Mandy (24 page)

“It isn’t here,” Elly said. “Why would it be here? I came here looking for Jack…and found him…like this. We hid it.”

“Where the devil is it?” he snapped sharply.

“At the Abbey ruins, in a special place you will never find,” Mandy stuck in quickly. “We hid it before we came here.”

He leveled the gun at Elly and said, “You will take me there, but she has been a great deal of trouble and I think I will end that trouble now.”

“Pull that trigger and I swear, I will let you kill me before ever I show you the diary,” Mandy threatened. “But my brother will find it, because I left Skip a note telling him where it is in case anything happened to Elly and me.”

Alfred walked over to a hook in the wall and produced a length of rope and threw it at Mandy. It fell to the floor and he sneered as he told her, “Pick it up and tie her wrists behind her back. And her ankles…tie them as well.”

A few moments later he shoved Mandy with the pistol in her back and said, “Come on then,
walk
…we are going to get that diary.”

He kept the reins of her horse tightly in his grip and she was forced to hold her horse’s mane for balance as they made their way to Abbey Road.

It didn’t take them long to get to the abbey and once there, she jumped off her horse and watched as he tethered his nearby, noting that he didn’t bother to tether hers. No doubt, he meant to kill her as soon as he had the diary. She had to think fast.

And she did. She looked at him and said, “We have to take the stairs down under the trap door, do you wish to go first, or shall I?”

“You…first and I would be careful if I were you, as I have this pointed at your back and will be close, very close.”

She took the stairs but as she got to the bottom step, she stumbled and went down, flinging her arms wide.

“Get up, you clumsy bitch!” he shouted at her.

She did as he asked, but this time, she was no longer empty-handed.

Some time back, she had planted a gun, for just such an occasion at the bottom of the stairs. She hid it in the folds of her gown now as she proceeded to lead him down the long dark corridor. She had to bide her time, wait for the right moment.

Only one torch had remained lit in their absence and Alfred didn’t seem to want to waste time getting the others lighted, so they had to slowly make their way through the semi-darkness.

Suddenly Mandy stopped, turned and faced her cousin, “Alfred…the diary isn’t here. I lied.”

He gritted his teeth, reached out and slapped her hard across her cheek. She put a hand to it, shocked at the force he had used. “Damn you for a cockatrice!” he snapped. “Get the damned diary now.”

“I am telling you, this was a ruse to get you away from the gold and Elly. It isn’t here.”

He hauled off and hit her again and this time she reeled sideways and went down.
Now
, she told herself,
shoot the blackguard now.

No, she couldn’t just yet. The duke would come. He would question Sticwell and know that she would take Elly and the diary to the abbey. She had been afraid that Celia’s killer might come back to the waterfall and had meant to get out of there with Elly as fast as they could, however, they had been a few moments too late.

“Get the diary,” he said on a low hard note. “I know that you are stalling…but it is useless. No one knows about the waterfall cave. No one knows you are here. Now get the diary!”

“It isn’t here…it is really in the barn,” she said.

His hand went up to slap her again, but she stepped out of his range and he sneered, “Go on then…out we go.”

She led him back down the corridor and up the stairs, outside and toward the building they had used as a barn. She was stalling for time, but she was nearly out of it. She was going to have to shoot this beast of a man.

Outside he took a step toward her, “No more tricks.”

“Of course not,” she said on a grim note.

He laughed, “You know, I have always wondered what it would be like to bed you, and I think before I put a bullet in your head, that is just what I will do…now, the diary.”

A hard authoritative voice at Alfred’s back said, “You don’t think I will allow you to have either, do you?” He had already put the nozzle of his gun against Alfred’s neck, as he reached and grabbed the gun from the man’s hand.

However, Alfred now desperate whirled and tried to retrieve his weapon. He fought with the duke and they struggled.

Mandy’s held up her gun and had it ready, but they were tightly bound to one another and she couldn’t get a clear shot.

Suddenly, she heard a shot go off, and cried out, “Brock!”

