A/N: Thanks to my betas thegladelf and mryddinwilt . Please check-out captainswanandclintasha 's lovely pic-set for chapters 9 and 10 on tumblr.
Emma was unable to stop thinking of her conversation with Captain Jones in the days following the visit to the theater. He had not given her any details about what had passed between Neal Cassidy and Wendy, but from the terminology he had used, it did not appear to be merely a question of Neal leaving the girl with unfulfilled matrimonial expectations. Had Mrs. Lucas not said that Wendy was only fifteen? Emma could hardly believe that Neal was capable of seducing anyone, let alone someone so young. The possibility was simply too horrible to contemplate.
While one part of her mind was occupied in this manner, another part was reevaluating her former judgments of Captain Jones. He was proving himself to be a much kinder and worthier man than she had given him credit for. Cousin Ingrid and Mrs. Lucas had occasionally let fall in casual conversation that he had brought the Misthaven Abbey estate from the brink of financial ruin using his naval prize money and done much to improve the life of his tenants. He was hardly the usurper Neal saw him as. Even if Neal had inherited the Abbey, he lacked the means and—Emma suspected—the drive to set it to rights as Captain Jones had done. In additional support of the captain's essential integrity and goodness of heart was his offer of the Misthaven living to David. And he had done it because he had heard of David's shameful treatment at the hands of his family. He had understood her broken heart and offered comfort without being indelicate or condescending. Emma felt a sort of reluctant respect and gratitude growing within her for the captain despite all her self-cautions.
Mary Margaret had not missed Emma's restlessness and unease, and from the way Mrs. Lucas and Ruby were tiptoeing around her, Emma could tell that they noticed it as well. But from their occasional remarks, Emma realized that they all credited Neal's marriage as the sole cause of her mental agitation. Emma thought it best to leave it at that. She had not shared any of the details of her conversation with Captain Jones even to her sister. Whatever she herself might suspect in regards to the nature of Neal's behavior, it would be unpardonable in her to share them with anyone.
Emma was in her room reading a novel one afternoon when Ruby came in. The serious expression on her face made Emma pause. She set down her book and prepared to listen.
Ruby pulled up a chair beside Emma's bed and sat down. She was holding a letter in her hand.
"Who's that from?" Emma nodded at the letter.
"It's from Belle." Ruby paused. "You know she's really Mr. Cassidy's stepmother?"
Emma nodded, wondering at the question.
"I've seen how much Mr. Cassidy's marriage has upset you, Emma." Ruby gave a small smile. "I wrote to Belle in the off-chance that she may have some information that might help you recover from your disappointment."
"Oh, Ruby," said Emma, pressing her arm lightly. She was really touched by her friend's solicitude.
"I got more than what I bargained for." Ruby bit her lip. "Emma, the contents of Belle's letter are rather disturbing, I'm afraid."
Emma's eyes widened. Her heart-beat sped up when she realized that Mrs. Gould's letter might have the answers she was looking for. "Please tell me, Ruby. Whatever it is, I want to know."
Ruby extended the letter to her. "Here—read it yourself."
Emma almost snatched it from Ruby's hand. Skimming over the introductory messages, she jumped to the part of the letter that was about Neal. It read as follows:
In reply to your inquiry regarding Neal, I'm afraid I have some very distressing information to share. After Neal left Misthaven in September last year, it came to my knowledge that he had formed an illicit connection with a young girl of genteel birth and had abandoned her after getting her with child. You may imagine how reluctant I was to believe such a charge against someone I have always considered as my son. At the same time, the information came from a trustworthy person very closely connected with the girl in question. I immediately wrote to Neal asking him for an explanation of his conduct and urging him to do right by the girl and marry her if the report was indeed true.
Neal would not lie to me. He admitted to his guilty connection, but it pains me exceedingly to say that he absolutely refused to marry the girl. The only explanation he would offer for his unprincipled and immoral conduct was that of weakness. I wrote to him a few more times urging him to do the right thing, but it was to no avail. He wrote to me briefly in January announcing his impending nuptials, and that is the last I have heard of him. I have never felt a greater sense of shame in my life—I feel that I am to blame for not having seen this terrible weakness in his character. If I had known it, perhaps I could have guided him better as he was growing up.
I know that Neal had been paying attentions to Miss Emma Blanchard while at Misthaven last autumn. If you believe that this knowledge will help her overcome her heartbreak over his marriage, please share this with her. However, this should go no further.
