Hunter's Prize (33 page)

Dejected, Denny followed the maid’s starched white bow and swishing black skirt down the hall. Remembering his real reason for being inside the house, his gaze darted to the staircase and the three doors past the entrance to the back hall, making mental notes of the layout. Odd that he didn’t see the boy or any sign that a child even lived there. “Nice place,” he said casually.

“Yessuh,” she said, her hand on the knob.

“I suppose there are plenty of rooms, yeah? How many all told?”

“Ain’t never counted ‘em, suh.”

He laughed. “The bedrooms, then? Surely you know how many bedrooms there are.”

“Six, I reckon. Four upstairs and two down.”

“Six bedrooms!” Charlie cried. “Can you feature that?”

“And you have people to fill all those rooms?” Denny pressed.

“N–no suh.” Biting her bottom lip, she shifted to the other foot.

“So how many are actually used?” He smiled innocently. “I suppose those downstairs for sure, right?”

She stiffened and jerked open the door.

He’d gone too far. Blundered where he shouldn’t. Smoothing the brim of his cap, he dropped it lightly on his head. “I reckon we’ll be on our way. Much obliged to you, miss.”

She nodded curtly. “Yessuh.”

On the way to the rig, Charlie glanced over at him. “I didn’t know we wanted to let a room from the old girl.”

Seeking the heavens, Denny sighed. “Just come with me, and try not to ask stupid questions.”

“Where we going?”

“Back to the boardinghouse to scrounge a bite to eat, since Whitfield hospitality don’t exactly measure up to what we’ve heard.” He scowled. “She didn’t exactly invite us to tea, now, did she?”

“And after that?”

“We’ll pack our gear and sneak out on the tab.” He lowered his voice as they neared the rig. “Then we’ll make our way back here, find out for ourselves who sleeps where.” He tugged on Charlie’s sleeve. “One thing’s for certain … I won’t leave this house again without my blasted diamond.”

Ceddy shoved against the cold glass pane. Toppling backward out of the window seat, he fell on the floor and bumped his head. Clawing his way under the bed, white spots swam with his tears.

In the house.

He gasped.

In Aunt Priss’s house.

His breath came so fast his head began to swirl. Scrubbing his eyes with his fists, he tried to erase the terrible sight.

Gone now. Gone. The wagon took them away. Hadn’t it?

The window drew him. The need to be sure. He stole a peek over his shoulder but couldn’t get his arms or legs to move.

The dark space beneath the bed didn’t feel safe anymore. He wanted Daddy. Daddy’s voice, his hugs, his smell.

Ceddy stilled, and his head came up. He could find Daddy’s smell if he looked hard enough. But first he had to stop shaking.

A
fter picking up a buckboard from the livery, Pearson dropped Theo at Weisman’s Department Store with orders to buy enough supplies to last a few days out at the lake. Turning in the middle of the road, he headed up the lane toward the hill.

Dread weighed his heart at the thought of going to the mansion, but he needed to pick up a few changes of clothes for him and Theo. He wouldn’t run from a confrontation with Priscilla or Addie, but he didn’t think he had the nerve to initiate one.

Not that he was scared. Only guilty people feared the finger of blame pointed in their direction. But until he had proof of his innocence, he knew he’d regret the things he’d find to say, especially to Addie.

The first time he forgave her for thinking the worst of him—they didn’t know each other then. Now, only days later, she believed him capable of another terrible deed, this one much worse than before. Well, this time, he couldn’t let it go. Not after she’d made him think she loved him.

He turned in at the drive and slowed the horse. If he could slip in and out without being seen, it would suit him just fine.

Driving up to the old servants’ quarters, he set the brake and climbed down. Glancing toward the house, his heart settled to the pit of his stomach. He’d spent many happy hours inside the walls of Whitfield Manor. He didn’t like thinking he might never be welcome again.

A pang of homesickness weakened his knees. For the first time in years, he longed for Galveston, where he’d known only love and acceptance, no questions asked. He missed Rosie, Pearl, and Cookie more than he could say. The sooner they settled their business with the
Mittie Stephens
and pulled anchor, the better he’d feel.

