Author's Notes: Several people have asked, "Who is the mastermind behind it all?" I thought I was being too obvious. Clues: Someone killed her grandfather. Her grandfather had only one child. Question: Who inherits his estate?
Chapter 13: A Break in the Storm
The two young women changed into the slightly less formal evening gowns for their more private audience with the Queen. Private or semi-private audiences had rules as did the public receptions. The attire for such audiences did not require the long formal train or veil, but an ample bustle was paramount. In addition the proper young lady needed to have at least six petticoats so as to have the proper flair as to how her dress hung from her.
As in all things a narrow waist was necessary; the standard was nineteen inches or less. In preparation the proper young woman tightened her corset accordingly. The proper young woman's hair was less intricate, but only slightly so. The proper number and length of feathers was absolutely vital. Queen Victoria hated short or narrow feathers and had once banned a Baroness from court for wearing common pheasant feathers.
So, it was totally understandable that the couple's quick change took almost an hour. Neither young woman had any problem with the nineteen inches. Maura doubted that Jane had an ounce of fat on her body since birth. Would nature or God dare to even attempt such a luxury on the economical Texan?
When the two young women left the assigned quarters they were greeted by the Prime Minister and six Royal Guards. Lord Russell smiled genuinely and bowed an apology, "I heard about the incident in the corridors and bear the Queen's abject apologies. Her Highness is beside herself in anger that someone should violate her home and abuse one of her guests.
Had not Miss Rizzoli acted with such promptness, Heaven knows what would have transpired. Though it is hardly proper for a weapon to be brought in the presence of the Queen, it is equally proper that one be able to protect one's person. Therefore, the Queen herself has forgiven the minor transgression and has given Miss Rizzoli permission to keep her fan and hold it against future need."
Jane smirked. What they thought about her didn't faze her one way or another. The forthright Texan did what she thought was right and necessary and let the consequences sort it out. However, Maura had been fraught with anxiety over the incident. The honey blonde noblewoman had feared terrible retribution over having such a weapon in the Queen's presence. But as in all things, it is easier to gain forgiveness than to get permission. It was one of her father's favorite sayings and had proven itself wise once again.
The Lady Isles presented her hand and the Lord took it an placed his lips gently upon it as the smiling young teenager replied, "Thank you, Milord. I am relieved that the incident is behind us. How is the servant and has the attacker been identified?"
The Lord turned to Jane in anticipation to being presented her hand, which after a glance to Maura; she extended for it to be properly kissed. At which time, the Great Lord responded, "The servant will recover. Alas, the attacker gained access through the offices of Lord Palmerton. His party as you can understand is quite large and equally unquestionable.
The Lord assures us that he did not recognize the man, but one of his guards did confirm that the man had been one of the Lord's attendants. However, it seems the man slipped away from the party soon after it arrived at the Palace. We now know that the man attacked one of the Queen's servants and exchanged attire with the man. Then, he proceeded to use his disguise to gain knowledge of your quarter assignment. From that information, he laid out an attack strategy and waited for your appearance.
However, the man failed to account for the resourcefulness of our American friend or her ability to counteract his plan. I wish I could have seen the shock on the man's face when a proper young woman whips out a blade and banishes it with such skill."
Jane smiled her patented Rizzoli smile and beamed, "The knife made it easy. I could taken his weapon and used it before he realized it was gone. That man wouldn't have lasted two minutes in Injun territory. I really don't need weapons for his like. Like I just told Maura, you could strip me naked and tie my hands behind my back and I still could have taken that yokel… Milord."
The proper nobleman was becoming increasing amuse and impressed by the self sufficient young American. Her valiant, yet obviously forced, attempts at keeping protocol were endearing. It was equally obvious that the independent young Texan wasn't comfortable with acknowledging authority in any form.
The young woman was the queen of her domain and was distressed to acknowledge another as her superior and rightfully so none were her superior in her world. Therefore, it was more like a meeting of piers than a nobleman meeting a commoner, for in her world Jane Rizzoli was a veteran of many challenges to her rule and the tough brunette had survived and prospered from each encounter. The wise leader saw that in the young woman and admired it.
As a result, the intelligent diplomat took no offense to the young woman's frankness or her discomfort with giving the Lord his proper acquiescence. After all, the accomplished politician had never proven himself to her in a way that earned that acquiescence. One had to remember in her world, respect was earned not given and the powerful Lord had done nothing to earn hers.
***SE***
Miles away in Ireland, a proud father, who knew nothing of the dangers to his daughter was sitting at a table sipping a porter. Patrick Doyle was waiting one of his informants in Ireland. Sullivan O'Donald was a smuggler, who had worked for the Isles shipping manager on numerous occasions. Additionally, the tough Irishman was one of the best bare knuckles fighters the old smuggler had ever seen in the ring. The man stood only five feet three inches tall, but he weighed all of two hundred pounds and not an ounce of it was fat.
The man dominated the room as he walked in. Every man here knew of Sullivan O'Donald and almost all of them feared him. The muscular man walked over to Doyle's table and sat down. The strong smuggler asked, "What do you want, Doyle?"
The man charged with preventing the misuse of Isles's ships replied, "A series of illegal arms shipments has used Isles's ships to smuggle French made weapons into Ireland. I've come to locate and recover the weapons or barring that, destroy them.
I need you to find out where they are stashed and to assemble a team of our type of guys in order to gain possession of these weapons. I'd like one or two of the men guarding these weapons to be captured for questioning."
The dark man smirked highlighting many of the scars on his face, all of which he had won in fights both in and out of the ring. The younger smuggler stated, "Give me two hours. I'll meet you here in two hours with what information I will be able to confirm. As to manpower, just pick any man in this room. Not a quitter in the lot."
Doyle nodded his acceptance of the terms and true Irish fashioned; he ordered a round of drinks to seal the bargain and smiled, "Two hours… This will be my base while I'm here. I have a room upstairs and I love the porter. You can't get good porter in England."
The rough and tumble fighter acknowledge the truthfulness of the statement with a simple tilt of his glass before downing its contents. As the broad man left, Patrick Doyle for the hundredth time wondered what was going on other than the obvious.
***SE***
The two young women escorted by six Royal Guards and the Prime Minister of England made their way to the private areas of the Palace. The two lovely teenagers were shepherded into the drawing room adjacent to the Queen's chambers. This the young ladies were told was a change in plans as the Queen and her husband wished to apology in person for the incident that occurred in their home. As well as determine if the they had a sense of whom was behind these incidents and why, because it was obvious that everything was connected. However, the connection seemed to eluding everyone.
