Patricia Hagan (26 page)

Never in her entire life had she been so confused. Surely to God, he was lying, had to be. “I don’t…understand, Roger. You’re lying.”

“Lying?” He seemed terribly hurt. “Oh, my darling, I would never do anything to hurt you. Had I known you were so drunk, I never would have touched you. I thought you loved me, as I loved you.”

As she began to speak, they heard a man’s voice in the hallway, calling out.

“Where is everyone?” the voice boomed, and then the door opened.

Holly and Roger found themselves staring at the face of Jarvis, who paled at the realization of what he had intruded upon.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jarvis swayed, stricken with horror. His own son and his stepdaughter. Passing a trembling hand before his eyes, he turned toward the door, unable to face the abominable sight. His voice came out a croak. “Cover yourselves. I have to talk to you. Claudia is very ill.”

Holly cried out. “What’s happened? Where is she?”

He would not, could not, look at her. “Vicksburg. The hospital.” Then the words came tumbling forth in all his wretched despair. “Sometime after we sailed, she became very sick. She fainted, and I couldn’t awaken her, so of course we headed back to Vicksburg, the closest port. She’s there now, and I”—he shuddered—“Oh, Holly, how could you?”

“I want you to take me to her as soon as I get dressed,” Holly said, throwing the bed coverlet around herself and running from the room.

Jarvis slammed the door after her, anger replacing shock. Glaring at his son, his face pinched, tight-set, he felt quaking begin deep within. “How could
you
?” he asked in a raspy voice. “Damn you, Roger, don’t your harlots satisfy you? Did you have to pick an innocent young girl?”

Roger began to dress. “Don’t worry. I’m going to make an honest woman of her, for the sake of our family name,” he added with a sneer.

Jarvis was quick to say no. “I won’t have it. I know you, Roger, for the arrogant, cruel creature you are. You may be my son, but I pity any woman who marries you, and by God, it won’t be Holly.”

Roger barely spared him a glance. “I don’t give a damn what you think. I’m going to marry her. Now how about getting out of here and letting me dress so we can get to Vicksburg.”

Jarvis planted himself in front of Roger, his manner implacable. “I won’t allow you to marry her. It grieves me to have to say this, but if you do, you’ll never see any of my money again. We both know you worship wealth. So think hard, Roger. I mean what I say.”

Roger looked at him—a long, hard look. “I don’t need your money, you old goat,” he said finally, enjoying the hurt on Jarvis’s face. “I’ve got more money than you ever dreamed of having. I don’t need you for one damn thing. I can buy you and bury you if I choose.”

Jarvis felt a sharp, unfamiliar stab of pain deep in his chest. His heart hurt…ached to hear such abuse from his own son. “How…how can you speak to me this way? I’m your father.”

Roger buttoned his shirt, his eyes riveted on Jarvis. “My father? You
are
a fool. I suppose it’s time for the truth. I can’t stand to hear your sniveling.

“Are you really this stupid? You were as ineffectual with my mother as you’ve been in all your relationships. She couldn’t stand you any more than I can. She told me years ago who my real father is…was. He’s dead now,” he said coolly. “No matter. At least I am not the fruit of
your
worthless loins, I’m pleased to say.”

Jarvis clutched at his chest, swayed, and stumbled. Roger made no move to help him. “You…you’re making it up, Roger. How can you hurt me so much? Lies, Roger. Your mother. You lie about her. An honorable woman, and you besmirch her memory.”

“Besmirch!” Roger echoed contemptuously. “You
are
an old fool. She laughed behind your back as I laugh in your face. She stayed with you because of your money and your social position. My father wasn’t her only lover. There were many. She didn’t try to hide anything from me. We were close. I respected her for trying to find happiness despite you. She was what she is, as I am what I am, and I’m glad to at least be able to tell you the truth.”

Jarvis forced himself to stand erect. Slowly, very slowly, anger was overcoming the pain. He regained his composure as he faced the son who had suddenly become an evil stranger. “You will remain here. I will take Holly to her mother. Then I’m coming back here and we are going to talk.”

