Wrath & Mercy

Summer, 1865

London, England

Finley Helmer stood in the lush garden surrounding his father’s large estate house, his gaze shifting over the crowd of people there this afternoon. Despite the balmy weather, every guest was dressed in their finest, acting like this was the only place in the world they wanted to be. He only knew a few of them, however, they were all required to be there. At least that’s what his brother, Ewan, said when he sent out the invitations.

Walking amongst the guests, greeting each and every one of them, he wondered how much longer he’d have to entertain these people. Ewan had assured him he’d help amuse the many businessmen and their wives, but he was nowhere to be seen. Fin pulled at the collar of his shirt, suffocating in his formal attire. How he longed to escape to the pond further down the property for a cool swim.

“Finley!”

He looked toward the older man’s voice. Archie Clemence signalled for him to join the group of people he was standing with. Walking toward the tall man dressed in a suit showing slight signs of wear, Fin knew he had to obey this summons if he wanted to keep his job.

Fin’s father was once Archie’s partner in a shipping company that imported furs and artifacts from abroad. When his father sold out his share of the business to buy a cattle farm in North Queensland, Australia, Archie took pity on Fin and Ewan and offered them work. From the age of nineteen, Fin worked for him, fetching cargo and dealing with disgruntled customers. As the years passed, Fin worked hard to earn the old man’s trust and become Archie’s right-hand man. He followed him to every meeting and double-checked every shipment.

He enjoyed working for the old man, especially seeing his daughter, Elina, nearly every day when she came down to the dock to deliver her father’s lunch. Often she’d bring Fin a meal as well and talk with him while he ate, asking about the next shipment and ideas for some imports. The subject of her conversations always amazed him as they were different to the usual shallow gossip he’d become accustomed to from women her age.

Had he thought it possible to catch Elina’s interest romantically, Fin would’ve already spoken to her father about a possible engagement. But such a notion was foolish with a woman as smart and beautiful as Elina. She could have her pick of any beau; she certainly shouldn’t have to settle for a man such as he.

When Archie announced he was looking to marry his daughter off, Fin worked twice as hard, hoping the old man would see him as a profitable match. Much to Fin’s disappointment, when Elina’s engagement was announced, it was to his brother, Ewan. When he questioned Archie’s decision, he was told Ewan was the better choice as he wasn’t married to his job as Fin was. The words broke his heart, but there was little he could do. Ewan was the better choice, having been left a small amount of money from one of their uncles. He could give Elina the life she deserved. Still, it pained Fin to know his brother would have the woman he’d always wanted.

“What would you like, sir?” Fin asked, stopping near Archie.

“Have you seen my daughter?”

Fin shook his head. “I’m afraid not, but I’ve been busy trying to locate my brother. He seems to have wandered off, leaving me here to deal with our guests.”

“If they’re both missing, I assume the two love birds have gone off for some time alone,” Archie said, nudging Fin’s elbow with his. “It’s a good thing they’re going to be married in a couple of months.”

Fin smiled, but he felt no humour. There was only jealousy. Elina was a beautiful and intelligent woman, and he treasured every glance she gave him. As foolish as his desire for her might be, he couldn’t deny how much he’d wanted to be a part of Elina’s life these past six years.

“I need you to go fetch them,” Archie said, interrupting his thoughts.

“What?” Fin asked, momentarily forgetting his manners.

“I’ve been called away on business, and I need to get Elina home before I can attend to it,” Archie announced. “I’m too old to be traipsing around this huge property of yours looking for where those two might be. Your legs are far younger than mine, so I need you to go find them and bring them both to me as soon as possible.”

Fin nodded, fearing if he tried to speak he might tell his employer the last thing he wanted was to go find Ewan and Elina, especially if they’d snuck away for a lover’s tryst.

He left the crowd of guests and walked out across the field without direction. He had no idea where to start looking, nor did he fancy interrupting Ewan and Elina having an intimate encounter. Having gone a fair distance from the gatherers, Fin loosened his collar. While he was out here, he thought he might indulge in that swim he’d been longing for. Hopefully, once he cooled himself down a bit, he’d be in more of the right mood to go searching for Elina.

Hearing noises coming from the pond a few yards away, Fin’s steps slowed. He hesitantly approached, not wanting to find Elina and Ewan entwined in an intimate embrace in the cool water. Crouching behind the row of shrubs surrounding the waterhole, Fin peered over them to see who he’d found. What he saw was Elina frolicking in the water...by herself.

