“What is wrong with you?” he ignored his own question and hurried on. “I put together a deal and he couldn’t say no, I tell you. I didn’t wait for Miles on this, but managed it myself. This will see us through and get you a London Season to boot. Star…I’ve sold the yacht!”
“Oh Vern, that’s wonderful, to Mr. Duncan? You told me last month he had approached you. I didn’t think you took his offer seriously. Did you get your price?” she said taking some interest.
“I did. He said I was more than fair and had his account manager transfer the funds immediately. The yacht is now his.” Vern grinned.
“And so, it is goodbye to Papa’s yacht.” She sighed and added, “But I suppose it was time for us to move on.”
“Yes, yes,” he frowned suddenly. “There is only one thing troubling me…but I daresay, it isn’t anything.”
“And what is that?”
“I bumped into Sir Edward at the bank. He came in just as we were finalizing the paperwork and I overheard some chatter between two of the clerks. It didn’t quite make sense, but, it was disturbing.”
“Sir Edward? Chatter?” Star felt something catch in her throat. What could it be? She was almost afraid to ask, but she did. “What chatter, Vern?”
“As I said, two of the clerks who had been working on his file caught my attention when I noticed they glanced my way…oddly. A few moments later when I got up to stretch while I waited for Mr. Duncan to transfer the funds, I heard them conversing.”
“About what?” Star was surprised.
“Well, they asked Sir Edward’s account manager if he wanted to set up a payment schedule for the property and he said that it wouldn’t be necessary as Sir Edward meant to offer it in one lump sum.”
“Property…payment schedule…why should that trouble you? No doubt he has purchased something in the vicinity.”
“No, I don’t think so, and it worries me as someone has purchased our mortgage…and could foreclose. I had the impression that someone was Sir Edward.” He shook his head. “I have enough now to make reasonable payments either monthly or quarterly but not enough to pay the entire mortgage at once, especially if it has the mortgager’s profit added to it.” He shrugged. “I daresay I am worrying myself over nothing.”
“Sir Edward wouldn’t do that to us…it must be some other property…it must be,” Star said feeling sick in the pit of her stomach. “Why, he was just here this morning, and didn’t say a word.”
Vern eyed her for a long moment, “What did he want?”
“Oh…I don’t know…” she did not meet his gaze.
“Brat. What do you mean by such behavior? Entertaining a man in my absence alone here in the library?” He wagged a finger at her.
She saw that he was only half in earnest, still too excited by his successful sale of the yacht. “Well, as to that, waywardness must run in the family,” she teased.
He caught her up and swung her around saying before he put her down, “Devil-child.” He sighed then and added more gravely, “It won’t do, you know that, don’t you?”
“What won’t do? My entertaining Sir Edward in your absence, or…my entertaining Sir Edward?” The banter was rife on her face as well as her voice.
“Oh take a damper, m’girl. You know exactly what won’t do.” He moved over to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of sherry, but turned slightly and said over his shoulder, “I only want you to consider that his sort…well…may not be serious…and you, my girl, you are so very serious at bottom, aren’t you?”
“Ah, but his sort is just the sort I want,” she answered him and waited for her brother’s reaction. She and her brother had a beloved link. They had grown up close and in harmony. They had shared and lost both their parents, however, she knew her own mind and waited to see if he was going to buck her on this.
He sipped his sherry as he contemplated her quietly, “Star, you have had any number of local gentlemen at your feet. You have even had a London beau come courting, but I fancy, Sir Edward is a cut above them all and well…I don’t want you hurt.”
This was not precisely telling her what to do and the truth hung on each word, thus, it effectively depressed her into silence. Her shoulders sank with sudden doubts. She said, “Of course, you are right and I am a stupid girl to have contemplated…even for the briefest moment, such things are what dreams are made of…”
“Star, Star…” he said grabbing her fingers as she turned away from him, “I didn’t mean to burst your bubble and bless me, what do I know about such matters? Don’t listen to me.”
She smiled, “You haven’t, but you are quite right. I should hold back and evaluate matters with more than…my heart.”
“Right, good girl and now for the coup de gras!” he said with some excitement.
She laughed, “There is more?”
“Yes, Miles and I will sail the yacht to Hastings. At first I had told Duncan I would have to see about that, but Miles says that it would be a grand adventure, so I agreed.”
“You already spoke to Miles…?”
“Yes, busy day at the bank. He was coming in as I was going out…said he wanted to see his man about his trust fund so that he could…well, he wanted to loan us enough to get by on.”
“Oh, he is a dear,” she said.
“Told him, it wasn’t necessary and then we went back in and saw Duncan and told him we accept.”
“But, why can’t Duncan sail it into Hastings? What if something happened to the Vision while you and Miles were sailing it? He might hold us accountable?”
“Deuce take it, don’t you think I thought of that? He can’t sail it as he is due in London on some business or other and doesn’t want to wait to get his men working on it for the next race. We wrote up a contract. We would have to do something grossly negligible to be held accountable for any damage that might occur during delivery and we won’t do anything of the sort. Sailing is not my favorite thing, but I have the knack of it from Papa and Miles. Miles has the sea in his blood.”
