All the Things You Never Knew (7 page)

“Roast potatoes accompanied by some roast beef and assorted vegetables, apple bread pudding…Can dinner get any better?”
“No!” Avangelene snapped, slapping Sheik’s fork off before he can get a bite out of his share.
“Ow! What the heck was that for?” he cried, rubbing his hand.
“Chance and Lavender. They’re not back yet,” she told him.
Oh the hell!
Leon had totally forgotten about them.
Chance and Lavender, the twins of the family, make up the eighth and ninth child of the twelve. One was only a few seconds older than the other. Chance took the lead of course, which had Lavender and him arguing over their age for almost half of their childhood. Thank God they had matured, but sometimes their contradictions brings out the worst of them and no one would be pleased to be there with them at the moment.
But though their minds contradict, they always have to be gone elsewhere at the same time or either stays together at the same place. One can’t really do without the other. If one falls ill, the other one would too. Quite a lot of inconvenience being twins. One thing that is good is that they both can connect with one another and know where one is at no matter the distance between them. It’s quite a thrill to know that such ability exist.
Leon really needs them to get their behinds back right now. He hasn’t much time. He has a lot to discuss.
“I’m starving,” Phoenix whined. “Let them eat later.”
“Where did they go?” Leon asked, pouring himself a cup of wine. “Weren’t they here this morning when I arrived?”
“Chance is probably at Campbell’s game club,” said Edward. “He’s been having such good luck that he’s never really home.”
“One day we’re going to be in debt because of him,” Namine added, drinking her cup of tea.
Chance is the gamer in the house. Only twenty-one and has already become a gambling addict, well, maybe not quite yet but sure is getting there.
“And Lavender?” Leon asked, also needed to know.
“Somewhere in the barn or out riding in the meadow probably,” Gabriel answered.
“I am not!” came a voice from behind them.
“Lavender, finally!” Sheik clapped. “We can finally eat.”
“Where have you been?” Leon asked her once she’d taken her seat.
“Took Bess out for a walk,” she replied, scooping up some potatoes onto her plate. “Do you know that she’s soon to be in labor? We’ll get a new foal soon.”
“I’m excited for that, too,” Namine said gleefully. “Bessie is the best.”
“And where’s Chance?” Jack asked this time. “He’s not out at the game club, is he?”
Lavender shook her head. “No. He should be in soon. I saw him down the road when I came home.”
“I am in here now, thank you very much,” came Chance from the door. “Sorry, fellows, I have been trying to get that Campbell to give me my money.”
“Ha! He
was
at the club,” Aidan pointed.
Phoenix shot up abruptly. “Did you get cheated, too? Lord Crawford and I did. We were going to go gut the hell out of that Mr. McGillan at the Star but–”
“You went to the Star Tavern with Crawford?” Chance shook his head and came to sit down at his seat. “You can’t be doing that.”
“Well, you go to the Lion Head every–”
“Enough!” Leon cut in, unable to manage this any longer. “Good thing that you’ve all returned. I have a lot to discuss with you all so let’s eat and begin the story.”

Hargate Inn

“That’s so unlike Heartily to just leave us with nothing but a note of chicken scratches,” said Longsword as he fell on the couch and threw the
Times
paper over his face.

“He must have problems back home,” said Hargate. “What did his note say?”
“He said he’ll be back in a fortnight and for us to start the investigation of the marquess if we wish,” Longsword answered.
“That’s it?”
“Pretty much.”
“He didn’t tell us where to start?”
“No.”
“Good. I’ll just start out by seeking his service,” said Hargate. “I’m a duke and I would use that power to my advantage.”
Longsword cocked his head in wonder and asked, “What are you planning?”
Hargate smiled slyly and rubbed his hands together. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Blaine’s Home

through the list of names that Rose had given her along with the new ones she added a few days ago. “Okay, I got the Picketts down. There goes the Hathaways, the Smythe-Smiths, the Wilderoses, the Bridgertons…Oh, the Pratts. Can’t forget the Pratts.”

“The Pratts?” Rose got up from where she was laying on Susannah’s bed and stroll over. “Who are the Pratts? Are those from your list now?”

“Oh, please, don’t tell me you don’t know who they are.” “Never heard of them,” said Rose.
“Not even David Pratt?” Susannah put her pen down and sighed

dreamily. “David Pratt. Oh, you’ve got to meet him some day. He was a handsome gentleman. Took my breath away the last time I saw him.”

