Central Park Rendezvous

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

  Permelia began to straighten the pillows on Annie’s bed. “I had no choice.” Perhaps she should have told her sister about the encounter in town. But wait. Permelia stared at Annie. “What do you mean you tried already? Tell me Jackson hasn’t come to call.”

  Annie sashayed to her dressing table and dabbed perfume on her neck. “He came by last night, after you retired.”

  “Highly inappropriate.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Annie’s voice was patronizing. “I assured him that I hadn’t made up my mind yet.” She paused, glancing at her reflection in the dressing glass again. “Jackson is so handsome, so charming, so romantic.” She sighed. “But he has no money.”

  Pamela rubbed the ache rising behind her temples. Sometimes she felt as though she didn’t know her sister at all. “You’re promised to William. Please give him a chance.” Though the thought broke her heart, Permelia wanted to see William happy above all else.

  And from all indications, he truly loved Annie.

  Annie adjusted her skirts. “I’ve never seen Jackson quite so enraged. Though I don’t know why. I informed him about William years ago.” She faced Permelia. “I simply can’t know what’s he’s going to do. He all but declared he will not let me go without a fight. Isn’t that romantic?”

  At the look of excitement in her sister’s eyes, Permelia spun back around. Jackson Steele was not a man to be trifled with. She recalled the way he had glared at William in town as if he were an enemy on the battlefield. A knot formed in Permelia’s throat. Certainly the man wouldn’t harm William. Would he?

  A warm spring breeze wafted over William as he strolled along the stone path marking the outskirts of the Shaw plantation. The scent of dogwood and cedar filled the air as the honeyed voice of Annie filled his ears, bringing him a contentment he’d not felt since he arrived in Virginia. Not only had Annie finally recovered from her illness, but she agreed to spend some time alone with him. Just like they used to do when he’d come courting, walking this same path, arm in arm.

  Although the scenery had changed.

  Fields that used to be brimming with tobacco plants lay overgrown with weeds. Instead of the chatter of activity, whinny of horses, grate of ploughs, and laughter of children, only the buzz of insects and the chirp of birds accompanied the tap of their shoes over the thistle-infested flagstone.

  Yet with Annie’s delicate hand once again on his arm, his mind wandered back to former days, to a happier time when they had strolled down the bustling streets of New York, drawing the gazes of society matrons all abuzz at their famed courtship. William Wolfe, inheritor of Wolfe Shipbuilding and the most handsome eligible bachelor in town. Ah, yes, those were grand days!

  “I’m most pleased you are feeling better, Annie.”

  Adjusting her parasol against the hot sun, she smiled but did not meet his gaze. “I am not sure what came over me.” She hesitated. “It is truly good to see you, William.”

  See him? Since they’d left the house, she hadn’t seen him at all. Not once had she looked his way. Though he couldn’t attest to the same. In fact, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. The way the sunlight glittered off her skin and hair in a shower of brilliant diamonds, her lips the shade of the wild geraniums doting the landscape, moist with dew. He swallowed the desire to kiss them. Though he had taken such liberties in New York, he felt no such offer extended to him here. At least not yet. And not before he discovered who this Jackson fellow was and why he was under the mistaken notion that he was engaged to Annie. But he’d wait to pursue that topic. William did not wish to spoil the first happy moment he and Annie had shared since his arrival.

  “This war has done no disservice to your beauty, dear. You are the picture of loveliness as always.”

  Voices drew his gaze to Miss Permelia helping Elijah load the wagon with vegetables to exchange in town for much-needed supplies. Absent from the younger sister were the sparkling jewels, the bead-laced coiffure, the bell skirt that fairly floated over the ground. Instead, with loose hair flowing down her back, Permelia wore a simple cotton gown fringed in nothing but dirt.

  “Why, how kind of you to say, William.” Annie giggled, drawing his gaze back to her.

