Love Everlasting (18 page)

Priam Welby waited with great impatience for Liang to retrieve Abrianna. He had thought to let the redhead stew about their meeting all day, but by noon on Monday Welby found he couldn't wait. He knew she would have to yield to him. And if she didn't at first do so, Welby had some ideas of what could change her mind. The entire matter was quite exhilarating.

After waiting for at least twenty minutes, Priam was finally rewarded with Abrianna's presence. She walked to just inside the parlor and stopped. Her blue eyes seemed to darken at the sight of him. She held herself regally, like a queen about to deal with her subjects. He thought it rather amusing, but he wasn't foolish enough to trust that she wasn't up to something.

“Mr. Welby.”

“Abrianna.” He stepped forward. “Let us go for a walk in the garden. I don't wish to be overheard or interrupted.”

She gave him a curt nod and headed across the room to the side door. He watched her as she opened the French doors and felt a strong desire to touch her, to hold her and feel her body crushed to his own. It was hard not to act on that need. He craved her, and his mind and soul demanded to possess her. He'd never wanted anything more, unless it was revenge on his father.

Abrianna stepped outside into the fall afternoon and turned to wait for him to join her. He smiled. Soon. Very soon he would have her. There would be no part of her that he didn't own, and he would make certain she understood that early on in their marriage.

They walked away from the house. Abrianna kept her distance from him. She held on to her dark blue wool skirt and
paid him little mind as she maneuvered the cobblestone walkway. Priam found it all rather amusing.

“You needn't act so reserved with me.” He glanced overhead at the rainy gray sky. “I know you better than you probably think. I know you have a great deal you wish you could say to me, but you fear I might take offense. I assure you I won't, so you might as well have your say before you agree to our marriage.”

She turned and shook her head. “But I have no intention of agreeing to marry you, Mr. Welby.”

He smiled. He had expected as much and was ready to make clear to her just how far he'd go to secure their union. “By all means, continue.”

“There's nothing more to say.” Abrianna took a seat on one of the garden benches. She sat in the middle, making a clear statement that she would not welcome him joining her.

“I think there is.” He fixed her with a look that he'd known capable of crumbling the strongest man's resolve. “You see, I don't think you understand. I told you that I would wait until today for your reply, but not because I doubted your answer. I just wanted to give you time to come to terms with the matter. You will say yes, and you will marry me. That is, unless you want to see your beloved Wade and father go to their deaths.”

He could see her jaw clench and unclench as she listened to him speak. There was a fire in her eyes that intrigued him. Life with her would no doubt be quite a challenge, but he found himself looking forward to breaking her down.

“I've prayed about this, Mr. Welby. Say what you will, but I know that God will deliver them both. The truth will come out, and everything will be fine.”

He laughed out loud. Her eyes widened in shock, but she sat as prim and proper as any fine lady might. “Oh, my dear
Abrianna. You are such a little girl in so many ways. Let me explain this to you so that you have no doubts about the outcome.”

Moving to the bench he imposed himself beside her. She didn't want to yield the space but did when she realized he intended to sit there whether she liked it or not. She started to get up, but Welby pulled her back down. “You will sit here and listen to me.”

She fought against his hold. “It isn't proper for us to sit so close, especially since I'm engaged to another.”

“Like you've ever cared about what was proper, and your fiancé is soon to be dead unless you do what I tell you.”

She stopped and turned to better see him. “Tell me what you must, but it won't change anything.”

He smiled and patted her hand. “I think it will. Now to make myself quite clear, we will marry. In fact, I've already secured the church and the date. We will marry October nineteenth. It will be a lovely morning wedding with one of the largest wedding breakfasts to be given afterwards. All of Seattle's finest will be there.”

She crossed her arms but remained silent. Welby stretched his legs out before him, as if he were there for nothing more than a moment of respite.