And even as her heart leaped into her throat, she saw that her duke was safely standing as her cousin slumped to the earth.

She ran into the duke’s arms, her own pistol against his chest and he looked at it and then her and shook his head. “I suppose I had nothing to worry about…you would have shot him dead, yourself if you had to.”

She burst into tears as she wailed, “Brock…oh Brock.”

Chapter Twenty

MANDY STOOD RIGIDLY before her Uncle Bevis. Her eyes scanned his face, but she was filled with sympathy for him. Alfred had been his only son.

A part of her would never forgive him for his actions against her brother, but even so she felt for him in this instance.

It had been a week since Alfred’s death.

The gold had been recovered and Ned had been totally cleared of all charges. The gossipmongers were in their glory for this was the biggest piece of meat they had had to chew in some years.

Her uncle had decided to take an extended tour of the Highlands in Scotland, but had stopped by Sherborne Halls to make his peace with his niece and nephew.

“I…I can only say, I did what I thought was right,” He spoke sadly and Mandy thought he looked older suddenly and certainly broken.

“I know,” Mandy replied gently. If she had wanted to point out his wrongs, she had gotten over it, for he had already lost so much. She turned to her twin and said, “Come Neddy, wish Uncle Bevis a safe journey.”

Ned glanced sharply at her, for he had told her that this was one relation he wanted to exclude from his memory. He was, however, a kind soul and said good-bye, then Uncle, safe journey.”

Elly came into the parlor at that moment to place a tray of tea and sweet-cakes on the table. Mandy smiled warmly at her. She had been allowed to keep some of the money Jack had changed into currency as a reward, but her plans to leave for America had been put off. Instead, she remained at Sherborne where she was held in great affection.

Their uncle left and Ned drank down his tea and swallowed another small cake before he said, “Damn pleased not to have Aunt Agatha here anymore. That duke, smart as a whip. Knew just how to get rid of her, didn’t he?”

“Hmmm,” Mandy said dreamily.

“He has a surprise for you,” Ned said on a grin.

She perked up, “Does he? What? Tell me at once, you odious boy.”

The duke said on a low note as he came through the door and stood near Mandy, “The odious boy will go meet Chauncey outside for I need them to get a few things done before we leave in the morning.”

Ned grinned, got to his feet, plopped another small cake into his mouth, rubbed his hands, winked at his sister and left her to the duke.

Brock and Mandy smiled at this performance and then he took her into his arms, “You know, my love,
I am a cad.”

“Yes, of course you are, but why do you say so?”

He chuckled, “Because you are still my ward and shall be for another few weeks.”

“Ah, yes indeed, I agree, quite a cad.”

“So, we leave for London, where you and Ned will be installed in m’godmother’s house. She means to present you to the
haute ton
, you see.”

Her face dropped ludicrously; “Oh…” she took a step away from him.

“What? What have I said? Don’t you wish a London Season?” he looked at her with great concern.

“Why, yes…but…”

“Mandy, my dear, my only love, you do see that I can not beg you to marry me, until you have had your choice of London beaus and when I am no longer your guardian…
you do see that
?”

She brightened, “Will you be jealous, if I take London by storm and men flirt with me?”

“I shall, I think have to dispose of them if they get in my way,” he answered as he scooped her into his arms. “But, tell me love, does my plan not suit you?”

“Well, I am not sure. Are you saying that you plan to ask me to marry you?”

“Damnation woman,” he suddenly got down on one knee. “Will you, Mandy, will you marry me?”

“We shall see,” Mandy said and her musical laugh filled the room.

Epilogue

MANDY’S SEASON TURNED out to be epic. She did, in fact, take London by storm, but after a month’s time, disappointed any number of suitors when she and the duke announced their engagement.

Ned found London suited him immensely and told his sister that although he was installed and committed to the smooth running of their estates at Sherborne, he would be visiting with her and the duke as often as he could.

He and Chauncey’s bond was tighter than ever, and as a net result, they were destined for more adventures.

