FOUR DAYS LATER
I must say, that was one of the most unusual trips I’ve ever taken,” Millie said, holding on to the railing of Bram’s steamboat as they chugged their way up the Hudson, drawing closer and closer to Ravenwood.
Lucetta smiled. “The South is always an interesting place to visit, Millie, although we normally don’t allow our guests to experience the rudeness of seeing a man shot on our front lawn.”
“Your mother did keep making a point to apologize about that,” Millie said with a grin. “But since Silas wasn’t, well, dead, it’s not as if we’ll be haunted forever by witnessing him being shot.”
“Unusual as this may seem, I was relieved that Nigel hadn’t fatally injured Silas,” Lucetta added as she inched just a little closer to Bram, enjoying the feel of his hand settled against her back and the fact that his large form was blocking her from some of the wind. “He’s an evil man—there’s no question about that—but . . . I wouldn’t have wanted him dead, no matter his transgressions.”
Millie turned and considered Lucetta and Bram for a moment. “You do know that, as your acting chaperone, I’m supposed to insist that the two of you maintain a few inches of separation from each other at all times, and . . . I believe the recommended space to be maintained is six inches.”
Lucetta blinked. “Is that an actual chaperoning rule, or one you just made up?”
Frowning, Millie wrinkled her nose. “Abigail told me to enforce that particular rule at all times, but . . .” She gave a sad shake of her head. “I’m afraid I’ve been negligent in enforcing it, what with all the dangerous situations, arguments between you and your mother that pulled at everyone’s heartstrings, except perhaps Nigel’s—since I’m not certain he has a heart—and . . . Well, let us not forget the emotional toll returning to Virginia took on you in the first place.”
Bram’s brows drew together as he caught Millie’s eye. “And what does that have to do with you being negligent in your duties?”
“Lucetta needed comforting, of course, and I certainly wasn’t going to stand in the way of her getting that comfort from you.”
As Bram and Millie continued bantering, Lucetta couldn’t help but think that Millie was exactly right. She had been emotionally exhausted throughout the time they’d spent in Virginia, coming to terms with her anger at her father, and coming to terms with the animosity she’d been holding for far too long against her mother. Bram had been a rock beside her through everything, and . . . oddly enough, she had not been opposed to the idea of leaning on that rock, nor had she been embarrassed that she’d needed his strength to soothe her when she felt a little overwhelmed, and . . .
“. . . so don’t despair about your chaperoning abilities,” Bram was saying, tugging Lucetta straight back to the conversation at hand. “Since I’m fairly certain the six-inch rule isn’t a real rule, you’ve not failed as a chaperone just yet.”
“I’m hoping I’m never called upon to chaperone again,” Millie said with an exaggerated sigh. “It’s far more difficult than I ever imagined, and definitely not for the faint of heart. Although . . . for the most part, you and Lucetta didn’t cause me too many difficulties.”
Lucetta leaned forward, catching a gust of wind in her face as she did so. “What are you going to do when Elizabeth and Rose come of age?”
“Since I highly doubt Everett will ever allow any gentleman to court our darling girls, my services as chaperone will not be required.”
Lucetta placed her hand over Millie’s on the railing. “Speaking of Everett, please tell him when you return to Boston how sorry I am for keeping you away from him and the children. I’m sure they weren’t expecting you to be away for so long.”
Millie brushed that aside. “Don’t be silly, Lucetta. Everett expected me to stay for as long as it took to see you found and firmly on your way to recovering from your ordeal. That we had to journey to Virginia to do that, well, I got the added pleasure of meeting your mother and . . . Nigel. I was also privy to a thrilling tale, one where madness ruled the day, until that madness was struck down by a bullet, and good persevered over evil.”
Bram laughed and shook his head. “I’m going to send you an advanced copy of my next book, Millie, with just what you said inscribed inside, because you really do have a way with words.”
Millie beamed a bright smile Bram’s way. “That’s high praise indeed coming from such an esteemed author. I’d absolutely adore getting an early copy of your next book, especially if you could perhaps add a character in it who . . . enjoys dictionaries and learning new words, but can solve mysteries as well.” She smiled and sent him a nod. “You could name that character Mildred, but you and I would know it’s really me.”
