“You talked to my father?” She couldn’t help being pleased.
“Yes. We’re thinking that after things have settled down, we’ll get together at the mission church and see about coming up with some way to help people who’ve had to overcome serious hurdles in their lives—those who’ve lost their sight or have become crippled. It’s a deep and dark valley to go through. I think it’s especially difficult for someone like me who had previously been so independent.”
Eden warmed to the idea. “A way to reach out to the blind … a place for them to go for instance.”
“That’s the plan.”
“I think the idea is exceptional, Rafe.”
“As I mentioned, I’ve spoken to Ambrose about you. He made your innocence plain enough.” His eyes softened as they studied her face. “He told me you’d wanted to marry me before I left for San Francisco so you could look after me. Would you really have done that?”
“Yes. What if I’d been the one who lost my sight?”
“I think you already know the answer.”
“Yet you doubted me.”
“I should have known you’d never betray me. Any woman with grace and mercy enough to care for a deformed leper would not shrink away from the man she loved … your lips told me so that night at Hanalei.”
“I meant it.”
“Ambrose was right. I’m still stinging from his rebukes. It worked, though. I’m back in fellowship with the Lord, and hope to be with you.”
“He rebuked you?” She smiled, deliberately. “Dear Ambrose,” she teased.
His mouth turned. “So you like the ‘visit to the woodshed’ aspect of it, do you?”
“Yes, a nice firm hickory stick.”
“I’ve been odious, I’ll admit. The worse thing was to malign your character. So, how do you like your contrite man to make his amends? On bended knee or in poetic language published in the Gazette for all to see?”
Eden wanted to sob, but she didn’t wish to overwhelm him with her emotion. He was calm, watching her with a steady interest.
“What would it take for you to want to forgive and ‘comfort’ me? Or maybe you need to cuff me about first, like Bernice did.”
She smiled, and a wave of joy swept through her. She laid her hand over his. “You’ve had trials enough, I think. I’m now in the mood to comfort.”
“Are you then satisfied the photograph and card in my desk—thanks to old pal, Keno—was also part of her exaggerations?”
“Well—almost. Dr. Jerome told me how it was brought aboard the Minoa.”
“Almost! But not quite? So, then, what still remains of this ugly doubt?”
She watched him uneasily because there was something personal she wanted to know, something that was not altogether her right to know. When he lifted an eyebrow of invitation, urging her to ask, she took in a breath and charged ahead.
“Even if we weren’t engaged at the time, did you ever tell Bernice you loved her the way the card implied?”
“In the years we’ve known each other, Eden my fairest, when did you see me collecting women and convincing them of my captured devotion?”
She smiled. “You always were about as impossible to catch as a slippery eel.”
“So you admit it. Then when would I have spent so much time with Bernice in San Francisco as to form this undying love affair she claims took place?”
“Then you never told her you loved her?” she persisted.
“No. Because I didn’t love her. You’re the one girl I’ve ever loved enough to marry. To say it politely—our little Bunny fibbed.”
“Have you—well—have you kissed her—recently? She is very beautiful.”
His warm gaze lowered to her lips. “No. I can’t say she didn’t try hard enough to make me give in though. Astounding fellow that I am, I managed to avoid the trap. There. You have it. The truth. Are you now satisfied?”
“Yes,” she whispered, “I’m satisfied.”
His relief was obvious.
“If we were only alone, Darling, I would show you what it’s like when I really want to kiss a woman. As for beauty, you’ve always dimmed her star of vanity, and haven’t half tried. More importantly you outshine her in virtue. Your character first attracted me when we were growing up. ‘Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies.’”
Eden couldn’t help it. She was so happy, so full of excitement and thanksgiving to their heavenly Father that a few warm tears slipped past her guard. “Then you do still love me, Rafe?”
“Darling, I’ve never stopped loving you. Not at the Gazette. Not at Hawaiiana when I played the rogue, and not for all the tomorrows awaiting us. I am forever yours, if you take me. Now, how about a little reciprocation?”
