“Yessuh.”
It felt good to be riding the back of a horse once again. That, and his father’s improved health, put Bradford in good spirits. As he set out down the long road, Zeke following slowly, Bradford put Golden Oaks and its occupants behind him and began to think of Texas.
A few miles later, Bradford slowed when he saw the single rider approaching him at a fast pace. The rider was still a long way off. He couldn’t quite tell if it was a boy or a girl astride the gray mare because the rider wore long trousers and a white ruffled shirt with billowing sleeves. But soon he saw that the hair was that of a woman, long curls flying wildly in the wind, with the morning sun lighting the brown hair to a rusty red.
With hair like that, Bradford decided, the rider must be a young girl. But as the distance shortened and he could make out the shapely curves, he realized that she was a grown woman. But what on earth was she doing dressed like a man?
She closed the distance between them quickly, and suddenly his face lit up with joy and disbelief. As she rode past him, she looked over at him, then pulled her horse to an abrupt halt, almost throwing herself from the saddle. She turned to look at him over her shoulder and he could see that she was just as stunned as he was. But then suddenly, unbelievably, she dug her heels into her horse and took off.
Bradford gave chase, catching up to her in moments. He grabbed hold of her reins and brought both their mounts to a halt.
“It is you!” Bradford cried. “Why didn’t you stop?”
Without waiting for an answer, Bradford jumped down from his horse and pulled her off the gray mare and into his arms. He held her against him, saying nothing more, molding her body to his, remembering the feel of her, remembering the countless nights he’d dreamed of her. He had begun to believe she’d never really existed. But she did, and she was here.
After several moments, he asked quietly, “Did Jim McLaughlin bring you here?”
“W—who?” she stammered.
He did not sense her fear. “My lawyer. I told him that when you were found, he was to bring you to me directly, no matter where I was. It certainly took long enough to find you, Angel.”
Angela realized quickly that he didn’t know why she was here or who she was. Relief made her almost dizzy. But why was he so happy to see her? He had failed to show up that summer to meet her.
“Why did you bother looking for me? You made it clear you had had your fling and wanted nothing more to do with me,” Angela said bitterly.
“What are you talking about?” Bradford was shocked. “You disappeared.”
“I did no such thing. I waited for you for a week after school let out for summer. But you never came.”
He grabbed her to him again, holding her tightly.
“Christ, Angel, we’ve made one hell of a mess of things. I thought you had run away. When the flowers I sent you were returned, I came back to South Hadley to see what was wrong. I went to your school, but there was no record of Angela Smith.”
Oh, God, what could she say? Of course there was no record of Angela Smith. Angela Smith doesn’t exist.
“What is it, Angel? Tell me what happened to make us waste so much time apart.”
Zeke approached and halted the carriage beside them before Angela could think of anything to say.
“Missy Angela, what you doin‘ dressed like that? What happened to that pretty red dress you was wearin’ yesterday?”
Angela stepped back warily as Bradford looked from her to Zeke, then very slowly, back to her. Understanding registered on his face and his eyes grew lighter and lighter until they seemed to burn straight through her.
Angela panicked. She turned to Zeke quickly, trying to think of something to stop Bradford’s growing anger.
“Someone took a pair of scissors to my dress last night while I was sleeping, Zeke. It was probably one of the Fletchers’ servants, but I didn’t want to stay there any longer to find out. And Susie’s dresses were too small, so her brother Joel let me use his clothes. But don’t say anything about this, Zeke. Jacob would only get upset and—”
“All right, Angela Sherrington!” Bradford’s voice cut through her chatter. “You wait here, Zeke. And you!” He dug his fingers into her arm. “You come with me!”
Bradford pulled her behind him into the woods beside the road, leaving Zeke staring after them, with consternation showing plainly on his face. When they were well out of sight and hearing, Bradford stopped and jerked her around to face him.
“Why?” Bradford raged. His eyes flamed. “Why the hell did you follow me into Maudie’s that day and then not tell me who you were?”
