Tangled Betrayals (23 page)

Chapter
Fifty-Two

Outside Baltimore

Henry and Chester had slipped away
from their misguided attempt on James Parker’s life. They’d found refuge in an abandoned cottage several miles outside of Baltimore deep in the woods. The house was small and very old. From all appearances, the cottage hadn’t been lived in for quite some time. The roof had rotted through in a couple of places, but Henry and Chester repaired what they could in short order. They could hide in this cottage for many months without being discovered, Henry thought.

Henry
found an old axe and had Chester chop some firewood while he cleaned out what he could in the cottage. He managed to salvage two beds, a table and two chairs. They’d have to go to the nearest village for a lantern, oil, food and clothing. They stashed their cache of gold under some rotted floor boards in a back bedroom. Henry felt certain no one had been in the area for months, if not years. Certainly, no one would be looking for any gold in such a place.

“I can’t believe Parker managed to roll out from under th
ose horses’ hooves, Henry. Those horses must have sensed his presence and slowed enough that Parker had time to get past them. I wouldn’t have thought he could have been that quick, for as large as he is.”

“Aye, it sickens me to think he
lived, that bastard, especially after all my careful planning. He hasn’t seen the last of me! We’ll lie low for a couple of months before we try my next plan. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

“I
’ll wait long enough for him to get careless before we strike again. He’s going to pay for interfering in my life. He’d no right to entice Thomas and Mary to come to America the way he did. No right at all! I warned him not to interfere!

He
knew Parker would not be so easily fooled the next time. But now, not only did Parker know of his being in America, so did Mr. Parker and worse yet, Edward Pierce!             

How ironic to run into Pierce
after so many years. In time, to Henry’s dismay, he was sure Edward would put together the fact he’d lied to him so many years ago, if he hadn’t done so already. Henry wasn’t sure what to think about Edward. He’d other problems to deal with, like not getting caught. But if Edward Pierce decides to get in the way of his plans, he too, might have to disappear.

Henry sent Chester into town for supplies
. What they needed most, in Henry’s opinion, was a couple bottles of whiskey. Henry was depressed and angry. He knew he’d not rest until James Parker was dead! He needed a drink!

In a few weeks it would be safe to travel into Washington where there
’d be little chance of running into someone they knew. He and Chester could visit the ladies parlors every so often to help pass the time and Henry might even allow Chester to start a fire or two.

Chapter
Fifty-Three

Parker Plantation

Clayton and Annabelle recovered as best one could
after hearing the terrible news about Susannah’s illness. Annabelle relieved Constance of the household duties so she could spend time with her ailing daughter.

“James, have you mentioned to Susannah what happened in Baltimore with Henry
Ball?” Clayton inquired.

“No, Father, and I
’m praying she never finds out. She has enough to worry about without knowing the entire families lives are at risk.

“I
’ve spoken with the men and they’re doing checks on the property every two hours. I feel fairly comfortable we can stop Ball of any further wrongdoing. At least, I pray so.”

“As do I, James.”

“I did ride over to see Thomas.” James continued. “He was in disbelief when I told him his father was not only in Baltimore, but he tried to murder me. Yet, it didn’t take him long to surmise that he, too, would be on Henry’s list to be punished. Thomas had no idea he was in America. His first concern, other than for those around him, was for his sister Mary.

“
He told me he was sad to admit he wasn’t completely surprised his father attempted to hurt me, for his father was always bragging about how he got revenge on anyone he felt crossed him. But attempting to murder me, well, that had rattled him to the core. Thomas also shared he had located Mary, quite by accident, living in Washington, when he and Anna had made their trip in November. She’d been living there for the last two years but never tried to contact him. She has established herself and is making a fair living running her shop named, Miss Hope’s Dress Shop. Anna, as luck would have it, happened to like the dresses she saw in that particular shop window. I think the reason Thomas hadn’t told me about Mary earlier is because he wanted to spare me any discomfort regarding her. Edward will find out about Mary once he speaks with Minnie Baker.

