Promise Me Forever

by Janelle Taylor

  “Dan and I are prepared for anything,” she said with a false smile.

  “Excellent. More champagne?”

  Rachel sent forth faked merry laughter. “I fear I’ve had too much already. If I don’t stop now, I’ll become all giggly and sleepy.”

  “What about you, Dan? It’s a superb bottle.”

  “As with Cousin Rachel, I’ve had my limit, but thank you.”

  The meal and polite talk went on for a while, then they all departed.

  Dan asked, at Rachel’s door, “What did Harry mean when he asked if you and Phillip were all right and if your problems were over?”

  Rachel tensed. “It’s a personal matter, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course. Sorry I intruded. You looked upset, so I was concerned.”

  “Only because of the curious way Harry mentioned it. He isn’t involved in that matter, so he should keep his nose out of it.”

  “I hope it isn’t trouble with Phillip in your marriage.”

  “Certainly not. We’re… fine in that area.”

  “Then I won’t mention it again.”

  “Speaking of not mentioning things, why didn’t you tell me about Phillip’s brother and that scandal Harry revealed tonight?”

  Dan was ready with the response to sate her normal curiosity and to quell her new doubts with part of the truth. “Phillip didn’t like to talk or even think about them. When I realized you didn’t know either story, I decided it wasn’t my place or right to expose them and create problems between you two. Harry shouldn’t have betrayed Phillip’s confidence. If he was a close and true friend, he wouldn’t have.”

  “Did you know Mac, too?” She witnessed a look of anguish and sadness on his handsome face that appeared sincere and honest.

  In a strained voice, he admitted, “Yes, and we were very close. I didn’t learn about that ship sinking until after Phillip left Charleston.”

  “But you said you left in ‘71 and haven’t seen him since then,” she pointed out. “So how do you know how he felt about those two matters?”

  His gaze fused with hers. “From his letters, Rachel. James Drake was not a friend of ours and he’s not a nice fellow. I don’t know how or why Phillip got involved with that despicable character after I left town. James and Harry shouldn’t gossip about Phillip behind his back, especially to you.”

  So Phillip had been tormented by wicked gossip, just as she was. That could have been the reason why he was drawn to her and wanted to protect her— kindred spirits of a sort. “I’ve been wondering why he did.”

  “It sounded spiteful to me. I think there’s a problem between them.”

  Rachel thought that perhaps the deaths of his father and brother had changed Phillip from the man her companion had known, if he had changed. She still couldn’t trust him and decided to do some more probing. “Was Phillip ever secretive with you and his other friends? As he was about this new deal, according to his partners?”

  “Not exactly. Why?”

  “This long trip he’s on and this secrecy about his past,” she partially invented. “It wasn’t like him not to confide in me. He has a surprise in store, but it has me worried. Harry, too, from his behavior and expressions.” Something strange is going on, and it makes me nervous. “Phillip should have told me everything before he… left home.”

  “I’m sure he’ll explain all matters when he returns, so don’t fret.”

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “Then it’s nothing to worry about, Rachel. Phillip never did anything illegal when I knew him and hasn’t mentioned anything like that in his letters to me. He was always too afraid of getting caught and being humiliated to be careless or to break the law.”

  Phillip a coward? “Explain,” she coaxed without a hint of a smile.

  “Just teasing. Relax, woman. Everything will be fine soon.”

  “I hope so. One last question, what was the scandal about?”

  Dan exhaled loudly. He frowned. “I don’t know if I should—”

  “Yes, you’re the perfect one to tell me the truth,” she interrupted, “and it’s past time I knew what made Phillip like he… is. His brother drowning at sea explains why Phillip is so terrified of ships and the water. It explains why he suddenly moved to Savannah. We’ve learned how, why, and when he got into the arms and ammunition businesses. If you tell me about the scandal in his family, it might clarify other things about Phillip. Please, I need to know. Phillip won’t object; I won’t tell him.”

