by Jerri Hines
“Could you not resist coming to humiliate me, Andrew?” Jo asked. “The Montgomery boys have come to save the family from little old me?”
“It was not like that, Josephine,” Andrew said in a low tone. “We only want to stop you from ruining your life…”
“Don’t! Don’t say that!” she cried. “I’m tired of hearing that everyone is trying to protect me! I am not a nitwit! No one….no one is worried about me…only themselves. Be honest! It is your family…Wade…that you are concerned about. Not me.”
“We want only to contain the situation.”
Jo stared at Cullen. His voice was so icy it chilled her soul.
“Ain’t right. Master Wade promised her he married her. He did. I hear’ him myself right out there.” Miss Hazel pointed to the porch; her hand waved at Cullen in a mad fashion. Jo had never seen her so worked up. “Ain’t right. Master Wade wanted to marry Miss Josephine. He said so…”
Suddenly, it was not herself that was of concern. The old lady’s voice shook. Her blurred eyes betrayed her misery. Then her feeble hand gripped tight to the table. It cut Jo’s heart to the core.
“Miss Hazel!”
Jo started toward the woman, but her progress was halted. A firm hand gripped her elbow. Cullen wheeled her around to face him.
“Let your girl see to her,” he demanded. He gestured for Gillie.
Distressed, Jo watched Gillie obey the man few would question. Gillie wrapped her arms around the old woman and led her to the back room and her bed.
Jo wanted nothing more than to jerk her arm back, but she didn’t dare. He appeared quite displeased.
Cullen glanced in the direction of Andrew. “Stay here a moment. Let us know if Miss Wright is needed while she shows me around the farm.”
* * * *
Cullen fell into step behind Jo as she walked down the steps.
“You didn’t send for Wade?” he asked.
Jo paused and looked back at him. His face was void of emotion, but his actions told more than words. Her answer held importance to him.
“I came only to say goodbye to a dear friend. It seems that Miss Hazel held to Wade’s word more than I.”
“You have no intention of disrupting Wade’s wedding?”
Her eyes flamed. “Why do you insist it is my intention? Do you not think I have some pride? Wade lied to me. He made promises he could not keep. I want nothing more to do with him…ever!”
She briefly thought of running from him, but it would be a useless gesture. Why did he keep pressing her so? The answer, though, appeared to please him that she had not sought out Wade.
“Come, let us talk.” He extended his arm. “Tell me, how is it that your mammy lives close to you?”
Given no choice, she accepted and walked down the dirt road with him. “The farm is hers. It was payment from Papa. Miss Hazel said it was perfect, being between her two babies.”
“You confuse me, Miss Wright.”
“Miss Hazel considers me hers as well as her son. Heyward, Wade’s man, is her son. Miss Hazel came to Papa when her master lost money gambling to Papa, but Papa couldn’t free Heyward. He had already been sold to you Montgomerys. Papa was quite upset that you Montgomerys wouldn’t sell him.”
“Your father freed your mammy?”
“Papa hates slavery, Lieutenant Smythe. Miss Hazel was never a slave to Daddy. I told you it is the same with Gillie. She is my companion.”
“Miss Wright, it is not my intention to dispute your claims, but this farm is owned by your father, not Miss Hazel. Though I admire your stance on slavery, I would ascertain that neither Miss Hazel nor your companion are free.”
“Then you have been misinformed.” Jo halted and pulled back her arm. Her nerves frayed. She could take no more. “Why…why, Lieutenant, do you feel the need to bait me? If you believe you know the answer, why ask me? Why…why do you feel the need to interfere with my life?”
“My actions are intended to help, not harm.”
“You feel guilt because of Wade? Well, I release you from any guilt you may feel. I am leaving…I am going to find Papa…I want nothing more to do with any Montgomery…,” she lashed out, frowning with suspicion. “You…come bounding into Miss Hazel’s, with Andrew of all people.”
