Authors: Becky Riker
“Finn,” she spoke sharply, “you are not that man.”
He turned toward her, “How do you know? Perhaps I will become that man. Perhaps, in another thirty years, you will be the one languishing in a drunken stupor because you cannot bear the reality of your life with me.”
“Finn, please do not speak so,” she could not raise her voice above a whisper.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and ran from the room.
Naomi did not take the time to put on her clothing. She threw on her dressing gown and raced after him. He was headed for his mother’s rooms.
As much as she worried about Diana’s safety, she was more concerned about her marriage. She ran back to her room and rang for Missy.
Naomi was half-dressed by the time her maid arrived.
“I just need you to lace me up,” she brushed through her hair as she spoke.
“Shall I not do something with your hair?”
Naomi shook her head, “Later.”
By the time she got to Diana’s rooms, Finn had already left.
“He said he just wanted to see for himself that the missus was okay.”
Naomi nodded, “And how is she?”
“Sleeping peacefully,” Liz’s voice held a note of wonder. “I think maybe she has come through the worst of it.”
Naomi smiled briefly, “Let us pray she has. I am afraid I cannot stay with her today.”
“It is just as well, Mrs. Haydn. I slept fine last night, and will be taking meals with the missus today if that suites you.”
“It suits me fine, thank you.”
Naomi hurried to her husband’s study, knocking loudly on the door.
“Come in,” he called out.
Never had a sound been sweeter to Naomi’s ears.
“Finn,” she threw herself in his arms the instant the door closed behind her, “please do not leave. I need you here.”
He held her tightly, “I never wished to leave you. I am so empty when I am not with you.”
“Then remain here,” she was determined to keep him with her this time even if it meant begging.
He stroked her hair, “I am sorry, but I cannot. Not right now.”
She pushed away from him, “Why can you not remain?”
“I cannot say,” he tried to recapture her, but she resisted.
“Please,” her eyes were filled with tears and her voice shook, but she would try one more time, “please stay with me, Finn. I love you.”
He shook his head, “I am sorry, Naomi. I will try to explain on my return.”
She fled as soon as she heard him apologize, so she did not hear him say he would return.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
He left. There was really nothing she could say or do to get him to stay, though he had never wanted anything more in his life. He could see Naomi watching him from the second story window. Finn focused on her as the carriage pulled out until he could see her no longer.
He hoped to tell her everything when he arrived back home. Next time he would stay. He would not be drawn away by fear or by his brother’s folly. He would stay, he would hold her, and he would be the man she could be proud of.
Finn had seen a change in her since Christmas. She had been kind and pleasing before that, but there was a new gentleness in her speech toward him. She had occasionally let a harsh word escape while they were on their wedding trip. As of late, with far greater provocation, her speech had been entirely gracious.
There was also a
n undeniable confidence in her bearing that he had not seen earlier. Finn assumed the changes he witnessed in her were because of her new religion. What he could not discern was whether these changes would endure the test of time.
Finn reached into his pocket and withdrew the letter from his London solicitor.
Mr. Haydn,
I regret to inform you that
the charges against Mr. Rowan Haydn have increased rather than diminished as we had hoped. The magistrate has decided to bring your brother’s history back to the court in attempt to exact a heavier punishment.
At present, Mr. Rowa
n is in debt to the amount of 4,000 pounds to Sir Garret Willoughby, 1,000 pounds to Lord Johnston, and 1,000 pounds to various individuals of questionable character.
These are debts of which my office has been made aware. There is a possibility that more will surface once the trial begins.
Your uncle has suggested you step out of the situation and preserve your own reputation. I have recommended this is the past, but I feel I should reiterate my concern for you. There is nothing you can do to save your brother from spending some time in prison. Even were you to pay his debts in their entirety, there are also the charges of fraud and theft to consider.
I will do as you wish.
Your Humble Servant,
John Perdue
Finn knew better than to believe this was going to go well, but he needed to do all he could. He had already paid off as much as possible from his own resources, but Finn was not going to sell any of his land to pay Rowan’s gambling debts.
Thankfully, George had taken control of Rowan’s estate since the younger man’s most recent arrest. It was likely to improve.
The carriage stopped in front of Perdue’s office. Finn steeled himself for what was ahead and went inside.
It took some work on Mr. Perdue’s part, but after nearly a week of waiting, Finn was finally allowed to see Rowan. The younger brother sat on a cot, head buried in his hands.
“What do you think will happen now?”
Rowan grunted.
“I cannot get you out of this.”
“Money talks,” Rowan lifted his head but did not look at his brother.
