The Iron Road

by Jane Jackson

  ‘Please, James. Listen to me. He also made it very clear that if any man should find himself … attracted to me, and dared to challenge this arrangement, he would quickly find himself without friends or career.’ Her gaze was anguished. ‘He would destroy you. I would sooner live with him than live with that.’

  He clamped his mouth shut. To argue would only increase her torment. He drew a long, deep breath. ‘Do you know why Sir Gerald was not on the train?’

  Her features lost their sharp anxiety, relaxing in relief and gratitude. ‘I have no idea. He hadn’t mentioned not going. The first I knew of it was when Mr Coles told me he had received a note of apology citing unforeseen circumstances as the reason he wouldn’t be joining them.’

  ‘So you don’t know where he might be?’

  She shook her head. ‘But it must be important. He is still weak from his illness.’

  He followed her into the hall and watched her alter as the butler came towards them. The suffering vulnerable young woman withdrew behind the practiced facade of charming and thoughtful hostess. As she turned to James with a gracious smile, her eyes betrayed her. But only he could see them. ‘I expect you’d like to refresh yourself? Hawkins will show you.’

  She addressed the butler. ‘Hawkins, ask Ellen to bring a pot of coffee and some sandwiches to the drawing-room, will you please?’

  When he entered the drawing-room, Chloe was already seated, a tray on the table in front of her. She looked up quickly, her expression troubled.

  ‘Close the door. There’s something else …’ She picked up a slim package of folded papers tied with narrow red ribbon. ‘I don’t understand these. Will you tell me what you think?’

  Puzzled, he took them from her and sat down. Scanning the IOUs his perplexity deepened. He went through them a second time, recalling his conversation over dinner with Gilbert Mabey, the rumours about Sir Gerald.

  Mabey ’s voice echoed in his head. ‘… gambler … nerves of iron … friend of Polglase’s …’ Richard Polglase was Chloe’s father. Richard Polglase couldn’t pay his debts and shot himself. ‘… won his wife on the turn of a card.’

  As he realized the significance of those small pieces of paper, he sprang from his seat and strode to the window, trembling as he stared out across the park

  ‘James? James, what is it?’ Chloe’s eyes were wide and anxious.

  He returned to his seat, but reluctantly. This was no time for sitting down. He wanted her in his arms, close and protected, while he destroyed her remaining illusions. He longed to take her hand, but dared not in case someone should come in.

  ‘Chloe,’ Strain roughened his voice and he cleared his throat. ‘It is my belief that your husband holds these IOUs because it was to him your father lost his money and his estate.’ He watched as she tried to grasp the implications.

  ‘But … but they were friends. Are you saying Gerald deliberately bankrupted my father?’

  He remained silent.

  ‘But that would mean …’ Her voice fell to a whisper. ‘Gerald drove my father to suicide. No. No, I can’t believe that. It can’t be true. For if it was, why would my father have asked Gerald to take care of me?’

  ‘Would you say your father was a man of honour, Chloe?’ James asked gently.

  ‘Yes. Of course I know that in many ways he was weak.’ Her chin rose and her eyes glistened with tears. ‘But he was a true gentleman …’ Then, as she saw what he meant, she gave a small pitiful cry and her lips quivered uncontrollably as she forced herself to face the reality on which her marriage had been based.

  ‘Honour demanded that if my father could not pay his debts, then he must take his own life. And honour demanded that his friend take responsibility for the welfare of his only child.’ The tears spilled over and ran unheeded down her cheeks, now as pale as candle wax. ‘Surely he could not have known … James, was it planned? Did Gerald drive my father to his death to gain me?’ Her expression betrayed her horror and revulsion.

  But she didn’t wait for an answer, the words spilling out as she put the pieces together. ‘I was young and naive. Gerald knew that despite my father’s dissolute way of life, I had been strictly brought up. My innocence was his protection. If I did not know, I could not question. He surrounded me with people whose jobs depended on my continuing ignorance. He was so kind, so generous. Yet all the time …’

  As she raised eyes haunted and desolate, James saw her remaining beliefs about her marriage crumble as surely as the viaduct had done. ‘I had no idea.’

