Read Online Salvation by Harriet Steel - Free Book Online

from his face but she knew antagonising him was likely to do more harm than good. He might be trying to trick her but if he had really found a poem to her in Tom’s lodgings, he was a dangerous enemy. Oh, how could Tom be such a fool when he had always been so adamant she must be careful?
    ‘That’s better,’ Ralph murmured, loosening his grip a little. ‘I don’t want to hurt you, and believe me you are well rid of that scoundrel.’
    With a struggle, she recovered her composure. ‘I have no idea what you mean. Tom Goodluck is a stranger to me. I cannot be blamed for a young man’s foolish fancies, and there are many women with the name Meg.’
    ‘A stranger, my lady? You surprise me. I believe you were once far from strangers; indeed, was there not some expectation you would be married? Tom’s description of you is admirably exact as well as passionate. When your husband reads the poem, I think he will find it hard to credit your feelings for each other have changed. There was a letter too. I imagine Tom’s carelessness in leaving such private things for anyone to find was due to his anxiety to avoid arrest.’
    Meg’s heart pounded.
    ‘Some men would take you now,’ Ralph said softly, bringing his face close to hers. ‘But I am not a brute and you will learn to love me.’ He caressed her throat. ‘You’ve only known an old man and a boy. A beautiful woman deserves more.’ He grinned. ‘I bear a passing resemblance to your husband. When you are with child, he will never know he has me to thank for doing his duty for him. After he’s in his grave, I’ll make you my wife, and we can enjoy his estates together.’
    He took her chin in his hand and tilted her face up to his. ‘Think on it, madam, accept my proposal and you look forward to a continued life of riches and ease. Turn it down and be assured, I shall bring about your ruin.’ He smiled . ‘Such a lovely face – go now, I’ll come to you tonight.’
     
    *
     
    In her room, Meg flung herself on the bed, shaking. She was lost. One part of her hated Tom for abandoning her; even if he had been forced to leave Salisbury, why had he not taken her with him?
    A face came into her mind: Bess. Ralph had mentioned suspicions. Had Bess guessed something was going on and blabbed to him? Was it that rather than the poem and the letter that had given her away? Whatever the case, she was powerless to save herself now. Challenging him was too great a risk to take. Edward’s reaction was all too easy to imagine and she could not be sure her family would protect her.
    A soft sound made her raise her tear-streaked face from the pillow. Bess stood beside the bed.
    ‘Madam, are you ill?’
    Meg was past dissembling. ‘What is Ralph Fiddler to you, Bess?’ she blurted out. ‘Have you helped him? If you have, you are a fool. He doesn’t care for you; he only wanted to use you.’
    A look of horror and dismay came over Bess’s face and she began to cry. Hardly able to make out her words, Meg jumped off the bed and shook her.
    ‘Tell me!’
    ‘I didn’t mean to do any harm. . .’ Bess’s voice disappeared in sobs.
    ‘Stop that, I want to know what you told him.’
    Bess hung her head and heaved a shaky breath. ‘I said I thought I’d seen Tom Goodluck in the orchard near your window early one morning.’
    ‘Did Ralph promise you money?’
    Weakly, Bess shook her head. ‘He said he loved me and lovers didn’t have secrets from each other. He laughed about how you and Master Tom were lovers just like him and me.’ A catch in her throat stopped her and she dragged a hand across her eyes.
    Meg tottered and sank back onto the bed. Her stomach felt hollow.
    ‘Oh madam, I’m so sorry. I should never have believed him,’ Bess said, her voice cracking, ‘I should have known he never really cared for me. I wasn’t good enough for him.’
    A flicker of pity kindled in Meg. She reached for Bess’s cold hand. ‘You’re far too good for him, Bess. Ralph