Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (7 page)

 

“We’re your family too,” Alannah hugged her.

Jayden smiled at Acadia.
“Alannah’s right. You are
family now.” He contemplated hugging her, but wasn’t sure
she would appreciate the gesture.
He was after-all still
married to Natalie; a fact he wished he could forget.

When Richard returned that evening, Desiree was
waiting up for him.

“Is everything alright?” she asked.
“It soon will be. Where is everyone else?’

“Natalie went to bed early. She’s worried about the
Guild. Youwon’t let them take her will you Richard?”

“My daughter has a lot to learn. She acted in a rash
manner. Sometimes she allows her anger to control her. I’m
afraid I can only protect her so much. Don’t worry -I have a
plan. I don’t want to tell you everything just yet.
It will be
better for you not to know the details in case the Guild
decides to question you and your mother.”

“I do not fear the Guild!” Desiree said stubbornly.

“Of course you don’t, but I need to protect you too.
Let’s sleep on it. I’ll be in a better position tomorrow after
I’ve met with the Enchantor.”

The
two
of
them
walked
up
the
stairs
to
her
bedroom.
Even though Desiree was married toRichard’s
brother, her mother overlooked their infidelity.
Perhaps she
knew they belonged together.

It was Meredith’s idea for
Desiree to marry Caspian.
Richard wasn’t happy about the arrangement, but he knew
that in time she would become his bride. As soon as he took
over the colony of Utopia, Caspian and Henry would be
nothing more than a faint memory.
to a long, happy life with Desiree.
son he wanted so desperately.
Richard looked forward
She would give him the

Chapter 7

Francesca
and
the
other
servants
had
Meredith
packed early the next morning. Though he didn’t
acknowledge her presence, Henry remained behind to make
sure she didn’t take any of his families heirlooms.

Analie and Ambrosia came to breakfast, knowing
their presence would infuriate Meredith.
With her mother
gone it would be easy for Analie to find help to take care of
the estate.
Henry told her in confidence he was planning to
have his marriage annulled.

Analie couldn’t mask the fear in her voice. “Richard
will go ballistic when he finds out. Won’t you reconsider
Arthur’s offer to stay at the sanctuary with us?”

“I have no intentions of leaving my home.” Seeing
the worried look on his daughter’s face he added, “Paul has
agreed to reinforce the shields here.”

“Perhaps I should stay with you until Axel returns,”
Analie said.

“You’ll be safer where you are. I don’t think I could
bear it if anything happened to you or Ambrosia. Have you
heard from Axel since Thanksgiving?”

“We spoke briefly yesterday. He will return as soon
as hecan.”

 

“Paul will keep him safe.”

Analie smiled at her father.
“I hope he will keep you
safe as well.
It will be interesting to see how Meredith
adapts to country life,” shelaughed. “If nothing else she will
be humbled when the Utopians discover you’re asking for an
annulment. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Richard doesn’t have the power to take on the
Guild. Perhaps I should invite Rita and Jessica for a visit,”
Henry chuckled.

Analie grinned.“That might be worth considering.”
It was good to see her father in such a good mood.
A great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Meredith didn’t speak to Analie or Ambrosia while
she was there. As she was leaving Henry stopped her. “I’ll
let
you
know
the
Committee’s
decision
concerning
the
annulment.”

“You’re not going to wait for the Guild to complete
their investigation of Jasper’s murder?”

“We both know Natalie was involved. Perhaps if
she were here to answer the Guild’s questions, she could be
absolved
of
this
matter
expeditiously.
As
far
as
the
annulment, I can’t think of a single reason to wait. I’m sure
you’ll appreciate your new freedom Baroness.”

Meredith glared at him, but she didn’t give him the
satisfaction of a response. She wouldn’t lower herself to
such standards in the presence of Analie and Ambrosia.
Instead, she walked out the front door, slamming it behind
her.

Henry looked at his daughter.
“I have not known
peace like this in years.
I may learn to enjoy this single
life.” Analie and Ambrosia both ran to hug him.

