Heart's Demand Read online

  ISBN: 9781483555683 (E-version)

  ISBN: 9781511824156 (Print version)

  Copyright 2015 by Cheryl Holt

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  Cover Design Angela Waters

  Interior e-format by Book Baby

  Table of Contents

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  EPILOGUE(S)

  PROLOGUE

  “Stop! I command you!”

  Bryce shouted the order, but he was only five, so no one paid him any heed.

  Etherton shook his head, pierced by a wave of grief. As he had a thousand times the past few months, he wished he had power or influence or even a magic wand that could wipe away every dreadful event that had occurred.

  But he was just a man, an ordinary bachelor with no ability to change Fate or right a single wrong that had been done to the people he loved. The custody of Bryce and his three siblings had been forced on Etherton by circumstance. While he would gladly assume the job of watching over Julian’s children, he hardly felt proficient to the task.

  They were at the docks. Bryce’s mother, Anne, had just been dragged onto the prison ship that would transport her to the penal colonies in Australia. Bryce and his siblings—Annie and the twins Michael and Matthew—would be enrolled in boarding schools where they’d grow up as orphans.

  They’d be fed, clothed, housed, and educated. It was a better ending than most in their dire situation could hope to attain.

  Yet their father had been a viscount, would eventually have been an earl. His children should have been raised in mansions and groomed for greatness. They should have been friends with the children of princes and kings. Now they would simply be charity cases with no history or ancestry that mattered.

  How could the universe be so cruel?

  Etherton would accompany Bryce to his destination, and his servants, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, along with their daughter, Miss Wilson, would convey the others. With the twins being three years old and Annie only two, they were much too young for boarding school, but there had been no other option.

  Etherton hadn’t the means or aptitude to care for them, so he’d bribed reluctant headmasters to accept them as students. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had loaded the twins into the carriage that would whisk them away. Etherton had his hand on Bryce’s shoulder, but Bryce jerked away and ran after his brothers.

  “Stop!” Bryce shouted again. “You can’t take them! You can’t! I forbid it!”

  The Wilsons were already inside with the boys, and Etherton could see Mr. Wilson wrestling with them as they fought to look out at Bryce. They were sturdy, rambunctious scalawags, and if they wriggled free and climbed out the window, Etherton wouldn’t be surprised.

  Mr. Wilson glanced out at Etherton, his gaze exasperated, and Etherton motioned to the driver. “Hurry, would you? We’re finished here. There’s no need to tarry.”

  The driver clicked the reins, and the horses started off. Bryce bellowed to his brothers. “Michael! Matthew!”

  But the carriage was quickly down the block and around the corner, and if the twins yelled back to Bryce, Etherton didn’t hear them.

  Bryce’s fury distressed Annie—called Sissy by her brothers. She was being carried to another carriage by Mr. Wilson’s daughter. She began to wail with dismay, and Etherton couldn’t blame her. He wanted to wail too.

  Their grandfather had ripped their world apart merely because their father had wed for love—and without permission—to a very unsuitable actress and singer. Had there ever been a more vicious fiend?

  He’d been determined to prove his authority over Julian, but his vengeance had crushed his own grandchildren. Did he realize the harm he’d inflicted?

  Etherton was sure not.

  Julian had died in a hunting accident that Etherton didn’t believe to have been an accident at all. Then their mother had been accused of stealing from the exalted Blair family, of pilfering jewels and money. She’d been prosecuted simply to prevent her children from inheriting a single farthing of their grandfather’s fortune.

  Well, Etherton certainly hoped the ogre found happiness in the next life, for he definitely didn’t deserve it in this one. If there was any justice, the aged tyrant would rot in Hell.

  “By-By! By-By!” Annie said to Bryce. She couldn’t yet pronounce his name.

  Bryce whipped around and rushed over to her. He yanked her from Miss Wilson’s arms and clutched her to his chest.

  Miss Wilson glared at Etherton, flashing the same exasperated look her father had just exhibited. She couldn’t decide if she should grab Annie and continue on or if she should halt and extend the torturous moment.

  The prior six months had been a long slog of horrific days, but this day was the most ghastly by far. None of them was immune, not even Miss Wilson who had a significant but unpalatable role to play in the unfolding debacle. She would deliver Annie to Miss Peabody’s School for Girls, a dank, crumbling edifice that reminded Etherton of a prison.

  Bryce was kneeling in front of Sissy. She was pretty as a porcelain doll, with curly blond hair and big blue eyes. Poignant tears dripped down her rosy cheeks, their blatant affection agonizing to observe.

  “Don’t be afraid, Sissy,” Bryce murmured as Etherton walked up. He asked Etherton, “Can’t she stay with us, Mr. Etherton? Can’t she? Please?”

