Free The Eden Passion by Marilyn Harris

refilled her teacup and offered it to her. But she merely shook her head and was on the verge of trying to thank him when a knock sounded at the front door, a curious rap of strength in this room of grief. She looked up as though under attack, her eyes filled with tears. Within the instant, Jack Willmot was on his feet. "Shall I see... ?"
    She nodded.
    He took one step toward the door, then returned to her side and gathered the notes. "Put these in your pocket," he urged. "They were hard-earned and intended for you alone."
    Passively she obeyed, viewing events around her now as an endurance test. From where she sat, she heard a man's voice coming from the stoop.
    "Only a moment of your time. That's all. I'd be most grateful. . ."
    She tried to stand and failed. As she sank back into the chair, she told Mr. Willmot to, "Let him in. It's clear he won't go away until you do."
    Still reluctant, at last Jack Willmot stepped back from the door, and in the next minute a gentleman appeared, with rosy cheeks and plain clothes. His dark eyes darted over all aspects of the front parlor, then moved to Elizabeth, where they held fast.
    No one spoke. Seldom had she been the object of such close scrutiny. His eyes left her face and moved down to her maimed hand. She thought she saw him smile, but she couldn't be certain. When he continued to stare at her hand, she felt a wave of old embarrassment and hurriedly hid it in her pocket, where her fingers found the pound notes which Mr. Willmot had given her.
    Then the inspection was over and the gentleman bowed. "I'm sorry for this . . . intrusion, miss," he began. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Morley Johnson. I am solicitor to the Eden family."
    Beyond the man's shoulder she saw Jack Willmot still waiting. In a way she wished he would leave. Perhaps the nature of the business was private. Sternly she scolded herself for her pride and invited, "Mr. Willmot, close the door please and take a seat. . ."
    Assuming that the two men had met at the door, she dispensed with introductions and waited until both were settled, Mr. Willmot opposite her, Mr. Johnson in a straight-backed chair to her right.

    She made an effort at ease. "Would you care for tea, Mr. Johnson?"
    "No, don't bother, miss."
    "The nature of your business, then, Mr. Johnson, if you will."
    The tall man nodded, and he too seemed to sit more erect in his chair, as though ready to approach the heart of the matter. Only Jack Willmot sprawled comfortably opposite her with the ease of a witness.
    Then Mr. Johnson was speaking again. "A few questions, miss. That's all. Did you remain at Eden for any period of time?"
    A peculiar question. "No," she replied, "though I was invited, by her ladyship . . ."
    "A most gracious lady."
    "But I declined," Elizabeth added.
    "Of course," Mr. Johnson murmured.
    Silence. Jack Willmot shifted in his chair, crossed his legs and turned at an angle facing Johnson, as though suddenly interested in the conversation.
    Elizabeth closed her eyes, her fatigue increasing.
    "Miss?" It was Johnson again, leaning closer. "Some of the questions that I'm required to ask of you may be . . . awkward. I apologize in advance . . ."
    "Ask what you like, Mr. Johnson," she replied.
    "How long did you know Mr. Edward Eden?"
    A harmless question. She was tempted to reply, "All my life," as before Edward Eden she'd had no life. But she didn't. Instead she counted up the years between 1836 and 1851. "About fifteen," she replied, and felt astonished at the figure. Had that been all? A mere fifteen?
    "And you met him where?" Johnson persisted.
    What now? It would be imprudent of her to say, "As a prostitute in the Common Cell at Newgate," so she lied. A small white one. "In his Ragged School on Oxford Street," she murmured, and looked away toward the small window on her left.
    "You were a . . . pupil?"
    "At first, yes," she said, looking back. "But I took to my books right enough and later I became a full volunteer,