Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

“Dearest … oh … what is it …?”

“Marry Ben Clay? I would rather die,” Lizzie cried in tones of desperation.

“Really? But … well, well, that is a very odd thing for you to say when it has been obvious that the two of you have been making moon eyes at one another for—”

“Mama … stop … please … please, I want to be alone …”

Dora frowned. She was missing something here. Perhaps Jewelene would know? She got up and left her daughter to renew her sobs into her pillow, sighed at leaving her thusly, and made her way to Jewel’s room.

She knocked, but when no one answered she assumed Jewels was still outdoors. She sighed heavily, clucked her tongue, and shook her head. Things were not right at Henshaw House. Money, she knew, had been at the root of the problem, but now it was something else …

However, what it could be had her all at sea. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen, for she needed a cup of tea!

*

Oblivious to both Jewelene and Elizabeth’s romantic problems, Jimmy and Arthur were well satisfied with their mission successfully concluded. They had placed the money in the hands of the officials for the Derby race and were finally riding their weary horses down the drive of Henshaw.

Jimmy grinned and said, “Damn, but it is good to be back.” He had been deep in thought for some moments before and added, “I don’t mind telling you, Art, been worrying m’self over a problem …”

“Problem? Paying back the moneylender, you mean? Aye, been worried about that myself, but we shall do. We’ll bet enough on Lightning and come around—”

“You are the best of good friends, ol’ boy … but that isn’t the worst of m’problems,” Jimmy said in a confidential tone.

“Aye … we have to hide Lightning now … can’t let anyone other than your head man, Jonas, tend him. He’ll pay better odds if no one knows what he can do, and—”

Jimmy eyed him wonderingly. “Sometimes, ol’ boy, you are a deep thinker. Of course, you are right, and I have that settled in m’head already. That isn’t it …”

“What then?” Arthur frowned.

“It isn’t that which has me chaffed. It is Omsbury …”

“Omsbury? Havey-cavey fellow … don’t like him, but what has he to do with …?”

“I expect mischief from the villain,” Jimmy said with a darkling look.

“Mischief … what mean you?”

“’Tis this—Omsbury wants m’sister. Don’t see why—I mean, he is old enough to be her father, and she is more than most could handle. But that don’t signify. She doesn’t think I know what has been under m’nose, but I do. He means to force her hand. I think he wants us in debt, so that he can come in and save the day and make certain she will walk down the aisle with him.”

“Deuced villain,” Arthur murmured. “But … what are you saying?”

“I am saying that I think he might try and stop us from racing Lightning, because if Lightning races and wins, how then can he force her hand?” Jimmy frowned as his own words hit him full force. “I don’t think Jewels would accept to marry him … even to save Henshaw, but then … she might.” He smiled proudly. “Because, well, she is a right ’un, always putting me before herself, and I can’t have that, now can I?” He shook his head. “We have to pay the moneylender back at once, before the loan accrues more interest than we can pay, then we have to keep Lightning safe before the race …”

“Aye then, we are of a mind. Omsbury might try and hurt Lightning, the villain.”

“Just so, Arthur. We must be on guard. I plan to sleep during the day—take turns with Jonas … guard Lightning at night …”

“I am with you! He might send more than one bloke to do the deed.”

“Thanks, Art—I do appreciate it.”

They shook hands, and Jimmy sighed, for he knew he had a dangerous road ahead. Not only would they have to guard Lightning at Henshaw … but then on the long route to Derby!

*

Jewelene was at the Gothic desk in the library poring over paperwork. She felt a heavy weight bend her shoulders; even if they won the race the funds might not be enough to cover the moneylender’s enormous fees. And she knew they would be enormous—she had often heard her father say that was one thing he would never do: borrow from the tens.

Ryker’s voice, ever in her brain, tickled her brain. His twinkling gray eyes haunted her mind’s vision, and she wished she could collapse into his arms and forget her burden, but that wouldn’t be right. He was not a rich man and no doubt had burdens of his own—and besides, he couldn’t possibly love her. No doubt he felt something for her … after all, he had been her first and might even feel some guilt regarding it? Oh—she didn’t want that.