Turning from the house, Pearson went inside to pack. Moments later he returned to the rig, an overstuffed bag slung over his shoulder. He tossed it into the bed. Reaching for the post to climb aboard, he paused at the sound of his name.

Addie hurried toward him, dressed in his favorite white dress, loose curls framing her pixie face.

She looked so beautiful his stomach ached. Gritting his teeth, he wondered why she’d gussied up to accuse him.

She gave him a bright smile. “I’m so glad you’re home.” Glancing at the bag, she frowned. “Are you going somewhere?”

He gripped the wagon rail until his fingers hurt. “Yes, for a few days.”

She studied his face. “Weren’t you going to say good-bye?”

He lifted one shoulder. “I didn’t think it was necessary.”

She blinked, a crease growing between her brows. “Forgive me, but I don’t understand.”

He averted his eyes. “Spare the false manners, Addie. We’re past that, remember?”

Her throat rose up and down. “What?”

“Reverend Stroud told me what you think of me. You and Priscilla.”

Eyes rounded, she opened her mouth to speak, but Pearson held up his hand. “Don’t say anything, please. I just want you to know that I came back to life after meeting you.” He ran a trembling hand through his hair. “After you melted my heart, I even came back to God. For that, I’ll always be grateful I came to Marshall.”

He braced his foot and pulled up on the seat. “I told you once that I let my actions defend my honor. For the first time in my life that’s not enough.” He untied the reins from the post. “As soon as I figure out how, I’ll prove my innocence. Once I do, I’ll be leaving this town for good.”

He clucked at the horse, and the buckboard started to move.

Addie ran alongside, grasping for a hold on the rig. “Pearson, please stop. I never believed it for a second. I promise.”

“Go inside, Addie,” he called. “I need time to think. We’ll talk more when I return.” With the sound of her sobs ripping the walls of his heart, Pearson turned onto the lane and rattled downhill.

A
ddie stumbled through the back door, blinded by tears.

Delilah caught her just inside the screen and gathered her into comforting arms. “Hush now, sugar. You jus’ hush. Ain’t no man worth all this.”

Priscilla rushed into the hall. “Delilah, what happened?”

“I seen the whole thing, Miss Priscilla. Mr. Pearson rode off with this lil’ ol’ thing scramblin’ after the wagon, crying and pleading for him to stop.”

Priscilla rounded her eyes. “Heavens, Addie. Why would you do that?”

Addie stiffened, anger easing some of the pain. “Because I love him, that’s why. And because he’s innocent. I know he is.”

A hush fell in the hall. “How do you know?” Priscilla asked at last.

Addie tapped her chest. “I feel it in my heart.”

Priscilla shook her head. “A heart in love can’t be trusted. You’re viewing him through gilded lenses.” She crossed her arms and walked to peer outside. “I take it you confronted him. What did he have to say for himself?”

Addie glared. “I didn’t mention a word. As a matter of fact, he broached the subject.” Remembering her upbringing, she softened her gaze. “Priscilla, how could you tell Reverend Stroud such an awful thing without proof?”

Priscilla spun. “How did you—” She touched her trembling fingers to her mouth. “Oh my. That’s who told Pearson.” A thoughtful look crossed her face. “I never asked the reverend not to tell, but I’m quite surprised he broke my confidence. I suppose he had his reasons.”

“What reason could he have for bringing me into it?” Pacing, she wrung her hands. “Pearson is so angry with me. I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me.”

“Adelina, may I remind you that man more than likely hurt my nephew? Why should you care if he’s angry?”

“Until I have undeniable proof of any wrongdoing, I can’t help but care. Pearson insists he didn’t hurt Ceddy, and I believe him.”

Priscilla glanced at Delilah. “Speaking of Ceddy, where is he?”

Delilah inched toward the stairs. “I looked in on him awhile ago. He still asleep.”

“Go see to him again. He must be starved. He slept straight through lunchtime.”

Delilah raised her brows. “You want me to wake him?”

“Yes, and then go fix him something to eat.”

“Yes’m,” Delilah said.

