“Yes, and become a target for thieves and marauding males. Good God, girl, have you no sense at all?”
Since she had never considered this aspect of the matter, Apple had no means of refuting the horrid picture Mr Dymond conjured up. She was not so ignorant she did not understand what he meant. Indeed, Cousin Marjorie had laid a deal of emphasis on her dismal prospects if she didn’t choose to marry Mr Cumberledge and carried out her threat to leave the family home. But she had left, and in such circumstances as rendered her acutely vulnerable. She fought against the sinking feeling in her stomach. She would not be defeated.
“Well, it won’t come to that. You said the stagecoach must keep to its waybill.”
“Listen to me, my dear girl.” Mr Dymond’s tone had softened and Apple experienced an odd shiver, as if her veins were heated. “You must see your scheme is flawed beyond reason. Perfectly understand you felt compelled to escape, but these guardians of yours can’t force you to the altar. Only have to stand firm. You said it won’t be long before you attain your majority, and then you can do as you please.”
Dismay engulfed Apple. He meant to make her go back! She broke into impetuous speech. “It isn’t as easy as that. I’ve said I won’t do it I don’t know how many times. I told them they can’t make me say the words, even if they drag me to church. I swore I would tell the pastor I was being forced. But they only laughed at me!”
“I dare say, but —”
“It’s of no use to try and persuade me, sir, for I’m not going back. In any event, I don’t mean to remain away. I am only going to see Mr Vergette. Once I have him on my side, they won’t be able to do anything for he will refuse to break the trust.”
“How do you know that? Are you acquainted with the fellow?”
“No, but I have corresponded with him.”
“Then, in God’s name, why didn’t you write to tell him what was going forward?”
“I did. He wrote that I should consider the offer, for I might not get another.”
Mr Dymond expelled what sounded like a snort. “And you expect to get him on your side?”
“I must! I am persuaded, once he understands the circumstances, he will not fail me.”
Mr Dymond was silent for a moment and Apple waited, feeling a lift of hope. If he chose to try to take her back, she might have a difficult time escaping him. He would not be as easy to dupe as her cousins. At last he looked across at her.
“When did your father set up this trust of yours?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, was it when he began to ail? Did he know he would not recover?”
The question recalled her papa’s words to her mind.No need to trouble your head, my dear. Your future is assured.He had never spoken of his future, but Apple had known he was going to die. He would not otherwise have spent so much time arranging for the transfer of the business. In the event, he was gone before the lawyers had completed their work.
“He knew,” she told Mr Dymond, “but I think he may have set up the trust earlier, for Marjorie said Papa had been building a nest egg for years. And Walter believes his inheritance has been siphoned off into my trust. I heard them talking once.”
“You mean you were eavesdropping.”
Apple’s better opinion of Mr Dymond dissipated. “I had every reason to do so. I had to find out what they intended.”
“Incorrigible is what you are, my girl.”
“I am not your girl and I wish you won’t keep telling me what I am! You don’t know anything about me.”
“Matter of fact, I know far more about you than you do about me.” He brought a fist down on one knee. “Totty-headed chit! What possessed you to take such a risk? And don’t bleat about your pistol, for what use is it if the thing isn’t loaded? What’s more, if I’d known I’d be saddled with such a birdwit, I would have stayed the night at the Swan.”
Apple fairly gasped. “Saddled with me? You are not in the least saddled with me!”
“Aren’t I just! Don’t suppose I can let you go careering off around the country by yourself, do you?”
“Yes, you can. It’s got nothing to do with you.”
“I know, and that makes it worse.”
Bereft of words, Apple could only gaze at him.
But Mr Dymond was not done. “What’s more, I’m supposed to get home for Christmas and now I’ll have to scratch that and post off to London to see this lawyer of yours. And what the deuce I’m to do with you in the meantime, I haven’t the foggiest.”
