Tangled Betrayals (22 page)

Chapter F
ifty

Edward knew
the time had come to tell his friends about his suspicions regarding Thomas and to share about the earlier part of his life he’d kept hidden from everyone.

“
I’ve kept a secret for many years. I’ve never wanted to talk about certain things that happened in my past.” Edward looked down and took a deep breath to steady him, “You see, many years ago, I was married to a wonderful, wonderful woman in England, named Jane Adler, this was a few years before I met Clara.”

Immediately, Edward
saw James and Clayton take notice of the Adler name, along with their surprise when he mentioned he’d been married before.

“Aye,
Henry used the Adler name to cover his identity, not thinking he and I would ever cross paths.

“I was
a young man and I’d become a member of any shipping crew that would take me on. I’d traveled the world and had no plans of living on land. I loved the sea. While in London for a few days, I’d flirted with a young lady, harmlessly, of course, or so I thought. She was beautiful and no match for the likes of me.

“
We’d had a chance encounter at the local market when she’d become separated from her mother. She was a lady, and I was a seaman, who’d no right to even address her.

“
But thinking I’d never see her again, I did a few minutes of harmless conversation with the lovely lass. She then boldly asked if I’d be at the market the next day. I, of course, flattered by the interest, said I could be. So, for the next several days, we met at the market flirting and talking nonsense. Foolishly, we made plans to meet every few weeks, when I’d return to London. Don’t bother to say how stupid I was, that I knew. Yet, I’d fallen in love. Even with knowing nothing could ever come of our flirting---or so I thought, I continued to be the fool. What she told her parents to manage to be in the market unaccompanied, I have no idea. I just knew she was there, alone, to see me.

“Then, Jane begged me to marry her.
That was when I tried to break things off, but she cried and carried on so, that I kept on with our relationship and kept looking for her whenever I was in London. Each time we met, she kept stating she was in love. As stupid as this sounds, I allowed myself to go along with her plan to confront her parents. I knew they’d never accept me nor should they, yet, I was so in love, I went along with anything she asked.

“We informed her parents we were deeply in love and
wanted to be married. Going with Jane to see her parents was the biggest mistake of my life. Not that I didn’t love her, but that we’d set in motion a string of events that not only cost Jane her place in society, but her place with her family.

“The same day we addressed her parents was the same day Jane left her home forever. She never saw her parents
again. She, being an only child, didn’t realize the importance of marrying so far beneath her and how this could affect her future and her family. I fear our plan was only the beginning of what was to be a painful time in Jane’s life. Her parents threw her out with the strict instructions that she never return or speak to them again.

“
As you can surmise, we lived a very meager life. Then we were blessed with a son. A son we named Thomas. He was the joy of our lives. Jane was certain her parents would forgive her once she bore them a grandchild, but that wasn’t to be. They broke her heart and mine, too, when they wrote to say nothing would ever make amends for what she’d done. They wanted nothing to do with a bastard bred by a sailor.

“
Needless to say, Jane was devastated. But she never blamed me. She and I decided it would be for the best to leave England and start a new life in America. I foolishly left her and Thomas alone in London. He was just over two when I went to sea, until I could save enough money to pay for their trip to America. Upon my return after two years to sea, with money in hand for their passage, I was met at the dock by a man named Henry Ball.

“
Ball found me just as I left my ship and informed me that Jane and Thomas had died in an epidemic that had spread through England while I’d been gone. I knew hundreds of people had died and I was so distraught when I learned it took Jane and Thomas, I never checked on the accuracy of the information given. I never questioned how he knew me or how he knew I was arriving in London on that ship. I was so stupid. But I never forgot the name of the man who changed my life forever.

“I
’ve tried living my life never thinking of Jane or Thomas because of the pain it brings to me by remembering them. I felt such grief every time I allowed myself to remember their beautiful faces, so I buried their memories deep inside me.

“Then,
I met Thomas at your office, Clayton, and at some point you mentioned how much Thomas and I resembled one another. Only then, did I allow my memories to come flooding back. I was shocked at how much Thomas resembled me in my younger days.

“
His last name being Ball made me reflect on what I’d lost. I’ve been pondering for months how to approach my concerns of Thomas’s parentage. But each time I thought I had the courage to do so, I realized how foolish I’d look, just an old man wishing for the son he’d lost so many years ago.

