The Lady Who Saw Too Much

by Thomasine Rappold

  “Alex, wait!”

  But Alex turned his back and stormed out the door.

  Chapter 27

  Dinner that evening was a dismal affair. Gia glanced at the solemn faces around the table. Only three of them remained at the house, and while Clara’s absence always resulted in less chatter, other than the sound of clinking utensils as they ate, the room was unusually silent.

  Alice had been surprised by Kit and Sissy’s sudden departure, but when Alex had stormed from the house shortly after, there’d been no denying something was wrong.

  Landen refused to speak of the argument he’d had with Alex, and his foul mood had only grown fouler at any mention of it. He had barely spoken a word since Alex left. Gia feared he blamed her for his falling out with Alex, but she couldn’t truly blame him. Damn Kit Richardson for causing all this trouble.

  “So, why didn’t you go to Saratoga with Aunt Clara?” Landen asked Alice.

  Alice started at his unexpected attempt at conversation. “I have other plans.”

  “Such as?”

  “Ben is taking me out for a sunset boat ride, remember?”

  Landen frowned. “Those plans were made with Alex and the others,” he said.

  “Well it’s too late to cancel now.” Alice poked her fork at the peas on her plate.

  “You’re not going alone. It’s out of the question.”

  Alice’s shattered expression was too much to bear. Gia dreaded the water, but she had to face her fear some time. “I am going with them,” she said to defuse the situation.

  Landen pinned Gia with a frown that made her want to shrink in her seat.

  “Of course you are.”

  She shook off the sting of his sarcasm as he turned to Alice.

  “Very well. But from now on, you will inform me of any future plans with this man. He’s been here every day for a week, and I’ll not have you giving him the wrong idea.”

  Alice set down her fork. “The wrong idea?”

  “We’ll be going back to the city soon. There’s no sense attaching yourself to a man you may never see again.”

  Alice gaped at him. Her wounded look turned to anger as she shot to her feet. “Excuse me, please. I must get ready.”

  She swished from the room in a huff, leaving Landen staring after her.

  Gia shook her head at his unnecessary censure. “You’re angry with Alex, and you’re taking it out on Alice.”

  “Is it too much to ask that my wife might support me on this?”

  “You’re being—”

  “She’s spending too much time with him,” he said. “And your encouragement will not make it any easier for her when she has to leave him behind.”

  While it was true Alice wouldn’t be able to see Ben as often once she went back to the city, there was no reason they couldn’t continue their courtship. “She cares very much for him, Landen.”

  “She deserves better.”

  “Because he’s not wealthy?”

  “Because she’s my sister,” he said. “She’s just beginning to gain some confidence in herself. I want her to explore her options and not settle for the first man she feels comfortable with. I want her to take her time, to get to know other young men, other young men who might be better suited for her.”

  “You’re sounding more like Aunt Clara every day,” Gia muttered.

  “I am nothing like Aunt Clara. I would never push her to marry the way she pushed me.”

  Was he referring to Gia or Isobel? At the moment it didn’t matter. He seemed angry at the world, so she did her utmost to ignore his hostility.

  “It’s a boat ride, Landen.”

  “It’s more than that, and you know it,” he said.

  After what had happened with Kit, Gia assumed Landen didn’t hold much trust for any man at the moment, especially when it came to his sister. While she understood his fears for Alice, he was being unreasonable. “But I will be with them, so you needn’t worry.” She tilted her head. “Why not join us?”

  With a frown, he considered the invitation for barely a moment, during which she knew he’d decline. “I am in no mood for boating.”

  “Alex will come around,” she said. “Just give him some time.”

  Her attempt to broach the crux of his anger earned her another frown. She didn’t care. The tension between her and Landen had grown tauter in the wake of this rift between the brothers. She had to find some way to fix things.

  “What did you tell him about Kit?” she asked.

  “I didn’t get the chance to tell him anything. He believes I oppose his plan to marry Sissy because of her financial situation.”

  “Well, you must tell him the truth about what Kit did.”

  “I will not grovel at his feet and beg him to listen to me.”

  She saw in his eyes his anger at Alex. She saw his anger at her as well. Perhaps Gia shouldn’t have told Landen about what Kit had done. But she loved Landen, and she had to be honest with him. No more secrets or lies. She also loved Alice and could not allow the sweet girl to be matched with the likes of Kit Richardson.

  Besides, Alex deserved to know the truth about Kit. Sissy did too.

  “Don’t let your pride become another obstacle between the two of you,” Gia said.

  “I doubt he’d believe me, anyway. He worships Kit. He despises me.”

  The hurt behind his frustration was as clear as a bell. She sighed, wanting so much to console him. “I’m sure that’s not true. Just go talk with him.”

  “No.”

  The man’s stubbornness was infuriating. “Then I will.”

  “No, you will not.” His face turned to steel, and she knew she had pushed him too far.

  “Damn it, Gia. This is between me and my brother. You will not speak a word of it to anyone, including Alice,” he said. “Understood?”

  With a reluctant nod, she conceded defeat. For now, anyway.

  “Go get ready for the boat ride,” he said.