She laughed, “So he has always told us. You know, Duncan was Papa’s rival in all those races years ago.”
“Yes and he always lost. Thinks it was because of papa’s schooner. That is why he wants it so bad, but that isn’t the reason. It is his inferior sailing skills.”
She laughed, “Well then, I suppose it is all settled. I wish you lads well. When do you leave? Do you take a crew?”
“That’s a good girl, now, need some things…no crew,” he said going to his writing. “I’ll make a list.”
“When do you leave?” she repeated.
“At dawn,” he answered absently.
“Ah,” she said. “And how do you propose to return.”
He eyed her, “That is where you come in. It will take us the better part of the morning to get to sail into Hastings Harbor. I should think you wouldn’t have to leave before ten or eleven. That will put you there by noon or so.” He smiled at her. “Things should move along now, for we’ve got it sewn up right and tight.”
“Indeed, yet I have this awful feeling of impending doom.”
“Nonsense,” he said and shook his head. “Women have absurd notions.”
She watched him for a long moment before leaving him to his list and going to the kitchen to see what Cook was preparing for a lunch.
Chapter Twenty-Two
JULES SAT BACK in his coach and watched the rain as his driver made their way to Madison House. He could still hear Edward’s voice in his ears.
“Jules, you and I both know Star would never suit you and you and I both know why your face lights up whenever you look toward Georgina Madison.”
“Don’t be absurd,” he had told his friend. “You don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Oh, but I do. What is more, I am going to tell you straight to your face, don’t let her get away from you, for you will regret it all the rest of your life.”
Those last words of Edward’s kept repeating themselves o
ver and over and his sleep had been a fitful effort. When he awoke, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what he had to do next. He would call on her. He hadn’t liked the way they had left things. Why, she very nearly called him a libertine and he was not…well, not like Edward had been. It disturbed him that Georgie thought so poorly of him and he had suddenly realized that he wanted to shine in her eyes.
The coach pulled up at her front doors and a few moments later, the Madison butler had taken his hat and cloak. He put a hand to his hard chest and took in a long gulp of air as a door opened and closed and he imagined a servant advising Georgie that he was awaiting her.
She appeared, a vision in blue with her tawny curls piled high on her perfect head and her eyes glinting brightly at him.
“Jules,” she said softly.
“Georgie,” he answered.
“Would you like to have tea in the morning room?” she asked as she moved closer to him.
He reached for and took her fingers, stared at them as he played with their lengths, held them tightly in his two hands and met her gaze, “I would like to have tea with you…anywhere on this earth if you would allow.”
She smiled and he saw that it was a quirky curve of her lips. It tickled him and suddenly all his fears, all his tensions were gone. He barked a laugh and hugged her to him. “I am forgiven?”
“Yes, you are forgiven. Now…do come so that we may be comfortable,” Georgie said and led the way, a secretive smile playing with her face.
*
Dusk had settled, the rain had drizzled itself out, and a quiet softness had fallen over Berkley. Star turned from dream gazing out her window and returned her attention to her brother.
“Here Star…sign here,” he said and handed her the quill.
She eyed him quizzically and laughed. “I thought women couldn’t own property and such? Georgie is always going on about such things.”
“Papa put a codicil on the deed. The yacht belongs to both of us…you, unlike I, did so enjoy sailing, so I suppose he thought you might like to keep it.” He stopped and looked at her, “I swear, sis, if I ever get things turned around, I shall get you your very own sloop.”
She smiled softly and touched his cheek, “I know you would, but honestly, I am not certain I want to sail. It was something I enjoyed with Papa,” she sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Never mind…where do I sign?”
He pointed to the line and he sat back, his hands going behind his head, “Again, Star…I am so sorry…I hope you know that?”
She waved it off, “Nonsense, there is nothing to be sorry for.” She heard something out in the hall and looked around to the sound.
Dilly had already left for the day and they had left the front door unlocked as they were expecting Miles to arrive for the night.
This was not the first time Miles Denning had let himself in. He opened the door wide into the dimly lit central hall, turned, closed and locked it before taking his firm hard strides down the corridor much as he always did. He called out for Vern, “Vern ‘ole boy!”
“Here, in the library,” Vern answered him and smiled as his sister giggled.
“Honestly, you two will never grow up,” she said fondly.
At the library doors he patted his flat belly and stepped inside, “Ah,” he said happily, “When do we eat?”
He went forward as he could see brother and sister were at the desk with a set of papers laid out before them.
He went immediately to Star, took her hands in his and kissed her fingers fervently. “Star, as always, you soothe my eyes.”
“Oh, are they sore?”
“Vixen, yes they are sore, when they don’t have you in their sights,” he returned gallantly.
“You twiddle-poop,” Vern said with a shake of his head.
She laughed, “Come sit with us. Dinner will be served shortly, but we want to just finish these last forms for the bank. Mr. Port left them with us, you see.”
“Ah, then you know?” he said on a frown.
“Know what?” Star asked and saw that her brother looked puzzled.
“About your mortgage being bought out from under you?” Miles said frowning. “I must say I was surprised. I did not think even he would stoop quite that low.”
