Lynette Vinet

by Wild Eden Wicked

  ~~~

  “She’s a mighty lucky young lady. All she got was a bad bump on the head, but she’ll be fine.” A man’s voice brought Eden out of the fog shrouding her brain.

  “Are you certain, Dr. Putnam? Her face is so pale and she’s still running a fever.” Eden recognized Jock’s cultured tones. “She isn’t fully conscious yet.”

  “Mrs. Flynn will be coming around soon. Don’t worry, Mr. Sutherland. Now if there’s any trouble with the pregnancy…” Putnam’s voice lowered, “get me at once. But I don’t foresee any problems.”

  The sound of heavy footsteps leaving the room caused Eden to finally open her eyes. She’d thought she was alone, but Jock was bending over her, intensely watching her. “Thank God!” he muttered seeing she was awake. “That old sawbones said you’d come around, but I was beginning to doubt it. Eden, love, you gave me an awful scare.” He sat beside her on the bed and took her hand.

  Eden was totally confused. The last thing she remembered was being on the ground after the horse threw her. Now she found herself in a large bedroom with Jock Sutherland beside her. “Am I at High Winds?” she asked him.

  “Yes, poor darling. You don’t know what happened to you after your accident?”

  “No,” she mumbled. It seemed like speaking caused her head to pound furiously, just to move her eyes was an ordeal.

  “Well, as near as I can discover…” Jock began, “you left Kia Ora and somehow stumbled onto my property during the storm. Apparently your horse threw you. The animal showed up at the stables. He’d been one of my horses before Marjorie took him with her to Kia Ora. My groomsman notified me, suspicious that a saddled horse would suddenly appear. I realized something must have happened to you or Marjorie, A group of us went out to search and we found you.” Jock affectionately squeezed her hand. “I’m grateful all you suffered was a bump to the head.”

  “What about Marjorie? I was looking for her, but I couldn’t find her.”

  “She’s fine,” he ground out. “Tiku is with her at Kia Ora. I told her you were here, and she said she’d bring over some of your things.”

  Eden began to sit up but fell back down when the room whirled around her like a top. “Oh, my head!” she complained.

  “You’re not to move,” Jock advised, gently rearranging the covers about her.

  “But I can’t stay here.”

  “You can and you will. Dr. Putnam was very explicit in his instructions about that. Remember, you suffered a horrible fall and you’re carrying a baby. Allow yourself sufficient time to recover. I insist on that, Eden. You’re not going to be a balky patient while you’re here, are you?”“

  She was struck by Jock’s solicitous ministrations, overcome by his kindness to her. The man had probably saved her life and that of her child. She owed him a great deal. “I’ll be the perfect patient,” she promised, and managed a grateful smile though it hurt.

  Jock planted a kiss on her forehead. “Just rest, my dear Eden, and regain your strength. If you need anything, ring the bell on the nightstand and Nonnie will answer. I’ll check on you later.”

  Eden barely realized Jock had left the room as she drifted off to sleep again.

  Jock went downstairs and lit his pipe. He sat in a large overstuffed chair, triumph glowing on his handsome face.

  Fate had intervened in his behalf by causing Eden’s accident to occur on his property. He’d been waiting for some reason to bring her to High Winds but none seemed adequate enough to cause her to leave Kia Ora. She was set on sailing away to America, on leaving New Zealand and Damon Alexander behind her. But Jock had other plans, plans even now he’d set in motion with a letter to Mr. MacKenzie. Soon he’d be free of Alexander, and Eden would forget he ever existed.

  She was at High Winds, where she rightfully belonged, and Jock intended to keep her there—by hook or by crook.

  Chapter 21

  “I hope I’ve brought everything you’ll need,” Marjorie told Eden the next day. “You have no idea how upset I was when I received Jock’s note saying you’d been injured at High Winds. What were you doing out in that abominable weather anyway?”

  “Looking for you. I was worried about you.” Eden sipped at her tea. Her head still ached, but the pounding wasn’t as bad as it had been the previous day, and her fever had broken. Her legs felt rubbery, and each time she got out of bed to use the water closet, the room would spin. A few days’ rest was what she needed, she assured herself, and then she’d be on her way—back to America.

  Marjorie lowered her gaze and toyed with the large blue bow on the front of her gown. “I was in good hands. Tiku was with me.”

