Unspoken Love (19 page)

Jenny came awake with a start. She clamped her arms around him.

“Nicholas, I’m so glad you’re home!”

“You dare to return after your rendezvous with Blake? You try my patience, Jenny!”

“What are you babbling about?”

“I don’t take kindly to deception, Jenny.” Rolling from the bed, he lit the lamp, pulled the crumpled note from his pocket, and held it out to her. “Do you deny this?” he growled, barely keeping his temper in check.

Jenny held the note to the light and read the dainty script. “This is not my writing.”

“Then why did you run off and leave your children.”

“I didn’t, Nicholas. I opened up the door to a man asking for water, but when I tried to shut the door, he put a cloth over my face and kidnapped me. Somehow I miraculously escaped but got lost in the swamp. A traveler happened upon me, saved me from a poisonous snake, and took care of me when I fell ill. He is the one who brought me here.”

Nicholas gazed into her beautiful cat-green eyes. “I want to believe you, but—” In the rosy glow of the light, he was able to see the bruises on her otherwise flawless face. “You’ve really been set upon and didn’t leave me for Blake Preston?”

“No!” Jenny answered emphatically.

Sheepishly, he repented of his allegation. “Forgive my harsh judgment of you, Jenny, but when I saw the note, I assumed the worse. The thought of you in the arms of another was unbearable. Unfortunately, when I set off to find you, Dexter injured his leg and left me stranded miles from anywhere.

With concern showing in her voice, Jenny asked, “Did you have to shoot Dexter?”

Nicholas shook his head. “I couldn’t. He has a lot of life in him yet. Fortunately I was able to find someone to keep Dexter until I could return for him. I hitched a ride most of the way, then walked the rest. When I returned tonight, I was astonished to find you sleeping in my bed.”

Jenny wrapped her arms about his neck. “And where else would I sleep?” she asked.

Her nearness sent his passion rising, and he kissed her lips and made endearing love to her.

Later as they lay talking, Nicholas gleamed with amusement. “Perhaps I should send a map with you on your excursions, Jenny. You have no sense of direction,” he teased. “You couldn’t find your way out of the woods, now you get lost in the swamps.”

“But somehow I always find my way back to you,” she chortled and nestled in his embrace.

Having a thought about who might be behind Jenny’s abduction, Nicholas set out to find any information that might help him prove it. His first stop was to talk to Billy. He found him working in the fields and took him aside. “Tell me about the lady who asked you to give me the message,” he said kindly.

Billy grinned sheepishly, and his face turned crimson. “She was real comely, Nicholas. She had a dark complexion and long black hair.” He thought for a moment. “And pretty brown eyes!”

Nicholas regretted not questioning Billy sooner, thinking he might not have been so hasty in his assumptions. He patted Billy on the shoulder. “Thanks, Billy. You may return to your work.”

A solemn expression came over him as he rode to Greenville and stopped at the Hearthside Inn. He beckoned to Thelma as she cleaned the lobby.

Thelma smiled. “Hello, Nicholas, do you need a room?”

“Not this time. May I speak with Bonita?”

“Bonita hasn’t worked here for several weeks.” She leaned forward, not wishing for others to hear. “Bonita’s morals were deeply lacking. I had to let her go.” A look of disapproval came into her blue eyes, and she held her head high. “I heard that she works at Ethel’s saloon.” She gasped and lifted her fingers to her mouth. “Bonita solicited men under my roof. I suppose she could have robbed the patrons as well! Is that why you want to see her?”

It’s nothing like that,” Nicholas assured her.

Thelma’s eyes softened, and her smile returned. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Nicholas? Are Jenny and the babies well?”

“Yes, they are fine. I just wanted a word with Bonita. Thank you for your information, Thelma.” He tipped his hat and left the premises.

Nicholas stepped into Ethel’s saloon, his eyes scanning past the tables and bar.

Looking for someone?” Ethel asked.

“I want to speak with Bonita.”

Ethel’s smile faded, and she ran her fingers through her bright red hair.