“You—you didn’t recognize me. You thought I—”
“To hell with what I thought!” he stormed wildly. “What was I supposed to think? You knew who I was all along, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you let me pay for you, make love to you, and take your blessed virginity? Why?”
“Bradford, you’re hurting me.” Angela tried to pull away from him, but he only held her tighter, making her cry out in pain.
“I’ve spent thousands of dollars searching for you, when all the time you were safe in your school. You were there all along, weren’t you? No wonder there were no records of an Angela Smith. Why did you lie to me? Why the hell couldn’t you tell me who you were?”
“Bradford, stop it! You couldn’t possibly understand!” Angela cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Then tell me!” he demanded furiously. “You knew I wanted you. I would have given you anything you wanted, but I can see now that my father beat me to it.” He pushed her away from him in disgust. “That’s it, isn’t it? You had your fun with father and son, didn’t you?”
“It wasn’t like that at all!” Angela answered brokenly.
“Damn you, I want the truth! You let me make love to you and I have to know why!”
“I—I can’t tell you.”
“You will tell me! Are you a whore? How many other men have there been since me?”
“No one—oh, God, there has been no one else!” She was sobbing now.
“Then why me?”
“You—you hate me now, Bradford, so I can’t tell you why. I just can’t!”
She twisted free and ran, then stumbled through the trees until she reached the road. Sobbing uncontrollably now, she mounted her horse and rode off in the direction of Golden Oaks. Dear God, he hated her now, just as she had always feared.
Chapter 24
ANGELA spent the rest of the day in her room, most of the time crying her heart out.
It was pointless to think of what might have been. He hated her. She had only made him angrier by refusing to explain. But how could she tell him she loved him, when he thought the worst of her? How could she tell him that was why she let him make love to her? He would never believe that. He would have laughed if she had told him the simple truth.
Jacob came to see her in the afternoon, for she had told Hannah that she wasn’t feeling well. He told her about Bradford’s visit, and that he couldn’t talk his son into staying longer.
Was it better this way? she wondered silently. She had been terrified to face Bradford again. And now he was on his way to Texas.
Toward evening, Eulalia came into the room, full of gossip. “Lordy, this house sure is in a ruckus ‘cause of Master Brad’s visit last night. The others are all mad ’cause he was here and they didn’t even know it. Come and gone, just like that.” Eulalia giggled as she laid out a green taffeta dress, with gold-embroidered trimming along the high neckline and hem.
“I won’t be needing that dress. I’m not going down to supper tonight.”
“Yes you is. This is Master Jacob’s first night back at the head of the table, and you know very well you ought to be there for it.”
“Yes, of course. I just wasn’t thinking.” Angela sighed. She let Eulalia take over.
She and Eulalia got along very well, considering that they argued ceaselessly. Eulalia was
sure she knew what was best for Angela. Eulalia was right most of the time, but Angela couldn’t let Eulalia know that. Doing so would spoil their little battles, and they so enjoyed battling.
Awhile later, Angela descended the stairs and walked into the dining room to join Crystal and Zachary, who were already there. Robert arrived shortly after that, but Jacob was not there.
“You certainly took your time comin‘ down, Angela,” Crystal said impatiently.
“That’s enough, Crystal,” Zachary warned. “Father isn’t even here yet, so it’s not as if Angela has held up the meal. And please remember what we talked about, will you?”
“Have you forgotten what I told you, Zachary Maitland?” Crystal asked saucily. “I will not be a hyprocrite just because of your father’s threats.”
“Father doesn’t make threats lightly, Crystal,” Zachary returned. “So you had best take my advice and curb your tongue, if you know what’s good for you.”
“Don’t you threaten me!” Crystal snapped, her blue eyes icy. “I’ll say what I please, when I please, even if it is about her!”
Robert slammed his fist down on the table. “Why don’t you both shut up! And stop talkin‘ about Angela as if she weren’t even here!” he shouted.
