The color was back in Verena's face full force; it had turned bright red with indignity. "How dare you regard your mother so callously?" she lashed out at him. "That's what cavorting with the lower classes does to a person."
Elyse knew her mother was going too far. "Mother, please. We've no right to interfere."
"That's right—you don't." Michael nodded gratefully to Elyse and even managed a smile.
An awkward silence fell.
Elyse tugged at her mother's arm, urging her to leave the room, but Verena stood where she was, tight-lipped and furious.
When the servant came with the ammonia, the instant Michael held it beneath his mother's nose her eyes flashed open. She began to cough, pushing the flask away.
"Are you all right now?" Michael asked, no trace of concern in his voice.
"Yes, yes." She looked about the room wildly, then clutched Michael by his coat lapels, attempting to draw him closer. "Tell me it was a bad dream. A nightmare. That I only imagined you brought Jacie back."
"You didn't imagine anything, Mother. I've brought her back to be my wife."
Olivia gave a soft whimper, and he warned, "Now don't faint again, Mother. There's a few things you are going to have to understand, like how Jacie did not run away with Zach Newton. She was intending to ride part of the way with Mehlonga as he headed west to join his people. She was upset with me for being so jealous, when there was no reason. Then she got lost on the way back."
"Oh Lord. That crazy old Indian. I might have known. He hasn't been seen since she left. But that's even worse. Oh, God. She ran away with an Indian." She covered her face with her hands.
"Hmph," Verena grunted. "I think you're making that up. You just don't want to admit she was with that overseer. How did you find her, anyway?"
"Verena, you're really starting to annoy me," Michael said tightly. "I'd like you to leave."
"Oh, don't take it out on her," Olivia moaned. "I don't know what I'd have done without her all these weeks. And sweet Elyse, too. You just don't realize the grief your insane devotion to that girl has caused this family, Michael."
"That is true." Verena folded her arms across her bosom. “And it's a good thing your father isn't alive to hear you treat your kin so disrespectfully, and you can be sure he would never stand for that trollop being in his house."
"That does it." Michael drew himself up, about to remove her from the room, bodily, if need be.
Elyse began to cry and tugged at her mother's arm, begging her to leave, and, reluctantly, Verena went with her.
Once upstairs with the door closed behind them, Verena spent the next half hour ranting and raving, telling Elyse over and over that they had to do something. "We cannot let him marry her. We cannot."
Elyse cringed, because Verena kept getting louder and louder. "Please calm down. Someone will hear you."
"I don't care. Let them. I want all the servants to gossip about him planning to marry that little whore. And that's what she is—a whore, running off with that nasty overseer."
As she walked toward Jacie's room, Sudie paused to hear such a nasty word coming through the door. She was carrying a tray with ham biscuits and a pot of tea, so excited that Miss Jacie was back and anxious to see her, but now the glow was dimmed as she overheard Miss Verena say, "Olivia cannot allow him to let that strumpet stay in this house. All the servants believe she ran away with Zach Newton. What will they think of their master marrying a whore?"
Sudie could take no more. She might get a whipping, but there was just no way she was going to stand for that woman calling Miss Jacie an ugly name like that.
She set the tray on a nearby table, then, lower lip trembling with fear at what she was about to do, rapped sharply on the door.
Verena snatched it open. "Oh, what is it?"
Sudie took a deep breath and brushed by her to enter the room. "I heard what you said about Miss Jacie, and it ain't so, and you shouldn't talk about her like that."
Verena advanced toward her, eyes narrowed in menace. "You little snot. I'll take a whip to you for being so insolent."
"Mother, don't," Elyse protested. "She's just a child, and she has always been fond of Jacie."
"That's right." Sudie's head bobbed up and down as she inched closer to Miss Elyse, since she seemed to be taking up for her. "And I know she'd never run away with Master Newton, not after I told her how he beat the slaves. It was old Melongha who took her to Texas. I heard 'em talkin' about it.”
Verena wondered why she even bothered to argue with the child and resolved that she would definitely see that she got a whipping. "It doesn't matter. She went away with a man. That makes her a whore. And this is none of your business. Now get out of here."
"That don't make her no whore." Sudie clenched her fists at her sides, tears beginning to stream down her face. "Not when he was takin' her to find her real momma."
The two women looked at each other in wonder, and it was Elyse who rallied to probe, "What are you talking about, Sudie? Miss Jacie's mother died. You know that."
"No ma'am," Sudie said firmly. "Not her real momma."
Eyes suddenly glittering with interest, Verena went to the door and closed it, then quietly, ominously, commanded, “I think you'd better explain yourself.”
Sudie was anxious to make them see Miss Jacie had done nothing wrong, and the words poured forth. "Miss Violet wasn't her real momma. She was her real momma's sister. She just pretended to be Miss Jacie's momma. Miss Jacie's real momma, she was taken by the Indians when Miss Jacie was just a little baby. She and Miss Violet was the only ones left alive, so Miss Violet made Master Judd think Miss Jacie was his young'un and raised her like she was, only the night she died, I reckon she was feelin' guilty over pretendin' all them years, 'cause she told Miss Jacie the truth, and Miss Jacie couldn't stand not knowin' about her real momma, so she took off to find her.