Eden smiled and her eyes twinkled. “I still have the engagement ring—”
“That ring! I believe it’s jinxed. I think I’ll buy a new one!”
She laughed. “Oh no, Rafe Easton, not on your life. That precious ring has too much story connected with it to get rid of now. I’m going to be wearing it someday and telling my daughter and granddaughter just how much of an adventure I went through before I actually married the man of my heart!”
His warm gaze searched hers. He reached over and took her hand into both of his. “Then what are we waiting for?”
Her heart seemed to pause, then beat faster. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“You mean … you don’t mean now?”
“Why not? Yes, as a matter of fact, I definitely mean now. Before something else pops up! Let’s go see Ambrose.” He pushed back his chair and stood, looking down at her, this time in romantic challenge. He grasped her wrist and helped her up. “Well, Eden?”
“Now?” she said again.
He smiled. “Now.”
“But …”
“Eden …”
“What about Candace and Keno and their big wedding?”
“They have my sympathy.”
“You don’t want a big wedding service?”
“Not if I can get out of it.” He sighed. “I suppose you do, though.”
“Well …”
“Why not have a celebration afterward? It can be just as big as it takes to makes you happy.”
“So then, just go get married right now?”
He smiled and edged her out of the garden. “Exactly, my sweet. Just go and get married. Where is the engagement ring?”
“You’ll never believe this!”
“You couldn’t possibly have it with you now!”
“I do. It’s in my bag. I was going to offer it back to you with the bank draft.”
“Sublime. You shall see what yours truly is going to do. We’re going straight to Ambrose. Just as soon as I retrieve the ring’s mate from my suite. But come along—and no protest. I’m not letting you out of my sight until the vows are finished before God.”
“What about Great-aunt Nora? She’ll be waiting for me.”
“All Honolulu can wait. This time we come first! I’m claiming my lost bride.”
“And I, my runaway bridegroom!”
“You’re even dressed in white. What more could we want?”
She laughed. “A honeymoon in Hawaii?”
“It’s yours. Including the finest hotel in Honolulu. I just happen to have a suite there all ready to welcome you.”
They soon arrived at the mission church with the warm breezes dancing in and out of the bushes and palm trees as if in celebration of their decision.
Eden was laughing as Rafe picked her up and carried her into the church. Ambrose was just coming out of his little office at the back and saw them, with Eden in Rafe’s arms. Ambrose halted. A look of surprise flooded his sun-bronzed face that soon broke into a humorous smile.
“And what is this?”
“I’ve captured her at long last. Bar the door, Ambrose! It’s I do, or die!”
Ambrose laughed. “And what do you say to this tyranny, lass?”
“I say, �
�I do!’”
“Well! Then what are we waiting for? Let me get my Bible and the wedding book.”
“And Noelani,” Eden called after him.
“Indeed! If I forgot our Noelani in the moment of your marriage, I’d sooner not face another sunny day.”
Ambrose went off to prepare and call for Noelani. Rafe set Eden on the floor but did not release her. They exchanged smiles.
“Together, at last.” He swept her into his embrace. She willingly fell into the cloister of his strong arms. She lifted her lips to meet his in a time-consuming kiss.
“I love you, my precious Eden.”
She was thrilled from head to toe. “And I love you … forever.”
His lips took hers again, and promised many more kisses to come. As much as it depended upon him, they would never again part for long. Eden’s heart and response echoed the same.
Chapter Twenty-Five
At Long Last …
The news of Rafe and Eden’s quiet marriage exploded. Friends, family, and associates celebrated, while others writhed with disappointment.
“So that’s the reason Bernice is returning to San Francisco so abruptly,” Parker had commented when Celestine described her son’s marriage.
“It’s far better this way, Parker. Eden is a lovely girl. My son’s been in love with her for several years.”
“Well,” he said in a quiet, meaningful tone, “sometimes love must wait for the right time to have its way. It does seem sudden, though, doesn’t it?” He frowned. “Those months in San Francisco. Why, I was under the impression from Bernice that Rafe was about to propose to her.”
