"It is customary for the bride to sign over her properties prior to the marriage, or in this case any properties you will inherit. According to English law, everything would then be the property of Master Jerrold."
"I have no properties," Elyse tried to explain for the third time.
"What is this about?"
Both turned as Lady Winslow swept into the room.
The solicitor cleared his throat and began again.
Lady Winslow held up a hand. "My granddaughter's wedding is in just a few hours. She must dress and has no time for legal matters. I'm certain my solicitor can take care of everything if you will just leave those with me."
The man shuffled the papers uncomfortably. His instructions were explicit, he was to have Miss Winslow sign the documents. It appeared that this was not to happen.
The man backtracked. "Very well." He quickly stuffed the documents inside his leather case, donned his hat, and made his way out the front entrance.
"I wonder what that was all about," Lady Regina commented. "I certainly would like to have seen those documents. What could Jerrold possibly be thinking? I've never heard of anything so outrageous."
Elyse thought the same but didn't have time to ponder as Katy charged past the room, stopped, and retraced her steps.
"Here you are. You gave me a fright. I was afraid you had decided to take a late morning ride, today of all days." Katy bustled across the room.
She fixed Katy with a penetrating gaze. Already, it seemed her freedom was fast disappearing. What would it be like when she actually was Lady Barrington?
"Quimby and Mr. Quist have been polishing up the coach for days, and the groomsman has been working with the horses. They've promised to be ready on time. I can't say the same for you."
"Katy, darling," Elyse gave the maid a soft smile, "did it ever occur to you that you might make someone a good wife?"
"Whatever on earth for? Besides, I haven't found a man good enough yet." She nodded as she seized Elyse by the arm and propelled her toward the stairs. "When I decide to marry it will be to a man who offers me the sun, the moon, and the stars, takes me breath away and makes me toes curl—a man who steps right out of my dreams."
Elyse stopped in the middle of the doorway. "Makes your toes curl?" A smile teased at her lips. "I had no idea you thought of such things."
The maid drew back with feigned shock. "I have me dreams too. Just like you."
"Dreams." Elyse repeated with such wistfulness that the maid looked at her with concern.
"Why so sad? This is supposed to be the happiest day of yer life."
The shadows at Elyse's eyes betrayed the smile on her lips. She didn't believe in dreams anymore.
Lady Winslow followed them to the foot of the stairs. She frowned at the exchange. Today should be the happiest day of Elyse's life. Why did she have the feeling it wasn't?
Three hours later, the coach pulled out of the long drive of Winslow House. Pinned into her seat by layer upon layer of elegant, white silk and satin, Elyse struggled to sit forward. This was the last time she would look at that house and feel that she belonged there. When she saw it again, she would be Lady Barrington. That thought pushed her back onto the cushioned seat and made her silent for the remainder of the ride to the church.
Zach refused to be seated in the outer office of the agent of Barrington Shipping Company, Lionel Hodge, the young man behind the desk.
Once more Zach had donned the clothes of a gentleman, the black eye-patch firmly in place. He gazed at Hodge when the man's thin voice broke his train of thought.
"My instructions were that I would honor the draft only when the shipment was delivered."
"Precisely." Zach nodded his agreement. His eyes scanned the office, noting the dust motes stirring in the late morning sunlight. It was still comfortable in the bookkeeper's office, but beads of moisture, were popping out along the man's forehead. Zach was cool as ice.
"My man should be here any moment," he said, forcing a pleasant expression. "Would it be possible to have a cup of coffee while we wait?"
The little man jumped up, practically upsetting a pitcher of water. "Of course. I'll just inform my assistant." As if relieved to have an excuse, Lionel Hodge rounded the desk and disappeared through a glass-paned door.
Zach could hear lively discussion behind the glass. Seizing his opportunity, he immediately went to the file drawers along the opposite wall. Unless he missed his guess, he'd find what he wanted there.
The third drawer contained leather-bound ledgers. Seizing one, he began a quick review of the entries. His eyes narrowed with satisfaction as he scanned the last ledger and found what he was looking for.
