A Change of Fortune

by Jen Turano

  There is so much more I wish to say to you, but time is running short. I’ve been told Mr. Wilder was disposed of, but even I’ve heard about that gentleman’s reputation, and I fear Eugene is incorrect in believing the man is dead.

  I leave you with one piece of advice, my dear: beware of Mr. Daniels. The man is mentally unbalanced, and I cannot predict what he will do when he discovers what I’ve done.

  Your father did not deserve to have his reputation besmirched. He was a just and honorable man and I can only hope God will forgive my transgressions, as they are many, and that He will watch out for you and see you happy.

  Your servant,

  Bartholomew Hayes

  Eliza looked up. “Am I to assume it was Eugene Daniels who murdered Bartholomew? And did he do so because of this trunk?” she asked.

  “No, I think Eugene Daniels murdered him because of this,” Theodore said as the two gentlemen returned and placed another chest beside the first one before abruptly quitting the room again. “That’s the rest of your money.”

  “Eugene and Sally fled with nothing?” Eliza asked.

  “So it would appear,” Theodore said, “but perhaps it would be for the best if I started at the beginning.” He took his seat and released a breath. “Now then, from what I’ve been able to piece together, Eugene apparently sent Bartholomew a note summoning him home after I was caught snooping around his house. The rest of my story is sheer speculation, but here’s what I believe happened. When Bartholomew discovered what Eugene did to me, I think he panicked and realized events were spiraling out of control, especially after Sally arrived home from the ball and apparently told him you were in town. I discovered traveling trunks with gentlemen’s clothing stuffed in them, and the office was in complete disarray, leading me to conclude Bartholomew was intent on fleeing.”

  “And then?” Zayne prompted.

  “I imagine an altercation broke out, considering Bartholomew’s dead, but I have no clear idea what brought that on, except to think Eugene discovered Bartholomew trying to leave Eliza part of the fortune and decided that wasn’t acceptable. Hence the bullet.”

  “Where did you discover the chests?” Zayne asked.

  “One was pushed halfway into a closet in Bartholomew’s room, and the other was turned on its side by the back door. I can only guess the chest in the closet was the one intended for Eliza. Bartholomew certainly wouldn’t have wanted to hide it in a place we wouldn’t find.” He smiled a rather sad smile. “If you look on the envelope, Eliza, he was starting to address the letter to you and had gotten as far as putting Hamilton’s address on it, so Sally must have told him where you could be found. I imagine writing that letter was one of the last things Bartholomew ever did.”

  “I still don’t understand why those chests were left in the house,” Agatha said.

  Theodore grimaced. “The body was still warm when I touched it, leaving me to assume our arrival disrupted their escape. They were decidedly outnumbered, so they did the only thing they could. They fled, leaving the money behind.”

  “Do you believe Eugene and Sally will come looking for their missing chest?” Zayne asked.

  “I do,” Theodore said.

  Eliza frowned. “Wouldn’t it be easier for Sally to simply try to get the money Bartholomew left in the bank?”

  “I doubt Sally or Eugene could access those accounts, seeing as how Bartholomew appeared to be a somewhat astute gentleman, at least in regard to financial matters. To be on the safe side, I’ve already sent word to the bank managers to freeze all of Bartholomew’s accounts and to alert the authorities if Sally shows up there,” Theodore said.

  “She won’t be happy about that,” Eliza mused.

  “Indeed,” Theodore agreed, “which leads me to my next order of business. You must make immediate plans to depart New York, Eliza. You won’t be safe here until Sally and Eugene are apprehended, and I certainly can’t tell you when or if that will happen.”

  Agatha released a snort. “She can’t just up and leave, Theodore. Who would look out for her and where would she go? Honestly, that’s a ridiculous idea. Besides, haven’t you made the claim more than once that you’re a first-rate private investigator? I would think someone with your stellar recommendations should be able to protect her.”

