Timeless Passion: 10 Historical Romances To Savor (284 page)

“Oh dear, what did you do?”

“Of all things, we eloped. It provoked a scandal of mammoth proportion. His father was furious. Poor Percy had burnt his bridges so thoroughly he was forced to accept a position in the West Indies, running an outpost of the family’s shipping and import/export business.”

“And you went with him?”

“Of course I did. I loved the silly man. But the count demanded financial compensation for the slur to his reputation and his daughter’s honour. Percy, God bless him, undertook responsibility for this payment.”

“So how did you end up in New South Wales?” asked Electra.

Susanna explained, that with Percy’s entrepreneurial flair and business acumen and her enthusiastic support, their wealth increased tenfold. They paid off the debt and soon became the darlings of colonial society in the Indies. When Percy decided to expand the business to the colony of New South Wales, their reputations preceded them. They were received with open arms by the excitement-starved settlers. Susanna admitted to flouting all social protocols, providing the tight knit community with outraged gossip, flamboyant fashion, and an aristocratic disregard for what anyone thought of them.

She took another swallow of her coffee. “The delightful part of it all is Sydney society suspects my origins are a touch tainted, but the story has been told in so many ways that the truth has been long lost. No one is game enough to ask me outright for fear of my displeasure; so my past becomes further embellished with each new arrival and the mystery surrounding me deepens.”

Electra laughed. “No wonder you took a liking to me. It would have been like meeting a kindred spirit.”

“If I didn’t like you so much, I could even be envious of you,” said Susanna.

Electra looked at her questioningly.

“Since the Governor’s Ball, your social standing has risen considerably.”

“Goodness, how silly. I was sure I had managed to insult almost every person present.”

“Yes, well, there was that,” said Susanna laughing, “but your noble lineage was exposed and your air of mystery heightened. I tell you, I am struggling to best you now.”

They collapsed in giggles at the ridiculous situation; Electra clutched her sides while Susanna wiped tears from her eyes.

When they were finally able to control themselves again, Susanna sat back in her chair and regarded Electra for a moment. Then with an air of purpose, she leant forward. “There is something else that connects us Electra, and although Percy has asked me not to speak of it, I think I must.”

“Oh dear, it sounds serious. Do I want to know?”

Susanna sighed. “It concerns a man who I believe is your uncle, Carlton Shipley, the Viscount Gascombe. Am I correct?”

Electra felt her face drain of colour. “Yes, you are correct.” Her voice was almost a whisper, “It seems I am besieged by ghosts at every turn today.”

At Susanna’s hesitation, Electra gestured for her to continue. There were gaps in the details but at the least, Susanna was able to give an overview to Electra.

“Percy worked in the family business before he was shipped off to the West Indies. With Percy gone, Gascombe saw an opportunity for himself. He volunteered to act as the marquesse’s local agent and procurer of goods for export to the colonies, in Percy’s place.”

Electra shivered, sensing where this was heading. “Yes, he is an expert at profiting from other’s misfortunes.”

“The marquesse’s financial situation had worsened. Further, he had lost a number of his ships to both the French and piracy. So he was more than a little desperate at this point. Apparently, your uncle knew a captain who would transport the goods for no fee but wanted a share of the profit. Percy’s father jumped at the deal.”

“I really don’t think you need to tell me more. There is not an honest bone in Carlton’s body. The man thieved from his own brother; the marquess would not have stood a chance,” said Electra.

“You’re absolutely right. The man acted true to his nature. He and the captain fleeced the marquesse and were stupid enough to think they would get away with it.”

Electra’s eyes widened. “Please tell me they will not.”

“Percy, his father and other associates are presently gathering evidence to charge him. And I assure you there is an abundance of evidence of theft and corruption on both Gascombe’s and the captain’s part.”

“Oh, Susanna, I can’t believe this,” gasped Electra.

