Magnus lifted an eyebrow as he gazed at Gerald. ‘It was a rumour someone started to flush Collins out, I imagine. I won’t expect payment for an act that I didn’t relish, and which was made purely in defence of someone else. In fact, the money would best serve charitable services.’
‘So it would.’ Ignatious smiled. ‘It would make a nice addition to the victim’s fund the pair of you administer between you.’
Magnus shrugged. ‘So it would. By the way, the constables require a statement from you, Sarry. Ignatious will accompany you and advise you.’
It didn’t take long. When they came back she found a small heap of gifts for her birthday. An embroidered handkerchief case from Alice. Silk gloves with pearl buttons from Mr Grimble, an enamelled box from Gerald and an emerald and diamond ring from Magnus.
He slipped it on her finger, saying, ‘My uncle requested that I give you his gift when I thought you were settled in enough to appreciate it. He said he found it just before the pair of you left Coolgardie, and he had no need for it himself.’ He indicated an object on the table covered in a velvet cloth.
When Sarette pulled the cloth aside a large gold nugget shaped like a heart was revealed. She stared at it for a full minute, then whispered, ‘Oh, Mr John. You did it.’
‘Smuggling unregistered gold into the country is not legal, of course . . .’ Magnus shook his head.
‘How could I have smuggled it when I didn’t know what was in the trunk? No wonder it was so heavy.’
Ignatious smiled. ‘I’m quite sure I can get round the legal question if need be. I know one or two people in the gold trade who would melt it down and—’
‘
Mr Grimble!
I’m shocked that you’d suggest something so dishonest when I’ve looked up to you as a good example for all this time,’ Sarry exclaimed.
She grinned when Ignatious blinked and appeared taken aback, pleased she’d managed to nonplus him at long last.
Gerald and Magnus exchanged a smile when he said lamely, ‘Did you, dear?’
‘The gold must stay as it is.’ Sarry smoothed her hands over the lumpy metal, knowing Mr John’s hands must have done the same. She closed her eyes and imagined his palms under hers, and she could almost feel the steady tick tick inside the metal.
‘It’s a heart . . . Mr John’s heart,’ she said. ‘He doesn’t want it to be melted down. He sent it back to the place he loved and it must stay here for ever.’
Magnus’s eyes were filled with laughter. ‘I can’t remember my uncle as being that sentimental. Still, if that’s what you want, I know the very place for it. We will go there together, after the weekend, you and I.’
Sarry was reluctant to descend into the cellar again. But they carried lanterns. Branston lingered in the hall to make sure nobody inadvertently locked them in.
Magnus slid a rack of shelves to one side to reveal a door behind it.
‘I expected it to be in the tunnel,’ Sarette whispered.
‘It is, but not in that tunnel to the cove. The connecting tunnels to this one were blocked by Alexander Kern. My uncle filled in the one to the cove, but it needs attention. The sea has eroded it and it won’t be long before the cliff above it falls. I’ll just encourage that process with some explosives.’
The door opened into a wider tunnel. She could see the glow of light in the distance and thought that perhaps a beam of sunshine had found its way through the hill.
They skirted the solid foundations of the house and headed for the light, which they followed for a short way down hill. A left turn and the tunnel opened up into a cavern.
Sarette blinked. The place was lit by hundreds of candles, their light twinkling and winking on the stalagmites and stalactites, and reflecting on a pool of still water.
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘Branston and I came down to light the candles earlier.’
There was a pool where the stream had gone underground and as her eyes adjusted to the light, she gasped. ‘Look, there’s a ship!’
‘It’s the pirate ship, Fierce Eagles.’ And indeed, Sarette could see two eagles on the figurehead. It’s the ship used by Alexander Kern and Esmerelda Rey. They lived to a ripe old age, but when Esmerelda died Alexander had the ship dismantled and brought up the tunnels from the cove, where it was rebuilt. It’s his shrine to her. Alexander’s journals are in the library if you’d like to read them.’
‘I would like to. Can we go on the ship?’
‘No, she’s unsafe now, full of rot and resting on the bottom. If you stepped aboard her you’d probably fall through the deck.’ Magnus took her hand in his and led her around the pool to where water steadily dripped from the roof of the cave to form a basin. The golden heart had been placed under the water, and each drip made the water pulse ripples to the edge of the basin.
‘That’s a lovely spot, Magnus. It looks as though the heart is beating.’
He took her hand in his and placed it against his chest. ‘As mine is beating for you. I’ve waited until we were alone before I formally propose, and thought this a fitting place. The Kern men always marry for love, and I’m totally in love with you. Will you become my wife, Sarry?’
She slid her arms around him and hugged him tight. ‘Mr John said I’d love you as much as he did. It was a lie. I love you more.’
She accepted his proposal, his kiss, and later . . . because he was a very persuasive man and she was a curious woman . . . his complete and passionate attention. Funny, but she hadn’t imagined that being loved could feel so good, or had known that she could blush all over.
But she wasn’t going to put that in her journal for future members of the Kern family to read.
Mr John, today Magnus and I will be wed in the village church. I’m to be given away by Ignatious Grimble, who said he would act in loco parentis, whatever that means. My gown is elegant, fashioned from cream satin and Brussels lace. I’m wearing a tulle veil kept in place with pink silk roses. You would not recognize me.
The church bells are ringing. You know what a stickler Magnus is for being on time. He said he’ll throw me over his knee if I keep him waiting at the church. By now he’ll be looking at his watch and swearing under his breath.
You once told me that life is a journey made up of many chapters. I know you’ll understand when I tell you it’s time to put our chapter aside. It is over now and a new one is about to begin. I know you will wish me much happiness in my journey with Magnus.
Your heart of gold is pulsing beneath our home even as I write. I will not forget you, Mr John, for we will call our first son after you.
Sarette Maitland
A knock came at the door. ‘Are you ready, Sarette?’
‘Yes, Mr Grimble.’
She gently closed the journal on her words. A flutter of excitement filled her. Picking up the photograph of her friend and mentor, she ran a finger over his dear face, then sighed and placed it in the drawer. ‘Goodbye, Mr John,’ she whispered.