Wed by Necessity

by Karen Kirst

  “What sort of errand?”

  “This.” He indicated the box. “It’s your birthday present.” He grimaced. “Belated birthday present.”

  She peered inside. The contents were hidden by checkered fabric. “How did you know?”

  Sinking his hands in his pockets, he winked. “A gentleman never reveals his sources.”

  Bewildered, she found a seat on the nearest hay square and started to lift the fabric. “This is really thoughtful of you, Ben, but you shouldn’t have.”

  “Oh, it’s not from me. It’s from Duncan.”

  Her head whipped up. “What? He’s been gone three days.”

  “I know. That’s why I feel so terrible.” Leaning against the stall, he crossed his arms. “Duncan gave it to me after the party and asked if I’d deliver it to you the next day. I got busy and forgot.”

  “Oh.” Delight warred with confusion. Why hadn’t he given it to her himself?

  Probably the same reason he didn’t say goodbye. Because he can’t bring himself to forgive me.

  Unable to quell her curiosity, she uncovered the contents, an assortment of paints and brushes and even decorating items. She picked up a sack of acorns and laughed.

  “What’s that for?”

  “Um, I dabble in art.”

  “With acorns?” He bent closer. “And feathers?”

  “You wouldn’t understand.”

  Her fingers brushed a folded white paper. Pulse leaping, she unfolded the letter.

  Dearest Caroline,

  I ken this gift would be considered useful, one that requires effort to enjoy. But I’ve seen you at work in your studio, and in my opinion, a certain amount of play is involved, too. I hope you agree. Happy birthday.

  Duncan

  Dearest. He’d called her dearest. Surely that meant something. Touched beyond words, she found her eyes filling with tears even as a smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

  “You’re crying now? Explain to me why a thoughtful gesture would make a woman cry.”

  Tucking the note into her pocket, she rose to her feet. “I miss him.”

  “I still don’t understand. A gift should make you happy.”

  “Maybe if you stopped playing games and paid closer attention to the women you interact with, you’d understand.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with flirting, Caroline. Everyone knows I’m not the serious type,” he shrugged.

  “Do they?”

  “Why do you think I cultivate my reputation? I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.” He wiggled his left hand. “There ain’t never gonna be a ring on this finger.”

  Since it was futile to continue the conversation, Caroline gestured to the box. “Thank you for bringing my gift.”

  They strolled outside into the dusk. “I asked for you at the main house. Sylvia said you were staying here. How come?”

  She wasn’t about to tell him the true reason, that staying in the cabin helped her feel a tentative connection to Duncan. “It’s my home.”

  “Duncan thought you’d be safer with your parents.”

  “He said that?”

  “He told me about Theo. He asked me to keep an eye on you until he returns.”

  “I’m not sure he’s going to,” she murmured.

  His brow furrowed. “What?”

  “Never mind. Look, I’m fine. I haven’t seen Theo in weeks. The fact that my parents have returned will dissuade any more late-night visits from him or horse thieves.”

  “I gave him my word, which means you’ll have to get used to seeing my ugly mug around here.”

  Caroline had to admit that his presence on the property would alleviate her anxiousness. She still wasn’t completely comfortable spending nights alone.

  “All right.”

  He tipped his hat and headed for his horse tied to the post. “Good night, Caroline.”

  “Good night.”

  After he’d left, she pulled out Duncan’s note and reread it. Dear Lord, please let Ben be right. Please let my husband come home. Oh, about that letter I wrote? Could You maybe help it get lost in the bottom of his bag? I thought I could do the noble thing and let him go. I know I don’t deserve him, Lord, but he’s mine. He’s the only man I’ll ever love.

  * * *

  It felt strange being in his old room. Despite his fatigue, sleep was proving elusive. Folded onto the slim window seat, he studied the star patterns in the night sky. They weren’t as bright here as they were in the mountains. Too many city lamps still flickering. He wondered if Caroline was having trouble sleeping, too, and if she was looking at the same stars from her old bedroom window.

