The Runaway Heiress

by Brenda Hiatt

  The drive to Litchfield took nearly an hour, and Mr. Moore spent much of that time in conversation with Violet. He continued to play the part of charming host, pointing out sights along the way. There was nothing in his manner to indicate that he was dreading the coming interview, even though it was likely to beggar him, if Dina's story were true.

  If? Thor felt a pang of guilt over doubting her, even for a moment. So far, everything he had seen of her brother only added to her credibility. Still, he couldn't quite silence a faint voice that asked whether their marriage had really been necessary.

  That question was answered during their conversation with the trustees a short time later. After a brief interview with all three gentlemen, the head trustee, Mr. Pickering, ushered Dina and Thor into his office to sign a few documents.

  "We will take care of the transfer of funds to Mr. Turpin's name, of course," he said, after examining the marriage certificate, "but I must confess to some curiosity, Madam, as to why you chose to marry in Scotland rather than England. That will slow the procedures somewhat."

  Dina glanced at the closed door that separated them from her brother and Violet in the outer office. "It was a question of expediency, sir. I knew that my inheritance would revert to Silas if I were unmarried on my birthday, and I feared there was not time to procure a proper license in England."

  Mr. Pickering furrowed his graying brows. "I see. Then you had reason to believe your brother would not be a proper steward of your funds?"

  "Er, yes. At least, I thought I did." She seemed unwilling to voice her suspicions openly, perhaps out of familial loyalty.

  "Then you should have come to us, Madam. As you were of age, you could have requested that your funds remain under our supervision, rather than Mr. Moore's."

  Dina's mouth fell open and Thor had to make an effort to prevent his own doing the same. "I . . . I could have?" she stammered. "But I thought . . . My father's will . . ."

  "Yes, I know that the default was for your brother to take over the administration of your inheritance should you reach your twenty-fifth birthday unmarried, but the law generally makes exceptions for good cause in cases such as this. Were any question to arise as to your brother's intent to preserve your funds for your own use, we would have been empowered to delay or even prevent his gaining control of them."

  "Oh," she said faintly. Then, "Did . . . did Silas know this?"

  Mr. Pickering shrugged. "I have no idea. Perhaps not. To my knowledge, he never asked."

  "I see. Well, ah, thank you, Mr. Pickering."

  Though numb with shock, Thor forced himself to speak. "Yes sir, thank you. Please have word sent to us at Plumrose in Lincolnshire when the paperwork is complete."

  "Of course, sir. And now, if both of you will sign here . . . and here . . ."

  Thor signed mechanically, his mind a morass of conflicting emotions. Dina seemed as surprised by this news as he was, but still he could not help blaming her somewhat. Why had she never taken the simple step of speaking with the trustees? Then, she would never have had to go to Scotland . . .

  And Violet would undoubtedly be married to Plunkett.

  Was it fate, as Violet had said? He didn't know. All he could seem to grasp at the moment was that he was married and that there had been no real need for it.

  "All done?" Violet greeted them as they gained the outer office. "Good. Silas was just telling me about some picturesque ruins that I was hoping we might be able to see on our way back to Ashcombe."

  "You two are on a Christian name basis already, are you?" Thor knew he sounded peevish, but his temper was not the best at the moment.

  Violet nodded, apparently oblivious to her brother's mood. "We are family, are we not? Oh, do say we may visit the ruins."

  But Thor shook his head. "With our business here concluded, I believe we had best impose no longer on Mr. Moore's hospitality, but head back to Lincolnshire as soon as possible. Our parents, I know, will be anxious to have you back in their care, Violet."

  "Silas," Dina said then, "Mr. Pickering needs your signature on a paper or two as well. He asked us to send you in."

  Once he was gone, she turned to Thor, her eyes shadowed with something that might be guilt. "Do you still mean to take me to Lincolnshire as well?"

  Thor frowned down at her, startled by her question. "Of course. The reasons I mentioned before still stand."

  "Still?" Violet echoed. "Has something unexpected occurred?"

