To Catch a Ripple ~ Chapter Three
Rob and Helen stood together as she prepared a salad, filling the room with the scent of cucumber and celery. She gave him a sidelong glance as he sprinkled a plate of steaks with seasoning. He caught her look and rewarded her with a smile. Every night for the past week they had spent the nights talking about his stories, her stories, travelling, and his adventures with Vincent and his other cousin Edward. She had told him nothing about her past, and he told her nothing about Gabriel. Nevertheless, she looked forward to the times they were together, feeling him drawing closer, and instead of pushing him away, she let him. Why did she let him? Was it because he was so handsome, or so interested in the same things she was?
No. It was that feeling that somehow they belonged together, that in some way he might understand and accept her even with all her issues, that he might catch her and not let her fall.
“The weather is clearing.” Vincent joined them in the kitchen. “Maybe we’ll have the party outside after all.”
“That’s good.” Angie took a fruit tray from the fridge. “Even though the house is big it would be a tight squeeze for two dozen people.”
“Rob, how is the guest of honor related to you?” Helen asked.
“It depends.” He said with an impish gleam in his eyes.
“Depends?”
“On his father’s side, we’re third cousins, but through his mom we’re second cousins.” He patted her arm. “Welcome to the Seagrave clan. We’re one close, very close, family.”
“Our relationships can be complicated.” Vincent said. “We just choose the closest connection. So, we consider Francis our second cousin, even though we just call him ‘cousin.’ Since our family is more like a community, we call everyone cousin, aunt, or uncle. For instance, Francis’s mother is actually our first cousin once removed, but we call her Aunt Elizabeth.”
“But you and Vincent are first cousins,” Helen said.
“Yes, our fathers were brothers,” Rob said. “And we have one other cousin, Edward, who’s the family doctor. In Edward’s case, my mother and his are also sisters. You’ll meet him today.”
Helen nodded and went back to making her salad. She might also meet Gabriel today. Angie was right. He was a monster. Her friend had told her about how he took a boy from his dying mother, and how he had tormented the girl Vincent’s cousin was dating. The Seagraves had a long history steeped in tradition, but why did they put up with him?
There was something more, something Angie wasn’t telling her.
Someone knocked on the front door.
“Oh, they’re here!” Vincent cried. “Are the appetizers ready? We should put on some tea. And some coffee.”
“We should answer the door,” Rob said with a grin as he went from the kitchen into the dining room.
Helen asked, “Angie, Francis is also a Seagrave, so how is he related to Gabriel?”
“They’re second cousins on his father’s side, and his mother is Gabriel’s first cousin twice removed. Just like Vincent said, relationships in their family are complicated,” she said with a smile.
“I was just wondering…you told me the estate was huge, so why wouldn’t the family have this birthday party there?”
Her roommate leaned close. “Gabriel and Francis’s mother don’t get along. That’s why Vincent offered to have the party here on neutral ground.” She flicked on the coffee maker and patted Helen on the arm. “Let’s go see who’s here.”
Vincent and Rob spoke to a young man with shoulder-length ginger hair, a downy beard, and large brown eyes. The visitor was shorter than Rob, and he looked like he would break if he were held too hard. Beside him was a young woman with short brown hair and blue eyes, the kind of blue that could be seen from across a room. She wore jeans, high-heeled boots, and a low-cut sleeveless top. A fist-sized bronze cross hung just above her breasts.
“Angie, Helen, this is Francis, the birthday boy, and his friend Della Delane,” Vincent said.
Della hooked her arm around Francis’s waist and chomped on her gum.
Vincent and Rob exchanged nervous glances.
Francis shifted away from her. His eyes went to Vincent, then Rob. Della’s smile faded and her arm fell to her side.
They’re not just friends. They’re a couple, just like Angie and Vincent. But, why do they need to act as if they’re not?
They gathered in the living room while Vincent disappeared into the kitchen.
Della glanced at Angie’s lacy skirt and pink silk blouse, an outfit she had designed for herself. Francis’s girlfriend raised her eyebrows. Then, the guest looked Helen up and down and turned away, obviously not approving of the polyester sundress. But, it was royal blue, Helen’s favorite color, and it made her hips look smaller, so it was one of her favorites, even if it didn’t impress fashion-forward twenty-somethings.
“Rob, did you know Francis is having an exhibition next month?” Della asked.
“No, I didn’t. Congratulations.” He turned to Helen. “Francis is a gifted artist. He’s been painting since he was five. And now you’re sculpting too, right?”
Francis smiled and nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you also an artist, Della?” Angie asked.
“Yes, I love art, but I’m actually an actress.”
“Really?” Rob asked. “Have you been in anything?”
“Oh, I’ve been in loads of things. I was in the ad for Sleek hair and I was also in the Windwhistle Beer commercial. What do you do?”
“Me? Oh, I’m an author.”
“An author? That’s fantastic. How many books have you had published?”
“Five I’ll admit to.”
“That’s amazing!” She chomped on her gum and shifted to the edge of the couch. “I’ve never met a real author before. Can I have a copy of one of your books? Will you sign it for me?”
Someone knocked and Rob went to greet the new guest. “Aunt Elizabeth.”
“Rob! I didn’t know you’d be here. It’s so good to see you!” He embraced a woman in her fifties with curly brown hair streaked with silver. As she came into the living room, her blue eyes set on the guest of honor. “Francis.”
“Mom.” He beamed. The guest of honor got up and glanced nervously at the girl with him.
“Hi, Mrs. Seagrave.”
“Oh, Della. You’re here.” Shock registered in her expression and quickly shifted to fury. She glared at her son with silent admonition. He squirmed.
“Well, why don’t we go out to the back yard?” Angie cut in. “Everything’s ready. Let’s get the party started.”
***
The party moved to the back, where pines and cedars lined the property so thickly they couldn’t see the neighboring houses. The yard stretched to Helen’s vegetable patch at the back, and at the right the roommates’ three cars were parked next to Helen’s garden shed, joined by Rob’s car and three others. Joe, the farmer across the road, had given permission for their other guests to park on his property. As guests trickled in they gathered at six patio tables which seated four each. At the front was one long table with two wingback chairs borrowed from the den. Helen, Angie, and Rob set up a bench at the right with salads and appetizers.
Vincent greeted people as they came in. Guests arrived, mostly men and women in their fifties and sixties. The only younger people were Vincent, Rob, Francis, and a couple of others. There were no children. The youngest was a boy in his late teens with blond hair who wore a white suit…Michael was his name. He stood away from the crowd, arms folded, watching. Two others wore the same type of suit, both young and unsmiling. One was a blond who towered over the other guests and stared at everything with a bored expression. He was the one who had given Rob the summons last Sunday.
The other had curly brown hair and eyes that followed Helen wherever she went. She placed a bowl of salad down and her eyes lifted to find him looking at her, his expression tinged with a hint of longing. It squirmed in the pit of her stomach. “Angie? Do you know who that is?”
“That’s Raphael. He’s one of Gabriel’s men.”
Why is he looking at me like that?
“Are you all right?” Rob asked.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Hi everyone! We’re here!” A boy around seven bounded into the yard, followed by a handsome man with Rob’s short black hair and brown eyes.
“Ed! Timothy! You made it,” Rob said. He made the introductions as Vincent joined them. “Helen, this is my cousin Edward Seagrave, our family doctor. And this is Timothy.”
This is the boy Gabriel took from his dying mother.
After she shook Edward’s hand, she held it out to the child. “Hello Timothy. I’m Helen.”
The boy stared at her with large blue eyes and glanced at her hand. He shook it and didn’t let go.
“Say hello, Timothy,” Edward said with a smile. “He’s not usually this quiet.”
“Hello,” the boy said. “You look like Momma.”
Helen placed a hand on his shoulder. “I do?”
“Yes. She was so beautiful before she got sick.” He bit his lower lip and tears shone in his eyes.
She knelt before the child. “Oh Timothy, I know how you feel. I lost my father when I was your age.”
“You did?”
She nodded. “You really miss her, don’t you?”
“Um-hmm.” Tears rolled down his face. She wiped them with a napkin. She wasn’t going to feed him clichés, telling him not to cry, that everything was all right. His mother was his world. Let him mourn.
His crying eased. “You’re just like her. Just like Momma.” He wrapped his arms around her neck and leaned his head on her shoulder.
She held him and rubbed his back. Her gaze lifted to see Vincent, Edward, and Rob staring at them. She scanned the yard. Dozens of eyes looked back. Helen froze. Blood rushed to the tips of her ears, and she looked away from them.
Timothy let her go, but he took her hand. She fought the urge to excuse herself and hide from her audience, but she didn’t want to leave the boy behind, so she stayed.
“I’m so glad you could make it, Edward.” Vincent turned the conversation away from her.
She relaxed.
“With Lord Gabriel taking ill, I thought you might not be able to come,” her friend said.
“Gabriel’s sick?” Angie asked. “Is it serious?” She hid her smile as she bit into a cookie.
“Lord Gabriel’s health has never been strong,” Vincent explained to Helen. “A chill could turn into pneumonia.”
“Why am I not sick?” the child blurted.
“What?” Helen asked.
“You said if Gabriel’s hurt, I’m hurt too, so why am I not sick when he’s sick?”
