Bayou Bride

by Bobbi Smith

  In his wisdom, the priest hurried his final words, and the service was ended. Sympathetic friends and relatives surrounded Nick and Jordan, embracing them and extending their condolences. Jordan held her breath as she caught sight of Julian pressing his way through the crowd.

  "Nick, my sympathies at your loss," Julian said as he shook Nick's hand.

  "Thank you, Kirk wood. It was good of you to come."

  "Mrs. Kane..." He turned to her to take her hand, peering at her intently through the concealing veil. "Jordan, I believe it is? My heartfelt condolences on your loss."

  Jordan couldn't help but tense at his use of her first name. "Thank you," she murmured, keeping her eyes deliberately downcast.

  "I hope to be seeing more of you in the not-toodistant future," Julian said softly for her ears only, then let go of her hand and blended in with the crowd.

  Jordan stood there frozen, immobile until Nick's call forced her to action.

  "Jordan..." Nick said her name, drawing her attention back to him.

  "Yes?" She glanced over at him sharply.

  "I think we'd better go up to the house now."

  She took his arm and allowed him to lead her down the path that led to the mansion. Most of the gathering followed them, but not Kirkwood. When Jordan glanced back, she saw him open the carriage door, climb in, and sit down. Before she looked away, she caught sight of a black-gloved hand carefully parting the curtains for a moment, then letting them slide closed again.

  A chill of pure horror wracked Jordan, for she knew it couldn't have been Kirkwood. He'd taken a seat on the opposite side of the vehicle when he'd entered it. Her thoughts were racing. She tried to imagine who would have accompanied him to the cemetery, then watched surreptitiously from the vehicle, never bothering to join the others. She kept coming up with the same dreadful answer-it had to be someone who was looking for her.

  Panic seized Jordan, but she clung tightly to her self-control. One more day, she thought, just one more day. If she could just make it through today, then she could go. She could disappear again, just like she had from England, and Nick would be saved from the terrible embarrassment of finding out about her past.

  Jordan clung to the solid strength of Nick's arm as they made their way toward the house. It felt good to hold onto him. She felt safe and protected as long as she was at his side.

  Jordan cast a sideways glance at him. She could see how taut the line of his jaw was and knew he was fighting a desperate battle to maintain his mastery over his emotions. She ached to help him, to share his pain, but she knew it was impossible. Nick wanted nothing to do with her. He'd made that perfectly clear that morning when, after their night of loving, he'd barely spoken to her. She was certain that as far as he was concerned the bargain was complete. They were just going through the motions now until the time came when he could officially end the marriage.

  As they started up the steps to the gallery, Jordan managed one last glimpse back toward the cemetery. To her great relief, Kirkwood's carriage was headed down the drive away from the house. She was still safe, at least for now.

  Philip had joined the group at the cemetery, deliberately staying near the edge of the crowd to keep a low profile. Knowing how Nick felt about him, he did not want the other man to see him. Peri had been standing with her parents on the far side of the gathering, and she had noticed him right away. Several times during the service her eyes had sought his, telling him with just a glance all he needed to know. He'd longed to be the one standing proudly by her side, but he knew for now he had to be satisfied with the way things were. Philip promised himself, though, that he would soon claim her for his own.

  When the service ended and the mourners headed back to the main house, Philip slipped away from the crowd. As hired help, he wouldn't be welcome inside, and so he chose to watch the procession from a distance.

  Philip's gaze followed Jordan as she disappeared inside with Nick, and he wondered how she was holding up. He knew how she felt about Nick, but judging from the conversation he'd had with Nick the other day, he honestly believed that the man did not return her more tender feelings. Jordan's love seemed hopelessly one-sided, and now that their bargain had been met, he prayed she would be strong enough to be able to walk away.

  The thought of leaving Riverwood so abruptly troubled Philip. He loved Jordan, and he was bound to go with her when she did leave, yet he didn't know how he could ever bear to be separated from Peri. Philip knew he was going to have to have a long talk with his sister as soon as he could so they could make plans. His future happiness with Peri depended on it. Turning away, he slowly started to walk back toward his quarters.

  "Philip!"

  He spun around to find Peri running toward him. "Peri..." He took a quick look toward the house, and, seeing that they were unobserved, he caught her up in a warm embrace and kissed her hungrily.

  I'm so glad I caught up with you. I've only got a minute to talk..." she told him breathlessly in between quick, desperate kisses. "I had to tell you..."

  "Tell me what?"

  "I'm going back to New Orleans with my parents later this afternoon."

  "Peri... why?"

  "My parents thought Nick needed some time alone." She gave him a pleading look that begged for understanding. "Since I haven't been able to tell them about us yet, I couldn't give a reason for me not to accompany them."

  Philip was disappointed, but he also thought her leaving for a while might really be a godsend. With Peri away, he would have time to help Jordan. "Don't worry. I understand completely."

  "Good. I was afraid you might be angry."

  "With you? Never," he vowed with a smile as he kissed her again. "I'll miss you, of course, but as soon as things settle down here, I'll come for you. Then we can be married. How does that sound?"

