The Fragrance of Her Name (52 page)

Brant took an angry step toward Jeffrey, obviously intent on another confrontation. But it was Nana who intervened this time. Shaking her head to discourage Brant from any rash action, she turned to Jeffrey herself and said, “Jeffrey…there is no one on this earth more capable of seein’ Lauryn home safely than Brant.”

“
I’ve no doubt he can see her home,” Jeffrey grumbled. “But what about seein’ her virtue home with her?”

Before Lauryn or Brant could act in defense, the air rang with the sound of a swift slap delivered to Jeffrey’s face by Nana’s small hand. “Don’t you ever disrespect Lauryn again, boy. Or me or Brant, for that matter. I won’t have it! You’re my nephew now and I have a mind to treat you a little less like a neighbor and more like family. I expect the same from you.” Nana turned to Brant then, whose eyebrows were still raised in surprise. “You see Lauryn home for me, Brant.”

“
Yes, Ma’am,” Brant promised, grinning delightedly.

“
Oh, Lauryn!” Penny exclaimed, hugging her friend. “I know y’all expected more. All of us did. But let’s just be glad we know what we know. All right?”

“
Of course,” Lauryn told her, kissing her cheek affectionately. “When y’all get back…we’ll have lots of talk and laughter again. Promise me?”

“
Promise,” Penny agreed, returning Lauryn’s kiss.

“
Let your mother know that I’m fine, sweet pea,” Nana said as she hugged Lauryn. “And I’ll be home in a few days. She’ll be in a complete tizzy over the house with all that’s goin’ on. Y’all help her, you hear?”

“
I will,” Lauryn promised. Then Nana took hold of Brant’s shirt, tugging at it until he bent and kissed her cheek.

“
And you get Lauryn home safely,” Nana told him. Lauryn watched as her Nana then whispered into Brant’s ear, “Virtue and all.”

Brant chuckled. “I’ll try.”

“
You’ll
do
,” Nana stated, winking at him.

Brant did offer a hand to Jeffrey, who shook it politely. Penny, however, hugged Brant, kissing him sweetly on the cheek. Then she, too, put her lips to his ear and whispered, yet loudly enough for Lauryn to hear, “I think it wouldn’t hurt if you tainted Lauryn’s virtue just a tich on the way home.”

Lauryn felt herself blush when Brant chuckled and winked at her. “Thank you for the advice, Miss McGovern.” He turned to Lauryn. “Let’s go then. I’ll get your bag.”

While Brant went toward the front of the house to retrieve the small bag Lauryn had brought in anticipation of a longer visit, Jeffrey spoke. “I know you understand, Lauryn,” he said. Lauryn looked at him, still a bit miffed at his uncooperative behavior.

“
Understand your desire to make things easy on your Gran? Yes,” she admitted. “Understand your completely vile behavior toward Brant? No.”

Jeffrey sighed and nodded. “Jealousy does rear its ugly head from time to time, Lauryn,” he told her. “Even in Tennessee.” He reached out and took her hand, raising it to his lips and kissing the back of softly. “I knew you first, remember.” Lauryn blushed, flattered by the compliment yet somehow doubtful of its sincerity.



It seemed strange to Lauryn—she and Brant leaving everyone else behind. Especially her Nana and especially when it seemed that she and Brant had been the most hopeful about the trip. And now they sat, side by side, on the train home, as far from settling things as when they arrived.

It was very dark outside, so the scenery wasn’t a venue of entertainment. Still, Brant was quiet as they traveled on. The only indication to Lauryn that he was even awake, in fact, was his eyes being open and the way his thumb would caress her fingers now and again as he held her hand.

“
Whatever are you thinkin’ about, Brant? The silence is deafenin’ in here,” Lauryn whispered at last. Many of the travelers were sleeping as the passenger car lanterns were now dimmed. Lauryn could not find one fragment of her body that wished for unconsciousness.

“
What am I always thinking about?” Brant mumbled.

Lauryn sighed with discouragment and squeezed his arm reassuringly. “I know. It seems there will never be anythin’ else to life until…”

“
What happened to that teacup?” he growled suddenly. “It sticks in my mind like a parasite!” He shook his head with frustration. “And she didn’t tell us everything. I still think she knows more.”

