Beautiful Whispers (Ausmor Plantation Book 1 - Romance/Suspense)

by Alice Ayden

  I nodded. He tested my resolve. I held my ground and tried to act nonchalant. I pushed my hair back behind my ears and straightened out my dress - just a ruse to stop my blood pumping through my veins at breakneck speed. I needed Byron to tell me. I needed Byron to be who I remembered.

  He concentrated on my alien mobile as if looking through a smudged department store window to purchase just the right words. “He swore I’d hurt you. I’d destroy you if you were with me. On his death bed, he could barely talk. He motioned for me to come to his side. When I leaned over and heard his whispers. I thought…” Byron jumped up and walked to the window. “I hoped he would say something. Anything that would make up for him being the nastiest piece of...” He stopped.

  Byron never swore. It was a point of honor with him. He turned around and faced me. “Do you know what he said?”

  I shook my head.

  “He said, ‘let Jane go. She’s too good for you. You ruin everything you touch.’ Then he gasped. The doctor rushed over and pronounced him.”

  My resolve shrunk. I wanted to go to him. To tell him it was okay. To run my fingers through his dark hair like I used to.

  “I try to stay away from you. I leave. I—”

  “Sleep with half the town?”

  Byron hesitated then nodded. “Maybe so you’ll move on. Forget about me. If I hurt you now maybe you’ll stop thinking about me.”

  I frowned. Byron timed his words for the appropriate ambush. He wasn’t clinically a narcissist – too clever for that – but even the wiliest politician envied his self-absorption. He sounded too rehearsed.

  “Where’d you hear that?”

  He shrugged. “A shrink.”

  I nodded. “Uh huh.”

  “It doesn’t make the words less true. The thought of you with someone else.”

  “You mean Alexander.”

  Byron curled his lip as if he could taste Bitty’s rubber hosed lasagna. “You can save me. You always save me from myself. That’s one of the reasons people like me. They figure if Miss Jane Eva Austen can love me, then I couldn’t be all bad.”

  “This doesn’t have anything to do with me, does it?”

  He smiled his devilish grin, and confident Byron returned. “Miss Fanny Dingo likes me.”

  “She likes stuffed animal guts.”

  “Mrs. Kiness likes me.”

  “She’s going for shots tomorrow.”

  He grinned. “Name one member of your family who doesn’t find me irresistible.”

  Easy. “Aunt Bitty.”

  “That’s not fair. She hates everyone.” He moved closer to me.

  I held up my hand. “Tell me about Alexander.”

  That stopped him in his tracks. He shifted from seduction to irritation. “What is it about him? He’s the son of a—”

  “I don’t care.” I heard the words and was proud of myself for saying them out loud. And even prouder for thinking and believing them. I didn’t care about some antiquated society rule or town gossip.

  “You need to stay away from him. I won’t warn you again.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not some minion you can order around. I know you, Byron. You can’t intimidate me.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Why? It works on everyone else.”

  “Cause I know your secrets.”

  He paled a bit, and I wondered if that was really true. I got a chill. Did I know Byron? What had he done to Alexander? I turned to leave, but this time Byron didn’t stand in my way.

  “You don’t know him like I do,” Byron said. “He’s not what you think he is.”

  I stopped with my hand still on the door handle and peered over my shoulder. “Who is?”

  I ran down the stairs and through the house. Darkness peered in through the windows. I wasn’t sure if tourists still lurked. No, the house hours had changed closer to Christmas. We closed at 4 pm. Gave people time to get home or to hotels before the roads froze.

  I thought some staff leapt out of my way, but I ran by them so fast they blurred. No one stopped me or said my name. I continued through the house, in through the dining room and hallway until I stood outside Alexander’s door.

  I leaned in close to hear him on the other side. Nothing. I rose my hand to knock, but my stomach churned. I knew. Something was wrong. I quickly grabbed the door handle and turned it, rushed inside and closed the door. He wasn’t in bed. He wasn’t at his desk. Was he even here? I breathed a little easier. Probably still had Mrs. Kiness to do lists. She was famous for them. I walked to his bed and sat down glad my terror hadn’t been realized. Then I saw him.

