by Jerri Hines
Mitchell had left Philadelphia over a week ago having been recalled early for a special meeting in Washington. Hugh's leave was almost up as well. Despite having carefully considered his resignation from the Navy, Cullen suddenly found himself envious of his friends. He wanted to be anywhere but here.
“I have the whole of the night planned,” Hugh went on. “After dinner with Dianne and her brood, I have made arrangements for us down at O’Gradys.”
A knock on his door interrupted his reply. Cullen glanced up in surprise as Andrew walked into the room. He looked like hell. Unshaven, his eyes drooped from lack of sleep; his hair disheveled; his clothes wrinkled.
“Cullen, Cullen,” he repeated. “Your man, Paddy, let me in. I told him…I told him I had to see you.”
Immediately, Cullen pushed back his chair and stood. “What is wrong?”
“I have made such a mess of things,” he mumbled incoherently. Raising his head up, he looked Cullen straight in his eyes. “I don’t know what else to do. I need your help.”
Unbelieving the tale that had been told, Cullen paced a path in the rug. Andrew sat on the sofa looking strangely defeated. Cullen held no sympathy. He exploded, “How could you? How could you do that to Josephine, to the family, to yourself? What the hell were you thinking?”
“I’m well aware of what I have done. It will be difficult for you to believe me now, but I had only the best intentions for all involved.”
“You are correct on that point. I think you only had yourself—Kathleen’s best interest at heart.”
“What more do you want me to say?”
“Do you not think Jo deserves an explanation? You have betrayed…”
Andrew shook his head. “Stop badgering me, Cullen. If Josephine was a docile, quiet thing, all of this would have been avoided. I tried to work it out to everyone’s advantage…truly I did.”
A moment of enlightening suffused within him. The words escaped him, “You thought Jo would marry Wade.”
Andrew did not answer, lowered his gaze. Oh, Good Lord! His cousin had lost all his good sense!
“You…intentionally thrust the two together at Christmas in hopes she would have to marry Wade! You even made moves to keep her from me!”
“Wade marrying Josephine would have been the best solution,” Andrew muttered. Then suddenly, he stood. “Would it have been so bad? Wade has never had an issue seducing a woman…especially one he wants…one that has Magnolia Bluff attached to her.
“Yes…yes…yes…I thought when I delayed our impending nuptials she would have found comfort in his arms. Her father would have been content. Wade is who Wright wanted to begin with.”
“You fool! Sit down!” Cullen roared. “Who have you been listening to that suggested it would have been the best for Josephine? She would have been shunned by all of Charleston society! Don’t answer—Kathleen.”
“God forgive me, Cullen, but Kathleen isn’t wrong. I could never have been happy with Jo, nor she with me.” Andrew threw back his hands. “I can’t abide her. Now it’s said. It will be for the better.”
Cullen laughed harshly. “Better? You have just lost the family’s heritage. Explain to me how that is better.”
“But how could I marry someone feeling as I do?” Andrew said in a low, firm voice. “You think I don’t know what kind of woman Josephine is. She is a far better person than I. Do you know why I joined the Underground Railroad? Josephine.”
He stared at his cousin skeptically, wanting nothing more than to shake some sense into him. But he saw a need in Andrew that sparked an ember of pity. His cousin had a need to expel a demon that gnawed at his soul.
“Do you remember down at the Battery when Jo leaped over the railing to save Gillie?”
“Very well. I was there. It was the day you broke your ankle in your attempt to help. The day I got soaked dragging Jo out of the bay.”
Andrew sighed. “I could have stopped Harry Lee before he dropped Gillie. I knew what he intended. I did nothing thinking my friends would think me weak. Instead, it was this small irritating waif that called Harry Lee out. I watched her doing what comes so natural to her. She places honor and duty higher than most men.
“After I was recovering, I thought about what happened. As horrific as it was, knowing Gillie could have died, nothing happened to Harry Lee. It wasn’t deemed criminal because Gillie was nothing more than a slave. I made a vow that day. I have kept it.”