“Please keep your voice down, Robert,” Zachary pleaded. “This is really none of your business.”
“I would rather not be the cause of any more bickering tonight,” Angela sighed. Looking directly at Crystal, she said firmly, “We all know where we stand, but this is Jacob’s first day out of bed and it should be a pleasant one.”
“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Jacob grinned as he walked into the room.
“We were just talking about your health, Jacob,” Angela remarked quickly. “You know, you really should have stayed in bed another day, as the doctor suggested.”
“Nonsense, I feel fine,” Jacob returned. “In fact, I couldn’t be happier.”
“What has happiness to do with your health?” Crystal asked, bored.
“Everything,” Jacob chuckled.
“You’re happy because of Bradford’s visit?” Zachary said sarcastically.
“Yes, you could say that.”
“Did—did he say anything about me?” Zachary ventured timidly. “Did he say how he feels now?”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
More than one gasp was heard in the room when Bradford appeared in the doorway, a lazy, relaxed smile on his lips. Calm now, his eyes were a clear golden-brown. He gazed openly at each person in the room.
The silence became oppressive. Zachary had turned deathly white. Crystal seethed with anger. Robert just stared at the table, avoiding Bradford’s eyes altogether. Jacob was the only one happy to see his older son.
The serving girls started bringing in the food then, and Bradford took a seat at the end of the table, without another word. The silence lasted until Crystal nervously brought up the subject of the ball. Jacob gave his assent, leaving all the arrangements to the women. Crystal carried the meal with her discussion of preparations. She seemed very tense and repeated herself several times. But by the time dessert was served, she was all talked out.
Bradford said nothing all during dinner. Angela stole occasional timid glances at him. Usually she found him staring coldly at Zachary and Crystal. They avoided looking at Bradford, and neither of them said a single word to him. Robert was also unusually quiet, but he watched with an amused grin, waiting.
“Well, Robert,” Bradford finally spoke, directing his full attention to his old friend, “have you nothing to say? Not even a simple ‘go to hell’?”
“Bradford!” Jacob exclaimed.
“I’m only trying to clear the air, Father, and I have to start somewhere,” Bradford explained. “I’m sure the ladies will forgive my language.”
“I’m glad you’re back, Bradford,” Robert began, grinning fully now. “I’ve had a guilty conscience for a long time because I misunderstood you. If you’ll allow me to, I’d like to apologize for all the things I called you when you weren’t even here to defend yourself.”
Bradford chuckled. “I can imagine all the names I’ve been called. But has ‘traitor,’ at least, been removed from your list?”
“Yes,” Robert grinned. “You merely followed your beliefs. What else can a man do?”
“Indeed. Only some men don’t go so far,” Bradford mused thoughtfully, staring at the table. Then he raised his eyes again and smiled. “You haven’t changed at all, Robert. I see this old house still appeals to you more than your own. But then, you’re a member of the family now, aren’t you?”
Robert cleared his throat. “I guess so.”
Bradford laughed at the hesitant answer. Then he turned his attention to Zachary, and the laughter quickly disappeared.
“Have you nothing to say, brother?”
“I love her, Bradford,” Zachary replied in a ragged voice. “What more can I say?”
“Of course. All’s fair in love and war, eh?” Bradford asked in an icy voice, his lips drawn tight. “And what about you, Crystal? Not even a hello for the man you were supposed to marry?”
“Why of course, Bradford. Hello,” Crystal said with a charming smile that vanished quickly.
“So much for greetings,” Bradford commented drily. He looked at Angela, and his eyes returned to their golden-brown. “Well, you certainly have changed from the scrawny kid I met seven years ago, Angel.”
“Her name is Angela,” Crystal snapped.
“Yes—I know,” Bradford replied smoothly without looking at Crystal.
Angela wanted to run from the room, but Jacob would never understand. She was so nervous that the heat was pouring off her. She pulled her gold coin out from under her dress, and held it pressed in her palm, praying for the courage it had once given her. Why was Bradford doing this? Why was he here, instead of on his way to Texas? And why, for heaven’s sake, did she feel so deathly afraid?