Jane had the advantage of more information than everyone else and was getting a sense of what was actually going on. The intelligent brunette knew people killed other people for one four things: Passion, greed, revenge or power. The facts were:
1. Someone had killed the prisoners rather than free them. So whoever did this wanted the men dead not returned to France.
2. The initial attempts on Maura were to kidnapped. However the recent attempts, the ones after the death of the prisoners, were to kill her.
3. One of the prisoners was Maura's maternal grandfather.
4. The luncheon with the French trade delegation yielded no information. Why hadn't the delegation at least hinted at what they wanted? It only made commonsense to give your host some idea of why you had sent a delegation in the first place.
Finally, Jane saw the picture instead of the dots. Originally before they had captured Martine, it was about getting an upper hand in the trade negotiations. Maura owned the main trading company between France and England. Martine had obviously convinced the French government he could get them favorable terms and he had obviously done that by revealing his relationship with Lady Isles.
Either for personal or business reasons, probably a little of both, he had attempted to kidnap his daughter. However, all his attempts in doing so failed. Then to make matters worse, Martine was taken and tortured and their smuggling operation was exposed.
So, someone who had something to gain saw an opportunity and killed Martine. He killed the others to make it look like it was still about the guns and insurrection in Ireland when Martine was the target all along. So, why target the old man? The only answer that made sense was money. Someone stood to inherit the old man's money.
However, there was still one obstacle in the way of that happening; the old man's only living relative, Maura. So, the focus shifted from kidnapping the girl to killing her. So it had to be someone with influence, because that person had managed to deflect the trade delegation. Without the leverage of Marine, the delegation had nothing on their side.
Additionally, if they were somehow connected to the murder of one of peerage, then there could possibly be war with England. At the moment, Jane was sure that Louis Napoleon didn't want that to occur. So the delegation shuts down and will probably make some ridiculous offer of trade to save face. The offer will be refused out of hand and the delegation will retreat home, probably leaving a few assassins behind to insure the short life expectancy of Lady Maura Isles.
Now, Jane had to make some decisions. One, did the sharp American tell them what was going on? If the wily Texan told them what was really happening, then she would have to break her word and tell them who Maura's real father was and Maura didn't know yet.
Two, does the veteran warrior track down whomever is behind this and kill them before they hurt her girlfriend? There was one thing that was definite. The intelligent young woman had to find out who stood to inherit the Martine estate. Finally the answer came to the dark fighter, the honest frontiersperson only knew one way to do things and that was to be honest. Jane was going to outline it all, but she was going to tell Maura fist.
***SE***
Paddy Doyle had bought three rounds for the house while he had hand-picked the six men he was going to need for this operation. None of the men knew why they were being hired, only that they would be paid in silver, not bank notes or promises.
For the past hour, the shanty Irishman was playing darts and drinking porters. By the time Sullivan came back, no one was playing Paddy in darts, he was too good. Doyle had also stopped drinking. He had had enough to drink. The tough smuggler was going to need a clear head and quick reflexes.
The operation had to be tonight, because when word got out why he was here the weapons would disappear into the landscape. So Doyle had selected his men and bought enough drinks for everyone else to keep them in the pub and not walking around talking about him in the streets.
Sullivan O'Donald filled the door as he entered the pub. The tough fighter noticed that Doyle had pulled two tables together and had six other men talking to him. The veteran warrior approved of the older smuggler's choices. The savvy leader also noticed that most of the other men who had been in the pub were in various stages of sobriety. The well muscled man smirked his approval and made his way to the two pulled together tables. The large man smile was enough to bury most men and his scarred face did little to remedy the problem. The dark boxer said, "We have to move quickly. The stuff is being moved after dark and nobody is saying where. So if we want it; we're gonna haveta take it before it gets moved."
***SE***
Lady Isles was doing some thinking of her own and the conclusions she was reaching didn't make any sense. The more the honey blonde noblewoman thought about it the more it defied commonsense. Why had the trade delegation come without an agenda? In her experience you don't even send a delegation unless you have at least an idea of what you want to get out of it.
Additionally you always drop hints to your negotiation partner as to why you wanted to meet in the first place and a function like that luncheon would have been the perfect place to explore how their agenda was going to be received. Yet, they said or did nothing. No one took anyone else to the side to neither feel them out nor make any arrangements for a more private meeting with anyone. It just did not make sense.
The only thing that made any sense was they had a scheme and then something caused them to modify that scheme. So, the honey blonde genius started analyzing what had changed at that time. Then it came to her, the death of Martine was the only thing that held any significance. Therefore, the old man must have been critical to their schema. His death made that scheme moot.
So, the clever noblewoman started evaluating what the initial agenda could possibly have been. The bright young woman remembered the attempts to kidnap her. The logical conclusion was they had intended on using her as leverage to get a better deal from Isles Shipping. But how could Martine's death have changed that move. Surely if they could gain control of her person; they would still have leverage.
Now, they were trying to kill her instead of kidnapping her. How could killing her or Jane possibly give them any leverage? Some piece of the puzzle was missing. Lady Maura knew she was missing something.
***SE***
Patrick Doyle and his seven men surrounded the small thatched cottage where Sullivan had told him presently housed the smuggled firearms. The plan was simple. Paddy would sneak up to the cottage and climb onto the roof. The tough old smuggler would stuff an oily cloth into the chimney to build up smoke in the cabin area. The smoke would force the men out of the hut into the waiting arms of his men.
With as much stealth as the older man could muster he circled around the small house and angled his way toward it. When the big man reached the house he found a stack of fresh cut lumber for the fireplace. It made a fine stairway to the roof.
Not wanting to give alarm by stepping on the roof, the dark Irish reached out and placed the rags into the chimney. Luck had been with him so far so he decided not to push it. Slowly the shanty Irishman backed slowly into the brush.
Smoke began to leak out of the shutters and under the door. Suddenly several men burst out of the lodge with their guns in their hands. The first man tried to lift his gun but was shot from three different angles. The other four men dropped their weapons and raised their hands.
Quickly before reinforcements or legal officials came, Paddy's men gathered up all the arms and the four men guarding them and headed toward another rented cottage. Sullivan had set up a safe house there because he knew Doyle was going to want answers and they needed a quiet place to get those answers.
