The Lady and the Vixen Read online

  “What a good idea. Dinah and I will do the same.” Rue kissed the top of Dinah’s head, her attention on her daughter suckling. “Soon Daddy will be home, and he can help with your bath.”

  She opened the door, ready to leave, but stopped and observed the love Rue had for her newborn daughter. Her heart swelled. “I love you, Rue. I’m thrilled for you and Freddy.”

  Rue smiled. “And I love you, my wonderful sister. I wish you’ll find another you can marry and make a family with.”

  “Perhaps love twice in my lifetime isn’t meant to be.”

  “There’s always hope. I believe you’ll find love again.” Rue turned her attention to Dinah.

  She left the room and shut the door. Her mouth fell to a straight line, and her shoulders drooped. The love she had with Irena when she was a girl was all-consuming and engulfing, but was never meant to last. She had thought she could love Giles as a woman should love a man, but she was hopeless in that regard. All she’d felt for her husband had been fondness and friendship, which she’d destroyed. Now she yearned for something different.

  Ever since meeting Tisha McGrath, she ached for the puzzling woman. But what she wanted from Tisha wasn’t just love and compassion, but something more elemental and physical.

  Her body started to respond in such a way whenever she thought of Tisha. The sudden tightening of her nipples and the heat in her belly gave her cause for concern. For years, these feelings had been dormant, but now they had begun again, all because of the impromptu assignation she had with Tisha at Pythos. She needed better control before she combusted.

  “Mrs. Endcott, a letter came for you. I was told to give it to you immediately.” One of the housemaids approached her.

  She took the letter and thanked the maid. Instead of reading it in the open, she read it in her room. She didn’t recognize the handwriting, but as she read, she figured out who had written her. Tisha wanted to see her again. She had her shawl to return to her and information regarding not only Colby, but her stepbrother Aidan and Irena and their plans to destroy the Daugherty name for good.

  Disturbed by what she’d read, she huddled under the bedcovers and prayed for a solution.

  * * *

  “Why is it so important we go today, and why did you want me to join you? Chase would have been happy to,” Colby grumbled as Lucy tugged him across the street to the entrance of the Crystal Palace.

  “I wanted to spend quality time with you. I’m meeting a friend here, but not until later, and I didn’t want to walk around by myself.” She hugged Colby’s arm.

  He sighed and stepped around a group of children who rushed past them. “There’s quite a crowd here this morning.”

  “I don’t think we’ll be able to see everything today. We should come back next week before it ends,” she recommended.

  “If the marchioness doesn’t have me arrested at her ball on Saturday.” He grimaced.

  She rubbed Colby’s back. In forty-eight hours, she had to decide if she would accept Irena’s terms to save Colby. She hoped Tisha would have a solution based on her letter and had requested they meet inside the Crystal Palace at noon today. She was on tenterhooks at seeing Tisha again. She had spent another restless night, re-reading the letter and praying to God it would all work out for the best.

  “I will handle Irena. Instead of worrying about either one of our fates, let’s enjoy our time together.” She joined the line of people waiting to enter the building.

  “I’m trying, but it pains me you’re not sleeping well or barely eating.” Indignation crossed Colby’s face. “There has to be a way to—”

  “H’llo, Mr. Daugherty!”

  Colby waved at a tall, lanky boy who pulled a young woman wearing a plain, light-blue button-down dress behind him. Colby met the two and shook hands with the boy, who stared at Colby in awe.

  Lucy joined the group. “Hello, I’m Mrs. Lucy Endcott, Colby’s sister.” She nodded at the young woman, who gave her a reserved smile.

  “I’m Abigail Hale, and this is my brother, Benjamin.” Miss Hale landed both hands on Benjamin’s shoulders. “Benjamin, say hello to Colby’s sister.”

  “H’llo there, Miss Lucy. I go by Benji, and my sister is Abbie.” Benji tipped his cap in Lucy’s direction.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Benji. How do you know Colby?” Lucy peeked at her brother from the corner of her eye.

