by Sandy Loyd
“All right. You have my full attention. Now tell me why you’re really here,” Parker demanded, his gaze still on the man.
“I hear congratulations are in order. Is your wife nearby?” Sterling asked.
Parker’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m sure you didn’t spend all those hours on the road simply to congratulate me or ask after my wife.”
Unperturbed, Sterling took a sip of his drink. “Yes, well, this concerns the lady.”
“How?” There was no missing the deadly tone of Parker’s curt question.
When the president started to object again, Sterling shook his head, then set his drink on the table in front of him. “I’m sure you’re aware that your wife is an heiress to one of the best-producing coal mines in England?”
Parker flashed him an ominous look at the mention of Penny’s legacy. “What has this to do with my wife and her property?”
“Quite a bit, actually. I’ve been corresponding with her guardian in the last year, working on negotiations for acquiring Lytton Mines. The purchase was to be concluded the day after the earl’s marriage to one Lady Penelope Lytton, the same woman you married. From what Lord Knightsbridge had imparted, they have a betrothal agreement and their wedding was delayed due to mourning her dead parents. Were you aware of that?” he asked.
Keeping his expression guarded, Parker nodded.
“The earl is convinced the lady is still going to marry him, and he assured me the sale would go through without a hitch as recently as two weeks ago,” Sterling added. “Imagine my surprise when the very next day, your wedding made headlines in our little town. Seems you’re still a bit of a hero to some fellows there and nothing you do goes unnoticed.” He chuckled. “Also, the lady’s unique status as an heiress makes her newsworthy. I’m digressing, however.” He stopped talking long enough to take a swallow of his drink. “Very good bourbon, Mr. President.”
“Continue, please,” Parker prodded, when it seemed the man was procrastinating.
“I’m not sure how to present my concerns, so I’m just going to blurt them out,” Sterling said. “Gerald Knightsbridge, the Earl of Kentworth, is here in this country. He gave his assurances in person.”
The news definitely drew Parker’s concern. He stiffened and the angular lines on his face tightened with tension.
Sterling nodded. “I gather you didn’t know. I believe he’s planning something sinister involving your wife.”
Frowning, Parker dismissed his worry with a negligent shrug. “I don’t see how. The lady is no longer his affair.” Penny was safe on his farm. The earl couldn’t touch her.
His assurance didn’t faze Sterling, whose voice became more insistent. “When I questioned him days later and showed him the newspaper’s account of your vows, he ranted for a solid five minutes before he managed to rein in his temper. Then he told me to disregard the news. Said nothing has changed. He’ll have the marriage annulled and the sale will still go through without delay.” Sterling leaned in before adding, “He was very emphatic. According to the earl, the matter would be resolved the moment he had the lady under his control again. He was a bit off-putting, so I questioned him further, which seemed to enrage him more. I have to tell you, from our conversation, the man is clearly unbalanced. Quite mad, I fear. I think he means to do you or the lady harm.” Lifting his shoulders, he opened his hands as if to say, now do you see why I’m alarmed?
“I appreciate your concern, but I can handle him,” Parker said, unconvinced the earl held any true threat to him or Penny. Still, he mentally calculated how long his ride home would take. No sense taking chances. “But I am curious. Why would you care? You never did before.”
“That’s not true.”
The quick outburst spoken so fervently got Parker’s attention, causing him to eye Sterling with contempt.
Sterling cringed. “But I knew it would do no good to let you in on that information.”
Parker’s bark of laughter held no amusement. He snorted. “Surely you don’t expect me to believe you have a heart? Men like you haven’t one.”
He bit back a snarl when the president interjected in a mortified voice, “Parker!”
It was simply too much to share bourbon while listening to Henry Sterling espousing concern for him and his family. Parker was beginning to think his quest had been a fool’s errand. The president seemed more interested in his image and Indian uprisings in the West, than solving what Parker considered a huge problem.
