She took her place beside Nicholas and gazed at his striking appearance. A white shirt offset his tight-fitting black suit. His neatly combed, thick, raven hair lay in soft waves and fell across his forehead. Jenny bristled. How dare he look so handsome and complacent? He gazed down at her, his bright green eyes shining with excitement. He took her hand and smiled captivatingly.
“The wedding may begin,” he said matter-of-factly.
Jenny nearly swooned at his touch. How can I live with this man for a year and remain chaste? Although she felt trapped into marriage, she wondered if she was a willing bride because of his persuasive manner or if she was deeply moved by something that even she didn’t understand. The magnitude of her situation struck her. I can’t go through with this wedding! She opened her mouth to protest, but Nicholas tightened his grip and gazed into her eyes with purpose. She looked away and glanced at her father. He smiled and nodded, silently encouraging her and sending his approval. She couldn’t disappoint her dear, sweet father. Knowing she could not gracefully back out now, she waited for the pastor to begin.
Parson Williams extolled the holiness of matrimony, then told Nicholas and her to repeat the wedding vows after him. Before she knew it, Nicholas was slipping a gold wedding band on her finger.
To her amazement, the ring fit perfectly. She wondered why he’d gone to the expense of buying such a beautiful band. Inwardly warning herself to be wary, she disengaged her hand.
The tall, wiry preacher broke into her thoughts as he pronounced them husband and wife. Briefly, he relaxed his stiff demeanor and smiled as he looked at Nicholas. “You may kiss the bride.”
Nicholas moved Jenny’s veil aside and drew her into his embrace. Gently lifting her face, he gave her a lingering kiss. Once again, when their lips touched, an unfamiliar pleasure aroused Jennifer. She was Mrs. Nicholas Grant, now bound to Nicholas by law. Panic nearly seized her as she wondered what she had gotten herself into but was saved by those around her as they congratulated her. Heartily, the men shook hands with Nicholas and wished him abundant happiness.
Molly hugged Jenny. “Enjoy your new status. You’ll make Nicholas a fine wife,” she said proudly.
Everybody sat down to Molly’s savory midday lunch. As Parson Williams said the blessing, the aroma of freshly prepared foods wafted into the room. After consuming the hearty fare, they adjourned to the parlor and engaged in pleasant conversation. Thomas made a toast to Nicholas and Jenny. “To the newlyweds, may you be as happy as Jenny’s mother and I were.”
Nicholas swallowed the bittersweet wine and looked at the handful of trusting, smiling faces. He saw Wade assessing Molly and sensed he was enamored with the attractive woman with feisty brown eyes. His gaze shifted to Molly. Her blonde hair held streaks of gray, and he guessed her to be about thirty-five. Her brown eyes danced when she glanced at Wade, and he could tell she had feelings for him.
The small group socialized a while longer and then Nicholas spoke. “Thank you all for the pleasant day. We must be leaving for Small Timbers.” He addressed Jenny. “We have a good distance to travel. Have you packed your things?”
“Yes,” Jenny answered solemnly, knowing she was going to miss her father and Molly’s companionship.
Nicholas took Jenny’s trunks to the carriage. After he secured the luggage, he returned for her.
Thomas Morgan hugged Jenny with all the strength he could muster and kissed her cheek. With misty eyes, he gazed into her face. His voice quivered. “Good-bye Jennifer. Be happy.” With a newfound vigor, he addressed Nicholas. “Take good care of my daughter. She’s your responsibility now.”
“I will do my utmost, Mr. Morgan.”
“Please call me Thomas now that you are a member of the family.”
Nicholas gave him a sincere handshake.
“Thomas it is!”
Gently pressing his fingers into the small of Jenny’s back, Nicholas guided her out the door.
“You come back real soon,” Thomas said, raising his voice.
Tears rolled down Jenny’s cheeks as Nicholas started the carriage in motion. She waved a final farewell and then turned her head away so Nicholas would not be able to see her tears.
