Compromised Hearts (32 page)

“I suppose Harper told you all of it,” Dorothy said tremulously after Giorsal and Skye moved away.

“He certainly did.” Emily saw no reason to hide her disgust.

“I was wrong, I know it, but regret cannot bring Harper back to me.”

There seemed to be a lack of sincerity in Dorothy’s tearful words, but Emily told herself not to be petty. Dorothy had hurt Harper, but Emily was determined not to let that taint her words or thoughts. In a way, Emily felt she ought to be grateful for Dorothy’s actions, for they had freed Harper.

“No, it can’t. I hope you weren’t thinking I would help you in such an aim.”

“No, I don’t think that and I would never ask it of you.”

Not sure she believed that, Emily asked,

“Then what is it you want?”

“Harper left in such a hurry he left a few things behind.”

“He told me that everything was to be yours.”

“Which is more generous than anyone could have expected, but these things I speak of are truly his alone.”

“Do you want me to tell him to come and collect them?”

“No, I think it’s best if Harper and I don’t see each other. I was hoping you would come and get them. It isn’t much. You can take them back home with you.”

Emily sighed. She did not really want to prolong the meeting. On the other hand, she felt it was probably best if she collected the things. Harper had very little and, Emily was sure, he did not want to see Dorothy. He had been somewhat reluctant even to come into town.

“All right, I’ll come get them. Just let me tell Skye and Giorsal what I’m about.”

“Is there really a need? They can see that you’re just coming with me.”

“It will only take a minute.” Emily moved towards Skye and Giorsal. “I’m just going with Dorothy for a moment,” Emily told them. “She has a few things of Harper’s.”

“More than a few,” grumbled Giorsal. “I dinnae like it.”

“Well, I’m not too fond of spending much time with the woman either, but better me
than Harper. I won’t be long,” she said as she started off.

“I still dinnae like it,” Giorsal mumbled as she watched Emily leave.

“Neither do I.” Skye frowned deeply. “Yet, what harm can there be in it?”

“I dinnae ken, but I cannae shake the feeling that it’s trouble, pure trouble.”

“Well, if she’s not back soon, we’ll tell the men. Better to be thought alarmist than to sit quietly telling ourselves not to worry too much, that there can’t be anything dangerous about Emily going off with Dorothy.”

As she walked with Dorothy, Emily kept telling herself that the uneasiness she felt was simply because she and Dorothy had never gotten along. She feared some awkward questions about Harper or, worse, finding herself in the middle of an awkward situation and any attempt at reconciliation between Dorothy and Harper was sure to be very awkward.

Following Dorothy into the house and up the stairs, Emily covertly looked around. She had lived in the house for weeks but saw it through clearer eyes now. It was indeed nothing but a display of all Dorothy felt would reveal her wealth and place in what passed for society in Lockridge. Emily could not help but compare it to Wolfe’s place, which was still somewhat rough and haphazardly furnished. In comparison, Dorothy’s prized home came in second to the
warmth and welcome one felt at Wolfe’s.

All thoughts of how she would decorate the home Cloud was building for them fled Emily’s mind as they stepped into the guestroom. Dorothy’s pleasant expression suddenly changed to a triumphant sneer. Just as Emily wondered what trick the woman meant to play, she heard the door shut tightly behind her. Whirling around, Emily gaped. Leaning against the door was Thomas Chilton, and to his left stood a smug-looking Catrina.

Dorothy scowled at Catrina. “What’s she doing here?”

“She’s a witness,” Chilton replied.

“I thought I was the witness,” Dorothy said.

“You are, but you were mostly the lure. Too many people know why Harper left you and you’ve made your dislike of Emily too clear. That hurts your credibility. A second witness was needed.”

“What is going on here?” Emily fought to maintain a air of calm.

“It’s time to pay the piper, darling.”

“I am not your darling, Mr. Chilton, nor is there any need I can think of for me to pay the piper.”

“You jilted me.”

“Hardly. The engagement you claimed was but an arrangement between you, Dorothy, and Harper. I hadn’t agreed to it. I cannot jilt a man I never said I would marry.” She
did not like the way he smiled and looked at Dorothy. “Any trouble?”

