Winter of the Passion Flower (The de Vargas Family) Read Online Free Page B

his
ancestral home, Castle Lorcathian. Accessible via a long suspension bridge,
only a select few were privy to the knowledge of a steam door for underwater
craft, which provided a less dangerous entry to the castle. The castle
dominated the coastline, the huge moving cog on the eastern parapet used by
mariners for navigation past the treacherous rocks.
    Leopold did not notice the soft pink light
creeping over the broad open fields to the east nor did he notice the small man
shadowing his steps. Closely followed by Brixton, his faithful retainer, the duke
stopped frequently, peering out across the ocean through a long glass monocular
with a large brass handle. Muttering as he fiddled with the cogs on the device,
the duke headed off for another circuit of the deck. He paid no attention to
the automatic gas lamps dying as the morning sun touched the walls of the
castle. Stopping suddenly, Leopold turned around and the little man scurrying
along behind him tripped over the duke’s feet.
    “Get up, man.” The duke cuffed the small
man’s head. “Tell me again, Brixton, you are sure you didn’t see where her crew
went?”
    Brixton, whose little face complimented the
sharp rat-like features of the duke, climbed back to his feet, clinging to the
edge of the parapet. “No, your Grace.” His voice trembled. “But, it has been
confirmed that neither does Madame de Vargas know.”
    “What about the cargo?” The duke raised his
voice and Brixton flinched
    “Gone also, your Grace.”
    Brixton’s eyes widened as the duke threw
the monocular toward him in a fit of temper. He ducked and the large device
whistled past his pointy ears. It bounced off the edge of the parapet before
clattering down the side of the castle, pieces of brass landing on the rocks
far below.
    To his great disgust, the duke could see
the de Vargas holiday complex from most points of his ancestral home castle,
further fueling his jealousy of Madame de Vargas’ successful enterprise.
    “It will all be mine soon,” he muttered. “I
will ensure that before the month is out.” Madame de Vargas had foiled each of
his previous schemes, including a marriage proposal. Clenching his jaw, Leopold
recalled her cruel laughter as she coldly rejected his proposal.
    “Is she attending my soiree this evening?”
The duke looked down at the little man beside him.
    “Madame de Vargas has accepted the invitation,
your Grace. Her brother is accompanying her.” Brixton replied.
    “Her brother? What brother? I was unaware
she had a brother,” he asked crossly. “ She has a sister. No matter, he may
distract her from her task. What about Henry Cole? Have we heard back from
him?”
    “Confirmed, your Grace. The dirigible
transporting Mr. Cole will arrive at eight o’clock.”
    The duke rubbed his hands together with a
smirk, satisfied with the turn of events. If all went to plan, he would have
the better of Madame de Vargas, sooner rather than later.
    “In that case, please activate the carriage
to ferry him across the bridge. But only Henry, Brixton. Madame de Vargas and
her brother can walk. With any luck, she will fall from the bridge and then my
troubles will be over.” Leopold pinched the bridge of his nose. “Bring my
snuffbox. I must keep my wits about me.” Scurrying away, the little man’s head
bobbed in agreement.
    Duke Lorca entertained frequently. Guests
attending functions at the castle crossed the suspension bridge in a
steam-powered rail carriage if the duke was feeling sociable. Those out of
favor walked across the swinging bridge. Feeling more satisfied by the moment,
the duke chuckled as he awaited his snuff. “As the Prince Consort says, if you
need steam, get Cole.”
    * * * *
    Indigo sat in the breakfast room going over
their plan, toying with the idea of entrusting Zane with the true reason for
their Amazon voyage. Two hours passed as she waited for him to make an
appearance, her temper growing as the clock struck noon. The lingering