Read Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) Online
Authors: SaraLynn Hoyt
Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2)
Heaven Bound
Heaven Bound
A Blakemore Family Book:
Madame Lou Series #2
By:
SaraLynn Hoyt
Published by Sheryl Hoyt
Copyright @ 2014 Sheryl Hoyt
Amazon Edition
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations are from the author’s imagination and any similarity to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events is coincidental.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Published in the United States of America
North Bend, Washington
This book contains adult language and situations.
Other Books by SaraLynn Hoyt
As always, no book I write is truly ready until my amazing critique partner for over twenty years has read it. Thank you Deborah Schneider aka Sibelle Stone for always being honest and helpful. Credit and thanks also has to go to Bev Rosenbaum for her content edit that made the book better for having been looked at by her. To Kimberly Huther for a copy edit to shine everything up and make it pretty and grammatically correct. To Frauke Spanuth for this gorgeous cover art. To the ladies and gents at Montlake who are just too much fun—Maria first and foremost because you gave me the validation all authors crave; Jessica, Susan, and Helen just ‘cause you are so much fun to hang with; and Thom and David, I’ve added you to the list so watch out, I may have to read your cards for you too. To my sister, Wendy G., who always gets to be my first reader and Heather P., for being reader and fan number two. And finally to KT for giving me the inner strength to shoot for the stars and chase my dreams.
Contents
1907
“Hey, be careful with that!” Jackson Bradley shouted unnecessarily at the baggage handlers as they lifted Clara’s coffin from the wagon. “Where are you taking her?” He couldn’t seem to help himself, taking out his bad mood on these unsuspecting New York City dock laborers.
“To the hold, sir.” One young man stepped forward and removed his cap respectfully. He hesitated, probably waiting for Jack to growl at the men again. “If you please, sir, we’ll be careful with it, I promise.”
Jack’s heart constricted in his chest at the kind words. This was not going as well as he’d hoped. He looked away, over at the immense ship, trying to form some words, but his throat was tight and any attempt to speak would just result in him embarrassing himself. He nodded curtly at the lad and tossed him a coin, looking away quickly and blinking his eyes as a not-so-foreign wetness threatened to publicly unman him.
It had been over three months since Clara had died and he still couldn’t keep it together. Now he was headed home to England to fulfill her last wishes—to be buried in the family mausoleum—the Bradley family mausoleum. Now that his father was dead, there was no one to stop him from placing his wife in her rightful, final resting place.
Touching his jacket pocket, Jack recalled the brief telegram his brother had sent him just a few weeks ago announcing the untimely and suspicious death of their father, the earl. Also, begging Jack to please come home as soon as he could. His brothers needed his help as the estate was in chaos and there had been several other mysterious ‘accidents’.
It had been difficult to leave the mansion in New York that Jack had shared with Clara for ten years and journey back to England after being gone so long. Would his brothers welcome him back with open arms or shut him out like his father had? At least Adeline and her father were aboard, so he wouldn’t have to endure the voyage completely alone and surrounded by strangers. Simon James was a business acquaintance and his daughter, Addie, had been Clara’s best friend for the last five or six years.
Had it really been that long since he and Clara had first met that sweet sixteen-year-old girl? Adeline had been awkward and coltish then, all legs and arms with a mop of golden curls and enormous blue eyes that dominated her small pixie-like face. Clara had taken one look at her and immediately declared that they were kindred spirits. But Jack had known it was just his wife’s kind heart seeing a lost little girl on the verge of womanhood with no mother to guide her. Clara had easily slipped into the role of mentor and friend. Older sister, really, as they were only seven years apart in age. Ever since that night, Clara and Addie had been best friends and Jack was always grateful for the young girl’s ability to accept his wife’s open heart. Clara hadn’t exactly come from the same affluent families as he and Adeline James had been born into.
“There you are, Bradley.” Simon James put a hand on Jack’s shoulder and gently steered him back toward the first-class passenger gangplank that led to the great ocean liner. “Addie was worried about you and sent me to find you to make sure you didn’t miss final boarding.”
Taking one last look at the casket that held the remains of the only woman he’d ever loved, Jackson finally allowed himself to be led onboard the ship.
* * *
“I suppose you are on your way to capture the heart of a duke, then?” The older woman gave Adeline James a once-over as they stood at the railing of the first-class passenger deck waving goodbye to the small crowd of people below on the wharf.
