by Kitty Margo
She almost dashed after him to tell him she would marry him, anything to ease the pain she alone had caused, but that was not the solution. In the long run it would only hurt him more.
“Lynna!” Suzanne snapped, sounding put upon and extremely agitated. “Are you listening to me? I declare, talking to you is like talking to a tree stump, I get just about as much response. I was telling you that I will be returning to Charleston soon.”
This gained Lynna's full and immediate attention, so much so she allowed the tree stump comment to pass without rebuttal. “I was not aware that you were planning a trip before we all returned in the fall.”
Suzanne glanced at her obliquely. “Actually, no one is aware yet. I have not even informed Mother and Father of my plans.”
“I see,” Lynna murmured drowsily as the gentle current carried them down the river. “And you foresee no disagreement from them?”
“Lynna dear, as you well know, I could do almost anything, short of murder, and receive my father's blessings.” Then she opened her eyes and cried, “Look how far we have drifted. How long have we been floating? For heavens sakes, I can feel freckles popping out on my nose already!”
Lynna giggled as they swam to the edge of the river and climbed out on the bank, looking around to get their bearings. She had never drifted this far downriver, either. They were wringing water out of their transparent chemises when they heard, “Well, would you boys looky here!”
Lynna gasped, too horrified to move a muscle as she stood face to face with three filthy, tattered, and burly men.
One of the men spat a stream of tobacco juice toward her bare feet and grinned lasciviously as her wet shimmy clung to every curve, leaving little to the imagination.
Before an indignant Suzanne could run, two of the men grabbed her, while the third lunged for Lynna.
“We’ll hold this one while you have a little fun with that perdy yellow haired wench, Jess.”
One of Suzanne's captors chortled, “But they ain't nothing wrong with us having a little look see while we wait, is they, gal?”
“Unhand me this minute!” Suzanne shrieked. “This is my father's property you are trespassing on and I would not care to be in your shoes if you harm me!” She stopped screeching abruptly as his hand slipped beneath her bodice and cupped her breast, his thumb lightly stroking her erect nipple. Suzanne’s protests halted immediately and she began to squirm.
Lynna was totally shocked and disgusted as she watched Suzanne’s eyes glaze with lust as the man squeezed and tugged hard on her nipple. Surely she could not be enjoying it!
Suzanne struggled belligerently to free herself, knowing full well that if he continued his sensual assault she would be begging him to take her right there. God, she loved it rough! But instead of stopping, his other hand moved under her shimmy, causing Suzanne to gasp. As a strong wave of desire washed over her, she decided on another tactic. “Release me, please! I can get you all the money you want.”
The man holding her licked his lips and ground his crotch into her buttocks as he wheezed, “I got all I need right here.”
Lynna yanked free of Jess's arms and ran, but unfortunately not fast enough. Grabbing her legs, he caused her to fall forward, hitting the ground with enough force to drive the air from her lungs. Before she could catch her breath, he was on top of her and her first ragged breath was a mixture of stale cigarettes, cheap whiskey, and rotten teeth. Bile rose in her throat at the sight of the thick green film covering his teeth, and the tobacco juice that streamed from the corners of his mouth. She fought back nausea when she noticed bits and pieces of old food stuck in his matted beard. Before his mouth came down on hers, she put her heart into a bloodcurdling scream.
“Ain't no need for all that hollering, Missy. I aims to have me a taste of this perdy body of yorn,” he chuckled. “You just relax now and enjoy it like your friend over there.”
Lynna could not believe her eyes! Suzanne had reached behind her and was massaging the man’s privates! Then as she watched, totally dumbfounded, Suzanne spun around and lifted her leg for the man to enter her.
“I’ll have you kicking and screaming with pleasure, just like her, and begging for more when I git through wit you,” Jess promised. “You ain’t got to put on airs with ole Jess.” There was a rending tear as his huge, calloused paw ripped open the bodice of her chemise and he drew in a sharp breath. “Um, um! Looky here boys! Ain't that a sight to behold?”
Neither of the men looked. One could not believe his luck as Suzanne bucked in his arms, and the other was fondling her breast and patiently awaiting his turn.
