Jewel of the Pacific

by Linda Lee Chaikin

  Eden agreed. They were getting married soon and that was a victory. That was more than she could say for herself.

  Eden looked from the road and saw the moonlit grounds of the Judson house. She would not have come except that Candace had assured her that Bernice Judson would not be with her uncle Parker. Bernice was attending another fine ball, this one at the Walsh home. Candace was also dragging Keno there, much to his exaggerated howls of misery, “Oh for the deck of the Minoa and the shoreline of the Caribbean!”

  Eden imagined that Rafe—handsomely dressed and catching the appreciative eye of other young women there—would be Bernice’s escort.

  The Judson house was one of several such abodes Parker Judson kept around the Islands. It was pleasantly situated with Diamond Head in view, and its many windows faced west toward Waikiki.

  A curving drive began at the wrought-iron gate, and wound up to the steps for the large front lanai. Kiawe trees sheltered the house from the road, and some ti, bougainvillea, and kolomona veiled the tall fences that cordoned off the property. The windows were aglow with yellowing light from the lamps, and she saw another coach parked on the drive—the horses flipping their tails.

  Don’t tell me Parker Judson is entertaining, too! I should have checked first. How disappointing! I must get in to see him.

  Nora and the Gazette were worth the effort, despite the possibility of being turned away, though she did not think this would happen. She was a Derrington, after all, and her father was a highly regarded doctor. His return from Kalawao, ill, had merely served to elevate his reputation among those who knew him. Some were saying that if he recovered his strength sufficiently, he should enter the Legislature to win Townsend’s seat and overcome the whispers about Townsend Derrington’s odious reputation.

  Yes, she was almost certain that Parker Judson would talk with her, if only out of surprise that she had called. Eden knew if Noelani realized she’d come here without an escort, she would be frowning for the next month.

  At the front door she was received by the butler and shown into the parlor. He told her Mr. Judson was busy in his study, but that he would inform the master of the house that Miss Derrington waited in the library to speak with him. The butler asked if Miss Derrington cared for some refreshment while she waited, but she politely declined.

  In the next room, the private study of Parker Judson, Rafe Easton was gathering the legal papers he and Parker had just signed. The document allowed Keno to buy into a substantial portion of Judson’s remaining rights to the Hawaiiana pineapple plantation. The financial loan to Keno to be able to pay Parker had come from Ainsworth Derrington who’d kept his promise of some months earlier to help Keno buy good land. It had been Rafe’s idea to allow Keno to buy a fair portion of Hawaiiana. Now that Keno was soon to marry Ainsworth’s granddaughter, the loan had been even more generous and appropriate.

  Rafe was putting the documents into his satchel to bring to his lawyer, whom he’d seen that evening at the hotel, when the butler announced, “A Miss Derrington to see you, sir. She’s waiting in the next room.”

  Rafe paid little heed. He assumed that “Miss Derrington” was Candace, who’d come by the Judson house on some business detail concerning Keno and Hawaiiana. Rafe had known Candace for some years now, and she was a coolheaded, self-reliant woman inclined to take the lead, despite her staid upbringing. He smiled as he thought about Keno. He was in for it, all right. Then he thought of Eden and his smile vanished. He’d never met a more frustrating woman. Not even Candace topped her!

  “Oh, sure. I’ll be in to see her in a few minutes,” Parker told his butler, a man better suited to England than Honolulu, and who’d impressed Ling so much that to Rafe’s amusement, Ling tried to copy his professionalism, even down to the wardrobe.

  Parker turned again to Rafe. “Well Rafe, that about settles things. I’m pleased it all worked out as it did. Keno is a fine young fellow. I think he’ll make a big success of his share of Hawaiiana.”

  “I’m certain he will, sir. He’s not only dependable but of excellent character.”

  “I’m also sure of that. Ambrose did a fine job with both of you. Too bad I wasn’t smart enough to turn Bernice over to him, too.”

  Rafe extended a hand. Parker Judson firmly shook it.

  “Settled,” Rafe said.” I’ll go out the back way if you don’t mind. I’m rather in a hurry to get back to the hotel.”