Sterling sat quietly, most likely contemplating his next words. Finally he said, “I know you’ll never believe this, but I was as horrified as you were when the methane gas exploded and the mine caved in, killing your father and brothers. Your father was my most valued employee. I depended on him.”
“You had a good way of showing it, considering it was your greed that allowed the cave-in. You might as well have buried them yourself.”
“That’s not true, son.”
“Don’t call me ‘son,’” Parker ground out. “You did nothing to make the mines safer.”
“I know you believe you have cause to hate me, but it’s time you heard the truth,” Sterling said, shaking his head.
“What truth? That the mines are somewhat safer because my family died? That you were forced into making them safer? I don’t know how you sleep at night.”
“Parker,” President Grant said firmly. “That’s enough.”
“No, Mr. President, it’s quite all right,” Sterling said. “I understand his need to lash out.” He turned to Parker. “Believe what you want, but you should know that I was working with your father to make the mines safer for all, just as I’m working with a committee on mine safety now. Your father had several inventive ideas and we were in the process of implementation when the accident occurred. After his death, I implemented every last one of them and there hasn’t been an accident in Sterling Mines since. And as for being forced into it, there are no laws on the books requiring me to do what I did. Yet.”
“I’ll bet that hurt your bottom line. Imagine, humanity before profits. Don’t expect me to declare you a saint because you suddenly acquired a conscience,” Parker said dismissively. “The end result is the same. Men are dead—my father and brothers included—because of your lack of concern.”
“You’re right, of course, no matter that I tried to make amends to you. You’d have none of it, but I’ve more than paid for my imagined crimes. And because of how successful your father’s ideas have been, I’m working with other owners to convince them of the value of safety. I also gave your father what he wanted most. And I believe he would forgive me.”
“Henry, Parker is out of line,” President Grant said, his voice drawing both men’s attention, and interrupting the charged atmosphere. He nodded at the older man and stated firmly, “You don’t have to justify yourself.”
“I disagree.” Henry sighed. “It’s time I told the complete truth.” Henry eyed the president, letting the statement hang in the air. He kept his gaze steady, seeking acquiescence, until he got a nod.
Parker noted the exchange. “What truth?”
Henry straightened. He cleared his throat and pulled on his bow tie as if it were too tight.
“I secretly helped you acquire the job with the government. Jonathan Morgan, your superior, and I are good friends. He needed someone with special skills and I told him about you and your brother.”
“You’re lying.” Totally stunned, he shook his head. “No,” he yelled. “I’ll not give you credit for something I did.” Feeling betrayed, he turned to the president and demanded, “Did you know about this?”
“I knew of the connection as it’s in your file, but from what I’ve read, you more than proved your worth on your first mission, so you are right on that account. However, I doubt, given your background, we would have used you in such a way without a strong recommendation.”
“Your mother is well aware of it also,” Sterling said. “We talked after the accident. I
had to make sure she agreed with my plans.”
“Elizabeth? You brought my mother into this?”
“We didn’t dare tell you because you wouldn’t take the offer if you knew where it came from, and that offer gave you a way out,” Sterling said softly. “It was your father’s last wish. I had to honor it. You far exceeded Jonathan’s expectations,” Sterling went on. “But did you really think you’d sway men looking for experienced, seasoned soldiers without some kind of help? You were a green, hotheaded boy, bursting into manhood with rage in your heart. I only gave you a little bit of help and redirected that rage. Put it to good use. Of course you would never accept help from me, so I kept it hidden as did your mother.”
“This is too much.” Parker stared in disbelief at his drink, absorbing the information as his thoughts raced. No one spoke or moved a muscle. The clock above the fireplace mantel bonged twelve times, the only sound disturbing the quiet.
“All right,” Parker finally conceded. “Why would you? I was every bit as valuable in your mine as my father. He taught me everything he knew about mining. I can’t see you doing that out of the goodness of your heart.”
“I had an arrangement with your father. I could have him for life but not his sons. He wanted more for all of you.”
