“He still wants to marry you, doesn’t he?”
A simple nod was her only response, yet it seized his heart in a vice-like grip. He forced the burning question from his lips, though he dreaded to hear the answer it may elicit. “And you’re seriously considering his proposal?”
She shifted her gaze toward the mountains and shrugged. “He hasn’t actually proposed, but we’ve been writing one another, and he’s made his intentions clear.”
There was still a chance. He pressed on, unsure her answers would bring relief to his aching heart. “Have your feelings changed toward him?”
Ruth Ann’s chin hung low to her chest, her eyes pressed firmly shut. Was she fighting back tears? “I don’t want to talk about this with you, Mr. Coulter.” She stood on the bottom step. “Perhaps it’s best if you leave now.”
Benjamin tugged her hand. “Please don’t go inside. Sit with me for a while. We’ll talk about something else.” His mind raced for a topic, anything that would keep her outside with him. “Uh…how is the search coming for a temporary school for the Negroes?”
She wriggled her hand lose from his hold and lowered herself beside him again. “The town has formed a committee, The Colored Man’s Aid Society, to oversee the school since the Freedmen’s Bureau has officially closed.”
Benjamin leaned back on his hands, his long legs stretched out in front of him. “Will you be teaching there when it opens?”
“No. They’ll only hire a Negro teacher for the position, but I will advise them on the curriculum and supplies for the school. Our goal is to offer not only the traditional subjects, but also the trades—carpentry, metal smithing, looming, and tailoring. Useful skills that will enable them to establish businesses and liberate them from the tenant farming that will be a deathblow to their freedom. We plan to partner with the Lincoln Society of Friends to offer apprenticeships for as many students as possible.”
The passion in her voice rivaled the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke, just as Benjamin remembered.
“I’ve been chosen to interview perspective teaching candidates. They even offered to name the school in my honor—The Sutton School for the Advancement of Negroes.” She sighed. “But I declined.”
The spark had diminished as quickly as it had arrived.
“Why, Ruthie?”
Her eyes pinched closed at the mention of his nickname for her. “I mean that’s quite an honor, Miss Sutton. Why did you refuse?”
“James would never allow it.”
Benjamin sneered. James Thornton grated on his last nerve.
“But that’s not the only reason. I thought a more appropriate name would be The Francis Jackson Negro School.
Benjamin laid his hand on hers, still nestled in her lap. “Francis would be honored.”
A lone tear escaped the corner of her eye. “He saved all our lives that night by ringing the bell faithfully for help. It’s the least we can do.” She squeezed his hand briefly then released it. “I owe you my undying gratitude as well.” She peered up at him. “If you hadn’t come when you did, Silas would have…”
Benjamin recalled the sight of the hooded man pressing himself against her. Thank You, God for protecting her.
Her breath hitched.
He hated to see her in distress. Instinctively his arm slid around her. A few minutes passed in comfortable silence and Benjamin felt himself drawn to her even more—to love her, protect her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her not being part of his life.
Unexpectedly, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m testifying at the trial. Joseph thinks Elias and his father will hang with the others.” Ruth Ann shuddered.
“He’s probably right.”
“I plan to speak on their behalf during the sentencing phase.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Nate is one of my dearest friends. This has been so hard on him. I won’t diminish what Elias and his father did during the raid, but I want to speak of the people I knew before—years ago. I am hoping their sentence will be reduced to hard labor.”
“I know, Ru—uh, Miss Sutton, but after what they did—frankly, they deserve to hang.”
She lifted her head abruptly, jarring his chin.
He rubbed his jaw. “Whatcha do that for?”
“There’s been enough killing, Mr. Coulter. Enough prejudice. Enough hatred. It’s time for healing. ‘Forgive, as ye hath been forgiven.’” Ruth Ann stood and straightened her skirts. “I'm sorry, Mr. Coulter. I shouldn’t have laid my troubles out for you to bear. You’ve made it perfectly clear that you don’t want that responsibility any longer.”