The three cousins silenced, exchanging nervous glances.
His guardian placed a hand on Timothy’s shoulder. The boy shut his mouth.
If Gabriel’s hurt, he’s hurt too? What does that mean? Rob and Vincent avoided her questioning gaze.
“What is his condition this time?” Vincent asked.
“His cough has turned into bronchitis.” The doctor checked his phone. “I might not be able to stay very long.”
Bronchitis wasn’t serious. The family doctor should be able to spend some time with his family, especially on a Sunday afternoon, but a man who sends a summons on a Sunday morning probably wouldn’t agree.
Rob shook his head. “Edward, you shouldn’t worry so much,” he said with a dimpled smile. “If you leave your post and Gabriel drops dead, call it divine intervention.”
Vincent and Edward’s jaws dropped. Angie snickered.
Helen couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Even though most people considered it tacky to wish for an ill person’s death, she also had dreamed of her enemy’s demise. When she was twelve and had learned that Pastor Grey’s cancer was fatal, she had danced all the way to his funeral. Rob must hate Gabriel in the same way. No wonder, considering how that horrible man had so much control over them. But, why did the family put up with Gabriel?
“I’m a doctor,” Edward sighed. “It’s my responsibility to provide the best care for my patients.”
Rob placed an arm across Edward’s shoulders. “I’m not a doctor, but I also want the best for our esteemed patriarch, so let me suggest a cure for all his ailments. Hemlock.” He laughed as his cousins cringed.
Vincent poked him on the arm. “Robbie, I don’t know why you say such silly things.”
A haunted expression passed over Edward’s face.
“Just dreaming. I’m just a dreamer.” Rob smiled and shrugged.
“You really hate him that much?” Angie asked with a smile.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say I hate him.” Rob shook his head. “Not out loud, anyway,” he muttered under his breath. “How could I hate the esteemed head of our family?” His tone turned to acid.
Edward leaned close to Rob and whispered something. “Voice down. Worse than Francis.”
“He’s always pushing the boundaries,” Vincent said quietly to Angie.
“Robbie!” A woman waved from the porch. She wore a red suit with a golden jaguar pinned to the lapel and clutched a Gucci bag. Although makeup couldn’t cover the wrinkles, with her long black hair and large brown eyes, she was an attractive woman.
Rob stiffened. “Mom,” he said without a smile. She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheeks. He mirrored the gesture but his expression was cold and guarded.
Helen wondered about the tension between them, but she couldn’t judge him, because she rarely spoke to her own mother. She had last heard from her in March, when Mom had called to wish her happy birthday and ask for money because she and her third husband were going through a divorce. When Helen was thirteen, Mom had married Gary, a stockbroker. He didn’t have much to do with his stepdaughter, but as far as Helen was concerned, that was just fine. Mom didn’t give any details about the divorce and Helen didn’t ask, she just sent her the cash and hadn’t heard from her since. Mom was probably on the search for husband number four. Helen really didn’t care. She couldn’t forgive her mother for what she did; or more precisely, what she didn’t do. Maybe there were no happy endings in reality after all.
Rob’s mom greeted Vincent and Edward with a hug and kiss. “I saw the door was open, so I just came in.”
“We’re glad you could make it, Aunt Stephanie.”
Rob pursed his lips, looking very un-glad.
“Girls, this is Stephanie Seagrave, my aunt and Rob’s mother.”
“Edward! Timothy! I made it.” A woman wearing a black skirt, blue blouse, and a string of pearls arrived. Her grey hair was in a braid and she only wore pink lipstick. She had the same large brown eyes as Rob’s mom. “Stephanie, you’re here, too.”
The two women embraced. “Linda dear, it’s been so long.”
“I’m sorry, Edward,” Linda said. “After I came out of the bathroom, I got lost.”
“It’s okay, Mom. You made it.”
“Vincent, Rob, you’re looking well.”
Rob’s reticence evaporated as he hugged the newcomer. “It’s good to see you, Aunt Linda.”
“This is Edward’s mother, my Aunt Linda,” Vincent said. “She and Aunt Stephanie are sisters.”
“I see the resemblance.”
“You do?” Stephanie glanced at her sister. She placed an arm around Helen’s shoulders and Helen fought the urge to shift away. This was Rob’s mom, after all. “Really now, who would you say was the younger sister, hmm?”
“Oh Stephanie, stop it.” Linda shook her head with a smile. “There are more important things in life than beauty.”
“Like what?”
“Like health. And family.”
“Pfft!” She waved her away as if swatting a fly. “My little sister says beauty isn’t important.” She looked Helen up and down. “But, you’d probably agree with her, wouldn’t you?”
Helen stiffened, anger rising from her belly, but she was too shocked to speak.
“Helen doesn’t have to care.” Rob stepped in. “She’s beautiful on the inside and out.”
Helen caught her breath, pleasure rushing through her. He thinks I’m beautiful.
He met her gaze with a dimpled grin.
His mother glanced at him with an uninterested look, scanned her up and down, shrugged, and turned her attention to her son. “It’s too bad your dad can’t make it. He has some business he has to take care of; you know what a workaholic he is.” She kept talking and talking, pausing occasionally to let out a piercing laugh.
Rob turned away and tended the food table, occasionally glancing over his shoulder with a noncommittal nod or “Um-hmm.”
“I said to her, you can never have a boat or a house that’s too big.” She continued to speak, not even stopping for a breath. “Whoo-hoo! Maggie!” She waved to a woman at one of the tables. “Sorry, Robbie. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.” His mom went to join her friend.
Helen breathed in and savored the silence.
“Robbie!” A voice boomed across the yard. Two women approached, one plump, the other thin, both wearing cotton dresses, their silver hair in buns.
“This is Aunt Cassie and Aunt Alice.” Vincent motioned to the stout woman, then the slim one. “Aunt Alice is the lead housekeeper at the estate, and Aunt Cassie is the head of the kitchen.”
“Thank you so much for opening your home to us.” Cassie threw her arms around Helen, then Angie. “I brought you this.” She handed Helen a pie. “These berries came straight from my garden. I picked them myself.”
“Thank you.” Helen’s mouth watered as she imagined having a slice with some vanilla ice cream.
“Auntie Cassie!” Timothy threw his arms around the old woman.
“Oh Timothy! How are you, my little one? Give me a kiss!”
“It’s such a beautiful home,” Alice said. “Are those your flowers out front?”
“Oh no. That’s Helen’s garden,” Angie said.
“Well, it’s lovely.”
“Thank you.”
“Uncle Warren!” Timothy waved. The boy took Helen’s hand. “Come meet Uncle Warren.”
Even though she’d prefer oral surgery to mingling at a party, Helen didn’t want to disappoint the little boy. Uncle Warren was short and solid, with a silver beard and blue eyes, like Santa Claus, only instead of a red suit he wore a white shirt and grey pants. “Well, hello there, Timothy.” He lifted the boy into his arms. “And how are you, my little man?”
“Good. Uncle Warren, this is Helen. Doesn’t she look like Momma?”
His glance turned into a stare. “My word. So she does.” He placed the boy down and held out his hand. “Pardon me. I’m Warren Vernold, but everyone calls me Uncle Warren.”
“Everyone calls him uncle, but he really is my uncle.”
“That’s right, Timothy.” He placed a hand on the boy’s head. “Great uncle, actually. His mother was my niece, and my, you look just like her. But, I’m sorry. I haven’t given you a chance to introduce yourself. By the time you’re my age, you forget the simplest things.” He chuckled and Helen relaxed.
“I’m Helen Knight.”
“Well, Helen, please have a seat.”
She opened her mouth to give the excuse that she had to tend to the food table while Angie and Vincent prepared the grill, but something touched the back of her knees. “Here.” Timothy pulled up a chair behind her. She couldn’t refuse the boy’s invitation, so she sat.
The old man scanned the crowd. “It seems almost everyone is here. It will be a fitting party for Francis.”
The birthday boy was at another table chatting with two old men who were playing chess. His girlfriend clung to him, no matter how he tried to free himself of her. But why did they have to pretend they weren’t a couple?
“Uncle Warren!” Rob arrived and shook the old man’s hand. He took a seat beside Helen and she relaxed even more. “You’ve met Helen.”
“Yes, I’ve met our kind host.”
“Do you think Gabriel will be coming?” His tone was emotionless and he was not smiling. His right hand clutched his left fist.
“I don’t think he’ll make it, but there’s Geoffrey.”
The party silenced. Everyone stood as a man entered. He was tall and well built, with a neatly clipped grey beard. He scanned the yard with a bored expression, smoothing his black jacket, exuding arrogance.
With his nod, everyone resumed their seats and the party continued.
“Who is that?”
“That’s Lord Geoffrey, my little brother.” Warren said.
“Lord Geoffrey? Does that mean you’re a lord, too?”
“Oh no, that’s an honorary title. He raised Lord Gabriel, and thus became the second-most powerful man in our clan. He also oversees the Seagrave Shipping Company, our family business. And I oversee him.” He winked as if sharing an in-joke with her, but she didn’t know what he was talking about.
“The Seagrave Shipping Company?”
“It’s an international import/export business,” Rob said.
