Hearts Unaware by Aleena Ashe

Author:Aleena Ashe [Ashe, Aleena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-18T16:00:00+00:00

George did have more questions for him, but he would have to ask them whilst they made their way on horseback to the place Peter had described. George took Peter, Guy, and four armed and rather large footman with him. The trip was made a bit slower by the fact that 1) it was dawn and 2) Peter, bound as he was, had ridden with a footmen. George cared very little as long as they continued to make decent time.

Upon reaching the palms, George could see recent tracks made by a rather heavily laden cart. They followed those tracks down to the beach where they abruptly ended in the sand; the tide erasing the evidence they were seeking. The morning sun found George in an increasingly poor humour. He was about ready to concede defeat when one of the footmen pointed to the west, “I’ve heard stories about caves in the rockface over yonder, my Lord. Could be whatever you’re looking for is in them caves.”

Of course! That must be where he stashes whatever it is he’s smuggling until it can be transported! He looked to the footman with renewed hope, “Lead the way, my man!”

Within five minutes they stood at the mouth of a cave that was filled to overflowing with cases of rum. More rum than George had ever seen in one place. So much, in fact, he doubted it would all fit in one ship. As he thought more about it, this made perfect sense. The harbor where all official trade was supposed to be on and offloaded was on the opposite side of the island. These caves were cool and dark, and if George wasn’t mistaken, on his land.

Suddenly, it all became clear: Why Thurston hated him so much, why he wanted him to fail, and why he was wanted George’s land. George’s arrival had made it harder for Thurston to do business. He was in the way. Before George’s arrival, Thurston had been working with his former steward, Markham, and could use the land without fear of discovery. The sooner George gave up on his scheme and returned to England, the sooner business could go on as usual.

The party returned to the house weighed down with rum but lighter in spirit. George had the servants stack the cases of rum neatly in front of his desk in the study while he sat behind it to write two very different but equally satisfying messages. The first was to the constable informing him of a discovery of smuggled goods that had been found on his land and to request his immediate assistance. The second was to Thurston advising him that he had reached a decision and asking him to come as soon as possible so that justice might be served in all due haste. He sent a footman with the letter to the constable as soon as it was finished but waited almost 30 minutes before sending Thurston’s. His plan would only work if Thurston remained unaware of the constable’s presence.

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