Abbey glanced at Jack and saw the shock and disappointment in his eyes. “I’ve never stolen anything in my life, but I panicked when I was accused of killing your father. I’m far from perfect, but I could never do something like that.” Abbey began sobbing again.
“I’m sure you’d like us to believe that,” Heath stated coldly. He was thinking of the massive inheritance that his father was leaving behind. If the girl knew about it, she could be putting on the act of a lifetime. But there was no way he was going to let her have it.
“I think you had better go, Mr. Mason. There’s nothing more to be gained by putting Miss Scottsdale through so much upset,” Jack said firmly, not quite knowing what to make of Abbey’s story.
“I’ll go, but believe me, this isn’t the end of the matter. An autopsy may be performed on my father.” Heath went towards the door, and Jack followed.
Abbey watched him go with fearful eyes. Being confronted about Ebenezer Mason’s death had been her worst nightmare, and she knew it wasn’t over yet.
She turned to find Jack’s mother watching her with arms folded and an impassive expression. In the background, she could hear Mr. Mason apologising for disturbing Jack at dinnertime and the two men bidding each other goodbye.
“I should have told you all this before I came here,” Abbey said in a small voice to Sybil.
“Why didn’t you? And give me the real reason,” Sybil said.
“The real reason?” Abbey thought about it. What did she have to lose now? “I needed a way to support myself and somewhere to hide away and sort out everything in my mind. When your son offered me a job at Bungaree, it seemed perfect. I thought that once a doctor worked out how Ebenezer Mason died, no one would be looking for me because I know I didn’t do anything to harm him.”
Sybil had seen Ebenezer Mason in Clare, and in all honesty, she couldn’t imagine a slip of a girl like Abbey doing any real harm to a man three times her size.
“This secret has been a burden on me,” Abbey said, “and you may not believe me, but I’m glad everything is now out in the open.”
By this time, Jack had returned and was standing beside Abbey. “You did seem traumatised when we found you in Clare, but we never imagined that anything like this had happened.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” Abbey said sincerely. “My mother, brother, and sister died when I was quite young, so my father was all the family I had. Losing him and my fiancé, Neal, in the mine was a terrible blow. Then to be told I’d married an ogre like Ebenezer Mason, who was found dead beside me, was more than I could take in. I still should have told you what happened, but I could hardly absorb it myself. You had a right to know, however. I gained this position under false pretences, and I don’t deserve to be here. I’ll leave right away.” Abbey went to walk away.
“Wait, Abbey,” Jack said, looking at his mother, who was glowering at him.
Abbey stopped and glanced at both of them.
“I’d like you to stay,” Jack said. “I believe your version of events. I’m not sure what happened, but then again neither are you, and we may never know the truth, since Ebenezer Mason is dead.” He was a good judge of character, and Abbey did not seem the kind of woman to do the things Mr. Mason’s son had accused her of.
Abbey felt relieved. Not only was Jack prepared to let her stay, but he believed she was telling the truth. She was almost certain that his mother wouldn’t feel the same, however. “It would be best if I moved on,” she said. Abbey had no idea where she would go, but she was certain Sybil would make her life unbearable now that she knew the truth.
Jack looked at Abbey intently for a few moments. “Would you like to stay?”
She hesitated, but then nodded with a fearful glance in his mother’s direction.
“Then it’s Mother’s choice this time,” Jack said. He looked at his mother, who appeared to be mildly surprised. “You’ve treated Abbey with hostility since she came here, and that can’t go on. If you ask her to stay, then that must change. If you don’t want her to stay, then I’ll go along with your wishes.” He looked at Abbey again. “I’ll leave you and my mother to discuss your future,” he said and walked away.
Her fate was in the hands of his mother. It was almost certain then that she would be leaving. She looked at the floor, because she didn’t want to see the satisfaction in Sybil’s eyes. But after a long moment of silence, Abbey could take no more, and looked up.
