Worthy Brown's Daughter by Margolin Phillip

Author:Margolin, Phillip [Margolin, Phillip]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 30

A group of miserable stevedores huddled together on the shore as the steamer Argentine slipped sideways toward its mooring. Sheets of rain had made the gentle slope that led down to the water treacherous. Boards covered the ground to give the drenched dockhands some purchase when they unloaded the Argentine’s cargo.

The driver stopped Benjamin Gillette’s coach as close to the dock as possible and scrambled down from his seat. He was wrapped in a poncho and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, but they were of little use in this downpour.

“I’m going down to the dock, Miss Gillette,” he shouted into the coach before trudging toward the steamer with a large umbrella. Heather could barely hear him over the rain, which rattled on the roof like a cascade of iron nails. She strained for a glimpse of her father through the rain-streaked window, but the downpour was keeping the passengers inside the lounge.

The steamer’s whistle blared as its gangplank was lowered to the landing. Moments later, Francis Gibney preceded Benjamin Gillette and Sharon Hill onto the deck. The driver held the umbrella over the heads of Benjamin and his mistress and they rushed over the gangplank toward the coach. Heather opened the door. Her father and Hill ducked inside while the driver returned to the ship to help Francis with the luggage.

“You shouldn’t have come out in this weather,” Benjamin told his daughter.

“I had to. Something terrible happened while you were gone, and I wanted to tell you right away. Caleb Barbour is dead. He was murdered.”

Benjamin and Sharon Hill looked shocked, but for different reasons.

“Who . . . ?” Benjamin asked.

“Worthy Brown.”

“The man who was suing Barbour for his child?” Benjamin exclaimed.

“The slave?” Sharon Hill said.

“Barbour raped his daughter,” Heather said.

“My God!” Benjamin whispered.

Heather told her father how Matthew had rescued Roxanne from Barbour and informed him about the injuries Matthew had suffered when he tried to protect Worthy.

“Is Matthew all right?” Benjamin asked.

“He stayed at Gillette House for the first few days, until he felt well enough to move back to his place. It’s Roxanne I’m worried about. She’s recovered physically, but she’s so quiet. Everything seems to frighten her.”

“Poor girl. I knew there was something wrong with Caleb, but raping a child . . .” Benjamin shook his head in disgust.

The coach shook as Francis strapped the luggage to the roof then climbed up next to the driver.

“I’ve put Roxanne in one of the guest rooms,” Heather said. “I hope that’s all right.”

“Of course.”

The coach began to move. Heather glanced at the street and saw Matthew Penny, his shoulders hunched and his head down, lost in thought as he struggled through the rain and wind. Benjamin said something to her, but Heather was only paying partial attention. Something was wrong with Matthew. They had become close while he was recuperating. The reserve he had shown when they were first together had disappeared. He had been relaxed with her, and she was certain that he had feelings for her. Then everything had changed.

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