The Lightkeeper's Ball (38 page)
“Are the Stewarts paid anywhere near this amount per month?” he asked, quoting half of the current month’s income from the original mine.
“That was the amount transferred last month, Mr. Bennett. Your father oversees what comes in and specifies what goes out to them as well.”
“Do you think he’s cheating them?”
“The only way to know that is to see how much the mine is actually making, not what he is transferring.”
“How can we do that?”
“You’d need to talk to the banker who handles the account.”
His father did business with the bank here in town. John North could put him in touch with the right person. “I can do that. I’ll let you know what I find out.” He hung up and took a deep breath.
If he discovered his father was a swindler, what would he do about it? Lady Devonworth wanted to talk to him, but he was going to put her off until tomorrow. He wanted to get to the truth first.
O
LIVIA SAT SIPPING
lemonade on the terrace with Katie and Addie. This morning she had hustled around the house making sure the bedrooms were readied for overnight guests from San Francisco. Her first load of guests would arrive shortly on the packet, and the real work of hosting the ball would begin.
Bees buzzed a pleasant drone in the background, but she was out of sorts. She’d asked Harrison to come by last night, but he’d made his apologies. Now here it was the day of the ball—their engagement ball!—and she hadn’t told him she was Olivia Stewart. How could she tell him today when the tension between them might explode and ruin the festivities?
Hummingbirds flitted from flower to flower in the espaliered planting that shielded the terrace from anyone in the yard. Even the fragrance of hibiscus failed to soothe her.
Katie leaned back in her chair. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done, my dear Olivia. The ballroom should be full tonight.”
Olivia rubbed Tiger’s ears, and he rewarded her with a loud purr. “And you and Will shall soon be back home. I expect the funds to pour in from the benefit.”
“Is your costume ready?” Katie asked.
“Oh yes.”
“You shall be the loveliest Juliet of all time,” Addie said. She smiled and picked up Olivia’s left hand. “You’ve said nothing about this, though I’ve been waiting in agony for you to tell me. When did Harrison give it to you?”
Olivia turned it to catch the light. “Last night, the night the tail of the comet was supposed to show itself, but this was much more brilliant than the comet.”
“You’ve said hardly anything about it to me either, and I’ve been dying to ask,” Katie said. “Why did he give you a ring if you’re going to break the engagement after the ball is over?”
Olivia put the cat down. He growled and stalked away with his tail in the air. “We aren’t going to break it. I’m going to marry him.”
She’d hugged the information close. It was a most delicious secret. Olivia wanted to take out the memories of last night and examine them with no doubts, no familial objections.
Addie leaped to her feet and grabbed Olivia in a hug. “I
knew
you two were meant for one another! I saw the way he looked at you.”
“And you at him,” Katie added, smiling widely. “I’m so delighted for you both.” She sobered. “Have you told him you’re Olivia Stewart yet?”
Olivia’s elation collapsed. “No. Every time I think I have the courage to do it, something happens and I can’t bear to spoil the mood.”
Katie put her hand to her head. “But his father knows you! The minute you meet him, the truth is out.”
“I know! Thankfully, he’s out of town for the ball. Once the craziness of the party is over, I’ll pick a quiet moment and tell Harrison.”
“He’s going to be upset that you waited so long,” Addie said.
Olivia bit her lip. “Time just seemed to slip away.”
Addie gave her a long look, then shrugged. “When is the wedding?”
Heat scorched Olivia’s cheeks. “Soon.”
Both of the other women stared at her hot cheeks. Katie glanced down at her plate of cake with a smile. Addie bit her lip but it failed to stop the curve of her mouth.
Olivia stirred sugar into her tea. “I’ve never been in love before. Is it—normal—to feel, um, flustered when he kisses me? T-To not want him to stop?”
Addie choked on the bite of cookie she’d just taken. Katie spilled tea on her dress. Olivia knew her face must be as red as the strawberries on the plate of refreshments. She was totally abnormal. A hussy. Harrison deserved better than a woman who threw herself at him.
Addie swallowed and the pink in her cheeks intensified. “It’s normal when you love someone to, um, want to be with him. Passion between a man and woman is how it’s supposed to be. It’s how God designed it.”
“You mean you feel that way too? I’m not a fallen woman?”
The other women laughed. They all looked down at their tea. Olivia’s eyes burned when they didn’t answer. Perhaps they would cast her off now that they knew of her base nature.
Finally Addie glanced up. “I’ve been married the longest, so I suppose I should answer this. Be thankful you have those feelings, Olivia. Too many women go into marriage only for convenience or arrangement. They endure the marriage bed with little emotion or feeling. God designed you to respond to your husband. He looked at the union of man and woman and said, ‘It is good.’ And it is.”
Katie patted her hand. “And your love for Harrison will only grow if you let it.” She smiled and her dimple flashed. “I’d suggest you plan that wedding very soon.”