***SE***
The captives were local idealists who were playing rebels, when they nothing more than some kids playing at rebellion. As a result they took little persuading to give up everything they knew and what they knew didn't amount to much. However one name popped out and it explained everything… Henri Martine.
Henri Martine was the youngest of the five Martine brothers. The man was a known gambler, pimp and thief. His older brother had cut ties with the evil man long ago.
Henri Martine had always been a disappointment to their father. When the gambler was a youth, he was often found capturing and torturing small animals. As a teenager, the wicked brother raped and tortured young women. The young nobleman was found out and was forced to flee his father's justice.
Having to live by his wits, the teenager turned to stealing to survive. Eventually he learned the art of gambling and the twisted young man was good at it.
For years, the former nobleman lived under an assumed name and gambled and stole his way across Europe. It was when his father was dying of yellow fever that he received word to return to his birthplace. His father had wanted to reconcile their differences before he died. The fifth son didn't make it home in time.
However, his father in an effort to make amends left him a small inheritance and made his oldest son promise to let his younger brother come home. The old man didn't know he was giving all his other sons a death sentence.
One by one over the years each of his brothers and their wives, sons and daughters met unnatural deaths. Soon Jacque became suspicious of his youngest brother and forced him once again to flee for his life. Baron Martine sent assassin after assassin to hunt down his evil brother and kill him. They all failed.
The youngest Martine brother laughed when he found his older brother helpless in that small prison room. It was the greatest of ironies that the youngest brother got to do what his older brother had failed to do. The evil man got to kill his lone remaining brother.
However, the villain made one mistake. He had assumed that he was the last remaining heir to the Martine barony. He was wrong. Martine had a granddaughter he knew nothing about. Now, the violent wicked man was trying to right that wrong. He had to kill Maura Isles before she found out about her inheritance.
***SE***
Being a greedy and wicked man left the would-be Baron at a disadvantage. The twisted soul being a gasping wonton man assumed everyone else was as gasping and wonton. It never occurred to the evil brother that Lady Isles, being hundreds of times as wealthy as the Martines, could care less about the fortune for which he was murdering dozens of people. The French title was one for which she would decline as she was more than happy being an English noblewoman. As a result Maura Isles was sitting and drinking tea with the Queen and her husband, totally ignorant of what was going through his evil mind.
Jane on the other hand was quite familiar with Henri Martines of the world. On more than one occasion the veteran warrior had been forced to kill one of these creatures. For that is how the independent Texan saw his kind. The tall brunette recognized the type and knew how to deal with that type.
The wild American had very little to say or add to the conversation. Not wanting to embarrass herself or her young lover, Jane preferred to remain quiet and listen. In actuality the savvy businesswoman found you gain more information, if people thought you were stupid.
The unimpressed American found that the husband was much smarter than Her Royal Highness. The Royal Consort was insightful and knowledgeable. He often saw beyond the facts and was able to adroitly steer his Queen to cleaver deductions. The cagy Texan was quite impressed with how the man was able to manipulate the conversation in directions that help his wife see what was eluding her.
Jane fought a silent battle with her confidences. The wily Texan knew that these people needed to know the real reason behind the recent attacks on Maura, but she was told in confidence and could not break that faith unless Patrick Doyle gave her permission to do so.
When Maura related her deductions and her conclusions for what was happening, the cagy American was beyond impressed. Without a crucial piece of data, the intelligent blonde was close to coming to the total answer. As a result, the tall brunette promised herself to talk to Patrick Doyle when he returned from Ireland.
***SE***
Patrick Doyle was headed toward the nearest port with an Isles ship. The anxious father had to get to London as fast as he could. Maura had to be warned about the danger in which she found herself. The nervous smuggler had been forced to take time to gather the smuggled weapons and a wagon in which to transport them.
The firearms had to be returned to London to show the Queen that Isles Shipping handled its affairs with honor and efficiency. The wagon ride to port took five hours, each minute of which he begrudged. Then it was another four hours to load the ship and recall the crew from shore leave.
By the time the tides were right for leaving port, the apprehensive Irishman had lost fourteen hours. Another week at sea and the concerned father had the terrible feeling he was going to be too late to do any good. If only, he hadn't had handicapped Jane Rizzoli with that promise to keep his secret.
He respected that dark American and knew in his heart that she had figured out what was going on. The cagy Texan may not have figured out who it was specifically, but he would bet any amount that she had figured out the generalities. However, he knew the type and that young woman would cut out her tongue before she betrayed a confidence. So, though he knew she had it figured out, the tall American couldn't tell anyone without betraying her promise.
***SE***
The official dinner that followed the unofficial conversation was a waste of time. The trade delegation from France showed no sign as to why they were here. Other than to officially ask for an audience with the Queen, they offered no hint, no clue as to their desires or purpose. Lord Russell was furious and now suspected that the two young women were correct in their assessment that this committee was rutterless.
Lady Isles could see the frustration on the faces of her comrades and knew that it would be up to her to take decisive action. So the honey blonde noblewoman walked up to Jean Gilbert Victor Fialin and said, "I have in my possession five thousand bales of American cotton. I was given to understand your textile mills in Bordeaux need cotton. I need French wine, Champagne and cheese. Be at my office at ten o'clock three days hence or I will trade with the Prussians and close my offices in Bordeaux."
Without further conversation or to wait for a reply, the young aristocrat stormed off to find refuge with her young lover. Jane stood smirking at just a few feet away. The cautious Texan never let her younger girlfriend drift too far from her protection. However, the wily American had heard and observed the exchange.
What Lady Maura hadn't taken time to notice was the reaction from the Frenchies. Fialin pulled a couple of his fellow delegates to the side and had heated words. Then one of them rushed off and found Sir Grey and spoke to him quietly and with conviction.
Lord Grey wandered aimlessly toward Lady Isles, who had come to rest uncomfortably by her dark tall lover. Lord Grey said, "The French are sending a delegation to your London office at ten three days hence. They seemed quite vexed. What did you say?"
The sweet demure sophisticated young woman smirked wickedly and replied, "I merely pointed out that I had American cotton to trade and that if they did not wish it, I could sell it to the Prussians. Additionally, I informed them of my intention to close my Bordeaux office since it was being ill-used."
The older gentleman chuckled, "So you forced their hand. That office in Bordeaux is about the only English merchant office since the rise of Louis-Napoleon. They cannot afford for that office to close, but you knew that, which is why you knew it would work."
The sly young woman merely shrugged as she answered, "I merely got bored."