  While he hesitated, unsure how much to tell his sister, Dina responded. "It . . . seems that I need not have married to secure my inheritance after all. Had I only gone to the trustees in the first place—"

  "Of course you didn't have to. Silas already made that clear, did he not? But had you known, you would never have rescued me from my own folly —or married Grant. Perhaps it is selfish of me, but I cannot help being glad you acted as you did."

  Thor supposed he must agree, though just now, still feeling somewhat betrayed, he could not bring himself to say so.

  Dina looked up at him, seeming to sense his discomfort. "I am sorry. Given what we've just learned, I am willing to have our marriage annulled."

  "Annulled!" Violet was clearly horrified. "But you can't. That would—" She broke off as the door to Mr. Pickering's office opened again and Silas emerged.

  "Shall we go?" Thor asked, wondering how much he had heard.

  The other man darted a look from Dina to Thor, frowning, then nodded. "May as well. Are we going to see the ruins? No? Then I should attend to some business at home."

  During the drive back to Ashcombe, Dina was almost afraid to look at Thor, seated next to her. What must he be thinking? She had all but forced him into marriage, and now it turned out that it had not even been necessary. Her own stupidity had landed them both in this pickle and it would not be wonderful if he never forgave her for it.

  Of course, if they were to annul their marriage, she need not worry over his forgiveness. Why did that idea not give her more comfort?

  Silas was not nearly so chatty on the return journey, appearing to be deep in thought, though he responded politely to Violet's occasional overtures. In fact, a pall had descended over the whole party, which Dina supposed was not surprising, under the circumstances.

  "I should go speak with the Vicar's wife," Dina said when they arrived back at the house. "She will be wondering why I have not called, and I need to let her know I won't be available to assist her for some time."

  "And I must speak with the estate manager," Silas said. "Some, ah, changes will be necessary in the way things are run." He sent Dina a sidelong glance and she knew he was referring to the lack of money he'd expected to be his by now.

  She waited until Violet had gone upstairs to put off her bonnet, then followed her brother into his ground-floor office. "I don't want the estate to suffer by my marriage, Silas. Are the rents no longer covering our normal expenses?"

  He shifted from one foot to the other, glancing over at Thor, who stood in the doorway, before answering. "I've, ah, had to borrow from the rents of late. Strictly a temporary measure, of course, but there will likely be a shortfall again this quarter."

  "Again?" She didn't know why she was surprised. "How much do you need?" she asked, trying to keep any accusation from her voice. There was little to be gained by resuming the hostilities of the morning at this point.

  Again he flicked a glance at Thor before replying. "Five hundred pounds should be sufficient for now."

  She nodded, but before she could suggest a loan, Thor stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. "And how much to cover your most pressing debts? No, do not deny you have them," he added when Silas began to scowl. "Just tell me how much."

  For a long moment the two men faced each other, unblinking, but finally Silas looked down. "Twelve thousand pounds," he mumbled.

  Dina gasped. "Silas! How on earth—?" She had never imagined it could be so much. Why, that was two thirds of her inheritance —and he must already h
ave gamed away his own share, nearly twenty thousand pounds. "You can't possibly believe you could ever have repaid such a sum."

  He didn't meet her eyes —or Thor's. "I could have, had my luck turned. It happens all the time, you know. Fortunes are won on the turn of a die or a card."

  "And lost," Thor said. "As you seem to have discovered already."

  Silas shot him a look of intense dislike. "Do you mean to lecture me or to help me?" Then, turning to Dina, he smoothed his features into something that reminded her of a pleading puppy. "I dare not return to Town unless I pay at least part. Even Ashcombe is no longer a sure refuge from the circling vultures."

  In spite of herself, in spite of what he'd tried to do, Dina could not resist the plea in his eyes. "Suppose I lend you half," she said, ignoring a sudden movement from Thor on the periphery of her vision. "That would help, would it not?"