“You see, Abrianna, what you don't understand is that your Mr. Ackerman and your father are in jail because I made it happen. I wasn't going to share all of this with you, but I can see it will take exactly that in order to convince you of my determination.”

“What do you mean?” Her tone betrayed her irritation.

“I mean I've had you and the others watched very carefully. I needed an opportunity, and one presented itself. Your father's temper got the best of him, and he attacked Mr. Greene. I
arranged for the police—actually some very good men of mine who just happen to be on the force—to arrive at your house and take him into custody.”

“You?” She shook her head. “Why? Why would you care?”

“Because I saw it as the means to an end. The end being our marriage and the elimination of my competition.”

“That makes no sense.”

He smiled in a tolerant manner. “But of course it does. You see, by putting your father and Mr. Ackerman in danger of their lives, I can better impose my will upon you.”

“But you couldn't possibly know that Wade was going to see Mr. Greene.”

“Ah, that one came by sheer luck. I had him under observation with an order to use whatever means to compromise him and see him arrested. When Mr. Ackerman went to see Mr. Greene, my men got word to me that he was there, and . . . well, the rest is history.”

“I don't understand.” Her eyes narrowed as she appeared to try to reason it all out.

“I wasn't that far away from Mr. Greene's location. My house is just a short walk away. My man came and told me that Wade was at Greene's house. I told him to return and see to it that Wade never left. The man barely got back in time to see Wade coming out the back door. He snuck up and hit him over the head. By the time I got there, he was quite unconscious.

“Of course Greene knew nothing about it. He was too busy with his books. I came into the office with my man Carl— you do remember Carl, don't you?” He smiled at her surprise. “Yes, Carl, the same one who you supposed was responsible for those lovely Chinese girls in my basement.”

Her face turned ashen, causing her freckles to seem all the
more prominent. “You? You were the one who put them there? You are the one who left them there to die?” Her voice rose causing him to put his hand on her arm.

“Not so loud, my dear. You wouldn't want one of your aunts to interrupt us.”

“I would love for the entire world to interrupt us. You are a hideous man.” She glared at him. “And I would thank you to release me.”

“I don't believe I will,” he said, daring her to challenge him. She tried to pull away, and he tightened his grip. “Sit still.”

“You're hurting me.”

“I plan to do much more than this to cause you pain if you refuse to cooperate.”

She stilled, but her cheeks reddened, and her eyes narrowed. Welby knew he'd just about pushed her to the limit, and he didn't care.

“What you need to understand is this. I have the power to see Mr. Ackerman and your father meet with an untimely death. I will do so if you try to refuse my proposal.”

“The court would never just kill them. There are processes you know.”

He shrugged. “The court isn't the only one who can determine the end of their lives. Fatal accidents take place in prison all the time. Furthermore, I will systematically go down the line of your loved ones and arrange accidents for each of them until you have no one left to you in this world.”

“You would kill innocent people just to force me to marry you?”

He nodded without the slightest feeling of guilt. “I would.”

The truth of the matter seemed to hit her all at once. He could see it in her expression. There was a sort of hopelessness in her eyes that she quickly tried to hide.

“I see you finally understand.” He let go of her arm and waited for her to speak.

“You can't possibly be that cruel. No one is so completely without conscience about life and death. You surely couldn't kill an old lady.”

“I arranged the death of old men, homeless men. Like the men who ended up in the alleyway behind the Madison Building. Friends of yours, if I'm not mistaken—”

She turned on him like a wild cat. She pounded his chest with her fists and would have gone for his face, but he took hold of her wrists. Her face reddened, and tears formed in her eyes as she struggled against his hold. “You killed Charlie and Bill? You were the monster who did that?”

He gave a sneer. “Guilty as charged. I don't say it because I'm necessarily proud of it, but rather to make it quite clear to you that I will stop at nothing to have what I want.”

Abrianna's defeat was complete as she slumped against him. He almost felt sorry for her. The shock had to be quite great. Still, it was all a matter of business, and he wouldn't back down now.

