Page 93 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
“I am confused. If my mother had a great dowry, what happened to it? Aunt Guthrie insisted my father had accrued enough debt to send him to prison. Even now, she is probably going to your father to have my father’s debts called in.”
Martha let out a short laugh. “It will not work.”
“What do you mean?”
“I came this morning because I overheard my father arguing with my mother last night. We had several late evening visitorsthat were quite enlightening.” She smirked. “As well as a threatening note.”
“From whom?”
“Your Lord Newhurst.”
Her Lord Newhurst? She liked the sound of it, but John was more to her liking. Her John.
“From what I could gather, my father is to meet with him this morning. It seems my mother paid to have Mr. Wallace ‘entertain you’ until Harriet convinced Lord Newhurst to marry her—among other things. Lady Braithwaite divulged other information, but I’d rather not speak of it. Because of it, my father is removing us to the country and refuses to give Harriet another season. It seems my sister knew what was afoot this whole time.”
Susannah's heart tripped over itself, the information not quite sinking in. The realization that her family was free from Aunt Guthrie’s threats finally struck and she melted into her seat. Tears formed in her eyes, but she did not let them fall.
“Thank you. You have relieved my mind of a great burden.” Then Martha’s words caught up with her. “Paid Mr. Wallace?”
She nodded. “It must have been significant too, for my father blustered about how she could promise so much. I could not hear the amount through the door, but I would say it was probably in the thousands.”
Susannah’s mouth fell open. Her aunt must have harbored an inordinate amount of hatred to go to such lengths for revenge.
And Mr. Wallace… The compliments, the blatant stares, all a lie.
“Did Mr. Wallace ever intend to offer marriage?” she blurted out before she could think better of it.
“No.” Martha clasped her hands in her lap. “His intentions were not at all honorable. Harriet even complained about howhe’d ruined everything by not compromising you before Lord Newhurst did.”
Susannah gasped.
“Sorry, I probably should not have repeated her words. Harriet and my mother are of like minds; she takes after her in more ways than one.”
“And you, do you agree?”
“No. I am my father’s daughter, as much as my mother detests it. She never wanted to marry my father anyway, but he was the quickest way to cover her embarrassment after Lord Upton removed his attentions.” Martha untangled her fingers and gazed at the window. With a sigh, she said, “Some days I wish he was my only parent because now I am guilty by association.”
Susannah leaned forward and placed a hand over Martha’s. “It is not your fault. None of this is your fault.”
“Society will not see it that way if any of this ever gets out.”
“Then we shall see that it does not. I am certain my uncle has enough sway that he can keep things quiet.”
Martha smiled. “Perhaps. Do you know, last evening was the first time I have ever heard him stand up to my mother? It was a thing to see... er… hear.” She dropped her head. “You must think me an awful person for eavesdropping.”
Susannah laughed. “Not at all. For once, I am grateful for a little bit of underhandedness.”
Martha covered Susannah’s hand where it still lay over hers.
“We were good friends as little girls. Can we not be again?”
Susannah placed her other hand over Martha’s so their hands intertwined. “I would like that very much.”
Chapter 31
Johnathan lifted his sleepy head and glanced around the paneled room lined with books. Why was he in the study?
Running a hand through his rumpled blond hair, he stared down at the desk. Crumpled papers littered its surface, but in the middle under his spectacles was one nicely folded square.
