Spoils of Eden Read Online Free PDF Page A

Zachary’s father, Townsend Derrington. The marriage had swiftly turned unhappy for Celestine, as many feared it would, and it had made Rafe and Zachary stepbrothers. It had also given Townsend Derrington rights over Easton property.
    Rafe and Zachary were related through the mismatched marriage of their widowed parents, and though they’d spent much oftheir growing-up years on different plantations, they had often quarreled, their temperaments and plans being worlds apart. As Eden well knew from past experiences, Zachary was usually at fault. Thankfully, the two men were friendly now, and she attributed the change to Zachary’s conversion.
    Silas Derrington, on the other hand, had been a total stranger to Zachary and Rafe until his staggering arrival in April. Rafe had seen Silas a few times at some of the festive plantation gatherings held by the bigger island families like the Derringtons, Hunnewells, Judsons, Landrys, and Eastons, but recently Rafe claimed he was too busy with the new pineapple plantation to spend much time on festivities. Even Eden hadn’t seen Rafe since they ended their engagement two months ago.
    “Great-aunt Nora’s also at Rafe’s,” Eden emphasized, wondering where Zachary’s uneasy expression was trying to lead her. “If you think Candace and Rafe are—”
    “No, not at all.” Zachary waved an impatient hand. “It’s clear what woman Rafe wants.” His mouth twitched.
    Eden looked away. She wished she could be as certain. He’d ended the engagement at her request readily enough. She frowned to herself. She would have expected him to at least protest or to again vow his undying love, but he hadn’t. If she would permit her heart to brood over another woman, it wouldn’t be Candace that concerned her, but Bunny Judson, Parker Judsons niece in San Francisco. She’d best not mention Bunny now—Zachary had fallen for her during the holiday season last year.
    Continuing, Zachary observed, “Grandfather wanted Rafe to marry Candace last year, but Rafe, in his distinctively polite but blunt way, said no.”
    Eden remained inscrutable, and switched topics. “Even though Celestine hasn’t been well lately, Great-aunt Nora is at the plantation to gain political support for Queen Liliuokalani.” She looked at Zachary, studying his troubled face.
    His shoulder jerked in frustration. “Of course she isn’t well.What woman could be at peace in mind or soul married to
my
father, roustabout of the islands?”
    Eden was sadly accustomed to Zachary’s bitterness. The problems between son and father had raged for many years, extending well beyond Townsend’s immoral reputation to include the criticism he’d heaped upon Zachary since childhood. And now, ever since Townsend’s illegitimate son, Silas, had appeared two months ago, Townsend praised Silas’s abilities at Zachary’s expense.
    Zachary flicked the reins, frowning. The horse trotted at a faster clip.
    “A cable came this morning from San Francisco. Grandfather Ainsworth should be arriving today.”
    “Today?”
    “Yes, this afternoon.”
    “But Cousin Candace is at Rafe’s!”
    “Exactly. Since Grandfather asked Candace not to see Keno while he was away in Washington D.C., there will be trouble if he arrives and finds her at Rafe’s. You’d better warn her.”
    Candace’s love for Keno was known by the family, and, like Grandfather Ainsworth, they disapproved. The fact that Keno was a steadfast Christian would not change Grandfather’s mind, “though I like the young fellow for it,” he had faintly offered.
    Eden had been present on several occasions when their Grandfather had gently but firmly reminded Candace that, “such a marriage was not plausible.”
    “You’re the only child of Douglas,” he’d said of his firstborn son, who’d drowned at sea together with Candace’s mother in a shipping accident. “I’ve placed you as my primary heir, Candace my dear, and you simply must live up to the honor of your