She looked relaxed as she moved through the water, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he had no choice. Her father had ordered him to take her back to the house. Standing up from his hiding place, Fin walked around the shrubs.

“Excuse me, Elina,” he said loud enough to draw her attention.

No sooner did he speak, she ducked down in the water, turning to face him. “What are you doing out here, Fin?”

“Please forgive my intrusion. Your father has been called away on business and has sent me to take you and my brother back to the house.”

“Ewan’s not here,” she explained, wadding back in the water.

“What?” he asked, confused. “Where is he then?”

She shrugged. “He mentioned something about meeting some woman down at the dock.”

“A woman?”

She giggled. “Yes, you know—breasts, long hair...a woman.”

“But he’s engaged to you.”

“He might well be, but he’s sleeping with her.”

Fin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How do you know this?”

“He told me,” she replied as if it was obvious. “You needn’t look shocked. This isn’t the first time he’s wandered off.”

Fin hadn’t prepared himself for this. “What am I supposed to tell your father? He sent me out here to retrieve you and Ewan, thinking that the two of you had snuck away for some romantic tryst.”

Elina giggled. “I assure you a tryst isn’t something I ever intend on sharing with your brother.”

“Your father is certain you and Ewan are lovers.”

“And what do you think?” she asked him.

Fin studied her, trying to find a way of giving her an answer he didn’t have. Standing there gazing at this beauty in the water, all he could think of was how he wished she were his intended. Realizing his thoughts were going in a direction he couldn’t afford, he needed to get Elina back to her father as soon as possible.

“Well, I should get you back to the house.”

“What if I asked you to stay and join me for a swim instead?” she asked, wading toward him.

Fin held her gaze, thinking about what might happen should he accept her invitation. “I can’t do that. You’re engaged to my brother.”

“As far as Ewan and I are concerned, we’re free to do what we wish with whoever we want.”

Her remark irritated him. “Is that how you look upon your upcoming marriage? As a meaningless union you can casually disregard?”

Elina shook her head. “What Ewan and I have been forced into isn’t a marriage. It’s a union of profit and assets necessary for my father. I assure you if he’d announced my engagement to the man who already owns my heart, I’d be eternally faithful to him.”

“Who’s this man you claim to be besotted with?” he asked before he could stop himself.

She stared at him for a few moments, and he could feel himself drowning in her blue gaze. Whichever man Elina surrendered her affections to was the luckiest man in the town.

“I think I want to return to my father after all. The water has become too cold for my liking.”

She swam toward the edge of the pond and stepped out onto the grass, her scant attire of camisole and drawers clinging to her wet body. Walking toward Fin, she reached around him to get her ruffled petticoats from where she’d thrown them on the shrubs. He wasn’t ignorant to how revealing her drenched attire was; the darkened, round circles of her nipples visible through the see-through fabric. Nor was he oblivious to how close she was to him, taunting him with her beauty.

“If you were really concerned with my engagement to your brother, you would have turned around when I left the water,” she mentioned in a playful tone as she finished drying herself and went about fastening her petticoats around her waist.

He couldn’t turn away from her. “Why do you stay engaged to Ewan if you know he’s sleeping with another woman?”

“I have no choice.” She reached around him for her brilliant blue skirt and proceeded to dress. “I’ve tried to tell my father I have no romantic feelings toward Ewan, but he won’t listen. He continues to tell me our marriage will be a profitable one.”

“You deserve better than a man who’ll wander into the arms of another.”

Elina grasped her matching blouse, and sliding her arms through the fabric, began to fasten it. “From what I’ve been told, such a relationship is the norm. Few husbands stay faithful to their wives. If nothing else, if I’m destined to go through with this marriage, at least your brother isn’t a cruel man.”

Fin reached out to her, his fingertip wiping away a droplet of water from her cheek. “If you were my fiancée, I wouldn’t even be able to look at another woman.”

He shouldn’t touch her, but having Elina standing close to him, having seen her nakedness almost exposed, he couldn’t help himself. Leaning into her, his lips pressed against hers. Never could he have imagined she’d return his kiss with such hunger.

Coming to his senses, his hands went to her arms, pushing her away from him.

