A hint of amusement came into Doctor Jones’ cheery blue eyes as he sauntered over to Nicholas. Praising him for choosing Jenny as his bride, he beamed, “I knew you had a hankering for her.” He became serious as he continued, “Jenny’s an exceptional woman. Her compassion knows no bounds. Take right now for instance, she’s an honored guest, yet she’s coaxing Billy to walk without his crutch. She had been after him for weeks to walk alone before the two of you were married and moved away.”
Nicholas glanced across the room and saw Jenny conversing with a dark-haired lad as the doctor continued speaking. “Billy broke his leg a while back, but as it healed, he refused to give up his crutch. He claims he’s still in pain and unable to walk without it. Jenny thinks he needs encouragement and family nurturing. Billy doesn’t have either, being an orphan and just wandering the streets. Of course, he eats well, and city folks take turns putting him up for the night. Still, at the age of twelve, he needs a parent’s guidance.”
From where Nicholas stood he could see Billy’s soft brown eyes fill with bewilderment as Jenny took away his crutch and set it against the wall.
“Billy, you don’t need this crutch,” he heard her say. “Surely, your leg has mended by now.” Placing her arm about his shoulder, she encouraged him to walk beside her while she lent her support.
Still, Billy hesitated. “I really like you, Jenny, and I want to do what pleases you. You always have a kind word for me when you come to town. But to give up my crutch . . .”
“Take a step with me,” she encouraged. “I won’t let you fall.”
Concentrating on her pleading features, Billy slowly put one foot in front of the other, then repeated the process as Jenny cheered him on.
“I knew you could do it!” she said, reassuring the self-conscious boy.
Billy smiled, and a tinge of pink came into his cheeks. He soon found himself across the room.
“Well, I’ll be darned!” Doc Jones said. “Jenny’s got him walking without his crutch. I tell you that woman is a saint!”
“For sure, Jenny’s good at helping the needy,” Nicholas proudly expounded. He puffed with pride that Jenny had taken time to help the orphaned boy. “Excuse me, Doc, I need a word with Jenny and the lad.”
“Go right ahead,” Doc Jones replied. “I’ll mosey over to the refreshment table.”
Jenny looked up to see Nicholas striding toward her and Billy. A broad grin crossed his features, and his eyes danced with pride. He looked from Jenny to the boy. “Perhaps you’ll introduce me to the young man.”
Jenny smiled. “Nicholas, this is Billy, my friend.”
Nicholas clasped Billy’s hand and shook it as one gentleman to another. “I see that you don’t need your crutch anymore, Billy.”
“I feel as if I could walk on air with Jenny beside me,” he squealed.
“Would you like to live on my plantation and work for me?”
At the mere suggestion, Billy’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to Mr. Grant. I’ll be a good worker!”
“I’m sure you will, Billy. Be at the Hearthside Inn by nine o’clock tomorrow, and we’ll leave for the plantation.”
“I’ve got to say farewell to my friends and tell them I’m going to a real home,” Billy said gleefully and sprang away on his mission.
“What a wonderful idea, Nicholas! Billy needs a place he can call home, and I’m sure he’ll work out well.”
“I’ll place him under Warren’s care. He can bunk with him. They’ll be good company for each other.”
“Thank you,” Jenny said softly, feeling a surge of tenderness for what he had done. “I nearly took Billy to live with Father and me, but I knew Aunt Thelma was keeping an eye on him,” she explained.
A curious expression came over Nicholas. “What happened to Billy’s parents?”
“We don’t know for sure. Billy just showed up one day alone. Rumor has it that his parents were destitute and abandoned him in hopes he would have a better life. Billy doesn’t even have a surname.”
“How unfortunate,” Nicholas replied. “We can’t undo his past, but we can see to his future. If Warren takes a liking to him, maybe we can call him Billy Bond.”
Throughout the evening, Nicholas and Jenny shared time together, taking in the festive crowd. The musicians played, and the people danced.