  ‘Of course you didn’t.’ His bitter anger made him harsh. ‘How could you? You were the only innocent in all this.’ He leaned forward. ‘Chloe, you cannot stay with him. Not now.’

  ‘No,’ she agreed, utterly drained. ‘No, I must leave. And soon.’

  ‘Please, Chloe, let me –’

  ‘No.’ She drew herself up. ‘No, James. I know you want to spare me any unpleasantness, but I must do this myself. It was my father he – my inheritance he took. It is me he has used and cheated and lied to. So I will tell him it is over. You must not be seen to be involved. He would twist everything and try to blame you. In fact, it would be wiser if you left now. He could be back at any moment. Also I need time to prepare myself.’

  At the drawing-room door he prevented her opening it by placing his hand against one of the panels. ‘I love you, Chloe. Nothing he does, or threatens to do, can change that. Nor will it keep us apart. If you want me, I’m yours; body and soul, for the rest of our lives.’

  ‘If ?’ She choked on the word, her eyes star-bright as she smiled. ‘How can you doubt it?’ Reaching up she touched his cheek with her fingertips.

  Catching her hand he pressed his lips to her palm. Then, unable to stop himself, heedless of the risk, he took her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his own. Gently, don’t frighten her. For an instant she was utterly still . Then shyly she slipped her arms around him as her lips clung, warm and sweet, to his own. Her impassioned response filled him with a joy too great for words. He could only murmur her name as he brushed his lips tenderly over her cheek and temple before returning to her mouth.

  When he released her, drawing on willpower he didn’t know he possessed, she looked as pink and dewy as a morning rose. She opened her eyes. Her slow smile held the radiance of a sunrise.

  ‘I had no idea …’ she whispered in awe.

  James laid his palm against her face. ‘Come to the hotel as soon as you can. I’ll book a separate room. You will need peace and privacy to recover.’

  She nodded and turned away, but not before he glimpsed the flicker of uncertainty and disappointment.

  Amused and deeply touched, he reassured her. ‘It is only temporary, my love, until we decide where we are going. Meanwhile, we delay the gossip for as long as possible. But I will never be far from your side. Believe me; every moment we are apart, I shall be suffering the torments of hell.’

  She smiled, secure again. But he would not know a moment’s peace until she had left this place forever.

  ‘Chloe –’

  ‘Don’t worry, James. I’ll be fine.’ Smoothing her hair, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

  After seeing James leave, she turned to the butler. ‘Hawkins, I want to be informed the moment my husband returns. Immediately, do you understand?’

  ‘Yes, madam.’ A twitch of surprise cracked the butler’s customary impassivity, but Chloe was already on her way upstairs.

  ‘Leave all that, Polly. I want a trunk packed.’

  ‘What, now , ma’am?’ Polly straightened up, the half-folded wool jacket forgotten.

  ‘Yes, now.’ Chloe picked up her silver-backed brush and comb from the dressing table.

  ‘But – but – Where are you going, ma’am?’

  ‘Away. I’m leaving.’

  ‘For ever?’ Polly’s voice rose to a squeak.

  ‘Yes, for ever. Now will you please start packing? Use that one. It’s not too heavy.’ She pointed to
a reinforced leather trunk presently half-filled with winter clothes. ‘Tip what’s in there onto the bed. I’ll send for them later.’

  ‘Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am, and please don’t take me wrong, but are you sure you know what you’re doing?’ Polly cried, taking an armful of underwear from Chloe and laying it carefully in the now-empty chest.

  ‘Yes,’ Chloe replied firmly, removing several dresses from the armoire. She turned, looking directly at her maid. ‘Had I known before what I know now, I would have done it a lot sooner.’

  Polly’s face flamed. ‘Oh, ma’am,’ she whispered. ‘I’m some sorry.’

  Laying the dresses down for Polly to fold, Chloe walked past briskly to fetch two jackets with matching skirts. ‘A little late, don’t you think?’

  ‘I don’t blame you for being mad at me. But, ma’am, I didn’t have no choice, not if I was to keep my job. See, what with the doctor’s bills and everything for mother – There’s only me. I couldn’t have got pay like this anywhere else.’

