by Beth Bennett
It with tremendous shock that Jackson arrived home that evening, to find Lucy descending from her carriage at his front steps.
She was dressed to kill. Literally. Her gown of navy and pink draped precariously low on her shoulders. The sets of bows and rows of lace across the bodice made her breasts look ponderously large. She was as unappealing as he had ever seen her.
“Jackson!” She tittered and flitted. “I timed my arrival perfectly. How nice that we arrived at the same time.” She raised her finger and shook it at him. “I haven’t heard from you since our dinner, naughty boy, so I decided to drop by this evening to see you and to pay my respects to your mother, as well. I know she won’t mind and Hettie is always glad to see me. I hope you are.”
He motioned for her to precede him up the steps but could not bear to offer his hand as she alighted from her rig. She didn’t seem to notice as she brushed away a stray lock of hair. Simmons met them at the door.
“Tell Mrs. Turner there will be one more for dinner.”
“Yes, sir.” Simmons disappeared.
“Mother, we’ve a surprise guest this evening.” Jackson stood by as Lucy greeted his mother.
“Hello, Mrs. Daniels. So nice to see you.”
Mrs. Daniels gave Lucy a warm greeting. “Why whatever brings you here, my dear? I haven’t seen you since the opera. Shall you be staying for dinner?”
Lucy gave a small curtsy. “With your permission.”
“Of course, of course.” Mrs. Daniels smiled graciously. “Won’t you come in?”
Jackson escorted Lucy to the sitting room as Hettie breezed in. “Lucy! What a surprise. Jackson, why didn’t you tell me Lucy was coming?”
“Because I didn’t know.”
Lucy began removing her gloves. “Oh, Hettie, I simply wanted to say hello and didn’t feel like spending the evening at home, alone.” She turned toward Jackson and gave her best rendition of a pout. “He hasn’t invited me over for ages.”
Hettie laughed. “You certainly never waited for an invitation before. Come, let’s have something to drink in the sitting room. You can get me caught up on all the latest,” Hettie called to Liza. “Will you tell Olivia to come down?”
“Yes, miss.” Liza quickly disappeared and arrived at Olivia’s door posthaste. She knocked quietly.
“Come in.”
“Oh, Lor, Livia, that Lucy Spear is here.”
Olivia had been relaxing on her bed. The news caused her to stand like a finely coiled spring. “What?”
“She just showed up. Looks like she’s going to be staying for dinner.”
“Did she say why she was here?”
“No, but it don’t look like nobody was expecting her.”
Olivia was disgusted. “I don’t want to see that woman.” She tossed her hands in frustration. “Why did Jackson let her in?”
“You know how she is. She don’t exactly take no for an answer.”
“I need to change and wash my face.” Olivia tried to put on a brave front. “Thank you for the warning. Tell them I’ll be right down.”
“Don’t you worry none, Livia. Just take your time. You don’t owe that woman anything.”
“You’re absolutely right, of course.”
Olivia had been wearing her plain brown dress that day. She wanted to save her others for more important occasions than simply studying with the professor. She reached inside her wardrobe and grabbed a nice dinner dress. She stopped. Why should she dress-up for Lucy Spear? The Daniels never made a habit of dressing up for dinner when they were home. Why should she make one iota of concession because of Lucy Spear? She smoothed her skirts but didn’t even bother to look in the mirror. Down the stairs she went.
Tea and some hastily made oeuvres were being served in the sitting room. Lucy was outrageously overdressed. It made Olivia smile. She breezed in and sat down. Mrs. Daniels was inquiring as to Lucy’s health and Hettie sat by the window, nibbling on a small snack.
“Oh, I’m perfectly fine,” Lucy crowed. She drew attention to her elaborately coiffed hair by giving it a pat. “Hello, Olivia.”
“Hello, Lucy.” Olivia stared at her and slightly raised her chin in challenge.
Lucy sneered. “Is that one of the dresses you brought with you from your little mountain home?”
“As a matter of fact, it is. Isn’t it just lovely?” Olivia sat down and relaxed against the sofa. She crossed her legs and draped her arm over the back of the chair.
