“When we met, you said you were heir to a fortune. I don’t like it when men lie to me.”
“I was his firstborn son,” Seymour said. “I wasn’t going to be cheated from my inheritance. I’d spent too many years praising the old man and bowing to his wishes. How many years did I have to wait for him to die before I could claim what was mine? The wealth of Ravenswood was within my grasp until that snotty-nosed brat came home on furlough. Elijah was smitten with his tales of heroics. I never had any interest in horses, and the boy loved them. They spent hours touring Ravenswood.”
Zach didn’t dare look at them, but Seymour was getting angrier with each word.
“I didn’t know the boy had hired a lawyer. When Tyler Montgomery visited, he talked Elijah into changing his will. He stole Ravenswood out from under me.”
Elijah had ordered the new will, and Tyler had informed Zach later. Seymour was lying to Lucia. It was a life-long habit.
“Can’t you claim Ravenswood if the boy is committed?”
“With his friends underfoot? Cassandra Beecher talked about her father examining Zachary. He’ll see the truth. Then there’s Tyler Montgomery. He’ll fight me in court for Ravenswood. No, it’s time to leave this place. Let the ravens have it. Besides, in my new plan I keep all the money for myself.”
Lucia clapped her hands and giggled. “You are a clever man. I’m so glad you invited me to stay.”
“Invited? You claimed to be a nun and then crawled into my bed. You’re the most exciting thing that’s happened to me since I finished my education and returned to this dreary place. All you have to do is keep the boy filled with opium. I want him so sick Saturday, no one will question my authority to conduct the sale.” Seymour chuckled. “They’ll all believe I’m raising the money for poor Zachary and Ravenswood.”
Lucia cackled. “Of course.”
Zach couldn’t react outwardly, but inwardly he seethed. Seymour’s whole life had been ruled by greed. He would keep the fortune of Ravenswood out of his hands no matter what the cost.
“The boy is awfully still. You don’t think you gave him too much opium earlier?”
A hand pressed against his neck. “He has a pulse,” Lucia said.
“Wake up, boy!” Seymour slapped his face.
The bandages dulled the blow. Normally he would have taken the abuse, but he was supposed to be drugged and in pain. Zach cried out. “Don’t hurt me. Please don’t hurt me.”
“Zachary, my boy. The sale is tomorrow. I need to know where you’ve put the titles to the horses.”
“The safe,” he gasped. “The safe.”
“The safe in the study?”
“Yes,” he gasped. “I need my medicine. Give me my medicine.”
“I’ve checked the safe in the study a dozen times. It has nothing in it but the will,” Seymour said. “Don’t you want to save Ravenswood?”
“In the safe,” Zach groaned.
“He gives you the same answer no matter how many times you ask,” Lucia said. “When was the last time you saw the titles?”
“The boy was looking at them in the study, matching them against the inventory.”
“Then they must be in that room,” she said. “Is there a second safe? A secret box? A compartment in the floor?”
“Wait.” Seymour paced across the floor. “When I first learned the combination, I would check on the contents of the safe regularly. I wanted to read through Elijah’s correspondence. Once in a while papers would disappear, but I didn’t think anything of it. But after Tyler Montgomery visited, I watched for any mail. Elijah received the will from him and placed it in the safe, but when I opened it later to read the document, it was gone. I thought he had taken it with him to his room, but we found nothing. I didn’t know the contents until Kettler read it.”
“So Elijah’s copy was destroyed.”
“No, after the boy arrived, the will was in the safe as if it had been there all along. Elijah had written some notes in the margin of the will. It was his original.”
“You watched him put it in the safe, but when you opened it, the will was gone?”
Seymour snapped his fingers. “A secret compartment.” Seymour headed for the door.
“What about the boy?”
“We don’t need him anymore. Give him the whole bottle. Tomorrow I’ll be rich, and the boy’s addled thoughts will convince Kettler he’s incompetent.”