  Clumped on the floor of his bathroom, Alexander lied in a heap. I raced to him and slipped on blood. I found his face or the bloody mess of it and felt for a pulse. Steady. I jumped up ready to race through the house to find Mrs. Kiness. She’d know what to do. I didn’t do terror or emergencies. No one had me on their call list.

  Alexander grabbed me. I didn’t know he was conscious because both of his eyes swelled shut. He whispered to me, and I knelt down to hear him.

  “Jane, are you alright?”

  Those words brought tears to my eyes. “Am I alright?” This man. This beautiful man bleeding and half dead on the bathroom floor unable to see or move, and he thought of me. “Yes, I’m okay. What can I do? Tell me what to do.”

  His swollen lips moved, and I had to lean to hear him. “Mrs. Kiness.” Was all I could make out.

  “I’ll get her.”

  He grabbed me again. “Did he hurt you?”

  I shook my head. Not physically. Alexander strengthened his grip, and I realized I hadn’t said anything. He couldn’t see that I’d shaken my head. “No. He didn’t hurt me. I’m fine. I’ll be right back. I’ll get Mrs. Kiness.”

  I raced out of Alexander’s room and almost flattened Evan in the hallway.

  “Jane, what is it?” He looked down and saw the blood on my hands. “What happened?”

  “Alexander. Byron had these men at the party.”

  Evan nodded as if he understood and raced into Alexander’s room.

  Evan would take care of everything. He always did. I just had to seal the deal and get Mrs. Kiness. Those two could organize the world’s problems during a commercial break and still have time to go to the bathroom and make green tea.

  When I returned with Mrs. Kiness, Evan had already gotten Alexander into bed and changed the bloody clothes.

  Mrs. Kiness gasped quickly, recovered and went to work. I stood back as she ordered her own friendly minions to get emergency supplies. I could imagine her as a wartime nurse wearing a huge skirt with plenty of pockets and steadily gripping the hand of a soldier about to be de-legged. I stayed out of the way as Mrs. Kiness and Evan fixed things.

  Alexander reached his hand out.

  “Jane,” Evan gently said. “He needs you.”

  I grabbed Alexander’s cold hand. “I’m right here. You’re going to be fine.” I looked for confirmation at both Mrs. Kiness and Evan. Evan nodded, but worry hid behind Mrs. Kiness’ eyes. She knew then what I failed to grasp at the time: nothing would be the same. Threats lurked, secrets longed to be told and my choice about who I wished to spend time with would change everything forever.

  24 Jane

  I held Alexander’s hand and listened to the doctor explain broken ribs, cuts, contusions, abrasions, hairline fractures of a cheek bone, swollen eyes... I stopped listening when I heard him say Alexander would be fine but needed to rest and heal.

  He gave Alexander a sedative for the pain, and Alexander was out. But he never let go of my hand. Evan brought in a chair so I could sit beside the bed.

  Evan didn’t know what to do with the Byron situation. Mrs. Kiness had been pale since learning of Byron’s actions. She’d always loved Byron, but she didn’t know where to place her anger. I was too numb to think about it.

  Alexander had refused to press charges. He didn’t think it would matter with Byron’s money and connections. No one could convince Alexande
r to change his mind. I didn’t try. Byron’s stable of lawyers could slither him from danger.

  Once the doctor left, Mrs. Kiness returned to her leadership position. She brought sunflowers from the greenhouse they miraculously were able to grow even in the middle of December. She brought pitchers of water and juice and a basket of snacks and cookies. Okay, the snacks were more extensive, but I stress eat. Sugar makes traumas less dramatic.

  I watched Alexander as Mrs. Kiness placed a compress over his eyes to lessen the swelling.

  “Jane,” Mrs. Kiness said touching my shoulder. “I will take the first shift.”

  I shook my head. I couldn’t leave him.

  “I understand, child, but...” she hesitated as she studied her patient. “I am sure Mr. Ravenswirth will be anxious for you to be here when he is conscious.”

