Moss Rose

by Scottie Barrett

  Fred, a large hulking man with a long beard that straggled to his chest, guffawed and licked his lips. Then he pulled a long hunting blade from his boot and twirled it threateningly, catching the sun's glinting rays.

  "How 'bout this time I finish the job and cut her from ear to ear," Fred said, his rubbery lips forming a gruesome smile.

  Levi could see Jensen's hands quiver on the gun. "You leave me no choice," she said, her voice did not betray her fear. She pulled the trigger, but the musket misfired, and she stumbled backwards from the impact.

  The men doubled over with laughter. Levi watched with amazement as Jensen, completely undeterred, reloaded the musket as fast as any man he'd ever seen and pulled the trigger a third time. The shot fired successfully, striking Fred in the foot. He howled in pain.

  "Alright already," the first man said, putting his hands up. He hurled the jacket at her feet.

  She took the precaution of reloading before she crouched down and felt along the inside lining.

  "Where is it?" she shouted.

  "What?" he said feigning innocence.

  She trained the gun on Fred's other foot. "Sam, you give her what she wants!" he cried, watching in horror as the dirt around his shoe puddled with blood.

  Sam removed the small sack from his jacket pocket and threw it toward Jensen. She caught it in her free hand and shook out the contents. A few silver coins, a broken necklace, and the silver box fell to the dirt.

  Jensen snatched up the box. Keeping the gun level, she backed up until she sensed Archer near her. With a sideways glance at the horse, she found the reins and mounted. The two thieves stood slack-jawed, watching as she rode away.

  After Jensen was well down the road, Levi stepped out from the trees. At the sight of the huge, muscular man, with hair as black as any Indian's, it took little to convince the thieves that they had stayed too long in the Virginia Tidewaters.

  ***

  An impatient rapping on his office door caused Levi to look up from the papers piled on his desk.

  "Enter," he said in a slightly exasperated tone. With a sudden, unexpected twinge of longing, he hoped that Jensen would follow the knock. Seeing those huge, crystal green eyes blinking up at him never failed to brighten his day. To his utter disappointment, it was Regina's thin-lipped face that peered around the heavy oak door.

  "I need a word with you, Levi." Her cold tone matched the expression on her face. The skin was drawn tightly over her sharp cheekbones. There were times that she could be passably pretty, he thought, but this was certainly not one of those times.

  He dropped his quill on to the pile of papers and leaned back in his chair. "Yes, Regina, what is it?"

  "That cunning little trollop of yours is throwing herself at Matthias every chance she gets. I will not have her and her tawdry behavior ruin Matty's reputation--"

  "Wait." Levi put up his hand. "Slow down, Regina. You are not making a bit of sense."

  "Levi!" She jabbed her parasol downward, driving the sharp metal tip into the wood floor. "You know precisely who I am talking about. That trampy horse girl has not been able to keep her claws off Matthias since you dragged her here, out of heaven knows what brothel."

  Levi stared right through Regina, causing her to shift nervously in her shroud of petticoats. He was outraged by Regina's words, but his anger was overshadowed by the inexplicable wrenching in his gut. Hearing the thoughts that had plagued him spoken aloud threatened to unleash the blazing temper he had been fighting to keep under control. God's blood, how had he allowed himself to become so obsessed with this sassy, slip of a girl?

  "I won't have it."

  Regina's biting tone stung his senses, and he begrudgingly refocused his eyes on her. He was not about to let Regina know how much his brother's infatuation with Jensen disturbed him. The thought that Jensen might return Matthias's regard made the knot in his stomach clench tighter.

  With forced calm, he picked up the feather quill, plunked it in the pungent, black liquid, and returned his attention to his paperwork. He scribbled some nonsense on a sheet of foolscap, not yet able to free his mind enough from the suffocating jealousy.

  "If you do not do something about her, Levi, you may be assured that I will." She swung her parasol out, accidentally knocking a porcelain vase from its stand, sending it and the arrangement of apricot and ivory colored roses crashing to the floor.

