Three Sheets in the Wind

Chapter One

She was eight years old and standing with her mother and gentleman friend on Piccadilly Circus.

They had been put out of their flat, her mother had their meager possessions in a ragged suitcase. The couple were having one of their screaming matches. I’m sick of the sight of you, you worthless sod, her mother had yelled at him. Leave me and take this ugly duck with you. And she gave Ellianne a push as she walked away.

She’s not my kid, and you can’t saddle me with her, the man who had been living with them shouted.

Ellianne did not move from the spot and not knowing what to do, realized she did not want to be with either of them.

Eventually, a bobby noticed the child, standing in that same spot when he had walked by here an hour ago. Approaching her he asked, Are you alright miss?

I think so, she answered tremulously.

Don’t you think you should run along home before it gets dark? the bobby inquired.

Her big green eyes lifted to his and they were swimming with tears. I haven’t any home, I belong in an orphanage, she said quivering.

She had heard her mother say that so often, she thought it was a fact and that was all she knew to tell the bobby.

Chapter Two

That had been twelve years ago. Ellianne had loved the orphanage to which the bobby had taken her. She had playmates and a nice cot to sleep on. She had been warm in winter and there was food three times a day! When she was ten years old, a most wonderful woman had come to the orphanage offering to give piano lessons to anyone wanting to learn. Mrs. Madelyn Carstairs was a warm and caring woman. She had told Ellianne that she had a special touch on the piano, a real talent and to never stop practicing.

How her heart soared when she sat at the keyboard. The melodies flowed from her nimble fingers. It was sheer magic when she played. Gone were the feelings of loneliness and of low self worth. With her music her spirit soared, she flew away with the birds, through the windows and over the clouds.

Chapter Three

Ellianne had been a ward of the system until she was eighteen. Then, for two years, she had worked for the orphanage. They had told her she must leave when she was twenty, so she had rented a small apartment and had gotten a job in a music store. When she became twenty it was an easy move. The sisters had presented her with a small box on her last day. It was the two figurines she had in her pocket the day she came to the orphanage. She had rescued them from the trash where her mother had thrown them.

She discovered she liked living alone. She had never known privacy nor ownership and she found it to be quite pleasant. She had spent weeks getting her small flat livable. Combing the antique shops looking for treasures to make her little home special.

Ellianne had always been an avid reader and she had read everything the orphanage had to offer. The books on love and marriage she had re-read the past two years. She realized deep down that she would be living with the choices she made for the rest of her life, so it should be a wise choice.

Although inexperienced, she had a keen intuition and a lot of knowledge and felt she could take care of herself if a situation should arise.

She was no longer the ugly duckling her mother had rejected she was now a beauty. Her skin was perfection, her face was framed by a cloud of black curls, big arresting green eyes and a figure that turned heads. She carried herself with poise and a natural grace.

The Sister at the home had often warned her, with a motherly concern, that her beauty would attract the wrong kind of men, or even the right kind of men, but with the wrong intentions.

Chapter Four

When Ellianne had found a job with ‘Honeywell’s Music Shop’ as a pianist, she felt it was heaven sent. There was nothing she would rather do than play the piano, and although the pay was modest, she loved her job. Her nimble fingers happily danced over the keyboard.

She would often lose herself in one of Johann Strauss’ waltzes or a rendition of Mendel. When she played, she appeared almost ethereal. A mysterious little smile on her face, her eyes closed and an occasional deep sigh would often lift her full breast that quivered slightly when she exhaled, completely lost in the music.

Every man in the room was affected by this movement, and she wasn’t even aware of it happening. When she slowly opened her eyes at the end of the performance, they would be glistening as though she had been thoroughly kissed. Her lips, full soft and slightly parted enticed every man in sight.

The owners of the store were ecstatic, their business had tripled in the month Ellianne had been with them.

Ordinarily the pianist served the customers with the sale of sheet music but business was booming, so they had hired a young man just to write up the sales.

Within two months, three different people tried to hire her away. The store owners wisely decided to double her salary. They were not out much money because they’d hired her at such a low wage to start with, knowing she had come to them directly from the orphanage.

Now, they often had customers waiting outside, for the store to open. Anxious to hear the beautiful music and watch the artist.

Everyone except Ellianne, knew how talented she was and often the same men returned to the store day after day, especially one big bruiser of a man who always had some papers in his hand. He gazed at Ellianne like a man in a trance. He never got close enough to speak to her, but stood just inside the door as though ready for flight.

Then, one day when she opened her eyes after a melody, her head turned toward him. Their eyes met and locked, neither able to look away. Ellianne felt her face get very warm, and as her breath quickened, the warmth filled her breast and abdomen.