There was still the matter of Sir Owen.

He too returned to London, and fortunately discovered a fair widow of some means. Within a short span of time, they married and he was once again enjoying the lifestyle that suited him best.

Skippendon and his bride announced their marriage, and although they decided to remain quietly for a time at Wharfdale Manor, he had every intention of bringing her to London for the latter part of the season.

Elly would hurt for a long time, but Mandy had taken her on as her ladies’ maid and was determined to throw as many eligible fellows her way as she could, which kept the duke watchful and quite amused.

He held his bride to be in his arms and kissed her mouth. “I can’t wait my love, to get you into my bed…again.”

“But I was just there this morning…” she teased for she had broken all his rules and was forever creeping into his bedroom.

He laughed, “You are everything I could ever want or need.”

“Oh, did you want to go there now…to your bedroom, I mean?” she continued to tease.

He laughed and pinched her chin, “You beauty you, you outrageous beauty. Wild to a fault, headstrong and stubborn, glorious and kind, you hold my heart, gamine, you hold my heart.”

“Hmmm, I should like to hold a bit more of you, Your Grace,” the naughty lady said.

* * * *

Imagine you were about to attain your majority as a white witch, but your father wants you to marry a dark wizard—someone you dislike. Your mother wants to send you into the past to save you.

LADY X

~ Prelude ~

“There is darkness in light, there is pain in joy, and there are thorns on the rose.”

by Cate Tiernan

EXERILLA RADLEY SHIVERED from her dip in the ocean as she stood in the wet sand. She took a few steps further up the deep white sandy slope to where she had dropped her colorful beach towel. She snapped it in the wind and began drying herself off.

She squeezed water out of her long black hair and tossed it around herself as she looked up at the only home she had ever known.

Spanish red tiles made up its many tiered roof. A soft peach pastel colored the stucco exterior walls. Lush landscaping that incorporated palms and other tropical plants, made her home look as though it belonged in the tropics instead of Wrightsville Beach, NC.

Everything about the house was invitingly warm and Exerilla smiled. She loved her home and was glad that it stood magnificent and strong against all storms.
And it did.

Nothing could touch it. Her mother was a powerful white witch and had enacted a protection spell right into its frame when it was being built.

Her life was taking a turn and it should feel exciting, but something was missing. She knew it, but wasn’t sure just what that ‘something’ was.

Her days at UNC at Wilmington were over. She wondered how it passed so quickly. Summer days were ahead. She sighed with a mixture of excited anticipation for the future and melancholy as she let go of the past.

Yup
, X told herself--too soon she would leave everything familiar and safe and head for New York to do her graduate work at Columbia. That in itself was a major deal. She had always been a homebody. Now here she was, going off to of all places, New York City.

As she picked up her clogs and headed up the sandy slope for the long wide private boardwalk that led to the upper deck of her home, she suddenly stopped and listened. She listened carefully but could not quite hear the words, though she heard the tone.

Something was wrong.

She could feel a power sweeping into the house. It was like a dark wave; threatening and determined.

Something dangerous had invaded.

She closed her eyes—
it was her father
and he wasn’t alone.

Galen Debbin was with him.

X’s hands went to her head as her mother’s voice boomed with distress,
Don’t come in
here, Exerilla
.

No other person would hear her mother, not even her father; for their link was that of mother and daughter. No one could tap into their private link with any kind of magic—not even hard dark magic.

Exerilla didn’t listen and her mother sensed it at once as her steps brought her closer. Once again, her mom shouted in her head, Don’t come here. Get in your car and just go! This time, her mom sounded desperate.

Exerilla sighed heavily. She wasn’t afraid of her father. He would
never
hurt her. Why her mother had fixated on the belief that he would, was beyond her understanding. Even though her parents were separated, she knew that they still loved each other. The only thing standing between her parents was the dark magic he had surrounded himself with these last few years.

She ignored her mother’s command and skipped up the double set of plank stairs to their large deck. She slid the glass doors open and stepped inside.