“You expect me to believe that, when you killed his two youngest?”
“They weren’t supposed to be part of what we were doing. He needed their size to shore up one of the tunnels. No one else could get to them. He took the chance because he thought what we were doing was worth the risk. Unfortunately, fate intervened and they died,” Henry said, heaving a heavy sigh. “No one, least of all your father, expected gas in that part of the mine. I wouldn’t have let anyone near it without his say-so.”
Though Parker didn’t want to accept what Sterling was saying, the man’s words rang true. Benjamin Davis knew the mines better than anyone. It was also true that Parker’s father never wanted his sons to live and die as miners. His father had made that fact known with every breath he took. His grandfather’s slow and painful death from black lung disease had profoundly affected Ben Davis and he’d always been on Parker about rising above mining, telling him education was a path to a better life. He could now see his father making such a bargain with Sterling. Sadness engulfed him as he listened to the rest of Sterling’s story, and heard the sincerity in his voice.
“I had no way of circumventing that accident and I’ll be damned if I can let the earl’s threat go unheeded. That’s why I’m here. I couldn’t save your father or your brothers, but I can warn you. That man means mischief and you’d be a fool to ignore his threat.” Sterling placed his empty glass on the table. He eyed Parker and added with much conviction, “I know you’re anything but a fool.” He turned to the president and nodded. “Now that I’ve said my piece, we can get back to business. I’ve learned I have only so much control over fate. Whether or not he follows up on my warning isn’t up to me.”
“We’ll have to discuss business another time.” Parker gulped the last sip of bourbon and stood. “If you will excuse me, Mr. President. Mr. Sterling.” When both men nodded, he added, “I think I’ll take your advice and check on my wife’s safety.” Parker headed for the door, his equilibrium bent. Sterling’s news affected him more than he wanted to admit and he had to escape. With his hand on the knob, he turned back and smiled. “Merely a precaution; I certainly don’t see how the earl could pose a real threat.”
“I don’t know, Parker. The man’s a little too scary for my liking,” Sterling said.
Parker grunted. “Scary or not, he’s an aristocrat after all. Appearance is everything to someone like him.”
Chapter 27
Catherine cautioned Penny with a finger to her lips to ensure silence. Then, spying something in the brush, she signaled for Penny to halt, whispering, “Wait here, I’ll return after I track and kill him.”
Penny nodded and watched her stalk into the woods, content to let Catherine do what she did best—by herself. She relaxed with her back against a tree, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face.
A twig snapped. “Now you’re the one getting rusty, Catherine.” She laughed, turning toward the sound. “I heard that.”
Her amusement died the moment she spotted the man a few yards away, holding a gun pointed at her heart. She stared, too dumbfounded to speak.
“Lady Penelope.” Gerald Knightsbridge smiled, a nasty one that sent shivers of panic up Penny’s spine. “Expecting someone else?” He chuckled, a purely evil chortle erupting from his chest. “Sorry to disappoint you, but she won’t be back for quite a while. I’ve been watching and waiting,” the earl said, advancing purposefully toward her. He stopped a foot away. “Did you think you could outwit me forever?”
When she finally found her voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
“What kind of greeting is that for your betrothed?”
Penny continued gawking, unable to think of anything to say.
Another sickening chuckle rolled from his mouth.
Since he thrived on her fear, she schooled her face to show nothing of the terror this encounter produced. Though Parker wouldn’t be back for hours and she wasn’t sure of Catherine’s whereabouts, this wasn’t England and she would no longer play his sick games.
“As for what I’m doing here? I should think it’s obvious. I’m here to take you back to England. I have a ship waiting out on the bay for my signal. We’re to be married, you know.”
“I’m afraid you’re too late, Lord Knightsbridge.” She shrugged. “I’m already married.” Glaring at him, she held her head high, no longer frightened.
