Shrouded Passions

by Faye Hall

  Jack looked near desperate as he faced his son. “You can’t pull out of this engagement. George Fanti is a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. If he wants you to marry his daughter, then you must.”

  “No, Father,” Devon replied shortly. “I don’t know what kind of hold George Fanti has over you, but I won’t be some pawn in this game of his.”

  “I will disinherit you, Devon,” the old man tried desperately. “If you call off this engagement to Elizabeth, then I will write you out of my will for good.”

  Devon reached for another drink. “I don’t care, Father.”

  “What?”

  Devon smiled slightly. “I have met a girl who doesn’t care for my money, or lack thereof. She wants me, just me, and I want her.”

  “Lust isn’t love, Devon. Just because you have slept with the girl doesn’t mean you must marry her. Elizabeth Fanti will make a very profitable wife for you and for this family.”

  Devon was horrified by what he was hearing. “Profitable? Is that all you and George Fanti care about? About the money? What about love?”

  When the old man didn’t reply to his questions, Devon knew his pleas were falling on deaf ears.

  “I won’t marry Elizabeth Fanti, Father. I will court whom I wish, with or without your blessing.”

  “You…You… How dare you!” Jack scolded him as if he were a child.

  Ignoring his father, Devon looked out into the crowd of dancers, his eyes settling on the beautiful image of Lotte.

  “Is that her?” he heard the old man ask.

  Glancing back to his father, Devon nodded. “Her name is Lotte.”

  Devon watched his father’s face fill with an emotion that seemed like fear. Devon was confused by the man’s reaction.

  “Y-you want to court Lotte Higgins?” Jack stammered. “You think you can call off your engagement, refuse George Fanti, for Lotte Higgins?”

  Unsure what his father was stammering about, and not really caring, Devon went to leave the old man and join Lotte out on the dance floor.

  Jack grabbed at his son’s elbow desperately. “Are you a fool?”

  Devon shrugged off his father’s grip. “I may well be, but at least I’m not the one living in fear of George Fanti.”

  Devon left his father then and went to join Lotte amongst the crowd of dancers.­

  * * * *

  Jack Munroy stood watching as his son left him and walked into the crowd of dancers, fearful of the consequences that would surely follow his son’s actions.

  “What is your son doing?” George Fanti asked as he stopped beside Jack, his drink in hand.

  “W-whatever do you m-mean, George?” Jack stammered.

  “Whatever do I mean?” George repeated. “I mean your son has not gone near my daughter all evening.”

  Jack shrugged. “Devon is young, George. We can’t make him marry any woman just because it is our wish.”

  Gulping down the last of his drink, George set his glass on the nearby table. Turning his attention back to Jack, George led him away from the main crowd, and grabbing the smaller man’s hand, twisted his little finger to the side painfully.

  “G-George stop. P-please!” Jack pleaded with him, trying not to draw attention.

  George didn’t listen.

  “You said your son would agree to marry my Elizabeth. You said you would make sure of it. Then why is the little bastard going out to join…” George’s words trailed off, his hand twisting Jack’s finger further until Jack let forth a muffled scream. “Explain to me why your son is out there slobbering all over Lotte Higgins. Explain to me why he is out there with my niece and not my daughter!”

  “Y-you b-broke my finger!” Jack cried through a strained voice.

  George continued to hold the injured man’s broken finger. “I will break more than your finger unless you can explain to me exactly what your son is doing.”

  “H-he said he won’t marry Elizabeth,” Jack uttered, his words laced with obvious pain. “He said he won’t play your pawn.”

  “Your son needs to learn his place!” George said, releasing Jack.

  Scuttling to a safe distance, Jack held his injured hand. “Devon is my only son, George. Please—”

  George straightened his ruffled attire. “You teach your son to do as he’s told, to do as I tell him, or you may no longer have your only child, you sniffling little bastard.”­

  * * * *

  Leaving the pathetic figure of Jack Munroy, George Fanti walked toward where his daughter, Elizabeth, stood on the edge of the dance floor, her tall, slender figure draped in an outstanding pink satin gown. How was he going to explain to her that the woman dancing with her fiancé was her cousin? He had been so sure to keep his past hidden from his only child, including his relation to David Higgins, but now it appeared he had no choice but to tell her the truth of who they all were.

