The Gold Miner's Wife: A Young Woman's Story of Romance, Passion and Murder (17 page)

              Like everything else he did in his nefarious pursuit of Susannah’s fortune, Edward Mansfield calibrated his reunion with her in England with meticulous precision.  The ladies had been in residence at Larkspur for five days, taking walks about the estate each morning and enjoying tea and pleasant conversation with Lady Alice each afternoon.  The reports Mansfield had received assured him of Susannah’s safe arrival at Larkspur.  By his calculation, she now would be well rested and free of her anxieties about her grandmother.  Also, she would have had an opportunity to hear highly favorable reports about
him
, about his visits to Lady Alice during her illness, and about his sincere expressions of concern for her health and wellbeing.  Best of all, Susannah might even be wondering where he was and when he would pay them all a visit.  But aloofness was part of his plan for seduction; he did not want to appear too eager, too available, too curious or too needy.  He therefore sequestered himself at his estate, kept busy with his land steward and remained invisible to her until this day.

             
And so it was on the fifth afternoon following their arrival that Edward Mansfield rode on horseback from High Park to call on his neighbors at Larkspur.  He was ushered into the drawing room where Susannah and Lady Alice were enjoying their tea.  It was Saturday, market day at nearby Stoke-on-Trent, and Catori had accompanied Mrs. Ross, the housekeeper, to do some shopping.  Susannah’s eyes brightened when Edward entered the room.  So did Lady Alice’s. 

His hair was tussled from an invigorating ride, his cheeks were ruddy from the brisk winter air; he put down his whip and gloves and shrugged off his coat.  He wore a green waistcoat and tight fitting buckskin breeches that were neatly tucked into highly polished Hessians.  He looked powerful, decisive, virile, and immediately made his way to Susannah’s side.  She stood to greet him, gave him a warm smile and extended her hand.  He clasped it firmly in his, then bowed and bestowed a lingering kiss.  It was more than an affectionate greeting, it was a kiss that held the unspoken promise of intimacy.  “My dear Susannah,” he said fondly.  “And Lady Alice,” he added, turning to her with a polite bow.  “How well you look today.  You must know what a relief that is to everyone,” he said convincingly.

              “Oh Edward,” said Lady Alice, beaming.  “How good of you to visit.”

             
“Yes, Edward,” agreed Susannah.  “I am glad you have come.  I have wanted to thank you for looking in on Grandmamma so faithfully while she was ill.”

             
“It was nothing,” he said with a shrug.

             
“Please take a seat next to me,” said Lady Alice, “and have some warm tea.  I have missed your pleasant company.  Where is my dear Charlotte?”

             
“She is under the weather with a slight cold,” he replied, smoothly taking the seat he was offered.  “Nothing serious however.”  That Lady Alice held him in such high esteem was currency enough to influence Susannah’s favorable opinion.  This could only advance his prospects with her.  “We are so fortunate to have our dear Susannah back, are we not Lady Alice?” he said rhetorically.  Edward assessed his prize, her radiant skin and delicate features.  Although her plain muslin gown was free of adornment, it was a pleasant shade of blue – she was out of her widow’s weeds.  This he took as an encouraging sign.  Her dress fit the generous curves of her womanly form quite handsomely.  He was as attracted to her as a cat was to cream; a delectable creature with a considerable fortune as well.  But he schooled his features, kept his demeanor gentlemanly, and tried not to devour her with his eyes. 

             
“Indeed,” said Lady Alice.  “But I fear I have selfishly kept her confined in the house with me for too long.  Perhaps you would spare time from your busy schedule to call on some sunny, pleasant morning so that the two of you might go out riding,” she suggested, furthering his cause.

             
“Grandmamma, there is no need to bother…” Susannah started to say.

             
But Mansfield cut her off.  “A splendid suggestion.  I will make it a priority,” he said agreeably.  He accepted a cup of hot tea from Susannah.  “How was your journey, my dear?” he asked her.

             
“Uneventful, and yet very nerve-wracking,” she said honestly.  “I had no news of my grandmother’s condition since I left Denver and spent many days and nights wondering what I might find.  I thought I would go mad.”

             
“Well, all that is in the past.  Put it behind you.  You are here now, you are home,” he said with a soothing voice.  “If there is anything you would have me do, you only need tell me.”

             
There it was again, that reference to
home
.  Susannah was conflicted.  Home seemed to be in two very different places.  Where did she truly belong? 

             
“Edward, you are always so thoughtful,” said Lady Alice.  “If you and Charlotte have no other engagements, please be our dinner guests on Monday evening.”

             
“Why, thank you.  We would be delighted,” he said, smiling at her.  “Tell me, Susannah, how are things in Denver and with your mining enterprise?” he asked blandly as he accepted a lemon cake from Lady Alice.

             
“October was another profitable month.  The mine will be shuttered soon, if it has not been already, and will remain so until next spring.”

             
Profitable was a vocabulary word he found pleasing to his ears.  “Ah, yes,” he said, looking thoughtfully, “the snow.  And Mr. Simmons, is he behaving himself?”

             
Susannah recollected the last time she had seen Jack Simmons – his tender embrace, his lips warming her skin, his caresses heating her blood.  She wondered what he was doing at this moment.  Did he think of her?  Did he miss her?  Dwelling on memories of him caused her to blush.  She turned away, toward the tea trolley, and refreshed her cup, adding a healthy dose of lavender honey, while she composed herself.  “Jack Simmons has been his usual self,” she replied cryptically.

             
“He has been cooperative then?  You have a good man in your Mr. Hoyt.  He will keep an eye on things.  And he certainly has a head for numbers,” Edward observed.

