Elizabeth Drake

Chapter Two 2

“What in the hell were you thinking?” Vincent turned around and walked over to his large brown upholstered chair. Once he sat down, he held his hand up to his forehead. He had no idea that Elizabeth had really needed him.

When she showed up at the bank, Vincent simply figured that she was there for money or even possibly that Daniel was sick. He never imagined that she would be in trouble, let alone their father had been murdered.

“Well, I tried to send her back with the old man, but he wouldn’t take her either. Turns out no one wants your sniveling little rat.” Ryan leaned against the table and continued to savor the brandy. “And I am dumping her back off with you,” he finished. Vincent thought for a moment before he looked back at Ryan.

“Did you tell her who you were?” He asked.

“No, but you are going to.” Ryan warned. “She has tried to tell me the details of your father’s death, but I made her wait till we got here.” He could see that Vincent was not exactly pleased. “I figured it was none of my business.” Setting down his glass once more, Ryan stepped toward the door. “I have a non-paying chimney sweep to deal with.”

“Hold on there.” Vincent stood up as if he had another thought. “Abram Cunning can pay up tomorrow.” It was obvious that Vincent was going to try and involve him further.

“Your sister is your problem,” Ryan reminded him. “She said that she only needs some help.” Taking his hand off the doorknob, he faced Vincent with a daring look. “Give the woman some money and find her a place to stay. This is your mess.”

Placing his hand on the door, Ryan pulled it open and stepped back into the entry room of the house. Elizabeth stood near the parlor and watched Ryan as he reached for the coat that the butler had brought back.

“Are we leaving?” She asked as she limped towards him. Ryan pushed his arm through the sleeve of his jacket just as Vincent stepped out of his study.

“I am,” he told her. “This man will help you with what you need.” Panic rose quickly within Elizabeth as she watched him pull the coat over the other arm.

“What?” She asked in disbelief. “Our father was shot to death this morning, and his body has not been found.” Limping quickly towards him, Elizabeth was desperately angry. “I ran through miles of mud and rain to find someone that could bring me to you!” Looking down at her oversized dress, she held out the material. “I may have broken my ankle! I am covered in mud, and you are just going to leave me here with a man that I don’t know?” When Ryan turned to face her with a blank expression, her eyes welled up with tears. “You told me that I could always come to you if I needed to!” Reaching into a pocket in the side of her dress, she pulled out the money and the envelope that her father gave to her. Her desperation was driving her insane. “I have money if that is what you are worried about! I only need an address for Oswald Roshire!”

Showing him the envelope, Elizabeth could hardly contain her tears. Ryan could not look away from her either. Her eyes were a vivid blue that he had never seen before. Even though he was as compassionate as a shark, the look on her face started to pull at him.

“Father said that you would help me. I believed that you would!” She stepped closer to him as she spoke but did not offer him the envelope. Ryan looked towards Vincent before returning his eyes to hers.

“Miss Drake, I honestly don’t know who you are.”

“I am your sister, you pompous, arrogant, man!” Cringing with anger, Elizabeth lost what was left of her control. The tears began to fall steadily. “However, I will deliver this letter with or without your help!” She began to limp toward the door when Vincent quickly raised his hand up to her shoulder.

“You need to sit down,” he said as he noticed the severity of her limp. Glaring at Ryan, Vincent looked down at her ankle. “You let her walk around like this?”

“Not my affair,” Ryan repeated.

“I need to get out of this house!” Elizabeth tried to step past them both. The pain in her foot caused her to falter, and Ryan’s large arm wrapped underneath hers as she nearly fell. A second attempt was made to right herself, but Elizabeth winced in pain and leaned against Ryan’s sturdy hold.

“No,” Vincent said as the woman nearly fell to the floor. “Alright Hawke, let her go.” Taking Elizabeth by the arm, Vincent held her upright. Her eyes looked glassy and she was obviously weak and in pain. “It’s me, Beth,” he whispered. Elizabeth looked up at him, realizing that his features were more familiar. “He is not your brother…I am.” Elizabeth examined his face and tried to see the boy that she knew twelve years ago. The similarities between the two men were outstanding, but the differences were nearly as dramatic.

“Vincent?” She whispered with uncertainty.

“Yeah Beth, it’s me.” He could see her eyelids start to flutter.

Vincent wrapped his arms around her tighter as her body began to slowly collapse. Within less than a second, she had lost consciousness against her will. Lifting her off the floor, her brother cradled her in his arms.

“Mr. Halis, help me get the lady to the back of the house.” Vincent looked back towards the door but in the few seconds that he was helping his sister, Ryan had left the house.

***

“There you are,” Vincent said as he knelt in front of her. It was only a few seconds before Elizabeth opened her eyes. She was in a strange room with a light mist of steam around her. “I figured you would not stay out for long.” Elizabeth raised her head off the couch and looked at her brother. “Yes, I lied to you. I was a cad, and I should not have done it.” While Vincent knelt in front of her and unlaced her boot, Elizabeth looked around the room.

“I want to get out of here.” She sat up and pulled her boot away. Vincent shook his head and held her foot tight.

“No, you’re going to let me look at your foot, you’re going to take a bath, and then you’re going to tell me what happened.” Elizabeth could not believe that he was ordering her around after what he had done.

“I have no intentions of taking up more of your time. If you will just give me an address for Oswald Roshire, I will be out of your way.” As she tried to stand up, Vincent gently pushed her back onto the small sofa.

“You need help, Beth.” Vincent whispered.

“Not from you!”

Lowering his head, Vincent wondered how long it had been since he was kind to anyone. “Listen to me,” he began, “You have always been very smart. Now you need to use that ability. I am not the boy that you grew up with. I have truly little charity and I am using it all on you right now.” The tone that he used made her sit back and remain quiet. “If you want to get clean, sleep, and figure out what happened to your Father, then be quiet and take advantage of my generosity.”

Holding her boot still with one hand, Vincent began to unlace it. It was nearly impossible to pull the contraption off her ankle. However, once it was free, the skin that was already deep purple began to swell more. Elizabeth closed her eyes as she thought about his words. The lack of compassion and harsh tone was familiar to her. He was indeed the brother that had left her so many years ago.

“Now,” he began again. “Do you want me to carry you into that room?” He asked as he looked towards the bathroom.

“No.” Shaking her head, she could feel fluid rushing to her injured joint. “Just help me up.”