Authors: Kitty Margo
“Suzanne, must you ever exaggerate?” Lynna took off running and laughed over her shoulder, “
I’
ll
race you!” She
didn’t
even bother to turn around, she knew without looking that Suzanne
would not
quicken h
er pace one iota. The girl rarely
exert
ed
herself
,
outside of the bedroom
.
The water was refreshing and cool, lifting Lynna’s spirits and bringing back memories of the summer
she had
first arrived at Magnolia House. She, Suzanne, Daniel
,
and Samuel had spent practically every afternoon during the long
,
lazy days of summer at the river. The boys had taught her to swim the wi
dth of the river with ease,
dig worms and catch a mess of crappie for supper, while Suzanne watched primly from the shade of a tree
and complained of the dreadful
heat. It all seemed like such a long time ago. She closed her eyes and floated for the longest time before asking, “Do you ever wish you were a child again, Suzanne?”
“Heavens no, I
would not
alter any part of my life.” Suzanne was watching her closely as a harmless turtle popped his head out of the water a few feet away. “Do you?”
“Sometimes. Life was so uncomplicated then, so simple.” Lynna had a sudden pained flashback of the day after their return from Charleston. A melancholy Daniel had come to her house that evening, after her aunt had retired for the night and Lynna was sitting on the porch swing.
“You are
no
t going to marry me, are you?” he questioned softly, startling her.
“Danie
l, I did
no
t hear you come up...
I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me the truth, Lynna. Please,
do not
feel you must lie to spare my feelings. I have to know, so I can go forward with my life with, or without you.”
His anguish had brought scalding tears to her eyes and she decided then
that
there would be no more lies. Daniel deserved better. She
would
tell him the truth, perhaps then he could find someone worthy of his love. “I
cannot
accept your proposal, Daniel.” The words were ripped from her heart and she despised herself for saying them. “It was never my intention to hurt you. I do love you. I have loved you as…a brother since the day I came here and I always will.” She lowered her head miserably. “Please,
do not
hate me.”
“I could never hate you, Lynna. I have no doubt
I will
love you until the day I di
e. If you ever change your mind…
I will
be waiting with open arms.” She watched him walk away, but not
before carelessly brushing away a
betraying
tear
.
She almost dashed after him to tell him she would marry him, anything to ease the pain she alone had caused, but that was
no
t the solution. In the long run it would only hurt him more.
“Lynna!” Suzanne snapped,
sounding put upon and
extremely agita
ted. “Are you listening to me?
I declare, talking to you is like talking to a tree stump, I get just about as much response. I was telling you that
I will
be returning to Charleston soon.”
This gained Lynna's full and immediate attention, so much so she allowed the tree stump comment to pass without rebuttal. “I was
no
t aware that you were planning a trip before we all returned in the fall.”
Suzanne glanced at her obliquely. “Actually, no one is aware yet. I have
no
t even informed
M
other and
F
ather of my plans.”
“I see,” Lynna murmured drowsily as the gentle current carried them down the river. “And you foresee no disagreement from them?”
“Lynna dear, as you well know, I could do almost anything, short of murder, and receive my father's blessings.” Then she opened her e
yes and cried, “Look how far we have
drifted. How long have we been floating?
For heavens sakes,
I can feel freckles popping out on my nose already!”
Lynna giggled as they swam to the edge of the river and climbed out on the bank, looking around to get their bearings.
She had
never dr
ifted this far downriver,
either. They were wringing water out of their transparent chemises when they heard, “Well, would you boys looky here!”
Lynna gasped, too horrified to move a muscle as she stood face to face with three filthy, tattered, and burly men.
One of the men spat a stream of tobacco juice toward her bare feet and grinned lasciviously as her wet shimmy clung to every curve, leaving little to the imagination.
Before an indignant Suzanne could run, two of the men grabbed her, while the third lunged for Lynna.
“We’ll hold this one while you have a little fun with that perdy yellow haired wench, Jess.”
One of Suzanne's captors chortled, “But they ain't nothing wrong with us having a little look see while we wait, is they
,
gal?”
“Unhand me this minute!” Suzanne shrieked. “This is my father's property
you are
trespassing on and I
would not
care to be in your shoes if you harm me!” She stopped screeching abruptly as his hand slipped beneath her bodice and cupped her breast, his thumb lightly stroking her erect nipple. Suzanne’s protests halted immediately and she began to squirm.
Lynna was totally
shocked and disgusted as she watched Suzanne’s eyes glaze with lust as the man squeezed and tugged hard on her nipple. Surely she
could not
be enjoying it!
Suzanne struggled belligerently to free herself, knowing full well
that
if he continued his sensual assault she
would
be begging him to take her right there. God, she loved it rough! But instead of stopping, his other hand moved under her shimmy
,
causing Suzanne to gasp. As a strong wave of desire washed over her
,
she decided on another tactic. “Release me, please! I can get you all the money you want.”
The man holding her licked his lips and ground his crotch into her buttocks as he wheezed, “I got all I need right here.”
Lynna yanked free of Jess's arms and ran, but unfortunately not fast enough. Grabbing her legs
,
he caused her to fall forward
,
hitting the ground with enough force to drive the air from her lungs. Before she could catch her breath
,
he was on top of her and her first ragged breath was a mixture of stale cigarettes, cheap whiskey, and rotten teeth.
Bile rose in her throat at
the sight of the thick green film covering his teeth, and the tobacco juice that streamed from the corners of his mouth. She fought back nausea when she noticed bits and pieces of old food stuck in his matted beard. Before his mouth came down on hers, she put her heart into a bloodcurdling scream.
