Unspoken Love

by Lynn Gale - Unspoken Love

  “I will, Aunt Thelma. I’ll be in Greenville bright and early tomorrow,” she said, welcoming the challenge of teaching.

  After Thelma left, Nicholas drew Jenny aside. “So, my lady, you plan to leave tomorrow, but I have you for the remainder of the day.” His arms encircled her shoulders as he captured her lips, sending waves of desire between them. He carried her to their chambers.

  “Nicholas, it’s still daylight! Surely, you are not—”

  “I am, my dear sweet lady.”

  “What about Father?”

  “Need I remind you, your father was at one time very much in love? Don’t you think he absconded with his wife as the need arose?” He tried to put her at ease. “Besides,” he whispered, “Thomas is sleeping in the rocking chair on the veranda. He falls asleep at the drop of a hat.”

  Jenny blushed like an innocent bride and wrapped her arms around Nicholas. Shivers of delight shot through her as she snuggled against him.

  “I revel in our time alone,” Nicholas whispered. With deft fingers, he removed her garments, then peeled away his own and joined her on the bed.

  Desire held Jenny captive as his strong fingers caressed her skin. A thrill rushed through her as his lips found hers and he kissed her deeply, taking her breath away.

  Passion consumed them as he moved atop her and entered her blazing body. Time was forgotten as ecstasy swept them away.

  Jenny disregarded Nicholas’s plea that Billy ride with her. “Billy is needed here on the plantation. Hanging out in town all day while I teach the children would be a waste of his time when he should be here helping Warren.” She mounted Daisy and met his gaze. He rested his hand on hers.

  “You’re too independent for your own good,” he said. His eyes softened with concern. “Be careful and come home soon or else I’ll tear the countryside apart searching for you.” He followed at a safe distance until she was well on her way, then veered into the fields.

  Jenny inhaled the fresh morning air and marveled at nature’s wonders. Wrens gathered twigs for their nests, and robins searched for insects. Wildflowers sprang forth, and new growth blossomed in the thickets.

  As she cantered along the road, she reflected on Nicholas and their children. She felt deeply blessed for her family, and the love she held for Nicholas was stronger than it had ever been. Though her life with him began as pure fabrication, she knew that he was now the very essence of her existence. She imagined their children growing up and getting married and having children of their own.

  She arrived at the Greenville one-room schoolhouse and tethered Daisy to the hitching post. Inside, she found the scant school supplies consisted of small slate boards, chalk, and reading books. She skimmed over maps of the world displayed on the wall and then sat and prepared the day’s lessons.

  She was soon greeted by a small group of students. “Come in,” she encouraged, “Take your seats so we may begin.”

  Joey and Tommy Butler ambled into the room, their enthusiasm increasing when they learned that Jenny was going to teach them while Clara recuperated. The boys, now nine and ten years of age, told Jenny they still held vivid memories of her kindness to their mother when their house caught fire and that, even now, they still cherished the toys she had given them.

  The remaining students straggled in and took their places. To the children’s delight, they found Jenny entertaining as she shared her knowledge with them. After teaching basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, she told exciting stories, embellishing them with different voices and hand movements.

  For eighteen days, Jenny taught the children. She stayed at the Hearthside Inn for two- or three-day intervals. On other occasions, she would ride home to the plantation when she finished her day. Eager to see Nicholas and the children, she showered them with love before returning to Greenville the next day.

  One afternoon, after the children had gone home, Clara Miller walked into the room. Leaning on a cane, her movements were slow. “I am happy to be up and about,” she said. She smiled. Her voice was frail. “I am well enough to resume my teaching.”

  Jenny saw her blue eyes brighten as she mentioned each child and the unique qualities they possessed.

  “I truly enjoy teaching the youngsters. I can start again tomorrow,” Clara said.

  Jenny noted her pale complexion, giving evidence of the discomfort she had been suffering. She knew the lonely matron had devoted her life to children, sharing her love and knowledge as long as time allowed.

