Pengarron Rivalry

by Pengarron Rivalry (retail) (epub)

  There was one evening she would never forget. She’d come upstairs to bed and met Jacob Glynn in the corridor. ‘Has Sir Gabriel already retired?’ She was trying to think of a reason to go into Gabriel’s room, to show him she wanted his company. That she was willing to fulfil the most intimate of a wife’s duty. She missed loving with him, missed the passion. There had been a lot of love in their unions. His love-making was different to Rafe’s. There had been nothing demanding, nothing selfish. She hadn’t realized until now that Rafe had been selfish with her, in relation to their intimacy and in other things, which had all been done mainly on his terms. Disturbed, and as if her heart had strangely slowed down, she saw how overwhelmed she had been by Rafe, how she had been willing to forsake so much – too much – that had been important to her.

  ‘He’s fixing to get roaring drunk,’ Jacob had replied disrespectfully, carrying a jug of rum. ‘Although in his case there won’t be any roar to it. He’s like a star fading away. ’Tisn’t fair.’

  She’d heard Jacob’s anxiety. ‘I’ll go into him. Don’t bring in the drink. I’ll tell Sir Gabriel I’ve ordered you not to.’

  ‘Yes, milady.’ Jacob dragged his feet away, glancing back at her often, as if willing her to put things right. She would try to.

  She found Gabriel leaning out of the window. It was a habit of his to stare out across the sea, watching the ships. She presumed he wished he was on one of them, travelling far away from here. He was gazing down at the ground below. It was a long, long drop. Instant death if he fell. Or jumped. A sudden end might appeal to him. Perhaps he couldn’t bear to go on with a woman who’d behaved as if she loathed him, who’d said she didn’t want his child in her belly.

  He’d leaned out further, sighing. Horrified, believing he was about to jump, she’d rushed to him, grabbing his shirt with such force to haul him back inside that he banged his head on the hard stone.

  ‘For goodness’ sake, Gabriel what were you thinking of? Things aren’t so bad you wish to end your life, are they? I’m sorry if I’ve made you depressed, I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Kelynen, I wasn’t about to jump.’ He grimaced in pain. His head was bleeding on the crown. A dramatic bright red trickled down through his hair.

  ‘Well, you shouldn’t be hanging out of the window! I’ve never been more frightened. You shouldn’t be so thoughtless.’ She hadn’t meant to make it sound a harsh reproach. She’d been shaking, thinking what would she do if she lost him. She couldn’t bear it. She didn’t want her child growing up knowing it had lost its father because he felt he’d had nothing to live for. It wasn’t fair to the child. And she had been unfair to Gabriel. He had suffered enough already with Caterina. She had come across Gabriel’s unpacked travelling chest and inside it had found a small picture of Caterina. She had been shocked by the wilful expression in the dancer’s beautiful face. She had looked hard, malicious and egotistical. It was no wonder Gabriel had been reduced to such an appalling state of self-neglect by such a woman. ‘I don’t want you to be hurt.’

  Gabriel had stared at her. ‘I’ve no intention of harming myself. I’m fully aware of my responsibilities and have no intention of shying away from them. I was merely hoping the cool night air would clear my head.’

  ‘I see. I’m sorry.’

  ‘I’m sorry you were frightened.’

  They were both apologizing, yet it seemed like a new distance had opened up between them. She should smile, say something nice and perhaps the chasm would start to close. But her mind went blank as minds so often do when they’re called on to produce something vital, and she could think of nothing, so Gabriel turned away.

  Now, as she stood watching Aunt Portia down below, she knew just how bereft she really would have been if Gabriel had fallen out of his window, more bereft than on the day she had learned that Rafe had died.

  She wasn’t given time to think through all the implications of this. There came a howl outside in the corridor

  from one of the cats. Something heavy hit the bedroom door and the cat went squealing off. Someone had kicked the cat viciously against the door. Kelynen made to run out of the room and rail against the cruelty – probably, she thought, performed by a servant – but the door handle was being turned, very slowly. Something made her freeze.

  The door was opened a crack. ‘Hello? Hello? Aunt Portia? Jayna Hayes?’

