Rivals of Fortune / The Impetuous Heiress

by Jane Ashford

  “Well…”

  “Really.” He offered his arm. Joanna did not know what else to do but take it, so she did, and they walked down the three shallow steps that separated the terrace from the lawn.

  “This place is certainly in need of extensive repairs,” said Sir Rollin when they had passed the broken fountain and some untidy flower beds. “These gardens haven’t been properly tended in years.”

  Joanna nodded. “Mr. Thomas Erland neglected everything.”

  “Adrienne is in ecstasies.” He turned to look behind them and saw his sister talking animatedly to Jonathan Erland, one hand resting on his arm as she made a point. “I daresay, she is telling poor Erland what should be done to set his place to rights, all according to Repton and the latest fashion, of course.”

  His mocking tone was so obvious that Joanna did not know quite how to answer. “Your sister is making a great many alterations in her new home,” she said finally.

  Sir Rollin threw back his head and laughed heartily. “A decided understatement, Miss Rowntree. My sister has gone completely mad on the subject. There is no innovation so bizarre but she must have it. If it were not for the noise and inconvenience of having workmen about the house, I should be tolerably well amused here by Adrienne’s freaks.”

  There was a short pause as Joanna searched for a suitable reply. “I suppose our small neighborhood must seem very dull to you after London,” she ventured at last.

  “You suppose correctly.” Sir Rollin laughed again, harshly. “You should count yourself lucky, Miss Rowntree, to have traveled so little. It allows you to be content.” Deep lines appeared beside his mouth, and looking up at him, Joanna felt almost frightened for a moment. Then, he laughed again. “But where are my manners?” he said mockingly. “I believe I should have said that any neighborhood containing such charming company could not be dull. What is that, Miss Rowntree?”

  Following his pointing finger, Joanna replied with some relief, “The old cloister.” She was confused by the man’s manner. But for the rest of their walk, he continued to ask unexceptionable questions about the ruins around them, and she gradually began to feel more at ease.

  At one point, they came upon her father and a group of the other guests, standing beside a freshly dug hole. “You can see here the base of the wall,” her father was saying. “The foundations are of stone, and there are three crosses carved here.” He traced them with his hand. Joanna saw that his coat was mussed and one sleeve muddied. She flushed.

  “Instructive,” murmured Sir Rollin as he guided her away from the group. “Such dedication.”

  Her flush deepened.

  When they reached the terrace once more, Selina had returned, and Joanna went over to commiserate with her over her accident. Selina was extremely embarrassed and much subdued, and seemed determined to stay beside her mother for the rest of the afternoon. Joanna sat with them for a while, then went to speak to some of the other guests.

  As she walked across the terrace, Joanna saw Constance strolling on Gerald’s arm, and she smiled. They were so engrossed in talk that she did not believe they were conscious of anyone else. Her mother sat under the awning with the older ladies. Sir Rollin had joined Jack Townsend, the Finleys, and the rest of the young people at the other end of the terrace, and after some hesitation, Joanna started toward them. Jonathan Erland was urging them all to try a round of archery.

  He had persuaded Jack, who was seconding his efforts manfully. But none of the others seemed inclined to agree. Adrienne was saying, “Oh, Mr. Erland, you must excuse me, I fear. I have no skill at games.”

  But her brother said, “My dear Adrienne, how can you say so? You know that you are a deadly marksman.” He smiled sardonically as she glared at him.

  “Splendid,” cried Jack Townsend. “You must lead off, ma’am, though I daresay, Sophie can give you a good match.” Sophie blushed prettily as he continued, “Come, I will back her against you.”

  “Ah, a wager,” murmured Sir Rollin.

  “Come along,” said Jack again, and he began shepherding the unenthusiastic group toward the targets set up below.

  Joanna lingered for a moment, watching them descend the steps and start to examine the archery equipment.

  “You don’t care for the sport?” asked Jonathan Erland behind her.

