Impending Love and Madness

by Laura Freeman

  Zach locked the door and stared at the portrait of his grandfather. Behind it was hidden a wall safe. During his furlough, Elijah had shared the combination, and he had memorized the numbers. He removed the contents and examined the papers. Zach sorted through the titles for the horses, separating those for the sale. He pulled the paperwork for the best horses and set them aside for his friends.

  When he was done, instead of returning the papers to the safe, he slid his hand along the smooth bottom and pressed near the back. A spring latch opened to a secret compartment his grandfather had shown him. He placed the titles and his inventory list inside. They represented the wealth of Ravenswood.

  Seymour knew the combination to the safe, but Elijah had assured him he did not know about the secret compartment. Even if he did, the papers were useless. Only Zach had the authority to sell his horses. He closed the secret compartment and placed the remaining papers and his grandfather’s copy of the will in the safe’s normal walls. The will would remind Seymour of his place at Ravenswood.

  ****

  Zach was awakened by voices echoing from below in the study. How long had he been asleep? He threw the covers off and stood. The ropes were tight enough to barely creak with the shift in weight, but he hesitated. The voices continued. He moved to the window and brushed back the draperies. It was dark. Who would be in the study at night?

  A woman’s voice sharpened his hearing. It wasn’t Mrs. Graves.

  He pulled on trousers and a shirt and crept to the end of the hall. A tapestry covered the opening to a servants’ staircase. It matched the one Mrs. Graves had used to reach the fourth floor, but with no other servants, this one wasn’t used. A thick layer of dust covered the railings and steps. Zach descended to the first floor. Instead of proceeding to the central hallway, he turned a decorative flower on a sconce on the wall, which released the lock on a hidden panel. The door opened into the library. Pax had shown him the shortcut when they were boys. He brushed away the cobwebs and entered the darkened library.

  The secret passage was one of the amusements his great-grandfather had created in the house. This one was for midnight reading excursions. The twin on the opposite side of the house provided a passage to the dining hall and whatever food could be found in the adjacent kitchen.

  Zach crossed the empty library to the opposite wall. A swinging bookcase opened. A twin would gain him entry into the study, but he didn’t want to reveal himself and listened to the voices, now clear and angry.

  “What are you going to do?” the female demanded.

  “Quiet, Lucia.”

  The nun?

  “You said the boy wouldn’t be a problem.”

  “He returned earlier than expected.” Seymour cursed. “The boy has grown into a man. He wants to be lord of the manor.”

  “You should have destroyed the new will.”

  “Zachary has a lawyer. A good one. He didn’t waste any time having the papers filed in court. Even if I could have found a copy of the old will, it wouldn’t have done any good.”

  “But you’re the rightful heir of Ravenswood,” Lucia said. “Firstborn son of Elijah Ravenswood. Didn’t he believe in free love?”

  “My mother did and paid the consequences when Elijah married another so he could sire a legitimate heir.”

  “But you said you were going to inherit Ravenswood.”

  “I spent years turning Elijah against Clayton. After his summer visits, I would point out his endless flaws. When he married Allison, Elijah wanted Clayton to live here and raise his children at Ravenswood. I couldn’t have that. I stole things from their room, made noises in the hall, and left a dead bird on their bed. Nothing scared them until Pax fell down the stairs. The tumble left him unharmed, but Allison was hysterical. I swore I didn’t touch the boy, but Allison insisted upon moving to the cabin by the lake. I used their absence to manipulate the old man against them. Elijah had agreed to give me the house and half the property. If Zachary had followed his brother’s fate, I would have had it all.”

  “So why did he change his will?” Lucia asked. “You’re more equipped to run Ravenswood than any boy.”

  “When Zachary returned home for furlough in his uniform and tales of war, Elijah couldn’t stop bragging about him. The old man set his dreams and hopes on his legitimate heir, and I was no longer needed. But I didn’t think he would change the will. Tyler Montgomery said he was Zachary’s lawyer and visited last summer. I thought it was about his military pay. It was a shock when Kettler read the new will that left me nothing.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Oh, I have my position as Ravenswood’s accountant,” Seymour snarled. “Room and board and a pittance allowance while I serve the boy!”

