Jake closed his eyes, weary of thinking. For almost an hour he tried to think of a better way, to no avail. Finally he dropped off into a fitful sleep that was more of a twilight affair in which he was neither awake nor completely asleep. He was aware after a time that someone had come into the room and was standing beside the bed. Rousing himself, he whispered, “Blunt?”
“No, not Blunt,” the man said. At the sound of his voice, Jake came fully awake with a start that jerked his body. “Easy, Jake!” the voice said, and at the same time, the man shifted around so that the feeble light from the lamp fell on his face.
A shock ran along Jake’s nerves, and he lay there for one instant, thinking he was dreaming. Then he said hoarsely, “Vince!”
“It’s me, Jake. Just lie still and don’t call out.” Vince leaned over the bed, peering at Hardin’s face. “Sorry to do it this way, but I couldn’t figure out any other way of getting to you without anyone knowing.”
“But … if you’re alive, who was that in your room?” Jake demanded, his mind working fast. He sat up painfully with a little assistance from Vince. “They think he was me.”
“Just a fellow I met in the hotel lobby,” Vince said, glancing around. He saw a chair and pulled it to Jake’s bedside. “Listen,” he whispered. “Here’s what happened. When I left your room, I was pretty sick inside. Here I thought everything was all set, and then you backed out on me. I decided to get drunk, so I left and told Tony I was checking out the next day. There was a fellow standing there, and I guess he’d been trying to get a room. Tony said to me, ‘Okay if this fellow has your room?’ I said it was and left to get drunk.”
“But you’ve been gone for—”
“Sure, sure, I know, but just listen,” Vince insisted. “I went down to the river and boarded a paddle wheeler. Started drinking, then got in on a card game. There was a woman there, too, and she kept egging me on to drink. Anyway, I passed out, and when I woke up, the blasted ship was moving upriver! I was broke, of course, done in by the woman, I guess. I got off at the next town and got a room. Had to wire my bank for money. But it was a bank holiday so I had to wait a day for that, and then I got a copy of the paper.”
“And read about the fire?”
“That was the way of it.” Vince smiled. “They made me out as quite a hero, going back into a building to save a fellow. Just the dumb sort of stunt a hairpin like you would try to pull off, Jake—and one that a fellow like me would never even think of!”
Jake suddenly felt relieved. “I’m glad you’re alive, Vince.” He paused, then added, “I’ve had some bad times, thinking about you.”
The words embarrassed Vince, and he laughed shortly, still keeping his voice down. “Yeah, well—I’m glad you’re alive and kicking, too, Jake.”
“Listen, you’ve got to get me out of here. Your sister will be here any day, maybe tomorrow.”
“Get you out?” Vince sounded a little surprised. “Why, I didn’t come to get you out!” He saw the look of stunned amazement on Jake’s face, then slapped his thigh and made a face. “Well, of course! You would think that!”
“What else is there to think?”
Vince looked over his shoulder, then said quickly, “I’ve got it all figured out, Jake. We go through with a little of the plan we had. You go back to Richmond—but you don’t shoot Duvall.”
“Go back to Richmond! You’re crazy!”
“No, I’m not. Just listen and don’t argue. I talked with the doctor who’s been treating you. Didn’t tell him who I was and kept my hat pulled low, so he thinks I’m a friend of yours. Which I am, Jake.” Vince paused, then added, “You’re still going to get to that island we talked about!”
Jake shook his head, saying, “Vince, it won’t work!”
“Yes, it will,” Vince said, and confidence showed in his eyes. “It’s better than the first plan. You’re a sick man, Vince Franklin, very ill. So you go back to Virginia and you stay sick until it’s time to collect the big money.” He saw that Jake was staring at him, then spread his hands apart. “Don’t you get it? Duvall can’t shoot a helpless man!” He laughed softly, adding, “He’s a man of honor! And that’s the beauty of it all.”
Jake shook his head. “It won’t work. Your sister will know I’m not you the first time she looks at me.”
“Not a chance! Last time she saw me without a beard, I was sixteen. And you’ve got those burns swelling up your face.
We look a lot alike to begin with, and you don’t even look like yourself, Jake,” Vince said.