***SE***
Hugh was examining the carriage when he noticed several ruffians wandering around the area. Men such as these would never be so close to the Royal Guards unless there was a plot being hatched. The cautious bodyguard had no reason to suspect anything other than the workings of some cut purses, but his instincts were screaming and he knew in his gut that something was happening.
The tough bodyguard knew he had to get word to Jane so he went to the stable master and request paper, quill and ink. Writing was not the former seaman's greatest skill, but with diligence and a little help from the quiet stable master, he managed to finish the note.
Taking the note to the kitchen, the concerned protector managed to coerce one of the serving staff to agree to get the note to Jane Rizzoli. It seemed that the young beauty had made quite the impression with the Palace staff in her defense of the servant and her girlfriend in the corridors. So the servant knew exact who to give the note to.
Confident the dark bodyguard had done everything that he could possibly do, Hugh went back to the carriage to watch the situation and hope he could contain whatever it was that was coming.
***SE***
Jane was bored. Every single male in the room had come to ask her to dance or to give her a card with an implied invitation. None of them was the right shape or sex for her tastes, but true to her promise to Maura, the wild American treated each one of them to her patented Rizzoli smile and politely placed each card into her handbag.
The tall Texan had just completed the daunting task of dancing with the youngest son of the Marquis of some such when an older gray haired gentleman approached with ill-disguised purpose. The experienced hunter recognized a predator when she saw one and here was a killer used to succeeding.
The gracefully murderer bowed and introduced himself as the elegant dude presented his card, "I am Henri Martine, heir to the Barony of Martine. Might I say you are the most interesting person in the room. You are a wolf in a room full of sheep. Might I inquire as to a dance."
Martine, so this was the man behind the attacks on my Maura. Here he was announcing himself so politely. So Jane decided to be just as polite and not kill him where he stood. Instead the wily American announced, "Mister, iffin I hadn't promised the Lady Isles I wouldn't cause any trouble tonight I'd knife ya rat cheer and save myself a lot of bother later on. But I kint rat now cause of that there promise I done made.
But let me make y'all a promise. Y'all better pray Lady Maura lives a charmed life. Cause iffin she so much as trips and skins her knee, I aint complaining. I ain't asking. I'm jest gonna keel ya…deader than a bleached skull in an alkaline pool."
The suave sophisticated killer was stunned by the frankness of the wild American. The wily gambler wondered how this young woman had ascertained he wanted to kill the Lady Isles and what was her connection to his ignorant niece. So the bad man responded gently, "I am sorry if I in anyway offended you. It was not my intention. I hardly have any harmful intentions toward Lady Isles. And I have never really met the young woman.
Jane smiled, "That's rat, y'all donts knows her. Y'all has no intention of being associated wit y'all's niece cause it might make you suspect iffin something were to happen. You're slippier than a greased snake ain't cha."
The confused gambler tried to sound more confident than he was. The evil man was trying to figure out how much of his planned was known to this young woman and more importantly had she revealed anything to Lady Isles. In an effort to recover something from his adventure he purred, "You are a little snippet are you not? Why don't we try again? I know we can be friends.
Jane didn't trust the wicked twisted man for a minute, The wicked man was trying to kill Maura and that could not be tolerated. So Jane countered, "Mister, y'al kin forget it. Y'all mighten be the twelve point buck where y'all come from, but y'all ain't the pimple on a tough man's backside. So iffin y'all're getting any notions about going after the Lady then y'all ere plain nuts."
At that moment a servant presented herself with an envelope addressed to Jane and interrupted the conversation. The servant handed Jane the letter and bowed. The nosy man seemed interested in the contents of the letter, so Jane smirked, "Excuse me, sir. I have a personal message. So why don'tcha run along and torture some other woman with your presence."
The open insults caused the evil man to pause…unable to respond to the insult. For a moment the dark gambler looked ready to pounce upon the tough American, but looking deep into her cold fiery eyes caused the man to rethink his position. Thinking better of his position, Henri Martine retreated toward his delegation though Jane caught him several time glancing in her direction.
***SE***
Jane ripped open the envelope and having just met the enemy, the cautious fighter was very concerned for her girl's safety. The wily American scanned the ballroom and spotted Lord Russell speaking with the French Ambassador; obviously the Prime Minister was concerned about what the Ambassador's trade delegation was up to. Willing herself to appear casual, the bold Texan made her way toward the English nobleman.
With an unsaid phrase in her expression, Jane willed Maura to her side. The honey blonde teenager recognized the look of concern and knew Jane needed her by her side. Quietly and discretely, Lady Isles drifted toward the Prime Minister.
With a look that would have stopped the heart of lesser men, the Ambassador received the hard brunette's message to leave. The Ambassador made a half-hearted excuse and retreated toward Martine. It was apparent that everyone in the French conclave was curious about the contents of that message.
Jane had just handed Lord Russell a letter when the young noblewoman arrived. The honey blonde teenager glided next to the tall Texan and whispered, "What is the problem, Jane?"
Jane outlined what was in Hugh's message and then told her and the Prime Minister of her conversation with Henri Martine. Lord Russell interjected, "Henri Martine is the youngest brother and the last. It seems that his other siblings all met premature deaths. The man is considered to be very dangerous with connections in the lowest of circles."
Jane stated, "I'm positive he's the man behind these attacks on Lady Isles. He strikes me as a snake oil salesman…damn…I mean Milord."
Maura chuckled as the Prime Minister asked, "What's snake oil?"
Jane shook her head at the ignorance of such a powerful man, as she responded, "It's sort of a medicine. You see a man says he has a medicine made from the oil of a snake and that it can cure anything. When in reality there's no such a thing. The medicine is usually made of alcohol and some herbs to make it palatable. So, all the medicine will do is get you so drunk you think you feel better until you sober up. By then the snake oil salesman's gone… Milord…I promise I'm not stupid I will get the hang of this milord thing."
The Prime Minister answered, "Yes that describes the man perfectly."
Maura seemed a bit confused as she asked, "Why do you think Martine tipped his hand?"
Lord Russell nearly laughed, "I don't think he knew he was tipping his hand. People who don't know the two of you have no idea how close the two of you are. Additionally Henri Martine is a bachelor and I think he just saw the loveliest and interesting woman in the room, no offense meant Lady Isles…"
The honey blonde noblewoman interjected, "None taken, Milord. I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment. I find Jane Rizzoli both lovely and interesting."
