Alexandra wrung her napkin as if she could squeeze composure from it. “Do you remember the Montgomerys from Nashville?”
A wrinkle appeared in her mother’s forehead.
“Well, no matter.” Alexandra took a deep breath. “It seems Mr. Montgomery and Lowell’s father have done business together for years. They went to Nashville—”
“Oh no.” Mama’s hand went to her mouth.
Alexandra nodded. “They brought Dorcas Montgomery back with them for a visit, and she announced to all the guests that Papa had been involved in a scandal. She was quite ingenuous, telling me we can most likely move back to Nashville now that all the talk has died down.”
Her grandmother grunted. “At least no one knows the particulars.”
“I’m fairly certain Dorcas gave them every scintillating detail once I left.”
“Then you should have stayed and faced all of them down.” Her grandmother pointed a gnarled finger toward her. “That’s what’s wrong with this world today. None of you young people have any gumption. Back when I was a young girl, I would have stood up to the lot of them. Made sure no one talked about me behind my back. If you’d have squared your shoulders and looked down your nose at this Dorcas, it would have all blown over by now.”
“You weren’t there, Grand-mère. Everyone was so shocked. Even Lowell couldn’t look at me.”
Her mother made a soft sound of sympathy.
The sharp knock of her grandmother’s cane on the pine floor made Alexandra jump. “That young man will not go against the wishes of his family. And they know well enough that a marriage to the Tanner family will be advantageous. I have more than three times the acreage Harvey Sheffield can lay claim to.”
Alexandra twisted her napkin in the other direction. “It’s not always about money, Grand-mère. The Sheffields must look to their reputation.”
Her grandmother looked toward her daughter. “Didn’t you teach this girl anything, Beatrice?” She glared at Alexandra. “It’s always, always, always about money. Money can polish any reputation, fulfill every dream, and buy every item your heart desires. As long as the Sheffields think they will benefit financially from a marriage with my family, they will make certain Lowell does not waver in his pursuit.”
No sooner had her grandmother concluded her diatribe than the dining-room door opened, and one of the slaves entered. “You have visitors, Mrs. Tanner. Are you able to receive them?”
Her grandmother nodded. “Show them to the front parlor.” The slave retreated to do her bidding, and Grand-mère returned her attention to Alexandra. “Now do you believe me?”
Alexandra pushed her chair back from the table. She felt a little sick. All this time she’d thought Lowell was interested in her. To find that he was only interested in her family’s money was quite a blow to her ego. Only an hour earlier, she would have rejoiced in his appearance at her home. Now she only wanted to retreat to her bedroom and hide from the world.
Chapter 14
It’s really too early to be making a morning call.” Jeremiah shook his head at Susannah. “I tried to warn you that we would be kept waiting until the Tanners break their fast.”
“I only wanted to make sure none of them was upset about last night. Miss Lewis seemed so distraught.”
Jeremiah glanced toward her husband and shook his head.
“I don’t care what you say. I know you care about her, too.” Susannah’s glance was smug.
Judah moved his crutches to one side and put his free hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “How many times is it that you’ve rescued Miss Lewis?”
“Actually it was your carriage that rescued her the first time.” Jeremiah twisted his lips into a slight smile. “Come to think of it, your carriage was the rescuer last night, too.”
Susannah laughed. “And I suppose you had absolutely nothing to do with it?”
“I’m not saying that. I was there at the right time to lend a hand. God has been kind enough to use me to aid a Christian sister in need.”
The door opened and the ladies of the Tanner household entered. Mrs. Tanner led the way, leaning heavily on her cane, followed by Alexandra’s mother and then Alexandra herself. Her face seemed so pale, and smudges under her eyes bespoke a restless night. His heart went out to her. She seemed so fragile, nothing like the aristocratic belle who had treated him as if he was inconsequential when she first saw him. Even though he would not have wished this pain on her, perhaps God would use it to mold her into a woman who cared about the needs of those outside her immediate family.
