The Sibylline Oracle (17 page)

Alex removed his hat and bowed his head slightly. Jenni curtsied. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Mademoiselle.”

Harleton walked through briskly. “Jenni, I have to go to the office.” He glanced up. “Oh, sorry old chap. It completely slipped my mind that you were coming by. Business, you see.” He was busy evaluating Alex. “I’m sure you understand!”

Jenni had a distressed look on her face. “Harleton, we invited Monsieur Morgan for tea.”

“Well, we will simply have to reschedule. I’m certain…I’m sorry, what was your name?”

“Alex Morgan.”

Harleton shook his head as if the name meant nothing to him. Alex could see that Harleton intended to end any idea about Alex joining them for tea or any other social event.

“I’m sorry, what business did you say you were in?” Harleton asked.

Alex wanted to tell Harleton that
he hadn’t
said. He wanted to say that it was none of his business. But instead, Alex smiled pleasantly. “Oh, this and that—mostly investments.”

Nodding coldly, as if Alex’s response were of little consequence, Harleton narrowed his eyes and took in the details of this stranger. Harleton noticed Alex’s fine Italian clothing but something about him seemed more American. Finally, when it was obvious that Harleton would get no answers from Alex, he ended their meeting. “Well, business beckons!” Harleton said and Alex noticed that the frosty chill in his eyes matched the icy-gray pallor of his suit. “I’m sure Mr. Morgan understands.”

“Of course!” Alex understood
perfectly!

“My dear, I will see you tonight. Again, sorry old chap!” Harleton shrugged nonchalantly as he left.

The color rising to Jenni’s cheeks told Alex she was embarrassed. “Please forgive me for this. Harleton is not usually so…busy.” She took a deep breath.

Alex smiled pleasantly knowing that Jenni would be too uncomfortable to have an unchaperoned tea, which was deemed inappropriate in this society. Harleton had accurately assessed that Alex’s manners were impeccable and that Harleton’s absence would require Alex to leave immediately.

“Actually, it is I who must apologize, Mademoiselle. I only have a few moments.” Alex could see some relief in Jenni’s eyes. “Perhaps another time?”

“Yes! Please, Monsieur, give us an opportunity to thank you
properly!” She smiled. “I am certain that Mr. Parker would insist.”

“Thank you, Mademoiselle…or is it, Madam?” Alex waited anxiously for her response.

“Mademoiselle,” Jenni answered, blushing. “Harleton is my second cousin. His wife passed away a year ago. He has made an agreement with my family to marry me before the year is out.”

By her flat tone in expressing the ‘agreement’ and by her darting glances at him from under her lashes, Alex was certain that there was no romantic interest on Jenni’s part in marrying Harleton. Alex could steal her away! He wondered for a moment if that would be the right thing to do.

Then the children ran down the stairs, calling, “Jenni! Jenni!” They grabbed onto her skirt and danced around her with youthful enthusiasm. Jenni shrugged, as if to say that they were why she was there.

Sighing, Alex replaced his cap. “Mademoiselle, let us not be such strangers. I am a tutor and occasionally take on students. Perhaps I can be of assistance.”

Jenni smiled, a look of gratitude in her eyes.

Walking back to his apartment, Alex continued to reel at the revelation that
he had at last changed a vision!
She was still alive! Deep inside, the knot in his gut told him that there was still a possible threat…that it wasn’t over yet. But Alex forced himself to believe that because she had survived the attack in his vision, she would now be immortal. She would outlive Harleton Parker in not so many years…and Alex would stay by her side. Then they would have their
eternity
together!

∞

Alex watched on as Jenni married Harleton. Soon after, Harleton left for Europe and was gone for over a year, allowing Alex precious time with Jenni. She counted on Alex for help with the children and her affection blossomed into what he suspected was love.

The formalities of the era called for certain protocols, such as always addressing each other in formal terms as in Mister Morgan and Madam Parker. Because Alex was employed as a tutor, he was permitted occasional brief moments alone with the mistress of the house, often over tea as was their habit. At any time, Alex could have asked Jenni to run away with him and he was certain she would. But the children had already lost their mother, and he knew Jenni would mourn the loss of their affection if she were to leave.

Six years later, Harleton continued to take long and frequent trips abroad. Alex suspected that he had lovers in other countries. There had been rumors of a girl in Africa, and that there were children from this indiscretion.

Jenni’s heartbreak came from having her hopes dashed that she might one day bear children of her own. She might’ve felt sad from Harleton’s lack of affection, but Alex’s presence gave her faith in something more. Jenni loved her stepchildren, who were now about to enter their teen years and would soon be off to boarding school, at Harleton’s insistence. Though Alex was certain that insistence had more to do with ending his employment as their tutor.

Alex planned to wait until the children left for boarding school and then he would ask Jenni to run away with him. With his accumulation of wealth, they could disappear and never again worry about Harleton or his visions. Alex clung to that hope for the sake of his sanity. He chose to believe that averting the tragedy with the horse had resolved his curse.

That summer, Harleton left for business in Africa and would continue on for a safari. It was the happiest time in Alex’s existence. He had the freedom to see Jenni daily without
Harleton’s watchful eye. Jenni seemed to blossom in her husband’s absence. Harleton wasn’t a bad man. Alex had watched his beloved being married off to men of bad intentions in the past. Harleton at least seemed to care for Jenni—much like he might care for any of his other possessions, such as his children.

One day, Alex responded to a knock on the door to his apartment to find his good friend Mani. Mani explained to Alex that in his search for answers to their existence he had found extraordinary research facilities at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

“Alex, I would like to run several tests on Jenni. Can you bring her to Johns Hopkins?”

The underlying message was clear. Alex knew that Mani was not confident that Jenni was safe, and that time was running out. He couldn’t bear to think about that.

