Unspoken Love (5 page)

Love,

Father

A lump formed in her throat, and loneliness gnawed at her heart as she realized how much she missed her father. Reflecting on his letter, she knew she had to go to Greenville and visit with her friends. She set the letter aside. When Nicholas came in from the fields, she would ask if they could attend the celebration. Meanwhile, she headed to the kitchen to feed William before sending him on his way.

Later that day, Nicholas saw the invitation lying on the desk and skimmed the note as Jenny came into the room.

“May we attend the dance, Nicholas?”

“I have a plantation to run, Jenny. I can’t ride into town every time you get a whim.”

“A whim? I haven’t left the plantation since you brought me here.” She pursed her lips in defiance. “Very well, I’ll go without you!” she shouted and stomped from the room.

Nicholas caught up to her in the corridor. He cupped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. Jenny stared at him defiantly. After a few minutes, he let out an exasperated breath. “Plan to leave Saturday about mid-afternoon. We’ll have ample time to get there before the festivities begin.” He released her, then walked away.

Jenny’s lips parted into a smile as she watched him saunter down the corridor. “Thank you, Nicholas. I’ll be ready,” she called, eagerly looking forward to the event.

Saturday came quickly, and Jenny did not keep Nicholas waiting.

She stepped into the foyer wearing an emerald gown covered with white lace flounces. Nicholas sighed when he took in her appearance. She wore her hair up, leaving wispy tresses to fall about her beautifully sculptured face. A sprig of flowers enhanced her coiffure.

Jenny grabbed homemade pies that she had baked for the occasion and started for the wagon. Nicholas took the pies from her and placed them in the wagon along with their overnight bags. He lifted her onto the seat, then jumped aboard. With a flick of the reins, he set the carriage in motion.

Rays of sunlight filtered through the trees as they enjoyed light conversation on their ride to Greenville.

Several hours later, they arrived at the Greenville Town Hall. A bevy of excitement echoed through the town as Nicholas helped Jenny down from the carriage. People surrounded them, dressed in their finery and ready for the celebration. Men escorted women into the building, nodding a cordial ‘hello’ while carrying their wives’ favorite dishes to share at the festive occasion.

The aroma of mouth-watering foods wafted in the air as Jenny and Nicholas stepped over the threshold. They set the fruit pies on the table, appearing blithe and happily wed. Jenny glanced up and saw Aunt Thelma and Uncle Edward coming toward them. They embraced. “Nicholas, this is Aunt Thelma and Uncle Edward. They are my only living relatives besides Father.”

Nicholas shook Uncle Edward’s hand and then smiled warmly at Aunt Thelma.

“I’ve seen you at the inn,” Edward said to Nicholas. “Stop in anytime you’re in town. We let Jenny stay with us when she visits Greenville. Now that you’re family, we’ll do the same for you. No charge, of course.”

“Edward thrives on making the Hearthside Inn the best in Mississippi,” Thelma said. “He wanted to stay home tonight, but I insisted he come. He’s overworked and needs time away from his busy schedule.” Thelma glanced from Nicholas to Jenny. “Thomas sent word that you might make the festivities. We expect you to stay at the inn tonight.”

Soon others joined them, and Jenny introduced Nicholas to Judge White and his wife, Ellie.

“These people are like kin,” she said, recalling the kindness they had shown her over the years.

Nicholas nodded to the tall, thin man with white hair and vivid blue eyes. His gaze shifted to the brown-eyed Ellie White, an attractive woman with flaxen hair twisted into a bun.

As they conversed, Clara, an old schoolmarm, came to greet them, accompanied by her bachelor nephew, Sheriff Miller. Jenny introduced the frail-looking teacher to Nicholas, along with the tall, lanky sheriff. As more people crowded into the hall, the small group disbursed to greet the others.

Food was plentiful, and drinks flowed freely as the townsfolk and countrymen made merry. Soon Jenny and Nicholas separated when Jenny crossed the room to be with her young friend, Billy.

A hint of amusement came into Doctor Jones’ cheery blue eyes as he sauntered over to Nicholas. Praising him for choosing Jenny as his bride, he beamed, “I knew you had a hankering for her.” He became serious as he continued, “Jenny’s an exceptional woman. Her compassion knows no bounds. Take right now for instance, she’s an honored guest, yet she’s coaxing Billy to walk without his crutch. She had been after him for weeks to walk alone before the two of you were married and moved away.”