  “Normally, I would agree with you, Miss Watson,” Theodore said as he sent her a glare, “but this is an unusual situation to be sure. Eugene and Sally have been left with nothing, and desperation leads people to do unimaginable things. I cannot say with certainty I would be able to keep her safe.”

  As Theodore’s words echoed in the suddenly silent room, Eliza realized he was right.

  Sally and Eugene had proven themselves ruthless, and . . . who could say they would only direct their attention to her?

  People she’d grown to care about were now in danger because of her money, and she knew she was going to have to leave to ensure their safety, no matter how difficult the decision was. She took a deep breath and slowly released it.

  “I’ll go back to England,” she whispered.

  “Out of the question,” Hamilton said as he leaned forward and caught her gaze. “You have no one to see to your well-being over there, and besides, perhaps we are jumping to a wrong conclusion.”

  Eliza frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “We’re assuming Sally and Eugene have been left with nothing, but I know perfectly well Eugene made a tidy sum from stealing business from me. There is no saying he’ll pursue you, given the risks involved.”

  Theodore cleared his throat. “I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but before I went to Bartholomew’s today, I actually spent a bit of time investigating Eugene. From what I learned, that man was not actually in the railroad business; he passed off any deals he stole from you, Hamilton, to other competitors.”

  “How in the world did you learn that?” Agatha asked.

  Theodore sent her a grin. “If you must know, I am in contact with many individuals who occasionally skirt the law, and they always have quite helpful information to pass along to me when prompted. Unfortunately, I was unable to discover why Eugene was targeting Hamilton’s business, but I do still have men looking into the matter.”

  “You’ll have to introduce me to some of these individuals,” Agatha said. “They’d be helpful . . .” Her voice trailed off as she shot a look to her parents and then looked up at the ceiling and began whistling under her breath.

  “To continue,” Theodore said as his grin widened and he seemed to understand he was not to address Agatha’s statement, “I think we should return to Eliza’s situation and decide where she will be the safest.”

  “England is an ocean away,” Eliza said. “I doubt Sally and Eugene would follow me there, given the fact that tickets are so dear to purchase, and it’s become clear they value money.”

  Hamilton shook his head and gestured to the two trunks. “I have a feeling that what is in those trunks would be worth crossing an ocean to obtain.”

  “We forgot all about the trunks,” Agatha said. “I, for one, am dying to see what is inside.” Her mouth dropped open. “What if it’s nothing but books or rocks or something of little value?”

  “I assure you I did not lug those chests over here because they’re filled with rocks,” Theodore said, and Eliza couldn’t help but grin at his annoyed tone of voice.

  “You already looked in them?” Agatha asked.

  Theodore arched the only brow that seemed capable of moving in Agatha’s direction and didn’t bother to say a single word.

  Agatha arched her brow right back at him before turning to Eliza. “Do you mind if I take a peek?”

  “Be my guest,” Eliza said.

  Agatha rose and strode to the trunks, bending down to fiddle with one of the clasps before she flipped the lid open and then took a step back, her eyes wide. “Good heavens, Eliza, I know you claimed your fortune was vast, but I wasn’t expecting this.”

  Eliza got to her feet a
nd moved to Agatha’s side before she glanced down at the stacks of bills, mixed with gold coins, and sent Agatha what she knew had to be a weak smile.

  Agatha bit her lip and moved to the other chest, pushing it open and peering into the depths. She straightened and put her hands on her hips. “You could feed a small country for a very long time with the amount of money and gold stuffed into these chests.”

  “Don’t forget the jewels,” Gloria said as she brushed past Agatha and bent over the chest, straightening with a glittering diamond necklace in her hand.

  “You know, I guess I never realized Bartholomew made off with so many of my family’s jewels,” Eliza said, accepting the necklace from Gloria. “This belonged to my aunt Teresa. I forgot all about it.” She looked up to find Hamilton watching her with that all-too-familiar trace of annoyance on his face. She blew out a puff of air. Now was hardly the time to have to deal with another one of his unexpected bouts of, well, grumpiness. She presented him with her back when Agatha suddenly laughed.