Once they had all exchanged greetings, Mrs. Tanner told them all where to sit. Judah and Susannah were relegated to a pair of delicate chairs while he was told to take a seat on the far side of the fireplace, opposite the sofa on which Alexandra and her mother sat.
Mrs. Tanner took up her seat, an oversized chair with cushions that made him think of a throne. “To what do we owe this pleasure?” The older lady went straight to the point.
Susannah leaned forward and caught Alexandra’s gaze. “We just wanted to check on you after the party and make certain you know you have friends here.”
Mrs. Tanner stamped her cane on the floor. “Of course the girl has friends. She’s an accomplished young lady with an outstanding pedigree. She’s the most eligible female in Adams County, maybe in the Mississippi Territory.”
Jeremiah hid a smile. It was fitting for her to defend Alexandra. She reminded him of Uncle Emile. He’d never allow any slur against his nephew.
A glance at Alexandra showed her discomfort with the direction of the conversation. Time to introduce a new subject. “What do you think of the talk of statehood?”
Alexandra’s mother looked out the window, obviously unwilling to join the discussion. Or maybe she had no opinion on the matter of politics.
Mrs. Tanner, however, did not share her daughter’s diffidence. “I think it’s a load of hogwash.”
“What about the protection of the army?” Susannah folded her hands in her lap. “And so many immigrants are arriving now that the war is over. We need law and order or we risk falling into chaos.”
Judah nodded, smiling at his wife. “I agree. One thing the politicians in Washington should have learned is how important this part of our continent is. If the British had taken New Orleans, no treaty would have stopped their advance up the river. Every settlement, including Natchez, would have been raided. The men would have been impressed into the British services and the crops would have been seized to support the invaders.”
“So they should know enough to protect us whether we remain a state or a territory.” Mrs. Tanner’s smug gaze traveled the room.
“But wouldn’t you like to have some say in who is running the territory?” Alexandra entered the conversation. “You always say President Madison should not have the power to decide who will govern us. If we become a state, we will have the right to elect our leaders.”
Jeremiah was impressed with Alexandra’s comments. She might be pampered, but she was not empty-headed. “Do you think the territory should be made into one state or two?”
A frown appeared in her brow as Alexandra considered his question. “Since the Indian lands were included in the territory, it has become a huge square, much larger than any of the other states.”
“But we don’t have many people living in that area, especially on the eastern side of the territory.”
“As Susannah said, immigrants seem to be pouring into the territory in ever-growing numbers. Who knows where it will end?” Alexandra shrugged. “Of course I could be wrong. I have never traveled to the eastern portion of the territory. Perhaps it should be one state.”
“Well, one advantage of making two states is the increased number of senators who would represent the area.”
An arrested look entered her face. “I see. That makes a great deal of sense. So do you think there should be two states?”
“I don’t think it much matters what any of us in this room think
s.” Judah spoke before Jeremiah could answer. “We won’t be involved in the decision-making process.”
“Too true, dear.” Susannah accepted a cup of tea from Alexandra. “And perhaps that is best.”
Alexandra continued pouring cups of the strong brew and passing them out. Jeremiah took a tentative swallow of his drink. The dark liquid stung the inside of his mouth, but it wasn’t too bitter for his taste.
“Are you still working in the cotton fields, Mr. LeGrand?” Alexandra’s face looked more relaxed than it had when she first entered the parlor.
Susannah stirred a lump of sugar into her tea. “He’s single-handedly brought things back from the edge of disaster. Thanks to his hard work, we’ll be able to pay our taxes and buy seed for the spring planting.”
Now it was Jeremiah’s turn to squirm. He did not like to brag about what he’d been doing.
“Yes, I’ve heard about things over at Magnolia Plantation.” Mrs. Tanner refused a cup of tea. “And not all of it is good.”
“What do you mean?” asked Judah.
“My granddaughter told me about his penchant for working next to the slaves. It’s not good to coddle them. It leads to dissatisfaction and perhaps even a slave revolt.”