  She stood, frowning at his dismissal as she made her way to the door.

  “Gia.”

  She turned to face him.

  “Keep a sharp eye on them.”

  * * * *

  The surprising visit from Whithers had not gone well. Landen slumped into the chair behind his desk, his heart still pounding from the heated exchange long after Whithers’ carriage had torn down the drive.

  Fortunately, Gia was still out with Alice on the boat ride. She’d be more frightened than ever had she heard the argument, and he could do without having to deal with her now, while he was still processing what had occurred.

  Whithers’ reaction to Landen’s inquiries made Landen suspicious. Instead of defending his reputation as any honest man would, Whithers had sputtered and spouted in circles before he’d resorted to warning Landen to cease his probing into his affairs at once. He’d offered nothing that might encourage a reluctant investor, nothing that might aid in his case to secure Landen’s trust.

  Or, perhaps, Landen had read the man wrong. God knew he was losing faith in his own judgment lately. Landen had never had so much strife with so many people—and all in the course of one day. He’d never felt such a loss of control over things.

  His mind reeled to Gia. What if Whithers was innocent? What if Kit was innocent as well? Landen had sacrificed a lot in service of this woman, and he couldn’t help feeling angry at her. And angry at himself if it turned out he’d been a fool to believe her.

  He rose to clean up the mess Whithers had made when he’d cleared Landen’s desk before Gia returned to see it.

  The sound of footsteps in the hall told him he was too late. He uttered a curse as the door to the study opened. Gia froze on the threshold, mouth agape.

  “Whithers was here,” she uttered.

  Landen narrowed his eyes, wondering how she had known. He walked through the mess of papers strewn on the floor. “He’s unhappy I backed out of my deal with hi
m. And he got wind of my inquiries. He’s understandably upset.”

  “He threatened you.”

  “Yes,” he answered as he stared at her.

  “You must never go anywhere with him, Landen,” she said. “And you must stay out of the woods and away from the creek along the estate.”

  “Gia, please.” He held up a hand. “I haven’t the stamina for any more right now. I’ve put my reputation in peril. I’ve alienated a business associate based on no proof of wrongdoing other than you have a bad feeling about him. Let that be enough.”

  She pursed her lips, looking more hurt than angered by his trivializing her concerns about Whithers.

  “He’s going to try to hurt you,” she said.

  The stark fear in her eyes stopped him cold. She was so damn worried for his safety, so damn insistent that he was in danger, he could almost believe it himself.

  “I don’t think so,” he said honestly. “But if that is the case, I will be ready.”

  * * * *

  The next morning Gia sat at the breakfast table alone. The visit from Whithers had left her tossing all night, as did her worries for Landen. He had assured her he would be prepared for any threats from Whithers, but the man could be more dangerous now that he knew Landen was on to him.

  The knot in her stomach tightened. Gia also couldn’t help worrying about her relationship with Landen. There was no denying his falling out with Alex had damaged something between her and Landen. Despite her efforts to stay positive, her heart ached with the possibility their marriage might fall apart too. He hadn’t joined her in bed last night until after she’d finally fallen asleep.

  Landen stepped into the room, looking tired. He took a seat, and Gia poured him some coffee.

  “Where’s Alice?” he asked.

  Gia shrugged. “She’s been getting up with the birds to tend to her garden. Perhaps she went for a walk afterward.”

  He nodded as Florence stepped into the room.

  “Only two messages this morning, Mr. Elmsworth.” She placed the tray on the table.

  “Thank you, Florence.”

  Apprehensive about any news about Whithers, Gia watched with keen interest as Landen read the first message.

  He glanced up at her, brows raised in surprise. “It seems your suspicions about Whithers were right,” he said.

  Her heart stilled.

  “It’s come to light that he’s bilked several former investors. According to my solicitor, a full investigation into his dealings is currently underway.” He set down the note. “I have to admit, I’m surprised.” He studied her face, tilting his head. “You’re a good judge of character,” he said as though he could hardly believe it. “Your intuition saved a lot of people a lot of money.”

  She slumped back in her seat.

  He eyed her warily. “I thought you’d be happy.”

  “I’m afraid.”

  “The man is finished, Gia. It’s right there in black and white,” he said with a tap to the page. “It’s over.”

  Gia considered his words, wanting so much to believe them. Could it be true? The red scarf was long gone, and Whithers had been found out. Had she done it? Had she saved Landen from the fate depicted in her visions?

  The possibility that the nightmare might truly be over made her heart soar. She floated on the newfound lease on life, reveling in the prospect immensely. Could they finally build a life together? A family? Or would the means to this end—all her deceit—be too much for him to overcome?

  “You can rest easy now,” he said, “and put your fears to rest once and for all.”

  Encouraged by his reassurance that all would be well, she broke into a tremulous smile.

  He smiled back at her, and her heart refilled with hope for their future.

  With a nod to end the matter, he proceeded to open the second message.

  His face turned stark white.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  His eyes bulged as he read, and her short-lived happiness turned swiftly to fear.

  “What has happened? Is it Clara?”

  He shot to his feet. “It’s Alice.” Anger flushed his face red. “She and the gardener have eloped.”

