Unspoken Love (21 page)

“Let’s just let the past lie,” Jenny said. “Goodnight, Zachary.”

She entered the cabin and found Aaron and Abigail sleeping.

Lavina, the robust nanny, sent Jenny a dazzling smile. “Your babies are a delight to care for, Mrs. Grant. Please send for me anytime.”

Once Lavina had left, Jenny disrobed and slipped into her negligee. Dousing the light, she gazed out the porthole and watched the waves roll by. The lanterns from the ship gave off a warm glow as the stars twinkled above in the clear midnight sky. Silently she cried out for Nicholas as she envisioned his face upon the rushing waters. Tears of loneliness slid down her cheeks, and suddenly, she felt weary and forsaken. Heartsick, she made her way to the berth.
I must fight this feeling,
she inwardly chastised, but it was a long time before sleep claimed her tear-streaked face.

Upon arriving at Vicksburg, Zachary escorted Jenny from the ship. Tenderly, he kissed her hand. “I know where your heart lies, Jenny, so I regretfully must bid you farewell. I’ll always have a special place for you in my heart. Yet, I know it’s Nicholas whom you pine for, and I could never fill that void in your life.”

“What will you do, have you any plans?”

Zachary smiled. “Perhaps I’ll return to my wicked ways and pursue the ladies, flirting outrageously and breaking their quivering hearts. Maybe then I’ll be able to forget you.” Taking one last lingering look, he left her standing on the pier and then returned to the ship.

Nakao and Lily stood a good distance from Jenny with the twins.

Jenny strolled up to Nakao. Smiling, she reached for Abigail. “Carry the bags, please, Nakao,” she instructed, and together they went into the thriving city of Vicksburg.

Jenny recalled her previous visit when she had run from Zachary into the forest. She didn’t even have a chance to see the sights, but things had changed now. “Let’s take a room at the Vicksburg Inn,” she said, walking the short distance to the log and limestone building.

Once settled, Jenny left the babies in Lily’s care then set about Vicksburg for gainful employment.

Several days passed before Jenny found what she was looking for. Coming upon a quaint structure in the business district, she saw a
For Sale
sign displayed in the window. Her mind raced with ideas. The compact red brick building held promise if someone were inclined to make it more habitable.

Jenny entered the shop and found the store sparsely furnished and lacking in tasteful decor. The proprietor stepped forward and introduced herself as Mary Lewis. Jenny found her to be a most gracious woman and eager to sell the choice property. “I must leave for Charleston,” Mary volunteered. “My husband, James, passed away last month, and now my only son is ailing. I need to go to him immediately. He lives alone but has a nice home. I’ll stay the remainder of my days with him.” Mary glanced about the room. “I have fond memories here, but I have to move on.” A look of regret showed on her pleasant face as she continued, “Business has dropped off considerably since my husband took ill. I have not been able to keep the merchandise stocked. After James died, business became even worse.”

As Jenny looked around the room, she envisioned a new kind of store, one that would have the ladies coming in droves. Although it was practically unheard of for a woman to own a business, she was not discouraged and realized that her dream might actually come true. She and Mary Lewis discussed at length the business of running a shop. After dickering over the value and satisfied each was getting a fair deal, Jenny agreed to buy the building.

While they waited for the papers to be drawn up, Jenny immediately thought of improvements. Once they had finished their business dealings and the store was officially Jenny’s, she set out to find Nakao so that he could help her rearrange things.

They labored for hours, bringing new life to the old furnishings. Eventually, Jenny left Nakao in charge while she sat at the desk and made a list of the items that she hoped to sell. Knowing a good deal of the merchandise would have to be imported, she sent for it immediately.

When evening approached, she and Nakao returned to the inn.

Jenny tended to Aaron and Abigail, leaving Lily free to spend the night with Nakao.

“It’s not right that I should leave you,” Lily said as she took in Jenny’s weary appearance.