“
I’d continued to tell myself that I was a fool to think that Thomas could possibly be my son, but now, seeing Henry Ball, knowing he took the name of Adler, has made me think that he actually did betray me those many years ago and took my family. Do you think I’m being a foolish old man or could there possibly be merit in my thoughts?”

Clayton and James stood there in disbelief
as Edward Pierce told his story. James finally was the one to speak.

“Edward, I wish you
’d come to me the minute you thought Thomas might be your son. I think it’s very possible Henry’s made fools of all of us. He, too, had tricked me years ago. We must find him and soon! If we don’t, we’ll never know why he’s so intent on my demise and if Thomas is actually your son!”

“
Clayton, James, I must go to London as soon as possible. That’s the only way to have my questions answered. Certainly, someone must still live there that can confirm once and for all the truth of who Thomas belongs to. I see no other way to go about it. I can no longer live without knowing if my suspicions have merit.”

“
Aye and I happen to know there’s someone you can speak with to get your questions answered.” James announced. “Her name is, Miss Minnie Baker. She was a close friend to their mother, and is very close to Thomas and Mary. She owns, Miss Minnie’s Dress Emporium. She should be able to fill you in on Henry Ball and answer all your questions.” James stated, not yet sure what to make of the events of the last couple of hours. “What about Thomas’s sister, Mary? Could she, too, be yours?” Clayton asked, still struggling to understand why someone wanted James dead and Edward being married before Clara.

“Aye,
I suppose she could, depending on her age. I’ll have to find that out as well. If Jane was with child, she never made mentioned of it. But, we may be getting ahead of ourselves. Until I know for certain Jane and Thomas died when Henry claimed, this is nothing but speculation and wishful thinking from an old man.”

James nodded. He closed his eyes as he rubbed his forehead. After everything Mary has been
through, how would she handle the news, if it turned out to be true, that Ball was not the father of Thomas and possibly not hers either, poor Mary. If that was truly the case, life had not been fair to her at all. In fact, her whole life would have been full of betrayals.

“
The Emerald
is leaving tomorrow for London, Edward. If you wish, I’ll arrange for you to have a cabin. Hopefully, you’ll have the answers to those questions that have been plaguing you all these years,” Clayton said, concerned for his friend.

“Thank you, Clayton. I shall take you up on your generous offer. When I return, I
’ll share what news I’ve uncovered. In the meantime, please don’t say anything to Thomas. I want to be sure of my facts before we open Pandora’s Box. Only when I can verify my parentage, will I decide on how to handle this.”

“And what about Thomas’s Sister Mary, what will happen if you learn you’re also her father?” James inquired of Edward.

“
Let’s not jump to any conclusions. First, I must find the proof I need as to who Thomas and Mary belong to.”

The
authorities finally arrived on the scene to take their statements. The next thing that needed to happen was to locate Henry Ball and put him behind bars, where he belonged. Where had he gone? And who was driving the carriage?

Chapter F
ifty-One

Parker Plantation

Before James left
Baltimore he made arrangements with his parents to come for an extended visit. James would tell Susannah he invited them to spend precious time with the grandchildren. But the real reason was so he and his father could make sure the plantation was protected from Ball. James was positive once Henry found out his plan had failed, he’d certainly try again to take his life. Ball, in James’s opinion, had somehow gone from angry to insane. He was so bent on revenge, that James felt certain he wouldn’t stop his attempts on his life until he completed his task or die trying. However, Ball was about to find out how tough an opponent James could be.

James plans about Henry Ball where suddenly put on hold when he
returned home to find Mrs. Webb and Susannah waiting for him. Susannah greeted him with a huge embrace announcing she needed to speak to him immediately regarding something urgent that needed to be taken care of immediately. James followed his wife into the parlor, as the children scampered outside and Mrs. Webb went on the veranda to keep an eye on things. James surmised something terrible had happened, when he realized Mrs. Webb had been living at the house.

“James, I
’m sorry for this need to speak with you the minute you’ve arrived, but I fear if I don’t speak with you now, it’ll be too difficult for me to handle this conversation later. I’ve spent my morning planning which words would be the best to use to break this news to you as gently as I can. Mother promised to occupy the children for the next hour or so.”

James
’s worry about Ball was now overshadowed by the fear of what news Susannah was about to share. He’d never seen her so serious or upset. He saw the desperation in her eyes and he feared Ball had already made himself known. His heart raced as he waited for Susannah to speak.

