Because of Rebecca

by Leanne Tyler

  “Home, of course.”

  “And where is that?”

  “Oak Hill.” Rory stopped and grinned, holding up both hands. “Surely all is forgiven after I saved your hide in there.”

  Jared snorted. “Saved me? From what?”

  “Monique. She’s a barracuda in bed.”

  “Do you honestly think I couldn’t hold my own with a woman like her?” He began walking again.

  Rory laughed. “You’ve never met a woman like Monique. She has mystical powders and oils she uses on men to make them a slave to her whims. Monique may be a Madame, but when she sees something she likes, she gets it, and from the way she looked at you, dear cousin, she wanted you and wanted you bad. I should be upset, but Monique is Monique.”

  Jared ignored him. “That still doesn’t mean you’re welcome at Oak Hill. There is the matter of Stuart Delaney and his hold on your markers. How do you propose to pay them off?”

  Rory patted his coat pocket. “I’ve got it covered.”

  Jared scoffed. “I find it hard to imagine you being able to raise the money.”

  “You wound me to the core, cousin.” He staggered, clutching his hands over his heart.

  “Don’t be melodramatic. You’re a spendthrift and a gambler, not a thespian. As soon as you get your hands on any amount of money, you go through it as fast as you can. Exactly how long did it take you to spend the inheritance your mother left you?”

  “I had a run of bad luck at the tables.”

  “Exactly my point!” Jared exclaimed.

  Silence accompanied them as they rounded a corner coming upon Higgins and the carriage.

  “Mr. Hollingsworth!” The man exclaimed, jumping down from his perch. “Didn’t you find her, sir?”

  “I’m afraid not. She was gone by the time I got there, but I did find Rory. As you can see.”

  “Mr. Rory,” Higgins nodded. “What a surprise. Bad pennies always show back up.”

  He grinned. “Hello, Higgins, always the dutiful servant. Waiting on your employer, even if it means staying out all night.”

  Ignoring the comment, Higgins turned toward Jared. “Did you want to look anywhere else, sir?”

  “No.” Jared paused, getting into the carriage. “Put the cover down, Higgins, and take us home at once.”

  The man did as requested and climbed on his perch before turning the carriage toward Oak Hill.

  Rory slouched in the corner on one side, eyes closed. Jared watched him, his mind racing over the events of the last twenty-four hours. He still couldn’t figure out how Rebecca came to know Rory. When he couldn’t take the suspense any longer he nudged his cousin with the toe of his boot.

  “So where did you get the money?”

  Rory kept his eyes closed. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  “Damn it. If I’m going to allow you to come back to Oak Hill, you owe me an answer.”

  Rory slowly opened one eye and grinned, clasping his hands in front of him as if in prayer. “I sold my soul and promised to be an angel from now on.”

  Jared crossed his arms over his chest and stared at him.

  Rory chuckled, sat up and leaned toward him. “Aren’t you even a little bit curious as to whom I made such a vow?”

  Irritation grew in Jared as he warned. “If you say Rebecca, I’ll throttle you.”

  “Then I won’t mention it.”

  “And why would she give you a penny?” Jared reached the short distance between them and grabbed Rory by the collar, pulling tight. His cousin began gasping. “Can’t think of a witty reply now, can you?”

  He shook his head and tried to pull Jared’s hands away from his throat. “Let me go and I’ll try to answer.

  “Let’s hear it.” Jared shoved him back in the seat.

  Rory straightened his collar and wheezed, “When did you become so violent?”

  “The day I found out you gambled away my home, my life,” he retorted.

  “Touché,” Rory said. “But she didn’t give me the money. Believe it or not, I suspect Rebecca would give me money, because she loves you and doesn’t want to see you lose Oak Hill. And from what I’ve seen and felt these last several hours, I’d say you love her as well. She said you had even asked her to marry you. This explains your outraged sense of chivalry whenever I mention her name. It’s also the reason I haven’t retaliated. It’s good to see you caring about life again.”

  Jared slumped back on his side of the carriage and stared outside. Even if Rebecca did love him, it didn’t explain her involvement with Rory.

