Authors: Teresa Greene
She wished Nick could have been here to go with her. The next time he came to Taylor’s she would get him to escort her to a party. So handsome and muscular from all the hard work on the farm, the women would go crazy over him.
She knew Nick visited Widow Britt Bailey from time to time. Gossip even touched her ears about his dalliances with the pretty widow. But Abby wanted Nick to find a woman to settle down. Widow Bailey was just a convenience, someone who took care of his needs when they became too strong. Her brother would make some lucky woman the perfect husband. The small farms around Tarboro did not have much to offer. She bet there would be many beautiful, eligible women at the party tonight.
When Abby heard Daniel cooing, she walked over and peered into his crib. Holding his fat feet with his chubby hands, he smiled at Abby. She picked him up and hugged him. Her heart melted when he wrapped his chunky arms around her neck and squeezed. “I’ll miss you, Daniel.” It was the first time she would leave him for an extended period. Sometimes she would take Sugar out for a jaunt, but never more than an hour. “Soon I will be able to show you off and not have to keep you a secret.”
Taylor and Judith walked in to see what was keeping Abby. Judith smiled when she saw her hugging Daniel. “He’ll be fine, Abby. Lizzy and Sally will not let anything happen to him.”
“I know, Judith.” Abby put him back in his crib and kissed his cheek. “Good-night, Daniel.”
Abby turned and Taylor’s eyes almost bulged out of his head. “Don’t you have anything less revealing to wear?”
Her cheeks turning pink, she snapped, “Every dress I have shows too much cleavage. I can’t help it because I am breast feeding. They are not usually this big.” Her hand going to the bodice, Abby tried to pull it up higher. “Besides it is one of the dresses you had made for me.”
“Do you have a scarf or something you can wear to cover up some of that cleavage?”
Judith lightly scolded, “Taylor, you are embarrassing Abby. She is fashionably dressed, even for one so well endowed.”
“Remind me to call the seamstress and get you some more demure dresses made. No one will look at your face tonight because they’ll all be looking at your bosom.”
Taylor took Abby’s hand, his expression changing to serious. “There is one more thing we need to discuss. If you find a young man you are interested in, what will you tell him about Daniel? Do we need to invent a dead husband?”
“No, Uncle Taylor. If I find someone to my liking, I will tell him about Daniel after I am sure I want to marry him. If he wants me, he will also want Daniel.”
Brows drawn, he squeezed her hand tighter. “Gossip may still hurt you, Abby. Once people know you have a child without the benefit of a husband, tongues will wag.”
“Let them wag. I do not want to lie. I would rather be honest.”
“You are so sensible for one so young, Abby. I’m sure you will find a man that will love you and Daniel.”
Chapter Nine
Abby trembled when she entered the ball room on Taylor’s arm, Judith on the other. She was a jumble of nerves, especially when she noticed people looking at her curiously. She wondered what they were saying as she saw several whispering as if they had a secret. Pulling Taylor to a halt, Abby stated, “Maybe this was a bad idea. I want to go home.”
Taylor patted her hand and continued into the room. She tensed considering digging in her heels, but knew she would embarrass Uncle Taylor. Teeth gritted, he whispered, “I promise you will have a good time, Abby. Relax and be yourself.”
She groaned out loud. All the guests openly staring at her only caused her to become more nervous.
Taylor made the introductions to the host. “You know my wife, Judith.” He waited patiently while Judith exchanged a greeting. “This is my niece, Abigail Henley.”
Virginia Lewis looked Abby over. “So you are the young girl I have heard so much about. One of my friends attended Taylor and Judith’s wedding. He said you were stunning. His words didn’t do you justice.”
Abby forced a smile and replied demurely, “Thank you, Mrs. Lewis.” Too nervous to say more, Abby nudged Taylor to let him know she wished to move on. After meeting several more of the guests, she began to relax. Everyone seemed kind and friendly. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
From the corner of her eye she saw the young man approaching, causing her uneasiness to return. He bowed before her, “Miss Henley, my name is David Talbert. Will you please honor me with a dance?”
“I’m not a very good dancer. I think…”
Taylor cut her off. “Of course she would love to dance.” He gave Abby a gentle shove.
She turned and glared daggers at Taylor as the young man took her elbow and propelled her toward the dance floor. Tall and handsome with light brown hair and eyes, he seemed pleasant enough. Her feelings quickly changed when she tried looking into his eyes so she would not look at her feet, but found him staring at her décolletage much too boldly. He talked nonstop about himself, which Abby was having trouble focusing on because he wasn’t looking at her eyes like Judith said he would.
Suddenly, she stepped on his foot and he winced. “Sorry, I told you I’m not a very good dancer.” He smiled and pulled her closer. Abby tried to put a little space between them but he would not relinquish his hold on her. She stepped on his foot again. “Oh, my, I seem to have two left feet this evening.”
