She had just placed the pies in the oven and turned away from the stove in time to see Zachary come crashing into the room. Blood splattered his clothes, and beads of perspiration clung to his forehead as he sank to the floor. She rushed to his aid, stunned to see his handsome face distorted with pain.
“Zachary, what happened? Where are you hurt?”
“I’ve been shot in the side,” he said in a weak voice. “I was mistaken for a prowler last night as I traveled toward camp. With this much blood, I knew I couldn’t make it back to the caravan.” He winced with pain, and his breathing became shallow. “I am sorry to intrude. May I stay a day or two until I regain my strength?” He had barely finished speaking when he passed out on the floor.
Nicholas rode up to the house and found Jenny bending over the stranger.
“What—?”
“Oh, Nicholas, thank goodness you’re here. Please help me get Zachary to the guestroom.”
Nicholas lifted the wounded man and did as Jenny requested. Placing him on the big four-poster bed, he asked, “Do you know this man, Jenny?”
“Yes, he is the one who brought me to the plantation after my attack. I had hoped you could meet him but not under these circumstances. He claims he was taken for a burglar and shot.”
“I see.”
“If you will stay with him, I’ll get some herbs to make a potion,” Jenny said.
“Anything to please my lady,” he answered, carefully cutting away Zachary’s shirt. As he applied pressure to Zachary’s wound, a pang of jealousy shot through him as he envisioned Jenny alone with him on the trail.
Jenny returned with herb tea. Holding Zachary’s head, she let a trickle slide down his throat, then he rested his head on the pillow. Making a paste from the bark of a common willow tree, she gently packed it over his wound, then bound it tightly. “That should stop the bleeding,” she said.
“I’m intrigued by your nursing skills, but, then, Doc Jones said you were the best.”
She sent a curious glance to her beloved. “What brought you in from the fields, Nicholas?”
A twinkle came into his eyes, and a grin spread across his mouth.
“I saw Lily outside with the twins. Since Thomas is visiting Molly today, I thought I could spend some time with you.” He drew her into his arms. “You’re constantly in my thoughts.”
Jenny stood on tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. “I’m glad you are here, Nicholas,” she said, then resumed the task at hand.
Foregoing his duties, Nicholas stayed at the house the remainder of the day. He silently watched Jennifer as she diligently sponged Zachary’s flesh, attempting to keep his fever down.
When Zachary stirred, his soft brown eyes communicated the depths of his pain, and his face was ashen.
“I must be hallucinating,” he said, catching sight of Jenny as she hovered above him. “Your face looks like an angel.” His eyelids became heavy, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
Lily prepared dinner and looked after the children while Jenny spent her time with Zachary.
Biding his time, Nicholas went to the nursery and looked in on Aaron and Abigail. His chest puffed with pride, and he knew his uncle would be pleased if he were alive to see them. The twins resembled him, but the green eyes that gazed up at him made him think of Jenny.
He returned to the guestroom, his mind on Jenny as she diligently worked over Zachary in the dim light. “You are, indeed, a dedicated nurse,” he told her.
“I’m just trying to get Zachary well,” Jenny said. “Then he can be on his way.”
Later that evening, Nicholas stepped outside for a stroll around the grounds. When he came to the window where Jenny stood attending to Zachary, he paused for a moment to watch her. Her very essence radiates love and goodness, he thought. He then finished his walk before returning to the house.
Convinced she had done all she could do and that it was now up to Zachary, Jenny dropped into the chair by the bed.
Lily came into the room. “Get some rest, Jenny. I’ll stay with Mr. Brown,” she offered. “Hattie is coming up to the house tomorrow to relieve your workload.”
“I also insist you take a break,” Nicholas said, stepping into the room. “Surely Lily can call you if there is a change in your patient.”
Jenny glanced back at Zachary’s sleeping form as Nicholas nudged her through the door. “If he awakens, Lily, give him the herbal tea. Call me if he’s still feverish or becomes delirious.”
Once they were in their chambers, Nicholas pulled her into his embrace. “Ah, my sweet lady, you are an angel of mercy. I almost wish it were me lying in the guestroom, then I could have your undivided attention.”
Jennifer gave him a sensuous smile. “You have it now,” she murmured and gently broke away to disrobe. She lay across the bed with arms outstretched to welcome him.
Nicholas joined her on the bed and sent shivers of desire throughout her body as his lips seared her skin. Her fatigue slipped away as he moved atop her and brought her sweet ecstasy.
Moments later, she closed her eyes, and a smile played upon her lips. Sated, she lay in the crook of his arm and slept.
The following day, Nicholas returned to the fields while Jenny continued to nurse Zachary.
Taking a compress dipped in witch hazel, she applied it to his wound, hoping to prevent the inflammation that threatened to erupt.
About midday, Zachary’s eyes fluttered open and focused on Jennifer.
“Welcome back,” she said, a smile spreading across her lips.
Slowly Zachary’s mind cleared.
“I remember staggering to the plantation, bleeding and in pain. I owe you a great debt,” he said.
“You don’t owe me anything, Zachary.” She rearranged the herbs on the table. “Is there someone at the Gypsy camp whom we can notify?”
