23

Dare I hope that you’re actually enjoying yourself?” Welby asked Abrianna on Thursday evening.

She shrugged. “The music is lovely and the food delicious, although I have no appetite. I suppose it’s just my constitution, what with all that is happening.” They sat tucked in the corner of a beautiful restaurant where a small orchestra played classical music and the waiters were dressed as fashionably as the patrons.

Abrianna wore a gown of navy blue brocade trimmed out in black jet. It was one of the gowns Lenore had recently given her. The neckline was modest, and the long sleeves added warmth. The style was of the latest designs from Paris, although Welby thought it much too chaste. His perversions only served to rile her sense of dignity.

“I suppose you have considered that you’ll need to have your things delivered to my house prior to the wedding, as we are to reside there immediately. Of course, I have much of your new wardrobe already scheduled to be brought there.”

The very thought filled Abrianna with horror. She did her best to keep from frowning. They were less than two days from the Saturday wedding, and all she could think about was the one chance they would have to catch Welby in his lies.

“You look perplexed.”

“I suppose I am. You haven’t given me very much time to accomplish everything needed. I’m afraid I haven’t even begun to pack.”

He chuckled. “Well, you’ll have tomorrow. I can send over some servants to help you with it.”

“That’s not necessary.” Abrianna forced herself to sound nonchalant about the matter. “We have a houseful of people who can help me. I just didn’t think about it.”

“It’s all I’ve been able to think about.” Welby leaned closer. “I have to admit that when all of this started, I merely wanted a means of getting back at a lot of people. My father in particular. Now, however, well . . . I don’t suppose you’ll believe me, but I find you impossible to put from my mind.”

Abrianna shook her head. “I hardly see how marriage to me will help you in that situation. I don’t know your father, and he definitely doesn’t know me.”

“True enough, but that will soon be rectified, as I will explain. You are of a sterling reputation, and while your ministries to the poor have caused some to think you rather reckless, most of the people who know you hold you in high esteem. Added to that, your family in Seattle has also been highly esteemed.”

“But what of my father? You have taken great pleasure in reminding me of his twenty years in prison. That can hardly impress your father. Won’t it harm your standing?”

He laughed. “Not at all. You see, once we are married, I intend to make a great show of the grave injustice done to James Cunningham. I will have newspaper stories covering what happened to him and how he found himself falsely accused. It will lay a good foundation for me as I press for better laws requiring additional evidence in all murder cases. This, I’ve decided, will be the perfect lead into my political career.”

“Political career?” She looked at him in disbelief. “With all you’ve got going on—illegally, that is—how can you even think of politics?”

“Oh, my dear Abrianna. You are sweetly naïve. All politicians are masters of the illegal. How else do you suppose they accomplish all that they do?”

“I presumed that men who put themselves into positions of elected office accomplished the will of the people.”

“Granted, there are some who do. However, for every honest politician there are at least twenty others who are in their offices purely for personal gain. I intend to be among their number and see to it that the office serves me instead of the other way around.

“As for my father, there is a long-standing debt he owes me. I have worked very hard all these years to finally see that old man put in his place.”

Abrianna frowned. “You must hate him a great deal.”

“I do. He threw me out of my home without a penny to my name, and all for what he perceived as an unforgivable lapse in judgment.” Welby sat back in his chair, and his expression grew hard. Abrianna did her best not to shiver at the look of pure hatred in his eyes.

“I have carefully invested my money and bought my support where it could be had. Once we are married, we will go to him and I will deliver to him the truth of his failures face-to-face.”

“I still don’t see how that has anything to do with me.”

“Well, perhaps it doesn’t have as much to do with you as it used to. I once felt certain that showing my father that a respectable woman of society would have me as a husband would prove something to him. It came purely as a welcome surprise that you turned out to be an heiress, as well.” He gave her a smug look of satisfaction. “A very welcome surprise. I believe it will show those friends of his a thing or two after they all boasted of their connections when I was young. Ultimately, I will show my father that I have gained far greater wealth than he will ever know. And finally, I will reveal to him that I have had his business associates and friends in my control for some time.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then he will regret not only what he did, but he will despair of his very life before I’m through with him.”

