Blind Man's Bluff (Ace Of Spades Book 1), page 6
That morning she awoke with what had become a familiar ache, the residual effect of her husband's attentive lovemaking. He was an attentive lover, always seeing to her own needs before his own and he inspired so much out of her. Gwen had come to the marriage bed with more experience than was acceptable of a woman in her position, but she had still been naive to the act having only been with one man when they both had been too young to be certain of what to do beyond the act itself. Now she spent night after night with a man who had clearly had a proper education.
It was maddening to ponder over who had been his practice subject before her marriage. Had he been the pupil or the explorer? How many paramours had there been before her? And the most agonizing question, did he still visit any of them during the hours that they were apart each day.
Marriage in her world was a practical necessity, the country was still so new, and their small state had to grow. Marriage helped to build the growth in population and secured safety for a woman, but the romantic ideas of love and fidelity were something that was left to novels and fairytales. She was a practical woman, well-read, and self-educated and the frivolous romantic fantasies was something that she had left behind years ago, something that she now dismissed and left to women like her sisters. Marriage was a practical institution in her world… although, as the nights passed by her, she had begun to realize how easy it would be for any woman to be swept away by a lover such as her husband.
“What shall it be today Madame?” Gale asked standing at the wardrobe with her hands on her hips. This was the maids favorite time of the day.
“Whatever you think is best,” Gwen tossed out, but paused and thought for a moment, looking out the open window and feeling the warm sunshine streaming in. “Is my husband at home this morning?”
“No, I fear the master set out early this morning, there is a delivery of someone into Windsor today that he wanted to meet.” She pulled out a day dress with a lilac pattern and a green sash at the waist.
Gwen pulled back her covers and sat up, swinging her legs off the side of the bed and was taken back to a modesty screen positioned in front of the hallway door. Confused, she thought for a moment where it had come from and if she had somehow failed to take notice of it before that moment, but she was certain that she wasn’t mad and it was new.
“Gale?” there was an upturn in her voice to emphasize her curiosity, “Is there a screen in my room?”
The maid turned her head and responded with a giggle.
“Yes Madame.” Gale quickly closed her lips tight to hold back the bubbling laughter.
“Has it always been there?”
“No, madame.”
“And should I thank my husband for it?” Gwen knew that there wouldn’t have been anyone else, but she didn’t understand the purpose of it as he was never present during the morning hours.
“Yes, madame.” Gale brought the dress over to the bed, “The Master thought it would be good to provide you with a warning when he entered.”
“Well,” Gwen was taken by surprise at that gesture and realized how it would make her evenings much easier for her. “That was very thoughtful of him.”
“Yes Madame.”
Gwen turned her head away from the screen and looked out the window with a lustful longing for the sunshine.
“Gale, I think I will go for a ride today,” she announced, taking the maid by surprise.
Through the house, Gwen noticed that her room was not the only one with the addition of a screen, there had been one thoughtfully placed in their bathing room, and at the entrance of every room with the exception of the formal dining room. There was still the need for Gwen to address a member of the staff before venturing from her room to ensure that she was safe from stumbling into her husband, but this provided her some freedom so that she might relax in the parlor, breakfast room, and morning room.
Descending the stairs, she made her way to the study to retrieve her husband’s copy of Scientific Journal before she paused at the kitchen for a sachet of bread, cheese and a couple of apples. The cook had been happy to prepare a small bundle for Gwen to enjoy during her ride and included a bottle of lemonade. In her short time there she had been given a warm welcome by the staff and was thankful for their kindness, which helped her adjust to the restraints in her new life.
“Off for a ride, Madame?” Cardiff was standing by the side door that led out to the stables with a hand on the doorknob.
“Yes, Cardiff, it has been days since I stood in the sunshine and I thought I would put this new riding frock to use.” She gave a little twirl and the heavy fabric of her durable skirt flared slightly.
“The Master has excellent taste,” he complimented with a light grin.
“Yes, he does and thank you.” She smiled and waited for him to open the door for her.
“The master will be returning late, which direction do you intend to ride so that I might be able to send the footman out to find you should you risk returning at the same time as the Master?” it was a question that she had not pondered in her excitement for some adventure.
“Oh, um, yes, please.” She thought for a moment, “I assume he will be gone for another four to five hours?” Holding the bundle in one hand she reached into a pocket in her skirt and pulled a smart pocket watch out. “I will try to return within two.”
“That is a very fine piece Madame,” he complimented, hiding his surprise that she had not chosen to wear a ladylike model pinned to her coat rather than carry a man’s pocket watch.
“Thank you. It was a gift from a dear friend.” She closed the pocket watch with a snap and rubbed the simple filigree pattern. “I will be riding southwest, toward the coast, but I will probably be riding by the mill on the way back if that serves to help should you send someone looking for me.”
“Thank you madame and enjoy your ride.” He closed the door behind her and for the first time in four days Gwen had escaped her cage.
