CHAPTER 37

C HAPTER 37

T he carriage ride to London was indeed smooth and swift. Tamsyn dozed for the last part with her head on Cade’s lap. She thought it was as close as she could get to him without being scandalous.

She awoke when Cade patted her on the shoulder in a very non-scandalous way. “Time to wake up, Tamkin. We’ve entered Woolwich.”

She sat up and covered a yawn. “That was a very easy journey, Cade. Have you been playing with the weather again?”

“Yes, and it seems to be possible.” He brushed a lock of her hair from her cheek in a way that was a bit more than brotherly.

Andre had been staring eagerly out the window, but he swiveled around and stared. “You can really do that, Cade?”

“More experimenting is required, but I think it’s possible to have some effect,” Cade replied. “I’ll never be a wizard standing on a cliff calling down lightning to smite my enemies, but it seems I can encourage weather that might already be happening.”

“That is extremely interesting!” Tamsyn looked out the window thoughtfully. “There are some heavy clouds ahead, north of the Thames, which could bring rain to the Royal Arsenal soon. Shall we see if we can push those clouds away?”

She caught first Cade’s hand, then Andre’s. Once more she felt the surge of power that came from connecting with other gifted people. They all gazed out the window at the heavy clouds and concentrated.

Slowly the clouds began breaking up. Tamsyn gave a whoop of excitement and squeezed her companions’ hands. “This is definitely a gift worth further exploration!”

Andre continued gazing out the window. “There seems to be no end to the possibilities.”

“So it seems,” Cade said. He gave Tam’s hand a private squeeze before releasing it. “Of course we three are unusually gifted to begin with.”

“You know Woolwich a bit, don’t you, Cade?” Tamsyn asked. “What can you tell us about it?”

“Well, the name Woolwich probably means that long ago this was a place where large amounts of wool were shipped because wool was England’s most important product for several centuries.” Cade grinned. “Also, the Arsenal is called the Warren because an early owner had a vast rabbit warren there. The earth was full of tunnels that were home to rabbits that could be hunted for food.”

Tam blinked. “Really? Are there still rabbits there?”

“I imagine they’ve moved out in search of quieter lodgings. Having artillery tested overhead can’t be very restful.”

Andre pulled out a worn and frequently folded slip of paper with writing on it. “This is where the Caton family lives. Do you know where that address is?”

Cade studied the paper. “Yes, and it’s a very pleasant area and conveniently close to the Arsenal.”

He signaled the carriage to stop and had a brief conversation with the driver about their destination. As they started again, Tam asked, “Is your Elizabeth gifted?”

Andre gave a twisted smile. “She’s not my Elizabeth, and I don’t know if she’s gifted or not. We didn’t talk about such things.”

Tam gave an understanding nod. “We Tremaynes talk about gifts a great deal among ourselves, but for many people, the subject is still one to be avoided. I hope when you see her again, you’ll be able to talk about being gifted since it’s an important part of you.”

Looking daunted, Andre said, “I never thought of the possibility that she might despise me for what I am!”

“She might not,” Cade said, “but it’s always something to consider when you meet others who don’t know what you can do.”

Andre sat tensely as the carriage drove the last distance to the Caton residence. They pulled up in front of a handsome house, not a mansion but freestanding and large enough to have an attractive garden.

As soon as the wheels stopped rolling, Andre swung out of the door, then stood still as he gazed uncertainly at the house.

Before he could start walking to the entrance, the front door flew open and a slim young woman with cinnamon-colored hair bolted outside. “ Andrew! I thought I felt you coming!”

His face shining, Andre raced toward her. “ Beth! ” They met in an embrace of laughter and tears.

Tam and Cade exited from the carriage but didn’t move toward the house, giving the younger couple time for their reunion. “I’m guessing that his Beth is also at least somewhat gifted,” she remarked.

Cade smiled. “Indeed she is. They both must have grown a great deal in the time that has passed, but they’re off to a good start.”

Beth said to Andre—Andrew?—“It’s been so long since I’ve received a letter from you. I had a feeling that you were traveling, but it’s such a long way from India, I didn’t know when or even if you’d make it to England! You seemed to have many problems.”

“I did.” Keeping an arm around Beth, Andre turned her to make introductions. “Lady Tamsyn Tremayne and Mr. Cade Tremayne, I’m pleased to introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Caton.” He added, “Beth, they made it possible for me to travel the last stretch from France.”

Beth was a pretty girl with bright hazel eyes, and the smile she gave her visitors was dazzling. “Thank you! With France and England at war again, the journey must have been almost impossible.”

“Andre’s grandmother was of great aid to us, so we all helped each other, Miss Caton,” Tam said.

“Please call me Beth, for I think we will be friends.”

Her warmth was irresistible. Tam shifted her gaze to Andre. “Do you prefer Andre or Andrew?”

