by Janet Woods
He was across the floor in two seconds, and his arms came around her and pulled her against him. Clinging to him, she began to weep.
It was a full ten minutes before Serafina was strengthened enough to look up at him, her eyes crushed and drowning in tears. The desperation in her face told him that she was nearly at the end of her tether. ‘I’m sorry . . . whatever must you think of me, Adam?’
‘The same as I thought of you the last time I saw you.’
‘What will I do?’
‘Exactly as we planned. You’ll accompany me to Poole, where we’ll unravel the mystery of your family connections.’
‘Even if there’s a connection, they’re respectable professional people, and won’t want to know me now.’
‘You underestimate them. Besides, they won’t know about it unless you tell them.’
‘You want me to deceive them?’
‘It’s not deceit. It’s up to you to tell them what you want them to know, and you’re allowed to be private about some things. We both know you didn’t steal that jewellery. In his heart, Finch Leighton doesn’t believe you took it either, and he’s not going to press charges. The investigation must continue though, and he’s following another lead.’
‘All the same, it will be intolerable for Mr Leighton and Celia if I come back here to work, won’t it?’
She was reaching the inevitable conclusion, as he’d hoped she would. ‘Yes, I imagine it would be awkward. All the same, he feels bad about what’s happened.’
Fiercely, she told him, ‘Mr Leighton has been good to me and I don’t want him to feel bad, or awkward. Perhaps I should make it easy for him and leave his employ, otherwise he might feel obliged to dispense with my services.’
‘That’s a possibility. It would be a good idea, because I expect your family will want you to stay with them for a while.’
‘And if they don’t?’
‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I have need of someone to look after my home in London, you know.’
Their closeness was becoming uncomfortable for him and he put some space between them. When colour rose to her cheeks he placed his hand against its warmth, smiling when she unexpectedly turned her face into it and kissed his palm. He brought up his other hand, took her lovely face between his palms and scrutinized it. Her mouth was the colour of crushed raspberries.
She said, ‘Why are you taking my side?’
‘Because you need someone, my love.’
‘Am I your . . . love?’
As an answer to that Adam’s mouth sought the soft pliable curves of hers. A moment later she was kissing him in return. Her laughter when they pulled apart had a husky awareness to it. ‘We shouldn’t have done that.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I have problems enough in my life without adding any more to them.’
‘I see no problem in kissing you.’ He kissed her nose and then her mouth again, just to demonstrate.
‘I also like you too much . . . and in ways I shouldn’t, and kissing leads to one thing and then another.’
He couldn’t help but tease her. ‘And we might end up naked in your bed making love to one another just for the enjoyment of it. Would that be a problem?’
She struggled on valiantly, her cheeks flaming. ‘Well, yes . . . you know it would be a problem . . . not for you perhaps because you’re a man, but definitely for me. I don’t know whether to welcome your attention or be afraid of it.’
‘These sort of problems have a way of sorting themselves out, Serafina. Nature designed us to feel this way about each other, and the time may yet come when we’re unable to resist each other.’
‘Well, if you would just stop kissing me it might help.’
‘How can I stop when I find you irresistible?’
‘You have a glib tongue, Adam Chapman, but I do enjoy your company.’ She began to laugh when he grinned at her.
‘There,’ he said, ‘you look so pretty when you smile,’ and he eyed the wicker baskets. ‘Are those ready to go?’
‘Yes . . . I thought Thomas, the new stable hand, might take them to the station in the cart.’
She was a neat figure in her servant’s gown, but it was the last time she’d have to wear it, and for that he felt only pleasure. ‘Do you have something ready to travel in?’
‘Yes, one of the gowns Marianne Thornton sent me.’
Relief filled him. ‘I was worried it might be that brown checked garment with the velvet bodice.’
‘I gave it to Fanny.’
‘Good . . . we’ll catch the early morning train.’