Jake shook his head stubbornly. “It’s hopeless, Vince. Even if they didn’t know I wasn’t you by looking, they’d find out soon enough. I don’t sound like you, and I don’t know what you know.”
“Your voice is husky from breathing in all that smoke,” Vince said, “and your mind’s not working very well. Dr. Sealy told me that, and that’s what he’ll tell Rachel. You can’t remember things. Sealy hopes it’ll get better, but you can see to it that it doesn’t. If you don’t remember the name of a cousin, well, it’s just that you haven’t gotten rid of the effects of your injuries.”
For the next twenty minutes the two spoke, Jake arguing and Vince supplying answers. Finally Vince said, “Jake, it’s our only chance. All you have to do is go to my home, stick it out for a few months, then go away for a trip after you’ve met the conditions of the will.”
Jake thought hard, but finally a slow smile touched his lips. “Well, I guess it’s like you said. We have to play the hand we’re dealt!”
Vince beamed at him. “I knew you’d do it, Jake, you old son of a gun! Now you let Rachel take you home. Here’s an address. You can reach me there under the name of Bill Underhill. Don’t write unless you have to, and if there’s trouble, try to explain without giving anything away on paper. I’ll write you from time to time, and if you have to know something, I’ll try to get it across. I don’t think anyone will be reading your mail, but we’ll take no chances.” A thought came to him, and he smiled. “You’ll have to send me money, Jake. I can’t draw any out, can I?”
Jake smiled back at him. “Maybe I’ll let you dangle. You’d only spend it for frivolous affairs and foppish attire anyway.”
“Sure! That’s what money’s for, isn’t it?” Then Vince sobered and said slowly, “I guess I’m in your hands, Jake. If this doesn’t work, I’m a gone goose—or even worse, a penniless goose! But you won’t let me down.” He rose and moved away but paused to add, “Don’t say any more than you have to to Rachel. She’s sharp, Jake.”
“Do my best for you, Vince.” And then the door closed softly, and Jake lay there, his mind busy with what lay ahead.
“Guess I’ll have to tell Blunt I’ve changed my mind,” he murmured, then tried to think ahead to the next few days. Finally he thought, No use making a lot of plans. I’ll just have to take it a day at a time. But the hopelessness that had wrapped his mind was gone. He finally believed he had a chance.
“Well, Jake, old man, I like this hand a whale of a lot better than anything I’ve had lately! The law’s not after me anymore, and maybe, just maybe, I can do something to help Vince get his wish.” He wiggled his foot, grimaced at the pain, then nodded. “Go on, hurt all you please!” Then he thought of Rachel, of what Vince had said about her, and sobered. “I hope you don’t like me much, Rachel. Because the more you dislike me, the farther away from me you’ll stay!” The idea pleased him, and he lay back on the bed, his fertile mind spinning one idea after another.
In it all, Jake Hardin was strangely happy.
CHAPTER 5
TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS
Rachel was standing in the kitchen making a caramel cake when the rider came into the yard. Wiping her hands on a damp cloth, she said, “Mother, Roy Delaughter just rode in.”
Her mother looked up from the table where she was peeling potatoes, concern coming into her face. Getting to her feet, she came to look out the window. “I never feel good about getting a telegram,” she
murmured. “I don’t think good news ever comes like that.”
Rachel knew what her mother was thinking, for she herself had thought instantly of her father and her brother Grant, who had been sent with their company to the Shenandoah Valley. There had been little military action since Manassas, but both women knew that it only took one small action—and one single bullet—to bring tragedy. They watched as Delaughter hitched his horse then came at once down the walk. He had been in charge of the telegraph office in Richmond since it had first been established, and he was a good friend of the Franklins.
Rachel went to the door, calling out, “Over here in the kitchen, Mr. Delaughter.” He looked up sharply, then hurried down the walk and came in. Pulling off his hat, he said, “Afternoon, Amy.
How are you, Rachel?” He was a small man, neat in dress and feature. “It’s not about Brad or Grant,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a sheet of paper.
