Elise sat on the small stool beside the vegetable patch she had taken to weeding when she needed to ease the questions running crazily through her head. Darien paced the path beside her, and she was sad to note they watched each other like adversaries.
Should she tell him that scar was due to a Caesarian? She had to tell him about moving through time first, not blurt that he had a daughter. And then there was the fact that he and Rufus had deceived her.
These deceptions were out of hand, spinning further and further from her control.
Quickly, she said, "I sometimes suffer with a peculiar heart condition. I-I think -- that is -- the doctor who treated me felt it was due to a strain or illness of some kind in my childhood. They, er, operated on me so they could correct the problem."
He moved to stand over her.
"It sounds like a dangerous procedure. You had this operation performed in a large city?"
"Yes."
"And the other scar?"
"I'm sorry, Darien," she said firmly, "but I can't tell you right now. When the time is right, I promise I will tell you." She firmed her mouth. "Tell me about the Hellhound."
He sat down in the chair beside the bed. His eyes met her, intense green. Elise felt her insides melting, but she pushed back any thoughts of desire.
"I am the Hellhound."
She relaxed. At least she knew who she had kissed.
"-- and Rufus," he added, again throwing her off kilter.
"Both of you?" She frowned. "Why?"
"Are you sure you want to hear this? It is about Rogier."
She nodded.
"We had to intercede. His men steal from the people who have little or nothing. They raid during the night dressed in their masks."
"You have proof my father is behind it?"
He shrugged. "No, but all signs seem to lead to him."
Carefully, Elise said, "So you switch places?"
He nodded. "You realize, of course, the danger if this became known?"
"Of course I do. You both play a dangerous game. That first night when I was kidnapped, the Hellhound helped me and escorted me through the night. Was that you?"
"Rufus."
"Mandine told me there were two that night but I only saw one."
His mouth tightened and now he stood up. "Yes, there were two of us. I rode into that clearing with my brother on my heels. They attacked, we fought back. Two of them managed to escape."
"Why didn't I see you?"
"I had pressing business and I left. I did not know anyone else was there until I met up with Rufus later."
'Then I saw both of you on the road."
"We have several outposts where we keep supplies. Rufus changed clothing and saddled a fresh horse and we met by prior planning. When he told me what happened, I insisted on going with him. He had it in his head to escort you -- as himself, of course."
"Why?"
He snapped his head around and their eyes met. Elise actually felt herself blush. She lifted her chin. "And why were you there?"
"Curiosity," he admitted. "I had not seen my brother show interest in another woman in three years. I wanted to make sure --"
"You were looking out for him."
He nodded.
"Why does Rufus not speak?"
Darien sighed. "Elise, these are dangerous times in these mountains. It is sometimes thought that because someone cannot speak, their brain is affected." He shrugged. "Perhaps people think I put my own interpretation on his hand and finger movements. I do not know. But it keeps suspicion from falling on him in regard to the Hellhound."
"And with that scar on his neck, it is not hard to accept."
"When he sustained that injury, he could not speak for almost eight months. The doctors did not think he would ever speak. I insisted he go to the school in Connecticut and when he finally left there, I had him teach me. I felt it was important I communicate with him. Rufus recovers his sense of humor in many situations, but after that injury, I feared for him."
"So it started out real and then you improvised. That first night I heard his voice as the Hellhound, it was deep and gruff."
Darien actually smiled. "Rufus was the first one to ride as the Hellhound."
"And you decided to join him?"
"We keep each other's backs safe." He paused. "I have seen you sign to Rufus, Elise."
"I learned sign language many years ago due to a -- a good friend's injury. There is one more question," she said before he could interrupt. "That night the Hellhound took me to the barn, was that you or Rufus?"
He smiled. "I could keep that a secret."
She too smiled. "Not if you value the possibility of a future relationship between us," she said smartly.
"You have grown very independent, Elise."
"Yes, I have Darien. I'm no longer ruled by what society or my father might think. I will make my own decisions based on what I feel, based on what I want." She sighed. "I'm not sure I could make it in society in these times."
"I admire your courage."
"It was hard won, but it's all mine."
"I was the Hellhound that night." He shook his head. "That kiss -- I admit I gave in to temptation."
