Heaven Made, page 18
And as she continued reading the correspondence, her world fell apart. The letter was from a woman named Luella Ellison, and apparently she was Ford’s fiancée. Fiancée! This was impossible, wasn’t it? But no, this Miss Ellison went on to say;
‘my dear Ford, have you decided when we will formally announce the engagement? I would like a spring wedding, so I was thinking that we should probably put something in the Times no later than August.’
Sabrina felt sick as she read the rest of the letter that was signed ‘fondly, Luella’. All of her hopes and dreams were as flimsy as the piece of paper she held in her hand. Ford was engaged to be married, and he was taking her, Sabrina, to his bed every night. Oh God, that made her the other woman. Her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces as she tried to erase from her mind the images of her and Ford making love. Sabrina wanted to forget his sweet words. They all were just lies designed to seduce her. Sabrina had never felt so betrayed in her whole life. She had trusted Ford body and soul, and how had he repaid her? By misrepresenting his status as a bachelor.
Her heart was beating too fast and her breath came violently in short bursts. Sabrina could feel her ears and face burning with shame. How could she have allowed such a thing to happen? Why had she let her heart and body rule her mind? Now that she knew the truth, she wanted to cry, she wanted to weep and scream and throw things, but she couldn’t afford to lose control just yet. Now was the moment to sit calmly and consider her options. There would be time enough for tears later when she was alone and no one could overhear her deep sorrow. Nevertheless, a few wayward drops escaped from her eyes. Sabrina wiped them away with a shaking hand and released the crumpled letter from the other. It fell to the floor, unnoticed, as she blindly stood and made her way back to her room.
Clear thinking was needed now, not the hysterical tantrum that bubbled below the surface of her calm demeanor. A plan, that’s what she had to come up with, and quickly. Ford would be home soon and she intended to be long gone by then. She absolutely could not face the man again knowing that he’d been deceiving her all this time. How dare he treat her like a common strumpet! She would not allow herself to be trifled with again. At the moment, all she could think about was getting out of his house. Sabrina pulled out their bags began to pack hers and Alice’s things. Alice would be upset, but there was nothing she could do about it now. Maybe they could go to Cassie’s house and spend the night? It was the only logical thing to do under the circumstances. Certainly she now had enough money to find good lodgings, but until she had a new position, she wanted to have Alice in a safe place with someone she trusted. A few minutes later, bags packed and a brief letter of resignation penned, Sabrina entered the kitchen.
"Oh dear, the bad trouble has already started." Alice’s keen observation was fuel to Sabrina’s raging indignation.
"Mrs. Dixon, will you see that Mr. Northcliffe gets this as soon as he returns?" She handed the sealed note to Delores. "Let’s get your coat Alice. We’re going to go stay with Miss Blakemore for a few days."
"I don’t understand, Mrs. Tremaine?" Mrs. Dixon said, turning the letter over in her hands. "Does this mean you’re leaving us?"
"I’m afraid so, Delores." Sabrina’s voice almost broke, but she bravely went on. "Would you be so kind as to tell Roland and the others that it was a pleasure working with them and due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to end my employment...immediately."
"Oh my dear," Mrs. Dixon cried and wrapped her arms around Sabrina. "You know you always have friends here if you need anything. I can see that you’re too upset to tell an old woman what the trouble is, but don’t you forget that you can always talk to me about anything. Send a note around when you have yourself settled in a new position and I’ll come and have tea with you."
"I will, I promise," Sabrina whispered, barely in control of her emotions. "Come on now, Alice. Time to go."
They arrived at the employment agency on Tottenham Court Road only to find the door locked and a note hanging in the window.
Back by nightfall.
Oh, how very frustrating, Sabrina thought looking up and down the busy London street. It was cold out and Alice couldn’t stand around outside until Miss Blakemore or her mother returned. They had to find someplace to wait until dark. But where? She wanted to stomp her foot and cry, but as the parent in this situation, she felt like that wouldn’t be the best tactic at the moment. Alice was tugging on her hand and Sabrina finally looked at where the little girl was pointing. A tearoom was next door to the Blakemore establishment and it appeared to be open. A nice hot cup of tea was exactly what she needed to see her through the next few hours.