  Colby started to explain, but Benji beat him to it. “Mr. Daugherty comes to Pythos a lot. He’s friends with Aidan, Abbie’s beau.”

  “Benji.” Miss Hale lightly tapped his arm. “Remember your manners.”

  He lowered his head. “Sorry, I run off at the mouth. I get in trouble because of it.”

  Colby chuckled and nudged Benji with his elbow. “My mouth used to get me in trouble when I was your age. Still does.” He then turned his attention to Miss Hale. “You look lovely today.”

  A blush spread over the woman’s face. “Th-thank you, Mr. Daugherty.”

  Lucy observed the two, who appeared lost in their own world while they stared at one another. She had no idea Colby had an interest in any woman, even this one who appeared to be of the lower class, based on her style of dress, and that of her brother, whose trousers were frayed and whose shirt was faded many times from being washed. Fascinated by the emotional display between the two, mainly from her brother, she cleared her throat to break up their preoccupation.

  Both blinked then stared everywhere else, refusing to look at one another. Benji shifted from one foot to the other, clearly impatient.

  “Can we get our tickets now? I need to see the revolver exhibit before it goes away!”

  “We should hurry in. We wouldn’t want to be late.” Colby motioned for Miss Hale and her brother to walk ahead. “Lucy and I are buying tickets. We’d love for you join us.”

  Miss Hale opened her reticule and drew out some coins. Colby shifted next to her, shaking his head and pulling shillings from his pocket.

  She was proud her brother would do the proper, gentlemanly thing and pay for this young woman he held in high esteem, as well as her excitable brother. Perhaps Miss Hale was what Colby exactly needed, although the mention of another man made her pause. She would hate for Colby to get his heart broken if Miss Hale was already promised to another.

  “Lucy, are you coming?” Colby asked over his shoulder.

  She nodded and entered the building, listening to Benji chatter about all he would see, and Colby, who asked about the health of Miss Hale’s mother and if he could buy her and Benji lunch later.

  * * *

  “Lucy, it’s almost noon.”

  “I will leave you and Miss Hale and Benji, then.” She cracked her knuckles, hoping it alleviated her nervousness at meeting Tisha.

  Colby closed his hand around hers. “Should I be concerned about this friend you’re meeting? Would it be best if I came with you?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. My friend wishes me no harm. She might be able to help us with the problem we have.”

  Benji called Colby over to come see the locomotive display. Colby smiled. Throughout the morning, Colby had been cheerful and animated at Benji’s reactions to the various exhibits. He also remained by Miss Hale’s side, proving to Lucy his strong fondness for the woman. She hoped Miss Hale wouldn’t break his heart. She had gone out of her way to include the cordial woman in some conversation and inquired about her family and how well Colby and she were acquainted, but Miss Hale wasn’t candid, although polite.

  She didn’t walk as fast as she would have liked to because of the throngs of people. She hated being late and didn’t want to take the chance Tisha might leave if she wasn’t on time. Finally, she found the retiring rooms and waited nearby. She searched the area, trying to catch sight of the tall woman with the bright-red hair and comely face covered in freckles. She opened her reticule for her pocket watch to check the time. Someone tapped her on the back. She turned around and came face to face with Tisha
.

  “Hello again,” Tisha said, her eyes blatantly taking in her somber, drab dress. But at least she had defied convention and wore her new shawl.

  “You look well,” Lucy responded, envious of Tisha’s blue-and-white-striped gown. It hugged her figure perfectly. She also wore a straw-brimmed hat and white gloves.

  Both stared at one another until she cleared her throat and looked away. She started to crack her knuckles but, instead, dropped her arms to her sides. “I’m surprised you wanted to meet here, of all places.”

  “I could have asked you to meet me at Pythos, but I felt something more public was better suited. Plus, I wanted to visit the Palace before the Exhibition ends. I assumed you did also.”

  “Ah, yes. I’ve spent most of the morning exploring, and I’m finished now, so if you would like to go someplace more private, we can.” Lucy wondered what would be the perfect place for them to talk interrupted.

