"So I should have an overage on my account at Wright's?"
Millie placed a comforting hand on her father's arm. "I think you've been charged for what you didn't receive."
Henri frowned. "Are you implying Chandler swindled me?"
Millie gazed at her feet. Her father stood and paced. He threw his hands in the air and shook his fists at the ceiling.
"I'm going to kill him! We could have lost the entire plantation because of him."
Henri stalked toward the door but Millie stepped in front of him.
"Millicent Jane, move aside. I intend to confront Chandler."
"Father, you mustn't."
"But–"
"Father, as of yet we have no proof. I can't believe I'm saying this, but diplomacy is needed. Before you accuse Chandler, let me speak with him."
"No, I will not allow it."
"Father, please. Let everything continue as normal. Allow me to have my allotted time with Chandler. You forget he used me in his trickery. I want to know how and why he would do such a thing."
Henri breathed rapidly and his shoulders rose and fell in his anger. Finally, he said, "I will allow this. However, you must be within my sight at all times. And you must promise if you sense danger, you will alert me immediately."
"I promise."
****
Stabbing pain from the back of his neck to his temple woke Stephen. He moaned. With great effort he lifted his hand and touched the tender area. His hand came away sticky. He painfully opened his eyes, but everything was dim. Water droplets splashed his face.
Turning his head slightly, he felt the hardness of a rock against his cheek. Dull light filtered through an opening. He almost vomited as a fresh wave of pain shot through his head.
When his head stopped spinning, he pushed onto his elbows and stretched one hand toward the light. Shivers of cold raced up his spine and he fought to control his trembling before it reached his head—too late. Darkness threatened to engulf him again. He focused on Millicent's face. He couldn't pass out, not now. She needed him.
The feeling passed. Stephen groped with his hands and felt a wall of rock behind him. Using his palms, he walked them backward up the wall until he was in a sitting position. His head continued to spin.
Slowly, he looked around. The light was coming from a medium sized opening partially blocked by dead branches and debris. Summoning his energy, he reached and moved the branches aside to see a river with swirling torrents beneath him. In the wane light he could discern no escape from his prison.
Leaning back against the wall, he prayed for the safety of Henri and Millicent. If they discovered Chandler's treachery, they could be in grave danger.
Chapter Thirty-One
Millie's stomach roiled with fear as she dressed for her morning appointment with Chandler. Already he'd told Amelia to inform her he was ready for their stroll. Millie was so nervous she'd taken the servant stairs to the privy and thrown up. When she returned, Amelia asked, "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes."
Amelia had tried to dissuade her sister all morning, but to no avail. Changing the subject, Millie asked, "Did you speak with Mr. Vincent?"
Amelia's expression clouded and she dropped onto the bed, her lips parting in a sigh. "Yes."
Millie's back was to her sister, but she watched her reflection in the mirror. "What did he say?"
"He thanked me for telling him what you discovered." Amelia gnawed her lip. "Do you really believe Chandler is capable of hurting Stephen?"
Millie swallowed her fear and nodded.
"I just don't understand. Chandler is handsome and smart. Why would he need to cheat plantation owners out of their money?"
Millie faced her sister. "Do you remember the time he told us he was making his father's business more profitable?"
"Yes, but I assumed he meant better products."
"As did I. But now I think he was talking about cheating people."
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Millie whispered under her breath, "So do I."
Moments later she descended the stairs to meet Chandler. She had to be crazy to do such a thing. She should have allowed her father to take care of the situation.
Chandler waited in the foyer and extended his arm toward her. She wrapped her hand around his elbow. He said gallantly, "You look beautiful. Shall we go?"
"Shouldn't we wait for the chaperones?" Millie replied softly.
"They'll catch up to us." He led them to the stables where two horses were saddled and waiting. "I thought you might like to do something besides walk in the garden."
"Oh, but I love walking in the garden."
"Be that as it may, the horses are ready."
Millie nodded and secretly searched for her father or Charles. No other horses were saddled. No chaperones hurried toward the stables. Even if they arrived soon, it would take several minutes for them to prepare their mounts. She glanced at Chandler and gave him a brief smile. He returned the expression and she looked away. Inhaling a calming breath, she resigned herself to a horseback ride.
Chandler lifted her onto the sidesaddle. The horse wasn't her usual mare and acted skittish beneath her. Stalling for time, she said, "Would you mind if I changed my horse? I don't think this one takes to me."
Chandler frowned but helped her to the ground. She pointed to a horse and said, "I'd like to ride that one." Chandler saddled the horse and Millie watched him closely to make sure the straps were tight. He frowned.
Millie shrugged. "You can never be too sure."
Chandler didn't argue and lifted her onto the saddle once more. Assured she was settled, he climbed onto his own mount. "Shall we depart?"
"Lead the way."
Millie held the reins loosely and the horse plodded along. Chandler's own mount pranced, not appreciating the slow pace. He said, "Hmm, this is not exactly what I had in mind. I know you like galloping along the plantation trails. I thought we could do a bit of racing."