“Andrew came because he thought he might reason with you. Nothing more.”
“You should know better than I that he hates me.”
“Why would you say such a thing? His foot? You believe he blames you for his limp? It would be foolish to do so, to blame another for one’s own actions. It was an accident. Nothing more.”
“Were you not angry with me that day also? Do not lie to me. I remember well your words and your eyes…you frightened me. You were so irritated with me.”
His tense expression eased…softened. “I suppose to a child it might have seemed so. You have my heartfelt apology for my actions. I had thought you acted recklessly, endangering others. I had not recognized the circumstance until much later.”
“Since you returned, I have dreamed of it often…of you rescuing me…of Andrew agonizing in pain. I meant no harm to anyone. I wanted only to save Gillie…”
“Miss Wright, if Andrew holds resentment about his accident, it is not you he holds responsible.”
She glanced askance at him. “What do you want from me?”
“Miss Wright, you must be aware that I have presented myself to your grandfather. I have asked for your hand. It does not bode well to discover that the woman I have offered for is running away.”
“Do not distort the offer. You did so—”
“I did so with the utmost sincerity and seriousness. I am not in the habit of offering for a woman’s hand, since I have never done so before you. Do not take it lightly.”
She could tell he was most serious. “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You must realize that only a couple of weeks ago I believed I was to marry your cousin…I…”
“You believe yourself in love with him,” Cullen said with a sudden smile that told her he thought he had her at an advantage. “Tell me then why I do not believe that you even know what love is. My cousin has a reputation for accumulating hearts. Most females cannot see behind his smile.
“Granted, you fascinated him more than any other. Do you want to know what I believe? I believe that marriage scared him and he sought an escape.”
Temper flashed again. “You believe I was no more than a diversion.”
“I believe he convinced himself you were more.”
“That is why you have offered to sacrifice yourself. To fall on your sword to save your family face.”
He stepped closer. She retreated a step and readied herself to bolt, but he didn’t permit it. He caught her arm and pivoted her around abruptly.
“Miss Wright, you have the most annoying way of antagonizing me.”
His arms wrapped about her and pulled her into an embrace. She had no time to protest. His lips were upon hers. She made no resistance, being taken by complete surprise. Her frigid response thawed in the warmth of his arms.
Her body reacted in a way most worrisome. Tentative. Curious. Then with a primitive instinct. The war between her mind and body was lost. Her lips softened under his and he ravished her mouth. Shock tensed through her. Every fiber of her being was encompassed by this man.
Slowly, she realized his lips had released hers. The world once more became reality. Her eyes opened to find him studying her face.
“If I am to fall upon a sword, I will do so willingly,” he whispered so close she felt his breath against her. “Now tell me what you had planned, Josephine.”
Her name rolled off his lips as if he sang a song. Mesmerized, she didn’t want him to talk. She wanted him to kiss her again, but it would never do…
“I can’t.” She pushed back out of his arms. She shook her head, fighting back emotions that welled within her. Her life had spiraled out of her control. “You shouldn’t have.”
This man…had kissed her in the mid
dle of a road without a thought they could have been seen. Moreover, she hadn’t cared. She had enjoyed his kiss…reveled in his arms.
A tide of feelings stirred within her. Bewilderment…helplessness…longing. What had he done to her?
Wade had never kissed her in that manner. Their meetings had been arranged with the utmost care. His kisses had been stolen with the fear of being caught weighing on both their minds. She realized that Wade hadn’t wanted this for her…for her reputation to be tarnished, for he had known that he would have to leave her in the end.
Lieutenant Smythe…Cullen gave no thought to what could be said. The arrogant cad!
For a moment, they faced each other. Neither moved, but his eyes bore into hers as if he could read her thoughts.
“Is it so hard to believe I am to visit my papa?”
“Do not lie to me, Miss Wright. If you leave today, nothing but scorn or worse will await your return.”
Her eyes blazed at his assertion. His expression remained firm, but he did not accuse her of sending for Wade again.