“Mom?” she said out loud. She could see from her mother’s stance and the scowl covering her lovely face that she was extremely annoyed.

Galen with that ever present and arrogant smirk on his too pretty face, stood next to her father, who had taken a step toward her with a warm and encompassing smile.

She tried to lighten the mood with a bright tone, “Hi Dad, what’s up?” However, she saw what humans couldn’t see; the black aura surrounding Galen Debbin. Her father was also engulfed with the dark aura of tainted magic. She frowned. A hint of darkness had always edged the bright mystique that had been his in his early days, but she knew this meant he was giving in to his dark side.

He had been immersing himself in black magic for years. Although she didn’t want to admit it, she could see that her mother was correct in saying that very little white light still glittered in his aura—scarcely a spark.

When it came to her father, Exerilla was conflicted. She knew that he was a Dark Warlock. She knew the rumors surrounding her father’s coven would forever keep her parents apart. It would now come between them as well.

His ethics were not her own, yet she loved him and trusted him. He had always been interested in her and what she did, yet he had never before interfered with her life.

He stepped forward, his white blond hair inconsistent with the fact that he was deeply tanned. His sweet smile never spoke of the Dark Warlock he was becoming. His face was youthful because he was an immortal like her mother. His eyes however, had lost their sparkle. They were dark gray and cool though they seemed to soften when he looked at her. She felt something about him had drastically changed since she had seen him a month ago. He spoke to her softly, “X, my dear,” as he moved toward her and took her in his arms for a hug. She didn’t object, but she looked past him at her mother who stood nervously biting her bottom lip.

“Papa,” she said. She didn’t want her mother subjected to any trouble so she politely looked toward her father’s companion. “Hello Galen. What brings you two here today?”

Her father moved toward her mother and X watched warily as he took her mother’s hand and kissed it. She marveled at the viable emotion she sensed as she watched her father gaze into her mother’s deep sea green eyes; so much like her own. She thought it was sad that they should be apart.

Without taking his eyes away from her mother’s he answered,
“You
daughter,
you.”

“Why?” she asked as her tongue moved to her inner cheek.? She had a bad feeling about this.

Suddenly he snapped himself to attention and turned to gently indicate with a slight wave of his hand, “Shall I get to the point? Yes, I think so. Galen, as you know, is interested in courting you. I wish this to go forward as quickly as possible. I have, in fact, wished for it for quite some time.” He inclined his head, “Galen told me of his great affection for you a year ago, but I knew you weren’t ready. I gave you the respect of waiting until you finished your education. You had your bit of fun,
but that time is over
.” He opened his arms wide as though bestowing an enormous gift on her. She felt a sick sensation in the pit of her stomach.

“My interest in this daughter, is simple. I wish for the Debbin House to be joined with the Radley House. It will not only increase our powers as a coven, but as a family unit. It will combine all of our abilities in a way never imagined by any warlock or witch ever before. The two houses joined in this manner will make us virtually invincible.” He clapped his hands together. His smile was enormous as he added, “The children from such a match will have formidable magic—my grandchildren. Nothing could please me more.”

Galen stepped toward her and unconsciously, she stepped backward. What the hell was this? Had she somehow fallen through a hole to another century? She was not going to take part in this marriage of convenience. She had known Galen a good part of her adult life and he had always displayed a partiality for her. She didn’t like him and she knew she couldn’t love him. Some women might find him irresistible, with his dark auburn hair and the peak it formed in the middle of his forehead along with his charming smile, but these masked his dark cold eyes. This is exactly what her mother had been warning her about,
this day.
She had laughed it off. She couldn’t believe her father could be so archaic.

She could never consider Galen Debbin as a husband and her father couldn’t force her into such a match. She folded her arms across her middle and started to speak, but her mom interrupted her with a wave of her hand and said, “We are honored Harlan, my love, however, I don’t think
our
daughter was thinking of courtship or marriage at this stage of her life. You know that she has plans to go to New York in the fall and start working toward her Masters degree.”

