Until Next Time The Angel Chronicles Book 1 (14 page)

She smiled and let go of his hand. “You go, I’m not ready.”

“Please, Liz.”

“I’m not ready.”

Charles let out a sigh. “Liz, I meant what I said earlier. I’m almost completely sure that you’re in love with my best friend. But…if I’m wrong…you
settling
for him would destroy him more than any nightmare ever could.”

Liz could feel him waiting behind the now-closed door. Maybe he was listening for her tears; the tears of a woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. But she knew the tears wouldn’t come. Not now. The demons of Dublin awaited them, and the protection of her friends came first. Tears would have to wait.

She closed her eyes and willed Charles to return to his room. She used all her power to make Charles march up the stairs and into the arms of the woman who loved him.

The hair on the back of her neck stood at attention as she heard Charles’ heavy footsteps climb the stairs of the inn. She looked around, searching the night for what was making her so uneasy. Her body shook, and she began to wonder if the demons had already arrived.

***

Daniel’s heart hurt. He was enraged yet captivated at the same time. He stared out the window of the inn at Liz sitting on the porch. The need to warn her—to save her—had brought him to this place on this night. He knew that the strong feeling inside his soul would lead him straight to her—he was right.

He had learned a great deal by eavesdropping on their conversation, but he refused to listen to Liz’s heartfelt words about the boy they called Jason. Daniel knew the truth, and he thanked God that no bond had formed between Liz and his rival. If they were still only friends, then the truth wouldn’t destroy the only person he’d ever loved.

He thought of going and telling her everything. But it was too soon. He’d go back and wait for her in Dublin. There, he would stand beside her and prove to Liz how much he cared about her. Hope filled his soul. It wasn’t too late. There was still time to convince Liz that he was the man for her.

He whispered after the man who was marching up the staircase, “Don’t worry, Charles. I’ll keep Liz safe. That’s
my
job.” Daniel sent his promise out to the girl who owned him body and soul. He turned, walked down the hall, and out the back door of the inn.

As he mounted his waiting horse, the small bag hanging from his saddle let out a mournful cry. Daniel smiled. A wonderful reunion was coming. He patted the head of the black and white kitten resting in the satchel, and rode off into the night.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Morning came fast. Liz woke up on the porch cold but refreshed. Running through the door and up the stairs, she barreled straight into Jason as he rushed from their room.

“I woke up and you weren’t there. Are you all right?”

Liz smiled and went into the room. “I’m just fine. I fell asleep outside in the lovely night air. Just give me a moment and I’ll join the rest of you in a minute.”

Jason pulled her into a hug. “Don’t ever do that again. You scare me when you disappear.”

Liz touched his warm cheek with her lips. “I won’t. I promise. Go on, I’ll join you in a minute.”

They met downstairs in the dining area of the inn. Liz walked into the room and saw her three friends huddled around a table that was piled high with bread, eggs, ham, potatoes and cabbage soup. Everyone was digging in. Charles was shoveling the food into his mouth like he was enjoying his very last meal.

“What’s this? The poor horses will be struggling under the weight of us all,” Liz said with a smile as the gentlemen rose from their chairs.

“They can take it, the mangy beasts,” Charles laughed. “Besides, we need a good breakfast. There’s a full day’s journey ahead of us.”

Liz took a bite of the warm buttered bread and turned to Faith. “Sleep well?”

She purred like Liz’s small black and white kitten. “Yes, thank you.” She winked at Charles. “But I’m so hungry. And, how was your evening?”

“Illuminating,” Liz whispered.

Jason leaned over and stole a kiss. He smiled. “You taste like butter.”

“Have some.” Liz pushed the basket of bread between them.

“Okay.”

In the blink of an eye, Jason pushed back his chair, fell to one knee, and took Liz’s face in his hands. The breath rushed from her lungs as he tasted her lips, moving his tongue over the remnants of butter.

“Maybe you should ask for your room back,” Charles chuckled. He turned around and smiled at the small group of wide-eyed people sitting near them. “Nothing to see here good neighbors, just some newlyweds in our midst, is all.”

“Congratulations!” a young man shouted from the corner by the fireplace.

A chorus of “Here! Here!” went up around them, as the Irish families raised their voices to salute the happy couple.

Liz’s face burned as she pushed Jason roughly into the chair beside her.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he whispered. “They’re happy for us.”

