Lady Corbett continued to pace back and forth across the scarred wooden floor of the room, her fingers flying around as she spoke, whether to herself or Jemma, Jemma wasn’t sure.
“I suppose we'll have to keep you bound and gagged all the way back to Bermuda. I've already told the minister that you're simple and have fits. That you may pose a danger to yourself and others. I'm sure he won't find it surprising that you can't recite your vows. I've paid him enough not to care, at any rate."
Bermuda. My God, she means to take me to Bermuda?
Fear, the likes of which Jemma had never known, shot through her. She struggled madly, feeling the bite of the ropes into her wrists. Wet warmth seeped across her skin as blood coursed from the wounds.
Lady Corbett stopped and leaned over, her eyes wild. “Stupid, headstrong girl. I’ve told you that it’s quite useless.” Curling tendrils of faded red hair spilled about the side of Lady Corbett’s cheeks and forehead, the tiny hairs standing on end, giving her the look of an agitated bird. “All of Hamilton was quite shocked at your death. Quite shocked. None, more than Lord Corbett and myself. Why, we searched everywhere for you as did everyone on the island. What a dirty, nasty, trick you played on us. We mourned, we Corbetts.” She snickered. “But we mourned the loss of Sea Cliff even more. We were so close.” She shook her head sadly, and then she straightened, a hard look coming into her eyes. “It was Tally, wasn’t it?”
Jemma shook her head vehemently in denial.
“Don’t lie, dear. That maid of yours, Mercy? She wasn’t smart enough to assist you, nor was Mrs. Stanhope. No, it must have been Tally. He likely absconded with the account books as well. We haven’t been able to find them.”
Tally would never allow the Corbetts to force her to marry Augie. If they succeeded in taking her to Bermuda, Tally would be there.
“I see what you’re thinking, dear girl. That Mr. O’Dell will assist you again.” Her voice hardened. “But he is no longer in Hamilton. Gone and no one knows where. Possibly my husband had him killed and forgot to tell me.”
Jemma’s heart sank. She prayed with all her might that Tally was alive and safe.
“It’s of no matter, at any rate, for you will still marry my darling son. Now, I realize you’ve been behaving like a trollop, dear, but I think marriage to Augie will cure you.”
Jemma tried desperately to spit the gag out of her mouth and began to retch.
“Now stop that or you shan’t be able to breathe.” At Jemma’s continued gasping, she sighed. “You are probably thirsty.” Lady Corbett changed her demeanor to one of motherly concern. “I would prefer you be conscious for your wedding, of course, that will make it so much easier. Now, don’t you dare make a sound, or I’ll have to give you more ether.” She pointed to a small brown bottle on the table. “Though I sincerely doubt it would matter if you do scream. I can’t imagine anyone would come to your aid in this house. I’m told screams are quite common.” The gag was pulled back and a cup of tepid water was pressed to Jemma’s lips.
Jemma gulped the water greedily, ignoring the tinny taste. She took a deep breath. “No one in Hamilton will believe—”
“Oh my! Do you really assume I will let you actually speak to anyone in Bermuda?” Lady Corbett made an awful braying sound. “Really? Oh, my, no. I’ll tell them all that we found you, living in the streets here in London like a beggar when we came to visit Dorthea. Augie and I were shocked. Just shocked. You lost your mind, dear, after William died, and stowed aboard a ship bound for England. No one will question me when I lock you in your room, permanently, for your own safety of course.”
Jemma swallowed. “You can’t be serious,” she whispered. “Listen to me, if you want Sea Cliff, take it. I don’t want it.” A sob escaped her. “The estate is tainted, bought with blood money.” Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. If only she could persuade Lady Corbett to let her go. “I’ll sign it over. It will be yours.”
“But we can’t, dear. Not without you. The estate only goes to you as a dowry, otherwise it will revert to the Crown. William,” she made a clucking sound with her tongue, “made certain that no one butyouwould have Sea Cliff. We didn’t realize, of course, untilafter.”
“After what?” Jemma shook her head fiercely. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want it. I’ll write out that I want the estate to be yours. Just untie me and I’ll write out a letter,” she said eagerly. “We can go directly to the Meechum & Sons, my father’s solicitors.”
“Poor William,” Lady Corbett continued as if Jemma hadn’t spoken. “If he had just done as we asked and married you to Augie, none of this,” she threw her arms wide, “would have happened. He'd still be alive. But you decided to fuck that man. That devil.”
Jemma recoiled in shock at the foul words coming from Lady Corbett’s mouth. She’d never even heard the woman raise her voice before, much less curse.
“I came to England prepared to beg Dorthea to assist me. Possibly sell a jewel or two that Peter’s given her. George’s family is near destitute themselves and weren’t any help.” She peered at Jemma with a maniacal smile on her lips. “I can’t tell you how surprised I was to find Dunbar alive and well. I nearly choked on my tea. Thank goodness Lady Arabella was there to console me.”
“Lady Arabella?” Jemma whispered, her stomach falling.
“Oh, my yes. That dear girl was an enormous help. She does hate youso.” Lady Corbett’s eyes lit up. “So much that she couldn’t wait to tell us where your uncle lived and what hour you typically walked in the park. I explained everything to her. That you are addled and betrothed to Augie, so you couldn’t possibly marry her brother. I told her of your humble origins, what with your mother a chambermaid and all.” Lady Corbett tapped her temple. “Oh, and I may have mentioned that your father betrayed the Crown and allowed her family to shoulder the blame. Why after hearing that, Lady Arabella fairly jumped at the chance to reunite you and Augie.”
Jemma shuddered against the chair.I never expected that the Corbetts would come to London, never spared a thought that I would see them again. Foolishly I thought they would forget about me. Who would have guessed that Lady Corbett would cross paths with the one person whose hate for me matches their own?
“How,” she choked, “did you come to know Lady Arabella?”
The woman before her giggled and twirled about. “Oh, it was because of the orphans you see. Dorthea does love to take care of strays and such. I must say, I managed to keep from fainting, first after finding out that man was still alive and then you as well. My goodness, I thought I would have a fit of apoplexy just like poor George, but when I calmed myself and considered it, I realized my coming to London and finding you was God’s providence.”
Jem. That’s what my brother calls you.Only Arabella could have given the Corbetts that name, the name that only Nick used for her. How Arabella must despise her to assist the Corbetts.
“Wake up.” Lady Corbett smacked the open palm of her hand against Jemma’s cheek.
Her eyes immediately snapped open, the pain beating away the last of the fogginess from her brain. Tears welled in her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks.She is insane; perhaps she's always been. How could I not see that?
“William didlovehis teacakes." Lady Corbett fluttered about the room discarding the previous conversation. “He couldn’t wait to eat them, the cakes I madeespeciallyfor him.” She laughed maniacally, dancing a bit on her toes. “Teacakes. That's what you get when you marry aservant, a little Irishslut, instead of a lady.” Lady Corbett shrugged. “I never did care for your mother, Jane Emily. She thought too much of herself. What a relief that she died in childbirth.Sheloved my teacakes as well. George and I were delighted when she expired.”