“And a successful one at that,” Warren said. “It’s been the family business for two hundred years.” His eyes went from Helen to Rob and back to her, and the old man smiled. “Anthony Seagrave was the head at that time. He fell in love with the daughter of a wealthy Toronto merchant who was visiting England. Even though they were in love, she was homesick and refused to stay. As the head of our clan, he couldn’t leave. But, he couldn’t part with her. So, he gathered the family together and announced he was handing the headship to his brother. Oh, the clan was not too pleased. They told him he had to stay, or calamity would befall the family. He said, ‘Fie on the family,’ and tossed a summons with the family crest into the fireplace. The seal did not burn.
“Anthony left with Emily. He helped his father-in-law with the shipping trade and met Toronto’s high society. After his father-in-law died, he took over the business and named it the Seagrave Shipping Company.
“Back in England the family was suffering, so they slowly left Britain for Canada. They settled in Toronto and helped Anthony with the family trade.
“Then, Emily became ill and died in Glendale Manor, their summer home. They built a crypt on the estate and placed her body inside. Anthony never returned to Toronto. He couldn’t leave Emily. His brothers and cousins continued to run the Seagrave Shipping Company. As time passed, the family migrated up here. They set up homes and businesses and banded together. That’s how our community came to be. The clan lived together in peace.” A haunted look passed over the old man’s face. “At least for a time.”
A question stirred in Helen, but she didn’t ask.
“Helen?” Rob asked. “Did you want to say something?” The kindness on his face coaxed her forward and she wanted to ask about what happened to the Seagrave clan, but hesitated.
“Helen!” Vincent waved to her. “Lord Geoffrey would love to meet you.”
She glanced at Rob and he nodded with a grin as if to say, let’s get this over with. Warren led her to the head table where the second-most powerful man remained alone. Lord Geoffrey sat stiff and proper, wiping his brow with a handkerchief as Vincent poured him a glass of wine. “Oh, this ungodly heat. It’s a shame you couldn’t find an indoor venue.”
“I’m sorry, Lord Geoffrey.”
“Wouldn’t he be more comfortable if he took off his jacket?” Helen whispered to Rob.
He smiled and leaned close. “We’d all be more comfortable if he took off his jacket. I’m roasting just looking at him.”
“Vincent, who is that girl with Francis?” Geoffrey motioned to Della with his glass of wine.
“Oh, that’s Della Delane, his friend.”
“Friend. Hmm.”
“Vincent, the grill is ready.” Angie appeared beside him.
“Angie, let me introduce you. Lord Geoffrey, this is Angelique Rousseau, my friend and business partner.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Geoffrey.” Angie held out her hand.
His arms remained by his sides. He looked her up and down. “Hmm.”
“Geoffrey.” Warren shook his head.
Angie’s cheeks turned bright pink. She slowly lowered her hand.
“It’s a shame you couldn’t find a less rustic place for this family affair, Vincent. And it’s an even larger shame you’re refusing a position within our company to make dresses.” He scanned Angie up and down again.
“The wedding market is a strong one, Lord Geoffrey. Brides want to look their best, and Angie and I are proud to help them.”
Geoffrey looked at Angie as if she was a piece of dust. He sniffed and wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead.
Helen’s friend bit her lower lip and looked away.
Fire ignited in Helen, anger burning the back of her throat. No one hurt Angie!
“Lord Geoffrey.” Vincent stepped in front of Angie, shielding her as he motioned to Helen. “Please allow me to introduce my other friend and roommate, Helen Knight.”
Helen glared at him. Her arms remained at her sides.
His bored expression evaporated, replaced by shock.
“Please make yourself at home, Lord Geoffrey.” She curtseyed as her gaze seared into him. “If you can bring yourself to try.” With that, she marched away, not even looking back to see Lord Geoffrey’s reaction. How dare he come into my home and insult my friend?
She reached the food table wanting something sweet, preferably chocolate. Her knees quivered and her stomach quaked, just as they did every time she lost her temper. Oh, what have I done? Now I’ve made things difficult for Vincent.
Her roommate poured Lord Geoffrey another glass of wine and fawned over him until their esteemed guest returned to his chair.
“Lord Geoffrey’s here! It’s time to eat!” Cassie’s voice carried across the yard.
Guests stood, but they didn’t come to the food table. Vincent came to Helen’s side and filled a china plate for Lord Geoffrey.
“Vincent, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” From under his eyelashes, he cast a scathing look at their guest. “You said what I wished I could.” As soon as he served Geoffrey, the family swooped down on the food table, filling their plates full. Helen and Vincent tended the salads while Rob and Angie manned the grill.
Helen took her food and stayed by the table, scanning the yard for a place to sit. Vincent and Angie weren’t around. They were probably inside, preparing the desserts. Some treats, like her chocolate chip cookies, were already out. Where was Rob? She couldn’t see him. She scanned the guests. Women huddled together gossiping and men joked together, but there was no sign of Rob. Timothy played with Francis. The young man hoisted the boy onto his back. I guess Francis is stronger than I thought.
Far back at the edge of the yard, Rob leaned on a tree speaking to Della. She tossed her hair and laughed at something he said.
Helen placed her plate down. Her appetite was gone.
Of course he would be interested in the vibrant, gorgeous actress. What man wouldn’t? Della hooked her arm around his. Helen wanted the size-two actress to gorge herself until she was a size-twenty.
Why did she care, anyway? She had only known him for a few days. She tried to convince herself she didn’t care, but she couldn’t lie. She had feelings for him. But it didn’t make sense. How could she care for someone she had only known for one week?
Feelings are what they are. Missy’s voice echoed in her memory. There’s no point in fighting them.
Della laughed and Rob joined her.
Was he lying when he said I was beautiful, or did he only say it to aggravate his mother?
A hand reached past her and took a cookie. “This is, without a doubt, one of the best cookies I’ve ever had.” The man with curly brown hair stared at her with piercing blue eyes. “Did you make them?” He flashed a dazzling smile, but his eyes were cold.
“Yes.” It was her favorite recipe from Missy.
“Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen?”
“I like to cook.” He tried to stare into her, to penetrate her, and she put up her guard. She wouldn’t answer any more of his questions. Annoyance smoldered behind her defensive wall. What I do is none of your business.
“You’re a writer, too, just like Cousin Robert. You and he must get along quite well, since you have so much in common.”
“I wouldn’t assume so.” She cast a glance at Rob and the actress. “I have to help Angie and Vincent in the kitchen. Excuse me.” She turned her back and began to walk away.
“So tell me, Helen, do you enjoy the time you and Robert spend together talking all night long?”
Helen froze. How does he know that?
A shout rang through the yard. Helen jumped. Everyone in the community stood and joined Geoffrey in a toast.
“Raphael.” Rob appeared. The author’s smile never faded, but fury burned in his eyes as his hand squeezed the interrogator’s shoulder. Raphael pursed his lips and stared defiantly at Rob, but pain flashed on his face. Rob’s knuckles turned white. “I see you’ve met Helen.” His fingers shook. Raphael made an animal sound through gritted teeth. “But, now you’ve met, there’s nothing else you need to say to her.”
The interrogator nodded, and Rob released him. Raphael grunted and rubbed his shoulder. “You don’t need to talk to Helen again.” Rob’s smile vanished and his voice became low and lethal.
Raphael glared at him and skulked away.
“Don’t worry about him.” Rob leaned close, and the hand, which had almost crushed Raphael’s shoulder, landed gently on hers. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Robbie!” Della hooked her arm around him. “Oh there you are! I was looking for you.”
Helen picked up the plate. “Della. Have a cookie.” They’ll go straight to your hips.
“Oh, these are just like the ones my mom makes. You kind’ve look like her.”
I hate you.
“I have to help Vincent and Angie in the kitchen,” Helen said. She didn’t even look at him as she retreated into the house.
***
“Francis,” Edward dropped his voice and scanned the area. They stood to the side. No one was around. “Why on earth did you bring your girlfriend here?”
“I’m sorry. She found out about the party and wanted to come. I couldn’t say ‘no.’ I told her she had to act like we weren’t a couple, though, and she said she would.” He looked like a deer in the headlights as she made her way straight for him. “Well, I’m going to go say ‘hi’ to Uncle Basil. See you later, Edward.” He mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and rushed over to the other side of the yard.
Edward shook his head. Francis was only twenty-four, but he never thought the artist would be foolish enough to parade his girlfriend in front of the community. Eyes followed the girl who had come with the guest of honor. Della gravitated to him while was on the other side of the yard speaking to Uncle Basil and Uncle Philip as they played chess. She patted the birthday boy on the arm. Francis rushed over to speak to Aunt Cassie and Aunt Alice. Della followed. Francis left the women to play with Timothy. The girlfriend scowled and marched toward her boyfriend.
Rob intercepted her. He flashed a smile and chatted with the young woman. The spies in the audience shifted their gaze from Francis to Edward’s cousin. The author nodded and laughed, and kept the foolish woman from exposing her forbidden relationship with the artist.
The doctor sipped his soda. Rob, you always protect the people you care about. Guilt burned like a cigarette on his skin. But, who’s protecting you?