The Prime Minister had suspicions about the relationship of these two young women, but refused to speculate for the Queen would not approve and they needed Lady Isle's shipping and assistance against Louis-Napoleon. So the older nobleman cleared his throat and continued, "So, I think it was just a single man trying to impress a beautiful young woman. He just picked the wrong beautiful young woman to try and impress."
Maura and Jane nodded their agreement with that evaluation as Jane asked, "Well, Milord, the question is what do we do about the present situation? It ain't gonna take keer of itself, now is it?"
Before the insightful Lord could answer the question, Maura interrupted, "What I think is more important is whether Martine is involved at all. I mean I see no reason or profit in what he is doing."
Jane sheepishly answered, "Maura, I know the reason, but the information I used to glean an understanding of his motivation. However, I was given the information in question in confidence. I do not break confidences."
***SE***
The plan was simple. Jane and Maura were going to leave the ball immediately. Lord Russell was going to explain the problem to the Queen and keep the French delegation occupied. Meanwhile, the couple with six Palace Guards would exit the building and head to the awaiting carriages.
The pair of young women left quietly and made their way through the kitchen and out the back toward the side door that led to the awaiting carriages. Hugh would be there with twenty guards. The problem was getting Maura safely from twenty guards before they were attacked.
As they approached the door that led to the carriages, Henri Martine finally noticed the absence of Lady Isles. If he didn't move quickly he would lose another opportunity. The anxious Frenchman gave himself away when he went to the balcony with a candle and waved it into the air.
Upon that signal a man near the carriages started shouting, "We're starving and these Lords and Ladies are having a ball. I could feed my family for a month on their scrapes. We want food! We want food!,,,"
Others in the crowd started picking up the chant which was driving the crowd to feverish frenzy. The mob was now deadly and ready to pounce. Hugh had gathered his men and was attempting to keep the crowd away from the door and the carriages. The tough bodyguard knew he couldn't hold off the crowd for very long. However, if the couple were fast enough they might get to the carriages and away before the mob could react.
Jane could hear the mob shouting as they approached the door, so she knew they were in trouble. Calmly Jane stopped her young lover and said, "I'm going to clear the way for you. You head straight for the carriage. Don't wait for me. Get away. I'll make my way back you can bank on it."
Maura started to protest, but the rugged Texan continued, "I can take care of myself. Besides they want you not me."
With that said Jane proceeded to strip down to her corset, so as to be unencumbered when they rushed out of the door. Not really wanting to know how she managed it, the honey blonde teen watched in amazement as the wild American pulled out six knives.
Only one of the six were hers, the other knives were being kept for the tribe had lost. From the confines of the dress, Jane pulled out her knife belt and proceeded to place the knives in it and then put it around her narrow waist. Jane announced, "I'm ready. Now when we rush out this door, you head straight for the carriage and order it away. Go directly to the Manor. I will meet you there. Make sure you keep Hugh right next to you until I get home."
Maura knew better than to protest, so she leapt into her brunette lover's arms and passionately kissed her in front of the six guards. The six red-coated men tried desperately to disappear. They had to settle for not listening into their concentration.
***SE***
The six Royal Guardsmen were through the door first. The six trained soldiers burst through the door and held a narrow perimeter. When Maura came through the door the well rehearsed protectors formed around her and started dashing toward the carriages. Jane watched the crowd closely from the shadows looking for the immediate dangers.
At the sight of the finely dressed Lady the mob tried to rush her, only to be held in check by Hugh's bullyboys. It was then that Jane spotted the true danger, several men in the crowd pulled pistols from their shirts and prepared to fire on the phalanx. Wishing she had at least on pistol herself Jane charged the closest gunman.
The man never had a chance. The dangerous gunman was intent on his target and unaware of his surroundings. He didn't live to discover his mistake. The thrown knife lodge in the shoulder of his gun arm and severed the muscle that held the joint together. As the stunned man writhed in pain dropping his weapon someone pulled his head back by his long greasy lice infested hair and dragged a second blade across his throat.
Jane dove to the ground and grabbed the LeMat before it hit the ground as she came up from a roll she fired a second gunman furthest from her position, but closest to Maura. The man's head exploded as he fell to the ground inert.
The other four gunmen realized they were in physical danger and they moved from their original targets and started firing at the person shooting at them personally. Jane shot a third gunman before they could change targets. Quickly the mob was panicked by all the gunfire and was forced to dash to safety.
Maura got into her coach with only three of her Royal Guardsmen standing. As the frightened noblewoman entered the coach she spared a look for her lover. The concerned Lady saw her friend, her lover, her protector firing a pistol as bullets ricocheted around her.
Hugh was shouting for her to leave. There was nothing the honey blonde teenager could do for her girlfriend, but her heart would not allow her to move from this spot until her Jane was safely with her. Only Hugh would not allow the anxious heiress to stay and he ordered the driver to go to the Manor immediately.
Hugh hated himself for his next action. The dutiful bodyguard knew he could not let his charge go home unescorted. As the driver started the horse, the dark protector dashed to the back of the coach and leap onto the footman's station leaving Jane to fight alone.
***SE***
Jane could see that Maura was hesitating out of the corner of her eye, which was all she could spare at the moment with bullets ricocheting everywhere. Jane willed her girlfriend to flee. Her presence endangered everyone in the area. Stray bullets and ricochets were hitting several civilians who had been late running for cover, including a young woman who had been holding the hand of a small toddler.
Without any consideration for her own safety, the dark brunette rushed the youngster and scooped the child into her arms and raced toward the remaining guardsmen. The boy screamed for his mother, but Jane knew there was no helping her. The carriage was on its way with Hugh hanging onto the rear of the coach.
The fighting American allowed herself a sigh of relief before she dropped the screaming child with a wounded guardsman. The Hurricane Jane charged into the fray. Palming the LeMat in her right hand the dangerous Texas opened fire downing another of the assailants.
Jane felt a sting across her arm and hard against her leg, but she kept moving. Diving for one of the fallen men, Jane retrieved his pistol and was stopped as she hit his unmoving body.
With her second pistol and with Hugh's men behind her, she started driving the outclassed seamen from the scene. The angry American was about to go and kill Martine, when a retreating gunman fired three wild shots two missed, but the third hit the tough Texan hard to the shoulder.
The momentum of the shot knocked the hardened fighter to the ground. The retreating gunman was running away as a wounded brunette rose to a sitting position and nailed the man who had shot her. No other shots were fired and the crowd had totally dispersed.
