Page 67 of Tamed By a Passionate Lady
“Indeed,” said Reuben sourly.
“Never mind,” said James slowly. “You have other hats, I am sure.”
Reuben looked sulky, not saying a word. James regarded him steadily. He had always been obsessed with his clothing and possessions, overreacting when he lost something. James had never understood it. But now, he finally realised what it was all about. Why Reuben was so particular, in that way.
Everything that he had, since he was a boy, was extra precious to him, because the family had been in danger of losing everything. And his clothing, chosen with such care, was part of a carefully cultivated image, to appear wealthier than what he actually was. Mrs. Montgomery had sent Reuben to the same tailor as James when they had been lads, ordering almost identical clothes, insisting that they must be of the very best quality, even when they could barely afford it.
He gritted his teeth. No wonder Reuben resented him and coveted what he had. James had always been put on a pedestal to him…
He gasped. The reason Reuben had pushed him off the cliff was not only to get Adaline. If he had succeeded, and he had died, he would get everything that James possessed, if he married his widow. He would own Birkenhead Lodge, and all that was in it. At long last, he would become the man he always thought that he should be. He would get everything that he thought he deserved.
They were almost there. The cliff, where it had happened.
His chest tightened, in sudden panic. He had not come here since the accident. He had avoided it, even though Dr. Brown had suggested he make this short trip because he thought it might trigger James’ memory. He had not wanted to come back to the place where he had almost lost his life.
He remembered everything now. The walk here, how cold the wind had been that day, the colour of the sea. He had walked to the edge because he had spied theChristianaas it had been sailing along the coastline, and wanted a closer look.
He had not known that Reuben was following him. He had not known his friend was behind him at all, until he had turned around. He vividly recalled the look of sheer hatred on his face, as he pushed him with all his might…
He glanced up at Groves, his manservant, who was silently pushing him.
“Take me to the edge of the cliff,” he said, in a subdued voice. “Then I want you to leave us.”
The man looked confused. “Leave you? But then, how will you get back to the house?”
James took a deep breath. “I want you to return in fifteen minutes,” he said. “Not a moment sooner. I will be ready to go back then.”
The man nodded, wheeling him slowly towards the cliff. It seemed to rear up at him, quite violently. A wave of nausea swept over him, which he swallowed down.
He had to be brave. He had to do this. For all their sakes; but mostly, he had to do it for Adaline.
He could see that Reuben was confused, too. Hesitantly, the man followed him to the spot, watching as Groves left.
They were alone. At long last they were alone, at the exact same spot where his whole life had suddenly changed in the most unexpected of ways.
***
“James?” Reuben’s voice was thick with confusion. “Why have you dismissed your manservant? What is going on?”
James inhaled deeply, turning to face him. “I thought that it would be a private spot to talk about some of the things you brought up last night,” he said, in a steady voice. “I want to know more about this Lydia in the portrait, and I did not want Adaline to overhear, for obvious reasons…”
He saw the sudden upsurge of triumph on Reuben’s face, quickly suppressed. The man thought that his plan was working. It was obvious, now, that his so called friend had planted the portrait in his drawer so that he would find it easily. He remembered that he had kept it in another spot, not easily accessible, in his study.
It had been just another calculated move on Reuben’s part. He didn’t like the fact that James was falling hard for Adaline and he wanted to rekindle his old feelings for Lydia.
“Of course,” said Reuben, his voice thick with satisfaction. “We would not want Adaline to suspect how much you cared for Lydia, would we? That might hurt her unduly, which would be a shame…”
“No, we would not want to hurt Adaline,” he replied, his voice hard. “She has been a good egg, hasn’t she? Acting the loyal, devoted wife, even though she could never measure up to the glorious Lydia.” He paused. “I wonder now how she endured it, if it was as you say. How she did not wish to seek solace in another man’s arms…”
Reuben’s eyes widened. “Oh, I doubt that she would ever do such a thing, old chap.”
“No, I do not suppose she would,” he continued, frowning slightly. “Although, that might be for lack of opportunity, in such a remote location. I doubt she would find it hard to find a lover, if she desired. Sheisa very beautiful woman. Don’t you think so?”
Reuben flushed. “I…can’t say that I have ever noticed her in that way, my friend. She is your wife, after all.”
“Yes,” said James slowly. “She ismywife, as you say. And the Bible urges us not to trespass on another man’s wife…”
Reuben’s flush deepened. He looked cornered, but still unsure where this was heading.