The reluctance was back in her eyes again. ‘It will be all right, won’t it, Adam? I’ve made so many friends here, and I don’t want to leave them.’
‘I know, but friends don’t disappear just because you part company. I’ve a notion that you haven’t seen the last of Leighton Manor.’
‘I hope not. Will you help me to tell Mr Leighton that it’s possible I won’t be returning to my position here. I don’t know how to talk to him since that jewellery was stolen.’
Not possible? It was certain, he thought.
Later that afternoon they found Finch back in his sitting room. Oscar announced them and he got to his feet and cleared his throat.
‘Serafina, I understand that you wish to speak to me, and in the presence of Mr Chapman. I do hope you’re not about to tell me something that I don’t want to hear.’
‘Like confess to a crime I didn’t commit? No, I’m not going to do that.’
Her opening gambit was good, and cleared the air for what was to come.
‘You’re aware that I’m travelling to Poole tomorrow.’
‘Yes . . . I wish you the best of luck, and hope everything turns out well for you.’
Assuming the role of observer Adam was keen to see how Serafina performed under pressure. He only intended to step in if he had to.
Serafina ignored the niceties. She made an impatient little humming sound in her throat and waded directly into the conflict. ‘I was thinking that perhaps it might be better if I didn’t return here, because until this business is cleared up it will be awkward for both of us.’
Adam noted the effort Finch was making not to show his relief. ‘It’s all right, Serafina. I’ll be sorry to lose you, of course, and I’ll make sure that your wages are paid up to date, and the savings you lost are reimbursed.’
‘My savings were not lost. I didn’t have that money when I came here, and you secured it for me. Now it’s stolen, and since you are not the thief, I would rather not take advantage of your generous offer.’
It was a good thrust, one that left her pride intact, and made Finch Leighton’s mouth twist at the irony contained in her statement.
She went on, ‘Just my wages will do, since I do feel that I’m entitled to the money I earned . . . I’m sorry to leave it until the last minute to give notice. It’s not the done thing, really, and I won’t expect a reference under the circumstances.’
She’d gone for the throat, not once, but twice, as though she’d known all along that he intended to dismiss her.
Adam grinned when Finch visibly squirmed, but he recovered fast with, ‘Oh, don’t be so holier-than-thou, Serafina, it doesn’t suit you,’ but then he overcompensated with, ‘and of course I’ll provide you with a reference, since I have no quarrel with your work.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I’m going up to London on business the day after tomorrow, so I’m sure Maggie and Fanny will manage by themselves. There’s a maid on my London staff who might consider being my housekeeper, an older woman. She has relatives living hereabouts and I’m sure she’ll suit the position. Now we have cleared that matter up, perhaps you’d like to go to the kitchen and fetch me some tea. Will you join me, Adam?’
Serafina sniffed, as if annoyed by the thought that she could so easily be replaced in the household of this man she almost idolized.
However, she’d routed Finch
so neatly that Adam had to admire her strategy, and he began to wonder if she hadn’t anticipated and planned the whole battle in advance.
Fifteen
Poole
They’d left the train on the other side of the harbour and had taken a cab across the toll bridge and through the town. Their boarding house was positioned quite a way out of town and situated on a hill, which afforded it a view of the harbour and the islands it contained.
A fine house was under construction just a little way below them, but it was far enough away for the noise of the comings and goings of the workmen not to be a bother.
Now Serafina had left Leighton Manor and its peaceful surrounds, where she’d been constantly aware that she was under suspicion of theft, the sense of bustle about Poole energized her. Living in a busy town might have its compensations, she thought, since she was interested in everything going on around her.
‘I’ve made a decision to tell Captain Erasmus Thornton about my problem,’ she told Adam. ‘If I’m related to him, in all fairness I cannot join the family under false pretences. With such a title he sounds like an important man, so he’ll be the head of the household, will he not?’
Adam murmured something about Marianne being the head of that household, but his accompanying grin told her that he was teasing.
