Ty Odo answered the door. When he saw Barbara Allen holding a male baby, his yellow eyes widened with glee. He licked his lips in satisfaction.
“Miss Allen.” Odo nodded. “You done made all of us in this house so happy—if what I’m thinkin’ is true.”
Marie Laveau watched—hidden by the shrubbery at the side of the house—as Barbara nodded. “I’ve brought the boy from the Duke. I’ve brought him to live here.”
Barbara’s mind raced. She tried to keep her composure. For once, she felt insecure and worried that their plan wouldn’t work. She didn’t want to give anything away with her expression. She comforted herself with the fact that what she said was quite true. She had, in fact, brought the child at the request of her brother, the Duke. She had brought him to live there with the Cages. At no point did she claim that it was the same child they had known before. At no point had she said it was her son.
“Mr. Cage will be beside himself with joy.” Odo grinned. He, too, was overwhelmed by thoughts—mostly relief at the fact that he could, possibly, pass himself off as a hero and finally, maybe, win the praise of his master. Furthermore, the triumph came to him with no effort on his part—Odo’s favorite way of doing business in any event. “Come with me. I’m sure Mr. Cage will want you to come right to his room.”
“I’ll just leave him with you.” Barbara shook her head.
“I’m sure it’s real hard for ya.” Odo feigned sympathy. “But, Mr. Cage is gonna want to see ya.”
Barbara casually glanced to her left. She tried nodding at Marie without attracting Odo’s attention.
Marie nodded back to indicate that she would wait.
Barbara walked into the house, clasping the child to her breast so as to hide his face from Odo whom she knew had spent time with the boy.
“This way,” Odo pointed to the curving staircase. She followed him up the stairs and into Mr. Cage’s room.
“What’s this intrusion, Odo?” Edward Cage spat as they entered.
Mrs. Cage looked up as well—slumped in the chair next to her husband’s bed.
When Edward spotted the child in Barbara’s arms his face flushed and he greedily gasped. “Could it be?”
“Yes,” Barbara nodded.
“You—you brought him back?” Corliss Cage croaked.
“I brought the child from the Duke.” Barbara answered honestly.
“Give him to me!” Edward bellowed.
Barbara obediently, and nervously, deposited the baby in Edward’s arms.
Still in his bed, Edward cradled the child, moving the blanket from the boy’s face. He studied the baby.
“I don’t believe this.” Edward howled.
Barbara felt the sweat trickle from under her arms. She was sure their deception would be noticed.
“Sir?” Barbara whispered.
“I can’t believe he came to his senses.” Edward smiled. “My boy! Holt! He’s come back.”
Barbara exhaled slowly.
“Look, Corliss.” Edward held the child up for his wife to see. “Your son has come home.” He added pointedly, and with considerable arrogance.
With one look, Corliss knew what he husband failed to recognize—that this baby was not the same child. She simply smiled and looked up at Barbara. “Yes, he has.”
Barbara nodded—aware that Mrs. Cage was on her side.
“But, how?” Edward asked.
“The Duke decided that this boy was better off living with you. He knew that you would be the father that this child needed, and that Mrs. Cage would be the best mother.”
“He was correct.” Edward nodded emphatically.
Corliss settled back into her chair. She, too, was relieved. For just a moment, at least, her nightmare was paused.
“Iolanthe Evangeline must be very pleased with you. I’m sure she’ll reward you for this deed, for making sure that her promise to me was kept.” Edward continued.
“Yes.” Barbara responded softly, slowly realizing that what he said was true. Iolanthe need not know either. Perhaps Barbara’s position at Iolanthe’s house could be improved if the “Ogress” believed that she had acted out of loyalty—and, best of all, against her own brother.
“Odo—fetch my strong box.” Edward ordered the man who lurked at the rear of the room. “I wish to reward this woman.”
“Yes, Sir.” Odo frowned.
“Oh, no.” Barbara shook her head. “I couldn’t.”
She could feel Odo’s relief.
“If anything,” Barbara continued. “You should reward your man, little Odo.”
“Odo?” Edward chuckled. “For what?”
“It was, I think, Odo’s urging at the dock which encouraged my brother to ensure that this boy was brought to you.” Barbara smiled—still being honest, sort of. “Odo is very faithful. He should be praised.”
Edward nodded. “Odo—well, well.”
Odo stepped forward.
“Odo, please show Miss Allen out. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cage and I will discuss how to best reward you.”
Odo smiled broadly. “Yes, Sir.”
As she walked out of the room, Barbara made a point to make eye contact with Corliss Cage who smiled with appreciation. In Edward’s eyes, his wife was thanking the woman who returned their son, but, in reality, Corliss was thanking Barbara for protecting her own child.
Without another word, Barbara followed Odo down the stairs.
“Wait!” Edward Cage called from the balcony as Barbara and Odo reached the door.
Barbara’s blood ran with anxious ice as she dreamt that Edward had come to his senses and realized that he had been fooled.
Barbara turned and looked up at Edward Cage—her neck stiff with tension.
“Is your brother, the Duke, still in New Orleans?”
“Yes.” Barbara answered—immediately wishing that she had lied.
“Will you do something for me?” Edward asked. “Though I hesitate to ask more of you.”
Again, Barbara exhaled. “Of course, Sir.”
“Thank him for me.” Edward said in a rare and unusual moment of sincerity and appreciation.
“I will.” Barbara nodded.
“And, if you would, tell Cecil Halifax that if he wants to return to my waxworks, he may—at any price he wishes.” Edward smiled. He then limped back to his room.
Alone with Odo, Barbara sighed. “Well, Odo. I doubt I’ll see you again.”
“I’m sure that ain’t true, Miss.” Odo smiled.
“I doubt I’ll have much occasion to leave Iolanthe’s after this.”
“I go there from time to time.” Odo nodded.
“I know, but Iolanthe would not…” Barbara chuckled. “We’re not bound to see one another there.”
“True.”
“Thank you for what you did up there.” Odo said softly.
“It’s my pleasure.” Barbara nodded. “You helped me at the docks earlier. I realized that what I was doing was wrong. But, it’s all over now.”
“It is, Miss.”
“Goodbye, then.” Barbara said.
“Goodbye, Miss.” Odo replied, opening the door.
With her head held high, Barbara walked out of Edward Cage’s house.
When she’d reached the banquette, Marie Laveau emerged from her hiding place and joined Barbara.
“It’s finished, Marie.” Barbara said softly.
“This part is.” Marie nodded. “Just this part.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-487? If so, you can read them here.
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