  “I figured that, after I’d foolishly rushed into the rainstorm.”

  “I’m sorry about causing you distress.” A tiny smile lifted the edges of her lips. “But that afternoon was the most wonderful of my life.”

  Eden stopped herself from asking her the reason why. From Marjorie’s pinkened cheeks and the gleam in her eyes, Eden knew something had happened between Marjorie and Tiku, but since she’d never confided to her that she loved Tiku, Eden didn’t press her friend. “Jock will take excellent care of you,” Marjorie espoused. “He loves you quite deeply … in fact, he told me he’s asked you to marry him.”

  “I don’t love him, Marjorie.”

  Marjorie appeared crestfallen. “I had so hoped … I mean, you’d be so very good for him and maybe he’d change his ways of dealing with people.”

  “What do you mean by that? This isn’t the first time you’ve alluded to a flaw in Jock’s character, Marjorie. Is there something I should know about Jock?”

  Shaking her head, Marjorie limped to the door. “I have to leave now. Tiku’s waiting for me downstairs.” As she turned, Eden noticed that her eyes were a bit too bright, her smile a trifle forced, almost as if she were trying to convince herself of something when she said, “Please consider marrying my brother. Truly, he’s a decent man.”

  After Marjorie’s departure, Eden was more than puzzled, but it seemed her friend had scarcely been gone five minutes when Jock poked his head into her room. “Could you stand some more company?”

  Eden smiled a smile she didn’t feel. Something gnawed at her, an uncertainty about Jock pricked at her. Why must Marjorie constantly assure Eden that Jock was a good and decent man? Why did she believe that a marriage would change him? Change him in what way? The man who now sat on the chair next to her bed and presented her with a bouquet of wild roses didn’t appear to be in need of changing. His bearing, his manners, and attitude were perfect. She’d be foolish not to marry such a man, but she couldn’t help wondering if Jock Sutherland was too perfect.

  “The flowers are lovely, Jock. Thank you.” She breathed in their scent. “You’re spoiling me.”

  “I hope so. Maybe when I succeed in spoiling you so rotten, you’ll consider marrying me.”

  Another proposal. Eden found herself tensing, her body growing rigid as she waited for the inevitable question. But he surprised her by not asking it. Instead, he sat back in the chair and steadily assessed her. What was there about Jock that caused her to squirm sometimes?

  “I wish you wouldn’t look at me like that,” she blurted out when she couldn’t take another second of his perusal. “You make me uncomfortable.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t realized. I’m sorry, Eden.” Eden didn’t believe he meant the apology, because he once again took a long look at her before reaching for the pipe in his shirt pocket and lighting it. As he sat there, wearing a pair of brown, corded pants and a checked shirt and puffing on his pipe, he resembled the typical farmer. But there was nothing typical about Jock. “You know, Eden, I’ve been thinking about that day you came here and begged me to sign the papers for the water rights to the Shotover. I fear you may have caused me to act hastily.”

  She clutched at the bouquet. One of the roses pricked her finger, but she didn’t feel the sting. Why did Jock bring that subject up now? The issue about the rights had been settl
ed. “Explain what you mean, Jock. I don’t understand how I caused you to do anything in haste.”

  His smile was cold. “Certainly you do, my dear. You wanted Alexander to be happy, so you came begging me to sign the necessary papers. And I agreed, not because I care a damn about Damon Alexander. I said I’d grant the rights only because you owned part of Thunder Mine and could benefit. Well, since your departure from there, I’ve discovered that you’ve sold your share to your partner.”

  “Yes.” She didn’t like where this conversation was headed, and she made a silent prayer that she was wrong. But she wasn’t, and Jock’s smug expression told her the truth before he even spoke.

  “I didn’t sign the contract.”

  “But you said you were going to sign. You sent a note to Damon and told—”

  “Yes, yes, I did.” He patiently puffed on his pipe, driving Eden insane with waiting for him to finish. “Yet a clerical error at Mr. MacKenzie’s office kept the paperwork in limbo. The contracts had to be prepared over again, and when he sent them to me the other day for my signature, well … I didn’t see the point in signing over the water rights any longer. I only agreed to sign because of your pretty plea, Eden. And now, since you don’t have a vested interest in Thunder Mine, I feel it would be foolhardy to grant the water rights to Alexander and wrote Mr. MacKenzie this. You must understand that since you’re going to be my wife, I can’t in good conscience grant that loathsome lummox permission to use the Shotover.”