She felt a faint shivery sensation up the back of her neck. Temptation. She too had given in to it. "Why didn't I recognize your voice?" she asked.
"I can see you want all the secrets at once," he said, his smile now holding a bit of teasing. For a moment, she saw the Darien she once knew.
"I discovered a knack for voices many years ago. As Rufus silences his voice, I play with many voices."
"A ventriloquist of sorts. That makes sense." She gave him a sharp look. "So how much longer do you and Rufus intend to continue as the Hellhound?"
"As long as it takes to stop Rogier terrorizing people."
"And you think it's my father?"
"Are you surprised?"
"That he may be involved? Unfortunately, no."
#
Darien clenched his fists behind his back, held strong against the urge to close the distance and pull Elise forcefully into his arms. She still looked a bit pale from her illness, but the fine bones of her face were all he had wanted to see for years and years. He wanted her slim, soft body against his own, to bury himself in her naked warmth, forget all the years in between. It would be so easy to forgo pride, kneel at her feet. One step, two, and it would be done. They could go back to the other night when it felt as if time had rolled back. He shook himself. Ridiculous, of course; time does not roll back, it marches forward.
Was there a way for trust to begin anew? How he wanted to trust her, give her everything he had . . . but there was still that part of him that spoke warningly against just such an action. Caution had been instilled in him over the years . . . it had been a lesson learned the hard way.
Darien frowned with great deliberateness, straightening his lips and then on sudden inspiration, he said, "Come, Elise. Let us take a carriage ride." He smiled. "If you would like to go."
"Well . . . yes, yes, I will."
"I will bring the wagon around."
Elise watched him walk away. He whistled, his step almost jaunty, as if he had not a care in the world. Elise went into the house to find a hat to shield her from the hot sun. Cautiously, she wondered if this could be the beginning of finding their way.
#
The housemaid Merina came to find Elise to tell her Darien awaited her out front.
Elise thanked her, but did not hurry right out. She wondered what the other help thought of her going out with their employer. She knew both girls were captivated by Rufus and Darien, and who could blame them? They were eligible, marriageable men.
Elise shrugged. She supposed it didn't really matter what the others thought. She could find herself in a difficult situation, the master of the house taking the housekeeper out for a drive and picnic. Actually, when Elise really thought about it, she knew it would be downright frowned upon.
At times, Elise found it difficult to recall she used to be bound by the restrictive rules of etiquette of the times. After having lived most of her life in a more modern time, she was constantly reminding herself of the way life had to be conducted in this time.
Women were rarely consulted on certain issues, and when they were asked an opinion, it usually concerned household matters. Elise may have been used to such ways once, but she no longer fit the mold. In truth, she liked having a say in her own life, making her own decisions. She would never go back to the thinking of this time.
Elise stopped in front of a hallway mirror, checking that her hair was still in its neat knot on top of her head. She had taken to wearing it in such a manner. As housekeeper, she felt it would hardly be fitting if she worked around the house with her hair down her back.
Elise walked down the front path and stared at the black conveyance in which Darien waited. It was an updated version of the ones she remembered as a young girl. The black seats were plush and cushioned, otherwise it was a simple carriage with enough room for two people. The dark gray horse pulling the carriage drew her admiring gaze.
As Elise drew closer, he wound the reins around an iron hook and jumped down to assist her.
"Your horse is beautiful," Elise said with admiration.
"Rufus and I raise quality horses. We've been expanding due to increased demand."
"I can see what a beauty he is."
Darien urged her up and into the gig, then sat beside her and picked up the reins. He seemed eager for the outing and Elise felt the same way.
With barely a cluck from Darien, the horse moved off into a brisk trot, his sleek black coat shining as if he'd just been washed and vigorously brushed.
Darien wore a pleased smile. "He is our finest stallion. Alons is only four, yet he shows promise as a champion racer."
"You race horses?"
"No. Roof and I raise them for speed and endurance. Once our work is completed, and we are satisfied with the results, there are plenty of buyers to be found. Several of our stock have been exported to England."
"Is that what you and Rufus do -- breed horses and trap?"
As they drove out of town, Darien threw her a speculative glance. "We trap in the winter and sell the furs in the spring. We have developed a market for maple syrup and we ship it upriver to the fancy hotels and guest houses."
"Do you and Rufus jointly own your business concerns?"
