Page 22 of A Treacherous Treasure

“It is strange that I find Thomas Westbrook in my house for the first time in years, having a private talk with you, then you go to his house the same evening to dine. But I’m sure you know what you’re doing, calling on a man who betrayed your own husband when he is not even in his grave yet.” Mrs. Heywood started to weep before she finished speaking and wailed into her handkerchief.

Thomas Westbrook betrayed Arthur? Hardly. It was the other way around, but you will believe what you want to believe.

Rebecca would never say that aloud. It would not be worth it.

For the first time, Rebecca’s heart felt hard and cold at the sound of her mother-in-law’s weeping. But she couldn’t help but soften as her conscience reminded her that the woman’s only child was gone. The woman might be cruel, and she might be manipulative, but her pain was undoubtedly real.

“I will keep vigil tonight.” She wanted to say more, that she was sorry for her mother-in-law’s pain. She cast about in her mind for something that wouldn’t make Mrs. Heywood lash out. “I loved Arthur, and I know you did as well, and I am not interested in any other man. I know you are heartbroken, as am I. We must take comfort in God and in the hope of heaven.”

“I am heartbroken.” Her mother-in-law’s voice was watery and strained. She looked up from her handkerchief. “But you can’t understand how I feel. You’ve never had a child and can’t know how much it hurts to lose one. A wife’s loss is nothing compared to a mother’s.”

Rebecca swallowed, forcing herself not to let her mind go to the child she had lost before it had a chance to be born, which her mother-in-law had dismissed as “unfortunate, but you can try again.” No, she would not let herself feel the anger that was swelling inside her.

“Yes. It’s very unfortunate. Excuse me.” Rebecca practically ran from the room.

Why had she ever married Arthur Heywood? It was a mistake.O God, it was such a mistake. Why did you let me do it?

But the world would see her as blessed. Fortunate. She was rid of a husband who was unfaithful and neglectful, and now she had inherited his estate. But she did not feel blessed or fortunate. It was not an estate she wanted, but peace, a child, and her husband’s love.

Now it seemed all her hopes were a sad joke.

~ ~ ~

Rebecca watched out her window as Mrs. Heywood left in the carriage.

Perhaps she was behaving like a child, “sneaking away” just as Mrs. Heywood had accused her, but Rebecca hardly cared. This was her chance to show Mr. Westbrook what she had found and to enlist his help in finding the treasure.

She hurried down and had the groom ready her horse. Mrs. Heywood would hear that she had gone to Wyghtworth again, but it couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, so why should she care what other people thought?

It was a simplistic way of looking at things, as she knew very well that a ruined reputation in a woman could change her life for the worse. Still, anyone who would listen to her mother-in-law’s poisonous accusations was not her friend.

She stayed on the road instead of taking the quicker route across the countryside between the two houses, well aware that the man who had shot at her had not been caught, for if Mr. Westbrook had caught him the night before, he would have sent word to her.

She was greeted enthusiastically, just inside the door, by Caroline Westbrook.

“How good it is to see you!” She squeezed her hand and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I sent the servant to tell Mother you’re here. She will be so pleased.”

It felt good to be wanted, especially after the conversation she’d had with Mrs. Heywood that morning, but how would she be able to tell Thomas Westbrook what she had found without his sister and mother hearing?

She followed Caroline into the sitting room and her mother soon joined them. The time was passing quickly as Caroline and her mother talked and took Rebecca’s mind off everything else but their fun and playful chatter. What a breath of fresh air the pair of them were after spending time with Mrs. Heywood. They laughed and smiled so often that Rebecca—for a few moments, at least—lost the dreadful, raw, exposed feeling she’d had since Arthur’s body had been found.

Thomas Westbrook entered the room.

“Thomas, come and join us,” his mother said. “I have just ordered tea.”

He sat down and greeted Rebecca. He was looking a bit tired today. She wanted to ask him if he had stayed up all night and if he had found out anything about the digger, if the digging had continued, et cetera, but she dared not ask in front of his sister and mother.

“I would very much like to be with you tomorrow during the funeral,” Caroline said, “since you said your mother and sisters will not be able to come until later. But I am assuming Mrs. Heywood will also be home. Do you think she would be offended by my presence?”

Rebecca thought for a moment. “I don’t see how she could object to you being there. Neither she nor her son could have had any grudge against you. And I would be so grateful to have you. My mother-in-law has been hostile toward me, I’m afraid.”

“Oh no,” Mrs. Westbrook said. “Is it because you’ve been calling on us? I’m so sorry.”

“I’m afraid she has never liked me. I was never good enough for her son, in her eyes.” She bit her tongue. Why was she saying these things? She felt her cheeks starting to burn.

Mrs. Westbrook and Caroline both expressed their dismay, while she heard Thomas Westbrook mutter, “That’s ridiculous.”

“Well, Caroline and I shall both come and sit with you tomorrow,” Mrs. Westbrook said, squeezing Rebecca’s hand. “I shall stand in the place of your mother for the day.”