“She has
then forgiven, Thomas?” Clayton asked.

“
I don’t know if she has totally, but Thomas said having Jane with them made things a lot easier to have a reunion. Mary was thrilled to find out she had a niece. Thomas and Anna had asked her to come for a visit but she’d said she was not ready to let her shop be run by another just yet, even for a few days. She did say she would love to have them make a return trip to Washington and visit her again. At least they’re speaking.

“
I asked Thomas if he thought Mary might be happy now and doing well since she settled in America. Father, if anyone deserves to find some happiness in this life, it’s Mary.”

“Aye, y
ou’ll get no argument from me, James. But, back to Henry, do you think Mary could be in danger from her father at the present time?”

“No, Thomas is sure Henry has no idea where Mary is.
But for the rest of us, I fear that’s another matter. I’ll let my men know to take extra precautions for anything out of the ordinary. I’m not sure how Thomas will handle his father, if he should confront him. But I’ll do what I must to protect what is mine. I let Thomas know my feelings on his father and what would happen if I should ever confront him.”

“Whatever you do,
James, if you should see Ball, be sure you strike before he does. I think he’s hell bent on revenge. You may be at the top of his list, but Thomas is sure to be number two.”

“
While we spoke I did suggest Thomas bring Anna over for a visit. The sooner the better, for I fear Susannah is slipping away faster than the Doctor thought. She’s trying to put up a strong front. She’s much braver than I could ever be, Father.”

“I
’ve learned the Webb’s are a strong family, James. They’ll survive this. And you must remain strong. Your mother and I will do whatever we can to help.”

*****

Susannah
found she was becoming easily tired and could no longer fool anyone regarding her exhaustive state. Even Andrew and Matilda mentioned she wasn’t playing with them like she used to.

She
smiled thinking about her children. They were two very precious gifts God had given her. If only she could stay until they were grown. Yet, she knew they’d be left in good hands with their father. James would raise them to become fine adults. She had no doubt.

She pleaded
constantly with James to be sure Matilda was raised like a lady. Even though her father had taught her how to handle a gun, she preferred Matilda to skip that lesson in life. She hoped Matilda would not only learn how to behave like a lady, but also be raised with the knowledge of how to run the plantation home.

As for Andrew, Susannah was sure James would teach him how to handle guns, run a plantation and have the manners of a gentleman.
She just knew he’d end up being like his father. Susannah also felt strongly that if James neglected any of his duties, for any reason, her parents or his parents would be there to step in.  She was pleased to know she could leave this earth knowing her children would be raised as she wished.

She tried hard not to think of the future too much.
It only upset her to think about the children growing up and marrying and to have families of their own and her not able to be a part of their lives. She tried to think of present day issues. One day at a time, she continually reminded herself.

Yet, she
hurt inside knowing she’d never witness a marriage or be able to hold a grandchild. On the brighter side, she’d not have the burden of seeing her parents pass on before her. She hated the thought of losing her parents, as much as she knew they hated the thought of losing her. This was the way of life and no one ever said it was fair.

Traveling to London had been the highlight of her life
, up until the children being born. Susannah knew she’d much to be thankful for. Some people never traveled out of the area they were born to, let alone across the sea. Some people lost their children to accidents or disease. So far, they’d been blessed with healthy little ones.

Susannah thought of the people who
’d come before them to settle the land where they now lived. They must have suffered something awful according to the stories her grandparents had told. She never had to worry about an Indian war party or living in a covered wagon. She had never had to bury a child. Susannah thought back on her mother wanting to trade places with her, when she told her of her illness. She’d have felt the same way, if this illness had come to Andrew or Matilda. Thank God it hadn’t. She realized Annabelle and Clayton knew all too well what it was like to bury a child, when they had lost their young daughter.

Susannah fell asleep that night dreaming of the days of the past
and not worrying for once about what was coming sooner than she’d hoped.