“Oh, no wonder you’re inviting him. I want to see what he looks like.”
“I assure you, he’s a hundred times better than your marquess,” Susannah said with a musing sigh. “Although he’s not as charming as your Mr. Heartily, but quite close.”
“Oh, please. Don’t mention him anymore,” Rose said, walking back to sit on the bed. “I despise him.”
“No you don’t. You loved him.”
“That was before when I was young and foolish.”
“You were not foolish. You met the perfect match.”
“I really wish…” Rose had to fight hard to not burst into tears and pull herself together. “I really wish…that was true.”
She would have given anything to have Leon back with her. It’s just…It’s just that it’s too late and she can’t…She can’t love him anymore. Their time is over. She doesn’t love him anymore!
“Rosy.” Susannah set down the list and came to her. “I know Leon hurt you before and you have every reason to be mad at him, but if you knew…”
Susannah trailed off wanting to tell Rose but can’t. She made a promise to Leon. She can’t tell Rose until he grants her permission.
“If only you knew how much he loved you,” she finishes reluctantly. “And how much he wanted–”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Rose said, smiling grimly. “I’ve made my decision. I know you adore him, but he…” Rose sighed and fell on the bed. “He just can’t be mine anymore.”
“Crazy! What do you mean? You have every opportunity ahead of you!” Susannah burst. “Lord, if I was you, I would do anything I could to have him back again.”
Rose thought the idea intriguing, but she can’t turn back now. She is getting married. She doesn’t know how many times she had told herself that.
“
You’re getting married…you’re getting married…you’re getting married,”
she chanted to herself all the time. Yet, it always ends with,
“to Leon…to Leon…
.
to Leon.
” God, ever since that day Susannah told her of Leon’s return, he was all that fills her head. She tried so hard to wipe him out. She acted as if she doesn’t care but her heart says otherwise.
Must she still hold a torch for him after all these years?
She thought she had been cure of that foolish love. Must he still make her heart yearns so?
“Rosy, listen to me,” Susannah said, turning Rose’s shoulders to face her. “I want you to know something. I know you’ve made your decision, but there’s one more thing I hope you will do…for me…as your friend, that is.”
“I don’t know,” Rose said, looking away. “You’re not so proper.”
Susannah gave an unlady-like snort and pulls Rose’s curls playfully. “Like you was proper kissing that marquess.”
“More proper than you,” Rose shot back.
“Okay, perhaps more than me.” Susannah didn’t want to argue. “But anyhow, would you please listen and do this once for me?”
Rose didn’t know whether to answer yes or no. Susy always get the worse out of her and she doesn’t want that. But considering all the good deeds Susannah had done, Rose figure it wouldn’t hurt to listen.
“All right,” Rose said. “What is it that you want me to do?”
“Please confront Mr. Heartily before marrying Lord Lansing,” she said.
It nearly took the breath out of her.
“What! I can’t!” Rose blurted suddenly.
“Yes, you could. You just don’t want to,” Susannah countered.
“Both,” Rose retorted. “I can’t and I don’t want to!”
“Why ever not? Are you too coward to do so?”
“Whatever trick this is, it’s not working,” Rose replied. “I’m not confronting him.”
“But you have to.”
“Why ever would I do that?”
Susannah was lost in reply, but then it struck her. “Because I sent him an invitation to your wedding.”
“You…” Rose couldn’t believe it. “You…what?”
“I sent Leon an invitation to your wedding,” Susannah repeated.
“You–How could you!” Rose was suddenly filled with indignation.
“You said I could invite anyone.”
“But not him!” Rose bellowed. “Who else did you invite?”
“His whole family,” Susannah said, smiling weakly.
“What?”
This is just horrible.
“Why did you do that?”
“They’re just guests,” Susannah said with a roll of her eyes. “Don’t overreact.”
“I’m not!”
“Well, the invitations are out already.”
Anger flared in Rose’s eyes as she looks up at Susannah. “This was your plan, wasn’t it? Trying to bring Leon and I back together? Well, sweetheart, it’s not going to work.”
“Never hurt to try,” Susannah replied coolly.
“Well, if you think I’m going to trot over there and get that invitation back, then you’re dreaming. He can come if he wants. I don’t give a fit.”
“Really?” Susannah beamed suddenly, rising Rose’s suspicion.
“Really,” she said, trying hard to control her voice from shaking.
“Nice then. I hope you don’t go back on those words.”
“I won’t,” Rose answered. “I won’t.”
“All right.” Susannah went back and checks the list again. “I’ll finish this and have tea call up for us.”
“I have to go to the lady’s room,” Rose said, getting up and leaving for the door.
“All righty.”
Once outside the room Rose almost broke into a panic.
She needs to get the invitation back!
She’s not letting Leon anywhere near her wedding.
He would ruin it.
Susannah is so clever to play this game on her.
She will get that invitation back if that’s the last thing she do.
Where is that Leon now? At Hargate Inn?
She will find him.