Jenny headed to the refreshment table. She passed Jeremy. He sat in a chair, his leg propped on a footstool. Jenny smiled as she remembered the young man who had injured his leg in the storm and who had endured much pain while Doc Jones set it. “Hello, Jeremy. How’s your leg?”
“Still a mite tender, but it’s mending,” he said. Jeremy sparkled with enthusiasm. “I met me a girl, Jennifer. She couldn’t be here tonight since she’s watching her baby sister for her ma, but we’re getting married soon.” He looked down at his limb. “She wants me even though I have a limp and can’t get around much.”
Jenny gave him a big smile. “Congratulations, Jeremy! I’m pleased that you’re finding happiness.”
She moved on, wishing she were as lucky. As she approached the table, she saw her friend, Mary Butler, serving apple tarts and sweetmeats to the hungry townsfolk. The small, thin-boned woman sent Jenny a cordial nod. “Hello, Jenny. It’s good to see you again.”
“Good evening, Mary. How are you feeling?”
“Tired, and eager to have this young’un,” she replied, rubbing her large stomach. “It’s the third and last child for me!”
Tom Butler joined the women. Taking a swig of punch, he grimaced. No doubt, he was wishing for stronger spirits, Jenny reflected.
“Hello, Jenny,” he said, his pale-green eyes sweeping her face. His eyes shifted to Mary, the love of his life. He touched his fingers to her soft brown curls. “Will you dance with me, Mary?”
“I can’t oblige you in this state,” she said, looking down at her enlarged form. “I fear your arms would barely fit around me.”
Nicholas came up beside Jenny. “May I have this dance?”
She nodded. He escorted her onto the dance floor. His masculine scent enveloped her as she brushed against his hard-muscled chest. Her legs became weak, and ripples of pleasure surged through her.
Nicholas, too, fought the desire welling up within him as he danced with Jenny. He wanted to make love to her at that very moment as her body moved in rhythm to the music and he swung her about the dance floor. He bent down and kissed her forehead, wishing it could be her sweet lips. The candles flickered, casting a romantic glow about the room as he continued to hold her in his embrace. Sweet fantasies captured his attention, making him feel alone in the crowded room as he imagined trailing kisses down her creamy neck and loving her intensely. Aroused, he danced her to the door and led her into the gardens. His deep voice cracked with unrelenting passion as he fumbled with an excuse.
“Sorry to cut the dance short, Jenny, but it was stifling, and I needed some fresh air.”
“Yes, I agree,” Jenny said. The sound of music followed them outside, and the scent of honeysuckle blew gently across their faces as he collected his thoughts.
The gala evening ended, and the townsfolk bid their farewells before heading home. As they returned to their dwellings and settled in for the night, a scattering of lighted tapers appeared in the windows, adding a soft glow in the darkness.
Guided by the moonlight, Jenny and Nicholas rode over to the Hearthside Inn. Leaving the carriage at the stables with Davy, Nicholas carried their bags into the lobby.
Jenny reached for her grip. “Goodnight, Nicholas. I’ll see you in the morning.” She started to walk away when Aunt Thelma came bustling into the inn with Uncle Edward following a few paces behind her.
“The party was delightful, Jenny. I’m so glad we could spend some time together. Edward and I thoroughly enjoyed the
one night we had off.” She lowered her voice so the patrons would not hear. “Take your old room, Dear. It’s ready for you. Of course the bed’s a mite small for two people, but I’m sure you newlyweds will manage.” Promising them a feast for breakfast, she motioned for her husband to follow, then hurried from the room.
Jenny cast her eyes downward. She hesitated to go to the room that had begun her woes. It only reminded her of their forced marriage, and thus far she had been spared having to sleep with Nicholas.
“We can’t change anything by standing here,” Nicholas said. Gently, he prodded her along. Weary travelers bedded down on the floor. “Let’s go to our room, lest we make others suspicious.”
