Charlotte Boyett-Compo - In the Arms of the Wind

An Elloras Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

In the Arms of the Wind

ISBN 9781419915376

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In the Arms of the Wind Copyright 2008 Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Edited by Mary Moran.

Cover art by Syneca.

Electronic book Publication June 2008

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Elloras Cave Publishing, Inc. 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/)

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

In the Arms of the Wind

Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

.357 and .44 Magnum: Smith & Wesson Inc.

7-Up: Seven-Up Company, The

Baileys Irish Cream: R & A Bailey & Co

Band-Aid: Johnson & Johnson Corporation

BMW: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Bud: Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated

Buick: General Motors Corporation

Bushmills Irish Whiskey: Old Bushmills Distillery Co. Limited

Cadillac: General Motors Corporation

Chippendale: Thomas Chippendale Furniture Ltd

Clapper, The: Joseph Enterprises, Inc.

Excedrin Migraine: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Formica: The Diller Corporation

Halston: Halston LLC Ltd Liab Co.

Jacuzzi: Jacuzzi Inc. Corporation

McDonalds: McDonalds Corporation

Michelin: Michelin North America, Inc.

Pepsi: Pepsico, Inc.

Pillsbury Doughboy: Pillsbury Company

Pontiac, GTO and Trans Am: General Motors Corporation

Ray-Bans: Bausch & Lomb Inc.

Schneider: Schneider National, Inc.

Sweet Tarts: Societe des Produits Nestle, S.A.

Vistaril: Chas. Pfizer & Co., Inc.

Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Youngstown Kitchen Cabinets: Mullins Manufacturing Corporation

Prologue

Kaycee Connor was impressed by what she was seeing. The artist in her saw more than just the elegant furnishings and expensive paintings adorning the damask-clad walls, the gorgeous wool carpeting underfoot and the spectacular embossed copper ceiling panels. It was more the ambience of the room that bespoke of old money and even older sensibilities combining to create a lavish environment only the very wealthy could do on such a grand scale.

This particular piece came from France in the late 1800s, the man beside her remarked as he pointed to a Louis IXV Catalan commode. It was my mothers pride and joy.

Staring at the gilded chest with its muted green undercoat, Kaycee nodded. It is very lovely.

And the companion pair of fauteuils was a wedding gift to my parents from J. Edgar Spence, the lumber magnate.

Very impressive, Kaycee acknowledged as she continued looking around the parlor. I can see why you take such pride in Stone Ridge.

Thomas Gerring smiled. Well, it is my ancestral home and the antiques alone are worth more than the very land upon which the estate sits.

Ive no doubt of that. Kaycee reached out to stroke her fingers along the undulating curved back of a canapa lovely type of settee upholstered in a rich burgundy silk. Ive never seen such beautifully kept examples of Regency-style furniture.

Her host sighed. Its so refreshing to have someone who appreciates my familys devotion to the period, he told her, indicating he wished her to be seated.

Kaycee sat gingerly on the canaps broad cushion, laid her evening bag on the seat and leaned back nervously. She knew the settee was valued at more than she made in a years time as the manager of an antiques shop.

So tell me, Thomas said as he took a seat opposite her on one of the fauteuil chairs covered in a pretty painted rose silk. What do you think of Stone Ridge thus far?

Its very impressive, she said, a bit dazed by the whirlwind tour of his family home. He had taken her from room to room to room, pointing out the noteworthy furnishings and making sure she noticed the priceless paintings hanging in every room.

Thomas crossed his legs. I am sure you will find dinner to your liking as well. Cook trained in Paris.

Feeling very out of place, Kaycee squirmed beneath his hawklike gaze and turned her attention to the floor-to-ceiling bookcases, the shelves of which were lined with rich, leather-bound tomes.

Most are first editions, he said. Im sure they are worth more than you will make in a lifetime.

She winced. His arrogance and ego had begun to wear thin. Pasting a smile she didnt feel on her face, Kaycee looked down at the clenched hands in her lap. She wished with all her heart the butler would appear in the doorway to announce dinner was served. Though this was her first visit to Stone Ridge, she intended to make it her last and couldnt wait to leave.

Please dont feel out of place here, dear, he said, and Kaycee lifted her head to look at him. He smiled indulgently. I know this is a bit much to assimilate for someone unaccustomed to the finer things in life.

Digging her nails into her palms, Kaycee made no comment to that pompous remark. His next words were worse yet, and it was all she could do to hold on to her temper.

Of course, I intend to correct that situation. With my help, you will become the very epitome of fashion and charm. He winked. I believe I will relish the role of transforming you.

Kaycees green eyes widened and she opened her mouth to call him the overbearing fool he was, but there was a sudden volley of what sounded like firecrackers at the front of the mansion and her host leapt to his feet, his eyes huge in a face suddenly white as parchment.

Quick! he said. Over here!

Stunned by this unexpected turn in the events, Kaycee rose slowly to her feet, forehead creased with consternation. She watched Thomas run to the bookcase and pull several books down at an angle.

Hurry, Kaycee! he barked, galvanizing her action. Hurry!

She rushed to him just as the bookcase sprang open. Her mouth dropped open.

Inside, woman! Thomas snapped, and grabbed her arm to jerk her forward and into a dark space behind the bookcase.

Thomas, what? she began.

Shut up! he hissed at her.

But before he could join her behind the bookcase, she saw him jerk then a red stain began to blossom on the front of his immaculate white shirt. His eyes met hers for just a moment then he fell against the bookcase, closing it in her face.

Slamming her hand over her mouth, her eyes bulging, Kaycee began to tremble violently, realizing the popping sounds must have been gunfire and that Thomas had been shot. From the other room, she heard voices and stopped breathing.

Fuck. Hes still moving, someone said.

Then take care of it, another voice snapped.

There was another dull thud thud followed by an eerie silence that lasted a few heartbeats.

Is he dead this time?

As the proverbial doornail and flying low with the Reaper. There was a pause. You find what we came for?

I got it.

Then lets get the hell out of here.