  “I can’t believe my family employed you as a governess,” Agatha said. “You’re incredibly wealthy, and I shudder to think how much more money you have stashed in those accounts of Bartholomew’s.”

  “There might not be anything left in them,” Eliza said. “Sally was apparently enjoying living the life of an aristocrat, and for all I know, she might have spent the rest of my money on gowns and other frivolous things.”

  Theodore began shaking his head even as a somewhat gruesome smile stretched his misshapen lips. “I glanced through the account ledgers, Eliza. There’s quite a bit of money in those accounts.”

  Eliza thought she heard Hamilton release a disgusted sounding snort, but still wasn’t ready to address his surliness. Instead, she settled for sending Theodore a smile. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you. Since I now have my funds restored, you must send me the full bill. It wouldn’t be fair to allow Hamilton or Zayne to pay for your services, as I was the one who truly benefited from them.”

  That was obviously the wrong thing to say, considering Hamilton let out what sounded like a grunt and moved to her side, glaring down at her. “I told you I would be responsible for Theodore’s bill.”

  “But that was before I had any money,” Eliza said.

  “I find your offer insulting,” Hamilton snapped.

  Eliza discovered she was quite done with his ever-changing moods and less than pleasant demeanor, let alone the fact that he’d not once proclaimed any great affection for her, except to state he held her in “high esteem.” She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “I find your entire behavior insulting, which makes saying what I must say next incredibly easy.”

  Hamilton narrowed his eyes. “And that would be what exactly?”

  “I’m going home.”

  19

  The next day, Eliza found herself strolling down Broadway, entwining one arm with Agatha’s while using her other hand to keep a firm grip on Ben, who had the unfortunate propensity of bolting away from her at the slightest provocation. Piper chatted incessantly by Agatha’s side, touching on a variety of topics, including the color of the sky and the unusual fashions she spotted on the street.

  “May we please go on the El one more time?” Piper asked.

  Eliza nodded, trying to keep her mind on the conversation and firmly away from the fact that, in just two short days, she would not have another opportunity to take Piper on her beloved El. Piper caught Eliza’s nod and beamed up at her.

  One of the two guards walking a few steps behind them let out a loud groan, which caused Piper to spin around on her little heel.

  “We’ve only ridden the El two times today,” she said.

  “Two times too many,” the guard returned.

  Piper’s lip began to tremble.

  “To the El it is,” the guard said with a sigh.

  Piper’s lip miraculously stopped quivering, and she flashed a grin at the guard before turning to Agatha. “Why didn’t Grandmother join us today?”

  “Your grandmother had a very late night last night,” Agatha explained.

  “So did you and Miss Eliza,” Piper pointed out. “I think Grandmother’s mad at both of you.”

  “If that’s what you thought, why did you ask the question?” Eliza asked.

  Piper shrugged. “Because sometimes grown-ups slip and tell me things I’m not supposed to hear when I ask questions.”

  Eliza laughed. “You are incorrigible.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “Trouble,” Agatha supplied. “But, if you must know, your grandmother isn’t mad at me, only Eliza.”

  That was nothing less than the truth. Gloria was not pleased with Eliza at the moment, because she wanted her to change her mind about leaving and Eliza was not willing to oblige her. When Gloria had apparently realized her arguments were falling on deaf ears, she’d barricaded herself in her private suite, and Eliza knew perfectly well the woman was spending her time plotting. She shuddered to think what dastardly plan Gloria was going to put into action when she least expected it.

  “Is Daddy mad at you?” Ben asked, speaking up.

  Eliza pretended she didn’t hear the question, quickly distracting Piper and Ben with the sight of a large bird flying overhead. She certainly wasn’t going to admit to the children that their father was furious with her at the moment, and that he, like Gloria, wasn’t even speaking to her. He’d made a very dramatic statement when he’d slid a one-way steamer ticket under her door before vanishing from the house. He’d also included a scrawled note stating he’d found a handful of guards who’d agreed to take on the job of seeing her safely back to London and staying with her until she found protection of her own.

