Authors: Nathan Adams
ROMANCE: Mail Order Bride: A Sheriff's Bride (A Clean Christian Inspirational Historical Western Romance) (New Adult Short Stories) (102 page)
chapter One
London 1890
Lady Sarah Hughes still couldn’t believe she was walking to the solemn, quiet house of her Great-Aunt Lady Clara Ainsworth. With each booted step she took on the cold, cobblestone pathway, the lovely, curly-haired blonde dwelt over the past fortnight of events that had pulled her to a place she wished she could be set free from. It was there at Great-Aunt Clara’s that she had once shared the joys of life with her cousin Lady Elizabeth Watson.
The two young women had grown up together. At the age of 3, they moved in with their great-aunt after each of them lost their parents to the ague epidemic that ran rampant along the British coast. Their mothers were twins, so it wasn’t a surprise that Sarah and Lizzy were as close as sisters, too. The two girls led quiet, routine lives. After the shocking murder of Lady Elizabeth, nothing was to be taken for granted ever again.
After the young ladies had been presented to society, the calling cards and courting quickly followed, more for Elizabeth than for Sarah. Lady Ainsworth was pleased that her dedication to making sure her two wards were educated and reared properly was producing results. With so much attention given to Elizabeth, a rare, auburn beauty, Lady Sarah began to fade into the background.
“Don’t give up hope, Sarah dear,” Aunt Clara said reassuringly. “You are just as beautiful as Elizabeth.”
“It’s no use trying to convince me, Aunt Clara,” Sarah retorted. “If what you say is true, I’d be turning them down left and right, just as Lizzy does everyday.”
“Now, I will not have you sulking, my dear. It is far too beneath you. The right gentleman is out there waiting.”
“I wish I could believe you, Aunt Clara. But the evidence is clearly etched in stone: Lizzy is smarter, prettier and much more sought after than I ever will be. Why she hasn’t accepted anyone of them, I still don’t understand. But, nonetheless, Lady Elizabeth is who they want and is who I will never be able to match.”
After this conversation, Sarah began to slowly sink into the background. She would attend the balls and accept dinner invitations, but deep in her heart, Sarah knew no gentleman was interested in her. They were just being polite. Sarah was ready to give up on the future of courtship and marriage, children and the sharing of old age. But most of all, Sarah was giving up on the one emotion she had yet to experience, the one that she was hungry for the most. Lady Sarah Hughes was giving up on love.
It only made matters worse when Elizabeth received a proposal she had no intention of passing over for another. Ross Hamilton, a wealthy heir to an American family’s fortune, had met Elizabeth at one of the seasonal balls. It was love at first sight for Elizabeth and Ross, as evidenced by the quick acceptance to Ross’ invitation of courtship just two evenings after their initial spin on the floor. Three months later, the two were engaged and making plans for Elizabeth’s future as an English noble in American society.
Ross and Elizabeth’s intentions were to marry in England and stay just long enough for Ross to finish his father’s business with the London office before they set sail for their life in Boston. Elizabeth was thrilled to have the opportunity to start a fresh life that didn’t require her to be pranced and ponied in front of desperate and dire bachelors hungry for a beautiful, eligible and wealthy deb.
“Lizzy, are you sure you want to leave London and spend the rest of your life in a country that you’ve never been to living a married life with a man whom you barely know?” Sarah prodded. “At least if you stay, you will have family and friends that you can depend on when things don’t go as planned.”
“I love him, Sarah,” Elizabeth said. “And, yes, I want to leave this place and be able to go somewhere that I don’t get stared at for what happened to my parents almost 20 years ago.”
“But you hardly know Mr. Hamilton.”
“I know enough, Sarah. I know that he loves me and wants me to be his wife. I’m sorry that you’ve turned cold because of your experiences with men, but that doesn’t mean that I have to become an old spinster living with you and our great-aunt.”
“Lizzy, I’m not trying to do that to you.”