With the adrenaline fading and her wounds bleeding, Jane collapsed in front of Buckingham Palace.
***SE***
Jane woke to a man cleaning one of her wounds. The injured Texan was lying on the street while the older gentleman tended her wounds. The groggy teenager muttered, "How long have I been out?"
The man shrugged his shoulders as one of Hugh's men came forward and answered, "About ten minutes, marm."
Jane struggled to get to her feet, but gentle hands forced her back to the ground. Jane stammered, "Martine will get away. I'm gonna kill the sombitch. I promised him iffin one thing went against Maura I would take it out on him."
The man tending her wounds stated, "Young woman, you are no condition to kill anyone. Now, lie quietly while tend those wounds."
Jane lay back down as the man gently probed her shoulder for the invading bullet. Shyly a young boy approached and sobbed, "They took my mommy."
Jane replied, "Don't cry. I'll take care of you."
Suddenly a wave of pain hit as the man had obviously touched something he shouldn't have and passed out with a small boy wiping his nose with his sleeve."
***SE***
Jane awoke in a soft bed, but with more pains than she felt in a while. A young toddler lay in the bed beside her and a honey blonde angel was dozing softly in a stuffed chair by the bed. The wounded American's mouth felt pasty and parched.
The tough Texan saw a pitcher of water by her bed and went to reach for it was prevented by the plaster of Paris cast covering her shoulder. She winced in pain that radiated from his right thigh to her right shoulder. Thwarted in her effort to get water, she croaked, "Could someone get me some water?"
Maura jumped from her chair and rushed to the bed. The honey blonde buried her curls in her lover's chest and whimpered, "I was so worried. Don't ever do that to me again!"
Jane responded sheepishly, "I only asked for a drink of water."
Maura blushed at the tender admonishment and hurried to get her injured girlfriend a glass of water. The tender nurse raised her lover's to help her drink the water. Jane drank heartily as the cool liquid water her dry and arid mouth.
All the commotion awoke the young boy, who asked, "Is the lady waked up?"
Maura grinned at the young child and replied, "Yes, Jeremy, she is awake. Why don't you come over here and say hello while I get her something to eat?"
The honey blonde teen left hurriedly out the room leaving the youngster with her girlfriend. The young boy crawled over to the wounded young woman and touched her face gently before removing his hand quickly. Jane smiled, as the boy asked, "Wars my mommy?"
The tough Texan's smile vanished as she replied, "In heaven child with the angels."
The dark haired boy sobbed as he asked, "Why'd she leave me all alone?"
The rough and tumble American was on unfamiliar ground. The battle hardened brunette was not used to explaining the hardships of life to a young toddler, but she tried, "Your mother didn't want to go. Bad men took her away, but God didn't let her go to a bad place. He loves us all, so He took her to a good place to wait for you to grow up and one day join her. She's sitting in heaven right now looking down at you and looking out for you."
The sad little boy had tears running down his cheek as he responded, "Wars heaven?"
The young woman had cornered herself, but did her best to work her way out of the corner, "Heaven is in the sky high above us and the angels and God lives there. They look after us to make sure Satan doesn't trick us or steal our souls. However, Satan has bad men and women who work for him and we have to watch out for those bad people. 'The Lord helps those who help themselves.'"
Maura returned with a tray of soup and some hot tea for Jane and biscuits and milk for the child. Jane hadn't noticed her return so the honey blonde teenager took the opportunity to observe her girlfriend and the young boy interact. It warmed the younger teen's heart to see this soft side of the wild American teenager who had stolen her heart so easily. Seeing that same magic work on this child made it more real.
Maura walked over to the side table by Jane's bed and put down the tray. Then the makeshift nurse placed a dainty napkin in her charge's lap allowing the honey blonde caregiver to sit on the bed and spoon soup for her injured lover.
Jane hadn't realized how hungry she was until that first spoonful of soup flow gently down her throat. When it reached her stomach, her body cried out for more. The young boy looked at the soup and remarked, "That looks good. I'm hungry too."
Maura put down the bowl of soup for a moment and placed the tray of oatmeal and raisin biscuits on the far side of the table along with the glass of milk and said, "Here you go you little monkey. You come over here and sit down and eat."
As the child ambled over to the indicated chair to devour oatmeal and raisin biscuits to be washed down with cold milk, Maura retrieved the bowl of soup and started to feed her Jane some more.
***SE***
The tray of empty dishes was testimony to how hungry the pair had been. The boy lay by the wounded warrior buried in her side. The tender moment was not lost on the young couple as Jane asked, "How long have I been unconscious?"
Maura nearly cried as she replied, "Nearly two days. I was beginning to worry you would never regain consciousness though Hugh guaranteed you were too mean to die without killing Henri Martine."
Jane half smiled and half smirked as she answered, "He was right about that. If I been able, I would have killed him that night. The bastard was lucky."
The honey blonde noblewoman became serious as she responded, "Oh Jane, when will it stop? I do not want any more violence. You could have been killed and where would that have left me?"
The tough Texan looked sternly at her girlfriend and replied, "Alive and that is how I'm gonna keep ya. If anything should happen to me, you will go on and live your life for both of us. It's my lot in life to be the hunter and yourn to be the gatherer. That being said, I ain't going nowhere anytime soon and it'll take more than a couple of lead balls in me to kill this girl."
A voice from the doorway laughed, "You got that right. I ain't never seen anyone more awry and unwilling to die in my life."
Jane smiled broadly at the tall bodyguard as she asked, "You find Martine?"
Hugh shook his head as he replied, "No, the whole Empire is looking for him. The Queen wants his head decorating the gates of the Palace for breaking the safety of her home for a second time. If he shows his face anywhere in the Empire, the Queen will have his guts for garters."
The dark American responded, "She'll have to wait in line. I got first crack."
Her tender Lady reacted, "Please, no more violence, Jane. I will not have you hurt again. I have seen the scars you have been wounded too many times. The doctor told me you have seventeen knife or claw wounds, three bite scars and seven bullet wounds. Your body cannot keep taking that much damage. Besides I have some bad news."
The battle tested Texan frowned, "What bad news?"
The young noblewoman took her lover's hand and sighed, "Your shoulder wound was serious. It torn up some muscle and it may not repair correctly. The doctor said you might not be able to use that arm."