  Joanna shrugged. “It is not so much that—”

  “As it is the company,” he finished for her. “I understand your view.” He looked down at the others with a grimace. “I should have left them all to their own devices; but I suppose I really must continue to play the host.” He started to move away. “You needn’t come if you don’t like it.”

  “Oh, well,” began Joanna, but she was interrupted by a crash from the house behind. “Good heavens, what was that?” she exclaimed.

  “I don’t know.” Erland started for the French door that led into the library. Joanna followed, curious. None of the other guests appeared to have heard the noise.

  When she stepped into the room, Joanna was astonished to see her brother Frederick standing beside the desk, ruefully eyeing a large book, which had obviously fallen to the floor a moment before. “Frederick, whatever are you doing here?” cried the girl. “You were not invited.”

  “Pooh,” retorted Frederick. He looked both defiant and embarrassed.

  Joanna noticed that several of the desk drawers had been pulled out and the top looked very untidy. “What have you been doing?” she said again, horrified.

  “Nothing,” answered Frederick unconvincingly. He crumpled a paper he held in his hand. “I didn’t see why everyone should be asked but me. I came over to see the fun. But I can tell when I’m not wanted.” He turned as if to go to the door, but as he moved, he caught a foot on the fallen book and fell headlong onto the carpet. The paper he had been clutching floated away and landed before Joanna.

  She stooped quickly and picked it up.

  “Are you all right?” asked Erland, going to the boy and helping him into the desk chair.

  “Yes,” said Frederick sullenly. He put his chin on his hand and sighed disgustedly. “If only I hadn’t been so stupid as to knock over that book,” he murmured.

  “What’s this?” exclaimed Erland, bending over the desk. “I believe there’s a secret drawer.”

  Frederick sighed again. “The panel turns by a spring.” He looked down, shook his head with annoyance, and began to kick the leg of the desk.

  Joanna made a sharp sound, and Erland turned to look at her. “This is yours,” she said, holding out the paper. “It is from your uncle.”

  As the man walked toward her to take it, Frederick burst out, “It isn’t fair. I found it! Why should I have to give it up? He never looked for it.”

  “Oh, do be quiet, Frederick,” said Joanna sharply. “In a moment, I shall call Mama, and we will see what she has to say about your being here.” She turned her eyes back to Erland, who was reading and looking more and more astonished. He finished and met Joanna’s eyes, shaking his head.

  “This is incredible,” he said.

  Joanna nodded. She had read it, too.

  “Well, I think the treasure should be half mine,” put in Frederick. “I found the clue, after all.” Joanna glared at him, and he subsided.

  Erland was still bemused. “It is my uncle’s hand,” he said, staring at the paper. “I can’t deny that, but surely it is some sort of joke. He cannot have meant this.”

  “He was a queer old man,” ventured Joanna.

  Erland frowned. “Yes, but to leave his fortune, if there is indeed such a thing, in this way?” He looked down again and read the letter aloud:

  So, nephew, you have found this letter at last? I wonder how long it took you to find the drawer? Are you still a young man? Or old as I am now? That would be amusing. I should like to see it. But I shan’t, of course.

  Y
ou know I have always encouraged enterprise in you. A man should be able to make his own way in the world without the help of his elders. I did. You’ve done well enough for yourself, and I don’t mind leaving the Abbey to you. You’ll do better than that worthless son of mine would have. But I leave you one last test. You’ll have the place, but not the money, unless you can find it for yourself. It’s here; make no mistake. More than you ever imagined, I fancy. But I’ll not make it too easy. If you remember your family traditions, you will find it. Otherwise, let it stay where it is until someone does.

  Erland blinked. “Can he have been mad?”

  “Doubtless,” replied a voice from the door, and all of them whirled to discover Sir Rollin Denby on the threshold. “I beg your pardon,” he added. “I find archery insufferable.”

  There was a silence.

  Finally, Frederick burst out, “What does it mean, ‘traditions’? Do you know?” He leaned forward eagerly.

  But Erland shook his head. “I haven’t the least idea.” He frowned. “In fact, I am convinced this must be rubbish, my uncle’s idea of a joke.”