  Chapter 28

  Gia blinked, not believing her ears. “What?”

  “Eloped.” He spun from the table, stumbling into the chair behind him. With a curse, he heaved the heavy thing from his path, and it slammed to the floor.

  Cringing at his violent reaction, Gia fought to stay calm. She’d sensed all along that Alice loved Ben, but she still couldn’t believe she’d eloped. “Are you sure?”

  “It’s right here,” he said, raising the page in his fist. “I knew something like this would happen.” He strode toward the door, a succession of curses trailing behind him. “I’ll kill that son of a—”

  “Where are you going?” She shot to her feet.

  “Where do you think I’m going?” he tossed over his shoulder.

  “Landen, please. Let’s calm down and think—”

  “I don’t need to think. I need to stop them.”

  Gia chased after him as he stormed out the door and proceeded across the lawn. He flung open the stable door. “Her horse is gone. She wrote that they were going to the city to get married.”

  “To Troy?”

  “I don’t know.” He shook his head, glancing down at the page still clutched in his hand. “Maybe Troy, maybe Albany.” He rambled more to himself than to her. “I have to find them.”

  He ran his hand through his hair, and his angry expression waned beneath the sudden shift in his features. His eyes filled with the same frantic worry he’d displayed the night Aunt Clara was ill, and they’d feared she might die.

  Gia’s vexation at Alice bristled under her skin. Her thoughts spun. They had no idea where Alice was heading nor when she’d left, for that matter. Alice could be married already. The dull ache of dread inside her intensified as she considered the repercussions of the elopement. Landen would never forgive the girl.

  Gia had to do something. “May I see the note?” she asked, determined to summon a vision that might help locate Alice before it was too late.

  “It says nothing more than what I’ve told you.” He stuffed the crumpled note into his pocket, then started toward the stalls. “Now, get out of my way.”

  She scrambled from his path, watching as he set to saddling his horse.

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “No.” He dropped the saddle on the horse, then spun to face her. His jaw was like steel, and she flinched at the anger in his eyes. “You’ve done enough.”

  His meaning was clear. He blamed her. “Landen—”

  “This is your fault. All of it.” He pointed his finger, stabbing it like a knife through the air. “You encouraged this courtship. You encouraged me to trust her.” He glared at her, shaking his head as he lowered his hand. “But my biggest mistake was trusting you.”

  Gia stared at him, stunned. In his savage expression, she saw that all they had shared, all the progress she’d thought they’d made, was for naught. Her despair turned to anger in the course of one breath. “Trusting me?” The preposterous assertion dredged up months of frustration—a lode of worthless effort and disappointment and ire. “You’ve never trusted me.”

  “And rightly so,” he fired back.

  His smug shot pushed her over the edge. “Yes, Landen. I have made some mistakes. We both know that. But I have been a good wife to you. I’ve tried my best to earn your trust, but I see now that’s an impossible feat.”

  “Right again,” he said as he turned back to his horse.

  She grit her teeth, but her fury was too much to contain. “You will never trust me, because you trust no one! Your mother and Isobel saw to that!”

  She froze, startled by her own words.

  His shoulders tensed as he straightened.

  The air stilled. She stood in the wak
e of her strike, in that ominous space between lightning and thunder, and braced herself for the boom.

  He turned to face her. His expression conveyed more than anger. More than accusation and blame. Bitter regret surfaced in his eyes. “Be that as it may, it was you who ruined my life. You used every trick in the book to seduce me—in and out of bed.” His nostrils flared. “You made me marry you. You made me care for you only to destroy me in return.”

  “That’s not true!”

  “I’ve lost everything because of you! My freedom, my brother, and now my sister! You’re like a toxin, poisoning everything you touch!” He gnarled his lips in disgust. “No wonder your parents wanted you gone.”

  The piercing words cut through her, and she winced against the depth of her pain.

  He averted his eyes, but it was too late. She’d seen his true feelings. Felt his utter disdain. Her heart splintered to pieces. She stood amid the ringing silence, unable to speak, unable to move.

  He turned away from her, finished saddling his horse, and then tore away.

  * * * *

  Gia slumped to a hay bale, trembling. It was over. The finality of it all echoed through her empty soul like the memory of that first shovel-full of dirt dropping over her brothers’ caskets—that unforgettable sound that scraped through the shock and denial to the dreadful realization that things would never be the same.

  Another man, perhaps, might succeed in forgiving her lies, but not Landen. He’d been hurt and betrayed by the women he’d loved; he’d not allow himself to risk trusting another again. Or, then again, maybe he might have—on a woman who was worth it.

  A woman like Charlotte…

  But Gia had forced an end to that affair and that prospect for his happiness. The ponderous thought sunk her lower. The desire for a dose of laudanum had never felt so strong. The desperate urge to escape her inadequacies, to vanish into the sweet numbness slithered like a snake through the maze of her troubled mind.

  Hating herself for her weakness, she cried into her hands, bleeding her misery, her guilt, her failures. She’d saved Landen from Whithers but at what cost? Landen lived for his family, and without them, he would shrivel away. As she would shrivel away without him….