The Gold Miner's Wife: A Young Woman's Story of Romance, Passion and Murder (21 page)

Their delayed departure was finally accomplished on January 3
rd
.  The men got an early start, taking the 8:00 a.m. train to Kansas City.  Things were back on schedule.  Somehow they would have to find a way to make up for the precious time they lost with all due haste.

Jack recalled the day he shocked his family in Connecticut with the announcement that he was moving west.  He wanted adventure, wanted to seek his fortune and find his own path.  Well, he had certainly found adventure – a complicated murder investigation that now spanned two continents.  Be careful what you wish for, he thought.

              That detective Cookson and Jack would travel all the way to England had Susannah on edge.  She had not seen Jack since their evening together in November; he had made her feel so alive again that night.  Would their connection soon be rekindled?  Would they be able to build on their relationship and further it?  She was anxious to see Jack, knew he would be straightforward and honest, but she was apprehensive all the same about what he might tell her.  She hated the uncertainty. 

The next few days passed quietly enough at Larkspur with the ladies resolved to be watchful but to continue on as they normally would.  There were no unexpected callers and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.  The topic of the missing telegram had been exhausted and was no longer discussed.  They contented themselves indoors with embroidery and reading, card games, dominoes and tea.  As had become her habit,
Catori put on her half-boots, gloves and wool cape and took a turn about the estate most afternoons to observe the starlings.  Susannah retrieved her sketchbook from the Saratoga trunk, and labored over a few unfinished projects with renewed interest.  It greatly pleased Lady Alice to see her granddaughter’s enthusiasm for her artistic talent slowly returning. 

             
On January 6
th
Edward Mansfield paid them all a visit in the mid-afternoon.  He was ushered into the drawing room where he found Lady Alice and Susannah at home.

             
Lady Alice was seated near the window.  “Edward!” she gushed.  “How delighted we are to see you.”

             
“Lady Alice,” he greeted her heartily with a slight bow.  “And my dear Susannah,” he said as he took her outstretched hand and bestowed a kiss.

             
“How nice it is to see you, Edward,” was Susannah’s greeting.  His hair was tussled from the invigorating ride, his cheeks red.  He loosened his scarf and stepped closer to the fire, rubbing his hands together. 

             
“I had hoped to call on you sooner,” he said, “as I have not yet had the opportunity to wish you, Lady Alice, a Happy New Year.”

             
“Thank you, Edward, and to you and Charlotte as well,” she replied.  “1877!  I can hardly believe it!  Where is Charlotte?” she then asked.

             
“She remains at home today as I came on horseback,” he said.  “I am on my way to Stoke-on-Trent.”  The business he had to conduct there was particularly galling.  With creditors nipping at his heels, it was only the beginning of the New Year and already he was selling off more of his flock to pay the most pressing bills.  The timing was wretched.  The ewes were pregnant and soon it would be lambing season – more income lost.  Further, a reduced flock meant a smaller income from the precious wool that would be shorn in June.  Bankruptcy loomed; the thought brought him up short.  His pursuit of Susannah acquired an even greater urgency.

             
“Well, I have some exciting news for you to share with Charlotte.  There is to be a wedding!  Miss Parker and Mr. Griswold have set the date for their nuptials.  It is to be June 10
th
!” exclaimed Lady Alice.

             
“I will be sure to let her know,” he said.  “It pleases her greatly when I can return home with a bit of gossip.”

             
“Oh, there is nothing like a wedding to bring happiness to the neighborhood,” she beamed.  “It gives everyone something to look forward to.”  Then, changing the subject she added, “You look very handsome today, Edward.”

“Why Lady Alice, are you flirting with me?” he teased.

“Susannah gave me a full report of
your
evening together.  She had such a lovely time at the ball and confessed to me that you were a most attentive escort.”  This news pleased him tremendously.  But Susannah blushed.  “Grandmamma!” she exclaimed.

             
“I am glad to hear it,” said Edward to Lady Alice.  “It was a splendid evening.  The musicians played the new Johann Strauss waltz,
Vienna Blood
.  Susannah was the loveliest woman there and made great use of her dancing shoes.”

             
“Edward, please, you will make me blush,” Susannah protested.

             
“I am sure Edward speaks the truth, dear,” said her grandmother.

             
“Edward, may I offer you some refreshment?  Perhaps a glass of brandy to fortify you on this cold afternoon?” Susannah asked in an attempt to change the subject.

             
“Why a glass of brandy would be just the thing,” he said.  “It is rather brisk out today.”  He watched as she stood and gracefully walked toward the sideboard.  How radiant she looked today he thought, her hair swept upward into an array of soft curls.  Her gown was a pale peach, with long sleeves and a slight bustle.  The color suited her.  The square cut neckline and form-fitting bodice flattered the swell of her bosom.  She filled a glass with the amber liquid and brought it to him, her fingers lightly brushing his as he accepted it from her. 

             
“Thank you,” he said, holding her gaze. 

             
“Please, won’t you sit with us?” Susannah asked, motioning to him. 

             
He sat near her and sipped his brandy.  “Have you had any news from Denver, Susannah?” he probed innocently.  “Or your friend Mr. Simmons?”

             
“Unfortunately, no,” said Susannah quite firmly.  Lady Alice started to speak, but hesitated and discreetly allowed the moment to pass.  This was followed by awkward silence. Edward noticed Susannah’s sketchbook on the nearby table. 

             
“Are you sketching again?” he asked her.  She nodded in reply.  “May I look?” he asked, reaching for the book. 

             
“Of course,” she replied.  “The images are rough, a little more than ideas really.”

             
“As always you are too modest,” he said as he thumbed the pages.  “Squirrels, cats, a Chinese vase.  This one is your flower garden in Denver, I think.  These are all exquisite.”

