“You can’t leave me out here alone!” Gilbert gasped. “What about the night creatures?”
A throaty laughter escaped Nakao. “You are bound. They will be safe from you.” Wadding a handkerchief into Gilbert’s mouth, he left him lying on the damp ground. “You are getting a fair punishment,” Nakao said, then returned to the house and festivities.
When the gala evening ended, the guests dispersed and retired to their rooms.
Nakao escorted Jenny to her chambers. Not wishing to upset her, he didn’t mention Gilbert and his now defunct intentions.
“I will see you tomorrow,” he said. Confident that she was safe, he moved on to his room.
“Goodnight,” Jenny said and watched him stride down the corridor before closing the door.
She stepped out of her gown and slipped into a negligee. Dropping onto the feather mattress, she closed her eyes and slept.
Shortly after Nakao bedded down for the night, he heard someone enter his chamber. As the moon shed light into the room, he lay silent, waiting and ready to catch the intruder. To his dismay, he recognized Cora. Uninhibited, she dropped her robe, revealing a shapely naked body, then slipped between the sheets and rubbed her breasts against his chest. Her breath smelled of liquor.
“You appeal to my senses and send romantic notions dancing in my head,” she murmured.
Undaunted by her feminine wiles, Nakao shoved her aside. “Leave this room now,” he said in a cold and threatening voice.
Suddenly, the door flew open, and Blake stood in the entrance.
Cora gasped. Words failed her for being caught in a compromising position.
“How dare you intrude upon my guest?” Blake harshly admonished. “Get out of my sight, you little strumpet! I want you out of this house, now!”
Cora regained her composure. Her wicked mind raced with an explanation. “Oh, Blake, you have it all wrong. Nakao forced me into his room and was about to ravish me!”
“You are lying, Cora! I followed you to his room, and earlier, I saw you ogling him the whole time he was within your sight.”
Nakao said nothing as he listened to their quarrel. He recalled Jenny’s mischievous conduct the other day. She had planned for him to be her ploy in ridding Blake of Cora, knowing that Blake would refuse to marry Cora once he realized she was selfish and unfaithful. Inwardly, he chuckled. Jenny had approached the incident in a subtle way yet made her point without discussing it with Blake.
Blake addressed Nakao. “I apologize for bursting into your room, but I had to confront Cora. Goodnight.”
Blake tossed Cora her robe and removed her from the room. In the late hour, he refused to hear her pleas of innocence. Unyielding in his decision, he had her dress and then sent her on her way. Slamming the door behind her, he retired to his room only to find himself restless and unable to sleep. He went down to the study and poured himself a drink, then another . . .
Cora stumbled in the darkness, shocked that Blake would throw her out on the street like an urchin. She tried to make her way through the garden but was quite disoriented. She walked into the woods and tripped over something. She screamed as she realized she fell upon a body and thought surely she was lying on a corpse. Terror stricken, she was too afraid to move. As she lay atop Gilbert, warmth crept into their bodies. When Cora realized the muscular form she was lying upon was quite alive, passion stirred within her. She sought his lips but found them blocked by a cloth. As her senses cleared, she realized this strapping man was bound and gagged. Deftly, she worked to free him and lay atop his chest, waiting for a response.
In the moonlight, Gilbert grasped her thick hair. Reminded of Jenny, he captured her lips and kissed her fiercely, then ran his fingers over her soft curves. His pulse quickened, and he rolled her onto her back. Boldly he took what she offered.
Like a nymph never satisfied, Cora quivered with desire, clinging to him, begging for fulfillment. She raked her long fingernails down his back, stirring his passion, pressing against his hard-muscled chest. Grasping his thick head of hair, she moved to his rhythm, matching his lustful needs.
Having finished their liaison, Cora stood to bring some semblance to her disheveled appearance. She learned Gilbert’s name and locked arms with him, knowing she couldn’t let him go after finding someone her equal in unrestrained passion.
She pursed her lips and pouted. “Blake tossed me aside, but we can start a new life together.”
Gilbert locked fingers with Cora’s as they left the Preston grounds. “Our relationship has begun on a very delightful note,” he said huskily, failing to mention that he had planned her kidnapping. Ah, the sweet taste of mistaken identity, he reflected, a flicker of a smile crossing his lips.
Nicholas checked on his shipment and told a worker he would be at the Preston mansion.
Upon entering, he encountered Terrence.
“I’m looking for Jenny Grant,” he said.
“Isn’t everyone,” Terrence said snidely and told him where Jenny had retired for the evening.
In the darkness, Nicholas entered Jenny’s room. He prayed Thomas would forgive him for seeking Jenny out. But his need to have her back in his life was great, and he knew he couldn’t leave Vicksburg without seeing her. Upon closing the door, Jenny awoke.
“Who’s there?” she whispered, raising herself to a sitting position.
“Nicholas,” he replied and dropped beside her on the bed.
“Nicholas? Is it really you?”
He brought her into his embrace. “It is. I’ve missed you, Jenny.”
She reveled at being near him again. “Oh, Nicholas, I’m so glad to see you!” With passion reigning, he discarded her silky undergarments, then removed his clothes and shifted his body atop her. He kissed her on the lips and awakened her desire.
