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“True, but if I raise any sort of ruckus, he’ll drag Felicity off to his country estate and lock her up. The only reason he hasn’t done so is that it’s easier for him to forget about her while she’s in Edinburgh.”
Just saying the words brought a hot flush of anger to Samantha’s face. In her mind, Beath was little better than a monster when it came to his granddaughter.
“What a monster,” Bathsheba said, echoing her thoughts. “He’s the one who should be locked away, not that dear girl.”
“Fortunately, he prefers to remain on his estate, so he generally leaves us alone.”
“As long as you don’t raise a fuss or make demands.”
“Exactly. Thankfully, Felicity no longer needs special tutors, and her health has been good.”
When Felicity was still a little girl, Roger had moved her to Edinburgh, where she could receive training from the best teachers at the school for the deaf. Lord Beath had bellowed and blustered, but Roger had refused to back down. As Beath’s heir, he’d had a fair degree of influence on the old man. Roger had always done the right thing for Felicity, with a quiet but firm determination.
Samantha had never met a man with more integrity and courage than her late husband.
“I’m simply being cautious,” she added. “Any extravagance on my part would be bound to attract Beath’s attention, and lead to consequences for Felicity.”
“Hmm. Perhaps Lord Beath could have an unfortunate accident whilst riding about that disgustingly large estate of his. That would certainly solve more than a few of your problems.” Bathsheba snapped her fingers. “I know. Donny could sneak into his lordship’s stables and tamper with his saddle. God knows I’d do it if I had half the chance.”
Samantha almost choked on her tea. “Bathsheba Blackmore, you are an exceedingly bad influence on me.”
“Someone has to be. It’s been two years, pet. Don’t you think it’s time to cast off your widow’s weeds and have a bit of fun? You certainly deserve it.”
Samantha winced, feeling oddly defensive. “I gave up my widow’s weeds months ago, but you know I’m not much for socializing.”
Bathsheba eyed Samantha’s simple lavender gown, her silence offset by her sardonic expression.
“All right, it’s half-mourning,” admitted Samantha. “Look, I’m already courting trouble by retaining a seat on the foundation board. Playing the part of the grieving widow does garner me a degree of sympathy and acceptance.”
“Except you’re not playing the part,” Bathsheba gently admonished. “I understand how difficult it is to move beyond such a deep loss, but it cannot be healthy for you to dwell on it. John agrees with me, I might add.”
“I don’t dwell on it.”
That had to be the biggest, bounding lie she’d ever told.
“It’syourfoundation, Samantha. Do whatever you want with it, and the men be damned. And stop hiding away. If it wasn’t for the foundation, I don’t think you would ever leave this blasted house.”
“But it’s a very nice house, you must admit.”
And she got out a great deal more than her friends ever suspected.
When Bathsheba cocked her head, the dyed green feathers on her high poke bonnet gently shimmered in the firelight. “Have you ever thought about moving back to the Highlands, to be with your family?”
Samantha shook her head. “After Papa died, my mother moved to Inverness to live with her sister. My cousin and his family now live on the estate. Besides, I don’t think Beath would allow me to take Felicity away from his sphere of influence.”
In any case, she still had business to attend to in Edinburgh. Samantha would never leave until she saw it completed.
“So, Beath doesn’t want the poor girl, but you’re not allowed to take her away, either.”
“Sadly true. But enough about my boring troubles. Now, what’s bothering you that you’re rousting me out of bed at the crack of dawn?”
Bathsheba snorted. “I’ve always said you’re the smartest woman I know.”
“Thank you. Out with it, please.”
When her friend looked suddenly hesitant—and Bathsheba wasneverhesitant—Samantha mentally braced herself. Whatever it was, it must be bad. Felicity had obviously sensed it, too.
“John heard a very strange tale yesterday,” Bathsheba finally said. “He thought you might be able to shed some light on it.”