  “No, Bryce. You’re going to a boy’s school. She can’t go with you.”

  “Please, Mr. Etherton! She’s too little to be off on her own.”

  “She’ll be fine, Bryce.”

  “She won’t be fine,” he fiercely replied, and he leapt up and whirled on Etherton. “Mother ordered me to watch over her and the twins, yet you’re sending them away.”

  Etherton shrugged. “I’m sorry.”

  What else could he say? Their plight was incomprehensib
le.

  Bryce’s grandfather had been insistent that Julian not wed Anne, but he’d married her anyway, and the old coot had gotten even. After Julian died, he’d declared there had been no marriage, that the children were illegitimate bastards. As an aristocrat, no one had argued with him, and Anne’s witnesses had been her fellow actors who were considered disreputable and dishonest.

  Now Julian was dead, Anne transported, and their children…

  What would become of them?

  He peered down at Annie, and his smile was forced. “You want to attend school, don’t you, Sissy? Won’t that be fun?”

  Her gaze was distressed and condemning. Bryce shoved Etherton away and knelt in front of her again.

  “I’ll visit you all the time,” he advised her. “Won’t I, Mr. Etherton?”

  “Yes,” Etherton lied.

  “How often, do you think? Every day?”

  “No, no, probably every Saturday.”

  The school where she’d be housed was a four-day journey from London. If Etherton was able to take Bryce once a year, it would be a miracle.

  Bryce didn’t recognize the promise for the falsehood it was, and he turned to Sissy. “Every Saturday,” he repeated. “When I arrive, you can tell me about your teachers and your new friends. You can show me your new room and your new bed.”

  Sissy scowled. “By-By.”

  “Yes, I’m By-By, your big brother. You’ll never forget, will you?”

  Sissy shook her head, and Bryce clasped her hands. They stared and stared, nose to nose, chin to chin.

  Finally Bryce peeked up at Etherton. “I’ll never see her again, will I?”

  “Of course you will.”

  “No, I can feel it. She’ll go away—as Mother went away. As Father went away. What if she grows up, and I don’t remember what she looks like? How will I find her?”

  Etherton sighed. “You’re being ridiculous, Bryce. We’ll visit regularly.”

  “I don’t believe you, Mr. Etherton. I don’t believe any adults anymore. You’re all liars.”

  “I’m doing the best I can,” Etherton complained.

  “Your best is not good enough,” Bryce scolded. “You told Mother you’d protect us. You swore it to her! I heard you.”

  “And I meant every word.”

  Bryce pointed to the ship where the sailors had cast off. A tug was towing the vessel out into the main channel of the Thames. “She hasn’t even left yet, and you’ve already proved your vows are worthless. I can’t rely on you.”

  He spun back to Sissy, and for an eternity they continued to stare, as if committing each other’s features to memory. Then he dug in his pocket and pulled out a small ivory statuette that had belonged to his mother. It was an ancient goddess, a protector of musicians and artists. His mother had set it on her harpsichord.

  Etherton hadn’t realized Bryce had secreted it away. Every other possession had been sold to pay for their maintenance and education. The statuette was a precious treasure, and Etherton almost warned him not to give it to her. How could she appreciate its value? How would she ever keep from losing it?

  But he doubted he could dissuade Bryce from parting with the dear artifact. And at this late date, how could it matter?

  “Let’s go, Bryce,” he said.

  “In a minute, Mr. Etherton,” Bryce snapped in response. He held out the statuette to Sissy. “This was Mother’s.”

  “Mama.”

  “You must always hide it in your pocket. You must never let it be taken from you. It’s very important, Sissy. Do you understand?”

  “Mama,” she said again.

  “I have no idea when I’ll see you again. Maybe never. You must promise to be a very good girl.”

  Sissy nodded. “Good.”

  “You must make Mother and Father proud.”

  “Dada.”

  “I will come and find you someday,” Bryce insisted. “Despite what anyone tells you, I will search for you and I will find you. I swear it.”

  As if she grasped the weight of his comment, she reached out and caressed his face. “By-By.”

  “Yes, Sissy, I’m Bryce Blair, and you’re Annie Blair. Don’t ever forget your name, and you must never lose the statuette. When we’re grown-ups, I’ll know who you are because you have Mother’s statue.” He turned it over and showed her the initials AB that were printed on the bottom. “These two letters? They stand for Mother’s name. Anne Blair.”

  “Mama,” Sissy murmured.

  Bryce put the statuette into her plump little hand and wrapped her fingers around it. Then he drew her into a tight hug. Both of them were crying, and Miss Wilson was weeping too.

  “Mr. Etherton,” she said, “may we go? I can’t abide much more of this.”

  “Yes, please be off.”