“I’m sorry, Sarah. I didn’t mean to speak so harshly. I just want you to understand that this is the life I want to live. I want to marry Ross. I want to move to America. And I want a life free from London.”
Sarah tried to understand her cousin’s reasoning, but deep down, she continually feared that Elizabeth’s life would end up restricted to what her American husband demanded. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Mr. Hamilton. In fact, she was quite taken by Ross’ handsome physique and intelligent mind. She just wished that someone would want her in his life the way that Ross desired Lady Elizabeth.
It was still unknown who had killed the beautiful, 19-year old debutante from London. Folks were still talking about it in every pub, café and hotel restaurant weeks after the incident occurred. No one could understand the reasoning behind the gruesome and violent murder of such a young, prominent aristocrat. The stories of slaughtered prostitutes in London’s East End caused questions of a possible copycat targeting the upper-class society.
Of course, now as she sauntered gloomily through the foggy streets of London, Sarah couldn’t help but to feel guilty for the way she had felt toward her dearest cousin. Sarah would give her inheritance to have Elizabeth alive and prancing about again. If Sarah could have one wish from a genie in a bottle, it would be to see the promenading eye-catcher spinning and laughing and carrying about on the ballroom dance floor one more time.
chapter two
A few weeks later as Sarah was returning from luncheon at a friend’s manor, a strange sight caught her attention. Hanging from Great-Aunt Clara’s doorknob was a yellow and green striped ribbon that matched perfectly to the one that always ornamented Lizzy’s auburn hair. It was a ribbon that had gone missing just days before she was murdered. Cautiously, Sarah approached the stoop, her hands shaking and her heart pounding quicker with each step. Untying the ribbon, Sarah noticed words written across the backside.
Her lower lip began to tremble while reading what had been printed. This always happened when she began to feel vulnerable and weak, whether it was because of her constant position in Elizabeth’s shadow or because a man was trying to make advances on her. Now she found herself standing on her townhouse steps unable to move or breathe.
“Pardon me, miss.”
Sarah’s heart dropped all the way to her toes.
“Miss? Are you feeling all right?”
Sarah shut her eyes and prepared herself for the worse.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bother you, but I was looking for Lady Ainsworth. This is her house, is it not?”
Sarah spun around, ready for this stranger to leave her in peace. “Will you please … Oh, Mr. Hamilton, I’m so sorry. I did not realize it was you.” She recognized confusion in his chocolate eyes. “I’m Sarah, Sarah Hughes, Elizabeth’s cousin.”
Ross quickly removed his hat. “Oh, yes, of course. My apologies for not recognizing you.”
“No need to apologize, Mr. Hamilton. Compared to Elizabeth, I’m easily lost in the background. So I take it you received my letter?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you for sending it. I would have been here much sooner, but business at father’s office would not let me get away until now.”
“How was your journey?”
“Long. Emotional.”
“Of course it was.” Sarah stood on the stoop with her eyes staring at the hem of her skirt. She had almost forgotten that this was the man Lizzy was going to marry. “Would you like to come inside, Mr. Hamilton?” As she looked up, Sarah noticed a look from Mr. Hamilton that she had never received from a man before. It was a look that caused a skip in her heart and a question of doubt in her mind. Sarah adjusted the tie on her bonnet, her fingers still gripping the tainted ribbon.
“Yes, thank you, Lady Sarah.” He watched her turn around to face the door. The way her hands were shaking as she reached for the knob caught Ross’ attention. He climbed the steps, moving himself closer to her. “Are you sure you are all right?”
Sarah answered without looking his way. “Of course, Mr. Hamilton. Why do you ask?”
“It’s just that I notice your lip is trembling and that your hands haven’t stopped shaking since I approached you. You seemed to have been taken aback by something very terrible.”
“Oh, heavens! I didn’t even realize they were.” She quickly clasped them in front of her stomach and shook her head. “It’s nothing to worry you about. I’ll be fine, Mr. Hamilton, truly.”