“
She’s very old, Brant,” Lauryn reminded him. “So much more even than Nana. Maybe…maybe she doesn’t remember. Or maybe…maybe it isn’t important…the cup.”

“
Or maybe we should just give up and go on with life, Lauryn.” He smiled, if somewhat defeatedly, and said, “Maybe I should be spending more time tainting your virtue and less time chasing ghosts.”

“
Oh, don’t play the rounder to me, Brant Masterson,” Lauryn giggled, thrilled by his flirting. “I know there’s no safer place on earth for me than with you.”

Brant chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Oh, is that so?”

“
Yes. Of course,” Lauryn sighed, laying her head against his shoulder.

“
Well…I suppose there’s no better way to keep a demon lover righteous, than to profess a sure knowledge…however innocent that knowledge might be…of his devotion to chivalry, now is there.”

“
A demon lover,” Lauryn whispered, smiling. “I like that.”

“
Which?” Brant asked, the intonation in his voice dropping to a deep, seductively rich level, “The demon part or the lover part?”

Lauryn looked up into his yes to see them smoldering with mischief and desire. “Both…together,” she admitted in a whisper.

“
You’re asking for trouble, sugar,” Brant mumbled, as the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

“
I hope so,” Lauryn breathed a moment before he kissed her.



“
The Trills, just down the road, have put their house and property for sale,” Georgia explained as Lauryn and Brant sat in Sean and Mindy’s parlor with her. “It’s a good price…and you know Nana has always admired the place.” Georgia’s lower lip quivered slightly and her eyes filled with moisture. She inhaled a breath of resolve and continued. “And…and it’s close to Connemara, at least. I feel I need to telephone Nana, first…before deciding. But Sean thinks it’s a wise investment and…well, we do need a place to live. I think it’s important to Patrick to stay near his friends and….and….” Georgia looked to Brant then. “What do you think, Brant dear?”

Lauryn felt nauseated. Each time she thought of permanently abandoning Connemara, her stomach churned and her heart felt as if it had been pierced my a hundred tiny needles.

Brant took Lauryn’s hand in his own, squeezing it encouragingly as he answered, “It sounds like a good choice. If Sean thinks it’s a good choice…then I’m sure it is. I…I would like to know, Mrs. Kensington…though I understand that it’s not my place to ask….” Brant paused, seeming uncertain if he should continue with his intended questions. Lauryn looked up to him, interested in what he had to say.

“
Go on, Brant,” Georgia urged him.

“
Well,” Brant began. “What is your agreement with the Historical Society as far as your…well, I guess…rights to visit the grounds—tend to the cemetery or take anything you would want for sentimental value?”

Georgia smiled at Brant, understandingly. Reaching out, she placed a hand caressively to his cheek for a moment. “We take everythin’ in the house with us, darlin’. They would like for us to loan them some family portraits and furniture pieces to add to the authenticity of the period and family lineage. But, at any time we wish it, our things will be returned to us. As far as the grounds…the historical society will maintain the cemetery and grounds, but we will always be allowed to return whenever we want. In fact, Mr. DuMonde, has promised that a key to Connemara’s front door will always remain in the possession of a member of our family.”

Brant nodded and Lauryn’s very soul loved him even more for his concern over Connemara’s changing hands. She knew he was thinking as she did…the nagging possibility was in his mind that they might never find Laura now. They’re hopes were becoming fewer and fewer, and he wanted to know if Connemara would always be accessible, just in case hope in finding her was renewed one day.

Lauryn had agonized over the Captain’s fate as well. Because of her failure, the Captain was doomed to roam Connemara alone, and she was sickened at the thought. Since returning from Memphis, three days prior, Lauryn had sensed Brant’s growing discouragement. Her own defeated emotions were growing, and she knew his were as well.

“
Is there anythin’
you
would want from Connemara, Brant?” Georgia asked, unexpectedly. “Anythin’ specific? Nana and I had some ideas of our own of things we would like to give to you…but, if there’s somethin’ special you’d like to have, please tell me.”