  “What if he wakes up?”

  “He should sleep a good six hours. That is what the doctor said.”

  “But...” I didn’t want to let go of his hand.

  “You will need your rest, dear. Go and sleep so as to be fresh tomorrow morning.”

  It wasn’t a request. Mrs. Kiness didn’t ask. She said; we did. I slowly let go of Alexander’s hand and watched him a bit. Then I left.

  By the time I closed Alexander’s door, the fatigue slammed me. Adrenaline had been keeping me conscious. I must have walked through the house and up the stairs because, before I knew it, I stood in my room. A note on my bed told me Lillia had extended another invitation for Miss Fanny Dingo to stay with her. I peeked under the bed and saw all of the collections had been taken as well.

  Before I collapsed, I locked my door. I glanced at the Jack and Jill bathroom. I rummaged through drawers and found an old Fanny Dingo toy that jangled. I walked through the bathroom and peeked into Karenda’s empty room. I closed Karenda’s door and put the jangly thing on the handle to alert me of any trespassers.

  Not too long after, my door jarred quickly, but the lock held. Someone softly knocked. I rushed to it in case Mrs. Kiness needed help with Alexander. But she would say something. I listened.

  “Jane...”

  I recognized Byron’s voice. I put my hand on the door knob to open it, but I didn’t want to face him. I went to the bathroom and took a long shower then went to bed.

  In the morning, I woke early. Six a.m. - early for me. My organs didn’t pulsate till at least nine, and my blood didn’t start flowing until five minutes before that. I jumped out of bed, put on jeans and a sweater, slapped some form of makeup and lipstick and flung my door open. I almost tripped on Byron huddled on the floor.

  He jumped up, and I noticed he still wore his tuxedo from last night. He’d slept in the hallway all night. Good, I hope he got a cramp.

  I raced around him without saying a word.

  “Jane. I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’d never hurt you.”

  I half listened as I raced down the stairs and through the house as Byron and his hollow excuses followed me.

  I stopped when I opened the door to the Old Wing. Byron couldn’t follow me down the hall. I didn’t want Alexander to hear his voice.

  I put my hand on Byron’s chest to stop him, but I still couldn’t look directly at him.

  “Jane, please. Talk to me. Let me explain. Let me make it up to you.”

  I heard footsteps and turned around to see Mrs. Kiness marching towards us.

  “Mr. Bashley,” she said in her coldest voice as if speaking to a speck of dust. “Please leave the premises.”

  I finally glanced at Byron. His eyes actually held tears.

  Banished, he started to say something but couldn’t. He lowered his head and walked away.

  Mrs. Kiness and I looked at each other. We had a silent conversation. She knew by my expression that I hadn’t said anything to Byron, and he didn’t acknowledge his crimes. After a few moments, she smiled at me. It wasn’t a happy smile just a ‘not much we can do about it now’ expression.

  “Alexander?”

  “He slept all night, as I suspected.”

  I nodded. Mrs. Kiness never let an opportunity escape to prove herself correct.

  “And he has been awake for about thirty minutes. He is still in pain but does not wish to burden his body with the sedative. He has eaten and is asking for you.”

  That’s all I needed to hear as I rushed to his door and went inside.

  Alexander’s eyes were still covered, but he smiled when I entered. “Jane?”

  “It’s me.”

  He held out his hand, and I sat down beside him.

  “You sure you’re alright?”

  “Yes.”

  He sighed heavily. “So afraid of what he’d do to you.”

  I flinched. I didn’t know why Alexander always worried about what Byron would do to me. “How are you feeling?” Stupid question, I thought.

  He shifted and grimaced as he held his side. “As long as you’re okay, I’m fine.”

  “Mrs. Kiness said you slept all night.”

  He nodded. “Did you?”

  “Mrs. Kiness forced me out or I would have stayed.”

  “You’re here now.” He gripped my hand harder as if I was planning to leave.

  “And I’m staying. She won’t force me out again.”

  He smiled. “Good. Not being able to see...” He hesitated to continue.