  “Thank you for all of your help, Jennifer,” Clara said. She reached into her pocket and presented her with an heirloom pin made of ivory and trimmed in gold. “To show my appreciation, I want you to have this brooch.”

  Jenny held the intricate piece of jewelry in the palm of her hand. “Thank you, Clara. My time has been well spent with the girls and boys. I will miss them.”

  Placing the brooch in her pocket for safekeeping, Jenny bade Clara a good day as they left the schoolhouse and went their separate ways.

  As Jenny started for the Hearthside Inn, she sensed that someone was watching her. A shiver ran down her spine, and she spun around and met the eyes of a stranger. She backed away and hurried along the path, ducking into the inn. Feeling safe in the confines of the building, she peered out the door and saw the man walk on. She breathed a huge sigh, thinking she had misjudged the moment.

  Inga saw Jennifer enter the tavern and curtsied. “Mrs. Smith is upstairs speaking with one of the patrons. Will you stay and dine with her?”

  “No, thank you, Inga. I just wanted to bid Aunt Thelma farewell. Today was my last day of teaching, and it may be days before I return to Greenville.”

  “I’ll send her right down,” Inga said, then scurried from the lobby.

  Jenny thought of Inga and her zest for life. Inga had many fine qualities, innocence and honesty among them. Soon she would ask Inga and Blake to a dinner party. Inga would make a wonderful wife for the unsuspecting Blake Preston.

  The dining room began to fill with ravenous patrons, awaiting sustenance. Jenny caught sight of a tipsy man as he stumbled into the inn. Aimlessly flapping his arms, he tried to steady himself but knocked a lantern from the wall. Flames ignited his cloak and spread to the coat rack, sending billows of smoke into the room. Set ablaze, the man screamed and staggered outside. Someone rolled him to the ground, snuffing the flames from his clothes while others urged the women to run for shelter. Quickly, they formed a line and poured buckets of water on the blaze.

  Jenny hadn’t seen such a commotion since the devastating storm a few years back. She rolled up her sleeves to help. As she fought her way through the smoke, someone threw a blanket over her and forced her from the inn. Swiftly, the mystery man put her on his mount and leapt up behind her. With urgency, he rode out of town and deposited her on a country road. Jenny glanced about her surroundings and realized she was but a few miles from Small Timbers. Baffled by the way she had arrived, she began the long trek home. She stumbled upon a man lying face down in the roadway, his horse grazing nearby. Unmindful that she was placing herself in danger, she went to his assist him. To her dismay, the stranger grabbed her ankles and sent her sprawling to the ground.

  Dazed, she looked up as Gilbert hovered above her. Hastily, he gagged her mouth and bound her hands. Bringing her to her feet, he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her deep into the woods. Finding a secluded spot, he deposited her on a log and knelt beside her. Shock and contempt consumed her as she stared into Gilbert’s eyes. She tried to speak, but only muffled sounds came out. He seized her shoulders, his fingers digging into her flesh. “I’m going to remove the cloth for a moment. If you call out, I’ll snuff your life out this very second. Do you understand?”

  Jenny nodded. She had little doubt that Gilbert would carry out his threat. “To what do I own this unexpected visit?” she aske
d, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And where is Cora? Is she still the love of your life?”

  “Cora left me when another gent came along who could offer her better security. The fickle twit disappeared without a trace. She is even more sinister than I.” A malicious smile formed. “You broke up my group of women and sent them scattering in every direction. Without them, I couldn’t continue my work.”

  “Your deception, you mean!”

  Gilbert ignored her scolding words and continued, “Twice I’ve been thwarted by your Indian friend and decided that you must pay the price. I’ve been spying on you for months, waiting for the right time to take you. When your husband pays me what I’m asking, I’ll be on my way.”

  “And if he doesn’t pay you?”

  “Then you’ll be mine!” Catching Jenny unaware, he grasped her head and forced her to meet his gaze. His gray eyes pierced hers with intensity as he caressed her cheek. His breathing became heavy. His lips clamped over hers, and he kissed her savagely. He pulled back in pain and let out a moan as he tasted blood. “You have a penchant for biting,” he growled.

