A Debt From the Past by Beryl Matthews

Author:Beryl Matthews [Matthews, Beryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2013-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

‘Please don’t leave,’ Beth pleaded. In the short time she had known Alice, she had come to look upon her with some affection and, more than that, as someone who could be trusted. Alice was a sensible and loving person, and the thought of her not being here during this troubling time was not something Beth wanted. The problem was she was becoming too fond of her unwanted guests, and, to be honest, she was feeling all adrift.

Alice slammed the lid of her trunk down and sat on it, looking dejected. ‘I am a coward. You put me to shame, Beth. You realize something is about to happen which could prove dangerous, and yet you refuse to run.’

Beth sat beside her. ‘Whatever is to come upon us, I must stay and face it. I am responsible for this estate and all who work here. I promised my father I would see that we prospered and the workers had secure jobs. I won’t break that promise, no matter what I have to face.’

‘Oh, Beth, what am I to do? I begged James to come and settle Edward’s affairs and then return to Scotland, but he would not hear of it. This was the chance he had been waiting for to make an evil man pay for his past deeds, he told me, and an opportunity to fulfil his dream of opening his own school. Alex gave me no rest until I agreed to allow him to come with me.’

Another of Beth’s suspicions had been confirmed. He was using his guardianship of her for some purpose of his own. It was a tangled web, but a few strands were now starting to unravel. How she wished to know the whole story, but she would not ask again. It would be revealed at the right time. She must contain her impatience and remain watchful.

Beth knelt on the floor beside the distraught woman. ‘You must be brave for their sake. Whatever is going on, they need your support, especially James, for he appears to have taken a heavy burden on his shoulders.’

Alice looked at her in astonishment. ‘Does this mean that you don’t believe him to be a villain?’

‘I have yet to decide, but I have seen he has a great affection for you, and I’m sure he would not let anything untoward happen to you or Alex. Will you tell me just one thing?’ Beth asked.

‘If I can.’

‘Is James in danger of being sent to gaol?’

Alice let out a ragged sigh. ‘He is not a criminal, though he is dicing with the law, but he sees no way around it. The only comfort I have is that Daniel is here. Although some things he is involved in are dubious, I do know for certain that he is on the side of the law.’

‘Oh.’ She was startled by this piece of information. ‘Is he a lawyer?’

‘He is connected to the law, and he also does some work for the police and the government at times, and that is all I can tell you.

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