“So, you see, I am a man of my word. But you should also know that I plan to lavish you with everything you could ever want. I am, after all, a man of means, and my position in this city requires that I keep my wife in jewels and luxury. You will be the envy of all Seattle. You will have the finest gowns and the most beautiful estate. I will even build you a new mansion if that would please you. See, I'm not so very cruel.

“Of course there are things you will give me in return.” He let go of her left wrist and reached up to run his fingers along her cheek and down her jawline. His smile broadened, and he trailed his touch down her neck.

“If you go farther, I will scream and bring all of Seattle down on you,” she said, her voice barely audible.

He chuckled and released her. “See, I can be a very understanding and patient man. I also know ways to afford you a great deal of pleasure.”

She sat up, and he didn't try to stop her as she moved away. “I seriously doubt that, not that it matters. I only want to keep you from killing the people I love.”

“And I promise you, nothing will happen to them if you agree to marry me on the nineteenth.”

Abrianna looked at him, as if trying to decide if he was telling the truth. He softened his expression and tried his best to look contrite. “I never wanted to do things this way, but I'm quite besot with you. You must know that.”

“All I know is that I am expected to marry a killer. How do I know you'll keep your word? How do I know that once we are married, you won't have everyone I love killed, anyway? Will you kill me, as well?”

“I suppose it's asking too much that you take me at my word. Truly, I am a man of my word. When I promise a thing—it is something upon which you may depend.”

She sniffed back tears. “Then prove it. Set my father and Wade free, and I will marry you.”

“I can't take that chance. If I set them free you might refuse me.”

She stood and looked down at him with narrowed eyes that held more hatred for him that he'd ever seen from another soul. “And if I did, you would simply have them murdered. So my requirement is that they be set free now, or I will never agree to this wedding.”

He smiled and gave a slight nod. Getting to his feet he felt a great sense of satisfaction. “On one provision.”

“And what would that be?”

“You will say nothing to anyone about this arrangement and the things we spoke of here today. And you will make everyone believe that you are happily doing this of your own accord. I want you to convince them all—those old ladies and even your dear father and beloved Wade—that you are madly in love with me.”

She fixed him with a calculated stare. “No one is that great of an actress, Mr. Welby.” She shook her head and squared her shoulders. “However, if you will do as I ask and get Wade and my father out of jail and all charges dropped, I will do my best.”

“Very well. It will take a few days, but I assure you, they will be cleared of any wrongdoing.” He once again tasted victory. Soon he would have everything he desired.

D
o
lies
count
against
you
when
they
'
re
made
to
the
Devil
?

The question haunted Abrianna as she did her level best to forget the horrible things Priam Welby had said and done. She could still feel his hands touching her face and neck. She had been afraid that he would take additional liberties, but even that fear was nothing compared to worrying about how she would get herself out of this mess.

She watched her aunts at dinner that night and wondered how in the world she would ever convince them that she loved Priam Welby and desired to be his wife. They would know the truth. They had always been able to read her face and know her thoughts. At least most of the time it seemed they could.

Toying with her roast lamb, Abrianna felt overwhelmed with guilt. Welby was much too strong an adversary. Never in her life had she ever had to deal with such a man.

“You aren't eating much, Abrianna. I know you're worried about Wade and your father, but you must remain strong,” Aunt Miriam said in her authoritative way.

Abrianna straightened but refused to look her aunt in the eye. “I will endeavor to do what I can.”

“I heard you had a visitor this afternoon,” Aunt Selma said.

Bristling at the thought that someone knew about Welby's appearance beside Liang, Abrianna nodded but waited. Kolbein had also stopped by earlier, barely missing Mr. Welby.

“Did Mr. Booth bring you news of Lenore?”

Abrianna forced a smile. “Yes. She's home early. The doctor said her recovery was well ahead of schedule, and he knew she would be happier at home. Kolbein thought perhaps I could come and sit with her throughout the day and keep her company.”

