Salvation Comes at a Price: Chapter 1
Summary: In trouble, Lord Swan turns to the sisters to aid him, but saving what he loves above all else may come at a price Isabella might not be willing to pay. A life.
Bella/Irina
1606 OXFORDSHIRE
The carriage raced through the streets of Banbury to Broughton Castle, Lord Swan wiped his forehead, even though the temperature that night must have been beyond freezing. He had traveled all day, hoping the sisters would hear him out, despite the lack of invitation. They were his only hope, the only chance he stood of saving his little girl, his precious Isabella. As the castle came into view, his heart threatened to beat out of his chest. He feared them, and if he was honest with himself, he had no idea why. Everyone feared them, yet none could name why. Any that worked with or for them did not have a bad word to say about the sisters, yet the fear still prevailed.
The East India Company had a monopoly on shipping to the far east. All the other shipping merchants had hitched their coattails to them, but not the sisters, and they had faced no retribution. If the East India Company, with its royal charter, let them be, it told you everything. That was the reason he had traveled so far to see them. If they refused to aid him, he would have to result to actions that would most likely get him killed, and Isabella left alone to fend off the wolves.
He was allowed in without a word of protestation, which gave hope for what he thought he knew. He wasn't entirely sure he was right, but just maybe his gut had for once in a long while not failed him.
"Lord Swan, this is an unexpected delight. What can we do for you?" Tanya, the one who always seemed to speak for the sisters, greeted him. The other two flanked her as though getting ready for a fight.
"I…" He cleared his throat. "I lost a great deal of money to Samuel Thomas. I had every intention of paying what I owed, but the funds I was expecting did not come through."
"How much do you need?" Tanya asked, moving over to the large desk dominating the room.
"I'm afraid Thomas refuses to accept cash and has instead asked for my daughter Isabella instead." He admitted to what he thought was a secret to the sisters.
"Isabella, is your daughter?" It was no secret to the sisters, but how they knew what they knew was not something they would ever reveal.
"Yes, her mother and I were not married. I loved her above all else, but my parents deemed Renée far below my station. I refused to get married if I could not marry her, we carried on in secret. She fell pregnant with Isabella and died giving birth. I lived on my own estate, and the Kirby's were very loyal to me and agreed to the ruse of Isabella being theirs. She is not my maid, as most would believe. When my parents passed, it was far too late to come clean, so the ruse remains." Kate smiled at the man, she respected the stance he took and the risk that came in keeping his daughter with him.
"And now Samuel Thomas wants her." Tanya damn near growled. Such dealings were against the law, but it did not prevent some from still taking such actions. Lord Swan could report Thomas, but he would have to reveal the truth about Isabella's parentage, and the poor girl would be labeled a bastard.
"No, I believe Huxley is the one that wants her and is using Thomas to do so. I also believe he is responsible for my delayed funds." That did not come as a surprise to the sisters. They were well aware of George Huxley's infatuation with Isabella Swan. "I don't know how Huxley found out about her being my daughter, but he knows."
"How can we help?" Kate asked.
"You are the only shipping merchants willing to import Thomas's goods from the far east." That was not news to anyone. Thomas had a rather public fallout with John Watt, and since then, no one would touch him; his situation was made worse when Watt became Lord Mayor of London a few months ago.
"And how exactly does that help you?" Tanya asked.
To their utter surprise, Charles turned and looked at Irina, who had yet to utter a word. Kate laughed uproariously at the sudden turn of events. "It seems Lord Swan's eyes are wide open when it comes to his daughter." Kate teased, the sound below Charles' hearing.
"I have noticed your interest in my daughter. She has also not failed to mention your numerous acts of kindness towards her. I do not know exactly what your interest is, but I would surmise it is far better than what Huxley has in mind for her. I am aware she is of age, but she is still far too young as far as I am concerned. I would like Isabella to enjoy her youth before getting tied down, if at all." He did not take his eyes off Irina as he spoke, and hers did not leave his.
"We will keep Isabella from Thomas and Huxley, but what happens from there on out is entirely her decision," Irina said much to Charles's relief. Irina would not have her mate hate her because she forced the girl's father to give her up. It was better for all if Isabella came to them of her own free will.
In truth, Charles would encourage his daughter to go with the sisters. He had a problem, it was not going to be the last time he lost money gambling and put her in danger. Huxley had too much money and influence for Charles to keep Isabella out of his clutches for long. He also believed it was not beyond Huxley to have him and the Kirby's killed to have free access to his daughter. Left on her own, Isabella would have little choice.