Was this the same woman who a few minutes ago was sharing her sorrows with him? Allowing him to comfort her? “I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds, Miss Sutton. I only wanted to console you.”
She hastily climbed the porch steps. “Thank you for stopping by.”
“Ruthie, wait. I was hoping you’d allow me to call on you tomorrow evening.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think that is a good idea. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression.”
Benjamin reached for her elbow, his jaw stiffening as he spoke. “How can you forgive Elias and his father after what they did to you and the others, but you can’t forgive me?”
She jerked away from him. The softness in her eyes vanished. “It’s not about forgiving you, Mr. Coulter. It’s about trusting you. That, I don’t know how to do.”
23
Ruth Ann stepped inside the foyer and closed the heavy walnut door behind her. Resting her head against the frosted glass, she sighed. Every inch of her ached for that man, but she couldn’t allow herself to trust him. She wasn’t pretty or petite enough to grace his arm.
“Miss Ruth Ann, that you, child?”
“Yes.”
Myra wiped her hands on her apron as she entered the foyer. “Your mama says you to go directly to your room and puts on the dress she laid out for you. The Thorntons comin’ in less than an hour.”
“All right.” Ruth Ann breathed deeply. The smell of roast pork and potatoes filled the house. “Dinner smells wonderful.”
“Thank you.” Myra shook her head, a grin spreading across her face. “Your Mama talk me in to servin’ it, too. She’s as jumpy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs. Mrs. Sarah is busy with the girls. Soon as I puts the bread in the oven, I gonna help you dress and re-pin your hair.” Myra made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on now.”
Ruth Ann nodded and climbed the steps to the second story. Opening the door to her room, she spied her blue gown lying on the bed. She shook her head. Mama knew it was James’ favorite. He claimed that particular shade accentuated the gold flecks in her eyes. But she wasn’t fooled—it was the plunging neckline he favored.
She sat on her bed and unlaced her shoes. Unlike Benjamin, James didn’t seem to mind her fuller curves. Although robust may not be the highest flattery, it sure beat outright rejection. He could give her a home and children, as well as a very busy life as the wife of a prominent politician. She would learn to care for him, in time, as a wife should. Best of all—he was safe. If she’d listened to her mother, her heart wouldn’t have been shattered into a million pieces she was still trying to put back together. No, if she’d learned anything, it was that romantic love was just another term for heartache and betrayal.
With nimble fingers, she unbuttoned her bodice. She stood and slid the sleeves from her shoulders, letting the fabric crumple at her feet. Her fingers glided along the silky blue fabric of the gown she would wear this evening. She needed to face facts. Benjamin was more persistent than she’d expected. Despite all that had passed between them, merely being in the man’s presence still made her disloyal heart desire him. Her momentary lapse in judgment a few minutes ago didn’t help. What was he supposed to think if she sat so intimately with him?
Getting a ring on her finger was the surest plan to send Benjamin Coulter away—forever. Normally unaccustomed to wear
ing the revealing gown, tonight it might be just what she needed to move James’ talk of an impending engagement to an actual proposal.
Her gaze drifted to her image in the full-length mirror. With a jut of her chin, she studied her reflection.
She could do this.
She could marry James.
A light tap on the door stirred Ruth Ann from her thoughts. “Come in.”
Myra smiled then reached for the blue gown.
“Not yet.” Ruth Ann gripped the footboard. “Let’s retie my corset first.”
Myra arched a brow.
“As tight as you can make it, please.”
~*~
Ruth Ann lifted the delicate rose-patterned cup to her lips, allowing the aromatic scent of orange bergamot to steel her nerves as she glanced around the parlor. Something was up. Maybe it was her imagination, but everyone appeared enraptured with secretive conversations in every corner of the room. James, Joseph, and Mr. Thornton huddled near the fireplace smoking cigars and pipes. Her mother, Sarah, and Mrs. Thornton clustered around the most recent copy of Godey’s Ladies Book but rarely glanced at its pages.
