Hawaiian Crosswinds Page 23

  “If you’re speaking of Keno, he has nothing to do with this.”

  “Of course I’m speaking of Keno. He’s been cooking up ways to come between you and Hunnewell. Oh I know these things. And my dear, I won’t have any of it. Why, Oliver could no more be a sympathizer of England than I could, or Thurston himself.”

  Candace thinned her lips and stood straight, her fingers twisting into fists at the sides of her long skirts. Her fury burned, but she bit her tongue to silence. She turned and swished her way across the room to the door. She looked back, pale and red cheeked.

  “Oliver also stated that if Queen Liliuokalani should be overthrown by the annexationists, England will work with them to put Princess Kaiulani on the throne. You know don’t you, Grandfather, that Princess Kaiulani is in school in England? And that she’s married to an Englishman? And that others in the royal family, starting with Kamehameha IV, brought the Church of England to the Islands rather than give way to the rule of the independent churches of the American missionaries? Afterward, they’ll naturally turn to Commissioner Wodehouse for support.”

  Ainsworth stared back at her, his face ruddy with emotion, but saying nothing. Candace went out and closed the door behind her. She swept down the corridor to go to her own room when she met her cousin Eden coming up the stairs. Her green eyes sparkled and her lush dark auburn hair was arranged most becomingly at the back of her neck. Undoubtedly she had just come from speaking with Rafe Easton, who was downstairs.

  Eden stopped, and with a knowing glance looked from her toward their grandfather’s bedroom door. A hint of sympathy showed in her eyes.

  Candace breathed heavily, trying to assuage her temper. She knew what she was going to do. She could always depend on Eden. A more loyal sister she could not have had even if they’d been born of the same father. It troubled Candace’s conscience to remember back when Eden, the younger, had lived away from the family and had thought her mother Rebecca murdered. Time and again since reaching maturity Candace rebuked herself. I should have gone to her. I should have been a sister to her. Instead, I all but ignored her until age fifteen when she came home to Kea Lani—finally. Eden had belonged here all along, just as she and Zachary had been raised here. Not that Eden had suffered under the good hands of Ambrose and Noelani. Perhaps it was the better upbringing after all.

  “Do you have a minute, Eden? I need to talk to you.”

  “Of course.”

  “I’d be pleased if you’d pass on what I have to say to Rafe.”

  Eden calmly affirmed it as they walked quickly toward Candace’s bedroom at the other end of the corridor.

  Reaching the bedroom door, Candace delayed a moment with her hand on the knob. She had the urge to look over her shoulder, though she wasn’t sure why. As she turned her head, she saw Silas was standing on the top stair looking in their direction. He must have been behind Eden coming up the stairs. Candace decided that Silas had a very stealthy footstep. Could he have overheard what she’d just said to Eden? But even if he had, she did not suspect him of anything serious, even if Zachary did.

  Candace pushed open the door and they entered.

  Chapter Ninteeen

  A Spy among Us

  Rafe bounded up the stairs and across the corridor toward Silas Derrington as he was leading Great-aunt Nora to her room. Rafe reached the door just as Silas was closing it. Rafe blocked it, then shoved it open.

  Nora turned from the divan, surprise written on her pale face. She looked from Silas to Rafe.

  Silas stood looking at him, smiling.

  Always smiling. But his eyes are as cool as a Northwest winter.

  Rafe gave him a measuring look and refused to explain his presence.

  “Well, I’d better go downstairs for the meeting,” Silas said amiably. “Ainsworth and the others have arrived.” He looked at Nora. “Will you be coming down, Great-aunt Nora?”

  “In due time, Silas. I’ve nothing to say about Townsend that I haven’t already said to the family, but I should be there. You can tell Ainsworth I’ll be down shortly.”

  Silas gave a nod and started from the room, but paused to look at Rafe who remained.

  “Run along, Silas,” Nora almost snapped.