“Fin, I...” Her words trailed off.

“I need to take you back to the house,” he said firmly. “Your father will be waiting for you.”

Turning, he began the journey back to the garden. It wasn’t long before Elina caught up to him, her steps falling into rhythm with his own.

Their trip across the grass field to the gardens surrounding the grand house was silent and uncomfortable. Fin wanted to talk to her, but he didn’t know how to explain his sudden show of affection. Arriving at the edge of the gardens as the sky was beginning to grow darker, guests still everywhere to be seen, Fin stalled, his hand reaching out for Elina’s elbow.

“What will you tell your father?” he asked, concerned for his employment.

“That Ewan got called away on business and you were good enough to escort me back to the house.”

She went to step away from him, but his grip on her tightened, stopping her. “That isn’t what happened.”

Elina glanced down at his hand then back to him. “If you think my father will understand what did happen, you’re welcome to tell him.”

He let go of her. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. What must you think of me taking advantage of my own brother’s fiancée?”

She smiled, her hand coming up to rest on his chest. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It was just a kiss.”

“You’re intended to marry Ewan.”

“A marriage neither he nor I want. Ewan is much happier with his lady companion, and I’m much happier...” Her words drifted off.

“Yes?” he asked.

Her hand fell away from him and back to her side. “And I’m much happier being with you.”

“Your father trusts me to chaperone you with Ewan, and not to take advantage of his only daughter.”

“I can’t deny how you make me feel, Fin.”

“What are you saying?” he asked, not daring to hope.

“I wish it were you I was engaged to.”

Before he could reply, she walked away through the crowd of guests. He followed to find her standing beside her father.

“Where did you find the two love birds?” Archie asked.

Fin glanced at Elina, then back to her father. “They were out near the pond. When Ewan got called away on business, he asked me to ensure Elina made it back to you safely.”

“Good man.”

“Fin said you had matters to attend to,” Elina mentioned. “Shall we be returning home now?”

“I fear I’m needed to attend to some shipment issues at the dock. That’s no place for a young lady this time of evening. I’ll have Fin take you home.”

“Surely I’d be better served coming with you,” Fin insisted. “You may need my help.”

“What I need is for my daughter to get taken home safely.”

“I’ll have the carriage readied.” Fin walked away to find his driver and have some transport brought around to the front of the house to collect Elina. He didn’t have to wait long for Archie to bring her out.

“I’ll be home as soon as I can,” Archie assured her, kissing her cheek. “Until then Fin will take good care of you.” Archie turned to Fin. “I shouldn’t be long. I need you to stay with Elina until I return home. I don’t want her left in the house alone this late.”

Fin opened the carriage door. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to her, sir.”

Elina stepped into the carriage and Fin immediately followed her, taking a seat opposite her. Leaning out the window, he yelled for the driver to take them to the Clemence property.

“Why does Father want you to stay with me?” Elina asked, breaking their silence.

“He’s received some threats of late regarding the business he’s involved in. I suppose he wants to make sure you’re safe and that the people threatening him don’t decide to come after you to hurt him.” When she didn’t reply, his gaze narrowed on her. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m not really,” she told him. “I’ve been doing the business accounts for over a year, so I know not everything is legal and above-board.”

Fin raised his brow. “Are you accusing your father of smuggling?”

She shook her head. “I’m saying that some of the businessmen he deals with aren’t objectionable to dealing in stolen goods.”

“You seem to know more about your father’s business than I think he realizes. Have you ever mentioned playing a more active part in the company?” Fin asked. “I mean, you wouldn’t be the first woman to work for her father down at the dock.”

“Father says it’s too dangerous for me to be involved in a shipping business.”

Fin pondered on her answer for a moment. “I tend to agree with him. I believe you’re witty enough to deal with the most cunning of businessmen, but you’re too refined to be subjected to a constant environment of thieves and opium addicts.”

“That’s why Father wants me to marry. He won’t let me take over the company, and he’s concerned about what will happen to me after he dies. I guess he wants to make sure I’m looked after, but he’s never stopped to realize I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”

“He cares about you and wants to make sure you’re safe.”

“You seem very fond of my father,” she mentioned. “Given how close you two are, I did find it confusing he didn’t try to marry me off to you. I always assumed you weren’t interested.”