  He kissed her forehead, inhaling her fragrance of lilac. A fragrance that brought back memories of the last time he saw her on Bow Bridge in Central Park four years ago. He could picture them so clearly standing on the snowy bridge: the way her distraught sighs had emerged in sweet puffs upon the icy winter air, her glistening eyes so full of love, her father’s carriage in the distance waiting to take her back to Virginia, and William commanded to report to his captain that afternoon and be sent off to fight.

  “I cannot stand to be apart from you,” she had said, falling into his embrace. “I hate this war already. Why can’t we be married now?”

  William had reluctantly nudged her back. Taking her shoulders, he’d studied her face, trying to memorize each line and curve, the graceful shape of her nose, her thick lashes now wet with tears. “Because your father will not permit us to marry until this war is over.” Reaching into his pocket, he’d pulled out the coin and handed it to her.

  “What is this?”

  “My pledge to you, darling.”

  She examined the engraving. “It says ‘Love never fails. W.W. Central Park.’” A tear slipped down her cheek.

  He wiped it away. “This coin is my pledge to marry you on this very spot as soon as the war is over.”

  “Oh William.” She stood on her tiptoes and smothered him with kisses.

  Even now, four years later, William warmed at the memories. Especially with her once again by his side. “Where is that coin I gave you?”

  Pushing away from him, she fingered the top of a tall weed. “I have it somewhere. I don’t remember.” She started walking again.

  William’s jaw tightened. Don’t remember? Did his pledge to marry her mean so little?

  A group of wood swallows flitted between the limbs of a mighty oak to William’s left, serenading them in a celebratory chorus. Or was it a warning?

  The silence stiffened between them, and William sought the words to ask her once again if she would accompany him to New York. If she still wished to marry him.

  Perhaps sensing the oncoming question, she began chattering about all the difficulties she had endured during the war.

  A squirrel halted on the path ahead of them and stared at them curiously before scurrying away.

  Taking her hand, he slid it in the crook of his elbow once again. “I cannot imagine what you suffered, darling. I wish I had been here to help, to comfort you, when you heard of your father’s death.”

  “And we were left defenseless.” She sobbed, though no tears filled her eyes. “All our slaves ran off. Can you believe it?” She flashed a glance at him but quickly averted her eyes. He remembered that expression of hers so well, like a spoiled little girl who didn’t get her way. It used to charm him. But now, he found it oddly annoying.

  He halted. “All men have a right to live free, Annie.”

  Huffing, she snapped her parasol shut. “Of course I know that.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “But it was so frightening, William. Just Permi and me. And then the soldiers ransacked our house, I feared for our…” She bit her lip. “Well, you know…. I feared they would…”

  Gripping her shoulders, William turned her to face him. “Did they?”

  She lowered her chin. “No. But Permi shot one of them.”

  “Shot?” He glanced at Permelia hefting a small crate onto the back of a wagon.

  “Yes, it was horrifying.”

  Horrifying for Permelia, no doubt. He glanced at the pearls around Annie’s neck and her elaborate gown. “Yet you seem to have kept most of your nice things.”

  “Only because of Ja—well, a lady needs such fripperies, William.” She gave him a coy smile, her gaze avoiding the scarred side of his face. “How else am I to charm my fiancé when he arrives?”

  Which fia
ncé? William wondered. “Because of Mr. Jackson Steele, you meant to say.”

  Her lips slanted, and she continued forward.

  William wiped the sweat from the back of his neck. “I met him in town. The man swears you are engaged to him.”

  Halting beneath the shade of a hickory tree, she turned her back to him. “You do not understand. I had to ensure our survival.”

  Agony caught in her voice, lowering William’s defenses. He was behaving like a jealous ogre. He touched her shoulders. She didn’t recoil. Turning her around, he took her in his arms. “Forgive me, Annie. I didn’t mean to distress you.”

  She looked up at him then out onto the fields, her eyes blue jewels in a creamy pond. “While Permi grows her meager crops, it is I who’s been forced into frightening alliances with the enemy.”

  “Of course, darling. I’m behaving the cad.” Though William could not entirely understand why she had to go as far as espousing herself to Jackson, he did understand the desperate measures one had to take during wartime to survive.

