Laura buried her face deeper against
Thunder's soft neck as she heard someone else enter the stable.
"I'm sorry, Laura," Daniel said softly. "I was
attempting to help, if that's any consolation."
Laura took the handkerchief that he offered and wiped her face.
"Why did you call her when I asked you not to?"
"I would have had to call her anyway, Laura," Daniel
reminded her gently. "Sooner or later."
"I wish it could have been later." She threw herself
into his arms. "Oh, Daniel. I don't want to go with her.
Can't do you something? Talk to her? Turn on that charm of yours?"
"I'll do what I can. Abigail seems quite charming to me.
It's only with you that she tends to - over do a bit. But that
might simply be because she loves you and wants what she thinks
is best for you."
"But what *she* thinks is best isn't what *I* think is best,"
Laura said. "Did Harry know?"
Daniel shook his head as she looked up at him. "No. He had
no idea what I was up to. I couldn't risk his going to you and
having you bolt, could I?" He was relieved when she smiled.
"I'll speak to her this evening while we're all out. If you
can behave as a proper young lady this evening, I think that -
with the right setting, and a few drinks, she might be convinced
that you're better off here in London than in Los Angeles."
"Thank you. You won't regret it, Daniel. I won't be any trouble.
You won't even know I'm around."
"I doubt that, my dear. I have the uneasy feeling that you
and trouble are old acquaintances who intend to continue that
relationship for some time to come." He offered his arm.
"Now, shall we go back inside so that you can dress for your
birthday outing?"
Laura looked askance at him. "A proper young lady, hmm?"
********
As soon as he heard the front door open, Harry was in the entry
way. "Thank goodness," he said, and neither one of them
was certain if he was glad that Daniel had found Laura- or that
he'd been rescued from Abigail's endless tales of her bridge club
in Los Angeles. His eyes met Laura's. "Are you alright?"
Laura smiled, nodding, as she heard her mother's voice. "Really,
Laura, your manners- "
"I'm sorry, Mother. I shouldn't have run out that way. If
you will all excuse me, I'm going upstairs to get ready to go
out." After completing her pretty speech, Laura turned and
climbed the stairs.
Harry hid his surprise quickly. "I think I'll go upstairs
as well, Daniel. Later, Abigail."
Daniel smiled at Laura's mother. "She's still upset as a
result of Mitchell's death," Daniel reminded her. "She'll
be on her best behaviour this evening."
"I don't know why I came at all, Daniel. Her father was the
only person who could ever control Laura - All I've ever done
is just make things worse."
"Just give her some time, Abigail. There's no reason that
you have to rush back to the states, is there?"
"I suppose not-"
"Good. You and Laura are more than welcome to stay here for
as long as it takes." He placed her hand on his arm. "Why
don't I show you to your room and then we'll enjoy the evening
without worry about what's going to happen tomorrow or the day
after?"
"That sounds wonderful. I've never been to London before,"
she told him, allowing him to guide her toward the stairs.
"Then I hope you'll allow me to be your guide," Daniel
offered smoothly.
**********
The evening went splendidly, until they returned back to Daniel's
house. Laura was still on a cloud after having danced with Harry
and Daniel, being treated like an adult instead of a child - even
to being allowed a glass of wine with her meal. As they entered
the house, Laura removed her coat and handed it to Harry as her
mother asked, "Where did you get those earrings, Laura?"
"They were a birthday present," Laura told her. "From
Daddy."
Abigail moved closer to examine the gems, then saw the necklace.
"I didn't notice them earlier. Or that. Was the necklace
from Mitchell as well?"
"No. That was from Daniel. It goes with the earrings,"
Laura told her, moving to grasp the teardrop pendant in her hand.
"I've been wearing them all evening, Mother. Why didn't you
ask about them before now?"
"I didn't notice them, I suppose. I can't do anything about
the earrings," she said. "But the necklace is far too
valuable, Daniel-"
"It's only a bauble, Abigail," Daniel assured her. "I
didn't pay nearly what it was worth, believe me. What harm can
it do to let her keep it?"
