by Leanne Tyler
“Charlotte, change of plans. I’ll be having company for a while. Will you run down to the store and see if you can get me the spool of thread?”
“Yes, miss.” Charlotte dipped a curtsey. “Should I order a pot of tea sent up from the dining room?”
Josephine looked at her guests and when they nodded in agreement she consented. “Yes, please do.”
“Anything else, miss?” Charlotte asked, taking the spool from her and a coin.
“That will be all.” Josephine removed her bonnet and turned to the ladies. “Please, have a seat.”
“You’re servant is well mannered,” Constance commented.
“You were saying about Mr. Hollingsworth?”
“It’s really quite simple,” Constance continued. “He’s not accepted in polite society.”
“And why is that?”
“Really, Josephine,” Jenny scoffed. “Do we have to spell it out for you?”
“Yes, I’m afraid you do. What has Mr. Hollingsworth done to receive such disapproval from the Ladies’ Auxiliary?”
“It isn’t just the auxiliary,” Jenny pointed out.
“Have you been to his plantation?” Constance asked.
“As a matter of fact I have.”
“Did you notice anything strange?” Sybil inquired.
“Strange?”
“Yes, strange,” Jenny added.
Josephine thought on this a moment. She’d been in his house and then in the garden. She drank coffee. Then his driver brought her and Rebecca back to town.
“Nothing peculiar comes to mind.”
“Nothing peculiar,” Sybil and Jenny said in unison and giggled.
“The servants…?” Constance prodded, sounding impatient.
“What about the servants?”
Constance pursed her lips together. “Most of his servants are like your Charlotte. And we won’t speak of the others.”
My Charlotte? The others?
“Oh, you mean...” Realization dawned on Josephine and she didn’t like it. “What’s wrong with that?”
Jenny folded her hands in her lap. “What’s wrong with it is no other plantation is run that way.”
“It just isn’t done,” Sybil remarked.
A knock on the suite door stopped Josephine from commenting.
“Come in,” she called and a waiter rolled in the tea trolley then exited, shutting the door.
Her ire with the women for their narrow mindedness rose. The audacity that they came to visit her out of Christian duty was laughable.
“Frankly ladies, I don’t think it is any of our business how Mr. Hollingsworth chooses to run his plantation.” She poured tea. “If he prefers hired labor to purchasing—”
“But—but,” Jenny sputtered, taking the cup from Josephine. “It can lead to unrest at other plantations.”
“There’s even been word around town that a plantation over in McCleary County had a girl run off in broad daylight. They’ve not even been able to find her,” Sybil added.
“Do you think other owners want this to happen to them?” Constance asked. “I know my Hiram opposed it when he was alive.”
“No, I’m sure they don’t. But it doesn’t mean it will happen. Surely the good people of Jackson aren’t going to hold this against Mr. Hollingsworth?”
The three women exchanged glances, set their untouched cups on the table, and stood in unison to leave.
“I thought you’d see reason, Josephine. You didn’t appear to be so naïve when Ancil brought you to the auxiliary. I’m afraid in lieu of this revelation we will no longer need your services.”
Josephine stared at the women. “Constance, you don’t mean that?”
“Yes I do. And if you or your niece continues to associate with Mr. Hollingsworth, you will no longer be welcome at St. Anna’s for worship. I will see to that.”
Jenny and Sybil nodded in agreement.
“You can’t do that. I don’t believe Father Bohannon would allow it.”
“We can and we will,” Jenny assured her.
“We’ll also need your sewing project back, if you don’t mind.” Sybil picked up the quilt topper lying on Josephine’s sewing basket and examined the material. “Nice stitching. I’ll finish this for you.”
Josephine grabbed the topper out of Sybil’s hands. “No you won’t. If the good ladies of the auxiliary won’t allow me to finish this for the orphanage then I’ll do it on my own. I know the perfect plantation where they’ll appreciate true Christian charity.”
She marched to the suite door not believing the lengths these narrow-minded biddies were taking. “Ladies, before you go I must ask where in the Good Book does it say you have replaced God on His throne and man should now live by your rules?”
The trio gasped and crossed themselves.
She jerked open the door and stepped out of the way. “I bid you good day.”
The clicking sound of their self-righteous heels filled the hallway as the women descended the stairs.
Josephine slammed the door and stormed across the room, pacing back and forth. Who did they think they were, coming into her suite and telling her whom Rebecca could or could not see?
“Are you all right, Miss Josephine?” Charlotte asked, returning from the errand.
Josephine ignored the girl. Realization of what she’d done shook her. By defending Mr. Hollingsworth, she had no doubt labeled herself a pariah. If word spread of this then she could be run out of Jackson.
“Miss Josephine?”
“I’m fine,” She answered through clenched teeth.
“Are you sure?”
She swung around, fixing her stare on Charlotte. “Yes I’m sure. I don’t want you saying a word about this to Rebecca. She doesn’t need to know I’ve been banished from working with the Ladies’ Auxiliary.”
“Mon Dieu!” Charlotte crossed herself.
Josephine faintly smiled at the young woman. “Help yourself to tea if you like. No one touched it. I’m going to take a walk to clear my head.”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right by yourself?”
