Diamonds and Dreams (26 page)

“And I have to admit he’s concerned about
you,” Big muttered to himself. “He stopped me earlier, wanting to
know about the things that make you sad.”

“Big, you’re mumblin’. I can’t understand
what—”

“Could be that he cares,” Big continued
incoherently. “Maybe the oaf isn’t an oaf after all.”

Goldie threw him a baffled look, then
slipped the last diary into the bag. “Well, I guess that’s all of
’em,” she said, slinging the sack over her shoulder. “If you need
me, I’ll be in the library. We have to hurry, Big. I’m gettin’ more
and more worried about what Uncle Asa’s doin’, and we don’t have
time to dilly with this. I’ve decided we’ll leave for London
tomorrow. We can keep on readin’ the diaries there. Lord, I hope I
can talk Saber into spyin’ on dukes. I still haven’t told him about
that part of the lessons, y’know.”

“Stop right there,” he ordered her when she
crossed to the door. “I mean it, Goldie.”

She obeyed, but stomped her foot to show him
she wasn’t pleased at being detained.

“What’s going on between you and Saber?”

“Nothin’. Everything’s fine.”

“And you’re crying over how fine it all is.”
He joined her at the door and took the sack of diaries from her.
“You go feed Dammit, Smiley Jones, and Yardley. I’ll take the
diaries to Saber.”

“But—”

“You’re in no shape to face him right now.
Besides, he’ll be reading for quite a while, and probably won’t
appreciate any interruptions. Go on now, Goldie.”

She knew he wasn’t going to back down. Too,
she realized he was right. She
wasn’t
ready to see Saber
again right now. Nodding, she left to do his bidding.

Big watched as she walked down the hall.
After a while, he left her bedroom, heading for the library. His
pace was slow, and he stopped many times to dwell on all the
thoughts running through his mind.

When he finally reached the library, he knew
what he would do.

* * *

“I believe you wanted these brought to you?”
Big laid the bag of diaries on Saber’s desk.

Saber leaned forward in his chair. “I did.
But I believe I asked Goldie to bring them.”

“Well, as you can plainly see, she didn’t. I
did.”

Saber pulled the sack closer. “Thank you.”
When Big made no move to leave, he asked, “Is there something I can
do for you?”

“As a matter of fact there is.”

“Then please be seated.”

Big climbed into a huge leather chair and
tapped his fingers on the arm. “Answer some questions for me,
Saber.”

“If I can.”

“What has Goldie told you about
herself?”

Saber studied Big carefully, searching for
some sort of devious expression on the man’s face. But Big’s
features registered nothing. “Goldie talks about many things, but
rarely does she speak about herself. Surely you know that.”

“Then she has revealed nothing at all to
you.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then?”

Saber rose, clasped his hands behind his
back, and began a slow journey around the room. “What are your
reasons for this inquiry, Big?” He stopped in front of a collection
of miniature paintings, his back to Big.

“I have an important decision to make,
Saber, and what I decide depends on your answers. I’m trusting you
to be honest with me.”

Saber turned, his curiosity aroused. “Very
well. Goldie has told me very little about herself. It’s what she
doesn’t
say that has significance. If I reveal to you what I
know about her, will you do me the favor of telling me whether or
not my conclusions are correct?”

Big nodded.

Saber inhaled deeply. “I’ve decided that
Goldie has been mistreated since her parents died. I’m well aware
her relationship with you is a good one, but what concerns me is
the one she has with her uncle. I’ve learned that when he has been
drinking, the man abuses her verbally. That persecution has left
its scars. Too, other people have criticized and ridiculed her.
Unjustly, I believe. She has a deep-seated fear of making people
angry at her, and fairly shakes when she believes someone is cross
with her. She has been tossed out of every place in which she’s
lived, and though she tries to act as though it doesn’t bother her,
I believe it hurts her very much.

“In conclusion, Big, I believe Goldie is
crying out for the acceptance she never receives. There’s a great
sadness inside her, and although I don’t know the extent of what
has caused it, I am reasonably certain that it stems from the fact
that her years with Asa have been a series of broken dreams. Am I
correct in my observations?”

