by Sarah Lark
Nora hadn’t known, but would be more than happy to settle among the butterflies on her dream island.
“Mangroves often grow along the coast — it changes quite suddenly; it’s almost a bit scary. The sea, the beach — and the jungle starts right behind it.”
Nora nodded. It had looked exactly the same on her and Simon’s island.
“Palms?” she asked eagerly.
Fortnam nodded. “But, of course. Countless different varieties — but they were apparently brought to the island by the Spanish. The local trees are more ferns and cedars — and even our Cascarilla, a hearty plant, whose essential oils can be obtained from the bark. The mahogany, logwood, many flowering shrubs — entire sections of the Blue Mountains remain completely untouched. Botanists visit and they discover new plants every time.”
Nora listened eagerly.
“And what brings you here now, Mr. Fortnam?” Lady Margaret’s husband inquired. “Let me guess, you’re looking for a pretty little forgotten earldom in order to then represent your island in Parliament.”
Fortnam laughed heartily. “No, certainly not that! I have an honest name and I also want to keep it. And you have to be careful here that there are still parliamentary seats for the good old English as it is! The fellows in Barbados would quickly purchase the king’s title if you let them!”
Nora smiled shyly. She did not like that her new acquaintance had slaves, but at least he didn’t adorn himself with foreign titles of nobility like so many other planters.
“In any case, the sugar cartel is sufficiently represented here and the prices are as they should be.”
“The prices are downright robbery!” MacDougal exclaimed and looked resentfully at his wife, who was stirring a generous amount of sugar into the coffee that the servant had just served. “If this continues, I’ll have to try with greenhouses!”
Fortnam grinned. “Don’t let me stop you, my lord. But keep in mind how high the plants grow. You’d have to build castles of glass. Is it worth it? And then equip your farmers with machetes instead of scythes? Or do you want to import Negroes? That also costs, don’t fool yourself. In the end, you’ll be happy to pay our rates!”
The lord made a bit of a face, but endured the good-natured laughter of the others. Then Lady Margaret invited the planter for a soiree the next week at her townhouse.
“We would like to introduce you to other members of the London society,” she said amiably. “Who knows, maybe there are still people interested in my husband’s glass house cartel, and you can give us valuable tips.”
Fortnam accepted with a laugh. “However, my charming dinner partner would be missing,” he remarked, looking over at Nora, who was blushing under her makeup once again.
“You can certainly bring Miss Reed along!” Lady Margaret said with a very pleased expression. “If Nora would like to accompany you, we will receive her with joy. Naturally, you are also invited, Thomas.”
Nora held her tongue. She could hardly say no without offending Mr. Fortnam. And she didn’t know at all if she actually wanted to go! This evening was the first in months that she almost enjoyed. She seemed to have the jungle and the beach on her island almost in sight again. Elias Fortnam’s tales of Jamaica had revived her memory.
“I would happily accompany you,” she said quietly.
Elias Fortnam gave her a friendly smile.
“Honestly, Reed, I haven’t seen Nora as lively as she was last night in years!” Lady Margaret was so excited and curious, that she had visited Thomas in his offices the next day. “Was it possibly something in the making? Who is this Fortnam?”
Thomas Reed furrowed his brow. “Is something … him, in the making? Please, Margaret, the man could be her father. He certainly has no intentions regarding Nora.”
“Well, he looked very interested in her!” the lady laughed. “And that thing with the charming dinner partner … that was really a broad hit! No, really, Thomas! And the age … Naturally, it isn’t a perfect fit, but Nora is, on the other hand, very mature. So, is the man unattached?”