"Racing? No, Father would never approve."
Chandler's head fell back with laughter. "Father wouldn't approve? Since when did you stop defying your father?"
Heat flushed Millie's cheeks.
"You know I speak the truth."
"Yes, but things are different now. I'll soon marry, settle down, and become a lady of my own household. I have a reputation to uphold."
They rode in silence for a few minutes before she garnered the courage to ask, "How is the mercantile business?"
Chandler shifted in his saddle to look at her. "The business is fine. Why do you ask?"
Millie shrugged. "Well, you're courting me. If we marry, the mercantile will become part of my life, too."
"If you're worried about money, you need not concern yourself. I have plenty to keep you in your accustomed lifestyle."
"Chandler, you completely misunderstand. My father has allowed me to help with the paperwork of the plantation, and if I marry you, I would wish to do the same for you. I want to be involved in every facet of my husband's life."
"I see no need for you–"
"But I do. Mr. Hughes has taught me valuable skills in keeping the household budget on track. I'm sure those same skills could be used in your business."
Chandler lifted his collar away from his neck. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Millie looked behind them.
"Looking for someone?" he asked.
She gulped. "Yes."
His eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"My chaperones."
"Ah, of course. I'm sorry I forgot about them. We've been on so many outings alone I didn't think that rule applied to me. But of course your father wants to protect your honor until you are married. I should have been considerate enough to saddle horses for them. With our slow pace, however, I'm sure they will have no trouble catching up."
Millie stared straight ahead. As they rounded a bend, Chandler directed his animal onto an obscure trail. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"A special
place I found long ago and always wanted to share with you."
"I don't think–"
"Millie, my little dove, don't worry."
Millie looked back along the road and saw dust billowing in the distance. She released a pent up breath. The chaperones were nearby. Unexpectedly, she began having second thoughts about Chandler being devious. After all, they had known each other since childhood. Perhaps he was unaware of the issues at the mercantile. Maybe he truly believed they had received the supplies. With so many stores to run in different states, it would be difficult to know everything going on. If she talked to him about the problem, perhaps he could clear everything up.
"Are you coming, my dove?"
Millie rolled her eyes at the endearment, but directed her horse along the trail. Once in the line of thick trees the road was no longer visible. Surely her chaperones would note their horses' hooves leaving the main road.
They rode for a long time. "Where are we going?"
"As I said before, someplace special."
"It's taking awhile. I can't wait to get out of this saddle."
Chandler laughed and drew his horse beside hers. "Not much farther, I promise."
The trail narrowed and Millie reined her horse behind Chandler's. When they stopped, they were at the edge of a cliff. Chandler helped her dismount. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the edge.
Millie held her breath. One false step and she would plunge to her death.
****
Stephen was going to kill Charles Vincent. There was no way around it. What was his friend doing in his hour of need? He was probably wooing Amelia.
He leaned farther out. Somehow Chandler had carried him here, and if there was a way in, there had to be a way out.
Right now, Chandler was with the woman Stephen loved, Millicent Jane Beaumont. She was his, and had been ever since that first letter arrived at his home by mistake. No one else could marry her. He had to escape and warn the Beaumonts.
He tried to stay awake, but his head pounded and his eyelids drooped. Later, when he woke, the sun was still shining. He sighed with relief. The sound of a voice startled him.
"Mr. Green, is you out there? It's old man Isaac. Been searchin' all over for ya. I seen footsteps, but it sure would help if you'd jus' yell out."
Stephen recognized the servant's voice. "Help! I'm in a cave."
"Praise the Lord," shouted Isaac.
A few minutes later the old man's head peered around the edge of the cave's small entrance. The men stared at each other. "Where did you come from?" asked Stephen.
"I guess that depends. How far do you want me to go back? Because you see, my momma always said before she had me that I was but a speck in her mind and then–"
"No, I mean now. How did you find me?"
Isaac rubbed his chin. "Weren't too hard. Didn't figure you was out for a friendly ride when Mr. Wright had you slung over the back o' his horse. But he lost me when he cut off toward the river. Sorry it took so long to find ya."
"Is there a trail outside the cave?"
"Yessir. Although from where you're sittin', I guess it ain't noticeable. Go ahead and slide forward and I'll help you onto the ledge."
The ledge Isaac spoke of was no wider than two men's palms side-by-side. "How did Chandler get me in here?"
"I 'spect he took the other route and dropped you in through the hole at the top. Ain't no way he could'a got you in this way. 'Course maybe that means he don't know there's another way out."
They reached safe ground and Stephen patted Isaac's back. "Thank you for the rescue."
"You're mighty welcome, son."
"What's the quickest way back to the plantation? I have to reach Millicent and warn her about Chandler."
"Jus' follow me."
Stephen's head pounded and he fought nausea with every step.
Chapter Thirty-Two
"This place is beautiful. But what are we doing here?"
Chandler turned to face Millicent, his expression serious. Bending onto one knee he gazed up at her while reaching into his pocket. Holding a ring aloft, the sun captured the facets of a diamond and cast rays of rainbow light in every direction.
