Joanna bristled, enraged that Jacob would gossip about her, but especially with Miss Ralston. “Fine. I won’t deny an affair. Why are you here? I wish you’d just tell me.”
He didn’t explain though. He studied her with lechery in his expression, his rude, prurient gaze roaming across her bosom. “Personally, I couldn’t care less if he’s dabbling with you, and it’s clear why he’d pick you over her. You’re sweet and malleable, and Roxanne is hard as nails. Any man in his right mind would tup you rather than her.”
She leapt to her feet. “That’s enough. I don’t have to listen to that sort of disparaging remark in my own kitchen, and I won’t be insulted by you. Let me show you out.”
He didn’t budge though, but waved to her chair and said, “Sit down, sit down. There’s no need to fly off the handle. I was complimenting you.”
“No, you weren’t.”
“Sit, Miss James!” he said more vehemently. “I must clarify my purpose.”
They engaged in a staring match, and she might have stomped out in a huff, but it was obvious—if she didn’t allow him to bloviate—she might never be shed of him.
She plopped down. “Get on with it, and if you abuse me again, this conversation is over.”
He sneered with satisfaction, as if she’d behaved precisely as he’d expected, and her dislike for him soared. Over the years, there had been terrible stories about him, and she suspected every dastardly tale was most likely true.
“I’ve brought a message from Miss Ralston,” he said. “As you might imagine, she is not keen to have you loitering on the property and tempting her fiancé.”
“I have never tempted Jacob Ralston, and if you presume I could, then you don’t know him very well.”
“We’re not playing semantic games, Miss James. He’s besotted with you, but he’s about to wed Roxanne. You’re not stupid, so I’m sure you understand the problem this creates for her.”
“I understand it, and I’m sorry his conduct has upset her. I hope you can understand that I have absolutely no power over how he acts.”
He nodded. “Yes, Jacob can be very obstinate, but we’re not talking about him. We’re talking about you and how you will fix this fiasco.”
“I’ll make the situation easier on you and admit that I’m overwhelmed by the Captain’s attentions. I grasp that they can never benefit me, so I have already decided to move away.”
“Have you? What a nice surprise. We don’t have to argue then. When will you depart?”
“In a few weeks. I will tell people we are heading to Bath for a holiday, but we will travel in the other direction.”
“Why the other direction?”
“As you mentioned, Captain Ralston is besotted, and he’s very stubborn. If I flee without his permission, I’m afraid—on his next furlough—he’ll track me down and force me back.”
“You’re impressing me more by the minute. You know Jacob so well too! You must have spent some time becoming acquainted. It can’t all have been rolling around on a mattress. You must have chatted occasionally.”
“You’ve insulted me again. Are we finished?”
“No, for there’s an issue with your schedule. You have to leave immediately.”
“Define immediately.”
“Today. By tomorrow morning at the latest.”
“I can’t be prepared that fast.”
“More’s the pity then, for you see, I’m leveling this section of the woods. I’ll be torching this meadow at dawn, so if you’re not gone, your possessions will be burned to the ground along with the building.”
She hadn’t wanted to show any reaction, but tears flooded her eyes. She couldn’t abide cruelty, and she’d lived in the small house since she was fourteen. It wasn’t grand or fancy, but it was her home and had been for ten years.
It represented her connection to her Aunt Pru who’d been wise, kind, and cunning. Pru had taken her in and raised her after the shipwreck in the Caribbean. Joanna had been a bewildered orphan who’d needed a patient, tender parent, and Pru had enthusiastically stepped into that role.
She’d taught Joanna her family’s ancient secrets, but she’d also taught her more pragmatic skills: how to persevere, how to thrive in difficult circumstances, how to brace for hardship, and it had arrived.
“I’ve distressed you,” he said, and he smirked. “It’s a waste of effort to weep. I have a heart of stone, so it won’t do you any good.”
“I would never cry in front of you. You’d enjoy it too much.”
“I would. Now then, I’ll be abundantly clear: You are to leave, and you are to keep going until you are far, far away.”
“I will. I swear.”
“You are not to slither back. If you suffer adversity in your new locale, you are not to write to Jacob Ralston. You are not to ever contact him for any reason.”
“I figured that out on my own.”
“Your little niece can’t remain in the area either. Not with Miss Ralston about to wed Jacob.”
“I especially realize that.”
“Have you any documents that prove her maternity? Letters? A birth certificate? Anything like that?”
“No,” Joanna lied, her gaze firm.
“Have you any information about her father?”
“I know it’s you—if that’s what you’re asking.”
“You are a very forthright person, Miss James, which is refreshing. It makes our negotiation so much easier.”
“Are we negotiating?” she inquired.
“No. I’m threatening you.”
“There’s no need to threaten me. I told you I plan to go. You’ve simply speeded up my schedule.”
“Yes, but the wheels are spinning in your head. You’re a female, so you’re naturally duplicitous.”
“I’m sorry you view me that way.”
“If you tarry, I shall summon Vicar Blair from over in the next parish. Have you ever heard of Vicar Blair? He’s a very pious, very rigid preacher. He wouldn’t like to discover that you practice magic. He’d feel compelled to stop you.”
“I don’t practice magic,” she futilely insisted.
“He has a nasty attitude about young women who don’t behave as they ought. He’d be delighted to call you out as a witch.”
“This is the modern age, Mr. Boswell. Everyone has