On the wraparound porch, Gwen closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, the fresh fragrant air was exhilarating after spending so many days locked away inside. One often forgets what they have missed until they have the chance to experience it again and she suddenly realized how she had taken fresh air for granted before she became a married woman.
The stables were just across the yard and a brick laid path that ran up to the white painted carriage house. Painted in forest green with white trim around the large windows and door frames, it was quaint and pleasing to the eye. Just inside Gwen was greeted with the sounds of horses relaxed in their stalls and Joseph, from the local blacksmith shop, who had been sitting relaxed in one corner.
“Joseph!” she said in surprise at finally finding a local person employed at the house.
“Miss Gwen,” he quickly corrected himself, “I mean… Mrs. Flags.” He was stumbling over himself and Gwen had to hold back a chuckle with the back of her gloved hand over her mouth.
“It’s fine, I actually had started to forget myself with so many people here calling me Madame as if I had been denied a first name at birth.”
He relaxed with her customary friendliness and Gwen was thankful to speak with someone who did not treat her like a monarch or a doll to be dressed and displayed for their employer.
“Are you here to shoe the horses?”
“No, Mr. Flags employs me to see to the horses two times a day for a couple of hours.” The young man spoke with pride, “I see to their exorcise if they are not utilized, grooming and feeding. Sometimes I take them back down to the shop where I can see to them while I also fulfill my other duties for Mr. Cavandish.” He was an orphan brought to their town by a foundling home in Santa Rosa seeking charitable housing for him and now he worked as an apprentice to the local blacksmith, Bruce Cavandish. In the four years since he’d arrived, he had become a son of the town and one of Gwen’s friends.
“I am just so surprised to see you.” Overwhelmed by a flood of emotion, Gwen was forced to dab at the corners of her eyes. After being hidden away for so many days she had not realized how isolated she was and how home sick she had been.
“Don’t cry Mrs. I promise that I have been taking good care of the horses.”
“It’s not that, I’m just happy to see a friendly face.” She couldn’t find the words to explain without betraying the stricken stipulations around her marriage.
Joseph walked her through the stable introducing her to the four horses that were currently there, as her husband had taken his for a ride that day. Clover and Whisper were both chestnuts that had a kind disposition and Typhoon proved quickly to be named well when he kicked at the door when she tried to offer him a slice of apple. The last horse in the stable took her by surprise. Gypsy was a beautiful marble steed who Gwen had been forced to sell after the fire in order to help cover expenses. She had been taken away to auction and Gwen had tragically settled into the practical fact that she would never see the horse again. But here she was.
“How is this possible?” She was dumbfounded with disbelief.
“Fate, luck, coincidence… Mr. Cavandish said she had been won at auction by a farm not far from here and being such a fine animal it’s no wonder she had caught Mr. Flags’ eye.” As he tried to offer up any logical conclusion, it was clear that Joseph didn’t believe a word he himself was saying.
The young man had a twinkle in his eye that spoke of admiration for her new husband and she wondered if there were any others in their town who had been employed for their home that she was not aware of. Their town was growing and while there were several new faces in only the last couple of months due to the growing logging work and Paul Blane’s team of five men plotting railroad expansion for the state, she still felt as if they were a close community and for the first time in days she realized that she missed that community.
“Have you seen my father?” It was strange to ask such a question, but she was naturally concerned and ignored the gossip that could come of it.
“Just yesterday. He was taking Sweet Sally for a ride up to the Saddler Camp.” The smile on his face told her that he was happy to provide her with the news. “I guess he’s ready to reopen for business.” He added with an encouraging smile.
Duncan Saddler owned a logging company that was helping to expand their small spot on the map and her father had been hoping to renew a contract with Mr. Saddler. Since the fire at the mill Saddler had been forced to send his business downriver and her father had been confident that Mr. Saddler would re-sign once they were ready to reopen to full capacity. She knew her father’s inability to handle running that mill without her was not good since his foreman, Oscar Flanders had passed away in the fire. He had used her mother’s fortune to keep her grandfather’s mill running, but it had been his crew that brought it success and she had managed to keep them above water.
Gwen pushed her worries out of her head, climbing up into the saddle and bid her friend good day with the promise that she would give her horse a good brush when she got back.
“Duncan, you old devil!” Richard Collins climbed down from his horse, as best he could in his growing age.
“Richard.” Duncan briefly turned only at the waist to greet his old friend, holding a large scroll between his hands and then returned his attention to the work in front of him.
The lumber camp was busy with activity, there was construction underway for a new rail line to help transport the timber to the river shoot. The supply of timber was boundless, and Richard nearly salivated at the wealth that the new business contract would bring him. He tied off his horse at a post and pulled the leather portfolio out of the saddlebag, giving it a confident pat.
He walked with a kick in his step that he hadn’t felt for some time. Losing his business to the fire had destroyed him and then his daughter in such a disgraceful moment had been what Richard believed to be his lowest point and this was a fresh step. A new start. And this time he would not squander his fortune as he had his fathers… or his dear wife’s… this time he would do right by his two daughters and provide for them the opportunities that they deserved.