Jo’s pride emerged. “Perhaps I will not return.”
“It will not be a choice if you go on this foolhardy venture. You run, then all of Charleston will believe the rumors.”
She wanted to hit him for the insult, but it would be a useless gesture. He spoke the truth. She lowered her gaze to hide the angry tears welling…angry at the world…Wade…Cullen… but none more so than herself.
Her weakness had stained her family’s name as her mother had done years ago. The difference, though, was her father had married her mother. She stood alone in her disgrace.
Suddenly, he reached over and lifted her chin upward, giving her no option but to look at him straight in his eyes.
“You have been compromised by your relationship with my cousin. Miss Wragg has made it a vendetta against you. She will not cease her ramblings. Though it is his character that has raised suspicions about your relationship, not yours. You understand that the only way to quiet the talk is an honorable marriage.”
“If I am not here…”
“It will not cease. Do you find me so disagreeable that you choose to run?”
She could not find words to answer him. She tried to turn, but he held his grip firm.
“You will want for nothing, Miss Wright, with your marriage to me. I believe you are not adverse as you might think.”
His look affected her in a manner she hadn’t expected. His fingers lightly touched her cheek. A shiver swept through her body. His head dipped again and he kissed her.
“Tell me, my sweet magnolia.”
“It is not you,” she whispered with the greatest reluctance. “They aren’t going to accept your proposal. They…they are trying to arrange a marriage to another. I heard them talk of Holt Miller. I cannot take that. I have heard how he treated his first wife.”
She shuddered on the thought of that man touching her in the manner that Cullen held her.
“So it is he who you are running from,” he breathed. Something flickered behind his eyes that told that the answer pleased him. “Why do you suppose that your grandfather will turn down my offer?”
She hesitated. “You’re a Yankee. Mr. Whitney told Grandfather it would never do.”
“Yet, I’m good enough to save face until Miller can be convinced to take you as a bride.” He laughed. “Devil be had! You are a little vixen. You took your money to keep from having any dowry…”
“It is not funny!” she cried. “I need the money for the journey. I will not have you making a joke of my life…”
“But you will have me.”
She stared at him, completely mystified on how defenseless she felt against him.
“Look at me, Josephine. You will attend the wedding festivities tomorrow and stop all this foolishness. It will only make matters worse.”
“It will be you who will make it better?”
He ignored her question. “We will escort you back to the Groves. I will keep your valise, of course.”
“Of course.”
At this point, she hadn’t another choice. She needed to think. She couldn’t do so with him so close.
Chapter Five
Jo ran along the edge of the garden. The rain had stopped much earlier, but the ground was wet. Moreover, the sun cast a reddish tinge to the sky as it lowered over the horizon. She hadn’t much time.
She glanced back over her shoulder nervously. Behind Jo, Gillie nodded to her mistress. No one was following. Jo breathed easier. She didn’t need any more difficulties. She had a need to talk to him before…before the morning…for answers…closure…she wasn’t sure.
As she rounded the bend, only stillness greeted her. She was alone.
“Heyward said Master Wade would be here. He will come, Miss Jo.”
Jo made no response, but wandered over to the garden bench. Doubts crept in that he would truly make an appearance, but there again, it had not been her who asked to meet. He had.
When she returned to the Groves, Gillie relayed a message from Wade to meet one last time. Heyward had given it to her as she waited for Lieutenant Smythe and Master Andrew to ready to go to Miss Hazel’s.
Her heart sank. She must be mad to be here, waiting to see the man she once loved. Loved…because she would not allow herself to feel anything other than anger for him…not after the hurt he had inflicted. Moreover, the thrill of a clandestine meeting with Wade was gone, replaced with a turmoil of emotions.
She had always prided herself in her ability to reason her way out of a situation. More than once, she had been told she was too much like her father. She had always taken pride in being like Papa, though she realized most had not meant it as praise. But it did not take intelligence to decipher she would not be walking away from this unscathed.