A wave of relief washed through both women, and Delaughter saw it in their faces. He handed the telegram to Amy Franklin. She read it aloud for Rachel: “Mr. Vincent Franklin seriously injured in hotel fire. Condition not critical. Will need extended home care. Please advise. Dr. Winford Sealy, St. John’s Hospital, New Orleans.”
Rachel took the telegram, scanned it, then frowned. “He’s not going to die, but he must be pretty bad.”
“Be a hard trip for a sick man, all the way from New Orleans,” Roy Delaughter commented. “Best thing would be by ship, wouldn’t it?”
Amy thought hard, then said, “Brad says that the Yankees are going to blockade the coast. It might be hard to get there—or to get back, for that matter.”
“Oh, they don’t have enough ships for that, Amy!” Roy said at once. “But it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do it quick as possible.” He pondered a moment, then said, “There’s a fast ship making for New Orleans in the morning—the Jupiter, with Captain Maylon Stuart in command. If you want, I can get passage for you when I get back to town.”
“Yes, Roy, please do that. And see if you can find out about a return passage.”
“Sure, Amy. Anything else I can do, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Roy. Now sit down and have something to eat before you go back.” She and Rachel fixed the man a good lunch, then went to the study to talk. “I wish Brad were here,” Amy said with a worried look. “I hate to send Les, though I’m sure he’d like to go. He’s the only man on the place right now, and he’s needed here. I’ll have to go, Rachel.”
“No, you can’t leave, Mother,” Rachel said firmly. “You’re not over the flu yet. I’ll go get him.”
Amy gave her daughter a doubtful look; then her brow cleared. Though Rachel was only nineteen, Amy knew without a doubt that this daughter of hers was fully capable of such a mission. “Well, I think it’d be best if you did go, Rachel. We’ll pack the middle-sized trunk. It’s a long voyage, and you’ll have to bring back with you whatever medicals Vince will need.”
Rachel nodded, and the two women at once began preparing for the trip. Not knowing the exact departure time of the Jupiter, Rachel decided to go to Richmond at once. “I’ll take a room for the night,” she explained to her mother. “The ship may leave at dawn, and I don’t want to miss it.”
When Rachel was in the buggy with Les beside her, Amy asked, “Are you sure you have enough money? It’s terribly expensive traveling so far.”
“I have plenty, Mother.” She leaned down, kissed her mother, and added, “Don’t worry about me. Just pray for traveling safety.”
“Yes, I will. Good-bye, dear!”
Les whipped up the horses; he knew only one speed of travel, and that was as fast as the horses could go. He was disappointed because he was not making the trip, but being good-natured he gave over his protests. The horses lined out at a fast gallop, and Rachel said, “For goodness’ sakes, Les, slow down! You’ll wear the horses out!”
“Aw, this ain’t really fast,” Les protested, but pulled the team down to a brisk trot. He looked at her with envy, saying, “Sure wish I could go.”
“Mother needs you here, Les. You’re the man of the place now.” Her words brought a flush to his fair cheeks, and she added, “I’ll bring you a present from New Orleans. What’ll it be?”
“A picture of some of them fancy Creole gals!”
“Not likely, you scamp!”
“Well, some fancy boots—or maybe a pistol.”
“Don’t know your size in either,” Rachel teased him. “Better let me surprise you.” They rode along talking in a lively fashion, but when they got to Richmond and were on their way to the hotel, Rachel grew serious. “I don’t relish this trip, Les. You know how Vince is. He’s bad enough when he’s well.”
“Well, if he’s hurt bad, he shouldn’t be able to stir up too much meanness,” Les answered.
“He’ll be as unpleasant as he can be, I know that!” Rachel said, frowning. Then she looked up and said, “There’s the hotel. You can dump me off and get back to the house.”
Les carried her trunk inside and waited until she had found out from the clerk the departure time of the Jupiter. Then the brother and sister walked back to the buggy.
“Be careful, sister,” Les said and awkwardly leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Don’t let the Yankees get you.”
“I’ll shoot them with the pistol I’m going to get for your present,” she said with a smile, then patted his arm. “Take care of things until I get back, Les. Don’t let Mother work too hard.” He grinned at her, then vaulted into the buggy. She watched as he left, then walked back into the hotel.