"You can stay the night, or do you need to get back to Isabella." Tanya offered.
"Yes, I will like to get back to my daughter." He stood ready to leave.
"It will be dealt with by tomorrow evening," Irina said as she walked him out.
"So, what is the plan?" Kate asked the minute Irina walked back in.
"We are going to pay Samuel Thomas a visit." Vampire speed meant the sisters would make it to Kensington before Charles Swan made it out of Oxfordshire
Samuel Thomas bolted into the foyer looking flustered. "Is there an issue with my shipment?" If his shipment did not arrive, he was done.
"None whatsoever," Irina said with a smile. "We have a favor to ask, one that should not inconvenience you in the least." She added.
"Oh, right… please come in. Sorry for my lack of manners, but if my goods are delayed by even a day, I am a ruined man."
"We understand," Kate said, and they did. Without their services, Samuel Thomas would be in debtor's prison before the end of the month.
"I believe Lord Swan owes you a great deal of money." Irina got straight to the point.
"The man is a hopeless gambler, and yet.." He spread his arms and chuckled.
"We will like to purchase his debt." Samuel Thomas froze as he reached for his wine.
"Why?" He asked rather cordially, but the vampires could hear the anger he so skillfully hid.
"You do not need to know why," Irina said with a smile that sent a chill down Thomas's spine.
"Yes, right… certainly." He whispered. He owed Huxley nothing, he was simply hoping to carry favor that he could use later. His livelihood, though, depended on the sisters, and that trumped a favor owed. "He owes ninety-eight pounds." Samuel got up to grab proof of the debt.
"Your word is good enough," Irina said as she deposited the money on the table next to his wine. "Well, that concludes our business." The sisters stood. "Oh, by the way, your goods will be at the port first thing tomorrow morning." His jaw dropped as he hadn't expected it for another week.
"Excellent." He said with a wide smile. "I cannot tell you how relieved I am." His loss of Lord Swan's debt hurt a little less.
"So… are we paying the young lady in question a visit?" Kate asked with a mischievous look.
"No, I am going to visit Isabella, you two see if you can find anything to aid us with Huxley. I'd rather not kill him unless we have no other choice." Irina said as she walked away from the scheming pair.
Isabella, on her part, paced her father's foyer waiting for him. "Isabella, your father will not be home until morning." Mrs. Kirby said again.
"I prefer to wait for him." She replied.
"As you wish." Mrs. Kirby said with a shake of her head. She feared for Isabella, Charles had gone to great lengths to protect her, and now his gambling was putting her at risk. He may get away with it today, but who knows tomorrow. Isabella had insisted the sisters would help, but she was not entirely sure, and neither was Isabella if her pacing was anything to go by.
They both froze at the sound of the loud knock. "Isabella," Irina called out, having heard the sudden erratic heartbeat of both women. She smiled when she heard the sighs of relief. The door opened to the sight of a relieved looking Isabella. Mrs. Kirby smiled at her before disappearing from view. "Good evening, Isabella." Irina greeted.
"Good evening, is my… is Lord Swan with you?" Isabella asked, looking over Irina's shoulder.
"No, we beat him here. You made it here from Oxfordshire after seeing Lord Swan?" Bella found it hard to believe.
"Yes, he informed us of Thomas and Huxley's intentions. I purchased your father's debt from Thomas. And yes, he informed us of your true relationship, not that we did not already know." Irina smiled at the shocked look on the girl's face. "May I come in?"
"Yes, yes… of course, forgive me, I'm a little out of sorts this evening." Isabella shut the door behind her and led them to the drawing-room.
"That is understandable." Irina murmured, taking a seat.
"I cannot thank you enough, but we both know he will soon find himself in another predicament that Huxley will look to capitalize on." Isabella looked on the verge of tears.
"Yes, I'm afraid that is a strong possibility. Fortunately for you, I will continue to aid him to keep you safe." Isabella's head snapped up, looking at Irina in disbelief.
"Why would you?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I do believe you already have the answer to that, if not an inkling as to why," Irina said as she stood to leave. "You should come and spend some time at the castle. You will love it." She offered nonchalantly.
Isabella didn't answer, but they knew she would take up the offer to visit. She felt the pull to Irina but did not understand it. All she knew was that she somehow felt whole in the presence of the blonde, and maybe time at the castle would answer her questions.