Addie glanced up in time to see the back of her skirt disappear around the corner.

Priscilla slid her arm around Addie’s shoulders. “I know how hard this must be for you, dear. You had no reason to mistrust Pearson, and now you’ve set your affection on him.” She tightened her hug. “For your sake, I pray we discover the whole thing is a terrible mistake.” She pressed her cheek to Addie’s. “Let me take you into the parlor. We’ll have Delilah bring in a nice cup of tea.”

Passing the staircase, Delilah’s moans jerked them to a standstill. She stood on the top landing, twisting her apron into knots. “Miss Priscilla … Ceddy, he ain’t in his room.” She looked behind her as if hoping to see him there. “I even peeked under the bed.”

“He’s probably just in the den.”

“No, ma’am. I was in there dustin’ before I heard Miss Addie squawking outside.”

Mildly alarmed, Addie pointed up the stairs. “Go and check my room. I recently discovered he likes to go in there.”

She whirled and slipped from sight.

They waited for what seemed an eternity, passing worried glances between them and staring at the place where Delilah had stood.

When it seemed she’d never return, she popped into view. “He ain’t in there.” Twisting her apron even harder, she shook her head. “I scoured all four bedrooms. Closets, too.”

Priscilla waved her handkerchief. “Go look again. You know how well he can hide.”

“Nowhere left for him to hide. ‘Less he done crawl up under a rug, he not up here.”

Her face pale, beads of sweat popping out on her lip, Priscilla clutched Addie’s arm. “I’ll see if he’s in the kitchen.”

Addie’s heart raced. Lifting her chin, she waved for Delilah. “Come help Priscilla search the house. I’ll go look in the garden. He may have slipped past while I was talking to Pearson.”

Frantic, she raced out the door and sailed off the end of the porch, taking no time for the steps. Gathering the hem of her dress, she ran through the hedges calling Ceddy’s name.

By the time she’d covered every inch of the backyard, Priscilla stood on the porch wringing her hands. “Delilah’s looking out front, but nothing so far. I can’t believe he’s gone missing again, Addie. Where could he be?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find him just like the last time, in the last place we’d expect.” Her brave words were for Priscilla’s sake. Inside, her stomach trembled.

Delilah bustled around the side of the house. “Did you find him?”

Gnawing her bottom lip, Addie shook her head.

“What’s that?” Priscilla called.

Addie’s gaze followed the direction she pointed. A cloth lay on the ground, its bright white hue in sharp contrast with the rutted drive. “I don’t know.”

Veering away from the bottom step, she hurried over. “It must be something Pearson dropped.”

Standing over the bit of cloth, partly driven into the dirt by a wagon wheel, Addie covered her mouth to hold back a scream. She whirled, and her panicked gaze found Priscilla through a blur of tears.

“What is it?” Priscilla repeated, this time in a frightened voice. Nearly toppling over the edge of the porch, she staggered to the ground and hurried toward Addie with Delilah on her heels.

“It’s my white lace hankie,” Addie said. In a flash she realized she’d never told Priscilla about finding Ceddy’s stone.

Priscilla slowed. “Is that all? For heaven’s sake, you scared me.”

Addie bent to pull the handkerchief free. “You don’t understand.” Holding it aloft, she gaped at the muddy track. “The last time I saw this, it was wrapped around my jasper pendant inside my canvas bag—alongside Ceddy’s treasured white rock. He slipped into my room and hid it there to keep it safe.”

Priscilla blanched. “Then …” She stared down the drive, making the very presumption Addie prayed she wouldn’t, the same deduction Addie struggled against. Terror darkened Priscilla’s eyes. “Ceddy was out here.” She swallowed hard. “With Pearson.”

Addie held up her hand. “Now, Priscilla …”

“Where was he going?”

“He didn’t say.”

Wild-eyed, she gripped Addie’s arms, mostly to hold herself up considering how hard she trembled. “We have to call the sheriff immediately.”

“The sheriff? No!”

“We must. He could be taking him anywhere.” She gasped. “You don’t think he’s headed for Galveston, do you?”