Margaret hadn’t had the wherewithal to run away, but had meekly shackled herself to Mr. Howell as their mother had demanded. When the betrothal was announced, Jacob hadn’t even been in England, and he’d only arrived to attend the wedding.
He’d instantly and vehemently detested Bernard Howell and had warned Margaret to cry off, but she hadn’t been brave enough. Nor had Jacob known how to intervene. He’d always feel guilty that he hadn’t stopped it.
“I’ve brought two pieces of news that will amaze you,” he told her.
“Are either of them horrid? If so, please wait until I’m finished eating so you don’t spoil my meal.”
“They’re not horrid; they’re quite incredible. Well, I think they’re incredible anyway. I saw Caleb in London.”
“Has he accepted your invitation to visit?”
“Not yet. He doesn’t like us anymore than we’ve ever liked him.”
“Smart man.”
“Did I tell you he retired from the navy and he owns a gambling club now?”
“I’d heard that somewhere, but I’m not sure if it was from you.”
“The enterprise is thriving, and he’s obscenely rich.”
“Good for him. If I begged him for a loan, do you imagine he’d give it to me?”
He chuckled. “During our meeting, I received the distinct impression that he was braced in case I was about to ask him for money. Once he figured out it was simply a social call, he relaxed and was cordial.”
“Are you certain we’re destined to be friends with him? Is that what you want? I’m terribly afraid you haven’t assessed the ramifications.”
“What can it hurt?”
She shrugged. “I just view it as . . . wrong, I guess. We hated them for so—”
“We’ve been through this, Margaret. We didn’t hate them.”
“What’s he like?” she inquired.
“He’s very much like me: tall, broad-shouldered, and very handsome.”
She scoffed at that. “Is he modest like you too?”
“No. He possesses all the vanity.”
“Does he look like us?”
“He could be my twin, except that he has blond hair and I have black. You realize, don’t you, that he and I are a few months apart in age?”
“Gad! Don’t tell me that. Father was such a rutting dog!”
“Speaking of Father . . .”
“Must we?”
“My other tidbit is about him.”
“He didn’t have a third wife, did he? If so, I’ll have to find a cliff and throw myself off it.”
He chuckled again. “No, it’s nothing like that. I was talking to Miss James.”
He halted, recognizing he’d nearly said last night, but he didn’t suppose he should mention that fact.
“Joanna was here? It’s so early. I didn’t see her.”
“No, not this morning.” He ignored the notion of when they’d talked. “You will not believe what I’ve discovered about her.”
“She has to be the most intriguing female in the kingdom, so whatever it is—no matter how odd—I won’t be surprised.”
“Yes, well, this might make you fall off your chair.”
Margaret frowned. “What is it? I like her very much, so if it’s scandalous or humiliating, keep it to yourself.”
“It seems, dear sister, that Joanna James is one of the Lost Girls rescued by Father on that deserted island.”
“That can’t be true.”
“I’m serious as a heart seizure. She is coming by this afternoon at four to chat about it.”
“But she’s lived on the estate for a whole decade, and she’s been tending me ever since I arrived from Egypt. Why has she been silent?”
“Do you know much about her past?”
“No. We don’t have that kind of relationship.”
“There was a private issue with why she and her mother had left England in the first place. Her mother died in the shipwreck, and when Miss James was returned to England, she was claimed by an aunt.”
“Yes, Prudence James. She moved to the neighborhood after I departed. I’ve heard of her, but I never met her.”
“Miss James was traumatized by the ordeal, so they were careful not to stir any nightmares.”
“Why is she openly declaring her connection now? Why after all this time?”
“It’s the twentieth anniversary of the rescue, and she was contacted by a newspaper reporter from London. They are writing a retrospective about it, and she decided she should inform me—so we’d have some warning.”
“My goodness,” Margaret said. “I’m . . . I’m . . . speechless.”
“I thought it would be interesting to have her share what she recollects about Father. We have such negative opinions of him, and it would be nice to have someone paint a fonder picture.”
“Those girls were so little when he stumbled on them. Are you sure she has any valid memories?”
“We’ll find out at four o’clock.”
“I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“So am I.”
He tossed down his napkin and stood. “I should be going. I have a hundred tasks to complete before we talk to her.”
“How could you possibly be busy? Aren’t you an absentee landlord? You have Kit to manage things for you.”
“I have Sandy anyway. Let’s not give Kit more credit than he deserves.”
“I’m glad you’ve noticed who’s really in charge.”
“It took me awhile, but I’m not totally blind. I’ve been thinking I should be a tad more involved in how the property is run. I’m eager to learn about it.”
She scowled. “You want to learn about the estate?”
“It’s mad, I know.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
“Will you please order some refreshments for our appointment with Miss James? She may stay for supper too. Would you apprise the housekeeper?”
“Miss James won’t stay. I’m still trying to figure out how we coerced her into attending our party last week.”
“I wore her down with my significant charm.”
Margaret might have launched an interrogation into how he’d gotten so friendly with Joanna, so he walked on. As he reached the door, she said, “I had hoped to discuss an important topic with you.”
“What is it?”
“Just my . . . ah . . . future and what I’d like to have happen.”
“You must be feeling better.”
“I am, and it can wait.”
“Are you certain? If it’s vital, I don’t have to rush off.”
“Miss James is visiting later, so how about if we focus on that? We have plenty to contemplate for one afternoon.”
“All right, but we’ll make time tomorrow. I promise.”
He continued on,