In
the back of her mind Analie couldn’t help
wondering how long it would last.
She hoped her father
could enjoy his peace indefinitely.
But knowing Richard,
she doubted it would last more than a few days.

Richard was awakened by a frantic phone call from
his mother.

“Henry has moved us to the country home,”
Meredith cried. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing
that was?”

Instead
of
offering
her
support,
Richard
started
laughing. “How did you expect him to react? Do you think
he would dare betray the Guild after what happened to
Jayden’s brother?”

“You think this is funny?” Meredith
barked. “He’s
planning to have our marriage annulled.
Do you think the
Council will refuse him?
The whole colony knows about
that boy’s death and they’re pointing the finger at Natalie,”
she fumed.

“His death was in self-defense. Even the Guild will
realize that,” Richard replied half-heartedly.

 

“Are you forgettingabout that girl’s death? If they
discover the truth about her, they will execute Natalie.”
“That will never happen.
When are you going to
trust me Mother?”

 

“You don’t know the Guild the way I do. You
didn’t see them when they came for my father.”

 

“That is why I have taken precautions to hide her.”
“How can you hide her with that scar on her face?”
Meredith ranted.

“It will be taken care of. Now if you have nothing
else to discuss, I need to speak to Natalie and inform her of
my plan.”

“What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”

“I’m sure the Guild will be paying you a visit
this
afternoon.
The less you know thebetter. I’ll be moving
Natalie from Paris later today.”

“Where will you take her?”

 

“She’ll be taken somewhere safe.”

Richard had no intention of telling Meredith they
were going to New York.
If the Guild questioned her, it
would be better if she didn’t know.

“What am I to do? Am I to be left alone to deal with
the Guild?”

 

“You can come to Paris. You’ll be safe here.”
“I am a descendant of Lucifer.
I have no intention
ofrunning away like a coward. I’m not leaving my home.”

Richard laughed.
“I believe Henry has already made
you leave your home Mother. It might be beneficial if you
stayed in Utopia.
The servants might hear something useful
at the market. You know how they all like to gossip.I’ll
return after I’ve made arrangements for Natalie.”

Richard
ended
the call
before his mother
could
respond.

Meredith looked around the country house.
It was
one of the finest in Utopia. Richard’s first wife Genevieve
had kept the same décor as her parents.
The rooms were
open and like the Devereaux’s home in Paris, it boasted an
eighteenth century French flair.

Most of the furniture was hand carved. The antiques
were probably worth a fortune. That was one of the reasons
that Richard had married Genevieve.
Aside from Arthur
Carnegie, her family was one of the wealthiest in Utopia.

Richard
inherited
everything
when
she
died.
Though he rarely stayed there, he did keep a few servants on
to make sure the home was always ready for guests.

Of course now that Meredith was living there, she
would be in charge.
That meant that the other servants
would answer to Francesca.

When Natalie came downstairs, Richard informed
her that they would be leaving Paris by early afternoon.
“We just got here,” she argued. “Why can’t I stay
with Desiree?”

“This will
be the first place the Guild will look for
you. If I am to keep you safe, you’ll do as I say without any
further discussions.”

Natalie wasn’t used to her father being so
insensitive. It was better not to argue. “When do we leave?”
she asked.

“You’ll hav
e a few hours to shop if you like, but
we’ll be leaving here by noon. Make sure you’re ready. I
want no delays.”

“I’ll be ready Father,” Natalie replied obediently.

Richard smiled. “Now I suggest we have a leisurely
breakfast. Then I can take you to oneof Desiree’s boutiques
for some shopping.”

Natalie responded by nodding her head.
Desiree
knew not to ask Richard any questions.
She trusted his
judgment completely.
It was one of the things he loved
about her.

Natalie decided not to go shopping.
She could get
what she needed while she was in New York. She left Paris
with her father at noon, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a
rust colored sweater.
Because of the time change, they
arrived in New York at six o’clock in the morning.

Phillipe Devereaux was waiting for them outside of
his home. His wife was away at the beach and his daughter’s
were enrolled in the Godwin Academy.