  He nodded. "It'd get the two most persistent fellows off me, at least. But—"

  "I could provide the other six thousand —as a marriage settlement," Thor suggested.

  Dina stared at him in surprise and dismay. "I—we— can't ask you to do that," she protested. For one thing, it would make an annulment nearly impossible, she was sure.

  "You didn't ask," he pointed out. "I am offering. I don't want your brother continually touching us for money. I'd far rather take care of that problem at the outset, and then forget about it."

  Silas was scowling again, but he apparently had enough sense to keep a check on his temper despite the insult. "That seems a fair marriage settlement," he growled. "I wouldn't want it said that I let my sister go cheaply."

  Now Dina felt her own temper flare. "So you would sell me to cover your debts?"

  "You already sold yourself." Silas's bluntness made her color. "If I can minimize my loss, why shouldn't I do so?"

  She glanced uncertainly at Thor, who now looked dangerously close to losing his temper as well. "Silas," she said, "I should like a private word with Mr. Turpin. Perhaps we can come to a solution that will be agreeable to all of us."

  For a moment Silas looked as though he might protest, but then he shrugged. Thor stepped away from the doorway and Silas left the office, shutting the door behind him.

  "I . . . I thought we were going to have our marriage annulled," she said, trying to ignore her sudden nervousness at being alone with her husband for the first time since that inn room two nights before.

  "Did you? I never agreed to any such thing." He smiled, his anger apparently having left with Silas. "Think how it would upset Violet."

  Dina frowned in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand. I was certain you would leap at the chance to escape what must be a most inconvenient commitment. I'm sure we can make Violet understand. As you explained to her the day we wed, it is not as though this were a love match."

  Why should those words of his still prick when they were nothing but the simple truth?

  "Perhaps not," he agreed, "but that does not mean it will not work out to our advantage. Do you really believe you would be better off left to your brother's tender mercies?"

  She lifted her chin defiantly. "I can take care of myself. I've done so for years."

  "And look where that landed you: married to a chance-met stranger. I'd hate to think you might have to resort to such a solution again."

  Again, she felt herself coloring. "I wouldn't, of course. Not now that I've spoken with the trustees."

  "Dina," he said gently. To her surprise, his expression was concerned —almost tender. "I can't help feeling you will be safer under my protection. If our marriage were annulled and then something, ah, happened to you, your brother would inherit all, would he not?"

  She blinked. "Yes, but— Surely you are not suggesting that Silas would harm me— kill me—for money?"

  "Perhaps not. But the idea might cost me sleep, and I'm unwilling to take that risk."

  "To your sleep?" she asked skeptically. "Surely, your freedom is worth the possibility of a restless night or two?"

  His blue eyes were twinkling now, which she found disconcerting given the seriousness of their conversation. "I value my sleep highly— perhaps a result of too many nights without it during the war."

  She couldn't understand him at all. "But suppose I prefer to have our marriage dissolved? I cannot think so ill of Silas as to believe he would intentionally hurt me."

  "Perhaps not," he repeated. "However, the choice is mine to make, and I've made it. You will simply have to get used to me."

  Dina swallowed, trying to summon up the anger she knew she should feel at his high-handedness instead of the insidious relief that was spreading through her. "I'm . . . I'm not sure I can," she finally said. "But if you are determined, I suppose I shall have to try."

  "There's my girl. Now, why don't you make whatever calls you feel are necessary, and I'll talk with your brother and work out the particulars. Try not to be gone long, as I'm hoping we can have an early dinner and bedtime, so that we can be off at first light. No doubt you have quite a bit of packing to do."

  Still struggling with her wildly conflicting feelings, Dina could only nod.

  She would make her visit to the Vicar's wife a brief one, then she would take a long, brisk walk and finish with a bout of calisthenics and weight-lifting. Surely that would clear her mind and allow her to come up with an argument that would convince him to annul their marriage after all. At least, she hoped so.

  Didn't she?

