“Selfish pig,” Alistair growled. “I’ll take you.”
“Would you? I’ve got money. We could have lunch at the Wisteria tearoom.”
“All right. Do you think they’ll let us have a buggy?”
“Of course, I’m not a prisoner here.”
“Aren’t you?” he shot back as they walked over to the stables.
“No. Martin says it isn’t safe for me to travel anywhere on my own now.”
Alistair snorted. He could not understand why Beth defended Mulvaney all the time. Her lips trembled and she drifted around like a ghost.
“What has he done to you?”
“Nothing.”
Like a homeless puppy, she craved attention. Grandfather gave them affection in liberal measure over the years, but she wouldn’t get it from a cold-hearted devil like Mulvaney.
“You look terrible.”
“Martin and I argued this morning.”
“Does he beat you?”
“No.”
“If he ever does I’ll murder him, if grandfather doesn’t get to him first.”
“Martin never hits me.” He’s only hurt me in my heart, she whispered inwardly, not that Alistair would understand. I want his love. A desperate, gnawing ache churned in her chest. I want him to spend time with me. Take me for walks or a drive somewhere. A picnic down by the creek would be nice. He only showed interest in her at night in their marital bed until his passion was appeased, then he rolled over and fell asleep.
“The boss left strict instructions you weren’t to take the buggy out on your own, Mrs. Mulvaney,” one of the grooms said.
Alistair mouthed, “I told you so.”
“I’m not on my own, my brother will drive me into town.”
“I don’t know.” The groom hesitated, nibbling at his lower lip.
“Please, I’ll tell my husband I insisted. You won’t get into trouble. I promise.”
“Yeah, tell Mulvaney I threatened you,” Alistair chipped in. “We’ll take a buggy and you can’t stop us.”
While Alistair waited at the stables for the groom to hitch up the horse, Beth dashed back to the castle to collect her cloak and purse. She still had money left over from the Melbourne trip.
As they drove away from the castle, her spirits lifted. Sunlight poured down, the blue sky sparkled, its pristine beauty marred only by a few scattered clouds.
Alistair tied his horse to the back of the buggy so if they were late back, she could drive herself to the castle once she entered the grounds. This would cut out any unpleasant confrontation with Martin.
By the time they arrived in town, the sun rode high in the midday sky, so they decided to head for the tearoom first. The shopping could wait until later.
“Posh,” Alistair said after a waitress escorted them to a table.
Beth glanced around. “I know, but it’s nice, Martin brought me here once. I heard somewhere they make delicious pies, that’s what I’m having.”
“Me too. We miss your cooking at home, Beth.”
“Do you? Is grandfather well?”
“Yes, he’d be a lot better if you came back, though.”
“I can’t.” She touched his hand. “I like living at the castle now, only I feel isolated sometimes. Martin doesn’t understand, always too busy with his thoroughbreds. I haven’t got much to occupy my time. When the baby comes things will be different, I’ll be able to ride again, too. Martin brought me a lovely little mare, but I haven’t been able to ride her.”
“You think Mulvaney will let you?” When the waitress brought the pie, Alistair started to wolf it down. “Mm, good,” he said with his mouth half full.
“I told you, didn’t I?” She smiled.
After lunch, they strolled over to the general store, where Beth selected ribbon and lace. She bought a tin of tobacco and a bag of acid drops for grandfather, using her own money.
“Do you want anything?” she asked.
“No. Well, a box of bullets would be handy.”
“I don’t want to ask Mr. Dunstan he’d probably tell Martin. I’ll give you the money and you buy them yourself, get flour and sugar, too.”
“Are you sure? Grandfather wouldn’t like me to take money from Mulvaney.”
“How will he know? What do I have to spend it on? Martin buys me what I need.”
“All right, thanks.”
He wandered over to inspect some rifles while she paid for her purchases.
“The Kelly gang are finished.”
Beth overheard a mounted policeman’s gleeful statement, and edged a little closer, despising herself for eavesdropping.
“How do you know?” his companion asked.
“I helped plan it,” he boasted. “When they hold up the gold coach tomorrow, there won’t be no bullion, just us. The sergeant told us to shoot to kill. Take no prisoners, he said.”
She hurried outside to wait for Alistair. How cold-blooded to deliberately set a trap for the Kelly gang.
When Alistair joined her outside, she felt compelled to tell him about the overheard conversation. I couldn’t live with myself if I let them go to their deaths even if they are outlaws. She felt sick with dread. Alistair will know someone who could warn them.
Alistair let fly with a string of curses. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I overhead the policeman boasting to his friend.” She shuddered.
“I have to warn them.”
“No, not you. I thought you could find someone else.” Her heart nearly catapulted out of her chest and she tugged at his arm. “Please, Alistair, I wouldn’t have told you if I’d known you would go to warn them yourself.”
“It’ll be all right. I’ll warn them and come back for you, might be gone a couple of hours, though.”
His eyes danced with excitement and she started to regret her impulsive decision. She had not expected him to put himself at risk.
“Don’t go. It could be dangerous.”
“No, it won’t. If you can fill in a couple of hours here, I’ll drive you back to the castle. I don’t want you getting into trouble from Mulvaney.”