Rob looked over at the woman tending the food table with an expression of guilt and longing, but Helen had her back to him. He masked his feelings with a smile and nodded to the woman in front of him. The smile dropped as Raphael, one of Gabriel’s men—the one who had terrorized Christina—crept up to Helen. She and Raphael spoke. It wasn’t a conversation, but an interrogation. Edward marched across the yard towards them.
Lord Geoffrey stood and raised his glass, chanting the family motto, “In virtue we stand united.”
The Seagraves, including Edward, stopped to join him with a communal shout, “In virtue we stand united.”
Rob didn’t partake in the ritual. He rushed to Helen’s side as eyes watched, and Geoffrey glared at him. This would get back to Lord Gabriel…Rob didn’t uphold tradition, instead choosing to help an outsider woman. Gabriel would question if he cared more for her than for the family. Rob had to be careful or else he and Helen might incur the patriarch’s wrath.
Rob placed his hand on Raphael’s shoulder and his face shone with camaraderie while the interrogator’s expression twisted in pain. Gabriel would also hear of this. The author would put his hand on a clan member to protect an outsider? But, he hadn’t crossed into the forbidden. There was nothing romantic, nothing which betrayed Rob’s feelings for Helen. He could say he was helping a friend who was being harassed. Helen was safe as long as the family didn’t learn of Rob’s love for her. Rob hadn’t said anything, but he looked at her in a way Edward hadn’t seen him look since high school, when his cousin had a crush on Jennie Foster, a girl in his reading club. Rob tried to hide it, but Edward knew his friend. Hopefully, Rob’s feelings weren’t so obvious to those who would report to Gabriel.
Edward sighed. He had told Vincent this was a bad idea, but Gabriel refused to have a party for Francis or Elizabeth. The relationship between Elizabeth and Gabriel had been cold for years, and after Elizabeth’s daughter Melissa disappeared, it froze over. Vincent didn’t think it was right to punish Francis, so he chose to celebrate Francis’s birthday at his home. After he received the invitation, the doctor was concerned Vincent and Angie’s relationship would be discovered. He didn’t know Francis would bring his girlfriend.
The foolish girl reclaimed Rob. The spies would report that Rob spent time with this woman, but there would be no evidence of a relationship, nothing more than flirting.
Edward glanced over at the guards, Raphael, Brian, and Michael. It was their duty to tell Gabriel everything. And then there were the spies…Aunt Maggie, Cousin Wendy, Uncle Frank; the ones who told Gabriel everything, for honor, for family, for reward. And worst of all was Rob’s mother. She watched her only son over the rim of her wine glass. Edward inadvertently looked to his own mother, who played cards with Timothy.
He shook his head. How could two sisters be so different? He had never told his mom about Aunt Stephanie. She adored her older sister.
Helen left the party. Rob’s eyes followed her with a heartbreaking expression. He masked it with an air of indifference as he returned his attention to the woman in front of him, nodding and laughing on cue. His right hand clutched his left fist, as it always did when he was nervous or agitated. Edward’s cousin kept glancing over to the back door.
Edward went to them. It was time to do something for his friend. “Rob. Why don’t you introduce us?”
“Hi, I’m Della.” She held out her hand.
“Della’s an actress,” Rob said, his expression and tone serious, but amusement sparkled in his eyes. She was an actress, but she couldn’t play the role Francis had assigned her.
“Rob, Vincent needs your help in the kitchen.”
Gratitude shone on his face. “I’ll give him a hand.”
“I’ll come with you,” she offered.
“Della, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” Edward asked, “You’re an actress. Have you been in anything I’ve seen?”
Rob sprinted across the yard and into the house.
***
Helen searched through the fridge. These fudge brownies look good, and maybe a lemon square… and oh yes, a vanilla cupcake. She stuffed the cupcake into her mouth, frosting first, shut the fridge, and faced him. She said his name through a gob of icing, sounding more like “blob” than “Rob.”
He seemed surprised and nervous. “Helen.” He dropped his gaze. His right hand clenched his left fist. His eyes lifted to meet hers, his expression filled with guilt. “I was looking for you. I just wanted to see how you were, after all that was going on outside.”
There was no need for him to feel guilty. They had only known each other for a week and he never confessed any feelings for her, but somehow seeing his concern over hurting her feelings made her feel better. She placed down her sweets and wiped her mouth. “You don’t need to explain anything, Rob.”
“I just wanted you to know,” he took a step closer. “I wish I could’ve spent more time with you.”
“Instead of being with that girl?”
He grimaced and glanced away. “I know how it must seem, but I’m not interested in Francis’s girlfriend.” His eyes rose to meet hers. “I like someone else.”
Helen caught her breath. Her cheeks burned hot, and pleasure rushed through her.
Rob placed a hand on hers. It was warm and soft, but the romantic overture triggered her reflexive response to withdraw. Don’t draw back, she ordered herself. He doesn’t want to hurt you. She breathed in, held firm, and didn’t pull away.
Embarrassment crossed his face and Rob removed his hand, his arm falling to his side.
He probably sensed her discomfort and didn’t understand, assuming she was rejecting his advances. But, how could she tell him? She had an involuntary reaction, revulsion and withdrawal, whenever a man who was interested touched her, because a touch could lead to sex, and sex was painful and disgusting.
But, she liked him. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, and she enjoyed the warmth of his hand. What could she say, though, without explaining what her stepfather had done to her?
Helen gathered her courage, reached out, and took his hand in both of hers. Their eyes met. His face froze with surprise and melted into pleasure. She was rewarded with a dimpled grin.
“I like someone, too,” she said.
Happiness glowed on his face, soon eclipsed by sadness.
Why does he seem so miserable? Does he regret his feelings for me?
“I’m sorry Helen. I didn’t want to hurt you.” She opened her mouth to tell him he hadn’t, but he touched his finger to her lips and lightly brushed her cheek. “I can see everything in your heart reflected on your face.”
He can see into me? Her cheeks burned hot.
“See?” He chuckled and brushed the tip of her nose. “Now you’re embarrassed because of what I just told you.”
“I guess I’m not an actress.”
“Another reason why I like you.”
If he wasn’t interested in Della why was he flirting with her? Is he telling the truth or is he just playing a game?
“You’re probably wondering what all that was about, with me and Della.”
“The thought crossed my mind.”
He paused, seeming to consider whether or not to tell her. “I had to do it to protect Francis.”
“To protect Francis from Della?”
“No, no. From the family.”
“From the family?”
“We have some strange traditions.” He didn’t look at her.
“Rob.” Helen gathered her courage, leaned close, and asked, “What is going on?”
“Going on?”
She gave him the look she gave her students when she knew they were lying. “For some reason, you Seagraves have to hide your relationships, just like Vincent and Angie. But why?”
Rob remained silent.
“Why would Gabriel send Raphael to spy on us?”
“Spy on us?”
“He knows we stay up all night talking. Trees block the view from the road. The only way he’d know that is if he came into the yard and watched through our front window.”
Worry crossed his face, followed by anger.
“But, why would Gabriel care what we do? Angie said you’re bound to him through tradition, but I don’t believe that. No tradition would allow a man to take a child from a dying woman, or to terrorize a girl so she would leave her boyfriend. And why would you obey the summons on a Sunday morning for a man you can’t stand?”
He pursed his lips. His right hand clenched his left fist.
“Rob, please tell me the truth. I have to know why there’s a man creeping outside my window.”
He glanced at the door, grasped her hand, and brought her to the dark corner by the pantry. She couldn’t look away from his expression, and she shivered. She didn’t know what he was going to say and she didn’t know if she wanted to know, but she needed to know the truth. He held her hands in his. She caught the scent of peppermint as he leaned towards her and said, “There’s a curse on my family.”
“A curse?”
“It’s like a shadow over everything we do. Vincent, Edward, Francis, we’re all bound to the head of the family, because Gabriel’s the core. We aren’t free to live. We aren’t free to love. But, that’s us, not you. Helen, don’t be afraid of Raphael or Gabriel. I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.”
“You’ll protect me?”
He placed a warm hand on her cheek. “I’d do anything to keep you safe.”
She caught her breath. “You would?” He’d protect her in a way her own mother hadn’t.
He touched her lips with his fingertips. “Anything,” he whispered.
The back door opened, and Vincent came in. “Oh Robbie, Helen, there you are.”
“I told her, Vince. Helen knows about us and our family.”
“Don’t worry, Vincent. I’ll keep your secret,” she said.
Her roommate held out his hand, his face reflecting the same misery as Rob’s. “Helen, welcome to our world.”
***
Edward sighed with a puff of blue smoke. As the party wound down and Della left, the doctor joined his cousin in the den. “Rob, why did you tell her about the curse?”
“She asked.” He shrugged.
“Gabriel doesn’t like outsiders becoming involved with our family.”
“He’s already involving her. He’s sent Raphael to spy on us. You never told Christina, and not knowing didn’t protect her, did it?”
“No.”
“Ed, don’t you get tired of all the secrets?” His voice fell to a whisper. “Don’t you just want to have someone know, so she can truly understand who you are and what you’re feeling?”
Guilt twisted in Edward’s stomach. He’s alone and suffering, and none of us are trying to help him.