“Commendable, but it does not explain why you can’t marry Josephine?” Cullen snapped.
“Do you think it’s easy for me to admit that I’m not man enough to handle her? She needs a strong hand. I don’t have the time nor the energy to contain her spirit. Oh, God. Do you think I want to hurt her?” He pushed his hands against his forehead tightly. “I can’t. I can’t do this. I fended her off as long as I can.”
“Don’t give me this nonsense! Sounds like nothing more than Kathleen’s prattling.”
“You don’t understand, Cullen…I couldn’t even if I wanted to marry Jo,” Andrew confessed.
“Good Lord, man, what have you done?”
“You have to understand. It wasn’t until after Clarissa passed away. Kathleen reasoned that Wade loved Josephine…they would be happy together…as we are, Kathleen and I. And…Wright would have Jo as mistress of Magnolia Bluff…”
Comprehension sank deep within him. It explained Andrew’s strange behavior over the last few months. He knew, but he had to hear him say it.
“Tell me, Andrew.”
“Kathleen discovered she was with child. My child,” his cousin uttered. “We married. Kathleen is my wife.”
Cullen stared at his cousin in stilted silence. No…no, Andrew would never have done this, not the Andrew he had known growing up but as he spoke the last months flashed before him. Did he not know the pain and anguish of giving up someone you loved? How hard it was to walk away…
It did not excuse his behavior, only explained his actions.
“Why, in Heaven’s name, have you let the engagement go on if you were already married?”
“I told you. Magnolia Bluff. For God’s sake, the family stands to lose…”
“When you married Kathleen, the family lost everything. You fool!” Cullen growled. “What kind of man are you?”
Andrew ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “I wanted to believe everything would work out. Kathleen said it would, but it has only gotten worse. I need to make this right. I don’t know how…” His words faded into the thick air.
“You haven’t a choice. You have to man up and face Josephine.”
His cousin walked over to the window and gazed out at the threatening sky. He nodded and took a deep breath. “I need to explain to Mother. At least, it is only family today gathered for the ceremony. I don’t know how I would face…”
“Only family?” Cullen cut him off abruptly. “Oh, God, you don’t know.”
Cullen didn’t have time to explain. Grabbing his long coat, he shuttled Andrew out the door with a confused Hugh following.
As the carriage neared Girard House, Cullen battled his temper. It would do no good to lose it. He gritted his teeth.
His stupid…stupid naïve cousin! Kathleen, the she devil! Cullen cursed himself for not doing more. He knew she was up to something. Even now, it hadn’t occurred to Andrew what his bride was capable of doing.
When his father had told him of the wedding, of what Elizabeth insisted upon doing for Andrew, he should have been suspicious. Elizabeth had been quite open with her hostility toward Josephine. He had thought it was because Jo had turned him down, but now he realized it stemmed from Kathleen.
That woman had an uncanny ability to get others to do her bidding. He wondered though if Andrew had informed his new wife that the family’s fortune was no more. Somehow he doubted it.
Why had Kathleen allowed the façade to go on as long as it had? What was her purpose? He was certain she had one. To humiliate Josephine? For what
reason? Just downright meanness. Spite. Or simply because she could.
The reason mattered little. The plan had been put into place to humiliate Jo in front of all of Philadelphia. It would not take much. Kathleen probably even had the press within the hotel for the event. The tide of public opinion rode high against the South…this would serve only to fan the flames of hatred.
A Southern belle after a married man with an expecting wife! He could read the headlines now—Southern Adulterer!
The carriage rattled along in the crowded streets. As it rolled to a stop, Cullen climbed out in front of the hotel. He lingered a moment surveying the entrance. It was as he feared. He recognized many of the guests arriving.
He walked up the steps behind Andrew and Hugh. He hadn’t a plan, but his intuition told him he would be needed. Kathleen was determined to cause drama this day. He wanted Josephine far away from it if he could help it.
Making his way through the crowd, he caught sight of his father. Tapping Andrew on the shoulder, he gestured for Andrew to follow him to the rear of the room.