“None, although she did tell that half-breed sister of the Ryders and that strange Scot where she was going.”

“That’s no real problem, although I would’ve preferred it otherwise. Still, they won’t even begin to fret over her before we’re done. After all, she’s with you, her dear sister-in-law.”

“Dorothy was never my dear anything, and they all know it. They will find it easy to be suspicious of her if I’m gone too long.” Emily tried hard, but she could not think of what they might be planning. “I suggest you let me go.”

“Oh, we intend to let you go—afterwards.”

“After what, Dorothy?” The smile on Dorothy’s face chilled Emily to the bone.

“After I have had what was denied to me,” Chilton said as he straightened up. “After I have done to Cloud Ryder what he has done to me. You and I are going to have a turn between the sheets, my dear.”

Emily did not think or hesitate. She bolted for the door even though Chilton still stood in front of her. As he reached for her, she swung at him with her parasol. He cursed viciously as it broke against his shoulder. Although she succeeded in moving him, Emily had barely touched the latch when Dorothy and Catrina grabbed her. Before she
could break free, Chilton was there to help the women drag her toward the bed.

Despite knowing that she was badly outnumbered and that it was probably useless, Emily fought like a madwoman. She found little joy in the curses and howls that told her she was inflicting some pain, for she was not gaining the freedom she so desperately sought. Curses she had learned from Cloud flowed from her mouth as she struggled fruitlessly against being secured to the bed. It was very hard not to weep when she found herself tied by the wrists and ankles to the four posts of the bed, she and her three captors badly tossled and breathing heavily. Despite her deep fear, she glared at them.

“So, you have decided to add rape to your many crimes, have you, Mr. Chilton?”

“Rape? No, my dear, you will accommodate me willingly.”

“Like hell I will.”

“Tsk, tsk. You begin to sound like your rough backwoods husband.”

“Who will kill you for this.”

“I think not, for it will mean he will face a murder charge.”

“No judge will convict him for shooting the man who raped his wife.”

“But it will not be rape. I have witnesses to vouch for your willingness.”

Glancing at the two women Emily understood Chilton’s claim. Her blood ran cold as she realized that, not only did she face rape but she would have little hope of gaining any
justice against the perpetrator of the crime. With two women supporting Chilton’s claim that she had been willing, Emily doubted any judge would heed her otherwise. He would probably simply think her a lover. That also meant that Chilton was right when he said that if Cloud killed him it would be seen as murder. Cloud would probably find himself with as little defense as she.

“You are most assuredly mad if you think you can get away with this.”

“Nonsense,” Chilton said coolly as he took off his coat and began to undo his vest. “I’ve thought this all out very carefully.” He glanced at Dorothy and Catrina. “Are you ladies intending to stay?”

The very thought of such a possibility turned Emily’s stomach and it was a struggle to keep from gagging. She would never have thought there could be anything as appalling as being raped. Now she knew differently. It would be far more appalling to have people watching and gloating over her shame. She could not feel confident that the two women who had helped Chilton had the sensitivity to turn away. “I’m staying,” Dorothy said softly. “Well, I’m not. After all"—Catrina smiled and kissed Chilton’s cheek—"watching you, darling, would undoubtedly make me very hungry for your attentions myself, and there is no time for that now. Later, at my place, we can gloat and celebrate this triumph.” “You two are lovers?”

Something in Dorothy’s tone of voice pulled Emily from the grip of fear and horror long enough to pay attention to what was going on around her. That Chilton and Catrina were lovers was clearly a surprise to Dorothy and not a pleasant one either, Emily mused, judging by the look on the woman’s face. A flicker of hope pierced Emily’s despair. Chilton’s plan required cooperation between the women. It looked to Emily as if that was soon to be lost. Neither woman was the sort to appreciate sharing what she had.

“Of course we are.” Catrina placed a possessive hand on Chilton’s arm. “Cloud came between us once, but Thomas and I have resolved our differences and are together again. I don’t see that it should matter to you.”

“No? He’s my lover too.”

Both woman glared at Chilton. Emily thought he looked briefly discomforted but could not be sure. She could only hope that he lacked the skill to soothe both women and thus keep his plan viable. Emily knew that the greater the rift that developed, the better it would be for her. So too would an argument waste time, allowing her friends more time to worry and, perhaps, to decide to come looking for her. It was a small chance, but it was all she had.