*****

James stopped by to visit with Susannah in the bedroom and realized she was sound asleep. He couldn’t help but notice the dried tears on her cheeks. He wondered what she’d been thinking. If only he had the power to change the outcome that awaited her.

Chapter Fifty- Four

“Susannah, are you still feeling poorly?” James asked the next morning. “I stopped by to visit with you last night but you were fast asleep.”

“I was feeling poorly, James.
The coughing spells seem to come more often. I think my time might be sooner than expected. Please try to keep the children away as much as possible. I don’t wish for them to remember me as someone who couldn’t get out of bed or converse with them. I want them to remember the wonderful times we’ve had together, when I was well.”

“I shall try my best. You know Susannah, I
’d not change anything in my life except this illness that you’re suffering from, don’t you?” With that being said, James sat on the bed and pulled Susannah into his arms, saying nothing but holding her tight.

“What about Mary, James?
Would you not change what happened to her? By marrying me, you’ll be left alone to raise two children.”

“If I
’d known the truth, I wouldn’t have ever met you. No, Susannah, I’m very happy and blessed having found you, even if our time has been shortened.”

“I
’ve often thought of Mary, James. I wonder whatever happened to her.”

Before James could say
Mary was living in Washington, Susannah had fallen asleep.

Chapter
Fifty-Five

London

Edward Pierce wasted no
time locating, Miss Minnie’s Dress Emporium, once he arrived in London. As he walked into the shop he found himself greeted by a lovely red-haired older lady looking at him with a strange expression. Did he all of a sudden grow two heads? He looked behind him. No one was there. Hmmmm, he wondered.

As he turned back around he saw the lady
was now smiling. "I’m at a loss for words. You seem to be confused to find me in your shop.”

“Please accept my apology, but I don’t usually find an American entering my shop unaccompanied
. Somehow, you coming here alone struck me as odd. You are an American, are you not?”

“
Aye, I am. How did you know?”

“By your clothes,” Minnie confided
with a twinkle in her eye. Your hat gave you away since most Londoners now wear the beaver high top hats. Your hat has been out of style for the last couple of years.

“
I see,” said Edward, amused at her astute ability to sum him up so easily. The reason I’m alone is because I’ve no female to accompany me, for I’m not looking to purchase anything. Rather, I’m here to locate a Miss Minnie Baker, who I understand owns this shop.”

M
innie was surprised by his answer. Why would this very handsome man be searching for her? “I’m Miss Minnie, what can I help you with?”

“Do you have a place we could speak in private? What I have to
say, I wish to be kept confidential. I prefer no one interrupts us.”

Minnie was confused. Even though no one else was in the store, this gentleman didn’t wish to speak with her in the open. Yet, she was not comfortable
with the idea of speaking in the back room where no one could come to assist her if she did indeed need help. At least in the main shop area, someone passing might hear her scream, if it came to that.

“I feel whatever you
have to say can be spoken here and now. There’s no one else in the store, at this time.”

Edward sighed.
“As you wish, my name is Edward Pierce, from America, as you’ve already surmised. I’ve gotten your name from, Mr. James Parker. I believe you know of him.”

“Aye, I know him.
He’s not a man I have a high regard for. What type of information do you seek? I’m afraid I know little of Mr. Parker since he last left England, and what I do know, I can’t say would be of much help.”

“
I hope you’re wrong. Once, many years ago, I was married to a woman named Jane Adler. We had a son named Thomas. I left her with our son while I went to sea in search of a better life. Upon my return, I was met by a man named Henry Ball, who informed me my wife and son had died in the epidemic. I never doubted him. He’d no reason to lie to me about such a delicate matter. I left England on the next ship available to return to America and I started my life over, thinking I’d never return to England.”

Edward watched Miss Minnie’s face as he shared his story
. He knew she’d recognized both Jane and Henry’s names, even though she tried to remain aloof. He held his breath as he waited for her to respond.