"Yes. There are also ships we charter out. They make runs up and down the coast carrying cargo -- anything from furs to vegetables."
Elise looked at him with an upraised brow. "I once asked Rufus if he was a pirate. He said he was."
Darien smiled. "My brother has an uncommon sense of humor. He is most comfortable on the sea, but the ways of the sea are changing." He looked grim for a moment.
"Is it dangerous for him?"
"He chases slavers."
"Slavers? You mean -- you mean people who kidnap --"
"He and his men apprehend ships running slave rings."
"That's frightening."
"He works for our government."
"Is the Hellhound part of that government work?"
Darien sighed. "It might be." He lightly slapped the reins. "Come, let us enjoy the day."
"You have done very well for yourself, Darien. No wonder my father dislikes you," she added.
"Dislike?" Darien laughed, stopped the carriage. "I would be more apt to use the term hate -- its intensity suits your father's nature."
"Your success," Elise said slowly.
"Perhaps," Darien conceded, jumping down from his seat. He held his hand up. "I came from nothing, and now I equal him in status and wealth. It eats at him."
"He is dangerous have as an enemy," Elise warned, unable to suppress a shiver. She turned and began to step down from the carriage.
Darien pulled her toward him, both hands moving to encircle her slim waist. He set her on the ground. Elise turned to face him, looking up at him, his superior height.
"Y-you've gotten so tall, Darien," She murmured breathlessly, unable to help herself. "At seventeen we were almost eye level. You had the advantage of a mere few inches."
A certain darkness shadowed his eyes, making Elise tense, but then his blond head dipped toward her and his mouth was mere inches away. Elise touched his sleeve to balance herself, wanting nothing more than to feel the touch of his mouth on hers. His lips fell to her neck, traced an unbearably hot path, then he stepped back.
Elise released her breath. Darien straightened abruptly, reached behind her to draw a basket from under the seat.
"Come, let us find a spot under one of the trees," he said brusquely. He turned on his heel and led the way.
He walked up a small knoll, spread a plaid blanket on the newly springing grass. Elise busied herself with the basket, hoping the heat had gone out of her face by the time he dropped to the blanket on the grass.
It was a beautiful afternoon; they could not have ordered any finer weather. Under the shade of an immense oak tree, the sunlight dappled them through the leaves. Everything was so green and fresh, even the air seemed to have a special warm fragrance of its own.
Below them was a large grassy area spotted here and there with the brilliance of wildflowers; a small stream wended its way lazily along the fringe of the meadow.
None of this had turned out how she had envisioned her reunion with Darien. It was supposed to have been romantic, with both of them declaring anew their love for one another. Sometimes she felt younger than her thirty-nine years. Was she destined for a big fall? Elise busied herself by placing several plates on the blanket, barely paying notice to the succulent delicacies the cook had prepared.
Elise stared at him; he seemed so deep in thought. They had to resolve these unanswered questions today.
Darien looked at her. "Surely you know what is foremost on my mind? Where have you been all these years?
Elise stilled. She took a deep breath. "I have been in another time, a time separate from this, Darien. A time in the future."
"I have wondered all these years," he said slowly, "I have wanted to know that you were safe, that you missed me and regretted running away. But of all the things I imagined, it would not be that you would tell me you were in a future world."
She gripped his forearm, felt the muscle flex under her fingertips. She tried again. "I am telling the truth, Darien."
"Where?"
"Here in this same area, but a long time in the future."
"That is madness," He said angrily.
Elise tried to think of a different way to put it to him. "Darien, I know it sounds absolutely insane, but it's true. I've lived twenty-four years in a time separate from this one. I created a whole new life. I -- we -- have a daughter."
"What?" he looked thunderstruck, jumped to his feet and moved away from her. He spun back on his heel. "Elise, do not toy with me."
"Darien -- I know it's a shock -- but yes, we have a daughter. Our one night together produced a daughter."
"Where is she? I would see her for myself." She was not prepared for the renewed suspicion in his eyes.
"You -- you can't." She bit her lip, on the verge of tears. "This is so difficult. Try to understand I am doing the best I can in telling you this. Our daughter Isabeau is in this other time."
"Isabeau? You spoke of an Isabeau before."
