The Jacobite's Return (The Georgian Rebel Series) by Jane Godman Read Free Book Online Page A

that you do not have access to the full amount of your fortune until you reach the age of twenty-five. Even though you are married, that clause still holds true. I can only suppose your father was not in his right mind when he had the document drawn up. Am I expected to wait almost three years to get my hands on your capital?”
    “Clive, we both know that Tom is the most conscientious of trustees. He fulfils his role admirably, adhering all the while to my father’s wishes. He will not sanction any attempt to have the will overthrown.” Although she would one day be a wealthy woman in her own right, it was the bigger prize of Harry’s inheritance which interested Clive most. Delacourt Grange was one of the finest estates in Derbyshire, and Clive practically salivated at the prospect of the riches it could bring him. It was a reminder of the heavy weight of her responsibility to her brother. “Besides, Tom knows that I do not need an increase in my allowance.”
    It was the same, tired argument, and from the flicker of triumph in Clive’s eyes, she suspected that some of her fatigue showed in her voice. He was hoping to wear her down with his constant demands. Because Tom had bluntly denied Clive’s requests for an allowance of his own from the Delacourt estate, her husband’s latest plan was for Rosie to plead hardship on her behalf.
    “I am aware of that. But Drury will show you more sympathy than he has shown to me. All you need to do is give the extra amount to me. Drury need never know. It can be our little secret.” Clive’s voice dripped cunning and Rosie eyed him in disgust.
    Her only advantage over Clive was his overt fear of Tom Drury. Tom’s dislike of Clive was outweighed by his loyalty to Rosie and Harry. The day after their wedding, Rosie had objected to Clive’s suggestion that she should sell the pearls her mother had left her in order to settle his most pressing debts. During the ensuing argument, Clive had grabbed her wrist and twisted it, leaving her flesh bruised and swollen. Tom had noticed the marks, and although Rosie dismissed them with a plausible story, a dark look had appeared in the big man’s eyes. She never knew what subsequently passed between Tom and her husband. All she knew for sure was, ever since that day, Clive had regarded Tom with dread and humility. He had not laid a finger on her again.
    She met Clive’s eye squarely. “I have no wish to rouse Tom’s suspicions. Let us not forget that, although Xander is your heir, Tom is already aware that I pay for his needs out of my allowance. It is not a normal arrangement.”
    It was a dangerous move, and she held her breath in anticipation of his reaction. The mention of Xander’s name provoked an unpredictable variety of reactions from Clive. On this occasion his eyelids drooped while his curiously light eyes glittered briefly between them.
    “How you care for your son is your affair, madam. I am sure that you will find a way to accede to my request without alerting Drury’s mistrust.”
    As Clive left the room, Rosie released the breath she had been holding. For once the threat of Tom hadn’t worked. It was hardly surprising, since she had backed Clive into a corner over his greatest weakness…money. And, of course, he had an advantage over her that was far superior to anything she could possibly use against him.
    Rosie spent a night without sleep, during which her mind insisted on playing a series of images of Jack’s face. Back in the ballroom, when she had pondered his feelings, it had never once occurred to her to examine her own. Simply because they would never be in doubt. She had loved Jack Lindsey before she even knew him. From the very first moment she saw him lying injured and unconscious on the floor of her father’s barn. That love had never wavered, not when he rose from the bed they had shared and walked away from her to fight at the prince’s side, not when she heard he had been felled by a redcoat hand,