“James, please sit with me on the settee and hold me while I speak.”

James did as asked. He slid his arms around Susannah and pulled her close so her back was against his chest. He could feel the tension within her. This couldn’t be about Ball, James thought, this was something else. This was going to be worse than whatever Henry Ball was up to. He just knew it.

“You know what a wonderful life we
’ve had with our two beautiful children, don’t you? I’m afraid our dreams of having a long life that would fill our golden years with joy and happiness as we watched our children marry and give us grandchildren has been altered by something much unexpected. I wish I could be with you during those times. But it’s not to be. I’ll soon be heading to the home our Lord prepares, when we leave this earth.                 

“Susannah,
what the hell are you saying---

“
Please, James, let me continue, while I have the strength and composure to go on.”             

James didn’t want to hear anymore. He leaned his head down to kiss Susannah’s cheek and felt the
wetness from the tears that had fallen so quietly. He closed his eyes and took slow even breaths. James felt his own tears welling in his eyes.

“
I’ve been ill for some time. I’d hoped I was wrong when I first thought my symptoms were similar to those who have consumption. After you left, I too, went to Baltimore. I went to confirm my worst fears with Dr. Morris. He’s such a kind and good friend. He promises to come to visit here once a week, as the illness progresses, once I’m unable to travel.”

James was holding Susannah
tighter than she’d expected. She leaned her face up to his and she could see the tears sliding down his cheeks to match her own. She gently reached up and wiped his tears as he did the same to her.

“
Are you positive there’s not been a mistake in your diagnosis?”

“
I’m positive. I have consumption, James. I was fairly sure of what I had, but I hoped and prayed my conclusion had been wrong. I recognized the symptoms since Aunt Amy, mother’s youngest sister, died from this terrible disease a few years ago.

“
I stopped to tell my parents on the way home from Baltimore. Mother was gracious enough to come home to help with the children. I hope I’ve at least six months to a year, James, so we’ll have time to prepare the children for what’s forthcoming.”

“And who,
by God, is going to prepare me? I don’t think I can go on without you, Susannah. You’re everything to me. You make everything meaningful and worth working for. Everything.” James realized his life had just lost all importance. Nothing else mattered. How could it?

“As you are
everything to me, James. But we both know tragedy can strike at anytime. Who are we not to have our share of grief? My real regret is not seeing the children grow to be adults and marry. I try not to think of what I shall miss in this life, but to be thankful for every day I have with you and the children. I’ll try to remain brave. And when I’m unable to do so, I’m counting on you to hold me up and give me strength. Promise me, James, you’ll do this for me. Promise.”

“I promise, Susannah
, to do whatever I can to help you through this. I shall gain strength from your strength as you will from mine. You’re the most courageous woman I know. We shall live each day thankful for every minute we have. I love you, Susannah. I’d give anything and everything I own to change this.”

“I know, James. I trust that when the time comes, you
’ll go on with your life and leave me to rest in peace. Please don’t dwell on what’s in the past, James. We’ve had a wonderful time together. You’ve made me very happy. You must promise to live for the future. You’ll have many years left in your life to give someone else a chance at finding happiness, too.              

“Please
, don’t live the remainder of your life wishing for something that was lost. Now, James, let’s sit here quietly and enjoy this time of peace until the children return with mother. We must remain stoic, as if all is well, for the sake of the children. Don’t you agree?”

Susannah knew James was
trying very hard to remain composed and to adjust to the news she’d given him. She felt his heavy breathing and sensed his anguish as he held her. She now contained her tears and enjoyed this time with the man she’d given her heart and soul. She wondered how difficult things would be when the children learned the truth about her condition.

“Susannah, I
had invited my parent’s to stay for a few weeks while I was visiting them not knowing what was happening here. They may actually be a lot of help under the circumstances. But if you disagree with them coming at this time, I can send a messenger to suggest they wait a few weeks.”

James was concerned. He needed his father here to help guard against Ball.
He must convince Susannah their visit now would be a blessing. He’d not share about the attack on his life; she had enough to worry about.

“Oh James, I think that would be wonderful. Mother
’s been so busy with everything. I notice she’s very tired trying to handle the children and the household duties. I haven’t been much help. Having some extra hands to pitch in would be perfect.”

“I
’m glad. They, too, will be heartbroken, when we share the news with them. But we need everyone to help out during this difficult time.” James didn’t dare add, and for their safety, too.