Sybil was regarding her closely, but she didn’t look angry for once. “My son is a clever man,” she commented.
Abbey didn’t know what she meant.
“He knows that if I ask you to stay, I’ll no longer have reason to be angry.”
“But you won’t ask me to stay,” Abbey said, sure this was the case. “You knew I was hiding something. And you were right, and that pleases you.”
“It does,” Sybil admitted with satisfaction. “I pride myself on reading people. As an actress, you learn to pick up on nuances. Now that your secret has been uncovered, I feel vindicated.”
Abbey dropped her head and turned.
“Wait a minute, young lady,” Sybil said sternly. “I haven’t dismissed you yet.”
Abbey turned to look at her. Apparently, Sybil wanted the satisfaction of telling her to go. “As you wish. I deserve what’s coming,” she said. She clasped her hands in front of her and looked resignedly at the carpet.
A few moments passed in silence. When Abbey looked up, Sybil was regarding her intently again.
“You’ve been through quite an ordeal,” Sybil said. “I may have seemed heartless, but I do feel for you, losing your father and the man you loved.”
“Thank you,” Abbey said, remembering that Sybil had lost her husband only eighteen months ago.
“I’ve heard rumors about Ebenezer Mason in Clare, and by most accounts he’s known to be a lusty old rogue. I don’t doubt for a minute that he’d take advantage of an attractive young girl all alone in the world.”
Abbey blinked in surprise. Sybil was being civil, even empathetic. “Does that mean … ?”
“That I want you to stay? Yes, it does. Do you still wish to be my companion?”
“Yes,” Abbey said quickly.
“I haven’t been very kind to you. So why do you want to stay? Is it because of Jack?”
Abbey’s eyes welled with tears again. “I haven’t had a real home since my mother died. I’ve never even had a room of my own.”
“So, you simply want somewhere to live and three square meals a day,” Sybil stated.
“Who wouldn’t want to live in this house?” Abbey admitted.
“At least you are being honest this time,” Sybil replied.
Abbey wondered if she’d hurt Sybil with her candidness. “This isn’t just a house, Mrs. Hawker. It’s a truly amazing home that you share with a son worthy of your pride. You’ve no idea how lucky you are. Yes, I’d like to be part of it, but I know I’m not the person you wanted for a companion. I’m well aware that we don’t have anything in common. I come from a poor Irish family. I’ve never been to the theatre, and I probably never will, but I’d like the opportunity to learn about it from you. I know I don’t have anything to offer you, but perhaps if we try, we could get along quite well.”
Sybil appeared to feel quite moved by Abbey’s words. “You could be right,” she said, her voice betraying her emotions. “I’m prepared to try if you are.”
Abbey nodded.
“Run along and wash your face,” Sybil said. “I’d like to play cards this evening, if you feel up to it.”
Taken aback, Abbey blinked. “Cards?!”
“You do play, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Abbey replied. “I used to play cards sometimes with my father and his friends.”
“Did you win?”
“Now and again,” Abbey said, remembering those nights fondly.
“Good, because I like a challenge,” Sybil replied. “Now hurry along. I have indigestion, so I’m going for a walk in the gardens, but I’ll meet you in the living room in half an hour.”
“That curry was hot, wasn’t it?” Abbey said, grimacing.
“Yes, it was,” Sybil admitted. She planned to have words with Sabu.
***
After Abbey had washed her face, she came downstairs. Sabu was cleaning in the kitchen, and she didn’t want another confrontation with him, so she tiptoed down the hall and out the backdoor. Jack was playing with the dogs on the lawn. He looked up when she appeared.
“So, Abbey. Are you staying?” he asked, in a tone that seemingly lacked any concern.
Abbey was puzzled. “Yes,” she said, “but when you left the decision to your mother, I thought I would be sent packing for sure.”
Jack came towards her, smiling. “I didn’t. My mother was cross because I hired you without consulting her. Giving her the option of firing you or keeping you made her happy.”