  “You lied to me!” she cried, making a move to get out of bed. Suddenly she wanted to strike the arrogant smile from his face. Jock was using her against Damon, and silly twit that she was, she’d unwittingly fallen in with him by selling her share of the mine away. “You’re a dishonorable man to go back on your word and … and I haven’t agreed to marry you. I won’t marry you—ever!

  With a lightning-quick movement, Jock got up, and his body pinned hers upon the mattress. “I don’t care for honor,” he sneered. “Honor accomplishes nothing. Do you believe I’ve achieved anything because I’m honorable? Hell, no, Eden! There are too many things in life to grasp for, too many things honorable men don’t strive to take. It’s their very honor which is their undoing. But I’m not like those men, and I thank God I’m not honorable, because if I were such a person, I’d let you leave here in a few days’ time and sail away. But I won’t. You’re not going anywhere. You’ll agree to marry me, you will, and your honor will be as bedraggled as my own.”

  “I’ll never marry you,” she protested, trying to push him off her. But she was as weak as a newborn puppy. Jock easily held her in place as he kissed her, and it was apparent to Eden that he wanted her to respond to him. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Holding herself rigid, her lips didn’t open to him, and when he looked at her, her face was a mask of indifference.

  He laughed in amusement, his reaction infuriating her. Like a rag doll, Jock moved her closer to the top of the bed and proceeded to arrange her pillows. “You’re a wonder, Eden, if you think I didn’t anticipate your cold response. I know you’re still in love with Alexander, but get used to the idea of marrying me.”

  “I won’t be forced into a marriage to feed your pride Jock!” she shot back at him. “Your hatred of Damon is behind this. It goes back to Tessa.”

  He stopped and peered down at her. “Yes, Tessa did have something to do with it—originally, until you came into the picture, Eden. I’m in love with you, but you love Alexander, who’s unworthy of your love. My fights with him up to now have been small ones, but now I’m fighting for my future here. I’m going to fight dirty to keep you.” Jock bent down, his face came very close to hers. “And I’m going to win.”

  Physical weakness and her own fear for Damon caused her to tremble, but she slipped her hands beneath the covers so he wouldn’t see he frightened her. But she wouldn’t allow him to browbeat her, to think he had the upper hand. “I won’t barter away my freedom for you, Jock, or for Damon. You won’t force me to marry you. I won’t be like Marjorie who married a man she didn’t love because you commanded her. I don’t need your wealth and I don’t want you to raise my child. As far as the water rights, you can hash that out with Damon, but if I know him, Thunder Mine will operate with or without your signature on the contracts.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yes!”

  “Ah, my love, how gullible you are.” Kissing the top of her head, he smiled tolerantly at her. “Get some rest. You’ll soon be busy with our wedding.”

  She didn’t turn her face away, as she longed to do. Instead, she glared at him, her eyes burning with reproachful rage. But Jock only laughed out loud and left her alone.

  Tears of anger and dismay choked her. She’d been so wrong about Jock. He wasn’t a gentleman at all but a villainous man, and she must get a message to Damon. He had to be warned that Jock didn’t intend to sign the contracts. But then she remembered Jock had written to MacKenzie that he wouldn’t be signing them. He’d even explained her part in it, and MacKenzie would tell Damon. So there wasn’t any point in bothering to inform him. She’d bet anything he’d make an appearance at High Winds to confront Jock.

  And when he showed up, she’d explain she had tried to help him by begging Jock to grant Thunder Mine the rights to the Shotover. Damon might misunderstand why she was at High Winds, believing she had caused Jock to renege on the rights out of spite. She’d tell him about her accident and would assure him she was innocent of any duplicity. Damon would understand, she knew he would. He loved her and trusted her.

  But she feared he hated Jock Sutherland more than he loved her. Damon might not understand at all.