  “How did you meet her?” he demanded.

  “It’s a long story which I’d prefer not to discuss with you at the moment. Let’s just say it was pure dumb luck.” Rory closed his eyes again and turned his face toward the sun.

  Jared glared at nothing in particular as the carriage rambled back toward Oak Hill. Rory could call meeting Rebecca dumb luck if he wanted, but Jared knew there was more to it. If he wasn’t going to talk, then he’d have to wait until Rebecca returned. However, he was certain a session on the rack would be preferable to waiting for the answers he wanted. Not having choices was hell enough. But to be forced to wait days was inconceivable.

  “Where’d she go?”

  “That’s something I can’t tell you. As much as I’d enjoy seeing you settled again and happy, if Rebecca wants you to know where she’s gone, she’ll have to tell you.”

  “Damn it, Rory. In all that’s holy, at least tell me how you know her? And why didn’t she tell me she knew you?”

  “Perhaps because we’d never met before yesterday?”

  “Then why’d she go to a brothel with you?”

  He grinned and shook his head. “That I can’t tell you.”

  Jared’s head pounded again. The open carriage and fresh air did little to defuse the scent of Monique’s bedchamber that clung to his clothing. He couldn’t wait to reach the plantation, bathe, and put space between himself and Rory. The further, the better.

  “Enough with these word games.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “How long are you planning to stay?”

  Rory scratched his chin and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I guess that depends on how well you treat me.”

  “Then don’t unpack your bags. After you take care of your business with Delaney, you can head right back out of town. I don’t need the strife your presence brings to my life. Everything was fine until I got the letter from Delaney demanding that I make good on your markers.”

  Rory shook his head as the carriage slowed to a stop in front of the main house. “You’ve turned into a bitter person since losing Charisse. I thought time would heal. Apparently it hasn’t.”

  “What would you know about loving someone and losing them? The only person you’ve ever cared about is yourself.”

  When Higgins opened the door for them, Rory stepped out of the carriage. He looked back at Jared with piercing eyes. “You really don’t know me very well cousin.”

  “On the contrary. I know you too well,” Jared spat as Rory sauntered toward the front verandah and the open arms of Mary.

  “Heaven’s above. I can’t believe my eyes,” the woman exclaimed.

  “Don’t let your eyes get too accustomed to seeing him, Mary. He won’t be staying.”

  “And what side of the bed did you get up on? Obviously not the right one,” Mary harrumphed, turning away from him to fuss over Rory like a mother hen.

  Jared shook his head. Mary had always taken a fancy to his cousin in a special way. He turned to his driver. “Don’t put the carriage away. I’m going back to town.”

  “Yes, sir,” Higgins replied.

  Jared walked to the house where Mary still fussed over Rory. “Send up my bath water…even if it’s cold, Mary.”

  “Certainly,” she said. “I’ll have breakfast on the table for you both soon enough.”

  “None for me. I’ve already eaten,” Rory said.

  Jared went upstairs to his study and pulled out the
daily ledgers to begin going over the weekly figures while he waited for his bath water. But he couldn’t concentrate. His mind kept returning to Rebecca and where she had gone. Why had she been in such a hurry to leave last night? She’d said she had to go take care of some business. Did that mean she’d returned to Memphis? If so, then why did she go to Madame Monique’s? And why did she have to see Rory first? None of this made sense, but he would get to the bottom of what was going on even if he had to catch the next train to Memphis.

  Slamming the ledger closed, he placed it in the desk drawer and locked it before he stalked into his bedroom and performed his ablutions. Going back downstairs, he searched for Mary and found her in the kitchen.

  “Well now, that’s more like it,” she remarked handing him a plate of food when he came into the kitchen. “It’s not like you to be out all night and come dragging in here looking like you’ve been in a fight.”

  “I didn’t just look like it. Rory and I did brawl. Though I don’t recall much of it.”

  “You boys shouldn’t be fighting with one another. Rory’s your blood kin. The only living relative you have left.”

