Desperate (Harris Trilogy Book One)

by Teresa Greene

  ****

  Kate’s duties were grueling. She changed sheets covered in blood and excrement. Thankfully, she had a hardy constitution. A delicate young lady would never have survived the stench, let alone the sight of so much blood. Life on a farm had prepared her for the work.

  Kate was feeding a young soldier who had his right arm amputated. He was still weak and couldn’t feed himself. Not having much of an appetite, she was coaxing him to eat which was a challenge since he was so depressed. It was hard to be chipper when she was so tired, but she made the effort trying to lift his spirits.

  “Good morning, Kate.”

  She forced a smile to her lips. “Is it still morning, Jacob? I feel as if I have been here two days.” She placed the bowl on the side table and stood. His height caused her to have to crane her neck to peer into his eyes.

  Concern in his voice he asked, “You’re not giving up already, are you?”

  “Of course not, I knew it would be difficult.”

  His voice turning husky, Jacob replied, “You look lovely.”

  Kate couldn’t help but to laugh. She blew a loose curl out of her face and rewarded him with her best smile. “Well, I don’t feel very lovely. I have cleaned chamber pots, changed filthy sheets, and bandages, and administered so much medicine my head is spinning. It has been brutal.”

  “I’m sure all your work is greatly appreciated. I bet the troops are happier having such a pretty nurse tending to their needs.”

  She liked Jacob. He was charming, not to mention absolutely gorgeous.

  “I was wondering if you would have supper with me tonight. There are many wonderful restaurants in Richmond and I would be honored to escort you.” His eyes roamed over her confirming her suspicions that he was interested in her.

  As if she were betraying David, she felt guilty. Which was absolutely crazy. He let her know he had no intention of marrying her. She almost said no, but knew she needed to move on and at least try to get over David. “I would love to have supper with you.”

  He reminded Kate of a young schoolboy, he was so excited. He was smiling from ear to ear. “I will pick you up at 7:00.”

  “I’ll try not to fall asleep during dessert.” Kate looked forward to eating at a fine restaurant since she had never done so. “I’d better get back to work. I don’t want to get fired on my first day.”

  He studied her as she scooped some soup into a spoon and coaxed the wounded soldier to eat. Patient and caring she smiled and spoke softly to him. It boggled his mind how she assisted him during surgery at the field hospital, and he never realized she was female. How did she hide those curves that were now so obvious? Even in the simple dress and apron all the nurses wore, she looked amazing.

  ****

  Jacob escorted Kate to the carriage. “Kate, this is Scott, my valet, and will be driving us to supper tonight.”

  Scott opened the carriage door. Giving her a slight bow, he stated, “It is an honor, Miss Monroe.”

  “Call me Kate.” She shook his huge, beefy hand. A terrible scar cut across his right cheek making him look menacing. She wondered what happened to him. Maybe he had fought in the war. Later she would ask Jacob.

  She looked directly into his eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Scott.” Arm on her elbow, Jacob assisted her into the carriage.

  Sexy and muscular thought Kate. The dark suit he was wearing fit his huge body to a tee. It had to be specially tailored to hug every gorgeous muscle. His long blond hair was pulled back from the nape of his neck making him look almost dangerous. Beautiful, straight, white, teeth gleamed when he smiled at her. Just from what she already knew about him, he would be a perfect husband, but he was not David.

  “You are absolutely breathtaking.”

  She touched her hand to her up swept hair. “Thank you, Jacob. My hair is finally long enough to wear up.” Soft wisps of tendrils fanned her face. She raked her hands over her pink silk dress as if to get out the wrinkles, all of a sudden feeling shy. The bold look he gave her made her a little nervous.

  She settled back into her seat and gazed out the window at the city as Scott easily maneuvered them through the bustling streets. Her mind betrayed her, and she thought of David. What was he doing at this exact moment? Was he planning his next battle, talking with his men, or sitting down to a meager meal? Waves of heat crept up her cheeks when she glanced at Jacob sitting on the carriage seat beside her.

  “Why so glum?”