Jess lowered his lips to Lynna’s breast, as his free hand bunched her shimmy around her waist. Holding her wrists pinned over her head with one hand, he pulled down his trousers with the other, while he tried to separate her tightly clenched thighs with his knee.
Lynna tried desperately to shove him off, but with her hands held over her head, her strength was no match for his. She closed her eyes, screaming hoarsely as her legs finally gave way under the pressure and opened beneath him.
Her scream gained Suzanne’s attention, just as she gained the release her trembling body sought. She dropped her leg, looked around with a puzzled expression, and smoothed her shimmy as the other man reached for her. Unfortunately for him, her lust had been satisfied for the moment, and she was no longer in the mood. Without thinking, she slapped him soundly across the face.
Lynna felt Jess’s rigid shaft pressing hotly against her thigh as he breathed into her ear, “That's rite, missy, just close your eyes and let ole Jess pleasure you,” and knew all was lost.
She was struggling to bring her knee up, and render him incapable of the devious act he had in mind, when miraculously, his heavy weight was lifted from her body. She opened her eyes and relief washed over her in a flood to see Joshua slamming his fist into Jess's face. Daniel was doing the same to the second ruffian, while the third man was sneaking up behind Joshua with a large rock poised over his head.
“Joshua, behind you!” she screamed.
Joshua turned just in time to dodge the rock and quickly overpower the man. When the three thugs were no longer a threat, Suzanne threw herself into Joshua's arms. “Oh, Joshua, it was so horrifying!” she sobbed hysterically. “I have never been more terrified in my entire life. But, thank God, all they did was…hold me.” She glanced back at a traumatized Lynna, who was trying to cover her naked breast with her hands. Suzanne knew Lynna would never jeopardize her aunt’s position at Magnolia House by speaking of her own…indiscretions. “At least they did not…”
Shoving Suzanne brusquely away, Joshua rushed to Lynna and gathered her into his arms to hold her close. Lifting her chin, she read the question in his eyes before he whispered, “Did he hurt you, Lynna?” Joshua knew no one could stop him from killing the man if he had.
“No, you arrived in time. Just like last… how did you know we were here, Joshua?”
“I had just arrived and Daniel was giving me the grand tour. He led us to the water’s edge, where we found your discarded gowns and we were following the river when we heard your scream. Be thankful you have strong lungs.” He recalled the first time he had heard Lynna's scream and his sense of panic had been just as pronounced the second time. He laid her head on his broad chest as he cradled her close to his heart. “Are you sure you are unharmed, my sweet?”
“Yes, I am sure, Joshua. A little shaken, perhaps.” The security she felt was overwhelming. Content not to move, she stayed thus with Joshua softly stroking her hair until Daniel returned with Silas. Suzanne, and surprisingly Daniel, had rage gleaming in their eyes.
It was an almost physical agony when Lynna was removed from Joshua’s arms and placed in a wagon. Once home, he sat beside her on the bed and held her hand until Judith shooed him out, insisting her niece needed rest. That night, only after she had soaked in a hot bath and was in bed, did Lynna allow the tears to flow.
She awoke the following morning w
ith one purpose, to find Joshua and thank him for rescuing her yet again. After dressing with extra care in a creamy yellow day dress, she went to the big house, expecting to find him there. She entered through the kitchen, giving Jasmine a hug.
“Good morning, Jasmine. Isn’t it a marvelous day?”
“It sho nuff is Miz Lynna. You sho is mity cheerful dis mawning’,” Jasmine laughed and grinned a knowing grin. “It ain’t got nothin’ to do wit our house guess now, is it?”
“Why, no Jasmine. Whatever gave you such an idea? Where is he, by the way?”
Unable to contain her mirth, Jasmine chuckled. “He ain't heah. Him and Miz Suzanne done gone riding dis mawnin’.”
All of a sudden the day lost some, if not all, of its cheer. Her disappointment was evident to Jasmine.
“Now you just perk rat back up. It ain’t none of Mist’ Joshua's doin’ to go ridin’. I done heah Miz Suzanne axk him dis mawnin’ when dey was eatin’ and he cain ritely say no, now can he? So dat ain’t prove a thang.”