She knew that the Jupiter left at six the next morning, but feeling too restless to go to bed right away, Rachel walked around the city for an hour. At six o’clock she went to supper and was surprised to see Leighton Semmes sitting at one of the tables. He looked very handsome in his ash-gray uniform. He stood at once when she came into the room, saying, “Rachel!
I never thought to see you here! Come and bring some light into this lonely man’s life.”
She was glad to see him, and they had a pleasant meal. Semmes listened as she told him of her mission, as always enjoying the opportunity to watch her. He was a connoisseur of feminine beauty, and in a part of the world noted for beautiful, graceful women, Rachel Franklin held his attention. Quite honestly, this was a puzzle to him; he was a man who either got his own way from the women he pursued or else moved along to easier prey. He had done neither with Rachel.
Now he leaned back, peering at her through the aromatic smoke of his cigar, suddenly amused at himself. Why do I put up with her rebuffs? he wondered. She’s a good-looking woman, but there are plenty of those available. He studied her carefully as she moved her hands from time to time in quick motions. She wore a simple blue dress with a white lace top, and her turquoise earrings reflected the blue-green of her eyes. Her lips were a little too full for true beauty, but not for drawing a man’s glance. The smooth sweep of her jaw and the elegant joining of her neck into her shoulders were so strong as to be almost masculine. The deep cleft in her chin added to that impression of strength, yet there was no denying the dainty femininity of her trim figure.
Semmes moved restlessly in his seat and took a sip of his wine. An idea rose in him, and he said idly, “It’s a long trip all the way to New Orleans, Rachel. Lots of pretty aggressive men on those ships. I think I can get a leave. Maybe I’d better go along to look after you.”
Rachel’s eyes suddenly gleamed with mirth, and her lips turned up in a smile, followed by a sudden delighted laugh. “That’d be like putting the fox to watch the chickens, Leighton!”
The thought amused her greatly, for she knew him very well indeed, but when she saw the expression on his face, she put out her hand and covered one of his. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, but you don’t know how funny you looked, all innocent and pious!”
Leighton suddenly laughed out loud, his eyes crinkling at the corners and his mobile lips turned up
. “I don’t know why I keep hanging around you, Rachel!” Shaking his head, he took her hand and held it captive. “Well, you know me pretty well, I suppose. Do you think you’ll ever change your opinion of me?”
Rachel considered him thoughtfully, still smiling a little. There always was a strange mixture in her of humor and seriousness, and now the two struggled. Finally she said, “You’re not a tame man, Leighton. That’s the one thing I couldn’t stand.”
Her words surprised him greatly. “That’s the most revealing thing you’ve ever said to me, Rachel.”
She gave him a half-embarrassed look, for the thought had slipped out—but now that it was spoken, she wanted to express the part of her that had given birth to it. “Many marriages seem to be so dull, don’t they, Leighton? I’ve watched it since I was a little girl. A marriage is a woman’s whole life. A man can do a hundred things. Marriage to most men is usually something they turn to when their real work is done.” A look of rebellion touched her bright eyes, and her lips thinned as she shook her head. “It may sound strange, but I believe there should be more to marriage than that!”
Semmes was tremendously interested. He leaned forward, his penetrating eyes on her face. “Do you really think a marriage can be more? I’ve seen what you’re talking about, the way many marriages fall into a habit and convenience. I’m sure they didn’t start out that way. What do you think makes men and women lose that magic they feel at first?”
“Women are to blame,” Rachel said instantly, then smiled at the expression of surprise that her statement drew. “They grow careless. It’s as if they’re saying, ‘I’ve got him. Now I don’t have to be anything except a dutiful wife.’”
“You don’t think wives ought to be dutiful?”
“Wives are to obey their husbands, yes—the Bible says so. But did you know, Leighton, that the Bible doesn’t say that wives are to love their husbands?”
“No, I didn’t know that. Sounds like a mistake to me.”
Rachel gave him an arch look but went on. “The Bible does say that men are to love their wives. Women to obey, men to love. And it’s easier to obey than it is to love, did you know that?”
Three Books in One: A Covenant of Love, Gate of His Enemies, and Where Honor Dwells Page 72