  “No lectures. As far as I’m concerned what Rory gets, he deserves.” Jared leaned back against the worktable and ate, washing the food down with hot coffee, while Mary cleaned the kitchen.

  “I’ll be gone for a few days. Rory has some business to take care of and can stay here until it’s completed. Then he will leave. Can you see that he does this?”

  Mary eyed him warily. “Your leaving doesn’t have anything to do with him being here, does it?”

  “No, it doesn’t.” He set his empty plate on the counter. “Will you make sure Rory doesn’t stay beyond his welcome?”

  She nodded slowly. “If that is what you want.”

  “It is, Mary. Rory can’t treat his family’s heritage like it’s nothing and expect to come home freely. He needs to earn that right.”

  She nodded again, but her eyes were sad with understanding. “I know you are hurt. Rory has a way of getting all over a body that makes you want to throttle him, but he is your family, your only blood family.”

  “Sometimes blood family can be the worst parasites of all. I consider you and Higgins my family as much as I want to forget that Rory is mine,” he said. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

  “You be safe.”

  “I will.” Jared left the house with the one bag he’d hastily thrown together. His mind flashed an image of Rebecca wearing the cloak waving good-bye to him and a chill ran over him. Was she in danger? He feared she was.

  “Where did you really go, Rebecca?” he mumbled going down the walk.

  “Pardon me, sir. Did you say something?” Higgins asked, opening the carriage door for him.

  “No.” He climbed into the carriage. He had to stop Rebecca from doing something foolish.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Drizzling rain welcomed the train as it pulled into the station in Memphis. Despite the damp and muggy summer morning air, Rebecca wrapped the cloak around her and Ruth as much for warmth as protection from the wet.

  They dashed across the street to the covered boardwalk.

  Ruth’s steady hand on Rebecca’s arm kept her from falling into the mud when her booted foot slipped. The two giggled nervously as Rebecca removed the cloak and shook the rain from it, before wrapping it again around her shoulders. She noticed a well-dressed man in a white suit and plaid vest leaning against a post watching them.

  “Goodness, are you all right?” Ruth asked.

  “Yes. Just startled and out of breath.” Rebecca turned her back to the man to shield Ruth from seeing him. “I know it is mid-morning, but do you feel like breakfast?”

  Ruth nodded.

  “Follow me. I know a place where we can get something to eat.”

  As they walked, Rebecca thought she heard footsteps following them. She stole a peek over her shoulder. It was the same man from the store not ten feet behind them. He smoked a cheroot and tipped his hat to her. She gasped and looked straight ahead.

  “What’s wrong?” Ruth asked.

  “Don’t be alarmed, but I think we’re being followed. Keep close to my side and don’t look back,” she whispered, feeling the girl tense and clutch her arm tighter.

  The rain had let up by the time the boardwalk ended, and they turned down another side street toward a church. The man passed them by, but Rebecca wasn’t so certain it wasn’t a move to give them false security. She quickened her pace and urged Ruth toward the small parish house to the left. Rebecca knocked on the door, and a few moments later it swung open.

  “Lord love ya,” an elderly woman greeted, hugging Rebecca quickly. “Come in. Come in.”

  “Thank you, Mawsy.” Rebecca removed her cloak, took Ruth’s from her, and hung them on a peg by the door. “This is my friend Delia. We were hoping to have breakfast with you.”

  “I’ve been expecting ya for nearly a week now. Was gettin’ awful worried, but Ben put me at ease. Said we’d have heard if somethin’ went wrong,” Mawsy rattled, putting a meager meal on the small table.

  “Go ahead and sit down, Delia” Rebecca urged. “Where’s Ben this morning?”

  “Funeral over in Wakefield for a dear friend of his. He should be back tonight. He’ll be sorry he missed ya. He always likes to pray with the travelers before they go.” Mawsy sat at the table, said a short prayer and helped herself to the food. “Eat up. We gotta get going soon.”

  Rebecca watched Ruth for a short time as she timidly ate a dry biscuit. She wanted to put her at ease and smiled at her. “You’ll be traveling with Mawsy as her companion to the meeting point.”