  Chapter Eight

  Thor couldn't say he enjoyed his interview with Silas Moore, given the man's mixture of hostility and obsequiousness, but he took a grim satisfaction in laying out terms that should keep Dina safe from him forever.

  "Take my advice," he said at the conclusion, "and leave off gaming entirely until you've discharged all of your debts. Perhaps you should try your hand at love, as cards don't seem to be where your luck lies."

  "And maybe you should try your hand at the cards," Silas retorted, "seeing as how you're trapped in a marriage of convenience —or inconvenience, as the case may be. My sister's not exactly the biddable type, as you may have noticed already."

  Thor refused to let the man ruffle him, however. "Nor is mine, so I'm used to it."

  "Aye, Miss Turpin is very, ah, lively, isn't she?"

  But Thor wasn't about to discuss his sister with Silas, whose interest in Violet had played a large part in his decision to leave Ashcombe so soon. "Indeed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like a wash and change before dinner."

  Heading upstairs, he felt he couldn't get Dina and Violet—and himself —away from Silas Moore soon enough. Something about the man grated on his nerves. It was rather depressing to realize that Moore was now his brother-in-law. Despite his efforts just now, he suspected the fellow would prove to be a continuing liability.

  He still wasn't completely sure why he hadn't jumped at Dina's offer of an annulment. He didn't really believe Moore would hurt his own sister, for it was clear there was at least some small degree of affection there. He would badger her mercilessly for money if she were still living here, but sparing her that was scarcely reason enough to stay in an untenable marriage.

  Of course, the relief from his mother's incessant harping about his need to marry would be considerable. And Violet seemed very happy with the match, as well. A dutiful son and brother, that's what he was. The unlikely thought made him grin.

  The truth was, he'd grown to like Dina, after only three days' acquaintance. He could search for years —hell, he'd already searched for years —and find no better prospect for a wife. Except for the fact that she was so tiny. A real shame, that, for it made him feel more protective of her at the same time it made him afraid to get too close.

  That protectiveness, he realized now, had played a large part in his original decision to marry her rather than allow her to pursue the fortune-hunter Plunkett. And now it made him unwilling to leave her here, to fend for herself against her mercenary brother. He only hoped that his growing attraction
to her would not require protection from himself.

  Dinner was a more congenial meal than breakfast had been, now that disagreements had been brought out into the open and settled. Dina still seemed quiet, Thor noticed, but Violet and Silas were loquacious enough to make up for it.

  "Will you be in Town after Christmas?" Violet asked their host as the sweetmeats were served at the conclusion of the meal. "Do say you will, for I should like to know there will be at least a few friendly faces for my second attempt at a come-out."

  "Second attempt?" His most pressing financial difficulties alleviated, Silas's manner was now relaxed and pleasant. "It sounds as though there may be an interesting story there."

  Violet grinned, her color rising slightly. "I suppose you could say that. My Aunt Philomena, who lives in Town and who offered to present me, was very strict and I may have, ah, rebelled a bit."

  "Yes, I should say that climbing out of the window and stealing Lord Hawkhurst's prime blood for a midnight gallop in Hyde Park constituted a bit of a rebellion," Thor said dryly. "Not to mention showing up at a debutante's ball in a bright red gown. Where did you manage to obtain that, by the way?"

  "I wheedled it out of Mary Simpson's married sister, as she had grown too plump to wear it herself after two children. It was several years out of style, of course, but it did have the desired effect. The difficult part was keeping my cloak tightly closed until we arrived so that Aunt Philomena would not see it." She didn't sound the least bit repentant.

  Silas laughed, while Dina seemed torn between amusement and horror. "And you expect me to chaperone you on your next visit? You'll have us both run out of London on a rail."

  Violet waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, pooh. You'll be nothing like Aunt Philomena, so I won't feel obliged to kick against the traces. We can simply have fun together."

  "I'm not at all sure I want my wife to learn your definition of fun," Thor said, though he couldn't quite manage the stern expression he'd intended. "Keep in mind that I'll be in Town myself this time, to keep you in check."