“She is gone, missing, has disappeared. We have no idea where or why. It has been three days, Edward!” she cried in despair.
“Oh my!” he exclaimed. “You must tell me all!” He guided her to the settee. “Let me help you with your wrap,” he said attentively, then sat close beside her and took both hands in his.
“Please, you must help me Edward!” she pleaded. “We called in the constable from Stoke-on-Trent but I am starting to lose hope. I have no one else to turn to but you, Edward.”
Well, well, well, he thought. “So, Catori is missing and you wish my help,” he repeated. Edward stood and paced the room with his hands behind his back. “Susannah,” he began carefully, “suppose I did help you. Suppose I was able to find your friend for you. What of my marriage proposal? Would you consider it then?”
Susannah straightened and looked at him in disbelief. “What? What are you saying, Edward?”
“Let us not play games, Susannah,” he admonished, his voice suddenly seemed low and cold.
“You know where Catori is?”
“What if I do?” he said, returning to the settee. She scooted back away from him.
“Are you saying you abducted her to force me to marry you?”
“Marrying me wouldn’t be so bad, would it?” he asked rhetorically.
So this was the danger Jack had warned them of, it was none other than Edward himself. “You are a monster!” she cried in disbelief.
“And you are a spoiled, recalcitrant bitch who takes everything for granted,” he sneered. “With your wealth I will restore my estate and return to the lifestyle befitting someone of my class,” he said bluntly.
“Your class? Your class? You are mistaken, Edward. Class is not a designation, it is a behavior. And it is obviously something you will never have.”
“Charming as I find this conversation, you must make a decision. If you ever want to see your friend again, you will marry me, and in a few days’ time. We will not delay, I will procure a special license.”
“Please tell me you have not harmed her,” she said, her alarm increasing in equal measure with her incredulity.
“I am a reasonable man, I think we can arrive at an agreement that is mutually satisfactory to both of us,” he continued. “I will require that you turn over all your material assets to me, also, that you share my bed when I am so inclined. Other than that you shall have complete freedom over your schedule and your activities.”
“How magnanimous. The way I see it I shall become your unwilling captive and your slave and you shall be my constant tormentor as you well know,” was her retort. “How long have you been planning this evil deed, Edward?” she asked as her mind raced ahead and she wondered what vile secrets Jack may have uncovered about him. “All this time you pretended to be my friend, but it was all a lie. You betrayed me. You were always after my fortune.”
“That is not entirely true,” he corrected her. “I have always been attracted to you and have imagined you in my bed for some time. When you were a young heiress living next door, I sought your friendship but all you seemed interested in was your artwork. Then you ran off and got married, to an American no less, much to everyone’s surprise. Your wealth increased even more. I made overtures which you thwarted at every turn. You rejected me! I could not allow that to happen, Susannah. Look around you. Do I impress you as someone who is flush with cash?”
“You are a complete stranger to me, like an evil monster that oozed out of some gutter!” she hissed. “Have you no conscience? No moral compass; not a modicum of decency? If you seek wealth, go out and make your fortune as Thomas did. He discovered the gold and built that mine; before that he was a hired gunman for a western railroad. He was no stranger to hard work. Nothing was handed to him!” she said angrily.
“I am a gentleman. I do not labor in the dirt,” he said bluntly. “And anyway, what do you know of work? Over-pampered wretches like you have only one job in life and that is to find a husband.”
“Not only are you not a gentleman, you are not even human,” she said angrily.
“You are wasting my time. Let’s get on with it. I will have my answer, Susannah,” he insisted.
She stared at him for a long moment as tears of grief and sorrow welled up. What an unexpected turn of events this was. The news of his duplicity came as a blow. She had long considered him a trusted friend, almost as a brother, as family. What a colossal fool she had been. Well, she was not the first and she wouldn’t be the last. There was a saying - even rats found their way into a grand palace. She stood and slowly walked to the window. The realization came that she had to help herself. She had to keep her wits about her and buy time. Jack and Mr. Cookson would be here soon, by her calculation it was only a matter of days. Surely they would intervene. “What assurance do I have that Catori is even alive?”