Abrianna thought to tell him that he would never have any benefit from her money, but she knew it was best to let him think whatever he wanted. Instead, she questioned him about his father.

“Do you really suppose it was easy for your father to take a stand? It sounds to me that he had his values and wanted to teach you something about them. Perhaps he always intended for you to come back and seek forgiveness.”

“I will never ask any man for that. Nor any woman.”

She shivered at the implication. “And what of God’s forgiveness, Mr. Welby?”

He shook his head. “I won’t ask for His, either.”

“But why not?”

Welby picked up his wine goblet and swirled the contents for a moment. He tossed back the remaining contents, then shrugged. “I won’t give Him the satisfaction of rejecting me like my father did.”

Abrianna tried to focus on the meal but found that what little appetite she had mustered up was now gone.

She suppressed a yawn that drew Welby’s attention. He offered a sympathetic smile. “I suppose I haven’t given you a great deal of time to rest during all of this. You must understand, of course, that I couldn’t risk leaving you too much time to yourself. You might have plotted against our marriage and me.”

“I’m not really as horrible a person as you believe me to be. Not that you care to know my heart.”

He considered her a moment. “You’re wrong. I hope you might believe me when I say that I am sorry that things had to take this course. I would much rather have had you fall in love with me and desire this union.”

She could almost believe him. His words and expression seemed genuinely contrite, but Abrianna wasn’t going to allow herself to feel anything for him but regret. “I’m sorry, but I’m so very tired. I wonder if you might consider taking me home.”

He nodded. “Of course. I want you well rested for Saturday.” He signaled the waiter. After arranging for the bill, Welby got to his feet and helped Abrianna to hers.

She let him help her with her cloak and didn’t move away from him when he took hold of her elbow. Abrianna figured once they were in the carriage, he might try to kiss her or worse and so decided to approach the subject of her purity once they were alone.

The carriage had barely begun to move when Abrianna spoke. “I want to thank you for understanding my desire to remain pure until we . . . until our marriage. I could not face myself, much less a church filled with people, and wear white, if I were not . . . not unspoiled.”

He chuckled. “You have some strange notions, my dear.”

“Nonsense. I think you would find most women think as I do,” Abrianna said. “Besides, you must consider my belief in the Bible. The Bible makes it clear that fornication is a sin.” She tried not to be embarrassed about the topic of their conversation but to stand on the truth. “I desire to come to my husband without blemish on my reputation or my convictions.”

“Yes, but were we to . . . fornicate, as you put it,” he said, sounding amused, “it would be less than two days before we were legally wed.”

“I understand that, but what if one of us were to die? Any number of things might happen, although I certainly do not anticipate it.” She tried to sound casual about the entire idea. “If I were to allow your desires, we would be forever changed. At least I would be. And if I were the one remaining and you were the one who died, I might even find myself with child. I could never find acceptance in the public eye as an unmarried woman having a baby.”

“I suppose you make a good point. However, I think you overestimate your unmarried sisters around the world. Believe me when I say that many a young woman finds herself happily engaged in amorous games prior to her wedding.”

“Well, I’m not one of them. And I only brought it up to thank you. I know it was not your desire to put off such things. But I do appreciate that you have acted in an honorable way . . . for the most part.” She cringed. She hadn’t meant to add the latter and could only hope it hadn’t offended him.

“If being a virgin on your wedding night is that important, then I will give that to you as my gift. It hasn’t been easy knowing that I could have forced the matter, given all that I have available to me.”

“I realize that you could have threatened someone I love with an accident or death. Perhaps it shows some decency in you that you have considered my feelings on the matter.”

He laughed most heartily. “Your naivety knows no bounds, Abrianna. There is nothing decent about me.”

The carriage came to a stop, and Abrianna breathed a sigh of relief as the groomsman opened the door and Welby climbed out. She had no idea how she might have answered Welby’s last statement. It quite amazed her that the man took such pride in being evil. She drew a deep breath and rose. She only had to get through tomorrow and then her ability to play a part would determine her entire future.