She put her head back. "Yes. She is our dear daughter. I was actually afraid to even tell you." Carefully, she opened the locket around her neck and held it out to him. "This locket is the only proof I have --"
"Daughter!" Darien barely looked at the locket. For a moment she thought his shoulders slumped, and then he began to retrieve the food items, pushing them into the cloth napkins, pushing it all into the basket. He grabbed the plaid blanket in one fist and crumpled it into a ball. "It is time to leave."
Elise closed the locket. "I'm telling you the truth. I know you need time to consider all I have said but there was no easy way to say it, Darien." Had she expected him to jump at the truth and believe it right away? No, but she had not expected this outright denial, either. He carried the basket to the carriage and shoved it under the seat. She gripped his arm and made him stop. "Darien, you knew Mandine. The powers she wielded. There are things in this world we don't understand, realities we don't know about, but they still exist. Time happens simultaneously, on different levels, different planes. I know because I have lived it. I traveled through time. Twice."
"So you are asking me to believe you went to this time that night long ago? Our daughter is in this other time, so I will not meet her. And just recently you decided to travel again and come back?"
She nodded, that was all, and climbed into the wagon, reading the closed look on his face and mulish set to his jaw. There was no use in her expending any more energy in trying to convince him, for now she would see it would be like hitting a brick wall. And who could blame him? Even fiction stories about time travel hadn't been written yet.
Darien set the carriage in motion and set Alons at a brisk pace.
"We should speak about what we both want," Darien said abruptly, surprising her.
"Yes," she agreed warily.
"A relationship between us. There is no sense in beating about the bush. Even after all this time, I feel the same pull toward you." He didn't sound pleased. "Am I wrong?" he demanded when she didn't say anything.
Wondering where this was going, Elise nodded her head. "I came back to find you," she admitted. "And you needed to know about your daughter."
He frowned again, then said, "Then it is true, we both wish for the same outcome."
"Outcome? What a strange word to use."
He nodded brusquely. "I still want you, even after all that has happened, through all these years. You are in my blood."
"You make it sound like an illness."
"If it is agreeable to you, you shall continue to reside at the house, but the circumstances will be different. You will now act as hostess for whatever gatherings we sponsor, which I admit at this time are far and few between. However, if you desire to do more socializing, we can easily arrange it --"
Coolly, Elise said, "Explain in detail what my new position would be." Before he could do so, she met his glance squarely. "No, don't bother. I am naive, but I guess I understand what you are saying. We will sleep together, to satisfy the fact that I am 'in your blood,' but that will be the end of any commitment." She knew her face was white but she demanded an answer. "Isn't that what you are proposing, Darien?"
As she outlined the terms in black and white, Elise felt a sensation of things slipping away. His lips tightened, as if annoyed by her forthrightness.
"We have been married all these years," he said abruptly.
"You wish to claim marital rights." Her mind closed to him. It didn't feel right. He was angry, yes, and not denying what she'd told him. But this felt emotionless. "That's not enough for me." For either of them. Couldn't he see that? "Forget it, Darien. If nothing else think of Adeline."
She heard his muttered curse as he snapped the reins at the horse. Elise did not think he cursed the animal. No doubt he cursed ever having met her. Elise could not believe he didn't want to know more about Isabeau. Had she been wrong about him? She felt numb.
"Elise --"
"I might have agreed if I was that same young girl. But now I know how to take care of myself. I also know I deserve more than you're proposing to give me." Elise sat stiffly on the seat beside him and wondered if she would ever see in Darien's eyes what she yearned to see. She wanted the magic once more that they knew as teenagers. Perhaps it was too much to expect his unconditional love with such obstacles between them.
When they arrived back at the house, Darien had barely brought the horse to a halt when she jumped unaided from the carriage and walked swiftly up the path to the house.
"Where do you think you are going?"
She did not turn. "Where I please," she snapped. "I'm my own person, Darien, and you cannot dictate to me, ever. Furthermore, if I wish to leave, then I will. Don't worry, I will repay my debt to you. I don't care what the law says, I am not your indentured servant."
"I never said you were!" he shouted after her.
She nodded at Rufus standing on the front verandah as she continued into the house. The gentle whisper of the wooden screen door closing behind her spoke volumes.
Rufus walked to where Darien sat in the carriage.
