“John? Our John?” she asked grinning.
“The very one,” she laughed. “I reckon a peaceful evening with a gentleman will be a far cry from what tomorrow will bring at the raffle.”
“Oh, Tess, there are so many horrid men who’ve come to vie for your hand. I am truly sorry we have placed you in such an imposition. I surely hope my brother is paying you handsomely for your inconvenience.”
“Thomas rolled his eyes heavenward.
“Your dowry may match a King’s fortune, dear, but your brother is paying me a Queen’s ransom for my efforts. Worry not about my comforts. After this show, I shall be living in luxury for the rest of my days.”
“That is, if Brice’s attacker doesn’t catch us in his sights.” She looked at Thomas. “And what have you learned of that? Have you discovered any news from your inquiries?”
Thomas pulled a gold, antique watch from his vest pocket that had belonged to their father. “No, I haven’t, but I have a man coming shortly with an update on the subject.” Thomas pocketed the watch into his vest and turned to Abigail. “I only have a few moments to spare, so I shall make this brief,” he said, and Thomas’s expression held great concern. “As we all agree the assailant is trying to prevent Brice from having undue advantage with Tess, I feel it may be beneficial to him if you and Brice were to publically court. The attacker may believe his heart lies outside of Abigail’s dowry.”
“No,” Abigail nearly shouted.
“Are you worried you may be harmed,” Tess asked.
“Although I probably should be, that isn’t why I protest.” She looked at Tess and held her by the shoulders in a firm grasp. “Tess, I am going to just say it outright.” Abigail looked sternly in her sapphire eyes that nearly mirrored her own in shape and size. “Brice is falling in love with you.”
Tess laughed.
“I’m serious, Tess,” she assured. “It was not even an hour ago that he confessed it to me.”
Tess smiled and cupped her hands gently on Abigail’s cheeks. “Darling, I have known more men that I care to admit, and I can attest that I know their ways well. Brice Winslow hasn’t an inkling of love for me.” She looked at Thomas and whispered in Abigail’s ear, “Being a woman of much experience, I would sense such affections.”
“Of course he does. In fact, he even shamelessly admitted that he had a fondness for you and me both. And not only does he hope, but he expects me to pursue him whilst he courts you! Have you ever heard of anything so indecent?”
Tess shook her head and smiled. “Oh, sweetheart, I do believe Mister Brice Winslow is wise to your scheme.”
“Surely he isn’t,” Abigail and Thomas repeated in unison.
“Oh Thomas, surely you see it.” Tess laughed. “He’s playing Abigail as you two have been playing him.”
Abigail frowned. “Perhaps we hadn’t fooled him at all.”
“It would appear Mister Winslow has put me out of a job,” Tess smiled.
“You’re not high tailing it out of here just yet, Miss Tess” Thomas exclaimed. “Even if Winslow is aware of our ruse, we still need you to keep the thousands of other men at bay until we get Abigail married.”
“It’s not that I must marry, Thomas,” Abigail countered.
“As long as that dowry is up for grabs, you will never have a normal life. Marriage will set you free of its restraints.”
Abigail looked down at the letter that was still in her hand. “Well, if I must marry, then I want it to be Brice.”
“Despite that it may be for the purpose of your dowry?” Thomas frowned. “Abigail, this farce was in place to prevent that from occurring. I’ll not idly stand by and see you marry a man who doesn’t truly love you or is undeserving of your love in return.”
“Then we’ll come up with another ruse,” Abigail suggested.
“Well, dear sister, my bag is currently empty of tricks.”
“What if we brought another woman into the mix and say she is the true Abigail Large. We can confuse him with our numbers.”
“He’d never fall for it,” Tess said. “What you need now is honesty.”
“Honesty?” Thomas and Abigail asked in shocked unison.
Tess warily eyed them and raised her arms in the air. “Are you both that unfamiliar with telling the truth?”
“Perhaps Tess is right. Maybe we should try our hand at honesty.” She looked at Tess and smiled. “What do you propose we do?”