Big managed to conceal his tremendous
satisfaction. He slid off the chair and walked to the door. “I’m
leaving Leighwood, Saber. I came in here to tell you that. Goldie
has expressed concern about what Asa is doing, and I think that if
I go back to Hallensham and keep an eye on him for her, she’ll feel
less anxious about staying with you and completing her plans. She
will, of course, still worry some, but not as much.”

When Big began to leave, Saver scowled. “You
didn’t tell me if I’m right or wrong about—”

“Nor will I.”

“You said you would.”

“Ah, but I didn’t say ‘Daddy’s honor.’”

Saber struggled to contain his ire.
“Big—”

“I’m trusting you to take care of her,
Saber, and I’m sure you’ll do everything you can to see that no
harm comes to her. I must admit that when I first met you, I had
many misgivings about you. I apologize for thinking ill of you.
Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to find Goldie and tell her
of my decision.”

“If I may ask,” Saber said quickly, “what
have I done to earn your trust?”

“It’s quite simple. You care about her.”

“We are
friends
. Beyond that—”

“There’s nothing wrong with friendship to my
way of thinking. Do you disagree?” Big smiled.

Saber decided he didn’t like Big’s knowing
grin. “No. Of course not.” He thrust his fingers through his
hair.

“Then I’ll let you get to the diaries. I
wish you better luck than I had with them. So many are ruined by
water that trying to guess at the obliterated parts drove me
crazy.” He began to leave, wanting to get away before Saber could
continue questioning him. He had no intention of allowing Saber to
know about his scheme.

“Big, wait!” Saber called. “You—”

“Saber, I must pack my things,” Big hurried
to argue.

“I understand that, but I—”

“And I’ve yet to speak to Goldie.”

“Of course, you must talk to her, but Big,
I—”

“Would you delay me?” Big fenced.

“Well, no, but—”

“Good day then.” With that, Big rushed out
of the library and into the courtyard. Itchie Bon joined him, and
together they looked at the distant barn, watching Goldie lead
Dammit into the paddock.

“Saber cares about her, boy,” Big informed
the dog. “I had to know for sure, and now I do. Because he cares,
he has succeeded in understanding the things she won’t tell him. A
man who didn’t care would never have wasted the time or energy to
do that.”

He swallowed down the huge lump in his
throat. “It’s
time
she needs with Saber, Itchie Bon. And
what with her worry about Asa, she’s trying to rush things along so
she can get back to Hallensham. I’m soothing that worry, and I hope
to God I’m doing the right thing. Because you see, boy, I’m leaving
her with the man who is either going to break her heart or make her
feel like the true princess she is.”

William Doyle entered his room in the
Cornwall Inn, locking the door behind him. He lit several lamps,
then examined the deeds to the copper mines. A feeling of
tremendous power seized him. He threw his shoulders back and
swaggered across the room, stopping in front of a small mirror
hanging on the wall. He felt extraordinarily pleased over his
appearance and his accomplishments.

“No one can stop you now,” he complimented
himself, running a finger over his thick gray mustache. Not only
did he own copper mines in Cornwall, he mused contentedly, but he
also had iron mines in Norfolk and Stafford, shipyards in Essex and
Devon, and a salt mine in Chester. Why, he even owned highly
productive orchards in Hereford! And the most satisfactory part of
it all, he thought with utter glee, was that he’d never used his
own money to buy a thing.

“Why should I?” he asked his reflection. “I
have the Tremayne fortune at my disposal!”

He crossed to the bed, removed his clothes,
and lay down. His hands under his head, he stared at the ceiling
and began to laugh. Surely there wasn’t a man in England as clever
as he, he decided, still chuckling. Everyone trusted him; no one
doubted he was on their side, looking after their best interests.
Starting with Marion Tremayne’s father, he’d gained the confidence
of everyone he’d ever needed.

All the years of hard work and planning had
been difficult, but he’d seen them through successfully. And now
the time had finally come to bring his scheme to a fitting end. He
had everything he required: ready cash, land, and highly profitable
investments. After getting rid of the people who stood in his way,
he’d sell his town house in London, buy a rambling country estate
somewhere, and live the life of a wealthy gentleman.