  She laid her head on his chest and sniffled. “The sacrifices I’ve made. And here you accuse me of… of…”

  “I am truly sorry.” He caressed her back, wondering why his body did not react to the press of her curves—a sensation he had longed to feel during the endless years of war. But it was her letters that had kept him going. Her sweet letters—filled with words that had caused him to fall even more deeply in love with her.

  Chapter 5

  Flirtatious laughter spilled from the front parlor. Halting at the door, Permelia took a moment to brace her heart before entering the room, tea service in hand. She knew what her eyes would see. What they had seen all day. Her sister clinging to William, chattering and fluttering her fan about like a lovesick bird—like she always did when eligible men were present.

  Any eligible man.

  Earlier Permelia had been forced to witness the amorous playact as the couple strolled about the plantation grounds. Now, in early evening, the heartrending performance continued incessantly in the house.

  Silently begging God’s forgiveness for her jealousy and for the strength to endure the night, Permelia set the tray down and gazed at the couple sitting side by side on the sofa. She supposed the sight would settle better with her if William looked at all pleased. But a perpetual glimmer of suspicion and unease had sparked in his eyes ever since they’d entered the house.

  Completely unnoticed by Annie, of course, who continued to regale him with gossip from town.

  “You don’t need to do that, Permi. That’s why we have Martha and Ruth.” Annie waved her fan in Permelia’s direction.

  “Martha and Ruth are otherwise occupied preparing our supper.” Permelia forced a smile and handed William his tea. “For which we have you to thank, William. I must say, we haven’t had such abundance in years.”

  Taking his glass, William’s eyes locked with hers. Something flickered within them she could not place. But whatever it was, it sent her heart thumping. Turning, she strolled to the open window. Shadows drizzled over the trees like molasses, transforming their bright greens into a dull gray. A breeze cooled the perspiration on her neck. Absently slipping her hand into her pocket, she fingered the coin, the feel of it helping to assuage her sorrow. She’d meant to give it back to Annie but had forgotten. Or had she? She couldn’t imagine being without it. Besides the letters, it was her only link to William. A link that had shamelessly fed her fantasy all these years that he’d pledged his love to her instead of Annie.

  Which was ludicrous, of course.

  She sipped her tea. A burst of mint followed the cool liquid down her throat.

  “So, dear William, tell me how your family fares?” Annie asked. “Were you able to visit them after the war?”

  “Indeed. I paid them a visit before traveling here. They are all well.”

  “And your family’s shipbuilding business. Did it suffer much during the hostilities?”

  Permelia spun around and lowered herself into a chair.

  William glanced toward her, sending a thrill through her once again. “Quite the opposite, in fact,” he said. “War increases the need for sturdy, well-built ships. My father informed me production has nearly doubled.” He’d abandoned his uniform for civilian clothes: black trousers stuffed within knee-high boots, a gray waistcoat over a simple white shirt, a black neck cloth neatly tied about his throat. Yet even without the epaulettes and stripes, his commanding presence permeated the room.

  “I am so pleased to hear it.” Annie flashed one of her beguiling smiles and sipped her tea. “You’ll no doubt be taking over the business in a few years as your father promised?”

  “That is my plan.” Again, he looked at Permelia. She averted her eyes. Why was he torturing her so?

  His answer seemed to please Annie as she squirmed in delight, sending her curls bouncing over the nape of her neck. Candlelight shimmered over her cream-colored gown and reflected a luminous glow from the pearls at her neck and ears and the beads adorning her hair. Even her turquoise eyes glittered like the sea under a noon sun.

  Permelia glanced down at her plain, soiled gown, suddenly wishing she could fade into the velvet fabric of her chair. After working in the fields, traveling to town and back, and spending an hour helping Martha in the kitchen, she had forgotten to change for supper.

  Running a hand through his hair, William leaned back on the sofa and gazed at Annie as she continued prattling. How could Permelia blame him for being so enchanted with Annie’s beauty?