“Maybe I should come with you.”
“Don’t be silly,” he scoffed. “Much quicker if I ride.”
“Oh, Alistair, I don’t know.” She gnawed her lip and wrung her hands.
“Have you got any friend you could visit?”
“No. Well, there’s Oliver.”
“Oliver?”
“Yes, Martin’s friend, the one who owns the Black Stallion.”
Alistair’s head jerked back. “Grandfather would flog me if I took you there.”
“Not to the Black Stallion itself,” she replied with a nervous giggle. “Oliver’s got his own residence.”
“You can’t think of anywhere else?”
“No. Oliver is nice, he makes me laugh. I told you how he took me shopping in Melbourne.”
“Oh, all right.”
She could see he wanted to be off, and the quicker he delivered the warning the better.
The Black Stallion turned out to be a creeper-clad, three-storied house built of locally quarried sandstone. The decorative iron lace work on the front porch was painted in dark green, as were the huge, double doors, adorned with polished brass fittings. An enormous stained glass window over the front entrance depicted a knight on a prancing stallion.
“What a place.” Alistair whistled between his teeth as he pulled the buggy up. “No wonder it’s so expensive. I’ll leave the buggy here for now.” He helped Beth down. “Get Oliver to move it out of sight. There must be somewhere out the back where patrons leave their horses. Wait around the side here so no one can see you from the street. I’ll go to the bar to make sure he’s there first.”
Beth felt conspicuous hovering on the tessellated side porch, even though no one passing out the front could see her. Martin would be furious if he knew, but she didn’t care. If he showed more interest in me, I wouldn’t be here.
“Well, Elizabeth, how
nice to see you.” Oliver suddenly appeared.
“Oliver.” He wore tight black trousers with a matching coat, a cream silk shirt covered by a crimson and gold waistcoat, and a black shoe string tie. He took her hand and drew it to his lips.
Alistair interrupted them. “I better go, be back in a couple of hours all right, Beth?”
“Be careful, won’t you?”
“Yes. Look after her, Oliver.” He unhitched his horse from the buggy and mounted.
“I will. Don’t worry, she’s safe here with me.”
They watched Alistair gallop away in a cloud of dust. A lump of dread settled in Beth’s stomach.
“How have you been, sweet Elizabeth?”
“Good.”
Though she smiled at his attempt to cheer her, Ollie noticed the shadows darkening her beautiful eyes. What a fool Martin is. If she were mine, I would not spend a minute away from her. Elizabeth was the one woman who ever made him regret the lifestyle he had chosen.
“This is a nice place.” She waved her hand around to encompass everything.
“Yes. Even better inside,” he boasted. “Pity it isn’t Sunday, we’d be closed and I could show you around.”
“Where do you live?”
“Around the back, come on.” He slipped his arm through hers. “I’d better get you out of sight. If my customers saw you and thought you worked here, there would be a stampede.”
“You are funny.”
Oliver’s sandstone cottage had green lace work across the front, and fancy green shutters covered his windows. Set in lush lawns it was fifty yards away from the main house. A pathway bordered with lavender bushes wound between the two buildings.
“This is nice.” She glanced around in wonder.
“I’ve got a hot-house, too. My hobby is growing orchids.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” He smiled at her surprise.
“Martin would be angry if he found me here.” She gave a nervous glance over one shoulder.
“I know, serves him right for neglecting you.” He pushed open the door. “Welcome to my humble abode, sweet Elizabeth.”
They stepped straight into the parlor, a tastefully furnished room. Smiling, he led her over to a blue velvet couch. The curtains were made of the same material, and tied back with gold cords that had tassels dangling from the ends.
“Would you like tea?”
Beth warmed to Oliver’s solicitous tone. “Yes please.”
“I’ll get my housekeeper to bring us a tray.”
“You have a housekeeper?”
“Yes. She has quarters out the back, I only use a couple of the rooms here.” He did not enlighten her to the fact he had his own private suite at the Black Stallion where he spent most nights. It would sound too sordid.
My God, she’s exquisite. He watched her take off her bonnet and a swathe of silver blonde hair tumbled across her cheek. Why hadn’t she found her way to his door that stormy night? Martin might be his best friend, but did not deserve to have such a sweet, beautiful girl for a wife.
“Thank you.” He took the tray from his housekeeper and set it on the table. “What have you been doing with yourself since you came back from Melbourne?” he asked, handing over a cup of tea.
“Not much. Martin is away all the time. Except for Mrs. Irvine and Sam, there isn’t anyone for me to talk to. Martin promises to take me places but never does. I’ve been quite depressed since I got back from Melbourne.” Her lips trembled, and it shocked him when her beautiful eyes filled with tears. “I think he likes his horses better than me.”
“Not true, my dear.” Ollie cursed Martin under his breath. Was he crazy? “Do you play chess?”
“A little.”
“Good, we’ll have a game. I have trouble getting anyone to play with me. I think it’s because I cheat.” She laughed as he meant her to.
Picking up a small table, he carried it over to her. When he whipped off the lace-trimmed cloth with a flourish, she saw a chessboard.
