A Fateful Wind (10 page)

He looked at her, his eyes watery with illness. “My Jenna,” he whispered, forcing a smile. “My beautiful Jenna. I promise I will be better for the wedding. Don’t you worry, pet.”

She bent over and kissed his forehead. His skin felt cold and clammy against her lips. Soothingly, she moved back his hair from his forehead. “Don’t worry, papa. You just get better. Don’t be fretting about anything. You have me and Tamzin to look after you and Karenza will be here next week. We’ll make sure you’re well enough to walk me down the aisle.”

“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve daughters as kindly as you three. Your mother would be so proud.”

Jenna stopped in the doorway and nodded.
Proud
, she thought guiltily. Why, mama is almost certainly turning in her grave over my actions these past few weeks.

Tamzin stood warming herself in front of the fire as Jenna carried the empty bowl into the kitchen. “Well, he managed to eat all of that.”

“Good.” Tamzin poked the dying embers so that the flames began to rise once more. “And you? What are you going to do?”

Jenna seated herself on the worn armchair, her voice choking as she tried to speak. “I can’t…” she started, emotion overwhelming her. “I can’t, Tamzin, I love him.”

“This is not love. It’s just infatuation, infatuation with the romantic and different life this man leads. But think of this, Jenna, think of father. He needs you. A scandal like this may…” she trailed off sadly.

“What? A scandal like this may what?” Jenna stood up, the flush heat of rage overwhelming her.

“May be the end of him,” Tamzin said at last. “Mother’s death almost crippled him. Losing you to a man we know little of, who wants to take you away from your family and all you’ve ever known, could kill papa.”

Jenna leaned against the wall to try and steady herself as the feeling of faintness swept over her body. She knew her sister was right. She knew duty called. How could she leave with father so ill like this? How could she tear her family apart? Tears overwhelmed her as she unsteadily made her way to the chair and sat down.

“You’re right,” she blurted out, hardly able to speak the words as the sobs engulfed her. Tamzin poured a tumbler of her father’s whisky and handed it to Jenna. She took it in shaking hands. “But I can’t tell him, I can’t tell Jack. You must tell him for me. Please, I beg of you, go to him and tell him that father is ill and for that reason and only that reason I am ending things. I can’t face him.”

Tamzin shrugged hesitantly.

“Please,” Jenna begged, her eyes imploring.

Tamzin nodded. “You’re doing the right and honorable thing. Over time you will look back upon this episode in your life and realize you made the right decision.”

Jenna gulped down the remaining whiskey, the liquid tasting harsh, burning her throat. She reached around her neck and pulled out the gold locket containing her mother’s picture. “Don’t argue with me on this, Tamzin. Please do as I say and then we can forget this whole sorry episode. I want you to go to Jack and I want you to explain what has happened. I want you to give him this locket and tell him I love him and to always keep this close to his heart as a remembrance of me.”

“But Jenna, this is mother’s locket.”

“Please, Tamzin. Promise me you will do this for me. If you place any value on love you will do it for me willingly.”

Tamzin nodded, taking the glittering necklace in her hands. “I will.” She smoothed back her sister’s hair. “I promise you will be pleased you made this decision. You must trust me on this.”

Chapter Fourteen

Dusk began to settle over the countryside as Tamzin strode with confidence towards the edge of the quarry and the small shed where she knew Jack would be waiting for her younger sister. He would be surprised to see her instead and further more surprised Jenna would be ending their relationship and not the other way around. She clasped the locket firmly in her palm, all the while debating as to whether she should hand over such a precious family heirloom to a man she deemed no better than a womanizing scoundrel.

Entering through the low door, she saw him seated on the bench. He looked up at her, a flicker of recognition crossing his handsome features, a questioning look in his eyes.

“Jenna?” His tone was full of concern. “Where is she? Is she well?”

“Quite well, Sir Jack.”

“Then why is she not here? What is going on?”

Tamzin cast her gaze over his face. Even in the dim light of the building, she could well understand why her younger, naïve sister fell for his grandiose ideas of a new life in America. His face held a transparency of emotion. Either he felt genuinely concerned for Jenna, or he boasted an excellent acting ability.

Tamzin steeled herself to deliver the news. News she at first felt pleased to deliver. Now, hesitancy overcame her. In an effort to find inner strength, she cast her mind over the past experiences of love with aristocracy she encountered. All were tales of heartache and of families torn apart. Charming and handsome aristocrats who found it entertaining to revel in the arms of an innocent country girl, only to tire once the virginal flesh gave up resistance. She felt certain her sister’s future with her dashing aristocrat would end in the same tragic manner.
It may hurt now,
she told herself, but eventually Jenna would understand she acted for her future protection.

“Jenna asked me to come on her behalf. Her circumstances have changed and she cannot see you again.”

“Changed? How? Why?”

“As you are aware, she is due to marry in a couple of weeks. She wishes to go ahead with that marriage as planned.”