“First and foremost, you must remove the shadows that have been cast over him that’s making his decisions based on needs and not his wants.”
Abigail pondered the suggestion for a moment. “I think that is a fine idea but how do you propose we go about the task as we are not privy to his financial burdens?”
“I’ve already investigated his financial affairs,” Thomas shamelessly admitted. “His only pressing debt is his plantation and stock.” He looked at Tess. “I’ll send him the clear deed to the property and see to it his debts are clear.”
“That is very generous of you,” Abigail said. “More generous than I’ve ever known you to be to someone outside family.” She eyed him distrustfully and walked in stood in front of him. “Why?”
“I have my reasons, dear sister.” He reached for her shoulders and gently pushed her aside. “Continue with your plan, Tess,” Thomas directed.
“You must tell Mister Winslow the truth about who you are before he has a chance to call you out on it first.” She smiled at Abigail. “He’ll need to know that he can trust the woman he is to call his bride.”
“And you truly think this will work, Tess?”
“I have seen how Mister Winslow looks at you, Abigail. He is already on your hook; you just need to reel him in.”
“Then I shall tell him before the raffle. Perhaps he’ll accompany me to the barbeque and announce our engagement,” she said excitedly.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Mister Brice Winslow has arrived,” John announced.
“Please, see him in, John.” Abigail fidgeted with the embroidered handkerchief in her hand. She wasn’t sure what response she’d receive from Brice. She suspected he may be angry. What man wouldn’t be after having the wool pulled over his eyes? That is, if they had succeeded in fooling him at all, she thought.
Brice commanded the room by his manly appearance. He removed his hat, and unlike when she saw him last, he had his hair neatly pulled back with a piece of twine and it emphasized the strong bone structure of his face. His black suit was neat and clean and lacked for even one wrinkle. For an unmarried man, he always appeared exceedingly well kept, Abigail thought. A refreshing aroma of mint accompanied him inside the room and she smiled.
“Please sit,” she said quietly. She waved her arm toward the white and blue settee across from where she sat. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Brice tilted his head and looked at her suspiciously. Foregoing the distance she wished to have between them, Brice sat next to her and deposited his top hat to his other side.
Abigail lowered her head and collected her thoughts. Her fingers nervously twiddled atop her lap and Abigail’s green silk dress threatened to be soiled by the dampness of her palms.
Abigail softly cleared her throat. “I believe it’d be best if I get to the heart of the matter and have my say over with right quickly.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Brice said when she paused.
“I am not Abigail’s cousin Abilene, but rather the true Abigail Large.”
Brice played the true gentleman and appeared surprised.
“No need to be polite, Brice. I know you’re aware of who I truly am. I am just unsure how long you’ve known.”
Brice smiled.
“Well?” she pressed. “How long have you known?”
“When I saw you at the station I strongly suspected it was you.”
“But you weren’t sure?”
“No. It wasn’t completely certain until I saw you rifling through th
e calling cards. It was then I was certain.”
“Truly?” she asked amazed. “I don’t recall undertaking anything out of the ordinary.”
“That was precisely your error. It was the ordinary for Abigail. The anger on your face and the bitter utterances toward the townsmen gave your secret clearly away. Your expression and words were familiar to the way you were years ago and still are, Abigail. The woman whom you have posing as yourself doesn’t possess such poor qualities.”
“You dare sit here and insult me?” she snipped. Abigail scooted away from him and turned to face him. “I don’t particularly like your tone, sir.”
“And I don’t particularly care for your attitude, Miss Abigail.”
They sat for several minutes in silence until the maid brought them tea and biscuit refreshments and left.
They went untouched.
“I found your letter,” Abigail finally said to break the unnerving silence.
“I gather by our last meeting that it’s the first you have read it,” he said.
“Yes. It had been inadvertently misplaced after you had given it to Thomas.”
“So you now know why I didn’t show up to escort you to the dance?”