“I know you and your father share a strong bond. I’m sure you’ll miss him sorely as you begin a new period of adjustment, but he is welcome to visit anytime,” he said kindly. Jenny could only nod as tears trickled down her cheeks.
Molly watched Jenny and Nicholas head down the lane. Her throat knotted, and she wiped a tear away. Jenny was the closest thing to a daughter she had ever had, and she loved her dearly. It was hard to let her go, but she’d manage. There was no sense in dwelling on Jenny’s hasty marriage if that is what she desired.
Parson Williams drew her back into the moment. “I must take my leave.” He nodded cordially and shook hands with Thomas and Wade. “Molly, Wade, I’ll see you in church. Thomas, I’ll be looking for you when your health improves. Until then, good day.”
Molly watched the no-nonsense preacher leave the house. Again, thoughts of Jenny’s departure unsettled her. She dabbed at her eyes. Choked with emotion, she said, “I’ll miss Jenny.”
Wade Dillon put a comforting arm around her shoulder. “I know you will, Molly.” He added, “Molly, I’ve been thinking, you cook a mighty fine meal. I should come over more often and partake of your talents.”
Molly’s face broke into a grin. “I’d like that very much, Wade. I enjoy your company immensely. With Jenny gone, I hope to see you more.”
With the promise to return soon, Wade bade her and Thomas farewell, then left for home.
Molly glanced at Thomas. Noting his pallid features, she placed her arm around his waist. “The day has taken its toll on you,” she said kindly. “I’ll walk you to your room.” Upon entering the room, she helped him out of his shirt and trousers, then rolled back the bedspread and fluffed up the pillow. “An afternoon nap is just what you need.”
A twinkle came into his eyes, and he smiled. “Ah, Molly, you mother me too much.”
“That I do,” she replied. She placed a hand on the doorknob and prepared to leave the room. “I’ll be in the kitchen cleaning up. Ring the bell if you need me.”
The carriage swayed, jostling Jenny and Nicholas as they entered Small Timbers. Jenny glanced about the plantation. “You have a charming piece of property. I can see why you are set on having the land for yourself.” In the distance, she saw rows of cotton growing in the fields. In lesser quantity, wheat and corn thrived. Acres of woods surrounded the plantation, and pine trees with lush green needles grew abundantly. Several small whitewashed cabins lined the fields.
“That’s where the workers are housed and fed,” Nicholas said. A larger cabin came into view with a scattering of purple wildflowers growing in the grass. “The overseer lives there. You’ll meet Warren later.”
With a slight nod of her head, Jenny acknowledged his words and continued to gaze upon the rich land. Her eyes were fixed on the well-kept barn and long stable beside it.
“The barn holds a tack room and a conglomeration of saddles along with carriages and wagons. The stable houses riding horses and plow horses,” Nicholas said. He directed her attention to the livestock grazing in the pastures. “The animals provide meaty fare and cure in the smokehouse after butchering.”
“I surmised as much,” Jenny stated brusquely, wondering if he thought her a simpleton. “The things you speak of are familiar to me. I did live on a farm. Perhaps on a smaller scale. Nonetheless, I know how one is run and what the buildings hold.”
Nicholas laughed. “Running a plantation is a considerably larger task than living on a farm, Jenny. I just wanted you to be familiar with the layout of Small Timbers.” They continued on in silence as Nicholas urged the horses up the winding lane leading to the grand house.
Jenny’s eyes were riveted to the magnolia trees flanking each side of the drive and then to the red brick building supported by white pillars. Tall windows showed fashionable drapes from the inside and held a candle on each window ledge. A veranda ran the length of the house and led into a captivating garden. A scattering of weeping willows surrounded the charming residence.
Nicholas brought the carriage to a halt, jumped to the ground, and raced around the buggy to help Jenny.
Jenny leapt up, ready to alight unassisted, but Nicholas lifted her from the carriage and set her feet firmly on the ground. His large hands lingered on her waist, causing a tingling sensation to ripple through her body.
“I’m capable of getting down from the carriage without assistance!” she snapped, flustered that he could affect her senses this way.