“Nonsense, you have been more than helpful, Lily. Now go with Nakao. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Lily did as instructed. Even so, she told Nakao to keep a watchful eye over her. “Jenny’s generosity is above reproach. She paid for our room, in addition to paying us a small wage. We must see to her safety.”

“Jenny will not be far from my sight,” Nakao promised. “She is kind and trusting, demanding very little. She shows great concern for others. I will protect her.”

As Jenny waited for the arrival of new shipments, she cleaned the store and made new signs. With her guidance, Nakao painstakingly hung floral wallpaper, adding a feminine yet elegant touch to the room.

“We will make this shop a delight to everyone’s eyes,” she told Nakao. Her eyes twinkled as an idea came to her. “I’ll name the shop
Ladies Delight
!”

“A good choice,” Nakao responded, excited to be a part of it all.

Jenny printed leaflets announcing the opening of
Ladies Delight
and passed them out throughout the city. Finally, the day came when she opened her specialty shop. Serving punch and miniature cakes, she welcomed the customers as they came to browse.

Among the first patrons to arrive was Selma. Her eyes sparkled with recognition when she saw Jenny. “I married a
real
preacher,” she whispered. “He understands my past and accepts me as I am. He gave me money to buy ribbons to dress my bonnet for worship.”

Jenny smiled warmly. “I am happy for you, Selma. I hope the others fared as well.”

“We separated a long while back,” Selma replied. “I don’t know what they are doing now. I do know they aren’t with Gilbert Johnson.” Selma squeezed Jenny’s hand in friendship. “I mulled over what you told me about Gilbert, then I passed the word to the women. At first, they were like me and didn’t want to accept that Gilbert was taking advantage of them. When we tried to become independent and break away from Gilbert’s possessive ways, we found out how right you were about him.”

“It’s a welcome relief to know the ladies are not with him anymore,” Jenny sighed.

Selma hugged Jenny. “I’ll move on so you can greet the other customers.”

Happy with the turnout, Jenny observed the many patrons. The women loaded their arms with fashionable material and a variety of lace for that extra personal touch. Along with various imported trinkets, they bought satin-covered diaries edged with lace for keeping journals, watercolors and sketchbooks, imported fans, and scented-soap. While the women sorted through an array of colorful ribbons made of velvet and satin draped on a shelf, others admired cultured pearls enclosed in glass attractively displayed on black satin. Some of the ladies examined one of a kind jewelry boxes to store their baubles and elaborately decorated tins to hold their precious treasures. They discreetly purchased delicate undergarments of fine silk trimmed in lace. Fashionable silk gloves and reticules lay in waiting for rich clientele.

Over the next several weeks, Jenny’s business prospered, and much to her delight, the women of Vicksburg flocked to her store.

Men soon drifted to
Ladies Delight
, wishing to purchase gifts for their beloveds.

Jenny worked long hours, pouring her very soul into her work. Over time, the shop prospered beyond her wildest imagination, and she was able to repay her father’s loan.

As her income rose, she bought a two-story townhouse and stable. Large airy rooms filled the secluded red brick dwelling, and the immaculately kept grounds held an array of fragrant flowers. Ivy grew in abundance and wrapped around the trunks of large oak trees. Weeping willow branches draping elegantly from the trees were spaced several feet from a topiary garden. With Nakao by her side, Jennifer toured the spacious grounds. She stopped abruptly.

“Nakao, you spend many hours at the shop with me, yet we need help here. If you send for Waoota, I’ll hire him to work in the stables. I know you are extremely close and haven’t seen him for a while.”

“My brother would be happy to come to Vicksburg,” Nakao said. “I will send for him immediately.”

Within a few weeks, Waoota arrived to become caretaker and stable hand. Jenny sensed he was proud and honest like Nakao. Glad that she had sent for him, she welcomed him into the circle.

Likewise, Waoota came to know Jenny, the babies, and Lily. In time, they became a second family to him while he strove to take good care of the animals and the garden.

Jenny sent a letter to her father, inviting him to live with her in Vicksburg. Politely, he declined, saying the plantation was more to his liking but said he might visit her someday. His promise to keep the letters coming assuaged her somewhat.