“Certainly,” Josephine grunted. It would take more than a walk to cool her temper, but she needed to regain composure before she warned Rebecca.
As she walked along the street, she contemplated how she would approach the subject with her niece. She would make it clear she did not oppose Mr. Hollingsworth. Heaven knew they’d butted heads enough on the issue of Mariah to last a lifetime. She longed to bare her soul to Rebecca about her past. However, until Rebecca married it would have to wait.
More importantly, she would no longer live her life in fear of what others thought. Being a part of a women’s charity society did not have to be her calling, especially if the women who comprised it were like Constance and her followers.
“Hello, Josephine,” a deep, male voice broke through her thoughts and she looked up, surprised to find herself standing in the small yard outside of Ancil Gordon’s house.
“G-good afternoon, Ancil.”
“Is everything all right?” he asked and set down a toolbox. He wiped his hands on a rag and closed the screen door he’d been repairing.
“I’m out for a walk,” she explained and noticed his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The sinewy veins on his tanned forearms spoke of his strength. The bronze coloring of his skin piqued her curiosity. Why had she never noticed this before?
Her pulse quickened at the thought of him shirtless standing before her and she wondered if he worked with his shirt off when no one was around.
“And you ended up at this end of town?”
“What? Uh- yes. Imagine that.”
“The mind can cause a person to do peculiar and even unexplainable things. Your walking this way had to be for a reason. Are you sure I can’t help you with something?”
“No, thank you.” Nothing that’s proper for an unmarried woman.
“Everyone’s fine?”
“Yes.”
He shoved his glasses onto th
e top of his head, rubbed his eyes, and let the glasses fall back into place. “The sun sure is hot this afternoon.”
“Yes it is.” She felt perspiration begin to bead at the back of her neck. Whether from the heat of the day or her illicit thoughts she didn’t know.
“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said would you like to have dinner with me? I hear the dining room at the hotel is having an Italian extravaganza tonight. I thought about going. Would you like to join me?”
“Well—I—I suppose I could join you.” Her spirits lifted and her turmoil over Constance faded. “Yes, that would be lovely.”
“Good. I’ll call on you at seven,” he said, grinning.
“I’ll be looking forward to it. Thank you for asking,” she said, unable to stop smiling. “I’d best be running along now.”
She turned and headed back down the street with more vigor in her step than she’d felt earlier. If Constance objected to Rebecca’s association with Mr. Hollingsworth, then how would she react to Ancil’s invitation for her to have dinner with him?
Josephine laughed. Yes, she was certain Constance would be fit to be tied when she learned the good doctor was having dinner with a pariah.
****
Rebecca let the driver help her down from the carriage outside the hotel. “Thank you for driving me home, Higgins.”
“It was my pleasure, miss,” he said. “I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you.”
“Good day to you now.” Higgins climbed back up in the driver’s seat.
Rebecca watched Jared’s carriage roll away and a tightness in her chest formed anew. The pain of seeing it leave reminded her of the emptiness she felt inside as he’d left her earlier to proceed to the Paxton’s alone.
Why did he have to propose today? Why couldn’t he have waited a few more weeks? If she’d completed her mission, she could have accepted, and they’d be happily planning a future together.
She needed finality. She needed to see her assignment finished. Turning away from the hotel, she walked the short distance to the post office.
“Can I help you, miss?” the clerk asked as she entered the building.
“Yes. Are there any letters for Davis?”
The clerk nodded and handed her an envelope. “Came this morning.”
“Thank you. Have a good day.”
She hurried outside and sat on the bench where she could read the missive.
Miss Davis,
Please plan to meet me at ten in the morning on June twenty-eighth in the Lady’s Chapel at St. Anna’s. I’ve been assured we’ll have total privacy.
Your dutiful servant,
R. Hollingsworth
Tomorrow! Blasted postal service! It was always so slow. She refolded the letter and tucked it safely inside her purse. Her pulse quickened. She’d finally meet the illusive Mr. R. Hollingsworth.
Excited, she headed back to the hotel to begin making plans for her return to Memphis. By the time she returned from her trip, Elizabeth would be home from her wedding tour. She looked forward to hearing her friend’s romantic musings. Perhaps Elizabeth could give her advice on handling the situation with Jared.
Rebecca quietly entered the suite so not to wake Lucas if he were napping. The scent of lavender filled the air. She could hear Lucas’ gurgles and Charlotte reciting a nursery rhyme to him in the servant’s quarters.
“I’m back,” she called.
“Rebecca, I’ll be finished with my bath shortly. I need to speak with you if you have a moment,” Josephine’s voice rose from behind the dressing screen. “How is Mrs. Paxton?”
“She’s doing well. Little William is adorable.”
“What do the girls think of him?”
She grinned, recalling how they’d doted on him. “They adore him, especially the youngest one.”
“That’s nice. Will you hand me a towel? I left it lying on the bed.”
She crossed the room and picked up the downy towel. She noticed a dress she hadn’t seen before on the bed. Josephine had been shopping again. “Are you going somewhere?”
“I’ve been invited to dinner this evening. Will you be able to get along without me?”