“Gabriel doesn’t want any outsiders to take us away from him. That’s why he forbids us to have relationships. He wants us to be his and his alone.” Rob’s eyes burned with determination. “But, I don’t belong to him. I’ll love who I love.” He closed his eyes and breathed in. Misery reflected on his face. “Helen is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I’m not going to let Gabriel use her in his sick games. Don’t worry, Ed. After tonight, she won’t be in any more danger.”
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No. It was that feeling that somehow they belonged together, that in some way he might understand and accept her even with all her issues, that he might catch her and not let her fall.
“The weather is clearing.” Vincent joined them in the kitchen. “Maybe we’ll have the party outside after all.”
“That’s good.” Angie took a fruit tray from the fridge. “Even though the house is big it would be a tight squeeze for two dozen people.”
“Rob, how is the guest of honor related to you?” Helen asked.
“It depends.” He said with an impish gleam in his eyes.
“Depends?”
“On his father’s side, we’re third cousins, but through his mom we’re second cousins.” He patted her arm. “Welcome to the Seagrave clan. We’re one close, very close, family.”
“Our relationships can be complicated.” Vincent said. “We just choose the closest connection. So, we consider Francis our second cousin, even though we just call him ‘cousin.’ Since our family is more like a community, we call everyone cousin, aunt, or uncle. For instance, Francis’s mother is actually our first cousin once removed, but we call her Aunt Elizabeth.”
“But you and Vincent are first cousins,” Helen said.
“Yes, our fathers were brothers,” Rob said. “And we have one other cousin, Edward, who’s the family doctor. In Edward’s case, my mother and his are also sisters. You’ll meet him today.”
Helen nodded and went back to making her salad. She might also meet Gabriel today. Angie was right. He was a monster. Her friend had told her about how he took a boy from his dying mother, and how he had tormented the girl Vincent’s cousin was dating. The Seagraves had a long history steeped in tradition, but why did they put up with him?
There was something more, something Angie wasn’t telling her.
Someone knocked on the front door.
“Oh, they’re here!” Vincent cried. “Are the appetizers ready? We should put on some tea. And some coffee.”
“We should answer the door,” Rob said with a grin as he went from the kitchen into the dining room.
Helen asked, “Angie, Francis is also a Seagrave, so how is he related to Gabriel?”
“They’re second cousins on his father’s side, and his mother is Gabriel’s first cousin twice removed. Just like Vincent said, relationships in their family are complicated,” she said with a smile.
“I was just wondering…you told me the estate was huge, so why wouldn’t the family have this birthday party there?”
Her roommate leaned close. “Gabriel and Francis’s mother don’t get along. That’s why Vincent offered to have the party here on neutral ground.” She flicked on the coffee maker and patted Helen on the arm. “Let’s go see who’s here.”
Vincent and Rob spoke to a young man with shoulder-length ginger hair, a downy beard, and large brown eyes. The visitor was shorter than Rob, and he looked like he would break if he were held too hard. Beside him was a young woman with short brown hair and blue eyes, the kind of blue that could be seen from across a room. She wore jeans, high-heeled boots, and a low-cut sleeveless top. A fist-sized bronze cross hung just above her breasts.
“Angie, Helen, this is Francis, the birthday boy, and his friend Della Delane,” Vincent said.
Della hooked her arm around Francis’s waist and chomped on her gum.
Vincent and Rob exchanged nervous glances.
Francis shifted away from her. His eyes went to Vincent, then Rob. Della’s smile faded and her arm fell to her side.
They’re not just friends. They’re a couple, just like Angie and Vincent. But, why do they need to act as if they’re not?
They gathered in the living room while Vincent disappeared into the kitchen.
Della glanced at Angie’s lacy skirt and pink silk blouse, an outfit she had designed for herself. Francis’s girlfriend raised her eyebrows. Then, the guest looked Helen up and down and turned away, obviously not approving of the polyester sundress. But, it was royal blue, Helen’s favorite color, and it made her hips look smaller, so it was one of her favorites, even if it didn’t impress fashion-forward twenty-somethings.
“Rob, did you know Francis is having an exhibition next month?” Della asked.
“No, I didn’t. Congratulations.” He turned to Helen. “Francis is a gifted artist. He’s been painting since he was five. And now you’re sculpting too, right?”
Francis smiled and nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you also an artist, Della?” Angie asked.
“Yes, I love art, but I’m actually an actress.”
“Really?” Rob asked. “Have you been in anything?”
“Oh, I’ve been in loads of things. I was in the ad for Sleek hair and I was also in the Windwhistle Beer commercial. What do you do?”
“Me? Oh, I’m an author.”
“An author? That’s fantastic. How many books have you had published?”
“Five I’ll admit to.”
“That’s amazing!” She chomped on her gum and shifted to the edge of the couch. “I’ve never met a real author before. Can I have a copy of one of your books? Will you sign it for me?”
Someone knocked and Rob went to greet the new guest. “Aunt Elizabeth.”
“Rob! I didn’t know you’d be here. It’s so good to see you!” He embraced a woman in her fifties with curly brown hair streaked with silver. As she came into the living room, her blue eyes set on the guest of honor. “Francis.”
“Mom.” He beamed. The guest of honor got up and glanced nervously at the girl with him.
“Hi, Mrs. Seagrave.”
“Oh, Della. You’re here.” Shock registered in her expression and quickly shifted to fury. She glared at her son with silent admonition. He squirmed.
“Well, why don’t we go out to the back yard?” Angie cut in. “Everything’s ready. Let’s get the party started.”
***
The party moved to the back, where pines and cedars lined the property so thickly they couldn’t see the neighboring houses. The yard stretched to Helen’s vegetable patch at the back, and at the right the roommates’ three cars were parked next to Helen’s garden shed, joined by Rob’s car and three others. Joe, the farmer across the road, had given permission for their other guests to park on his property. As guests trickled in they gathered at six patio tables which seated four each. At the front was one long table with two wingback chairs borrowed from the den. Helen, Angie, and Rob set up a bench at the right with salads and appetizers.
Vincent greeted people as they came in. Guests arrived, mostly men and women in their fifties and sixties. The only younger people were Vincent, Rob, Francis, and a couple of others. There were no children. The youngest was a boy in his late teens with blond hair who wore a white suit…Michael was his name. He stood away from the crowd, arms folded, watching. Two others wore the same type of suit, both young and unsmiling. One was a blond who towered over the other guests and stared at everything with a bored expression. He was the one who had given Rob the summons last Sunday.
The other had curly brown hair and eyes that followed Helen wherever she went. She placed a bowl of salad down and her eyes lifted to find him looking at her, his expression tinged with a hint of longing. It squirmed in the pit of her stomach. “Angie? Do you know who that is?”
“That’s Raphael. He’s one of Gabriel’s men.”
Why is he looking at me like that?
“Are you all right?” Rob asked.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Hi everyone! We’re here!” A boy around seven bounded into the yard, followed by a handsome man with Rob’s short black hair and brown eyes.
“Ed! Timothy! You made it,” Rob said. He made the introductions as Vincent joined them. “Helen, this is my cousin Edward Seagrave, our family doctor. And this is Timothy.”
This is the boy Gabriel took from his dying mother.
After she shook Edward’s hand, she held it out to the child. “Hello Timothy. I’m Helen.”
The boy stared at her with large blue eyes and glanced at her hand. He shook it and didn’t let go.
“Say hello, Timothy,” Edward said with a smile. “He’s not usually this quiet.”
“Hello,” the boy said. “You look like Momma.”
Helen placed a hand on his shoulder. “I do?”
“Yes. She was so beautiful before she got sick.” He bit his lower lip and tears shone in his eyes.
She knelt before the child. “Oh Timothy, I know how you feel. I lost my father when I was your age.”
“You did?”
She nodded. “You really miss her, don’t you?”
“Um-hmm.” Tears rolled down his face. She wiped them with a napkin. She wasn’t going to feed him clichés, telling him not to cry, that everything was all right. His mother was his world. Let him mourn.
His crying eased. “You’re just like her. Just like Momma.” He wrapped his arms around her neck and leaned his head on her shoulder.
She held him and rubbed his back. Her gaze lifted to see Vincent, Edward, and Rob staring at them. She scanned the yard. Dozens of eyes looked back. Helen froze. Blood rushed to the tips of her ears, and she looked away from them.
Timothy let her go, but he took her hand. She fought the urge to excuse herself and hide from her audience, but she didn’t want to leave the boy behind, so she stayed.
“I’m so glad you could make it, Edward.” Vincent turned the conversation away from her.
She relaxed.
“With Lord Gabriel taking ill, I thought you might not be able to come,” her friend said.
“Gabriel’s sick?” Angie asked. “Is it serious?” She hid her smile as she bit into a cookie.
“Lord Gabriel’s health has never been strong,” Vincent explained to Helen. “A chill could turn into pneumonia.”
“Why am I not sick?” the child blurted.
“What?” Helen asked.
“You said if Gabriel’s hurt, I’m hurt too, so why am I not sick when he’s sick?”
The three cousins silenced, exchanging nervous glances.
His guardian placed a hand on Timothy’s shoulder. The boy shut his mouth.
If Gabriel’s hurt, he’s hurt too? What does that mean? Rob and Vincent avoided her questioning gaze.
“What is his condition this time?” Vincent asked.