  It was Josiah’s voice. His calls could only be a precaution – he must know his aunt and her companion weren’t here or he wouldn’t have hurt the cat. Kelynen slipped behind a curtain and held her breath.

  Thirty-Two

  Kelynen watched Josiah from behind her hiding place. He was carrying a large leather bag by a long shoulder strap. He gazed about suspiciously at first, obviously surprised at the fresh smell in the room, and then he went straight into Lady Portia’s dressing room, closing the door behind him.

  Frowning as she heard him opening drawers and clothes presses, she arrived at the conclusion that he was here to steal from his aunt. She knew that could only mean her jewellery, and he was looking for the key to the safe. She crept to the dressing-room door. There was no key in the lock but if she was quick she could pull a heavy chair across and jam it under the handle to trap the thief.

  She had her hands on the back of a plump upholstered chair when Josiah came out of the dressing room. Thinking rapidly, she said, ‘Oh! Josiah, you surprised me. I was just tidying up. I’m afraid your aunt’s not here, she’s outside in the rose garden.’

  She could see he was nervous – no doubt his reason for slipping out of the other room was to check all was clear. He rearranged the shock and panic on his handsome face into an innocent expression, and before Kelynen could think about making an exit, he stalked across the room and stood in front of the door. She knew she had to keep her nerve. He had made her a prisoner. He must be desperate to come here and steal, and he was unlikely to leave without his spoils.

  ‘Kelynen,’ he said, using false charm, ‘you have greatly improved the environment in here. I shall go down to my aunt presently.’

  ‘Are you leaving on your travels today?’ She walked round the chair, keeping her eyes on him as she straightened the cushions.

  ‘Indeed I am.’

  ‘Gabriel will be home soon. We must share a farewell meal. You will write to him? I know things have been difficult between you of late, but he’s most anxious that you’ll keep in touch.’

  The sounds of the gardeners chatting outside filtered in through the windows. Startled, Josiah cried out, a hand flying to his heart. Kelynen was not about to take chances. At any moment the panic could take its grip on him again. She was in danger. She headed for the fireplace and the long brass poker.

  On to her, Josiah reached the fireplace at the same time. He grabbed the arm that was reaching for the weapon and twisted it round.

  ‘Argh!’ she cried.

  ‘Make another sound and I’ll hurt you even more!’

  Kelynen took a deep breath to steady her fright. ‘What do you want?’

  Grinning superciliously, he brought his face in close, darkened and leering. With his other hand he grasped her hair. ‘You’ve already worked it out with this famous clever brain of yours.’

  Wincing in pain, she tugged at his clawing hands, trying to free herself. ‘Then take what you want and go!’

  ‘I need the key! I can’t find it.’

  ‘It’s not kept in the dressing room. I think I know where it is. Let me help you. I just want you to leave. I don’t want Aunt Portia distressed.’

  ‘She’s not your aunt!’ He shook her, making her cry in pain. ‘You have no stake in this house, nor does my peculiar, witless half-brother. I’ve lived here all my life, until recently. I’ve worked hard for the estate.’

  ‘You’ve never wanted Chenhalls. And you’ve robbed the estate. It owes you nothing. Gabriel owes you nothing.’ Kelynen regretted her surge of anger. Josiah twisted her arm until she was sure the bones would break. He moved his o
ther hand over her mouth to prevent her screams.

  ‘You look very pretty with tears running down your face,’ he breathed over her. ‘It’s no small wonder why my uncle and Gabriel enjoyed taking you. I’d delight myself in that same pleasure if I had time. But if you’re truthful about expecting my brother home shortly, then needs must the devil drive. Where do you think the key is kept?’

  ‘It’s in here, in this room,’ she cried frantically. Josiah let her go. She staggered and nearly fell to her knees. She rubbed at the agonizing pain in her arm, wrought bright red with the imprint of his fingers.

  ‘Lead the way.’ He placed his hands in a high, clawing, threatening position.

  ‘O-over there. In a cubby hole in the bureau.’ Kelynen hoped that when she got closer to the windows she could cry for help.

  ‘What makes you think that?’ he demanded suspiciously.

  ‘It would be too obvious in the dressing room. I’ve seen Jayna Hayes put a little key away in a drawer of the bureau.’