“Your father thinks my commitment to the business means I’m married to my job. He never realized I only worked so hard to keep myself distracted from the yearning I had for a woman far out of my reach.”

“Which woman?” she asked hesitantly.

“You.”

Silence fell between them, their gazes joined. He shouldn’t have said anything, but he had to. After learning her engagement to Ewan was little more than a formality, her saying she’d rather be engaged to him was playing on his mind. Now that he was here alone with her he thought it might be his only chance to tell her how he felt.

The carriage slowing, he broke their joined stare and looked out the window. “It appears we’ve arrived at your home.”

“I’ll have some coffee organized and we can retire to the library,” she offered.

“There’s no need to go to such trouble for me. If you wish to go to bed, I’ll stay here near the carriage and make sure no unwelcomed guests arrive.”

As he went to step out, her hand reached for his, stopping him. “I assure you it’s no trouble.”

Fin stepped from the carriage before turning to help her do the same. Walking with her into the house, he waited while she organized their beverages. It wasn’t long before she came back carrying a tray with a coffee pot and two cups on saucers.

“I’ll show you to the library.”

He followed her up the stairs and to the room she indicated. Opening the door, he waited until she’d taken the tray inside and set it down on the table before closing it behind him and taking a seat with her at the table.

“Can I ask you something?” he asked as she placed a cup in front of him and filled it with coffee.

She nodded.

“Why don’t you tell your father about Ewan’s infidelity? He’d call off your betrothal immediately if he knew.”

“I’ve already spoken to him about Ewan’s and my disinterest in marriage, but he just claims I’m nervous about what married life may hold for me.” She set a cup down on the table in front of her and filled it with coffee before returning the pot to the tray. “As for Ewan, I promised him I wouldn’t reveal his affair.”

“I don’t understand how you can be so accepting about it all,” Fin continued. “Most women would be livid to learn their fiancé was in a relationship with another woman. They certainly wouldn’t care to hide it.”

She shrugged. “I guess I’m not most women.”

Fin sipped his coffee, eyeing her intently. “No, you’re not.” Realizing his thought had become spoke, he grew nervous. “What will you do once you’re married? Will you carry on your affairs as you have been?” he asked, needing to redirect the conversation.

“Ewan has a lover. Not me.”

His brow raised in disbelief.

“You don’t need to look at me like that. I’m not some trollop willing to throw myself at any male who shows me the slightest interest.”

“What happened between us down by the pond was a momentary lapse of judgement on your part then, was it?”

She giggled at his wording. “We shared a kiss, not a bed.”

“What if I wanted the latter?” Fin asked, remembering the thoughts that had drifted through his mind as he’d viewed her figure draped in her wet, see-through underclothing.

She stood, walking around to refill his cup. “Why would you want to? You have women begging for your attention at every function you attend, some of them the daughters of London’s most profitable businessmen.”

When she set the coffee pot down, he reached for her wrist, his fingers stroking her soft skin. Bringing it to his nose, he smelt her sweetness before kissing it lightly. Standing, he looked at the woman before him.

“I’ve never known a woman like you, Elina, nor have I wanted one more.” His hand went to her face, cupping her cheek. “And were you not engaged to my brother, I would have joined you for more than a swim down at the pond.”

Leaning into her, he kissed her lips, aware of the advantage he was taking. In truth, he thought this to be his last chance to touch her so he wanted to savour every moment. When Elina returned his kiss eagerly, Fin could feel himself getting lost in her. He needed to put an end to this before things went too far.

When she lifted her leg, her foot caressing the length of his calf, his desire for her exploded. Sliding his hand down the length of her body, he rested it on her knee, his fingers eagerly gathering up her skirts, aching to feel her naked skin beneath his fingertips.

She pulled at his shirt, yanking it from the waistband of his trousers, her hands shifting beneath the fabric, stroking the naked skin of his back. Sliding his hand beneath her skirts, he gently squeezed her naked thigh, holding her against him, pressing his confined, throbbing erection against her. He wanted Elina badly—wanted to feel her naked skin against him, begging him to take her. He had no right to be here with her, but he couldn’t deny the hunger she stirred inside him.

When he felt her hands move around his waist and start pulling at the fastening of his trousers, he pressed her against the table, grinding himself into her, showing her the passion she’d ignited in him.

“Finley?” Archie called out from downstairs.