"Excellent idea, Alice."
Bells jingled merrily as they entered the shop. The place was cozy and smelled pleasantly of herbs and scones. Sabrina’s mouth watered as she suddenly realized that she was famished. All the walking they’d done today had increased her appetite and until she had a chance to talk to Cassie, she didn’t know when they’d be having their next meal.
"Find a table to sit at while I look for someone to pour us some tea," she said, setting their bags inside the front door.
Sabrina looked around the place, marveling at how exotic it was. It had the feel of an Arabian tent with all the silk hangings, and strange decorations. A young boy, not much older than Alice scampered through a curtain and bowed politely to Sabrina.
"Tea, milady?" he asked.
"Yes, please, and scones," Sabrina answered trying to look behind him into the swirling silk camouflage. "Are you here alone?"
"No milady, Madame Lou will be out shortly." The boy bowed again and scampered back into what had to be the kitchen.
Sabrina was sorely tempted to follow him. He looked very familiar and she wanted to see what he was about. But she couldn’t leave Alice alone.
"Madame Lou?" she said, suddenly realizing just whose shop they were in. This was the infamous fortune reader’s establishment. Goodness, how in the world had she been tricked into this predicament?
"Alice!"
"Yes, Mummy," Alice answered, already sitting primly at a table with her mittens removed and her coat hanging on the back of her chair.
"Young lady, did you know this was Madame Lou’s shop?"
"Oh yes, Mummy," Alice said with a happy smile. "Cassie’s told me all about it. Do you think we’ll get to meet her?"
Before Sabrina could answer, the boy returned with a tea tray that he carefully set on their table.
"You must be Danny," Alice said holding her hand out to the lad.
"Yes miss, and you must be Alice." He took her fingers in his and bowed. "Just like my sister described."
"You two know each other?" Sabrina was truly stunned.
"This is Cassie’s little brother," Alice stated between nibbles of her scone. "She told me he works for Madame Lou sometimes."
"That’s where I’ve seen you." Sabrina nodded in recognition. "Next door at the employment agency. Well, do you know when your sister or your mother will be returning? I must talk to them as soon as possible."
"Nightfall, milady," Danny bowed again and scurried away.
"Hmmm," Sabrina muttered, pouring the tea and stirring in sugar for both herself and Alice. "Not a very talkative young man."
Suddenly, from the kitchen area, a great rustling and jingling erupted and grew louder until from the multiple hangings of curtains emerged the woman who had been the topic of so many conversations lately.
Madam Lou.
Chapter Sixteen
Ford was whistling as he stepped out of the motorcar. He had just spent a long afternoon with Felix, his solicitor and he almost couldn’t believe what he’d learned. The young man was a genius at law and could break down any situation to its bare bones and simplest terms as quick as a judge could get into robes. He had to find Sabrina before he did anything else. She was going to be so happy when she heard about Felix’s opinion regarding her papers. It was excellent news and he couldn’t wait to tell her, anticipating the warmth of her response, the soft look in her eyes.
He looked for her first in the library, then, poked his head into the study. Something there seemed out of place, but he didn’t have time to wonder about it. Next he checked all the parlors. She wasn’t anywhere, and neither was Alice. Taking a chance, he went to her suite and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Finally, he headed downstairs to the kitchen. He would have preferred to find Sabrina alone, but regardless of who else was present, this news couldn’t wait. But only Roland, Freddy and Mrs. Dixon were there. For some reason they all looked as if they’d found a dead puppy. He cleared his throat to get their attention. "Have you seen Sabrina, I mean, Mrs. Tremaine?" He hoped his slip of the tongue hadn’t been noted. "I have some important matters to discuss with her."
