There was a scratch on the door which opened slightly.
“Mona, are you awake?” Farley asked, sticking his head inside.
“What do you want?” Mona said, rising up.
Farley entered the room and crawled into bed with Mona. “I want to speak with you about this trip.”
“I don’t think you need to get into bed with me in order to talk things over.”
Farley grinned as he scooted closer. “No, I don’t. This cuddle is for me.” He pressed his body against Mona’s. “Ah, that feels good. I might not get another chance for a while.”
“As if cuddles are your intent here. You better not grope me.”
Lying on his side, Farley crooked his elbow and rested his head in his hand. “I’m rather serious, old girl. I take it that you’ve studied Rupert’s map. What do you think?”
“It’s a fake.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere when good sense takes over speculation. Tell me why you think so.”
“The map that Rupert showed me is made of deer hide. According to legend, Swift did sell maps made of deerskin, but Rupert’s skin doesn’t look old enough. Also, the spelling on the map is too modern. People in the eighteenth century spelled differently.”
“Why would Swift sell maps to his mines?”
“According to the story, Swift went to England to get investors for the mines so he could have a full scale operation, but this was in the midst of revolutionary fervor back in the colonies. Swift was pro-independence for the colonies and apparently could not keep his mouth shut about his opinion. That’s one of the reasons he was counterfeiting British crowns. He hated Great Britain’s hold over America.”
“It would seem to me that he could have gone to a rich merchant in Boston to underwrite the mining operation,” Farley said.
“Too close to home. Swift couldn’t risk being outmaneuvered by colonial investors who would turn on him and mount their own expedition.”
“It would have been more difficult for someone living in Great Britain to double cross him.”
Mona continued, “Swift was arrested for treason against the crown and imprisoned until after the Revolutionary War. However, by that time, Swift’s health had declined including the loss of his sight. So he sold various maps with different landmarks in order to keep body and soul together.”
Farley took a deep breath. “You smell lovely. Rose water?”
“We have to get up in a few hours. This is not the time for a little slap and tickle.”
Farley put his arm around Mona. “There’s always time for pillow talk.”
Mona pushed Farley away as Chloe jumped into the bed and lay between them. The dog licked Farley’s face.
“This animal is friendlier than you are.”
“I think Chloe is telling you that it is time to go back to your own room.”
“We wouldn’t have this problem if you would marry me.”
“I don’t want to get married. You just want to get your hands on my money,” Mona teased.
“Oh, tosh. I’m in love with you, Mona, and we are wasting precious time.”
Mona cupped Farley’s face. “Let’s talk about marriage after you’ve been sober for a year. I need to be sure of your sobriety. I will not marry a drunk.”
Farley winched.
“Oh, Robert. I am so sorry. That was such an unkind thing to say.” Mona hated herself for a moment. Why did she say that?
Farley lay on his back studying the ceiling. “I’ll make it, Mona. Wait for me. Just wait for me.” He climbed out of bed and quietly left the room.
Feeling awful, Mona cried softly into her pillow. She wished she didn’t have to be so unkind, but it was better in the long run to state the obvious. She would not marry a man who drank. Mona had seen too many women ruin their lives after giving in to men with fatal flaws. Love was not always the best course for a woman thinking she could change the man she loved. Often enough, it was the man who changed the woman and not for the better.
She did love Lawrence Robert Emerton Dagobert Farley. She loved him with all her heart but love was not enough for Mona.