“Bonita left town the other day. She had some trouble with a client. He battered her, and I couldn’t keep her on, on account of her disfigurement.” She shrugged and became businesslike. “I hated to let her go. But no looks, no money,” she said objectively.

Nicholas nodded and left the saloon, disappointed that his chances of finding the truth had vanished. Vowing to keep his thoughts to himself, he rode back to the plantation—back to Jenny.

Chapter 19

On a crisp November day, Thomas Morgan stood in readiness for the carriage to take him to Molly and Wade’s place.

“Molly has been insisting I visit them for some time, and I’m finally going to do it. She’s sending a coach for my convenience,” Thomas told Jenny.

Jenny locked arms with him. “It will be a fun adventure for you, Father.”

The coach thundered toward them, and the driver pulled alongside Jenny and Thomas. The wiry coachman jumped from the carriage and awaited his instructions.

“Set my bags inside,” Thomas kindly instructed, then squeezed his large frame into the carriage.

Jenny stepped up to the coach with a complacent expression on her face. “A visit with Wade and Molly will give you a welcome respite, Father, and you can view our old farm next to Wade’s homestead.” She peered inside the coach and saw a blanket and small pillow lying on the seat. A smile formed at the corners of her mouth. “Dear sweet Molly, she has thought of everything.” She closed the door and gazed at the coachman. “Would you like some water to quench your thirst before leaving, Sir?”

“Much obliged Ma’am, and the name’s Sherman.”

Jenny smiled as she scooped the dipper into a bucket of water and handed it to Sherman. He gulped the water and, when he had drank his fill, returned the dipper to Jenny. Ablaze with energy, Sherman jumped aboard the coach.

“I’ll take good care of Mr. Morgan,” he said. “Molly told me to treat him like my own kin.” With a flick of the reins, the driver started the carriage in motion.

Thomas leaned his head out of the window and waved farewell.

Jenny watched him ride down the lane, confident the trip would do him good. She stepped into the house, planning to resume her tasks.

Lily came from the nursery, the twins in tow, their little forms bundled up to take away the chill. “We’re going out for some fresh air,” Lily announced, slipping on her cloak.

Jenny’s eyes danced with mirth. “And?” she coaxed.

“We are meeting Nakao,” she answered, her eyes aglow with anticipation.

A smile lit Jenny’s face. She knew they were in love. “Pardon my boldness, Lily, but why don’t you marry Nakao? Then you could spend a lifetime together.”

A tinge of pink came to her cheeks. “Perhaps soon,” Lily answered.

Jenny kissed Abigail and Aaron goodbye, then watched Lily push the buggy down the lane.

She hurried to the kitchen.
Father is gone, and Lily and the twins are with Nakao. Nicholas is laboring on the plantation, so I shall bake some pies,
she mused, as she peeked into the empty pie safe. As she labored over her pies, she occasionally glanced outside. It was a peaceful day full of sunlight and clear skies. The trees were replete with brilliant hues of green, yellow, and orange. Birds flitted from branch to branch.

She had just placed the pies in the oven and turned away from the stove in time to see Zachary come crashing into the room. Blood splattered his clothes, and beads of perspiration clung to his forehead as he sank to the floor. She rushed to his aid, stunned to see his handsome face distorted with pain.

“Zachary, what happened? Where are you hurt?”

“I’ve been shot in the side,” he said in a weak voice. “I was mistaken for a prowler last night as I traveled toward camp. With this much blood, I knew I couldn’t make it back to the caravan.” He winced with pain, and his breathing became shallow. “I am sorry to intrude. May I stay a day or two until I regain my strength?” He had barely finished speaking when he passed out on the floor.

Nicholas rode up to the house and found Jenny bending over the stranger.

“What—?”

“Oh, Nicholas, thank goodness you’re here. Please help me get Zachary to the guestroom.”

Nicholas lifted the wounded man and did as Jenny requested. Placing him on the big four-poster bed, he asked, “Do you know this man, Jenny?”

“Yes, he is the one who brought me to the plantation after my attack. I had hoped you could meet him but not under these circumstances. He claims he was taken for a burglar and shot.”

“I see.”