“Pardon me?” Addie looked at the woman who was American, by her accent, but had a slight British inflection. What she’d really wanted to say was something quite less polite. Not that it wasn’t true, but still, it was too bold by far.
The woman was probably in her mid-thirties, or a bit older, with pleasant features, maybe not beautiful, but she had friendly brown eyes, and tucked under a fashionably-large hat, light brown hair with just a touch of grey. To her credit, the lady wasn’t at all embarrassed about making such an audacious statement to a perfect stranger.
“Oh, come now, my dear, you are obviously an heiress, exactly like myself at your age.” The woman’s golden brown eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief. “I think you are Simon James’s daughter, aren’t you? And if I’m not mistaken, your dear mother—bless her soul—had great plans for you. She and I were briefly acquainted many years ago, before I was married off to an earl myself.” The mere mention of her mother made Adeline instantly regret her first suspicions. “Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry, I really should have properly introduced myself before I shocked you with such outrageous assumptions. Lady Henrietta Everton, Countess of Huntingdon.” She held out a gloved hand like a man might do in order to shake it.
The action reminded Addie of her bold suffragette friends who fancied that they were just as good as the male species and had taken on some of their mannerisms. The last rally that Adeline had attended had in fact been a combination of several reform groups, including labor and women’s voting rights.
“Adeline James,” Addie reached out and shook the countess’s hand, matching the woman’s masculine fashion.
“Excellent,” Lady Huntingdon said with a conspiratorial smile. “I think we shall get on quite well, Miss James. Now, why don’t you tell me all about yourself while I look over the eligible men onboard this ship? You see, I’m finally out of mourning for the Earl and those old castles do need a lot of maintaining. It’s such a pity that the man I fancy is quite possibly on the verge of becoming impoverished.” She sighed with what Adeline thought was real sadness. “I just want everything to be perfect by the time my little Robert is old enough to take over the family holdings. Oh my, and who do we have here? A bit on the young side for me, but what a handsome bloke indeed.”
Adeline looked over her shoulder to where Lady Huntingdon had set her sights and felt her spine stiffen with—what? Indignation? But she recovered quickly and waved the gentleman over. “Oh, that’s Jack—Jackson Bradley. He’s a good friend and recently in mourning for his wife—my best friend.”
“Oh, what a shame,” Lady Huntingdon said with a pout. “I was going to suggest he might be a good match for you, my dear. His tall, dark, and handsome good looks next to your golden beauty—well, you would make such a striking couple. Oh, but wait a minute, he isn’t the youngest boy of the Earl of Abingdon, is he? Why, I’m quite well acquainted with his older brother, Winston.” This time Adeline was certain the older woman’s voice became sad and almost wistful.
“Miss James,” Jackson addressed Addie formally as society dictated for a public encounter. He bowed over her hand briefly and then turned his attention to the countess, waiting for an introduction.
“Lady Henrietta Everton, Countess of Huntingdon, this is Jackson Bradley.” Adeline watched as Jack bowed over the lady’s hand and then stood and attempted to smile. She could feel her heart constrict as she observed her best friend’s husband trying to maintain appearances, even though he was still grieving deeply for his wife. “She says she is acquainted with your brother.”
“Winston has been a good…friend to me since my husband’s death.” Lady Huntingdon said pausing slightly at the word ‘friend’. “It’s been a few months since I’ve been back to Berkshire, but I do know your brother will be quite pleased to see you again. Now, your father is quite another matter. A more stubborn and difficult man I don’t think I’ve ever met.”
Jackson tilted his head to the side appearing confused, then wary, finally smiling and chuckling quietly. Addie almost couldn’t believe her eyes and ears, as it had been months since she’d seen Jack even grin. Not since last May when Clara had taken a turn for the better and he’d been so optimistic that she would finally get well. But, of course, it had only been a brief reprieve for a few weeks before she’d taken a turn for the worse and then never recovered. “I do believe you know more than I, Lady Huntingdon, since I haven’t been home in many years. However, I must inform you that I have recently received word that Father has passed away and Winston is now the Earl. It is why I’m returning to the family home.”
“I hadn’t heard of your father’s death.” She paused, obviously stunned by the news. “How odd, really; he was in fine health the last time I saw him. Well, please accept my condolences.” Lady Huntingdon touched his hand in sympathy as she inquired. “How is your brother managing?”