  ~~~

  Damon understood. He understood only too well. Eden had deceived him, from the very first she’d deceived him. She allowed him to believe she was a prostitute who’d married his uncle for his money. And she’d been a virgin. Then he’d fallen in love with her and trusted she wouldn’t beg Sutherland to sign the contracts. But she had done exactly what he told her not to do. According to MacKenzie, Jock had granted the rights only because Eden begged him to. Now, since Eden couldn’t benefit directly from Thunder Mine, Jock wouldn’t sign.

  Rage caused Damon to whip his horse into a lather as he covered the distance to High Winds in record time. He was going to have it out with Sutherland once and for all. Granting the rights was one thing, but the last straw had come that morning when Tiku arrived to tell him that Sutherland was preparing to dam up the Shotover at the point where Kia Ora met Thunder Mine.

  Damon had been disbelieving but had ridden to investigate and discovered Tiku was right. Some of Jock’s stationhands were even in the process of building a makeshift dam. Why was Sutherland doing this now? Why did he feel he had to take such strong action? If he hadn’t granted the rights, the miners would have continued using the river water just the same, whether it was illegal or not. Their livelihoods depended upon it.

  Damming up the Shotover was a desperate act. Damon realized Sutherland hated him enough to risk alienating the miners and their families. Only a few men would lose their jobs, but word would soon filter back to town and other areas in the Otago. Sutherland’s name, his word as a gentleman, wouldn’t be worth beans. The very people who’d placed him in Parliament would cry out against him. What could the man hope to accomplish by this deed?

  Had Eden somehow contributed to the damming up of the Shotover? Had her hurt and anger about Tessa been the reason Sutherland changed his mind? Damon couldn’t believe she’d do this to hurt Thunder Mine. She had claimed to love the mine, to love him. The woman knew he was Thunder Mine.

  “She had nothing to do with this,” Damon reasoned out loud and galloped up the long drive to the large brown house. Eden couldn’t be involved. She was due to leave New Zealand shortly, and he couldn’t imagine this would be her parting gesture to their love.

  Not surprisingly, Damon discovered Sutherland was waiting for him. Jock answered the door at his furious knock.<
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  “Alexander…” Jock began, and grandly waved Damon into the house. “How pleasant to see you again. Your visit isn’t totally unexpected.”

  “You’re a contemptuous bastard,” Damon spat out, more than infuriated by Jock’s elegant display of calm. “I should have known you’d renege on the water rights, but to dam up the river is the dirtiest trick you’ve ever pulled.”

  “I doubt that.” Jock puffed on his pipe, appearing thoroughly amused by Damon’s loss of temper.

  “Open the river, Sutherland, or I’m going to do it for you.”

  “Really. Well, my men have orders to shoot anyone interfering with the building of my dam, especially you. The authorities won’t lift a finger, for I’m well within my rights—and you know it, Alexander.”

  “Maybe you’d like another scar to match the one you’ve got.”

  A nerve jumped in Jock’s cheek. “Your bullying doesn’t threaten me. I’ve won the great prize and you don’t realize it. But you will.”

  Damon’s hands ached to bash in Jock’s face, to strangle him. “And what prize is that, Sutherland? You’ve nothing I want…”

  A sound from the top of the stairs caused Damon to glance up. Eden stood there in a silk robe and holding onto the railing. Her long hair flowed like a red-gold sun around her shoulders. Apparently she’d been standing there for some time and overheard everything. “Jock means me, Damon.”

  Damon stood rooted to the spot, not expecting to see her here at High Winds and most certainly not in a state of undress. Waves of jealousy washed over him, and for a few seconds he grew weak in the knees. “What in the name of heaven are you doing here?” he cried out and almost started up the stairs but stopped. There was something in her face, something cold and calculating, that made his heart thump with dread.

  Her southern drawl sounded low and velvety soft. “High Winds is a grand house, you said that yourself. I could do worse than marry Jock Sutherland—which, by the way, was being made to look like a fool by you.”