Charles laughed as morsels of food flew from his mouth.

Liz shot him a furious gaze, and Charles dropped his eyes to the table, focusing on his meal.

Without looking up, he pushed the plate over to Jason. “Eat up, boy. With this fiery temptress on your horse, you’ll need all the strength you can get.”

“Be quiet, Charles,” Liz threatened, as the pats of butter melted on the plate between them.

“Don’t be angry with
me
. I wasn’t the one practically taking away your innocence in front of all these people.”

Liz threw a slab of ham at him, slapping him on the forehead. He caught the meat then sank his teeth into it like a starving animal.

Faith giggled. “Okay, that’s enough, children. Let’s behave like the adults we are supposed to be.” She wiped Charles’ chin. “Well, perhaps you’re a lost cause.”

Liz watched the soft exchange between husband and wife. “Faith, you should think more carefully before bringing him out in public.”

Faith laughed. “True…I grant you, he needs to be properly trained before being released into polite society.” She aimed her gaze at Jason, who was now sitting quietly enjoying his breakfast. “I must say though, this new Jason needs to stick around. Good for you, my boy,” she said, patting Jason’s hand like a proud mother.

Liz groaned, “I can’t win.”

“Stop trying,” Charles snorted, kicking her beneath the table.

“I said enough, Charles,” Faith’s strict tone flew across the room.

Charles kissed her cheek like a timid schoolboy. “Sorry, Mother.”

“Ew,” Jason remarked.

The rest of the breakfast improved as Faith chattered excitedly about Dublin, laying the groundwork to ensure that they had a good time in the magnificent city—no matter what. She talked of shopping and sightseeing, rambling on about the parks and museums that she’d always wanted to visit. Her excitement was infectious, and soon she pulled Jason into her plans.

Charles and Liz remained quiet. Liz could see the anxiety in his eyes, his worried gaze never left his wife’s happy face. Liz sat back in her chair, waiting for the feeling of dread to pass.

“There are parts that you’ll love, I promise you,” Jason said. “There’s a shop that offers the finest of everything—silks, satins and jewels that come from the Orient.”

Faith’s eyes grew wide. He continued, “You’ll see tools and materials from America—things that are being made in the New World—the likes of which you’ve never seen before. They have unimaginable things.”

Liz stood up suddenly. “Charles, I have to speak to you.”

Faith stopped her conversation, giving her a confused look.

Liz attempted a smile. “I need to ask Charles a silly question, that’s all. Something I want him to buy without you knowing.”

“Something for me?” Faith giggled, like a child seeing her presents on Christmas morning.

“Maybe,” Liz continued. “Charles, would you be kind enough to step outside with me?”

“Of course,” he said, smiling nervously. He stood up to follow her from the room. “Go on, Jason. Tell my lovely wife about the fine things we’ll show to her.”

Walking out of the inn, Liz led him to the stables. Charles picked up a brush and began to groom Angel as she rubbed her soft nose against his cheek. “Hey there, girl.”

Liz began slowly, “I’m sorry, but one thing you said last night has me a little bit worried.”

“Just one thing?” Charles snorted. “I guess you weren’t really listening.”

Liz took a deep, steadying breath. “You said that Jason had to ride out of town just as fast as you did.”

“I remember.”

“Well…what exactly happens when the two of you ride back in? I mean, you weren’t really going to be hanged, were you? Maybe it’s not a good thing that you still look like you did back then.” Liz began to stutter, as strange words spilled from her lips. She didn’t want to accuse Charles of anything illegal, but panic had taken over her soul.

Charles smiled. “We weren’t going to be hanged, Liz. We just weren’t supposed to leave.”

She walked closer; it felt like her very soul was begging for more information. “Go on.”

“We left a few people behind who were angry with us, is all.” His voice came out as a whisper. “I can only imagine what she’ll do when they all see us again. There’ll be a battle.”

“She? Is there a woman waiting there? Like…one who was left at the altar?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “You do listen to every
single
word, don’t you?”

Liz waited.

“I suppose you could say that.”

“Someone who holds a rather high place in society?” Liz pressed on.

Charles dropped the brush, leaving Angel’s knotted mane alone. “I really don’t want to get into this.”

She waited.