“Ain't no need for all that hollering, Missy. I aims to have me a taste of this
perdy
body
of
yorn
,” he chuckled. “You just relax now and enjoy it like your friend over there.”
Lynna
could not
believe her eyes! Suzanne had reached behind her and was massaging the man’s privates! Then as she watched, totally dumbfounded, Suzanne spun around and lifted her leg for the man to enter her.
“
I’
ll
have you kicking and screaming with pleasure, just like her, and begging for more when I
git
through
wit
you,” Jess promised. “You ain’t got to put on airs with ole Jess.” There was a rending tear as his huge, calloused paw ri
pped open the bodice of her chemise
and he d
rew in a sharp breath. “Um, um!
Looky
here boys! Ain't that a sight to behold?”
Neither of the men looked. One
could not
believe his luck as Suzanne bucked in his arms, and the other was fondling her breast and patiently
a
waiting his turn.
Jess lowered his lips to Lynna’s breast, as his free hand bunched her
shimmy
around her waist. Holding her
wrists
pinned over he
r head with one hand, he pulled down
his trousers with the other, while he tried to separate her tightly clenched thighs with his knee.
Lynna tried desperately to shove him off, but with her hands held over her head
,
her strength was no match for his. She closed her eyes, screaming hoarsely as her legs finally gave way under the pressure and opened beneath him.
Her scream gained Suzanne’s attention
,
just as she gained the release her trembling body sought. She dropped her leg, looked around with a puzzled expression, and smoothed her shimmy as the other man reached for her. Unfortunately for him
, her lust had been satisfied
for the moment, and she was no longer in the mood. Without thinking, she slappe
d him soundly across the face.
Lynna felt Jess’s rigid shaft pressing hotly against her thigh as he breathed into her ear, “That's
rite
, missy, just close your eyes and let ole Jess pleasure you,” and knew all was lost.
She was struggling to bring her knee up,
and render him incapable of the devious act he had in mind,
when miraculously
,
his heavy weight was lifted from her body. She opened
her eyes and relief washed over her in a flood to see Joshua
slamming his fist into Jess's face. Daniel was doing the same to the second
ruffian
, while the third man was sneaking up behind Joshua with a large rock poised over his head.
“Joshua, behind you!” she screamed.
Joshua turned just in time to dodge the rock and quickly overpower
the man. When the three thugs
were no longer a threat
,
Suzanne threw herself into Joshua's arms. “Oh, Joshua, it was so horrifying!” she sobbed hysterically. “I have nev
er been more
terrified in my entire life. But, thank God, all they did was…hold me.” She glanced back at a traumatized Lynna
,
who was trying to cover her
naked breast with her hands
. Suzanne knew Lynna would never jeopardize her aunt’s position at Magnolia House by speaking of her own…indiscretions.
“At least they did not…
”
Shoving Suzanne brusquely
away,
Joshua rushed to Lynna and
gathered her into his arms to ho
ld her close. Lifting her chin
,
she read the question in his eyes before he whispered, “Did he hurt you, Lynna?” Joshua knew
no one could stop him from killing the man if he had.
“No, you a
rrived in time. Just like last…
how did you know we were here, Joshua?”
“I
had
just arrived and Daniel was giving me the grand tour
. He led us to the water’s edge, where we found your discarded gowns and we were following the river when we
heard your scream. Be thankful you have strong lungs.” He recalled the first time
he had
heard Lynna's scream and his sense of panic had been just as pronounced the second time. He laid her head on his broad chest as
he
cradled her close to his heart. “Are you sure you are unharmed, my sweet?”
“
Yes, I am
sure, Joshua. A little shaken
,
perhaps.” The security she felt was overwhelming. Content not to move, she stayed thus with Joshua softly stroking her hair until Daniel returned with Silas. Suzanne, and surprisingly Daniel, had rage gleaming in their eyes.
It was an almost physical agony when Lynna was removed from Joshua’s arms and placed in a wagon. Once home, he sat beside h
er on the bed and held her hand
until Judith shooed him out
, insisting her niece needed
rest. That night
,
only after
she had
soaked in a hot bath and was in bed
,
did Lynna
allow the tears to flow.
She awoke the following morning with one purpose, to find Joshua
and thank him for rescuing her
yet
again. After dressing with extra care in a creamy yellow day dress, she went to the big house
,
expecting to find him there. She entered through the kitchen, giving Jasmine a hug.
“Good morning, Jasmine. Isn’t it a marvelous day?”
“It
sho nuff
is
Miz
Lynna. You
sho
is
mity
cheerful
dis mawning
’
,” Jasmine laughed and grinned a knowing grin. “It ain’t got
nothin
’
to do
wit
our house
guess
now
,
is it?”
“Why, no Jasmine. What
ever gave you such an idea? Where is he, by the way?”
Unable to contain her mirth
,
Jasmine chuckled. “He ain't
heah
. Him and
Miz
Suzanne done gone riding
dis mawnin’
.”
All of a sudden the day lost some, if not all, of its cheer. Her disappointment was evident to Jasmine.
“Now you just perk
rat
back up. It ain’t none of Mist’ Joshua
's
doin
’
to go
ridin’
.
I done
heah Miz
Suzanne ax
k him
dis mawnin
’
when
dey
was
eatin’
and he
cain ritely
say no, now can he? So
dat
ain’t prove a
thang
.”
“
Jasmine, how you do run on. It is
none of my concern if Suzanne and Mr. Jordan wish to pass their time together. I only wanted to thank him for yesterday, but I imagine
I will
get the opportunity before the day is over.”