“Jasmine, how you do run on. It is none of my concern if Suzanne and Mr. Jordan wish to pass their time together. I only wanted to thank him for yesterday, but I imagine I will get the opportunity before the day is over.”
“Yassum, I ‘spect you will. I jus’ ‘spect you will.”
As usual, when she was feeling disheartened, Lynna went to work in the flower garden, pulling weeds, snipping dead blossoms, and loosening the soil around her roses. She had been on her hands and knees digging for some time when she heard a horse whinny and looked up into the beaming faces of Joshua and Suzanne. Suzanne's smile was actually more of a smirk. She was delighted for Joshua to see Lynna with smudges of dirt on her face, her dress filthy, her damp hair falling out of its pins, and her nose sweaty and pink from exposure to the sun.
“Good morning, Lynna. I was giving Joshua a tour of the property, since yesterday’s tour was interrupted, when he asked to see where you and Judith lived. This is it.” She gestured grandly toward the small yet well-kept little cottage before turning back to Lynna. “I am truly sorry if we caught you at a bad time.”
Dismounting, Joshua came to take Lynna's hands in his and assist her to her feet. “You have an absolutely charming home, Lynna.”
Her skin burned where he touched and she felt a familiar knot tightening in the pit of her stomach. Quickly she removed her hands and brushed soil from her skirt. “No, this is not a bad time. Would you care for something cool to drink?”
Joshua opened his mouth to accept when, as usual, Suzanne answered for all concerned. “Thank you for the gracious invitation to share a quaint meal with you all, but we really cannot. We promised Mother to return in time for the noon day meal, didn’t we, Joshua?”
“Yes, I suppose we did.” Although, Lynna's sensuous lips were so tantalizing, so moist, so near, and her clear blue eyes so inviting.
“Joshua!” Suzanne's exasperated voice at last broke through his heated reflections. “I declare, the two of you are like two peas in a pod! It is almost dinner time and Mother will be sorely vexed if we keep them waiting.”
Before he pivoted back to Suzanne, Joshua gave Lynna his most beguiling smile and a sly wink. “Perhaps I could persuade you to give me a tour later this evening as well.”
This remark made Lynna blush and Suzanne’s blood simmer. Suzanne was quick to answer for Lynna. “I’m sure Lynna will be too busy assisting her aunt today, Joshua, if they are to complete my dresses for the Harvest Ball. You would not care for me to embarrass you by arriving in a frock your neighbors had already seen, now, would you?”
Joshua was about to inform her that he would not give a fig if she arrived in a feed sack, when Lynna spoke up. “You are absolutely correct, of course. In fact, I should be assisting her now. If you will both excuse me.” She scurried inside.
Lynna did not see Joshua for the remainder of the day, but then, she hadn’t expected to. She was certain Suzanne would not let him out of her sight, or clutches, for the remainder of his visit.
Enjoying a quiet evening at home, Lynna and her aunt stitched yards of lace on the pink satin gown until their fingers were numb, and tumbled into bed after supper, exhausted. Still, she found sleep impossible as visions of a raven-haired sea captain swam behind her closed eyelids. Joshua was so near, yet so far. She slipped out the door, hoping the evening air would clear her head.
“Ah, my love…you had difficulty sleeping as well.”
Gasping in alarm, she spun around to face the vision that haunted her. He was barely visible in the shafts of moonlight filtering through the trees and Spanish moss that floated eerily around him. “You startled me!”
“That was never my intent. I was being plagued by a golden haired goddess and found sleep elusive. I decided to take a walk and see if perchance she would appear.” He grinned, causing his sea green eyes to twinkle. “You are living proof that if you wish intently upon a star, your dreams will indeed come true.” She could only stare at him, since no words seemed to be forthcoming. “Will you take that walk with me now, Lynna?”