Jeremiah nodded. He could understand that his way of doing things might seem odd, even threatening to the other landowners. A large number of black slaves lived in the territory. Most whites believed the only way to maintain control was to keep their slaves too exhausted and too detached to foment rebellion. He disagreed. To him it made more sense to give the slaves land of their own to work and chances to earn their freedom if they wished to do so. He had a lot of plans that would not meet with the approbation of people like Mrs. Tanner. He wished he could openly discuss his ideas. Maybe one day. But for now, he should concentrate on the young lady they’d come to see. “I’m sure you have more experience than I do, Mrs. Tanner.”
“Jeremiah is very humble.” Susannah’s voice held a note of censure. Jeremiah wondered if it was aimed at him or at Mrs. Tanner. “He is a successful businessman in his own right. Did you know he and his uncle have one of the most successful shipping businesses in New Orleans? And he has postponed his plans because of his insistence on helping us get back on our feet.”
Jeremiah frowned at Susannah. He didn’t need anyone to defend him. “I believe in helping others when I can. God has blessed me greatly so that I can pass blessings on to others in His name.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” The anger in Alexandra’s voice was hard to miss. “What do you know about losing a parent?”
Judah’s mouth dropped open, and silence invaded the room.
Jeremiah folded his arms across his chest. “You’re quite right, Miss Lewis. I don’t remember my parents at all. You see, they died when I was a child.”
The look on her face, a combination of horror, shame, and sympathy, was something he would never forget. It was hard to suppress the smile trying to curl his lips. A laugh fought its way up his throat, but Jeremiah pushed it back down.
“I’m so sorry.” She was the picture of remorse, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes trained on the tips of her feet.
Jeremiah was ashamed of himself. He should have let her words stand. Why had he felt it necessary to embarrass her? He was usually much more circumspect. “You could not have known.”
She glanced up at him, and he was surprised to see the sheen of tears in her eyes. “That doesn’t excuse my tantrum. Please say you forgive me.”
“Forgiven and forgotten.” He smiled at her to show her his words were true.
“Good for you, young man. My granddaughter is a pretty thing, but she’s easily provoked to anger—a trait her parents should have rid her of many years ago.”
Jeremiah had turned to give his attention to Mrs. Tanner, but he saw Alexandra’s chin lift from the corner of his vision.
“Please, Grand-mère.” Her voice was strained.
He wished he’d never defended himself. When he’d agreed to come with his friends, it was with the hope of making her feel better, not to add to her discomfort.
He looked at Susannah, who nodded and put her cup on the table at her elbow. “I am hoping to get you ladies to come to my house on Thursday for some of my special mint tea and a few hours of quilting.”
Jeremiah had expected Susannah to announce their departure, not invite Alexandra and her family for a visit.
“I don’t—”
Alexandra’s refusal was overridden by her grandmother. “They would love to. Both my daughters and Alexandra accept your kind offer.”
“Excellent.” Susannah stood.
Judah and Jeremiah followed suit, bowing to the women and taking their leave as usual. As they gathered their wraps and headed out the door, Jeremiah could hear Mrs. Tanner telling Alexandra and her mother why they would be visiting the Hugheses’ home on Thursday. He needed to make sure he was not at the house at that time. Maybe he and Judah could look for a place to house Uncle Emile’s new office. It was about time for him to concentrate on his other reason for coming to Natchez.
He nodded to himself. It was the perfect excuse for avoiding further contact with Alexandra.
Chapter 15
It was raining when Jeremiah awoke on Thursday morning. He groaned and dressed with more care than usual. His excuse for not being available when the visitors arrived had disappeared when the weather turned inclement. He couldn’t even go out and work with the slaves. Or could he? As he headed downstairs, plans began to evolve in his head. He would need to time things right if he was going to avoid Miss Alexandra Lewis. And avoiding her was of paramount importance to him.