He smiled. “I was christened Andrew and my Scottish father always called me that, but my French mother called me Andre and it seemed wise to use that name when we returned to France. Either name will do.” Turning to Beth, he asked, “Is your father home? I look forward to seeing him again.”

“He’s at work at the Arsenal and won’t be home for a while. Would you like to come in to refresh yourselves and perhaps have tea?” Her gaze went back to Andre as if she hated looking away from him. “If Papa isn’t back by the time we finish our tea, I can take you to him at the Arsenal. It’s not far. Mr. and Mrs. Tremayne, if you would like to see the Arsenal, you could join us.”

“I’d like that very much,” Cade said, not bothering to correct her assumption that they were married.

There was a note in his voice that made Tam think he believed they should visit the Arsenal. She also had a sense of uneasiness. But she’d be glad for tea and refreshments. It had been a long time since breakfast.

* * *

Cade had washed up and was heading to the drawing room for tea when his path crossed with Tam, who was going in the same direction. Since no one else was around, he drew her into a hug. He would never tire of holding her.

She hugged him back, but said, “I’m sensing trouble coming soon, rather like I did before we visited the Portsmouth Yard. Can you feel it?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure if it’s potential trouble at the Arsenal, or at the Woolwich Royal Naval Dockyard which is nearby. You sensed the name ‘Woolwich’ from the French agent and that could refer to either place.”

“Or both. We’ll be seeing Rhys later this evening so we can tell him that the Royal Dockyards are being targeted,” Tamsyn said. “Perhaps that will distract him from his shock when we confess our sins.”

Cade flinched inside at the thought of what lay ahead, but they had no choice. He doubted either of them could conceal their feelings from their parents. “We need to talk to Rhys and Gwyn together. She’s always more understanding.”

“While Rhys may become a very protective father.” Tam sighed. “I think they’ll both be shocked, but just now I prefer to think of tea and cakes.” She took his arm until they entered the drawing room. The housekeeper and cook had produced a splendid array of cakes and sandwiches, and conversation was lively as Andre and Beth caught up with each other’s doings during the time they’d been apart.

When the handsome brass clock struck the hour, Beth glanced up at the time. “Papa will be leaving work soon. Shall we go meet him?”

“I’d like that,” Andre said, his gaze going to Tamsyn and Cade. “If they’re interested, can my friends come also?”

“I don’t see why not.” Beth stood and turned to her visitors. “Would you like to see what the Warren is like? It’s very interesting.”

“I would indeed,” Cade said as he also stood. “What does Mr. Caton do?”

“He works in the Royal Laboratory and is in charge of the group that is developing battlefield rockets,” she explained. “He and Andrew’s father learned a great deal about such things in India.”

“I’ve read about how effective and frightening those rockets were when they were used in India,” Cade said. “Improved rockets will be a valuable addition to Britain’s arsenal in the years ahead.” Which meant that this facility would be a prime target for French agents.

The four of them left the house and walked toward the Arsenal. The guards at the gate greeted Beth cheerfully and allowed her guests to enter when she vouched for them.

The Arsenal was large and bustling with activity. With so many explosive materials around, Cade wasn’t surprised to see axes and other firefighting equipment fastened to the outside walls of most of the buildings. As they walked past a broad alley filled with stacks of cast iron artillery pieces, Tamsyn said to Cade, “I think I’m becoming jaded about vast military installations!”

“They do have similarities,” he agreed. “The Woolwich Royal Navy will seem even more familiar if we visit there.”

“With luck I won’t have to,” Tam said, her voice tense. She glanced at the sky. “Those heavy clouds are coming back again. I wonder if we could make them rain if something catches fire?”

“I hope you’re not foretelling disaster,” Cade said, feeling distinctly uneasy. He and Tam had fallen behind the other couple so they could talk more freely. She took his hand during the rest of the walk to the Royal Laboratory.

As they approached the impressive building, a well-dressed older man who looked much like Beth was coming down the steps from the laboratory. He waved cheerfully to Beth, then stopped in his tracks. “Andrew Jameson! Is that really you?”

“Mr. Caton, I’m so happy to see you!” Andre rushed forward and caught the older man’s hands. “I just arrived in England and of course I immediately wanted to see you and Beth.”

“Especially Beth!” Caton said, beaming. “Hasn’t she turned into a beauty?”

“She has always been beautiful,” Andre said earnestly.

It was enjoyable to watch young love blooming, but Cade’s sense of foreboding was increasing exponentially. His worried gaze traveled to the long storehouse opposite the laboratory a moment before a series of powerful explosions sounded inside the structure.

As the ear-numbing sounds ricocheted among the buildings, fires blazed up in several spots along the length of the storehouse. “Firetraps like those set in Portsmouth!” Tam gasped.

Cade swore and caught Tam’s hand hard. “Shall we see if we can summon rain?”

As shouts rose furiously from all sides, Cade and Tamsyn raised their gazes to the clouds and visualized rain. Masses of heavy rain coming now !