  As wonderful as this reunion with his family had been, he yearned for his wife’s sweet embrace. He needed to see her smile again, her eyes shining with joy. They had much to discuss. Not only did he owe her an apology, but the truth about his feelings. He wasn’t sure how she’d react, and that worried him a little. Still, he held out hope that she’d accept his love and learn to love him in return one day.

  The grandfather clock at the end of the hallway clanged midnight. Stirring from his spot, he lit a lamp and went to retrieve his Bible from his travel bag. As he lifted the heavy book out, an envelope fluttered to the rug. He sank onto the cushioned chair and ripped it open. He recognized Caroline’s writing style. His heartbeat slowed.

  Dearest Duncan,

  I hope by now you are safely ensconced with your family and enjoying your time together. This isn’t easy to say, so I’ll be blunt. I’m releasing you from your obligation to me. You didn’t seek out this marriage. It’s because of my selfish actions that you found yourself tied not only to a town not of your choosing, but to a wife you never would’ve picked for yourself. Please forgive me, Duncan. I pray that, someday in the future, you will be able to think of your time in Tennessee with a modicum of fondness. We had some good times together, wouldn’t you agree? But I digress. I expect to receive proper documentation from you about the dissolving of our union. Don’t allow guilt to prevent you from pursuing your dreams. Be happy, Duncan, and that will make me happy.

  Caroline

  Duncan sat there, unmoving, mired in disbelief.

  She was releasing him, was she?

  Without consulting him? What about what he wanted? Did his feelings not count?

  “What am I supposed to do, Lord?”

  Sorrow consumed him. How was he supposed to live without her? He loved her. He loved the life they’d built together in that humble cabin. And he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it could be so much more than they’d experienced thus far. Without the secrets and protective barriers between them, they could share something beautiful and wondrous.

  If being rid of him was what she truly wanted, she’d have to tell him to his face.

  He was in the midst of tossing belongings in his bag when he stopped. He’d spent their entire acquaintance thinking about what he wanted. Here was his chance to honor his wife’s wishes. He had a choice to make—was he going to continue in his pigheaded, prideful ways? Or was he going to actually listen to Caroline and grant her freedom?

  * * *

  Caroline was done being the victim.

  Leaving September’s installment on the rock, she turned and picked her way along the steep trail. Anyone watching would assume she was returning home like every other time she’d met the blackmailer’s demands. She wasn’t. Instead, she walked out of sight of the stream and then ducked into the trees to retrace her movements. Caroline was going to discover her tormentor’s identity and end this, once and for all.

  Weeks had passed since she’d seen or heard from Duncan. Three lonely, horrible weeks. His scent was fading from his pillow, and the initial comfort she’d gained from sleeping in his bed was waning with it.
Everywhere she looked, memories reminded her of her loss. It appeared he’d found her letter, after all. With each passing day, she dreaded the arrival of papers indicating her marriage had been dissolved. Thoughts of him with Maureen or some other gorgeous debutante tormented her.

  This will get easier, she told herself. It had to.

  Locating a sturdy tree to hide behind, Caroline settled on her haunches and prepared to wait. Little sounds became magnified. Her toes quickly became cramped in her shoes. If she hadn’t been so distracted, she would’ve remembered to put on her boots. Her thighs and knees were aching by the time movement registered in her peripheral vision. Balancing one hand against the trunk, she leaned forward, her heart in her throat.

  At first she rejected what she was seeing. She’d suspected Theo and Vivian were involved with each other—in a secretive romance, not ongoing criminal acts. As the pair neared the rock, Theo spoke forcefully and gestured with his hands. Vivian looked uncertain, as if she wasn’t comfortable with their actions. He checked the contents of Caroline’s pouch and, mouth pinching, pocketed it.

  Although shocked by what she was witnessing, Caroline also felt relief. Her nightmare was nearing an end. She wasn’t going to confront them here. All she had for protection was a kitchen knife in her pocket. Sheriff Timmons could handle their arrests.

