Savage Spring (11 page)

“I think I’ll keep you around just to wash my back. It would seem you have had some experience.” He laughed when he
saw her face redden again. “I don’t think I have ever met a boy as shy as you are. Good lord, haven’t you been around a man before?”

“Yes, of course,” she said in a clipped tone. Splashing water onto his back, she rinsed the suds away, then hurried across the room. She hated the way her heart was racing and the dry taste in her mouth. She began straightening up the beds, not daring to look in his direction. Alexandria could hear the water splashing, and she knew he had stepped out of the tub. Ducking down to the floor with the pretense of straightening his clothing, Alexandria could feel her face burn hot. Perhaps it hadn’t been a good idea to stay here with these two men. After all, what did she know about them? They might be thieves or…something worse, for all she knew. She thought of the old man who called himself Farley. His eyes held a light of kindness, and she couldn’t imagine his doing anything that was dishonest, but Mr. Knight was another matter. She had often seen the coldness in the depths of his startlingly blue eyes. She knew instinctively that he could be a very dangerous man.

“Alex, bring me something to dry on and hurry. I don’t have all day.”

She bit her lip to keep from telling him to get it himself. Walking toward him with her head downcast, she held out the drying cloth to him. When she heard his amused laughter, her head snapped up, and she stared into dancing blue eyes.

“Alex, you are the damnedest boy I have ever seen. If I had the time, I could teach you not to be so timid. You will never get anywhere in life if you are afraid of your own shadow.”

Alex set her chin stubbornly. “I am not afraid of anything, least of all you.”

Tag raised a doubtful eyebrow. “Be that as it may, I want you to take those filthy rags off and scrub yourself until you are clean.”

Alex took a step backwards. “I will not! You can’t make
me!” She realized the moment the words had left her mouth that she had made a fatal mistake. She watched as his eyes blazed, and he reached out, grabbing her by the arm.

“You will find, young man, that if you are to stay with me you will do exactly as I say, or I’ll toss you out on the street. Do you undress, or shall I do it for you?”

The drying cloth he had wrapped about his waist had slipped off, and Alex looked quickly away from his nakedness. “If you will leave the room, I will do it myself,” she cried in a panic-laced voice. She didn’t know what he would do if he were to discover she was a female. She was startled when his amused laughter rang out.

“Do as you will. I have no time to coddle a baby, anyway.” He released her and strolled across the room where he quickly dressed. Alex plucked at a thread that hung from her shirt, wishing he would hurry up and leave. He disturbed her peace of mind too greatly, and she wanted to be alone to examine her feelings.

His footsteps were so light she didn’t realize he had left until she heard the door slam. Breathing in a sigh of relief, she leaned over and gripped the side of the tub. Never had she had these feelings where a man was concerned. With her stepbrother she had felt only revulsion and dislike. What was happening to her?

Fearing Mr. Knight or the old man might return at any moment, Alexandria quickly removed her cameo necklace and placed it on the table. She then stripped her clothing off and climbed into the tub. The water was so soothing she wished she could just lean back and take a long, leisurely bath, but she knew she didn’t have that luxury. Mr. Knight might return at any moment. She quickly lathered her hair, knowing she must hurry.

Alexandria had many strange new emotions and feelings to reflect on. It didn’t matter to her that she was deceiving the two men. She would do what she must to keep her stepmother from finding her. For now, she knew her best protection would be to stay with Falcon Knight. He had come to
her rescue before; she hoped he would do it again if the need should arise. There was something about him that made her trust him.

After she climbed out of the tub, Alexandria quickly dried herself. She hated to put her dirty clothing back on, but she didn’t dare wash it, fearing it wouldn’t be dry before Mr. Knight and Farley returned.

Alexandria buttoned up the shirt and stuffed the tail down into the trousers. She didn’t know what would happen from one moment to the next, but for now she had a roof over her head and food to eat. She could do no more than take one day at a time. She realized she would have to watch her temper. It wouldn’t do at all to antagonize Mr. Knight. She knew he wouldn’t hesitate to make good his threat and toss her out into the street if she displeased him.