  “Well, he was a great miser,” said Joanna uncertainly.

  Erland’s frown deepened as he tapped the letter with one finger.

  “And a fortune is worth some hunting,” added Sir Rollin meditatively. They all turned to look at him again. “Ah, if you will excuse me; I fear I intrude.” He bowed slightly and left the room.

  Erland watched him walk across the lawn.

  “What are you going to do?” questioned Frederick.

  “I haven’t the least notion,” answered Erland. “Nothing, I suppose.”

  Frederick snorted. “Well, if that’s not the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You must search for it. Don’t you want a treasure? I’ll help you.”

  The man’s eyes rested on Joanna for a moment; she was frowning at her brother. “Oh, I should like a fortune,” he said, “very much.”

  “Well, then, we must look for it.” Frederick got up and walked over to Erland. He peered at the document again. “Have you some famous family traditions?”

  “What?” Erland looked down at the top of Frederick’s head. “Traditions?” He considered. “I can think of none.”

  “But there must be something. Why would he have said it?”

  The man nodded. “Yes—that is true. My uncle was not given to idle remarks. Perhaps it does mean something.”

  “Well, of course it does,” exclaimed the boy contemptuously.

  “I must think about it.” Jonathan’s eyes began to twinkle.

  “I dare swear you should and I’ll help you.” Frederick scanned the shelves above them. “Some of these musty old books might help.”

  “Frederick, you will come with me to Mama this minute,” interrupted Joanna, outraged at her brother’s nonchalance after his inexcusable behavior. “That is, after you apologize to Mr. Erland for breaking into his desk.”

  Her brother gaped at her. “Apologize for finding the clue to the treasure? Don’t be a ninny, Joanna.”

  Erland laughed. “He has a point.”

  “How can you encourage him?”

  He spread his hands. “It appears I need the help.”

  “Capital!” cried Frederick.

  “But, you know,” the man added, “I think that the fewer people who know of this the better. It is a great pity that Sir Rollin happened to come in. I shall ask him to keep it quiet.” He did not look particularly happy about this prospect. “And if you do not mind, I shall ask the same of both of you.”

  “I shan’t tell,” replied Frederick stoutly, “word of honor. But Joanna will. Girls always gab.”

  Joanna put her hands on her hips. “Do they indeed? Well, I can keep a secret as well as anyone, but that will not stop me from taking you to Mama.” And with this, she grasped her brother’s arm above the elbow and hustled him out onto the terrace. His protests could be heard for some time.

  Erland remained in the library for several minutes, deep in thought. When he finally returned to his guests, he scanned the scene carefully, not entirely surprised to see that Sir Rollin Denby had joined the group listening to Mr. Rowntree expound.

  Ten

  The day following Mr. Erland’s picnic was naturally devoted to visiting and discussing it. The entire neighborhood, it seemed, was either receiving visits or making them. Joanna and her mother had the Grants in the morning, Selina still full of mortification over her clumsiness, and Joanna got a note from Constance asking her to tea at the vicarage. But these events were overshadowed by the afternoon call of Sir Rollin Denby and his sister.

  The Rowntrees had seen little of Adrienne since her arrival. After her early call and their evening party, she had more or less ignored them. Thus, Joanna and her mother were surprised when a maid came to tell them that Adrienne and her brother were below.

  “Just Mrs. Finley and Sir Rollin?” asked Mrs. Rowntree. “Is not Peter with them?”

  “Only the two, ma’am.”

  Mrs. Rowntree looked at her daughter, who shrugged. “Well, send them up, Mary.” The maid went out. “What can they want, I wonder?” murmured Mrs. Rowntree.

  This was no more clear when their guests walked in. Adrienne was very splendid in a morning dress of amber cloth, trimmed with French braid. And the modishness of her brother’s long-tailed coat and buff pantaloons was unsurpassed. But the callers seemed to have nothing particular to say. Adrienne sat down beside Mrs. Rowntree and began to chat languidly about the picnic. “So charming,” she drawled. “And that house!”

