Wild Embrace

Chapter 26

Go from me, yet I feel that I shall stand

Henceforward in thy shadow.

—ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

It had been a long journey, where feelings had been revealed between Elizabeth and her father that had never been aired before. She now knew that he sincerely loved her, and he knew the depth of her love for Strong Heart.

Sitting beside a campfire the night of their journey home, she had explained everything to her father—about the first time she and Strong Heart had met, and about the times he had saved her life.

Her father now knew that her time with him would be short, for she was going to return to Strong Heart soon. And her father had promised not to interfere.

Riding side by side toward the huge gate that led into their estate grounds, Elizabeth glanced toward the Sound, and then at the fishery. “Father, what are you going to do about Morris Murdoch now that

you know of his involvement with outlaws?” she asked, shifting her gaze to her father. “Surely you will separate yourself from him. You don’t actually need him. You have always done quite well for yourself without the aid of a partner. It should be no different now.”

Earl gave Elizabeth an unsteady glance. Although she had been truthful with him about everything between herself and the Indian, he still did not feel that this was the time to reveal his financial status to her. He had hoped to turn everything around to his favor, before telling her about his bankruptcy in San Francisco.

And now, even though he had not yet found any Indians who would work for him, he still saw his fishery as something that could succeed. He had many men under his employ. Certainly they could catch enough salmon to turn over a substantial profit for him.

He decided he would wait and reveal his money problems to Elizabeth after he had solved them.

As for Morris Murdoch—the son of a bitch, he thought bitterly—he was still needed, no matter how he had accumulated his riches. Earl was depending on Morris’s money for his survival until his fishery showed a profit.

“I don’t want to rush into anything with Morris,” he finally said, guiding his horse through the wide gate, Elizabeth’s horse keeping stride with his. “If he’s a criminal, I don’t want to do anything that might get him riled up against us. Who knows what he’s capable of? I think I’ll feel him out—see if I can ease him out of the business, slowlike, so’s not to have someone like him out for revenge later.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Elizabeth said softly, then her eyebrows lifted when she saw a fancy horse and carriage parked in front of the house. A footman waited beside the carriage.

“Whose carriage is that?” Earl said, studying it. “I don’t recognize it. And who would come calling, anyhow?”

He paused, then looked over at Elizabeth. “Besides Maysie and Strong Heart, have you made an acquaintance you haven’t told me about?” he asked.

“Father, I believe I’ve told you everything on the way back from Strong Heart’s village,” Elizabeth said, laughing softly. “There’s nothing else to say, or anyone else to explain. I have no idea whose carriage that might be.”

Her eyes lit up with a thought. “Except for Maysie,” she said. “Could it be Maysie?”

Then she frowned, recalling the last time she had seen Maysie—how she was dressed and whom she had been with.

“No. I’m sure it’s not her,” she quickly added. “I doubt we shall ever see her again.”

“I’m sorry about Maysie,” Earl said, giving Elizabeth a heartfelt, apologetic look. “Sorry as hell.”

He then slapped his reins and urged his horse into a gallop toward the house, Elizabeth following his lead.

When they reached the house, both dismounted and secured their reins to the hitching post, then took the stairs together up to the porch.

Before they had a chance to open the door, it burst open and Elizabeth found herself suddenly engulfed in a woman’s embrace. Her father gaped openly at the affectionate scene.

Elizabeth stood, shocked to her core, stiff and silent. It was her mother! Her mother smelled sweetly of French perfume, and wore a soft mink wrap around her shoulders.

“Marilyn?” Earl finally stammered out, his surprise and shock immense. “My God, Marilyn!”

“Mama?” Elizabeth said, all of her resentment of her mother’s abandonment overwhelming her.

Marilyn stroked her daughter’s back through the buckskin fabric of her dress. “I’m here now, darling,” she whispered. “Oh, Lord, Elizabeth, I’m so sorry for what I did. So very sorry.”

Elizabeth’s mind cleared and she recalled her mother’s reasons for having disappeared in the first place. A warmth of love and understanding flooded Elizabeth.