She should never have allowed Cullen to talk her into staying. Oh, whatever was she going to do!
How foolish she had been to believe Wade’s assumption that they could have been married. She reprimanded herself greatly for allowing her heart to rule her good sense. It gnawed at her soul…for no matter how foolish she had been with Wade, never once did she suspect the scandal exploding around her.
How had it happened? What had they done to raise suspicions? The whispers that circled her were bad, far worse than anything that had really occurred. This Jo knew, even though neither Grace Ann nor Gillie had hinted to what was being said…she saw it in their eyes.
Jo had dealt with that look in the past…after she had leaped over the wall to save Gillie. Grandpa Henry had said she had caused a spectacle of herself; Aunt Sybil said she needed to learn to be a lady. But back then, Papa had been by her side.
“Jo reacted to someone in need, not only a small child, but Mr. Andrew Montgomery. I agree that the proper etiquette did not occur to her at that point…for both survived.”
Papa had been her protector…Oh, where was he now?
She had never considered that it would have been frowned upon to make that leap. Why had she not stopped to think of the ramifications of her actions? When she was a small child, her mamma said Jo reacted with her heart.
Miss Hazel said it was more that Jo saw the world as she wanted it to be. “Ya always thinking others think like ya. Ain’t that way, Miss Jo.”
Was that still her problem?
When she made the leap over the wall, her one thought was to help the little one sprawled out on the ground as the water rushed over her. She remembered praying she was still alive—her heart pounded so hard she thought it would burst through her chest—and then Gillie choked and coughed.
Andrew had dragged himself to her side by that time, his ankle swollen and disfigured. It hurt to look at, but he made no complaint. A wave broke over them and drenched the small group. Andrew had hold of both of them and refused to let go.
Spitting out the taste of salt water, Jo helped drag Gillie back to the wall. Andrew lifted the small one up to waiting arms, but it left them with a problem. The sto
rm worsened and brought in rough waves, along with a riptide that wanted to pull everything in its wake out to sea.
When Harry Lee returned to pull up the next one, Jo understood only one thing. Andrew could not fight against the storm, not with his injury. He needed help up. This she did over his objections.
“Do you want to die a gentleman?” she questioned, as the water rose higher. “It won’t take a moment for someone to pull me up once you are set. You need help.”
She had seen his reluctance, but he could not argue with her reasoning…only…only Harry Lee hadn’t saved her. He missed her hand and she had fallen back into the sea; Cullen leapt into the storm-ridden waters to pull her out to safety…
Now…she was drowning again.
“Miss Jo, I don’t mean to add to your issues, but Heyward asked me—”
“You do not have to say the words. I understand—truly I do, Gillie. I will discuss your intentions. He will understand.”
“It’s all I ask, Miss Jo. I know everything you’re going through. Truly I do,” Gillie said. “I don’t want to add to your troubles. I know you will try. It is only we had hoped…”
Gillie’s voice faded. Guilt cut through Jo like a knife. To give hope and then so cruelly take it away was unforgiveable in Jo’s eyes. Gillie asked for so little.
She had known there had always been an attraction between her Gillie and Heyward, but Heyward staunchly refused to act upon it until Wade had begun courting Jo. It had been one of the reasons Jo had thought Wade would never have deserted her in this manner—Wade had told Heyward he was going to marry her.
Finally, Heyward felt safe to commit without fear of losing the one he loved. It was a fear most slaves experienced. The law stated slaves could not marry in the same manner as whites.
Grandpa Henry had declared it was God-ordained. It was worrisome to Jo. Slaves married only by permission of their owners, reciting promises instead of vows not of “until death do us part” but “until distance.”
Miss Hazel had told her that was how it was with Heyward’s father. Her master sold him out of state. Forcibly separated, she had never seen her husband again. Now, Heyward faced the fear he had fought so hard not to face: losing Gillie.