  Dan tried to stall, as he didn’t want to delve into Mac’s—his—past tonight, particularly that agonizing mistake with his father. He hadn’t thought of or been called that nickname in years. He was positive Harry didn’t know Captain Daniel Slade was Mac McCandless and he hoped the offensive man didn’t do any checking on him anytime soon. “This isn’t the place to keep discussing private matters, not in the hall where we can be overheard. I’ll relate the story tomorrow as we stroll.”

  “No, tonight. Come into my room to talk. It shouldn’t take long.”

  “What if somebody sees this improper behavior?” he reasoned.

  “We’re cousins, family, kin, remember? We’ll behave; I swear it.”

  The chilliness in her gaze and tone warned Dan that her doubts had returned, her confidence and trust in him were shaken, and she was afraid of him. Yet her need to know the truth outweighed the fear of being alone with a possible threat. Her courage impressed him, and matters needed repairing fast. “All right, Rachel. On your terms,” he added.

  Chapter 10

  They sat down in two chairs placed before a window and with a round table between them to form a small sitting area.

  Dan tried to relax, but couldn’t. His heart raced in dread. He prayed Rachel wouldn’t realize he was talking about himself, as he had no choice except to reveal the cruel situation to win back her trust. “This is difficult, Rachel; I was very close to Mac.”

  Rachel sensed deep anguish that couldn’t be an act, and tried to help him begin. “Who was he like, you or Phillip?”

  “Me,” he murmured, gazing off into space across the room.

  “So you two were closer than you and Phillip?” she prompted.

  “Much closer.”

  “What happened?” she coaxed. “Harry hinted at a romantic triangle.”

  Dan leaned forward, rested his forearms across his thighs, and interlocked his fingers. “Not exactly. In fact, not at all, but that’s how it seemed to McCandless. It was a tragic misunderstanding, and it tore that family apart. Stephen—Mr. McCandless—and Mac died before they made peace. It started years ago with a greedy and treacherous woman Mac saw on occasion. Nothing serious, mostly social and physical—if you know what I mean—but she wanted to capture Mac as her husband.”

  “I understand your meaning. He saw her to satsify himself physically, but she wanted to snare him as her husband.”

  “That’s the truth, Rachel. All three were wrong, if you ask me.”

  “Everybody makes mistakes when they’re young, Dan. Men do those kinds of things without stopping to think of the consequences. Often a woman agrees to a liaison because she loves a man and thinks he loves her and will eventually marry her when he doesn’t have the same feelings or intentions. Sometimes the woman is trying to entrap the man; and sometimes he’s only using her and misleading her to get what he wants. Those are cruel and reckless tricks with high prices. So, how did it involve the father and create a scandal? How did it all affect Phillip?”

  “I suppose it actually began long before that. You see, Mac and his father never got along; there was always trouble and bad blood between them. Sometimes Phillip was caught in the middle of their disputes. Mac never could please old man McCandless, so he eventually stopped trying. Mac was a sailor for his father’s firm, while Phillip did the office work. During one long voyage, that sorry vixen decided that if she couldn’t win young McCandless, she would ensnare his father, getting her into their wealthy and well respe
cted family one way or another. While Mac was gone, she became involved with Stephen. But Stephen fell in love with her, wanted to marry her, and didn’t know about her relationship with his son. When Mac returned, she gave it one last chance to see if she could win him. Mac wasn’t interested, but he’d had a terrible quarrel with his father, so he used her to help him settle down. As you said, that can lead to costly mistakes. Stephen found them in bed together and believed his son was being vindictive by stealing his intended. With their troubled history I can understand how Stephen would feel betrayed, embittered, and spiteful. They had a vicious fight that almost came to blows. Mac returned to sea, but not on one of his father’s ships. He signed on with the one that sank, leaving no survivors. Stephen and Phillip got word about the tragedy. I was gone, so I didn’t hear the news for a long time. I still can’t believe what happened.”

  “Somehow people found out and gossiped about them?”

  “Probably overheard their last quarrel. Stephen broke his betrothal to that selfish witch. I heard she left town and disappeared. I can assure you, Rachel, she was a heartless and conniving female who would do anything to get what she wanted. In Mac’s defense, I have to say she had him fooled, too. He honestly believed she wanted the same things from their relationship that he did: a fine time in bed, nothing serious or permanment. And I promise you that isn’t a biased opinion.”