“
I can’t believe the gull of Henry Ball! So that’s how he got Jane to marry him! And you’re the man that Jane had fallen in love with and have come here, after all these years, to seek answers you should have found out long before now. I knew she’d loved her first husband very much. Yet, she never once mentioned your name, in all the time I knew her.

“
I met Jane when she came to me in need of work to support herself, Thomas, and the baby girl she’d delivered just a few weeks earlier. She had just married Henry and said he adopted the children.

“
I always wondered what kind of hold Henry held over her. Now, hearing your story, I can make a fairly good guess. Henry led her to believe you’d died at sea and he wasted no time stepping in Jane’s life to take your place. She would have felt she’d nowhere to turn. That bastard! Please forgive me for my language.

Edward had tears in his eyes. Thomas was his son
. “So Mary is mine, too?”

“Yes, I’m sure she is.
Jane said she changed both the children’s names. She never told me who she’d married first.”

Edward
took a couple of minutes to gain control of his emotions; for he was overwhelmed with anger at Henry Ball and overjoyed with happiness, knowing he had two children with Jane. “What a fool I was. How long did Jane live after I abandoned her?”

“Jane died when Mary was
eight. She was a grand lady, she was. I asked her a couple of times how she ended up with Henry but she’d never tell me. She said she owed Henry a huge debt for taking care of her and her children when there was no one else to turn to. I can tell you Henry treated her as well as he could have. In truth, he worshipped her. He worked hard and they appeared to have a good life together, until she died. But I always had the sense that Jane was never truly happy.

“Then,
after Jane died, Henry changed. He became a drunk and treated the children like slaves. I never cared for him. He disowned Thomas when he left for America and ruined poor Mary’s chance at happiness.

“That
’s the reason I’ve such a dislike for James. He, like you, believed Henry Ball’s lies and never sought out the truth. James married another and broke poor Mary’s heart. Now that you know the story, what are your intentions? Have you met Thomas or Mary?”

Edward
felt sick, nine lost years he missed being with the woman he’d loved more than anything, and still did. He fought back his emotions as his heart felt heavy with grief.

“Aye, I
’ve met Thomas. In fact, I’ve known Thomas for some time now. When I first met him, I had a strange feeling about him, like I knew him. It was James’ father who mentioned we looked similar and that got me to thinking about his parentage. But I told myself this was just my imagination and wishful thinking. Yet, this nagging feeling didn’t go away.

“
A few weeks ago, James, his father and I ran into Henry at the Baltimore docks. He had changed his name to Henry Adler. He attempted to murder James that day, by pushing him in front of a run-a-way carriage, while Clayton, James’s father and I looked on.

“
But not before Ball had engaged us in conversation. It was when James called his name out, that I felt a sudden chill come over me.

“
Once seeing him again, and knowing what he’d just done to James, made me realize I had to find out the truth about Thomas. I knew he had a sister named Mary, but when I left England, Jane gave me no knowledge that she might be again with child.”

Minnie’s eyes were wet with tears. After all these years
she now knew the truth. Jane’s life could have been so different, and Thomas and Mary’s too. Things could have been wonderful for everyone if only the truth had come out years ago.

“
Does Thomas have any idea of your suspicions, Mr. Pierce?”

“No, and
now that I know for sure that I’m his father, I’m not clear on how I’ll go about telling him. He has the right to know the truth. He likes me well enough, as Edward Pierce. I don’t know if he’ll like me at all when he finds out I’m his father and how I handled what happened in the past.”

“Thomas and Mary are both fine people
, Mr. Pierce. Jane raised them to be kind, considerate and hard workers. I think you’ll find them to be rather receptive to know you’re their father and not Henry Ball. I don’t know how they’ll feel, knowing you deserted their mother, however, by recklessly believing the words of a man you didn’t even know.”