‘When I tell him I imagine he’ll send me packing and that will be the end of that, don’t you?’
They were sitting on a seat in the garden. Adam, who had a small telescope to his eye, laughed at such a notion as he lowered it. ‘We’ll see.’
Now she gazed at the tangle of masts in the harbour and said, ‘Which ship belongs to Captain Thornton?’
‘Daisy Jane isn’t in port yet. I understand from the agent that she had cargo to discharge at the Isle of Wight.’ He pointed. ‘You can just see the island on the horizon through the haze. The ship will arrive some time tomorrow.’ He handed her the spyglass. ‘Here, you’ll be able to see the ship through this when she comes in.’
She placed it against her eye and gazed through it at the grey rippled sheet of water that was the harbour. ‘There are ships coming and going all the time. How will I know which one belongs to Captain Thornton?’
‘Her name is painted on the prow and she’ll have the company flag flying from her mast. The flag is dark blue with the company initials intertwined, TSC. It stands for Thornton Shipping Company.’
How odd that a small flicker of pride tweaked at her. ‘How fine it must be to have a ship named after you. Was Daisy Jane his sweetheart – the name of the woman who gave birth to me?’
‘Your mother’s name was Caroline Honeyman, née Jarvis. Daisy Jane is Erasmus Thornton’s sister. She’s married to Reverend Phipps.’
Serafina made a face. ‘It must be boring to be married to a reverend and have to do what he tells you, even if you do have a ship named after you.’
Laughter bubbled from him. ‘They’re not all like the Reverend Pawley. Nobody would tell Daisy Phipps what to do, I assure you, and her husband is quite jolly and has a good sense of humour. I’m sure you’ll like him when you meet him.’
Serafina hoped so. ‘Can you see the house I was born in from here?’
He gave her a quick smile. ‘Not from here, but it’s a nice afternoon so would you like to take a trip to Dorchester with me? I can hire a rig and you’ll be able to take a look at the countryside. We’ll be back in time for dinner.’
‘You changed the subject very quickly, Adam.’
‘That’s because I know that your curiosity is piqued, and you are going to plague me with questions if I encourage you.’
‘Can you see Marianne’s house from here, then? You don’t have to tell me which one it is.’
‘Yes. And no, I won’t then.’
‘You’re infuriating. You just don’t want me to run around like a ferret trying to get a glimpse of people who might be my relatives, that’s all . . . so you can laugh and feel all superior.’
‘I imagine Marianne is doing the same thing,’ and he gave a little laugh. ‘She will be on the lookout for someone wearing one of the gowns she sent you.’
‘We came past their emporium, didn’t we?’
‘I wondered if you’d noticed.’
She laughed at him and teased, ‘What will you do if I escape from your vigilant eye and go into the emporium and introduce myself?’
‘Will you?’
‘I might if the opportunity arises. I hate being kept in suspense.’
‘You’re like Marianne in that regard, you know.’
Jealousy stroked a finger over her heart. ‘You mention Marianne often. Are you in love with her, Adam?’
‘I do love her, and Charlotte, as well, but I’m not in love with them. I imagine you can understand the difference?’
‘Oh, yes . . . I loved Mr Leighton in exactly the same way. He’s such a fine man, one who is everything that a gentleman should be. I’m sorry we parted under such awkward circumstances, but I’m pleased he fell in love with Celia. They will be happy together and she’ll make him forget Diana Milson, who didn’t deserve to have him for a husband from what I’ve heard.’
‘Finch couldn’t bring himself to believe you were guilty, you know. I told you that he was following up another lead.’
‘Frederick and Jane Milson, I imagine. Did you put that in his mind?’
He looked astonished. ‘How did you know that?’
‘It was obvious to me right from the beginning, but how could I tell Mr Leighton that they might have been the culprits, when they’re his first wife’s relatives?’