  “Only those I detest,” she replied flippantly.

  Gilbert glared at her. “Nicholas won’t pay me a cent if he sees you’re battered. Don’t injure me again,” he warned. Still forcing her to meet his gaze, he stared at her. “You will obey me,” he repeated several times.

  Jenny jerked her head aside, determined not to let him see her fear. “Your hypnotic ways do not work with me, Gilbert.”

  Gilbert chose to ignore her remark. “Where does Nicholas keep his money?”

  “I will not tell. Nicholas works hard for his earnings, and I won’t let you run off with one cent of it.”

  Gilbert shoved the cloth in her mouth. “So, you choose to be headstrong. Well, someone you love may suffer as a result,” he said angrily. “I’m going to see Nicholas. I’ll return by dusk.” He tied Jenny around a tree, allowing her little room to move. Assured she would stay put, he whistled for his mount and rode toward the house.

  Gilbert dismounted and made his way to the front entrance. Millicent opened the door wide and bade him enter.

  Gilbert poured on the charm, his eyes appearing mesmeric and demanding. “I wish to speak with Nicholas Grant.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Millicent answered obediently and showed him to the study.

  Nicholas sat at his desk, going over the accounts.

  “You have a visitor, sir,” Millicent announced, then politely withdrew from the room.

  Nicholas studied the stranger, trying to place his face. Vaguely, then more assuredly, he recognized Gilbert Johnson as the preacher in the woods. Fear gripped him just as Gilbert drew his pistol and pointed it at his heart.

  “I have Jennifer. She is safe for the time being.” His threatening eyes said what words had not, implying he could kill her at any time.

  Forgetting that his life was on the line Nicholas jumped to his feet, knocking over the inkstand. “Why have you kidnapped my wife?”

  “For ransom, Mr. Grant, say, five thousand dollars. I’m sure you’ll pay well to see her safe, then I’ll be on my merry way.”

  Nicholas saw Gilbert’s blood-caked lip and suspected the cause. He wanted to wipe the smirk from his face and give him the trouncing of his life, but his common sense took over. He knew he mustn’t jeopardize Jenny’s life. Rifling through his desk, he brought out a small amount of cash and tossed it to Gilbert. “That’s all the money I have at my disposal. I’ll need time to collect the rest.”

  “I’ll give you until tomorrow noon. Ride along the road to Greenville. I’ll find you. If you have the money, I’ll release Jennifer. If not, she goes with me, and you’ll never see her again.”

  An angry twitch blossomed across Nicholas’s cheek. Gilbert would not get away with this. He would give his life to set Jenny free, if need be.

  Gilbert waved the gun at Nicholas. “I’ll leave you now, Mr. Grant. Don’t follow me unless you want Jennifer harmed.” He backed out the door, knocking Millicent out of the way as she came from the parlor. He ran from the house, mounted his horse, and rode away at breakneck speed.

  Nicholas raced to the window and saw Gilbert ride into the woods. Why would he ride into the forest instead of going by way of the main road, especially with darkness descending? It is pitch black in there. He looked up to see a distraught Millicent enter the room. She placed her hands down to her sides to keep them from shaking.

  “I am so sorry, Mr. Grant. I thought the man was a friend of yours,” she apologized.

  “You didn’t know. Don’t worry about it, Millicent. Go stay with the children.”

  She nodded and ran from the room.

  Nicholas sent for Warren. “Gilbert Johnson has Jenny. I want you to ride to town and summon Sheriff Miller. Don’t speak of this to anyone,” he instructed. “We don’t want Gilbert to learn we are searching for Jenny. He might panic and dispense with her.”

  Warren’s startled expression turned to anger. “Why, I’ll squeeze the life out of the varmint, if he harms our Jenny.” With urgency, he dashed out the door and rode for town.

  Jenny shivered as a chill settled over the forest. Dark shadows emerged as treetops swayed in the breeze. Only the moonlight saved her from total darkness. A faint chirping of crickets sounded in the distance. She heard hoofbeats pounding the ground and prayed that Nicholas had found her. Her happiness was short lived when she saw Gilbert riding toward her, holding a lighted lantern in his hand.