Mrs. Dixon burst into tears, Freddy ran out the back door and Roland frowned as if the weight of the world was upon his shoulders. "I’m sorry, did I interrupt?" Ford suddenly realized that something was very wrong. "What is it Mrs. Dixon? Roland?"
"Mrs. Tremaine has left us sir," Roland said stiffly and handed his employer the letter Mrs. Dixon had been gripping. "She instructed us to give you this."
Ford’s mouth dropped open with his surprise and he feared he looked as big an idiot as he felt. Blindly, he extended his hand to accept the note. He stared at it for nearly two minutes before he could move a muscle. His brain actually seemed to seize up for a moment and he feared he might fall over if he dared to breathe.
"Left? When is she coming back?"
He knew it was a ridiculous question. Mrs. Dixon wouldn’t be crying if Sabrina was on her way home.
"I…I’ll be in my study if you need me." Ford walked blindly out of the kitchen and shut the door behind him.
He sat at the desk and turned the sealed letter over and over in his hands. He was desperately afraid to open and read it. She was probably so ashamed of what they had done, that she’d run away to find an employer who wouldn’t take advantage of his status over her. Ford rested his forehead on his arms and took several deep breaths. This was for the best, he tried to convince himself. She would be better off without him anyway. Now that he knew who she really was and what she possessed, there could be no question of their continuing their affair. But he still had to find her and tell her what her husband had done for her.
With a deep sigh he sat up and opened Sabrina’s note. It was crisp and to the point. She couldn’t stay under his roof another day knowing that soon she would be asked to leave. No explanation was given and Ford couldn’t understand what she meant by that cryptic remark. But then, as he sat contemplating her odd explanation, he noticed the crumpled piece of paper on the floor. Usually, this room was neat as a pin, between the maids cleaning it and Sabrina making sure everything was in order, the one scrap was certainly out of place. Ford leaned over and picked it up, noting the vaguely familiar penmanship. He smoothed the letter out and began to read it. When he finished Luella’s innocent correspondence, Ford finally understood why Sabrina left and would never be able to forgive him. Taking her to his bed while being promised to another was inexcusable. He’d known all along and had intentionally let Sabrina believe there was hope for them. The only thing he could do now was to find her and make sure she knew that her future was secure no matter what she decided to do.
Ford tried not to think about his own devastation. His heart constricted with the pain of losing Sabrina before he was ready to let her go. But that was selfish and cruel of him, he had wronged her and he knew he could never make it right. But he had to find her so he could give her the news from Felix and, of course, to apologize. Not that it would do any good, but it would be better than leaving things as they stood between them. Even though she didn’t indicate where she was going, Ford was certain Sabrina would have made her way to Miss Blakemore’s first. At the very least, Cassie would know where she was. It was nearly five o’clock, and Ford would have to hurry if he wanted to catch Miss Blakemore before she left for home. He rushed back downstairs and had George bring the motorcar back around. Before he left, he stopped back in the kitchen.
"Did she go to Cassie’s?" he asked, hoping he already knew the answer.
Mrs. Dixon blew her nose before answering. "Yes, Mr. Northcliffe. Will you be bringing her home then?"
"I have some news for her that cannot wait," Ford said. "But no, I don’t believe Mrs. Tremaine will be coming back with me. She has too many reasons not to."
Delores looked confused by his comment, but he couldn’t explain without betraying too many confidences.
"I’ll be home later. Don’t worry about dinner, I’ll stop at the Savoy or my club."
He hurried to meet George and they left the house just as the sun was beginning to dip towards the edge of the city. The chilly evening air was thick with coal smoke and a bit of a fog was moving in. It wasn’t a night Ford wanted to be out after dark in, but getting this information to Sabrina was more important than his personal comfort. Ford sat in the passenger seat of the vehicle as George drove him across town, contemplating what he’d done and what he could do to fix it. He had hurt the woman he loved in a way that if anyone else had done so, he would have beaten the dickens out of them. This was ridiculous. He was about to let his whole life be ruined by something that made absolutely no real difference anymore. What was the worst thing that could happen to him? Would he burn in hell if he disobeyed? Would he somehow be cursed to a life a misery? Why did he so emphatically believe in keeping a deathbed promise, and yet he scoffed at the thought of ghosts and spirits in the world? Wasn’t the belief in one incompatible with doubt in the other? Ford was more confused than ever and he hoped he would have his thoughts and feelings sorted out before he attempted to share them with Sabrina. He had a lot to think about and his whole future depended on what conclusions he came to in the next few minutes.