Abbey was still bewildered. “I’m pleased to still be here, but I don’t understand why Mrs. Hawker didn’t fire me.”
“My mother is a stickler for honesty, Abbey.”
“And she knew I was hiding something,” Abbey said, ashamed.
“Yes, but given the opportunity, you had no hesitation in telling the truth.”
“I promise I won’t ever keep anything important from you again.”
Jack nodded. “My mother also thrives on drama, even other people’s. She was an actress, after all. Personally, I can live without drama, and I’m sure you can, too.”
“I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime,” Abbey admitted. “But I don’t think that it’s over yet.”
Jack’s expression softened. “You could be right.” He was almost sure of it, but he didn’t want to frighten her.
“I wonder how Heath Mason found me here.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. He’s very well acquainted with Milton Sharp of Sharp’s Employment Agency, so Mr. Sharp must have told him that I’d hired you.”
“I don’t blame young Mr. Mason for being so angry and upset,” Abbey said. “He just lost his father, and he wants answers. I can understand that.”
“You’ve just lost your father, too, but he didn’t seem to be taking that into consideration,” Jack replied. “I also know that he wasn’t close to his father. In fact, I believe they rarely saw each other.” He wondered if the man had been curious about his father’s new wife. But that wouldn’t explain his hostility towards her, unless it was jealousy.
“I’d heard gossip that they’d had a falling out, but it’s only natural that he’d be shocked that his father died.”
“It must have been frightening for you to wake up beside a dead man.”
Abbey became emotional again. “It was worse than frightening. I’ve had a few nightmares since. And then to be told I’d married him” Abbey shuddered as she thought again about whether Ebenezer Mason had violated her. She blushed and glanced at Jack, searching his gentle features. “You really don’t believe I had anything to do with his death, do you?” She lifted her hand. “I’m sorry, that’s a silly question. You don’t know me, so you can’t trust that what I say is the truth, especially after I hid certain facts about myself. I really have no idea what happened after I had a glass of wine in Mr. Mason’s dining room, but I believe with all my heart that I couldn’t hurt anyone, not even him.”
“I follow my instincts most of the time,” Jack said. “And my instincts are telling me that you don’t know what happened to Ebenezer Mason.” He suddenly had an idea, but needed to consider it further. “You must wonder how you came to be in bed with him, and not knowing whether or not he took advantage must be very upsetting.”
Abbey dropped her chin, and her lip trembled. “It is,” she admitted shakily.
“Do you want to see a doctor? I can arrange it,” Jack said kindly. “I can make sure it’s discreet if you wish.”
“I don’t know,” Abbey said truthfully. Being examined by a doctor to determine her virginity would be a humiliating experience that she wasn’t sure she could cope with. She appreciated his kindness, though.
“Talk to my mother. She’s very wise. Perhaps she can allay any fears you are having.”
Abbey nodded, on the verge of tears. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me,” she said. “I doubt I’ll ever be able to repay your kindness.”
Jack placed his hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to. But remember, if you ever want to talk, I’m here,” he said.
Abbey nodded, and Jack went back to playing with the dogs.
***
As she walked towards the back door, Abbey thought about what a good man Jack was. He was very kind to her and gentle with her feelings, which she appreciated. In those ways, he reminded her of Neal, whom she missed terribly. A lot had happened in the past few days, with so much to think about and absorb, and she almost felt guilty for not thinking of Neal more often. She’d believed he was the love of her life, but she’d lost him while she was still so young. Perhaps, one day, there’d be another man whom she’d think of as the love of her life.
CHAPTER 9
Heath suffered a vast array of tumultuous emotions as he headed for Auburn, intent on seeing his father’s solicitor, Edward Martin, again. He was angry, bewildered, frustrated, and generally taken aback. He didn’t know quite what to make of Abigail Scottsdale. One part of him thought she had done a terrific job of acting like the wounded party and pretending that she did not have knowledge of his father’s will that gave everything to his spouse. Another part of him thought it possible that she was just his lecherous father’s innocent victim. Currently, he tended toward the former, but, either way, he couldn’t leave anything to chance.