The old man’s voice was like a bucket of cold water on his raging emotions. Fin let go of Elina as if she were alight, struggling to regain control over his senses as he straightened his clothing. Never had he lost himself in any woman as he did a few moments ago. Glancing at her fixing her attire, he knew he should say something to her, but in truth, he didn’t know what. He shouldn’t have even touched her, let alone...

Had her father not come home when he did, he would have taken her if she had allowed him. His shirt tucked back into his trousers, he sighed heavily.

“Elina, I...” But his words died on his lips. How could he apologize for touching her in a way he’d always craved to?

She stepped toward him, her hands going to his collar. His hands caught hers, stopping her.

“What are you doing?” he asked, confused by her actions.

She shook off his hands and finished straightening the fabric. “If Father suspects what almost happened between us, you’ll lose all favour with him and most likely your job too.”

“You have every right to tell him I took advantage of you,” Fin said with a heavy heart. “I don’t understand why you’d be so eager to protect my position.”

His clothing righted, Elina leaned into him, kissing him passionately. Hearing footsteps outside the library door, Fin’s hands went to her arms, pushing her away.

“I’d do anything for you, Fin.”

“Elina!” Archie called out from the other side of the door.

Before he could think what Elina could’ve meant by her confession, Fin turned and stepped toward the door. “We’re in here, sir,” he called out as he opened the door.

Archie stood in the doorway. “I need you to come with me to the dock. There’s been an incident.”

“What about Elina?” Fin asked. “You said you didn’t want her to be left alone.”

“I can take care of myself,” Elina stated, stepping toward the two men. “I assure you I don’t need a babysitter.”

Archie turned to his daughter. “I’ve already woken one of the kitchen staff to come sit with you until I return. I suggest you don’t wait up for me as I fear I might be a while.”

“What’s happened?” Fin asked, concerned.

“I’ll explain on the way. We must go immediately,” Archie insisted.

“Thank you for escorting me home, Fin,” Elina uttered as her father dragged him from the room before he could even say goodnight.

Fin was barely in the carriage when Archie ordered the driver to take them to the dock as fast as he could.

“What the devil has happened?” Fin asked.

“We received a load of furs from Australia. As they started to unload it they found several hidden pouches.”

“Again?” Fin asked.

Archie nodded. “There were twenty bags in total, all filled with black opals.”

“That’s the third time this has happened. Who could be using your crates to smuggle these gems into the country?”

“I don’t know,” Archie replied. “But should we be the ones found in possession of them, it will be us the authorities blame.”

The carriage pulled up at the dock and the two men got out.

“What is it you need me to do?” Fin asked.

“I need your help to get to the bottom of this before those smuggled gems are found by the law.”

“I’ll ask around at the other end of the dock and see if anyone there knows anything about opal smuggling,” Fin offered. “That’s usually where those kinds of people loiter.”

“Just be careful,” Archie warned. “I don’t want anyone linking your questioning back to the company.”

Nodding obediently, Fin walked toward the less reputable part of the dock near where the opium dens were. If there were any knowledge of smugglers, he was most likely to hear it from the people that frequented there.

“What are you doing down this way, sir?” an older Asian man asked in good English.

“I don’t want any trouble. I only want some information please.”

The man eyed him. “I know you. You work down at one of the shipping warehouses.”

“Someone has been trying to smuggle black opals in on one of our loads. I was wondering if you’d heard anything.”

The Asian man stalled for a few moments before nodding. “One of the women who come here pays us with opals.”

“Do you know her name?” Fin asked.

The man shook his head. “No name, but she’s at least a few inches taller than you with fair hair.”

Thanking the man for the information and handing him a few coins for his trouble, Fin walked back toward the Clemence’s warehouse. The description the Asian man gave him fitted any number of women in the area. How was he ever going to find the one connected to the opals and see if she knew how they were getting on Archie’s crates?

Just then a tall woman with fair hair caught his eye in the distance, and he hurried off in her direction. What if this was the woman he needed to find? Her steps quickened and he began to lose sight of her. Hurrying after her, Fin knew he couldn’t afford to lose her, not when she might be the woman the Asian man told him about. He wasn’t assuming this woman was the one smuggling the opals into the country, but surely there weren’t many English people who even knew what a black opal was, let alone how much they were worth.

