AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Warrington nodded. ‘I’m not as understanding as you are.’
‘No. You’re not. But I’m her favourite, too.’ His chin jutted a bit, in the traditional family pose.
‘You didn’t like it any better than I did when she sold Mother’s jewels.’
‘I didn’t relish it, but it made little difference. I didn’t like her from the moment she called on her dear friend Adelphinia to see how she was faring over the loss of her mother. As if anyone who truly knew Adele would call her that.’ He shrugged while he spoke. ‘You also should be aware that you sent a man Broomer knows to our dear stepmother’s house. The man is quite skilled at wagering and is to teach her not to lose so grandly.’ Dane grinned. ‘I am Broomer’s favourite, too.’
‘A favoured dung heap is still a dung heap.’
‘As long as it is preferred above the other dung heaps, I am pleased.’ Dane scratched at his chin and moved beside Warrington so that their boots almost touched. ‘You’re very close to the favourite, though.’
‘I cannot believe I let you watch Jacob.’
Dane laughed. ‘Don’t worry. I pretended to be you. Stern and aloof.’ He plopped himself down on the sofa. ‘Now tell me what the trip was really like.’
Warrington began to talk, but his mind stayed on Dane’s words. Stern and aloof. Just the way his own father had been.
* * *
Melina woke well into the morning. She’d had trouble falling asleep and hadn’t slept soundly.
She’d spent the evening with Willa, instantly finding the child endearing.
In the night, she’d heard Warrington’s laughter echoing in the house and the raised voice of his brother, telling some bold tale. Warrington had his own way to keep his shadows at bay.
And she wanted to find the place Cassandra was buried and take a hammer to the marker. This woman she’d never seen. A ghost with far-reaching tentacles. A woman who had everything she could have wanted and could have needed, and found her joy in destroying others around her.
Melina dressed slowly, knowing she would be leaving soon and never see England again.
She’d never see Warrington free himself of Cassandra. She’d never know if he could truly have a reprieve from the past.
A knock sounded at the bedchamber door and she hurried to open it. A draggy-eyed Broomer stood there, his waistcoat buttoned askew. ‘Miss. You’ve a caller. An older woman. A real lady. Not one like that Ludgate’s woman.’ He shook his head. ‘I’d have shot her.’
He plodded down the stairs, his words fading. ‘I put this one in the sitting room because she had a peaceable face. Tired-like. But if you shout, I’ll be there with the pistol.’
Melina found her father’s wife examining the harpoon, her face only inches from it. She had her braided hair wrapped into a bun and lace ringed the neck of her peach dress. Her eyes were serene, but she had to have known something of Melina’s life or she wouldn’t have been standing in the room.
Melina could see no lack of strength in the woman in front of her. In fact, the woman reminded her of the stories she’d heard of the mythical Greek heroines. Even the scent Lady Hawkins wore fitted her, not a flowery delicate one, but more bracing, almost the same as the resin the men used to coat the ship.
‘Interesting...’ The older woman gave her a warm smile when she turned to Melina. ‘I’ve never, ever been near so much of a sailing collection in a home. The seashells are amazing.’ She pointed to the collection at the sides of the fireplace.
‘Yes. Warrington’s brother selected the objects.’ Melina’s eyes roved the room. ‘Few women would choose a tooth, a weapon or a broken ship’s bell.’
‘Even the blue curtains hint of the water. This man has a fascination. I am impressed.’ She touched the tooth. ‘I don’t believe I’ve ever been in a room an ordinary man planned—though I have been to Carlton House. One can’t consider that an ordinary man’s creation, though.’ She looked to Melina, her eyes saying she expected Melina to agree.
Melina smiled and nodded. She’d never heard of Carlton House.
The woman’s mouth quirked up. ‘Like you, I cannot imagine a woman who would appreciate the decorations, but they are interesting.’ She stood solemnly, and interlocked her fingers in front of herself. ‘You’re my husband’s daughter, aren’t you?’
Melina raised her chin in agreement, not seeing anger in the woman’s face, but a searching perusal. ‘How...’