Breakfast was a hurried affair. He ignored Susannah’s pointed comments and headed outside. The rain beat steadily on the barn’s roof as Jeremiah checked the tack for wear.
Noise outside indicated when she arrived. Jeremiah’s heart beat a rapid tattoo in response. What was Alexandra wearing today? Would her hair be pulled back in a tight bun? Or would it be styled in ringlets to frame her face? He shook his head to clear it. Why did it matter?
The easy answer was that it shouldn’t matter to him at all. But Jeremiah was not in the habit of accepting easy answers. The subject would take some serious soul searching. Nothing about Alexandra should affect him beyond the consideration he would offer to any sister in Christ. But the rat-a-tat of his heart told a different story. What was it about her that made him feel so…so agitated? Jeremiah knew he could not be falling in love with her.
His mind rejected the idea before it was fully formed. In the first place, he did not know Alexandra. He’d only been around her a few times, and their conversation had been limited. She was more than the shallow debutante he’d first thought her to be. She was beautiful and smart, but that didn’t mean she was the woman God intended for his mate.
Which brought up the most important reason he could not have feelings for Alexandra: She depended on others for happiness and acceptance, not on the Lord. She might be the sweetest, most unassuming young woman in the territory, but if she didn’t love the Lord with all her heart, she was not a woman he could share—
The sound of the barn doors opening and closing brought him out of the tack room. There she stood, dressed in black, her hair loosely pulled back and pinned at the nape of her neck. Her hands were folded in front of her, and she was looking around the shadowy barn with all the innocence of a baby bird.
“What do you want, Miss Lewis?”
She jumped at the sound of his voice and put one hand up to her throat. “Oh, you gave me a fright, Mr. LeGrand. Susannah sent me to remind you that tea will be served in a few minutes.”
He could feel heat rising to his cheeks. Susannah shouldn’t be playing the matchmaker. How aggravating. He would have to talk with her later. But for now, he needed to rid himself of the beauteous Miss Lewis. “I won’t be taking tea with you today. I have too much work to do.”
She walked to where he stood outside the tack
room. The fresh scent of her lemony perfume seemed to flow over him like warm bathwater. “Why do you dislike me so much? Have you not forgiven me for mistaking you for a servant? I am very sorry for offending you.”
“What?” He looked down at her in surprise. “What makes you think I dislike you?”
She shrugged and twisted her hands together. “You seem to make it a point to avoid me whenever I come to visit.”
“I have a great deal of responsibility these days and very little time for social visits.” He tugged at the collar of his shirt, which had suddenly grown uncomfortably snug. He knew he was not being completely truthful with her, but how could he be? How could he admit he was no stronger than any of the other men who chased after her? That some part of him wanted to protect her from all danger? How could he tell her that his heart was pounding even now because he wanted to reach out and touch her soft hair?
“I see.” She glanced up at him, a wounded look in her eyes. “I suppose I should go back inside.”
“I suppose so.” He didn’t move, and neither did she. He felt like an idiot, but he couldn’t think of a thing to say to her. All he wanted to do was stare into those dark brown eyes.
After what seemed an eternity, though it couldn’t have been more than a minute or two, she sighed and turned away. “It was nice to see you again.”
He didn’t answer. His throat worked, but he couldn’t get any words to come out. He watched as she moved away from him and wished he could say something to stop her. But what was the point? He’d already gone over this. He didn’t—couldn’t—care for Alexandra Lewis.
Chapter 16
Aunt Patricia was delighted when Alexandra asked to accompany her as she made her rounds. The first place they stopped was a small shack just north of the plantation grounds.
“Who lives here?” Alexandra avoided a clucking chicken as she helped carry several baskets of warm food toward the shack.
“An old black man, Tobias Jenkins. His master died a few years back, and he and the other slaves were set free by the widow. John wanted to give him some land, but your grand-mère refused. So John and I bought a little parcel off the plantation grounds and gave it to him. He started off fine but caught the croup last winter. Since then, it’s been difficult for him to keep body and soul together.”
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