Mississippi Brides

by Diane T. Ashley,Aaron McCarver

  He guided the carriage to the edge of a bluff between a pair of towering, leafless oak trees. The wind pulled at her scarf and cloak, burning her cheeks as it whipped around them. The discomfort disappeared, however, when she spotted the twin chimneys of the steamship coming around the bend. “Look, there it is.”

  “Careful, Alexandra.” Lowell jumped down from the carriage and looped the reins around one of the lower limbs of the tree on his side of the carriage. He strode around to her side and held his arms up.

  Alexandra put a hand in one of his, expecting him to steady her as she dismounted. Instead, he circled her waist with both hands and lifted her out of her seat, swinging her around before he allowed her feet to touch the ground. She was caught off guard by his move and a nervous giggle tried to escape from her throat. Not wishing to encourage his behavior, she clamped her lips together. She stepped away from him and faced the river. “Can you read the boat’s name?”

  “No.” Lowell’s voice sounded choked, but Alexandra refused to turn around. “I have something more interesting to watch.”

  “Really, what’s that?” She glanced back over her shoulder for a moment. If his gaze had been ardent before, it was a raging fire now. A fire that threatened to consume her. She had to face him or risk losing control of the situation.

  “You are so beautiful, Alexandra.”

  It was too soon. She wasn’t ready. She didn’t have her answer ready. She had to stop him from going further. “You are very sweet, Lowell, but I think you were right after all. We need to get back home. Everyone will be sitting down to dinner, and they’ll wonder where I am.” She met his gaze, hoping he would read the plea in hers.

  A long moment of silence stretched between them. His breathing was labored, as if he’d run all the way up the bluff instead of driving. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Alexandra knew he was about to embrace her. What should she do? Let him have his way?

  She felt his hands on her shoulders, pulling her closer. Her heart was thumping like an Indian drum. But was the feeling coursing through her anticipation or dread?

  His eyes drifted closed, and he pursed his lips, making her want to giggle once more. He looked like a hooked fish. At the last minute she turned her head and his lips landed somewhere near the base of her ear.

  “Lowell, stop.” She pushed him away.

  Ever the gentleman, Lowell allowed her to put some distance between them. “Alexandra, I have something I’d like to ask you about.”

  “Not now, Lowell. There’s no time.” She scrambled back into the carriage without any help, drew her cloak around her shoulders, and tapped her foot. “I have to get home.”

  He sighed and nodded. “Have it your way, Alexandra. But this cannot wait forever.”

  She chattered about every subject that came to mind all the way home, hardly allowing Lowell to insert a comment. She started with the sermon—an uplifting message based on Psalm 33—and ended with a one-sided discussion on the advantages of statehood. By the time they arrived at the house, she was winded.

  Lowell looked confused. She could understand why. She felt the same way. That was why she had to postpone his proposal. She needed to pray for an answer about what to do.

  Grand-mère still expected her to marry. Mama was counting on her to provide a home through an advantageous union. But could she truthfully repeat the oaths that would bind her to Lowell for the rest of their lives? Could she promise to honor and obey him? What about the differences that were becoming more obvious with each day that passed?

  On the other hand, Lowell had decided to proceed with his courtship despite the scandal revealed during Dorcas’s visit. But his loyalty was only a result of his family’s respect for her grandmother’s wealth. If she found herself as poor as she’d been in Nashville, she had no doubt Lowell would disappear.

  So she smiled and thanked him for escorting her home. Then she left him standing on the porch and went inside to have Sunday dinner with her family. Perhaps she would figure out what to do before too much longer.

  Chapter 23

  Going to town felt like a terrible waste of time. Jeremiah had begun working with the blacksmith, a burly former slave who now received a wage for his craft. The horses and mules needed to be reshod, the plows needed to be sharpened and straightened, and rusty scythes needed to be replaced. The planting season was almost upon them, and Jeremiah was far from prepared.