“His cough has turned into bronchitis.” The doctor checked his phone. “I might not be able to stay very long.”
Bronchitis wasn’t serious. The family doctor should be able to spend some time with his family, especially on a Sunday afternoon, but a man who sends a summons on a Sunday morning probably wouldn’t agree.
Rob shook his head. “Edward, you shouldn’t worry so much,” he said with a dimpled smile. “If you leave your post and Gabriel drops dead, call it divine intervention.”
Vincent and Edward’s jaws dropped. Angie snickered.
Helen couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Even though most people considered it tacky to wish for an ill person’s death, she also had dreamed of her enemy’s demise. When she was twelve and had learned that Pastor Grey’s cancer was fatal, she had danced all the way to his funeral. Rob must hate Gabriel in the same way. No wonder, considering how that horrible man had so much control over them. But, why did the family put up with Gabriel?
“I’m a doctor,” Edward sighed. “It’s my responsibility to provide the best care for my patients.”
Rob placed an arm across Edward’s shoulders. “I’m not a doctor, but I also want the best for our esteemed patriarch, so let me suggest a cure for all his ailments. Hemlock.” He laughed as his cousins cringed.
Vincent poked him on the arm. “Robbie, I don’t know why you say such silly things.”
A haunted expression passed over Edward’s face.
“Just dreaming. I’m just a dreamer.” Rob smiled and shrugged.
“You really hate him that much?” Angie asked with a smile.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say I hate him.” Rob shook his head. “Not out loud, anyway,” he muttered under his breath. “How could I hate the esteemed head of our family?” His tone turned to acid.
Edward leaned close to Rob and whispered something. “Voice down. Worse than Francis.”
“He’s always pushing the boundaries,” Vincent said quietly to Angie.
“Robbie!” A woman waved from the porch. She wore a red suit with a golden jaguar pinned to the lapel and clutched a Gucci bag. Although makeup couldn’t cover the wrinkles, with her long black hair and large brown eyes, she was an attractive woman.
Rob stiffened. “Mom,” he said without a smile. She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheeks. He mirrored the gesture but his expression was cold and guarded.
Helen wondered about the tension between them, but she couldn’t judge him, because she rarely spoke to her own mother. She had last heard from her in March, when Mom had called to wish her happy birthday and ask for money because she and her third husband were going through a divorce. When Helen was thirteen, Mom had married Gary, a stockbroker. He didn’t have much to do with his stepdaughter, but as far as Helen was concerned, that was just fine. Mom didn’t give any details about the divorce and Helen didn’t ask, she just sent her the cash and hadn’t heard from her since. Mom was probably on the search for husband number four. Helen really didn’t care. She couldn’t forgive her mother for what she did; or more precisely, what she didn’t do. Maybe there were no happy endings in reality after all.
Rob’s mom greeted Vincent and Edward with a hug and kiss. “I saw the door was open, so I just came in.”
“We’re glad you could make it, Aunt Stephanie.”
Rob pursed his lips, looking very un-glad.
“Girls, this is Stephanie Seagrave, my aunt and Rob’s mother.”
“Edward! Timothy! I made it.” A woman wearing a black skirt, blue blouse, and a string of pearls arrived. Her grey hair was in a braid and she only wore pink lipstick. She had the same large brown eyes as Rob’s mom. “Stephanie, you’re here, too.”
The two women embraced. “Linda dear, it’s been so long.”
“I’m sorry, Edward,” Linda said. “After I came out of the bathroom, I got lost.”
“It’s okay, Mom. You made it.”
“Vincent, Rob, you’re looking well.”
Rob’s reticence evaporated as he hugged the newcomer. “It’s good to see you, Aunt Linda.”
“This is Edward’s mother, my Aunt Linda,” Vincent said. “She and Aunt Stephanie are sisters.”
“I see the resemblance.”
“You do?” Stephanie glanced at her sister. She placed an arm around Helen’s shoulders and Helen fought the urge to shift away. This was Rob’s mom, after all. “Really now, who would you say was the younger sister, hmm?”
“Oh Stephanie, stop it.” Linda shook her head with a smile. “There are more important things in life than beauty.”
“Like what?”
“Like health. And family.”
“Pfft!” She waved her away as if swatting a fly. “My little sister says beauty isn’t important.” She looked Helen up and down. “But, you’d probably agree with her, wouldn’t you?”
Helen stiffened, anger rising from her belly, but she was too shocked to speak.
“Helen doesn’t have to care.” Rob stepped in. “She’s beautiful on the inside and out.”
Helen caught her breath, pleasure rushing through her. He thinks I’m beautiful.
He met her gaze with a dimpled grin.
His mother glanced at him with an uninterested look, scanned her up and down, shrugged, and turned her attention to her son. “It’s too bad your dad can’t make it. He has some business he has to take care of; you know what a workaholic he is.” She kept talking and talking, pausing occasionally to let out a piercing laugh.
Rob turned away and tended the food table, occasionally glancing over his shoulder with a noncommittal nod or “Um-hmm.”
“I said to her, you can never have a boat or a house that’s too big.” She continued to speak, not even stopping for a breath. “Whoo-hoo! Maggie!” She waved to a woman at one of the tables. “Sorry, Robbie. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.” His mom went to join her friend.
Helen breathed in and savored the silence.
“Robbie!” A voice boomed across the yard. Two women approached, one plump, the other thin, both wearing cotton dresses, their silver hair in buns.
“This is Aunt Cassie and Aunt Alice.” Vincent motioned to the stout woman, then the slim one. “Aunt Alice is the lead housekeeper at the estate, and Aunt Cassie is the head of the kitchen.”
“Thank you so much for opening your home to us.” Cassie threw her arms around Helen, then Angie. “I brought you this.” She handed Helen a pie. “These berries came straight from my garden. I picked them myself.”
“Thank you.” Helen’s mouth watered as she imagined having a slice with some vanilla ice cream.
“Auntie Cassie!” Timothy threw his arms around the old woman.
“Oh Timothy! How are you, my little one? Give me a kiss!”
“It’s such a beautiful home,” Alice said. “Are those your flowers out front?”
“Oh no. That’s Helen’s garden,” Angie said.
“Well, it’s lovely.”
“Thank you.”
“Uncle Warren!” Timothy waved. The boy took Helen’s hand. “Come meet Uncle Warren.”
Even though she’d prefer oral surgery to mingling at a party, Helen didn’t want to disappoint the little boy. Uncle Warren was short and solid, with a silver beard and blue eyes, like Santa Claus, only instead of a red suit he wore a white shirt and grey pants. “Well, hello there, Timothy.” He lifted the boy into his arms. “And how are you, my little man?”
“Good. Uncle Warren, this is Helen. Doesn’t she look like Momma?”
His glance turned into a stare. “My word. So she does.” He placed the boy down and held out his hand. “Pardon me. I’m Warren Vernold, but everyone calls me Uncle Warren.”
“Everyone calls him uncle, but he really is my uncle.”
“That’s right, Timothy.” He placed a hand on the boy’s head. “Great uncle, actually. His mother was my niece, and my, you look just like her. But, I’m sorry. I haven’t given you a chance to introduce yourself. By the time you’re my age, you forget the simplest things.” He chuckled and Helen relaxed.
“I’m Helen Knight.”
“Well, Helen, please have a seat.”
She opened her mouth to give the excuse that she had to tend to the food table while Angie and Vincent prepared the grill, but something touched the back of her knees. “Here.” Timothy pulled up a chair behind her. She couldn’t refuse the boy’s invitation, so she sat.
The old man scanned the crowd. “It seems almost everyone is here. It will be a fitting party for Francis.”
The birthday boy was at another table chatting with two old men who were playing chess. His girlfriend clung to him, no matter how he tried to free himself of her. But why did they have to pretend they weren’t a couple?
“Uncle Warren!” Rob arrived and shook the old man’s hand. He took a seat beside Helen and she relaxed even more. “You’ve met Helen.”
“Yes, I’ve met our kind host.”
“Do you think Gabriel will be coming?” His tone was emotionless and he was not smiling. His right hand clutched his left fist.
“I don’t think he’ll make it, but there’s Geoffrey.”
The party silenced. Everyone stood as a man entered. He was tall and well built, with a neatly clipped grey beard. He scanned the yard with a bored expression, smoothing his black jacket, exuding arrogance.
With his nod, everyone resumed their seats and the party continued.
“Who is that?”
“That’s Lord Geoffrey, my little brother.” Warren said.
“Lord Geoffrey? Does that mean you’re a lord, too?”
“Oh no, that’s an honorary title. He raised Lord Gabriel, and thus became the second-most powerful man in our clan. He also oversees the Seagrave Shipping Company, our family business. And I oversee him.” He winked as if sharing an in-joke with her, but she didn’t know what he was talking about.
“The Seagrave Shipping Company?”
“It’s an international import/export business,” Rob said.
“And a successful one at that,” Warren said. “It’s been the family business for two hundred years.” His eyes went from Helen to Rob and back to her, and the old man smiled. “Anthony Seagrave was the head at that time. He fell in love with the daughter of a wealthy Toronto merchant who was visiting England. Even though they were in love, she was homesick and refused to stay. As the head of our clan, he couldn’t leave. But, he couldn’t part with her. So, he gathered the family together and announced he was handing the headship to his brother. Oh, the clan was not too pleased. They told him he had to stay, or calamity would befall the family. He said, ‘Fie on the family,’ and tossed a summons with the family crest into the fireplace. The seal did not burn.