At the plantation, Nicholas and Thomas lounged on the veranda and discussed Jenny.

“Jenny took off with our babies,” Nicholas lamented. “Not knowing where she is living, I can’t even visit them.”

“I know where Jenny is. She keeps in touch with me.”

Nicholas sat upright in his chair. “Tell me where she is, and I’ll go to her right now.”

Thomas shook his head. “It might take a while for Jenny to come to her senses.

Showing up on her doorstep won’t make it better.” He leaned forward. “Pardon my meddling, Nicholas, but you’ve been a bit crabby with the help since Jenny left. I know you’re missing her and the twins, but it’s unfair to those around you.”

“Perhaps I have been a little on edge,” Nicholas volunteered. “I just want my children back at
Small Timbers
.”

Thomas heaved himself out of the chair. “I reckon I can tell you where Jenny is, but you have to promise not to interfere with her life.”

Nicholas jumped to his feet and patted Thomas on the shoulder. When Thomas told him what he wanted to know, he said, “It will remain our secret,” and he clasped his hand, sealing their agreement.

One day, a woman bustled into the shop and demanded Jenny’s attention.

“I have heard others raving about your store,” she exclaimed. “I just had to find out for myself.” Dressed in a black satin gown, she carried a matching parasol and small purse. Long raven hair cascaded down her back, a bright red ribbon keeping the wavy locks in place. Her green eyes twinkled as she strolled about the shop, amused at all the fine gifts. She fixed her eyes on a colorful tin decorated in precious stone. “I must have this trinket box,” she exclaimed. She collected needles, thread, and a red velvet-covered pincushion and placed them on the counter. “And these, too,” she said, reaching for a pair of silver scissors.

“Ah, you like to sew,” Jenny said, engaging in friendly banter.

The woman shot her a stinging look. “I’m not going to use this stuff,” she said haughtily. “But my fiancé will think he’s getting a skilled wife. Mending is not one of my accomplishments.”

Jenny declined to comment as she totaled her bill. The lady didn’t flinch at the costly items. Instead, she waved her hand in the air and commanded, “Send the bill to Blake Preston.”

“Blake Preston?” Jenny gasped.

“Yes, haven’t you heard of him, Darling? He’s the talk of Vicksburg, and soon we are going to be wed.” The woman leaned toward Jennifer as if to share a secret. “He is very rich, you know.” She commented arrogantly, “How silly of me, how could you know? You are only a merchant.” She moved even closer and whispered, “Blake owns several properties scattered throughout Mississippi, and I, Cora Andrews, expect to own them all once we’re married.”

Jenny nearly choked on her words.

“Oh, don’t be such a prude,” Cora admonished. “A woman has to look out for herself, you know.” Unabashed, she openly spoke of her plight to Jenny, despite the fact that Jenny was a stranger. “My parents fell on hard times by gambling on one too many business ventures. They had to give up our palatial home and move into a modest house. I took up residence with a rich cousin on Nob Hill. Vowing not to live in poverty, I’ve set out to snare myself a rich husband.”

Shocked at Cora’s blatant disclosure, Jenny fought to keep from giving her a sound tongue-lashing.
How dare she treat Blake with such disrespect?
Forcing herself to be calm, she resumed the task at hand. Carefully, she folded each garment into a neat pile, then wrapped Cora’s miscellaneous purchases.

“Have them loaded into the carriage for me,” Cora ordered, slipping on a pair of fashionable gloves.

“Yes, Miss Andrews,” Jenny answered. She called for Nakao.

Nakao came from the back room.

“Please take these packages to the carriage for Miss Andrews.”

Nakao nodded. Loading his arms with parcels, he did as Jenny bade him.

“My, what a handsome Indian,” Cora cooed seductively as she followed him out of the store.

Jenny was appalled at Cora’s behavior. Only moments ago, she had spoken of Blake, her betrothed, and now was flirting openly with Nakao. Reflecting on her shameless conduct, Jenny was glad that she had not told Cora that she and Blake were friends.