“Eden Palmer’s property is definitely part of the Waldenburg land grant.” Derek looked at Hans across the table in the dining room of the Oyster Point Hotel. “I went directly to the governor’s office today to search through the land records. I learned the truth about Palmer Oaks—and Eden Palmer’s precarious position.”
“How the hell did all this happen?” Hans demanded. “Eden’s stepfather, Charles Palmer, died last March while owing the Crown several back payments for the property. King George was given incomplete information, it appears. The king was told the property was in bankruptcy and the owner died without a direct heir—and that it was available for us—when in fact Eden has until November to make the final payment.”
“Unfortunate. We’re lucky it’s only eight hundred acres out of thirty thousand.”
“The records show Palmer brought in only one decent rice crop in the past three years. He made a little money out of tobacco and corn. He sold deer hides in the early days, but that tapered off with the Indian’s increased habitation of the area.”
“I thought the natives were friendly,” Hans said before taking another bite of boiled venison.
“Some are—some aren’t. I have yet to learn which tribes are hostile, but the Cherokee villages are not far away.”
“So what do you plan to do? I thought a solidly built house would be of real use to the colony.”
Derek studied his own nearly untouched plate. After a pause he said, “It would. But in all fairness, we must give the girl time to bring in her crop and make the payment.”
“The indigo?”
“She insists it will thrive.”
“I assure you it will not. Oh, she may harvest a few acres, but the process of oxidizing the substance to create blue powder is extremely difficult—even dangerous. Lime vats are required, and paddle wheels. It must be harvested at exactly the right moment, assuming it survives drought and pestilence until it’s fully flowered. Why, the process would challenge the most skilled farmer—even if he knew the formulas, which are closely guarded secrets in the Indies.”
“No doubt you’re right, Hans. But I insist the lady have a chance. If she doesn’t make the payment by November first, Palmer Oaks will be ours without question.”
“Does she know about your claim?”
“No. Only that she must make the payment or the Crown will take the property. You and I alone know the details of our grant. I didn’t mention the house to the others because I wasn’t sure if it was habitable, or even remained standing. Now I’m doubly glad I didn’t.”
“You’ve seen it, I presume.”
“Miss Palmer graciously entertained me there yesterday —tea on the porch, very nice.” He thought Hans gave him a questioning look, but he ignored the implication. It was much too early in his relationship with Eden to make any sort of formal announcement.
“I assume it is habitable.” Hans grumbled.
“Actually, it’s a fine two-story structure, nicely furnished, quite attractive.”
“Good. It will be part of Waldenburg before winter.” Derek lifted his tankard of ale and drank deeply, ignoring Hans’s statement along with the ache in his head. He knew he could start foreclosure on Palmer Oaks based on the payments already overdue. Any shrewd businessman would urge him to do so. But he was in love with Eden and knew what that crop meant to her. On the other hand, wouldn’t he be doing her a favor to save her from months of labor and expense which would be wasted in the end? He recalled how she confided that her home meant everything to her. She was prepared to fight to the last to keep it. How well he knew that feeling—and the agony and bitterness of defeat. He would not be the cause of Eden Palmer losing her home. Furthermore, he hoped to make Eden his wife. Likely that meant he would take ownership of the property when they were wed. What would the spirited young lady think about that? Damn, this entire business over Palmer Oaks had complicated everything. The biggest question in his mind was whether or not to say anything yet to Eden. She would certainly be upset. How could he bear to put more burden on that sweet girl who was working so bloody hard right now? No, he would wait to see how the indigo crop thrived. He wouldn’t mention his own claim unless it looked as if the crop would fail. Perhaps if that happened, she would be relieved and happy that he would be the new owner—and she would marry him and remain the mistress of Palmer Oaks.
He replaced his drink on the table. “If she doesn’t pay by the deadline, Palmer Oaks will be transferred to our grant. If she pays off the loan, the plantation is hers. Between now and then, no one is to know the situation.”
“I have mentioned the house to Mrs. Messenbaugh.”
“Very well, but please ask her not to say anything. Our colonists will be living in tents and wooden shacks at first. No use stirring up envy or hard feelings toward Mistress Palmer.”
Hans nodded his agreement, but Derek saw a look of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
“I’d like to start the barges upriver tomorrow, Doctor. The bridge is a mile north of Palmer Oaks and will need some reinforcement before the wagons can safely cross.”