“Yes,” she said quietly.
He looked at her thoughtfully. “I had heard what transpired at the dance by you arriving alone. I am truly sorry that I was the cause of that pain.”
“As everyone believed I lied about your intentions on escorting the fat girl, I was easy fodder for the swine that night.”
“Why must you do that?” he said aggravated.
“Do what?” she asked defensively, unaware what had raised his dander.
“Belittle yourself.”
“I was the fat girl. It’s simply stating a fact.”
“No, you were a pretty girl. You were an intelligent girl. You were a delightfully entertaining girl once known.” Brice heavily sighed. “Yet, when you look back into your past, you only see yourself as that fat girl.”
“Well, I’m no longer fat,” she said. “So it is no longer an issue.”
“No, it is still an issue with you, Abigail. Branding yourself as the “fat girl” is as clearly observable as my father-in-law’s ironing. You’ll not let yourself step out of that past girl’s dark shadow. In many ways, your scars are even more obvious than the brand that had been burned onto Edward’s face.”
“Yet it is what it is, Mister Winslow. Although different circumstances, Edward and I have been scarred. Even you cannot argue that.”
“Your scars are mostly self-inflicted, Abigail. His scar is not. Edward’s scar and circumstances has made him into a bitter man full of hate inside. You’re allowing yours to do the same. Indeed, you were of healthy size, Abigail. But you are so much more than that. You were then and you are now. Unless you let that go and embrace your good qualities, you’ll never truly be happy. Not with anyone you are with, and most certainly not with yourself.”
“I am quite pleased with myself,” she claimed. “I beg to differ with your assessment.”
“Truly, Abigail?” he asked. “We’ve yet to meet without you revealing your hostility towards those in this town,” he argued. “You have been here for a couple weeks thus far. Aside from Maggie Rush, how many people have you called on or have come callin’ since your arrival?”
“What is your point, Mister Winslow?” she said angrily. “Are you suggesting that I have no friends?” she asked insulted.
“Yes, Abigail. That is exactly what I am stating. You won’t allow anyone to get close enough to befriend you. You’ll also not allow those you once knew to make apology for the injustices they had caused you. Although you’ll not believe it, there are many in town who regret their actions as children.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said.
“Of course you wouldn’t,” he said with mirthless laughter. “That would involve you having faith in someone else.” Brice shook his head and raised his arms in surrender. “You’ll never change, Abigail. You were of the same wretched disposition years ago. It made you less desirable then and even more unattractive now that you’ve lost your weight and still haven’t the gumption to live life happily as intended.”
Abigail glared at him. She couldn’t believe that he had the audacity to attack her so cruelly with his words. “But yet I’m not so undesirable that you’d sacrifice losing my dowry by walking away,” she angrily accused.
“Indeed, Abigail, I would and I shall do just that. I could never love a woman who thinks so little of herself.” He stood up and retrieved his hat from the settee and placed it onto his head. He walked to the doorway to leave but turned around. He sighed heavily. “Do know, Abigail, that my words are not intended to hurt you.”
“I’d thank you to leave your cogitations to yourself the next time we meet, Mister Winslow.” Tears flowed from Abigail’s eyes and she turned away. Moments later, she heard the main door close.
Brice was gone.
* * *
Abigail straightened in her seat and smoothed over the wrinkles in her cream and gold gown. She sat next to Tess who was an image of radiance in her bright yellow day gown accessorized by matching gloves and hat. The both chased the heat away with their fans even though the newly erected platform was built with a roof and helped shade them from the sun.
“I think I shall move around a bit,” she said to Abigail. “I fear I’ll have a puddle of sweat beneath me if I sit much longer.” Yet when Tess stood, the wood beneath her feet began to squeak and squeal in protest. The crowd that stood at the edge of the podium stepped back and gasped, fearing that the structure would collapse.
Tess walked toward the crowd and laughed aloud. “I’ve often been told at socials that my wit can bring down the house. Perhaps we’ll now see it in a more literal sense.”
