Beguiled Read Free

I can’t think why he confessed to having a wife at
all. He must have hoped to gain something from it.”
    “He did. I came to doubt my sanity. Perhaps
that was his intention all along.” Clara eyed her companion. “You seem to know
a great deal about the supernatural. Are you a spiritualist as well as a member
of the Royal Household?”
    Laura’s smile was troubled. “I possess the
gift of second sight but it is not a gift I would wish upon anyone. I’m glad
when I can put it to good use.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I’ll
wager there is no record of Mrs. Reilly’s death because Mrs. Reilly is not dead . Your cousin could not marry
you, Miss Hamilton because he is already married.”
    Clara tried to refute the theory but the
words would not come. A sick cold fear balled in her stomach. For all that
Branson had done to her—Clara had no illusions about the condition of his heart
or his character—she loved him still. She loved him to the centre of his being.
    If the mad woman in the chapel wasn’t the ghost
of Branson’s dead wife, then he was still married and there was no hope of
happiness for her.
    None at all.

 

Chapter Two

 
    London, the same day.

 
    EDGAR WAS heartened to see Branson’s
solicitor, Mr. Schofield and the Director of Hamilton Trading Partners, Mr.
Blakely, chatting amiably in the Gentlemen’s Club when he arrived. The meeting
had been arranged rather hurriedly before Branson left for Somerset. Both men
rose and shook hands upon greeting Edgar and with the pleasantries out of the
way, he launched into his pitch.
    Stick to business
matters only. Edgar was reminded of Branson’s instruction. Men of business
will not concern themselves with Clara’s incarceration or Arthur’s sordid
history. They only want to know if there is profit to be made if they take
Branson’s offer.
    When he finished speaking, Edgar thought it would be smooth
sailing from there on. It was an attractive proposition. Mr. Blakely had
another view.
    “What your cousin has proposed is out of the question, sir,”
he said solemnly. “Quite impossible. Arthur Hamilton
has agreed to accept a loan from Captain Strachan. The transaction is well in
hand. I am to meet with the gentleman in a few hours time to accept the funds.”
    Schofield spoke up. “Is it acceptable that Arthur Hamilton has embezzled funds from the
company and nothing is to be done
about it? Captain Strachan is an outsider to the family. How can investors
trust this man to vote in the best interest of the company? Mr. Blakely, you
must agree that the shareholders would benefit from Branson Hamilton’s
investment immensely in the long term. And not just to put
the books right, but to restore good faith.”
    “Good faith is it? Arthur Hamilton is also my friend. He has
informed me that Branson Hamilton’s only interest in this affair is to have his
uncle arrested! The ensuing scandal would destroy the value of the stock and
the company would collapse.”
    “Yes, that was my cousin’s original intention,” Edgar cut in
quickly. “He had reason for his bitterness, the details of which I will not go
into—but his mind has changed in the past few weeks. My cousin is very fond of
my sister. Under her influence, he has come around to seeing the value of
preserving the company and our family name. The offer he makes is a
satisfactory one and will be in the best interest of the company.”
    “What is this offer?” asked Blakely.
    Edgar linked his hands over his chest, leaned back in his
chair and smiled.
    “Mr. Branson Hamilton will restore the funds borrowed by my father. I have chosen the
term deliberately, gentlemen. There has been no criminal activity or willful
harm intended. My father made a mistake for which he is deeply regretful. In additional
to his financial backing, Branson has given me his full proxy. His voting
shares will be held by me to ensure the company is protected. Although I will
be acting as my cousin’s