  “What is going on, Father?” she asked when he stopped near to her. “You said you would make sure Devon would go through with the engagement.”

  Reaching for a drink from the passing waiter, George gulped down the smooth liquor. “It’s just a small issue, daughter. Nothing you need worry your pretty head about.”

  “A small issue?” Elizabeth asked, obviously irritated as she turned to face her father. “He’s dancing out there with another woman!”

  “Elizabeth, keep your voice down.” George tried in vain to calm his daughter.

  “I want to know who she is now!” Elizabeth demanded, her tone slightly rising, though not yet drawing attention. “I want to know what she has that can make a man like Devon Munroy run after her like some love-struck youth!”

  “Elizabeth, you need to calm yourself,” her father tried consoling her. “You need to remember our position.”

  “Position?” Elizabeth asked, her anger clearly growing, her already black eyes growing darker. “Our position means nothing if you are just going to stand by and let a weakling like Jack Munroy do as he will. For all you know, that whore dancing with my fiancé has already offered up more gold than you’ve already given the Munroys!”

  Grabbing his daughter by the elbow, George led her away from the crowd of suddenly curious onlookers and to the door exiting the dancehall.

  “Who told you I gave Jack Munroy gold?”

  Elizabeth pulled away from her father’s grasp, straightening her silken gloves. “The night you told Jack I would wed his son, you and he had a fight in your study. You reminded him of the gold you and he had stolen, of the men you killed for it. He pleaded with you, saying he took no more than the gold you had given him.”

  George was horrified by what he was hearing. Never had he thought his family would learn of all he had done to give them the position in this town they now had.

  “No need to look so horrified, Father,” Elizabeth continued casually. “I care little for where you got our family’s wealth. I care more to know if that wench out there with Devon has more gold to offer than you already have.”

  “She doesn’t. As for the gold I gave to Jack Munroy, I will get it back.”

  “We will get it back, Father,” Elizabeth reminded him. “After all, isn’t that why you’re selling me off to his only son? To get back the money he stole from you?”

  George gulped down the last of his brandy. “You know nothing of what is rightfully ours, Elizabeth. Don’t assume to know what happened between Jack Munroy and myself all because you overheard a conversation.”

  “Yet you can stand there and assume that woman out there has fewer fortunes than we do, Father. For all you know, she could be the only heir to the richest station owner in the district.”

  George shook his head. “She isn’t. Her name is Lotte Higgins, and her father is an investor. He took his share of the gold and followed the sugar mills up here to Brandon.”

  Elizabeth looked confused. “Her father was there with Jack and yourself when the gold was taken?”

  George nodded. “He’s my brot
her.”

  Elizabeth’s fury grew. “You’re allowing my cousin to seduce my fiancé? Are you mad? Do you want to lose everything?”

  George grabbed his daughter’s elbow again, though this time far more aggressively. “Don’t you dare question my actions, daughter!” he reprimanded her, his voice harsh. “I have always taken care of the welfare of this family, and I will continue to do so without your criticism! I will get back all of ‘my’ gold, and you, Elizabeth, will do as you’re told and play your role in this game until I tell you otherwise!”

  “What about Devon, Father? What about my cousin?”

  George let go of his daughter’s elbow. “I will take care of them.”

  * * * *

  Elizabeth waited patiently, watching as Devon left Lotte on the side of the dance floor before turning in the direction of several of his business partners. Waiting until he was a safe distance away, Elizabeth casually approached the other woman.

  “Lotte Higgins?” Elizabeth asked, hoping for a tone of innocence.

  Lotte nodded. “Do I know you?”