“No,” a still, soft voice seemed to whisper to her heart. “I hold your future.”

She smiled and nodded as Welby helped her down. God held her future. Her actions were of little consequence if God was not in control.

Abrianna entered the house to find her aunts awaiting her return. Her father had told her that he would inform her aunts of the wedding-day plans so they would not despair of the situation. She knew they had been very hurt by her unwillingness to confide in them.

“We would like to speak to you for a moment, Abrianna,” Aunt Miriam declared.

“Of course.” Abrianna draped her cloak on the banister before following the trio into the small private sitting room. A fire was burning out in the hearth, but the room was still toasty and warm.

“We were going upstairs to prepare for bed, but your father came to us and explained what has been going on.” Aunt Miriam sat down beside Poisie on the settee. Aunt Selma took the chair opposite them and nodded.

“I am sorry,” Abrianna said in a hushed voice, “that I could not say more. In fact, I doubt it is wise for us to say much even now. I find that Mr. Welby has spies in the most unlikely places.”

“Surely not here!” Aunt Poisie put her hand to her throat. “Goodness, but I couldn’t sleep at all if I thought that. Perhaps we should all take up weapons?” She posed the thought as a question and looked to her sister for confirmation.

“I don’t believe he has anyone here, but I would practice caution,” Abrianna replied. “I never meant to hurt any of you, and I have been most grieved by the fact that I have. Please know that I am sorry, and I hope you will forgive me.”

“Of course,” Aunt Miriam said. “We could never hold anything against you. We love you.” Aunt Poisie bobbed her head in approval.

“Indeed we do,” Aunt Selma added. “You were placed in a most difficult position, and it is to our utter despair that we realize we play a small role in it. Had you not felt our safety compromised, you might never have made the choices you did.”

Abrianna held up her hand. “Let’s say nothing more. If all goes well, we can discuss it at length after Saturday.”

“Agreed.” Aunt Miriam got to her feet. “Is there anything we might do to help?”

“Just pray.” Abrianna looked into each of their faces. “I know God has control of this matter. I know there was a reason that things happened as they did. I can even see where He has tempered my pride and self-confidence. I know that I was often of the belief that there was nothing I could not handle by myself. I realize the mistake in that. Now I can see that there is nothing God cannot handle, and I am only an instrument in His hands.”

Aunt Miriam came to her. She placed a light kiss on Abrianna’s forehead. She stepped away and gave one of her rare smiles. “That gives me great peace.”

“It gives me peace, as well,” Aunt Selma said. She hugged Abrianna close. “We will all endeavor to bear this as best we can.” She joined Aunt Miriam by the door.

Aunt Poisie came forward and took hold of Abrianna’s hands. “Just as David slew Goliath with God’s help and direction, you will see your giant slain.” She frowned. “Well, perhaps not slain but at least conquered. Yes. Conquered is a much better way of saying it. After all, there has been more than enough killing.” She gave Abrianna a quick peck on the cheek, then joined the others.

Once they had gone, Abrianna gave a sigh. Flora would be waiting for her upstairs, eager to hear all about the evening’s events. The young woman had been a great source of comfort prior to the others knowing what had taken place between her and Welby, but tonight Abrianna had no desire to talk about the evening. Her mind churned with thoughts of Saturday and all that might take place at the morning wedding. She knew there was a risk that everything would fall apart. There was even a risk she would die.

She looked around the small sitting room. “If my life is the price, Lord,” she prayed in a whisper, “then I willingly lay it down for those I love.” The thought gave her little satisfaction, however. She didn’t want to die. She wanted a life with Wade. She wanted to minister with him, bear his children, and grow old together.

One of Aunt Selma’s crocheted doilies caught her eye. Abrianna lifted it from the back of the chair and studied the pattern. She’d never been any good at crocheting, no matter how much time Aunt Selma had taken to teach her.

Abrianna smiled sadly and replaced the doily. She had wasted a lot of those lessons because of stubbornness and a lack of desire to know what her aunts longed to teach her. If things went the way she prayed, Abrianna vowed to spend the rest of her unmarried days learning whatever they desired to teach her. It was the least she could do for three old women who loved her more than life.