The sky darkened and a cold wind blasted from the river. An initial spattering of raindrops was rapidly followed by a soaking deluge, but the fires had already caught hold in the storehouse.

Mr. Caton gave a cry of dismay. “That storehouse is full powder and ammunition! Come back into the laboratory—the brick building will provide some protection if there’s an explosion!” He grabbed his daughter’s hand and pulled her up the steps with him.

Cade swore again when he saw the flames flashing higher inside the building. He shouted at Caton, “Are there people inside?”

Caton hesitated, then pointed at a small wooden addition to the brick storehouse. “Probably only in that office on the end. It might be empty at this hour.”

His guess was proved wrong when three men staggered out into the rain, coughing as the wooden office addition crumbled behind them. The gabled roof fell almost intact to the ground. Cade barked, “No! There are men trapped inside!”

He jerked free of Tamsyn’s hand and raced toward the burning structure, grabbing a fire ax from an outside wall as he ran. Andre gasped in horror, then grabbed a second ax and followed.

Tamsyn summoned every ounce of power she had and aimed it at the storm clouds. Harder, harder, pour down right there. The rain helped prevent the fire from spreading, but it wasn’t enough to douse the flames inside the storehouse.

Cade and Andre were hacking at the wooden frame of a broken window set in the end of the collapsed addition, fragments of wood flying in all directions. After widening the opening, Cade stopped chopping for a moment and leaned inside to grab the flailing arm of a man and yank him out to safety.

Coughing and covered with soot, the man said hoarsely, “My son! My boy is right behind me!”

Face grim, Cade studied the fallen gabled roof, took a deep breath, then bent over the bottom sill of the window and plunged swiftly into the remnants of the building amidst broken glass, smoke, and flames. Instants later, the remnants of the roof fell inward, collapsing into the space below.

Tamysn felt the suffocation and blazing heat as intensely as if she was inside with Cade. Felt his fierce determination as he grabbed on to the boy, the struggle for breath, and then . . . darkness. Horrified, she breathed, “ No! Nooooo! ”

She saw that workmen were racing toward the collapsed building, most carrying axes and crowbars and other tools. “There are two people in there!” Tam called in her most commanding voice.

“We’ll do our best!” one of the men said grimly. Working furiously, the newcomers chopped into the roof, yanking chunks away with leather gloved hands to open the area inside.

Barely able to breathe, Tam drew as close to the workmen as she could without getting in the way. She sensed that Cade’s life force was flickering. “Please!” she begged. “My husband is in there and I think he’s still alive!”

“Better pray you’re right!” the leader of the workers growled as he and another man expanded the open area of the collapsed structure.

It seemed hours had passed while they worked to get to the trapped victims, though Tamsyn knew it was only minutes. She dimly noticed that the rain began diminishing as soon as she stopped paying attention to the clouds.

After massive pieces of roof and rafters were carefully lifted away, the lead workman called, “I see them!”

Two burly men stepped warily into the hole and hauled out an unconscious Cade. A young boy of about twelve was clasped in his protective arms.

“Jemmy!” The man Cade had rescued earlier needed help to wrench the boy from Cade’s grip. Jemmy was crying and gulping for air, but alive. Surely Cade must be also....

Cade had been laid out on the roadway, and the workmen didn’t seem to know quite what to do yet. “Looks like a goner,” one of the men muttered.

Frantically Tam pushed her way through the group of men and knelt by Cade. She rested one hand on his heart and the other on his forehead. He was still alive, but barely, his beloved face losing the golden light that made him who he was. “Caden Tremayne,” she barked at him, “don’t you dare leave me!”

She rested both hands on his chest and poured all her power into him, but it wasn’t enough. She could feel that he was still slipping away.

A strong hand clamped on her shoulder. Andre. “Use my power!” he ordered.

She took him at his word and felt an increase in her energy, then a smaller one as Beth took Andre’s hand.

Not enough, not enough. She remembered how they’d knitted the energy of several family members together to bring their power to Cade when they were in France. She could do that again. She would do it again!

She reached fiercely for her most powerful family members. Bran, as close to Cade as two brothers could be. Merryn, who also loved Cade and would do anything to spare her husband the devastation of losing his brother. Rhys, the powerful and protective father who had always given everything he had to give. Gwyn with the power of her healing gifts and her compassion. Cameron, the next brother, who had always looked up to Cade and Bran.

One by one she grasped the power of every member of the Tribe of Tremayne, all the way down to six-year-old Emily. She felt their shock at this invasion of their minds, but as soon as they understood what she was doing, they freely poured their power through her into Cade. Heal, heal, heal . . . !

Slowly Cade’s life force brightened and she felt his heartbeat growing stronger. As he grew stronger, she grew weaker, but she couldn’t stop, not until she was sure that he was safe.

The river of power flowing through her began to diminish when the others had given all they could. Just a little more to be sure....

She felt the wet earth on her face as she fainted, then felt no more.