“I’m sure you’re capable of many things, Jenny. Still, the least I can do is to see you properly to the door on our wedding day.”
“Our marriage is a mockery, and you know it,” she spoke sharply. “You can disregard the formalities, given the circumstances.”
“You mustn’t be so harsh,” Nicholas remarked, walking her to the front entrance. He opened the door and ushered her into the house. “I’ll take you on a tour,” he stated proudly.
Jenny peered into the sitting room containing a red velvet sofa with two matching chairs. A low mahogany table sat in front of the divan for serving refreshments. Expensive vases graced the mantel while portraits of several generations hung on one wall. The brocade draperies were a deep, rich red and lined with white lace curtains. A beautiful oriental rug covered the spotless floor.
Nicholas gave her a moment to take in the furnishings, then escorted her to the study. “This is where I do my transactions. I spend a great deal of time here when I’m not working the plantation.”
Jenny gazed at the masculine-looking room. She ran her fingers over books that neatly lined the shelves of an antiquated bookcase. A quill pen and several sheets of parchment paper lay neatly stacked on a mahogany desk. A worn, soft leather chair sat behind the desk, providing evidence of the hours Nicholas had sacrificed to make the plantation prosper. Decanters of liqueur and drinking glasses filled a large hutch, along with a few personal mementos.
“Let’s move on to the next room,” he commented.
They came upon the spacious dining room containing a fine oak table with eight matching upright chairs. A beautiful ivory lace tablecloth spread across the table. A candelabrum was placed in the center of the table. A sparkling crystal chandelier hung gracefully from the ceiling, and a silver tea service sat on a serving cart.
Nicholas’s deep voice echoed throughout the room. “Except for social gatherings, we will seldom use the dining room.” They stepped into a roomy kitchen that contained two wooden tables. “As you may know, the large table is for preparing food, baking and the like,” Nicholas said. “We take our meals on the table by the window where we have an ample view of the gardens.”
Jenny nodded and continued her tour of the kitchen, learning which cupboards held pots and pans and where the herbs and spices were kept. Culinary utensils and large wooden bowls hung on the wall a safe distance from two pewter lamps. A finely carved hutch contained a complete set of china with premium silverware. Impressed with her surroundings, she knew she would not be living in poverty as she bided her time with Nicholas.
“Now that you’ve seen the ground floor, I’ll show you the upstairs,” Nicholas said. He showed her the guestrooms, which were tastefully decorated so that guests would feel welcome and then he took her to the master bedroom.
An air of masculinity filled the room as Jenny took in the bedroom suite finely carved of oak wood. Heavy brocade draperies hung from the windows that opened onto the balcony. Her gaze fell upon a razor and personal effects neatly placed on the washstand. Polished boots sat beside the fireplace.
“Your room is next to mine,” Nicholas said, nudging her along. His touch sent another tingling sensation racing through her.
This feeling has to stop! Why does he affect me this way?
When they entered her chamber, she found the room beautifully furnished. White lace draperies and a decorative bedspread gave the room a feminine appearance. A wooden washstand held a rose-colored pitcher and basin. A vanity with an attached mirror sat a good distance from the washstand. As Jenny took in her accommodations, she noticed a door along the wall. “Is there another room?”
“The door leads to my room.”
Jenny stiffened. “Does it have a lock?”
“No, my aunt and uncle never had any use for a lock. They were madly in love. I suspect they slipped through the entrance many a night.”
Jenny gulped with apprehension as she realized how close she would be to Nicholas each night. A slight smile escaped her lips as a thought struck her. At least she would not be in the same bed with him. He pulled her out of her thoughts.
“It’s getting late. I suggest we have supper and then retire. Tomorrow, I must resume my duties.”
“I’ll prepare the meal,” Jenny offered.
“Thank you. Since my uncle passed away, I let the cook go. At my request, Hattie, one of the laborers, cooks for me and stocks the larder with food. Sometimes she comes to the house and does the chores and laundry, then returns to her cabin, leaving me to enjoy the solitude.”
