“I bought enough of the shares to make sure that you’re still the sole owner of Sheridan Furniture.”
Silence fills the cabin, and his hand trembles as he looks at the paper. “How could you do this? Why would you do this?” His dark eyes stare at her, and she forces herself to maintain eye contact.
“I'm no saint, Declan. Don't give me more credit than I deserve. I had enough money saved from my investments to purchase most, and with Elliot and Dillon's help, I managed to come up with enough to buy the rest of the shares. Your Grandfather knows and promised to pay me back. Consider this a loan, until you reimburse me.” She grins at the look on his face.
“I’m speechless,” he murmurs and tucks the note inside his pocket. “You didn’t answer me, London. Why would you do this?”
“Why? Why, because I didn't want George to win. Someone could have been killed, and he didn't care! He doesn't care about his only child. He was planning on leaving her penniless and married to a man she didn’t love! What kind of human being does that to his own flesh and blood?” London is unaware of the tears slipping down her face. At that moment, she's not sure if its Reagan's abandonment or her own, that is striking her so hard.
Declan sits next to her and pulls her into his side, pressing a kiss to her forehead. London stiffens for a moment before relaxing and taking comfort. “I’m so tired,” she murmurs as she accepts the handkerchief he offers.
“You've been very busy,” he chuckles when she stiffens and attempts to move away. “Just rest,” he murmurs. London should pull away, but he's so warm, and the movement of the train lulls her to sleep.
Her even breathing tells him that she's asleep. “Sleep, angel, it's my turn to look after you.”
Chapter 20
George sits heavily and mops his brow with a soiled handkerchief. “What do you mean, the shares are all gone?” he demands.
“Another investor bought the shares before I arrived,” David snaps.
“I see,” he stares at the books on his desk and trembles with hidden rage. “You’re telling me that one investor, one person bought all of the shares?” He reaches into the drawer and pulls out a revolver. “That could only be someone on the inside.”
David’s eyes grow large with fear. It is widely known what a temper George Hubbard has. “I managed to get the investors name, R. L. Pearce,” he quickly hands over a piece of paper with the name of the investment firm he used.
“Wonderful, David. I’m going to need to pay this Andrew Welsh a visit.” He laughs as he stands up and tucks the pistol in his belt, before pulling on his jacket.
“I thought you'd say that, I have the carriage waiting.”
Lady Hubbard waits until her husband leaves and orders the maid to clean out London's room. “Bring me anything you find that's out of the ordinary.” She’s disappointed when they find nothing. Walking slowly through the empty room, she stares at the table, holding a glass oil lantern and picks it up.
“We have become a laughingstock, as our daughter runs off with some boy, and the Mouse marries the Duke! I don't think so!” she throws the glass lantern on the floor, shattering it and watching the oil run along the wooden floor-boards. Her eyes narrow when she sees the liquid disappear beneath a plank of wood.
Dropping to her knees, she pushes on the board, discovering that it's loose. “Well, finally,” she sneers and pries it up. Inside she finds a 14-karat gold black enamel 2-picture locket. Black enameled front adorned with gold engraved leaves and flowers accented with tiny seed pearls. The back of the pendant is made with shiny black enamel. Inside there are two picture compartments covered with a glass of her mother and a picture of her as a child. Tessa lifts a group of personal documents, including a little black book with numbers recorded inside next to words she can't make out. Having never learned to read, Tessa is sure that anything worth hiding holds secrets. She replaces the floorboard and sneers. “Now, you will pay. Let's find out who you are.” Climbing to her feet, she hisses in irritation at having to get on her hands and knees like a scullery maid.
“Cook, I need a special dinner tonight. George was in a foul mood.” She needs him in a good mood when she presents the documents to him. It will have to be the perfect moment, and he will make sure that London pays!
“Yes, Lady Hubbard,” Cook gets to work as Tessa goes to change into his favorite dress.
“Nothing else can go wrong,” she whispers as she waits on her husband. “We are running out of money. I refuse to live simply.” She slips on the new locket she’d found and smiles as she traces the gold. “I’m going to take everything you love, Mouse.” Her wicked laughter echoes through the hall.
Chapter 21
London stares out the window of her private suite and watches Declan stride across the yard. For the first time in years, she feels safe. The Sheridan's private retreat in Connecticut is surprisingly a modest, two-story, red brick house. The six-bedroom, four-bath home sits on a private five-acre lot surrounded by a sculpted shrub wall. Her favorite spot has quickly become the secluded garden. There is a glassed-in gazebo where she loves to enjoy her morning breakfast and coffee while reading the newspaper. The first week went smoothly.
Declan spent most of his days in his workshop, leaving her to rest. At first, she felt out of place, but once she learned his routine,