"None, I suppose," Abigail admitted slowly.
"Why don't we all go into the drawing room for a few minutes?"
Daniel suggested, guiding Abigail in that direction.
Laura shook her head. "I think I'm going to go upstairs to
my room," she said. "It's been a long day, and I"m
a little tired."
Daniel frowned. "You're certain? I thought we could drink
a last toast to your birthday."
She stood on tiptoe to give him a light kiss. "Thank you,
but I really think I'd prefer to go upstairs. Thanks again for
a wonderful birthday, Daniel. And for everything else."
Daniel watched, his dark eyes concerned, as she turned to her
mother. "Good night, Mother. Thank you for coming."
"I would have been here sooner, dear, if you had called -"
Laura nodded, looking at Harry. "'Night, Harry."
"Good night," he said, watching her climb the stairs.
He glanced at Daniel. "I think I'll beg off as well, Daniel.
Late night last night's starting to tell on me." He nodded
toward Abigail. "Good night, Abigail."
"Good night," she said, obviously confused. "Well,"
she said to Daniel, "it would appear that we've been left
alone to have that drink."
"So we have." Daniel put Laura from his thoughts and
lead Abigail toward the doorway. "And I can't say that I'm
entirely disappointed by the turn of events, either."
Abigail giggled like a schoolgirl as he closed the doors behind
them.
**********
Laura fastened the small carry bag, then tugged on the brim of
her cap before opening the window. She hated doing this to Daniel
and Harry, but if she stayed, she'd end up going back to Los Angeles
with her mother. And she didn't want to do that. She wanted to
stay *here*, with Daniel and Harry. Hadn't Daddy even asked Daniel
to take care of her? It was what he'd wanted for her.
She placed a foot over the window ledge and jumped the two feet
over to the tree branch that she'd used that first night. Maybe
she'd contact Daniel later, after she was sure her mother had
gone home, and see if he would let her come back. She doubted
it. Running away wasn't the best idea, but it seemed to be her
only option. Her mother certainly wasn't going to listen to what
*she* wanted, and while she had every confidence in Daniel's charm,
she wasn't convinced that he could change Abigail Holt's mind.
Mother was determined to drag her back to LA, and the only way
for Laura to prevent that from happening was to make herself scarce.
She edged along the tree branch, then dropped her case to the
ground, pausing for a moment to make certain no one had head the
sound, before swinging down, her hands grasping the branch. She
gasped as something grabbed her legs, and she let go, sliding
down into Harry's arms. "Seems I'm fated to be forever keeping
you from breaking your pretty neck, Laura," he said.
"I wouldn't have broken my neck," she said. "I
did this before, remember?"
"Hmm." He glanced up at the branch. "I think Daniel
might want to consider having that thing cut out if you stay."
"I won't," Laura told him disconsolately. "Mother's
determined-"
"And so you decided to run away."
Laura looked up at him. "How did you know?"
"Experience," he reminded her. "I've done this
once or twice myself, remember? And it's not the answer, Laura."
She reached down to pick up her case. "Then suppose you tell
me how everything's going to turn out fine and that Mother's going
to suddenly decide that Daniel's right and I should stay here
instead of letting her drag me halfway across the world."
"I'm not looking at things through rose coloured glasses,
Laura," Harry told her. "All I'm doing is suggesting
that you at least give Daniel a chance to convince your mother
-"
"I *know* my mother, Harry."
"Do you? I'll admit that she tends to prattle on incessantly
about bridge clubs and her wonderful son-in-law, and she doesn't
understand you in the least, but -"
"She wants me to be just like Frances," Laura sighed.
"A husband with a good job, a nice little house with a white
picket fence -"
"You have something against white picket fences?"
"They're just a symbol. I don't want to be like my mother.
I don't want to wake up one morning to find out that he man I've
built my entire life around doesn't want me anymore."
Harry lifted her chin so he could see her eyes. "That would
never happen to you, Laura. I don't believe any man in his right
mind would ever want to leave you."
"I wish people understood the way I feel. I want to find
someone- but I don't want to be totally dependent on him for everything."