Reed shrugged. “As far as I know, he’s been a widower for years. He has a son studying in England who he probably wants to visit. Otherwise, heaven knows what he is doing here. There are no particular concerns regarding business, his plantation is large, apparently well-managed, he makes a tremendous profit—”
Lady Margaret smiled, “Well, that all sounds very promising! Naturally, I know that you would prefer having Nora nearby. Preferably, she would build a nest right here in London. But she is arguably quite picky, and as it seems, her dream of living overseas has not yet burned out. It would disappear quickly enough if she were to go there. I’ve seen it several times. The young girls get married in the colonies — the planters are very keen on the daughters of viscounts and baronets, who are gladly taken along with the title and seat in Parliament. First they rave about the flowers, and palms, and what not. But then comes the rainy season, and the young things go slightly mad. These farms are usually secluded, and they see nothing but black servants for weeks. And they start to press their husbands about how a manor in Essex would also be nice — and a townhouse in London.”
Thomas Reed rubbed his temples. “And would Elias Fortnam get involved in that?”
Lady Margaret raised an eyebrow. “If Nora asks nicely. He surely earns the money for it, and he can’t have anything against England if he sent his son here for school. There are things to be done, as well! Give them a townhouse for their wedding! Then they have a foothold in England. And if you think about it a bit further, the man is much older than Nora. She will undoubtedly survive him and then has the chance of a second marriage.” Thomas Reed bit his lip. “I have to think about it, Lady Margaret. It’s all too sudden. And we have no idea what Nora thinks of it.”
The Lady nodded patiently. “Of course it needn’t be decided today. Let’s wait and see what happens at my soiree, and afterwards is a ball at the Batterfields’. Yes, we’ll see what comes about. Just don’t be taken by surprise, Reed, if a suitor for Nora is knocking at your door.”
CHAPTER 3
Nora was accompanied by Elias Fortnam to the soiree at the MacDougals’ and then also to a couple of dances. She was a little self-conscious, as he led her to her first dance in two years, but Fortnam also wasn’t familiar with the newest steps, so she didn’t stand out. It was even fun to move to the music again, and Nora enjoyed the men’s admiring looks that followed her as she stepped through the hall at Elias’s side. She had had a new ball gown fitted and it was, of course, impossible to fall back on dark colors for such an event. Nora was wearing apple-green silk, and the seamstress hadn’t spared on bows and lace.
At the following banquet, Elias Fortnam once again proved to be a polite and generally interesting conversationalist — at least for a partner who was interested in the history, flora, and fauna of the Caribbean Islands. Fortnam had extensively traveled the seven seas before he settled down in Jamaica — he had undoubtedly not come to the islands as a wage slave like Mr. McArrow. Nora had a feeling that he had at least partially made his fortune on pirate ships — but she blocked that out, just as she did the slaves on his plantation. She knew that London society had started talking about her and Elias Fortnam. But essentially, she felt relatively indifferent about Fortnam himself. What was important was that he would be able to bring her fantasy island back to life.
Now, before she fell asleep, Nora no longer saw the dark, stuffy attic where Simon had died; an image that had been haunting her since she had left the East End. Instead, she once again dreamed of the beach on her island and sought the clearing where the hut stood. She found solace in the idea that Simon was there, waiting for her. She had only to follow the birds’ singing and the scent of flowers that Elias Fortnam so obligingly and colorfully depicted for her. Nora enjoyed the planter’s company and missed him when he went to Oxford to meet his son. This family reunion would not likely be the most pleasant of events. He would give Douglas a tho
rough talking to, as Elias had confided in Nora when they rode out on the day before his departure.
“I sent the boy to England so that he would learn to conduct himself in the manner of his position and to run the plantation like a gentleman. And what is he planning? To roam around half of Europe like a Gypsy! To see Rome and Greece … allegedly, just for the sake of education, of course! But I will not fund that with my hard-earned money! He will buckle down and study, that’s why he’s there!”
However, this plan didn’t seem to have fully worked out. Fortnam seemed rather displeased when he returned to London after a week. The young Douglas had probably paid little mind to his father’s objections. His classmates, with whom he’d planned the trip, also didn’t have large financial resources. The young adventurers were quite willing to find work during their travels and earn a livelihood.
“And what did they have in mind?” Thomas Reed asked, amused.