  “Don’t forget the dinner tomorrow evening. Bernice is expecting you.”

  Parker walked across the room and opened the study door. It entered into the library. Rafe stepped back so Candace couldn’t see him. The last thing he wanted was to spend another hour outlining the partnership he would soon have with Keno. Let her “sweet, handsome Keno Boy,” as she called him, explain. But first the lawyer would need to explain everything to Keno at the hotel.

  Rafe gathered the final document and placed it in his satchel. He was about to leave, when he heard Parker say, “Why Miss Eden Derrington, isn’t it? This is a pleasant surprise. Won’t you be seated? Can I offer you something? Fruit juice, tea?”

  “Thank you, no, Mr. Judson. I do hope I’m not interrupting your evening.”

  “Oh, nothing of the sort. A bit of business concerning your cousin, Miss Candace, and the young fellow she’s going to marry.”

  Taken off guard, Rafe wondered that he felt such vexation. Eden! What can she be doing here?

  “I’d have thought you’d be attending the Walshes’ ball tonight, Miss Derrington … their daughter, Miss Margaret, is a close friend of yours, is she not?”

  “I believe you may have confused me with my cousin, Miss Candace Derrington. I’ve not been involved in Honolulu’s festivities for some time. I only got back from Molokai with my father two weeks ago.”

  Rafe stood with hand on hip debating his response to her unexpected entrance.

  The study door to the next room was a few inches ajar so he could hear Eden’s voice. He knew her so well that he could read how tense she was, even if her words were socially correct. He narrowed his gaze. She wouldn’t have come to talk to P.J. about Bernice? Not a chance. She had more pride than that. Could she have known he was here? No. If she’d known he was meeting with Parker, she would have stayed far away.

  “Oh yes, I’ve heard about Dr. Jerome’s work on Molokai,” Parker was saying. “How is your father doing?”

  “He’s recovering—although not well enough to return to his research clinic in Kalawao. I doubt he’ll ever be able to return.”

  “And his clinic?”

  “It’s been turned over to Dr. Clifford Bolton and his wife. She is my aunt. They make an excellent team. She’s a loyal and good woman. She yielded her own life to marry him and become his kokua. You know Dr. Bolton is a leper?”

  “Yes, a tragedy. Mrs. Bolton sounds like a wonderful person.”

  Rafe’s anger pounded in his temples. Lana had stood fast with Clifford—but Eden had deserted him in his darkness.

  He folded his arms and leaned against the wall near the door. His decided to eavesdrop on what his ex-fiancé wanted from old P.J.

  “You’re in medical research, also?” Parker was saying. “Your mother succumbed to it recently. A pity. You were able to see her, I understand? Well, that accounts for something meaningful.”

  “Yes … I’m still working in research at Kalihi. But I’m very involved in a task that means a great deal to me. I’m bringing my mother’s story on Kalawao into print. I have her journal to draw from.”

  Rafe straightened. Rebecca’s journal! He drew his eyebrows together.

  Eden told Parker about the journal and of her plans to have it printed in the Gazette.

  “The first installment will come out next month. That’s why I’m taking such an interest in my great-aunt Nora Derrington’s journalistic enterprise, the Gazette”

  So that’s her motivation. The Gazette.

  As he realized that Eden had come to Parker Judson hoping to get a l
oan, Rafe grew more concerned. More was at stake than just saving Great-aunt Nora’s newspaper. What was revealed in Rebecca’s journal and diary? The consequences of certain revelations could damage the innocent.

  “Unfortunately, my great-aunt is deeply in debt and unable to get a loan. The Gazette is about to go bankrupt. It’s why I’ve been bold enough to come to see you, Mr. Judson. I’ve learned from Mr. Easton that you are a resourceful man, interested in branching into new businesses.”

  Mr. Easton! Rafe folded his arms again.

  “I’m speaking for Miss Nora, and myself, when I request your consideration in the hopes of getting a loan—”

  Well, there it was out in the open—a loan for Nora.

  Rafe tapped his chin considering what he’d heard. For one thing, Nora had retaken a room at the Royal Hotel. He knew of her debt dilemma on the Gazette long before this evening, and he’d expected the same kind of visit from her about a loan as Eden was making to Parker.