* * * *

The carriage came to a stop at the dock, and Ewan stepped out, flipping a few coins to the driver before dismissing him. Walking along the path that led to the warehouses, he wondered where he’d find his lover tonight. It was like some game, making him search for her each night they met.

Deciding to ask if any of the workmen here tonight had seen her, Ewan turned his direction toward Clemence’s Warehouse. He’d ask there first. Hearing what sounded like someone unloading a crate, he rounded the corner, thinking to find one of the dock men. Who he found was the woman he’d been looking for.

“Abigail?” he asked, confused as to why she’d be there searching through a load of furs. “What are you doing in here?”

“Ewan?” she asked, stepping back from the crate, clearly surprised to be found. “I hadn’t expected you yet.”

He glanced down at the crate and back to Abigail. “So it would seem. Are you going to tell me what you were looking for in one of Archie’s shipments?”

“There was a load from Australia that should’ve arrived today that I can’t seem to find.”

“And you assumed you’d locate it hidden amongst a shipment of furs in a warehouse at the opposite end of the dock to your father’s?” he asked in a sarcastic tone, making it clear he didn’t believe her.

“I can explain,” she started. “You see there’s...there’s... I can see lights. Someone is coming.”

“What?” Ewan asked, glancing over his shoulder to see the glow of lanterns approaching.

He turned back to Abigail to find out if these men were looking for her. She was gone. Hearing the rear door of the building shutting, he ran after her, needing to know why she’d been searching through a cargo that didn’t belong to her.

Catching up with her in the alley behind the buildings, Ewan reached for her elbow, pulling her to a stop. “What the hell is going on? What were you doing searching through the Clemence load?”

She tried to pull free from his hold. “I told you, I was looking for some cargo that was supposed to come to me.”

“If one of the crates was delivered to the wrong warehouse, wouldn’t you be better off going to see your father and telling him what happened? He’d be able to help you locate it.”

She finally freed her elbow from his grasp. “My father is never to know what I was looking for. Should he find out, he will...will...” She never finished her sentence.

“He’ll what?” Ewan asked, hoping to prompt her into telling him the rest of her statement. “What exactly is this shipment you were searching for?”

Abigail lifted her hand to her forehead. “I can’t do this. I need to return home,” she uttered.

“I’ll come with you,” Ewan offered.

“No! I mean, there’s no need. I just feel a little unwell. I think I need to lie down for a while.”

She walked away from him, and Ewan found himself wondering how genuine her sudden sickness was. Following her from a discreet distance through the alley and back onto the main path of the dock, he noticed her steps quickened as she reached the end of the warehouses. His heart ached. There were nothing but prostitutes and opium dens there. Why would she be going there?

He stopped behind a stack of empty pallets, peering over the top of them to see Abigail approach the old Asian man standing at the entrance to the shabby looking shack. They spoke for a few moments, their voices growing louder. Ewan watched as Abigail tried to push past the Asian man before he shifted, blocking her way.

“You bastard!” Abigail cursed as she shoved the man blocking her entrance. When he didn’t budge, she turned, storming back toward the warehouses.

Ewan didn’t have to be told she’d been refused entry to what he assumed was an opium den. But why? Did it have something to do with whatever she was looking for in the Clemence storeroom?

Hurrying back to the warehouse, he was about to walk inside to see if he could find some clue when he heard Archie’s voice. Inching closer, Ewan peered around a load and saw him talking to one of the dock men.

“You see any more pouches hidden on one of the loads again, you come straight to me, do you understand?” the old man said sternly.

“Beg your pardon, sir, but what were in those satchels?” the young dock man asked. “I mean, how did they get there?”

Archie stalled for a moment. “Someone has been trying to smuggle gemstones from Australia by hiding them on my loads. Even just one of those is worth...” His words drifted off. Suddenly, he cleared his throat. “If we’re found with them in this warehouse, the authorities will have our guts for garters. I need to find out who could be doing this to me and put an end to it before they end me and everything I’ve worked so hard for.”

Ewan realized that the gemstones must have been what Abigail was looking for when he walked in on her before. Was she using them to pay her way into the opium dens? It would explain why she’d been turned away. Drug dealers didn’t allow their victims credit.

If he was right and Abigail was the one responsible for bringing the smuggled goods into London to finance her opium habit, he’d have to cut all ties with her. He feared if he didn’t, he might end up being expected to pay for her drug habit, a lifestyle he’d always been careful to avoid.