Nicholas glanced across the room and saw Jenny conversing with a dark-haired lad as the doctor continued speaking. “Billy broke his leg a while back, but as it healed, he refused to give up his crutch. He claims he’s still in pain and unable to walk without it. Jenny thinks he needs encouragement and family nurturing. Billy doesn’t have either, being an orphan and just wandering the streets. Of course, he eats well, and city folks take turns putting him up for the night. Still, at the age of twelve, he needs a parent’s guidance.”

From where Nicholas stood he could see Billy’s soft brown eyes fill with bewilderment as Jenny took away his crutch and set it against the wall.

“Billy, you don’t need this crutch,” he heard her say. “Surely, your leg has mended by now.” Placing her arm about his shoulder, she encouraged him to walk beside her while she lent her support.

Still, Billy hesitated. “I really like you, Jenny, and I want to do what pleases you. You always have a kind word for me when you come to town. But to give up my crutch . . .”

“Take a step with me,” she encouraged. “I won’t let you fall.”

Concentrating on her pleading features, Billy slowly put one foot in front of the other, then repeated the process as Jenny cheered him on.

“I knew you could do it!” she said, reassuring the self-conscious boy.

Billy smiled, and a tinge of pink came into his cheeks. He soon found himself across the room.

“Well, I’ll be darned!” Doc Jones said. “Jenny’s got him walking without his crutch. I tell you that woman is a saint!”

“For sure, Jenny’s good at helping the needy,” Nicholas proudly expounded. He puffed with pride that Jenny had taken time to help the orphaned boy. “Excuse me, Doc, I need a word with Jenny and the lad.”

“Go right ahead,” Doc Jones replied. “I’ll mosey over to the refreshment table.”

Jenny looked up to see Nicholas striding toward her and Billy. A broad grin crossed his features, and his eyes danced with pride. He looked from Jenny to the boy. “Perhaps you’ll introduce me to the young man.”

Jenny smiled. “Nicholas, this is Billy, my friend.”

Nicholas clasped Billy’s hand and shook it as one gentleman to another. “I see that you don’t need your crutch anymore, Billy.”

“I feel as if I could walk on air with Jenny beside me,” he squealed.

“Would you like to live on my plantation and work for me?”

At the mere suggestion, Billy’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to Mr. Grant. I’ll be a good worker!”

“I’m sure you will, Billy. Be at the Hearthside Inn by nine o’clock tomorrow, and we’ll leave for the plantation.”

“I’ve got to say farewell to my friends and tell them I’m going to a
real
home,” Billy said gleefully and sprang away on his mission.

“What a wonderful idea, Nicholas! Billy needs a place he can call home, and I’m sure he’ll work out well.”

“I’ll place him under Warren’s care. He can bunk with him. They’ll be good company for each other.”

“Thank you,” Jenny said softly, feeling a surge of tenderness for what he had done. “I nearly took Billy to live with Father and me, but I knew Aunt Thelma was keeping an eye on him,” she explained.

A curious expression came over Nicholas. “What happened to Billy’s parents?”

“We don’t know for sure. Billy just showed up one day alone. Rumor has it that his parents were destitute and abandoned him in hopes he would have a better life. Billy doesn’t even have a surname.”

“How unfortunate,” Nicholas replied. “We can’t undo his past, but we can see to his future. If Warren takes a liking to him, maybe we can call him Billy Bond.”

Throughout the evening, Nicholas and Jenny shared time together, taking in the festive crowd. The musicians played, and the people danced.

Jenny headed to the refreshment table. She passed Jeremy. He sat in a chair, his leg propped on a footstool. Jenny smiled as she remembered the young man who had injured his leg in the storm and who had endured much pain while Doc Jones set it. “Hello, Jeremy. How’s your leg?”

“Still a mite tender, but it’s mending,” he said. Jeremy sparkled with enthusiasm. “I met me a girl, Jennifer. She couldn’t be here tonight since she’s watching her baby sister for her ma, but we’re getting married soon.” He looked down at his limb. “She wants me even though I have a limp and can’t get around much.”