“No. Captain Jordan, I have told you on more than one occasion that I have no intention of ever being alone with you again.” She could not trust herself with him, even after all these years. “Now, I really must go inside before Aunt Judith discovers me missing and sets up an alarm. Good day to you, sir.” It was a pitiful excuse, but her defenses were rapidly dwindling. She turned to go, but he caught her and pulled her into his arms. Before she could protest, his lips descended to hers and succeeded in snatching her breath away. Placing her hands on his chest, she attempted to push him away, but he grabbed her hands and put them around his neck, holding them there until all resistance faded. Her arms moved of their own volition to encircle his neck. She would love nothing more than to succumb to his passion, just as she had on the ship. To feel his soft kisses and lips…No! This could not happen! She jerked her arms to her sides and without looking back, fled to the safety of the house.
“Good night, my love,” he called as she bolted the door behind her.
After tossing and turning for what seemed like an eternity, remembering the taste of Joshua’s lips on hers, Lynna had just drifted off to sleep when she was jerked awake by a loud voice. She recognized the voice immediately. Her uncle was home, and as usual, he was drunk.
“I told you, Tobias, I do not have any money,” Judith cried. “Please lower your voice before you wake Lynna.”
“You always keep money hid around here somewhere, so quit lying, bitch!”
“Even if I did, I would not give it to you to waste on rot gut whiskey. We need that money to live!”
Lynna heard a dull thud and knew her aunt had been struck. Leaping out of bed, she ran to the kitchen with lightning speed. Tobias had her aunt pinned against the wall with his hands on her throat, squeezing the life from her.
“Let her go!” she screamed, grabbing his arm, pulling and kicking until he released her aunt. Judith collapsed to the floor with a sickly white pallor. Before Lynna could slip unnoticed out the back door, he unleashed the full force of his fury on her.
She tried to dodge the blow she knew was coming, but backed into the table and was cornered. He stood before her, smiling broadly as his fist smashed under her right eye with a painful crunch. The last thing she remembered before the floor jumped up to greet her was the look of absolute horror on her aunt's bloodless face. Thank God! At least she was still alive!
Lynna came to later with a pulsating headache that seemed to hammer in her temples. Her aunt was holding Lynna’s head in her lap and sobbing quietly. Judith’s tears fell in earnest when her niece at last opened her bruised and swollen eyes.
“Is he gone?” Lynna mumbled, feeling her face to see if any bones were broken.
“Yes, he found my reticule and took what little coin we had. I pray he rots in hell for the pain he has caused you, Lynna.”
“My pain? What about your pain?” Lynna struggled to sit up, wincing at the throbbi
ng pain the effort caused her. “How badly did he hurt you?”
“He only shoved me against the wall and choked me, nothing out of the ordinary. It is you I am worried about.” She turned Lynna’s face to the light for a better look. “That is an awful bruise.”
“I will just remain inside until it fades. We have so much work to do here I would not be spending much time outside, anyway. Look on the bright side. We will not have to worry about him returning for at least a fortnight.”
A silent tear rolled down Judith's cheek as she broke down and sobbed. “Please forgive me for allowing this to happen to you, darling. I should have protected you somehow. Why, if your father knew this, he would…”
“Aunt Judith, do not blame yourself. There is no way you could have stopped that madman. You cannot reason with him when he is drunk. We both are all too well aware of that, and my father would not hold you accountable for his sins.” That was a lie and they both recognized it as such. Nathan Rhodes would indeed fault his sister if he knew of her husband's abuse toward his daughter, and heaven help Tobias Mathison if he ever found out.
“Maybe he will take his ill-gotten gains and never come back.” Unfortunately, they both were also well aware he would return the minute his stolen funds had been exhausted.
Lynna did not feel up to getting dressed the following morning. Why bother, when she would not be showing her face outside the house, anyway? She lay in bed, wondering for the thousandth time why her dear father had not sent funds to make her and her aunt’s life easier. There was simply no excuse for it. Forcing her mind away from the pain thinking about her father caused, she slipped on a lavender flowered dress and went barefoot into the kitchen, grinning sheepishly when her aunt gasped at her black and blue face.
“I must look a fright, Aunt Judith.”
Before she could answer, a knock sounded at the open kitchen door. Luckily, Lynna's back was to the door and she pleaded with her eyes for her aunt to send whoever it was away. She breathed a deep sigh of relief when Judith moved to the door and then went numb all over when she said, “Good morning, Joshua. You are up and about early this morning.”