Lucia emptied the remaining powder into the bowel and mixed it with the honey. She forced a spoon in Zach’s mouth. He fought it, but as soon as he tasted the hot powder mixed with honey, he recognized the concoction Mrs. Graves had created and relaxed. She gave him the remaining mixture followed by a drink of water. “Goodbye, you beautiful man.”
As soon as the door closed, Zach sat. “Water, water.” He struggled out of the ropes.
Lucia had left the empty bottle, spoon, and glass of water by the bed. Before Cass could reach the table, Zach downed the liquid. He waved his hand in front of his mouth. “Tell Mrs. Graves not so much pepper next time.”
Cass poured water from the pitcher into his glass, and he emptied it. “There won’t be a next time. He’s going to find the papers.”
Zach pulled on his trousers.
Cass blocked the door. “You can’t fight him alone. We need to fetch Ethan and Harry.”
He opened the door. “No confrontation, but I need to know what he does with the papers.”
She followed him into the hall. “I can’t be seen in my nightgown and robe.”
“He won’t see us.”
“Why not?”
He lowered his voice. “We’re going to use the secret passage.”
Cass looked around. “What secret passage?”
He grabbed her hand and led her behind the tapestry to the servant’s staircase. Moonlight illuminated the steps, but Cass placed her hand on Zach’s shoulder as he led the way to the lower hallway.
He pushed open the secret door in the wooden paneling of the wall and entered the library. Zach held his hand in the air, a military signal for silence. Noise echoed from the study next door.
“Can we see what they’re doing?” she whispered.
Zach touched his finger to her lips. He’d forgotten she wasn’t a soldier. He turned a raven figure on a shelf, and a book shelf swung forward. He led the way into an opening that was the back of a matching bookcase in the study. He moved aside a panel that allowed them to see into the room. They stared through the slits that blended with the decorative woodwork.
Seymour had the safe open and had emptied the contents onto the desk. He was feeling around the interior. “I can’t figure out how to open it.”
“Is there a lever?”
“No. It’s smooth.”
“What about a spring release? Push down.”
Silence was followed by a squeal of delight. Seymour turned, nearly facing them with the stack of titles in his hand. “The boy was telling the truth all along.”
“I feel like celebrating.” Lucia pushed Seymour into the chair. With Seymour’s back to them, they couldn’t see what Lucia was doing, but he was moaning and groaning in pleasure.
Cass gasped, and Zach put his hands over her eyes. She pulled them away.
They were done. Lucia pulled off her wimple and wiped her mouth with the cloth. Her straight brown hair was bobbed. “I hate this outfit.”
“You can burn it after we convince Kettler that Zachary can’t be responsible for the sale.” Seymour gathered the titles from the desktop. “Do you know what this represents? Money. I had to put up with those smelly animals and the hordes of flies they attract. New York City is going to be a breath of fresh air.”
“You’ve never been to New York, have you?” Her voice didn’t conceal her sarcasm.
Seymour shoved the papers into the safe.
“Doesn’t the boy know the combination?”
Seymour laughed. “The boy is in no condition to steal them.”
“What about the
signatures?”
“When Kettler sees how ill Zachary is, he’ll authorize any scribble the boy can make. He won’t dare cancel the sale with Ravenswood’s future in the balance. With him notarizing the signature, it’ll be perfectly legal.”
Zach waited until they left the room and then pushed the secret passageway open. He opened the safe and retrieved the documents.”
“What are you going to do with them?”
“Hide them. As long as I have the documents and not Seymour, I control the sale.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The next day Harry and Ethan were given the task of keeping Seymour busy and out of the study. They didn’t want him to discover the titles had been removed.
Cass spent the time washing her undergarments and ironing Zach’s shirt and suit. They had decided to confront Seymour at supper and force him and Lucia to leave Ravenswood before the sale so they couldn’t do any more mischief.
She carried his clothing to his room. He was applying aloe cream to his arms. “I’ll buy a jar to replace this one.”