Without looking away, the big man came closer, extending the hand that held the papers he always seemed to carry.

Something seemed to lift her arm and open her hand for his sheet music. Only then did she turn her eyes away from him to the sheet of music on the piano. She began to play and a hush fell over the room. The music was so beautiful, she felt the warm tears slide down her face. Her music was the love of her life, and it blended with her emotions.

When she finished the piece, she smiled at the big man who had given it to her. He started to speak when the owner came up, grabbed the three sheets of music and told the man to leave the store and take his music with him.

As soon as the man left he turned to Ellianne and shouted, You’re here to play the music we sell, not that of some derelict’s off the street.

Ellianne was shocked, not realizing there was anything wrong with what she had done. ‘The poor man’ she thought, how embarrassed he must be, getting yelled at in front of all these people.

Do you understand me Cutie Pie? You play our music, no one else’s, the owner said in a degrading tone.

Ellianne was crushed. She could not believe her employer could be so cruel, but maybe too, she had committed a worse offense than she realized. She meekly took her scolding, but she could not forget the incident. Her respect for her boss had taken a plunge downward.

She resumed her playing, but the rest of the afternoon was ruined for her. Her heart longed for the music the stranger had given her to play. She had sensed a certain fine quality about him. Most of the men who ask her out seemed vain and shallow. Some of them even wore a wedding ring. That was the kind the Sister had warned her about. She hoped her employer was not the same kind of man. For the first time in the six months she had worked there, she was relieved to go home at the end of the day.

Chapter Five

As she walked to her little flat, she was so immersed in the happenings of the day, she failed to notice the big man who had waited across the street from the store, was now following about ten feet behind. He waited outside her building until he saw a light go on at the third floor. Then he could leave with his mind at ease. He’d seen her safely home again.

The plight of Sebastian Montclaire was a hopeless one. He had lived on the streets of London after his mother died when he was twelve. He had lived with other homeless children, who had to live by their wits to survive. He had always been big for his age, and at sixteen, he had gotten a job by pretending he was twenty-one.

His salvation was the music he could hear in his mind. He had gotten a book from the library that explained the notes, half notes, sharps and flats.

From this, and with the help from a teacher with whom he had studied with for six months, he learned to write his musical scores.

One day had found a discarded harp, the spine was broken and there were many strings missing. He had lovingly repaired it and taught himself to play. The harp was his companion in a world that had little use for discarded people.

He was hopelessly in love with Ellianne Temple; as he supposed any man would be that saw her. His heart’s mission was to see that no harm came to her.

He had taken care of his mother when she became ill. Sebastian was a kind and caring son. When his mother realized she was seriously ill, she told him there was one last thing she had to do before she left him. She gave him instructions to a mansion where she was once employed, telling him it was of the utmost importance.

Against his better judgment, he had gotten their train tickets and had a carriage waiting for them in Devonshire. Upon arriving, they drove through the countryside until they found her destination.

At a big gate that proclaimed itself to be the Montclaire Estates, she stopped. This is where your father lives, He is the Earl of Salisbury. I was a maid in this household for five years, then one night the Earl forced himself on me, and when it became evident I was with child, I was dismissed and told never to return, his mother said.

He has three other children who grew up in luxury. We have been poor, but I have loved you and have given you my best. You’re a fine young man, and I’m proud of you, I feel you have a right to know who your father is. You look exactly like him, much more so than his other children.

Sebastian had been in awe by the affluence of the estate, but knowing who his father is did not put food on the table, nor clothes on his back. The only time he remembered the estate was when there had been a newspaper article with pictures of the family at the youngest daughter’s debutante party. He had put this paper in a bureau drawer, not really knowing why he had kept it, unless it was because it gave him a sense of belonging to someone, somewhere.

Of course, now he could imagine he had Ellianne, with her cloud of soft, curly black hair and green eyes he could get lost in, her lashes long and curled and enticing. He did not try to deceive himself by thinking she could ever be his, but for now, it was enough that he saw her safely home each night even though she never suspected there was someone watching over her. He also knew she was too beautiful not to attract attention, and that sooner or later someone would pursue her. For now, he went back to his small flat and worked on his music until it was time to leave for his night time job at the docks.

Chapter Six

Meanwhile, Ellianne’s practical mind was working. She knew today’s upset might or might not be an isolated incident. It could also be her employer showing his true colors. She found a city directory and looked up all the music shops and wrote down their names and addresses for future reference. She was alone and had no one to depend on but herself, and if she had to leave her job, she wanted to be familiar with the other stores. When you’re alone in the world, one must not leave anything to chance. When on her a day off, she would visit these music stores as a customer. She would meet the owners and maybe play a song or two while their regular pianist took a break.