“Doc, do you believe that’s necessary? I’ve not had any visions. I believe we are past all of that business.”

“I would like to take any and all precautions. Perhaps you could use it as an excuse for the children to tour a great university.”

Alex brushed his hand through his hair, concerned. As soon as he accepted the possibility that Jenni was not yet immortal, it caused his hope to drop into the pit of his stomach. But he couldn’t risk anything with his beloved.

“I’ll find a way to bring her up to Baltimore. I’ll need time to make the arrangements; perhaps next month?”

Mani shook his head. “Alex…”

The pit in his stomach became heavier. “Next week, then.”

As part of their science studies, Alex invited the children to see the new medical discoveries, including a new kind of microscope! Of course, Jenni was confused, but excited by the invitation. Frankly, she was looking forward to time with Alex away from the watchful eyes of the Washington gossips. Harleton would not be pleased to hear of this trip. So, Jenni sent a letter, knowing he would receive it after they’d returned. At Alex’s insistence, the housekeeper accompanied them as a chaperone.

Alex escorted Jenni and the children to their extraordinary suite on the Old Bay Line, the steam liner that would take them overnight from Washington D.C. and up the Chesapeake to Baltimore. As the children dashed into their room, Jenni turned to Alex and narrowed her eyes.

“Is there a problem, Madam Parker?” Alex asked, as his eyes sparkled with excitement. He could actually envision the day when he would leave with her—perhaps by ship.

“Monsieur Morgan,” she began. “Perhaps this is not an appropriate question. However, propriety requires that I…” She bit her lip. “How does a tutor’s salary afford such a luxurious suite?” Alex smiled and shrugged.

“As I suspected,” she said. “I knew you to be a scholar. But your demeanor…” Her finger went to her temple. “May I ask? If you do not require the stipend, then why did you accept the position as a tutor?”

Knowing that if he were not cautious, she might feel the trip was inappropriate. Alex responded, “Madam Parker, I took the position because it
pleased
me to do so.”

After arriving the next day at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of Mani's associates took the children on their tour. The housekeeper accompanied them.

Jenni heard the steps of someone approaching in the hall and turned to face a tall, thin man with a very gentle face and eyes the same color as her tutor’s. Alex lifted an arm towards Mani. “Madam Parker, this is Mani. Sorry, Doctor Castro. He is doing some specialized research here. Would you be willing to take part in some of his tests?”

Jenni’s eyes widened nervously and she briefly bit her lip as
she glanced rapidly from Alex to Mani. “What type of tests?”

“Madam Parker,” Mani began, “please excuse my friend. When it comes to you, he tends to rush things. Let me explain. I have begun a particular field of research and I would like to take your information for this study.”

“Doctor, I am in perfect health! Is there a reason?” She glanced back at Alex, raising a delicate brow in question.

“Dr. Castro requires a specific type of person for his tests—a fine woman of French decent—in order to create a…a baseline for his study. You meet his specifications perfectly and I was hoping that you might agree. It won’t harm you. But it could provide very valuable information for his specialized research. It could very well save a life!” Alex hadn’t lied, he justified.

“I would not want my husband concerned with these tests.” Jenni’s eyes fluttered nervously to Alex. “He might mistake the intention.”

Alex was certain that Harleton would not approve.

“I understand perfectly, Madam! Our records are completely confidential. There would be no information from me or John’s Hopkins that would be delivered to your home. Further, the records will be held in the strictest of confidence and available only to those involved in this study. Not even members of your own family may have access without your express approval!”

“Not even...Mr. Parker?” she asked and Mani shook his head. She lowered her brows in disbelief and then nodded, the release of tension lowering her shoulders. “Well then, I see no harm in these…tests.”

Mani called his assistant who escorted Jenni to an examination room.

The results showed that Jenni was in exceptionally fine health. That pit in Alex’s stomach began to relax. All of his previous lifetimes of trying to save Cassandra had ended with her dying on or before her twenty-seventh birthday. Jenni’s birthday,
which was on Christmas day, was rapidly approaching.

∞

To Alex’s absolute delight, the snow had fallen hard enough to prevent him from leaving the Parker’s home on Christmas Eve. Jenni seemed pleased to have him there to help her celebrate with the children and their household staff.

It was mid afternoon Christmas day when the children ran off to play with their gifts, permitting Alex a private moment with Jenni.

“Madam,” he started, noticing that the desire he felt in his heart was mirrored back in her eyes. “Jenni,” he added, more softly. “I hope I am not being too forward. However, I have a gift for you.”

Clearly pleased to see that Alex had dropped the public formalities, Jenni blushed. They had exchanged formal gifts, of course. But this was a personal gift…one with very special meaning, a declaration of his intentions. She took the small, crushed-velvet box from Alex’s hand, and then carefully unwound the delicate, lace ribbon. She gasped when she saw the bracelet that was nestled in the box’s silk lining. Its band was made of platinum grapevines and it held five three-carat stones of the most extraordinary blue. Jenni’s blush deepened, and she was at a loss of words. This was not the gift of a friend or an employee.
This was the gift of a lover
. She silently lifted her hand to her heart. The snow began to fall again outside the large window. Jenni’s eyes filled with an unspoken love, and Alex, caught up in the moment, took her in his arms. She looked stunned at first, but then the confliction eased from her face and was replaced with her buried desire. Her mouth went to his willingly and hungrily as her arms moved greedily along his neck and chest—and then in an instant, she pulled back—suddenly aware of her actions, her eyes wide with concern. Her hand fanned her face as she looked away for a moment as she considered what had just occurred.

“I know that it is not possible for you to wear this gift at this time.” He said as he brushed his hand along the back of her neck and she turned back to face him. “I would like to keep it for such a day when that is possible; perhaps next year, when my services as a tutor are no longer required.”