“Your accounts are empty.”
“I suppose I cannot interest you in giving me a loan.”
“I’ve little available money now, Rowan,” Finn spoke through clenched teeth. “I’ve paid off nearly 15,000 pounds of your debts already.”
“Sell your property on the island,” Rowan spat back.
“I will not,” he spoke calmly. “I paid a lot to get that back from Mrs. Shelser.”
Rowan scoffed, “You paid less than it was worth.”
“And still more than her husband paid our father for it. That land has been in our family for over three hundred years – longer than Selby has been.”
“I should have that land, and you know it. Father promised it to me.”
“He had no business selling it then. It is mine now.”
“As is Selby.”
“Do not speak of that as if you received nothing. You were given the more profitable estate.”
“So this is about revenge?”
Finn nearly howled, “It is justice. I took care of what I had, and you spent and gambled.”
Rowan lay down on the cot and turned his face to the wall.
Finn knew the conference was over.
“What is your intention?” Perdue asked him as they rode back toward Finn’s townhouse.
“I do not see anything more I can do. Please continue to represent him, and send me your bill. I will not pay the debts.”
Finn could not deny the heaviness in his heart following the meeting. He and Rowan had been close while growing up. The three Haydn children had supported each other in the midst of their father’s abuse and their mother’s neglect. The separation between them was painful.
He had just seated himself in his office when a knock sounded.
“Enter.”
“Sir,” Mrs. Bloom stood in the doorway, “your uncle is here.”
Finn had thought his uncle was in Wales, but he was pleased to discover differently, “Please send him in.”
She stepped out to allow the older man in.
“George,” Finn rounded the desk and held out his hand, “How was Newport?”
“Wet,” George took a seat without waiting to be asked. “What is going on?”
Finn explained all his uncle had missed.
“This has been a heavy burden for you, Finneas. I believe you have made the right decision.”
Finn did not like the way that sounded, “I would gladly do more if I thought it would help.”
George chuckled, “I did not mean to say that you were acting on your own behalf. Rowan needs, perhaps, to spend a little time with his own consequences. I believe he will be more amenable to our suggestions in six months.”
Finn remembered the filth and damp of the cell and shuddered.
“How is Naomi?”
Finn pressed his lips into a tight smile, “Expecting.”
George’s eyebrows rose, “I would normally offer my congratulations, but it seems burdensome to you.”
“I am concerned.”
“About Naomi’s health?”
Finn nodded, “And how she will handle being a mother. It is not an easy undertaking.”
“It will be easier with you beside her.”
“I do not know if – if I,” Finn rose from his seat and began to pace the room. “How am I to be a father when I had neither mother nor father?”
“You will learn.”
“What if it is too much for Naomi and she becomes a different woman?”
“Naomi is not my sister,” George assured him.
“I assume my mother was young and lively at one time.”
George shook his head, “She was beautiful, and that was all Lucian cared about. He did not care that she was vain and wholly focused on wealth and position.”
Finn wondered why he had assumed his mother was different as a young woman.
“My own father spoiled Diana,” George admitted. “I do not think he meant to, but she was the last thing he had from my mother. By the time he realized, it was too late to correct his error. He prayed she would one day find the truth, but she has shown no signs of that, and I do not know that her mind is ever going to be well enough again to understand.”
Finn huffed, “Naomi has taken away my mother’s drink.”
George’s eyes widened.
“She said she feared my mother was drinking herself to death.”
“How has Diana managed?”
“She has suffered delusions, fevers, and fits. She also attacked her maid and my wife.”
“Is everyone safe?”
“Naomi threw a vase at her,” Finn repeated what the maid had told him. “Knocked a glass right from my mother’s hand.”
George laughed heartily at that, “I knew that woman would be good for you the first time I met her.”
Finn could not disagree.
“Scripture describes what a good wife is, and she is the picture of Naomi.”
Finn’s eyebrows shot to his hairline.
“Did you not know this?”
“I do not deny that I love her as she is, but she is fiery and bold. This is not how your wife or my sister are.”
“No, but God has not planned for us all to be the same. Your wife treats you with respect, right?”
He nodded.
“She cares for those in her household and is prudent with your money?”
Finn had to agree again.
“She is a godly woman, Finn.”
“I suppose she is.”
“But you aren’t ready to make that choice yourself?”
Finn raked his hand through his hair. He knew there was something missing in his life. He could see it when he compared himself to Nicholas or George. He could see he was missing a particular point of interest or a goal that they all shared.
“Tell me again, George.”
George smiled broadly, “It is Jesus, Finn. He’s been waiting there for you all this time.”