Page 55 of Beguiled

“And you think I would not approve?” Chalmers sounded angry.

David let out a sigh of relief. “I wasn’t sure. Many parents would say their daughter should stay with her husband, even if she was being mistreated.”

Chalmers was silent a moment. “My wife would probably say so,” he admitted. “It’s why I asked you to look out for Elizabeth. So that when I’m gone, there will be someone—”

“You are not going anywhere,” David interrupted roughly.

“Yes, I am,” Chalmers replied quietly. “The physician says it will be a matter of months. Half a year at most, and every day I feel weaker. I am useless to my own daughter in her hour of need. I can only thank God for sending you to us, David.”

David tried to disguise the distress that overcame him at Chalmers’s words, turning his head away for a few moments to regain his composure.

“You are not useless to her,” he said when he turned back. “Far from it. That is why I am here. Elizabeth will need money. I told her I would speak with you and see what you can do.”

“Ah, well, that I can arrange at least. A decent sum to travel with and a more permanent arrangement when she is settled. When is it to happen?”

“Tuesday.”

“So soon!”

“It cannot be later. They are due to leave for Kinnell’s estate on Thursday. She will be at the theatre for the royal performance and is going to try to slip away from him.”

“Very well, I’ll have trust papers drawn up straightaway. Ah, David lad”—he shook his head, his expression distraught—“I am her father. I should be able to protect her, but the only thing I am good for is making fine speeches in court. And what use is that? The law cannot mend some wrongs.”

“The law cannot mend this,” David agreed. “Butwewill mend it, I hope. Now, listen. There is one more thing I need to tell you.”

“More than this?”

“Yes. I have a friend who will be helping me. His name is Euan MacLennan. He is a journalist, a Scot who lives in London. He has already met Elizabeth—he saw immediately that she was being mistreated and made it known to me he wished to help her. I will ensure that Elizabeth gets away from Kinnell on Tuesday evening, but it will be Euan, who will take her out of Scotland. He has friends in London who will help her settle into a new life.”

“You know this man? Trust him?”

“Yes, with my life.”

Chalmers took a deep breath. “What can I say, then? The manIentrusted her to is a monster.” He paused. “Will you promise to check on her once she is settled, to ensure that she is well? I know I ask too much of you, lad, more than a man should ask of someone who is not his son, but there is no one I trust more.”

“Of course. I will do everything I can to ensure she is safe.”

“Thank you. Now, your Mr. MacLennan will have expenses to defray and Elizabeth will need coin before she can access any trust funds,” Chalmers said. He unlocked his desk drawer and reached inside to draw out a metal box from which he lifted a handful of small, leather purses. He handed them to David. “There are ten guineas in each of those. Give them to Elizabeth and your friend.”

“I will see they get them.”

Chalmers put his hand over David’s this time. “I will never be able to thank you enough if you get my girl away from that brute,” he said softly.

“Just pray we are successful,” David replied.

“I will do nothing but pray till I hear she is safe.”

David felt a momentary panic after the interview with Chalmers—would Euan have changed his mind? Had he raised Chalmers’s hopes unforgivably?

He needn’t have worried. He opened his door that evening to find Euan on the other side, his expression anxious.

“Well?”

“She was there,” David said. “Come in, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Euan’s relief was so palpable he looked about ready to collapse from it. He followed David into the parlour, refusing his offer of whisky. “What did she say?”

David recited the details of his discussion with Elizabeth. Then he told Euan about the conversation with Chalmers and passed him the purses of coin.