Desperate (Harris Trilogy Book One)

by Teresa Greene

  Myra took David into her arms and embraced him. She lifted her face and kissed his cheek. “You are a grown man and must choose your way in life. I hate to see Kate get hurt, but you do what you think is right for you.” Tears welling in her eyes, she crossed the room, and disappeared through the door.

  “You are the one that will have to live with your decision, son. Regardless of what you think, it is not too late to change your mind. Consider who you want to spend the rest of your life with. Now, I think your mother needs me.” Edward exited his room.

  David fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. If only he had not promised Abigail’s father on his death bed he would marry Abigail. He wanted Kate more than he thought possible. Still, he gave his word to a dying man. Breaking his engagement to Abigail was not an option.

  ****

  Kate had deliberately avoided David all morning. She had stayed in her room claiming to have a headache. Because she didn’t want to see him, she even missed her cherished morning ride. When he lightly knocked on her door to tell her goodbye, she told him to go away. She had to stop pretending and accept the fact he was not going to marry her.

  Time crawled by as she sat at her window peering at the same landscape for hours. With a sorrowful heart, she watched David saddle and mount his horse. As if he could feel her eyes upon him, he looked up at her window and threw her a kiss. She pressed her hands against the window and peered down on him with intense love in her eyes.

  Today would be the last time she would ever see him. Depression consumed her as she watched him ride away. She couldn’t take a chance getting pregnant. And that is exactly what would happen if she didn’t distance herself from him. Last night proved she couldn’t control her feelings. The sexual tension was much too strong.

  After giving her problem considerable thought, she decided to leave as soon as possible. It was her only option. She wanted him too much and knew she could no longer stay at Harris Plantation.

  Startled by a knock on the door, she jumped. “Kate, it’s Myra, may I come in? I have your lunch.”

  She wiped at her tears with the back of her hand before unlocking the door. “Yes Myra, please come in.” Eyes swollen and red from crying, she knew she looked a mess.

  Sitting the tray on the night table beside the bed, Myra moved to the edge of the chaise lounge with Kate. “It’s going to be alright. Everything will work out for the best.”

  She fell into Myra’s arms and sobbed uncontrollably, grief pouring out of her. She feared her heart would break knowing she loved David, but they could never be together. In a quavering voice, she asked, “How did you know?”

  Myra pushed Kate’s hair away from her face. “It’s hard to hide love. Edward and I have been suspicious for quite a while. Abigail complains because she almost never gets a letter from David. You receive one every week. Then last night at the ball Abigail was upset about something, and Edward and I came to the conclusion it had something to do with you.” She handed Kate a glass of sweet tea. “The fact David couldn’t keep his eyes off you helped to confirm our suspicions.”

  Kate took a sip of tea. She sniffled and tried to stop crying. “I have to leave, Myra. I can no longer stay here. I have to get as far away from David as possible.”

  “Edward and I know he slept here last night.”

  She felt her cheeks heat up from embarrassment. She felt so cheap. Having great respect for Myra, she did not want her to think she was a whore. “I’m sorry. Please don’t think any less of me. I promise I have never been with anyone but David. I love him and thought he would marry me. I made a huge error in judgment.”

  “It’s okay, Kate. If it makes you feel any better, Edward and I tried to talk David into marrying you instead of Abigail. Both of us already think of you as a daughter. We couldn’t change his mind even though he is in love with you. He feels honor bound to Abigail.”

  Her eyes brightened with fresh hope. “He told you he loves me.”

  “Yes, Kate, but he won’t change his mind. You are going to have to give up any thoughts of marrying David. He informed us he asked you to be his mistress. I’m glad you said no. You need a man that will marry you.” With a gentle finger, Myra touched her cheek. “I love my son, but all David will bring you is pain.”

  She tried to smile but it was too much of an effort. “That’s why I have to leave, Myra. I love you and Edward deeply, but I will never get over David if I don’t find another place to reside. I must put space between us to move on with my life.”

  “Where will you go?”

  Distress came into Kate’s eyes. A plan had not begun to form yet. It was something she would have to give a lot of thought. “I don’t know, Myra. I’ll think of something.”

  “Well, let me know what you decide. Don’t forget your last idea could have been disastrous.”

  Myra had no idea just how disastrous. If Mike would have raped her, she would have had a whole other nest of problems. “I promise to get your opinion before I do something rash. And I promise you I’m finished wearing men’s clothes.

  Chapter Ten

  Nerves had Kate trembling. Myra squeezed her hand, trying to help calm her. “Stop your fretting. Everything is going to work out for the better.” Lifting the heavy brass knocker on Roy Talbert’s enormous front door, Myra banged against the hard oak panel.

  A little curious she surveyed the grounds around her. It was a lovely plantation home with four heavy columns, which stood two stories high. The white siding shone brightly in the morning sun. Beautiful manicured bushes lined the front porch. Splendid, colorful flowers dotted the entrance in enormous clay pots. A gentle breeze ruffled the tiny blooms causing the scent to waft over Kate. She closed her eyes and inhaled the magnificent scent.