“If you will stay with him, I’ll get some herbs to make a potion,” Jenny said.

“Anything to please my lady,” he answered, carefully cutting away Zachary’s shirt. As he applied pressure to Zachary’s wound, a pang of jealousy shot through him as he envisioned Jenny alone with him on the trail.

Jenny returned with herb tea. Holding Zachary’s head, she let a trickle slide down his throat, then he rested his head on the pillow. Making a paste from the bark of a common willow tree, she gently packed it over his wound, then bound it tightly. “That should stop the bleeding,” she said.

“I’m intrigued by your nursing skills, but, then, Doc Jones said you were the best.”

She sent a curious glance to her beloved. “What brought you in from the fields, Nicholas?”

A twinkle came into his eyes, and a grin spread across his mouth.

“I saw Lily outside with the twins. Since Thomas is visiting Molly today, I thought I could spend some time with you.” He drew her into his arms. “You’re constantly in my thoughts.”

Jenny stood on tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. “I’m glad you are here, Nicholas,” she said, then resumed the task at hand.

Foregoing his duties, Nicholas stayed at the house the remainder of the day. He silently watched Jennifer as she diligently sponged Zachary’s flesh, attempting to keep his fever down.

When Zachary stirred, his soft brown eyes communicated the depths of his pain, and his face was ashen.

“I must be hallucinating,” he said, catching sight of Jenny as she hovered above him. “Your face looks like an angel.” His eyelids became heavy, and he slipped into unconsciousness.

Lily prepared dinner and looked after the children while Jenny spent her time with Zachary.

Biding his time, Nicholas went to the nursery and looked in on Aaron and Abigail. His chest puffed with pride, and he knew his uncle would be pleased if he were alive to see them. The twins resembled him, but the green eyes that gazed up at him made him think of Jenny.

He returned to the guestroom, his mind on Jenny as she diligently worked over Zachary in the dim light. “You are, indeed, a dedicated nurse,” he told her.

“I’m just trying to get Zachary well,” Jenny said. “Then he can be on his way.”

Later that evening, Nicholas stepped outside for a stroll around the grounds. When he came to the window where Jenny stood attending to Zachary, he paused for a moment to watch her.
Her very essence radiates love and goodness,
he thought. He then finished his walk before returning to the house.

Convinced she had done all she could do and that it was now up to Zachary, Jenny dropped into the chair by the bed.

Lily came into the room. “Get some rest, Jenny. I’ll stay with Mr. Brown,” she offered. “Hattie is coming up to the house tomorrow to relieve your workload.”

“I also insist you take a break,” Nicholas said, stepping into the room. “Surely Lily can call you if there is a change in your patient.”

Jenny glanced back at Zachary’s sleeping form as Nicholas nudged her through the door. “If he awakens, Lily, give him the herbal tea. Call me if he’s still feverish or becomes delirious.”

Once they were in their chambers, Nicholas pulled her into his embrace. “Ah, my sweet lady, you are an angel of mercy. I almost wish it were me lying in the guestroom, then I could have your undivided attention.”

Jennifer gave him a sensuous smile. “You have it now,” she murmured and gently broke away to disrobe. She lay across the bed with arms outstretched to welcome him.

Nicholas joined her on the bed and sent shivers of desire throughout her body as his lips seared her skin. Her fatigue slipped away as he moved atop her and brought her sweet ecstasy.

Moments later, she closed her eyes, and a smile played upon her lips. Sated, she lay in the crook of his arm and slept.

The following day, Nicholas returned to the fields while Jenny continued to nurse Zachary.

Taking a compress dipped in witch hazel, she applied it to his wound, hoping to prevent the inflammation that threatened to erupt.

About midday, Zachary’s eyes fluttered open and focused on Jennifer.

“Welcome back,” she said, a smile spreading across her lips.

Slowly Zachary’s mind cleared.

“I remember staggering to the plantation, bleeding and in pain. I owe you a great debt,” he said.

“You don’t owe me anything, Zachary.” She rearranged the herbs on the table. “Is there someone at the Gypsy camp whom we can notify?”