  He went out, shutting the door. Rafe walked over to Nora and gently took her arm, lowering her to the divan.

  “My apologies,” he said quietly. “I don’t trust him.”

  “You don’t seem to trust any of us,” she said curtly.

  He smiled faintly. “Not so. I trust you.”

  She calmed, and sighed. “Give me a moment to collect my wits and I’ll get you the bottle. Did you think Silas intended to steal it when my back was turned?”

  “Since you’re asking me outright, my forthright answer is maybe. At the moment I’m probably being too cautious, but I can’t take any chances.”

  “Well that’s undoubtedly wise. I’ll get it for you now so you can meet with Ainsworth.”

  He watched her as she entered the door into her private bedroom and was busy opening drawers.

  He waited restlessly until she returned with a bottle and handed it over to him. Rafe read the label, noting the date, the prescribing physician as Dr. Bolton, and the dosage.

  “You’re certain this is the bottle with the tablets you took?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Quite certain. No one knew I had it except Zachary. I’ve had it locked away. Rest assured there’s been no hanky-panky.”

  Rafe slipped it into his jacket pocket and took her hand into both of his. He held it gently and planted a kiss on her cheek as she smiled, her eyes twinkling. He walked to the door and went out, closing it quietly behind him.

  When Eden left Candace in her room and came downstairs, Grandfather Ainsworth was pacing the polished wood floor of the parlor.

  She entered the large airy room and glanced about to see who was present for the discussion about Uncle Townsend. She knew Dr. Jerome would not be here since she’d left him at Kalihi Hospital working with Dr. Bolton. When she’d brought her father the message that had just arrived from Grandfather Ainsworth telling them both to come to Kea Lani for “the meeting about Townsend,” much to her surprise her father became cross.

  “My dear, I haven’t the time to waste on Townsend. My brother is willfully wayward. He knew the truth while growing up, the same as I did. That he deliberately chose to walk away from God and indulge his carnal appetites, even enjoying the shame it brought, speaks for itself. There are adequate warnings in Scripture on the principle of sowing and reaping.”

  She now glanced about the room here at Kea Lani. Where is Rafe? And what will he say when I tell him about Oliver Hunnewell?

  The events in the garden that night took on a new and ominous significance since Candace had explained what she’d overheard between Oliver and the British agent. Had Oliver concealed himself among the trees and shrubs on the night of the annexation meeting in order to pass the stolen manifesto to Silas?

  As her gaze fell on her grandfather, the first thing she noticed was how gray and pale he looked. Rather than being angry with him over the recent events, her heart felt a pang of compassion; she loved him and knew he was hurting. Then she realized that the discussion he’d just had with Candace affected him far more severely than Candace had thought. The news about Oliver being a British spy must have shocked him. He’d gone into a defensive denial, but it must have begun to sink into his mind as he struggled with the conviction that it just might be true.

  Had I been the one to tell him about Oliver he’d find a way to not believe me, she thought, but Candace posed more of a problem as he had boasted about her sharp mind, and that his “dear Candace had a man’s mentality when it comes to hard decisions.”

  Eden was tempted to feel irritated, for she knew she had as much sense as Candace, but then she realized how vain and unbecoming it was to be offended by her grandfather’s biases. She sobered quickly. Was Grandfather serious when he told Candace her marriage into the Hunn
ewell family must go forward regardless of anything traitorous Oliver may have been involved in?

  She watched him move to and fro across the room, silver head bent, hands folded behind his back, staring down at the floor.

  Silas stood at an open window gazing outdoors, seemingly absorbed in his thoughts. Recently she had set aside her earlier impressions about him, which had led her to believe he saw himself a mere spectator to what went on in the Derrington family. Things had changed. He was no longer the unemotional observer. He’d been accepted into the family by those who mattered most, Ainsworth and Nora, and he was beginning to feel ties to the enterprise. He was surprised by the acceptance he’d received, even dismayed, as though he had not known how to handle it. Had he come from the mainland only to cause trouble? Was he a spy for a cartel? Was he now developing a twinge of conscience that winced at betrayal? What was it that consumed Silas’s thoughts? His reckless father, Townsend? Hardly that. Silas held no affection for him.