             
“They need more work,” said Susannah.

             
“I am glad to see you doing what you find so enjoyable once again,” he said honestly as he handed the sketchbook back to her. 

“Yes,” she agreed.  “When I concentrate on my work, well, it helps me think about other things.”

“I understand,” he said.  He sipped the last of his brandy, placed the glass on the table and rose.

             
“Ladies, I must be going if I am to reach home again before dark.  Thank you for the brandy and the excellent company.”

             
“Please come to tea on Friday,” said Lady Alice.  “And bring Charlotte.”

             
“We would be delighted, Lady Alice,” he said.

             
“Please allow me to walk you out,” said Susannah, surprising him as he gathered his cape and gloves.

             
As they slowly made their way to the foyer, Susannah revealed her worries.  “I have been distracted these past few days,” she said.

             
Edward raised a brow.  “Oh?” he said.  “How so?”

             
“It seems a telegram was delivered here to me but mysteriously disappeared before I had a chance to read it,” she said candidly.  She held his gaze, searched his face, tried to read his expression that he might betray some prior knowledge of it.  But Edward carefully schooled his features.

             
“That is odd,” he responded.  “Any idea who may have sent it?”

             
“No,” she lied.  “It arrived the night of the ball, New Year’s Eve.”

             
“Perhaps someone from Denver wishing you happiness in the New Year?” he speculated.

             
“Perhaps,” was all she said in reply.

             
“It seems to me that if someone sent you an important telegram of great urgency but had no reply from you, then that person would be inclined to send you another telegram,” he observed, his tone a trifle dry.

             
“I would have to agree with your reasoning,” she affirmed.

             
“So, evidently, the message your telegram contained was not terribly urgent,” he said convincingly.  “Still, for it to have vanished
would
be unsettling.  I can hardly credit it,” he mused.  He drew his cape about his shoulders and secured his scarf, then turned to face her.

             
“Susannah,” he said quietly, “you must not worry so.  I am here.  If there is anything you need, I am at your disposal.  You can rely on me.”

             
“I know,” she answered.  “You have been a loyal friend; in Denver, and then to grandmother, it’s just…”

             
He fingered a loose tendril of her hair and placed it behind her ear, then tipped her chin upward as he drew nearer.  “I want to be far more than that if you would only let me,” he said, as his lips brushed hers with a tender, feather-light kiss.  “Your lips, they are as soft as flower petals,” he whispered, kissing her again. 

“Please, Edward,” she said, pulling away.  “I am your friend and hope I will always be so.  I cannot promise more than that.”

“You know I adore you, Susannah, and would take care of you and your dear grandmother.  End this loneliness for both of us.  Let me be part of your life.  Marry me,” he said insistently.

             
“Please Edward, do not ask me.  You know I have found it very difficult to move forward, and with my grandmother’s recent illness, well, it is too much to contemplate.”

             
“You have been through quite an ordeal,” he said smoothly.  “But you need not continue on alone.  Think about my offer, Susannah.  You could return to your artwork and not have to worry – I could easily watch over your investments, ease your burden.  These business responsibilities only weigh you down.  I give you my word you would not be disappointed.  Please think on it,” he said as he stepped out into the cold. 

“Thank you for coming Edward,” she said. 

“Until Friday then,” he said in farewell as he pivoted and strolled away.

Edward knew he had Susannah’s friendship and was convinced he had her trust.  He had made his feelings for her quite clear, yet again.  Stubborn wretch.  Time was running short.  If he could not persuade her soon to accept his suit with flattery and pretty words, he would need to employ more persuasive measures.  He would visit again on Friday, and perhaps could achieve his goal with the support of Lady Alice.  She would champion his cause. 

              Lady Alice was effusive in her praise of Edward when Susannah returned to the drawing room.  “Edward is so pleasant,” she began.  “He seemed to be in high spirits, as always.”

             
“Yes, I suppose,” said Susannah absently as she returned to her seat.

             
“You know what I think?” said her grandmother.

             
“No, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me,” Susannah answered.

             
“I think Edward Mansfield is in love with you!” she proclaimed, her eyes sparkling.  “What do you think of that?  He pays you a great compliment with his endless attentions to you.”

             
“I do not wish to disappoint anyone Grandmamma, but I do not love Edward.  I admire him, but admiration is not love,” she said firmly.  She thought about what he had said only moments ago.  Was it a proposal of marriage or a business deal?

             
“How do you know you do not love him?  Have you given him a chance?” asked Lady Alice.

             
“Of course I have.  Ours is an old friendship.  But I do not feel, you know,
that way
, with him,” she answered confidently.

             
“And you are sure about these feelings?”

             
“Quite sure, Grandmamma,” she said with a tone of finality.

             
“Well, I shall not press you further, my child.  You know best.  It is a shame however, given that he adores you so.”

*****

              Lady Alice loved her afternoon teas.  They added an enhanced sense of civility to her orderly world.  She enjoyed engaging in pleasant conversation with lively company.  It was such an agreeable way to pass a cold, winter afternoon.  But Edward could not share her enthusiasm and when Friday finally came, he found himself no closer to winning his stubborn prize.  Susannah attentively served his tea, he liked it clear, with one sugar.  But she did not indulge his fantasies or encourage his awareness of her.  There had been one or two others whose fortunes had interested him, but he had rolled the dice on Susannah and cleared a pathway to allow their connection to blossom.  Her recalcitrance put him off.  He had much invested in his scheme and had gone to a great deal of trouble.  It was too late to end the pursuit now.  Seated in a well-stuffed chair, he listened as the endless chatter of the ladies swirled around him.