  She couldn’t very well tell him she had been thinking about David. Her mind worked frantically for a plausible excuse for her sorrowful expression. “Just thinking about work.” Squeezing his arm which was still entwined with hers, she smiled and exclaimed, “I promise to get into a better mood. Did I tell you I have never dined at a restaurant before? I am excited because this will be my first time.”

  His soft chuckle was pleasing to the ear. “I’m honored to share in your first dining experience.” He was easy to talk to, Kate found herself telling him about her childhood and what it was like growing up on a small farm. Time passed quickly and in no time Jacob was lifting her out of the carriage.

  The restaurant was unlike anything she had ever seen. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling bathing everything in a subtle light. Diners looked up from their tables and watched with interest as they were escorted to a private dining room. The pristine, white table cloth and matching napkins were embroidered with gold trim. White, china dishes edged in the same shade of gold gleamed in the soft light. Stunning crystal glasses shone in the romantic candlelight. Fresh flowers of vibrant colors were arranged in a fancy gold vase. The patio doors stood open letting in the warm, summer breeze.

  Kate ordered a chicken dish with a wonderful sauce. Jacob ordered steak with potatoes. Of course a man his size would have a robust appetite. He swallowed a bite of steak and drank wine from his glass. He wiped his mouth with his napkin before he offered, “Lucinda was impressed with your skills today. She said you were vigilant and compassionate to everyone’s needs. She felt you to be a natural and warm person, just what the injured soldiers need.”

  “I’ll be honest. It wasn’t easy. I had a very demanding, but rewarding day.”

  “Kate, there is something I have been wishing to speak to you about. I hope you don’t mind my getting right to the point. It would be an honor to court you. You are the most beautiful, sweet, young woman I have ever known. I would love to get to know you better.” He leaned over, took her hand. “There is one thing nagging at me. I feel there is something between you and David. Even though he is engaged to Abigail, I felt he was jealous when he followed us into the garden at the Walter’s party. Am I imagining, or does he have feelings for you?”

  Uneasy at the mention of David’s name, she shifted in her chair. Again she felt honesty was best. “I thought he loved me, but I was mistaken. He is marrying Abigail.”

  His eyes wandered over her face. “How do you feel about him?”

  Kate did not want to scare Jacob off, but felt he deserved to know her true feelings. She did want to get married and have children. And since it was apparent David had no intention of marrying her, Jacob would make a wonderful husband. She had great respect for him. “I love him, but I must forget him. He has made it clear he loves Abigail.”

  He took another drink of his wine, and peered at her over the top of his glass. When he sat it down he asked, “Should I dare to hope that we have a chance?”

  She linked her fingers with his. “You are not too bad to look at, and I admire your talent and compassion.” Kate gave him her most dazzling smile. If anyone could help her get over David, it was Jacob. A man like him didn’t appear in your life every day. “I would love for you to court me.”

  ****

  Kate had been working at the hospital for almost a month. Most days were a repeat of the day before, changing sheets, emptying bedpans, bathing sick soldiers too frail to tend themselves, assisting with surgery.

  Today she was assisting Dr. Wi
lson setting a broken ankle on an injured soldier. The young man couldn’t have been more than sixteen. In extreme pain, he gritted his teeth while he waited for Dr. Wilson to administer medical attention to his ankle.

  The doctor’s eyes slid down her body. Doing her best to ignore him, she focused on her patient and wished Wilson would do the same. The man was a scoundrel.

  The smell of alcohol on his breath, he leaned over until his arm was brushing against hers. Drunkenness was rampant among most of the doctors at Chimborazo. Whiskey was dispensed freely to the doctors and patients. It was prescribed to the patients so often that many of them remained inebriated.

  After the ankle was set, she moved about the operating room cleaning up. His eyes followed her. Intent on her chores, she fought the nervousness his bold looks caused.

  A hand on her arm, he stated, “You are a great nurse, Miss Monroe. You are my favorite.”

  Her eyes looked at his hand with distaste. “Thank you.”

  “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my office catching up on some paperwork.”

  It was doubtful he’d do any paperwork. More than likely he would consume some more alcohol.