“Humph. Well I can see why Hettie felt so sorry for you then.”
Hettie and Mrs. Daniels both gasped. “Lucy!”
“You might as well know. I told her all about the money you gave her. Poor little dear, strutting around New York. You should have told her the truth. I thought she should know.”
Before Hettie or Mrs. Daniels could respond, Olivia gave a gay laugh. “Strutting around New York? Isn’t that what you do, Lucy?”
Lucy diverted her eyes to Mrs. Daniels. “You’ve been so kind to take Olivia in. I hope you know, however, once Jackson and I are officially engaged, I feel that Olivia should set a date for returning home. It wouldn’t be very proper for her to continue staying here.” Lucy looked down her nose. “As she is.”
Olivia wanted to giggle. Lucy was making a complete fool of herself. Before anyone could say anything else, Jackson entered the room. Olivia was sure he had heard Lucy’s proclamations. Lucy immediately crossed to him. She snaked her arm in his and stroked his shoulder with her hand.
“Jackson and I are seriously renewing our acquaintance, aren’t we Jackson?” Lucy seemed buoyed with renewed confidence, but her unannounced arrival at the Daniels’ home had tipped her hand. Olivia could tell the woman was urgently trying to shore up her relationship with Jackson and his family. Olivia couldn’t wait for the reaction. She didn’t have to wait long.
Jackson unwound her arm. “Why are you here, Lucy?”
She gave a simpering laugh that bordered on panic. “Why, whatever do you mean? We’re friends of course. Close friends. I was sure you would be more than happy to see me. I mean, you did ask me to dinner at the Astoria, no less.” The look on Jackson’s face caused her to take another tact. She crossed to Hettie. “Hettie has depended upon me for entre into New York society. I have been nothing but obliging and gracious. I feel I’m owed a little gratitude on that account at least.”
Hettie’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t need you for entre into society. Whatever gave you that idea? If anything, everyone has been trying to be accommodating toward you. We know your circumstances have been difficult.”
“What?” Lucy was fuming.
“You presume too much I’m afraid, Lucy.” Jackson went to stand beside Olivia. He took her hand in his and kissed it. “You yourself said that I was in love with Olivia. I now readily admit the truth. I am completely in love with her.” Lucy’s mouth flopped open in outrage. Her hands clenched into fists and her face turned a deep shade of crimson. She looked angry enough to spit. Jackson continued. “I was going to wait, but I think now might be the most appropriate time.” He turned to face Olivia and got down on one knee. Taking her by the hand, he spoke. “Olivia Overton, I would like to ask for your hand in marriage.”
All the air immediately left the room. Lucy stood frozen to the floor, a look of stupefied horror on her face. Only the tick tock of the grandfather clock in the foyer made any noise. Olivia felt as if all the blood had drained to her toes.
“What?”
“I await your answer, madam.” He directed a broad smile up to her and it sent a zing through her heart. She held onto his hand for dear life. Her mouth felt dry and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Looking around at the faces in the room, it dawned on Olivia what was happening. He could have chosen anytime to propose, but he was doing this in front of Lucy on purpose. He wanted Lucy to see his declaration of love, first hand. Her love for him grew even deeper, if that were possible.
Recovering her wits, she loudly proclaimed, “Y
es.”
Jackson winked at her, then stood and straightened his coat. He turned to address the room. “I have made my intentions completely clear have I not?” He turned to Lucy. She stood with her mouth still gaping open. “I think it might be best if you left. Dinner would be rather awkward if you stayed.”
Her mouth clapped shut as anger roiled across her face. “How dare you. I…I have never been so ill-treated in my life.”
“Really?” Jackson questioned. “I find that hard to believe. You must have learned your rude behavior from somewhere.”
Olivia laughed. She couldn’t help it.
Lucy actually stomped her foot. “I’ll not stand by and be insulted. Marry the ignorant little slut. Why should I care? I’m glad to be rid of the both of you.”
Jackson swept his hand toward the foyer. “The front door awaits your departure.”
Lucy turned her nose in the air and blustered out the door. What had been laughable had turned rather pitiable. Olivia found herself actually feeling sorry for the woman. The front door slammed closed.
