Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

He would have to resort to other means. Jenkins should have returned by now with the news that he had relieved James Henshaw of the money he had borrowed from the moneylender. He had instructed his man to even kill the lad, if no other method presented itself. He didn’t need her brother forever looking over their shoulders when Jewelene was his.

If Jimmy lived through the encounter, at the very least he would be relieved of his funds. They would no longer be in a position to enter their horse, and they would owe principal and interest beyond their ability to pay. He would have them right where he wanted them both, for no matter what she threatened he knew Jewelene would never allow her brother to be taken off to debtors’ prison.

Jewelene was his chosen bride. She would bear his name and his children, and he would teach her to love him. What she needed was taming. She had been allowed to run amuck for too long.

Taming, that was the ticket, and he was just the man to do it, one way or another—and unlike in The Taming of the Shrew, he did not mean to confuse her into submission by telling her the moon was the sun. He meant to do it quickly, with a swift, hard hand, and where her bruises would not show …

Fourteen

BEN CLAY ASKED first for Jewelene and then added hesitatingly, “ … and Miss Elizabeth?”

“Miss Jewelene has gone out for a walk, but Miss Elizabeth is in the library …”

“I know the way, Stanton, thank you.” Ben smiled broadly, pleased to think he might have a few moments alone with the woman of his dreams.

What he found there was sweet Elizabeth fretting over a handkerchief as she paced to and fro near the hearth.

“What is it?” he said, going towards her.

“Don’t come near me …” was the response that he received.

He stood very still and frowned. “What is it, my love?”

“Oh do not—please do not play such games with me. It is cruel, and it is beneath you.”

He went to her then, but she scurried away, wagging a finger, and said, “I know … I know all about you and some French tart at your club …”

He pulled himself erect. He was presently in a predicament. He did not know how she came by her information, but there was little he could do without betraying Jewelene’s secret. He said, however, “Whatever you have heard is simply not true.”

“It is no use lying to me … I know … I even know she is called Babette. Apparently everyone knows that you and she … are … I … I want you to leave me alone.”

“It grieves me that you would think so ill of me as to believe I would court you while involved with another. It in fact, hurts me to the quick. I do not lie to you when I say that there is no one but you in my mind, my heart, my life—”

“How can I believe you …?” she cut in fretfully. “She works for you, does she not?”

“In a manner of speaking …” he said evasively.

He knew that he did not sound convincing. Her lashes flickered, and sadness filled her eyes as she challenged him, asking, “Very well then, what if I were to ask Jimmy about this Babette—would he say that you and she are … lovers?”

“How should I know what that pup would say?” As soon as the words were out, he knew it was the wrong answer.

A vase flew across the room and hit the wall. He was shocked, and he could see that Elizabeth had surprised herself. He had not hitherto believed she was capable of such passion. He was both upset and intrigued.

“Out … I can’t bear to look at you,” she said, sobbing.

He pulled himself erect, now no longer intrigued but hurt. “I was obviously mistaken—I thought you knew me … I had hoped you cared for me.” He turned and left the house in somewhat of a daze.

*

Jewelene, a short distance away and on horseback, witnessed his departure. She waved but was unable to catch his eye. After she put away her horse, she entered the house and peeked in at the library. There she found Lizzie in her mother’s arms and thought perhaps her cousin had been trying to convince her of Ben’s worth.

She sighed and made her way to the kitchen, downed two strawberry tarts fresh from the oven, and thought of Ryker with a longing she could not banish. She almost reached for another tart but thought better of it and took herself out once again for another walk before dark. Life, she had decided, was crumbling into ruins.

Jewelene walked without really seeing very much around herself. Her mind was a mess of emotion. This could not go on. She had to find a way of getting control of herself and chase away the blue devils threatening her composure.

She saw that she had walked back towards the stables and stood a moment watching their groom Jonas put Lightning through his paces.

Bleakness was her word of the moment, and she told herself she had to shake it. She had to get control over her feelings. She was in l