August 22, 1899
Today is my 17th birthday. Papa has promised me a surprise. We are riding to town later so I can pick out my present. I already to know what I will pick. That lovely little Spanish lady’s riding saddle at Blackmore’s.
August22, 1899
The riding saddle was gone. Mr. Blackmore said a lady and gentleman visiting from up North bought it last week. It is not fair that some damn Yankee woman will be sitting in my saddle. I said as much to Papa and he just laughed. ‘The war is over Lenore, give it up. Let’s go to the bank, I will give you a much nicer present.’ Mr. Stuart, the banker, took us to the big vault in the back of the bank. He pulled a safety deposit box out and handed it to Papa. Papa smiled secretly at the banker. He opened the box. The box was full papers. He removed the papers and there lay the most beautiful pieces of jewelry I have ever seen, even prettier than Momma. Papa says his mother had bought them in New York at someplace called Tiffanies. ‘Take your pick, baby girl.’ I chose a necklace of pearls and rubies and Papa fastened it around my neck. ‘Its suits you girl,’ Papa said. A gasp sounded behind us and we turned around.
Standing there was the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. Mr. Stuart introduced the stranger as his nephew Charlie. He works at the bank now. Charlie smiled when he took my hand, then he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. My insides quivered. How romantic and gentleman-like. Unlike those slobbery lips of Dalton. Charlie told Mr. Stuart he had a visitor out front. The banker told him to help Papa and me. Charlie smiled, ‘With pleasure, uncle.’ Those soft brown eyes twinkled when he smiled at me from behind the spectacles. He pushed a lock of wavy brown hair away from his face and asked Papa if he wanted to replace the box. Papa did and then Charlie escorted us out. ‘The necklace was made for you, Miss Wilkes. Its beauty does not compare to your own, though,’ he told me as he handed me up in the buggy while Papa stood talking to someone. Charlie has the most romantic English accent.
On the ride home Papa remarked that Charlie Stuart seemed a nice man and we should welcome him in the community. ‘Invite the man out to the house sometimes. He is about your cousin Dalton’s age.’ Of course, Papa, I agreed. Tonight, I know the prince of my dreams will have a polished English accent and his eyes will be warm and gentle against my lips and my hand. Papa would be shocked, of course. I am a woman now, not his baby girl.
Well, the birthday girl was duly impressed with Mr. Charlie Stuart. This young man with the English accent and manners had swept the young Lenore Wilkes off her feet. He was so different from Dalton and the other boys and young men she knew. Lenore Collins remembered a few years ago when she was as naive as the Lenore Wilkes in 1899. Chase was handsome, suave, refined, educated, worldly, exciting, and he swore he loved the woman from Hylton. The small- town girl out of her league in the big city. Lenore took the bait, swallowing it hook, line, and sinker, only to find he was a jewel thief and she was only one in a lengthy line of gullible women giving him a place to live while he pulled his latest heist. What is it with women named Lenore and men named Charles? She continued reading.
Diary entries after Lenore Wilkes’ lengthy birthday note, spoke of seeing Charlie at Sunday services, and occasional times he and his uncle and aunt had dinner at Twin Maples. It seems the young Lenore was always fending off advances from her unofficial fiancé. She and Sissy would sneak off to the Bluff if possible when Dalton came around. From several entries, it appeared that Dalton thought his claim on his cousin Lenore also include her personal maid.
It was in October that fall that Lenore and Charlie Stuart first kissed at the Bluff.
October 15, 1899
Momma invited Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and Charlie to Sunday dinner today. After dinner, Charlie asked for permission to take a stroll with me, accompanied by Sissy of course. Momma and Papa agreed, it was such a nice autumn day. I almost ran up the stairs to fetch my shawl and Sissy. I told her she was to follow well behind us once we were out of sight of the house. ‘You think he will kiss you today, Lenore?’ she asked. I sure hope so I told her. I was dying to feel what his lips felt like on my lips instead of my hand. We walked to my bluff and, as arranged, Sissy dropped away behind us. ‘Your maid seems to have abandoned us, Miss Lenore,’ Charlie whispered. Yes, it seems so, I agree. We stood and looked at the river a few moments, then Charlie pulled me in his arms and asked if he could kiss me. I wish you would, I said. Oh, his kiss was so sweet, so gentle. I felt the most delicious feeling inside. We pulled apart and smiled at each other. Sissy appeared to tell us someone was coming. Charlie walked away from me and I quickly sat on the bench Papa had built for me, Sissy beside me. Dalton walked up, looked around suspiciously. ‘I thought I would find you here,’ he said. ‘Stuart, I believe your aunt is ready to go home now.’ Charlie walked to me and Sissy, aiding us both to stand. ‘It seems we must return, ladies,’ he winked. ‘Mr. Wilkes, would you care to join us?’ I wanted to laugh at the look on Dalton’s face. We caught him in a lie, and he knew it. I believe he is jealous, and he should be. Someway, I will convince Papa to let me marry Charlie. Not that Charlie has asked, but he will.