Jenny gave him a big smile. “Congratulations, Jeremy! I’m pleased that you’re finding happiness.”

She moved on, wishing she were as lucky. As she approached the table, she saw her friend, Mary Butler, serving apple tarts and sweetmeats to the hungry townsfolk. The small, thin-boned woman sent Jenny a cordial nod. “Hello, Jenny. It’s good to see you again.”

“Good evening, Mary. How are you feeling?”

“Tired, and eager to have this young’un,” she replied, rubbing her large stomach. “It’s the third and last child for me!”

Tom Butler joined the women. Taking a swig of punch, he grimaced.
No doubt, he was wishing for stronger spirits,
Jenny reflected.

“Hello, Jenny,” he said, his pale-green eyes sweeping her face. His eyes shifted to Mary, the love of his life. He touched his fingers to her soft brown curls. “Will you dance with me, Mary?”

“I can’t oblige you in this state,” she said, looking down at her enlarged form. “I fear your arms would barely fit around me.”

Nicholas came up beside Jenny. “May I have this dance?”

She nodded. He escorted her onto the dance floor. His masculine scent enveloped her as she brushed against his hard-muscled chest. Her legs became weak, and ripples of pleasure surged through her.

Nicholas, too, fought the desire welling up within him as he danced with Jenny. He wanted to make love to her at that very moment as her body moved in rhythm to the music and he swung her about the dance floor. He bent down and kissed her forehead, wishing it could be her sweet lips. The candles flickered, casting a romantic glow about the room as he continued to hold her in his embrace. Sweet fantasies captured his attention, making him feel alone in the crowded room as he imagined trailing kisses down her creamy neck and loving her intensely. Aroused, he danced her to the door and led her into the gardens. His deep voice cracked with unrelenting passion as he fumbled with an excuse.

“Sorry to cut the dance short, Jenny, but it was stifling, and I needed some fresh air.”

“Yes, I agree,” Jenny said. The sound of music followed them outside, and the scent of honeysuckle blew gently across their faces as he collected his thoughts.

The gala evening ended, and the townsfolk bid their farewells before heading home. As they returned to their dwellings and settled in for the night, a scattering of lighted tapers appeared in the windows, adding a soft glow in the darkness.

Guided by the moonlight, Jenny and Nicholas rode over to the Hearthside Inn. Leaving the carriage at the stables with Davy, Nicholas carried their bags into the lobby.

Jenny reached for her grip. “Goodnight, Nicholas. I’ll see you in the morning.” She started to walk away when Aunt Thelma came bustling into the inn with Uncle Edward following a few paces behind her.

“The party was delightful, Jenny. I’m so glad we could spend some time together. Edward and I thoroughly enjoyed the one night we had off.” She lowered her voice so the patrons would not hear. “Take your old room, Dear. It’s ready for you. Of course the bed’s a mite small for two people, but I’m sure you newlyweds will manage.” Promising them a feast for breakfast, she motioned for her husband to follow, then hurried from the room.

Jenny cast her eyes downward. She hesitated to go to the room that had begun her woes. It only reminded her of their forced marriage, and thus far she had been spared having to sleep with Nicholas.

“We can’t change anything by standing here,” Nicholas said. Gently, he prodded her along. Weary travelers bedded down on the floor. “Let’s go to our room, lest we make others suspicious.”

When they entered the chamber, Jenny saw a freshly cut bouquet of roses on the bureau and a package lying beside it. In the dim light, she read the card propped against the box. “The roses are from Aunt Thelma in honor of our marriage,” she said, touching the velvety-smooth petals. Stricken with guilt, she hastened to say, “Aunt Thelma didn’t even get to attend our wedding.” Her guilt changed to embarrassment as she opened the box and removed a white, silky negligee. To cover her discomfort, she said, “Aunt Thelma does things on a whim. I’m sure she thought she was doing something really special for me.”

Nicholas smoothed the moment. “I like a woman who doesn’t always conform to society’s rules.” He sniffed the scented roses, commenting on Thelma’s nicety in providing the beautiful flowers. He chuckled. “Perhaps you could model the gown for me.”

“I think not,” Jenny replied and stuffed the gown back into the box. She couldn’t wear such a revealing garment in Nicholas’s presence.