Into the Wilderness
Page 111

"That's a lie," Nathaniel said. "And he knows it himself."
"I have witnesses." Richard had gone very pale.
"Another lie," Elizabeth spat.
"I see no such witnesses here, Dr. Todd." Mr. Schuyler's calm was now offset by splashes of red which appeared suddenly on his cheeks and neck. "This marriage has taken place and is legal. Whatever else you may seek to undertake in terms of action against the lady—assuming that your evidence does indeed exist—I would hope that you would be gentleman enough to accept the fact that her favor has been granted elsewhere."
"I am man enough to claim what is mine," Richard responded.
"Richard Todd," Elizabeth said, her voice trembling with a deep, unrelenting anger. "How can you stand there and utter such an outrageous lie? I never made you any promise, and I most certainly did not make a public vow."
He blinked, slowly, his head swiveling toward her in what seemed an endless arc.
"Your father is in debt to me," he said. "As you know. If you do not honor your vow"—he continued to speak over her rising protests—"then I will simply take his property. All of it."
"How much money does my father owe you?"
"More than you possess," he said dismissively.
"You are an arrogant, overblown boor—" Elizabeth began. This engendered a look of surprise from Nathaniel, one of shock from Mr. Schuyler, and a sudden shuffling from behind the closed doors. "And as such, sir, you have not the slightest idea of what I possess."
Looking decidedly uncomfortable, Mr. Schuyler raised a hand. "It was a reasonable question," he agreed. "How much money are you owed, man?"
"Three thousand," said Richard. "Pounds." And he threw Elizabeth defiant look.
Mr. Schuyler let out a gasp of surprise. Elizabeth, herself unable to grasp what Richard was claiming, took Nathaniel's arm.
"Over ten thousand dollars?" Mr. Schuyler said. "How could this be?"
"Not that I need to explain myself." said Todd.
"But the judge invested in a questionable land deal down in Ohio country. Against my better advice."
Mr. Schuyler was looking at him closely. "Of course," he said dryly. "Your better advice." He shook his head. "Ten thousand dollars. That is hard to imagine."
"Well, it's true," Richard flared. "And all the judge's property together is worth perhaps three and a half. Our agreement—and you will see that it was a generous one on my part—was to take the first patent as full payment. Upon my marriage to his daughter. It was perhaps not completely equitable as far as my interests are concerned—" He paused, as if to let this insult sink in. "But it was the only way the judge would agree."
Elizabeth felt very cold suddenly, thinking of what might have happened, the situation she might have been in, had she married this man. A wave of nausea washed over her. She felt Nathaniel's firm grip on her arm, steadying her.
"This ain't about Elizabeth, it's about Hidden Wolf." Nathaniel said.
Richard swung around to look at him. "Yes," he said. "It is."
"Hidden Wolf is no longer my father's, and you cannot have it," said Elizabeth. "Even if you sue him for nonpayment."
"The court may think otherwise," Richard said. "I'm sure they would be willing to hold off the transfer of property until the matter is cleared up, at any rate. And it could take a long time."
Nathaniel was looking at Mr. Schuyler. "We have the money he's owed."
There was a strangled laugh from Richard. "You have ten thousand dollars?" he asked, incredulous. "Have you been robbing banks in addition to stealing young women from their families in the dead of night?"
Nathaniel's hand closed hard on Elizabeth's arm to keep her still.
"You and I are going to have a discussion about that mouth of yours," he said slowly. "Someday soon. And when we do I expect you'll be eager to make an apology."
"We do have the funds," Elizabeth said, directing herself to Mr. Schuyler. "From my aunt Merriweather." It occurred to her now that the money bestowed so generously, which had yesterday seemed like a fortune, was not enough.
"Your aunt has gifted you only two thousand pounds, as I understand it," Richard pointed out. "That leaves three and a half thousand dollars."
Elizabeth's head snapped up, and she felt herself drain of color. "Well, gentleman that you are, Dr. Todd, I see you do not scruple to open post addressed to another."
"That was your father's doing," he said, not discomfited in the least.
"You are a scoundrel," she said. "And a common thief."
He smiled, and before she knew what she was doing, Elizabeth felt herself moving toward him. Nathaniel's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"We've got the rest of the funds," he said to Mr. Schuyler.
"Oh," drawled Richard. "The mythical Tory Gold?"
Nathaniel did not turn his attention away from Mr. Schuyler. "The money can be paid out today, in Albany."
"Well, Todd," said Mr. Schuyler. "It seems that there is a happy end to this tale, after all. Today you will receive the monies owed you—providing you can produce the notes, that is. Judge Middleton will retain that property which he has not deeded to his daughter, and the lands he gifted to her remain her own property, and her husband's. And our business is settled."