Her gaze settled on James. The silver spoon on her saucer rattled against mother’s good china. She slid a shaky hand across blue silk to steady her bouncing knee. The unspoken proposal hung in the air like the lemon oil Myra used to polish the woodwork. Although he’d been patient, James would be expecting matters between them to be resolved soon.
And so was she.
James patted Joseph’s shoulder then crossed the parlor to join her on the settee. “I’d like to speak with you alone, darling. Would you join me on the porch?”
It was time. Her stomach twisted into knots like Bavarian pretzels. With two hands, she returned the teacup to the marble-top table and nodded. “Of course.”
He led her outside to the swing but remained on his feet, puffing his Upmann. “My father and I have conceived a project that we think you would enjoy immensely, Ruth.”
She lifted a brow. “Project?”
“Since it is inevitable that you will need to cease your association with organizations that assist the Freed Negroes, we have decided to establish a charitable foundation for you to manage.” He tapped the ashes from the butt of his cigar. “You are very bright, Ruth, and this is exactly the type of work that will be meaningful to you and simultaneously advance my political ambitions.”
“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. What would this charitable foundation do?”
“How would you like to organize a lending library? The first branch would be right here in Catoctin Creek with the ultimate goal being a countywide system of libraries. You and I, as Mr. & Mr. James Thornton, would provide a generous initial contribution. Then you would form a committee to raise additional funds, choose a location, oversee the construction of the library, select the titles, determine the lending rules, and establish a trust to fund the project in perpetuity.”
“Really?”
James eased down beside her. “Well, Ruth, what do you say? I know how much you enjoy reading all those silly novels.”
She squeezed his hand. “It’s a wonderful idea. One that speaks to my heart.”
He took one last puff from his cigar then raised his chin and released a trail of smoke. “Excellent, but there is one more thing I should like to discuss with you.”
He’d already mentioned her restriction from aiding the Freed Negroes. What else would he require form her?
“I have decided that when we marry, you may reside at Brook Lawn if you desire. That is, when you are not needed with me in Richmond. And you may instruct our offspring at home with the help of a tutor for the advanced subjects, like Latin and trigonometry, when the time comes. You would be much happier here, I think—closer to your mother and Sarah.”
She managed a slight nod. “You’d do that—for me?”
He stroked her hand with his thumb. “Yes. As I have expressed before, I’m determined to win your favor, Ruth.”
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You’ve made me a very tempting offer.”
Cigar protruding from his fingers, his hand slid over the spot where her lips had been moments before. A devilish grin skimmed his face as his gaze shifted to the neckline of her dress. “It’s hard to take my eyes off you. You are breathtaking in this gown.”
“Ah-hem.”
He lifted his gaze.
“It’s customary to look at a woman’s face when you compliment her appearance.”
He dropped the Upmann then ground it firmly with the toe of his shoe. “So noted. My apologies.” He scooted close beside her. Thighs brushing, he leaned forward, his breath warm against her cheek. “I have made many concessions to earn your favor, Ruth. Now it is time for you to express your gratitude.” His fingers caressed her bare arm, but his eyes lingered on her mouth. “I am a patient man, Ruth, but I have waited long enough.”
She resisted the urge to turn from him. This was part of the arrangement. If she was going to marry James, she’d need to accept his kisses—and all that came with them.
Without warning, his mouth covered hers in a greedy surge of passion. Straining to breathe as he pressed himself tighter against her, she thrust away roaming hands. Wet kisses lumbered their way across her cheek and neck. The moist suction reminded her of Chloe slurping Myra’s broth. She shuddered.
“James, that’s enough.” She wedged her palms against his chest in a vain attempt to push him away. Of all the nights for mother to abandon her post at the window.
He gasped for breath. Hair mussed over his temple, his gaze drifted to her heaving bosom. The porch swing creaked under his shifting weight as he inched closer. “But darling, we will be wed soon.”