  Her day had been vile and she was in a black mood. Several young men had died from their injuries. She was feeling a little depressed because she had spent three days trying to nurse one young man back to health, who was not but fifteen years old. His injuries were not life threatening, but the surgeon who performed surgery at the field hospital had used an unwashed needle when tending to his wound. The wound became infected and he died while Kate was changing his bandages.

  Somewhere a mother would be mourning the death of her son before he even had a chance to really live. She had come to hate this terrible war with a vengeance. Young men, some only boys, forced to fight and die in a war they probably didn’t even understand. Hell, she didn’t understand it herself.

  A young nurse named Penny approached her while she was sterilizing the operating table for the next surgery scheduled in ten minutes. “Doctor Wilson would like to speak to you in his office, Kate.” She shifted from one foot to the other as if nervous. “He said immediately.”

  Quiet and shy, Penny kept to herself most of the time. While she couldn’t be deemed a beauty, she was pretty. Kate had tried to befriend her but she was just too standoffish. “Thank you, Penny.”

  Expected to assist with the next surgery, Kate’s ill mood only got worse. She hurried to Doctor Wilson’s office wondering why he summoned her. Irritated, she rapped loudly on the huge wood door. She let out an agitated breath. Whatever he wanted better not take long.

  “Come in.”

  The moment she entered his office she noticed his blood shot eyes. Dr. Wilson was even more inebriated now than he was thirty minutes ago. Apparently, he had been drinking since he left the operating room. “You wanted to speak to me, sir?”

  “Yes, Miss Monroe.” His words were slurred. “I just wanted to compliment you on your nursing abilities. You are a natural with the patients.” His eyes roamed over her from head to toe.

  “Thank you, sir.” The man made her skin crawl. “Is that all sir, I would like to get back to my duties? I am assisting Jacob with surgery.”

  He stood, moved from behind his desk, and slowly walked toward her swaying like he was on a ship in a storm. Only about two inches taller than her, he stood peering over his glasses at her. Thick framed, with thinning gray hair, he looked to be about fifty years old.

  She stepped back until she felt the door against her back. Her hands trembled as she fumbled with the doorknob behind her deciding to retreat.

  “I have been watching you. You are a beautiful young woman. I would love to get to know you better.” He reached out and touched a lock of hair that had escaped from Kate’s bun. “You have wonderful hair, so thick and full. I have wanted to run my fingers through it from the first day I saw you.”

  At that moment Kate managed to get the door open a couple of inches, only to have Dr. Wilson slam it shut before she could escape. She felt numb. The audacity of the old hoot was shocking. He reached out and grabbed her arm.

  Appalled, she tried to pull away but he only held her tighter. “Get your hands off me, you old lecher. I’ll tell Lucinda about your conduct.”

  “You’ll tell no one. Nothing or no one can protect you from me.” Angry, glassy, bloodshot eyes mere inches from her face caused her to cringe. “Who do you think will lose their position? I am a doctor, and you are just a nurse. You must be here because you are in dire need of funds. A young lady with family support would not be caught dead emptying bed pans and cleaning up filth. If you keep your mouth shut and do what I say, you can remain working here. Now remove your clothes.”

  His superior attitude had her bristling. “I will not you odious, old man! Turn me loose this instant or I will scream!” She jerked harder trying to get Dr. Wilson to release his hold on her.

  Lips compressed with anger, he threatened, “If you scream I promise you will no longer be able to work here. My services are greatly needed here, but you can easily be replaced. Now if you will not remove your clothes I will remove them for you. Do not try my patience.”

  Dr. Wilson tried to unbutton Kate’s dress to gain access. He wasn’t making much progress since she was fighting him. Annoyed, he gave up on the dress, dipped his head and tried to press his lips to hers.

  Woozy and nauseous, she felt as if she were going to retch from the smell of whiskey on his breath. With all her strength, she wrenched her arms from his grasp. She opened her mouth getting ready to let out a blood-curdling scream when she was abruptly knocked to the floor.

  She glanced up just in time to see Jacob punch Dr. Wilson square in the nose. Blood gushed from his nose. It streamed all over the front of his clothes and then dripped to the floor. When Kate saw the expression on Jacob’s face, she knew he was angry enough to kill Dr. Wilson.