“Yes,” he sighed. “I was betrothed, as all young men of good breeding are in that world. I was supposed to follow in the family footsteps. Marry the girl, run the company, change the world, et cetera.” Charles shoved his hands in his pockets and began to pace. “It was a world of lies; stealing from the poor, making partnerships with those who would sell their children’s souls for a piece of the pie. She knew the way we would live, the way we would receive our money, and it didn’t bother her one bit.”

He sat down on the bench. “My father’s an importer, Liz—a shipping magnate who brings riches to the poor Irish folk. He surrounds himself with silks, jewels—even women, who he buys to keep the men on board happy until they’re sold into houses for maid service…and any other
services
they can provide.” His voice grew quiet. “And there are other shipments—shipments that bring a very large fortune.”

Liz asked, “Illegal shipments?”

Charles sighed. “Opium is imported through various partnerships. Other…plants and herbs come over, too. That’s his empire. He even said that if it made me uneasy, I should become a barrister. That way, with someone high up in the law, I could make sure that his business dealings were overlooked…and I’d be paid handsomely in the process. Slaves and drugs…nice, aye?”

“And your future wife knew all this?”

“Knew about it? Let’s just say that she
personally
liked those shipments,” Charles laughed. “I just thought that she was a terribly happy individual. I was stupid, I suppose. Her beauty hid the reality, so I didn’t see her for what she really was.” He scuffed his brown boots in the dirt. “Her father was in business with mine. He sold slaves—all kinds—to support the life he’d grown accustomed to. Not even from other countries, mind you. They bought up the banks and foreclosed on the local farms then sold our own neighbors into the homes of the rich. And after stealing everything they had, they actually wanted gratitude for clothing and feeding them. Paying a paltry sum for their work and their loyalty to the ‘family.’ Our fathers made it seem as if they were saviors, instead of the merciless creatures they really are. They destroyed people’s dreams so that they could wrap themselves in satin every night.”

“I’m sorry, Charles.” Her heart broke at the look of disgust on his face. “But you’re not one of them.”

His bright green eyes dimmed. “I was supposed to take over. I didn’t. Then the father of my betrothed was killed by some of the people he’d ‘helped’ over the years. Someone finally had enough, I suppose. Or, maybe my father decided he didn’t want to share the wealth anymore and had him eliminated. Who knows? I saw the open road and I took it as soon I as could to get away from that life.”

“My God,” Faith whispered.

Liz watched her stunned friend walk through the stable doors. Quite obviously she’d overheard the entire horrific story.

Charles stared at the ground. “I’m sorry, Faith. There’s really nothing I can say. I was young. I was caught up in a world of money and false promises. I just decided to ignore how the wealth was collected, or how many lives were affected by it.” He stared past Faith and his eyes grew wide.

Jason stood in the door; his cheeks were bright red and his hands were balled into fists at his side.

Charles swallowed and looked back at Faith. “I didn’t love her. It was just…expected.”

Faith’s eyes filled with tears. “I wish you’d waited for me.”

“I did, that’s why I left.” He came forward and took her hands in his. “I wasn’t going to settle for that life. It wasn’t only the lies. Every time I looked into her blank expression, I wished for someone else. I wanted something more and I found her…in you. Please don’t hold my past against me.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Honestly? I never wanted to see the look in your eyes that I’m seeing right now. You’re disappointed in me.”

Faith pulled him to her. “You have to go back, Charles. You know that you have to face up to the responsibilities you left behind. This is eating away at you. If it was wrong, then change it, but don’t run away. The monsters can be stopped, Charles.” Faith smiled up at him. “I’ll be with you every step of the way. We all will. Besides, it’s about time I met my in-laws.”

Jason glared at Charles. “You told her
everything
?”

“No, your lady friend, as always, figured it out.”

Liz mumbled, “I wasn’t trying to find out, I swear. I just wanted to know what kind of help you two would need—what entity we were going up against.”

Charles tilted his head. “Entity? What a strange way of saying it.”

Liz shrugged and began to comb her fingers through Angel’s snarled mane.

Jason smirked. “Did you think we were murderous outlaws, Beth?”

“I didn’t know what to think. Not one of us seems to tell the whole truth, so I just wanted to be prepared, that’s all.”

Charles spoke, “And what would you have done if I said we couldn’t be seen in Dublin again?”

Liz smiled from behind the horse that was now nuzzling her face with its cold nose. “I would’ve changed your appearance.”