  A loud bang shook the dust from the books above him and showered down on his head. Zach pinched his nose to stop a sneeze. He didn’t dare move or breathe. Seymour moved away, his footsteps pacing across the floor.

  “He sent me to school, gave me a position in his household, filled me with dreams of running Ravenswood as my own,” Seymour said. “Then he took it all away.”

  “Calm down, Seymour. The sale is going on as planned.”

  “Exactly as planned.”

  The door opened, and footsteps echoed on the main staircase. Zach replayed the words in his head. Zach didn’t recall the tricks Seymour had claimed to play on his family. But his parents had protected him and Pax by moving to the cabin by the lake. How far would Seymour have gone to gain control of Ravenswood? How far was he willing to go now?

  Zach closed the bookcase and retreated to his room. Seymour considered him an ignorant boy, but his years as a soldier had trained him to survive. He would discover his enemy’s weakness and exploit it.

  If Seymour thought he could wrestle Ravenswood from his grasp, he was badly mistaken. He was the rightful owner. His grandfather had guaranteed Seymour a job, but he didn’t specify what work. He might enjoy mucking stalls.

  He wrote a letter to Tyler and reread the last paragraph.

  I hope my gut feeling is wrong, but I have concerns after returning to Ravenswood. Seymour is upset about the new will. Does he have any claim on Ravenswood or its profits? Could you prepare a will leaving my property to Cassandra Beecher, Ethan Donovan, and Harry Herbruck if anything happens to me?

  Zachary Ravenswood

  The next day Zach looked for a horse to ride to town and found one saddled and tied to the barn with the mares and foals. Vance was writing in a ledger. When Zach approached, he shoved the book into his coat pocket.

  “Are you making a list of the foals?”

  Vance withdrew the ledger. “I was matching the foals to the mare.”

  Zach extended his hand. Vance handed him the ledger. Each mare was listed with a description and name. The foal was listed beneath with a description of coat color and any markings. “I’d like a copy when you’re done.”

  “Of course.” Vance moved to the next stall. “Did your grandfather sell broodmares?”

  “Only those who stopped conceiving.” Zach flipped through the book. “You have all the horses listed in here.”

  “I use it to track training and exercising.”

  He paused on a page. “These are the five-star horses. I’d like my friends to look at these.”

  “Your friends?” Vance looked toward the house.

  “They haven’t arrived yet,” Zach said. “I expect them soon though.”

  “Does Seymour know about the visitors?”

  “No.” Zach closed the book and handed it to Vance. “Why would I have to inform the accountant about my guests?”

  “I forgot you were in charge,” Vance said. “Are your friends planning to buy a horse?”

  “Several,” Zach said. “And one of them is a veterinarian. He knows a five-star horse so don’t think you’ll fool him.”

  Vance stroked the side of his nose, which had been broken in the past. “I wouldn’t think of doing anything deceptive.”

  Zach liked
the fellow veteran, but trust needed to be earned. “Do you need the horse outside? I have a letter to post.”

  “I’m going into town. I’d be happy to take it.”

  Zach had plenty to do around Ravenswood. He handed Vance the letter.

  His hand shook. “Tyler Montgomery.”

  “He’s my lawyer. Do you know him?”

  The hot anger passed from Vance’s expression. “I hear he’s a good one.”

  “He specializes in helping veterans.”

  Vance tucked the letter in his deep coat pocket. “I’ll keep that in mind if I ever need help.”

  ****

  That night Zach was awakened by a noise. Was is Seymour and Sister Lucia? Tonight he would confront them and discover their plot. The room was lighter than normal. He pulled on his trousers and opened the draperies. Could it be morning already? A shattering of broken light burst into the sky. He had seen similar hungry flames after torching buildings across Georgia to destroy anything providing food and provisions for the enemy. Was it a memory? He opened his window. The wind carried the acrid smoke to his nostrils. The flames were real, scorching his tired brain with the truth. The crackling of timbers being devoured echoed across the night. The broodmare barn was on fire.