Tag made his way to the livery stable in back of the Fox and Hound Inn to hire a horse, since he wanted to give Navaron a rest after the long journey. He couldn’t help but notice how much Philadelphia had grown since he had lived there as a boy. The town had changed so much, he had to ask directions to reach his destination.

As he rode up the hill high above the city into the better part of town, the scenery became more familiar to him. The magnificent old houses with their iron gates stirred memories he thought had died long ago. He had to curb his urge to ride to his own home and confront his Uncle Howard. Tag knew he would have to be patient if he were to win against his uncle and Claudia.

Riding through a wide iron gate, he stopped before a two-story stone house that proclaimed its owner’s wealth. He dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post. Climbing
the steps, he reflected on his mission here today. This was the Thatcher mansion. Harland Thatcher, at one time, had been in love with Tag’s sister, Joanna. But it wasn’t Harland he had come to see today—it was his father’s old retainer, Simon, whom he sought. Simon had helped him and Joanna escape from their uncle and aunt when Tag was a twelve-year-old. Simon had taken the job as servant to the Thatchers so he could keep an eye on Tag’s uncle. He had been given Tag’s mother’s jewels for safekeeping, and Tag had now come to collect them and find out if Simon had learned anything that could help him in dealing with his uncle.

Rapping on the door, Tag waited impatiently for an answer. In no time at all the door was opened, and a middle-aged housekeeper in stiff white apron and mobcap stood staring at him, open-mouthed.

“Yes?” she said in a stiff manner while looking him over from head-to-toe with obvious disapproval. For the first time, Tag realized he had made a grave mistake. He had forgotten he was dressed in his buckskin shirt and trousers, and he should have gone to the back door since he was here to see Simon. He silently cursed his foolishness. He had been too long away from the niceties of life and had forgotten one very important thing—one never came to the front door when wishing to see one of the servants. Tag realized it was too late to cover tracks this time. He would just have to be more cautious in the future.

“I am making inquiries about Simon Green, ma’am. I was told he was employed here.”

The woman’s eye’s widened in surprise. “I…yes, he was. If you will come to the back door, I’ll let you in. Just go around the side of the house there.”

Tag was puzzled by her strange behavior, but he did as she asked. He could feel something was wrong, but he didn’t yet know what it was.

When he reached the back of the house, the door swung open, and the same woman was there to greet him.

“Come into the kitchen where we can talk. I have sent the cook away so we won’t be disturbed.”

Still puzzled, he entered directly into the kitchen. The woman motioned for him to be seated at the wooden table and poured him a cup of tea before sitting down across from him.

“Is your name Taggart James?” she inquired, lowering her voice.

“Why should you think that?” Tag asked suspiciously, looking into the older woman’s periwinkle-blue eyes and seeing tears swimming there.

“I think I should tell you Simon is dead. He was buried no more than a fortnight ago. His last dying thoughts were of Taggart James and his sister, Joanna. I know you are he and I also know you have to be cautious.”

“How would you know?” Tag asked, feeling a pain of sadness in his heart for the man who had served his father for so many years. “Simon would never have discussed me and my sister with you or anyone else.”

The woman reached out and touched Tag’s hand. “You are right…my Simon would never have discussed your troubles with just anyone…but you see, I was his wife. We were married but three short years ago, and my husband knew he could trust me.”

Tag looked into bright, earnest eyes and knew the woman spoke the truth. “I am grieved about Simon, Mrs. Green. He was almost like family to me and my sister. I hope he didn’t die in pain.”

Mrs. Green dried her eyes on her snowy white apron. “No, the end came quickly. One day, he was well; the next, he was gone.”

“Please accept my condolences, Mrs. Green.”

She dabbed at her eyes once more and nodded. “Simon charged me to give you a packet you left in his keeping, along with some information he had learned. We shouldn’t be talking here. I’m off duty at six. Can we meet and discuss it then?”

“Yes, where shall I meet you?”

“My sister lives on Hargrove Road. It’s the last house before you come to the river. Can you be there at seven?”

“Yes, I’ll be there,” he said, standing up.