  "My God, Regina, you are dangerous with that thing." Levi lifted himself slightly from his chair to see the damage she had done.

  His eyes flickered with cool disdain as he raised his eyes to Regina's angry, red face. "It occurs to me, Regina, that your little Matty flirts with every woman on this plantation." Except perhaps for his own betrothed, Levi thought wryly. "What is it about this particular girl that has you in such a state?" An inquiry, which for one brief and triumphant moment, left Regina speechless.

  Could it be, he thought, that the vainglorious Regina was actually envious of his little stable hand's undeniable allure. With a flinch, he recalled how viciously Regina and her aunt had treated Jensen upon her arrival at Moss Rose. Even then, they must have sensed the enticing qualities that lay beneath the grimy smudges and oversized clothing.

  Regina leaned over the desk and forced a smile. "Levi, dear, you know Matthias is just very friendly. He has a hard time controlling his charm." She punctuated this comment with an exaggerated laugh and bent even further over the desk.

  Levi cringed as he looked into her heavily powdered face. Where is that damned wolf when I need her, he thought.

  "This girl," Regina said in hushed tones as if others were in the room trying to eavesdrop, "is nothing but trouble." Her voice dropped to an icy cold register. "Mark my words, Levi, I intend to see that the little slut's lascivious advances toward Matthias are stopped immediately."

  "Regina, perhaps you should take your destructive umbrella and your idle threats and seek out Matthias. It seems to me that you should be speaking to him about this matter, not me." Hoping this had put an end to their conversation, he began to sift through the papers on his desk. But Regina remained standing like an ominous cloud shadowing his desk. He wondered if it would be too obvious if he were to actually whistle for Ginger.

  "Levi, you hired her. This is on your shoulders."

  Content at having had the last word, she pivoted on her heels and strode purposefully out of the office.

  When the door closed behind her, Levi sunk deep into his chair and shut his eyes. If only this woman had never landed in the colonies. How on earth could such a delicate waif cause such turmoil? Still, she seemed innocent enough with her wide eyes and genuine smile.

  Just then, there was a familiar scratch at his office door. Levi got up to open the door. The wolf walked in with a panting grin and plopped down at the foot of the couch.

  "Ginger, my girl, we've got to work on your timing."

  ***

  Jensen choked down a crumbly biscuit topped with honey and took a few swallows of lukewarm coffee before racing down to the stables. Levi had been away for several days and was due to return any minute with a young thoroughbred. He'd had to pay top dollar, but the animal was deemed well worth the cost.

  Although Levi had been unusually cold and distant toward her in the days prior to his departure, it hadn't dimmed her enthusiasm for the arrival of the new horse. She was determined to make sure that the paddock and stalls were in perfect order.

  Jensen felt a twinge of disappointment when she discovered that she had missed Levi's return. As she reached the stables, she could see Levi and Thomas leaning against the fence admiring the magnificent, chestnut horse. Even from a distance, Jensen recognized the impeccable lines of a champion.

  The two men were so enthralled with the horse that they didn't notice Jensen until she wedged herself between them.

  "Well, Miss Hawthorne, what do you think?" Thomas asked, inclining his head toward the high-spirited horse nervously pacing the far side of the stable yard.

  J
ensen sighed heavily and rested her chin on her hands as she leaned on the fence. "I think I'm in love," she said as she dreamily watched the beautiful animal.

  "That is already obvious, Miss Hawthorne, but what do you think of the horse?"

  Levi's nasty tone took her by surprise. Puzzled, she turned toward him, but he seemed determined not to look at her. He continued to stare straight ahead. She noticed that the muscle in the side of his jaw was twitching.

  Before she could ask him what he had meant by his comment, she found her thoughts echoed aloud by an equally confused Thomas.

  "Mr. North, I think she was talking about the horse. Jensen spent half a day cleaning and preparing the stall for him." Jensen was pleased that she had finally earned Thomas's respect.

  Swallowing to relieve the sudden dryness in her throat, Jensen stared up at Levi. His extraordinary profile, with its straight nose, long lashes, and strong chin struck her speechless for a moment. It was the horse thundering by as it circled the paddock that finally drew her attention away.