“His telegram indicated that things are not good. But I won’t know more until I get there. I have a feeling you have more information about the situation than I at this point.” Jack said, holding out his arm to the countess. “Please walk the promenade with me and tell me what has been happening back home while I’ve been gone these past ten years. I’m sure Miss James will be interested in how the wind is blowing back in London as well, since she’s on a mission of her own.”
“Ah yes, to capture a duke, or some other titled gentleman.” The countess took Jackson’s proffered arm and they started off at an easy pace. “I don’t think she’ll need any help in that matter, since penniless aristocracy is much more prevalent back in jolly old England than are beautiful heiresses.”
This time Jack laughed right out loud. It was startling, to say the least, but more than welcome; except of course, that Adeline had so hoped it would be she to bring Jack back to the land of the living. After all, she had been the one to comfort him at Clara’s funeral and help him maintain his household while he mourned his wife’s passing. They had been good friends for over five years and it should have been she who finally made him smile and laugh again, not some strange woman. Why Addie should have such uncharitable thoughts, she didn’t even want to think about.
Adeline followed behind the pair a few paces, remembering the time she’d initially met Jackson and Clara Bradley at her first adult party. They had been the most beautiful couple she’d ever seen and all she could remember thinking was that one day she wanted to have a husband just like Jackson Bradley. A man who was so in love with his wife that he didn’t even notice all the other women throwing themselves at him. It was obvious to anyone observing that he only had eyes for Clara, but that didn’t stop those predatory women from trying to steal his attention away. And some of the nastier ladies said awful things about Mrs. Bradley behind her back. Clara had actually confessed to Adeline that first evening that she was born quite low and had been a bar maid in a village tavern when she and Jack had first met.
Strolling behind Jack and Lady Huntingdon, Addie remembered a few months after that soiree that Clara had called on her for tea and was regaling her young friend with one of her stories about something wonderful Jack had done.
“It was just like a scene out of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.” Clara had sighed. “He waited until I was standing on a balcony overlooking the garden one evening and read me a love poem he had written himself. It was so romantic.”
“Oh, Clara, you are so lucky.” Adeline had said wistfully, confessing to her new friend. “If only I can find a man exactly like Jack to marry someday.”
Clara had laughed in her joyful way. “You can’t have my Jack, not as long as I live and breathe.”
What an awful time for that particular memory to surface, Adeline thought, biting her lip in shame. Of course her friend had just been teasing the young girl that she had been so very long ago. Nonetheless, Addie still held Jack up as the embodiment of what she wished for in a spouse. Although, now she had to add a title to her list of attributes for the perfect husband. Her mother and father had made sure that was her first priority.
Adeline tried to not to think about why she was on this ship. She’d convinced herself that it was because Jack needed her to make the trip to England with him, but she knew that her father’s purpose was to ensure that her mother’s dying wish was finally fulfilled. She’d put it off for the last few years, using Clara’s sickness as an excuse to stay in New York. Her father was so kindhearted that he’d allowed the delay with the understanding that once her friend had either recovered or met her maker, Adeline would fulfill her duty and marry an Englishman with a title.
“I was about Adeline’s age, maybe a bit younger, when I was married off to the Earl.” Addie could hear the countess telling Jack her own story that began similarly to the journey that she herself was set upon. “Of course in those days it was not quite as fashionable, but if an Astor or a Vanderbilt could do it, then Mama was determined so could I.”
“And did you have a happy match?” Jack asked, glancing back at Adeline. Even though his face was still drawn from grieving, Jackson Bradley was still the most handsome man she knew, with his green hazel eyes and midnight black hair.
“Happy is as happy does,” the countess said with an indifferent shrug. “Let’s just say I made the best of my circumstances. And now, I’m the mother of the present earl, who is currently away at Eton learning how to be a peer of the realm. My dear Robert will be fourteen next month and I do miss my boy, but it is how the English do things and I must comply for the good of the family name.”
“Will you marry again?” Jackson asked a bit wistfully, Adeline thought.
“If I can find a man as handsome as you, my dear, who doesn’t mind an old widow in his bed, I would indeed.”
“Did you hear that, Miss James? I’ve had a proposal, I do believe.” Jack stopped and turned to wait for Addie to join them. “Do you think I should accept?”