Jane laughed with gusto. The amused brunette laughed until her wounds ached. When the hardened young woman stopped laughing she said, "Is that what you were worried about? Hell Maura ain't you learned nothing about me. I've been shot, stabbed, mauled and tomahawked and I always came back. I know one day the Good Lord is going to take me, but it ain't gonna be before I finish what I need to finish."
Hugh commented, "Milady, there are people in the world who go through hardships and are hardened like steel, while others just crumble under the heat of life. Jane Rizzoli has been hardened to the point that she doesn't know fear or doubt and not out of arrogance, but out of experience. You say you don't want any more violence, unfortunately we live in a violent world and it takes people like Miss Jane to stand up against the violence to protect those who can't stand up against it on their own. Milady, you may want this to be over, but Martine is still out there and he does not."
***SE***
Two days later, Jane is sitting up in her bed with pillows propped behind her eating bits of steak and potatoes, which Maura has cut for her. Her shoulder hurt most of the time now, but the tough Texan just ignore the pain. When asked about it she'd reply, "Pain lets you know you're alive." Or "Pain is in your head." Or "Pain don't hurt unless you let it."
When the young American had finished her meal, Maura entered with a letter in her hand and Patrick Doyle at her side. Doyle said, "Well, don't we look comfy. I see your milking this for all its worth."
Jane smirked as she responded, "Hell beats skinning lions and rassling bears."
Maura handed her girlfriend a letter and said, "It came today. It is from your father."
The anxious noblewoman was worried it was a recall home of her girlfriend. Maura was in constant fear of the day when her young lover would have to go home. The honey blonde teenager intellectually knew the day would come, but emotionally she was not ready.
Jane opened the letter and read:
Dearest Janie,
I understand why you needed to go without talking to me first, but I wish you had taken a little time to consider the worry you have caused your Mother. I know you think you love this girl, but have you thought this all through. Loving another woman ain't right with the Lord, child. I ain't ever told you what to do or how to live and I won't start now. Whatever life you choose I will back you 100%,
However, I want you to choose carefully and think it all through like you do when you're hunting. I love you and will respect any decision you make. I know you will always do what you think is right. That's the way I raised you.
Red Blanket was by to see you two days ago and didn't look well. It was a long hard ride for that old man. He said to tell you white raiders are trying to make it look like Comanche are raiding the border towns, but he wanted to make sure you knew it weren't him or his people. That Old Man don't give a tinker's damn about what anybody thinks except you.
Your mother wanted me to remind you that she won't get any grandbabies unless you get married to a man. She says the boys are too wild to settle down and she was counting on you to make her a grandmother. You know your maw, if you marry a pig, she'll stop eating bacon.
Mustang broke his leg over the winter and is just getting back to work. Cain got in a scrap with a band of Kiowas, but nobody was killed. Business is booming. You left everything running smooth. I'm enclosing five hundred dollars for expenses. I ain't got any idea when you're coming home, but you stay as long as you need to be happy.
All my love,
Your Papa.
An anxious noblewoman asked, "Does he want you to come home?"
The dark American laughed, "Like that would do him any good. If he ordered me home, I would ignore him and he knows it. I ain't ever been good at taking orders.
No he was reminding me that we can't have kids and they want to be grandparents. He sent me five hundred dollars in paper. I didn't know Papa knew how to get paper money."
A much relieved honey blonde responded, "Well, they need to meet Jeremy. Why don't you write home and tell them you have a new son and tell them about the boy."
Using the power of her office, Maura had gotten custody of the boy for Jane. The lad was now Jane's ward for now and forever. It was a very emotional day when Jane told the boy, "I know I can never replace your maw, but I'll do the best I can to raise you proper."
The boy responded, "Are you my new maw?"
Jane smiled, "I guess I am. Are you okay with that?"
The boy queried, "What if my real maw comes back?"
Jane's smile faded as she explained, "Jeremy, your mother is never coming back. She's in Heaven and you know that people don't come back from Heaven. But should a miracle happen and your maw returns, I will give you back to her."
The answer was enough for the youngster, as he said, "Okay!"
As the boy skipped off, Jane smiled and thought about what to teach the boy first.
***SE***
Patrick Doyle asked his Lady and her mother to join him in Jane's room. His excuse was they needed to talk. The former smuggler and manager of Isles Shipping logistic operation was responsible for insuring every shipment was correct and equipped properly. The fact that several Isles ships were used to smuggle weapons into America and Ireland had angered the man The fact that Lady Isles through Jane Rizzoli had discovered the misappropriations before he did disturbed even more. Now it comes out that the Martines were behind the plot.
First the old man had tried to kidnap his daughter and with him dead his youngest brother, Henri, starts tries to kill his secret daughter so he can inherit the Martine Barony. It was laughable really; the entire Martine estate couldn't produce more than a couple of days of expenses for Isles Shipping which now had hundreds of ship at sea at any given moment.
The Martines lived off purchasing smuggled goods and reselling them to French and Prussian aristocrats at inflated priced. Louis-Napoleon knew about this activity and used it to further his knowledge of Prussia and her defense. It had been a good arrangement so fat, Napoleon had a good grasp of the extent and knowledge of Prussian troop movement.
The knowledge of Martine's plan to eliminate Maura had made it impossible for the secret father to keep this information from her. Every moment his daughter moved in ignorance the more her life would be in danger. He had shared the information with the formidable American in confidence, so the woman who loved his daughter and was maybe the most dangerous person he had ever met could protect his daughter better, but that had almost gotten the tough Texan killed.
Now was the moment he had dreaded since he had accepted Lord Isle's offer to work for him and thus be able to see his daughter grow up. Thus the former smuggler and thief was going to tell the second most powerful woman in England, he was her father. Quietly he entered Jane's room, the designated as the meeting spot. As he entered, Jane said in whispers, "I need to tell her. I have kept your secret, but passed time to tell her everything. She is danger as long as she is moving about in ignorance."
Paddy agreed and replied while arranging three high back stuffed chairs around the young teen's bed, "I've called a meeting Lady Isles and her mother are meeting us here in a couple of minutes. I just wanted you to know ahead of time how proud I am that you kept your word without even a hint of given or slip of the tongue made. I am sorry that the secret got you shot."
Jane laughed a delighter condescending guffaw and replied, "You had nothing to do with my getting wounded. I was ready, but as you know circumstances on the battlefield change with ever movement of the soldiers. I got careless trying to save a toddler from becoming causality."