Tilting his head, Bram seemed to consider that for a few seconds. “Do you think a lot of people are going to expect me to create characters written with them in mind now that I’m doffing my anonymous cloak?”
“Most assuredly,” Millie said with a nod. “And assuredly means undoubtedly and . . . wouldn’t that be a clever bit to add into one of your stories—a character who throws out random meanings of words every now and again.”
Bram’s lips twitched just a touch. “Maybe I should have remained anonymous.”
Lucetta shook her head. “You know full well that it was past time for you to come out in the open. And by admitting the truth, there are no more secrets, for either of us.” She smiled. “That means we’re able to discontinue playing the parts we’ve been playing for far too long and begin living our lives as they were meant to be lived—you as an author, and me as . . . well, I haven’t figured that out exactly yet, but I have a few ideas in mind.”
Bram smiled. “I have to hope that I figure in somewhere with those few ideas, but . . .” He nodded to the shoreline. “We’re almost to Ravenwood, so now is hardly the time to discuss such matters.”
Knowing he was right but finding herself unable to keep from smiling at the idea of having Bram Haverstein as part of her future plans—although what part he would play in her life it was certainly too soon to tell—Lucetta set her sights on the shore, anxious to see Ravenwood from the vantage point of the Hudson.
“Do you think it’s a little worrisome that Abigail didn’t wait for us in the city, but traveled to Ravenwood with everyone before we were able to return to New York?” Millie suddenly asked.
“I can’t imagine something else of a troubling nature could have occurred,” Lucetta said with a smile. “I mean, we’ve had enough chaos to last us for at least a few years to come.”
“We ladies of the tenement slum area have certainly seen our share of troubling adventures lately,” Millie said, returning Lucetta’s smile.
“Which just goes to show that our struggles in life made us incredibly resilient, something I’m sure we’ll find—” The rest of what Lucetta had been about to say got lost as a cannon blasted away, sending a flock of ravens flying up out of the trees and straight over the steamboat.
“Goodness, and here I was just about to completely relax my guard,” Millie said, ducking her head, with a hand to her chest.
“Curious as this may sound, cannon fire is just a normal way of life at Ravenwood,” Lucetta said. “And wait until you meet Geoffrey the goat. Although . . . we might need to borrow some pants from Bram’s staff. I’ve been thinking that Geoffrey might not attack me if I’m wearing trousers, and . . .” She released a sigh. “I do miss the days of living in our boardinghouse when I could practice my lines while experiencing the freedom of trousers without anyone thinking a thing about it.”
“The only time I saw you wearing trousers was when you were impersonating a coachman,” Bram said slowly.
“Have you seen her when her hair looks like a rat’s nest because she’s braided it at least a thousand times while she’s distracted with her lines or . . . investments?” Millie asked.
To Lucetta’s surprise, instead of seeming taken aback by the idea she wasn’t always very concerned about her appearance, Bram was watching her now with what looked like clear delight in his eyes.
“I’ll see what I can do to find you and Millie some trousers, if you really think that will help you mend fences with Geoffrey.” Bram nodded toward shore. “Ernie’s come to greet us, which means they all made it back to New York safe and sound.”
“I was hoping Miss Haverstein would come down to meet the steamboat.”
Turning, Lucetta discovered that Mr. Skukman had now joined them on deck. He had fallen asleep in an uncomfortable-looking chair in an inside hallway, the events of the past month apparently having caught up with him.
Bram eyed the man for a long moment before he frowned. “Forgive me, Mr. Skukman, because I’m fairly sure I should have asked this before now, but . . . what is your interest in my sister?”
Mr. Skukman barely blinked. “That almost sounds as if you’re asking me what my intentions are.”
“Perhaps I am.”
“Hmm . . . that’ll depend on Miss Haverstein, I suppose” was all Mr. Skukman said before he sent Lucetta the barest hint of a wink and walked over to where some crew members were getting ready to throw Ernie a rope.
Millie moved closer to Bram. “Do you think your mother would object to Mr. Skukman showing a profound interest in your sister?”
“My mother has surprised me of late regarding many things, so no . . . I don’t think she’d mind, especially since my father is planning on settling a large dowry on Ruby, which means they wouldn’t have to live a frugal life.”