  He stepped into his boots and dashed downstairs and out of the house. Spirals of dense smoke filled the sky above shooting flames. The building was fully engulfed, the ravished trusses fighting to support a collapsing roof. The heat on his flesh forced him to stop. Where were the workers to put the fire out? A figure stood in the light from the flames. Seymour. A smile creased his excited face. A smile?

  Seymour pointed toward the barn and cried out, “Save the mares!”

  Zach stepped toward the inferno, but the heat stopped his advance. A sharp pain radiated on the back of his head, and he fell into darkness.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cass glanced at the clock on the mantel. The three young men calling on her and Jules had been entertaining them with stories for two hours. Who would think being courted was so exhausting? Her mother had encouraged her to socialize in case the romance with Zach didn’t result in matrimony. Cass didn’t encourage the young men, but Jules enjoyed the attention and flirted and flattered the callers with ease.

  No matter what her parents thought, she had given her heart to Zach. His invitation to visit Ravenswood had arrived soon after his departure. She was eager to make the trip, but her father needed convincing. He had said he would think about it. She had been on her best behavior, doing extra chores, and helping with any medical calls.

  “Let’s have a song.” Jules clapped her hands, and Cass sat at the piano. The sheet music to Stephen Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer” was open and ready to play. It was her sister’s favorite. Jules had a beautiful voice, and the three young men in the room were mesmerized by the lilting notes. The song also was a signal to their parents they were done entertaining and should make an appearance to bid the visitors farewell.

  As Cass finished playing the last note, Sterling dutifully appeared in the parlor. He talked with each man, shook hands, and Jules distributed their hats. She claimed a vase of flowers. “I think I’ll put these on the kitchen table so Mama can enjoy them.”

  “She’ll like that,” Cass said.

  Harry remained behind. Cass had enlisted him to convince her father she should be allowed to travel to Ravenswood. “I won’t be calling next Sunday,” Harry said.

  That was her cue. “Are you and Ethan going to Ravenswood?”

  Harry fumbled with his top hat. “We plan to leave Tuesday.”

  Sterling frowned. “But the sale isn’t until Saturday.”

  “It’ll take a day to reach Ravenswood, and we want to look around before the sale,” Harry said. “Zach said we would have first choice of the horses.”

  “We need a replacement for Blackie,” Cass reminded her father.

  “I’m sure Ethan and Harry can select a horse for us.”

  “But Zach invited me.” Cass removed the flier from her skirt pocket. “We discussed the trip to Ravenswood last week, and you said you would consider it.”

  “I have. Three young men and a single lady is not a good combination.”

  “Ethan is my cousin, and Harry is my friend.” She paced across the floor. “The four of us visited the sites in Washington City and helped rebuild the homes and barns in Virginia together. We’re practically family.”

  “Your mother and I discussed it. A day trip would have been acceptable, but Ethan and Harry plan to spend several days at Ravenswood. That’s a long time to spend in the company of a young man. Especially without adults present.”

  “Adults? Papa, you insult my friends,” Cass said. “They spent years fighting in a war. If they don’t qualify as men, then I don’t know who does. I only spent a few months in Washington City, but I was there for the worst of the wounded. Double amputees. Men who were blind. Others horribly burned. And worst of all, I witnessed the murder of our president. Child? I could never be a child again, Papa. I know you mean well, but Zach, Harry, and Ethan would rather die than let any harm come to me.”

  Sterling sighed. “It should have become easier after letting the older girls go, but with only you and Juliet left, I’m more cautious than ever to part your company.”

  “I won’t be gone forever, Papa,” Cass said. “All my sisters have gone on adventures. You can’t begrudge me this little one. What could happen on a farm?”

  “It’s safer than a battlefield,” he agreed.

  She was wearing him down. “What sort of horse would you like?”

  “I’d feel better if buying a horse was the only reason you were going.”