  Myra divulged Roy Talbert was still a very wealthy man. The war had taken its toll on lots of plantation owners, but he had still prospered even though he gave thousands to the Southern Cause.

  The door opened and Myra knew the short, stout, dark skinned, housekeeper by name. “Hello, Millie. I’m sorry we didn’t make an appointment, but would you please inform Mr. Talbert we are here and would like an audience with him?”

  The house keeper stepped to the side, “Yes, Mrs. Harris, please come in.”

  Kate and Myra stepped into the entryway. They were escorted to the parlor while they waited for Millie to announce their arrival to Roy. Luxurious furnishings filled the room. She admired the large multi-paned windows. French glass doors led out to the terrace, which had lines of potted flowers.

  Everything looked so beautiful. On the far side of the room a dark walnut mantel fireplace covered the whole wall. Over the fireplace mantle was an oil painting of her mother. As if in a trance, she moved toward the portrait never taking her eyes off the face so much like hers. Deep, blue eyes seemed to be staring back at her. In the portrait her mother wore an elegant, blue dress the same color as her eyes, and her chestnut hair hung in ringlets over her shoulder. She looked to be around seventeen when she sat for the painting.

  How could her grandfather look at the portrait day after day knowing he was the reason she left? The guilt alone would drive her crazy.

  Myra took Kate’s hand and replied, “I never knew how much you looked like her until now. The only difference is your green eyes. She was very beautiful.”

  “Yes, she was. I miss her terribly. She was a perfect mother.”

  Turning away from the painting of her mother, Kate needed to reassure herself. “I’m so nervous, Myra. I hope he will be happy to see me. He might turn me away.”

  “Nonsense, I know Roy. He will be excited to know he has a granddaughter. Trust me, he is a wonderful person. I think you will be happy you consented to see him.”

  Myra had talked until she was blue in the face before Kate finally relented and said she would meet with her grandfather. Even though she consented to see him, she wasn’t so sure she would stay. For too many years she had hated him.

  “Myra, how have you been?
I haven’t seen you in months. I hope everything is well.”

  Facing Roy, Myra gave him a dazzling smile. “Yes, we are all doing great. I hate to show up unannounced, but I have a surprise for you.” She pulled Kate to her side. “Roy, this is Kate Monroe, your granddaughter.”

  There was an eerie silence as Kate stared into the same blue eyes as her mother’s. He was tall and well built for a man his age. A full mop of snow white hair covered his head. She thought him very distinguished.

  He looked as if he would topple over from shock. After several moments he reached out his hand to touch her face, but at the last second he pulled back. “Kate, you are the exact image of your mother. I would know you anywhere. You are beautiful.” Happy tears flowed down his wrinkled face.

  Quiet as a dormouse, she didn’t know what to say. She wanted to hate him for the years of pain her mother felt without her parents love and devotion. She wanted to yell and scream at him. But she refrained, knowing she would have to give him a chance.

  “Thank you, Grandfather. It’s nice to meet you.” She stuck her hand out to shake her grandfather’s hand. Not ready to embrace him, she stood stiff with her back ramrod straight. She needed to get to know him better before she could show any affection.

  Roy pulled her close, and gave her a huge hug as his tears fell into her hair. “Oh, Kate you have no idea how long I have dreamed for this day.”

  Impulsively, she pulled away as though she had been slapped. She was not ready to be this friendly with a man that she had hated for so long. She had despised him for too many years.

  Roy’s wrinkled cheeks reddened with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Kate. I guess I got a little exuberant. I just can’t believe you’re actually here. How, well, where …?”

  Not ready to confide in him, she interrupted. “It’s a long story, Grandfather. I’m hoping I can stay with you until I can find employment. You don’t mind do you? I’ll explain everything later.”

  Myra offered, “She’s been living at Harris Plantation with us for the last few months. We have enjoyed having her. She has practically taken over the books. Edward has been able to spend more time overseeing the crops and running the plantation. She is well educated and very bright. We didn’t want her to leave because she has been such a Godsend. She’ll give you the particulars why she felt the need to relocate.” Kate was glad Myra did not explain her predicament to her grandfather. There was no need for him to know the circumstances that brought her to him.

  Happiness showed on his face. At least he had no intention of sending her away. “I would love for you to live with me. You can stay forever. You don’t need to find employment. All this will be yours someday anyway.” He raised his hand and swept it through the air. “I made my will out after your brother, Jake, died. I have inquired about your welfare and was informed your parents and brother were dead. I did not know your grandmother had also died or I would have sent for you.”

  She couldn’t believe the audacity of the man. He knew so much about her, but had never tried to contact Jake or her. “Why didn’t you try to reconcile with my mother? Do you not know how much pain you caused her?”

  Fear crossed Roy’s face. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as if he didn’t know what to do with them.

  Concerned, Myra pleaded, “Please give this a chance. Let’s not drudge up the past. You and Roy can sit down and calmly talk later.” She placed her hand on Kate’s arm. “Hear your grandfather out.”