  "Heavenly," she sighed, as content as she could be considering the unhappy circumstances. "I love you...

  "And I love you."

  "I have to go before somebody notices I'm missing."

  "I'll see you in New Orleans," Philip pledged, knowing that somehow he would find a way to go to her.

  "I'll be waiting," Peri promised, and with one last fleeting kiss she hurried back to the house to be with her family.

  The guests had long since departed. Except for a few low-burning lights, the house was dark and much too quiet. Weddington moved through the empty rooms, hating the oppressive silence and yet knowing that there was nothing he could do about it. Nick had disappeared into the study as soon as the last of the company had gone, and Jordan had retired to her room and asked not to be disturbed for the rest of the night. Weddington decided to check on Nick one last time before going to bed himself. He knocked on the study door and waited for him to invite him in.

  "What is it?" Nick bellowed, annoyed by the interruption. He didn't want to see or talk to anyone. He wanted to be left completely alone.. .to drink and to think.

  "Mr. Nick? Can I get you anything?" Weddington asked, stepping into the room.

  "No, thanks," he replied curtly.

  "How about something to eat? I can have the cook..."

  "I'm not hungry, Weddington. Thank you. If I want anything, I'll let you know."

  "Yes, sir." The butler knew when it was best to make a tactful retreat. He backed quietly from the room, leaving Nick by himself once more.

  Nick slumped back in his chair once the servant was gone, the bottle of bourbon clenched tightly in his fist. Though he'd been drinking steadily since the last of the visitors had gone, the liquor had yet to really take effect. It aggravated him, and he stared balefully at the bottle, seriously considering switching to something different.

  The knock at the door took Nick by surprise. He glowered at the closed portal.

  "What do you want this time?" he snapped, thinking it was Weddington again.

  The door swung slowly open, and he was amazed to see Jordan standing there. She was still dressed in her plain black mourning gown. She had pulled her
hair back in a severe bun that morning, and she was still wearing it that way. She looked pale and fragile, and Nick knew a nearly overwhelming desire to take her in his arms and never let her go.

  Nick refused to acknowledge his feelings for her, though. That morning when he'd awakened in his own bed to find her already gone, he'd known he'd made a terrible mistake. Then when she'd sent Weddington to check on him a short time later, he'd realized it was completely finished between them. They'd had very little to say to each other during the course of the day, and he couldn't imagine why she felt the need to talk to him now.

  "You wanted something, my dear wife," Nick said with virulent sarcasm.

  Summoning what little nerve she had left, Jordan moved farther into the room and pushed the door shut behind her. She had been upstairs in their bedroom, going over and over what she planned to say to him. It was important that she get this over with as quickly as possible. Kirkwood had discovered her identity, she was sure of it, and she had to get away from Nick and Riverwood while she still could. She didn't want to bring disgrace down on Nick. She cared too much.

  "Why close the door, Jordan? I doubt you'll be staying that long," he snarled.

  "I need to talk to you," she ventured simply.

  "So, talk," he replied coldly. His dark-eyed gaze was resting on her with such insulting familiarity that she shifted uncomfortably.

  Jordan gave a stubborn lift of her chin. She knew he didn't love her, but there was no reason for him to be so cruel. The way she saw it, he'd be glad to be rid of her. "I was hoping you'd give me my papers tonight, so I could leave Riverwood first thing in the morning."

  Nick didn't know what he'd been expecting her to say, but it was certainly not this. His father hadn't even been dead thirty-six hours and here she was, already wanting to leave. His lips curled in disgust as he looked at her. Any hope that he'd ever had that she felt anything for him was wiped out in that moment. He took a deep drink as he continued to stare at her with icy regard.

  When Nick didn't respond to her request, Jordan grew even more uneasy. She couldn't afford to stay any longer. She had to get away, now, before Kirkwood came back for her, and she knew he would-sooner or later. Although it was killing her to say these things to Nick, it was the only way.

  "Nick, the terms of our bargain have been met," she pointed out logically, trying to keep her voice from wavering. "I played the part of your wife as you wanted me to, and now it's your turn to keep your part of our agreement."

  "Ali, yes, our agreement," he sneered. "Well, you certainly proved yourself worthy of my investment. You had my father firmly convinced of your sincerity.

  "I was sincere! I loved your father!" she countered, not wanting him to belittle the feelings she'd had for Charles.

  Nick wanted to scoff at her claim. She may have loved his father, but she'd never loved him...He found he wanted to strike out at her, to hurt her as she was hurting him.

  "There are many words I'd use to describe you, Jordan, but sincere isn't one of them," Nick said caustically as he set his bottle aside and rose from his chair. He moved around the desk like an animal on the prowl, coming to stand before her.

  There was a tremendous war of emotions raging within Nick. He loved her. There could be no denying it. Being in her arms, making love to her, was pure bliss for him. He remembered every sweet, succulent curve of her body and how perfectly the two of them seemed to fit together. Yet even as he loved her and desired her, he hated what she was. She had left him on their wedding night to go to another man. The memory of her betrayal still filled him with frustrated fury, and he knew he would never forgive her for it. Never.