“Anthony left with Emily. He helped his father-in-law with the shipping trade and met Toronto’s high society. After his father-in-law died, he took over the business and named it the Seagrave Shipping Company.
“Back in England the family was suffering, so they slowly left Britain for Canada. They settled in Toronto and helped Anthony with the family trade.
“Then, Emily became ill and died in Glendale Manor, their summer home. They built a crypt on the estate and placed her body inside. Anthony never returned to Toronto. He couldn’t leave Emily. His brothers and cousins continued to run the Seagrave Shipping Company. As time passed, the family migrated up here. They set up homes and businesses and banded together. That’s how our community came to be. The clan lived together in peace.” A haunted look passed over the old man’s face. “At least for a time.”
A question stirred in Helen, but she didn’t ask.
“Helen?” Rob asked. “Did you want to say something?” The kindness on his face coaxed her forward and she wanted to ask about what happened to the Seagrave clan, but hesitated.
“Helen!” Vincent waved to her. “Lord Geoffrey would love to meet you.”
She glanced at Rob and he nodded with a grin as if to say, let’s get this over with. Warren led her to the head table where the second-most powerful man remained alone. Lord Geoffrey sat stiff and proper, wiping his brow with a handkerchief as Vincent poured him a glass of wine. “Oh, this ungodly heat. It’s a shame you couldn’t find an indoor venue.”
“I’m sorry, Lord Geoffrey.”
“Wouldn’t he be more comfortable if he took off his jacket?” Helen whispered to Rob.
He smiled and leaned close. “We’d all be more comfortable if he took off his jacket. I’m roasting just looking at him.”
“Vincent, who is that girl with Francis?” Geoffrey motioned to Della with his glass of wine.
“Oh, that’s Della Delane, his friend.”
“Friend. Hmm.”
“Vincent, the grill is ready.” Angie appeared beside him.
“Angie, let me introduce you. Lord Geoffrey, this is Angelique Rousseau, my friend and business partner.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Geoffrey.” Angie held out her hand.
His arms remained by his sides. He looked her up and down. “Hmm.”
“Geoffrey.” Warren shook his head.
Angie’s cheeks turned bright pink. She slowly lowered her hand.
“It’s a shame you couldn’t find a less rustic place for this family affair, Vincent. And it’s an even larger shame you’re refusing a position within our company to make dresses.” He scanned Angie up and down again.
“The wedding market is a strong one, Lord Geoffrey. Brides want to look their best, and Angie and I are proud to help them.”
Geoffrey looked at Angie as if she was a piece of dust. He sniffed and wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead.
Helen’s friend bit her lower lip and looked away.
Fire ignited in Helen, anger burning the back of her throat. No one hurt Angie!
“Lord Geoffrey.” Vincent stepped in front of Angie, shielding her as he motioned to Helen. “Please allow me to introduce my other friend and roommate, Helen Knight.”
Helen glared at him. Her arms remained at her sides.
His bored expression evaporated, replaced by shock.
“Please make yourself at home, Lord Geoffrey.” She curtseyed as her gaze seared into him. “If you can bring yourself to try.” With that, she marched away, not even looking back to see Lord Geoffrey’s reaction. How dare he come into my home and insult my friend?
She reached the food table wanting something sweet, preferably chocolate. Her knees quivered and her stomach quaked, just as they did every time she lost her temper. Oh, what have I done? Now I’ve made things difficult for Vincent.
Her roommate poured Lord Geoffrey another glass of wine and fawned over him until their esteemed guest returned to his chair.
“Lord Geoffrey’s here! It’s time to eat!” Cassie’s voice carried across the yard.
Guests stood, but they didn’t come to the food table. Vincent came to Helen’s side and filled a china plate for Lord Geoffrey.
“Vincent, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” From under his eyelashes, he cast a scathing look at their guest. “You said what I wished I could.” As soon as he served Geoffrey, the family swooped down on the food table, filling their plates full. Helen and Vincent tended the salads while Rob and Angie manned the grill.
Helen took her food and stayed by the table, scanning the yard for a place to sit. Vincent and Angie weren’t around. They were probably inside, preparing the desserts. Some treats, like her chocolate chip cookies, were already out. Where was Rob? She couldn’t see him. She scanned the guests. Women huddled together gossiping and men joked together, but there was no sign of Rob. Timothy played with Francis. The young man hoisted the boy onto his back. I guess Francis is stronger than I thought.
Far back at the edge of the yard, Rob leaned on a tree speaking to Della. She tossed her hair and laughed at something he said.
Helen placed her plate down. Her appetite was gone.
Of course he would be interested in the vibrant, gorgeous actress. What man wouldn’t? Della hooked her arm around his. Helen wanted the size-two actress to gorge herself until she was a size-twenty.
Why did she care, anyway? She had only known him for a few days. She tried to convince herself she didn’t care, but she couldn’t lie. She had feelings for him. But it didn’t make sense. How could she care for someone she had only known for one week?
Feelings are what they are. Missy’s voice echoed in her memory. There’s no point in fighting them.
Della laughed and Rob joined her.
Was he lying when he said I was beautiful, or did he only say it to aggravate his mother?
A hand reached past her and took a cookie. “This is, without a doubt, one of the best cookies I’ve ever had.” The man with curly brown hair stared at her with piercing blue eyes. “Did you make them?” He flashed a dazzling smile, but his eyes were cold.
“Yes.” It was her favorite recipe from Missy.
“Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen?”
“I like to cook.” He tried to stare into her, to penetrate her, and she put up her guard. She wouldn’t answer any more of his questions. Annoyance smoldered behind her defensive wall. What I do is none of your business.
“You’re a writer, too, just like Cousin Robert. You and he must get along quite well, since you have so much in common.”
“I wouldn’t assume so.” She cast a glance at Rob and the actress. “I have to help Angie and Vincent in the kitchen. Excuse me.” She turned her back and began to walk away.
“So tell me, Helen, do you enjoy the time you and Robert spend together talking all night long?”
Helen froze. How does he know that?
A shout rang through the yard. Helen jumped. Everyone in the community stood and joined Geoffrey in a toast.
“Raphael.” Rob appeared. The author’s smile never faded, but fury burned in his eyes as his hand squeezed the interrogator’s shoulder. Raphael pursed his lips and stared defiantly at Rob, but pain flashed on his face. Rob’s knuckles turned white. “I see you’ve met Helen.” His fingers shook. Raphael made an animal sound through gritted teeth. “But, now you’ve met, there’s nothing else you need to say to her.”
The interrogator nodded, and Rob released him. Raphael grunted and rubbed his shoulder. “You don’t need to talk to Helen again.” Rob’s smile vanished and his voice became low and lethal.
Raphael glared at him and skulked away.
“Don’t worry about him.” Rob leaned close, and the hand, which had almost crushed Raphael’s shoulder, landed gently on hers. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Robbie!” Della hooked her arm around him. “Oh there you are! I was looking for you.”
Helen picked up the plate. “Della. Have a cookie.” They’ll go straight to your hips.
“Oh, these are just like the ones my mom makes. You kind’ve look like her.”
I hate you.
“I have to help Vincent and Angie in the kitchen,” Helen said. She didn’t even look at him as she retreated into the house.
***
“Francis,” Edward dropped his voice and scanned the area. They stood to the side. No one was around. “Why on earth did you bring your girlfriend here?”
“I’m sorry. She found out about the party and wanted to come. I couldn’t say ‘no.’ I told her she had to act like we weren’t a couple, though, and she said she would.” He looked like a deer in the headlights as she made her way straight for him. “Well, I’m going to go say ‘hi’ to Uncle Basil. See you later, Edward.” He mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and rushed over to the other side of the yard.
Edward shook his head. Francis was only twenty-four, but he never thought the artist would be foolish enough to parade his girlfriend in front of the community. Eyes followed the girl who had come with the guest of honor. Della gravitated to him while was on the other side of the yard speaking to Uncle Basil and Uncle Philip as they played chess. She patted the birthday boy on the arm. Francis rushed over to speak to Aunt Cassie and Aunt Alice. Della followed. Francis left the women to play with Timothy. The girlfriend scowled and marched toward her boyfriend.
Rob intercepted her. He flashed a smile and chatted with the young woman. The spies in the audience shifted their gaze from Francis to Edward’s cousin. The author nodded and laughed, and kept the foolish woman from exposing her forbidden relationship with the artist.
The doctor sipped his soda. Rob, you always protect the people you care about. Guilt burned like a cigarette on his skin. But, who’s protecting you?
Rob looked over at the woman tending the food table with an expression of guilt and longing, but Helen had her back to him. He masked his feelings with a smile and nodded to the woman in front of him. The smile dropped as Raphael, one of Gabriel’s men—the one who had terrorized Christina—crept up to Helen. She and Raphael spoke. It wasn’t a conversation, but an interrogation. Edward marched across the yard towards them.
Lord Geoffrey stood and raised his glass, chanting the family motto, “In virtue we stand united.”