Lucetta rolled her eyes. “I’ve been managing Mr. Skukman’s money for years. Allow me to say that he has no need to live frugally and would certainly be offended if you were to bring up Ruby’s dowry. In fact, I imagine Ruby would be offended as well if you brought it up in conversation with Mr. Skukman.”
“That’s actually rather sound advice, which means I won’t mention Ruby’s dowry again.” He smiled. “I certainly don’t want to annoy her further, especially with all the animosity she was tossing my way before we left for Virginia.”
Lucetta returned the smile. “I’m sure she’s gotten over the fact you’re Mr. Grimstone, especially since I don’t believe she was really settled on the plan of seeking him out and having him escort her around town in the first place.”
“Let us hope you’re right about that.” Taking hold of Lucetta’s hand and offering Millie an arm, Bram walked with them to where Ernie was securing the boat to the dock. Handing Millie over to Mr. Skukman, Bram helped Lucetta off the steamboat and then, with the dock swaying back and forth beneath their feet, they walked to shore.
“Good to have you back, sir,” Ernie said with a nod to Bram. “Did you have a pleasant journey?”
“Pleasant enough, but it’s wonderful to be home. Although . . . I wasn’t expecting to be greeted with the blast of a cannon. May I assume that was Mr. Macmillan’s way of welcoming us back?”
Ernie shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Mr. Haverstein. That’s Mr. Addleshaw up on the tower with, uh, well, I don’t want to ruin the surprise. As for Mr. and Mrs. Macmillan, well, there’s been a bit of a situation happening here at Ravenwood with them, a situation that Tilda uncovered after she returned from the city and we were off to Virginia. Tilda wasn’t certain which way to turn with all of us gone, so she ended up sending a telegram to Mrs. Hart.
“Your grandmother, being a take-charge type of lady, stuffed everyone who was staying at her home in Washington Square into a few carriages, and they arrived here a few hours after receiving Tilda’s telegram.”
“And it’s been quite dramatic ever since.”
Looking up, Lucetta found none other than Harriet Peabody—or rather, Mrs. Oliver Addleshaw now—standing a few feet away from her.
The mere sight of Harriet took Lucetta completely aback, especially since her very good friend—having only recently discovered she was the long-lost daughter of a duke, of all things—was supposed to be in London, becoming better acquainted with a family she’d never known she had.
Letting out a small shriek, Lucetta bolted forward, soon finding herself wrapped in Harriet’s embrace. A second later, Millie nudged her way into the embrace as well, and Lucetta couldn’t help but think that her world had turned quite lovely. Stepping back, she grinned at her friends.
“This is an absolutely marvelous surprise, Harriet, but I wasn’t expecting to see you until closer to Christmas.”
“Oliver and I weren’t planning on coming back until then, but I missed the States—missed you two, of course—and . . . it’s a good thing we did come back early.” Harriet’s eyes narrowed. “I could not believe my ears when we showed up at Abigail’s brownstone and learned that Silas Ruff was back on the scene.” She caught Lucetta’s eye. “He’s truly been dealt with once and for all?”
“I do believe he has, but . . . did I hear you mention something about a dramatic situation?”
“Unfortunately, you did. However . . .” Harriet nodded to where Bram was standing a few feet away, pretending an interest in the river obviously to allow Lucetta an opportunity to reunite with her friend without interference. “Do not tell me that is Bram Haverstein?”
“Indeed it is,” Lucetta said, wincing ever so slightly when even she detected the large dollop of . . . something . . . in her tone—something that sounded almost like satisfaction, and something that had both Harriet and Millie looking at her rather knowingly.
Pretending not to notice their knowing looks, she gestured Bram forward. Taking hold of his hand, she took a second to perform introductions.
After the expected pleasantries had been exchanged, she nodded Harriet’s way. “So . . . the disastrous situation?”
As everyone began moving toward a narrow path that led up to Ravenwood, Harriet blew out a breath. “Well, I’m not certain of all the particulars, mind you, but we’ll need to travel straightaway to the dungeon so that Bram can assess the situation.”
Bram stopped moving. “Why do we need to go to the dungeon?”
“Because that’s where everyone decided Mr. and Mrs. Macmillan should be held until you got back to Ravenwood, of course.”