The crowd returned to the edge of the podium and joined her laughter.
“Do not fear, my friends, the platform was built by our own Dickerson Lumber Company here in Mecklenburg.” She slightly raised her skirts and took her foot and stomped hard onto the Mahogany wood flooring. “Best craftsmanship in the South!” she exclaimed.
The people in the crowd cheered and applauded. Tess never ceased to amaze Abigail with her ability to turn her oversized condition into a positive note. The woman had flash, and Abigail admired her greatly for that. If she was still as overweight as Tess, Abigail wouldn’t have given the same reaction. No, the moment that first squeak whined out, she would have ran and hidden herself away from those who could mock her. She had a lot to learn from Tess. In fact, she realized, she had a lot to learn from Brice too.
He was right.
“Do not fret, Abigail,” Tess whispered as she returned to her seat. “All is not lost.” She nudged Abigail’s arm and nodded in a direction that revealed Brice Winslow leaning aside a portico beam in order to watch the drawing’s announcement.
“He’s not here for me, I assure you,” Abigail said. “He is probably hoping his name is drawn so he might spend time with you. I think he has truly taken a fancy to you. Unlike me, he’d have married you.”
“Oh, dear Abigail,” she laughed. “You truly are inexperienced in these matters.”
“Yes, I confess I am, but Brice left no room for doubt of his feelings. He dislikes me greatly for who I am.”
“It’s not about whom you are, Abigail,” she said kindly. “It’s about the person within you that you’re afraid to show to others…as well as to yourself.” Tess patted her hand. “Today, I expect you to do nothing but laugh, play, and have good conversation while at the barbecue. Believe in yourself and those around you will follow your lead.”
“You’re right, and I shall do exactly as you have said. Today is a fresh start.”
Tess pointed toward a fine looking gentleman that didn’t seem particular enthused with the festivities, and in fact, looked outright bored. Tess glanced at Abigail and her smile broadened wide into the most ornery grin she’d ever seen. “As Mister Winslow i
s here, now is a good time to begin your introductions with others so he may see your progress.”
“With another gentleman?” she asked. Her mouth opened wide and she quickly closed it. “I don’t believe that was Brice’s intentions when he stated I needed to open up to others.”
“No, I suppose not, but I warrant he’ll notice right quickly of your growth in this matter,” she said, and added a hard wink.
“I believe you are right,” Abigail grinned.
Abigail rose from her seat and descended the steps that led to the man. She had never approached a man so brazenly. Even in Baltimore she kept to herself and never socialized. Her days and nights consisted of working and sleeping with nothing else in-between.
She approached the man cautiously and smiled when she reached his side.
He tipped his hat and returned the smile. “Miss Abilene,” he said, and she wasn’t the least surprised that he knew her name. Most people in town were well aware that she was Tess’s constant companion.
“May I be so bold and ask your name, sir?” she asked politely. His face was more favorable than she first assessed from atop the platform. He had the brightest and lightest blue eyes she’d ever seen and his dark brown hair was trimmed perfectly with an overabundant tuft of hair on top that waved attractively across his forehead.
“Phillip McKenzie,” he said tipping his hat.
“Have you purchased many tickets in the raffle?” she asked.
The man laughed and dismissively waved his arm. “I haven’t a single ticket. I’m here visiting my brother for a couple weeks and am just passing through town. Unlike these other fools,” he said nodding to the crowd, “I’m not hell bent on finding a wife, no matter how large a purse.”
“That is most refreshing to hear, Mister McKenzie.” Abigail stepped back to avoid her feet from being trampled by the men who stood in front of them. Yet her hasty movement caused her to trip and Phillip reached out and prevented her fall. She held on tight to his arms as he embraced her. The broad expanse of his muscles beneath were nearly, if not more impressive than that of Brice’s. She quickly set her feet right and released her hold of him.
Abigail's Secret (A Whimsical Select Romance Novella) Page 6
