Miss Winbolt and the Fortune Hunter (10 page)

‘You'd be a fool to tell him so. Kidman is not going to be pleased, Sis. And when Kidman isn't pleased he's dangerous. You haven't seen him in one of his rages.'

‘Don't call me Sis! I've told you, it's vulgar. Anyway, Ashenden isn't planning to move into Charlwood for some time yet. He's put ting the Dower House in order
and intends to live there first.' She walked about the room, then stopped and said abruptly, ‘How does Kidman know that the Valleron jewels are hidden in Charlwood?'

‘I told him.'

‘You! Why?' She looked at him, then shook her head. ‘You're a fool!'

‘If Kidman asks me a question, I answer it as best I can. That's not foolish, that's sensible. Remember that, Maria.' There was warning in his voice. ‘Edric was pretty ruthless, but Kidman is worse. Edric was at least sane before he got ill. And then it was the drugs.'

Maria gave him another scornful look. ‘You're a coward! I can handle Kidman. But how did you know about Charlwood? I won't believe Edric told you himself, brother or not. Edric wouldn't tell anyone.'

‘I agree. But those last weeks he was so full of laudanum that he didn't know what he was saying. You know that. You were there. He rambled a lot, but he mentioned Charlwood several times when I was with him, and talked about staying there with Great-Uncle Daniel when he was a boy. That was before my time, but it wasn't difficult to work out.' There was a pause. Then his voice changed as he said, ‘In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if, when Edric knew he was dying, he tried to tell someone exactly where the jewels were, but it was too late. He couldn't get the words out.' He came nearer. ‘Was it you, Maria? You spent more time with him than anyone else at the end. Are you sure he didn't manage to tell you something after all?'

‘Quite sure!' she said quickly. ‘He couldn't say a word!'

‘Then why did you move here straight after his death?'

‘How can you be so cruel?' she said with a catch in her voice. ‘I was unhappy in London. Edric was dead and I…I wanted to be back where I belonged—where I was brought up.'

‘Which just happens to be within a few miles of Charlwood. I'm not sure I altogether believe that, and neither will Kidman. He's not what I'd call gullible. And he intends to find those jewels even if it means tearing the place down.'

‘No! I…I need a little longer.'

Walter frowned. ‘I suspect you're playing a dangerous game, Maria. Kidman is no fool. Take my advice and have something for him when he comes. Some little titbit to keep him occupied. Think hard. Isn't there anything?'

‘I tell you, Edric was practically un conscious! He…he mumbled a bit, but I couldn't make it out. It could have been something…something about a fountain. Then I thought he had fallen asleep. And that is all!'

‘Why the devil couldn't you have woken him up and asked him to try harder?'

‘Even your precious Kidman couldn't have done that. Edric wasn't asleep, he was dead.'

‘Leaving you a grieving widow.'

‘But not as rich as I had hoped to be. Not nearly. And to think of all those jewels lying there… Tell me, how far…how far has Kidman got?'

‘He and a couple of others have been searching the house ever since Edric died, and haven't found a thing. The big room at the back was the last. It's just as well it was. Some interfering neighbour saw them, and since then the place has been watched every night.'

‘Well, all I can say is that it's a pity Kidman didn't
buy the place himself when he had the chance. He waited too long.'

‘Who would have thought anyone would be mad enough to want a rundown ruin like Charlwood? We all thought we were safe. Kidman did his best—he made a better offer for it as soon as he heard, but it was too late. Ashenden was in possession and didn't want to sell.'

‘I think it's hopeless. Better for everyone if Kidman gave up.'

‘You can't know him as well as you believe! Seventy thousand pounds' worth of gold and jewels? He won't give up on a sum like that, and—listen to me care fully, Maria, because it's important—woe betide anyone who stands in his way.'

‘What can he do?'

‘I hope, very sincerely, that you never find out. You need to do some serious thinking. He'll be here before the end of the week, and I'll mention the fountain business. But I warn you. He doesn't like failure, and he doesn't like frustration.'

