But what is he doing here? thought Rebecca.
Her question was quickly answered. Charles, starting up, said warmly, “Joshua!”
Joshua? thought Rebecca in astonishment. This was Joshua?
No. It couldn't be.
He was the complete opposite of the picture she had built up in her mind. Where was the dandy she had imagined? True, his clothes were in the height of fashion, but he wore them with an air of wildness that spoke of plains and prairies rather than drawing-rooms. And as for being able to make himself agreeable..!
“Joshua!” cried Hetty with pleasure. “We had given up all hope! How wonderful to see you again.”
And now a new problem pushed its way into Rebecca's mind. What would he say when he turned his head and saw her? She found herself dreading the moment. If he mentioned the incident, she dreaded to think of Hetty's horrified response!
“And now you must meet Jebadiah's grand-daughter,” said Charles jovially. “Miss Fossington, this is Mr Kelling.”
Joshua turned towards her, and a humorous light brightened his copper-coloured eyes.
“Oh, Charles, for heaven's sake!” Hetty threw up her hands in despair. “There will be no standing on ceremony between Jebadiah's loved ones.” She took the introductions into her own hands. “Joshua, this is Rebecca, and Rebecca, this is Joshua.”
Joshua took her hand, and to her annoyance Rebecca felt herself flush. But she need not have worried. Although the gleam did not leave his eye, he behaved in exemplary fashion, bowing politely over her hand. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss it... and gave a sigh of relief when he did not, for she had the uneasy feeling that the feel of his lips on the back of her hand would have been strangely too much to bear.
As he relinquished her hand she felt her pulse begin to steady and was able to reply with a semblance of calm. “Joshua.” She inclined her head.
Fortunately, neither Hetty nor Charles had noticed the strained nature of their greeting, but she still could not be comfortable as she again took her seat because she had no idea whether Joshua would reveal they had met, or whether he would reveal the details of their meeting.
Still, the situation must be borne. They were gathered together for the reading of Jebadiah's will, and she must give Mr Wesley her attention.
“I will begin again,” said Mr Wesley, once Joshua had shrugged himself out of his greatcoat, and they had all settled again. He turned to Joshua. “I had just begin to read Jebadiah Marsden's will,” he explained.
Joshua nodded. “Charles wrote and told me of Jebadiah's death.” His face became more serious, and Rebecca realized that for all his untamed appearance he was capable of strong attachments, for it was obvious he had loved her grandfather deeply. “I would have been here sooner but the letter was delayed and my own journey home was hampered by a bad crossing and then all this snow.”
“Quite.” Mr Wesley picked up the will once more. “"This is the last will and testament of Jebadiah Marsden",” he began again. “"To my only living son, Charles Marsden, I leave the bulk of my estate."”
Charles, who had been perched on the edge of the sofa, let out a sigh of relief, and Hetty smiled happily.
Rebecca, too, was pleased. She was beginning to feel a little more comfortable. Joshua had settled himself at the other side of the room, and she was able to think clearly again.
Mr Wesley went on to give details of Charles' inheritance: a number of London properties, a variety of stocks and bonds, as well as assorted bank balances and a collection of lesser items. Then he continued. “There are also a number of smaller legacies, as I expect you anticipated.” He cleared his throat again and went on.
“"To Miss Louisa Stanhope, I leave the sum of five thousand pounds."” Louisa was Rebecca's middle-aged cousin, and the two of them lived together in Cheshire, so that Rebecca was delighted to know that Louisa had been remembered. Five thousand pounds was a generous sum. It would enable Cousin Louisa to indulge in a number of the luxuries she presently deprived herself of. Perhaps she could even visit Bath or Harrogate to take the waters, in an attempt to cure the rheumatism which had prevented her from travelling to London with Rebecca.
Rebecca turned her attention back to Mr Wesley. “"To my godson, Joshua Kelling",” he went on, “"I leave my signet ring —"”
Rebecca nodded thoughtfully. It seemed fitting, as well as practical, that Joshua should inherit her grandfather's ring, which was embossed with the letter "J".
“" — together with a half share in Marsden mill".”
Rebecca glanced at Joshua. As she took in the ruthless line of his jaw she shivered. This was an unforeseen complication: not that Joshua was to inherit half of the mill, as her grandfather had always told her that that would happen, but that Joshua was a strong and powerful man, instead of the malleable dandy she had hoped he would be.
The question now was, although she had known that Joshua was to inherit half of the mill, had he known that she was to inherit the other half?
She felt a shiver of apprehension. She would soon find out.
“"To my beloved granddaughter, Rebecca,"” went on Mr Wesley, “I leave my fob watch, in memory of the pleasure she gave me when she was learning to tell the time... and a half share in Marsden mill."”
She saw Hetty and Charles turn towards her in surprise, but it was Joshua's face that most interested her. As her eyes were drawn to his she saw his brows shoot up in surprise, before a ruthless smile curved his lip. He turned towards her and she quivered as felt the full force of his personality being brought to bear on her. His eyes looked deep into her own, and she saw them gleam, predatory, in the winter sunlight. But if he was challenging her, then so be it, she thought, for he this time he would not find her wanting.
At the sight of her straightening her spine an appreciative quirk touched the corner of his mouth, then he turned his attention back to Mr Wesley.
There were a few further legacies and bequests, then Mr Wesley folded the document and put it down on the table. That concludes the reading of the will. “Are there any questions?”
He looked from one to the other of them.
None were forthcoming.
Charles stood up. “Thank you, Wesley,” he said, taking charge, as the heir. “It was good of you to take the time to see us. But now I believe we must keep you no longer. If I could trouble you to have your clerk hail us a hansom? It was too cold for our carriage to wait.”
“At once.” Mr Wesley summoned his clerk, and sent the unctuous youth to perform the task.
“You'll return with us, I hope, and join us for dinner, Joshua?” asked Hetty, turning with a smile towards Joshua. “It has been such a long time since we have seen you. We are longing for you to tell us all about your trip.”
Joshua smiled down at Hetty. To her surprise, Rebecca saw that it was a warm smile, untinged with mockery or wickedness as it was when he smiled at her. It warmed his eyes, making them glow tawny.
“I'd like to, but unfortunately I have one or two urgent matters to attend to.”
Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then you will at least join us for tea?” Hetty pressed him.
Rebecca held her breath.
By accident, he caught sight of her and a wicked smile curved his mouth. “Thank you. I'd be delighted.”
Rebecca fumed. He had done it on purpose, she was sure of it. It seemed he meant to make her uncomfortable for the rest of the afternoon!
“Good,” said Hetty delightedly.
Whilst they waited for a hansom, Charles and Hetty fell into an animated conversation about their good fortune. Not wishing to intrude upon them, Rebecca withdrew to the far side of the room.
To her discomfiture, Joshua followed her. “I take it you have no objection to me joining you for tea?” he said, with a quirk at the corner of his mouth.