The interval between that first kiss and the Christmas festivities held references to stolen kisses with Charlie when possible. From the young Lenore’s description, their kisses had passed the stages of innocence. Their Christmas kiss under the mistletoe nearly exposed the young couple.
December 23, 1899
Momma and Papa hosted our annual holiday ball. I dressed in my new gown of dark green velvet with ivory lace edging the lowest neck line Momma had ever allowed me to wear. Around my neck was the pearl and ruby collar necklace. ‘You will be the belle of the ball, my dear,’ Momma said. ‘All the young men will clamor to dance with you.’ ‘Yes, dear,’ Papa said, ‘just remember your hand is promised to Dalton.’ I hate the odious Dalton and the thought of marriage to him. Papa wanted to announce the banns at church this weekend, but I convinced him to wait until spring. Please Papa, I had begged, I want a spring wedding. Let me be the belle of a few more balls before I must become a sedate married woman. Papa laughed, ‘I cannot deny you or all the young men. Of course, we will wait until spring, my girl. Momma winked at me. She knew I was stalling in hopes of talking Papa out of the match.
The ball was wonderful. I danced with so many men, young and old. Dalton, odious man, claimed several dances; but I managed to sneak in an extra dance with Charlie. He whispered that he had given Sissy my present from him. She would give it to me later. We walked to the refreshment table and lingered under the mistletoe, sharing a kiss. I tasted the wine on his lips and tongue, thirsting for more but Papa came up behind us and cleared his throat loudly. There was a twinkle in his eye. ‘I know she is beautiful, young man,’ he told Charlie, ‘but she is still my daughter.’ Charlie apologized. ‘I do apologize, sir. I am afraid temptation overcame me.’ He turned to face me, his back to Papa and winked. ‘My apologies, Miss Lenore.’ He walked away with Papa and like a fool I stood staring at them, forgetting the mistletoe. Dalton came up and claimed his kiss. How awful compared to those of my Charlie. I excused myself, saying I must retire to the ladies’ room. The silly thought I was going to the privacy room upstairs. In truth, I could not wait to return to my room and discover Charlie’s gift. Wrapped in a most exquisite paper was a pair of ivory Italian leather riding gloves, soft as velvet.
December 25, 1899
We exchanged gifts this morning. Momma and Papa and Dalton, and me. Dalton presented me a small pearl brooch. I gave him a new pair of riding gloves and a crop. He of course, claimed his rightful Christmas kiss before leaving that night. I shudder now at the thought. Papa must see how much I dislike the man. I begged Momma to speak with Papa, but she has no say in this matter. Her own marriage to Papa had been an arranged marriage. ‘It will be alright, child. You will see.’
The first few weeks of 1900, Lenore Wilkes had little to report in her diary. Cancellation of Sunday services due to inclement weather decreased her already limited si
ghtings of Charlie Stuart. Lenore’s physical longing for the young man was becoming increasing clear with each entry. The excited anticipation of his kisses; the unknown eruption of feelings when he had inadvertently brushed against her breast; the warmth rising inside her whenever he was around. It was clear the young woman wanted more but was not yet sure what that more entailed. Sissy confided to Lenore her encounter with a young man courting her. Lenore longed to share such an experience with Charlie. The moment occurred toward the end of February.