“Karl has everything in readiness. Too bad you didn’t see Monsieur Poinsett. From all I hear, the man’s property is vast and enormously productive. I’m eager to talk to his overseer about soil conditions.”
With a casual air, Derek pushed back his chair and stood. He had no desire to repeat his lies about how he’d lost his way on the road and spent the night in the woods after banging his head on a low-growing tree branch. “Guten nacht, Hans. I’ll meet you at the loading docks at six in the morning.”
“Have a restful night, Baron. You look as if you need it.”
* * * *
The morning after Laykee’s discovery of the survey, Eden was dragged against her will from heavy slumber.
“Miss Eden—Miss Eden, I’se sorry to wake you, but Queenie is under the chicken coop. Them pup’s comin’ for sure.”
It seemed only minutes ago fatigue had finally brought her sleep. She had tossed and turned all night trying to figure out the meaning of Derek Walden’s survey map. She studied it for an hour after Laykee brought it from the barn. It was plainly the lost document he’d been concerned about. And no wonder. Right there, signed by the king, were the perimeters of Derek’s land grant—and Palmer Oaks was inside the boundaries.
She had tried not to panic. After all, there must be some reasonable explanation. Papa Charles wouldn’t have lied to her about leaving her the property in his will. And she had read the mortgage herself where it said that the owner had until November first to pay the Crown.
But what upset her most was Derek Walden’s subterfuge. He had asked her if she’d found the survey. After she said she hadn’t, he pledged his love and given her the most ecstatic experience of her life. And she had given him her heart, as well as her virginity. Thinking back, she tried to remember his exact words. He had called her his true love. But he hadn’t mentioned marriage, that she recalled. No, all those thoughts of a wedding had been in her mind.
“Miss Eden—the puppies. You better come.”
It was all she could do to stir herself into consciousness. “What did you say, Dessie?”
“I’se sorry, miss, but you made me promise to fetch you night or day when Queenie’s birthin’ them pups.”
“Oh yes.” Blinking in the pattern of lacy sunlight playing across the bed, she forced herself to sit up and take the cup of coffee Dessie was offering. A sip of the strong brew helped jolt her senses into the present. “Where is Laykee?”
“She’s in the orchard with the chillen. It’s gonna be a fine peach crop this season. She wants to beat the birds to the ripe ones.”
Remembering Queenie, she tried to push thoughts of Derek from her mind. “Under the chicken house, you say?”
“I heard her when I gathered the eggs a bit ago. Sort of whinin’ and whimperin’. I tried to squat down and see how she’s adoin’, but it was too dark. I poured your coffee and come right up.”
“Thank you, Dessie. I’ll hurry. I promised Monsieur Poinsett’s overseer one of the pups—and your little Vangie another. I expect this will be Queenie’s last litter at her age.” After Dessie left, Eden washed her face and gave her hair a quick brushing. A search in the bottom drawer of her bureau produced a well-worn skirt and a blouse nearly ready for the rag bin. If she was to spend the day under the chicken house, she would dress for the occasion.
After several hours of encouraging Queenie, Eden relaxed and enjoyed the sight of five silky pups pressing tiny paws against their mother’s underbelly in search of nipples. One little female did closely resemble Queenie'. Suddenly, from her vantage point beneath the floor, she saw horse hooves stamping about outside her hidden niche. What now? She scooted along the packed earth, lay flat on her back and pushed her way into the sunlight. Looking up, she saw a sturdy chestnut stallion pawing the earth under the strong rein of its rider, Derek Walden. He wore a flowing white shirt and wide-brimmed felt hat; his broad thighs gripped the animal’s withers as he brought it under control. Seated in front of the baron was the most beautiful child Eden had ever seen. The girl’s smile was angelic beneath her perky nose, glowing rosy cheeks, and eyes the shade of morning glories. Her hair was the color of fresh cream.
“Good afternoon, Mademoiselle Palmer,” said Walden, greeting her with an amused smile. “I thought I’d pay my respects as we passed by.”
There Eden lay, flat on her back on the ground, her hair fanned into the dust, and wearing clothes that the ragman would disdain. Her face and arms were smudged, her fingernails broken and dirty, and she probably smelled of puppy and the chicken coop. If she could have disappeared, she would have gladly done so.