  Cass danced around him. “Then I’m going?”

  “To buy a horse.” He entered his office and returned with a lockbox. “How much will you need?”

  “A hundred and fifty dollars,” Cass said. “I have some money if the horse is more.”

  “Perhaps I should allow you to marry Zachary first.” He handed her the bills. “It would save me money.”

  She hugged him. “Thank you, Papa. And I promise to be on my best behavior.”

  “It’s not your behavior I’m worried about.” He looked at Harry. “Contact Ethan and tell him I wish to talk to him before you leave Tuesday. I’ll have a word with you, now.” He waited for Harry to enter his office. Sterling Beecher rarely lost his temper, but with six daughters, he had mastered intimidation when it came to young men. Poor Harry looked like a condemned man.

  ****

  Harry Herbruck slapped the reins on the rump of the gelding pulling the double seat buggy that belonged to his parents. Cass sat beside him, and Ethan sat in the back with a basket of food beside him.

  “Anything left?” Cass asked as Ethan searched the contents.

  He handed her an apple. “This basket has seen some wear and tear.”

  “That basket has been on journeys with all my sisters except Jules.”

  “I remember it at Gettysburg with Jess.” Ethan closed the lid. “Not much left. I hope we reach Ravenswood in time for the evening meal.”

  She turned forward and searched the empty road. “We must be getting close. Mr. Kettler said this was the road to Ravenswood, and it was only a couple of miles.”

  “I didn’t think the trip from Darrow Falls would take so long,” Harry said. “I hope this old buggy makes the trip home.”

  “Home?” Ethan leaned forward. “We have to reach Ravenswood first. I wonder if it’s as grand as Zach bragged.”

  “If it is, I wouldn’t mind offering my veterinarian services for the right price,” Harry said.

  “Working with horses can’t be too different than driving mules,” Ethan said.

  Harry laughed. “You could always shovel manure.”

  Ethan slapped Harry with his hat.

  Cass waited for their spat to end. “Don’t you like working on the canal with Grandpa?”

  “It’s fun for a boy, but I need a ser
ious job,” Ethan said. “Besides, he’s talking about retiring the Irish Rose.”

  “Jules and I barely had a chance to learn the ropes,” Cass said.

  “You’re better on a horse than a boat,” Ethan said. “Paddy still brags about you riding to fetch your Pa after Blake was shot.”

  “That’s before I had to ride side saddle,” Cass said. “Who created the rule women should ride perched on the side of a horse instead of astride? A crinoline makes even buggy riding a challenge.” Cass adjusted her position. “I’ll be grateful to sit on something that doesn’t bounce with every hole and rut.”

  “If you’re going to be one of The Three Musketeers, young d’Artagnan, you will need to learn to rough it.”

  Cass enjoyed Ethan’s teasing. Most men treated her too seriously. “I love that story, but why do all the heroes have to be men?”

  “You should write a story where the woman is the hero,” Ethan said.

  Harry frowned. “Don’t women like being rescued?”

  Cass laughed. “Like Jess enjoyed being saved from Morgan?”

  “And Blake was worried about her,” Ethan said. “His best friend was the one in danger.”

  “Miss Jessie could always take care of herself, but Miss Cassie…”

  “Are you saying I’m helpless?” Cass crossed her arms and stared at Harry. “I can take care of myself if not outnumbered.”

  Ethan leaned against the back of his seat. “I made a promise to my uncle to be a vigilant chaperone. Don’t get any ideas, Harry, or we may not remain friends.”

  “I’m not the one you have to worry about,” Harry said. “Besides, Dr. Beecher made me promise to treat Miss Cassie like my sister.”

  “That leaves Zach. Do you want us to have a talk with him about marrying you?”

  Cass swirled in her seat and poked her finger in Ethan’s direction. “Don’t you dare! If Zach doesn’t want to marry me, then that’s his choice. I’m not begging.” She settled in her seat. “Besides, my father expects me to purchase a horse not a husband. Zach promised me first pick.”

  “How many horses is Zach selling?” Ethan asked.