‘His fault is that he likes to think well of everybody. I was hoping he’d considered the Milsons as a possible suspect himself, and with a little prompting, he did.’
‘You’re clever, Adam, but I’m beginning to understand how you work. You plant ideas in the minds of people, then stand back and allow them to flower and bear fruit before harvesting the answers. I can hazard a guess why you want to take me to Dorchester. Can it be that there’s something there you hope I’ll recognize, since it will strengthen your own belief that I’m Serafina Honeyman.’
She could have eaten the amusement from his eyes with a spoon.
‘You’re right, Serafina, but I also want to spend the afternoon in your company, so go and get your bonnet and let’s put my theory to the test.’
‘Damn you, aren’t you going to tell me what it is?’
‘Of course I’m not. If you thought I would, then you can’t read me as well as you imagined.’
She said quietly, ‘I sometimes can’t deal with the feelings inside me. I want to be the person you say you’ve discovered—’
He placed a finger over her mouth, and said, ‘The person I’ve discovered is right here in front of me and nothing will change that, not even a name.’
It was a pleasant journey through lanes lined with summer hedgerows that were woven through with honeysuckle and dog roses. The fields were filled with ripening corn and the meadows were a blaze of misty foxgloves and forget-me-nots swaying amongst the golden buttercups. The air was warm, the sky blue with pale wraiths of clouds. The sunshine was dappled with shadows where the leafy branches of the sycamore and elm trees hung.
There were men in the fields, gathering hay. Scythes swished through the stems of long grass while the other field workers casually pitched it up on to the carts.
Serafina felt happy and relaxed. They didn’t talk much, but every time her glance met Adam’s and they exchanged a smile she could empathize with him in some secret way. She warned herself that it could be due to her imagination.
Dorchester was a small, but pretty town. Today it was bustling with farmers, for the market was in full swing. The smell attracted the flies.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was market day,’ he said, when she wrinkled her nose and laughed.
They left the horse to rest at the stable and began to walk, following the roman wall, which seemed vaguely familiar to her. A c
hurch shortly presented itself – one that seemed even more familiar. Her smile faded and she sucked in a breath. When they went up a small incline, there at the top stood a rambling stone house in an acre of garden. The scene hit her with such force that she could hardly catch a breath. A sense of belonging closed a hand around her midriff and gently squeezed, as if trying to pull her into the garden.
‘Serafina . . .’
The name on the wind was for her alone. For a moment she saw the old woman seated on a stone bench, with a small child leaning against her knee. The woman looked up and smiled. Then she was gone. Serafina felt comforted by it.
Her breath caught on a sob and she placed her hand on Adam’s sleeve. ‘There used to be a pond with a stone figure of a fish leaping out of the water, just by that bench. Yellow and purple irises grew around the bank. Now it’s a rose bed.’
He took her hand and gazed at her, half quizzical. ‘I thought you might remember the house. Do you want to go inside? The owner might allow us entry.’
‘There’s no need. I know what it’s like inside since it gave me shelter, unless the memory I have is a false one. I’m only one of the memories it harbours in its walls, just a small handful of years. But it gave me something to take with me, the knowledge that I was loved once – just a small warm fragment. That was a good start to life, don’t you think? I don’t want to stay here any longer, Adam. Can we go back to Poole?’
‘We’ll stop for refreshment somewhere first. There’s bound to be a stall that sells lemonade and pies.’
It was early evening when they reached the boarding house, just in time to tidy up for dinner.
Later that night, just before she got into bed, Serafina gazed through the telescope at the harbour. There was a large moon. It scattered a cool glow to dance upon the ripples and left gleaming white patches on the windows of houses. It also painted a slowly moving stripe across her pillow and the wall. Did the same glow touch on her father’s face as he paced the deck of his vessel? She placed a kiss in the palm of her hand and folded her fingers over it. Reaching out, so the shadow of her hand was captured in the moonlight, she freed the kiss and sent it winging on its journey across the water to him.