  Thirty pieces of silver? Chloe bit the words back. Polly had been a victim too.

  ‘Please, ma’am,’ Polly began tentatively after they had worked in silence for a while. ‘I know I got no right to ask, and I wouldn’t if it was just for myself but I’ll have to get another job and without a reference I got no chance of anything half-decent.’

  Chloe paused. ‘I’ll need a little time to think about it.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ As Polly continued packing, resignation bowed her shoulders. Yet, Chloe noted, she still took pains to ensure neat folds and minimal creasing. She had always taken pride in her work, and had asked for lessons in hairdressing so her mistress would always be up to date with the constantly changing fashions.

  Within the limits set by Sir Gerald, Polly had been a great comfort, as well as an excellent lady’s maid. Chloe had grown from a child into a woman in her care. It would not be easy to find a replacement. Did she want to?

  ‘Now I think of it,’ Chloe said, ‘I do know of a position that might suit you. The wages are not as high, but they would be sufficient to ensure your mother’s care. You might well have to travel abroad. Of course, the lady concerned would require absolute loyalty and total discretion as her circumstances are … unusual.’

  ‘Ma’am, they couldn’t be more unusual that they were under this roof. I promise the lady would never have no cause for complaint.’

  Chloe smiled. ‘Then say hello to your new mistress.’

  But as Polly’s eyes widened in realization and relief, Chloe heard a carriage on the drive. ‘This will have to do for tonight.’ She closed the lid. ‘Go now and pack your own things. We’ll be leaving as soon as I have spoken to Sir Gerald.’

  Polly frowned anxiously at her mistress’s dusty habit and the escaped wispy curls that framed her face. ‘Do you want to change first, ma’am?’

  ‘There isn’t time. Besides, Sir Gerald’s good opinion is no longer of any importance.’

  As Polly opened the bedroom door, a breathless Ellen arrived on the threshold. ‘If you please, ma’am, Mr Hawkins said to tell you the master’s back.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chloe entered the drawing-room as the butler set a glass of sherry on the small table beside her husband’s chair.

  ‘Dinner in twenty minutes, Hawkins.’ Resting his head against the shiny leather, Sir Gerald Radclyff closed his eyes, his expression weary but triumphant.

  ‘Sir.’ The butler bowed. ‘Ma’am,’ he acknowledged Chloe in passing and withdrew, closing the door.

  ‘Good evening, Gerald. Where have you been all day?’

  ‘Really, my dear,’ he remonstrated, eyes still closed. ‘I should not have to remind you that it is not a wife’s place to question her husband’s movements.’

  ‘I think you would agree that it is not something I make a habit of,’ Chloe responded. ‘However, there was an accident today. Not here,’ she added as he opened one eye. ‘The viaduct collapsed just after the train had crossed. Fortunately no one was hurt. But I thought – I didn’t know you weren’t on it until Ingram Coles told me.’

  His mouth twitched. ‘Well, as you see, I am unharmed.’ Turning his head, he smiled and closed his eyes again. ‘As for the viaduct …’ He shrugged one shoulder. ‘The company is doomed anyway.’

  Reluctant, but drawn, Chloe moved to the chair opposite. ‘What do you mean? Why?’

  ‘There has been a run on the banks. One of the major finance houses in London has declared bankruptcy, and railway shares are tumbling. By tomorrow their value will have fallen by two-thirds. Already dozens of companies and contractors have folded. As far as Ingram Coles and his shareholders are concerned, they’ve lost everything they invested.’

  Chloe’s hand flew to her mouth, her concern less for the directors than for all the ordinary people who had been persuaded that their hard-earned money would be totally safe. She had read the brochures and heard the directors’ speeches, promising a handsome dividend as well as the prestige of being part of an historic venture. Now those promises lay in the rubble at the bottom of the valley.

  ‘I’ve spent the entire day at the telegraph office in contact with my brokers. I had a feeling about the market.’ He sighed with satisfaction. ‘My gambler’s instinct. It never fails me.’

  Chloe caught her breath sharply, pierced by his words. But he didn’t notice and smugly continued. ‘I managed to sell dl my railway and other relevant shares before the real panic began.’ He smiled at her. Despite a complexion grey and lined with fatigue, his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. ‘The Radclyff fortune is undiminished.’