She struggled to keep him at arm’s length. “We aren’t…married…yet.”
James stiffened. Whistling mingled with heavy footsteps on the stone walk terminated his amorous advances.
“Ruthie, is that you?”
~*~
Benjamin took the porch steps two at a time. His gut clenched as his eyes darted from James’ disheveled appearance to the low neckline of Ruth Ann’s dress. She was alone…in the dark, with him. His gaze dropped to their hands and thighs. He ran a finger along the inside of his collar. They were much too close for his liking.
James stood and swiped the hair from his forehead then straightened his suit coat. He extended his hand to Benjamin. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Coulter.”
His southern drawl dripped with insincerity. James winced and leaned slightly to the right under the strength of Benjamin’s grip. “Wish I could say the same for you, Thornton, but I’m an honest, God-fearing man. So exactly why are you here?”
Ruth Ann stood. “Benjamin, that is rude and none of your—”
“I came to pay a call on Miss Sutton this evening. We are discussing our future plans—whether she would like to live in Catoctin Creek or Richmond after we marry.”
Hat in hand, Benjamin extended his arm in his rival’s direction. “You can’t seriously be considering marriage to this man, Ruthie?”
“Well,—”
“And why shouldn’t Ruth consider marriage to me. I have far more to offer a woman than you’ll ever have, Coulter.”
Benjamin balled his fists, crumpling the brim of his hat in the process. He glanced past James until his eyes lighted on Ruth Ann. “Sometimes a woman needs more than material things, Thornton. She needs love.”
James snickered. “You are as romantic and foolish as she used to be. But thanks to you, she is now taking a more practical approach to marriage.” He kissed Ruth Ann on the cheek before taking one last gander at the neckline of her dress. “I will give you five minutes alone with the railroad man, darling, to say your last good-byes. Then I will expect you inside.”
Ruth Ann nodded.
He shifted his steely gaze upward to meet Benjamin’s eyes. “And I will expect you to keep your distance from my future wife.” The screen door slapped behind him as he m
ade his way inside.
Benjamin wanted to knock the condescending little weasel on his fancy-pants derriere, but that wouldn’t win him any points with Ruth Ann. His determined steps pounded the floorboards between the lady and the railing on the opposite end of the porch “What were you thinking, sitting in the dark with him...and dressed like that?”
He paused, waiting for her response. When none came, he resumed his pacing. “His future wife? You’ve accepted his proposal?”
She remained quiet.
“You have nothing to say about the situation?”
With a jut of her chin, she folded her arms across her chest and drummed her fingers against her skin. “I haven’t accepted him—yet. But I’m strongly considering it.”
Benjamin swiped a hand over his cleanly shaven jaw. “You told me yourself he doesn’t love you.”
“Perhaps, but at least I know where I stand with James. He has always been honest about his feelings for me.”
Desperation seized him. He grasped her arms. “How many times must I apologize, Ruthie? I’m sorry that I hurt you. You must believe me. I’ve changed. I’m not that man anymore.”
“I don’t see what concern any of this is to you. Why did you stop by this evening?”
Benjamin’s voice grew louder. “Why did I stop by?”
“Yes, I wasn’t expecting you.”
“That’s obvious.”
Ruth Ann slammed her hands against her hips. “Look, Benjamin, if you have something to say then say it, otherwise I’m going inside. We have guests.”
Blood pounded in his temples. Maybe she no longer loved him, but that dandy? His tongue glided along the inside of his cheek. “I came over to mend fences between us.”
Her foot tapped briskly against the wooden plank floor. “Well, in case you don’t know, Benjamin Coulter, when someone wants to make amends, they usually express a more conciliatory manner.”
Her icy tone could freeze water in August.
The latch clicked. Sarah poked her head around the screen door. “For heaven’s sake, lower your voices.”
A Love Restored Page 26