Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou)

by Arlene Lam

  “He is waiting downstairs for you so don’t dally.” With that being said Lorraine marched back out the way she came.

  Amelia let the breath she’d been holding out and didn’t try to fight the heat that wanted to flood her cheeks. In her excitement she found it hard to even get on the frayed dress Lorraine had given her. With shaky fingers she fastened the buttons in front of her and then slid on her shoes. She wished she could dally, but instead she took a rag and dipped it in the water basin beside the makeshift dresser and washed her face and deftly tied her hair up with a white ribbon. She wanted to wear her fancy yellow dress.

  She nearly ran down to the door but slowed her pace at Lorraine’s curious eyes upon her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” She said blandly.

  “Make sure he pays you today for the inconvenience.” Lorraine chirped busying herself with her sewing.

  “I will.” With that she was on the other side of the door. The carriage was right there and suddenly her legs felt wobbly. When the door opened and he descended they refused to move.

  Jordan regarded her with a smile. She was beautiful standing there in the morning light. Taking her hand in his own he helped her into the coach and followed behind her. Rapping on the door he signaled Mitchell to move on. There was a silence that followed that was both comfortable yet awkward at the same time but Jordan was soon glad to break it. “You look lovely.”

  Amelia nodded her thanks her eyes fixated on his hand that held her own. She watched with amazed eyes as he took that same hand to his lips and kissed her palm.

  “You are quiet.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” She admitted in a hushed whisper. “I just seen you mere hours ago. Things are decidedly different.”

  “Some yes, but others remain the same. You are still brilliant, and beautiful and I want nothing more than to eat breakfast.”

  Amelia took her hand from him. “Don’t be silly.” She said sternly.

  “I am taking you to Nourriture Du Coeur.”

  “Excuse me? You can’t do that and you know it. That restaurant is for whites only.”

  “Who said this? If old white men can parade their concubines under the guise of Plaçage all over the streets of New Orleans I can have lunch with you.”

  “Am I to be considered your concubine?” Amelia countered.

  “Of course not and you know what I meant.”

  “I do know Nourriture Du Coeur is not hidden in the bayous out of site, I am not a passing mulatto, or quadroon, or octoroon, and I would never submit myself to the dying practice of Plaçage.” Grumbling she removed her hand from his as he still looked determined. “I will not go. You want to see me hanging from a rope?”

  “Don’t say that, don’t ever say anything like that. I would never allow that to happen to you, ever!” Jordan reiterated.

  “I will not go to that restaurant.” Amelia stated with finality.

  Jordan frowned but relented. “I had a notion you might be difficult.’’ Jordan reached outside of the carriage and rapped the side of the wood door.

  Amelia felt the carriage shift and change direction. “Where are you taking me now?”

  “When I left this morning it was already balmy and the sun was up and beating down on my back so I thought today I’m going to teach Amelia to swim.”

  At this she smiled. “What about breakfast?”

  “Do you take me for a fool?” Jordan revealed to her a basket all but ignored on the empty seats across from him until now. “I am always prepared.”

  “You shouldn’t have come, you know that right? Now I’ve got to go home smelling of meats and pies.” She joked. “And there is no way I can go swimming as much as I’d like to I’ve no change of clothes, unless we go wading like before. Or perhaps we can just eat and you can take me back home.” She suggested.

  “Amelia be quiet.” Jordan instructed and he was amused that she actually listened. It was in his favor for her to remain so. Otherwise she might talk herself out of their excursion.

  The glittering water of the Mississippi river could be made out and Amelia gave a cringe inside. “There are going to be far too many people here.”

  “Amelia trust me.”

  They drove on for a while longer before they came to a patch of high trees that nearly reached to the river bank itself. It was perfect and it was secluded.

  Jordan exited first so that he could help Amelia out and he turned to Mitchell and soon the driver was turning the horses around and back down the dirt trail they’d come.

  In silence he lead Amelia into the trees where a tiny clearing was just large enough for him to lay a blanket down and Amelia lowered herself onto it.

  Jordan set the basket down on the side of her but remained standing. “Come on Amelia.” He was removing his shirt and tossing it to the ground before she could contemplate a response. He barely took the time to roll his pants up over his calves before he was in the water knee deep. “You are coming right?”

  Amelia stood and meandered to the edge. “It’ll be just my luck to get bit by an alligator in the behind.”

  “No, I doubt it, not even an alligator would mar that backside, it’s far too lovely.”

  Amelia giggled at this before removing her shoes and stepping onto the river’s edge. Immediately the hem of her shift became soaked but she didn’t back out. She would enjoy all the time she had with Jordan before it came to an end.

  “You have to come in farther if I’m going to teach you.”

  “I’m coming.” Amelia retorted. “The water is cold.” Thinking better of hitching up the skirt of her dress, it was going to get wet anyway, Amelia took a large step and joined Jordan waist deep in the murky water.

  Engulfing her in his arms Jordan stole a kiss before pulling her the last few feet into the deep water.

  Amelia gave a gasp as the flooring beneath her feet fell away and let her arms go about her teacher’s neck for security.

  “It would be easier if you took off this dress.” Jordan chuckled keeping them both afloat.