Celestine sighed. “I’m afraid Bernice behaved in a shameless way, Parker.”
He looked at her sharply. “Shameless? Coming from you, Celestine, this is extremely worrisome. I understand Bernice is spoiled. However, I always thought she was a good girl. Maybe you’d better explain. Looks to me like I don’t know as much about what’s going on as I thought.”
Celestine informed him of the letter his niece had forged as from Eden.
Parker groaned. “If this is true, and I don’t doubt your word, this is despicable.”
“I’m sorry to say I was also tricked into believing the letter came from Kalawao. Bernice assured me the letter was from Eden. The contents brought a terrible rift between Rafe and Eden. And much heartache. They were on the verge of marriage just before the fire at Hanalei and Townsend’s escape. Suddenly everything was torn apart.”
Parker looked sickened. “So that was how she worked it. I’ll admit to you that she’s done such things like this in the past. I haven’t been much of a father to her. She needed discipline while growing up, and I was too busy with my work. I sent Bernice to a finishing school hoping better company would alter her ways. It looks as if the only thing my money bought was charming manners to deceive the unwary. Well, she met her match with Rafe. She barked up the wrong tree when she took him on.”
If Parker Judson was disappointed over Rafe and Eden’s marriage, Grandfather Ainsworth was jubilant. As Zach later explained to Great-aunt Nora, “Ainsworth beamed upon me and Silas as if we’d struck gold. Grandfather could have passed for ‘King Bullfrog’ who’d just swallowed his rival from the competing pond.”
Nora had laughed, finding anything that put her brother in a humorous light refreshing. “King Bullfrog. That’s splendid. You should think of starting a comic in the Gazette about King Bullfrog and his constant quest to overthrow the queen! I don’t doubt you could think of many comic situations. The readers would be sure to catch the political satire.”
But Zachary wasn’t laughing when Grandfather Ainsworth jubilantly pointed out to him and to Silas that he was enthralled with the two stalwart additions to the Derrington family: Rafe Easton and Keno Hunnewell.
“Strong and productive! What an asset to me. The Hunnewells are a great name in the Islands,” Ainsworth stated. “Thaddeus is following Thurston’s footsteps in leading the way to annexation. And Oliver, while he’s made mistakes in the weak way he courted Candace, is nonetheless a worthy man. And what have you two lax grandsons of mine been accomplishing to promote the Derrington name?”
Zachary exchanged a dour look with Silas. Silas looked down at his plate hiding a smile.
“That’s it! Revert to silence and long countenances,” Ainsworth scolded them both. “The answer is ready at hand, is it not? Nothing. That’s what you’ve both accomplished! I tell you this is a grand day, boys. At last I’ve got the young man I’ve wanted in the family for years.”
“Not years, Grandfather,” Zachary cracked. “It wasn’t much more than four years ago that you and Townsend pooled resources and ran Rafe Easton out of Honolulu, Keno with him. Rafe’s only just become the ‘strong and productive asset’ you mention because he brought back the famous pineapple slips from French Guiana.”
“Exactly.” His silvery eyebrows rose. “It was Rafe’s ingenious success that showed me how wrong I was about him. I’ve wanted him in the family ever since I saw his innovative ambitions.”
“Well, I’m glad Rafe and Keno are successful,” Zach mumbled.
Silas looked over at Zachary as if he sympathized.
“Well I guess we know where all this celebration leaves us, Zach. We’ve been relegated to the back pantry to peel potatoes and skin the onions. I’ll be gracious, little brother; take your choice.”
Grandfather Ainsworth chuckled at Silas’s glib retort.
“Now, now my boys, nothing so drastic as that. Zachary, pull yourself out of your self-incrimination. The more you four young men can all join shoulder to shoulder to work for the Derrington name, the more success will benefit all of us.”
“Don’t forget the Easton name,” Zachary said. “Rafe happens to think well of that name, too, and of the man who gave it and Hanalei to him. Work over there is proceeding furiously. Rafe and Eden may be able to move there from the Royal Hotel in another month or so. Then what, Grandfather?”
