The Roswell Legacy by Frances Statham (ebook pdf reader for pc .TXT) 📕

down her linen napkin and followed slowly. As soon as she was out of the dining room, Nathan whispered, “You’d better hurry, Ginna. Before Mama has a sick spell and nobody gets to go.”

“You don’t mind, Nathan, staying home tonight with Clara?”

“Naw. I got to get up early tomorrow morning, anyway. Me and Pinky …” He stopped. “Pinky and I are starting a new project.”

As soon as Ginna left the dining room, Nathan looked at the open door. Seeing no one to observe him, he wrapped the leftover bread and half-filled jam jar in his napkin and carefully stashed them in a wooden box near the rear entrance.

He and Pinky would be gone a long time and he couldn’t risk taking too much from the table at breakfast, especially with his mother looking on.

CHAPTER

13

Charles closed the double doors to the parlor to ensure privacy. “I saw Rad Meadors today. Allison’s husband,” he added.

Araminta was still angry about his behavior at the supper table. “You mean, the man she’s been living with all these years.”

“No, Araminta. Her husband.” His voice was firm. “And we came to a decision. I want you to understand that there is now no turning back. Ginna and Jonathan will be married, as planned, and the secret of what happened in the past will remain a secret. It will go with us to our graves.”

“And what if I decide differently?”

“Then you will be turned out into the street.”

A shocked Araminta looked at Charles. Tears sprang to her eyes. “What a cruel thing to say to your wife, Charles.”

“You can’t have it both ways, Araminta. If Rad is not Allison’s husband, then you cannot claim to be my wife.”

“But that’s different. I’m the injured party. I was a widow; I agreed to marry you only because I thought you were free to marry again.”

“I seem to remember, Araminta, that you were the one to petition me. And I felt a sense of responsibility toward you and Cassie because of my friendship with your husband in earlier days. But that is neither here nor there. It’s in the past. In the eyes of the world, you and I are still husband and wife, even though we haven’t shared a bed for quite a few years.”

“You know my condition, Charles. I never really regained my strength after Nathan was born. I thought you understood, being a doctor, that it wasn’t good for me to have another child.”

“Your childbearing days are over, Araminta. But don’t worry. I have no desire to force you into being a true wife again.”

To Araminta, it was extremely humiliating for Charles to talk in such a vulgar way to her. “I don’t think I want to hear any more, Charles.”

She stood up to leave, but Charles detained her. “We’re going to finish this conversation, Araminta. Sit down.”

Once again, a startled Araminta looked at the gentle Charles whom she had been able to manipulate through the years. She didn’t know what had caused him to behave this way toward her. Well, yes, she did. It was Ginna, of course. But the two of them wouldn’t get away with it. They’d both be punished. Beginning tonight.

Araminta sat down again and searched for her handkerchief. She said nothing as Charles continued. “From now on, you will behave yourself. You will be an exemplary mother of the bride until Ginna has left Washington. And you will remain quiet about the past. I’ve given my word to Meadors, and I expect you to abide by our decision. If you choose to do otherwise, then you’ll be sorry, Araminta. That, I can guarantee.”

“You needn’t threaten me, Charles.”

“Just so you understand the seriousness of the matter. Now, go on upstairs and get ready. We leave for the theater in twenty minutes.”

Araminta stood. “I won’t be going, Charles. You’ve completely devastated me with your tirade. I feel so weak I shall have to take to my bed.”

“Then, by all means, do so. Since Nathan will be staying at home, I’m sure you won’t mind if Ginna and I go on. It would be a pity to waste all of the tickets.”

A furious Araminta, panting hard, swept from the room and fled up the stairs. For the first time, she had been completely thwarted by Charles. She couldn’t bear the thought of Ginna’s enjoyment at her expense. All afternoon the girl had pretended to be a meek and dutiful daughter. Well, let them go to the theater together. By the time Ginna returned, she’d be sorry she’d ever left home that night.

Right at quarter to eight, Ginna appeared at the top of the stairs. Her father was waiting for her in the hallway. He watched as she made her way down each step, the sound of the pink organza swishing as she walked. She had put her hair up and encircled it with pink organza roses, matching the ones on her dress. And on her arm she carried a small white cape. When she saw him looking up at her, she smiled, her face lighting up. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”

“No,” Charles assured her. “But come. If you’re ready, we’ll go out the front.”

As they started toward the door, Ginna said, “Where is … Mama?”

“She’s decided not to go with us, Ginna.”

“Is she feeling ill?”

“She’ll be all right. I’ve talked with Nathan and told him to watch after her, to see if she needs anything while we’re gone.”

Still Ginna hesitated. “Perhaps I should run up and tell her good-bye.”

“If you wish.”

He watched her rush up the steps and disappear. And then he heard the gentle knock on a door. “Mama, may I come in?”

“No, Ginna. Go away. I’m resting and don’t want to be disturbed.”

“I’m sorry you don’t feel well enough to go with us tonight.”

There was no reply. Reluctantly, Ginna turned from the closed door and made her way once again down the stairs. “I’m ready now, Papa.”

“Brighten up, Ginna. Don’t let your