  “Enjoy your last moments of freedom,” she murmured. “The game’s over.”

  Pushing to her feet, she turned and cried out. “Sylvia! You frightened me.” Belatedly registering the gun Sylvia had trained on her, she lifted her hands in a placating gesture. “What are you doing with that?”

  “This may be a game to you, but to those of us unfortunate enough to work for the Turner empire, it’s retribution.”

  Caroline stared. Sylvia didn’t look like the meek maid she’d known for more than a year. Gone was the mobcap and gray uniform. Her brown hair in a long, thick braid, she wore a stylish white dress printed with tiny pink flowers and shiny brown boots. Her eyes blazed with hatred.

  Fear snaked its way through her system, hindering rational thought. “My father has treated you well, has he not?”

  She racked her brain for some instance of unfair treatment and came up empty.

  “Indeed, he has little regard for anyone besides himself. If I hadn’t been convinced of it before I came to work inside his home, I am now.” She waved the pistol. “Come, let me show you.”

  Considering her options of escape, Caroline climbed the sloping hillside on unsteady legs. There didn’t seem to be any. Sylvia’s mental state, her ability to transform from appeasing employee to this irate woman with a weapon, made Caroline leery of attempting to flee. There were her accomplices to consider, as well.

  The couple’s conversation ceased the moment they caught sight of her. Alarm leapt to life in Theo’s gray gaze.

  “Sylvia, what are you thinking? This wasn’t the plan.”

  Sylvia motioned for her to stop at the narrow stream’s edge. Theo and Vivian stood on the opposite bank, frozen amid the forest foliage like two characters whose story had abruptly changed direction.

  Caroline looked at Sylvia “You’ve been working with them all this time?”

  “Not with them, honey.” She let loose a high-pitched cackle. “They follow my orders.”

  “What has my father done to you?”

  “He’s the reason my mother is homebound,” she spat. “He ruined her health and that of hundreds of others.”

  Caroline’s heartbeat drummed in her ears, a steady rhythm of denial. “There was nothing on those documents to indicate employees’ health had been impacted. If I’d known, I would’ve gone to the authorities myself. Were they falsified? Was the information about the soap ingredients false?”

  “Oh, it’s all too true. Albert Turner is not only a shrewd, greed-driven businessman. He’s a magician. He’s conjured up this grand lie...” Pressing her free hand to her chest, she mimicked, “Turner soaps contain rare plant extracts from the Mediterranean and Western Europe.” She sneered. “But this isn’t about stupid soap. Granted, his sins in that area aided my cause and goaded you into lining our pockets. Albert’s true crime is in willingly and knowingly putting people’s lives at risk in those handful of artificial-flower shops you employed to decorate your tea party.”

  * * *

  “I don’t understand any of this. How would making fake flowers endanger anyone? And how did you obtain your information about the soap recipes? They are fiercely guarded.”

  “Theo’s connection with your family proved an advantage. I needed leverage and he delivered.”

  Caroline ripped her gaze from the gun barrel directed at her chest to a man she’d been acquainted with for years but had never truly known. “What did you do?”

  Wearing an unhappy frown, he lifted his hands in surrender. “Your father has committed multiple offenses. He’s hurt countless innocent people.”

  He turned to the young woman beside him. “Show her, Vivian. Remove your gloves.”

  Frowning deeply, Vivian did as she was told. After removing the elbow-length gloves, she held out her hands. Caroline couldn’t withhold a gasp. They were tinted green and covered with scars where once were sores. Her nails were yellowed and the top layer of skin around the tips of her fingers had peeled away.

  “What happened?” she ventured, dreading the answer.

  “Remember I was gone last summer?”

  “You went to visit family.”

  Theo grimaced. “She came to visit my father and me. We’re cousins.”