“That's a splendid idea.” Aunt Miriam passed a basket of dinner rolls in Abrianna's direction. “It will help you to keep your mind busy.”

Nothing will ever keep
it so busy that I won't be thinking of
Wade and Father in jail. Nor will it keep me
from wishing Priam Welby would drop off the pier and
drown.

She lowered her head. Such ugly thoughts were no better than the ones Mr. Welby conjured. “I will endeavor to help in her recovery.” Abrianna put down her fork.

“Perhaps the two of you can work on your wedding gown. There's a great deal to be done now that the pieces are cut,” Aunt Selma added.

Aunt Poisie smiled. “Goodness, but it's so hard to imagine our little Abrianna getting married. It seems just yesterday she was but a young girl being baptized.”

If only I would
have drowned.

Such a thought made Abrianna wonder if a person drowned during baptism would they go immediately to glory, or would there be some sort of divine investigation. Surely not. Since
God knew everything, He would have to have known that such a drowning would take place.

“Abrianna, did you hear me?”

She looked up and met Aunt Miriam's stern gaze. “No, ma'am.”

Her aunt's eyes narrowed momentarily then relaxed. “I asked if you would like us to baste part of the gown tonight so you might try it for a fitting in the morning?”

“No, that's all right. I'm sure we have plenty of time.” She rose abruptly. “If you don't mind, I'm rather tired. I have a great deal on my mind to sort through, and I would just as soon make an early evening of it.” She didn't wait for permission but hurried from the room, knowing that if she stayed there for even another minute, she would tell them everything.

The bedroom she'd known for the last year or so offered little comfort. There were so few memories here, and while it was quite a lovely home, it had also come to them by way of Priam Welby.

“Goodness, but that man is a millstone around my neck.” She sat down on her vanity chair and tried to force her mind into neatly organized thoughts.

“If you don't want me to stay, I'll go,” Flora said.

Abrianna hadn't even heard the door open. She shook her head. “No, please do stay. You're the only one I can talk to just now. I am afraid that things have taken a turn for the worse.”

Flora quickly closed the door. “Is this about Mr. Welby?”

“Yes.”

Flora came and knelt beside her. “Tell me everything, and then we will figure out what to do.”

“There isn't much to figure,” Abrianna replied. “I have to marry him.”

Wade stared in dumb silence at the announcement in the paper. He looked at Kolbein and then reread the piece again. “Abrianna and Welby? They're going to get married?”

“I don't know what to say. Lenore and I were just as stunned by this, and Abrianna won't talk to anyone. I spoke with Mrs. Madison, and she said Abrianna has all but dismissed the subject. She has stated plainly that she was mistaken in her agreement to marry you and that it was only her confusing feelings for Welby that made her hesitate to set a date with you in the first place.”

Wade threw the paper across the room. “Get her down here. I want to talk to her. I've no doubt this is all some sort of game she's playing. Maybe he's promised her help to get me out of jail. Maybe he's threatening her with something.”

“I thought of that, too, but she won't see me. She won't see Lenore. Lenore has sent four different requests that Abrianna come to the house, but each was returned unopened.”

He felt his anger deepen. “That story about her confusing feelings can't be true. She couldn't stand Priam Welby. She knew he was trouble even when he was pestering her to court him. There is no chance she would just up and marry him.”

“But I checked. The church is reserved, and the minister assured me that October nineteenth is to be the day of their wedding.”

Wade got up so fast it sent his chair flying backwards. It made a clatter when it hit the ground, causing the guard to unlock the door and peer into the room.

“What's going on in here?”

“Mr. Ackerman simply got up too fast. Do leave us. I have important matters to discuss with my client.”

The officer frowned but did as Kolbein instructed. Meanwhile, Wade began to pace. “That's less than a month,” he said, as if there had been no interruption.

