Chapter Ten

Jack was desperate to hold Lena, desperate to have her close to him. Desperate to kiss her.

He didn't know how it happened, but somehow over the last month she'd become very special to him. She was the woman he thought he'd never find. Someone he could talk to, who understood what he'd survived. Someone with whom he could share the horrors that had happened to him—who could help him heal, help him dispel the memory of events that caused nightmares to terrorize his sleep.

He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. She eagerly returned his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. She held on to him as if she wanted to never let him go. And he answered her passion with the desire he felt for her.

This was what he'd dreamed of experiencing with a woman, a need and desire that surpassed anything he'd ever felt before. She was everything he wanted and needed, and for the first time in his life, he imagined what life could be with a woman like Lena always at his side.

He kissed her again, then held her close to him. His heart thundered in his chest, and his breathing rushed out with the same desperation as Lena's.

He sat back, feeling well sated and recognizing the satisfaction that bloomed in her eyes, as well. He leaned toward her and kissed her on the forehead.

"So, what are you going to tell your sister about Brad?"

Lena dropped her head on Jack's shoulder and breathed a heavy sigh. "I'm tempted to tell her everything you told me, but I'm more inclined to make her wait to hear the story from Brad himself. She shouldn't know what happened to him until he trusts her enough to tell her himself."

Jack gazed into her eyes and smiled. "You need to be careful, Lena. You're so close to being perfect that I'm starting to fall in love with you."

"Would that be so terrible, Jack?"

"No, that would only be terrible if it was impossible for you to love me in return."

"Then you have nothing to worry about," she replied, and Jack couldn't stop himself from taking her in his arms and kissing her again. Then again.

And again.

*

The next fewweeks went by so rapidly, Lena had a difficult time finishing one day's work before it was time to go to work again. To make things more stressful, the club was busier than ever. Jack said he didn't remember it ever being this busy. But everyone was coming to the popular meeting place to hear the latest news concerning the railroad.

Jack and Brad had become very comfortable with their shared schedule. Jack spent the greater part of every day taking care of business for the railroad and working the club's daytime hours, while Brad worked evenings and through the night. This left Brad free every afternoon, and one could almost always find him at Corbin House with Essie.

On nice days, the two went for walks in the garden, then sat in the gazebo or on one of the benches that lined the paths, and Brad would describe the flowers that were blooming and the riot of colors that made the garden come alive.

Other days, when it rained or the weather was too chilly to sit outside, they spent the afternoons indoors. Essie and Brad were going through Jack's extensive library with amazing speed. Lena told herself that she was going to have to visit the Page Turner Bookshop and purchase several new books so they didn't run out of novels to read. The thought of it brought a warm glow to her chest. With her new salary, she was able to go well beyond personal expenditures. Buying books for Essie was something she never could have managed before Jack had come into their lives. Now she could afford the occasional frill, and it was a liberating feeling that she savored.

Lena smiled when she thought of how perfectly Essie and Brad got along. Most days when she returned home from work, she could hear them talking and laughing. Essie had never been so happy, and Lena knew that being with Brad was what caused that happiness.

Today when Lena went down to breakfast, she was surprised to see Essie already there.

"My, you are up early this morning," she said, putting strips of bacon and coddled eggs on her plate. "What's the occasion?"

"Rupert told me yesterday that if the weather was good and I rose early, we could go for a ride. Well, the weather is good, so I got out of bed, dressed, and came down to eat a little something so I'm ready when he arrives."

"You enjoy riding, don't you, Essie?"

"Oh, Lena. I do, ever so much. I didn't know there was such freedom in riding, even if Rupert won't let me go too fast yet."

Lena smiled. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. You haven't been riding all that long, so you shouldn't go too fast yet."

"Have you ever ridden?"

"Once or twice," Lena answered. "Father took me out a few times and let me ride the horse at the vicarage."

Essie laughed. "That wasn't really riding. Our horse at the vicarage was so old he could barely move, let alone work up to a gallop."