“Well yes, we knew that,” Vern said.
“Stoop…who has stooped?” Star interrupted worriedly.
“Sir Edward. I was at the bank this morning when he was just leaving. I saw him shaking hands with the bank president who congratulated him on his acquisition. Told him that Berkley would fetch a wondrous penny when it was refurbished,” He shrugged, “I was shocked and hoped I had somehow misunderstood?” He eyed them, “Have you sold out?”
“Devil you say! No, we have not!” Vern returned sharply. “I don’t know what all this stuff and nonsense is, but yes, we knew that someone had bought up the mortgage from the bank, and yes, I had heard something that led me to believe it was Sir Edward who had purchased it. We hoped that they meant to allow us time, with interest, of course, to continue to make our payments until we were in a position to retire the loan,” Vern growled.
Star had gone white. The room started to spin for her. Had he betrayed them? Had Sir Edward used their ill fortune to increase his own? And what was that wrenching sound in her chest? Was that her heart breaking in two?
Chapter Twenty-Three
DAWN ARRIVED AND Star saw her brother and Miles on their way. They trotted their horses sedately down the drive and she sighed as she watched them go. They made their slow progress down the drive, with Miles amiably complaining about the earliness of the hour.
Luckily it was a fine summer’s morning. The air was crisp and she took a long gulp of it before turning away from them. They had agreed with her that they would leave their horses at the Rye livery before boarding the Vision and sailing her to Hastings, where Star would hopefully meet with them around noon.
She closed the door, sighed wearily and she smoothed her white silk robe around herself. She had not slept very much. Troubled over what Miles had told them about Sir Edward buying out their mortgage. Her mind had felt swollen with her chaotic thoughts.
She couldn’t believe Sir Edward would serve them such a trick. He wouldn’t buy up their mortgage just to turn a profit. Yet, there was no other reason for doing so. She could think of no other viable reason.
She could see his dear handsome face as he told her to remember the moment they were last together. She had tried to remember it all, the feeling, the look in his eyes, the hope she had felt. Now, in the face of this new development, it seemed like a fairy tale.
In addition to her awful doubts, was the fact that she had an awful ‘feeling’. Every instinct in her body made her dread the upcoming day. Why? She could not find a reason why she should feel this way. It was as though she knew, absolutely knew, that something quite dreadful was about to take place. But what?
She hurriedly bathed because she had a full day ahead of her.
It wasn’t an overly long journey to Hastings, the good part of an hour or more and she knew she shouldn’t drive the gig there alone. Hmmm, what to do?
It wasn’t quite the thing. She never minded breaking rules, but although it was one matter to go into town alone, it was quite another to take on such a lengthy trip in an open gig. Of course, she would be met by her brother and Miles, but what if they were late? Hastings was a large seaport town and she would subject herself to social criticism if she were seen unattended there.
Jeffries couldn’t be spared from the stables and thus, taking the coach was out of the question. It would have to be the gig as she would have to drive herself.
Dilly then? She could ask Dilly to accompany her.
Her mood immediately brightened as she realized she could ask Georgie—she would ask Georgie to accompany her.
Why hadn’t she thought of this yesterday and sent a note around in time? Georgie could have spent the night. Well, never mind, she told herself, she would send a note round
to Georgie at once. No—she had better just take a quick ride over there, just in case, Georgie’s mother, needed some gentle persuasion. In fact, she would just have the gig hitched up and if Georgie could attend her, wonderful. If not, she would return for Dilly and only lose thirty minutes.
She called to Dilly to get word to Jeffries to hitch up the horses to the open gig and have it ready for her.
Yes, Georgie was just who she needed with her cool common sense. She would tell Georgie as much as she could and see what she thought.
*
Early morning magic swept through the streets of Rye, bringing it to life in quick stages. On Mermaid Street, milkmaids were already making their rounds. Several of the popular inns found their innkeepers up and about and making certain a robust breakfast would be waiting for their guests.
Ally, one of Farley’s men, perhaps his favorite watched the passing bustle of the morning scene, stopped to look at the harbor. He loved looking at the boats. He should have been a seaman, he often told himself. He shrugged and watched a fisherman taking out his boat. There was an honest man, living an honest man’s life.
He wished he could do the same. It had always been his plan to squirrel enough ready away and do just that. He’d been with Farley for more years than he cared to count. Perhaps it was time to pull up stakes and do what he always dreamed of, taking to the sea and making his living at it.
Suddenly he went dead still.
He watched Vern of Berkley and his friend laughing as they boarded The Vision’s deck. His eyes narrowed and his thoughts bumped into one another. Here was something Farley should know about right away. Mayhap the little sister was all alone? Mayhap this was how they could get enough ready together?
Ally hurried up the sloping cobbled streets and rushed into the inn like a man on fire. All he could think was this was his last chance for a last job.
He found Farley sprawled out across the table and took hold of the large man’s shoulder, grabbed at the material of his coat and shook him. “Farley…eh Farley…”
Farley lifted his head and through the fuzz in his mind he managed to recognize Ally and said on a slur, “Whot’s that? What the devil are ye doing?”
Love Regency Style Page 137