Darien watched Elise until she disappeared. She gave the appearance of a caring, gentle woman, certainly not the vindictive, conniving liar he had let Rogier Lancaster convince him she must be.
"Well, Dare," Rufus remarked, "I can see you still have a way with the ladies."
Darien gave his brother a churlish frown. "Are you stooping to eavesdropping now?"
Rufus grinned without apology, hands in his pockets. "If you are attempting to charm Elise, you are going about it in the wrong manner. I do not believe any woman would respond to such treatment."
"What would you know about it?" snarled Darien.
"I am but a casual observer."
Darien was irritated by Rufus' amusement. "I am not trying to charm her."
"Yes, even as dull witted as I am, I surmised as much." Rufus dropped the bantering tone. "So why the devil are you not trying to charm her?"
"What?"
"She's a beautiful woman -- sincere, loyal, loving --" Rufus put his hand to his chest defensively, "I swear I do not know firsthand about the latter -- but what I cannot understand is why you would wish to be at odds with her. If I thought you uninvolved, I would pursue her in all seriousness for myself."
"Then why do you not do so?" challenged Darien sarcastically.
"Because I fear you are not over her." Darien met the eyes so like his own, saw himself mirrored in his brother's loneliness. He looked away with a grimace.
"She's my wife you know," he said.
"All the more reason to try and win back her affections."
"What should I do?" Darien asked in a low voice.
"I believe if you think on it, you will know where to start," murmured Rufus. "And of course, there is also Adeline."
#
"We leave in a week's time," Rufus said with relish. Elise could imagine him rubbing his palms together with anticipation. "I've a notion to visit some familiar haunts."
"Not I. Recall what happened last time you said that," Darien said, but a smile played at the edge of his mouth.
Rufus laughed, slapped his brother heartily on the back. "Ah yes , but also recall the slight misunderstanding was resolved. We left the Carolina's rich men. In the end, everything worked out fine."
"Perhaps," Darien growled, his voice indicating he recollected a different ending than the one Rufus seemed to recall with such amusement.
Elise pushed the salon door open, not having intended to eavesdrop, but having done so nonetheless. She knew her face was flushed as she allowed Rufus to take the tray from her. She resumed her seat on the far side of the room. She had not spoken directly to Darien in several days, not since the picnic fiasco.
"Did I miss something?" she asked Rufus brightly into the silence.
Rufus made a sound curiously like a snicker, no doubt at Darien's expense, but in the next moment said in all seriousness.
"We were discussing our last trip to South Carolina. My brother here," he grinned hugely, "found himself in a bit of a strait."
"I would call getting thrown in jail for mistaken identity more than a bit of a strait," Darien came back dryly as he leaned comfortably back in his chair.
"I see you still fail to see the humor of the situation," mused Rufus, shaking his head as he lit a slim dark cigar.
"Well, I imagine if the situation had been reversed, you would have been the one lathering at the mouth," his brother threw back.
"Hell!" Rufus turned to Elise. "Excuse my lapse, 'Lise, but this brother of mine takes matters too seriously." He turned back to Darien. "It was a mere joke, yet you are blind to it. I, for one, take life much more lightly."
"That's true," murmured Darien with a rueful grimace. "You play the buffoon when the occasion warrants."
"Ho, ho!" exclaimed Rufus, "You are resorting to insults now."
"Tell me, Rufus," Elise entreated. She handed each of them a bubble glass of hard cider, carefully avoiding Darien's gaze.
"It was all Roof's fault," declared Darien, sitting forward in his chair. "He had promised the town's sheriff his second mate's wages for the entire month if he could not persuade the local artist to paint the man's wife and daughter."
"So?" asked Elise, perplexed, "what's so difficult about that?"
"The man -- the artist, was a total recluse. He had not been in society for fifteen years."
"It was a very good wager," Rufus defended himself.
"Surely you are right," Darien came back, enjoying himself immensely, "if you are crazy as a loon."
Elise shook her head, determined to wheedle the story from them. They seemed to gain a great deal of amusement mocking and jesting with one another, sharing a wonderful rapport she had noticed on other occasions. She was envious of the common bond between them, but it reminded her of the ever-widening gulf between Darien and herself. There was no longer even a comfortable alliance between them. She felt as if they were back to square one.
Rufus turned to her, saw the anticipation on her face, then threw a mocking glance at Darien.