“Lady Sarah, I know that you miss Elizabeth and wish she were still alive. As do I. When you wrote telling me that she was murdered and that there was still no news of who had done it, I made up my mind to come here and find the killer myself. I want that monster brought to justice for doing the gruesome things that he did to our Lizzy.”
“Do you really think you’ll be able to find him?”
“I’m not going to stop until Lizzy’s murderer is brought to justice.”
Sarah’s heart was immediately touched by the way his voice carried true sorrow for her late cousin. Perhaps she hadn’t been the only one who had truly known and loved Lizzy.
“Mr. Hamilton, I’m truly sorry for your loss. I can tell that you loved my cousin and miss her dearly.” Sarah wrestled with her romantic crush and the way he spoke of her departed cousin, whom he evidently had true feelings for. Quickly, she changed the subject as to not reveal her true emotions.
“Do you think the police aren’t doing their jobs?”
“I have no doubt that the law is capable. I just know that after a while someone else gets murdered and takes the place of those who were being investigated before. I just don’t want that to happen to Elizabeth.”
A large crash and the sound of running footsteps down the alleyway beside the townhouse echoed across the cobblestones and straight to the ears of the curly-haired blonde standing on her doorstep. Instantly, Sarah’s heart began to pound rapidly, and her lip started trembling once more.
“Sarah, is everything OK?”
“No, Mr. Hamilton. I don’t believe they are.”
“May I ask why?
“I think that Lizzy’s killer is coming for me next.”
“How do you know?”
Sarah simply handed Elizabeth’s fiancé the yellow and green ribbon that she had been clutching in her sweating palm. Ross reached out his hand to take it and read the script.
She was an auburn beauty, but I prefer blondes.
chapter three
“Sarah, dear? Are you feeling all right this morning?” Aunt Clara sat at the breakfast table with her great-niece.
“Yes, Aunt Clara. I’m fine. Just a rough night sleeping is all.”
“You’ve been having a number of those since that night Mr. Hamilton came to town. Are you sure you are not trying to hide something from me?”
“Of course not, Aunt Clara. It’s just everything with Lizzy. I don’t mean to worry you. I just keep thinking about what I could have done to make sure she was safe so she could still be here with us.”
“Sarah, there was nothing you could have done. You know that Elizabeth made her own choices. For her to leave the ball without a chaperone and to ride in that unfamiliar carriage without telling anyone was her decision.”
“But I should have gone with her to the Wellington’s party. That way I could have left with her … ”
“ … and died with her?”
Lady Sarah stared at her aunt for a moment before dropping her eyes to her toast and jam, which lay untouched on her saucer.
“I could have protected her, Aunt Clara. I could have changed the situation. I could have done something. Instead, I let her die.”
“Sarah, dear, you must stop taking the blame for Elizabeth’s destiny. What happened to her was something that no one could change. When the good Lord is ready to take us, He is going to take us. You are driving yourself mad with all of these what ifs.”
Sarah pushed her plate away her, tossed her cloth napkin onto the table and began to rise from her chair. But Lady Ainsworth stopped her. “Sarah, you were not responsible for Elizabeth’s murder. I brought both of you girls up to make your own choices and to live your lives the way you thought best. What’s done is done. You cannot change it. Accept that for yourself, or you will find that you bury your soul right along with Elizabeth’s.”
Sarah fixed her eyes on the table, trying to keep her watering eyes from emitting tears.
“I love you, Sarah. You are the only family this old lady has left. I lost Elizabeth much too soon. I do not want to loose you as well, physically or mentally.”
“I’m sorry, Aunt Clara. My intentions were not to make you feel this way. I’m trying to pull myself out of this gloom, but it just doesn’t seem to be working.”
“Well, then, my dear, you must find that one thing that
will
pull you out of it, no matter what it takes.”
“Thank you, Aunt Clara. I will do what I can to succeed.”
“Excuse me, m’lady?”