  But he could not turn down the request from his friends. Susannah wanted to show off the improvements they’d made to the building. Judah wanted his opinion on a problem with a shipment. And both accused him of becoming a hermit. So he left the blacksmith with detailed instructions, saddled his horse, and rode to town. Perhaps he would get back before sunset and do a little work.

  Jeremiah arrived at the shipping office before mid-morning. The scene inside was hectic, with boat captains, farmers, and planters all vying for Judah’s attention. His friend was methodical in his work, however, proving he was the right choice for this job. After haggling over prices, he posted a large sign with the day’s rate for the available commodities and began to take orders and set up delivery dates and times.

  The office eventually emptied out, and Judah sat back with a long sigh. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this work.”

  Jeremiah laughed. “I can’t believe you are so good at it. My uncle had better watch out, or you’ll soon own his whole company.”

  The smile on Judah’s face was as wide as the river outside. He looked content. “I have a confession to make though. I don’t really have a problem for you to help with.”

  “I’m not surprised, not after watching you this morning. You are so much more competent than I ever was. You could probably teach me a thing or two.”

  Judah grabbed his crutches and stood up. “Let’s go upstairs. I’m certain Susannah has lunch ready by now. Then I want to take you down to the docks. There’s a group down there I think you’ll be interested in seeing.”

  “What kind of group?” Jeremiah waited while Judah locked the office door.

  “You’ll see.”

  The two men climbed the narrow staircase that led to the renovated apartment above the office and joined Susannah in the dining room. She was as full of energy as ever, pointing out all the items she’d purchased since his last visit and sharing her plans for flower and vegetable gardens as soon as their new house was completed. The talk between them was lively and fun. Jeremiah had forgotten what it was like to take his meals with friends. Maybe he was getting too reclusive.

  “Are you ready, dear?” asked Judah when they finished eating.

  Susannah pushed back from the table and nodded. “The carriage should be waiting.” She winked at her husband. “You didn’t tell him, did you?”

  “Not a word.”

  “Hey.” Jeremiah raised a hand. “The two of you are talking like I’m in another room. I’m right here.”

  Susannah glanced in his direction, a sly smile on her face. “So you are. Let’s get our cloaks and be on our way.”

  The road that separated Natchez Under-the-Hill from the main part of town was steep but not difficult to negotiate. Jeremiah looked out of the window at the line of dugout canoes, keelboats, and steamboats vying for space along the banks of the river. He had forgotten how noisy it was, the mix of languages and accents, the shouts of vendors, and the sweet chorus of familiar hymns.

  Hymns? Who would be singing hymns down here? He turned a startled glance toward his hosts, whose faces held identical, knowing smiles.

  The carriage drew to a halt, and Jeremiah pushed the door open, jumping out before the coachman had time to let down the step. Ignoring his friends, he walked toward the sound of the singing.

  “ ‘Through many dangers, toils, and snares…’ ”

  His steps hastened. He rounded a corner. A crowd of immigrants, mostly children, lifted their voices to praise God. The sound filled the very air around him, almost angelic in its power and beauty. He could
not resist joining them, adding his baritone to the wonderful mix of voices. When the last note drifted out over the surface of the water, he finally looked to the front to see who was leading this group. A trio of ladies stood together, dressed in fancy cloaks and hats.

  His mouth dropped open. Alexandra? Was this the young woman he’d judged to be too conscious of her social standing? Too caught up in worldly matters? Yes, he’d seen a change in her during church services, but Jeremiah had never dreamed she could have come so far as to spend her time here. Yet there she stood, her aunt on one side, her mother on the other. She leaned over and whispered something to her mother, who nodded.

  “Thank you so much for joining us.” Alexandra’s voice was not loud, but it carried well, even out here in the open. “It surely pleased God to hear our voices joined in praise. We have one other song that I think most of you will have heard. After that, please follow us to the green house down to your right where we will have a warm meal for everyone.”