  Elizabeth bowed her head humbly. “My name is Elizabeth Fanti. My father always spoke of how beautiful his niece was. I see now how right he was.”

  “His niece?” Lotte asked. “You must have me mistaken for someone else.”

  Elizabeth smiled, shaking her head slightly. “There is no mistake, Lotte. Our fathers are brothers.”

  “Brothers?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “My father has told me stories of you for years, and of how we grew up together in Brisbane. It fills me with such joy to finally meet you again.”

  Lotte’s confusion was obvious. “T-thank you, Elizabeth. I don’t remember my father telling me his brother’s family moved here to Brandon though.”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “Unfortunately, families grow distant when they live apart. But we are all back together now, as it should be. One big happy family.”

  Lotte smiled slightly. “One big happy family.”

  Chapter 4

  The following day, Devon walked down the main street of Brandon, his mind well occupied with what was happening to his father. It hadn’t been hard to notice his injured finger, but when Devon questioned him about it, all he said was there were always consequences for their actions.

  Devon hadn’t understood what his father meant, nor did he dare question him. In his gut, he knew George Fanti had something to do with the gradual demise of his father and his health, but never could he find any proof. If only he could find out what George held over his parent, Devon may be able to save his father from certain destruction.

  Devon was so deep in thought he didn’t see the young woman up ahead of him studying the contents of the shop window. As he bumped into her, he automatically apologized. “I beg your pardon, madam. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

  Straightening her attire, Lotte looked back at him with a smile. “Madam? Have you forgotten my name already, Devon?”

  Hearing the husky softness of her beautiful voice, Devon couldn’t ignore the instant heat the filled him. “Lotte? What are you doing here?”

  She giggled at his question. “Have you never seen a woman shopping before?”

  He shared in her humor. “Of course I have, however shopping normally requires you to be inside the shop.”

  Lotte nodded, her smile fading as silence surrounded them. Hesitantly, she reached forward, her soft fingers running gently along the back of his palm. “I have missed you.”

  Her words were barely more than a whisper, still they warmed Devon’s heart as little else could. He stepped closer to her, until they were nearly side by side, mere inches separating their bodies.

  “I have gone to the waterhole every day looking for you. I asked a young native woman if she might know where I could find you, but she said your father wouldn’t approve me going to the house.”

  Lotte laced her fingers with his. “Sarah told me, and she is right. My father wouldn’t approve.”

  Devon squeezed her hand. “Yet you are here.”

  Lotte looked up ahead to the brown-haired gentleman leaving the tavern. Quickly, she dropped Devon’s hand from hers, taking several steps back away from him.

  “Your husband?” Devon asked, following her line of sight.

  Lotte shook her head. “My brother, and I fear what would happen if he were to see us together.”

  “I want to see you again, Lotte. I need to see you again,” Devon pleaded with her.

  Lotte glanced to where her brother was now approaching them, before quickly looking back to Devon. “The waterhole. Meet me at the waterhole this afternoon. Wait for me there, I will sneak away as soon as I can.”

  With that, she left him and walked quickly toward her brother, her arm lacing in his, turning their direction away from Devon.­

  * * * *

  `“Who was that?” Patrick Higgins asked his sister as she led him back to the carriage.

  “I’m tired, Patrick. Can we go home now please?” Lotte asked, avoiding her brother’s question.

  Patrick pulled her to a stop. “What’s going on, Lotte? And what the hell were you doing with that man?”

  “Nothing,” Lotte tried. “He was just asking for directions.”

  “Directions my arse!” Patrick spat at his sister. “If Father were to see you holding hands with Devon Munroy…” His words trailed off, and he took a deep, steadying breath. “Lotte, you know Father has warned us about avoiding the Munroy family. You know why.”

  Lotte grew serious. “I know, but…” Lotte turned and looked back in the direction of where she’d last seen Devon. “Devon isn’t his father, nor are we ours.” Lotte turned back to look at her brother. “Please don’t tell Father,” she begged of him.