It had to be said that neither of them was looking forward to Mr Kidman's visit.

 

When William got back his excursion with Mrs Fenton was for got ten, driven from his mind by the news that the children would be arriving in England at the end of the month. His long-standing problem was suddenly urgent. The changes to the Dower House were nearly done, and furnishings and staff could be dealt with in a very short time after that. They could all move in not long after the children's arrival. But who would look after them there? They needed more than the impersonal care of a servant, they needed a mother.

In other words, a wife was urgently required, and there was only one woman who would do. Emily Winbolt would not be the easiest of help meets, but she was exactly what he required. He even liked her! And judging by her response at their first sensational meeting, marriage to her could have other, more exciting, aspects. William decided not to delay any further, but, conscious that the lady might need considerable persuasion, he set out for Shearings the next day without saying a word about his intention to Lady Deardon.

 

He arrived at Shearings at a fortunate moment. Philip had taken Rosa to Temperley to visit her father, and Emily was alone. He found her in the library, the plans for one of the gardens she and Philip had created spread out on the desk in front of her

‘Good morning,' she said with an air of abstraction. ‘You're an early bird. But I'm glad you're here. Look at this.' She pointed at a section of the drawing that showed the supply of water to the ornamental ponds. ‘It wouldn't be difficult to do something like this at Charlwood.' She looked up. ‘Is something wrong?'

‘No, but I want to talk to you.'

‘Please do,' she said, squinting at the drawing. He put the drawing back in the folio and closed it. ‘What are you doing?' she asked, looking up again, astonished.

‘I want your full attention,' he said. Silver-grey eyes gave him a cool, clear look. He had seen that same look assessing his garden just two days before.

‘What about?' she said.

He took a breath, then found he was nervous. ‘Is it too cold for a walk in the garden?' he asked, delaying the moment.

‘Of course not. I'll get my shawl.'

They went out into the crisp air and walked for a while in silence as William sought an opening for his request. At last he said, ‘You did me the honour of confiding in me recently. I think you said that, much as you loved your brother and sister-in-law, you felt as if you had lost the…relevance you once had to Shearings.' He looked at her, one eyebrow raised. When she nodded he went on, ‘You would most of all like to have an establishment of your own, perhaps one with gardens where you could work to create the same beauty you have achieved here.'

Emily frowned. ‘Are you telling me you've found something suitable? But it's too soon. I believe I told you—Philip and Rosa will take a long time to become truly reconciled to such an idea.'

‘I agree with you. Moreover, I think they are right to be concerned. Have you never thought that you might feel just as lonely living by yourself as you do now at Shearings? More, even.'

She looked at him, startled. ‘I would employ a companion, of course.'

‘How could you be sure that a paid employee would be as con genial as your sister-in-law? That she would share your interests in the way Mrs Winbolt does? Isn't it far more likely that she would be a timid spinster, in need of a situation, too afraid of offending you to voice an honest opinion? You are too intelligent to be content with such a com pan ion. Believe me, I think you could well be more bored, and lonelier then than ever before.' He stole a look at her. She was frowning. He went on, ‘But I think I may have a solution for you.'

‘And that is?'

‘You could help me with a problem of my own. My brother's children, who are now my wards, are arriving
in England very soon. They can stay with Lady Deardon till the end of October, but then the Deardons are going up north to visit their daughter and Thirle will be closed for months. That in itself is not a problem—I want the children to move to Charlwood as soon as possible and the Dower House will be ready for us all by then. But I haven't yet found anyone who would help me to look after them.'

‘And you want me to help you to find someone?' asked Emily, puzzled.

‘I mean I need a wife, Emily.'

She looked at him blankly for a moment, then understanding dawned and she said, ‘You think that I… Oh, no! That would be quite out of the question!'

‘Why? Why is marriage to me out of the question?'

‘Because…because we don't love each other.'