A wonderful sensation rippled through her, and she wrapped her arms about the man who gave her so much pleasure. Rapturously, she felt him thrust deep inside her softness. His smoldering green eyes devoured her. His flaming kisses consumed her very soul, and she heard him groan in pleasure. Deliriously happy, she fell into a deep sleep.
In the moonlit room, Nicholas held Jenny in his arms. He wondered if he could ever get enough of her.
He heard a faint knock at the door, eased out of bed, and peered into the hall. A worker from the dock stood in front of him, trembling.
“The boat transporting the cotton is on fire!” he gasped.
“I’ll be right out,” Nicholas echoed, shaken to the core. He closed the door, donned his clothes, and kissed Jenny goodbye.
“I’ll be back for you soon, my love,” he whispered as she slept.
He scrambled down the hillside and saw flames licking the sky as he raced to the steamboat.
“Get the bucket line started!” he shouted to the men. He and his workers strove hard to put out the fire. After hours of toil and sweat, Nicholas knew in his heart that it was impossible to save the cargo and watched bales of cotton go up in smoke. He took a took a step forward and slipped on a coil of rope and slammed his head against the side of the ship, rendering him unconscious.
The next morning Jenny awoke with a smile on her lips. Vaguely, she recalled talking to Nicholas and feeling his hands caressing her. He’d stirred her senses, leaving her wanting more. She rolled over to cuddle, but he wasn’t there. Was I only dreaming? The vision seemed so real to her, his passionate touch so familiar. She bolted from the bed when someone rapped on the door.
“Tis the maid, Ma’am. May I come in?” a young voice asked.
Jenny slipped into her robe and bade her enter.
The servant carried a tray with coffee and sweet rolls.
“Here’s something for you until breakfast is formally served,” the maid said. “My name is Flossie. Mr. Preston told me to take very go
od care of you. May I assist you with your bath?”
“Yes, please, I would like warm water for the tub.”
With a quick curtsey, Flossie left to do her bidding.
Jenny’s gaze fell upon her undergarments carelessly tossed on the floor. She had barely picked them up when she heard a light rap on the door. “Come in,” she said, thinking Flossie had returned.
Nakao stepped into the room with an amused expression on his face.
Jenny noted his cheerful demeanor. “Why do you look so chipper?” she asked.
“I have news that cannot wait, Jennifer. Cora Andrews came to my chamber last night and tried to seduce me. Blake caught her and banished her from the house. There will be no marriage between them.”
“That is good news,” Jenny said as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“I thought you’d be happier. What are you thinking about, Jenny?”
“I had an unusual experience last night,” she began. “I dreamed Nicholas entered my chamber and—” Suddenly her cheeks felt warm as she realized how absurd she sounded and knew she couldn’t tell him the content of her dream.
Nakao studied her. He knew Gilbert had not returned to the house and sensed Blake was too courteous to enter her room uninvited, even if he did desire her. Baffled by Jenny’s claims, he knew the married houseguests shared rooms together. Briefly, he told her that he had seen Gilbert last night and spoke of his intentions. “I took him into the woods, Jennifer. Gilbert Johnson did not enter your room.”
Surprised by his revelation, he saw Jenny’s trusting eyes focus on him for comfort and support. He knew the friendship that had formed between them the last three years was steadfast. “I will see you at the morning meal, Jenny,” he said.
Jenny walked him to the door. “We’ll leave immediately after breakfast. We have a store to run. Besides, I miss Abigail and Aaron. Perhaps Lily will bring them to the shop today.”
Flossie entered the chamber, halting their discussion, as she lugged two buckets of water to the tub.
With a curt nod, Nakao acknowledged Jenny’s words, then stepped into the corridor. He closed the thick wooden door behind him, then rushed outside and stepped into the garden, fully expecting to find Gilbert cold and angry. He found instead the rope that had bound him and a woman’s frilly undergarment lying nearby. He wondered if someone had found Gilbert and sent him on his way. If so, no rumors had filtered into the mansion this morning. He studied the silky garment and knew it had come from Jenny’s establishment. Confused by his findings, he stuffed the camisole into his shirt. Before joining the others for breakfast, he sought out Blake Preston.
Nakao reserved comment on Blake’s appearance which reminded him of someone who had been on a drinking binge. During their conversation, he revealed Terrence for the unscrupulous servant that he was. “You don’t want a man like Terrence working at your mansion,” Nakao said.
Blake nodded. “I believe you. You have nothing to gain by exposing my servant. Terrence will no longer be in my employ,” he assured him.
Together, they waited for Jenny to enter the dining hall.
At the plantation, Nicholas awakened to Doc Jones bending over him. “What happened?” he moaned.
“Warren tells me you’ve been knocked out cold for two days,” the doctor said. “Do you remember the journey back to the plantation?”
Nicholas shook his head and flinched at the pain. “Journey back from where?”
Warren stepped forward. “You delivered a load of cotton to Vicksburg, Nicholas. It’s a good thing a worker found you. He sent word that you were injured. He said you fought hard to put out the fire.”
“You have a nasty bump on the head, Nicholas,” Doc Jones chimed.