Lady Ainsworth lifted her eyes to her butler. “Yes? What is it, Price?”
“A Mr. Hamilton is here to see Lady Sarah.”
Aunt Clara raised her brow as Sarah quickly stood to welcome their guest.
“Thank you, Price. I’ll meet him in the sitting room.”
“Very good, m’lady.” Price left the room with a nod to direct Ross Hamilton to the sitting room.
“Very curious for Mr. Hamilton to be calling on you.”
“It’s nothing, Aunt Clara. He’s just being a gentleman. Besides, he would have been family in a couple of months.”
“Family of who we would hardly ever see once they were married and crossing the ocean.”
“He means well, Aunt Clara. I’m not going to be rude to him and just push him aside because his only tie to us is now gone. Were you not just telling me that Lizzy made her own decisions? Well, he was her decision, and now we must accept him.”
“If that is what you wish, my dear, than that is what we will do.”
“Yes, that is exactly what we will do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go welcome our guest to our house.”
As Sarah entered the sitting room, her heart took a giant leap inside her chest as the chocolate eyes of the man standing before her scanned her body before landing on her own hazel eyes. It wasn’t every day that a tall and handsome man looked her over as if she were a piece of art on display. Sarah wasn’t going to deny that it felt good to receive attention for once in her life, but the fact that it was her late cousin’s fiancé showing her the attention made Sarah slightly uncomfortable. But it didn’t stop Sarah from giving a slight raise of her mouth, acknowledging his perusal and granting him the permission to continue on if he so chose to.
“Good morning, Mr. Hamilton.” She punctuated her approval with a flirtatious smile and a sashay of her hips. Quickly, Ross realized what he was doing and turned his attention to the brim of his trilby.
“Good morning, Lady Sarah. I hope I find you well.”
“As a matter of fact, my morning was quite gloomy, but now that you are here, things are turning much brighter.”
“I’m sorry to hear it has been an unpleasant morning for you, but I’m glad I can be the one to pull you from your gloom.”
“As am I, Mr. Hamilton.” She slid a grin across her ruby lips, and a sparkle lit up in her eyes. “Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence this now-bright morning?”
Ross struggled to keep his wits about him. Though he was drawn to Lady Sarah Hughes, Ross was trying to convincing himself that he was there for one thing and one thing only: to find Elizabeth’s killer, bring him to justice and get on a boat crossing the big pond to his home in Boston.
“I just came by to see how you were fairing since last night’s incident. I could tell that it shook you up terribly. I’d hate to think that you were all on your own with this.” Ross dropped his eyes back down to his hat, fiddling with the ribbon around the brim and pulling off imaginary pieces of lint.
“I truly am grateful for your concern, Mr. Hamilton.” Sarah sauntered to the velvet sofa and sat on the edge of the seat. “I must say that I was afraid I would not be able to keep my sanity. But now that you are here and the way you have made it clear that you want to protect me has made life much bearable.”
“I do want to keep you safe, Lady Sarah. But more than anything, I want to find the monster who murdered Elizabeth and make sure he receives what he is due.”
As Ross spoke of bringing justice to the killer, Sarah could see a change in his eyes. It was a look that almost made her fearful once more. But knowing that this man was there for her protection eased the feeling of dread that was trying to creep up once again.
“Thank you, Mr. Hamilton. I can see why Lizzy was eager to start her life with you. I’m just sorry she won’t be able to fulfill that dream.”
“I did love her, Lady Sarah. In my heart, I will always love her. I guess that’s why it’s so important for me to find out who took Elizabeth from me, from us.”
Sarah was truly touched by the way he showed his affection and emotion for her late cousin. A piece of her was pinched by a bit of jealousy, but her attraction for Mr. Hamilton squelched any negative emotions in her heart.
“I just want you to know, Lady Sarah, I’m here for you and Lady Ainsworth. I want you both to stay safe.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hamilton. I truly believe that you do.”