The men were sitting in the Wentworths’ study; the family were in London again and hosting a feast. There was dancing in the hall, but Nora took advantage of the evening to induce a few of the matrons into donations for her soup kitchen. The last time, she had neglected her charity work, and now struggled with a bad conscience. Fortnam was all right with it, and didn’t monopolize Nora the entire time, but instead gladly spoke with her father. The two smoked and enjoyed the outstanding punch, which was prepared with rum from the hosts’ plantation.
Fortnam shrugged. “Unloading ships at the ports, breaking stones in marble quarries … whatever it is that they do in the south. Well, the boy is as strong as an ox, so it won’t hurt him. But it still doesn’t agree with me to have a Fortnam hired out to do slave labor.”
Thomas Reed took a slow drag from his cigar.
“Well, leave it be, he’ll return and then sit down with his books a lot more joyously. Such young chaps want to sow their wild oats and see the world.”
“Well, your daughter seems also to be plagued by wanderlust,” Fortnam remarked as he refilled the men’s glasses. “Are you considering having her marry overseas?”
Reed looked at him searchingly. “Is this meant as a proposal, Mr. Fortnam?”
Elias Fortnam leaned back in his chair and exhaled smoke. “I hadn’t come to London looking for a wife,” he then said quietly. “You must believe me. But lately, I confess that I have been thinking about it. Nora is a delightful, young lady, and seems to be favorably disposed towards me in some way. Her interest in my homeland pleases me — I think she is not one of those ladies who will marry at the plantations and then do nothing but complain. About the heat, the Negroes … Nora seems to be a tough little thing. I like that.”
“She is much younger than you,” Reed pointed out.
Fortnam nodded. “I cannot deny that. But I think that Nora should decide. It seems as if she likes mature men, if she shows any interest at all. I also like her restraint in these matters.”
Thomas Reed cleared his through. “That … was not always the case,” he admitted, reluctantly. “If you really want to court her, I cannot withhold it—”
“That scandal from before?” Fortnam made a dismissive gesture. “Forget about it, I don’t hold that against her.”
“You know about it?” Reed asked, surprised.
Fortnam laughed. “Mr Reed, since the second time I showed up as Nora’s escort to an evening event, it has been confided in me at least three times under the shroud of secrecy. Generally, from a completely selfless lady concerned about propriety and wanting to present your daughter as a lady not at all tainted by any minor scandal — or one whose son had just tried to ask Nora for a dance. Your daughter ran off with a clerk from your office and stayed away for three weeks. Is that correct?”
“Not entirely!” Reed said indignantly. “Is that what people are telling you? That sounds so, as if … well, Mr. Fortnam, I assure you that my daughter fostered absolutely no … um … carnal relationship with Lord Greenborough. She was quite keen on him — but I sill wouldn’t call it “love.” Unfortunately, he was seriously ill, which can trigger the urge in such a young thing to mother one’s paramour. Actually, Nora cared for him until his death — under not very fortunate circumstances, I must say. But her honor has not been sullied from it in any way. Nora is—” Reed swallowed — he couldn’t manage to get out the word “virgin” or “untouched.”
“And if she weren’t, I would not care,” Fortnam intervened with composure. “I don’t think like that! I am no young buck any longer, my plantation yields sufficient money. And I do not have to vie for connections that require ten generations worth of untainted reputations from me, my wife, and my hunting dog. And I couldn’t care less about what the people in London say, I live in Jamaica. Which, admittedly—”
“Yes?” Reed asked. Did Fortnam want to tell of a scandal of his own?
Fortnam shrugged. “Well, people spread rumors when a man lives alone on a plantation with lots of pretty slave girls. You understand what I mean. And in recent years, we have more and more immigrants from England and a society is forming. There are balls, hunts, invitations … but without a woman at home, I can hardly return the favor. So, a marriage would certainly be in my interests. And your daughter would be ideal; beautiful, and well-mannered as she is.”