  Etherton grabbed Bryce, and Miss Wilson grabbed Sissy. They pulled, having to yank the siblings apart to separate them. Miss Wilson lifted Sissy and hurried to their carriage. A footman helped her in as Sissy screamed and begged in her toddler’s language to stay with Bryce.

  But the door was slammed shut, and the driver whipped the horses into a trot. They lurched forward and the vehicle rumbled away.

  “Don’t forget me, Sissy,” Bryce called. “Don’t forget.”

  Blessedly, Miss Wilson didn’t let Sissy look out the window, so Etherton didn’t have to have that final image in his mind. He tried to steer Bryce away, but the boy refused to budge, watching the fleeing carriage as if he was rooted to the ground.

  Etherton glanced down the busy wharf. He didn’t expect Julian’s relatives would arrive to cause trouble. He didn’t think Bryce’s grandfather or uncle wondered about the fate of Anne’s children. The two despicable men had simply been determined to have her sent away so no claim could ever be made against the estate.

  Yet with such fortunes at stake, Etherton couldn’t be sure what a malicious person might attempt.

  “You’ll see her soon, Bryce.” Etherton’s lies were getting easier to voice. “I promise.”

  “I told you I don’t believe you.”

  “We must be off. We have many miles to travel today.”

  “We’ll depart after Mother’s ship has faded from view.”

  “It’s not safe for us to remain here.”

  “I don’t care. What could happen to me that hasn’t already happened?”

  It was an adult’s sort of query, and Etherton had no answer, but Bryce’s firm resolve was clear. He was five, but he was so imperious, so like his father whom Etherton had adored.

  “I suppose we can wait a bit,” Etherton mumbled.

  “Yes, I suppose we can.”

  They stood together, gaping as the ship was moved farther and farther away. There were a few other stragglers on the dock, strangers who also had family members sailing to the other side of the Earth. They all appeared stunned.

  “Might they permit Mother to come up onto the deck and wave goodbye?” Bryce sounded devastated and forlorn.

  “No, I’m certain they won’t.”

  Bryce nodded heavily, as if the cruelness of the world had just been revealed. A grueling half hour passed, and ultimately the vessel was swallowed up by other river traffic. Once it vanished, Bryce turned away.

  “We may leave now,” he stoically said.

  “Fine. Let’s do.”

  Feeling awkward and aggrieved, Etherton started toward the carriage. He tried to take Bryce’s hand, but Bryce wouldn’t let him. Bryce was quietly crying, and Etherton was struggling to keep his own tears at bay.

  He’d loved Julian so dearly and missed him so much. Anne had been Julian’s great amour and cherished friend, but despite their joyous marriage, Etherton had been closer to Julian than anyone. He’d known Julian all his life, and Julian had been the center of Etherton’s universe. The hole left by his death was too big to ever be filled.

  Still though, he was compelled to say, “It will be all right, Bryce. You’ll see. At the moment, matters seem chaotic, but
everything will eventually work out for the best.”

  “You’re wrong, Mr. Etherton. My home is gone. My sister and brothers are gone. My parents are gone. Nothing will ever be all right again.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Who may I tell him is calling?”

  “Katarina…ah…Webster.”

  Katarina—known as Kat to her friends and family—kept her expression carefully blank. She hadn’t meant to stumble over the surname of Webster, and her hesitation made her sound like an idiot.

  Webster was her mother’s American maiden name. Since Kat was traveling in disguise and not eager to be recognized, it seemed the best choice.

  In reality, she was Her Royal Highness, Katarina Victoria Sasha Morovsky, Princess of Parthenia. In ordinary circumstances, she would have proclaimed herself and used her title to obtain whatever boon or aid she sought. But her treacherous cousin, Kristof, egged on by his advisors, had revoked her status and designation. At that moment, she was no one of consequence at all.

  She was staggering about, trying to figure out how to proceed in a normal fashion when the entire foundation of her life had been destroyed.

  “Why do you request an appointment with Monsieur Valois?” the butler asked. “What is the purpose of your visit?”

  “I’m newly arrived in Cairo,” she replied. “I was apprised that he is the person to approach when assistance is required.”

  The butler studied her, obviously finding too many flaws to count. “Have you a recommendation?”

  “A recommendation for what?”

  “The Monsieur is an important man. He does not deal with anyone who will waste his time.”

  “I need a reference to vouch for my…what? My character? My veracity? My position in the world?”

  He gave a very French sort of shrug. “Any of those will suffice.”

  Kat glared, her green eyes shooting daggers. If she’d been a male, she’d have pounded him into the ground. If she’d been lumping along in her usual condition, she’d have snapped her fingers and had him dragged off to the dungeons.

  Well, not to the dungeons. She’d never behaved that way, but it was satisfying to imagine herself having some authority. At the very least, she might have demanded he apologize.