"There's nothing wrong with wanting your own life, Laura.
And you'll have it. I think you're going to be one hell of a private
detective." He looked at her again. "Of course, if you
run away, you can forget all about that for a long time. And as
tough as you think you are, you'll never survive on the streets
of London. They were bad ten years ago. They haven't improved,
if anything they've gotten worse. You wouldn't last a week out
there."
Laura considered arguing, but she knew that he was probably right.
Surviving on the streets in LA was one thing. She knew where to
go, where not to go. But London was different. Without someone
to help her- her eyes took on a speculative gleam. "Why don't
you go with me, then?"
Harry shook his head. "And once we were found, your mother
would have me locked up as fast as Mitchell would have. Perhaps
faster. Not a good idea." He put his hands on her shoulders.
"Laura, give Daniel a chance to work his magic. You might
be surprised."
"I doubt it," she said darkly. "But I'll stay.
For a little while, at any rate."
Harry grinned at her. "Let's get you back to your room, shall
we?" When Laura glanced at the tree, he shook his head. "The
side door. We can get upstairs before your mother and Daniel find
out you've gone."
They entered the house and Laura had just gotten to the top of
the stairs when the drawing room doors opened. She managed to
duck around the corner toward her room, but Harry remained on
the stair as Abigail said, "It sounds *lovely*, Daniel. I'm
looking forward to seeing it."
"And I'll enjoy showing it to you, my dear," Daniel
assured her, bringing her hand to his lips.
Abigail glanced up to see Harry. "Why, Harry. I thought you
were in your room -"
Harry smiled. "Thought I'd take a turn around the grounds,"
he explained.
"Oh."
Daniel met that blue gaze. "Is everything secure?" he
asked.
"Quite secure," he assured his mentor. "All bedded
down by now, I'm sure." He nodded at Abigail. "Good
night. G'night, Daniel."
"Good night, Harry." Daniel waited a few moments before
he turned to Abigail and suggested that he escort her up to her
room.
Laura watched through the barely open door as Harry came down
the hall, opening it as he neared. She pulled Harry into the dark
room before closing the door, then whispered "What happened?"
"Your mother and Daniel saw me going upstairs," he explained.
"And Daniel knows why I was outside."
"*How*?"
"I don't know. Maybe from dealing with me all those years,
he knows the signs. Anyway, -" They both froze as they heard
a knock on the door and Abigail's voice.
"Laura? Laura, are you awake, dear?"
Laura jumped into bed, pulling the covers to her neck as Harry
dove for the floor on the opposite side of the bed, sliding quickly
beneath it seconds before the door opened. "Mother?"
Laura asked sleepily. "Something wrong?"
Coming into the room, Abigail said, "No. I was just checking
to make certain you were all right." She sat on the edge
of the bed. She went through the motions of tucking the covers
in around Laura. "We haven't really had much of a chance
to talk since I arrived," she said.
"Yes, well-"
"I just wanted you to know that I know why you want to stay
here so much."
Laura's eyes widened. "You *do*?"
"It's perfectly normal to develop a crush on an older man,
Laura." She sighed, smiling, dreamy eyed. "I was only
sixteen the first time I fell in love. It was so romantic. He
was my drama teacher in high school. Tall, blonde haired - "
She sighed again, and Laura could just hear Harry trying to keep
from laughing. "I had wonderful daydreams about our running
away together - But it just wasn't to be."
"You were only sixteen, mother."
"That didn't matter at the time," Abigail said dismissively.
"I found out that he was happily married with six children."
"Oh. Well, I don't think -"
Abigail patted Laura's hand as it lay beneath the covers. "I
know, dear. And I agree. I don't think you have to worry about
that. But he *is* older than you are, Laura-"
"Not by that much," she countered.
Abigail looked frustrated. "He's old enough to be your *father*."
Laura blinked, and heard a noise beneath the bed that sounded
suspiciously like a stifled laugh. "You think that I- *Daniel*?