He regarded her with amusement. ‘I'm not asking you to love me. To be honest, love matches are something I really cannot believe in. I've seen too many marriages that began with roses and romance only to end in recrimination and regret. I suppose that's why I've never felt the slightest temptation to fall in love.'

‘But that is the only reason for a woman to marry! Philip and Rosa—'

‘Nonsense! Really, Miss Winbolt, to assert that a woman needs to fall in love before she will marry is flying in the face of the evidence. Your brother and his wife are very rare examples—the exception that proves the rule. Women marry for any number of reasons—to cement an alliance, to be rich, to be secure, to have a position in life, to give a child a father… Shall I go on?'

‘No, I think you have made your point. But such
expediency would not suit me. I would only marry a man I loved and respected.'

‘I agree that respect, and even liking, are essential for a successful marriage. But not love. Do you not like me?'

Emily paused, then said, somewhat surprised, ‘I…I… Yes, I do.'

‘You don't respect me, then?'

‘Of course I do. But I can't marry you. Not when it sounds so cold—so like a business matter. You must find someone else to look after your children. Mrs Fenton, for example.'

He paused, looked faintly embarrassed, then frowned and said shortly, ‘That is impossible.' After a moment he shook his head, and took her hands in his. ‘Emily, won't you at least consider it?'

‘No.'

‘But why? I am offering you everything you said you wanted. You said you wanted an establishment of your own. I am offering you one. You said Charlwood should be restored. I am offering you a share in re storing it.' His hands grasped hers more firmly. ‘You said you were lonely. I am offering you com pan ion ship and a real marriage, not any sort of empty business arrangement. It would have warmth and passion, I assure you—we would be lovers as well as friends. And think of the wonderful time we could have making Charlwood into a home for us all. Think of the beauty you could create in the gardens there.'

Her hands were resting in his. She could feel her heart racing. ‘I…I don't know what to say.'

‘Well, that's a beginning. How about saying you will?”

‘What about the children? I have had no experience in dealing with young people.'

He pulled her round to face him and smiled kindly at her. ‘Nor have I! We should have to learn together.'

She gazed at him doubt fully, still not sure. ‘It would make Rosa and Philip happy. They like you. But…'

‘Emily,' he said softly, ‘stop worrying.' He took her face in his hands and held it while he kissed her. The kiss was warm, gentle, reassuring. Emily closed her eyes and was caught in its magic, its promise of a life together that would be full of friend ship and laughter, comradeship working on Charlwood, the challenge of caring for two lost, young orphans. Her present life suddenly seemed so empty, so lacking in purpose… Was she being unrealistic in expecting to fall in love and be loved in return before she married? Her experiences so far had not been encouraging. Perhaps Philip and Rosa
were
a very rare exception. This proposal of William's had so much to recommend it…

‘Emily? Are you going to marry me?'

She opened her eyes and looked into his. They were in tensely blue, dark blue as she had first seen them all those weeks ago. She had felt happy with him then, happier than she had felt for a long time. As she looked now, the fan of wrinkles, which had so appealed to her then, slowly appeared at the corner of his eyes and he smiled. She caught her breath. It was so tempting…

He had said they would be lovers as well as friends… She had a sudden, vivid memory of that first meeting, how closely he had held her, how the feel of his body next to hers had given rise to such strange, new sensations of delight, how his caresses had filled her with a passionate desire to belong only to him. As her husband, William would have the right to take her even further
into the world she had glimpsed on that evening in May. Yes, there would be much more than friend ship in marriage to William. He would be her lover as well as her friend…

But not in love with her. An inner sense of caution held her back from committing herself then and there. In spite of what he said, without real love it
was
a business proposition. And whether she accepted or not should be guided by her famously cool head, not her treacherous feelings. It would be madness to say yes, simply because a man's eyes developed a fan of wrinkles when he smiled. She stared at him, in an agony of in decision.

‘It's a big step,' she said eventually. ‘I…I need time. I…I know it isn't what you want, but I'd like to meet the children first.'