  So whose idea had it been to come here to Parker?

  Undoubtedly Eden’s. Rafe believed Nora knew next to nothing of Eden’s boldness to come here tonight. If Nora had realized Eden’s plan, she wouldn’t have allowed her to come here alone, even if Parker was trustworthy and old enough to be her grandfather.

  Rafe wasn’t surprised that Eden came up with a plan different than Nora’s to borrow the money. Eden would find the task of coming to him humbling. She had reason enough to avoid him, after walking away when she believed he would remain blind.

  Absorbed in what he’d heard about a journal, he wondered how much her mother had revealed about her life at Kalawao. It must unveil a great deal of misery that had occurred in the early days of the detention colony. More importantly what did it reveal about Kip? If it revealed what he thought it did—

  Abruptly now, he came to the decision he’d mulled over for weeks. It was important to speak to Nora and make a deal with her about the Gazette before Eden told her she’d seen Parker Judson. If he knew P.J., he’d offer the loan. Tonight was good timing since his lawyer would be at the hotel.

  Within minutes Rafe’s horses were trotting along the road toward the Royal Hotel on King Street. He pulled out his watch. It wasn’t yet six o’clock. There was time enough to accomplish his purpose. If all went as he anticipated, when Eden showed up at the Gazette tomorrow to work on the installment from Rebecca’s journal, he would pay a surprise visit, and he would hold the key to the Gazette.

  Early the next morning Eden arrived at the Gazette before Zachary or Great-aunt Nora did, anxious to continue editing the first installment of “Rebecca’s Story,” as Eden named the series. She left her buggy under the shade of some palms and came to the door with her key, only to find the door unlocked. Odd, she hadn’t seen Nora’s carriage, and she usually did not arrive until noon. Zachary came in at nine o’clock. She pushed the door open.

  She heard someone in Nora’s office, went there, and opened the door wide. She stopped.

  Rafe Easton was behind the desk, his feet up on a chair, and his hands behind his dark head. There was the suggestion of a smile, but hardly a pleasant one.

  He surveyed her. “The perfect employee. Arriving with the early rays of sunlight and going steadfastly to her work. When you came to Hawaiiana about Kip, what did you really want? More money? This time to bail the Gazette out of bankruptcy?”

  She tightened her mouth at his provocative mood.

  Perhaps if I try to be pleasant …

  “We never did thank you adequately for your help, Rafe. The printing press is working wonderfully well. We were able to train a boy named David to use it, and he’s very ambitious to get Scriptures to the children there. Ambrose is looking into the possibility of printing Scriptures into Hawaiian.”

  “So Ambrose told me,” he said. “Did you come about more money?”

  Her temper snapped. All right! I tried!

  “No, Mr. Easton, I am obviously not seeking a loan for the Gazette. Nora’s loan will come from a man known to be a gentleman.” She lifted her chin triumphantly.

  “You used Kip as an excuse, but you did come to Hawaiiana for a loan,” he persisted.

  She was about to hotly deny it when something in his eyes alerted her. She didn’t think he believed that at all. He was urging her on to insist that she had gone to see him about Kip so he would then ask why she did not want to tell him now.

  So she kept silent.

  He put his feet down and stood. He smiled. “So here we are. There’s no one to interrupt us. There’s no Bunny muddying the waters. It’s a nice day outside; the breezes are soothing, the birds are trilling … so now, in a calm and reasonable way tell me about Kip. What did your mother write in her journal? How much did you tell P.J. last night?”

  She surveyed him in his handsome white linen shirt and dark trousers. She smiled too, but controlled her notebook and the journal. “How did you know I went to the Judson house last evening? I haven’t mentioned it to anyone.”

  His gaze dropped to the journal. “I was there at P.J.’s when you called. We’d just signed a contract about Keno and Hawaiiana. I listened.”

  “Of all the nerve!”

  “Quite easy, actually. The occasion fell into my hand like ripe fruit. I then knew I’d better act quickly on behalf of the Gazette.”