  “So the father and son never made up before they died.”

  “No, but I’m certain Mac would have settled the matter in time.”

  “You liked him and trusted him, didn’t you?”

  “Nobody has ever been closer to me.”

  “I’m sorry, Dan, but that explains a few things to me.”

  “About what?” he asked, meeting her comforting gaze.

  “About you and Phillip. I can understand why neither of you would want to discuss that painful affair. A lot of people were hurt, and it’s terrible that so many have died without making peace. Did it cause trouble between Phillip and his brother when their father made those mistaken accusations against Mac?”

  “Yes. At first Phillip was angry and hurt; he didn’t know which one to believe. He loved and needed both of them. I tried to tell him Mac’s side, but he wouldn’t listen; the matter was too fresh. You see, if he sided with Mac, he would lose his father and his inheritance. If he sided with Stephen, he would lose his brother. Phillip never got a chance to make that choice, since Mac got on that ill-fated ship. I don’t know what Phillip would have done if Mac had returned from that voyage. I like to think he would have believed Mac and helped him convince Stephen of the truth. Perhaps Phillip feels guilty over both their losses. It’s too late for him to ever settle the matter now.”

  Naturally Rachel thought Dan meant because Stephen and Mac were dead. The unknown truth was that a father and two sons were dead with a bitter tragedy buried with them.

  “This news made you mistrust me, didn’t it?”

  “Yes,” she admitted. “What if Harry checks on you and learns we lied to him? That can cause more problems.”

  “That’s the risk I’m willing to take to learn the truth. Even if he discovers I was close to Phillip for years and we aren’t cousins, it won’t matter soon. Your problem with him won’t take much longer to solve.” Dan moved before her on his knees. He captured her hands. “I’m your friend, Rachel; you can trust me. Haven’t you realized that by now?”

  She looked at the ceiling to avoid locking gazes with him, as that always disarmed her. “I want to trust you, Dan.”

  He wiggled her hands to force her gaze to meet his. “Then why can’t you?” he asked. “What have I said or done to make you doubt me? I only kept a secret I didn’t think I should reveal, and you suggested the deceits in my cover story. I merely embellished it to prevent doubts in Harry. If I had exposed the truth of us growing up together, Harry would have gotten nervous about our closeness and suspected Phillip sent his old and trusted friend here to investigate him.” And surely would have checked me out!

  “You’re right, Dan, but trust is hard for me sometimes. Phillip was the one person I felt I could trust completely, but now I find he deceived me several times.”

  “Keeping a painful episode in his life from you isn’t exactly deceit. I’m sure you’ll be told the truth one day.”

  She freed her hands, and the captain stood. “But there’s more, Dan. This trip, this secret deal…” She stood, but looked at the floor.

  “I’m sure Phillip has good explanations for them,” he said, but knew what her real meanings were. Dan grasped her chin, lifted her head, and locked their gazes once more. “Being ignorant of something important has a tendency to make one nervous, even afraid. But I’m here with you.”

  Rachel needed and wanted him so much, she was tempted to throw herself into his arms, confess all, and surrender to him. “I suppose I’m just tired and being foolish.”

  “Then get into bed and get some sleep. We’ll talk again tomorrow.” He bent forward and placed a light kiss upon her lips. “I won’t let anything unjust happen to you, Rachel McCandless.”

  Would you feel that way if you knew the truth? she wanted to shout. Instead, she said, “Thank you, Dan. I don’t know what I would do without your help. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He kissed her again on the forehead as a father would a weary child about to retire. “If you need anything, Rachel, I’m across the hall.”

  She needed him to hold her, to kiss her, to take her away from this perilous nightmare. The black truth would kill that golden dream. She walked him to the door. Before he opened it, she said his name and he turned. She placed her hands on either side of his bronzed face, pulled his head downward, and gave him a quick and light kiss on the mouth. She gazed into his eyes a moment. “Thank you, Dan. Good night.”