“I
’m filled with so much remorse. You have no idea how much I loved Jane. Her parents disowned her because I was a mere ship-hand and Jane came from one of the best families in London. I took her away, knowing I had ruined any chance she had at a far better future than the one I gave to her. I’d begged her to remain with her parents and forget about me, but she insisted she wanted to be my wife no matter what the cost. She never once complained about our living conditions or lack of luxury, never.”

“I know she loved you
, Mr. Pierce. She never told me how she ended up here, in this part of London, only that her parents disowned her. I know she wished her parents would have forgiven her or at the very least acknowledge their grandchildren, but they never did. I do know they gave Henry enough money to have Jane buried in the church cemetery. Henry did the right thing by writing to them when Jane was near death, and asking for their help. But they never attended the funeral or had any contact with Henry or the children again, that I’m aware of.”

“Thank you for your honesty. I can return knowing Jane at least had a wonderful friend
to lean on. I thank you for that. I only regret that I’d been so easily fooled. My heart will ache forever knowing I betrayed her.”

“Henry
’s a very clever man. He fooled you, he fooled Thomas, James and who knows how many others, with his lies throughout his miserable life. I hope he rots in hell. I’d felt certain he had headed to America since I’ve heard nothing about him for going on three years or more. I’ve asked about him at various times but no one seems to know of his whereabouts. Believe me; I’ve tried to check on him.

“
I’ve heard his cottage is as he left it. I’ve prayed nightly he’d leave Thomas and Mary be, if he was indeed in America. He’s a very spiteful and hateful man. I fear for their safety. I fear for the evil things he could do to them.”

“I
’ll return to America as soon as possible to speak with Thomas. Once I can share this news with him, I’ll then know how to proceed. This has been enlightening speaking with you, Miss Minnie. Thank you for your honesty. Maybe you, too, could come to America to visit with Mary and Thomas. We might cross paths again, someday.”

Minnie chuckled.
“I don’t have any plans on leaving London anytime soon, if ever. I think I’m too old to travel to America at this stage of my life, but if I ever do, I’ll be sure to look you up. Give my love to Thomas and if you should see Mary, tell her I miss her terribly and to write soon. I miss hearing from her. In fact, if you could wait a moment, I’ll write a quick note to Mary so if and when you find her, she’ll know you speak the truth.”

“I would be glad to wait
for your note. Having a note from you might help when I address her on this delicate subject.” Minnie quickly wrote the note and sealed the envelope. She now had answers, after all these years. If only the truth had come out sooner. She handed the note to Mr. Pierce, wishing she could deliver the note in person.

“Give both Mary and Thomas my love and
please remember to ask Mary to write me as soon as she has some free time. I’ll be anxious to know how this all ends.”

“I
’ll be sure to do as you request. This meeting’s been difficult and yet a pleasure, Miss Minnie Baker.” Edward extended his hand and felt a wonderful connection to this woman who’d been a good friend to Jane and his children.

*****

Minnie watched as
Mr. Pierce left and hailed a carriage. What a fortunate man to have found not one, but two children, if they can forgive him. To Minnie’s way of thinking, they’d accept him gladly once they had the opportunity to think things over. Anyone would be a better man for a father than Henry Ball. Edward Pierce was definitely a man of good character, she thought. That’s if, first impressions count.

He was easy to look at, too. Minnie had no problem understanding why Jane had given her heart to such a
caring person and figured he must have been quite dashing as a young man.

Minnie closed
her shop early to stop by the cemetery to inform Jane she now knew the twist of fate that had left her in the care of the devious Henry Ball. Minnie couldn’t help but wonder if Henry would ever be punished for his evil deeds.

Now
, he was in America trying to murder James Parker. Why? Out of spite? Henry Ball had to be a very sick man. In fact, probably mad. And now, knowing this, how does that factor in to what might happen to Thomas and Mary? Would he cause them harm, too?

Yes, Minnie thought. He would. Maybe she
’d give some serious thought about going to America! After all, she really had no reason to remain in England other than her fear of starting her life over in a different country. She was in good health and about the age of Edward Pierce she figured. Minnie wondered if he’d ever remarried.