Reed nodded. “I’m reluctant to part with her,” he admitted. “But ultimately, I want to see her happy and that has long not been the case here, since that unfortunate infatuation. In fact, she has always dreamed of the colonies. So, if that is what she wants … as long as she accepts your proposal, Fortnam, you have my blessing.”
Nora was surprised when Elias Fortnam actually proposed a few days later. The circumstances were rather unusual; they were riding out together again and Fortnam did not even make the effort of dismounting. On the contrary, he made the proposal almost conversationally; with very similar words to those he had used with her father. He spoke of inclination rather than love, cited his social obligations, and Nora’s apparent wish to live in one of the colonies.
“I can offer you a beautiful house, well-trained servants,” Elias Fortnam smiled, “and an attentive husband, for whom you can hopefully develop the affection and respect that I now already give in return.” He bowed in Nora’s direction.
Nora was first pale, then red. She didn’t know what to say, and eventually expressed the first thought that stupidly went through her head.
“I would miss my horse.”
She could have kicked herself. What must Fortnam think of her now? He must think her childish and superficial, he—
Elias Fortnam laughed heartily. But it sounded more cheerful, and not like he was laughing at her.
“You can take her with you, Nora!” he then said. “Even two or three, we will see how much cargo space I can arrange. On the island, there is a chronic shortage of horses. They get snatched up very quickly, and yours is a particularly well-bred animal.”
This, of course, was true, but Nora doubted that Fortnam had really considered that the mare, Aurora, was of Darley Arabian descent. Her future husband was only a moderate rider; he hardly could have made it through a foxhunt, and it was unlikely that he knew a lot about breeding. She thought of piracy again, but then she scolded herself for these improper thoughts. The man had just asked for her hand! And she thought of the horses, pirates, and foxhunts … Nora smiled to herself. She should have been thinking of Simon. But this situation was so unreal, so different. Nora could absolutely not imagine holding this much older, bulky man as she once did with her beautiful, young lord.
But she also didn’t need to. He would hold her in his arms. She actually needn’t do a thing. Just say yes. And then he would take her to the island; she would see everything that Simon had dreamed. She would see it for him, with his eyes … Nora was about to accept the proposal of another man, but she hadn’t felt so close to her real lover since the day he died.
“Give me two days to think, Mr. Fortnam,” Nora said. “And don’t come to our house with
flowers …”
Elias Fortnam came to the house with chocolates and, of course, Thomas Reed did not receive him in the study as he did with Simon — instead, Elias formally put forth his request in the parlor. Nora once again appeared as a porcelain doll; she courteously affirmed how delighted she was and that she would gladly accept his request. She had to get ready accordingly, which didn’t surprise her lady’s maid in the least. Like before, Nora would only wear makeup and have her hair styled according to the fashion for special events. Now there was the question of whether her future husband had actually ever seen her without her face powdered, but of course her hair came loose while riding and the tight-fitting riding habit hardly enhanced her boyish figure. Thus, Fortnam must have at least had an idea of what awaited him.
You are as delicate as an elf and your hair is like flowing honey …
Nora heard Simon’s gentle, beguiling voice, as she spoke with her father and Elias about the wedding preparations. Elias wanted to return to Jamaica within a month at the latest, which naturally required that it be arranged very quickly.
“Will your son be there, then?” Nora asked, as the men agreed to announce the engagement in a rather small circle at a dinner and then have the wedding just three weeks later with a large ball and banquet. She was not really interested in getting to know Douglas Fortnam, but she thought she should act interested. After all, this was her family now. She felt like a little girl who had filled her new dollhouse with a father, mother, and children.
Elias shrugged. “Probably not,” he said dryly. “Unless there was a forwarding address for his post, and he were inclined to show up and cancel his trip on my behalf. I find both to be unlikely. You will have to meet and get to know your stepson later.”
Thomas Reed was secretly happy about it. He had sent out a few inquiries; Doug Fortnam was four years older than Nora! It was surely better not to put the details so clearly in the sights of London society. Besides, there was already enough talk about the difference in age between Nora and Elias.