“Have you told your mother?” Addie asked.
Olivia shook her head. “She saw the ring, but I think she imagines it’s part of the show. I’ll tell her soon.”
“He’s a wonderful man,” Katie said. “There should be no impediment.”
“She’s uncertain of Mr. Bennett’s role in Father’s disappearance. As am I. But Harrison had nothing to do with his father’s schemes.”
“What of Eleanor’s death?” Addie’s voice was gentle. “Have you abandoned any belief that Harrison had something to do with it?”
“Of course. He’s saved my life several times.” Even as she spoke, she was aware his appearance at the right times proved nothing. He could have hired someone to harm her and then intervened. But she knew him better now. He was not that kind of man.
“Who could be behind these attempts on your life?” Katie asked.
Olivia lifted her cup to her lips. “I suspect Richard Pixton.”
“As do I,” Katie said. “But I haven’t been able to decipher a motive. He gets the money even if you live.”
“Not if I’m successfully able to contest the will.”
Addie nodded. “And with you and your mother out of the way, he wouldn’t have to care for you.” She tipped her head in a listening posture. “I think I hear a car arriving. I do believe the ball is about to commence!”
The bank was nearly empty. It would close for the day in fifteen minutes. Harrison shook hands with John. “Thank you for meeting me here on such short notice.”
“My pleasure. I’m on the board of directors—so not an integral part of the day-to-day operations—but I hope to be able to answer any questions you might have.”
His father’s account included Harrison as a joint signer, but he’d never had the need to do more than arrange deposits and tally outlays. His father managed everything else. He followed John to a back office.
John shut the door behind them and led Harrison to a long table that held a stack of leather-bound books. “I’ve pulled the account books for you. They are always available for your perusal. I’ll leave you to look through them while I tend to another matter. I’ll be back to see if you have any questions.”
“Thank you.” Harrison pulled out a chair and opened the first book.
It didn’t take long for his worst fears to be confirmed. The diamond mine was raking in a staggering amount of money, but his father was only transferring a thousand dollars a month to the Stewarts. Not only that, but Harrison saw an even more awful truth: Mr. Stewart had owned 80 percent of that mine. His father had lied to everyone in saying he’d paid for it alone.
So his father had been swindling the Stewarts out of money. The door opened behind him, but he didn’t turn until he heard his father’s voice.
“Harrison, what are you doing here?” his father demanded.
Harrison stood to face his father. “When did you get back in town?”
“I decided my son’s engagement party was more important than business, so I turned around and came back. What are you doing?”
“I wanted to see the books. I have every right.”
“I give you a detailed report every month, and you give those a cursory glance. If you wanted more information, all you had to do was ask. Instead you’ve gone behind my back?” His father closed the door behind them. Perspiration dotted his upper lip. His smile was more of a grimace as he crossed the room to the table where Harrison stood. He glanced at the open book. “What are you looking for?”
“Less than I’ve actually discovered,” Harrison said, suddenly weary. “You’ve been cheating the Stewarts.”
“I’ve done no such thing,” his father sputtered. “Marshall left me in charge.”
“Did he really? Or did you forge his name so you could swindle his family?”
His father paled and sank heavily onto a chair. “How do you know that?”
“I found the notebook. There were imprints on the blank pages.”
His father’s eyes pleaded for understanding. “Marshall’s dead. This is my chance to be like the Vanderbilts. I had to take it. It was just going to be temporary until you were married to one of the Stewart girls. The families would be joined and I would give them everything they needed.”
“But keep the bulk for yourself.” When his father dropped his gaze, Harrison knew he was right. He felt sick. “You cut Mrs. Stewart’s money so she would be forced to agree to your demand to marry Eleanor off to me.”
His father took a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his brow. “No one was hurt by this.”
“What about Mrs. Stewart and her surviving daughter? You’ve been raking in the money and forcing them to live on a shoestring.”
“Only for a few months,” his father protested. “It was to ensure Mrs. Stewart went through with the wedding.”
Harrison shut the account book. The thud echoed in the room. “You must make it right, Father.”
His father’s lips thinned. “I’ll not have our name besmirched, Harrison. Keep quiet about this. I’ll just start putting more money into their account. I’ll tell Mrs. Stewart the mine began producing. Mrs. Stewart will never have to worry about money again. I’ll settle a large amount on you and Lady Devonworth as well. You can tinker with your planes the rest of your life in comfort.”
Did his father think he could
buy
him? “I don’t want your blood money, Father.”
“Blood money? I had nothing to do with Marshall’s death.”
“Rather convenient he died in that mine, wasn’t it?”
“Surely you don’t think your own father would stoop to murder?”
Harrison tapped a pencil against the financial records. “This much money can corrupt a man.”
“His death was an accident, I swear it!”
Harrison studied his father’s earnest face. “I hope you’re telling me the truth, Father.”