Ruth set the tray on the table. “No, my lady. No one has arrived with word.”
“Seek me immediately if word arrives. That will be all.”
She heard Ruth’s dress brush against her legs as she left the room. Though her sister may have trusted her, Bethany had a difficult time confiding in her sister’s handmaiden. She looked over at the tray Ruth had left, but did not have the energy to pour herself a drink. Besides, the thought of partaking in sugar cakes made her stomach feel queasy.
She just wished they’d return home with haste or, if nothing else, that Jonathan would reply to her message.
* * *
The interview with Master Vawer took less time than he had expected, and the elderly man’s constant chatter and infectious smile put Jonathan at ease.
It appeared that, in order to become a full-fledged member of the society, he would need to go through a proper apprenticeship. If he were accepted into the organization, Master Vawer offered to oversee his training, and because of his knowledge and experience, Master Vawer didn’t think it would take long.
“Do you have any further questions?”
“I believe you have answered any questions I may have had.”
Master Vawer stood up and reached out his hand. “Very well, then. It was a pleasure, Lord Butler.”
Jonathan shook his hand with a firm grip. “I shall call again next week.”
He’d almost made it to the door when he remembered the trade deal. “Pray tell, Master Vawer. I do have a question. Have you come across a man named Gilbert Arden? I believe he is a wool trader from Stratford.”
Master Vawer tapped his temple with his finger. “Arden is a rather old, prestigious name. However, I do not believe we have had dealings with a Gilbert. My assistant will review our logs and send a message you.”
Jonathan placed his hat upon his head and stepped out into the bright sunlight. It appeared the interview with Master Vawer had gone well. He, at least, hoped Vawer felt it went as well as he did. He descended the stone stairs and glanced around. His father hadn’t returned.
With such an important meeting, he figured his father would want to hear the results immediately. After all, with their support, his family could begin exporting to Europe and the Americas. He shook his head. Chances were, he’d find his father at The Bell.
He straightened his doublet and began the long walk across town.
In his mind, he began to think of the opportunities export would present. If, in fact, Gil’s proposition was creditable, they could make a fortune. Yet, he was leery of such favorable circumstances bringing the prosperity proclaimed.
He had been so lost in thought that he almost bumped into an elderly woman.
“Pardon me.”
The woman, her head hung, barely nodded and stepped past him. He watched her slowly walk away. He thought it odd that she wore a tattered, woolen cloak in this excruciating heat. The wicker basket she carried appeared heavy, or—as if it held all of her worldly possessions.
His thoughts quickly drifted to Avery. Had Jonathan not intervened, there was no telling what his life would have been like, or even if he and his family would have survived. With haste, Jonathan pulled a coin from his purse and took a few long strides.
“Pardon me again, but I am compelled to give this to you.” He placed a coin in her hand.
The woman glanced down at the coin. A smile came to her lips. “You are most generous, m’lord, though I cannot accept this without offering a gift in return.”
Jonathan was taken aback. He’d never known a beggar to refuse an offering.
She set her basket on the ground, then reached for his hand, turning his palm toward her. With her crooked finger, she traced the lines. “A crossing you approach is near. Decisions, you will need to procure. Choose wisely, for an end will begin.”
She dropped his hand as quickly as she had grasped it. Jonathan stood frozen, watching her pick up her basket and shuffle away. Then he shrugged. She was simply an old woman who wished to show her appreciation.
Jonathan turned and picked up the pace. He was eager to meet with his father, yet by stopping, he had wasted valuable time. Her vague words stuck in his mind. An end would begin. He wondered what she meant.
He made it to The Bell and walked inside. The room was dark compared to the bright sun shining on him in the doorway. He looked around but didn’t see his father. He sighed and made his way to the bar. There were many familiar faces, but neither his father, nor Gil, was there. He scanned the room again and noticed Severs sitting over a tankard of ale.
“Lord Severs.”
He looked at Jonathan and smiled. “It is good to see you, Lord Butler. Will you be joining us this eve to go over Master Arden’s proposal?”
“Yes. My father was to meet me here? Pray tell, have you seen him?”
Severs shook his head. “He has not arrived while I have been here.” He glanced around the room. “Though, Master Arden had been here for a short time, then suddenly left. He stated he had a meeting.”
Odd, Jonathan thought to himself. Why would he leave when they were to meet here?
As if Severs read his mind, he said, “He claimed he was off to acquire a bride.”
Jonathan chuckled at and turned his attentions to the young girl, wearing an oversized dress, who set a mug of ale on the table, then smiled at Jonathon. He handed her a coin. Somehow, she reminded him of the old woman he’d met just a short time ago. He shrugged the thought away and slid into a chair across from Severs.
“I hear you have made your decision regarding Arden’s offer.”
“Aye. I did. And now I have again.”
Jonathan lifted his brow.
“I thought it to be a good investment. Arden wishes to finalize the agreement this eve.”
“I thought we had more time.”
“We did until this morn. It appears he received a message offering twice what he proposed.”
“Do you believe he may unkiss the agreement?”
Severs shook his head. “Had it been mine, I would have departed immediately.”