  Her mother began singing first. “ ‘Eternal depth of love divine, in Jesus, God with us, displayed.’ ”

  Alexandra and her aunt added their voices, and soon the crowd was singing again. He heard Susannah’s soprano and Judah’s bass behind him, but his attention centered on the girl who stood so calmly up front and brought hope to these tired and weary people.

  The woman who had dismissed him as nothing more than a servant was now ministering to those less fortunate than she, while treating them with the same love Christ would have shown. She saw souls in need, not servants to meet her needs. How could he do anything except love her? He had always found Alexandra devastatingly beautiful, but now she had exceeded any notions he once held of the ideal wife.

  As soon as the song was finished, he eased his way through the dispersing crowd. He wanted—no needed—to talk to her. “Alexandra!”

  Her head turned, and their gazes met. Something passed between them, something wordless, spiritual, and loving. It was as though their souls embraced. Her eyes widened, and he knew she felt it, too. He reached her side and held out an arm.

  She placed her hand on it. “Mr. LeGrand, you are looking well. Have you come to help us distribute food and blankets?”

  He shook his head…then nodded.

  Alexandra laughed. “Well, which is it? Yes or no?”

  He swallowed hard. “I came with Judah and his wife. They didn’t tell me you would be here.”

  Her velvet brown eyes darkened. “I don’t know how I’m to take that. Are you saying you would not have come if you’d known?”

  Jeremiah felt tongue-tied. He wasn’t very adept at talking to women, but he’d never been quite this abysmal. “Not at all.” He decided to try another tack. “Your singing was wonderful. I know the people here were blessed by it. You are providing them with the hope they need to continue their journeys.”

  A blush rose in her cheeks, and she broke eye contact. “It was my aunt’s idea. She is so eager to share God’s love. All I do is help where I can.”

  They were walking among the immigrants and dock-workers now, and he glanced around at the happy faces. “Don’t diminish your contribution. Whenever you give of your time and the talents God has graced you with, you are doing His will, walking in the path He set for you.”

  Jeremiah would have continued, but they arrived at the house where the food would be handed out.

  Alexandra broke away from him with a smile of thanks. “I have to go help the others. Thank you for escorting me here.”

  He bowed and let her be swept away from him. But he stayed to help, handing out what they had prepared. From time to time, he found himself standing close to her. But then they were separated once again. He hoped to escort her and her mother and aunt back to Tanner Plantation, but Susannah and Judah dragged him away before the women were ready to depart.

  “Did you enjoy yourself this afternoon?” Susannah asked as the carriage climbed back up the hill.

  “It was one of the best days I’ve had since I came to Natchez.”

  Judah groaned.

  His wife laughed. “I told my husband you were in love with Alexandra Lewis. He didn’t believe me. But I’ve known it for a long time now.”

  Heat climbed up Jeremiah’s throat. How was it that Susannah had understood what he had been too blind to see? Women just seemed to know these things. What about Alexandra? How long had she known? “She is a fascinating young lady.”

  Judah wrapped his hand around his wife’s. “Maybe so, but she is not nearly as fascinating nor as wise as the beauty I am married to.”

  “How can I argue with that statement?” Jeremiah was glad to have the attention removed from him. “Your wife is indeed a woman of integrity and charm, even if she is a little devious at times.”

  All three of them laughed and then began to talk of the people they had met that day. The sun was beginning to set by the time they made it back to the shipping office.

  Even though they pressed him to stay for a while, Jeremiah refused. He had a lot to think and pray over this evening, and he needed solitude to do it.

  Chapter 24

  Dorcas Montgomery was on her way back to Nashville. Grand-mère had delivered the information with relish. “Now there’s no reason not to bring young Sheffield to the point.”

  Alexandra swallowed hard. “I’m not sure that’s going to work.” They were sitting in the parlor, taking tea. At least they didn’t have any visitors. Yet.