  "Freedom. 'Tis a perfect name for him," she mused.

  She noticed the muscles in Levi's forearms flex as he tightened his grip on the fence. "Woman, is that all you ever think about?"

  She had to admit she'd meant to nettle him, but she hadn't been prepared for his evident anger.

  "Freedom's the perfect name. Look at that steed run," Thomas offered with a rare enthusiasm.

  On the horse's next pass, Thomas tried to grab hold of the halter and nearly managed to pull himself on his face.

  Jensen decided it was best to resume the docile role of employee. "I've prepared a large stall in the rear of the barn for him. I think--"

  "I want him up front, near the doors." Levi's curt command cut her short.

  For the first time, he turned in her direction, and for a long moment he avoided looking at her face, but then his eyes locked onto hers. She had never before seen the storm that now raged in their gray depths.

  Jensen had difficulty mustering the courage to question his decision. "The stalls at the rear are larger, and the mares are stabled near the front. I thought it would be more prudent to keep him distanced from their scent."

  "Move the mares if you have to. I want him near the doors. He is worth too much money to lose him in a barn fire."

  "As you wish, Mr. North." Jensen put on a calm facade, but inside she was seething with anger.

  Levi started down the path to the house.

  "I wonder, Mr. North," Jensen called to him.

  Levi stopped and turned to look at her. "Wonder what, Miss Hawthorne?"

  He looked almost dangerous, and she tightened her grip on the fence railing. She flinched under his harsh gaze. "I was merely wondering, sir, if you place the same value on people's lives as you do on your horses? It strikes me that the servants are also housed in the rear." Levi creased his brow in bewilderment. "Are our lives worth less?"

  She was unprepared when he stomped toward her. Taking hold of her arms, he lifted her off the ground until she was eye to eye with him.

  "You forget yourself, Miss Hawthorne," he growled. "In the future, I suggest you watch your sharp tongue. I consider myself a tolerant man, but I can be pushed too far."

  With his brutal tone, she half-expected him to drop her, but instead he stared at her a moment longer, his gaze lingering on her lips, before sliding her down the hard length of him. His breath was ragged as he leaned over her, his face hovering unnervingly close to hers. Suddenly, he thrust her away from him.

  He crossed the courtyard with long, angry strides, his hair flying behind him, reminding her of the thick, sleek mane of the massive stallion pacing the corral.

  Jensen turned toward Thomas, who seemed startled by the scene he had just witnessed. "Thomas," Jensen spoke with a perceptible tremble in her voice. "I'll be inside rearranging accommodations for our new arrival, and then I have some grooming to do."

  "Yes, Miss Hawthorne. If you need me I'll be in the south-field mending the fence." He stopped as something else struck him. "I'll tie Freedom up at the far side of the paddock. Mr. North told me to be sure that he doesn't wander into the barn and stir up trouble."

  "Well, Mr. North is at least right on that point." Jensen winked conspiratorially at Thomas. "Please do tie him securely. In this heat, I'll need to leave the barn door open."

  ***

  Shoveling out the manure and replacing the stale bedding had helped Jensen to relieve some of her frustration. She had actually relaxed enough to feel like humming a little while she vigorously plowed a brush through Calista's tangled mane.

  Levi's unexplained rudeness had preoccupied her thoughts all morning. Could it be he was still angry about her borrowing his gun? She couldn't understand why he would be. After all, she had returned the musket in the same condition, no worse for wear. Perhaps his pride had been hurt when she had not come to him for assistance in the matter, but then again, she thought with more than a sting of annoyance, he had been otherwise occupied with his flame-haired lover.

  Besides, she had learned from an early age to handle her own problems. Her parents had doted on her, but her uncle had paid little or no attention to her until she had reached marriageable age. She certainly did not need any man to ensure her safety and happiness in life. Especially her arrogant employer, even if he was the master of a huge plantation and the most dangerously handsome man she had ever met.

  Her knees weakened as she thought again of their confrontation. She could still feel his huge hands wrapped around her arms and the heavy pounding of his heart against her breast.