“No,” he answered. “I’m ready to move on anyway. Maybe I’ll go back to traveling the Mississippi. He saw Nicholas standing in the doorway and continued, “Do you remember those days, Jenny? I took you to bed that first night we met, and the next day you were embarrassed when you found yourself without garments, weren’t you?” He gazed at her with longing. “Your loveliness is emblazoned on my mind. I enjoyed your company immensely.”

Jenny frowned. “Nothing happened that night, and you know it. Today is here, and the past must be forgotten.” She heard a movement behind her and spun around to face Nicholas. He stood in the doorway, staring at her as if she had two heads.

“I would like a word with you, Jenny.”

“Certainly, Nicholas,” she answered, sensing his discomfiture. She addressed Zachary. “Lily will bring you some warm broth. I’ll look in on you later.”

She had barely stepped out of the doorway when Nicholas whisked her to their chambers.

“Have you known Zachary long?” he asked.

“Zachary found me and brought me home, Nicholas. Why do you ask?”

“Enough games, Jennifer. I overheard your conversation. You knew him before the swamp, didn’t you?”

Jenny swallowed hard as her eyes met his cold stare. “Yes, I knew Zachary. I met him on the steamboat to Natchez.”

“You mean, while we were wed, you allowed him entrance into your cabin?”

Jenny remembered the unpleasant memory of being seasick and drugged with spirits. “Yes, I must have, but—”

“And allowed him to undress you?” Nicholas interrupted.

Jenny felt the heat creeping into her face. She was frustrated by her inability to explain the situation away. She wet her drying lips. “Nicholas, it’s really quite simple. You see, Zachary was a gambler on the Marylou, and he assumed I was unattached. I—”

“Did you tell him you were married?” Nicholas interjected.

“Of course not, Nicholas!”

“So, my lady dallies with strange men and doesn’t admit to being married!”

“You have it all wrong, Nicholas. I thought I would never see you again. We were to be divorced. I didn’t think it was necessary to speak of my past.” Angry tears spilled onto her cheeks. “I drank too much wine, plus the rolling water made me sick. My dress was soiled from having thrown up on it.”

A loud knock at the door jolted them back to reality.

“What is it?” Nicholas asked, perturbed.

“Mr. Brown is asking for Jenny,” Lily said.

“She’ll be right out, Lily,” he replied through clenched teeth. He sent Jenny a cynical look. “Whatever it takes, I want Zachary out of this house today.”

“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Jenny asked.

“Given that I overheard your conversation with Zachary, I have just found them!” Gazing into her somber eyes, he informed her, “We will discuss this later.”

Jenny seethed with indignation. “We will do nothing of the sort!” Swiftly, she stormed from the room.

She stepped into her bedroom and pressed a cold washcloth to her eyes as they had become puffy from crying. Her fingers trembled as she smoothed her hair into place. She waited another moment to calm her thoughts, then left her chamber and entered the guestroom to see Zachary.

“Are you feeling better, Zachary?” she asked, tucking away her distress.

“Yes, Jenny, and I owe it all to you. Would you help me up?”

“Do you think it’s wise? You might open your wound and cause it to bleed.”

“I have survived worse,” he said, pointing to a scar on his back. “I was knifed in a card game, and that, my dear, was wretched, for I could not tend to it myself.” His voice became husky with passion. “I would gladly go through it again if you were there to tend to me.”

His remark caught Jenny off guard. Before she could respond, she looked up and saw Nicholas standing in the doorway. Her emotions wavered between love for Nicholas and concern for Zachary.

Nicholas strode into the room and addressed Zachary. “I’ll have Warren take you to Greenville in the buckboard. He can hitch your horse behind the wagon.”

Jenny shot Nicholas a reproachful glare. “Don’t you think it’s too soon to move him?”

Zachary looked from Nicholas to Jenny. “I truly must take my leave,” he interrupted. “I’ve enjoyed your hospitality, Jenny.” Zachary glared at Nicholas. Silently, they fought a battle between them as each realized they loved the same woman. Sparing Jenny more unhappiness, he said, “A ride to town will be fine, Mr. Grant.”