"I confess I will enjoy the telling of this tale." He stretched his legs out, placed one upon the footstool before him. "When Darien and I were visiting one of our favorite watering holes, I admit to making a slightly inebriated, God-awful wager with the local sheriff, who was also somewhat in his cups.
"The sheriff said he and his family were new to the area, but his wife and daughter had their heart set on having their likeness painted by a Monsieur Bonea, a famous painter who was virtually a hermit, but who now lived in the swamps.
"He claimed to be personally acquainted with Monsieur Bonea, and of course he could arrange such a matter."
"So what happened?" Elise took a sip of hard cider. It went down smoothly, burning a path clear to her toes. She leaned back against the plush warmth of her chair.
"The man was a virtual hermit with no thought of leaving or changing his mode of living. When approached, he of course flatly refused -- ran the sheriff off his place with a firearm.
"Can you imagine the sheriff getting into a fury over such a small incident?" asked Rufus with a shrug of his massive shoulders, a grin playing about his lips.
Elise looked at him with raised brows.
"When the sheriff realized I'd been having him on, he was in a fury. He had already promised his wife and daughter their portraits would be painted. The sheriff arrived at our lodgings, intending to make trouble. As circumstances had it, he found Darien instead of myself."
"It always amazes me that people have difficulty telling us apart," mused Rufus. "After all, I am the better looking sibling."
"So they threw you in jail?" Elise asked in surprise.
Darien nodded ruefully. "Yes -- the man was that mad. He thought I was having him on when I denied all knowledge of the wager."
"A surly fellow," tacked on Rufus. He took a long swallow of his cider. "Luckily, though, I was able to persuade the old hermit away from his reclusive life." He seemed prepared to leave it at that.
"Okay, I give up, tell me the rest," Elise urged.
"I merely explained to him the daughter was a vision not unlike his late wife."
"You did know him, then?" Elise asked in surprise.
"Well -- slightly," Rufus admitted.
"He knew his name," supplied Darien sardonically.
"But the ploy worked," Rufus said with a grin. "The man was happy to meet the wife and daughter. Not only did he paint them together, but the daughter he painted many times."
"So how did this whole thing work out to your advantage?"
"Well," admitted Rufus, "not only did I keep my seaman's wages, but with the sheriff being so happy with the outcome, he referred my name to a large shipping magnate looking for a few good men to oversee his shipping line."
"Little did they know what they were taking on when they hired us," observed Darien dryly. He swirled the last of the hard cider in his glass, a slight smile curling his lips.
"He recognized talent when he saw it," said Rufus arrogantly.
Elise started laughing, she couldn't help it. Then she hiccupped, putting a hand to her mouth as she looked at both of them.
"The cider's gone to her head," commented Rufus.
"You have had enough," said Darien, moving to take her glass.
Elise evaded Darien's hand. "I only had a small bit, and it didn't even taste that bad. It was kind of sweet and dry. I believe I'll have more." But the decanter was gone. Frowning, Elise sat back, feeling wonderfully warm and secure. No doubt Rufus' presence eased the tension between she and Darien.
"So you are going out to sea?" she asked.
"A short voyage," acknowledged Rufus.
"I would love to go," she said softly, more to herself. It was a provocative idea, flitting across her mind like quicksilver. She sat up straight. "I have never been out to sea."
"Then go you shall," declared Rufus.
Darien glared at him. "Shut up, Roof. This is serious."
"So am I," said Elise, frowning as the room took on a slightly hazy appearance. "I would love to go." She glared at Darien. "Why shouldn't I go?"
"It's not a good idea --"
"Let's just have it out," Elise declared, "don't give me a lot of nonsense about it being proper. Maybe you'll have to trot out our marriage papers. Anyway, the Darien I knew wouldn't give two hoots about what's proper!"
"She has you there, Brother," murmured Rufus.
"Keep out of this," Darien muttered.
"Here, I have the solution," exclaimed Rufus. "I will personally be responsible for Elise's wellbeing. I shall keep her under my wing the entire journey. In that way," Rufus said with a gleam, "you, Brother, will be able to concentrate wholly on business."
"Thank you, Rufus," Elise said before Darien could intercede. "I accept your offer. When shall we leave?"
Darien glowered at the two of them.