“You still owe Colleen one.”
“After the sale I’ll buy each of your sisters a jar.”
“You won’t be embarrassed to buy a woman’s cream?”
“Why should I be?”
“Then you can do all my shopping.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief. “I have some ideas for camisoles and bloomers.”
“Zachary!”
A smile played upon his lips. “You feign outrage when you’re secretly pleased.”
“I do not.”
He chuckled and turned his head. “Did I cover all of it?”
She applied cream to his neck. “You are bold with your words but take my feelings for granted.”
“Never. I covet the tenderness you offer this weary soldier.”
“You look miserable, but your spirits have revived.” She smoothed the lotion over his arms. “You sound like the Zach in your letters. I loved reading the description of your travels.”
“I would rather describe you,” he said. “Your fingertips play a song upon my flesh.”
“Are you attempting to seduce me with poetic words?”
“Do I still repulse you with my hideousness? These past months have been dark and wearied my soul, but today, my heart is on wings. If my verbal eloquence doesn’t inspire you, I can pen the words in a letter.”
His letters had been filled with poetic phrases describing the countryside, the people, and his yearnings for home. Among the paragraphs had been tender words.
“I witness the sunrise and recall the light upon your soft cheeks, the feathery arch of your brow, and the look of love that inspires a weary soldier to continue the journey home.”
“I wrote those words before leaving Atlanta,” Zach said. “You remember them?”
“It was a long time before the next letter arrived. I memorized every word.”
He embraced her. “When you are close, words fail me. How can I convey the depth of my feelings? I would sacrifice all for you, Cassandra. Command me, and I will obey.”
His playfulness was contagious. “Now that you’re not so ugly, I wouldn’t mind a kiss.”
Zach took her in his arms, her body pressed against his, the heat building between them. He kissed her cheek, a chaste beginning. She offered her neck and he pressed warm lips against her tender flesh until a moan escaped.
His mouth silenced her as he devoured the fruit of her mouth. She gasped and his tongue found access. He plundered in a motion mimicking coupling. She grabbed onto his bare shoulders for support. He was half naked, and she was losing her resolve to remain upright. Her corset provided a thick barrier as his hands roamed her waist and moved upward, cupping her breast.
She pushed his hand away. “Behave.”
“You shouldn’t have allowed me to sample the sweets. Now I can think of nothing but satisfying my appetite.”
She checked the bodice of her green silk gown. “You can satisfy your appetite at the dining table.”
He grabbed his shirt. “I’ll be there soon.”
****
Seymour and his guests were seated at the table when she arrived. The men stood when she entered, and she took her seat next to Vance. “It’s nice you could join us, Mr. Edwards.”
“I couldn’t pass on an opportunity to spend an evening with such a charming lady.”
Lucia looked at each of them, a queer smile on her lips. “Have you ever been married?”
“Yes, but my wife and child died during the war.”
“How awful,” Lucia said. “But then you would value a spouse.”
“I have no need to marry,” Vance said.
“With so many war widows?” Lucia asked. “I would think it was your responsibility to wed.”
Vance raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing matchmaker, Sister Lucia?”
Cass avoided eye contact with a grinning Lucia and turned to Vance. “Did your wife make your beautiful vest?”
“She did.” He stroked the silk. “I haven’t worn it since joining the service.”
“She was talented.” Why did the vest look familiar? Or was it the pattern? Jem had made Logan a similar vest with birds. The one he had worn the night of Lincoln’s assassination. “Is the pattern a common one?”
“My wife designed it.”
How did Jem have the same pattern? A crash of thunder echoed outside and interrupted her thoughts.
Harry jumped in the seat beside her. “I hope the storm doesn’t ruin the sale.”
“Most of the bidders have arrived and looked over the stock,” Vance said. “They’re eager to buy. A little rain won’t change their minds.”
Lucia raised her wine glass, froze, and dropped it.
“What’s wrong with you?” Seymour demanded, dabbing at his coat where the wine had splattered.
