Face Down In The Marrow-Bone Pie Part 21

It was not for Jane, Susanna suddenly realized, that Effie had kept on mourning, but for her true husband, for Sir George, no matter how little he deserved her devotion. She'd have abandoned her black in far less than eight years if she'd worn it for Jane. Widow's weeds lasted a lifetime.

Sure of her reasoning, Susanna went on to other questions. "How did your aunt kill Bexwith?" she asked.

"She said she pretended to agree to his terms and then she offered him a secret she claimed Randall had discovered through his experiments with herbs. She promised him youth and virility and gave him death."

"What man could resist," Robert muttered in disgust.

"Which is of more value, I do wonder," Susanna mused in a voice too low for Grimshaw to hear. "A man's life, or his ability to impress a mistress?"

Robert regarded her with wary eyes and seemed to read something in her face. "I have been considering selling a certain house I own in Dover," he said in an undertone. "I do not intend to use it in future."

"The money would be welcome to continue renovations here." She lowered her eyes to hide a glint of triumph. It was not at all a bad thing to have him owe her his life.

"We'll not often be in the north." He hesitated. "Unless there is work for me in Scotland."

"In that event, it would be most useful to maintain a second house here. With Mark and Jennet in charge, every comfort would be available for your visits."

She took his grunt for a.s.sent.

'Twas a gift she'd not looked for. She had meant to make only two demands of her husband. Thinking of them, she turned her speculative gaze on Master Grimshaw. Since he was already here, the lawyer might as well be useful.

"Robert, my dear, we must provide for your sister. Indeed, it might be wise to take Catherine south with us when we return to Leigh Abbey."

"Think carefully, Susanna. To claim her as my sister would cost her any inheritance she's due as Denholm's only child."

"That is a consideration. Still, I am certain we can find a way for Catherine to have all she deserves."

"If she calls herself Appleton, she'll be exposed to the worst sort of speculation."

As he would be. Susanna began to understand his reluctance. Robert did not want to become the subject of gossip. Not even indirectly. One never knew what could threaten a promising career at court. "Perhaps we should let Catherine decide what surname to use."

"She seems a sensible girl," Robert mused.

"As is her brother."

He grimaced, but gave in. "Agreed. Grimshaw, arrange to buy her wards.h.i.+p for me. That will give me control of Denholm properties. If she can be persuaded to keep that heritage."

"She's fourteen," Susanna reminded them. "Unless she is already betrothed . . . ?"

Grimshaw shook his head.

"Then she inherits outright. She is not required to have a guardian and may dispose of her property and her person as she sees fit. She has asked to join our household," she added as Robert started to bl.u.s.ter.

He sighed, then addressed Grimshaw again. "Advise your young cousin well, lawyer. She may not be my ward, but she will be under my protection."

"Aye, Sir Robert."

"Before you settle the Denholm estate, Master Grimshaw," Susanna put in, "there is a doc.u.ment I would have you draw up for Sir Robert to sign." She smiled sweetly at her husband, knowing full well that what she was about to say would irritate him. She was also certain he would accept her proposal.

He did owe her his life.

"Now, Master Grimshaw, this doc.u.ment will say that Lady Appleton is no longer obliged to ask her husband's permission before she draws on her own monies. And she may travel when and where she wills. Further, when Sir Robert Appleton is away from home, he will make no attempt to dictate how his wife spends her time."

Grimshaw looked at Robert. Robert made an impatient gesture. "Write whatever she tells you to, Grimshaw. I will sign it."

"But, it is most irregular, Sir Robert. Why, it will be as if your wife has the freedoms of a widow without first incurring the loss of her spouse."

"An appropriate a.n.a.logy," Robert muttered. "Do as you are told, lawyer, or I will have to reconsider my earlier generosity."

"As you will, Sir Robert." Grimshaw was too weak-willed, too easily intimidated, to do anything but keep his opinions to himself and obey. He took the parchment and quill Susanna handed him, seated himself at a small table, and began to record her wishes.

"Thank you, my dear," Susanna told her scowling husband.

A sense of deep and abiding satisfaction filled her soul. From this day forward, she thought happily, Lady Appleton would do exactly as she pleased.

Copyright 1997 by Kathy Lynn Emerson.

end.