Emma looked at Ruby in horror. This was worse than anything she had imagined. Emma felt her heart break all over again. This time, not for herself, but for Wendy.
"I never thought he was capable of such heinous conduct." Emma shivered. "I suppose I never knew him."
"Belle sees the best in everyone," said Ruby. "But she's no fool. I would have a hard time believing anyone else's account of the matter."
After some minutes of silence, Emma said, "I must thank you for sharing this with me, Ruby. Much as it pains me to find that Mr. Cassidy has feet of clay, I'm glad to know the truth about him at last."
Ruby nodded. "The truth can be painful at times, and yet liberating," said Ruby. She took Belle's letter back from Emma and folded it.
Emma gave a twisted smile. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Ruby gave a sympathetic smile. After a minute, she rose. "I want to show you something. I'll be back in a minute."
Ruby left the room and Emma stayed lost in thought. Mrs. Gould's letter had put paid to the small sliver of hope she had held on to that Captain Jones's hints against Neal had been unfounded. That she had so misjudged Neal was hardly shocking considering that even his stepmother had not believed him capable of such selfishness and callousness.
Ruby came back holding a locket threaded to a thin gold chain. She sat back down beside Emma and pressed the catch. It flew open, revealing two silhouette-portraits, one on either side. The one on the left was very obviously the likeness of Ruby; Emma did not recognize the other one. Her memory was hazy, but she didn't think it resembled the portrait of Ruby's mother she had seen at Lucas Park.
"Who is she?" asked Emma, wondering if it was a sibling who had died.
"Her name is Dorothy." Ruby gave a twisted smile. "She's a distant connection of our family from the American colonies. She came to England after her mother died and stayed with us at Misthaven for a while."
Emma nodded, unsure where this was heading.
"We fell in love," said Ruby, with a pointed look.
It took Emma a moment. Her jaw dropped. She knew of such things of course, especially in connection with naval circles, and was aware of the so-called "molly-houses" in London that provided a covert venue for people who desired clandestine meetings of this nature. But in day-to-day life, she had never come across anyone—let alone a lady of genteel birth—who harbored an attraction for someone of their same gender.
"Dorothy and I knew we had little chance of a real future," continued Ruby, "but we ignored reality for a while. We fantasized about living out our lives as close friends to the outside world like the 'Ladies of Llangollen'."
Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby were two Irish gentlewomen who had spurned a traditional life and "eloped" to Wales together, settling down at Llangollen. The exact nature of their relationship was unknown, though rumors swirled of an amorous connection. Their unconventional life fascinated a lot of people, including famous personages like the Duke of Wellington, Lord Byron, and even the Queen. However, while the nation might tolerate two women living an unorthodox life, it would be dangerously naive to expect them to approve of other women following in their footsteps.
"What happened?"
"Granny found out. She wasn't angry, but she was very upset and unhappy. You see—my parents died when I was very young and Granny was the one who brought me up. She was everything to me." Ruby's voice cracked at that, and Emma reached out and squeezed her hand to offer some comfort. "I tried to convince her that we could all pick up and leave England and go settle somewhere abroad—America or the African colonies."
"Did she agree?"
"She did. But at the end of the day, I knew it was but a foolish dream. Granny has deep roots in the heart of Devonshire—our family has lived there for generations. It wouldn't have been right to transplant her to an unknown place at her age." Ruby shrugged. "Besides, no matter where we went, we would never be able to live an open life. It would involve constant deception and scheming. And if the truth was ever discovered…"
Emma shivered.
"Ultimately, Dorothy made the choice to go back to America." Tears ran down her cheeks as she said that, and she could not go on. Emma offered her a handkerchief to dry her eyes and rubbed her arms, trying to reciprocate the kindness she had received from Ruby.
"I am so sorry," said Emma, sympathizing with Ruby from her heart.
Ruby dried her eyes and continued, "I was heartbroken for a long time, and didn't think I would find happiness again. Then, I met Victor at a ball one day. We somehow, connected. I told him about Dorothy."
Emma gasped. "He knows?"
"Yes," said Ruby, with a genuine smile this time. "There were things in his past he was…not proud of. We hold no judgment over each other. We both got a chance to start over, and we decided to take it. So should you."
"I…it's not the same. Dorothy didn't play you for a fool like Neal played me and that other girl suffered a worse fate."
"Dorothy still broke my heart when she left," said Ruby. Emma had no reply to that. Ruby continued, "I will always love Dorothy. But that doesn't diminish the deep love I have for my husband. Heartbreak of this kind is hard to endure, but it doesn't have to be the end of all happiness."