“Dear, Electra, I had felt terribly guilty that Percy was pursuing a man I knew to be your uncle. Until last week when the governor happened to mention to Percy that it was Gascombe who had orchestrated your arrest and imprisonment.” She looked at Electra, who nodded in confirmation, remembering the shame of that day. “This is obviously not an easy topic for you to discuss. Let’s leave the matter and speak of more enjoyable activities.” She patted Electra’s knee and turned to order more coffee.

“No, this is wonderful news. You must use every resource you have. He must be stopped, and I will help in any way I can,” said Electra, clenching Susanna’s wrist.

Susanna slapped the table decisively. “The despicable cad will pay, and we will not stop until he does.”

“Absolutely. Let the thieving scoundrel rot in Newgate.”

Chapter Seventeen

The two women eyed each other suspiciously. Electra knew Molly Preston held a place of importance in the heart of the man she loved and would wager Molly was thinking the same about her.

They sat upstairs in the library at Riverside with paper, pens, and various books laid out on William’s desk. Electra had given Molly a couple of days to settle in at Riverside before she began her tutoring.

“Perhaps you could show me what you know. Then I will have a place to start,” said Electra.

Molly Preston sat ramrod straight on the hard-backed chair. “You ain’t testin’ me, is you mum? You know, so as to make me look stupid like?”

“Of course not,” retorted Electra. “What makes you think I would do that?”

“Well, you might be jealous, seein’ as how yer husband looks out for me an’ all.”

The girl wasn’t stupid. That was exactly how Electra felt from the first moment she discovered her husband’s relationship with the girl. Foolishly, Electra thought she had made an excellent job of hiding this from Molly. Despite the unusual situation, she had a sneaking admiration for the young woman. Molly’s fervent desire for knowledge had given her the courage to risk reprisal from a potentially jealous wife. Further, she refused to cower before Electra, or to pretend things were not as they seemed.

Electra bit her lip, not quite stifling a grin and the tension dissolved between them. “I think I might enjoy tutoring you, Molly.” She felt her shoulders relax. She had not admitted to William how anxious she had been since agreeing to take on Molly Preston but she found she actually liked the girl.

“An’ you might not be too bad yerself, mum. Where’s that paper you wanted me to write on then?” said Molly, her young eyes twinkling.

• • •

After separating the new ram from the ewes, William spent time with Callum and Shelagh, discussing farm matters. It still amused him, after all this time, to see Shelagh working beside the men. Both he and Callum valued her input and he found he had more topics than usual to discuss with the couple this morning. If he was honest with himself, he was also delaying his return to the house.

Shelagh ducked through the gate as Callum closed off the paddock. “Ye seem a bit distracted this morning, Will. I hope all is well up at the house, aye?”

He rubbed his face and squinted up into the sun. “You’ll think I’m crazy, Shelagh, but I asked Electra to teach Molly Preston about keeping books of account. They started this morning and my imagination has been running wild with terrible scenarios.”

Callum snorted and put a hand on William’s shoulder. “Ye’re a braw lad, Will. I’d pay to be in the room when those two lock horns.”

“Perhaps they’ll get on.”

“Aye, as long as there’s no’ the jealousy over your relationship with each,” said Shelagh.

“Goddamn. Why do females have to be so complicated?” asked William.

Callum slapped Shelagh’s backside and, both chuckling at William’s dilemma, they headed across the fields to their cottage.

• • •

With some trepidation, William joined Electra for the midday meal. Molly was nowhere to be seen. Surprisingly, Electra seemed quite calm and made no reference to the girl; instead, inquiring of his morning’s activities. Now he had to decide whether he would be the one to raise the subject of Molly, or just let it lie.

“Er, how did your morning go?” A general question could do no harm.

“Yes, quite passable. Mmm, this soup is delicious. I wonder what Shi Liang has put in it this time?”

William admitted defeat. “All right, tell me the worst. How did you go with Molly?”

She laughed, obviously aware he had spent the morning plagued by anxiety. “You can stop worrying. We found we actually quite liked each other,” she said, alleviating his concern.

“You are an evil woman. You knew how guilty I was feeling about putting you in this position and, yet, you let me suffer.”