Brant dropped his eyes for a moment. Then looking to Georgia answered, “There is something, Mrs. Kensington. But…but I’d rather not say…just yet.”

Lauryn’s curiosity was immediately peaked. What could Brant want from Connemara? Laura’s trunk, perhaps? Her portrait? Her mind burned with wanting to know, but she knew Brant well enough to understand that he would not tell anyone until he was ready.

“
All right, sweetheart. I won’t press you yet. There is still some time.” Georgia turned to Lauryn. “And what about you, sweet thing? What shall I save aside for you? Sean has asked for Daddy’s old desk…the one that belonged to Grandfather O’Halleran. We’ll leave it at Connemara because it has such an historical value…but you need to…”

Lauryn interrupted her mother by standing quite abruptly and saying, “I need some fresh air, Mama. I…I…think I’ll just take a walk.” As Brant moved to join her, Lauryn shook her head at him, smiling. “You don’t have to chase after me, Brant. I’m fine. Just needin’ a bit of activity.”

“
How about I drive you over to Connemara,” he offered smiling. He knew her so well. “I’m sure your mother won’t mind lending me the auto to do that.”

“
Of course not,” Georgia confirmed.

Lauryn smiled at him, loving him so much more at that moment for knowing her so thoroughly. He had read her thoughts and knew she had a particular destination in mind.

“
All right,” Lauryn agreed, smiling at him.

Just then, Mindy entered the parlor. “Nana has just telephoned,” she said to Georgia. “She’s at the train station.”

“
What?” Georgia exclaimed. “She left Memphis and didn’t even tell us?”

“
Apparently,” Mindy said, smiling. “You know Nana…when she gets a mind to do somethin’…”

Georgia laughed. “Oh, yes! I know, Nana.” Then turning to Brant, she suggested, “Why don’t you let Lauryn off at Connemara and fetch Nana from the station for me, dear boy.”

“
Of course,” Brant said.

Chapter
Twenty-One

It was beautiful. Still. Even when empty, and with the painters, carpenters and all other manner of strangers in and out of her as they refreshed her appearance. Connemara House stood strong, beckoning and beautiful as Lauryn stood just inside the vine-covered front gate of Connemara.

Brant helped her out of the auto and, leaving her to her melancholy thoughts, drove off to pick up Nana at the train station. And now, she stood gazing at Connemara wondering how she would ever live anywhere else and be completely happy.

She studied the wisteria vines, though void of blossoms now, yet stunning still with the intense green of inexhaustible leaves. She studied the windows and thought of the years she’d spent gazing out them into the blue of the sky, dreaming of what life might hold her. She thought of Nana’s rocking chair, gone from the porch now, and how much she had learned sitting at the grand lady’s feet on warm summer nights.

“
She’ll stand forever,” the Captain said.

Lauryn looked to where he stood next to her and smiled. “I hope so. She deserves to.”

He took Lauryn’s hand and led her as they walked. “You’ll have to be sure the gardeners keep up the wisteria. And your roses,” he remarked.

“
You left us…when we found the family photo in Laura’s trunk. When we found your music,” Lauryn reminded him. “And…and you’ve been so…so distant. I’ve not even seen you since…”

“
You mean, I seem so…ghostly now,” he corrected her.

Lauryn dropped her gaze, in sadnss. “Yes,” she admitted. “I can almost see right through you today. And you haven’t been to see me since…”

“
It’s time, Lauryn,” he stated. “Life has to go on for you.”

“
But we haven’t found her!” Lauryn began to panic. The realization was upon her that for reasons of which she had no comprehension, she was losing the Captain.

“
Your family must leave Connemara, Lauryn,” he told her. “And you must go on.” He smiled and placed a loving hand on her cheek. “And you must go on without regret.”

“
I can’t!” she cried. “I can’t be happy knowin’ you and Laura aren’t happy!”

“
Shh,” he soothed. “There’s time a bit, still.” Then he smiled and said, “You found Carissa, didn’t you.”

Lauryn nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks, attempting to be brave for the Captain’s sake. “We did,” she admitted. Then looking at him she asked, “Did you know? You had watched Penny grow up with me…you must’ve wondered.”