* * * *

His pace quickening, Fin hurried around the corner in pursuit of the fair-haired woman he’d seen running back toward the warehouses. Suddenly he collided with his brother, Ewan.

“What the devil are you doing down here?” Ewan asked him.

“I was trying to find a woman.”

Ewan laughed. “The women down here aren’t your taste. Most are opium addicts.”

Fin raised his brow. “Yet you came down here to meet a woman.”

“That’s different. She works here for her father.”

“Doing what?”

“Similar to what I do. She comes with me to collect crates and relocate goods.”

“Relocate? You mean the goods you’re moving are stolen?”

Ewan shrugged. “I don’t ask. I just do what I’m paid to do.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about black opals being smuggled in from Australia, would you?”

Ewan shook his head.

“One of the men at the opium den claims one of the ladies that visit him pays him with such stones. He says she’s taller than me and has blonde hair.”

“I’ll be back down here tomorrow. I can ask around then if that helps. How are these opals being shipped in?” Ewan asked.

“Archie found pouches of them hidden in his shipment of furs. It’s the third time this has happened.” Holding his gaze on his brother, Fin noticed the moment Ewan’s expression changed. “Are you all right? You look ill.”

Ewan nodded. “I’m fine, just tired and ready to go home.”

Fin walked with Ewan toward a waiting carriage and asked the driver to take them back home. Taking their seats, the vehicle started to move, and Fin rested his stare on his brother.

“What is it, Fin?” Ewan asked.

“How can you be sleeping with another woman while you’re engaged to Elina?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Ewan replied.

“You’re right. I don’t understand. How can you be sleeping with some wench you met down here when you’re engaged to a woman as beautiful as Elina?”

Ewan hung his head in shame. “I’m not proud of myself. I’ve tried to get out of this engagement, but no matter what I say her father won’t listen. He keeps telling me our union will be a profitable one.”

“She deserves better than a beau who can’t even grace her bed.”

“She doesn’t want me in her bed anyway,” Ewan said firmly. “Nor can I look at her as anything other than a friend. I certainly can’t see her as my wife or lover.”

“So why stay engaged to her?”

Ewan rubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t like this any more than you, but no matter what I do, Archie won’t release me from this engagement.” Suddenly his face lit up. “Maybe if you were to speak to her father... He thinks the world of you, and he’ll listen to you if you tell him neither Elina nor I want to marry.”

“I can’t do that. Besides, what would I tell him?”

“You’d think of something,” Ewan said. “Maybe you could tell him you’ve become fond of her.”

“I can’t do that.”

There was silence between the two of them, until Ewan began to laugh out loud. “Oh my God, you have, haven’t you?”

“It’s not that simple,” Fin explained. “Archie sent me to collect you both earlier, and I found Elina swimming in the pond on our estate.”

“And you joined her?”

“Of course not, but when she got out of the water, what little she was wearing was so wet...that I... I mean, I saw...” Fin rubbed his hand over his face in pure frustration. Slowly, he lowered his hands to rest in his lap. “I kissed her.”

“Is that all?” Ewan asked. “I was assuming you were going to tell me you’d slept with her.”

Fin’s gaze lowered, ashamed by what he was about to admit. “I wanted to.”

Ewan reached forward and placed his hand on Fin’s shoulder. “You’re acting as if you’ve stolen the woman I love from under my nose. I assure you that isn’t the case.”

“Why do I feel like I’ve betrayed you?”

Ewan removed his hand and sat back against his seat. “I guess it’s that unwavering conscience you have that enables you to know right from wrong.”

“What am I going to do?” Fin asked. “I can’t have an affair with my brother’s fiancée. It’s scandalous.”

“It’s only scandalous if you were trying to hide it from me, which you aren’t. Besides, if you can manage to get Elina to take an interest in you, you may be able to get me out of this engagement after all.”

“I can’t tell her father I want to sleep with his daughter,” Fin exclaimed. “He’ll fire me on the spot. Not to mention he won’t let me see his daughter again.”

Ewan’s eyes narrowed on Fin. “You are fond of her, aren’t you?”

“Foolish I know. Elina could have any man she wanted.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Ewan told him. “You have a lot to offer the woman. And you’re already in her father’s good graces.”