  Or was he?

  Setting down her tea, Permelia studied the odd expression on his face, which harbored more confusion than admiration. Annie would have noticed it, too, if she took the time to look at him. But even sitting on his unscarred side, she barely glanced his way.

  Permelia, on the other hand, found it increasingly difficult to tear her gaze from him. In fact, she hardly noticed his rippled flesh anymore.

  Annie pouted. “How nice to hear that not everything was destroyed by this horrid war. Why, we have struggled for so long, I cannot imagine living without worrying every day how we are to survive.”

  William laid a hand over hers. “When we are married, you need never concern yourself with such things again.” He turned to Permelia. “And of course I will institute a good overseer for the plantation. You will be well cared for here.”

  “You are too kind.” Emotion burned in Permelia’s throat, and she gazed down at her hands folded in her lap. She was truly happy for Annie and William. Their marriage would be good for everyone. They would be happy, and Permelia would not have to worry about money ever again. Then why were her insides flopping like a fish caught in a jumbled net of jealousy? Just being with them, watching them together, drained the life from her soul. She had always prided herself on her kindness, charity, and her obedience to God. What was wrong with her?

  Standing, she intended to excuse herself to see about supper when the front door slammed open. Boot steps pounded over the marble foyer, and all eyes turned to see Sergeant Jackson Steele appear in the doorway.

  William rose slowly. Something on the man’s face had him reaching for the sword at his hip. Which was absent, of course.

  Jackson’s sword, however, was not. In fact, the polished metal winked at William in the final rays of the setting sun angling through the window.

  Permelia gasped.

  Annie froze. Her eyes took on a skittish look. “Whatever are you doing here, Jackson?”

  The man sauntered into the parlor as if he’d been there a thousand times before. “I came to set things straight.” Dressed in a freshly pressed dark uniform with light blue stripes, he held his cap in one hand while the other hovered precariously over the hilt of his sword. Sharp gray eyes scanned the room with impunity from within a finely sculptured face.

  Annie struggled to stand. “Jackson, may I introduce William Wo—”

  “We’ve met, love.” Jackson sneered.

  Love. The
hair on the back of William’s neck stood at attention.

  Pressing down her skirts, Annie sashayed toward the intruder. “This is hardly the time, Jackson.” She clutched his arm and attempted to tug him out the door.

  “Let him speak,” William said. It was fine time he discovered the truth. Annie certainly wasn’t being forthright. And Permelia, sweet Permelia, never said a disparaging word about anyone.

  Disgust at William’s scarred face reflected in Jackson’s eyes. “Annie and I are engaged, Colonel.” He took Annie’s hand and threaded it through his outstretched arm. “And I insist you leave at once. It isn’t proper for you to be lodging with two unattached women.”

  Pulling away from Jackson. Annie’s face paled. She lifted a hand to her forehead while Permelia rushed to her side.

  “You would be well advised to curb your tone when speaking to a superior, Sergeant,” William said as both confusion and fury rampaged through him.

  “You pull rank on me in so personal a matter?” He gave a tight grin. “Very well, I will alter my tone, but that does not alter the truth that Annie is still engaged to me.”

  William glanced at his fiancée, hoping she’d tell the man the truth, but she seemed to be having trouble breathing. “The lady tells a different story, Sergeant. As I understand it, she offered you her kind regard in exchange for protection from vandalism. That is all.”

  Jackson snorted. “Kind regard. Is that what she’s calling it?” A salacious gleam sparked in his eyes as they swept over Annie.

  William took a step toward him. Sword or not, he would put this mongrel in his place if he dared say another word to impugn Annie’s reputation.

  “Please go, Jackson,” she breathed out as Permelia led her to a chair.

  “Not until you tell him the truth, love.”

  “There is no need for an altercation,” Permelia pleaded. “I’m sure we can work this out.”

  “Indeed we can.” Jackson said, gesturing toward William. “If this man leaves.” He raised his brows toward Annie. “Love, do tell the Colonel.”