  “Why don’t we spend another hour or two here so you can become more accustomed to me?” Tisha took a step near and lowered her voice. “I meant to bring your shawl, but I forgot. I left it in my rooms at Pythos. We can go back there and have a late lunch. We can finally air everything that needs to be said.”

  “Is that wise?” she asked, hesitant at being alone with Tisha again.

  “Probably not, but what do you have to lose? I promise to keep my hands to myself, unless you ask for them.” Tisha winked, and the corner of her mouth lifted.

  It must be a dare, a test from Tisha. She could always decline and hope Tisha would accept her answer, and they would go someplace public. But she could always refuse, and then she would be forced to accept Tisha’s proposal anyway.

  “Lunch would be splendid…in your rooms,” she agreed.

  Her heart thumped wildly when Tisha linked their arms together and drew her into the crowd.

  * * *

  “Benji, slow down!” Abbie warned her brother before he ran into the gentleman in front of him.

  Colby chuckled and folded his hands behind his back. It stopped him from offering his arm to Abbie again. He was thrilled she had decided to accompany him even after Lucy left. Now, they were finishing their final tour of the exhibits. The day had been one of the best he’d had in a long time.

  “Benji gets overexcited. He’s always been like this. The doctor told me and Mum he’s dimwitted and would never mature. My brother has a kind soul,” she explained with obvious affection. “He’s not an idiot or simpleminded as the doctor or our neighbors believe him to be. It just takes him longer to process things.”

  “He’s lucky to you have you and a mother who cares for him.” He threw caution to the wind and touched her lightly on her arm.

  The smile she gifted him made him feel lightheaded. How he wished her smiles were for him alone.

  “Mum and I do the best we can. He works so hard.” She sighed and took Colby’s arm. “It may take him longer to put two and two together, but he does understand. He knows Mum may not have much longer with us on this Earth.”

  He set his hand on hers. “Losing a parent, especially a mother, at any age is difficult. Unfortunately, I never knew my mother. She died giving birth to me.”

  She covered her mouth. “I had no idea! And now with your father ill—how are you dealing with it all?”

  He squeezed the back of his neck. “Father and I have always had a strained relationship, but I worry for him. He’s been an incredible caretaker and provider for me and my brother and two sisters.”

  “I barely remember my father. He left us after Benji was born. For all I know, he’s dead, or is with another woman and a new family.” Her lip trembled, and she turned slightly to the side, away from Colby.

  He cupped her shoulders, turning her to face him. She looked broken. He wanted to take away her pain and suffering and make it his own.

  “Don’t spare your energy on such a person. The man who birthed you and Benji doesn’t matter. He was weak and foolish. It’s his loss.” He nudged her chin up. “Now, this is supposed to be a special day filled with fun and cheer. Let’s not dwell on the past. How about we find that ice cream vendor and have a cup of ice before we leave for the day?”

  She gave him a weak smile, but a smile nevertheless. “Benji will be delighted. Thank you for spending your day with us. It means the world to him.”

  And what about you? The question was on the tip of his tongue, but he held off from asking. He was afraid to hear her answer. She still belonged to Aidan. He had no place in her life other than as a passing acquaintance.

  She joined Benji, who was enthralled by a presentation of an electric telegraph. Colby dipped in his pocket to count how much money he had left. As he counted his coins, a flash of red caught his eye. He glanced up and jerked back. As a group of ladies passed him, he had a perfect view of Aidan and the marchioness. Aidan held Irena close. She ran the back of her hand down his cheek. Aidan grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. She giggled when he moved behind a large statue and proceeded to kiss her elsewhere.

  Time seemed to stand still as he turned away from the spectacle and to Abbie, who had her mouth half open. He quickly went to her side and curved his arm around her shoulder.

  “They’re kissing,” she whispered hoarsely.

  “Um, it appears so. Maybe you should go up to them—”

  “No!” She shook her head wildly. “I can’t. It’s better if we leave now, before Benji sees them.” She hugged her arms around her waist.