“Ah! Of course, you are right. You do not trust me. I will have her write a note which you may read in my presence. The note will then be burnt in the fire. Will that satisfy you?”
She did not answer him. “Does Charlotte know?” she asked quietly, almost afraid that he would reveal even further betrayal.
“Charlotte knows nothing. She is too busy shopping for ladies gloves and other inane fripperies.”
“It appears you have won. Very well,” she sighed. “I will make a pact with the devil. I must marry you in order to save my dear friend.”
“That is more like it! I shall procure the special license. We will be married in Stoke-on-Trent, say, four days hence? This will give us time to weave a convincing tale for your grandmother about our hasty decision to marry.”
“And what shall we say about Catori?”
“We will say that she wandered off the Larkspur estate. She took a fall and lay unconscious only to be found by one of my tenant farmers who lives in a cottage nearby. Once she regained consciousness, she revealed her identity to the family who rescued her and they contacted me. We shall say Catori is still recovering in their care, too ill to be moved. That should be convincing enough.”
“You are truly diabolical, malicious. You have thought of every last detail.”
“And now I believe I am entitled to my first kiss,” he stated. “After all, we are a newly-engaged couple.”
“Your depravity knows no bounds,” she said bitterly, turning her back to him.
“I am serious,” he said coldly. “Come here,” he ordered her, “if you value your friend.” It was a warning salvo over the bow; she had to capitulate.
Susannah slowly turned and stepped toward him. He closed the distance and took her in his arms. “You will kiss me now,” he commanded as his lips hovered over hers. She was repulsed, mortified, trapped, and defeated. She could hardly take in all that had been revealed to her. She was his wretched victim and soon she would become nothing but his vile whore.
Her chin rose and her eyes sparked with anger, but her struggles against his unyielding arms were futile. She stiffened. His kiss was hard, insistent, possessive, determined but she passively endured it, like a cold marble statue. He cupped her breasts and his breath caught. “Oh God, Susannah. You will learn to enjoy this. You belong to me now,” he said as he kissed the nape of her neck. But she did not so much as acknowledge him and instead turned her face away. His hands traveled down her back and to the globes of her bottom. He pulled her to him and she felt the unmistakable evidence of his burning desire, his erection thick and hard and impaling her through her gown. By agreeing to his terms she had sealed her fate. Susannah was completely in his power now. She was repulsed, sickened and equally disgusted with herself to have been so easily duped by one whom she used to call a trusted friend.
“You are so beautiful,” he sighed.
“My grandmother…she will be missing me if I am absent for too long,” Susannah suggested carefully. “She might become alarmed in light of recent events.”
Edward straightened and reluctantly let her go. “You are spoiling the mood,” he complained.
“As to that,” he said, “let me review with you the story we are to tell your grandmother tomorrow. I will expect you to play your part with conviction,” he warned.
*****
The men sat comfortably in the captain’s quarters at a round table and eyed one another with suspicion, trying to discern the secrets concealed in bland facial expressions. The shadowy room was dimly illuminated with only two oil lamps; not enough light to betray telltale signs of deception. Mr. Cookson wore his red vest, perhaps for good luck, and chewed nervously on a cheroot as he examined his cards for the tenth time. Jack and the skipper, Captain Gruelund, were still in for this hand, but did not seem overly confident.
The bosun threw in his cards. “I fold,” he said gruffly. “Got nothing.”
The second mate, Finn, looking rather smug, called the bet. Cookson carefully laid down his cards, three queens and two sevens: a full house, and enough to the win the hand. Finn groaned. “Shit!” was all he said in disgust as he laid down his cards.
“I knew I had you this time Finn!” Cookson said to the man who had won several previous hands.
“Well played. You have evened the score,” Finn admitted, picking up the cards. “Another hand, gentlemen?”
