Page 24 of The Devil’s Waltz
“Surely you’re exaggerating,” Annelise said desperately. “He’s just a gentleman with too much money and not enough manners who dotes on his only child.”
“If Hetty ran away with me, it wouldn’t be only my family who would suffer. He would make Hetty pay, as well.”
“But I gather you come from a solid family. Surely you will have enough income to provide for her if Mr. Chippie decided to cut her off without a penny.”
“That’s not what he’d do.”
The words were ominous. “What do you mean?”
“He doesn’t like being thwarted. He has plans for Hetty, and if she ruins those plans he’ll see her destroyed. He wouldn’t hesitate at murder.” His voice broke.
Annelise felt cold inside. Surely this was all the wild imaginings of a lovesick young gentleman—it was far too bizarre to even countenance that there might be truth in it. But there was no doubt William believed it and he was terrified. Not just for his family, but for his beloved.
Chippie had done an excellent job of convincing him that if he went near his daughter their lives were forfeit.
It was ridiculous, of course. He probably thought Chippie was behind whoever had beaten him, as well.
Annelise wasn’t about to try to argue anymore—he was so firm in his belief that common sense wouldn’t reach him.
The fact was, people simply didn’t do things like that. At least not people she knew. They didn’t threaten and beat people, and they most certainly would never kill anyone. Particularly the one they loved most in the world.
Ridiculous. And so Dickinson would realize, once he got away from the city and recovered from his traumatic encounter with London street gangs. In fact it was lucky he was even alive at this moment.
“I won’t argue with you, Mr. Dickinson. Nor will I take a note to Miss Chippie. You may give me a verbal message and I will consider whether I’ll apprise her of it.”
He reached inside his rumpled coat and for one wild moment she expected him to pull out a dueling pistol. When he withdrew a piece of paper she wanted to laugh. She was being as silly as he was, imagining conspiracies and danger where none existed.
Except that Chippie really did own a very ugly pistol.
“You may read it first Miss Kempton. I labored for hours trying to say the right thing.”
She opened the folded vellum reluctantly. It read:
My dear Miss Chippie,
I have belatedly realized the foolishness of our attachment and accept the fact that wiser heads have prevailed.
I am returning home to Kent where I expect you shall soon want to wish me happiness in my forthcoming marriage to Miss Augusta Davies.
I wish you all the joy and happiness you may find in your new life in London, and be assured that I will always remain your steadfast friend, William Dickinson.
Annelise lifted her gaze. “You’re engaged?”
“I will be. As soon as I return home. It’s the only thing I can do to protect her. Miss Davies has always shown a marked partiality toward me, and my parents approve the match. I’m certain we will deal very comfortably together.”
“And what about Hetty? I suppose she’ll just move on to the next handsome young man..
“She’s not like that!” he said hotly. “I’m hoping—rather, I’m certain—she’ll see reason once she stops to think about it.
A girl shouldn’t go against her parents’ wishes, no matter how.
..no matter whether she agrees or not. Her well-being depends on it.
” There was such heartbreak in his voice and in his face, coupled by real fear.
The notion that Chippie would harm his daughter was far-fetched, totally ridiculous, and yet he believed every word.
Which either meant that he was a lunatic and no fit match for Hetty, or that Annelise herself was in a very dangerous situation.
He must have read her mind. “And you can’t desert her, Miss Kempton. It should be easy enough to find a suitable parti now that I’m gone and you’ve gotten rid of Montcalm. She needs someone to watch over her, make certain she’s safe.”
“From her own father?” Annelise scoffed.
“From her own father,” William said. “Please, Miss Kempton, I beg of you. Promise me you won’t abandon her.”
Which was exactly what she’d been thinking of doing.
But in the end, even in the unlikely event that William was right about Mr. Chippie, the biggest danger to Annelise’s peace of mind had relinquished his plans.
Christian Montcalm was out of her—their—lives, and she could face a hundred murderous Josiah Chippies without flinching.
“I’ll give her your letter,” she said finally. “And I’ll stay with her until she’s safely, happily married to a gentleman of good character.”
“One who can stand up to Chippie.”
“Any more stipulations?” Annelise asked in a light tone.
William was not amused. “I’m leaving in the morning, but it would be better if Hetty believes I’m already gone. Our attachment has been long-standing but they say that first love mends easily enough.”
But not true love, Annelise thought. At times she wasn’t even sure if she believed in such a thing, but if it did exist, it was in William’s shadowed eyes and Hetty’s exuberant heart.
“I’ll keep her safe.”
“Bless you,” William said. And he kissed her on the cheek.