The thought brought Dane to mind. “Dane,” he
murmured. How simple it was to manipulate the man! “You sincerely
believe I’ve done everything for
you
, don’t you, Dane?
There’s not a doubt in your mind that I’ve worked all these years
so you could live in a mansion, enjoying the luxury you think is
your due. You, a
gentleman
? Lord of an estate? For God’s
sake, Dane! How idiotic can a man be? You were merely an instrument
in my hands.” William roared with more laughter, the mattress
shaking beneath his tremendous frame.

Wiping a tear of merriment from the corner
of his eye, he caressed his mustache again, and deliberated on the
two people who had the means to expose him. Unfortunately for them,
they’d never have the chance to do that.

As soon as he tied up all the loose ends
concerning the copper mines and investigated a few more business
opportunities in Cornwall, he’d leave for Ravenhurst. Once there,
he’d dispose of Dane.

Then he’d hurry to London and deal with
Marion Tremayne. He’d cause some kind of accident to befall His
Grace, perhaps. Yes, an accident, he decided firmly.

He knew how to make accidents happen.

* * *

Goldie paced in front of the library.
Glancing at the huge grandfather clock down the corridor, she saw
it was half past midnight. “How long are you gonna stay shut up in
there, Saber?” she muttered to the library door.

Ambling to the big velvet-draped window at
the end of the hall, she peered out and saw the moonlit road Big
had taken yesterday. “Yesterday. It seems like weeks, Big. Lord,
how I miss you.” How afraid she felt without his reassuring
presence! And what with Saber locked away in the library since Big
had left, she’d had no one to talk to. She was beginning to feel as
though she were the only person in the entire world.

The thought made her angry. She
wasn’t
the only person in the world, and it was ridiculous
for her to feel that way. She was well aware that Saber was
avoiding her, but what did he think she was going to do? Throw
herself into his arms and command him to fall in love with her?

She marched away from the window and stared
at the library door. “Enough’s enough. There’s not gonna be
anything romantic between us, but that doesn’t mean you can treat
me like I don’t exist. And great day Miss Agnes, if I keep lettin’
you hide away from me, we’ll never get to London to start the duke
research!” Her ire rising, she flung the door open.

“You’ve been locked away in here long
enough, Sab—”

She broke off when she saw him. His face was
shadowed with stubble. His eyes were red and bleary, black circles
beneath them. His hair was mussed, his clothes rumpled.

She’d never seen him so unkempt. Her heart
turned over when she saw the pile of diaries in front of him. He’d
done this to himself for her sake. Just so he could learn to be a
duke. “Saber, you haven’t eaten,” she said softly. “Your hair, your
clothes...”

He looked up at her, saw the dismay in her
eyes, and pushed his fingers through his hair. He was well aware of
how he probably looked to her, but the many hours he’d spent poring
over the diaries had proven successful. He’d learned a wealth of
information already, and there were still many diaries he hadn’t
touched yet. Of course there were also those with pages that were
too badly stained to read. He now understood what Big had meant
when he’d said trying to decipher them had driven him crazy.

He ran his thumb over the one he held.
“Goldie, do you know how your aunt learned to read and write?”

“How?”

“She wrote that she eavesdropped on Little
Marion’s lessons. After her day’s work, she scurried home and
practiced everything Marion had learned.”

“She must have really wanted to learn,
huh?”

He nodded, his newly gained knowledge too
much for him to contain. “And do you know why she never wrote to
the duke to inform him about the pitiful wages his workers were
receiving or of the sad shape of his tenants’ houses?”

“Why?”

He tossed the diary back to the pile.
“Because Hutchins has made everyone in Hallensham believe Lord
Tremayne doesn’t give a damn about what happens to them.”

Goldie’s eyes widened. She’d never heard
Saber curse before.

“He’s been able to convince the villagers of
this because he’s had help,” Saber continued, his voice deceptively
calm. “Uh...I gather from what your aunt wrote that Marion Tremayne
employs a man of business, William Doyle, who makes periodic trips
from London to Ravenhurst. Your aunt wrote that this Doyle
character backs up everything Hutchins tells the villagers. That
is, that the duke has fairly washed his hands of them. That he is
entirely too busy to cater to a bunch of complaining peasants.
Because Doyle and Hutchins both worked for Lord Tremayne’s father,
the villagers in Hallensham saw no reason to doubt their word. They
still don’t.”