“The evening’s been a bit too expensive for me,” Gruelund complained.
“I think I’m done for the night,” said Jack, pushing his chair back.
“Maybe tomorrow,” said Cookson as he collected his winnings.
They were somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean; the wintry seas had been rough but the skipper said they were making good progress and would arrive in London in a few more days. Their regular poker games helped to pass the time and relieve the tedium. Jack willingly joined in – he wanted to keep his mind off Susannah and Mansfield and the many scenarios his active imagination endlessly contemplated. Cooped up on this ship with too much nervous energy caused him to dwell on his grim thoughts. He wanted to break Mansfield’s neck for killing his friend. Comprehending what a dangerous and shrewd blackguard Mansfield was, combined with no news of Susannah, had him on edge. The resolution he so desperately sought was still days away. Had she heeded his warning? What was the direction of her thoughts pertaining to him? Jack well remembered how ardently she had responded to his kiss the last night they were together. She filled his thoughts during the day and came to him in his dreams at night. He would never rest easy until he knew she was out of danger. For now, at least, he had to admit Mansfield was holding all the cards.
Chapter Thirty
When they entered the drawing room together that morning, Susannah with her hand placed on Edward’s sleeve, Lady Alice knew something had changed. Edward had called at Larkspur at 10:30 and the few moments he had spent alone in the library with Susannah had piqued her interest. What was this about, wondered Lady Alice? It had been four days since Catori had disappeared – might there finally be some news? She looked closely at her granddaughter. Susannah looked tired and drawn, with dark circles under her eyes. This was no doubt the result of unrelieved worry and lack of sleep. Still, she wondered if something else troubled her.
For her part, Susannah walked confidently forward, but she had never been so nervous. Today she would begin her acting career. First and foremost she had to be convincing, as the welfare of her friend hung in the balance. She was about to deceive her sweet, innocent, loving grandmother in the worst possible way, with a complete fabrication regarding her changed feelings toward Edward and with manufactured details designed to explain away Catori’s disappearance. Susannah had to tell so many lies that she wondered if she could keep them all straight. But of course, Edward was there to coach her and he was an expert. Behind the closed doors of the library, Edward had delivered Catori’s note to Susannah, as promised. It was then summarily burnt in the fireplace, leaving no trace. Catori was alive. At least she had that.
“Grandmamma,” Susannah said brightly with a half-smile as they moved closer. “Edward and I need to talk with you.”
“Of course, dear,” she said. “And Edward, I am glad you have come. Won’t you please take a seat,” she motioned to them. “I hope you are bringing me good news of Catori.” They sat before Lady Alice on the settee and Edward possessively took Susannah’s hand in his.
“Lady Alice,” he began, “we hope all the news we have for you today will be pleasing to your ears. Susannah has made me the happiest of men. She has agreed to marry me and we want you to be the first one to share in our joy!” he declared with a broad smile.
So unexpected was this news that her eyes went wide. Lady Alice looked at them both with a mixture of disbelief and pleasure. Wasn’t it only recently that Susannah had stubbornly told her, without mincing words, she would never consider Edward’s suit and felt only admiration for him?
“Oh Edward! Susannah! I cannot disguise my surprise at your announcement. It is rather sudden and has quite taken my breath away, but I am so very delighted to hear it!” she declared, extending her hands toward them.
Susannah moved from her seat and hugged her grandmother. She could not meet her eyes. “I am glad you are pleased, Grandmamma, and that we have your blessing,” she lied.
“Edward, I know you will be good and kind and generous to my Susannah, as you have always been to me,” she said sweetly. “I hope you will have many years of happiness together,” she added sincerely.
“Thank you, Lady Alice,” Edward replied.
Her grandmother’s words, spoken so honestly, pierced her to the soul. Lady Alice was blithely ignorant of Edward Mansfield’s evil, despicable character, and Susannah herself, now had played an active role in concealing his wicked charade.
“The other wonderful news is that Catori has been found!” Edward revealed.