“Father, Andrew needs…,” Cullen began but was immediately cut off. His father’s expression altered.
“Cullen, I’m glad you are here. The wedding has become a disaster,” Jonathan glanced over at Andrew and Hugh. Surveying his nephew, he grimaced and continued. “Mr. Finn, Miss Wright’s friend, was found dead early this morning in shantytown. His throat was slashed. He was identified only by papers he had in his pocket. The sheriff arrived here only moments ago. Finn’s housekeeper said he was expected here today.”
“What was Finn doing in shantytown?” Cullen asked, but then a thought struck him…one his father had already formulated. “You suspect something underhanded is going down.”
“Finn has seen to Josephine’s welfare since the moment she arrived. It would be too much of a coincidence if his murder was not linked to Josephine in some manner.” Jonathan looked over his shoulder. Ignoring Andrew, who stood in silence, he grabbed Cullen’s arm. “I fear that Miss Wright may need to leave.”
“Why Andrew Montgomery where ever have you been? Why are you not ready?”
All four men turned to the feminine voice. Jenna smiled, a wide broad grin. “Tell me you have another suit. Of course, you must. You can use my room upstairs to change. I told Momma there was nothing to worry about despite what that hideous Kathleen Halcoyne was telling Momma…you would not believe...”
“Ssh, Jenna, I can’t take your babbling at the moment. Kathleen has reason, more than you understand at present to be upset, not with Josephine, but me.”
Jenna eyed Andrew suspiciously. “What is wrong with you? All of you? Oh, do not tell me that really was Buck Haynes I saw.”
“Buck is here?” In an abrupt fashion, Cullen grasped Jenna by the shoulders. He questioned, “You saw Buck?”
Jenna recoiled from his intensity and nodded her head slowly. Uncertain of what he wanted her to say, she whispered, “I thought it was he, but Momma said it was an impossibility.”
Upon the utterance, Andrew lost his forlorn expression. Cullen looked over at his father, from the look on his face thought the same. Cullen turned his attention back to Jenna and demanded, “Where is Jo?”
“Rosa said she was about to make her entrance…”
Cullen didn’t wait for Jenna to finish her thought. He had to get to Jo. Pushing back any in front of him, he rounded the stairs and froze at the sight. Walking down the steps, Josephine paused. Her gaze caught his.
She took his breath away. Oh, my lord, she was breathtakingly beautiful. She wore a sheer pink striped ivory gown which set off her ivory skin. The whole of the gown shimmered in the light. The dress hung low off the shoulder accentuated her full bosom. The skirt gathered at the waist, and delicate lace flowed downward in three elaborate layers.
Strands of her dark hair weaved back in a fashionable twist while the rest cascaded down her shoulders held back with pearl combs. A layered pearl necklace fell down to the neckline; matching earrings dangled from her ears. Lovely. Simply lovely.
“Cullen.”
His name escaped her lips much like a cry. Breaking from the trance she had cast upon him, he rushed up the stairs. Taking her arm, he said softly, “You need to come with me.”
A protest lay on her lips. He shook his head. “Trust me.”
She made no other resistance, but gave a troubled look at Andrew who followed the pair back into her suite.
Jo sat down abruptly, crushed…stunned as she listened to their tale. Her eyes wide in disbelief filled with tears. She covered her hand to her mouth in a vain attempt to keep the dam from bursting. Unheeded the tears fell, not for herself, but Papa…and Mr. Finn…he had been so kind.
Words assaulted her from all sides. Finn found dead…fear the Haynes brothers are about…need to withdraw her back to a safe place. But it was Andrew who spoke with a tongue sharper than a knife plunged into her heart. He was married…his wife was with child…All she comprehended—the news would kill Papa.
“Jo, I deeply apologize,” Andrew cleared his throat. “I did not mean to cause you pain. I know I cannot undo what has been done, but I will return to Charleston and explain it to your father. I will do whatever it takes to rectify this situation.”
Unmoved, she said nothing but glared at him.
“Say something for God’s sakes. Yell at me! Tell me what a coward I am…what a miserable excuse for a human being I am.”
