Captain Edgerton frowned. “If it transpires that it is indeed yours, Miss Nicholson, then you will have it.”
“No,theywill have it, and then my husband will have it, not me.”
He still looked puzzled, and Tess gave a huff of annoyance. How could she possibly explain?
It was Edward who reached for the gold bar and picked it up, weighing it in his hands.
“This is solid gold,” he said. “Just like a gold coin, it has intrinsic value. One could take this to a bank or perhaps to a reputable goldsmith, and exchange it for coins or notes to the value of the gold. Anyone who owns such a thing has no need to ask for money or give reasons or wait for next quarter day. Anyone who owns many such things will be able to live life as he pleases… or as she pleases. A lady with such a fortune in her own hands may marry wherever she wishes, or not at all.”
“She might marry a man who is not a gentleman,” said Captain Edgerton, getting the point.
“Exactly so.”
“I am going to marry Tom Shapman,” Tess said.
“You want to marry a murderer?” the captain said.
“Tom did not murder anybody. He is entirely innocent, and once I have my fortune safe in my keeping, I shall get him out of prison and we shall be married. That was the whole purpose ofEdward climbing trees and breaking into safes, to get my fortune for me so that I can marry Tom.”
“And that would be a disaster for both of you,” Edward said sharply. “On the other hand, if these gold bars simply become part of your dowry in the trustees’ care, then you will marry Ulric Frith and that would be another kind of disaster.”
“What is the objection to Mr Frith?” Mrs Edgerton said.
“He is simple in the head, and only interested in his horses,” Edward said. “I have been doing my best to prevent both these disasters, but the good captain and his pistols have sunk my plan.”
“Your plan?” Tess said in a small voice. “You were never intending to give me my fortune, then?”
“And have you run straight off and marry Tom Shapman? No, certainly not.”
“Then what were you going to do with it? Not hand it over to my trustees, in case I marry Ulric. So whatdidyou intend to do with it?”
“Keep hold of it myself, and use that as a way to persuade you to marry me instead.”
For a long moment she was silent, then she burst out laughing. “You meant it, then, when you suggested that the other day? You really think I would marryyou?”
“Better than Shapman or Ulric, anyway.”
“Not for me!” she burst out. “I could never marry you!”
“As you please,” he said, although again the pain of her words cut him deeply. “Then I had better write to Lord Rennington to tell him what we have found.”
“No! You cannot… oh, you are a hateful man!”
“Yes, probably, but I have your best interests at heart, Tess.”
She gave a squeak of pure frustration, jumping up from her chair to prowl about the room. “After all this effort, to be denied at the last moment! It was I who told you about the gold bars Isaw in my father’s safe years ago. It was I who worked out that they were here. It was I who found the safe. I thought you were my friend, Edward. I thought you were on my side.”
“I am on your side, if you will only see it.”
“No, you are not. You are only on your own side. You want my fortune for yourself, that is all you have ever wanted, and you think to marry me to get your hands on it. Well, I shall never marry you,never!If you keep my money from me, then I shall marry Ulric and that will serve you right!”
“Tess, I—”
“Oh, leave me alone. I am going back to the White Swan, and tomorrow I shall go back to Durham to see Ulric. My betrothed, in case you had forgotten. It will suit me very well if I never see you again.” Her gaze swept the room. “Any of you.”
She stormed from the room, slamming it behind her.
Edward waited until he heard her footsteps disappear into the distance, then rang the bell for a servant. When he appeared, he said, “My valet, Deakin, is in the common room downstairs. Kindly ask him to step up here.”