  The last thing she wanted was to upset Myra. “I’m sorry, Myra. I promise to try to be civil.” The years of hate were still too strong in her mind.

  As if he knew this would be his only opportunity to ask for her forgiveness, Roy hurried to explain. “I wish I could go back to the day I told Mary to leave. I was angry and hurt. I felt my precious daughter had fallen in love with a man beneath her. I wanted better for her as any father would. I loved your mother so much and she broke my heart.” A tear slipped over his cheek.

  “She broke your heart! What about what you did to her?” To calm the wrath she was feeling, she took several deep breaths. “My mother loved my father more than anything else in the world. He doted on her. Yes they had very little money, but that did not matter. They were so happy together and had a wonderful life. The only thing she didn’t have was your love and respect.”

  “I know, Kate. I wish I had been more understanding. I was a stubborn fool. I have regretted it all my life. Your grandmother, Martha, never forgave me. She missed Mary. Her running away and getting married left a void in her life.”

  Kate could see the horrible pain in her grandfather’s face. She felt pity for him for being alone all these years. Maybe it was time to let the past go. “I forgive you, Grandfather. I can never forget how much my mother missed you and grandmother, but I can forgive you.” Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her head on his chest. The hatred of all the years left her.

  Kate turned toward Myra. “I think grandfather and I will get along nicely. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

  Myra smiled and she knew a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. The last thing David’s mother wanted was for her to leave Richmond. At least now they could remain friends. “I’ll send your clothes and things over later. I hope we can still ride of a morning. I have come to enjoy our time together.”

  Delighted she would still get to spend time with Myra, Kate replied, “I’ll meet you halfway in the morning at 8:00.”

  “It’s a date.”

  Roy bent his head and kissed Myra’s hand. “Thank you for bringing my granddaughter to me. I am eternally grateful. I promise you, I will not make the same mistakes with her that I did with Mary. I feel more alive today than I have in a long time. I now have so much to live for.”

  “I was happy to do so, Roy. She is a granddaughter you will be proud of.”

  Kate walked Myra out to her horse tied to the hitching post in the front yard. “Don’t worry. I think I will be content here.”

  “I’m sure you will, Kate. Roy is a great, warm, caring, person. You’ll get to know him, and you will come to love him.” They embraced. “I will see you in the morning.”

  As Myra rode away, part of her heart went with her. She would miss Harris Plantation and everyone there. They had accepted her and treated her as if she were family. She meandered to the stables behind the house with Betsy feeling a little melancholy. A stable boy took the reins from Kate and walked Betsy into the stable to attend to her. At least she still had her horse.

  ****

  After a long nap, Kate looked forward to supper with her grandfather. She was curious to the workings of the plantation and had many questions. She stepped into the dining room to find him already sitting at the table waiting for her.

  “Kate, you look lovely tonight.” He stood and waited for her to slip into her chair at the enormous, long dinner table.

  “Thank you, Grandfather. Your home is beautiful.” She surveyed the room. Huge beams stretched across the high white plastered ceiling. Cozy windows banked the dining room showing a great view of the beautiful grounds. The dining room was magnificent.

  “You look pretty dapper yourself, Grandfather.” His well tailored, black suit fit him like a glove. His snow white hair gleamed in the dim light.

  The meal consisted of multiple delicacies. Roast beef in scrumptious gravy, new potatoes fresh from the garden, corn nibblets, and fresh homemade bread were served. She took a bite of the roast beef and moaned. “This is delicious.”

  “Jenny is a great cook. Meal time is always a treat.”

  His demeanor changed, became more serious. “Tell me what happened to your father and mother. How did they die?”

  Seconds ticked by as the terrible day her parents perished filled her thoughts. She lifted her glass of sweet tea and took a sip. “Lightening struck the barn setting it on fire. Grandmother, mom, dad, and I rushed in to save the two old work horses, and Lucy our cow. Grandmother, d
addy, and I managed to get one of the horses and Lucy out without incident. The other horse, Jim, panicked and mother didn’t come out of the burning barn.” She closed her eyes and fought the tears that threatened to spill forth. She wiped them away with her napkin. “The fire spread so fast. The barn collapsed with mother inside. Daddy ran back into the inferno to try to save her.” A small smile parted her lips. “He didn’t think about himself. That is how much he loved her, Grandfather. He died for her.” Kate and her grandmother waited what seemed like an eternity for them to escape the fire but neither appeared. Kate had never been able to forget the horrible day she lost both her parents at one time. Tears slipped over her cheeks. She thought of her parents in heaven and knew they were looking down on her.

  He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “I’m sorry, Kate.”

  “We were happy, Grandfather. My parents loved each other and that loved spilled over to us.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Enough talk about sadness. Let’s enjoy our meal.” Of course her grandfather had questions, but the tragedy in her life made her sad.

  “Would you like some dessert, Kate? Jenny makes the best lemon custard in Richmond.”

  “I am not able to eat another bite, Grandfather. It was an excellent meal. Grandma Monroe was a great cook, but I have to say this tops her best meal.”