  “Sucks?”

  “Yeah.”

  Evan ran into the room. “You’re here.”

  “Yes.” I wasn’t sure what Evan’s shorthand meant. “Problem?”

  Evan flinched, hesitated, folded and refolded his arms. “Did you...were you...how long have you been here?”

  “A few minutes.” Then, I realized. He’d either seen or Mrs. Kiness had told him of Byron’s visit. “Taken care of?”

  Evan nodded. “Taken care of.”

  Alexander smiled. “He was here, wasn’t he?”

  I looked at Evan. “I guess he slept outside my room all night.”

  Alexander clenched his jaw and sat up straight.

  “I locked my room up because I didn’t want any surprises.”

  “Smart,” Evan said.

  “So, he slept in the hallway all night?” Alexander asked.

  “I guess.”

  “Hope the rat bastard gets a cramp.”

  I laughed. “That’s what I thought when I saw him...I left out ‘rat bastard.’ But it fits.”

  Evan looked at me then at Alexander. “Well... I see you’re doing... I should...if you need...don’t worry about...” Then, he was off.

  I shook my head. “I love my crazy family.” I instantly thought of Bitty and grimaced.

  Alexander shifted positions carefully. “He going to cause problems for you?”

  “Evan?”

  “Byron.” He spit out the name.

  I didn’t know how to answer. We sat in silence for awhile.

  “Tell me what Mrs. Kiness brought.”

  I let go of his hand and investigated the room. “Sunflowers, but they’re shy.”

  “Sure.”

  “A basket of...” I peeked inside the basket expecting brownies, fudge, cookies and all sorts of chocolate health. Instead, apples, pears and pineapple assaulted me. “Yikes.”

  “No chocolate?”

  “Fruit.”

  Alexander curled his lip. “I’ll take the pears. You can have the pineapple.”

  I frowned. “Guess I can dip it in chocolate.”

  “What else?”

  “Fresh juice, tea, water.” I looked at Alexander’s desk and picked up a picture of his mother. “Beautiful.”

  “My mother?”

  “Yeah.” I picked up another picture and recognized Alexander, Evan and I as kids. There was another of a blonde man who looked like Alexander. He had the same crooked smile and piercing green eyes. “You look so much like him.”

  “I do.”

  “I only saw him a few times.”

  “He was t
raditional. Didn’t think it right for the families to see their workers.”

  I nodded. ‘The families’ had always been code for the ones who lived in the house. I picked up the book, The Killer Angels.

  “Best book on the Civil War.”

  “How’d you know I picked up the book?”

  “Next thing on my desk. Can you read some to me?”

  I studied him and noticed how much he held his side. “If you take a pain pill.”

  “They make me tired.” He lowered his head and winced. “I can take the pain.”

  I handed him a pill and some water. “I can’t.”

  He relented and took the pill. “Promise me you’ll still be here when I wake up.”

  I picked up the book and took his hand. “Promise.”

  After several chapters, he sat up straighter.

  “I love this part.”

  I examined the worn out copy with pages barely staying intact. “How many times have you read this?”

  “Eleven.”

  I read more until he fell asleep. I knew he was asleep because he stopped smiling. I put the book down but never let go of his hand. “Why does Byron hate you so much?”

  25 Jane

  It was the third day I held onto Alexander’s hand as he slept. He’d been out of it most of the time. It gave me a chance to look at him without others spying on me or his eyes finding mine. His bruises were healing and the swelling around his eyes almost gone. I had to resist running my fingers through his curls. Wait a minute. He had short hair.

  A memory? I closed my eyes and tried to snatch the images that floated past me like a hungry dragonfly eyeing a new puddle. I mentally reached out to grab hold, and I saw Alexander with longer hair. A mop, as some would call it, of loose honey curls.

  Alexander squeezed my hand. “Still here?”

  “I am.”

  He smiled. “Shouldn’t keep you. Probably have things to do.”

  “Yeah, Ausmor might collapse without my input. I don’t know how Karenda and Evan have survived without my vast decision making skills.”

  “Don’t do that.”