  "Nick, I don't want to get in a war of words with you. I just want to complete our bargain and go. That's all." Jordan did not retreat from his advance, but stood her ground. With a brave lift of her chin, she met his regard. His expression was so wooden she had no idea what his thoughts were.

  "By all means, let's be done with this farce," he suddenly agreed, turning his back to her and returning to his seat. He unlocked his desk drawer and rummaged through it.

  Jordan wanted to rush to him, to throw her arms around him and beg him to love her. She wanted to tell him that she didn't want to leave, that she loved him. But instead she held her tongue and stayed where she was. She knew it would do no good to humiliate herself that way. Nick didn't care for her. If he did, he surely would have said something about what had happened between them last night. Obviously their passionate lovemaking had meant no more to him than just drunken solace.

  "Here we are," Nick announced, holding up the sheaf of papers that would mean her freedom. Without a second thought, he quickly signed over the document to her. Then he got out a bank draft and wrote it out for an amount far above what he'd originally promised her. He tossed the papers casually on the desktop near her. "There. Take them and go."

  Jordan picked the documents up and glanced at them quickly before looking at Nick. "No, this is wrong. It's too much money."

  "As accomplished an actress as you are, my dear, you deserve every cent. Please, take it with my compliments. Besides, it may take your Montgomery quite a while to find another job to support you."

  She wanted to blurt out the truth, but she couldn't. She could only suffer in silence and bear his scorn without any attempt to defend herself. "I thank you for your generosity."

  "What time do you plan on leaving in the morning?"

  "As early as possible."

  "Take everything with you. I don't want anything left behind," he told her coldly.

  "All right, I will, thank you."

  "Don't thank me. You've earned it all."

  Her eyes filled with tears, but she quickly turned away before he could see them. She couldn't let him know how much his hatred hurt.

  "Oh, and Jordan?" Nick's cutting voice stopped her.

  "Yes?" she asked, without facing him.

  "I'll take care of getting the annulment. Notify Weddington of where you'll be staying so I can forward the necessary papers to you when the time comes."

  "I'll do that." With a calmness that belied her true feelings she walked out of the room.

  The prospect of returning to the solitary confinement of the bedroom filled Jordan with misery. Instead of going upstairs, she left the house and ran all the way to Philip's quarters.

  Nick heard her go outside instead of upstairs. He watched in embittered silence from the window of the study as she rushed off down the path to join Montgomery, knowing that as she went she was leaving his life forever.

  Jordan was desperate to see her brother. She knocked on his door and called out his name, not caring at the moment who saw or heard her. It was over. What did anything matter any more?

  "Philip!"

  Her brother was there within seconds, throwing the door wide and taking her into a supportive embrace. "Jordan! What are you doing here now?"

  "Philip... there's so much I have to tell you, but the most important thing is, Nick gave me my freedom tonight." She showed him the papers. "Now we can leave here first thing in the morning."

  Philip heard the fear in her tone and wondered at it. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

  "It's Kirkwood! He's here. He knows Nick and he's coming after me!"

  "Kirkwood?"

  "Luther's American partner. I met him once in London."

  "And he knows Nick?"

  "Yes. I don't know how it all came about, and I don't want to know. I saw them together the other day, and he was at the funeral today. I know he knows it's me, Philip. I know it!"

  "If he recognized you, why hasn't he had you arrested yet?"

  "I don't know, and I don't intend to stay around to find out. I just want to get out of here before it's too late."

  She was so frantic that Philip held her close and began stroking her hair and murmuring softly to her. "All right, little one, just relax. We'll go, just like you want, but there's something I have to do before we can leave the area."

 
"What?"

  "I want to go to New Orleans. I have to see Peri again."

  "Peri?" She was surprised. She hadn't known that things had progressed between them.

  "We're in love, Jordan, and we want to be married."

  "Oh, Philip, that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you." She hugged him tightly.

  "Thanks. I don't know how I can explain everything to her, but I'll think of something."

  "I wish things were different."

  "So do I, but they aren't. We'll just have to make the best of it."

  "I hope Peri loves you enough to understand."

  "I hope so too."

  Philip walked Jordan back to the big house. He watched and waited until she was safely back inside, then he headed back to his own small house. Philip had been almost asleep when she'd first come to him, but now that he knew about Kirkwood, rest was the furthest thing from his mind. They had to get out of there as quickly as they could. Any delay might cost Jordan her life.

  By first light, Philip was completely packed and ready to go. All he had left to do was to put out the signal at the landing so the steamer would stop on its way downriver. He knew he wouldn't feel his sister was safe again until they were in the city, lost among the crowds.

  It was dawn. Jordan was already up and dressed. She'd packed most of her things herself and only now had summoned a servant to help her finish. A soft knock at the door signaled what she thought was the maid's arrival, and Jordan hurried to admit her.

  "I thought you were the maid," she said, surprised to find Weddington there instead.

  "I was already up when you rang, so I thought I would come and see what you needed," the butler told her. His gaze couldn't help but slide past her into the room, and when he saw that she was packing, his eyes widened. "Miss Jordan, what's going on?"