This time he laughed outright, the ominous sound grating on Penny’s nerves and sending another signal of alarm throughout her system. When his laughter died, he eyed her, his gaze traveling from the top of her head to her feet and back up again. As quick as lightning striking, his expression changed from amusement to rage.
Backhanding her, he sneered viciously, “I thought I told you long ago to use my given name.”
Not expecting the blow, Penny’s head and person snapped back with force, and for a moment she saw stars.
“Now, I’d like to hear it spoken with respect from your lips,” Gerald said patiently after seizing her chin roughly, forcing her head up.
Subduing pure fear, she waited for the remnants of pain to subside. Eyeing him cautiously and letting her expression go blank, she gave him what he wanted, saying in a steady voice, “Gerald. I can’t marry you because I’m already married.”
“Yes. I’m well aware of that fact.” He leaned closer and spoke in a deceptively soft voice. “Imagine my surprise when I stopped in town looking for your maid, Melinda Bowers, and heard the latest gossip. About the fairy tale wedding.” He sighed and shook his head, moving toward her. Penny took a step back. “Just my luck that bit of news led me to you.”
He gripped her arm. The force of his fingernails bit into her flesh. When he glanced at something on the front of her muslin shirt, she looked down and noticed her locket had worked its way out from the blow and now hung loose around her neck. He quickly snatched it off, breaking the fragile links.
Penny resisted the urge to grab her treasure from his hands, knowing he’d somehow use its importance against her.
Fingering it, he eyed her speculatively. “Of course, I’m not happy about your marriage.” His lip curled in a harsh smile. He threw the locket on the ground, his claw-like grip on her upper arm tightening. “It will simply have to be annulled. I’ve come to take you home, but I’ve learned from my mistake. This time you’ll have no way to escape.” He shoved her in front of him so hard she almost lost her balance. Grabbing her arm with another cruel yank, he steadied her. His focus landed on the wedding ring on her finger. He held up her hand and wrenched the gold piece off with another cruel twist. He tossed the ring with the locket and waved his gun. “Get moving. He had no right to marry you.” When she turned around to contradict him,
his voice lost any semblance of control and his wild eyes flashed the fact brighter than a flare at midnight. “Understand this. You are my betrothed—mine—and you will honor your parents’ agreement.”
“You’re too late,” Penny said bravely, eyeing the gun and licking her lips nervously. “I’m carrying his babe, so an annulment is out of the question.”
“Move,” he barked, giving her a push in front of him.
“A child does change things. Probably for the better.”
They’d been walking for quite a while and Penny thought the earl had forgotten about her claim about the child she carried. His taunt proved her wrong.
“How? It’s too late.” She didn’t know how she sounded so calm when her insides quaked. She stopped and turned, scrutinizing his face for more meaning.
“It’s simple, my dear. Now I’ll have to kill him.”
How Penny kept the panic raging through her from showing in her expression, she didn’t know. Glancing around before starting forward again, she noted they headed toward Parker’s bluff. How long before Catherine would come looking for her? Could she stall him somehow?
When they neared the same large rock she and Parker had sat talking too many times, he reached for her arm, jerking her to a stop.
“That’s far enough. You might as well sit. You’ll not escape me a second time, but you won’t like the repercussions if you test my patience and try.”
~~
Parker rode at a fast clip, urging his stallion faster, unable to subdue the nagging doubt now setting in his gut. Though he truly didn’t think his wife was in danger, he did have an intense desire to ensure Penny’s absolute safety. Too many times he’d felt this same intuition, and his reactions to such warnings had saved his life just as many times to disregard the feelings now.
When he’d finally arrived at Catherine’s favored hunting ground, he dismounted. Squinting, he circled, examining the land for any signs of disturbance. When he caught a flash of something shiny, he walked over to the spot, carefully eyeing the ground. The moment he spied the locket and the ring lying next to it, his heart slammed into his throat. Squatting and picking up the pieces, his alert gaze moved even slower over the terrain, now noticing the bent branches and trodden path through dried leaves, signs his sister would never leave behind.