  Patrick stared at her for a long time. “I will keep your secret, Lotte, for now.”­

  * * * *

  It was almost dark when Lotte finally made it to the waterhole, her petite figure draped in a gown of soft, silken lilac, the square neckline of her bodice emphasizing the natural swell of her ample bosom, her sleeveless gown showing off the creamy paleness of her arms. Her small, pleated skirts, lined with lace, sat on her hips.

  “You look simply divine, Lotte,” Devon muttered in barely more than a whisper as he came to a stop inches beside her. “I thought you weren’t coming,” he remarked.

  Just as he reached out to her to embrace her, Lotte pulled away.

  “I can’t stay, Devon. I’m sorry. I wish…”

  “What’s going on? Have you changed your mind about us?”

  She stood staring at him, pulling her shawl tighter around her to protect her from the cool evening air. “I have to return to the Cameron’s estate house before I’m missed.”

  Hesitating only a second, Lotte leaned into him, kissing him full on the lips, her hands gripping his shoulders affectionately. Slowly, she stepped back away from him.

  “I haven’t changed my mind, Devon. That is what I came to tell you.”

  He caught her wrist just as she went to turn away from him. “Then what is going on, Lotte?”

  She pulled her hand free from his grasp. “My father will never approve of me courting the son of Jack Munroy, not after the past they shared together. I know you’re not your father, Devon, but...well, I need time to explain that to my father.” She kissed him again, though this time hard and fast. “I will get word to you when I can.”

  With that, she turned and ran back in the direction she had come.­

  * * * *

  Lotte had barely reentered the dancehall on the Cameron Estate when she felt herself being pulled aside. Turning suddenly, she looked back at the image of Devon Munroy.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. “You can’t be here!”

  “I need to ask you something,” Devon started cautiously. “When you said something about the past our fathers shared and how it would make seeing each other difficult, what did you mean?”

  “My father shared some kin
d of past with yours back in Victoria. My father said after he traveled north, he never wanted to see Jack Munroy again. I doubt he’d be happy to know I’d been meeting secretly with his son.”

  Devon raised a questioning brow. “I thought you told me you didn’t care who I was the son of?”

  “I don’t,” Lotte replied. “But my father does.”

  Just then David Higgins approached them both. “Devon, you’ll have to excuse my daughter.” He looked directly at the young man as if daring him to disagree. “Lotte is needed elsewhere.”­

  Walking away with her father, Lotte glanced over her shoulder at the man she was leaving behind.

  “I’ve told you I didn’t want you seeing that young man,” Lotte’s father chastised her. “You know who his family is. Who his father is.”

  She turned her attention back to the older man. “I do, Father, but Devon isn’t Jack Munroy.”

  “Apples don’t fall far from the tree, daughter.”

  Lotte stopped in her steps. “Does that mean Patrick and I are destined to rob a stagecoach then also?”

  He grabbed Lotte’s elbow, pulling her to the edge of the crowd. “I have made amends for my crime, Lotte. I have paid back the money I took and have spent every day since trying to right the wrong I once did.”

  Stepping on her tiptoes, Lotte kissed her father gently on the cheek. “I know, Father, and I admire you for it. You were given a chance at redemption despite your past. Does Devon not also deserve the same thing?”

  David stood staring at his daughter. “You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met, Lotte.”

  Lotte nodded. “Not so unlike you, sir.”

  Reaching for her small hand, he took it in his, squeezing it affectionately. “Does this young man mean so much to you?”

  Lotte shrugged. “I would like to find out, Father.”

  Again there was silence between the two.

  “Jack Munroy will not allow it, Lotte, nor will my brother.”

  She didn’t try to hide her confusion. “What does your brother have to do with any of this?”

  Her father squeezed her hand until it was almost hurting. She knew something was wrong, something he hadn’t yet told her. Never before had he mentioned a brother; that he did now worried Lotte. Feeling her father pulling her with him, she followed him to just outside one of the many doors out of the dancehall.