She handed the towel around the screen. “Certainly. Will you need a chaperone? Should I send Charlotte with you?”
“Absolutely not!” Josephine exclaimed, and then more calmly spoke. “I mean…there really isn’t a need for a chaperone. I’ll be downstairs in the dining room.”
“With anyone I know?”
“Yes.”
“So, you’re going to the Italian extravaganza with Doctor Gordon?”
“Don’t sound so smug. It isn’t becoming of a lady.”
“I’m glad the doctor has finally taken notice. I’d hate to see you throw yourself at him.”
“Rebecca Kathleen Davis!”
The splashing sound of her getting out of the tub covered up the later mumblings. “I have never thrown myself at a man and I do not appreciate you even uttering those words. I’m a God fearing Catholic woman who has worked hard to walk in the right path…”
“And I expect the same from you.” Rebecca finished the litany she’d heard more times than she could count. Josephine threw her wet towel at her.
Rebecca laughed so hard her side began to hurt. “I was only teasing.”
“I don’t find the subject funny.” Josephine stepped from behind the screen in her robe and glared at Rebecca. “Shut the door. I need to speak to you in private.”
She did what Josephine asked and perched on the edge of the bed. “I apologize for making light of your reputation.”
“Making light of your reputation can lead to serious consequences,” Josephine began.
“I’m sorry for doing so.”
“Rebecca, I’m not talking about my reputation, but yours. After you left a few of the women from the Ladies’ Auxiliary paid a call. They saw you getting into Mr. Hollingsworth’s carriage without a chaperone.”
Rebecca winced. She decided to explain her actions before Josephine assumed the worst.
“I ran into him on my way to hire a carriage, and he offered me a ride. Since I was going to Oak Hill I didn’t see why it would hurt joining him.”
“The ladies informed me that Mr. Hollingsworth’s reputation is not stellar. In fact, they find him unsuitable as a suitor,” Josephine explained crossing her arms. “I, on the other hand, do not hold the same opinion. In fact, I find more favor with him for standing firmly on his principles using hired labor than bending to society’s rules.”
Rebecca nodded. “And he’s ostracized by the other plantation owners for it.”
“Exactly. It’s a pity. I think he’d make you a suitable match. But there could be consequences if you are inclined to pursue it. There will be talk and heaven help us if they should somehow learn about Mariah and Lucas’ parentage.”
She blinked, not believing her ears. Had Josephine just declared her approval of Jared? She turned away and tried not to show how pained she was to learn of her aunt’s favor with him. It made her refusal to his proposal even harder to bear. She quickly sought a way to change the subject.
“I—I’ll be making a trip back to Memphis tomorrow evening to take care of some financial business with my attorney. Since I’ll be returning for the remainder of our stay, I don’t see any reason to put you and Lucas through the journey. Will you mind staying in town?”
“Can’t the business wait?” Josephine asked, sitting down at the dressing table. “I don’t feel right about you leaving right now.”
“I’m afraid not. Normally I’d take Charlotte with me as a companion when I travel, but I feel she is needed here to help you with Lucas.”
Josephine turned around, looking as if she were about to protest, but nodded. “I think that would be wise.”
“Thank you for understanding. I hope you enjoy your dinner with Doctor Gordon.”
Chapter Eleven
Josephine was ready and waiting when Ancil arrived for their dinner date. Yet she stayed in her room until Charlotte answered the door and announced his arrival. She immediately noticed he’d paid a visit to the barber. His hair looked trimmed and he wore pleasant smelling cologne.
“Do you enjoy Italian?” he asked as they descended the staircase to the hotel lobby.
“Yes. I spent two months in Rome many years ago. I became fond of the region’s food.”
“Have you traveled extensively?”
“I’ve enjoyed two trips to Europe. Once in my youth and two years ago with my d-niece Mariah.”
“Mariah?”
She saw questioning in his eyes as the waiter showed them to a table.
“Rebecca’s sister. I mentioned her the other day. She passed on last Christmas.”
“Yes, I remember. I’m sorry for your loss, Josephine.” He pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you, Ancil.”
The waiter handed them both menus and poured water in two glasses. “I’ll give you a moment to decide what you’ll have.”
Josephine made her choice and laid the menu on the table in front of her. She casually glanced around the dining room, noting the change in décor to resemble an Italian Bistro. Tables were draped with red and white plaid tablecloths. A display of Chianti bottles wrapped in twine lined one wall and a single violinist roamed the dining area playing an exotic tune, entertaining the guests. In her perusal of the room, she recognized a few faces as others staying at the hotel. The rest she knew from around town. She’d come to enjoy her visit to Jackson and for many reasons she wasn’t looking forward to leaving. However, Constance Fletcher and her followers could make it impossible for her to stay.
“Is something wrong, Josephine?” Ancil asked, concern a little too heavy in his voice. To her surprise, he reached across the table for her hand. His touch was light, but warm.
“Why do you ask?”
“Your walk today. You were clearly preoccupied with something or you wouldn’t have ended up at my house.”
Josephine sighed and nodded. “Ancil, do you believe that a church official would bend to the desires of one parishioner over the good of the whole congregation?”