She pointed toward the doorway.
Zach made his grand entrance. “Good evening, everyone. I’m sorry I’m late.”
Ethan and Harry greeted him as if he was expected. “It’s good to see you.”
Cass stood. “I’m glad you could join us.”
He hugged her. “It was time to rejoin the living.”
“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” Lucia shrieked.
“Don’t worry. My poison ivy is under control.” He ran his fingers over a few blisters on the top of his hand. “Mostly.”
She looked confused. “How?”
“Miss Beecher’s father is a doctor. She recognized I had been infected using those bandages you claimed I needed for my burns.” He frowned. “My imaginary burns.”
“It’s good to see you improved.” Seymour glared at Lucia. “I was under the impression you were on death’s door.”
“I would have been if you had your way.”
“I had no intention of harming you,” Lucia said. “Seymour ordered me to give you the opium.”
They were attempting to shift blame to each other. Zach stood by Seymour, who was seated at the head of the table. “I believe you’re sitting in my chair.”
Seymour stood and threw his napkin on the table.
Zach remained standing, facing his adversary. “Was it only greed, Seymour, or was there some other reason you betrayed me?”
“What do you know about being the bastard of the family? I obeyed the orders Elijah gave me. I graduated from college and handled his business affairs. What did it get me? Nothing but a promise to be employed as nothing better than a servant.”
“Servant? Then you won’t argue when I reduce your duties to cleaning the manure out of the horse stalls.”
“Seymour is a gentleman,” Lucia said. “He deserves better.”
“You’re nothing better than a horse thief.”
“You agreed to the sale,” Seymour said.
Zach turned to Vance. “Whatever agreement you had with Seymour, you can consider it null and void.”
“You’re canceling the sale?”
“It will con
tinue on my terms. I’m only selling the horses on this list.” Zach handed Vance a sheet of paper. “I know Ned Pike wants some mares. I’ve selected a few that are older and can spare to let go. The others are not for sale.”
Vance studied the list. “What about the horses for your friends?”
“You can put their horses aside. I’ll process the paperwork at the end of the sale.”
“You have the papers?”
“Yes.” Zach surveyed Seymour. “I removed them from the safe after you discovered the secret compartment.”
He looked past Zach toward the study. “You stole the papers?”
“They were mine.”
Seymour hurried from the room.
Lucia looked at the others. “Seymour was only trying to get what was rightfully his.”
Zach took his seat at the head of the table. “Elijah chose me as his heir.”
Seymour stomped into the room. “Vance, a word.”
Vance excused himself.
“What about me?” Lucia followed them. “I won’t be ignored.”
They disappeared into the study.
Zach looked at his friends. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Ethan placed his fingers to his brow and saluted. “All for one and one for all.”
The violent thunderstorm had abated to a light rain. Cass burrowed into her covers, hoping the soft pitter-patter against the window pane would lull her to sleep. Seymour had admitted defeat and had retired to pack his bags. Lucia did the same.
Vance offered to stay and help show the horses. Zach had agreed to keep him and his men on against protest from Harry and Ethan.
After dessert, Vance had left for the cabin, and they had departed to their rooms in preparation for Saturday’s sale.
Cass dozed off. She was awakened by a noise. Was someone in her room? A hand covered her mouth. She struggled. “Zach! Zach!”
“Keep her quiet.” It was Vance.
“Yes, sir.”
She recognized Bryce, who thrust a handkerchief into her mouth and tied another cloth around her face to secure it in place. He wrapped her in the blanket and hoisted her over his shoulder.
She could see the floor. They were heading along the hallway. Vance was following with her bag.
Cass worked to free her hands and arms, but they were trapped by her sides. She bounced on Bryce’s shoulder as he ran downstairs. The cooler air outside hit her face. She was tossed over a saddle and had to endure the rough ride, praying she wouldn’t fall off and meet her demise beneath the hooves of the horse.
Impending Love and Madness Page 24