Mrs. Green stood also and walked him to the door. “I would caution you to have a care. You are not safe. Simon’s one wish was that you and your sister get back what was stolen from you.”

Tag towered over the woman and smiled down at her kindly.

“I have lost a dear friend in Simon, but it seems I have found an ally in you, Mrs. Green.”

“I will do whatever I can to help you, Mr. James. Take care and don’t do anything foolish again.”

He laughed. “Like going to the front door?”

She smiled. “There was no harm done since I was the one who answered your knock.”

As Tag rode back to town, he felt a great loss at Simon’s passing. Although he hadn’t seen him in many years, they had often corresponded through the trading post at Fort Union, and Tag had felt close to him.

Looking down at his buckskins, Tag realized that he would have buy new clothing. His manner of dress set him apart from rest of the population, and he knew he must become just one of the many on the streets of Philadelphia.

Alexandria had straightened the room and carried the dirty dishes down to the kitchen. When she was on her way back upstairs, Molly called out to her.

“Hold, lad. I want to talk to you.”

Alexandria turned to face the pretty serving girl. She didn’t much like Molly and didn’t really want to talk to her.

“You surely fell into a good thing, didn’t you, boy? It appears that Mr. Knight took you under his wing.”

“I am working for him,” Alexandria replied through stiff lips.

“I’d like to work for that handsome man,” Molly said, tossing her tawny hair. “Leastwise, I’d like to work beneath him
while he’s on top.” The serving maid’s lewd laughter rang out and Alexandria felt her face redden. Turning her back, she ran up the stairs to escape any further conversation with the woman.

When she was inside the room, she leaned against the door, while wild thoughts danced through her mind. What would it feel like to have Mr. Knight make love to her? She tried to clear her mind of her daring thoughts. Never before had she wanted a man to touch her. Now all she seemed to think of was the way he smiled when he was amused, or how his blue eyes could turn quickly to swirling blue storm centers when he was angry.

Scolding herself, Alexandria closed her eyes. Mr. Knight would never look at her as a woman. He thought of her only as a boy whom he no more than tolerated. Walking to the cracked mirror that hung on the wall over the wash basin, she looked at herself critically. Her hair was too short, for one thing; it curled in ringlets all over her head. She looked at her golden-colored eyes, which were fringed by long, silky lashes, wishing they were a different color. Her stepmother had often told her that her eyes were too catlike and that no one could look at her without shivering. Sighing heavily, she looked at the outline of her body. She was much too skinny. Most girls her age were nicely rounded. She wasn’t very tall and reached only to Mr. Knight’s shoulder. Alexandria couldn’t tell if the face that stared back at her was pretty. The only man she had ever been around had been her stepbrother, and he hadn’t been a very good judge, since he liked anything in petticoats. For the first time in her life, she wished with all her heart that she
was
pretty.

Alexandria hadn’t heard the door open softly and didn’t know that Mr. Knight had entered until she saw his reflection in the mirror behind her.

“What do you see reflected there, Alex?” he said in an amused voice.

Her golden eyes met his blue ones. “I don’t know. What do you see, Mr. Knight?”

He smiled slightly. “I see a boy who is much too pretty to be a boy.”

“What…do you mean?” she asked, spinning around to face him, fearing he had learned her secret.

“I mean,” he said laughing, “that when you grow up, you will always have a string of attractive women trailing after you.” He paused, “That is, if you can learn some niceties and take a bath more often.”

Alexandria’s chin jutted out angrily. “You don’t know anything about me! You shouldn’t go around making snap judgments about someone you have only just met.”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “I think I know you well enough. Some day you want to tell me your story?”

“I have nothing to tell.”

He grabbed her by the arm and led her to the bed, where there were numerous parcels lying in a heap. “You will find some new clothing for you among those boxes. See that you put them on and make yourself more presentable.”

She threw her head back. “I will not accept anything from you. I will not wear anything you bought.”

He tilted her chin up, and she saw his blue eyes flash. “Must I remind you again that I will toss you out if you don’t do as you are told?”