Mrs. Daniels looked at Olivia and then at Jackson. “I can’t say that your proposal came as a shock.” Jackson looked a bit sheepish. “As glad as I am for the impending nuptials, would you care to elaborate on what just happened with Lucy?”
“She came here to test the waters,” Jackson replied. “And to denigrate her betters.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Mother, I invited her to dinner at the Astoria a few days ago, to see if I could gain information. Lucy has been involved in the problems at the granary. She’s been having an affair with my manager, Argus Hatchgrove. He has been diverting funds to his personal accounts and Lucy has been the recipient of a great deal of embezzled money. A warrant is to be issued for her arrest in the morning. I did not say anything because I didn’t want her to disappear. I’m sorry you all had to find out this way. I’m also sorry Olivia was not the recipient of a better proposal.”
“Oh!” Olivia clapped her hands. “That one was just wonderful.”
Jackson turned to her and held her hands in his. “I could not abide her snide, demeaning attitude toward you another minute. I wanted her to see how I felt about you.”
Mrs. Daniels smiled wide. “I knew this would happen, Jackson. Just as soon as I saw her. I knew it.”
Jackson laughed. “So did I, Mother. So did I.”
Chapter 23
Late that evening, after everyone had gone to bed, Olivia heard the quiet sound of light footsteps in the hallway. She had left her door open, hoping that just such a visitor might appear. Jackson, barefooted, motioned her to silence and gently closed the door.
“I couldn’t stay away.” He slipped into her small bed and nearly pushed her out.
“Oh!” Olivia whispered. “You’re too big. I hope your mother doesn’t hear us.”
He silenced her protests with a kiss, then drew back and smiled. “Are you happy?”
“Happy? Oh Jackson, I am so far beyond happy you can’t imagine.” She ran her fingers through his thick dark hair and twirled the curls on his forehead. Jackson wrapped her in his arms and lay back upon the bed.
She kissed his cheek and lay her head on his shoulder. “You should probably go get back in your bed. Unless you wish to elope this evening.”
He laughed quietly then gently pulled her to lay on his chest. “Nothing would please me more, madam.” He ran his fingers up and down her back and hips, giving her bottom a squeeze. “You can’t stay here as my fiancé. Society would swoon. Not that I give a fig but it is my job to protect your reputation.” He sighed.
“What’s wrong, my darling?” Olivia pulled away to gaze into his eyes.
“I do not like this mess at the granary. My own manager, a thief and Lucy’s participation doesn’t bear mentioning. I’m going to protect you Olivia. I won’t have you living under anyone else’s roof but mine. How do you feel about a small wedding, as soon as possible?” He kissed the top of her head. “There won’t be time for a society affair.”
Olivia snorted. “As if a farm girl from Virginia would care a thing about a New York society wedding. I can hear Mrs. Holland now, ‘A stalwart apple farmer from the Blue Ridge has no business prancing down the aisle of a New York cathedral.’” They laughed together in hushed tones. “If I had my way, we would call on the preacher tonight and have it done.” Her hand slipped inquisitively over the front of his pants. He immediately hardened under her caress.
He grasped her wrist. “You are driving me mad. Even without the threat of Argus Hatchgrove, I could not possibly wait much longer.”
“Me either,” she whispered.
She regretfully allowed Jackson to crawl from her bed amid kisses and whispered promises, sure she would never fall asleep. Morning came like a gentle surprise and she awoke with the faintest scent of him still beside her.
Hettie hardly took a breath between words as she related wedding ideas at the breakfast table. Jackson folded his morning newspaper and took a sip of coffee. “Hettie, I’m afraid there will not be time to plan a large society wedding.”
“What?” This time, he had truly incensed his sister.
Jackson shook his head. “She cannot reside under my roof as my fiancé, now can she?”
“I never thought of that.”
Olivia smiled to herself. She wondered what Hettie would think if she knew how much she and Jackson had been sneaking around after hours. No doubt, Mrs. Daniels would drive the carriage to the church herself.