  “Ah, my dear Jennifer, all has gone well,” he said, sliding down from his mount. “Tomorrow you will be with your beloved, and I’ll be a rich man. But tonight. . . .” His voice trailed, allowing her to draw her own conclusions. Gathering tinder, he made a small fire, being careful to maintain the flames so he wouldn’t draw attention to their whereabouts. He scrutinized Jennifer as she remained tied to the tree, still gagged. Muffled sounds escaped her as she returned his gaze.

  “I can’t understand your mumbling. One scream and you’re dead. You won’t see your babies or Nicholas again,” he warned, removing the cloth from her mouth.

  “Untie my hands, Gilbert. They are numb.”

  “I guess it won’t hurt. You won’t escape me in these dark woodlands.” He cut the rope away from her hands.

  Jenny exercised her stiff limbs and allowed the circulation to flow.

  Gilbert drew her to the fire.

  “No need to be cold, my pretty. Stand here and warm yourself while I lay out my bedroll.”

  Tempted to run while her hands were free, Jenny knew it would be futile thanks to the darkness and the twisted trees throughout the forest. She knew Gilbert would dispense with her posthaste if she called for help, but she had to do something She realized Gilbert’s cleverness by holding her hostage at Small Timbers. She was sure that Nicholas would never think to look for her on his own property. Hoping to alert him to her whereabouts, she seized the opportunity to unfasten her skirt and drop it to the ground. The crisp night air blew through her thin petticoats as she cautiously nudged her skirt toward the heat. Pushing yards of material along the hot timber, she stepped away from the fire with Gilbert oblivious to her purpose. She hoped he couldn’t discern her lack of clothing in the darkness, for she didn’t want to tempt the lust-driven man.

  After Gilbert made a place for them to sleep, he sauntered to his horse and withdrew a bottle of whisky from the saddlebag. He took a swig of the fiery liquid, then another. As the spirits seeped into his veins, he applauded his wise scheme. “Nicholas will never think to look for you here,” he bragged. “I have planned your abduction well and will come out the victor, and a very rich man.” Desire replaced his greedy expression as the moon outlined Jennifer’s voluptuous silhouette. Quickly he brought her to him and sought her lips. Like a vulture honing in on its prey, he held her
immobile and kissed her long and deep. Jenny tried to break free, but he held her tightly.

  Brilliant orange flames licked the black sky as her skirt burst into a ball of fire, singeing nearby trees, and smoke billowed into the night air.

  “What —the—?” Gilbert spun around and rushed to the fire.

  Jenny jumped in his way and fought to keep him from extinguishing the flames.

  He threw her aside and sent her sprawling to the ground. Working fervently, he brought the blaze under control. Anger consumed him as he dragged Jenny to her feet. He gripped her shoulders and shook her roughly.

  She didn’t flinch, but eyed him with contempt. Still, she regretted that he had put out the fire before help could be summoned.

  “You will not ruin my well-laid plan, you little vixen.” He stared at her. Greedy to claim all spoils, he scoffed, “I’ll swindle Nicholas out of the money and take you with me.”

  A deafening shot rang out. Gilbert’s features contorted as he released Jenny and fell to the ground.

  Jenny scrambled away from her captor. Unable to distinguish direction, she collided into someone’s arms. Brought to the ground and forced to remain silent, she heard the sweetest voice of all.

  “Don’t call out, Jennifer, lest we lose our prey.”

  “Oh, Nicholas, thank goodness you’ve come,” Jenny whispered. A commotion sounded in the distance, and they watched as the laborers converged on Gilbert.

  “What you doing out here? You poaching off our land?” Hattie asked, swinging a dead branch. “I’ll beat you black and blue if you so much as think of stealing from Mister Grant!”

  A feeling of doom gripped Gilbert as he realized his plans had been thwarted again. Forced to abandon his plan, he ran to his mount. He stopped abruptly as the click of a gun echoed in his ears. The steel barrel felt cold against his head.