Susannah sat and smiled joyously to herself.
“Ah, this is the best thing I’ve ever done,” she praised herself. “I know Rosy would confront Mr. Heartily. She can’t fool me. I saw the panic in her eyes. She will go to him.”
She sighed sweetly and scratched out the last of the names on the list and add in the Heartily family.
“Sorry, my lovely folks. I didn’t quite add in all of you when I gave my friend a fright.”
She tried to remember each of the Heartilys’ names. She had only met them once and couldn’t quite recall. There were many of them. Eleven, she thinks. Yes, it’s eleven. Twelve with Mr. Heartily.
“Hm, there’s that charming brother…what’s his name again?” It was hard for her to think. She had to write the numbers out from one to twelve to keep track.
“There goes a Jack…Yes, a Jack. A…hm…the third one. Oh, Edward.” She looked at her writing and chuckled.
This is going to take a whole afternoon to figure out.

Heartily Manor

“So you’re leaving now?” Jack asked as Leon climbs up onto his curricle.
All his siblings were gathered around him to bid a farewell. Who knows how long it would take him to handle the marquess and return home again.
“Yes,” Leon answered, throwing on his hat. “I’ll have to be on my way now. I had promised to meet back with Longsword and Hargate by nightfall.”
“It is going to be a good long ride,” Edward said. “You best be careful.”
“I will.”
“Don’t be having too much fun with Gareth and Laguna,” said Aidan. “There’s a duty awaiting you.”
Leon laughed and nodded. “I know. You guys better be on the lookout, too. I’m pretty sure everyone knows of our return. We best be looking out.”
“I’ll make sure to keep on alert,” Blake said. “Keep your ears open in case we send words.”
“And if you do face dangers of your own, remember my hideout is always available,” Avangelene put in. “Just don’t–and I mean it–
don’t
take anyone else with you, for they can’t be trusted. Plus, make sure no enemies are around. I don’t want to get my village destroyed. There’s a whole town of life in there.”
“I would most certainly be careful if I do decide to go there,” Leon answered.
“Leon, thanks for telling us that story the other day,” Namine said, taking off the amethyst flower pin in her hair. “I’ll treasure this more than before since our enemies are starting to appear now.”
Leon had told them the news from Stanford about their family jewels and had gotten them to all be on the lookout for anyone who might try to steal them.
“Good for you,” Leon said, reaching down to pat her head. “Remember all the treasure we have from mother and father is highly important. If fallen into the wrong hands, we’ll sure to be in big trouble.”
“So this opal key is worth a lot too, I figure,” said Gabriel, as he took out a key from his pocket. “I don’t usually think of it much. I only kept it since father gave it to me. He’d never really explain why.”
“It’s worth something, I assure you,” Leon replied. “I just don’t know yet, but I’m sure I could find out with that marquess.”
“You know, it’s rather interesting to see that Chance’s sunstone badge and my moonstone pendant shines when they’re together,” said Lavender. “It’s really beautiful.”
“Those two stones are something of importance, too,” Leon told her. “Keep it safe.”
“I’m sure I can keep mine intact, but Lavender is always out riding. She might lose it in the force of the wind,” Chance answered.
“I won’t,” Lavender said. “You best be the one to be careful that you won’t bid your badge away in a wager.”
Leon laughed and was suddenly reminded of what he has to say.
“Hey guys, please behave yourself while I’m away. I don’t want to be worrying about you guys back home. Also, I know you all are busy managing your own things, but please check in with Mr. Dalton on how the school is going once in a while.”
“Don’t worry, Big Brother,” said Phoenix. “We would totally make sure everything goes well.”
Leon narrowed his eyes down at her and teasingly replied, “Or so, says the most mischievous little sister in the world. You best not be taking any swords or rifles out to kill a man. You’ll be in total deep due when I return.”
“I’ll make sure to hide all the possible items she would use as weapons,” said Gabriel. “My eyes would be on her at all times.”
“That is a little overdoing, don’t you think?” Phoenix said with a flick of her hair. “What if I need them for protection?”
“I guess you could carry one of the empty cognac bottles from the cover as defense,” said Sheik. “That is usually the proper weapon for young ladies.”
Phoenix just blew Sheik an annoyed raspberry and kept quiet while the others laughed.
“All right,” said Leon as he pulled on the reign of the horse. “You all take care now. I have to go.” He looked at every one of their weary faces and gave them a nod of encouragement. “This would soon be over and we’ll have a normal life again.”
“Make sure to not forget your dagger,” Avangelene said, throwing it up at him. “You’ve told us to keep our treasures safe but yours lying around like rubbish.”
“My bad then.” Leon slid the dagger inside his boot and gave a salute. “So long, guys. I’ll be back in a week or two depending on how long this takes.”
“Send words to us if you need any aid,” said Jack. “We’ll be there.”
“I most certainly will,” Leon said.
With one final look at his siblings he smiled, and tugged at the horse to lead him on his way.