Andrew fell to his knees beside her and took her hand. She jerked it back.
“Get your hands off of me!” Jo cried with fire in her eyes. “Did you ever think of talking to me? To be upfront with me, instead of something so devious. Now I will have to live with your lies…I hope one day to forgive you, but it won’t be today.”
“Please, Jo, understand I panicked. I had to do something. Kathleen…she comes from a well-established family. I couldn’t disgrace her. I tried to…take care of the situation…and then it all fell apart with your appearance…I don’t know what more you want me to say.”
“Nothing. I don’t want you to say anything. Leave me, just leave me alone,” she replied caustically, feeling hurt and degraded. “Only think about how selfish you have been. I agreed to marry you, not for me, this was never for me. I wanted to give something to my papa. I hope what you gained in your betrayal outweighs what you have lost.”
She turned her head away from Andrew. Her eyes fixed on the men across the room deep in discussion. Cullen lifted his head and glanced her way. Suddenly, an ominous feeling swept through her.
Worry. Concern. Anxiety. She saw it all in his eyes. He stepped toward her and extended his arm.
“Come. We are leaving.”
“With you?” Jo decried. Her mind hardened. “I want only to go home to Papa, away from any of you!”
“You have little choice,” Cullen said softly. He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He handed it to her. “Now, dry your eyes. There is a danger here. Your papa would never forgive me if I did not see to your welfare.”
She startlingly noticed her hand was trembling; her lip quivered. She looked at him with a sudden feeling of utter helplessness. She was scared and so alone…ever so alone.
He took her hand in a strong grasp. She rose.
“I need my trunk and Rosa…”
“We will worry about that later. Now we are leaving.”
He gave her no option other than taking her fur-lined cloak and muff. She went out of the room without another word.
Chapter Nine
Joe sat in silence. The carriage had long lost the smooth ride along the streets of Philadelphia. The wheels jounced along a rutty road, jarring her back and forth against the cushioned sides. The winds of the snowstorm howled and rocked the occupants. Pulling back the curtain, visibility had greatly diminished. The snow was all she could see blowing hard on the window.
Cullen watched her; she could feel his eyes upon her. She wished he wouldn't do so. She di
dn't want him to see the tears she couldn’t contain, not him, not any Montgomery.
Since the day she had agreed to become Andrew’s wife, she had prepared for her life. She had denied her heart. Instead, she walked the path Papa laid before her; one that would lead to a happy, content life, a life of redemption for her mother’s indiscretion. There would be no salvation.
She had fought her own feelings when every fiber in her body wanted to be loved. She doubted she believed in the emotion anymore. How foolish she had been to have allowed herself to be used in this manner!
Wade…who had pleaded with her…I need you, Josephine. Oh, what a fool she had been! He must have known. Had Andrew asked him to seduce her? Had they conspired against her to the point where she had blindly walked into the fire?
Moreover, there was the one sitting across from her. There was little doubt he had always considered her fast. It is how he had treated her. Touching her, kissing her until all she wanted was for his to take her and forget the consequences!
She felt tears welling once more. Her pride shattered; her heart crushed.
The carriage slowed to a stop. Only when she accepted Cullen’s hand stepping out of the carriage did she noticed their destination. It was a home…far from Philadelphia.
The wind whipped around her. Gathering her cloak tighter about her, she turned to Cullen. “This isn’t an inn.”
"No," he said simply. "I said only I had made arrangements."
"This isn't acceptable. Take me to an inn.”
"This will serve your purpose. It is away from your cousins. Make no mistake, Josephine. They mean you ill.”
Suddenly she hated him, hated him with all her might. She realized he had momentarily saved her from humiliation, disgrace and Harry Lee, but she hated him, irrationally blaming him for the events of the day. Her eyes flared. "I demand you take me back to an inn!”
He ignored her outburst, extending his arm for her. Servants had emerged, standing in confusion on the front steps.
"You are mistaken if you believe I’m going anywhere but into the sanctuary of this house. We are fortunate that we have made it to Rosemount.”