“Please don’t engage her on my account,” Jenny volunteered. “I prefer to do my own cooking and housework. Besides, I’ll need to keep busy in the next twelve months lest it seem an eternity.”
Nicholas smiled. “By all means, you may have the run of the house.”
Jenny wanted to remove her wedding dress before going into the kitchen. “Will you bring in my luggage so I can change clothes before I fix dinner?”
“Certainly,” Nicholas replied and stepped outside.
Jenny waited in her chamber and watched as Nicholas set her trunks down by her bed.
“I might as well change into something more comfortable,” he said and headed to his room.
Jenny unpacked a dress and started to disrobe only to discover she couldn’t reach the buttons on her gown. She wondered why she hadn’t changed before coming to Small Timbers. Because the day had been unconventional, and she had been disconcerted, she reasoned. Regardless, she couldn’t cook in her wedding dress. She knocked lightly on Nicholas’s door.
Nicholas opened the door and peered at her. Clad only in trousers, his bare chest rippled with muscles. Jenny saw his startled look, then his eyes twinkled with mischief as he smiled at her seductively. “Have you decided to join me on our wedding night?”
“Hardly.” She swallowed hard, trying to look away from his broad shoulders and muscular arms. Embarrassed at their intimate meeting, she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. He distracted her thoughts with his virile form, and she nearly forgot why she was there. “I-I’m sorry to bother you,” she stammered. “I-I need help with my gown.”
Nicholas spun her around and touched his long fingers to the satin material. The dress fell away as he carefully and slowly unbuttoned the long row.
His strong fingers melted her skin. When he had finished, she cast her eyes downward.
“Thank you,” she mumbled, then scurried from the room.
As she closed the connecting door, she heard his laughter. “The pleasure was all mine.”
Carefully placing her cherished wedding gown in the wardrobe, she dressed and headed to the kitchen.
She donned an apron that was hanging on a hook and brought food from the pantry to prepare a meal.
Leaving Jenny in the kitchen, Nicholas sauntered outside and took the carriage to the barn. After tending the horses, he returned to the kitchen to await dinner. He sat at the table, his expression grim as he watched Jenny move about the room. He regretted the role he had playe
d in gaining a wife and knew it was unfair to her. Although he had shared a strong bond with his uncle, he still resented the fact that he was forced to marry. Would anybody think a forced marriage would last more than a year?
Using the food on hand, Jenny set to work making a meat dish, sweet potato pie, coleslaw, and apple pie. As the aroma of cooked foods wafted through the kitchen, she set the table, then served the piquant foods and joined Nicholas.
Nicholas arched his eyebrow as he sampled each dish. “This food is scrumptious. I have gotten a fringe benefit from our marriage.”
After they had eaten, Jenny cleared away the dishes. Much to her chagrin, Nicholas remained seated as she washed, dried, and returned the dishes to their original place. She began to feel uneasy, knowing he hadn’t taken his eyes from her the whole evening. She placed the last dish in the cupboard.
“Goodnight, Nicholas,” she said, then hurried from the room. His heavy footsteps sounded behind her as he followed her up the stairs. Her heart thumped wildly. Hastily she stepped into her room and closed the door. Standing in suspense, she listened for his footsteps, sighing loudly as he strode on to his room.
She donned her nightgown and crept into bed. In her wildest imagination, she never expected to spend her wedding night alone, and unloved. Convinced Nicholas would not come to her tonight, her body relaxed, and she drifted off to sleep.
Nicholas stepped out of his trousers and dropped into bed. Sleep was not in the offing as his thoughts strayed to Jenny. He conjured up her clear face, those innocent but alluring green eyes so vivid in his mind, and her thick, silky hair that he was tempted to touch. This was only his wedding night, and he had a full twelve months to live with her. Uncle, what have you done, he pondered, for already his body throbbed to have her. He pounded his pillow in anger. This is ridiculous! I have exactly what I want. I will not allow her to disrupt my life. Yet deep inside, he knew Jenny would plague his existence from this day forth.
Unspoken Love Page 4