“I seem to have a habit of appearing at inopportune times,” Derek said.
Heat flooded her entire being. She sat up and brushed at her skirt, only smearing more dirt across the shabby fabric. “I have a new litter of pups,” she explained. She got to her feet and faced him with as much dignity as possible. “You do take me by surprise, sir. You can only expect an uncertain welcome.”
The child swiveled toward Walden. He leaned near to allow her to whisper in his ear. “Not now, liebling. Dogs with new pups are often unfriendly to visitors.”
Eden smiled at the girl. “I’m afraid the ladies of Palmer Oaks are not prepared to receive today. But next week we’d be delighted. Could you come then? You see, the puppies were only born this morning.”
“I see,” said the child softly, her sweet smile still in place. “Could we, Dirk?” She again turned toward Derek.
“Of course, if you like. Oh, let me introduce Mistress Eden Palmer—owner of this lovely plantation.”
Eden was enchanted by the exquisite girl. As eager as she was to question Derek, she couldn’t possibly confront him in the child’s presence. Stepping near, she reached to clasp her hand. “I’m happy to meet you.”
Walden went on. “This is Anna Schaefer—a favorite of mine, I must honestly admit.”
“I’m so pleased you and the baron stopped by. I apologize for my appearance. When you come back, I’ll wear my prettiest dress for your visit.”
“Merci,” cooed Anna, but didn’t take Anna’s proffered hand. “I have a pretty dress, too. But I’d really like to see the puppies.”
“And you shall. I expect they’ll move to new quarters by then. Their mother, Queen Elizabeth, has a large box on the back porch, much handier to food and water. You can sit close by and watch the pups have their dinner.”
For a fleeting instant the child’s face clouded.
At once, Derek spoke. “We’ll be camping under the stars tonight on our own land. Several boatloads of settlers arrived this morning.”
As never before, Eden was devastated by Derek’s presence, the intensity of his look, his air of confidence, the way he sat his horse. Knowing that he had held her naked in his arms, been intimate with her, possessed every inch of her body, shattered her emotions and made her cheeks flame with the memory. She couldn’t help thinking that Katya’s accusation may have had been right when she had written Derek thinks Eden is a loose woman. Is that what he believed after what had happened between them? What was he thinking? What did he truly feel for her? And did he secretly believe he owned Palmer Oaks?
She pierced him with an icicle look. “Please tell your people they are welcome anytime here at Palmer Oaks. My house is always available to you and your colonists.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.” He was looking puzzled. Good. She was puzzled, too.
“I hope you will visit our settlement as well,” he offered politely.”
“I will. Tomorrow if it’s convenient.” It was the opening she needed. She must find out as soon as possible the meaning of the survey.
“Excellent. I have no amenities yet, but we’ll find a place in the shade for a cool drink. He smiled, but she could tell he was concerned over the emotional distance she had placed between them. “We’ll be on our way, then. Good day, mistress.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Anna,” she said, happy to divert her attention to the adorable child.
The stallion snorted and danced on its hind feet as Derek reined away.
For the rest of the day Eden spent hours on her knees clearing weeds from the indigo field and closely supervising the construction of the paddles to be used in the fermenting process after the plants were harvested. After dinner, exhausted, but freshened by a cool bath provided by Laykee, she sat on her upstairs veranda and watched the sun dip toward the western hills, taking the day’s heat to earth and leaving behind the long azure twilight vibrant with the sounds of bird’s evening calls, the prattle of crickets, and the occasional cry of a bobcat in the woods. Often a breeze drifted from the Ashley, adding to the humid earthy scent of the land mingling with the roses in full bloom and the lilies bordering the front of the house.
Normally she loved this time of day, this special place with its serene view of the river and the landscape. But tonight her heart was heavy as lead. She had given Derek Walden her love and her trust. Had Papa Charles been right after all when he told her to marry her cousin, Landon? Papa had always protected her, given her good advice. Now she had gone against his wishes and thrown caution to the winds. The result could be a broken heart.
As the shadows fell, she heard the sounds of music coming from the area where the new town of Waldenburg would rise from the wilderness. How wonderful Derek had looked this morning, holding that exquisite little girl whom he obviously adored. Could such a man be planning to steal her home? It seemed impossible, but tomorrow she would seek the answer. Unfortunately, she expected to have another sleepless night.