Jonathan took a long drink of his ale. “Arden may be a man of his word.”
Severs shrugged. “He may be. But a man cannot gain wealth by his word alone.”
He stared at his ale. The words of the old woman he’d come across lingered in his mind. Was this what she meant? A decision he would need to procure? There was nothing much he could do at the moment to change his fate. He’d wait for his father and the meeting with Gil, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow this would not turn out as he’d like.
* * *
Bethany rushed to the window. She was right; she’d heard the sound of a carriage approaching. She watched in anticipation for the occupant to step out. It was her father.
Quickly, she stepped from the window and wiped her damp palms on the skirt of her dress. With her fingers, she tucked a loose strand of hair back in its place.
Seconds felt like hours. She shifted her weight, trying desperately to be patient and not race to the door like her sister would. She shifted her weight again and could feel her heart pounding in her chest. At long last, she heard the front door close. She took a deep breath and listened to the heavy footsteps.
The moment he stepped in the parlor, she found her voice. “Father, I wish to speak…”
Her face paled and she lost her train of thought. Gil stood behind her father with a smirk upon his face.
“Good day, Bethany.” He stepped toward the small table and picked up the pages Gil had left earlier. “Master Arden and I have a private matter to discuss. Whatever it is you wish to speak about, we shall discuss it over supper.”
Bethany could only nod as she watched the two men disappear into James’s library. Had she been a man, she might not have been dismissed so easily. Then again, Seanna would have barged into the library and demanded his attentions. But she was not her sister.
She slipped on to the sofa and wrung her hands in
her lap. Somehow, she knew her fate lay in the next room. If only Jonathan had responded to her letter.
* * *
Sunlight filled The Bell. Nearly all the patrons turned toward the doorway. The moment the door closed and they could see who had entered, they turned back to their conversations. The newcomer wasn’t who Jonathon expected. It was Nic.
His eyes scanned the room and landed on Jonathan. With a determined step, he made his way across the room.
“Good day, Jonathan. I require information. Have you come across the man known as Gilbert Arden this day?”
“I heard he was to acquire a bride.” He chuckled and glanced over to Severs.
Severs looked up from his ale. “It was no jest.”
Nic crossed his arms. “Your inquiry was not as heedless as you first speculated. I just received word: Arden has deceived several groups of investors in different cities under assumed names. He promised goods for a price, then disappeared. We’ve discovered he has no wares, no possessions. The wool he has spoken of carries no papers and is, therefore, illegal.”
He tensed. No wonder the Merchant Venturers had not heard of him. The man lied. He wanted to take advantage of his father, of their fortune. His nostrils flared. He gritted his teeth. “He must be found.”
Severs creased his brow. “As I have said, he went off to seek a bride. Most recently, he has spoken of the Maycott girl. I assume he is requesting her hand as we speak.”
Jonathan’s eyes went wide his stomach dropped. “I am in need of a horse.”
Severs lifted his mug. “You have my permission, but return him posthaste.” Then he muttered. “’Tis a good thing I decided against the investment.”
Nic and Jonathan darted out of the room. In no way would he allow Arden to deceive anyone else, especially Lord Maycott and his daughters.
* * *
It wasn’t long when the front door closed again. She could hear her sister’s laughter and James’s gruff voice. Moments later, Seanna entered the parlor and James passed by in the direction of the staircase.
Bethany jumped to her feet, a little too quickly. “Seanna. I’ve much to tell you. Master Arden is in the library with Father.”
“You believe he wishes to propose marriage?” Seanna took her hands and squeeze them. “This is good news, is it not? If you are to be wed, you will stay in England. I am certain Master Arden will be a suitable husband.”
Bethany shook her head. It was a wonder she could get a word in edgewise. “No. I mean yes. I believe he is discussing a proposal with Father; however, I do not believe he is the man he claims to be.”
“Oh, fiddlesticks. I am certain whatever tell-tales you have heard are not true. After all, you know what was spoken of James and the lies behind them.”
Bethany shook her head again. As much as she didn’t like James, she knew Gil was worse. From what she’d witnessed, James’s motives for marrying Seanna held no ill intent. “No, Seanna. I...”
She was in interrupted when her father walked into the parlor again with Gil behind him. “I have good news for you, Bethany. Master Arden and I have come to an agreement about your future. Master Arden has agreed to take your hand in marriage.”
Time stood still. She felt as if she were dreaming, except for the nauseous feeling in her stomach. If her father had come to an agreement, there was nothing more she could do.
A loud noise in the other room turned everyone’s attention toward the doorway. Jonathan, still wearing his hat, barged into the room with Nic a few steps behind him.
“Somehow I knew you would be here!” Jonathan looked directly at Gil.
Nic step forward. “Master Arden, if you would be so kind as to follow me.”
Gil’s eyes went wide. “What is it you want of me?”
At the same time, her father bellowed. “What is the meaning of this!”
“Word has reached my ears that you are wanted for questioning by the magistrate in Stratford. Thus, with your current dealings, I believe the magistrate here in Bristol will be taking an interest in your activities.”