  Eden came to the conclusion that if Rafe were correct, there’d been something more to the reason that had brought Silas from the mainland to Hawaii.

  She couldn’t forget that morning when he’d walked out on the lanai where the Derringtons were all having breakfast. With a smile that appeared to be both a smirk and an apology, he’d introduced himself as Silas Derrington, “firstborn son” of Townsend. His announcement had come as a threatening blow to Zachary, had embarrassed Celestine, and at first had even stunned Townsend into silence. Later, he’d decided Silas’s audacity was deserving of praise, and even humorous. From that moment onward he had decided to make Silas his firstborn, effectively displacing Zachary.

  Was any of this beginning to trouble Silas? Or was Eden only hoping that her prayers for his turning to God would be answered to the praise of His grace and mercy?

  She noticed that Zachary still wasn’t present, though she’d seen him about Kea Lani when she’d arrived. What was he doing?

  As for Dr. Jerome, while he may have been cross about Ainsworth’s meeting and so refused to attend, he’d been exceedingly joyful over the news she’d brought him last night about Rafe’s offer of a loan to build and supply the clinic. At first he’d been taken aback, but then moved with deep gratitude. “I must say I’m stunned. I completely misread the young man. He’s going to make a wonderful son-in-law after all.”

  Hearing these enthusiastic words from Dr. Jerome himself, Herald had looked up from his desk with a pale, strained face, and his eyes had dropped to his writing.

  Rafe entered the parlor, smartly attired and looking toward her as though he had just won the local pearl-diving contest again.

  His brisk gaze caught hers and held it. She beckoned him with a lifted eyebrow as she moved toward the piano near the back of the room. She sat down on the bench, her back to the ivory keys, and a moment later he came up and stood beside her.

  He rested an arm on the dark polished piano, and spoke in a low voice with a glance toward Ainsworth and Silas, who were enmeshed in their own thoughts. “What is it?”

  “I must talk with you,” she murmured. “I have something of profound interest about Oliver.”

  His lashes narrowed. She could almost hear him thinking, Oliver? What about Oliver? Again, he glanced unobtrusively toward Ainsworth, then gestured his head toward the lanai. “Let’s chance it now. Come.”

  His strong hand snatched up hers, and in a moment they had slipped out of sight onto the lanai. The warm breezes met her refreshingly, and ruffled her crème and golden taffy colored dress. Her wavy dark-brown hair, glinting with auburns, tumbled in a cascade at the back of her neck when caught by the wind. She reached to protect the belabored work, done with the knowledge that Rafe would be here.

  He led her down toward the end of the lanai. A door and window from one of the bedrooms opened onto this section, but it was an empty guest room and it was safe to speak. She turned to face him.

  “What about Oliver?”

  For a moment she paused to look into his interested eyes.

  “Candace went to dinner at the Hunnewells’ last night. She overheard Oliver talking to a British assistant to Commissioner Wodehouse. The manifesto was mentioned. Oliver had intended to take it from the library desk where his father left it and hand it over to the British. Evidently someone else got to it first, because Oliver told the agent that he believes he knew who took it, but can’t prove it.”

  “Oliver,” he said, more in consideration than in surprise. “So that explains it. Things are beginning to fall into place.”

  “Is Silas involved? Remember, he was there.”

  “Yes, I’m sure he’s involved one way or another. But later, darling. We haven’t much time, and there’s something equally as important I need to ask you about. You’re the best one to give me some information on Hartley.”

  Now why would Rafe be interested in Herald, when she’d just passed on such important news about Oliver Hunnewell?

  “There’s a brighter side to this,” she pointed out. “Do you realize these facts about Oliver may give Candace the very opening she needs to end any possibility of marriage to him?” she said.

