Nan Ryan - The Seduction Of Ellen

“I will,” Ellen promised, smiling. “You take care of things here while we’re gone.”

“That’s what I’m here for, honey,” said Esther. She and the others followed aunt and niece to the front door. Alexandra turned, gave Esther a halfhearted pat on the shoulder and commanded, “You’ll see to it that Ida and the cleaning girls keep this place immaculate, just as if I were here.”

“No,” teased Esther. “Once you’re safely out the door we’re throwing a big party. All the servants up and down Park Avenue are invited. You get back here, you’ll find empty champagne bottles and cigar butts all over the place.”

Alexandra didn’t bother responding. Just frowned, waved a dismissive hand and went down the front steps. Ricky lifted Ellen up into the carriage and turned to Alexandra.

“May I assist you, Miss Landseer?” he asked politely.

“You’d jolly well better, young man!” she snapped.

The wide smile never left Ricky’s handsome face. Stepping forward, he placed his powerful hands at Alexandra’s thick waist and effortlessly lifted her onto the seat. Solicitously arranging her skirts around her feet, he grinned at her and said, “Why, you’re as light as a feather.”

“Don’t waste your time trying to butter me up, O’Mara. It won’t work. You know your place. See that you stay in it.”

“Sorry, Miss Landseer,” Ricky apologized and Ellen wanted to choke her inconsiderate aunt.

But Ricky was neither hurt nor insulted. He had realized early on that Alexandra Landseer was a shallow, rich, self-centered woman and that dealing with her would often be unpleasant. He didn’t mind. Her rudeness didn’t bother him. In fact, he almost felt sorry for her. She was undoubtedly a miserable person.

His sunny smile still firmly in place, Ricky swung up onto the seat beside the aging heiress, and asked, “Now, are we ready to leave?”

“I’ve been ready from the moment I read Mister Corey’s advertisement in the London Times. Let’s be on our way!”

“At your service, madam,” said Ricky, reaching for the reins.

“No! Wait!” Alexandra abruptly grabbed his arm. “Stop. Wait a minute. I’m not ready after all! Good heavens, I was about to get off without my chalice.”

“Your chalice?” said Ricky, dark eyebrows lifting in question.

“Yes!” Alexandra said irritably, almost shouting. “My goblet. My golden goblet!” She looked sharply at him and said, “I must take it with me! I have it all planned. It is from the golden goblet that I will take my first drink of the Magic Waters!”

Alexandra turned to order Ellen back inside, but Ellen had already scrambled down out of the carriage and was rushing up the steps of the town house. In seconds she returned and in her right hand was a deep-blue velvet bag with a drawstring pulled tight at the top. Inside was Alexandra Landseer’s golden goblet. Ellen held it up for her aunt to see.

“Now we can leave,” said Alexandra.

“You’re welcome, Auntie,” Ellen said quietly. Ricky lifted her back up into the carriage and the two of them exchanged knowing looks. Ellen was suddenly very glad that a man as nice as Ricky O’Mara was going on this long journey. She felt as if she had a friend in the likable Spanish-Irishman.

At Grand Central Station, Ricky quickly engaged a porter to transport the luggage through the crowded terminal and out to the tracks. When Ellen exited the building and stepped onto the platform, she automatically looked for Mister Corey.

She immediately caught sight of the bald, beaming Padjan. The wiry little man was standing on the steps of a rail car near the end of the train, slowly backing up the steps and gesturing to someone below.

Mister Corey moved out of the crowd and up to the car. In his arms was Summer Dawn. He cautiously carried the old Indian woman up the train steps, deftly turning to one side to ensure that she wouldn’t hit either side of the door as he eased her into the waiting car.

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