  Josiah pushed and prodded her all the way to the lumbering walnut bureau. He got a stranglehold round her neck and she knew it would be foolish to scream or cry out. His fear was making him dangerous beyond all reason.

  ‘Which drawer?’

  ‘The second one down.’ She choked on his murderous grip.

  He hurled her to the floor. ‘Open it! Be quick!’

  Gasping for air, shaking, Kelynen pulled on the stirrup handles of the wide concave drawer. Her arm throbbed and she groaned. Losing patience, Josiah shoved her to the floor and yanked out the drawer himself. ‘Which side?’

  ‘The left in the corner.’ She tried to scrabble away, but he locked another arm round her neck and clamped her against his body while he searched among the miscellany of his aunt’s keepsakes. He threw out empty perfume bottles, dried flowers, letters, diaries and books.

  ‘I can’t feel anything unusual.’

  He tightened his grip and Kelynen started to choke. She tried in vain to loosen his arm. She thought desperately about Jayna Hayes’ posture when she had put the key into safe keeping. ‘It might be… incorporated in… the bottom of the drawer above.’

  He leaned in closer to the furniture. Kelynen felt crushed and was sure she would faint. She was frightened for herself and her baby. She loved her baby then, and wanted it so much. She prayed Jayna Hayes would come – Lady Portia was always sending her up for things. More than anything, she wished Gabriel really were due home. If she was to die, she wanted to see him one last time.

  Finally Josiah’s search was rewarded. He gave a yelp of triumph as he located the cubbyhole and got his grasping fingers on a tiny ornate iron key, threaded through with red ribbon.

  He dragged Kelynen into the dressing room and dumped her down on a high-backed chair. She teetered and clung to the seat for balance. Warning her not to scream, he ripped the robings off her bodice, then, while kneeling in front of her, he yanked her arms behind the back of the chair and tied up her hands. She forced back the terrified thought that he was about to murder her.

  For a second he gazed into her eyes. Then he tugged through her disarrayed hair, making her head dip from side to side, until her hair rested on her shoulders. ‘I do hate an untidy female. Don’t worry. I’ll soon be leaving you to the burdens of this horrid old house. Do you know, Kelynen, you are a handsome woman. I should have taken you for that walk round the gardens.’ She tried to lean away from him, but he held her face, put his mouth over hers and kissed her deeply.

  ‘Please, Josiah, just take the jewellery and leave.’ While tears coursed down her cheeks, he tore the thick gathered lace off the hem of one of her sleeves and gagged her. Then he swung to his feet, opened the safe – which he had found during his earlier hunt behind a picture – rapidly transferred the jewels in their many velvet pouches from a large silver casket to the leather bag. That accomplished, he went back to Kelynen.

  She veered away from him, her eyes glittering in fear, not trusting him to leave her unhurt or alive.

  Josiah pulled the gag down around her neck. ‘Goodbye, Sister-in-law. I hope you have a nice little baby. Don’t look so frightened. You’ve been a pest to me, but I don’t perform the ultimate sort of dirty deed, and there’s no Mordecai Lambourne here to take you away and throw you down a mine shaft. And before I go, I think there’s something you should know about Uncle Rafe.’

  Thirty-Three

  ‘You’re lying!’ Kelynen gasped in horror.

  ‘No, I’m not. Uncle Rafe was good to me. He sorted out any little problem I had. Just as I said, he ordered the demise of the late, unlamented, bothersome Adelaide Trevingey. Now there’s a nice little secret you can take to your grave. After all, you wouldn’t want to sully your dead lover’s reputation, would you? He would have soon tired of you, Kelynen. It’s a trait we share. You’re boring, and so is Gabriel. Have a pleasant, boring life together.’

  ‘You’re evil!’

  ‘Not really.’ He shrugged, smiling. ‘I was just spoiled as a child. Now, don’t cause a scene about the jewels or my indelicate treatment of you. If I’m apprehended, I’ll hang. I might as well hang also for my involvement in Adelaide Trevingey’s death, and I’ll bring my uncle’s name into the murder too.’

  Before Kelynen could respond, he pulled up the gag and smilingly watched the tears she shed over Rafe’s crime, the unknown deadly side of his character. Then he slapped her, hard enough to render her unconscious.

