that I needed my space. “I will send out word. I promise you, they will not be lost for long.”

Dennis bowed and excused himself from my presence. I gave him a tight smile. Though I had a party to plan, the horses had taken all my strength with them. It was not too long after he had left that the rushing sound of hooves stirred me. I rose and hurried out of the stable.

I nearly collapsed. Riding from the plains toward my mansion was Jack, mounted upon Spark and with the rest of the herd galloping together. I felt faint, my senses tingled and suddenly, the morning chill I’d earlier ignored arrested my bones. It was a feeling akin to being doused in freezing waters and being pulled out. Relief and anger fought for dominance in my being.

In a moment Jack was upon me. He stared down at me from atop the magnificent stallion. Our gazes locked for a still moment until I felt my nipples pinch. Quickly, I changed by poise and crossed my arms over my cleavage. In my disconcertion, I had neglected thought on what I was wearing. Now both Dennis and Jack had borne witness to my poor excuse for breasts, except Jack had clearly seen the whole show as the morning chill had made my perky bosoms irate so that they pressed against my gown. My face couldn’t have been rosier with embarrassment.

“My lady.” Jack descended the stallion. Bringing Spark to me, he said, “The horses were restless. I had to take them out.”

“Stealing…” I cleared my throat. My voice cracked from the cold.

“It is not stealing if you intend to bring them back.”

Dennis had re-emerged and was quickly helping the horses back in the stable. Jack gave him a quick glance then focused his full attention on me. His narrow stare made my body feel a tingle in my stomach. I hated it. I hated it when a man made me feel things without even trying. I hated it when these feelings reflected on my face and worse of all, I hated to be seen in my stupid night wear.

To distract myself from Jack’s intense gaze and to divert my thoughts, I took Spark from him. When I led the horse into the stable, Jack followed me.

“My lady. I apologize for distressing you at such an early hour. It was not my intention.”

“You took my horses without my permission.”

“I took them out at half past four in the morning. What bad manners it would be to awaken a fair lady in her sleep.”

“I did not even know you had come back.” Inside the stable, I let Dennis take Spark from me. To him I said, “Check the shoes, dear.”

“He doesn’t have to. I already did,” Jack said.

“Why?” I stared at the soldier squarely.

No longer wary of my shabby appearance, I dropped my hands from my chest. I was confident about my body and if Jack was going to disconcert me at such an early hour, I might as well plant a fire I had no desire to quench. I noticed him sweep his eyes over my slender frame, linger for a moment at my waist and then look back at my face. Yes, I had planted a fire. I could see it in his eyes. Too bad I would not be offering him shelter any longer. I knew I couldn’t keep up with any flirtation for long before they started to fall hard. That was the time when I would kill the romance, a difficult thing though an absolute necessity. I saw him gulp with desire.

“May I beseech you?” he asked.

I stared at him quizzically, back at the top of my game knowing well that the handsome stranger would not be in my life for too long. With my eyes, I gave him permission to speak.

“You will be saving a man’s life if you give me a job here.” I blinked. I hadn’t expected that. He saw my confusion. He added, “I am good with horses.”

The horses neighed. We both turned to see Dennis struggling with a stubborn Spark. I could have laughed but my defenses were at a terrible high in the presence of Jack, especially after his request. To me, he was requesting to stay longer in my life. What a tragedy that would be. I could not allow it.

“I am sorry, Jack. There are no posts of your caliber around here.”

I turned and walked away before my emotions could make me change my mind. I hurried to the safety of my mansion. He pursued me close at the heels.

“Any post would fit me. I see that your horses are suffering without good care…”

“I take care of my horses’ just fine!”

“You are a busy woman. They need more attention. If you need me away from your horses, post me anywhere. I can fetch wood, fix your fences, and mop your floors if you like. You do not have to pay me, food and shelter will do fine for now. A man is begging you, the least you can do is look him in face.”

I swirled around viciously. “Why, why do you want to be here?”

“I only ask a chance to work.” This unsettled me. I rushed to my door. He hurried after me. I entered. He followed in after me. “Can I enter?” he asked.

“You are already in.”

He took a polite step back outside. There I stood, in a dim hallway and he outside bathed in the fresh morning light. His face had a hint of sadness when he studied my features in that infinite moment.