Bethany watched Gil’s face turn white, then red. His eyes shifted around the room. In a blink of an eye, he rushed toward the doorway. Unfortunately for him, he ran directly into James, who had just entered the parlor.
Before Gil could rush past him, Jonathan grabbed Gil’s arm and pulled it behind his back. The struggle knocked the hat from his head.
“Pray tell, what is the reason to apprehend this man in my home?”
Nic laughed. “Many reasons, my friend. If you would do me the honor of loaning me your carriage for a spell.”
James snickered and stepped from the doorway. “A most agreeable request.”
Jonathan nudged Gil to start walking then glanced back and nodded. “My lady.”
Bethany smiled. “I’m thankful you responded to my message.”
Jonathan lifted a brow. “Your message? I received no message from you this day.” Gil then began to struggle. Jonathan tightened his grip. “If you will excuse me.”
Bethany’s mouth fell open. He hadn’t received her message, yet he had arrived just in time. She didn’t understand.
She jumped when her father brushed by her. “I will return once this has been sorted out.”
Seanna touched her elbow. “I am certain supper will be delayed, for it appears Father is to join them.” She paused. “Would you like to sit and tell me exactly what happened?”
Bethany shook her head. “I think I would like to lie down for a while.”
In a daze, she took a few steps and spotted Jonathan’s hat on the floor. She picked it up and went upstairs to her chambers. Outside the window, the men were loading Gil into the carriage. She caressed the edge of his hat with her thumb. She couldn’t help but think: this would be the last time she would see Jonathan.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The long walk home finally came to an end. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with an auburn glow. Jonathan didn’t think he’d appreciated his home more than he did at this moment. He was tired. The day had taken its toll. All he wanted was to have a good meal and retire to his chambers. But that wasn’t going to happen. Severs had told his father about the incident, and he knew his father would want to discuss it further.
He heard voices coming from the parlor. Odd, he thought. He assumed his father would be distraught, hidden in his library, for his mother never liked to discuss business affairs. He peeked around the corner and found his mother sitting in conversation with Phoebe.
He thought to sneak away when his mother called out. “Jonathan. There you are. We had wondered where you went off to.”
Jonathan rolled his eyes. He was certain she knew exactly where he was. He had been abandoned in town, with only his feet to carry him home.
“Mother, Lady Goodwynn.” He nodded. “Have you seen Father. There is much I would like to discuss with him.”
She patted the seat next to her. “Come sit with us. He will return momentarily.” She waved at a servant, who then filled a goblet and set it on the small table.
He shuffled to the seat. He preferred to be anywhere at the moment except here, trapped in a room with his mother, who was obviously scheming about his future. With luck, his father would return with haste; then he could take his leave for the night.
“Pray tell, Jonathan, how was your meeting with the Merchant Venturers?”
He’d almost forgotten he’d met with Master Vawer. “It went well. I will hear word soon enough.”
She gave a long, heavy sigh. “The meeting was this morn. What kept you from returning home until this eve?”
His eyes darted toward the doorway. The thought of recounting the day to his mother and then again to his father felt exhausting. He glanced at her and knew by her smile she had already heard about the day’s events. Yet, she wished to hear the details again, directly from him. He would keep his answer brief, at least until he could speak with his father. “It was… eventful.”
; There was a long silence. He could feel them watching him intently. He kept his eyes averted by staring at his goblet of mulled wine. The minutes passed slowly. He had no idea how long he’d sat there until his father arrived.
His father walked in with a big smile on his face. “It appears you made it home in fine shape.” His father sat down. “What news have you? I spoke with Lord Severs and he informed me that Master Arden was a pretender.”
“My instincts were accurate. Several weeks ago, I relayed my concerns to Master Mattingly. Then today, I spoke with Master Vawer. He had no memory of a Master Arden. When you did not arrive, I made my way to The Bell. There, Master Mattingly arrived with news. Master Arden was not the man he pretended to be. He had replicated this ruse with others.”
“The parlous rook.” His father spoke through his teeth.
His mother gasped. “Richard, we have a guest. Maybe we should speak about happier things.”
It was obvious Phoebe tried to appear shocked, for his mother’s sake.
His father waved his hand. “Hush now. Jonathan has important news.”
“We determined Master Arden’s whereabouts and Lord Severs was kind enough to loan me his horse. We rode hard to the Bryant cottage; there we were able apprehend the man and deliver him to the magistrate.”
His mother gasped again. “Are not the Maycott’s staying at the Bryant cottage?”
He rolled his eyes. She knew very well where Lord Maycott and his daughters were staying. “It is.”
She glanced at Phoebe, then back at Jonathan. “Why would Master Arden call upon Lord Maycott?”
Jonathan shrugged. He was not about to tell her Gil had requested Bethany’s hand in marriage. If his mother learned of this news, it would ruin her chance at finding a suitable husband.
Phoebe placed her hand upon her chest. “Well, I, for one, am saddened by the Lady Maycott’s circumstance. Her sister’s quest was all for naught, since they leave for France on the morning tide.”
It took a moment for her words to register in his mind. “I believe you are mistaken. They are scheduled to depart in just over a week’s time.”
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