Relieved when someone tapped the young man on the shoulder to cut in, Abby faced her new dance partner. She was surprised because he had auburn hair the same shade as hers. His eyes were also blue but they were a shade lighter than hers.
“My name is James McDonald.” A small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McDonald.” Finally, someone she didn’t feel awkward with. She felt a bond with him immediately.
“Call me James.”
“James, my name is Abby.”
James smiled warmly. “I know. Everyone is talking about you. You seem to be a mystery. You know the new and shiny thing that just appeared from out of no where.”
“Why would anyone think I am a mystery?” Abby asked.
“Several of my friends attended Taylor and Judith’s wedding and met you there. Two said they even tried to call on you, but you turned them away. I just wondered why you haven’t been to any of the social events in Durham.”
Abby stepped on his foot causing him to laugh. “Now do you see why? I’m a poor farm girl from Tarboro. I don’t know how to dance and people make me nervous.” She leaned in and whispered, “Would you believe this is the first time I have been to a party?”
“Surely you jest. If you don’t mind me saying so, you do not look like a poor farm girl.” He shot her a sideways glance. “You are lovely and sophisticated.”
Abby giggled because she never considered herself sophisticated. “Thank you, James. But I assure you I am. Taylor Johnson is my uncle on my mother’s side and I am visiting with him.”
Disappointment showed on his face when Taylor tapped him on the shoulder, interrupting their dance. “May I cut in?”
Graciously, James bowed and stepped to the side. “May I call on you, Abby?”
“I would like that, James.”
Taylor waited until James disappeared into the crowd of dancers and glared at her. “Stop wasting your time with the young ones. You need a husband that is at least five years older than you. You and he have to be about the same age. He looks so much like you he could be your brother.”
“I liked him. The first one I danced with was a complete bore.” Abby flipped her fan dangling on her wrist and began to fan her face. “I’m hot. Let’s get something cool to drink.”
Uncle Taylor teased as he twirled her around the dance floor. “The fan is really for flirting. I don’t think you know what the word means.”
“I’m new at this. It may take time for me to get the hang of it. Please can we get something to drink?”
Taylor grimaced. “That would be safer than dancing with you. You keep stepping on my feet.” She slapped him lightly on the arm with her fan for that remark causing him to laugh.
The moment Taylor left Abby by the refreshment table so he could dance with Judith, young men bombarded her begging for a dance. She smiled prettily and stated, “Maybe later gentlemen. I need something cool to drink.” Soon she would run out of excuses. She definitely needed more dance lessons before attending the next party. She thought she knew all the steps, but found it difficult to carry on a conversation and dance at the same time.
Abby tipped her punch cup to take a sip of punch, and that was when she saw him. Dizzy and disoriented, she blinked several times as if she were seeing things. There in the middle of the room stood Cord, women circling around h
im like he was the blessed sun. No matter how hard she tried, she could not tear her eyes away. His black hair was longer, touching the collar of his white shirt. His black suit fit him perfectly showing off every hard muscle. The man still had the power to make her heart flutter. Abby pressed her hand to her chest fearing she would swoon.
One of the ladies said something amusing because she heard his rich laughter float across the room to her ears. He was oblivious to the fact she was there until Adam walked over and whispered something in his ear, pointing toward her. Unable to move, she watched in horror as he slowly walked in her direction. It was as if she were in a trance, mesmerized by his seductive brown eyes locked with hers. She could not read his expression, was it pain, shock, or hate?
Only inches away, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Hello, Abby. What are you doing in Durham?”
At that moment, she felt like they were the only two in the room. Her mind was a whirl of confusion and she saw or heard nothing but him. Abby tried to speak but nothing would move past her lips. She knew she looked like an idiot. Emotions caused her to tremble.
Several seconds passed as his dark eyes wandered over her. “Abby, are you okay? What are you doing in Durham?”
Then she said the most logical thing she could think of. “I’m looking for a husband.”
Dismay showed on his face. “But I thought you were already married. Your father said you married Andrew.”
Abby’s heart beat so fast she thought it would leap out of her chest. “No, I’m not married.” Puzzled, Abby wondered when Cord had talked to her father.
She flinched when she felt him grip her arm tightly. She knew she should stop him, but for some reason she obediently let him lead her away from the throng of guests. Curious stares turned toward them as he weaved her through the crowded room. He stopped at the first door he came to, opened it, and none too gently pulled her inside.
Several people gathered in the room looked at them when they entered. She jumped when he shouted, “Get out!” Everyone obeyed and quickly exited out the door leaving them alone in the room. Abby struggled for breath when she realized she was alone with Cord.
Cord hissed, “I waited for you for three days at the hotel in Tarboro. Why did you not come to town like you said you would?”