“I…will put them on, but later,” she said, quickly reconsidering. The last thing she wanted was to be sent away to fend for herself.

“How old are you, Alex?”

She considered telling him the truth. “I’m thirteen,” she answered, knowing he would never believe she was eighteen.

“You will get over being so shy when you have been with your first girl.”

“I won’t ever…” She bit her lip and suffered his laughter.

“Oh, yes, you will, Alex. If I were to turn you loose with Molly downstairs, she would make a man of you soon enough.”

“It’s sinful…what you are suggesting. No nice gir…boy
would do what you suggest out of wedlock. That’s disgusting!”

Amusement danced in his blue eyes. “I can see you have been properly brought up after all, Alex. I think the time may come, however, when you will change your way of thinking.”

“Never!”

Tag reached for one of the parcels and withdrew a blue suit coat and threw it around his shoulders. “What do you think, Alex? Will I look the proper gentleman dressed in this?”

She looked at the light blue fabric and knew that it was from one of the better shops in Philadelphia. “Yes, I suppose, but why would you want…”

He held up his hand, cutting her off. “Yours is not to question, but to do as your are told. I bought a pair scissors—do you think you can cut my hair in a reasonably fashionable style?”

Alex nodded. “But I don’t see…”

“Here, I’ll sit in this chair, and you can do your worst right now.”

Alex reached for the scissors and felt a lump in her throat. What a pity it was to cut his beautiful hair, she thought. She somehow felt sad that, with his hair cut and dressed in the suit, he would be just like other men. No, he would never be like any other. He would always stand out as different and unusual. She detected something about him that set him apart. Perhaps it was that he was so handsome, but she didn’t think so. It was more that he was so…male. At times, she got the feeling that he wasn’t of this world.

Taking a golden strand, she snipped it off. Hoping he wouldn’t notice, she pushed the golden strand into her pocket, not knowing herself why she wanted to keep it. In no time at all, the haircut was completed, and she looked at him with satisfaction, thinking she hadn’t done too bad a job.

“Has Farley been back?” he asked, brushing the loose hair from his shoulder.

“No, I’ve been here all day, and I haven’t seen him.”

“I have to dress and go out for a while. Should Farley return, tell him to wait until I get back—is that clear?”

“Yes, but can I not go with you?”

He stripped his shirt off and tossed it on the chair. “No, I have business to attend to. You just go downstairs and see that they give you some food. I think it would be a good idea for you to avoid the tap room. You don’t want a recurrence of last night.”

She nodded, picking up his discarded shirt and folding it neatly.

“Tell Farley he will be sleeping in the next room. You will be sharing it with him.”

Alex opened her mouth to protest, but his look silenced her. “I want you to tell Molly that she is to come to my room tonight after she gets off work. Do you understand?”

Alexandria spoke before she had time to think. “I understand, all right. How can you…with a woman like her…?”

Tag pulled on a shirt and chuckled. “For the obvious reasons. You will find you don’t just walk up to a nice girl and ask her to spend the night with you.”

Alexandria turned away, feeling crushed. For some reason, she couldn’t stand the thought of his holding Molly in his arms. “I don’t see why you need a woman at all,” she said through tight lips.

“When you are older, you will know that a man has certain urges that must be satisfied.”

Alexandria turned back to face him, only to discover that he had replaced his buckskin trousers with soft blue tight-legged pants. “You don’t love Molly.” She couldn’t help but state her opinion.

Tag sighed indulgently. “Love has nothing to do with it, Alex. I don’t have time to go into man-woman relationships with you now. Just see that Molly comes to my room tonight.”

She watched as his eyes took on a look of sadness. When he spoke, it was more as if he were speaking to himself. “I have only loved once. I doubt I shall ever love again.”

Alexandria wanted to ask him about the woman he had loved, but she dared not. She watched as he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on a pair of black leather boots. When he stood up, she studied him closely. Gone was the handsome golden man, and in his place was a well-dressed gentleman.

“What do you think, Alex? Do I come up to scratch?”

“You look very nice,” she said, still too angry to hand out a compliment. She jumped when he tweaked her nose and walked toward the door.