"I have to admit you're right. He couldn't go very fast at all."

Lena finished her breakfast and rose.

"Would you walk me to the stable, Lena? There's no sense in making Rupert walk to the house when I could be there when he's ready."

"Of course I can. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. I'm ready."

Lena looped her arm through Essie's, and together they walked to the stable. When she had Essie safely delivered, she returned to the waiting carriage and went to work. She couldn't believe how perfect her life was. Just when she'd feared she and Essie would be forced to live on the street, Jack had appeared and changed their lives. She owed him so much. As much as she'd grown to love him.

When the carriage stopped at the back of the club, Lena alighted and entered the building as she did every day.

"You look cheery this morning," Jack greeted her when she reached her room. She met him in the hallway with a cup of coffee in his hands.

"I am. Essie was up when I left. Rupert is taking her for a riding lesson, and she was as excited as if it were Christmas morning."

Jack smiled as he followed her into her office.

"It's wonderful to see Essie so happy. I owe you so much, Jack. More than I can ever repay you."

"You don't have to repay me for anything. You're helping me as much as I helped you."

Lena smiled, knowing that wasn't quite true. But it made her happy to know Jack thought she contributed something.

"I have some news that might spoil your mood, however," he added.

"What?"

"I got word this morning that Josiah Barnaby and Wilson Hanover will arrive sometime this morning."

"Was Mr. Barnaby the man you didn't want me to meet the last time he was here?"

"Yes. And I hope you don't have to see him today, either."

"Who is Wilson Hanover?" she asked.

"He's the president of the railroad investors. From London."

"Oh my," Lena said. "I'll be sure to stay in my office and keep the door locked."

"That would be wise. Hopefully, they'll only be here a couple of hours, then return to London today."

"Do you know why they're coming?"

"I have an idea. I think they're upset because I pay the bills through the Willowbrook office instead of the London office. They don't get to handle any of the money that way."

"I told you why I think they don't like that."

"Yes, and I think you are correct. But I hope the reason is that they simply don't trust me enough. That would put a better light on everything than thinking that Barnaby is stealing from the railroad account."

"Speaking of stealing," Lena ventured, "have you decided what you're going to do with our suspected thief at table one?"

Jack finished the coffee in his cup, then stepped over to the spy portal to look down on the floor. "His name is Russell Walters, and he's the oldest of eight children. His father died last year in a farming accident, and he works as many hours as he can to earn as much as he can. He sends almost all of his money home to provide for his mother and his brothers and sisters."

"Oh, Jack," Lena said in a choked voice.

"He isn't here yet," Jack said, "but I made up my mind to speak with him when he comes in."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure. I'll decide after I've talked to him."

Lena wanted to ask Jack not to do anything to the young man, but this wasn't her business, and she didn't have the right to tell Jack what to do.

"You don't have an opinion, Lena?"

"No," she replied. "I'll leave this decision to you."

Jack leaned close to her and kissed her on the cheek, then turned to leave. "I've got a lot to do before our guests arrive, so I'd best get busy. Lock the door after me."

Jack left the room, and Lena started on her accounts. She entered the money amount from each table into the ledger, then sat up and stretched her stiff muscles before she made out her bank deposit. She took a turn around the office, then paused to focus on the floor below. It was moderately busy, and she watched the floor manager move to table one to speak with Russell Walters. Lena saw him motion to the floor above, then Russell climbed the stairs and walked to Jack's office.

Lena knew what that meant. Jack had sent for Russell, and there was a possibility that when he exited Jack's office he would no longer have a position in the club, or perhaps he would be held until the authorities took him away.

She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer that God would be with Jack, and Russell Walters.

*

Jack sat inthe chair behind his desk and waited for Walters to come to see him.

"Do you know how you're going to handle this?" Brad asked, waiting at the door to let Walters in when he knocked.

"I'll do what I have to do," Jack answered. "I can't afford to have a thief work for me. That's one of the agreements I made with Lord Murdock. I told him that I would run an honest establishment, and I intend to do just that."