Eyes hot with anger, she glared at Cord. She fought to control her temper. He had the nerve to be furious with her. He betrayed her. “And why did you ask me to come to town? What were your plans for me, Cord?” Abby struggled to get out of his grasp, but his grip was much too strong. “You’re hurting me, Cord.”
Abruptly, Cord released his hold on her when he realized he was holding her much too tightly. Not wasting any time, she moved several feet away from him and shouted, “Stay away from me, Cord! I owe you no explanation!”
With steel in his eyes, Cord glared at Abby. His angry strides caused her to panic as he moved across the room toward her. His voice rose in anger. “The hell you don’t. You are not leaving this room until you tell me why you did not come to Tarboro like you said you would!”
At the very moment Abby grabbed a saucer and cup from the table by the door Adam entered. She hurled the saucer at Cord’s head. He ducked and it hit the wall behind him, shattering to the floor. She raised her hand to throw the cup but Adam caught her hand and removed it from her grasp. Abby’s face flushed furiously as she snapped, “Let me go, Adam! This is none of your concern!” She turned and faced Cord, fighting back the tears threatening to spill forth. “I have nothing to say to you.”
Next Taylor and Judith marched into the room. Taylor huffed in annoyance, “We can hear your tirade from the ballroom. Abby, do you want to cause a scandal?”
Unable to keep the tears at bay any longer, she sobbed, “I am a scandal!” She jerked her arm away from Adam, and ran out the door with Judith following after her.
“Abby wait!” Cord tried to chase after her but Adam and Taylor wrestled him to the floor. Fighting to get up, Cord struggled. “Let me go, I need to talk to her.”
Taylor’s furious whisper caused Cord to stop struggling. “Give her time to cool down. I think you and Abby have a lot to talk about, but not here. The two of you have given the gossipmongers enough to keep them busy for months. Make arrangements to come by my home tomorrow. I am Abby’s uncle and guardian. It is the Johnson Plantation.” Taylor rose and ran his hands over his jacket to remove the wrinkles. “Good night, gentlemen.” Both watched as Taylor squared his shoulders, and exited out the door as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Adam helped Cord to his feet. “She is not married. There is still hope of getting her back.” Cord was smiling from ear to ear.
A frown creased his brow as Adam snapped, “The woman threw a tea cup at your head.”
“No, it was a saucer.”
“Don’t be sarcastic, Cord. You may be looking for something that is not there.”
“It is there, Adam. She loves me. I just have to find out why she is so angry with me. Her father told me she was married. It is possible he did something to turn her against me. The man would do anything to keep us apart.”
Adam leaned against the table and replied, “You will get your chance tomorrow. At least her uncle is giving you an opportunity to speak your peace. He seems like the decent sort and will be easier to deal with than her father.”
Unable to contain his excitement, Cord smiled. “I’m not waiting until tomorrow. I am going to find out tonight. I won’t be able to sleep until I know why she is so angry. I
didn’t do anything to cause her anger. I tell you her father is some how involved.”
Adam raised his eyebrow. “Maybe that is her disposition. She was angry at you when I went out to her farm. She said you were dead to her. A woman does not say things like that unless she’s naturally surly.”
“She is sweet, Adam. Someone has caused her animosity towards me and I aim to find out whom. You don’t know her like I do. I love her and I want to marry her. I have already wasted months. I should have gone to Andrew’s farm and seen for myself if Abby was married, but I didn’t. I was stupid to believe her father in the first place knowing how he felt about me. I will not waste another day.”
“You don’t need to go sneaking into the night like some kind of thief. You are liable to get shot.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Adam moved away from the table and began to pace the floor. “I have a bad feeling Cord. Take my advice and wait until tomorrow to speak to Abby. Don’t be impulsive.”
“Sorry, Adam. I have made up my mind and nothing you say can change it.” Cord returned to the party and began asking questions. It took only minutes to get directions to the Johnson Plantation.
****
Light from two lanterns were shining through the windows of the large plantation home. So Cord assumed one of them was Abby’s room. He could not get over the shock of seeing her at the Lewis party. She all but took his breath away in the royal blue dress, her bosoms almost spilling over the top. It must have been the dress because he didn’t remember them being so huge. She had looked rich, sophisticated, and pampered; as if she belonged with the elite of Durham.
Yet, despite his thrill of finding out Abby was not married, he still didn’t understand why she was living at Taylor Johnson’s. Could be her father threw her out because of him. At least she had someone to take her in.
Standing back in the shadows of the ancient oak, he listened for any sounds. Except for the croak of frogs and the hum of night bugs he heard nothing. A light spring breeze blew and the limbs above him moved eerily. Stealthily, he moved across the lawn, took the steps to the terrace, and pressed his back against the house. He tiptoed to the French doors and peered in through the sheer curtains. He could just make out two forms entwined in the bed. The moment he heard the woman moaning in ecstasy, he prayed that wasn’t Abby’s room. Surely, it was her uncle’s room. He discovered at the party the man recently married.