Emma laughed shakily.
"I'm not saying that you should fall in love with the next person who asks you to dance. But I do not think you ought to spend a single minute regretting the loss of such a man as Neal Cassidy." Ruby looked her steadily. "He does not deserve it."
"I do agree that he does not," said Emma. She rose and embraced Ruby warmly. "Ruby…thank you for sharing all this with me, and for being so understanding."
Ruby grinned. "That's what friends are for."
The long-put off outing to Vauxhall Gardens was finally to take place. Even if the fireworks would not be as spectacular as at Christmas, the regular displays were said to be quite worth seeing. The Harley Street party set off around six in the evening for Westminster, where they planned to rendezvous with the Robin Blanchards, and proceed to Vauxhall together by boat. Robin and Regina were there to greet them when they alighted from the carriage, along with Roland and Walsh Spencer. Little Margot had been left in the care of the nursery-maid at home. Roland excitedly hopped up to his aunts when he spotted them. Emma picked him up and kissed his chubby cheeks, making him giggle and squirm in her hold. She found that they were only waiting for Captain Jones to join their party to get started with the evening's activities. Mary Margaret had told Emma of Robin's misguided attempts at matchmaking and Emma could not help being amused by their brother's dedication to his plan.
Captain Jones joined them about ten minutes later and their party got into a boat and were soon on their way to Vauxhall. The boat dropped them off near the main entrance of the gardens, and they made their way inside after paying over the one shilling per person entrance fee. For a while they kept together as a group, admiring the flowerbeds and waterfalls, and finally stopped next to a roped-off enclosure where a performance of acrobatics was proceeding, much to little Roland's delight.
Mary Margaret wanted to observe an equestrian display that was in progress a little further away and some of the party, consisting of Emma, Captain Jones, and the Whales, joined her. As yet that evening, Captain Jones had not made a move to talk to Emma, but she could feel his eyes drifting to her. Not wanting him to think that she was avoiding him, and wishing to make an overture of friendship, she slowly made her way to his side and smiled at him. His expression brightened and he returned her smile. They made desultory conversation for a while.
"Miss Emma," said Captain Jones, after a short pause. "I must apologize again for my abrupt manner to you the other night. I was surprised when you mentioned Wendy's name, but that is no excuse for my rudeness."
"It was I who was rude, Captain," she said. "For I ought not to have mentioned the name of…um, your niece. I blurt out things thoughtlessly at times."
"You're never thoughtless Miss Emma," he said, with a soft smile. "And yes—Wendy was my brother's only daughter."
"Are her parents dead?"
"Yes. My brother, Liam, died in action at Trafalgar. My sister-in-law died of consumption about five years ago."
"I'm sorry."
He nodded in acknowledgment and adjusted his collar. Emma wanted to ask more questions about Wendy Jones, but was hesitant. She did not know how the captain would feel about Belle sharing the information with Ruby and herself, even if she had not actually named Wendy in her letter. But then, he was the one who had brought her up in conversation today. She began, "Is Wendy…? Where is she now?"
"She's in Kent, in the care of a very trusted friend of mine, Admiral Nemo."
"Oh, I'm glad she's being well looked-after."
"I'm going back to Kent next week to be with her. She is just sixteen, you know…"
Emma was glad that he was not going to leave his niece alone in this critical time. She wondered how Captain Jones was able to let Neal walk freely, after knowing how cruelly he had treated his niece. Granted, an open trial in court was impossible for the sake of preserving Wendy's reputation, but as a naval man, Emma could not believe that he had done nothing. She expressed some of these thoughts out loud.
"Not for lack of trying, I assure you," he replied, his expression darkening. His right hand drifted to his arm in what seemed an unconscious gesture.
Emma's eyes widened. "Is that how you injured your arm?"
Captain Jones arched his brows.
Emma blushed. "I noticed you seemed to be in some pain when you came over for dinner at Harley Street…" she trailed off.
"You're quite clever, Miss Emma." Captain Jones huffed out a laugh. "Cassidy didn't wing me fair and square, you know. But I should probably stop here before I say any more."
"I'd rather know." Emma made a deprecating gesture.
Captain Jones considered her for a moment. Then, he said, "Well...he fired at me before the count was up. Proved he was just as much of a coward as his father." He gave a derisive smile.
Emma expelled a short breath. She didn't wish to dwell on what may have happened if Neal had seriously injured the captain, or worse.