“No,” he answered. “I’m ready to move on anyway. Maybe I’ll go back to traveling the Mississippi. He saw Nicholas standing in the doorway and continued, “Do you remember those days, Jenny? I took you to bed that first night we met, and the next day you were embarrassed when you found yourself without garments, weren’t you?” He gazed at her with longing. “Your loveliness is emblazoned on my mind. I enjoyed your company immensely.”
Jenny frowned. “Nothing happened that night, and you know it. Today is here, and the past must be forgotten.” She heard a movement behind her and spun around to face Nicholas. He stood in the doorway, staring at her as if she had two heads.
“I would like a word with you, Jenny.”
“Certainly, Nicholas,” she answered, sensing his discomfiture. She addressed Zachary. “Lily will bring you some warm broth. I’ll look in on you later.”
She had barely stepped out of the doorway when Nicholas whisked her to their chambers.
“Have you known Zachary long?” he asked.
“Zachary found me and brought me home, Nicholas. Why do you ask?”
“Enough games, Jennifer. I overheard your conversation. You knew him before the swamp, didn’t you?”
Jenny swallowed hard as her eyes met his cold stare. “Yes, I knew Zachary. I met him on the steamboat to Natchez.”
“You mean, while we were wed, you allowed him entrance into your cabin?”
Jenny remembered the unpleasant memory of being seasick and drugged with spirits. “Yes, I must have, but—”
“And allowed him to undress you?” Nicholas interrupted.
Jenny felt the heat creeping into her face. She was frustrated by her inability to explain the situation away. She wet her drying lips. “Nicholas, it’s really quite simple. You see, Zachary was a gambler on the Marylou, and he assumed I was unattached. I—”
“Did you tell him you were married?” Nicholas interjected.
&nbs
p; “Of course not, Nicholas!”
“So, my lady dallies with strange men and doesn’t admit to being married!”
“You have it all wrong, Nicholas. I thought I would never see you again. We were to be divorced. I didn’t think it was necessary to speak of my past.” Angry tears spilled onto her cheeks. “I drank too much wine, plus the rolling water made me sick. My dress was soiled from having thrown up on it.”
A loud knock at the door jolted them back to reality.
“What is it?” Nicholas asked, perturbed.
“Mr. Brown is asking for Jenny,” Lily said.
“She’ll be right out, Lily,” he replied through clenched teeth. He sent Jenny a cynical look. “Whatever it takes, I want Zachary out of this house today.”
“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Jenny asked.
“Given that I overheard your conversation with Zachary, I have just found them!” Gazing into her somber eyes, he informed her, “We will discuss this later.”
Jenny seethed with indignation. “We will do nothing of the sort!” Swiftly, she stormed from the room.
She stepped into her bedroom and pressed a cold washcloth to her eyes as they had become puffy from crying. Her fingers trembled as she smoothed her hair into place. She waited another moment to calm her thoughts, then left her chamber and entered the guestroom to see Zachary.
“Are you feeling better, Zachary?” she asked, tucking away her distress.
“Yes, Jenny, and I owe it all to you. Would you help me up?”
“Do you think it’s wise? You might open your wound and cause it to bleed.”
“I have survived worse,” he said, pointing to a scar on his back. “I was knifed in a card game, and that, my dear, was wretched, for I could not tend to it myself.” His voice became husky with passion. “I would gladly go through it again if you were there to tend to me.”
His remark caught Jenny off guard. Before she could respond, she looked up and saw Nicholas standing in the doorway. Her emotions wavered between love for Nicholas and concern for Zachary.
Nicholas strode into the room and addressed Zachary. “I’ll have Warren take you to Greenville in the buckboard. He can hitch your horse behind the wagon.”
Jenny shot Nicholas a reproachful glare. “Don’t you think it’s too soon to move him?”
Zachary looked from Nicholas to Jenny. “I truly must take my leave,” he interrupted. “I’ve enjoyed your hospitality, Jenny.” Zachary glared at Nicholas. Silently, they fought a battle between them as each realized they loved the same woman. Sparing Jenny more unhappiness, he said, “A ride to town will be fine, Mr. Grant.”
“I’ll send for Warren immediately,” Nicholas pledged, then turned sharply on his heel and exited the room.
Jenny breathed a sigh as she heard Nicholas advance down the corridor. “Excuse me for a moment Zachary,” she said and hastily ran from the room.
Going to Nicholas’s chamber, she rummaged through his wardrobe and pulled out a clean change of clothing, then returned to the guestroom.
“You will need these, Zachary,” she said, holding up the clothes. “I believe you and Nicholas are the same size.” She helped him dress, tugging at his trousers, pulling them over his muscular thighs. Carefully, she guided his muscled arms into a cotton shirt as if she were dressing a child. She buttoned the front of his shirt. “I discarded your torn clothes since they were soaked with blood and overdue for a good washing.”
“Jenny, you are a darling. Is there any way I can talk you into coming with me?” he teased.
“And leave my babies? I think not.”
“Bring them,” Zachary said.
“I could not, now enough of this foolish talk. I am a married woman.”