  ‘I’m delighted for you, Gerald,’ she said politely.

  His eyes narrowed a fraction, but his tone remained light, almost bantering. ‘Do I take it you are displeased with me for not telling you my change of plan? I did not see the necessity. Matters of finance are not your concern. And had the viaduct not collapsed you would never have known of my absence from the party.’ His frown deepened. ‘Is there a reason for your remarkably untidy appearance?’

  ‘Yes,’ Chloe answered calmly. She folded her hands, amazed at her detachment. Was she in shock? Or was it just that, having lived with such extremes of emotion over the past weeks, she had gone past feeling anything?

  ‘After the accident I naturally offered hospitality to the directors, their wives and guests while carriages were made ready to take them back to Falmouth. They were here for quite some, time. When …’ She hesitated. She would not lie, but nor would she compromise James. ‘When everyone had gone, I went upstairs to begin packing. In the light of all that has happened my appearance did not seem particularly important.’

  ‘Not important? You astound me. In fact I cannot believe you are serious. Quite apart from the example I expect you to set – Packing?’ He enquired sharply. ‘What packing?’

  ‘I’m leaving you, Gerald.’ There it was. The end of the charade: the severing of a marriage that should never have happened. The room seemed to hold its breath. The clock on the mantelpiece tocked loudly, matching her heartbeat.

  Heaving a sigh he made a dismissive gesture. ‘Chloe, I’ve had a difficult day and I’m tired. I am most certainly not in the mood for such nonsense.’ Taking a large gulp of his drink, he rested his head once more. ‘Now, kindly go and change.’ He waved her away with a limp hand. ‘I have no wish to eat dinner in the company of –’

  Taking the IOUs from her pocket, Chloe tossed the bundle onto the low table between them. At the soft thud his eyes flew open. But as his gaze fell on the small, ribbon-wrapped package not a muscle twitched. Such total impassivity, she realized, was what made him such a good gambler, and so dangerous.

  As he raised his eyes, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. ‘Rifling through my desk, Chloe?’ he said softly. ‘You disappoint me. What am I to think of someone who –?’

  ‘Had you given me the money for Mrs Mudie to pay the tradesmen, I would never have entered your study, let alone loo
ked in your desk. So I would never have known.’

  ‘Known what?’ His perplexed smile was so convincingly innocent that for an instant she wavered. ‘My dear girl, what have you been imagining?’

  ‘No, Gerald. You explain them.’

  He sighed once more. ‘It’s perfectly simple. I knew your father was in deep trouble financially, and because of it he was in danger of … well, shall we say, of doing something foolish. So I took it upon myself, as his friend, to pay off his debts. I did not want him to know it was I who had done it. But somehow he found out. Being a proud man, a man of honour, he could not live with the shame.’ He shook his head in sadness.

  Chloe nodded slowly. Wanting to believe the best of him that was exactly how she had explained it to herself: the straw she had clutched at. Until James had outlined the alternative: that this man she had loved and respected had played cards with her father and, after gradually winning most of the Polglase estate, had set his sights on her.

  She had been the ultimate prize, the perfect disguise. Married to her he was untouchable, the rumours proved groundless. Thus he could continue his double life secure in the knowledge that few would willingly believe such behaviour of a married man.

  She must not think of James now. ‘You never thought it necessary to tell me?’

  ‘My dear, how could I? Your father was dead, and by his own hand. You were devastated. You needed care and the security that had been so lacking in your life. My only concern, as your father’s friend, was to spare you further suffering.’

  ‘So you married me?’ Her incredulous laugh was perilously close to a sob.

  ‘Come, Chloe, no bitterness. I promised to arrange –’

  ‘It didn’t occur to you that I might be interested in the fact that you had acquired my family home, and my father’s estate?’

  He spread one hand. ‘No, my dear, it didn’t. There was no reason for you to know.’

  ‘But what if I had found out? As, indeed, I have.’

  He moved one shoulder casually. ‘Really, it’s of no consequence. Given the difference in our ages I am sure to die before you, and as my wife you will inherit it all anyway. So, now you know, let us put it all aside and –’