Roger laughed. “I don’t dance to your tune any more, old man. I am wealthy now, on my own. I don’t have to kiss your pompous ass, Jarvis. God!” He rolled his eyes heavenward, sighing exaggeratedly. “How wonderful to be able to say ‘Jarvis,’ at last, and not the hypocritical name ‘Father.’”

“Shut your mouth,” Jarvis said furiously. “No more, do you hear? No damn more!” He lunged forward, catching Roger off-guard and hitting him across the face.

Roger reacted with forceful fury. “You don’t ever strike me, you pompous bastard!” Roger struck out with his fist as hard as he could, sending Jarvis sprawling backward against the bureau. Roger leaped on him, grabbing him by the collar and jerking him to his feet, then slapped him back and forth with his open palm until blood trickled from the corners of the older man’s mouth. “Never hit me again, Jarvis! Understand? I have the power now, not you, not any more. You will do as I say or I’ll have you killed. Do you believe me, or must I beat you senseless?”

Jarvis struggled to hold on to consciousness. The pain in his chest was terrible and getting worse, as though a giant fist was opening and closing around his heart. With the last shreds of his strength, he reached out gently and touched this stranger’s face. “Tell me…tell me you were drunk…didn’t mean it…anything,” he pleaded. “I swear to believe you, forgive you. I love you…”

His voice trailed off and his eyes suddenly became transfixed, unseeing. One last convulsion rippled through his chest and he went slack.

Roger released him, allowing him to slump lifelessly to the floor. Then he leaned over, pressed his hand against Jarvis’s chest, felt the stillness.

He straightened. Goddamnit, the old fool was dead. He ran stiff fingers through his hair. Damn, damn, damn! Holly would come in soon, dressed and anxious to get to Vicksburg. How was he going to explain this?

He heard the sound of footsteps hurrying down the hallway and knew he had run out of time. Before he could even cover Jarvis’s body, Holly burst into the room. Her eyes went to Jarvis, then to Roger.

He moved quickly, placing firm hands on her shoulders. “I know it’s a shock. He’s dead. I assume it was his heart. It was just too much for him, I guess, finding us together.” He marveled at his own quick wit, his craftiness. The words were flowing easily now. He was in control. “It was bad. The things he said, admitted to. He was my father, but dear God, when he told me about Sally and Norman, and wanting your land so badly—”

“Sally?” She jerked away. “What about Sally? And my land? Tell me everything, Roger. I’ve a right to know.”

The room was spinning, and Roger walked her slowly to the bed, sat her down, and knelt before her. He took her hands in his and squeezed tightly. “I’ve never seen him as he was tonight,” he began slowly. “Like a madman. He said you’d been nothing but trouble since you came, insisting on keeping your land when he wanted it for his empire.”

He shook his head mournfully. “My God, I thought I knew him.
My father.
He was a sick, sick man. He admitted he was responsible for everything, the attacks on you, the deaths of Sally and Norman. He flew into a rage and attacked me. I tried to hold him off. Then he just keeled over. Just like that.” He blinked back tears.

Holly felt the slow stiffening along her spine and knew what it was—the strength, the courage, to face this new horror and keep going. All that mattered was getting to her mother as fast as she could. Dear God, how was she going to tell Claudia about Jarvis?

They did not speak as they rode through the night to Vicksburg. Roger took her directly to the hospital, explaining that he would return as soon as he made the death report to the authorities.

She turned away, but he caught her hand, squeezed it, looked deep into her eyes and whispered, “I love you so much, my darling. Somehow, we’ll get through all this.”

“Love me?” she echoed blankly, stunned. “Oh, Roger, how can…” She shook her head wearily and then told him, “Go and do what you must, Roger. I’ve got to see my mother.”

The hospital was very still. At the end of a narrow, dimly lit hallway, a sleepy-eyed nurse sat behind a desk and watched Holly approach, then showed her to Claudia’s room. Please, God, Holly prayed silently, let her be all right. Let it be just the excitement of the past few days. And give her the strength to bear Jarvis’s death.