Natalie was grateful she wouldn’t have to explain
her scar.

Phillipe Devereaux was slim built with light wavy
brown hair and brown eyes. His brother had been married to
Charisse Devereaux. He was Desiree’s uncle and had
always been useful to Richard in the past.
There was no
reason to doubt his loyalty now.

“I’ll leave you with Phillipe. You’re not to leave
until
I
return.
I
assure
you
that
he
is
completely
trustworthy,” Richard said.

“Why can’t I go with you now?” Natalie protested.
“I have privatebusiness to take care of. It shouldn’t
take long and I’ll be back before you know it.”

Richard extended his hand to Philippe.
“Thank you.
I won’t be gone for more than an hour or two.”
Richard left
and Philippe escorted Natalie into the house.

Though Philippe’s home was in no way as grand as
the governor’s mansion, it was still tastefully decorated, but
with a more modern décor.
Most of the furniture was made
from Italian leather in various shades.

The home felt more lived-in.
Natalie could almost
see Yvonne and Yvette partying there with their friends; if
they had any. The girls were well known for their snobbish
behavior and mightier than thou attitudes. Natalie didn’t
mind them. They had never been anything but kind to her in
the past.

It was nearly daylight when Richard said goodbye,
so he used a taxi. Mahlyssa’s estate was only a short
distance from the Devereaux’s.

Richard met her by accident a year ago.
She came
to Utopia after hearing a rumor her husband Virgil was
living there. She was desperate for news of her daughter and
intended to meet with Henry.
It was Richard who met her
instead.

He lied to her and told her she was mistaken. Virgil
no longer lived there. It was obvious from her appearance
she was cursed.
Richard assured her if he came by any
information, he would be happy to pass it along.
She told
him how to find her in New York.
He had no intention of
allowing the two to meet, but decided Mahlyssa might be of
value to him in the future.

The first time Richard visited Mahlyssa, he was
surprised at how striking her home was. It could have easily
rivaled his father’s estate in Utopia.

The servants took care of most of her business, so
she rarely left the property. When her father was killed
Mahlyssa inherited his estate, which was substantial.
It was
one of the few times she returned to Ireland.

At
the
time
there
were
other
Enchantors
living
nearby.
Their children were forbidden from practicing the
dark arts after the Guild put Marcus to death. Some of them
abandoned
their
home and
returned
to
Mahlyssa; hoping for a new beginning.

Unlike
Virgil
who
completely
Mahlyssa
tried
to
mask
her
appearance
by
wearing
expensive
clothing
and
living
in
a
large
estate
home.
Though she was a gifted Enchantor, her father never taught
her the spell that would reverse the curse.
New York
with

let
himself
go,

The rest of the Guild arrived in Aeden with their
families after lunch. “I thought you weren’t coming home
until after the New Year?” Aura asked.

“Your father thought it best for us to return now.
No one knows what Richard is planning, but it will be better
if we have the protection of your mother’s shield,” Joseph
said. “We’ve already filled everybody in on what happened
here the lastcouple of weeks.”

Aura
introduced
their
guests
to
the
rest
of
the
family.

“I know it’s a lot of names to remember
, but you can
always look at the family tree if youforget them,” Aura
laughed. “Some of the other family members are with the
Guide or on other business. You’ll get to know all them
sooner or later.”

When she came to one of the youngest of the group
Aura smiled. “This is ourMia.”

 

“It nice meet you. We have chocolate milk?” she
asked Aura.

 

“It’s in the kitchen. Stay here and get to know our
friends and I’ll bring you a cup.”

As Mia hugged everyone, she proudly introduced
her two fathers. “Me have two daddies,” Mia said, pointing
to her biological father John. “This me other daddy,” she
ran to stand beside Logan.

Aura returned with several cups of chocolate milk
which she handed out to the little ones.
She knew that
Alannah liked the drink almost as much as Mia. “Logan is
Mia’s godfather. She calls him daddy too. The two of them
are very close,” Aura smiled.

“We having wedding,” Mia said.
“We are? Who’s getting married?” Bren asked.