“Exactly. You deserved to suffer. Molly would have quite happily eaten me for dinner if I hadn’t backed down first. Nothing daunts the girl.” She reached for a slice of bread and looked at him thoughtfully. “I think that’s what I like about her.”

William reached for her hand and entwined his fingers through hers. “Would you like me to tell you what I like about you, Mrs. Radcliffe?” Before she could respond he continued, “No, better still, let me show you.” He cupped her chin in his hand and leaned over until his lips gently brushed hers. Her eyes closed and she drew him toward her, eager for a more satisfying kiss.

“Hmphm.”

Electra sprang away as Shi Liang entered the room. William leaned back in his chair and glanced over at the cook. He held a tray containing a letter.

“Solly for disturbing tasty meal,” he said, giggling, “but velly important letter come for Master. I bring straight away.” He pushed the letter in front of William and, still giggling, shuffled out of the room.

William sighed, as he dropped Electra’s hand and reached for the letter. His blood ran cold and the breath caught in his throat as, appalled, he recognised the writing.

“What is it, Will? What’s wrong?”

Without responding, he pushed his chair back, snatched the letter out of the tray and left the room. He cringed at his lapse of manners toward Electra. He should have stopped to explain but his tongue would not move. As he climbed the stairs, he heard Electra’s chair scrape across the floor and the loud slam of the French door as she retreated to the gardens.

His hands trembled as he inserted the silver letter opener into the envelope and ripped through the seal. A contact address had been forwarded to his father’s solicitor when he settled in Parramatta in case of emergency but this was not from the solicitor. He wasn’t sure if he was angrier at her audacity in contacting him or at his own emotional reaction. But it was the contents of the letter that dealt him the greatest blow.

The Earl of Canby had been killed in a carriage accident. Charlotte wrote she was desperately grief stricken and required William’s comfort and presence to attend to the many arrangements necessary. She begged his forgiveness for her actions and said there were urgent matters she must discuss with him in person.

He screwed the letter into a ball and threw it across the room. If only he could discard his feelings as easily.

• • •

As Electra bent to pick a bug from the stem of a rose, she heard horse’s hooves galloping from the stable toward the west paddock. She picked up her skirts and ran around the side of the house to see William’s grey stallion disappearing into the distance. A heaviness, like a stone, dropped to the pit of her stomach as she realised there was still so much he couldn’t share with her. Perhaps if she knew what had upset him, she could help.

The letter was the key.

Moments later, she hurried up the staircase toward his study. Her heart pounded, childlike in her fear of discovery. There was nothing on the desk. As her eyes scanned the room she saw a small, scrunched ball of paper in the corner. Checking to ensure no servants were nearby, she picked it up and smoothed out the creases.

She fell heavily into William’s leather chair, the letter gripped in her left hand. It was not possible to give him comfort, as she desperately wished, without revealing her knowledge of the letter’s contents. And her stomach churned with the fear that he would respond to Charlotte’s summons. Although William insisted he despised his father and cared not whether he lived or died, she now knew her husband for a man of compassion and sensitivity. He would be grieving for the father he remembered as a child, she was sure of it. But what were his thoughts of Charlotte?

• • •

William returned in time for dinner but could not bring himself to make light dinner conversation. He was acutely aware of Electra sitting opposite him, waiting.

“Will, please don’t lock me out. You have had bad news, haven’t you? Tell me, my love, I am your wife.”

He regarded her through the shadows of his grief. It had been a shock to discover the strength of feeling at the news of his father’s death. But he had to tell her. She was right, she had a right to know. Only, telling her made Charlotte real again and he feared a fresh eruption of the pain if he did not keep her shut away.

“The letter is from my father’s wife.” It was still hard to say her name. “My father has been killed in a carriage accident and his wife wishes me to sail for England immediately.” He took a deep breath and sat straight in the chair, determined not to show emotion.

“And will you go, William?”

Electra waited, her beautiful eyes filled with sadness and something else. Was it fear? He swallowed and reached for her hand. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

A solitary tear slid down her cheek, leaving a small dark spot on the bodice of her gown. She brushed it quickly away, as if it had nothing to do with her.

“Shall I be honest?”