"And I know this is so," Sudie finished proudly, "'cause I was standin' outside the door and heard every single word. She knowed I knowed she was goin'." Starting to lose some of her nerve beneath the skeptical stares of the two women, Sudie went on. "And she told me not to tell, but Master Blake was so worried I had to tell him so he could fetch her back. You ain't gonna tell her I told, are you?" She looked from one to the other fearfully.
"Not if you won't tell what you heard us saying about her," Verena said.
Sudie shook her head. "Oh, no ma'am. I won't, 'cause it would hurt her real bad, and there ain't no need to do that, 'specially now that you know it ain't so and won't say it no more."
Verena licked her lips in delight to know Jacie's secret. "Of course we won't, dear. But did you also tell Master Blake why Miss Jacie went away? Did you tell him she had gone to find her mother?"
"No. Just that she'd gone off to Texas with a man. He didn't ask why.”
“Let's just forget we had this little talk, shall we?” Verena quickly ushered Sudie to the door.
"And I won't get no whippin'?" Sudie asked.
"No whipping," Verena assured, wanting to be rid of her.
With the door again closed, Elyse braced herself for her mother's tirade but was instead surprised to see her smiling quite contentedly. "Now you know what you have to do," Verena said. "Not only for yourself, but for Michael, to save him from himself. He has political ambitions. What if one day Jacie's real mother, a nasty Indian squaw"—she wrinkled her nose in disgust—"were to show up here at Red Oakes? It could ruin him. You can't take a chance on letting that happen. And think of the family name. It's our family, too, you know."
"I'd like to know what you think I can do about it." Elyse looked at her in wonder. "If cousin Olivia can't make him change his mind, I certainly can't."
"Olivia won't know about it, you little fool. Do you think he would dare tell her? No. You heard what he said in the parlor, the lie he concocted about Jacie riding off with Mehlonga and getting lost. He's not about to tell the truth, because he knows there is absolutely no way he could expect Oliv
ia to be even remotely civil to Jacie if she found out such a deplorable scandal about her family. He knows how she despises all Indians."
Elyse went to stare wistfully out the window at the sprawling plantation she would soon be forced to leave—to go where? She had no idea and at the moment did not care. She loved Michael and wanted to be his wife, and if that were not to be, nothing else mattered.
"This is our chance," Verena gloated.
"I suppose you want me to be the one to tell Cousin Olivia," Elyse said tonelessly. "Well, I won't. Michael would hate me then. He'd never marry me."
"Oh, I know that. Olivia finding out wouldn't stop him, anyway."
"Well, I suggest we just forget about it, hard though it will be. If Michael loves her enough to want her despite everything, then perhaps we should just stay out of it. We can go back to Charleston. Surely some man will want to marry me."
"With us living in the poorhouse?" Verena hooted. "No man from a decent, wealthy family would court you, and I'll not see you wed anyone who can't afford to take care of me as well. You are going to marry Michael, and that is final."
Elyse leaned her head against the window frame and closed her eyes. Her mother could rant on all she wanted. Sooner or later, she would realize the futility of it all.
"I want you to send a message to Zach Newton."
Elyse's eyes flashed open. "What kind of message?"
"Tell him you want him to get Jacie away from here. It doesn't matter what he does with her, just so she's never seen in these parts again."
"I don't believe what I am hearing."
"You will write him a letter and tell him he can have revenge on Michael for firing him by coming to Red Oakes and abducting Jacie. You will also tell him he will be paid a thousand dollars for his trouble."
Elyse laughed. "And where would I get a thousand dollars?"
"I'll tell Olivia I need to borrow it. She'll let me have it, no questions asked. Especially as distraught as she is now."
Elyse chewed her lower lip nervously. "I don't think I can do it."
"Do you love Michael?"
"You know I do," she said miserably.
"Then you must. There's no other way. Otherwise, Michael is going to marry Jacie as soon as he can throw a wedding together. He's bewitched by her. He's not thinking straight."
Elyse was not convinced the plan would work. "What if Zach gets the money, keeps it, and never shows up?"
"I've already thought of that. You will send five hundred with the letter and tell him where to find the rest of it when the deed is done. But I'm not worried about that," Verena said confidently. "He'll want revenge on Michael more than the money. You know there is no way that Zach has the working conditions in Beaufort that he had here. He probably curses Michael every day for kicking him out."
"I still don't know," Elyse murmured.
"It's the answer to all our prayers and problems," Verena went on to emphasize. "Olivia will never know you were responsible for keeping her son from marrying white trash, but she would love you to death if she did. And you'll also be ensuring a good life for me, as well, and you owe me that. Just as you owe it to yourself most of all if you truly love him as you say you do.”
Elyse was still uncertain about doing something so dastardly and cruel, and all in the name of love.
Verena said brightly, "I'll get paper and a pen. We have to move fast."
* * *
That night no one in the household appeared at the dinner table.
Jacie remained in her quarters, locked in a grief that would not let her go, and grateful Michael had given her time to be alone.