“I know, Wade. I know. I'm trying to get to the bottom of this, but right now worrying over you and Jay has taken precedence. I don't even know if I can get you out of here in a month.”

“They aren't going to hang me tomorrow, Kolbein. You need to find a way to get to her. You have to ask her what this is all about. Either she hates me and has been playing me for a fool all along, which I don't believe, or something has happened to make her think that she has to do this. I know Abrianna. She would never marry Welby unless she were being forced to do so.”

Kolbein nodded. “I agree. I'll speak to her aunts and see what we can arrange.”

Abrianna hadn't had a chance to tell her aunts about the upcoming wedding to Priam Welby before they read the announcement in the paper. She had refused to leave her room or allow them entry for two days—something she had never done in all of her life. During that time she didn't eat, not that she had much of an appetite. She told Flora to let everyone know she was fasting and praying. This was the only way she was certain to be left alone, but it was also true. If she turned this over to God in fasting and prayers, He would surely see her sincerity and give her guidance. But after the time was up, Abrianna felt no more certain of what she should do than when she began.

Now she sat facing the trio of old ladies, much as she imagined the man responsible for the Great Seattle Fire had felt when facing his interrogators. The old women knew her—better than anyone, save Wade. They would badger an answer out of her if need be,
so Abrianna did her best to take an authoritative upper hand. Something she'd never have dreamed to do prior to this moment.

“What is the meaning of this?” Aunt Miriam demanded to know.

Aunt Poisie bobbed her head, worry plastered across her face. Aunt Selma added her thoughts on the matter.

“Have you gone completely daffy?” The raised tone of her voice sent the cats scrambling from the room.

Abrianna might have laughed at her aunt's use of slang, but the situation was far too serious. She had practiced what she would say to them, but now that the moment came, her mind went blank. She tried to steel herself to be firm but loving.

“You are engaged to Wade. You cannot simply up and engage yourself to another man. Imagine what Wade must be thinking,” Aunt Miriam declared. “Furthermore, you clearly rejected Mr. Welby's courtship. You cannot simply pick it back up like a dropped handkerchief.”

“It's true,” Aunt Poisie said. “You cannot.”

Abrianna waited to say anything until they concluded with their initial comments, which went on for nearly twenty minutes. Finally they fell silent and looked at her for answers. Abrianna drew a very deep breath and folded her hands.

“I realize that I have caused you grave concern, and that was not my intention. As you all know, I wrestled with the idea of marrying Wade from the beginning. I have certain trepidations about marrying a friend so dear. I would not wish to see our relationship ruined.”

“Bah! This is the only thing that is going to ruin that relationship. You must see that,” Aunt Miriam replied. “I honestly fear you may have a fever or some other injury to your head. This isn't rational thought at all.”

Abrianna knew that nothing she said would ease their minds. She didn't want to lie to them, either. So instead, she got to her feet. “I'm a grown woman,” she declared, sounding harsher than she'd ever been with them. “I do not need to explain myself to any of you.”

She saw the hurt expression on Aunt Poisie's face. She always had been the most sensitive of the trio. It was nearly her undoing, but then Abrianna imagined the woman laid out in a casket. Priam Welby wouldn't care at all how much her aunts were hurt in this matter. He would only remind her that he would have them killed if she was less than convincing.

“I am sorry that you cannot trust me to know what I'm doing. But even so, I will not be treated like a child.” She softened her tone and expression. “You are all so very dear to me, and it is my utmost desire that you will trust me in this matter. I love you all very much, but this is important to me.”

“Do you love him?”

Aunt Miriam's matter-of-fact question left Abrianna uncertain how to answer. She couldn't very well tell them that she was going along with this farce in the hopes that she could figure a way out, but neither could she convincingly lie about something so important.

“Do you think I would marry someone if I didn't?” Abrianna shook her head. “I don't wish to discuss this any longer. I have a lot to accomplish in a very short amount of time.”