  Ruth slowly nodded. She picked up another biscuit.

  “How many do you think they’ll be today?” Rebecca asked, turning her attention to Mawsy.

  “Hard to tell. We had a dozen last week.” Mawsy finished her coffee and poured another cup.

  “You do this for more ’n just me?” Ruth asked.

  “Sure do.” Mawsy took her dishes to the sink. “I’ll go change into my spiffier traveling clothes. Be back shortly.”

  “I’m worried,” Ruth said when Mawsy was safely out of the room.

  “Try not to,” Rebecca urged.

  “But what about that man that followed us?”

  “He passed on by when we turned down the side street. You’ll be safe traveling with Mawsy.”

  “Aren’t ya going with us?”

  “No. My part of the journey is over. It’s safer that Mawsy is the one who takes you to the meeting point. The less people who know about its location the better.” She cleared the table.

  Ruth nodded and slowly rose to help put the kitchen in order.

  Once they were finished Rebecca said, “We have a plainer dress to fit the style a companion would wear for you to change into. Did they send the make-up?”

  “It’s in my bag,” Ruth said. “Are ya sure it’s safe?”

  Rebecca touched her arm in reassurance. “As safe as the rest of this journey has been. There are no guarantees. We try to do what we can to ensure you reach your destination without being caught. There’s danger to all involved.”

  She nodded and bit her lower lip. “Am I closer now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why do I feel so scared?”

  Rebecca hugged her. “Sometimes we can’t help but fear the unknown. I’m still scared too, but I have faith we’ll see victory. I’ve been praying for it.”

  The girl wiped moisture from her eyes with the back of her hands.

  “Come. Let’s get you changed.” She led the way to the small room off from the kitchen. Touching up the make-up Madame Monique had applied the night before, she made sure it looked natural.

  By the time Mawsy returned to the kitchen, Rebecca had Ruth dressed as a traveling companion. No longer did she wear the butter colored silk dress, but a sturdy, long sleeved charcoal blue with tiny black buttons down the front. Dove gray gloves covered her ha
nds, and a matching hat hid most of the curls of her ebony wig.

  A knock came at the kitchen door and the three women froze. Rebecca pulled Ruth to the side and they stepped out of view before Mawsy answered the door. She wrapped a protective arm around the young woman, and they held their breath until they heard Mawsy greet the visitor.

  “Good morning, Horton. Would ya like a cup of coffee before we go?”

  “I already had my fill, Mawsy, but thank ya,” the man said. “Any baggage today?”

  “Just one. We’re traveling light for this trip. Come along, Delia.”

  Timidly, Ruth left Rebecca in the shadows. “Yes, miss.” She handed her bag to the driver and reached for her cloak on the peg.

  Rebecca waited five minutes after the door closed before donning her own cloak and leaving the parish house. She made sure the man she’d spotted earlier wasn’t hanging around before walking to the other end of the boardwalk and hailing a cab. She needed to see her lawyer.

  ****

  Stuart Delaney watched from the doorway of the bakery as the auburn-haired beauty climbed into the carriage. He didn’t believe he’d seen her before, but there was definitely something about the way she looked that reminded him of the chit, Mariah, he’d bedded in New Orleans almost two years ago. The thought brought back pleasant memories. He recalled his clever manipulation at the masquerade party getting his friend to come as a priest to perform the “marriage ceremony.” The chit had been his for the taking after that little ruse. He wondered what ever happened to her. Her aunt had hurried her away from New Orleans the following day, and he’d never seen her again, but that hadn’t stopped him from thinking about her.

  He lit another cheroot and took a few draws before heading back to the Exeter Hotel.

  ****

  “Miss Davis, what a surprise,” Colton Merewether greeted when Rebecca entered his law office. “It’s been almost a year since you were here.”

  “Yes. Much has happened since then.” She took the seat he offered.

  “I heard about Mariah’s passing, and I’m deeply sorry,” he said. “Please forgive me for not paying a call on you and your aunt before now.”