“Alright then, I will take you to the nearest bar and pay for an unending tab and room for you to sleep it off. How does that sound? Surely its better than being here?”
“Here?” Gray looks at the room with cloudy eyes, “Here is unending pain,” he whispers and clutches at his head.
“I can make it go away, Gray, come with me,” she promises.
“I prefer whiskey, not gin. My daughter would know that,” he snaps.
“London knows and doesn't care, Gray. She married a few weeks ago, did you know that?”
“Married?” his eyes reflect happiness for her, but it’s gone as quickly as it appears.
“Yes, she asked me to look after you. She doesn't want to do it anymore,” Tess says and watches as he reaches for the flask once more. He swallows it down, emptying the container, and she nods in approval.
“Can’t blame her. No girl should have me as a father, cept maybe you,” he laughs and stands. “Get me out of here, daughter!”
“Wonderful,” she knocks on the door and starts snapping out orders while Gray watches.
They hand her a bag of his things, and she tosses it inside the carriage before they climb inside. “Where would you like to go Gray?” Tessa asks as she offers him a glass bottle of whiskey.
“Any bar will do,” he laughs as he drinks down the whiskey, coughing as it hits his system. “It’s been three months since my last drink. I almost forgot how good it feels,” he laughs as she tells the driver to go to the Harbor House bar.
“I promise a night to remember,” Tessa grins as he drinks.
Gray grows quiet as he drinks, “London, must look like her mother now,” he murmurs.
Tessa picks up her bag and draws out the front-page picture she cut out and hands it to him. “She married a Duke,” she snarls. “My Duke,” she hisses.
He takes the paper and stares down at his daughter, smiling at the man in front of her, and his eyes grow misty. “Look at you,” he sniffs, “good girl.”
Tessa tries to snatch the paper back, but he's too quick. “No, this is mine!” he folds it up reverently and puts it inside the faded pocket of his black pants.
“Fine, I don’t want it anyway.” She glares out the window, wondering what Declan is doing with her right now.
“It won't fix it, you know?” Gray says, and his words are slurring together now.
“What?”
“Hurting me to hurt her, won’t fix the hole in your heart,” he laughs at her look of rage.
“Well, I’m willing to give it a shot,” she snaps and sighs in relief when the carriage stops.
“Do your best,” Gray says as he climbs from the carriage and takes the money that she offers him.
Tessa watches him stumble into the bar and grins, “I will, Mr. Mitchell.”
Chapter 27
“Lady Sheridan, I am supposed to give you this,” Mary places a sealed envelope on the dressing table with a smile.
London glances at Mary in the mirror as she finishes brushing her hair for dinner with Declan and picks up the envelope. “Who is it from?” she asks, tracing her name. She knows the answer, but she's enjoying the excitement that Mary is presenting.
“I can’t say, Lady Sheridan, perhaps you should open it,” she teases. Mary laughs, “Your hair is done, and I’ve laid out your dress. You will need to dress in layers, my Lady,” she explains.
“Okay, now I'm curious,” London rips the envelop open with a flourish and tosses it on the desktop. “It's an invitation to a sunset picnic on the beach!” A rush of excitement has London leaping to her feet. “I've never been to the beach!”
“You’re in for a treat,” Mary says with a laugh. “It’s unusually warm this year. The carriage is waiting.”
London nods, “I'll be right down.” She strips as soon as Mary leaves, wondering at the change in him this past week. Declan has been attentive. He’s taken her on evening strolls, dinner dates to different restaurants, and to a theater show. Now a picnic on the beach at sunset! She buttons her dress and pauses. “He’s courting me!” she shivers as the truth strikes her heart.
Fear strikes hard. Not of Declan, he’d never hurt her, he’s proven that. Fear of losing him. She’s seen what happens when love enters the picture. Her father never recovered from the loss of her mother. Does she dare dream of a future with Declan?
Her Bible is on her nightstand, and she takes a minute to remember the sermon at church on Sunday. The pastor was teaching about peace and not walking in fear. She bows her head and whispers, “It' so hard to do, Lord, to let go of the hurt and pain and hold on to your promises, but I'm trying. Please strengthen me so that I may honor you.” A weight lifts, and she smiles as she leaves to meet Declan.
The sun is painting the sky in pale pink and purple streaks as it begins to set. London steps down from the carriage, and the wind whips at her braided hair lifting stray tendrils. She inhales deeply, drawing in the salty, sea air, memorizing the scents and texture of sea spray on the air.
“Lady Sheridan, you are to follow the path between the two dunes,” the driver points.
“Thank you,” she smiles and hurries forward between the sandy walls. London walks along the well-worn path, her heart pounds in time with the waves crashing onto the shore out of sight.
Two golden candles flicker in large glass globes signaling the end of her path or beginning of her night. She smiles and steps forward, gasping in delight. Candles glow, dancing inside glass globes, creating a new walkway, guiding her towards a romantic picnic set