Zachary cupped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “But are you happy, Jenny? I can tell you have been crying.”
“It is of little consequence,” she answered. Averting her eyes, she quickly added, “I’ll assist you to the wagon.”
As they walked outside, Zachary leaned against Jenny for support He bent down and kissed her on the temple. His face took on a somber look as he gazed into her eyes. “I’ll always remember your kindness, Jenny.”
Jenny looked up to see Nicholas watching them, a mixture of hurt and anger crossing his features.
“The wagon is ready. Warren made a bed of blankets for you to lie on, so you won’t jostle too much. Good day, Mr. Brown.”
Zachary nodded his thanks.
Turning away from them, Nicholas strode toward the barn.
After seeing Zachary off, Jenny fled to the garden for solace. Unable to appreciate the beauty of the autumn day, angry tears scalded her cheeks. She felt a hand upon her shoulder and spun around to face Nakao. She gave a sigh of relief. “I thought you were Nicholas.”
Nakao gazed into her lovelorn eyes. “I see sadness in your heart.”
Tears rolled down Jenny’s cheeks as she shared her problems with her dear friend. When she had finished, Nakao responded, “Nicholas loves you. He cannot deal with you in the arms of another.”
“How do you know that, Nakao? He’s grappling with matters of the heart. It’s as if he has abandonment issues.”
“Love is strange. Be patient,” answered the wise Indian.
When Nakao returned to his work, Jenny stepped into the house. She grabbed a dusting cloth and went to the study. While dusting the shelves and mementoes, she noticed a desk drawer sticking out. She tried to push the drawer in place, but it wouldn’t budge. She yanked on the drawer to see what was keeping it from closing. Papers fell onto the floor. Her gaze fell upon her father’s deed to the farm. She gasped. Why would Nicholas have this?
Nicholas stepped into the room. Jenny eyed him with contempt.
“Why do you have this deed?”
“I bought the farm from your father.”
“When were you going to tell me?”
Nicholas shrugged. “Someday.”
“You don’t keep something like this from me. You accuse me falsely of dallying with Zachary, while you hide a secret like this?”
“I have to get back to work.” He gave her a stern look. “If you don’t trust me, then leave.”
Stunned by his comment, she watched him stride from the room. He seems so nonchalant. Does the fact that I knew Zachary on the Marylou still anger him? Nicholas doesn’t think I would leave. Well, I’ll show him!
She summoned Nakao and within moments, he joined her in the garden.
“I’m leaving the plantation,” she told Nakao. “I can’t live with a man who doesn’t trust me, or worse, one whom I can’t trust.”
“What will you do? Where will you go?” Nakao asked, concerned.
“Father will lend me whatever I need to sustain me. Maybe I can set myself up in business. Deep down, I always had a dream of working outside the plantation.”
“What about Abigail and Aaron?”
“My children go where I go. They are my very life.”
“Then you must take Lily with you. She is trustworthy,” Nakao said.
“What about your relationship with Lily. Do you love her?”
A gleam came into Nakao’s eyes.
“Yes, I love her, Jenny, but what have I to offer her?”
“Only your heart. That’s all you need.”
Nakao pondered her words.
“I want Lily to have a better life than I can give her. I haven’t asked her to become my bride for this reason.”
“Riches of the world don’t make a happy marriage,” she cautioned.
Nakao clasped her hand. “Once again, you have given me better insight, Jennifer, when it is I who should be comforting you.”
“You have shared my problems, Nakao, and I thank you
for that. Now I must leave posthaste.”
Standing tall and proud, Nakao said, “If you plan to leave, have Lily help you with the babies. I will bring a carriage for you at once. We will go away together.” He sent her a questioning gaze. “What about your father?”
“He is spending time with Molly and Wade. I’ll send for him once I get settled.” She smiled at him. “I’m delighted that you want to go with me. I’ll pack our things immediately.”
Lily came into the room and met Jenny’s troubled gaze.
“Lily, I am taking the twins and leaving the plantation. Do you wish to go with me?”
“Of course I will go with you, but why are you leaving?” she asked humbly.
“Nicholas and I have issues. I need to get away for a while. Let’s move quickly. Nakao is bringing a carriage for us.”
“Nakao is going with us?”
“Yes, now hurry and get your things.”
Lily flashed her a grin. “Yes, Ma’am!”
With efficiency, Jenny packed the twins’ clothes and then gathered some of her own. She set their baggage on the veranda.
Hattie came into the room as Jenny prepared Abigail and Aaron for departure. “Where you taking the babies, Miss Jenny?” she asked kindly.
“We are going on a trip,” Jenny answered, evading a direct answer. “You take care, Ma’am,” Hattie said and walked them to the carriage.
Jenny and Lily each carried a child. Nakao helped them onto the seat, then loaded their luggage. Quickly he rode from the plantation, alert and ready to do battle for Jenny.
“Where are we headed, Jenny?” Nakao asked.
“Perhaps we should make a fresh start at Vicksburg,” Jenny answered.
“The trip will be long and uncomfortable with the wee babes in the carriage,” Nakao informed her.
Unspoken Love Page 21