  “Don’t start that nonsense again, girl.” Her grandmother slapped the arm of her chair. “You will smile prettily and say yes when he asks for your hand in marriage. If you don’t, you will invite my extreme displeasure.”

  “Come, now.” Aunt Patricia’s tones were as phlegmatic as ever. “It’s not as if you can put Beatrice and Alexandra out of your home.”

  Alexandra cast a thankful glance in her aunt’s direction. “I promise to work very hard, Grand-mère. I don’t like being a burden to you, but I don’t want to link my future with a man I do not love.”

  “Love!” Her grandmother spat the word. “Love is for commoners. You have a duty to your family. To all the children you will one day have. A duty you—will—not—forsake.” The last three words were said with such emphasis that Alexandra winced.

  Before she could answer, however, the door opened, and the subject of their argument was announced. Lowell looked very fine, dressed in a cropped riding coat, his dark breeches tucked into polished black boots. He still held his hat and gloves in one hand but gave them to the maid before entering the room. “Good afternoon, ladies.” He bowed to them and advanced toward Alexandra’s grandmother. “You are looking very well, Mrs. Tanner.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Sheffield.” She grabbed her cane. “Help me up, young man. I trust you won’t be too disappointed to learn my daughter and I have business to see to upstairs.”

  Alexandra rose, too, but her grandmother shook her head. “You should stay here and entertain our guest.”

  Wishing the floor would swallow her up, Alexandra returned to her seat and watched as both of her relatives deserted her.

  Lowell did not sit down as she expected. Instead, he took a turn about the room. “Alexandra, I’m sure you know why I’ve come today.” He turned toward her, an expectant look on his charming features.

  She leaned back against her chair and wished she’d thought to bring her fan to the parlor. “I…I suppose you wanted to see me.”

  He came to sit next to her on the sofa and reached for her hands. “Yes, but I have a very specific reason for doing so this afternoon.” His palms were damp and cold, once again reminding her of a fish.

  How could she ever say yes to him? Yet how could she say no? Alexandra withdrew her hands from his grasp and pushed herself up. She walked to the piano in one corner of the room and ran a finger across the keys. The sound was forlorn, echoing the sadness in her heart. She turned around and practically buried her nose in Lowell’s chest.

  He took a step back and
captured her hands once again. Then he sank to one knee. “Alexandra Lewis, I adore you. Ever since you came back to Natchez, you have captured my imagination, my every waking thought. You are the perfect woman to become my wife. You will add charm and beauty to my home. Please say you’ll marry me.”

  As proposals went, she supposed it was a good one. Alexandra was flattered by his declaration, but her heart was not touched. Everything in her screamed for escape. But Lowell was a good man, and she was supposed to obey her mother. Although the commandments did not mention grandparents, she felt that was a minor point. Grand-mère was providing for her and should be accorded the same respect. Her heart thumped unpleasantly. “Yes.”

  Lowell looked stunned for a moment, but then he recovered. He stood up and swept her into his embrace. “Thank you, dearest.” He pulled away, bent at the waist, and pressed a fervent kiss on her hand. “You’ve made me the happiest of men.”

  Alexandra stared at the ruffle on his shirt, unable to relax. What had she done?

  Chapter 25

  The local newspaper had been folded next to Jeremiah’s breakfast plate. He removed the domed cover to display a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits. After saying grace, he dug in and opened the paper to read the headlines. His eyes swept past a discussion of the evils of statehood and landed on an announcement.

  His fork clattered to the table. He grabbed the paper and looked more closely. The words swam before his gaze. It could not be. But there it was in black-and-white. Alexandra Lewis had accepted a proposal from Lowell Sheffield. The woman he loved was in love with someone else. His heart shattered. The room darkened around him.

  He looked again at the date. They were to be married in a month’s time, at the end of April. Why the unseemly rush? Not that he would hesitate if he had secured her agreement. In fact, he would have pressed for an even earlier date. Lowell probably realized as well as he did that many men would like to call Alexandra theirs.