"I would have killed him then and there, but Nemo stopped me—he was my second." Captain Jones waved his hand slightly. "He reminded me that it would do Wendy little good if I was hanged for murder trying to avenge her honor."
Emma shook her head in sympathy. She and the captain stood in silence together for a while, but it was not an uncomfortable one. Their last two encounters had been so fraught with agitation that Emma was glad of the opportunity to part with him on an amicable note. Mrs. Lucas had finally fixed on a date for their return to Misthaven, and as Captain Jones was leaving for Kent shortly, there was no saying when they would meet next.
The group then meandered through the Grand Walk, now splendidly illuminated with the light of thousands of colorful lanterns, in the direction of the supper-boxes, where they met back up with the others. One unsatisfactory supper consisting of thinly sliced ham, dry chicken, and assorted puddings later, they all made their way to the fireworks display.
Walsh ambled up to Emma, holding a cup of Vauxhall's special arrack punch. Emma suspected from the brightness of his eyes that he had already imbibed rather liberally of the potent drink.
"Have you seen David lately, Miss Emma?" he asked, speaking loudly as to be heard over the sound of the fireworks.
"It's been a couple of weeks since he called on us at Harley Street," Emma replied.
"Poor David. It's just like him to fall in love with such a dowdy unfashionable creature." Walsh snickered.
Emma pressed her lips together. Much as she did not like Miss West, she did not fancy the tone of Walsh's remarks.
Walsh took a sip of punch. "My brother has always had his head in the clouds, but even I didn't expect him to be this foolish."
"In honorably standing up for his engagement, you mean?" Emma said pointedly.
"That's probably what the poor sod imagines he's doing." Walsh's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Besides, my mother and Regina set his back up, you know? Sadly, they have no talent for subtlety or logic."
"What do you mean, Mr. Walsh?"
"They were too belligerent towards Miss West. It hurt David's pride." Walsh waved his hand in emphasis. "Depend upon it, that's half the reason why he's sticking to it."
Emma simply shrugged.
"If David had a grain of common sense, he'd know that he's being duped by this woman." Walsh rolled his eyes.
"One can hardly question Miss West's attachment to David considering the way she is standing by him." Privately, of course, Emma agreed with Walsh's sentiment in this matter, but she felt a perverse compulsion to argue against the point.
Walsh drained his cup and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He threw Emma a sideways glance. "My mother has plenty of investments not tied to Spencer Hall, you know? You don't suppose Miss West is unaware of that?"
"You believe she's only after the money, then?" she asked dryly.
"Of course she is. I saw how she was trying to flatter up Regina when she was staying with them. I bet she thinks she can butter up my mother the same way." Rooting around in his pocket, Walsh extracted a small silver snuff box. He opened the box with a practiced flick of his thumb, took an infinitesimal pinch, and inhaled. With a sigh of satisfaction, he dusted his fingers and replaced the snuff box. Emma watched the proceedings with mingled amusement and distaste. Taking snuff was a common enough habit, especially among the dandy-set, but the practice filled Emma with mild revulsion. Walsh continued, "You know what, Miss Emma. I think it may still be possible to extricate my idiot brother from this mess."
"And how do you plan to do that, Mr. Walsh?"
"I'm going to convince Miss West to set him free," he remarked, confidently.
"Indeed!" Emma arched her brows.
"I have a good idea on how to approach Miss West." Walsh gave a faux-modest smile. "She doesn't realize how inflexible my mother can be. Once I get her to understand that she cannot expect a penny of support from my mother, I bet she'll back away from David as soon as you can blink."
Regina came up to them, a sleeping Roland in her arms. She threw an irritated look at Emma and turned to Walsh. "Here, Walsh, could you carry him for some time?" She handed the sleeping boy to his uncle. "Robin has gone to get him warm milk."
Emma rolled her eyes and turned away. Regina evidently suspected her of casting lures at her younger brother now that he had acquired Spencer Hall. Even if Emma had been inclined to look for a match—which she was not—Walsh Spencer was the last man she would wish to become entangled with. As for what Walsh had told her of his intentions regarding Miss West, Emma wished him success in her heart. If Walsh's interference could set David free to marry Mary Margaret honorably, that would be the best outcome. However, she suspected that Walsh had underestimated Kelly West's determination to marry David. David's income as a clergyman would not be high, but it was more than enough to secure a respectable establishment for someone with the threat of poverty hanging over their head.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know your thoughts! Next week, we'll be going back to Misthaven. :-)