  He should have been overjoyed by the turn of events—Aidan getting caught red-handed romancing another woman. But he felt miserable because of what Abbie had witnessed.

  Benji came over to them, all smiles. He chattered on, unaware of Abbie’s turmoil.

  He engaged Benji in conversation while he escorted Abbie away. She glanced back once where Aidan and Irena were partially hidden. They still embraced and kissed. Colby guided her through the crowd while she cried silently. He whispered comforting words while he silently cursed the heartless rogue who had torn her heart in two.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The repast Tisha had arranged, thanks to the kitchen at Pythos, had been extremely gratifying to Lucy. Surprisingly, she had an appetite even though she was riddled with nerves at being alone with Tisha in her rooms. But the sitting room was nicely decorated and cozy. Tisha had put her at ease before they ate by explaining how her father came up with the idea for the club and why they lived there, with Tisha on the fourth floor that originally had been designed as the attic and the entryway to the roof. Lucy expected to come in contact with Mr. McGrath or Tisha’s stepbrother, Aidan, but she never did. She barely saw anyone at all except for a few housemaids as Tisha led her up to her rooms. One of the maids offered to send a message to her house so Aunt Sera and Rue wouldn’t worry if she came home while they slept.

  She finished the last of her fruit and a tasty meat pie filled with herbs and spices. Tisha also finished her meal, leaving a half-eaten meat pasty and some crumbles of cheese and grapes.

  Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Tisha sat back in her chair. “Hmm, delicious. I can always count on our cook to make a hearty meal.”

  Lucy nodded in agreement. The food made to order had been excellent. She also couldn’t complain about the company. She didn’t know what to expect with Tisha or what her table manners would be. Yet another surprise had been in store when Tisha had acted like a gracious hostess, serving Lucy while talking of simple things like the weather and what they both had enjoyed seeing at the Crystal Palace.

  “You must give my compliments to your cook.” She rubbed her stomach and finished her cooling tea. She’d never had Pekoe tea before, and when Tisha had offered, she accepted, willing to try something different. She was glad she had.

  “Now that we’ve filled our bellies, we should get down to business,” Tisha announced and stood. “Why don’t you join me in the next room? We’ll be more comfortable there.”

  Tisha wandered away before Lucy agreed. Hav
ing no other choice, she followed. This room was much larger than the one she had dined in. It was not only Tisha’s bedroom but where she also bathed and used her toilet, based on the screen in the corner with a small table and a commode. Scattered on shelves and hanging near walls and in armoires were dresses, lengths of fabric, and other fripperies. A trunk nearby was overflowing with ribbons and scarves, along with an opened box with needles and thread. Near the window sat a chaise, and behind it a small bar covered with bottles and glasses.

  “Don’t mind the mess. Sit on the chaise.” Tisha lifted a decanter from the bar. “Would you like some brandy or maybe wine? I have both.”

  Lucy didn’t imbibe spirits at such an early hour, but she started feeling anxious again. Perhaps if she drank something, it would relax her while Tisha told her everything she needed to know.

  “I’ll take brandy. I have the feeling I’m going to need it.” She sat on the chaise as Tisha poured two glasses.

  “You’re right. I’ll have some also.” Tisha sat down, and, after handing Lucy the glass, she lifted hers in the air. “Cheers.”

  She took a healthy swallow, enjoying the way the warm liquid slid down her throat. “This is lovely.”

  “It’s one of my Da and Aidan’s favorite vintages.” Tisha smiled against the rim and sipped.

  “I heard about your brother Aidan today. Colby and I met with a Miss Hale and her brother Benji at the Palace. Both of them work here.”

  Tisha set her glass on her knee. “Miss Hale is Aidan’s sweetheart, or, in a more direct way, his lover. They’ve been together for years. He’s lucky to have her. But lately, he’s been taking advantage of her compassion.”

  “Doesn’t she willingly give her love to him and support him?” Lucy asked.

  Tisha drank her brandy and stared ahead. She seemed deep in thought then inhaled loudly and set her glass on the floor at her feet.