Nicholas touched the swollen lump on his head. “I don’t remember being in Vicksburg.” He sat up slowly and winced as pain shot through his head again.
“Sit still,” Doc Jones instructed. “We don’t know much about the head, but I suspect you’re in shock from the trauma. Give it some time, Nicholas, you’re bound to remember something. Then again, maybe it’s best that you don’t.” He put his instruments in his medical bag. “My guess is that with time you’ll be just fine. I’ll leave the medicine with you. See that you apply it to your head twice a day. Good day to you.” He then exited the room.
Nicholas’s mind worked feverishly as he lay back down. “How did this fire start?”
“A careless soul hiding onboard the ship got drunk and tripped over a lantern. We lost the cotton, Nicholas.” Warren twisted his hat in his hand. “I’m here until you get back on your feet. Thomas has been asking about you, too. You know, I think that old man is going to outlive us all.”
Nicholas ran his hands through his thick hair, making a point to avoid his injury. “If what you say is true, I lost an enormous profit when that cotton burned.”
Warren looked at him pensively. “Just be happy that you survived the accident. You can grow more cotton but not another life. Now, take it easy. I’ll have Hattie bring you something to eat. Billy’s here, too, if you need him.”
Nicholas managed a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Thanks, Warren, I know I can count on you.”
With time, Nicholas regained his strength, and his head healed.
As he and Warren were riding in the fields overseeing the plantation workers, he confessed to Warren,“I feel as if the weight of the world lies on my shoulders. I have this nagging feeling I should remember visiting Vicksburg.”
“Doc Jones thinks you’ll remember with time. Don’t let it get you down, Nicholas.”
“I don’t understand how I can remember everything else but the night of the accident.”
“It beats me too, Nicholas. I’m no doctor.” Warren sent him a questioning look. “By the way, the man at the pier said he found you at Blake’s mansion in Vicksburg. He overheard you asking at the tavern where Blake lived. Do you recollect that?”
“Not at all,” Nicholas responded. “Why would I visit Blake?”
“Maybe it has something to do with Jenny.”
“I don’t see the connection,” Nicholas said. “Let’s get back to work. I’ll be heading to Vicksburg soon enough on another business trip.”
Chapter 22
The days passed swiftly, and Jenny continued to prosper at the shop. She began to feel ill in the mornings and became increasingly alarmed. She feared her business would suffer or that possibly Abigail and Aaron would contract her illness. Jenny was frantic with worry, but several days later her sickness abated. Thankfully, she was able to resume her usual routine, and no one was aware of her unsettling experience.
As dusk settled over Vicksburg, Jenny put the twins to bed, then went into the parlor for solitude. She moved aside the lace curtain from the window and gazed outside. A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind. Her lifelong dream of owning a shop had come true. Extremely proud of her accomplishments, she still felt a void in her life. Deep inside, loneliness gnawed at her, and she longed for a loving relationship. She longed to be back at the plantation with Nicholas, but she knew the trust issue held her back.
She saw a man standing in the yard, and she withdrew from the window. Though the intruder quickly disappeared, she had cause to reflect on Nicholas. The tall muscular silhouette standing by the house looked so much like him. Surely, he wouldn’t be in Vicksburg, unless he had left Warren in charge of Small Timbers while he delivered goods. Even so, he usually handled his business in a concise manner then promptly returned to the plantation by steamboat. Besides, he didn’t know where she lived. She dropped into a chair and sat by the fireside browsing through a Godey’s Lady’s Book in the dim lamp light. Becoming drowsy, she prepared to retire to her room when again she saw someone outside. Worried that Gilbert had found her, she grabbed the rifle off the wall and loaded
it. She would go to any lengths to protect her family. She crept into the garden, ready to confront the person trespassing on her property. With the moonlight guiding her, she inched around the grounds, her heart racing. “Leave at once, or I’ll shoot you to kingdom come,” she shouted, pointing the riffle in the shrubbery.
A man came from behind and yanked the rifle out of her hands. Her heart pounded wildly, and she screamed. A hand was placed over her mouth. “We’ve been down this road before,” he said. “Why are you trying to shoot me?”
Jenny stopped struggling and brushed his hand aside. “What are you doing here, Nicholas?”
“Let’s go inside where we can talk.” Carrying the rifle in one hand, he walked Jenny into the house and guided her to her chamber, closing the door behind them.
Inside her chamber, Jenny scolded Nicholas. “What were you doing skulking around my garden? You scared the living daylights out of me. I could have died of fright.”
“That was not my intention, Jenny, but when I saw you with a gun, I had to do something, as I did not care to get blown to smithereens. Besides, another scream from you, and the whole town would think I was a prowler and descend on me with clubs.”
Jenny took in his handsome face and tall muscular form. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see my children.”
“Oh,” Jenny whispered, averting her gaze. His nearness was conspicuous as he towered above her He has made himself clear tonight. He doesn’t want me. He only came to see the twins.
He interrupted her thoughts.
“By coincidence, I happened upon your residence,” he lied. “I’ll be staying in Vicksburg a while and with your permission, I’d like to return at my convenience to see Abigail and Aaron.”
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