When they entered the chamber, Jenny saw a freshly cut bouquet of roses on the bureau and a package lying beside it. In the dim light, she read the card propped against the box. “The roses are from Aunt Thelma in honor of our marriage,” she said, touching the velvety-smooth petals. Stricken with guilt, she hastened to say, “Aunt Thelma didn’t even get to attend our wedding.” Her guilt changed to embarrassment as she opened the box and removed a white, silky negligee. To cover her discomfort, she said, “Aunt Thelma does things on a whim. I’m sure she thought she was doing something really special for me.”
Nicholas smoothed the moment. “I like a woman who doesn’t always conform to society’s rules.” He sniffed the scented roses, commenting on Thelma’s nicety in providing the beautiful flowers. He chuckled. “Perhaps you could model the gown for me.”
“I think not,” Jenny replied and stuffed the gown back into the box. She couldn’t wear such a revealing garment in Nicholas’s presence.
Nicholas sat on the bed and removed his boots. Dropping them to the floor, he stood to undress.
Jenny turned from him and faced the dresser, allowing him some privacy. She realized that she could see his reflection in the mirror. Aglow with innocence, she was mesmerized as he removed every stitch of clothing before slipping between the sheets. She swung around and faced him. “Didn’t you bring a nightshirt?” she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I don’t sleep in them.”
“Oh,” she responded. Shocked at his disclosure, she found herself at a loss for words. With shaking fingers, she unpinned her hair and brushed it until it glistened. She riffled though her valise and removed a crumpled nightgown. The minutes ticked by as she painstakingly smoothed out the wrinkles, deliberately giving Nicholas time to fall asleep. As she prepared to change, she glanced his direction and found him watching her. “You are not making this easy for me,” she said. “You could feign sleep.” Extinguishing the light, she quickly disrobed and slipped into her nightgown. Reluctantly, she lay on the edge of the bed. “Please move over, Nicholas.”
Nicholas relinquished a few inches to allow her some room.
“Aunt Thelma was right. This bed is way too small for two people.” She rolled against him and fought the urge to remain there. She tried moving from him only to find she was on the brink of falling from the cot. Stubbornly, she refused to give up the bed since she didn’t relish sleeping on the hard floor.
Completely content, Nicholas smiled as Jenny tried to find a comfortable position. Strongly attracted to her, he didn’t make any overtures as he lay beside her. Desire pulsed though his veins, but he willed himself not to reach out and caress her. Though he wanted to make tender love to her, he couldn’t antagonize Jenny. It was a long time before he slept.
During the night, he awoke to find Jenny lying in the crook of his arm. A grin captured his face. As the moonlight fell upon her face, he watched her sleep. She would have gotten from the bed posthaste had she realized her position, he mused. The minutes ticked by as he enjoyed her closeness, feeling the need to protect her.
The next morning, Nicholas was the first to rise. Promptly he dressed and woke Jenny. “I’ll be in the dining hall,” he said, allowing her privacy to take care of her ablution.
A half-hour later, Aunt Thelma served Jenny and Nicholas a delicious breakfast of ham, eggs, and biscuits and gravy with buttery hotcakes and warm maple syrup. Piping hot coffee rounded out the meal.
“Sit with us, Aunt Thelma,” Jenny said as she helped herself to the food.
“Maybe for a few minutes,” Aunt Thelma replied. “It might be a while before I see you again.” Leaving Edward to oversee the servants, she joined the handsome couple and visited with her one and only niece.
After they had eaten, Nicholas pushed himself away from the table. “Excuse me while I put our baggage in the carriage and see if Billy has arrived.”
While Nicholas ran his errands, Jenny commented, “Aunt Thelma, I didn’t see Blake Preston at the dance last night. How is he doing?”
“Blake went to Natchez on business. He’s due back any day,” Aunt Thelma explained. She leaned toward Jenny and spoke in hushed tones. “Blake hasn’t heard of your marriage yet. You know, Jenny, I think he fancied you, but Nicholas beat him to the altar.”
Taken aback at Aunt Thelma’s candor, Jenny’s mouth flew agape. Before she could reply, Nicholas appeared in the doorway. If he had heard Aunt Thelma’s remark, he didn’t let on.