“Say I manage to convince Archie that Elina should marry me instead of you, I suppose that frees you up to run away with the young lady you’ve been seeing.”

Ewan shook his head. “That’s what she wants, but given what I found out about her tonight, I don’t think her lifestyle is what I signed up for.”

“What did you find out?”

Ewan went silent for a moment before clearing his throat. “Let’s say I don’t think my next visit down here will be to satisfy any desire.”

“What are you saying?”

Ewan gazed out the window. “I think I might be wise to end what relationship I had with her and turn her over to the authorities.”

* * * *

Abigail paced around her father’s office, her mind a blur. She’d gone to the warehouse again early this morning to locate the shipment of opals, but she’d found nothing. Going to the opium dealer who guarded the shack down on the dock, she begged him to help her, explaining the cramps in her body were getting worse by the hour. He laughed at her and sent her away, reminding her that if she wanted entry into his establishment she’d have to pay for it.

“What’s wrong with you?” her father asked from where he sat at his desk. “You’ve been on edge all morning.”

Stopping her pacing, she turned to face him. She couldn’t tell him about her opium dependency; he’d never understand. “I didn’t sleep well last night,” she said. “I seem to have lost something important to me down near the dock.”

“So buy another one,” the old man suggested. “After all, how bloody important could it be that it’s put you in such a state?”

Just then there was a knock on the study door.

“Enter!” No sooner did her father speak, the door opened and Ewan walked in.

“What are you doing here?” Abigail asked frantically.

“I hadn’t expected you until this afternoon,” her father addressed him. “Is something wrong?”

Ewan stepped toward the desk. “Forgive me for coming unannounced, Arthur. I needed to talk to you urgently about Abigail.”

“What of her? You haven’t gotten her pregnant, have you?”

Ewan glanced at Abigail before turning his attention back to her father. “I fear your daughter has developed an opium habit.”

“What?” Arthur boomed. “How dare you come in here accusing my daughter—”

“I saw her,” Ewan quickly said, defending himself. “Last night down at the dock, she went and saw the Asian man who guards that shabby, old shack down away from the warehouses.”

Abigail watched anxiously as her father studied Ewan, fearful his accusation might be believed.

“You saw my daughter in an opium den?”

“The Asian man turned her away when she couldn’t pay,” Ewan replied.

“Is this true, daughter?”

Abigail had to think quickly. “I’ve been plagued with cramps and needed some relief. I needed something to help me deal with the ailments of being a woman.”

She silently begged him to believe her. After what seemed like hours, the old man turned back to Ewan.

“I appreciate you coming and voicing your concern, but it appears your intentions were misled.”

“But, sir—”

Arthur waved his hand in the air, stopping any further explanations. “I need to get this paperwork done, and that will never happen with her pacing up and down my office. I suggest you take my daughter out for a breath of fresh air.”

Judging by the tone of her father’s words he was in no mood to be argued with. Abigail went to the door and opened it, stepping out into the hall to wait for Ewan to follow her. As soon as he closed the door behind him, she lifted her hand level with his cheek, slapping him hard.

“How dare you!” she hissed. “Who the hell do you think you are that you can come directly to my father and accuse me of being a drug addict?”

“I didn’t tell him anything that wasn’t true, and you know that, despite the lies you just told him.”

“You bastard!” she spat as she went to slap him again.

He grabbed her wrist firmly, stopping any further assault. “Would you rather me have told him you’re the one who’s responsible for using the Clemence crates to smuggle black opals into the country to pay for your habit?”

She pulled her hand away from him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I do, and I want no part in it.”

“What are you saying?” she asked.

“I’m saying when I came to your bed, I didn’t know you were a drug addict. So this stops now.”

“But, Ewan,” she begged him. “I need you.”

“You need someone to pay for your drugs, and I won’t do that. I want nothing to do with this lifestyle you’ve let consume you, and unless you straighten yourself out this will be the last time you see me. I’d rather go back to my fiancée and be saddled with a loveless marriage than be burdened with an opium addict.”

“You bastard,” she hissed. “You told me you didn’t want her as your wife.”

“I don’t,” he replied. “But right now, she’s a far more favourable companion than you are.”

She couldn’t believe what he was telling her. “You can’t leave me,” she gasped.

“I can, and I will,” he said firmly, turning on his heels and storming away from her.

“You’ll pay for deserting me, Ewan!” she yelled after him.