Millie covered her gaping mouth.
"Millicent Jane Beaumont, will you marry me?"
Millie heard approaching horses and turned around. She gasped when Stephen, covered with crusted blood, urged his horse forward in front of Isaac and her father.
She stepped toward Stephen, but Chandler grabbed her around the waist. "Don't come any closer," he ordered the men on horseback.
Stephen halted his horse and dismounted.
"Chandler, what are you doing?" Millie asked.
"Stephen isn't your chaperone. What is he doing here?"
The cliff loomed behind them. Millie tried to loosen herself from his grip, but Chandler tightened his hold. His hot breath rasped against her ear, "Where do you think you're going?"
"We're too close to the cliff, Chandler. We need to move away so we can talk rationally about this."
"What's there to talk about? Stephen wants to steal you from me."
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't even know Stephen. He's nothing to me," she lied.
Millie saw Stephen flinch.
Chandler said, "Millicent, surely you don't think I'm that naive. Why would someone who owns his own plantation in South Carolina travel so far to court a girl he doesn't even know?"
Millie stared at Stephen. The deep blue of his eyes pierced her soul. She closed her eyes.
Chandler shook her. "Answer me! Why is he here? Did you make a pact with him?"
"Let her go. Your dishonesty has been discovered," Henri said with a trembling voice.
"Ah, the great Henri Beaumont. I see you've figured it out now."
"Not I, but Millicent."
Unexpectedly, Chandler dropped his hands and turned Millie to face him. With a puzzled expression, he asked, "Why did you come with me if you knew what I'd done?"
Millie stepped backward. "I had to be sure."
Chandler lifted a hand toward her but she moved out of his reach. "Why does no one think I'm capable of success? My own father thought I would let the business fail. But I showed him. The South Carolina store and the store in Bayou Sara have never been more successful."
Rage built inside Millie. "But not really, right Chandler? You haven't been delivering the supplies that people paid for. Was it a shock to find out our plantation could be in financial ruin because of what you've done?"
"I–I–"
"How could you? Not only have you destroyed your family's reputation, but you've sent my family on the path to financial ruin."
Chandler fell to his knees and buried his head in his hands. Lifting his face, he pleaded with Millie. "You probably won't believe me but I wanted to stop. I really did. It was just that after all those people kept paying their bills and no supplies went out, I didn't know what to do."
"You could have admitted your mistake," said Henri.
"How could I admit that I had forged Millicent's name to your receipts and that I lost the family money gambling on river boats? My father would disown me."
"And what do you think he'll do now?" asked Millie, as she edged closer and closer to her father.
In a hoarse whisper, Chandler said, "I don't know."
"Let us help you, son. You've made a mistake but I think we can fix it."
Chandler looked up and blinked. "What?"
"Come back to the house and let me help you. I'm sure if I talk to the other plantation owners and you come clean, something can be worked out."
Chandler lowered his head and nodded.
****
Too shocked to speak, Stephen watched the scene unfold. The ring lay on the ground untouched.
He stood rigid until Millicent ran into her father's arms. Isaac grabbed her horse from the edge of the cliff and helped her into the saddle. Henri walked to place his hand on Chandler's shoulder and assist him up. The group mounted an
d cantered back toward the plantation. Stephen lagged behind. He struggled to understand why Henri and Millie had forgiven Chandler of his indiscretion so easily. Would Chandler's father be as forgiving?
Perhaps. Over the years, Stephen's own father's philosophy on many subjects had changed, and he often forgave people that Stephen wanted to punish.
Millie brought her horse alongside his. "You're quiet."
"I'm thinking."
"What happened to your head? Are you all right?"
Stephen grimaced. "I was on my way to tell your father the truth about Chandler when he broke a vase over my head."
"Oh, no. It wasn't the pretty blue one was it?"
Stephen lifted his brow and watched Millie smile. She said, "I'm kidding. Does it still hurt?"
"Yes." He stared straight ahead.
"Do you wish to punish Chandler for his deeds?"
"Honestly?"
"Of course."
"Then yes, I do. I'm trying to reason why your family isn't."
Millie sighed. "I can't explain it. Maybe we want to help him because he's like family."
"You know, in the end, it won't matter? You're not the only people he tried to ruin. Others will want revenge. Did you see on my list that Wright's Mercantile was written twice?"
She nodded.
"That's because Wright's Mercantile also sends supplies to my home."
"Then he–"
"Yes, he not only swindled your family, but mine, as well, and I want revenge."
"Stephen?" She sounded serious and halted her horse. The group continued onward. "Please watch what you say. Sometimes we don't always tell the truth when we should. Someday you may be in a similar situation and need forgiveness when you don't deserve it."
Stephen opened his mouth and closed it quickly. Releasing a pent up breath, he looked directly into Millie's face, and said, "You're right. I understand completely."
****
Millie's time with Stephen was postponed after he was treated by the doctor and ordered to rest.
Millicent, Southern Hearts Series, Book One Page 15