  An ear-piercing whinny jerked Jensen from her reverie. Rayna, a young piebald mare from two stalls down, continued to shriek as she pawed the ground in extreme agitation.

  Jensen braced her boot on the narrow wood ledge inside of Calista's stall and pulled herself up for a look around. She saw him immediately, his fiery brown and orange mane vibrated excitedly and his nostrils flared ferociously.

  "My God, how did you get loose?" Suddenly, a terrible force smashed her into the side of the stall, knocking the wind from her and brutally forcing her ribs into the wood siding.

  Jensen pressed herself against the wall, trying to avoid Calista who was now frantically swinging her huge shanks from side to side. When the horse moved to the far side of the stall, Jensen saw her chance to escape. As she slid down the splintery wall, she winced as her sleeve and the tender skin beneath it, caught on a jutting nail, leaving a long but shallow gash on the underside of her arm. She cursed under her breath at her rotten luck.

  The barn was filled with the terrible clamor of frightened and excited horses. Jensen could hear hooves cracking and splintering wood as she hurled herself through the stall door in a frenzy, quickly slamming it shut behind her, afraid that Calista might try to bolt.

  Fear superseded pain as Jensen came face to face with the formidable beast. His sides were heaving, his black eyes blazing with fierce determination.

  Whispering in soft tones, Jensen was able to subdue him enough that he allowed her to grab hold of his halter. Cautiously, she led him into the open yard and swung shut the barn door. In the distance, she could see Levi walking toward her with a look of complete disapproval. Despite the jarring pain in her ribs, Jensen stood up straight to meet him.

  "Miss Hawthorne, I specifically left orders for that horse to be tied up. With his temperament he could destroy my whole damn stable." For the first time, Levi actually looked at Jensen and startled for a moment. "You look like hell. Are you alright?"

  "I'm fine, but the barn is not," Jensen replied coldly.

  "Blasted!" Levi jerked open the door and stepped inside. He surveyed the damage, muttering curses under his breath. "I hold you responsible for this, Miss Hawthorne. I am tired of having you ignore my orders."

  "But I--"

  He put up his hand to silence her. "Not a word," he growled. "Tomorrow, you may clean the smokehouse while Thomas and I mend the building. Consider it your punis
hment for allowing this to happen."

  Jensen held back the tears. Her ribs ached, but his words tore at her heart. She stood silently taking his scolding, wondering when the man's opinion of her had come to matter so much.

  "By God, you look pale. Are you certain you're alright?" He moved closer, tilted her chin up with his finger, and studied her face.

  Without answering, she brushed his hand away and trudged back to the servant's quarters.

  Chapter 16

  As Maggie left Levi's office, she was nearly bowled over by an unusually excited Thomas.

  "What on earth!" she said as she steadied herself on the doorjamb.

  "Sorry, Maggie," Thomas blurted as he flew past her, slamming the door shut in her face.

  "Have you lost your senses, man? You do realize that was Maggie's face-print you just left on the door. Hell, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."

  Thomas had the good sense to shiver a bit as he realized his bad manners might have earned him a week of Maggie's wrath. He took off his hat and crossed the room. "Sir, I found this on the paddock fence." He placed a delicate, oriental silk fan on the desk blotter.

  Levi spread the fan open and looked up quizzically at Thomas. "For this, you burst through my door?"

  "I've seen Miss Hartwell with that."

  "Did you fall from a horse this morning and hit your head? Because I haven't the faintest idea what you want from me."

  Levi watched his normally self-possessed servant nervously bunch the brim of his felt hat.

  "Well, sir, it strikes me as odd that her fan was at the stables. I know for a fact, she finds the stench of the stables offensive. This fan was on the exact same post where I had hitched your new stallion, the day he got loose and tore up the stables."

  Levi leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers at his lips. "And you think Miss Hartwell untied the horse?"

  "All I know is that I put a sturdy knot in that lead rope, and the animal would have had to pull the fence down to get free. Jensen knew better than to let the horse loose with the barn doors open."