At nearly ten yards Richard noticed how focused Duncan was on his work and the plans in his hands. There was a man standing in the shadow cast by Duncan’s office holding a folio of papers in one hand. The mysterious man was talking in a low voice to Duncan until Richard reached hearing distance and was silenced when Duncan raised a hand to him and turned his focus back on Richard.
“What brings you so far upstream?” Duncan asked with a bright smile as he rolled up the scroll to hold in his hand and offered a vigorous handshake with the other. “I was actually planning on coming into town this weekend for a card game and a bite. It’s been too long.”
“Yes, I can’t remember the last time you came by for a visit.” A cold chill suddenly came over Richard, as if his presence were not welcome at that time. “A lot has happened since we last spoke. The mill is back up and running and my oldest daughter was recently married.”
“You are a cad,” Duncan slapped him on the back and howled with laughter, “Only you would make the marriage of his first born second to business.”
Richard chuckled slightly, not wanting to be impolite, but not understanding what Duncan saw to be so funny.
“Well… when you have daughters of your own you will understand.” He filled in quickly. “Happiness in family and business matters are both just a game of chance… but at least with business a man has a choice in what he gets.”
The two men both laughed, though Duncan gave Richard a sideways glance with one brow arched in a quizzical expression.
“I suppose the same can be said in marriage as well.” Another voice entered the conversation and Richard turned around to see the face of his new son in-law. “Mr. Collins.” Caspian greeted him with a formality that could have frozen the river over.
“Mr. Flags,” he replied, offering a hand that was ignored in exchange for a nod of the head.
Duncan stood between the two, taking note of the coldness that passed between them.
“Caspian, here came up for a visit and to discuss a new investment of his.” Duncan tried to ease the tension with conversation but stopped with a twinge of regret in his eyes.
“Investment?” Richard tried to use that as his opportunity to bring attention to his portfolio. “That is just the reason I came up to visit you.” He raised the leather bundle and patted it with his free hand in an enthusiastic presentation.
“Well, I’m glad to see that you are back in business. We all felt the loss of Oscar, he was a good man.” Duncan’s sincerity was almost off-putting for Richard.
“It’s was a tragic loss… but it is hard for me to reflect on the man’s work ethic when he was the one who started the fire.” Richard took notice of the stern look in Duncan’s eyes, Caspian was unmoved by the statement, but being new to their town Richard would have been surprised if he had responded.
“Well,” Duncan shifted his mood, to a less cheerful one than he had been, but not so stern as what Richard had just seen in his eyes, “At least you were well insured.”
“Yes, and it gave me the means to rebuild,” he held up the portfolio once again, trying to squeeze his presentation into this visit, “And now that the mill is back up to full operation I am ready to start again where we left off.” He gave the man his winning smile that had always helped him in life, but in this instance, it proved to be less effective than it had been in the past.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Duncan plucked the portfolio from Richard’s grasp, but made no effort to look inside, “I’ll give this a look over, though I should warn you, I have been signed with Gleeson for the last five months, they are further down river, but they have been very reliable.”
“But I am still the closest mill.” He pushed in, still fighting for his chance.
“That you are… for now.” Duncan shifted gears and walked Richard toward his waiting horse. “I hope you will forgive me, but there is much work I have to oversee.”
That was Duncan’s gentlemanly way of bidding him farewell.
Richard mounted his horse and bid both men ‘good day’, but he showed little enjoyment in addressing his son-in-law. Caspian felt no loss at the man’s obvious sustained opinion of him… in fact it felt freeing.
“Do you suppose he knows who you are.” Duncan looked down at the portfolio and turned to walk toward his office. “If he knew who I was that visit would have gone an entirely different direction.”
“You know you would have saved him a lot of grief if you had just taken his mill from him as payment instead of his daughter.” There was a wisdom in his voice that bothered Caspian.
“And why would I wish to save hm any misery. To do so would lessen the sweetness of revenge.”
“And what of your wife? What of Gwen? Will she be willing to forgive you once you have truly ruined her father?” Duncan was a wise man and Caspian knew better than to take his warnings lightly.
“She was practically sold to me in place of a bet. I simply need to tell her the truth and she will understand my side in all of this.” But I wasn’t so sure about that, he didn’t know where his wife’s loyalties were and if she could still be manipulated by her father.
“You are taking a chance… and I like Gwen.”
“It doesn’t matter how I feel toward Gwen, it is a chance I have to take. No matter what occurs, I must see my plan through.” He watched Richard disappear around the bend in the road and walked toward the river, picking up a couple of smooth flat stones along the way. Tossing them in the air he took in their weight and feel.
“You are not only taking away his business and livelihood you are stripping him of his family and dignity.” Duncan followed behind Caspian, trying to be the voice of reason.