The Seagraves, including Edward, stopped to join him with a communal shout, “In virtue we stand united.”
Rob didn’t partake in the ritual. He rushed to Helen’s side as eyes watched, and Geoffrey glared at him. This would get back to Lord Gabriel…Rob didn’t uphold tradition, instead choosing to help an outsider woman. Gabriel would question if he cared more for her than for the family. Rob had to be careful or else he and Helen might incur the patriarch’s wrath.
Rob placed his hand on Raphael’s shoulder and his face shone with camaraderie while the interrogator’s expression twisted in pain. Gabriel would also hear of this. The author would put his hand on a clan member to protect an outsider? But, he hadn’t crossed into the forbidden. There was nothing romantic, nothing which betrayed Rob’s feelings for Helen. He could say he was helping a friend who was being harassed. Helen was safe as long as the family didn’t learn of Rob’s love for her. Rob hadn’t said anything, but he looked at her in a way Edward hadn’t seen him look since high school, when his cousin had a crush on Jennie Foster, a girl in his reading club. Rob tried to hide it, but Edward knew his friend. Hopefully, Rob’s feelings weren’t so obvious to those who would report to Gabriel.
Edward sighed. He had told Vincent this was a bad idea, but Gabriel refused to have a party for Francis or Elizabeth. The relationship between Elizabeth and Gabriel had been cold for years, and after Elizabeth’s daughter Melissa disappeared, it froze over. Vincent didn’t think it was right to punish Francis, so he chose to celebrate Francis’s birthday at his home. After he received the invitation, the doctor was concerned Vincent and Angie’s relationship would be discovered. He didn’t know Francis would bring his girlfriend.
The foolish girl reclaimed Rob. The spies would report that Rob spent time with this woman, but there would be no evidence of a relationship, nothing more than flirting.
Edward glanced over at the guards, Raphael, Brian, and Michael. It was their duty to tell Gabriel everything. And then there were the spies…Aunt Maggie, Cousin Wendy, Uncle Frank; the ones who told Gabriel everything, for honor, for family, for reward. And worst of all was Rob’s mother. She watched her only son over the rim of her wine glass. Edward inadvertently looked to his own mother, who played cards with Timothy.
He shook his head. How could two sisters be so different? He had never told his mom about Aunt Stephanie. She adored her older sister.
Helen left the party. Rob’s eyes followed her with a heartbreaking expression. He masked it with an air of indifference as he returned his attention to the woman in front of him, nodding and laughing on cue. His right hand clutched his left fist, as it always did when he was nervous or agitated. Edward’s cousin kept glancing over to the back door.
Edward went to them. It was time to do something for his friend. “Rob. Why don’t you introduce us?”
“Hi, I’m Della.” She held out her hand.
“Della’s an actress,” Rob said, his expression and tone serious, but amusement sparkled in his eyes. She was an actress, but she couldn’t play the role Francis had assigned her.
“Rob, Vincent needs your help in the kitchen.”
Gratitude shone on his face. “I’ll give him a hand.”
“I’ll come with you,” she offered.
“Della, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” Edward asked, “You’re an actress. Have you been in anything I’ve seen?”
Rob sprinted across the yard and into the house.
***
Helen searched through the fridge. These fudge brownies look good, and maybe a lemon square… and oh yes, a vanilla cupcake. She stuffed the cupcake into her mouth, frosting first, shut the fridge, and faced him. She said his name through a gob of icing, sounding more like “blob” than “Rob.”
He seemed surprised and nervous. “Helen.” He dropped his gaze. His right hand clenched his left fist. His eyes lifted to meet hers, his expression filled with guilt. “I was looking for you. I just wanted to see how you were, after all that was going on outside.”
There was no need for him to feel guilty. They had only known each other for a week and he never confessed any feelings for her, but somehow seeing his concern over hurting her feelings made her feel better. She placed down her sweets and wiped her mouth. “You don’t need to explain anything, Rob.”
“I just wanted you to know,” he took a step closer. “I wish I could’ve spent more time with you.”
“Instead of being with that girl?”
He grimaced and glanced away. “I know how it must seem, but I’m not interested in Francis’s girlfriend.” His eyes rose to meet hers. “I like someone else.”
Helen caught her breath. Her cheeks burned hot, and pleasure rushed through her.
Rob placed a hand on hers. It was warm and soft, but the romantic overture triggered her reflexive response to withdraw. Don’t draw back, she ordered herself. He doesn’t want to hurt you. She breathed in, held firm, and didn’t pull away.
Embarrassment crossed his face and Rob removed his hand, his arm falling to his side.
He probably sensed her discomfort and didn’t understand, assuming she was rejecting his advances. But, how could she tell him? She had an involuntary reaction, revulsion and withdrawal, whenever a man who was interested touched her, because a touch could lead to sex, and sex was painful and disgusting.
But, she liked him. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, and she enjoyed the warmth of his hand. What could she say, though, without explaining what her stepfather had done to her?
Helen gathered her courage, reached out, and took his hand in both of hers. Their eyes met. His face froze with surprise and melted into pleasure. She was rewarded with a dimpled grin.
“I like someone, too,” she said.
Happiness glowed on his face, soon eclipsed by sadness.
Why does he seem so miserable? Does he regret his feelings for me?
“I’m sorry Helen. I didn’t want to hurt you.” She opened her mouth to tell him he hadn’t, but he touched his finger to her lips and lightly brushed her cheek. “I can see everything in your heart reflected on your face.”
He can see into me? Her cheeks burned hot.
“See?” He chuckled and brushed the tip of her nose. “Now you’re embarrassed because of what I just told you.”
“I guess I’m not an actress.”
“Another reason why I like you.”
If he wasn’t interested in Della why was he flirting with her? Is he telling the truth or is he just playing a game?
“You’re probably wondering what all that was about, with me and Della.”
“The thought crossed my mind.”
He paused, seeming to consider whether or not to tell her. “I had to do it to protect Francis.”
“To protect Francis from Della?”
“No, no. From the family.”
“From the family?”
“We have some strange traditions.” He didn’t look at her.
“Rob.” Helen gathered her courage, leaned close, and asked, “What is going on?”
“Going on?”
She gave him the look she gave her students when she knew they were lying. “For some reason, you Seagraves have to hide your relationships, just like Vincent and Angie. But why?”
Rob remained silent.
“Why would Gabriel send Raphael to spy on us?”
“Spy on us?”
“He knows we stay up all night talking. Trees block the view from the road. The only way he’d know that is if he came into the yard and watched through our front window.”
Worry crossed his face, followed by anger.
“But, why would Gabriel care what we do? Angie said you’re bound to him through tradition, but I don’t believe that. No tradition would allow a man to take a child from a dying woman, or to terrorize a girl so she would leave her boyfriend. And why would you obey the summons on a Sunday morning for a man you can’t stand?”
He pursed his lips. His right hand clenched his left fist.
“Rob, please tell me the truth. I have to know why there’s a man creeping outside my window.”
He glanced at the door, grasped her hand, and brought her to the dark corner by the pantry. She couldn’t look away from his expression, and she shivered. She didn’t know what he was going to say and she didn’t know if she wanted to know, but she needed to know the truth. He held her hands in his. She caught the scent of peppermint as he leaned towards her and said, “There’s a curse on my family.”
“A curse?”
“It’s like a shadow over everything we do. Vincent, Edward, Francis, we’re all bound to the head of the family, because Gabriel’s the core. We aren’t free to live. We aren’t free to love. But, that’s us, not you. Helen, don’t be afraid of Raphael or Gabriel. I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.”
“You’ll protect me?”
He placed a warm hand on her cheek. “I’d do anything to keep you safe.”
She caught her breath. “You would?” He’d protect her in a way her own mother hadn’t.
He touched her lips with his fingertips. “Anything,” he whispered.
The back door opened, and Vincent came in. “Oh Robbie, Helen, there you are.”
“I told her, Vince. Helen knows about us and our family.”
“Don’t worry, Vincent. I’ll keep your secret,” she said.
Her roommate held out his hand, his face reflecting the same misery as Rob’s. “Helen, welcome to our world.”
***
Edward sighed with a puff of blue smoke. As the party wound down and Della left, the doctor joined his cousin in the den. “Rob, why did you tell her about the curse?”
“She asked.” He shrugged.
“Gabriel doesn’t like outsiders becoming involved with our family.”
“He’s already involving her. He’s sent Raphael to spy on us. You never told Christina, and not knowing didn’t protect her, did it?”
“No.”
“Ed, don’t you get tired of all the secrets?” His voice fell to a whisper. “Don’t you just want to have someone know, so she can truly understand who you are and what you’re feeling?”
Guilt twisted in Edward’s stomach. He’s alone and suffering, and none of us are trying to help him.
“Gabriel doesn’t want any outsiders to take us away from him. That’s why he forbids us to have relationships. He wants us to be his and his alone.” Rob’s eyes burned with determination. “But, I don’t belong to him. I’ll love who I love.” He closed his eyes and breathed in. Misery reflected on his face. “Helen is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I’m not going to let Gabriel use her in his sick games. Don’t worry, Ed. After tonight, she won’t be in any more danger.”
Read Chapter One
Read Chapter Two
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