  “Theo got me a position in one of your father’s shops making artificial flowers. We had no idea how deadly the arsenic dye was.” Her anxious gaze flicked to Sylvia. “Sylvia’s mother had worked there the longest, and she had started to display serious health problems by the time I arrived.”

  “But when she went to the manager, he threatened to fire her if she didn’t keep her trap shut,” Sylvia said hotly. “One day, the high-and-mighty Albert Turner happened to visit the premises. My mother intended to talk to him about her concerns. When she got close, however, she overheard him say that the people of Charleston would have their colorfast green flowers no matter what the price. He said to terminate anyone who dared complain.”

  Mortified, Caroline pressed a hand to her stomach. “I had no idea.”

  “Of course you didn’t, Miss Caroline.” Sylvia mimicked her previous submissive tone. “You were too busy enjoying the luxurious life of an heiress to care.”

  Sylvia’s huge, catlike eyes were cold with condemnation. In those eyes, Caroline saw zero potential for forgiveness. She very well might die today. Would they hide her body? Would Duncan assume she left town?

  Theo stepped closer to the water’s edge. “Caroline isn’t to be blamed for her father’s actions. We’ve gotten more money than we initially agreed upon, enough to start fresh in a new town. The three of us can leave right now.”

  “It’s not enough. Weren’t you the one who told me her new husband’s riches exceed the Turners’? There’s plenty more to be had.”

  His jaw tensed. “I suspect it’ll never be enough for you, Sylvia. You’ve allowed your thirst for revenge and your greed to exceed common sense.”

  “You’re not the one who’s had to see to your parent’s every single need, day in and day out, all the while holding a full-time position. The Turners destroyed my mother’s life, and they destroyed mine.”

  Sylvia’s arm trembled. She was growing tired holding the heavy pistol aloft. Caroline inched in the opposite direction and, because she wasn’t looking where she was going, her feet became submerged in the cool water up to her ankles. Her hem became sodden.

  “And what of Caroline?” He flung out his arms. “Duncan isn’t going to give you money if you harm her.”

  The thought of Dunca
n made her want to weep. If she didn’t come out of this alive, he’d never know how much he meant to her.

  “I’m not going to harm her.” Her gaze lit once more on Caroline. “I’m going to hold her for ransom.”

  “Sylvia, you can’t!” Vivian exclaimed.

  Storm clouds gathered on Theo’s face. “That’s sure to land us in prison.”

  “I’ll stash her in my shed. No one will suspect I had anything to do with poor Caroline McKenna’s disappearance. While I’m faithfully performing my duties, you two can see she’s fed at least once a day.”

  Horrified, Caroline moved farther away. The water around her feet stirred.

  “I won’t be part of this,” Theo stated uncompromisingly. “And neither will Vivian.”

  Caroline took another step. The silt beneath her left foot shifted and she looked down in time to see the thick body of a snake. Twin points of pain exploded in her calf. Her scream rent the air.

  Sylvia’s eyes went from startled to aghast. “Copperhead!”

  “Caroline!” Theo splashed through the water to get to her.

  “Where is it?” Lungs heaving, Caroline scrambled away from the stream, her heavy skirts tripping her. She landed on her side in the grass. A burning sensation crawled up her leg.

  Theo crouched beside her. “It swam away.”

  “I don’t feel so good,” she murmured, dizziness assailing her. Flat on her back now, she stared up at the chubby clouds floating past and the blue sky framed by interwoven tree branches. It was so beautiful she wanted to cry. “I’m going to die, aren’t I?”

  “Don’t say that.”

  Vivian’s white face came into view. “She needs to stay calm. Remember what happened to Johnny?”

  “I know,” Theo bit out. Bent over her, he smoothed her hair and peered into her eyes. “I’m going to have to make incisions at the wound site. I’ll try to get as much of the venom out as I can.”

  Nausea roiled. The pain was unbearable. Her heart throbbed in her chest.

  Her fingers digging into his arm, she pleaded, “Get a message to Duncan. Tell him I’m sorry. For everything. And tell him that I l-love him.”