“But…but I don’t understand. We had planned to…” His voice trailed off as Tamzin gazed directly into his eyes.

“You planned to what? Go to America? Take her away from her family? Ask her to give up everything she’s ever known? You may have been able to influence my naïve sister with your tales of love and adventure, but you don’t fool me. I know your type Sir Jack. I know all too well of men like you and the heartache such love eventually brings.” A fire formed in her belly, anger at the thought of Jenna being enticed to a foreign land, only to be discarded once the initial novelty wore off.

“Can I see her? At least let me see her one more time.”

She shook her head.

“Please, I beg of you. I have to see her.”

“She is busy. Father contracted a slight cold and she is taking care of him. She expressed no desire to speak with you again. She only asked you never contact her again. She did, however want me to give you this.” Tamzin begrudgingly opened her palm and handed him the necklace. “I think she feels guilty that perhaps her feelings for you were not as strong as you thought. This belonged to my mother. Even if it means little to you, please take care of it.”

Jack’s brows furrowed, perplexed as he held the cold metal between his fingers. Tamzin’s steely resolve crumbled as she noticed his eyes glisten with emotion. She wished to leave before he questioned her further. There would be nothing left to say. Nothing left to offer. She carried out what she knew to be right. In a few months time her sister would thank her and Tamzin would once again keep her family intact.

“Tamzin.” His voice choked with emotion. “Will you do one thing for me?”

She gritted her teeth and nodded.

“Tell Jenna I love her.”

* * * *

Lady Emmeline climbed the large sweeping flight of stairs leading to the upper bedrooms. Jack’s trunk lay open outside his bedroom, his array of silk ties and waistcoats already folded neatly inside. She knocked softly on the door.

“Come in.” His voice sounded sleepy.

“I’m sorry, were you napping?” She entered with the glass of brandy she poured for him. As she stepped inside, she noticed him standing in front of the window, leaning against the pane. He turned to her, the dark circles under his eyes pronounced. “You look unwell.” She handed him the tumbler of brandy.

“Not unwell, just tired. I have a lot to tend to before I leave tomorrow.”

“I am sorry you are cutting your stay short with us. Are you sure you have to go to London? Can you not conduct your business via Cornwall?”

Jack shook his head. “It would take too long and I am due to leave for America in a month.”

“Will you be back to Penrose House before you board the ship?”

Jack gave a tired smile. “I’ll try.”

Emmeline hovered in the cold bedroom. She would be sorry to see Jack leave. This business he needed to attend to in London came completely out of the blue. Obviously, there was some woman there he wished to see. From past experience, men rarely made sudden trips unless some fanciful lady extended an invitation. Why! He didn’t even wish to stay at the Penrose’s London home.

“Well, at least you’ll be here for the Countess of Devon’s dinner this evening.” She tried hard to harness the venom she felt for the meddling woman. “God knows I need all the moral support I can muster when I have to deal with that dreadful work of art!”

“I wouldn’t miss an evening with her for all the tea in China. Are you sure you have enough food and wine in for her. She has a hearty appetite from what I hear.”

“Hearty is an understatement. The woman is a gluttonous swine. Oh! I do sound awful don’t I? Well, why don’t you try and have a catnap? Dinner is at seven.”

* * * *

The Countess of Devon pulled up to Penrose house and descended from her lavish coach, her rotund figure ensconced in a fine brocade golden frock laden down with frills and bows.

“Good, God!” Lord Edwin whispered to Lady Emmeline. “She rather resembles a Christmas fairy, does she not?”

Emmeline stifled a smile as she greeted the flushed, rosy pink countess, taking her clammy hand in hers and leading her into the grand foyer of the manor. “I hope you had a pleasant trip down here, countess?” She prepared herself for the tirade of dramatic negativity the countess would surely pour forth in reply.

“Pah! Pleasant? I tell you, Lady Emmeline, I love to come and visit you and your magnificent home, but these old bones are getting too tired for such excursions. I think henceforth my body cannot take such trips south of the Tamar.”

Hope swept through Emmeline.
Thank goodness
, she thought, catching her husband’s smile of relief. Perhaps this will be the last time I shall have to entertain the gossipy old crow.

“I am so sorry to hear of that,” she lied, taking a glass of champagne from the silver tray of the butler and handing it to the countess. “Come, Cook has laid out a delicious spread. I’m sure you’re ravenous after such a long and arduous trip.”

“Well, yes, I am.” The countess drank the contents of the glass and nimbly reached for another. “But first I have to, just positively have to become acquainted with that rather famous and adventurous cousin of yours, Sir Jack Bartholomew. His exploits overseas have been the talk of the country. In fact, he has become a rather eligible bachelor. Tell me, have you mentioned the beauty of my daughter Phillippa to him yet, Lord Edwin?”

Edwin shook his head. I’m afraid my nephew took a painful migraine this afternoon and retired upstairs to try and sleep it off before your arrival. Shall I go and check on him, Emmeline?”