“Heavenly day!” exclaimed Lady Alice. “Now I know that God has been listening to my prayers. Please,” she insisted, “you must tell me all.”
“Evidently Catori did wander off the Larkspur estate that day. She slipped and fell and was knocked unconscious. One of my tenants found her and brought her to his cottage,” he said without missing a beat.
“My word!” said Lady Alice in surprise.
“After a couple of days she regained consciousness and was able to identify herself. Naturally my tenant came to me for help. I have since sent the doctor to see her. Unfortunately Catori’s leg is broken and she cannot be moved at the moment. The tenant and his family are kindly looking after her,” he further embellished.
“How extraordinary! It was a very close thing,” observed Lady Alice. “Catori is lucky to be alive.”
“Indeed. With your permission I shall take Susannah to see her this very afternoon,” he suggested, adding another lie.
“Of course! Of course! It would do them both a world of good. How can we ever thank you, Edward!” she gushed. “Catori found and my Susannah to be married! It is too much happy news in one morning for an old lady. Tell me,” she said, as her mind raced ahead, “have you discussed setting a date for your nuptials?”
“Actually, Grandmamma,” Susannah said carefully, “in light of the fact that I have already had a very elaborate church wedding, Edward and I thought it would be best to arrange something more simple and without much fanfare.”
“Yes,” Edward agreed. “We would like to get things settled as soon as may be and have decided to obtain a special license. As my darling Susannah is not keen on another big social event with a slew of guests, we see no reason to wait.”
“Special license? A simple wedding? No wait?” Lady Alice repeated as her face clouded and she tried to absorb the implications. There could be only one possible reason why a young couple would marry without delay and it disappointed her to think this compromising circumstance could be true of Susannah.
“Yes, Grandmamma,” said Susannah. “A simple ceremony with you and Charlotte and a few other witnesses is really all that is required.”
“What do you say, my darling?” Edward said to her with dramatic flair. “Shall we be married three days hence in Stoke-on-Trent? I shall lose my mind if we wait much longer,” he said as he swept her into his arms for a kiss. She started to resist. “Don’t fight me,” he warned Susannah, whispering in her ear.
But Lady Alice was too preoccupied to notice when Susannah froze in his unwanted embrace. “A three day engagement! What will people say?” she worried.
“Lady Alice, we are mature adults. What can they say?” Edward said with a satisfied smirk.
*****
Her oil lamp turned down low, Susannah stared up at the ceiling. It was late and she was in her bed but sleep eluded her again. Where was her friend, she wondered? Where was he holding her prisoner? And more importantly, how was she? The lamp flickered, casting unnatural shadows in the gloom. She was caught up in thoughts of friends far away – Mrs. Sheppard, Eleanor Gibson, the Denver Ladies Aide Society, Gerta Schultz, her little band of art students whom she hadn’t seen in months. Would she ever be together with these wonderful friends again? She recalled the many times she had visited the pretty little alpine meadow near the mine, most recently with Jack. Would she ever see it again? Or the snow-capped peaks that were a familiar sight from her dining room window?
And what of Jack? His telegram to Catori indicated his departure on January 1st. By her calculation their arrival was imminent. She hoped and prayed it would be soon or else she would be forced to marry Edward as the only way she knew to save her friend. If that happened, the remnants of whatever flame may have existed with Jack would soon be snuffed out like an ember gone cold.
Susannah had not seen Catori today as Edward had assured Lady Alice. It was all part of the lie. Instead, he brought her to his estate where together they repeated all their many fabrications to Charlotte. Susannah wondered how she would be able to lie to God when she took her wedding vows. Afterward, how could she ever bring herself to fulfill her wifely duties and allow Edward to share her bed? The thought of his touch made her skin crawl. At the same time, she wondered how she could not allow him in her bed without risking real harm to someone she loved. She would never be free of this outlandish nightmare.
The Gold Miner's Wife: A Young Woman's Story of Romance, Passion and Murder Page 21