  “Yes, that’s true, if Ainsworth acts on his good sense. If he won’t, and there’s a good chance of it, then maybe Candace will. And Keno will need to act.”

  “What can he do?”

  Rafe gave her a slanted glance. “Let’s talk Hartley, shall we?”

  “If we must. He’s displeased over the loan you’ve offered Dr. Jerome.”

  “Interesting.”

  “My father was most enthusiastic when I told him. He paid you a profound compliment, even suggesting you would make him a fine son-in-law, and he wasn’t quiet about saying it. Herald looked as if he were betrayed.”

  “I’m satisfied your father and I may become amenable to each other after all. I hope nothing turns up to bring further tensions.”

  “What might happen?” she inquired uneasily.

  His eyes searched hers a moment. “I think you’ll be able to come to your own conclusion when we’ve finished our talk about Hartley. Are you agreeable?”

  She hesitated, then met his inquiring gaze steadily.

  “Yes. I shall tell you what I know, and I admit there are a few things that are sure to confirm your doubts, for I know what you think of Herald.”

  Again, his gaze searched her face. “And does that displease you?”

  “No, not now. You may have been right about him all along. I think he could be untrustworthy. I wouldn’t have agreed with you two months ago, but I have my reasons now. If I defended him in the past it was only because I felt defensive about going to Molokai with him and Dr. Jerome. I didn’t want you to have suspicions.”

  “Because it would have supported my wish that you didn’t go.”

  “Yes. Matters are different now between us, darling. I think I understand your motives. You questioned out of concern, not merely to find something against Dr. Jerome.”

  His gaze softened. He touched her cheek gently with the back of his hand. “That’s just what I wanted to hear. Where can we go for a quiet chat?”

  She looked about Kea Lani and had a desire to get away for a few minutes. “Remember the old pathway down to the beach?” she asked simply. She could see that he did. Years ago when he’d lived at Kea Lani with Celestine and Townsend, Rafe would walk that route. When she wished to waylay him and discuss some of her own fears with him about her mother whom she’d believed was a victim of murder, she would wait for him there.

  “How could I forget our ‘secret pathway’? Let’s go before Ainsworth starts his meeting. I don’t think he’ll begin without me; he’ll think I’ve been delayed.”

  They went down the steps and hurried off toward the back of the plantation house, toward the palm trees and the sea, to where the pleasant path wound along the hill and stretched out over the cove waters.

  The afternoon sunlight shone warmly on the smooth sea and towering palm trees, and the scent from
the flowers blooming in profusion in the long flowerbeds wafted to her.

  “I must speak with Hartley before he leaves for Molokai with Dr. Jerome,” Rafe began. “I’m hoping you can supply me with information you may have picked up through close association. If anyone knows him, it should be you and Dr. Jerome.”

  “Yes, to a certain degree. But I’m not that friendly with him. If you’re convinced he casts a mysterious shadow from San Francisco,” she said as they walked, “he may be more inclined to speak to me. I shall see him tomorrow.”

  “No, darling. I’d rather you didn’t talk to Hartley now.”

  “But I thought—”

  “If he guesses I’m the reason you’re asking, it’s likely to put him on the defense. Then by the time I speak with him he’ll have arranged a believable story. I want to question him while he’s off his guard.”

  “I see.” Then Rafe intended to confront him. She shuddered. “Does Hartley have anything to do with Oliver?”

  “Oliver is a different problem altogether, separate from Hartley and Dr. Chen. Oliver was hoping to get his traitorous hands on his father’s manifesto. He may still think he can. I wonder whether he’s a traitor for personal gain or to hide some scandal, or does he actually have an allegiance to the Union Jack. But Hartley—that’s what I want to discuss.”

  In her heart she’d known that the inevitable narrowing trail would eventually lead back to Dr. Chen and the medical journal. Even so, she put up a mild protest.