Read Online Too Far to Whisper by Arianna Eastland - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Arianna Eastland
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or ever could be – as important to you as Captain Nathaniel Corwin!”
“’Tis no crime to possess a high opinion of one’s self.” He seemed unfazed by her insult. “I would not be the successful man I am today if I lacked confidence.”
“Your success is a direct result of your father’s wealth,” she blurted out before she could stop herself. “And there is a vast difference between confidence and conceit!”
“My father’s wealth is what has kept a roof over your family’s heads for the last six months!” he snapped.
Rosalind stared at him. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled. “I said nothing.” He looked away from her.
Rosalind leapt to her feet and roughly grasped his forearm. “Tell me what you meant by your statement!”
Nathaniel turned to face her, then tugged his arm from her grasp.
“Please, Nathaniel,” she said, her voice softening.
Sighing, he moved to sit on a bench near the table and patted the space next to him. Rosalind quickly sat.
“Your father,” he began, “made some unfortunate…investments …ere his death. He was on the verge of losing his house and land when he sought my father and begged him for a loan…a substantial sum of money. Your father died but a week later, without paying back as much as a shilling to my father.”
Rosalind only stared at him, too confused to speak.
“By law,” Nathaniel continued, “my father can take any or all of your family’s property as payment for the loan, whenever he so desires.”
“My father was an honorable man who worked hard for his family!” Rosalind’s chin rose. “Why should I believe even one word of what you say?”
“Because my father keeps very accurate and detailed records of all such transactions…and your father signed for the loan. Would you care to see the document upon our return?”
Rosalind silently studied Nathaniel for several moments, then lowered her head. “Does my mother know of this?”
“Nay. I do not believe anyone knows. I, however, happened to see the document one day while searching through my father’s desk. Father is not aware that I know of the loan.”
“My mother must never find out.” She lifted her eyes to look imploringly at Nathaniel. “She thought so highly of my father, this news would destroy her.”
“Aye, no doubt it would. But not to worry – she and your sisters shall never learn the truth, nor be in any danger of losing their home.” His eyes locked with Rosalind’s. “…Unless you refuse to wed me.”
For a moment, Rosalind feared her heart had ceased beating. “That is blackmail!”
Nathaniel shrugged. “Call it whatever you wish.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“The wedding will be held here, of course,” Abigail said, clasping her hands together and smiling. “And I shall have a dressmaker from Boston fashion your wedding dress from the finest silk!”
Rosalind absently fiddled with a leaf that fell onto her lap as she and Abigail sat outside in the spring sun. Nathaniel’s prediction had been correct. The news of the betrothal had done more for Abigail’s health than any medicine or tonic. Although it had been but two days, already the woman’s movements seemed more animated, her complexion less wan and her eyes brighter. In fact, she was the one who had suggested they go outside, which attested to her improved condition.
Sparrows flitted about in the branches of a sturdy maple that stood at the edge of the Corwins’ dooryard. Rosalind watched them, envying their freedom to fly wherever they pleased…and not be hopelessly trapped the way she was. She wanted to stay outside forever and never return to her chamber in the Corwins’ house. Her only wish at the moment was to be far away from all of this foolish talk of weddings.
There was, however, one small blessing for which Rosalind was grateful. That morning, Nathaniel had announced he would be sailing to, among other ports, Plymouth and Gloucester at week’s end and would
“’Tis no crime to possess a high opinion of one’s self.” He seemed unfazed by her insult. “I would not be the successful man I am today if I lacked confidence.”
“Your success is a direct result of your father’s wealth,” she blurted out before she could stop herself. “And there is a vast difference between confidence and conceit!”
“My father’s wealth is what has kept a roof over your family’s heads for the last six months!” he snapped.
Rosalind stared at him. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled. “I said nothing.” He looked away from her.
Rosalind leapt to her feet and roughly grasped his forearm. “Tell me what you meant by your statement!”
Nathaniel turned to face her, then tugged his arm from her grasp.
“Please, Nathaniel,” she said, her voice softening.
Sighing, he moved to sit on a bench near the table and patted the space next to him. Rosalind quickly sat.
“Your father,” he began, “made some unfortunate…investments …ere his death. He was on the verge of losing his house and land when he sought my father and begged him for a loan…a substantial sum of money. Your father died but a week later, without paying back as much as a shilling to my father.”
Rosalind only stared at him, too confused to speak.
“By law,” Nathaniel continued, “my father can take any or all of your family’s property as payment for the loan, whenever he so desires.”
“My father was an honorable man who worked hard for his family!” Rosalind’s chin rose. “Why should I believe even one word of what you say?”
“Because my father keeps very accurate and detailed records of all such transactions…and your father signed for the loan. Would you care to see the document upon our return?”
Rosalind silently studied Nathaniel for several moments, then lowered her head. “Does my mother know of this?”
“Nay. I do not believe anyone knows. I, however, happened to see the document one day while searching through my father’s desk. Father is not aware that I know of the loan.”
“My mother must never find out.” She lifted her eyes to look imploringly at Nathaniel. “She thought so highly of my father, this news would destroy her.”
“Aye, no doubt it would. But not to worry – she and your sisters shall never learn the truth, nor be in any danger of losing their home.” His eyes locked with Rosalind’s. “…Unless you refuse to wed me.”
For a moment, Rosalind feared her heart had ceased beating. “That is blackmail!”
Nathaniel shrugged. “Call it whatever you wish.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“The wedding will be held here, of course,” Abigail said, clasping her hands together and smiling. “And I shall have a dressmaker from Boston fashion your wedding dress from the finest silk!”
Rosalind absently fiddled with a leaf that fell onto her lap as she and Abigail sat outside in the spring sun. Nathaniel’s prediction had been correct. The news of the betrothal had done more for Abigail’s health than any medicine or tonic. Although it had been but two days, already the woman’s movements seemed more animated, her complexion less wan and her eyes brighter. In fact, she was the one who had suggested they go outside, which attested to her improved condition.
Sparrows flitted about in the branches of a sturdy maple that stood at the edge of the Corwins’ dooryard. Rosalind watched them, envying their freedom to fly wherever they pleased…and not be hopelessly trapped the way she was. She wanted to stay outside forever and never return to her chamber in the Corwins’ house. Her only wish at the moment was to be far away from all of this foolish talk of weddings.
There was, however, one small blessing for which Rosalind was grateful. That morning, Nathaniel had announced he would be sailing to, among other ports, Plymouth and Gloucester at week’s end and would
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