“You are not a ghost, Lauren.”

“Excuse me?”

“The fairest lady I have ever met, alone in the largest house in Oxford. In the lonely hours of the night, you play the most passionate piano music I have ever heard. Lauren, I cannot bring back your lost years. The least I can do is bring back life to--”

My hand involuntarily shut the door to his face. No. I could not let him see me cry. Who was he? Where had he come from? And how dare he mention the solemn piano music that tormented my nights on end? I gnashed my teeth to restrain the anger that had suddenly washed over me.

On my way into the living room, my footsteps echoed when I walked over the concealed trapdoor under the rug. Suddenly, all my fears came flooding back.

“TOM!” I cried out as my knees gave way and I fell over the rug.

In an instant, Tom came rushing into the room. When she saw that my face was wet with tears, she ran back out only to return with a bowl of water and a damp cloth. She took me by the hand.

“Not here, madam. The sun is up. Not here,” Tom said.

She helped me to a lush sofa where I lay on my back. It was then she gently pressed the damp cloth on my face. She spoke to me in a soothing tone as though she were addressing a child.

“My lady Lauren, he cannot hurt you any longer.”

Tears streamed down my face. My fingers trembled. “How do you know?” I asked.

“Because it has been five years,” she said.

In silence, she continued to press the damp cloth against my fore. Oh Tom, how would I have survived without her? For her kindness, I did not know how to repay her.

“What do I do? He heard it. Jack heard the music,” I said.

“It was only one night. He won’t suspect a thing,” she assured me again.

I took in a deep breath. In an instant, my strength came back to me.

“I know what to do,” I said.

“Madam?”

“On with the party preparations, we have Lord Ballam to entertain.” I stood up cheerfully as though I hadn’t been crying just a moment past. Tom understood me. She carried the bowl and went back to the usual.

With renewed energy, I got up and went to the front door. Jack was no longer there. It did not matter, Dennis was. He was tending to the plants.

“Dennis.” I grabbed his attention. “Command a carriage and please accompany our guest, the soldier, to Mrs. Lead’s inn. On my charge.”

Dennis stood straight, arms akimbo. He made a face.

“The plants will die if you keep sending me on such unrelated errands. I am a gardener Madam Lauren and you will do us both some good to hire a handyman.”

“And split your handsome wage in half, I suppose.”

He gulped and then gestured wildly as he went away.

“I will get the carriage.”

I smiled. It was going to be a fine day.

Chapter Six

The day passed quickly and night came. My house, though always somber, was now filled with music, dancing, chatter, and life. It was the very magical feel the parties brought that always made me plan another one. Even as I was in my chamber, adorning myself with the most expensive jewels as I stared in the mirror, I could feel the festive vibe brooding in the ball room of my vast mansion.

The door sprung opened and I turned my head sharply. It was Tom. She was beaming with excitement.

“Do not tarry, Madam. Lord Ballam is already here!”

I stood. “How do I look?”

The large purple cotton dress was made to match the sparkling brooch in my hair. I loved how the dress emphasized my tiny waist and showed my barely-existent cleavage to advantage. I had fastened my hair into an extravagant top knot as I knew it made my cheekbones stand out. I was feeling confident. I smiled.

“You will plant a seed of jealousy in the heart of Lord Ballam’s mistress.” She took me by the hand and led me out.

“He brought a mistress?” I scowled.

“Yes, along with his wife. Inconsiderate bastard,” Tom said.

“My parties will not be a mistresses and wives rendezvous!”

“Leave it, my Lady, they are only rumors. She will be the one in red.”

I scoffed. Now at the entrance of the ball room, Tom left my hand and disappeared toward the kitchen. Two sentries dressed in fine golden suits opened the large polished oak doors to let me in.

As the doors opened, a fresh scent of flowers filled my nostrils. A wild sense of joy tingled my skin and life returned to my eyes. There were over fifty well-dressed guests in the gold embellished ball room. A live band played loud music and danced around much to the joy of the guests. If my parties were like anything, they were more like a royal engagement party.

All of their gazes fell on me when I stepped in. And when I bowed slightly, the guests bowed in return. My smile widened into a grin when I heard authoritative steps come up behind me. Gracefully, I spun because I had orchestrated my arrival to be before the Lord’s and there he was, in all his fat and glory.