Jackson’s stubbornness began to show. “I’m not sending her anywhere else to stay either. I want to keep her close and safe. It’s far too dangerous with all this business at the granary. The only way to solve the problem is for the ceremony to be performed as quickly as possible.”
Hettie’s eyes were filled with pity. “I’m so sorry, Olivia. What a shame.” Instead of disappointment, the only emotion Olivia could manage to express was a giggle. She sent a googly-eyed look to Jackson across the breakfast table. Hettie rolled her eyes. “Mother, did James and I act like that when we were first engaged?”
“I’m afraid you were worse,” Mrs. Daniels replied.
The whack of the heavy front doorknocker interrupted the conversation. Simmons ushered in two burly police officers along with Mr. Little from the bank. Olivia’s heart sank. Now what?
Mr. Little looked uncomfortable and nervously twisted his hat. “I’m very sorry for the interruption, but I have some bad news. Just as I feared, the two miscreants have disappeared.” Olivia rubbed her temples. The whole affair was giving her a headache.
Jackson looked so upset. “That’s not possible. Lucy Spear was here just last night. I did not breathe a word about the investigation.”
“The house keeper said she left late in the evening and did not return,” Mr. Little replied. “Miss Spear appears to have vanished. No one knows where she had gone and she left no parting word. The lady in question had also packed a goodly amount of personal items. We found the same when we attempted to serve the warrant for Mr. Hatchgrove. His room at Allen’s Dance Hall was completely cleared of personal effects. The bill was of course, unpaid.”
Olivia jumped as Jackson pounded the table. The dishes rattled in response. “Damn it!”
“My feelings exactly, Mr. Daniels. Never fear, a bulletin has been issued for their arrest and the police shall pursue every avenue available. Neither Mr. Hatchgrove nor Miss Spear were able to withdraw additional funds before their accounts were frozen. As soon as a judge sees to the matter, the granary will be recompensed for what was taken. It won’t be the full amount. We may recover more should the fugitives be arrested. I would like you to come by my office this morning to give the books a final once over.”
Jackson called Simmons for his coat. “Absolutely.” He bid them all farewell but paused at the door. “Oh, and one more thing. Until this issue is resolved, I do not want any of you to venture out for any reason. Is that understood?”
&nbs
p; His deep smile was the last thing Olivia she saw as he left through the door.
Hettie didn’t wait a second. “Oh, Mother! Jackson is over reacting.” She kicked a chair with the toe of her boot. “I don’t want to stay here all day. There are plans to make if we are hosting a wedding within a week.”
Mrs. Daniels held up a hand. “Don’t even start, Hettie. Jackson is right. It might not be safe. You shall do as your brother has said.”
She had lost. “This is horrible. Olivia’s going to be in lessons all morning and I won’t have anything to do. Shoot, I’m almost bored enough to sit in on them.”
“Why don’t you, dear? It might do you some good.” Mrs. Daniels smirked, then left up the stairs.
“Can you believe this, Olivia?”
“We’ll survive.” She went to sit beside Hettie on the small breakfast room sofa. “Truly, I don’t care anything about a fancy wedding. I’m just happy I’m getting married and you’re going to be my sister.”
The hug Olivia received was heartfelt. “I’m so glad too. Just think, we might have ended up with that awful Lucy.”
“Yes,” Olivia sighed. “Poor Lucy.”
“Poor Lucy! You’ve more reason than any of us to hate her.”
“Oh, I don’t hate her. I feel sorry for her. Can you imagine doing what she did last night? It was pitiful.”
Hettie leaned back, resignation in the slump of her shoulders. “When we first became friends, she was so different. Over the years, she seemed to grow bitter. The gang finally just put up with her because we had known her for so long. Her mother died when she was born and when her father died last year, everything just seemed to fall apart for her. Still, that’s no excuse.”
Olivia didn’t think Hettie understood the half of what Lucy was capable of.
Morning lessons went well and the professor was pleased with her upcoming wedding announcement. “I am overjoyed for you, Miss Overton. I suppose our work together is near an end.”
“When do you think I might be ready to sit for my exams if we continued?”
“Oh, my dear, why, you would be ready inside of a month.”