At that moment Lady Maura and her mother entered the room. Patrick Doyle rose to his feet and bowed deeply and with the upmost respect. The former smuggler asked his Lady and her mother to sit down. Constance feared she knew the purpose of this meeting. The adoptive mother dreaded telling her daughter about her true heritage. The statuesque brunette never hid the fact her daughter was adopted. However, the insecure mother had hid the truth about Paddy Doyle, a smuggler and criminal as being her biological father.
The reality of the Martines being involved in recent attempts on Maura were not lost on the intelligent aristocrat, so she was not surprised that Patrick Doyle had called this meeting to discuss why such attacks were occurring.
Her only doubt s lay in why Jane Rizzoli's room. The not totally insensitive woman knew that Jane Rizzoli was to remain in bed a few more days due to her injuries. However even though the tall American had saved her daughter once again, the older noblewoman saw no reason why the violent Texan should be privy to family business.
After all, Miss Rizzoli was still only a commoner and not someone the anxious mother was anxious to share family secrets. The young woman was already too intimate with her daughter and was spoiling her chances at rising in the peerage with the right marriage. With the Isles wealth and stature a marriage to one of the Queen's sons was very possible.
A dalliance with the lovely and wild young American was quite understandable and where she her daughter she too would love to have the experience. The older aristocrat had long ago discovered that the arms of a woman were preferable to the gruntings of a man. However, marriage was the only way a woman could possibly advance her station in life and should this affair become public those prospect will vanish.
So to get the issue in the open Lady Constance asked, "Mr. Doyle, pray tell why have you requested this gathering?"
The talented agent and spy smirked because he knew perfectly well, the Lady's mother was just trying to control the situation, so he answered, "Lady Constance, you of all people know perfectly well why I have called this meeting."
The triumphant brunette pounced, "Then I propose we adjourn to another room Miss Rizzoli need not be burdened with our family affairs as they might hinder her recovery."
Maura stiffened and retorted, "Mother, Jane is my family, now. You may not think of her as such. However, I certainly do. Furthermore we have discussed this very issue. What I know she knows."
The pronouncement made Jane grimace, as she had kept a very vital secret from her lover and felt a pang of guilt about it. The reaction was not missed by Patrick Doyle, who further squelched the haughty mother's argument by announcing, "Miss Rizzoli already is privy to this information and had kept it confidential at my request."
The infuriated mother exploded, "Why on God's green Earth would you impart such personal information to a perfect stranger."
The defiant father answered, "You know perfectly well, why I did what I did. Miss Rizzoli was the primary protector of Lady Isles and needed to know what was happening and why. Additionally someone had to know the full story in case I was not around. As it was it was very fortunate that I gave her the information otherwise Lady Isles might be dead or in that bed in Miss Rizzoli's stead.
Lady Constance, whether you want to admit it or not, Lady Isles is committed to Miss Rizzoli on an emotional level as I was with Hope and you had better understand the implications of that truth. Otherwise you could alienate your daughter's affections and loose her to hate and resentment.
Now shall I tell Lad Maura all the facts or should you tell her as only a mother should?"
Jane spoke up and said flatly, "I should tell her as I have been hiding something from her, when she has hid nothing from me. I've been losing my faculties trying desperately to keep my confidence with Mr. Doyle and my telling the woman I love the truth about her birth. Never again will I be a party to such a confidence.
Maura dear, you said, 'All that I knew, she knows.' Well because of a confidence with which I was entrusted. I have not been as forthcoming with you. Some time ago Mr. Doyle entrusted with me the identity of your birth parents.
You mother was the daughter of Baron Martine, which is why he wanted to kidnap you. Your grandfather was an evil and vengeful man. He did not approve of your mother's marriage and disowned her. The act inevitably killed your mother.
The Isles family adopted you as a favor to your mother, who was a dear friend of Lady Constance. Now that your grandfather has died you are the heir to the Martine Barony. Your Uncle Henri is next in line and wants you dead and disgraced. He is an evil and greedy man, who has committed many heinous acts through the years.
Once you are out of the way, your uncle inherits your title and your estates in France. So he must have you dead, but it cannot be linked to him in any manor, because it would call the deaths of his brothers and their families into question. Louis-Napoleon could not ignore such carnage. So you have to die by accident or by the acts of others not related to him. Had I not been so wounded, I would have sought him out at the Ball and killed him that very night."
The stunned young noblewoman asked with a strangled silence, "Who is my father?"
Jane hung her head in shame as she again was bound by her promise to Paddy Doyle and muttered with tears in her voice, "That is for him to reveal not I. Sweetness you will not be ashamed or disappointed with the knowledge of whom he is. He is a good man."
Patrick Doyle looked at the pain in the dark brunette's eyes and saw the open honesty and tender heart that was necessarily buried very deeply within this hardened pioneer. He had never really understood his Lady's love for this woman until this very moment. Jane Rizzoli was a person who needed to be loved and loved with a passion that was almost majestic in its scope. So the nervous father interjected, "Milady, I am your real father. Hope Martine was my one true love in this life. I have loved no other, except her daughter. It was the hardest thing I ever did in giving you to the Isles, but it was so necessary at the time.
Napoleon Bonaparte was emperor, but was losing his power. Chaos was ruling the land and I was deeply involved in many illegal and dangerous enterprises. My enemies would have targeted you to get to me. So I gave you to your mother's best friend because I knew she would see her old friend in you and love you for it. When this is all over I will tell you about your mother."
Tears were streaking down his face as he continued, "For now suffice it to say we have other problems to solve. There is only one way for Milady to be safe and that is to eliminate the threat."
Jane nodded her agreement as she said, "I made Henri Martine a promise I intend to keep."
Maura's brow crinkled as she asked innocently, "What promise is that my beloved?"
The hardened killer and hunter replied with all seriousness, "I promised the man if you so much as stubbed your toe, I would kill him. I will keep that promise."
The terrified honey blonde with tears in her eyes cried out, "Well, I am unharmed, so there is no more need for any violence. You were nearly killed, beloved."
Paddy Doyle broke into the conversation and replied, "Milady, there is plenty need for more violence. In this day in time we live with violence every day otherwise why do you need so many bodyguards? As long as Henri Martine lives, he will try and kill you. So there is only one answer to our problem Henri Martine must die."
Everyone in the room remain quiet contemplating many things. However, no one noticed the malice in Lady Constance's eyes as she spied on the young Texan in bed. The woman was in the way of her plans for her daughter's future. Furthermore the commoner was beneath her daughter. The ambitious woman had to take action, but wasn't quite sure yet as how to do it.