Next to Lord Ballam was his plump wife, Belinda, dressed in a distasteful black and wearing a morose expression. The difficult one, they always said she was. Now that I had seen her, my opinion changed. Lady Belinda was not difficult, she was just grieving. Grieving the loss of her husband to a witch in red!

Two steps behind them was a fair young lady adorned in a pompous red. Though she was young, her face was hard. Yes, she was Lord Ballam’s mistress. And yes, I could see, she would be his new wife soon. Poor Belinda. I understood her pain.

“It bore me great joy to hear you would be coming. And now, with even greater joy, I invite you to my humble abode.”

I bowed. Lord Ballam took my thin hand into his fat one and brought them to his moist lips. I cringed. It would have not bothered me much if I’d not known about his mistress. I had a vendetta for all greedy husbands. I stood up.

“Belinda.” I curtsied to her. She hardly looked at me so I focused my gaze at the young lady behind them.

“I am Jane,” the witch in red said.

“Hello, Jane.” I gave her a forced smile. To all of them I said, “This way please.”

With the grace of a flower, I sashayed my way through the vibrant crowd with my head held high. I had the noblest guest at my party. Yes, this would be talked about for months on end. A positive thing, at last. In my mind, I had pictured simply leading the guests to their table, entertaining them with food and drink, and then letting my dancers fill them with amusement.

Lord Ballam had other things in mind. Without warning, he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into him so that I could feel his fat belly rubbing against mine. Then he lifted me off my feet like a doll as he danced with me. Onlookers were overjoyed and joined in the foolish dance. I was horrified because he groped me in public but masked it with the joy of dance.

My eyes scanned the room. No one noticed the gross yet harmless behavior being impaled on me. It would certainly be a seed for rumors. The only reason I was still respected in the town was due to my reputation. Lord Ballam was now a risk. I was grateful that the wine and music had made everyone too lighthearted to notice but that did not stop me from worrying. If Lord Ballam could act in such a reckless manner when he wasn’t drunk, then I feared for the reputation of my parties after he’d indulged in my aged wine.

I was utterly winded by the time I managed to escape the grip of the overzealous Lord. In my daze, I spun right into the arms of Lady Belinda. She looked at me with the utmost disdain. I curtsied.

“Forgive me for any embarrassment,” I said out of breath. “Your husband can be quite a handful.”

When I scanned to see what Lord Ballam was up to, he was already dancing with Jane who seemed to be enjoying his fat fingers on her body. I gasped. It hadn’t even been a second since I had been the one in those arms. My attention returned to Belinda.

“That! That is nothing. You should see the disdainful things he does to bring shame on me. Every young living thing in town has been in our bed.”

“And she?” I gestured to the witch in red. Belinda turned her back to them, implying that indeed Jane was his mistress. My heart twisted in pain. When a servant passed, I grabbed two glasses of wine and gave one to Belinda.

“For one night, let us forget our sorrows.”

She scoffed. “I have heard your story Lauren. Five years, has it been?”

“Yes.”

“Your womb is getting old. You should move on. As for me, I have to stay to protect the wealth of my children.”

“I see.”

Quietly, I made to retreat but she held fast my hand.

“Do not think I insult you.” Belinda stared at me. “The truth is that I admire you very much. Your lavish lifestyle, your parties and business, it is grand. It would only be a waste for all this property to be taken up by a stranger once you’re gone.”

I fought my tears. “You are being hard on me.”

“He is never coming back, is he?” Belinda asked.

I retreated without answering. Duke. Did I expect him to come back? Half of the town did not think he would, so I was not holding my breath. Not that I didn’t expect him to come back to me after eloping with a rich noble French woman, but the fact that he had already returned.

Swiftly, I escaped the lively ball room. The silence welcomed me like a friend though only for a moment. Everything that Belinda had said to me had left me disturbed but not so much as the soft music that had come with the silence. Somber piano music echoed. Though its volume was very low, I heard it as I always did. It was like a disease only I knew. The average guest may have mistaken it as music in their head, music they must have heard from somewhere, music they must be remembering. But for me, it was real. More real than anything I had ever known.