The door was closed. Holly stood outside, took a deep breath, and entered. A lantern glowed softly on a table beside the bed. How pale and gaunt her mother looked, how tired. Her eyes were closed and she lay very still. Holly drew the only chair to the side of the bed and sat down, tears rolling down her cheeks. She didn’t dare even to clasp her mother’s hand, fearful of waking the poor woman. Oh, why did she look so awful?

The night passed slowly, so many thoughts tormenting Holly as she tried to will some of her own strength into her mother. Scott. Where was he? Would she really never see him again? And Claudia. What would happen to her now with Jarvis dead?

Jarvis. Anger battled with bewilderment as she speculated about him. All along, Roger said, it had been Jarvis who wanted her off
her land. Why? Simple greed. But she would have to push this new knowledge aside and grieve for Jarvis, for Claudia’s sake. Let Claudia have her happy memories. Both she and her mother would have to be satisfied with only memories now.

Claudia stirred at dawn, eyes fluttering open. She was frightened by the strange surroundings. She was supposed to be on the ship. “Holly? Where is Jarvis?”

“Just rest, Mother,” Holly said quietly. “You got sick on the ship, and Jarvis brought you here.”

Slowly, it came back. “Yes, I remember. I got so dizzy.” She laughed nervously. “I feel so silly. What will people think? Ruining my own honeymoon! Poor Jarvis. Where is he?”

Holly was too frightened of her condition to tell her the truth.

“He was very tired. It’s been a long night, and he’s gone home to sleep awhile. Now you rest, please,” she urged. “I’m going to stay here until I speak with your doctor, and then I’ll go home for just an hour or so. I’ll come back later.”

Claudia drifted off to sleep without mentioning Jarvis again, and Holly went to find her doctor. He was not very encouraging.

“We just aren’t sure what the problem is, I’m sorry to say. I don’t think she’s in any danger now, but I would like to keep her here for several days.”

Holly prodded hopefully. “She’s been unusually active lately. Couldn’t it just be exhaustion?”

“Fainting can be a symptom of many things,” he said slowly. “Will her husband be in soon? I’d like to speak with him.”

She told him about Jarvis, finishing, “I decided she shouldn’t be told yet.”

He nodded solemnly. “I agree, but we won’t be able to keep it from her for long. She’s going to expect to see him. We’ll have to tell her tomorrow.”

Roger was waiting to take her home. When they were settled in the carriage, he gave her a long, thoughtful stare. “There’s something I want you to know. I’ll never let you down. Don’t feel that you and your mother are all alone, because you’ve got me to take care of you.” She started to speak, but he rushed on. “And about last night,” he said hoarsely, “please, please believe me when I say I love you, and I’m not sorry it happened.”

She turned away abruptly. “I don’t want to talk about that now, Roger. There are things I must consider and—”

“Yes, yes,” he interrupted frenetically, “I know. So much has happened. But please realize one thing—that I’m here, loving you with every breath I take. I would be so honored if you would marry me. Allow me to help you through your pain, Holly, and try to bring you some joy.”

Holly drew in her breath, let it out slowly. “Roger,” she said evenly, “I need a lot of time now, to think. Please don’t let’s talk about this now.”

He nodded, smiled, and started the horses moving. “It won’t take you long to think it all through,” he said confidently.

But all she could think of was Scott Colter’s dear face. Dear God, where was Scott when she needed him so?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Scott Colter sat at a small table at the back of a dimly lit bar on the ragged outskirts of Washington D.C. His head ached, and his stomach churned, but still he tossed down another shot of whiskey. When was the last time he’d eaten? It didn’t matter. Oh, he did his job, did the goddamn, boring paperwork that was his job now, a loathsome desk job. He hated it, couldn’t wait for each day to end. By damn, all his days now seemed to roll into one.

Oh, well. It had come as no big surprise when he and Neil were pulled off the assignment in Vicksburg and brought back to Washington. With Jim Pate dead, the investigation was at a standstill. Besides that, the brass didn’t like the Scott-Lisa Lou scandal. Bad public relations.

He poured himself another glass of whiskey, staring into the glass and, as always, saw Holly’s beautiful face, that elusive wood-sprite face.

Where was she at that very moment? How was she?