“Yes,” she agreed.  “He performs his duties well.”

“And the investigation?”

             
“There is nothing further to report I am afraid,” she answered.  But subtlety had never been his strong suit and Edward quizzed her a bit more before he let the matter rest.  Her distaste of the topic seemed to be equal to his fascination.  He moved on to a more pleasant subject.  “How are all the fine members of the Ladies Aide Society?” he asked.

             
This elicited a smile from Susannah.  “We had a very successful fundraiser – a Viennese Quartet gave a performance at the Grand Hotel to which we sold tickets.  With the money earned, we are purchasing blankets and winter coats for the needy.”

             
“What a worthwhile project,” he complimented her.  “You and your friends are so good to find meaningful ways to help those in need.  Lady Alice, these lemon cakes are delicious.  You must tell your cook.”

             
“She will be pleased to hear it,” said Lady Alice, graciously.

             
“And now, I fear I have taken up too much of your time.  I must be on my way,” he said, standing.  “Will I see you in church tomorrow?” he asked.  A waste of time, church.  So much pious hokum, he thought. 

             
“I have missed so many Sundays,” Lady Alice lamented.  “But I am determined to try and attend tomorrow and hope to see you there.”

             
“And so you will,” he reassured her.  “And Charlotte and I will call on you on Monday night.”  He kissed Susannah’s hand again and gave it a meaningful squeeze.  “Until then,” he said, gathering his things.  Then he let himself out, leaving them alone once more.

             
Susannah refreshed her grandmother’s teacup.  “What a fine young man Edward is,” said Lady Alice.  “Don’t you think so, Susannah?”

             
“I have always liked Edward, and Charlotte,” Susannah admitted.

             
“I have it on good authority that he is a favorite with the ladies.  He is so handsome.  He works very diligently at the management of High Park.  I think his late father left him with quite a bit of debt which may be why the estate has fallen into disrepair.  Rumor has it, he had to sell off some of his flock recently,” she lamented, although her comments on this topic were pure speculation.  “Edward seems particularly fond of you, Susannah,” she continued.

             
“Me?”

             
“Yes, you!  If you were ever of a mind to seriously consider marrying again someday, you could never find a better man than Edward Mansfield,” said her grandmother, furthering her idea with great enthusiasm.

             
This was high praise indeed.  Her grandmother was certainly not bashful about promoting what she perceived to be Edward’s many fine qualities. 

             
“I haven’t thought about him in
that
way.  He is more of a friend, a good friend, and always has been.  I had not thought of him in a romantic way really.”

“Maybe you should consider it,” suggested Lady Alice, “when you are ready, of course.”

“You must not worry about me, I will be alright, Grandmamma,” said Susannah.

             
“Aren’t you lonely?” asked Lady Alice.

             
“No, I am not lonely, just alone.”

             
For Edward Mansfield, the stars seemed to be in perfect alignment.  Susannah was living right next door where she would remain indefinitely.  This made it more convenient for him to monopolize her social schedule.  The mine was closed for the season so there were no business decisions to be made.  There was no compelling reason for her to return to Denver anytime soon or to have further communication with that meddlesome Jack Simmons.  The Christmas and New Year’s holidays were on the horizon and Susannah would naturally want to spend them with her grandmother.

             
Additional social engagements involving Edward and Susannah commenced easily enough following the tea he had enjoyed with her that day.  As promised, the Mansfield’s called on Lady Alice and Susannah on Monday evening for a sumptuous dinner.  A few days later, Lady Alice and Susannah took afternoon tea at High Park, followed by some card games.

             
On Friday, the ladies found it to be an inordinately mild day for December.  Susannah and Lady Alice were soon outdoors with Catori, showing her what was, during the summer months, a very substantial back garden at the rear of the mansion.  Although the garden was now dormant, the design for its layout and a discussion of the flowers and plants normally grown there made for an agreeable walk.  Four very large square beds were planted in summer with sweet-smelling herbs, colorful flowers and dwarf hedges.  They were separated by gravel paths. A sundial mounted on a marble pedestal stood at the center where the two paths came together.

             
It was on this occasion that Edward Mansfield unexpectedly appeared on horseback to interrupt their happy congress. 

             
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said politely as he dismounted.  “It is a very fine day.”

             
“Edward!” said Susannah.  “How nice it is to see you.”

             
“Hello, Mr. Mansfield,” Catori greeted him.

             
“Was your ride over here a pleasant one?” asked Lady Alice.

             
“Yes it was.  And I remembered what you suggested, Lady Alice, about inviting Susannah out for a ride on a mild day,” he answered.  “Would you care to accompany me Susannah?” he asked her.

             
“Why yes, I
would
like that,” she said. 

“It would be a shame to waste such a perfect day – you never know when there will be another opportunity,” said Lady Alice.

“Catori,” Susannah said thoughtfully, “would you care to join us?”  Edward frowned at this but prudently said nothing. 

“Not today, thank you,” she replied.  “Lady Alice and I will find something to entertain ourselves indoors.”

“Please give me a few minutes to change,” said Susannah.

             
“Splendid!  I will have your horse saddled and will meet you by the stable,” said Edward.

             
Very soon, Susannah appeared at the stable door wearing a green wool riding habit, the snug fitting jacket buttoned at the front.  A white scarf was arranged fashionably about her neck as protection from the breeze and she wore sturdy black leather boots.

             
“Thank you for taking the time to invite me to go riding, Edward,” she said sincerely, pulling on her gloves.  She was grateful to get out into the crisp, fresh air and see more of the countryside.  Edward helped her up onto the saddle.  They put their horses to a slow walk down the gravel driveway which led out to a country lane.