"I simply can't believe Walters thought he could get away with stealing from us. But if it not for Lena, I'm betting we still wouldn't suspect him."

Jack slowly nodded. "You're right. This railroad project has caused me to lose track of what's going on in my club."

"And I wasn't any help to you, either."

"That's because you were trying to do my job as well as your own."

"That's not an excuse, but it's something we're going to have to consider when the railroad project is finished."

Jack grunted his agreement and didn't continue their conversation when there was a knock on the door. Brad reached for the handle and opened it.

"Come in, Russell," Jack said. "Have a seat."

"Thank you, Mr. Corbin, but I prefer to stand."

"Very well. Do you know why you're here?"

Jack studied the young man standing in front of him and noticed the calm composure. At first, Walters's stoic self-control angered him, but there was something about his humble self-discipline that Jack admired.

"Yes, Mr. Corbin. I'm sure I know why I'm here. You undoubtedly discovered that I have been stealing from you."

"You admit that you've been stealing?"

Walters lowered his gaze to the floor. "Yes," he said in a hushed tone.

"Why?" Jack said, unable to hide his anger. "Don't you think you're paid enough for the work you do?"

"Oh, no! You are more than generous, Mr. Corbin."

"Then why? Why did you resort to stealing from me?"

For the first time, the young man looked as if he might break down.

"Why?"

"I had to. I had no choice."

"Why didn't you have a choice?"

"Because my family is in danger of losing our farm, and if we do, my family will starve."

Jack was stunned. He turned to Brad and saw the same look of shock on his partner's face.

"Explain why your family will starve," Jack said, pouring a half glass of brandy into a glass and handing it to Walters.

The young man took a gulp, then sat in the chair Jack had offered him earlier. "My father died in an accident on our farm a couple of months ago. I have my mum and seven brothers and sisters to take care of. I'm the oldest and the only one who earns a living. My next two brothers work the farm and love farming, but when Pa died, our landlord refused to let them prove they could manage as good as Pa. He demanded the full year's rent or he was going to kick them off the land."

Walters reached into his pocket, brought out a piece of paper, and handed it to Jack.

"Here is an accounting of all the money I've taken from you so far."

Jack looked at it, then handed it to Brad.

"I intend to pay it all back from my wages. I was just going to take enough so the boys could pay the rent so they'd be safe until next winter, so Mum and the girls would have a home to live in. By then, the boys will have the money from the sale of the crops and the livestock to afford the next year's rent."

"Do you have enough money to pay the rent so your family won't lose their home?" Jack asked.

"Almost. I only need about twelve quid more."

"Mr. Prescott. Get one hundred pounds from upstairs and give it to Mr. Walters."

"Yes, Jack," Brad said, and left the room.

"That's too much, Mr. Corbin. I only need twelve," Walters protested.

"Give the leftover amount to your mum to make sure she has enough food and sundries to last the winter."

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Corbin. I…I don't know what to say."

"You are welcome, Walters. Next time, though, come to me first. Don't resort to stealing."

"Oh, there won't be a next time, sir. My brothers will do a great job running the farm. Pa was a good teacher, and he taught them everything they need to know."

"But you didn't want to farm?" Jack asked.

"No. I wanted to do something different, and when I got the job here, I realized this was it. Maybe someday I might even be lucky enough to own my own gentlemen's club."

"Yes," Jack said with a smile. "Maybe you will."

"But if I don't," Walters said, "I'll be happy enough working here. If I still have a job."

"Yes, you still have a job. But next time you need something, you come to me first."

"I will, sir. And thank you."

Jack watched the young man leave, his posture a bit finer than it had been when he entered. It felt good knowing he'd dealt fairly with Walters. He could easily have dealt briskly and harshly, under the circumstances. But Walters seemed the sort who would not only keep his word, he would be a long-term asset to the club.

So far, today was turning out rather satisfactorily.