She blew out the lamp and moved down the darkened hall to the stairs. She was about to pick up the lamp her aunts had left lit on the foyer table when she saw a shadow move in the hall. Abrianna went to see who or what it might be and found herself suddenly wrapped in a tight hold. She suppressed a scream at the familiar scent of cologne.

“I thought you’d never come,” Wade whispered against her ear.

“You scared a dozen years off my life. Oh, Wade, how I’ve missed you and our talks.” She couldn’t see his face well, but she knew it by heart. Reaching up she put her hand to his cheek and felt the stubble. “You need a shave.”

He laughed. “I’ve been much too worried about you to tend to shaving.”

“Nevertheless, you need one.” She frowned. “How did you get in here without someone seeing you? You know that Welby has this place watched.”

“I do. But they are looking for a dashingly handsome young man who will walk up the drive and knock at the front door. They hardly expected me to be hiding in the school’s omnibus for your father to drive me in unseen.”

“So you are a dashingly handsome sneak. How wonderful.” She laughed in spite of her worry about him. “Next thing I know you’ll be climbing up the lattice and appearing in my bedroom. Which reminds me, had I only agreed to elope with you, we might not find ourselves in this predicament. I must say, God has taught me a great lesson in giving up my desire to master and control my life. I will happily let you take charge in the future.”

“Ah, Abrianna, how I love you.” Releasing his hold, he stepped back. “I’ve missed you so much, and I can’t bear to see you in the company of another.”

“Well, hopefully it will be concluded soon. Have there been any changes to our plan?”

“No. Kolbein has figured the perfect place for you to be when you send for Welby. It’s a large room, but a good portion of it has been utilized for storage. There are old altar pieces and large furnishings that have been kept there. They will allow us to remain hidden until we can spring the trap on Welby.”

“But how will you get in there unseen?”

“Kolbein has that all figured. We will go well ahead of time and hide in one of the locked rooms well away from the main part of the church. There are a series of rooms that connect to each other, and this is one. We will wait until the ceremony is just about to start. You will send your father to fetch Welby, and we will sneak in and take our places. When Welby comes, you will give the performance of your life, and we will capture Welby in his confession.”

“Oh, Wade, I do hope and pray this all works out the way you plan. I’m so afraid.”

“I know, sweetheart. But believe me, I won’t let anything happen to you or anyone else, if I have any say in the matter.”

She sighed and stepped closer to wrap her arms around him. With her cheek resting against him, Abrianna felt his strength give her courage. “I love you so dearly. Facing all of these trials makes me realize how silly it was to fear marriage ruining our friendship. It makes me also see how foolish it was to worry about money or anything else.”

“It’s made me see that, as well. I was a fool to be so wrapped up in my pride. Do you forgive me?”

“Of course. Do you forgive me?”

“Do you really have to ask?”

He put his hand in her pinned-up hair, much as Welby had done the night he’d forced his kiss on her. Wade bent her gently backwards and pressed his mouth to hers. Abrianna felt her heart pound so hard that she felt certain Wade could hear it. She tightened her hold on him and let the warmth of his kiss spread a fire throughout her body. For a moment she found herself not caring at all what might happen. Thankfully, Wade still had the presence of mind to realize the danger at hand. He straightened and, once certain that she was steady on her feet, let go his hold.

“When this is over with, we’re getting married,” he said in a matter-of-fact manner. “Wedding or no wedding. I don’t want to wait any more than is absolutely necessary.”

“Me either,” she whispered. “But I think we’d best not meet like this again. Your kisses do something to me, and I don’t trust myself.”

He chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

Abrianna drew in a deep breath. “Good night, then.” She stepped away but found each step harder than the next. She couldn’t understand what was happening to her, but it was hard to remember her standards and beliefs in light of the passion that single kiss had awakened. She felt completely helpless in her longing. Turning back, she whispered his name, but there was no response. Disappointment and relief washed over her, and for a moment she stood wondering what to do. Her senses gradually returned, and without further delay she headed for the stairs.