Mother-"
Her mother frowned. "What was that noise? I sounded like
there's something under the bed-" She moved as if to look
for herself, but Laura spoke quickly.
"I wouldn't, Mother."
"Why not?" Abigail asked, pausing.
"I saw a rat in here the other night," Laura explained.
"A big one. Big as a cat." Abigail paled, her eyes scanning
the room.
"A -rat?"
Laura nodded earnestly. "I told Mary about it. She put a
trap beneath the bed. I know how much you hate things like that,"
she said, as Abigail shivered. "I'll check it out once you're
gone."
Abigail nodded in agreement, then frowned. "But we haven't
finished talking about Daniel -"
Laura sighed. "Mother, I can assure you that I *don't* have
a crush on Daniel Chalmers. I think he's a dear, wonderful man
who's been as good as Daddy would have been toward me."
After searching her daughter's features, Abigail seemed content
with what she found there. "I'm glad. I'd hate for you to
suffer the same humiliation as I did when I realized that Mr.
Humperdink only saw me as a promising student."
"Good night, Mother," Laura said pointedly.
"Good night," Abigail returned, looking carefully at
the floor before rising. "I'm going to speak to Daniel about
this rat problem. I don't like the idea of your being in this
room if there's a rat here."
Laura grinned. "Oh, don't bother Daniel about it. Mary was
terribly upset when I told her. She assured me that this is the
first one she's heard about in ages- besides, he's really a rather
nice looking rat."
Abigail shook her head, giving up on ever understanding her daughter.
"Good night, dear."
"'Night," Laura said. Once the door closed behind her,
Laura was out of the bed and to the door, where she quietly turned
the key in the lock. "The coast is clear," she whispered
to Harry.
He slid out from beneath the bed, brushing his suit off as he
rose to his feet. "Between the dust down there and your mother's
little 'chat', I thought I was going to choke to death,"
he commented.
Laura nearly doubled over in laughter. "I was terrified that
you were going to burst out laughing any minute," she agreed.
"I almost did. I can't believe that she thinks I have a crush
on Daniel."
"It's not totally outside the realm of possibility,"
Harry said. "But I' m interested in this rat you mentioned.
The nice looking one?"
Laura's eyes glittered. "What about him?"
If Laura had been just one year older, Harry might have continued
this conversation, might have taken what she was offering. But
it was too dangerous. Especially since her bed was only inches
away. "Just remember that rats have teeth," was his
warning. "And that they can be dangerous if they feel they're
cornered." He bent down to place a quick kiss on her lips,
then went to the door, expecting to make a smooth exit. But the
door didn't budge. Glancing at the lock, he realized that the
key was gone. "Laura-" he turned to find her holding
up the old fashioned skeleton key, a smile on her face. Holding
out his hand, Harry tried to look stern. "Give me the key,
Laura."
She shook her head, dropping it down the front of her shirt. "Come
and get it."
Harry approached her slowly, eyes narrowed. Inches away from her,
he reached out toward her, and plucked a hair pin from her chestnut
tresses. "Don't need it," he told her, turning back
to the door with the pin.
"You'll never -" she began as he knelt, then heard the
faint *click* as the lock opened. "How'd you *do* that?"
she wanted to know, the pseudo-vixen gone as her curiosity came
rushing to the fore.
"Tool of the trade," he told her with a wink.
"Could you teach *me* how do that?"
"Why?" he asked with a frown.
"Sometimes a P.I. has to gain access to buildings and such
without going through channels, if you catch my drift," she
explained. "A talent like that could come in handy."
Harry smiled. "Lessons start tomorrow. Don't expect to pick
it up quickly. Most people don't."
"But I'm a very quick study, Harry," Laura told him,
and he had the feeling that she wasn't just referring to learning
how to pick a lock.
He gave her another kiss, this time with his hand on the doorknob.
"'Night."
She smiled. "Good night, Harry. And thanks." Once the
door closed, Laura retrieved the key and placed it back into the
lock. She *had* to stay now, she mused as she undressed and got
into bed. There was too much that Harry could teach her. And not
just about opening locks, either.
To Be Continued ----