February 26, 1900
The Stuarts visited us yesterday afternoon after church. An unexpected snow storm came upon us that day. Momma and Papa suggested their friends spend the night with us. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart would sleep in the spare bedroom and Charlie would sleep in Sissy’s small room on the third floor. Sissy slept on a cot in my room. Papa showed the men the indoor privy and Momma did the same for Mrs. Stuart. Charlie and I sat playing a game of chess while the others sipped sherry and brandy and talked. I told Charlie of the secret room in the attic accessible only through a hidden passage in the toilet room. We arranged to meet in at midnight. We retired late night. I worried Momma and Papa would still be awake at midnight. As the clock struck midnight, I heard the door to the privy room open and close. It did not reopen, meaning Charlie had found the secret latch. A few minutes later, I told Sissy to get in my bed and sleep, so if Momma or Papa looked in, they would think I was asleep. I made my way upstairs were Charlie waited. We kissed so long and so passionately I ached with desire. His hands began exploring my body and I leaned into him expectantly, He slipped my night gown off and kissed my breast and caressed my woman hood. Sissy was right. It was wonderful. I did not want the night to end. We made love several times before morning when we each slipped back to our beds. Momma commented about how tired I looked this morning, I told her of a restless night and headache. He will marry me now, I know.
Wow, the young lady sure could make a living writing soft erotica today, Lenore thought. She felt almost guilty of voyeurism after reading that entry but continued reading anyway. The couple’s intimate activities were limited until the arrival of spring when they would meet at Lenore’s bluff. The middle of April, Lenore confided in Sissy that she was later than usual in getting her monthly. Sissy put to rest Lenore’s concerns, reminding the young woman she was never on time. Lenore suspected that Dalton was becoming suspicious of she and Charlie.
April 22, 1900
Dalton here for Sunday dinner, he would not leave me alone. Insisting upon kisses and hinting he knew Charlie was kissing me too. ‘He may kiss you, but I will claim your maidenhood first, my dear. You will be my wife. I will talk to your Papa today.’ I will never marry you Dalton Wilkes, I told him. I will marry the man I love. You will see, Papa will agree. ‘No, my sweet, he wants our land joined as do I. I will marry you and soon.’ His evil laughter followed me as I ran to find Sissy.
April 26, 1900
Papa has sent me to my room as if I am still a child, not a young woman. We had a bitter argument. That odious Dalton told him that he thought Charlie had less than noble designs upon me. Papa has forbidden me to see Charlie anymore and says that Dalton and I will marry in one month. I tell him I love Charlie and that Charlie loves me too. Papa says I must make a choice between Charlie or my beloved Twin Maples. He will never condone a marriage with Charlie Stuart. If I insist upon marrying Charlie, I must leave my home. He reminded me that I have always known I am betrothed to Dalton and as an honorable woman I will marry my cousin. Papa will not relent, so I agree to do as he says. But I will not. He dictated a polite note to Charlie, informing him of my betrothal and upcoming nuptials. He is not to see me anymore. I signed the note and ran to my room where I have orders to stay. I wrote another note to my lover telling him the truth, arranging a meeting with him this evening at the Bluff so we can make plans. Sissy will sneak this out to Charlie. Tonight, I will tell Charlie I am with child, his child. We will run away to be married and when we return, Papa will relent, I know he will. Charlie will agree, or I will not return home from the bluff.
The next entry was not until a few days later. Lenore knew from the legend that Sissy ratted out her friend that evening under duress when Lenore did not show for dinner. James Wilkes gathered a search party. James found his daughter in the wee hours of the morning, not far from her beloved bluff. The girl was cold, shivering, wet from rain that had started. James took his daughter home. She refused to speak of Charlie Stuart or of the events that evening. A doctor arrived to attend to the young woman. Lenore’s Wilkes next entry revealed the truth of what occurred on the bluff the evening of April 26, 1900.
April 29, 1900
I am at last alone in my room, the doctor has left the house assuring Momma and Papa that I will recover. I sent Sissy away. She has been by my side since my return, crying contrite tears at her betrayal of my plans. I cannot place blame on my friend, however, I saw the welts on her back from the beating Papa gave her. I have not seen Papa since he brought me home that night. Momma told me that searchers found Charlie’s body downstream caught in a driftwood snag. At least, Papa will not announce the banns between Dalton and I this weekend. Charlie’s aunt and uncle want to know what happened. I lied and told them I don’t know, that he was just standing there and then started to fall. I told them I tried to grab his hands but could not hold him. That is not the truth, but it will make Mr. and Mrs. Stuart feel better. The truth of what happened I cannot tell, not to even Sissy. I write it here and will never speak of Charlie again.
