He reached to his nightstand to clutch at the miniature of Maureen he kept there. “He’s found me, Maureen, just as I always thought he would.” William saw the bit of pewter Nick Shepherd wore on his thumb and knew what the ring meant, even if George did not. Nick Shepherd was the heir to Dunbar, the son of the unfortunate viscount who killed himself over the scandal of treason. George wasn’t ready to accept the truth, that the Devil of Dunbar was on Bermuda. But William knew. He would make his own preparations.
A popping sound in the room, along with Tally's exclamation of surprise, heralded the discovery of the hidden drawer in the armoire.
William watched as Tally removed a small leather packet, holding it carefully out to William.
“This what yer lookin’ for Willie?”
William nodded wearily and rubbed at his chest again. “It is, indeed.” He waved Tally forward. “Bring it here.”
William cared not what would happen to him, he deserved the wrath of the Dunbar family, but Jane Emily was innocent. He must take measures to protect her from the Devil of Dunbar. And, George Corbett.
“I need to show you what's inside.” He waved at Tally again. “I’m tired, do hurry.”
Tally nodded solemnly and placed the packet on the bed. “You’ve decided then? You’re sure?”
William smiled. Tally was his dearest, closest friend in all the world. Growing up together, Tally the son of the head groom, William the second son of an earl, they were inseparable. Tally loved Jane Emily as if she were his own. William counted on that.
“It’s all there?” Tally nodded towards the packet on the bed, the trepidation on his craggy features clear even in the dim light of the room.
“Yes. Bring me a quill and ink.” William sat up. “There is something I need you to do.”
* * *
Governor Lord Corbettwiped a napkin across the bacon grease on his lips and waved for a servant to bring more tea. Not typically an early riser, he had been unable to sleep last night. His hand shook slightly as he sipped at his tea, the hot liquid searing the tip of his tongue.
That man. William seemed certain Nick Shepherd was not some fortune hunter but the heir to Dunbar, come to Bermuda to punish them both. George was not quite convinced. Twenty years was a very long time for anyone, even the Duke of Dunbar to wait out his revenge. He thought it much more likely that William's regret and guilt had mushroomed over the years causing his imagination to run wild. Sometimes, he claimed to see his dead wife.
But William seemed sure.
Lady Corbett insisted Shepherd stay at the Governor’s home until he purchased property of his own, chattering on about the man's connections and how those connections could help Dorthea. George, for once, agreed with his wife, though not for the reasons she assumed. If the man was indeed the spawn of Dunbar, George thought it best to keep Shepherd nearby. If he wasn’t, well, he could not afford to anger a relation of the Marquess of Cambourne.
“Good morning, husband.” Lady Corbett strolled into the breakfast room, a brief smile for him about her thin lips. He found it the only thin thing about her. She sat her plump form across the table from him and asked a servant for toast and tea.
George’s stomach soured. He wished to be left in peace to finish his meal. If his wife appeared, it meant she wanted something.
Once the servants left, Lady Corbett took a small bite of toast. “We must impress upon William the urgency to announce Augustus and Jemma's betrothal.”
His wife rarely minced words, unlike most women who refused to state their concerns plainly. His annoyance grew. She constantly harped on the impending marriage of Augustus to Jane Emily. It seemed all she thought of.
“How do you propose we do that, my pet?” George spat sullenly, not pleased that his breakfast would go cold while she tried to force him to go again to William and set a date for the betrothal. He detested the nagging litany his wife forced on him. Regarding her across his breakfast plate, he supposed they got on well enough. Better than most. But on mornings like this, he was hard pressed to remember why he’d married her to begin with, except that his parents told him she possessed a fat dowry.
She raised a brow at him, making her forehead wrinkle in a most unattractive manner. Her hair once a glorious red, now hung in dull, faded curls about her temples.
The hair.
I once could not think of anything but the red of her hair. I thought the color magnificent, like newly minted copper.
“George?” She took another bite of toast. “Do you hear me?”
“I cannot help but hear you, June. As I told you, William does not wish to force Jane Emily. I personally think he has allowed the girl too much latitude in her opinions. Think where we would be if we had allowed Dorthea such freedom.” He took a bite of bacon. “The girl is temperamental and could do something reckless if forced. There is anunderstanding,June. We must be patient, pet.”
Lady Corbett said nothing. She took a sip of tea then proceeded to crunch her toast so forcefully crumbs flew from her mouth.
“Stop that, June. The sound grates on my ears and you're getting bits of toast all over the table.” As if it were a gauntlet, George threw down his napkin in disgust. “You are ruining my breakfast.”
“I do understand, George. Really I do.” Lady Corbett ceased destroying her toast and placed the remains carefully on her plate. “But I doworry.” Her eyes widened in a silent plea for understanding. “Our dear William isn't well. He could barely finish his plate at our dinner party earlier this week. I fear he is ill. What if something, somethingterrible, were to happen to William before Augustus and Jane Emily are officially betrothed? Why, she could fall victim to a fortune hunter or worse. Then what would happen to Sea Cliff? What would happen to her? She is like my own daughter. I promised Maureen I would care for her.” Tears formed in June's eyes. “I cannot break that promise.”
George sighed. He'd forgotten how close Maureen Manning and June had been. June was there when her friend died. Of course, June felt responsible for Jane Emily. “I would never allow that. I, ratherwe, are her guardians should anything happen.”