  * * *

  Gabriel hurried into the house with Livvy close on his heels. ‘Where’s your mistress?’ he shouted at Jacob Glynn, who was wasting time with a parlour maid at the foot of the stairs. Gabriel had been about to ride to Marazion to confront his half-brother about the scrap of Adelaide Trevingey’s dress that had been discovered by a bal maiden, a girl Josiah had badly beaten, near the old mine shaft. An encounter with young Jowan Bray had informed him and Livvy that Josiah had passed along the road on the way to Chenhalls.

  Jacob suddenly shot to attention. ‘I’m not sure, sir. Upstairs, I believe.’

  ‘Is Mr Josiah in the house?’

  ‘Aye, sir, he went up to her ladyship’s bedchamber. I said her ladyship was outside, but he said he wanted to leave something for her.’

  With Josiah’s departure imminent, Gabriel thought it unlikely there was an innocent reason behind this supposedly generous gesture. He was worried about Josiah resorting to violence. Had he lied about Adelaide Trevingey seeking her fortune in the city? Had she in fact met some terrible fate at the Wheal Lowen? If he was up to no good in the house and Kelynen discovered it…

  Gabriel pushed the startled valet out of his way. He’d got to the top of the first flight of stairs when he was faced with Josiah rushing down the corridor, a bulky bag slung over his shoulder. Gabriel threw the scrap of pink silk down on the floor.

  ‘Would you care to explain this?’

  ‘A piece of rag?’ Josiah feigned incredulity. ‘I’ve come to say goodbye to everyone. I haven’t much time, I’m afraid. I’m shortly to meet the carrier taking my belongings out on the fork of the main thoroughfare.’

  ‘I’ve spoken to Netta Rumford,’ Gabriel said harshly, advancing on his half-brother, who backed away. ‘Remember her? The girl you hurt so badly yesterday that she needed the doctor’s attention. She told me where she came by that piece of pink silk. My sister-in-law, Mrs Lanyon, recognized it as the same cloth that was wrapped around the foundling her husband found on the church steps, the foundling that is your baby, Josiah. What happened to Adelaide Trevingey?’

  ‘I’ve mentioned before that she went off somewhere,’ Josiah snarled, but his mouth twitched with nerves.

  Livvy had raced up the stairs. ‘Where’s Kelynen? You must have been here long enough to have seen her.’

  ‘I’ve no idea. I’ve been to my aunt’s room. I saw her from the window with her companion in the garden. Perhaps your sister’s outside somewhere too.’

  ‘Her ladyship never left the house, s
ir,’ Jacob Glynn shouted up the stairs. He had been questioning some of the other servants. ‘Mrs Barton says she last saw her in Lady Portia’s bedchamber.’

  At that moment Rex dashed up the stairs from the kitchens and ran, whining, towards the old lady’s room.

  ‘What have you done to Kelynen?’ Gabriel seized Josiah by the coat collars.

  ‘Nothing!’ Josiah blubbered. ‘I swear I haven’t seen her.’

  Gabriel thrust him aside and ran after Rex, shouting over his shoulder, ‘Jacob, don’t let this man leave the house!’

  Experiencing the worst fear of his life, he burst through the bedroom door. ‘Kelynen! Where are you?’

  Rex whined outside the dressing room and Gabriel dashed inside it. Kelynen was coming round. ‘Darling! Oh, dear Lord, what has he done to you?’

  * * *

  Kelynen regained consciousness properly in her bed. She was in a nightgown, her arm was bandaged and there were the smells of Beatrice’s soothing ointments.

  ‘I’m here, beloved.’

  She saw Gabriel then at the bedside and realized he was holding her good hand. ‘I was so afraid,’ she said. ‘I thought I’d never see you again.’

  ‘I was afraid for you, Kelynen. I couldn’t have borne losing you.’

  She smiled faintly and he leaned over and lightly kissed her lips. She kissed him back and whispered, ‘Stay close. Stay close to me, always.’

  He lifted her gently and sat on the bed, holding her. She snuggled in against him, her face tilted so she could look up at him. ‘Josiah told me—’