They arrived at number 15 Tottenham Court Road quickly. Ford jumped out of the Daimler, not waiting for George to open the door and headed for the Blakemore’s door, but it was locked tight. A sign on the door stated someone would be back by nightfall. That meant that she should be returning soon, for the darkness was edging closer. But if Cassie wasn’t here, then where were Sabrina and Alice? He peered through the glass pane of the door, but the place in darkness Or maybe there was a sliver of light down the hallway? He knocked loudly just in case.
Ford couldn’t be certain, but he thought he saw a small figure look out at him from somewhere in the back of the shop. It was too dim inside to see anything, though and he couldn’t be sure of what he’d seen. He banged on the wood frame once again, hoping someone would answer. Instead, the front door of the shop next door opened and a girl looked out, scanning up and down the street.
"Mr. Northcliffe," she waved at him. "We’re in here."
It was little Alice, and he hoped she meant her mother and she were next door. He walked quickly to the entrance and followed the little girl inside. Sure enough there sat Sabrina at one of many small tables. The room was filled with candles, dozens of them, and dark, colorful, fringed drapery covered not only the tables, but the walls and most of the windows too.
"Madame Lou," he said in a stiff voice. "We meet again."
"Ah, Mr. Northcliffe, perfect timing. I just pulled the Judgment card and I’m certain you will be able explain whatever legal documents are indicated better than I." The woman stood, silk fluttering around her and tiny bells jingling merrily. "I must go now. Mrs. Tremaine, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. I believe I hear Miss Blakemore arriving. I’ll inform her you are waiting in here for her. We share a back entrance," she explained, heading towards the rear of the tearoom. "Alice, why don’t you come with me? I’m sure Danny can keep you busy while your mother and Mr. Northcliffe discuss—ahem—business."
Sabrina nodded at Alice, who gleefully skipped after Madame Lou, oblivious to the tension that pulsed between Ford and her mother.
"Mr. Northcliffe," Sabrina said stiffly. "I wish you wouldn’t have followed us."
"How could I not?" Ford asked, motioning Sabrina to stay seated. "I have to apologize. What I did was inexcusable and I couldn’t leave things as they were without explaining. And although I hate to admit it, Madame Lou is quite right. I have some news for you from my solicitor. Good news, wonderful news, really."
"I don’t want to hear your reasons. It’s quite obvious, even to someone as naïve as I, what you wanted from me. That I expected more was my own fault." Sabrina’s voice trembled precariously.
Ford wanted to kick himself for what he’d done to her. She was so beautiful and so strong. Why hadn’t he seen what he needed to do from the beginning? Now, convincing her that he loved her was going to be a supreme feat. And even if he succeeded, would it be enough? Coward that he was, he decided to tackle the easy part of his task first.
"My solicitor looked at your papers," he said, pulling up a chair and sitting at a respectable distance, but near enough to reach for her hand if she would allow it. "Apparently, you are a very wealthy woman."
Sabrina frowned at Ford as if she didn’t understand his words. Confusion creased her brow and she shook her head trying to comprehend his words.
"Let me explain," he said, smiling gently, knowing she had no idea what he meant. "Edward was the last man entailed on his family’s properties. As the eldest son, he inherited everything by law, but when he came of age and his father encouraged him to tie up the family fortune for another two generations, Edward put it off. Have you ever heard of The Married Woman’s Property Act of 1893? Apparently your husband decided that he wanted you and Alice to have everything instead of Gerald or some other male relative if Gerald died before Edward. Well, that Act made it possible for him to do so. Your husband was very progressive, it would seem."