Edward Martin’s office on the main street in Auburn had closed, so Heath went to his home, which was just around the corner.
Edward had just finished dinner and was sitting on the front porch reading the newspaper and enjoying the coolness of the approaching evening. His wife, Sophie, who chattered non-stop like a parrot, and their daughter Bryony had just taken their dog for a walk, so Edward was basking in a few minutes of solitude. He was finding it difficult to concentrate on the contents of the paper, however, because he couldn’t stop thinking about the death of his friend and the message he’d received from Frank Bond, the manager of the mine in Burra.
When Heath Mason arrived, Edward immediately noted that his demeanor hadn’t improved.
“I’ve just been out to Bungaree Station,” Heath said, forgoing greetings as he came through the front gate.
“What for?” Edward asked.
“Because that is where Miss Abigail Scottsdale is now residing. She’s taken up the position of companion to Jack Hawker’s mother.”
Edward couldn’t begin to imagine how Heath had found that out so quickly. “Did you speak to her?”
“Yes,” Heath said, sitting down on another chair on the veranda. “I spoke to her. Not that it did me any good. I don’t know what to think.”
“What was she like?” Edward asked, curious. He knew of his friend’s dalliances with young women, but apart from Meredith Barton, Ebenezer had not been inclined to marry any of them. He imagined Abigail Scottsdale would have to be quite special.
“Young and very attractive,” Heath replied. “She claims my father sent her a note, saying that he wanted to discuss compensation for the loss of her father, who was killed in the mine.”
“That doesn’t sound like your father,” Edward commented dryly. “Since he bought the mine, quite a few years ago now, many employees have been killed, and he’s never offered compensation to any of their families. In fact, he’s always instructed me to see to any who had even the slightest inclination to cause him trouble.”
�
��She could be lying about that, as well as everything else,” Heath snapped. In the back of his mind he could imagine his father saying something like that to lure the girl to the Hall, but he kept that thought to himself. “She claims she drank a glass of wine, and that was the last thing she remembers until being woken the next morning, when the housekeeper told her that she and my father had married, and that he was dead.”
“That doesn’t sound plausible, does it?” Edward said.
“No, it doesn’t, especially as it was only a single glass of wine. Of course, she used her tears, and Jack Hawker felt sorry for her and asked me to leave because I was upsetting her.”
Edward didn’t know what to think. “I received a note an hour ago from Frank Bond, the mine’s manager,” he said.
“What did he want?” Heath asked. He’d met Frank Bond a few times before he and his father had fallen out. But back then Frank had been a foreman.
“Some important papers needed signing at the mine, and he’d had a messenger bring them to the Hall. Winston sent the messenger back to the mine with a note for Mr. Bond, saying that he’d be contacted shortly. Mr. Bond was confused and sent me a message to find out what was going on. Obviously, Winston couldn’t inform him of your father’s death, as it is not his place.”
“Did you send a reply to Mr. Bond?”
“I sent a brief message saying that someone would come to the mine tomorrow.”
“I will go first thing in the morning and tell the workers what’s happened,” Heath said.
“Good. You’ll have to take over running things until Miss Scottsdale is notified that she’s the new owner.”
Heath gasped. “For God’s sake, that can’t happen,” he snapped.
“I know it’s not right, but it might just happen if it can’t be proved that she harmed your father,” Edward said. “You know your father’s death will be fodder for the papers.” He wanted to prepare him for what might be written.
“Yes,” Heath admitted. He’d been giving it some thought.
“There will be speculation because your father hadn’t been ill, and he wasn’t particularly old. You must swear the staff at the Hall to secrecy about his impromptu marriage if you don’t want it to get into the papers, at least for the time being.”
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