Olivia had taken to her bed to try and absorb the earth-shattering events of the day, as well as Michael's insistence on marrying Jacie as soon as arrangements could be made.
Verena and Elyse retired to their individual boudoirs, having trays of food brought in. Neither wanted to face Michael just yet with all that was on their minds.
And Michael just did not want to be around anyone, because even though he was overjoyed to have Jacie home and to know they would soon be married, there were still demons within to be conquered. He could not erase from his mind the image of how she had clung to the Indian, how stricken she had been, and though he told himself over and over he must not let it haunt him, he could not help wondering what had really transpired between them.
Lights were extinguished in the house earlier than usual, and all was still. No one was up or about to see the servant, who had been sworn to secrecy and threatened with having the flesh ripped from his back if he ever dared reveal his mission, as he rode away from Red Oakes.
He was on his way to Beaufort, South Carolina, and he carried a letter addressed to Mr. Zach Newton.
* * *
Luke rode doggedly, stopping only when utter darkness closed in, continuing at first light.
The wound in his neck still throbbed with pain, but he ignored it, as was the way of a warrior.
He had but one thought in mind, to find Jacie. If she chose not to return with him, so be it. But he would let her know he was alive. He would not allow her to endure the same mental anguish her mother had experienced, could not bear the thought of Jacie miserably accepting her lot in life believing there was nothing else for her.
When he found Red Oakes, Luke was going to strip off the army pants and boots and ride in as what he was–a Comanche, knowing beyond all doubt that Michael Blake would not give up Jacie without a battle.
And by God, Luke vowed silently, fiercely, this time he would know he had been in a real fight.
Chapter 28
Olivia had never known the house to be so lavishly decorated. Not even for her own wedding, she thought jealously.
Michael had had the servants working day and night for the past five days. The greenhouse had been stripped, and flowers were everywhere—golden chrysanthemums, white winter roses, and early poinsettias. Gold satin ribbons twined the spindles of the stair railings, and more ribbons and greenery were tufted about the crystal chandeliers.
Delicious smells wafted from the dining room, where the results of all the baking that had been going on for days were already displayed. Olivia shook her head in amazement over the lavish concoctions—pies, cakes, and pastries of every color and flavor, as well as hand-dipped chocolates. Her mouth watered despite her disapproval over the entire affair.
Michael was making a terrible mistake. He could lie to her and everyone else, and maybe he could even make himself believe that Jacie had not had a tryst with an overseer, but Olivia was not fooled. Verena had told her about the gossip, the scandalous tales of Jacie being seen sneaking out at night to meet Zach Newton. And if a woman would betray her fiancé, she would likely not be a faithful wife.
Michael was letting himself in for heartbreak, Olivia was sure of it. But that was not her sole reason for opposing the union. Michael would eventually pay the price for his folly, but she was worried over the scandal sure to come when Jacie misbehaved and showed her true colors.
Couriers had delivered invitations to those fortunate enough to be on the guest list for the Saturday night celebration and Sunday afternoon wedding. But it would be a few hours yet before people began arriving, and Olivia had suggested a little supper for the family be served in her parlor, as there would be little time for host and hostesses to eat while mingling and making sure the guests enjoyed themselves.
Absently running her finger along the edge of a pumpkin cream cake and sampling it, Olivia frowned to think how hard she had tried to persuade Michael to at least wait awhile, but his mind was set. Now she was faced with having to endure the weekend without letting anyone be aware of her feelings. The few times she had been around Jacie, she had managed to be polite. Thank goodness, the house was large, and she could usually avoid her, except at mealtimes, of course, which Olivia could manage due to her refinement and good breeding. Otherwise, she wanted nothing to do with Jacie and intended to make that clear to both her and Michael.
"I know, I know. Bad enough he's marrying someone other than Elyse. Such a sweet thing. If only he had taken the time to get to know her all these years you've been coming to visit, he'd have seen for himself how perfect she is for him."
"Well, the wedding hasn't taken place yet. Who knows? Maybe Jacie will change her mind again and run off to find that Newton fellow."
"But Michael swears she didn't leave with him," Olivia hastened to point out, "and I want so badly to believe that's true—that she did go off with that old Indian instead and got lost trying to come home. It wouldn't be as bad as her running off with a young man."
Verena shrugged. "Well, I happen to believe what the slaves say. They see and hear everything. I think what happened is that she and that overseer had a fight about something, and he went off and left her, and Michael just happened to find her trying to crawl back to him. You haven't seen the necklace, have you?"
Olivia had to admit she hadn't. "No. I asked Michael about it, and he said Jacie lost it somewhere."
Verena snickered. "She lost it, all right. To Zach Newton." She wondered what had really happened to the expensive piece but did not dwell on it, glad it was gone, for it reinforced the story that Jacie had actually left with Zach.
"Oh, I don't know what to believe," Olivia said fretfully. "I just hope I can get through this dreadful weekend without an attack of the vapors."
"Well, you certainly look lovely." Olivia admired her gown. "Even if you insist on continuing to mourn unofficially, you are simply elegant in black silk, and I love the dainty silver embroidery on your skirt."
Say You Love Me Page 26