“Billy’s waiting outside. If you’re ready, we’ll be on our way.”
“I’ll be right out,” Jenny answered. She hugged her aunt. “Thanks for your hospitality, Aunt Thelma. You and Uncle Edward must visit us at the plantation.”
“Perhaps someday, Jenny, but duty keeps me here, and I can hardly get Edward away from the inn.”
Nicholas escorted Jenny to the carriage and helped her aboard. She squeezed between Nicholas and Billy.
“Have you eaten breakfast, Billy? It will be a while before your next meal.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Thelma let me eat in the kitchen early this morning. I’ve been in the stables talking with Davy.”
“Then we can leave for Small Timbers,” Jenny said.
As Nicholas guided the horses home, he casually brushed against Jenny’s shoulder and rested his knee against hers.
She glanced at Billy. Oblivious to the friction between Nicholas and her, a wide grin replaced his usually somber expression.
“I’m so happy, Jenny! I’m going to a new home!”
“You’ll like Small Timbers. It’s a beautiful plantation,” Jenny assured him.
When they arrived at the plantation, Nicholas dropped Jenny at the house, then took Billy to the fields.
Warren saw them approaching and came to greet them. He removed his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. Shoving the hat back on his head, he sent Nicholas a questioning gaze.
Nicholas smiled. “Warren, this is Billy. He will be staying with you. He’ll need your guidance. Show him how we run the plantation, then give him some work to do.”
Warren grinned, and his soft brown eyes sparkled. He reached out his calloused hand to the wide-eyed boy and shook his hand mightily.
“Welcome, Billy. I’ll show you around the place.”
Billy’s face lit with glee as he stood at attention. He responded with excitement, “I’d like that very much, sir!”
Nicholas grinned. Convinced Billy and Warren had become allies, he said, “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” Sensing the boy was going to work out well, he left the field and turned the carriage toward the stables.
Over the next several days, Billy stayed by Warren’s side, learning all the farming knowledge that he could. As they watched the slaves load cotton, Warren explained how it was prepared. “When the wagons are full, they’re taken to the gin for processing. After the seeds are removed, the cotton is pressed into bales, then wrapped with burlap and tied. Then the heavy bales are ready to sell.”
Billy listened, engrossed in all that Warren taught him.
Jenny knew Billy was happy with his new life. Warren made him feel important
and took the time to care, even with his busy schedule. For this, she was grateful.
Jenny didn’t fare as well. Her thoughts became chaotic, and her tension considerable, as she continued her existence with Nicholas. . . .
Davy rode up and handed her a letter from Aunt Thelma. Jenny gasped as she read the news and planned a trip to town the following day.
Chapter 6
At dawn, Jenny awoke and took care of her ablution. Hastily, to take away the chill, she stepped into a tan skirt with a buff-colored bodice trimmed in a blue braid. Brushing her locks, she swept her hair back and tied it with a mauve ribbon, then slipped on her boots and went downstairs to the kitchen. Donning an apron, she fixed breakfast, then set the table for her and Nicholas.
Seconds later Nicholas entered the room. Her gaze swept over his brawny stature and handsome face.
He sat down to hot buttered biscuits, poached eggs, and sliced ham. “Good morning, Jenny.” His pleasant demeanor changed to one of surprise as she came around the table and poured coffee into his cup. “You are dressed for riding.”
“Yes,” she replied, her mind preoccupied with troubling news that she’d received yesterday. He continued to gaze at her with a questioning look. “I’m leaving for Greenville this morning. Aunt Thelma sent word that the Butlers’ home burned down, and I want to extend my sympathy. The Butlers are staying with relatives over the gunsmith shop until they can rebuild.”
Nicholas sent her a reproachful glare. “I’m sorry for the Butlers’ misfortune, but I don’t think you should go riding alone. It’s not safe for a woman.”
Jenny met his gaze. “I’ve been riding to town for years without incident. Besides, I know most of the townsfolk. They’re friendly, and I trust them immensely. Granted, I have a further piece to travel than when I was living with Father, but I’ll be fine.”
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