Phantoms In Philadelphia (Phantom Knights Book 1)
Page 32
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Four days passed without sight of Guinevere. Not from a lack of trying, but from a sly move by her guardian. Guinevere and Richard had left Philadelphia.
From what I could learn from my mother and Martha, Guinevere would be returning, but neither knew when. I was outraged, with both Richard and myself. I should have struck him down when I had the chance.
Pacing my library like a caged animal, my thoughts were in a tormenting spiral. I did not know what Richard had told her about me, but I could only hope that she would know that when she returned I would still be of the same mind.
When I threw myself into a chair, determined to read a book, a knock fell upon the front door. I rose to close my library door, not wanting to see any of Bess’s suitors, when I halted.
General Harvey walked toward me leaning slightly on a wooden cane. He had been wounded in 1813 while serving in Baltimore. Shrapnel in the leg. He had never fully recovered and walked with a limp, but his wound never dampened his spirit. He was forever gracious and jolly with anyone around him.
I shook the general’s hand then motioned for him to be seated. “I am honored, sir, that you have called upon me.”
General Harvey leaned his cane against his chair as he spoke. “You may not feel so after you hear what I’ve come to say.” I watched him intently. “I heard talk that young Madison has become particular in his attentions to your sister, and I would not feel right, knowing your father as I did, if I held my peace and did not warn you against such an alliance.”
Of all the words that he could have said, speaking against Andrew Madison was definitely the last that I expected.
“William was a good man and a good friend.” The general’s eyes looked past me as if he were remembering something from days gone by. “Miss Martin deserves the best; a man who will care for her well-being, not only her lovely face and the connections she brings.”
“You feel that Andrew Madison does not mount up to that description?” I asked, feeling skeptical about his motives.
He grunted. “Let us say that she deserves someone who will love her more than he loves himself, and you may be sure that Madison is not that man. His political ambitions alone should be enough to deter you from considering him.”
So far I had heard nothing against Andrew that I found disconcerting, or that could constitute the general’s visit.
As if he could read my thoughts, he replied, “Miss Martin will inherit a vast sum upon her marriage. Money like that could certainly help out a politically minded young man.”
“Are you saying that he is a fortune hunter?” I asked, doing nothing to keep the incredulity from my voice.
“That’s the right of it. He may care for Miss Martin, but as her brother, surely you wish more for her than a shallow marriage to an equally shallow man.”
Staring at General Harvey, I was unsure if I should believe what he said. I could not shake the thought that the man had ulterior motives behind his visit. Edith came to mind, and the general’s motives became clear. If I refused my permission to Andrew’s suit, the general could then swoop in offering up Edith as a substitute. The connections that Andrew would bring to a marriage could cause even a friendly man like General Harvey to do his utmost in eliminating rivals, like fabricating a list of faults. I found myself thoroughly torn, for I liked the general, and he had long been a family friend.
The general used his cane to help him stand. “Think about what I have said, John. Sometimes appearances can be deceiving.”
I thanked the general as I followed him to the door. After he had left, I went to the drawing room and pulled open the curtains fully, then went into my library and closed those curtains. It was a code for Levi to come at once. When Levi passed the house, he would see the code and enter through the servants’ entrance. I sat at my desk and wrote out a letter while I waited for him to arrive. He did so three hours later. I closed my library door and had him sit.
“Fenrir will be taking your place watching the white phantom. There is something else for you to do. The instructions are written in this letter. Follow the one listed and report everything. From where he goes to whom he talks to. I want to know it all.”
Levi nodded as he looked over the contents of the letter. When he looked up he was frowning. “Feelings growing strong between Raven and the president’s nephew, eh?”
Feeling stretched beyond my limit, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. “Let us say that I want to know more before I consider allowing him into the family.”
Chapter 21