Spoils of Eden Read Online Free PDF Page B

you wanted more than all the gold in the world.”
    His face showed humor for the first time. He was boyish and handsome when he relaxed.
    “Well, maybe Claudia Hunnewell
and
piles of gold. As a matter of fact, I’d take Bunny Judson for nothing, though I haven’t seen her since she was out here visiting her uncle Parker for Christmas.” His smile vanished. “And she hasn’t answered my letters.”
    Eden recalled that Bunny Judson went home to San Franciscoto stay with her ailing mother. She was surprised, though, that Parker Judson’s beautiful niece hadn’t answered Zachary’s letters. She had given the impression that she enjoyed his attention—along with Rafe Easton’s.
    He looked over at her. “What will Grandfather say when he learns you and Rafe Easton have parted ways over your plan to work with lepers?”
    Eden’s smile faded and she became uncomfortable.
Yes, just what would Grandfather Ainsworth say?
In the past he’d had disagreements with Rafe and the Easton family, but matters were at last coming to a peaceful end, though Rafe still awaited the rightful return of Hanalei, his father’s Kona coffee plantation on the Big Island. At least her grandfather and Rafe had settled upon a truce before the trip to Washington D.C.
    “I was wrong about Rafe,” her grandfather had told her reminiscently, rubbing his goatee. “I’m pleased you want to marry him. Rafe’s bringing those prized pineapple slips from French Guiana was quite a feat. Shows real spunk. I wish I’d made amends with him before he partnered with Parker Judson on that new plantation. If I’d been wiser, I’d have seen it coming with Rafe. He’s like Matt Easton,” he said of Rafe’s deceased father. “Rafe will be one to reckon with. Yes, he’ll make me a strong right arm.”
    What would she say? Glancing down at her empty ring finger made her uneasy. Had she made a foolish mistake?
    She broke the silence without answering Zachary’s question. “Maybe you could go to Candace and explain about Grandfather and Oliver Hunnewell. I need to stop at the church first to speak with Ambrose.” She, too, had troubling news to deliver—to Rafe. “Can you bring Candace back to Kea Lani before Grandfather arrives?”
    He shook his head, looking gloomy once more. “No, Townsend’s at Kea Lani waiting for me right now. I dare not show up late. I’m headed straight there once I bring you to Ambrose’s.”
    The tension in his voice was unmistakable. Zachary rarely calledTownsend “Father,” a sad result of their failed father-son relationship.
    “Silas is there, too,” he added. “Townsend demanded a meeting between the three of us.”
    The cause for the meeting was no secret to Eden. Grandfather Ainsworth hadn’t been pleased with Zachary’s behavior. Although her grandfather was a moral man who had not forgotten his missionary roots, he was also one of the most politically influential planters in Hawaii, and a comrade to Claus Spreckels and Parker Judson, two of the California sugar kings. Grandfather Ainsworth and Townsend had expected Zachary to become a strong leader so he could one day take over the Derrington sugar enterprise. Eden believed their expectations were unfair, and she knew Zachary felt the weight of their disappointment.
    Eden also understood Zachary’s hostility toward his father and Silas. Silas had appeared at Kea Lani plantation one morning while the family was gathered on the lanai for breakfast. Walking right up to the table, he calmly introduced himself as Silas
Townsend
Derrington, placing great emphasis on that middle name.
    As Eden remembered that life-altering scene on the lanai, she could still feel the appalling emotions that settled over those seated around the breakfast table. It seemed as though a full minute passed before anyone spoke. Townsend appeared as though he might fall out of his cane chair, but then his bravado pulled him through the moment, and he took control, boldly addressing the