“Then what? I’m not about to forget the Easton name,” Ainsworth said in a mild voice. “The two good names of Derrington and Easton will benefit both.”
“What about the name Hunnewell?” Silas asked.
“Ah, that name, too,” Ainsworth said. “It’s time you began paying attention to the Hunnewell daughters.”
Zachary bristled. In the last month or two he had realized that Silas was spending time with Miss Claudia Hunnewell. What a decent young woman like Claudia would see in his gambling brother, Zachary couldn’t guess. He was going to find out, though, and soon. He would ask her!
Zachary hadn’t thought he cared much for Claudia until after the debacle over Bernice Judson. His interest had recently been tweaked when he discovered Silas was now a frequent dinner guest at the Hunnewell beach house. Claudia had even told him what a fine gentleman his older brother was.
Zachary suspected that his grandfather would not care which of his grandsons married Claudia as long as one of them captured a Hunnewell.
Silas isn’t going to get Claudia, Zachary decided. He looked at him with an even stare. She’s not beautiful like Bernice, but she can be trusted.
Claudia was different. He could love her and respect her. And unlike Bernice, Claudia bowed the knee to Christ and sang in the choir at the mission church. She had a fine voice. What’s more, he could see in her eyes that she meant what she sang about: loving, trusting, and honoring the Savior.
Yes. He must go and see Claudia Hunnewell before Silas stole her away.
Just wait until all the truth comes out in the Gazette about Silas, Oliver, and Fraulein Wolf. He had enough to unmask the queen, too. He and Rafe were going to use the Gazette to turn the light on in the rat-infested cellar of the gambling and opium cartels. All he was waiting for was the appropriate time to call on Rafe at the hotel.
He smiled. From what Candace told him, Rafe hadn’t taken his bride back to the Royal Hotel. He didn’t want interruptions. He’d taken Mrs. Easton to some secret
hideaway on one of the other islands. He wouldn’t be back for another week. What a honeymoon those two must be enjoying!
When Mr. and Mrs. Rafe Easton did return to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel the room was filled with flowers and well wishes from friends. The news of the Derrington luau on Kea Lani came as no surprise to Rafe and Eden, though the size of the celebration Ainsworth was giving for his granddaughter did.
After Rafe carried her over the threshold and set her down, he stared at all the containers of lush flowers filling the floor, tables, and lanai.
“Leave it to Ling to store all the congratulatory flowers here.”
Eden lifted her skirt and stepped over one more container of white gardenias with their heavenly scent. She laughed. “I’ll send them to Kea Lani for the luau. When we’re able to live at Hanalei, I’ll bring the best to be planted in the garden … as a reminder of our honeymoon.”
“You won’t need honeymoon flowers in the garden to remind you that I’m a romantic man. The honeymoon continues.”
“It does, does it?”
He pulled her into his arms and bent to kiss her when someone rapped on the door. Releasing her, Rafe maneuvered around pots of flowers to reach the door.
“Welcome back to reality, old chap,” Zachary said cheerfully. “Unfortunately, I’ve got to see you. It concerns—”
“Don’t tell me, let me guess.” Rafe ushered him into the room. “Don’t trip. Let’s see, could it be about our friend Silas?”
“How did you know?”
Rafe shut the door. “Just got lucky, I guess.”
“Hullo, Eden, dear cousin—” Zach said. “Just look at the flowers! Say—maybe I can take one of these pots to Claudia when I see her later.”
“Take as many as you like,” Rafe urged smoothly.
“By all means,” Eden said, but quickly removed the gardenias and orchids she wanted to keep. “Let me collect the name tags first, too. Otherwise I won’t be able to thank the people who sent them.”
“Yes, and don’t forget the big hullabaloo on Saturday,” Zach reminded them. “That’s another reason why I came. Grandfather wants to make sure you’ll show up early since the party is to honor you.”
Jewel of the Pacific Page 27
