Guarding the Spoils (The Wild Randalls 3)

“Yes, Mama.” George dropped his eyes to the parquetry floor, clearly disappointed that she didn’t agree with him. She’d known he’d become enthralled by Oliver’s intelligence and would grasp at any chance to satisfy his curiosity. But to suggest she marry to keep Oliver in his life was far too much to bear. George looked up at her curiously. “But why not marry him? He doesn’t have a wife and he’s kind. He likes me.”

Beth pulled her son against her as tears stung her eyes. ?

??How could he not like you? But as to the other, what you suggest is not simple or ever likely. I do not care for him that way.”

She released him and faced the window, working to bury her emotions. It wasn’t George’s fault. He didn’t know of her feelings or past disappointments.

A throat cleared not far away. “May we join you?”

Beth turned swiftly on hearing Tobias Randall’s hesitant question. He stood at the door, half in, half out, his expression hopeful. Beth nodded quickly. “Of course.”

He stepped through the doorway and then Oliver followed. Beth’s heart stopped beating. Had they been overheard?

Oliver nodded a greeting and swiftly strode away down the room, halting at George’s side to help set up another game.

“I’ve managed to lure Ollie from his packing,” Tobias said quietly as he joined her. “Is it true that you’re leaving us?”

“You heard?”

Tobias nodded. “Blythe’s not too happy about it. She’s talked of nothing else.”

Relief coursed through her. So Tobias hadn’t heard George’s ridiculous suggestion that she marry Oliver just so they could travel with him. She could be at ease again. “I’m still hoping the trip will be unnecessary, but George knows now if you want to talk to him about your experiences in the Americas.”

Play recommenced and Oliver proved more of a challenge for George than Beth had been. His accuracy was quite surprising. In his youth, Oliver had never been one to play games. However, now he seemed completely content to toss balls down the room and even ruffled George’s hair when her son knocked them all over.

“What I know of America is not for the boy to hear. Where I went doesn’t bear repeating. Better to let Oliver answer his questions.” Tobias gestured at the pair engrossed in the game. “Ollie missed his true calling. He’d have made a good father, I think.”

Beth stiffened and ignored the whispered comment.

“Heard what the boy said as we arrived,” Tobias continued quietly. “George is disappointed, isn’t he?”

“I’m sure once we’re on our way his disappointment will fade.”

“I wasn’t talking about the trip.” Tobias leaned against the wall at her side. “You are both good for Oliver.”

Beth scowled. “Nonsense.”

“Perhaps not. Don’t forget I know the truth. You loved him once. He’s changing, I swear. Not much, I grant you, but he’s a little warmer each time I return. Who knows what another month will bring?”

“Oliver does not change.” Beth shook her head. “Excuse me. I’ve no patience for fantasy today.”

“I didn’t mean to dredge up the past Beth, but Blythe mentioned she discovered you alone with Oliver in a locked room.” Tobias caught her arm when she would have left him. “You could have a choice in this if you spoke to Leopold about it. Oliver may act in ignorance at times but he does know the proprieties must be observed with a lady.”

A hot wave of shame flooded her face as she shook off Tobias’s grip. “I hope I misunderstand your meaning, sir. What you suggest, trapping him into a marriage with a blatant lie, is the act of a despicable woman.”

Tobias glanced at his brother, his expression thoughtful, and Beth took the opportunity to bolt from the room. She hurried to a small alcove she’d stumbled on one day and hid herself amid the folds of heavy curtains. When she’d been young, only a few had known the state of her heart. She’d loved Oliver with a girl’s blind passion. Blind to his faults, blind to his indifference, blind to the fact he would never consider her for his wife. It had taken one painful afternoon to learn why her hopes would never be. He considered a wife and family a millstone about his neck and an end to his dreams. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the private conversation, but from that moment on her hopes had been doomed.

So when William Turner had come calling, she’d encouraged him. And when he spoke to her father about a marriage she had not said no. Oliver had no response either way to her wedding plans and so she’d become Mrs. Turner rather than Mrs. Randall. Her dreams had died that day.

She pressed her back against the wall and held her breath as footsteps hurried past. Three, she suspected. Tobias, George, and Oliver?

They continued without pause and Beth covered her face to stifle a sob. Misery had never been too far away and it appeared there was more coming. She wiped at her eyes, brooding on her future. What was she to do in America? She knew nothing of the place save that it was populated by savages that took scalps. She shuddered. How could Henry suggest they face such a danger?

The curtains brushed her arm and she looked up. Oliver stood three feet away. She hadn’t even heard him coming.

“Come with me.” He held out his hand. “Please.”

The courtesy tumbled from his lips awkwardly as she shook her head. He caught her hand and tugged her into the open, hands shifting to touch her spine and propel her down the hall. “I’ve something to show you that may help you make your decision.”