“That’s an unusual trinket,” Bradford continued, watching her reaction closely. “I met a beautiful young woman once who had a necklace just like it. Where did you get yours, Angel?”
Eulalia, who was quietly clearing dishes, giggled at Bradford’s deliberate use of the name Angel, but the others in the room were clearly annoyed, including Jacob.
“A man on a black horse gave me the coin when I was eleven,” Angela answered apprehensively. “He—he splashed mud on my dress and gave me the coin to buy a new one.”
“That must have been a pretty picture,” Crystal remarked.
Bradford ignored Crystal’s remark and continued. “So you kept the coin instead of buying a new dress. Why?”
“Does it matter why?” Angela asked defensively. “I just didn’t care about dresses at that age.”
“But you never spent the coin for something else,” Bradford pressed her further. “Why not?”
Angela felt like the walls were closing in on her. She stood up, unable to take any more.
“May I be excused, Jacob? I’m really not feeling very well tonight.”
“Of course, my dear. Should I send for Dr. Scarron?” he asked worriedly.
“No—no, I’ll be all right in the morning.”
She left the room quickly, without bidding anyone goodnight, and ran upstairs. She threw herself on her bed and gave in to the tears she had held back all evening.
Why had Bradford come back? He had made everything so much worse.
Chapter 25
ANGELA had wondered for so long why Bradford never came home. Now she knew why—he was in love with Crystal. He had loved her before the war and he still did. He was in love with his brother’s wife!
Angela got up and paced the floor while she waited for Eulalia to finish in the kitchen and come help her out of her dress. But there was no hurry. Angela would find no rest tonight.
Would he be sleeping in the room across from hers? Would he tell Jacob everything?
And then anger slowly began to take over.
He had no right to treat her so cruelly.
When Eulalia finally arrived, Angela was still pacing the floor.
“Sorry I’s late, Missy. You been waitin‘ long?”
“Yes!” Angela snapped, but Eulalia paid her no mind.
“I was helpin‘ Tilda wash up the kitchen. Didn’t know everybody was goin’ to their rooms early tonight,” Eulalia said as she started unlacing the back of Angela’s dress.
“Everybody?”
“‘Ceptin’ Master Jacob and Master Brad. They’s in the study drinkin‘ and talkin’ business.”
Oh, God, Angela groaned inwardly. He was going to tell Jacob. She just knew it!
Angela made an effort to calm her jumpy nerves.
“Could you bring me up some water for another bath, Eulalia? It was hot tonight.”
Eulalia chuckled knowingly. “Tilda’s already got the water boilin‘. You wasn’t the only one had cause to sweat tonight, Missy,” she remarked and then scurried out of the room.
An hour later, Angela stepped into the large tub of rose-scented water and attempted to relax. She tried to keep her mind blank and just listened to the cheerful tune Eulalia was humming while she laid out Angela’s nightdress and turned down the bed. But then the door opened, startling them both.
“You gots the wrong room, Master Brad!” Eulalia shrieked in surprise, before coming to stand in front of the tub to try and hide Angela from Bradford’s view.
“What’s your name, girl?” he asked from where he stood in the doorway.
“Eulalia.”
“Well, Eulalia, why don’t you scoot on out of here?”
“You can’t come in here! Master Jacob will have himself a fit!”
“He isn’t going to know, Eulalia,” Bradford said in a lazy voice. “It would upset my father, and I wouldn’t like that.”
Eulalia turned around to face Angela. “Why don’t you scream or somethin‘, Missy, so’s he’ll go away?”
“Oh, for God’s sake!” Bradford exclaimed impatiently and stepped into the room. He took Eulalia’s arm and escorted her firmly to the door.
“It’s all right, Eulalia. Don’t worry. He only wants to talk to me,” Angela called out before Bradford shut the door and locked it.
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