Everything at Honeywell’s proceeded as usual for about two months, when at the end of the day, she was called to Mr. Honeywell’s office. Ellianne entered and said, You wanted to see me, Sir?

Well, yes I did, answered Mr. Honeywell. You’ve done a good job for us here Ellianne, and I think you deserve a bonus. I’m prepared to show you the night life in London. We’ll have dinner, some dancing, and then drinks back at my place. The wife is out of town for a week and we will have a grand time.

Ellianne just gazed at him but did not answer. This was one of those situations the Sisters had warned her about.

Mr. Honeywell had already been drinking, and he was sure she was speechless at the honor he was bestowing upon her.

When Ellianne did speak, she sounded very business like. Mr. Honeywell, I would love to visit your home, but if you’ll pardon me, I believe I’ll wait until your wife is present. With that, she turned and went out the door.

Although he had been drinking, he was very quick. She was no more than than two steps out his office door when he grabbed her arm.

I know you want me, he said, we both want the same thing. Don’t be coy, it doesn’t become you and I don’t have the patience for it. We can have a great working relationship if you cooperate girlie.

Let go of my arm, Ellianne shouted. That’s all I want from you. And jerking her arm free, she ran for the front door. He caught her again and was trying to force a kiss on her when suddenly he collapsed! She stepped back immediately, then she saw the young man who had brought in his sheet music. Her head was in a whirl. Where did he come from and what did he do to Mr. Honeywell?

Chapter Seven

Sebastian Montclaire’s mind was very clear and decisive as he said Miss Temple, please get all your belongings together. I don’t want you to ever come back inside this store again.

When she continued to stare at him, he said softly, You don’t want to continue working for a cad like this do you?

N-No, I will never work for him again, but where did you come from? she asked, trembling so hard she had to sit down.

Sebastian took her hands in his and asked as softly as before, Do you have anything here except your purse?

She shook her head ‘no’ trying to still her lips and chin. She was badly shaken and near tears.

Sebastian picked up her purse from the floor, put his arm protectively around her shoulder and gently said It’s time to go home now, lean on me until you quit trembling. Your ex-boss will sleep awhile longer. I’m sure he needs the rest.

Ellianne’s head just seemed to be drawn to the strangers shoulder and his muscular arm was so comforting as it encircled her.

Before she knew it, they were at her flat and she was giving him the key to her door. Once inside, he sat her in a chair, wrapped her in a nearby afghan and was proceeding to prepare some tea .

Have you any brandy, Miss Temple? he asked.

No, she answered tremulously, her voice shaking.

Then tea will have to do. While waiting for the tea, Sebastian said, I’ll leave as soon as you have calmed enough to be alone. I just wanted to be sure you were safely in your flat.

Ellianne, slowly recovering from her shock, asked incredulously, Who are you and how did you know where I live?

Sebastian stood, then gave her a sweeping bow. Permit me to introduce myself, dear lady. I am Sebastian Demetrious Montclaire at your service. A poor, but harmless dock worker. It was my great good fortune to be able to rescue you fair maiden, from the clutches of the evil villain. Sebastian moved his eyebrows up and down while putting on this little act, and Ellianne was laughing uproariously when he finished.

She failed to notice at the time, the fact that he had not mentioned how he happened to be near the store nor how he knew where she lived.

The kettle began to whistle and he brought in a tray he had prepared for her in the kitchenette. Shall I be mother? he asked and not waiting for an answer he poured tea. Two sugars for my lady this evening I think, he said.

I remember you now! You were in the store with some sheet music. The melodies were beautiful, were they your compositions? Ellianne asked.

Ah, yes, but now they’re just three sheets in the wind. I was foolish to think someone might buy them, Sebastian replied.

Please don’t tell me you’ve thrown them away. They’re very saleable, she exclaimed.

Actually I use them to line my bureau drawer. They’re keeping company with some of my other dreams, he answered.

Honeywell’s isn’t the only music store in London, you know. I am looking forward to playing your music again, she said.

Not to worry little dove, he thought, I will never be far from where you are. Aloud he said, I’m sure you will be and perhaps we’ll run into each other again sometime."

Ellianne was thinking, you could ask me out you, handsome brute, but said nothing. She had not noticed before but he had the most beautiful grey eyes, and if she looked into them too long, she forgot what they were talking about.

Chapter Eight

Admonishing her to lock and bolt her door, he said