“No, no, no darling.” Emmeline handed the countess yet another glass of champagne. “You stay here and regale the countess with your usual charm. I shall pop up and check on Jack.”

Emmeline rushed off, heaving a sigh of relief at being spared the countess’s company for at least a few minutes. She walked swiftly down the cold corridor and listened outside Jack’s room for any sound of movement. Knocking, she entered the room slowly to hear the soft sounds of Jack’s snores. He laid beneath the covers, fast asleep, a half drunken bottle of whiskey beside his bed. She crinkled up her forehead.
’Tis not like Jack to drink alone
, she thought worriedly, moving over to retrieve the bottle from the bedside table. She picked it up and took a rather unladylike swig herself. The strong liquid burned its way down her throat.

”Urgh,” she said quietly, trying not to wake the sleeping man. As she laid the bottle back down on the rich oak table, a glint of gold caught her eye.

Hesitantly, the familiarity of the cold metal entwined in her fingers. Her hand shook as she opened the locket to see the face of the beautiful young woman looking back at her. Running her fingers over the miniature portrait, she heard the voices from her past ringing in her thoughts.

“Promise me, Emmeline. Promise me as my beloved and only sister that you will take care of them. Take care of the child as you would your own.” The voice pleading, choked and raspy as he gave his final orders, thrusting the locket into her hands and ordering her to have it delivered to the rightful recipient.

“Isabel,” she whispered. “Oh, William.” The sudden realization of what happened filled her with dread. “I fear this is an awful case of history repeating itself, the sad history of unrequited love and broken hearts that has pervaded this family's bloodline all these years.”

So Jenna was the cause of Jack’s sudden departure. How could she have been so foolish not to have seen it? Jack’s over concern for the servant, his inability to stay in the same room as her whenever she served them, his late afternoon disappearances. Now he intended make a hasty departure to London far away from the moors, the mines and Jenna. And Jenna? What happened to her? Had Jack defiled her servant in any way? She fought so hard to protect Jenna from her husband’s lascivious gazes, but she didn’t think she would have to fear for her from Jack. She thought back to the promise she made to her brother as he lay dying that cold, snowy winter’s afternoon. The revelations he made of Jenna’s true birthright was no surprise to Emmeline. She noted the resemblance of her family’s aristocratic features in the girl from birth, marred only by the dark, wild, coloring of her mother, Isabel.

“Does Mr. Penworthy know of this?” Emmeline had asked.

William had shaken his head.

“And anyone else?” Emmeline had been concerned of the scandal it could have on their family.

William shook his head again. “We managed to keep our affair secret for all these years, whilst I went about my life and Isabel went about hers. It was so different than the lives we should have been living had society and father not burdened us with different classes.”

Emmeline took his hand in hers as he fought for his last breath. There were so many questions, nearly all unanswered as he started to slip away from life. “William, the other daughters, are they yours?”

“Isabel and I were lovers before she married.” Tears filled his eyes. “She wanted me to leave with her, some grand ideas about eloping to Italy together and living out our life in sin. She was so full of life, but I quenched everything. I stayed dutiful to our father’s wishes and left her for London. When I heard she would marry Tom Penworthy, I felt happy. He seemed a decent fellow. I knew he would make a fine husband for her and keep her close by me. She never forgave me. For ten years, she never spoke a word in my direction, ignoring my presence on the rare occasions I returned to Cornwall. She concentrated all her efforts on rearing the two daughters she and her husband sired together and being a fine wife to Tom. But the feelings we harbored for each other ran too deep to be denied and repressed for all those years. Finally, she came back to me in the secret hours of the nighttime. We would weep together for what my duty as heir and benefactor to the Carlyon family estate cost us.” William trailed off, the emotion of a life lost halting his ability to speak.

“And Jenna?” Emmeline urged softly. “She is the result of this reunion?”

William nodded, the breath now coming in heavy rasps. “She is but a small child. She knows nothing of this. She will live her life with a good father who knows no different and she is never to be told. But you must promise me you will watch over her, take her into your employment and make sure her mother is cared for well. Promise me, Emmeline. It is my last and dying wish.”

Emmeline sobbed, indicating she would make sure his wishes were carried out as William took his last and final breath, his hand still touching the locket she held. And now she once again held the golden locket, the etching on the front worn down over the years, the miniature of Isabel faded somewhat.

Sir Jack stirred in his sleep, interrupting her memories. Quietly, she placed Jenna’s mother’s locket back on the table and left the bedroom. She did not want Jack to wake. She did not want him, nor her illegitimate niece, to know of the secret she just found out. It was obvious their future together had been denied just like Isabel and William’s.

Emmeline sighed forlornly. She was adamant Jenna would not succumb to the same tragic, broken hearted death as Isabel, not if she could help it. She made a promise to her brother, a promise she would carry out to the bitter end.

* * * *

“Well, I think that went off exceedingly well.” Lord Edwin tried in earnest to button up the silk smoking jacket stretching uncomfortably across his large belly.