  “You broke my nose, Jacob,” Dr. Wilson hissed through clenched teeth. Blood oozed through his hands as he covered his nose.

  Jacob pulled Kate to her feet. Strong hands rubbed over her arms to see if she had been harmed. Voice full of concern, he asked, “Are you okay? Did he harm you?”

  A little shy, she tried to button her dress since Dr. Wilson had managed to undo a couple of buttons. “No Jacob, I’m fine, just a little shaken.”

  “Go tell Lucinda what happened. I’ll knock some more sense into the despicable bastard when you depart.”

  She wrapped her arm around Jacob’s and dug in her heels. “He looks as if he is going to bleed to death. I don’t think he can take much more sense knocking. Why don’t we let the authorities take over now?”

  Shaking with fury, Jacob pointed at the door. “Leave the room, Kate.”

  “No, I don’t want you to kill him, Jacob. I don’t want you to get into trouble because of me. Even though he deserves it, I think the courts should take it from here. Think about your career.”

  She tugged on his arm to lead him from the room. In a stern voice she hissed, “I’m not leaving without you.” She had always suspected he had a terrible temper. Now she knew just how dangerous he could be when someone he loved was threatened. If she left him alone with Dr. Wilson, Jacob would probably kill him with his fists.

  He finally relented and let her escort him out into the hallway. Penny was standing in the hallway ringing her hands in fright.

  “You knew he was going to try to force himself on me didn’t you, Penny? You brought Jacob to my rescue.” She took both of Penny’s hands into hers. “How did you know?”

  Pitiful sobs racked her slim body. Dropping her face into her hands, Penny’s wails became louder. Kate whispered in a trembling voice, “Oh no, he did the same thing to you.” She wrapped her arms around Penny and let her cry until she calmed enough to speak. “Why didn’t you tell someone?”

  Jacob handed her his handkerchief. Kate exchanged a glance with him while Penny dabbed at her eyes. “I really need this job. If I were to get fi
red, my mom and I would be destitute. My small paycheck is the only thing keeping us from starvation. Dr. Wilson swore I would lose my job if I told anyone.”

  It broke her heart to think how desperate Penny had felt. She had been just as desperate when she disguised herself as her brother and joined the infantry. “It’s going to be okay, Penny. I promise you he will pay for what he has done. You are safe now.”

  When Jacob informed Lucinda about Dr. Wilson’s conduct, he was fired on the spot. He packed up his belongings and left quickly before he felt the wrath of Jacob again.

  Kate was sitting in Lucinda’s office with her arm draped over Penny’s shoulders trying to console her. Her heart wrenching sobs were tormenting Kate. She felt helpless wanting to tell her everything would be better tomorrow, but she did not know for sure it would.

  It was with certain dread that Lucinda walked into her office for the confrontation with Kate. She took the chair next to Penny and placed her hand on her knee. “I fired him, Penny. I informed the authorities of his conduct. I’m sorry for what he did to you. It is not fair that you were raped in my hospital. I feel partly responsible because it happened on my watch.”

  The lines around her mouth tightened. “Chances are he’ll not even spend one night in prison. He comes from a wealthy family and he is a man. That means he can pretty much get away with anything, even forcing women to have sex with him.”

  Red faced with fury, Kate bolted out of her chair. Hands on her hips, she turned on Lucinda. “What do you mean he will not be arrested? He raped her, and tried to rape me. It is not fair he will walk away from this with no consequences.”

  “I’m sorry, Kate. He informed the authorities he forced no one to do anything they did not want to do. He was adamant the nurse in question consented.”

  A finger to her chest, Kate hissed, “Well, how about me. I didn’t consent! Did he lie about that too?”

  “He’s a man, Kate, a wealthy man. The law does not pertain to the likes of him,” Lucinda replied, sounding sympathetic. She stood and moved to her desk. “I’ll send letters out to all other hospitals informing them of his transgressions. Hopefully, he will not be able to find employment in another hospital. My hands are tied. I wish I could do more but I cannot.”