“I will never allow anything to prevent her plans for continuing her education,” her father said softly. “I see no reason why marriage should interfere with that.”

“I am not interested in marriage,” X stuck in, thinking this entire conversation bordered on the insane. She had to do something quick.

Her father looked serious as he raised an eyebrow. “No? Perhaps I speak of it too soon. There is no reason why you cannot go on a date or two and get to know one another.” He turned back to his wife. “You know Rachel, in the end she doesn’t have a choice. This is
my
will.
They will marry
. I also believe that their union was predestined to be the most spectacular union of our kind. Because of my great affection for our daughter, I do not mind if she needs a bit of courting to feel more comfortable about it.”

Her mother shot her daughter a meaningful look and said with the link that was theirs alone,
don’t speak
.

“Of course,” her mother responded. “What happens if our daughter refuses to be married?”

“For now, I only ask that she allow Galen to court her,” her father said sounding reasonable. Exerilla had heard him very clearly say that she actually had no choice. He was willing to bide his time, but only for a short while. She loved her father; though he had changed. He was no longer putting her needs first. She knew he was allowing her to think that he was reasonable by condoning a brief courtship. He wanted her eased into the situation, but in the end she could see that he meant this to go forward at all costs.

“Of course, but today Exerilla and I have plans,” her mother said with a tentative smile. “Galen is welcome to come for cocktails with you tomorrow evening. Perhaps he can take X to dinner sometime after that.” She eyed her husband flirtatiously and Exerilla wondered what her mother was doing.

Two things were off here.

Her mother despised Galen Debbin. She would never let her go anywhere alone with him. He was not only a Dark Warlock, but ugly rumors abounded around him. Rumors called him a vicious murderer, who killed for the thrill of it.

She wondered why her mother was so ready to accept the union.

The second thing was the sorrow she saw in her mother’s eyes when she looked at her father. Her feelings toward him might have changed.

Exerilla felt a wave of loss because she saw a dark force ever hovering about him. His stance was more aloof, even when he looked at her. His love for her and her mother was unshakeable. It was a viable separate entity and yet, she knew in that moment beyond a shadow of a doubt, that her father would not allow his affection to deter his purpose.

This time, her mother meant to take her father on.

Obviously, her mother was stalling for time. For what possible reason, she hadn’t a clue. She looked from mother to father and kept quiet. She would keep still now because there was no way in hell she was going to go to dinner or anything else with Galen Debbin, let alone marry him.

“That is more than fair. I had expected our little X to put up a fight. She never liked being dictated to.” He smiled and Exerilla saw pride light up his handsome face. He had always called her X, just like her friends. He would tease her and tell her that she would always be his X-factor. She had never really known just what he meant by that, but she was now beginning to see. She was an answer to his need for power. That sudden realization hurt.

She shrugged but gave him a half smile.
“Yup,
you’re so right; I don’t like being dictated to. I have known Galen a very long time, and I won’t insult him by refusing to have a few dinner engagements with him to see how we feel about each other,” she said, hoping her father would not see through her lie.

Her father was all too pleased with the outcome of this initial meeting. He merely bowed in his old world style. He murmured that he adored her. With a sudden flick of his wrist, the dark cloud that delivered them into Exerilla’s home enveloped the two warlocks and took them away.

Her mother grabbed Exerilla’s shoulders and said in a desperate tone, “Hurry, there is no time to waste!”

All at once she realized what her mother was talking about. She had heard all about this earlier that week and had laughed it off. Now it was looking as though it might turn into a reality, but she wasn’t ready to accept it.

She knew that her mother was only trying to protect her, but she just couldn’t comply with her wishes.

She had her summer planned. She had a summer job lined up, and then Columbia in the fall. This wasn’t fair. There had to be another way.

What her mother was asking seemed extremely drastic. It wasn’t as though she wanted her to go off on some summer vacation. She wanted to send her two hundred years into the past.