  She’d been more than annoyed by the steamer ticket, but perhaps a little touched that he’d hired men to watch her. Before she’d had an opportunity to track the man down, a solicitor by the name of Mr. Jackson showed up at the house and demanded all of her attention. Her annoyance with Hamilton faded yet again when she learned he’d been the one to send Mr. Jackson to the house, and her mood improved significantly when the solicitor explained that her finances were in wonderful condition and he was quite able to arrange the transfer of her money to any bank of her choice back in England. For some reason, that knowledge did not give her the pleasure she’d once thought it would.

  “Thank you for all the toys you bought us,” Piper said, interrupting Eliza’s less than cheery musings. “Why did you get us so much?”

  Guilt was the reason, although Eliza couldn’t very well admit that to Piper. She and Hamilton had at least agreed that the children shouldn’t be told of her departure just yet. She didn’t want them to spend the remaining time they had together in tears, and truth be told, she knew she was not emotionally ready to say her farewells to them just yet. It was better this way. She could enjoy their company without sadness.

  “I wanted to do something nice for the two of you,” she finally said.

  “Our toys won’t get stolen while we go on the El, will they?” Piper asked.

  “Since we left them in the carriage with an armed guard, I sincerely doubt anyone will attempt to make off with them,” Agatha said.

  “I think Theodore might have gone a bit overboard posting three guards to watch us,” Eliza said dryly.

  “I hate to tell you this, Eliza, but we have more than three guards at our disposal,” Agatha said as she gestured with her hand. “Those men ahead of us have been trying to be discreet, but I noticed them an hour ago, and the same goes for the men lagging behind us. If my math is correct, we have around ten guards watching over us, and I don’t think Theodore can take all the credit for our protection. I’ve come to the conclusion Hamilton’s involved as well.”

  “He is remarkably diligent when it comes to his children,” Eliza muttered.

  Agatha rolled her eyes, but Eliza was spared one of Agatha’s lectures when Piper let out a squeal and pointed down the street.

&nbs
p; “Ooh, did you see that horse?”

  Eliza squinted into the distance but only caught a glimpse of a white horse disappearing down an alley. Something nudged the back of her mind, but before she could contemplate exactly what that something was, a voice distracted her.

  “Lady Eliza.”

  As the voice washed over her, recognition set in and fury descended.

  “Who is that man?” Ben asked as he peered around her leg. “Why is he smiling at you?”

  “He’s an arrogant gentleman who is mistaken to think I welcome his smiles,” Eliza managed to get out.

  Ben suddenly tugged free from her hand and ran toward the man as fast as his short legs could carry him. Before Eliza had the presence of mind to react, Ben opened his mouth and clamped his teeth firmly onto the leg of Lawrence Moore, the Earl of Wrathshire.

  A howl of outrage escaped Lawrence’s lips.

  “Umm, Eliza, don’t you think it might be prudent to fetch Benjamin from that gentleman’s leg?” Agatha asked in alarm.

  “Give him another moment,” Eliza said even as she strode forward, her temper burning hot when she realized Lawrence was trying to shake Ben off his leg.

  “Don’t hurt him,” she snarled as she reached them and carefully pried Ben away from Lawrence. “He’s only a baby.”

  “With teeth like a shark,” Lawrence grouched, leaning down to rub his leg.

  Eliza scooped Ben up into her arms and glared at her ex-fiancé. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve come to take you home.” He sent her what he must have assumed was a charming smile. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “Now, Eliza, there’s no need to scowl at me like that. It’s hardly becoming,” he said.

  “I have every reason to scowl at you, Lawrence, and I really don’t care if you find it ‘becoming’ or not,” she snapped, shifting Ben in her arms, which drew Lawrence’s attention.

  “Who is that child?” he asked.

  “This is Master Benjamin Beckett and that is his older sister, Piper,” Eliza said with a nod in Piper’s direction.