“Oh.” She clapped her hands with delight. “How clever.”
She watched him open a small drawer on the side of the table and take out the ivory chess pieces.
They were on their second game when the door flew open with such force the windows rattled.
“What are you doing here?”
The laughter died on Beth’s lips as Martin, his face contorted with rage, stormed into the room.
He strode over to her and dragged her to her feet. “Didn’t I say you weren’t to leave the castle without me? I left strict instructions.”
“There’s no need for that.” Ollie jumped up in protest. “Alistair brought her here.”
“You stay out of this, Oll. Sneaking off behind my back. What else have you been up to?”
“Nothing. I wanted more ribbons for the layette.”
“In broad daylight, you left my buggy on public display outside the Black Stallion.”
“Worried people might think it’s you?” she fought back. “Where do you leave your horse when you come here?”
“Why you little…” He raised his hand then dropped it to his side. “Not where everyone can see it.”
Beth did not know why she chose this moment to stand up to him. “Frightened that people might think you can’t satisfy me?”
“For God’s sake,” Ollie tried to intervene.
“You work here?” Martin sneered contemptuously. “You don’t have the class.”
She shuddered with pain as his savage barb tore through her. How she kept standing was a miracle.
“And what are you?” she retorted, goaded beyond endurance. “A sadistic brute like your father.” She turned and fled outside.
Martin made to follow, but Ollie slammed the door on him. “What the hell’s wrong with you, Martin? Have you lost your mind?”
“Stay out of this.”
“For God’s sake, she’s your wife. How could you say such foul things?” He sloshed whisky into a glass and handed it to Martin who gulped the contents down in one swallow. “Here, have another one. And stay away from her until you cool down, or you will do something you’ll really regret.”
“All right. My God, Oll, what’s wrong with me?” Martin’s rage evaporated leaving him sick and shaken. His hand trembled as he held out the glass for a refill.
“She’s lonely, stuck in that dark brooding place of yours. Do you want to snuff out the special glow in her eyes? Alistair brought her into town for lunch then took himself off to warn the Kelly gang about an ambush. What did you expect me to do when he brought her here? Leave her standing out in the street?”
“No, of course not.” Martin gulped down the whisky.
“She wants you to take her out, spend some time with her. You’re always too busy with those damn horses.”
“All right,” Martin conceded. “I know I over-reacted, but I’m just about out of my mind with worry. Another one of those threatening letters came yesterday.”
“What letters?”
“I’ve received letters threatening to harm Elizabeth. This time it was addressed to her. Thank God, I picked up the mail and recognized the writing otherwise she would have opened it.”
“I think you should warn her, and tell the police.”
“The police won’t do anything. Besides, I don’t want to upset her.”
“Upset her? What the bloody hell do you think you’ve just done, if you haven’t upset her?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing any more.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I wish I’d never set eyes on her.”
Ollie had never seen his friend in such a state. Suddenly the reason for it flashed into his mind. Martin had fallen in love with Elizabeth, and the fool was unaware of it. Like a cornered beast, he lashed out at anyone who came near him. He ought to tell his friend, to stop him tearing himself apart, but knew Martin needed to solve this dilemma himself. “Come on, we’d better find Elizabeth,” was all he allowed himself.
The
y dashed outside but could not find her in the garden or the hothouse. When they checked the street, the buggy had gone. Ollie glanced at his ashen-faced friend.
“Go after her. She will head for either the castle or old Fergus. I’ll tell Alistair when he comes that you called in and took her home.”
“Thanks.”
Martin mounted and rode away. His rage completely burnt out, remorse now engulfed him for the cruel words he had flung at her, exactly the type of thing his father would have done.
He spied the buggy outside the cemetery and a terrible fear overtook him, racing through his body, leaving him trembling. Had his vicious accusations driven her over the edge? She would be at the grave of little Amy Campbell he knew for certain. What he did not know was whether she had harmed herself.
He hurried over to the pine trees sheltering the child’s grave. Elizabeth’s back was to him. Her hair hung loose, tumbling about her shoulders. He watched in despair as she rocked from side to side in the throes of a terrible grief.
“Elizabeth.” The rocking continued. “I’m sorry.”
He stepped over the grave so he could face her. Shock stopped him in his tracks. She looked ghostly pale. No tears filled her eyes, no anger, either, only a dead emptiness. He knew with a sickening jolt he had destroyed the inner glow, as Ollie predicted.
“Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Beth didn’t care what happened to her anymore. Had she been able to, she would have thrown herself into the grave with little Amy, and they could have covered her with six feet of dirt.
She followed him out of the cemetery. He lifted her into the buggy, tied his horse to the back, climbed in and flicked the reins to get them moving. A few minutes later, he pulled the horse up on the side of the road.
“Would it make any difference if I said I was sorry?”
“No.”
“I’m nearly out of my mind with worry. I didn’t mean what I said. Listen to me.”
She put her hands over her ears. He reached over and removed her hands. “I’ve received letters threatening to kill you. That’s why I didn’t want you to leave the castle.”
“Why don’t you let them kill me,” she shrilled. “You’d be rid of me then.”
“I don’t want to be rid of you.”
Savage Possession Page 21