“Thomas, explain yourself.”

“Cat, what is there to explain? And what does all this matter now? We’re in reach of
a goal we all seek. Shall we let petty quarrels destroy our chance at revenge?”

Catrina looked to be thinking that one over. Dorothy did not looked soothed, however. In fact, the look on Dorothy’s face chilled Emily, even though the woman’s precarious emotional balance could work to her advantage. She was not sure, however, that a complete collapse by Dorothy would be good for anyone, and Emily sensed that Dorothy was very close to just that. There was a wild, frightening look in the woman’s eyes.

“You used me.”

“No more than you used me, darling. Shall we get on with this?” Chilton yanked off his vest.

“I thought we would be getting married.”

The look that flashed over Chilton’s face revealed all too clearly that that conclusion had been solely Dorothy’s. “You are still married to Harper, I believe.”

“And he’s going to marry me, aren’t you, Thomas?” Catrina gloated.

Chilton did not answer immediately and Emily knew that the man had no intention of marrying either woman. If the situation was not so precarious, Emily suspected she would have found some enjoyment in the situation Chilton now found himself in. The man would soon pay for what had clearly been a very busy winter.

“It seems he was using you too, Catrina,” Dorothy said.

“What does all that matter?” Chilton said. “We’re all getting what we want—a chance to strike at Cloud Ryder.”

“What does it matter?” screeched Dorothy. “I lost my husband because of you. The whole town is laughing at me.”

“You imagine it. Besides, what do you care about your husband?”

“I became your lover to save him from losing everything.”

“You became my lover to save your jewelry, your crystal, and your silver. You also had yourself a fine old time.”

“I will ruin you.”

“About this? I think not. You say one word against me and I will implicate you without compunction.”

“Implicate me? How?”

“You were the one who led Emily here.”

“He has you there, Mrs. Brockinger.”

Catrina was clearly gloating but it was the truth of her words that worried Emily. There had been a break in the alliance, but Chilton’s words could well mend it. Dorothy was one who would consider her own safety over anything else. Chilton had just shown her how clearly her rebellion was putting her at risk. When the mud slinging started, Dorothy would find herself as splattered as the other two. Emily was sure Dorothy would never risk that.

Looking at Dorothy made Emily’s convictions waver slightly. She could not feel certain that Dorothy was thinking rationally,
nor that it would do her any good if she was. Abruptly, Dorothy left the room.

“What happens now, Thomas?”

“We continue, my dear Catrina.”

“Are you sure that’s wise? Dorothy can’t be counted on any longer.”

“She can be counted on to keep her mouth shut. Dorothy won’t want her name blackened. She’s had a taste of that since her husband walked out on her. I meant it when I said I’d take her down with me and she knows it.” He looked at Emily. “And now, my dear, where were we?”

“You were about to do something that is certain to get you killed.” Emily was glad that her terror did not reveal itself in her voice, for she did not want to give Chilton the pleasure of knowing she was afraid.

“As I told you, Cloud will face murder charges. He’ll know that.”

“He just might not care.” She smiled when he hesitated. “Or he might find a way to make you pay that won’t dirty his hands—just as you’ve thought of how to commit this crime and get away with it, so can Cloud think of a way to make you pay and get away with it.”

She knew by the look on his face that she had given Chilton pause for thought. Catrina looked terrified. When Chilton’s face hardened again, Emily knew she had lost. The man had enough arrogance to think he need not worry.

“I’ve decided this was a stupid plan,”

Catrina said suddenly, and headed for the door.

Grabbing her by the arm, Chilton hissed, “And where do you think you’re going?”

“Away from here. She’s right. Cloud Ryder won’t swallow this insult quietly or meekly. Law or no law, he’ll see us pay.”

“You always were clever, Catrina.”

Emily joined Catrina and Chilton in gaping at the man standing in the doorway. She had been so intent upon the quarreling lovers she had not heard anyone approach. Standing behind Cloud in the doorway were Skye and Giorsal and the men. Seeing Cloud and knowing that she was safe brought Emily close to tears.