  Sir Rollin arranged himself beside Joanna, one arm flung along the back of the sofa, and said, “And so, have you recovered from the excitements of yesterday, Miss Rowntree?”

  “Excitements?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you call them that? I confess that finding a clue to a treasure strikes me as exciting.”

  Joanna looked toward her mother with some alarm. She had done as Jonathan Erland asked and mentioned the discovery to no one.

  Sir Rollin smiled. “They are not listening. Have no fear, I shall not reveal the great secret.”

  His voice held such mockery that Joanna flushed. “Mr. Erland wishes to keep the discovery quiet for the present.”

  “Very wise of him, no doubt. I daresay, he would be plagued with treasure hunters if it came out. What does he plan to do?”

  This last question was sharp, but in her flutter, Joanna did not notice. “I don’t know. It is so hard to believe that there is really a buried treasure. It seems so odd.”

  “Does Erland think it is buried?” asked Denby quickly.

  Joanna raised startled eyes to his face.

  He smiled down at her. “You see how the idea excites even my curiosity. It is an irresistible concept. I am so glad that there is at least one friend with whom I can discuss it.” He looked deep into Joanna’s eyes.

  The thought of being Sir Rollin’s confidante thrilled her. She smiled tremulously at him, then dropped her eyes. His gaze was overpowering. She turned to look the other way and was nonplussed to find that Adrienne was staring at her, a hard unfriendly look in her eyes. Joanna looked down again quickly.

  “My dear Miss Rowntree,” said Adrienne in a cold brittle voice, “I have just been telling your mother about our newest addition to the house. The grotto is nearly finished.”

  “Is it?” asked Joanna. “How splendid.”

  “Yes, but I am quite put out with Mr. Erland. He has stolen a march on me with his picnic. I meant to give one in our park when the work there was finished.”

  “Well, I am sure everyone would enjoy another,” said the girl. “They all seemed to have such fun.”

  Adrienne tittered. “Repeat an entertainment. Indeed not.”

  “Adrienne means to dazzle the neighborhood with some unknown treat,” put in Sir
Rollin mockingly. He met his sister’s smoldering eyes with calm amusement.

  “We are certainly experiencing a social whirl,” said Mrs. Rowntree. “I cannot remember so active a summer in this neighborhood.”

  Adrienne chose to take this as a compliment to herself, and her expression softened. “I believe that one can be almost as well amused in the country as in London,” she replied graciously. “If things are arranged properly, of course.”

  “We rely upon you to do so, my dear,” drawled Sir Rollin, and Adrienne looked nettled again.

  How could brother and sister talk to each other so, wondered Joanna? Sir Rollin seemed to be almost goading her. And the looks she gave him were venomous. She glanced from one to the other uneasily. She and Gerald might be very different sorts, but he would never speak so to her.

  “Have you been riding again, Miss Rowntree?” asked Sir Rollin, breaking her train of thought.

  “Not for several days,” answered Joanna. “The afternoons have been so warm.”

  “But you must ride in the morning in July, of course. Will you do me the honor of riding with me, perhaps tomorrow morning? I go out every day, but I confess that I am bored with my own company.”

  “Oh. Oh, yes.” Joanna looked toward her mother, but though Mrs. Rowntree did not seem pleased, she said nothing.

  “Splendid. I shall come by about ten then.”

  Joanna nodded.

  A muffled exclamation from Adrienne made them all turn to her. “I had nearly forgotten,” she said. “We have an important errand in Longton. We must be going.” Sir Rollin smiled.

  The ladies escorted their callers out to the landing and watched them walk down the stairs. Mrs. Rowntree returned to the drawing room immediately, but something made Joanna linger by the doorway. A scrap of conversation drifted up from the front door below.

  “I can’t imagine why you insisted on coming here today,” Adrienne said to her brother. “We were mistaken; there will be no trouble from this quarter. And it’s a dead bore visiting these bumpkins.”

  “Is it?” murmured the gentleman.