  “Good night, Rachel.” He left, and heard the door lock. He knew he had repaired some of his broken rigging, but not all of it. She was weakening toward him and he could have pressed his advantage with her, but something deep within him hadn’t permitted it. It would be wrong and cruel to seduce her tonight. Years ago, he had taken Helen whenever he needed his lust satisfied, but it was different with Rachel. Helen had been eager, willing, persistent, and experienced. With Rachel, there were strong feelings involved, contradictory feelings he didn’t quite understand, powerful feelings he couldn’t deny or ignore. Despite his fierce battle, she had gotten to him. She had woven her magical spell around him. She had spun her silky strands over his heart and body. She seemed willing to give him a night in her arms, perhaps a few months in her golden web. But could she promise him, or any man, forever? That was a tormenting mystery he had to solve soon, as he couldn’t allow his traitorous heart and loins to cloud and overrule his head.

  During the next morning and afternoon, Rachel washed her hair and stayed in her room while it dried. She rested and tried to read, and constantly thought about Daniel Slade, her stormy past, her shadowy present, and her cloudy future.

  At seven forty-five, Dan knocked on her door to escort her to the Fabeers’ party. Rachel put on a sunny smile and cheerful disposition and answered it.

  “You look exquisite, Mrs. McCandless,” he murmured.

  Dan was wearing the same suit he had worn in Augusta, as it was the only formal outfit he had brought on the trip. Rachel was clad in an off-theshoulder gown in sapphire satin that was edged with black lace and blue silk flowers, as were the short puffy sleeves. A row of black ruched trim journeyed from the neckline, over each breast, and down to the bottom of the first of three layers of her skirt. Her fabric bag matched the gown, as did her silk slippers. Around her neck and on her ears were black pearls, gifts from Phillip. Her dark hair was secured into leafy curls, and received no accessory tonight. A black lace shawl was over one arm.

  “Ready on time, Captain Slade.”

  “How do you do it, woman?”

  “Do what?”

  “Get more beautiful every day.”

&nbs
p; Rachel smiled and quipped, “The same way you get more handsome every day, kind sir. Shall we go? We don’t want to be late.”

  They reached the Fabeer home, a majestic and enormous Greek Revival mansion with ten Doric columns and a long wing attached on each side near the rear. Fancy gas lamps provided light for guests.

  A well-dressed butler escorted them inside the foyer, led them down a hall, and halted them at a columned archway. “Madame, sir, this area is for quiet conversing,” he instructed. “Through the arch there is the ballroom for dancing. A small sitting parlor is near the front door. Refreshments are provided in all rooms. The privies are located to the right of the drawing room. If you do not find what you require, tell one of the servants. Your hosts are in the ballroom if you care to greet them first. I will see to your wrap, madame. Have a pleasant evening.” He took her shawl, bowed, and left them standing in a large and formal drawing room decorated in the French style.

  Women were begowned and bejeweled in their finest, and men were attired formally for the elegant event. “My goodness. This is—”

  “Intimidating and impressive,” Dan filled in for her with a grin.

  She laughed and agreed. “Quite accurate.”

  Harry came forward. “The first dance is mine, Rachel,” he said. “I’m sure your cousin can find a partner. The rooms are filled with ladies eager to be noticed and whirled around the ballroom floor.”

  Rachel didn’t have time to accept or refuse as the man seized her hand and pulled her into the brightly lit room where musicians were playing in one corner. She went into Harrison Clements’ coaxing arms and away they danced, her fabric bag swinging from a ribbon tie around one wrist.

  Harry looked her over from head to waist. “You look ravishing tonight, Rachel. No woman should be as tempting as you.”

  She smelled the alcohol on his breath, but knew he was not drunk. “Such flattery from a man can swell a woman’s head, Harry. You must be careful with your extravagant compliments, kind sir.”

  Harry removed some of the distance between them. “It’s the truth, my lovely vixen. It seems our mates had a simultaneous need of privacy and diversion. We shall have to keep each other company tonight. Will it be a burden to such a coveted prize as you’ll be this evening?”