He did meet me that evening at the Bluff, but not to run away with me. I told him I was with his child. I told him if we ran away and married Papa would have to be happy and let us live at Twin Maples. He laughed at me. ‘Why would I marry you? I have had my fun. I am engaged to a woman in Boston and will soon return to marry her.’ I screamed at him, you lied to me, you said you loved me. I love you Charlie and I am carrying your child. ‘Of course, I told you I loved you, that is how it is done. You must be a silly country bumpkin if you thought I really loved you. I just wanted to bed you.’ I slapped him, and he just laughed. ‘How could you think I would marry you, especially now? Ask Sissy, she will help rid you of the child.’ I pushed him backwards and he just kept laughing. I ran at him, pushing him as hard as I could until he teetered on the edge of the bluff. One final shove and he went over the edge. He screamed as he fell and when he reached the water. ‘I can’t swim. Help me, please. I will marry you.’ I just stood there and watched him, laughing as he drowned. I killed him and I am glad.
May 14, 1900
I confessed to Momma last night that I am with child. She cried. I heard her and Papa yelling at each other last night. Papa has still not been to see me or speak to me. Dalton did come to see me today. He says, he will marry me yet, but not until after I have given birth and recovered. I must of course give the child away as he will not raise another man’s child. I told him I will never marry him. ‘We will see,’ he said. Momma came to tell me that I must go away until after the baby is born. I will visit my cousin’s wife Sarah who is in the early months of pregnancy herself. Our children will be born the same day. There are women in New Orleans who can make that happen. Sarah will keep my child and I will return home and marry Dalton. I say nothing. I will kill myself before I marry that man. Or, I will kill him as I did Charlie.
Lenore poured herself another glass of wine and continued reading the diary. Lenore Wilkes recorded little of the months with her cousin. They were both kept in seclusion. Sarah miscarried, once again; no one must know. Sarah will remain on bed rest and when Lenore gives birth, she will claim the child as her own. Sarah wishes to raise the child as that of her dead husband, killed in a tragic accident soon after she conceived. Lenore had no say in the arrangement. Lenore gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Nov 20, 1900, a baby boy which Sarah named Paul Wilkes, after her husband.
December 22, 1900
I arrived home today. Momma greets me with tears, Papa gav
e a dutiful hug, telling me that banns will be announced at church tomorrow. I will attend the service, he orders, and I smile as if I am happy. Dalton and I will be married the following Sunday. He returns to his study saying nothing more. I have not been forgiven.
December 25, 1900
What a difference between this Christmas and last. We exchanged presents from duty only. Dalton was here, of course, and mocks me. ‘I look forward to our wedding, my dear. Your mother assures me your dress will be ready. White of course.’ He laughs. I hate him.
December 26, 1900
Dalton crept in my room last night. Says that he sees nothing wrong with claiming his marital rights a few nights early as I am no longer a virgin. ‘I will show you what it is like to lay with a real man.’ His slobbery kisses sicken me, his hands rough, his breath as vulgar as the words he calls me as he entered me. I did not fight, it was no use. I suffered through the event which maddened him. He became rougher, but still I complained not. I stared at the ceiling until he has completed his foul deed. I waited to cry until he left the room.
Lenore Collins felt tears stinging her eyes as she read the remaining entries, overwhelmed with sadness for the young girl betrayed by her first love and for the father who never forgave until forgiveness was no longer possible. She closed the book wondering how her father would have concluded the tragic girl’s story.
Chapter 27
Monday morning arrived just as rainy and dreary as the previous day. The weather fit Lenore’s mood. She had sat up until two in the morning reading Lenore Wilkes diary and reviewing her father’s note on the Wilkes family. She had fought going to bed, much like a child. Like a child, Lenore was afraid of the monsters under her bed. Or, in her case, in her mind. Staying awake hadn’t kept the monsters at bay, though. Lenore had no more than closed her eyes than her mind started replaying that phone call with Shane Travers and visions of Shane admiring Bethany’s breast. Indignation flared up at Shane’s humiliation of her. That is the last phone call I make to that man. Ever.
A Tale of Two Lenores Page 19