  His gaze tested her. “Speaking of the Gazette, we may need to delay printing the first installment of Rebecca’s story. The content will first need to meet my approval as chief editor.”

  She had nothing to say for a moment. More than three years ago when Rafe had first planned to enter journalism, he’d written well-researched articles for the Gazette, all of them fully supporting the Hawaiian monarchy. But what could he mean now?

  “You mean you’ve become chief editor?” she demanded.

  He smiled. “Nora hasn’t told you yet? No, she wouldn’t have had time.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Our little business transaction only took place last night in my hotel room under the direction of my lawyer.”

  Business transaction! She searched his eyes and saw a gleam of triumph. Despite her bewilderment, his rousing gaze drew her. How dreadful if those warm eyes should have remained sightless.

  She flushed, realizing he’d noticed her wayward thought. Still holding the journal and her notebook in her arms she marched to the window and said over her shoulder, “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Oh I think you do. After your meeting with Parker, I decided it was past time for Nora and me to have that little talk she’s wanted. So we made a deal.”

  She turned. “You gave Nora a loan?”

  “I didn’t exactly say I’d given her a loan.”

  “You just implied—”

  “I said we settled on a business transaction with my lawyer.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  He smiled tolerantly. “No? Why can’t I?”

  She hurried back to the desk where he sat on the edge, arms folded, apparently enjoying himself.

  “Because Parker Judson told me he’d grant Nora and me the loan to save the Gazette!”

  “So he did. However, dear old P.J. is a few hours too late. Nora sold me sixty percent of the controlling interest in the Gazette. I now control this nostalgic little newspaper.”

  Eden sank into the hard-backed chair. “Oh no!”

  “So you would prefer Nora to be indebted to Parker Judson. When Nora dies then the paper would be neatly swallowed into all the other Judson assets. Then what would happen to Zach? This paper means a great deal to him. We’re all surprised just how talented he is as a journalist. He’s not a planter like Ainsworth, but he does have an inquisitive mind. That works to his advantage. I aim to keep Zach secure despite your grandfather’s cantankerous mood.”

  His answer surprised her. It sounded as if he had acted to protect Great-aunt Nora and defend Zachary’s inheritance. This action sounded like the old Rafe Easton she’d known and loved most of her life. If what he s
uggested was true, she would have no qualms with his preempting Parker Judson.

  “Nora would never sell the Gazette.”

  “She did. It brings me great satisfaction. I remember three years ago when your dear Grandfather Ainsworth marched over here with Townsend and fired me for an article supporting Liliuokalani. That wasn’t enough; he wanted to run me out of Honolulu, and Townsend helped him by backing him.”

  “Please I don’t want to talk about Townsend. Anyway, you’ve nothing to complain about.” She turned toward him. “If Ainsworth hadn’t fired you, you wouldn’t have sailed to French Guiana where you located the new variety of pineapple slips.”

  “Wrong, again. I had planned a voyage. Forget that, however. I carry no old grudge against Ainsworth. I have a strong affection for him, actually. About my new journalistic venture, I intend to oversee what’s published in the Gazette. Nora, dear heart that she is, has agreed.”

  “I don’t believe it!”

  “Ah but she has. And she’s turned your project over to me. First read-through, editing … all of it.” He looked at her evenly. “With that much clear, I’ll need to read Rebecca’s journal for myself before I agree to publish your installments.” He smiled, but a flicker of anger came to his eyes. “Since, as you say, I’m not man enough to handle the truth about Kip, I’ll cling to Bunny’s hand while I read it.”

  “So that’s it. You did all this just to get control of the journal!”

  “I wouldn’t agree I did it all for that purpose. I considered Nora and Zach. You may not believe this since you prefer to think the worst of me, but I had a loan in mind for Nora even before the fire at Hanalei. Naturally all that happened afterward interfered. I told her this and she’s convinced of my purposes, even if you are not.”

  Her mind was running. She had already signed a contract with the Gazette giving the paper the right to publish the journal on their schedule. The decision may have been hasty, but she’d been dealing with her beloved great-aunt at the time when Nora owned the paper. She’d never imagined that Rafe Easton would end up in control.