  “I’ve no doubt it would but I’m not going to be caught out here with you in nothing but a shift.”

  Raising a brow at her Jordan shifted a bit so that she was able to move her arms more freely. “After last night I don’t think you need to be shy do you.”

  Immediately her face reddened. “It doesn’t matter what happened last night. This is a open place and I shouldn’t be here with you to begin with. So I won’t push my luck by frolicking in the water bare.”

  Jordan smiled at this and splashed water in her face letting her go for only a mere second. “First kick your legs and feet.” He instructed.

  She tried but the material of the dress was hampering the movements. “I can’t. Not well.”

  “I told you to take off that dress.” Jordan replied

  “And you know that I won’t.”

  “You are lucky I’m not opposed to holding you.” Bringing her arms back about his neck Jordan took them even further into the water. “You will learn one day.”

  “Just not today.” Amelia countered smiling as he carried them both through the soothing water before coming back just far enough in for her to stand with the water reaching just above her ribcage. “It does seem important to you though.” She stated.

  Jordan pushed hair that had transformed from wavy dark locks into glossy tight black ringlets behind Amelia shoulders. “Of course it is, I’m a man of the sea, Captain of ships, and my lady has to know how to swim.” Jordan informed her and felt his heart jump as she looked up at him all humor gone, lashes long and tipped with droplets of water.

  “Then maybe today will be the day after all.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The hooves of horses could be heard outside and it jolted Margaret McMahon out of her reverie. Once again she moved from place to place busily dusting off objects with her handkerchief. Noting her husband’s quizzical stare she shrugged lightly. “He’s my cousin I can’t help but worry about
him. He didn’t come home last night and its one in the afternoon. I just want to know where he’s been and if he’s okay.”

  Jasper simply inclined his head in the direction of the door. He understood worry, but Margaret knew better than most how Jordan could be. Besides it wasn’t quite twelve. Yet and still he also understood her worry given the past incident. Jordan could be heard entering the great doors and Jasper gave his friend a pitied look as he spied them waiting. Making himself comfortable for the speech to come Jasper reclined against the cushioned couch.

  “Jordan.” Examining her cousin Margaret let out the breath she’d been holding before continuing. Only now she was irked. “We’ve been worried sick.”

  “Not we dear, you.” Jasper said looking to his wife. “I told you he was fine.”

  Closing the large oak doors Jordan shook his head tiredly at his cousin. Not willing to go into any conversation on his whereabouts at the time. Waving her off Jordan sat down near Jasper. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you Margaret but it was unwarranted,” he started. “You do know I’m a grown man of thirty six.”

  “Grown men are responsible.” Margaret clipped moving past him. “You should have sent word and not have been so selfish after all there is a little girl upstairs who needs to be taken care of as well.”

  His life was being run on the whims and wants of women, Jordan thought. If it wasn’t one thing it was another. He had obligations only to one however so this time he wouldn’t argue. As if on cue a cloud of chestnut hair came bouncing out of the foyer and into the lounge. Jumping straight into his lap. “We were just speaking of you.”

  Georgia shrugged her shoulders. “Where have you been?”

  “She’s got you at it to.” He teased, flicking the tip of her nose. “But since you asked I will tell you.” Pulling a book from the inside of his lapel Jordan handed it over to her.

  “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Georgia had wanted the book for months. Hugging her brother to her she opened the pages, dimly sliding from his lap.

  Margaret turned to her husband who was staring at his friend suspiciously, which only made the smile on her cousin’s face broaden tenfold. He had no doubt been up to no good last night, with Melanie or some other willing female. He would have to curb the habit. Little girls were very impressionable.

  “Well now that we see the man is perfectly alright Margaret, can we be about our business and leave him to his own?” Jasper asked his wife. After all as much as he loved his friend he could think of a thousand different things he’d rather do than raking the man across the coals.

  Margaret gave her husband a hard look and turned on heel. “I’m going to have lunch with our darling Georgia, seeing how no one else ever does.” Margaret regarded both men with disappointment before taking Georgia’s hand and exiting the lounge, the door slamming loudly behind her retreating form.

  “At least you didn’t have to grow up with it.” Jordan offered.

  “I rather enjoy her tirades, makes her all the more striking.” Jasper said placing his foot on the desk, the look that came into his eyes confirming his words. He loved her more than anything. “You look like hell.”

  Jordan shrugged off his words. He didn’t want to get drawn into a conversation about his activities last night.

  “She must have been beautiful.”

  Jordan barely opened his eyes to see his friend glaring at him. “She was.”

  “Melanie will have your head.”

  “Melanie?” Jordan had all but forgot about Melanie.

  “Well what did she look like?” Jasper asked curiously.

  Jordan tilted his head from its comfortable position to look at Jasper he was wearing a smile a mile wide. “Why do you care? You can’t have her you’re a married man, though I don’t think it would stop others from pursuing another interest, it’s something both of us know you would never do.” He said in an attempt to shut him up.

  “Why would I ever want to when I’m married to the most breathtaking woman in the world?” Jasper countered with pride. “However it doesn’t stop me from being curious.”

  Jordan raised one eyebrow up and turned back to nursing his drink. “She was blonde with green eyes and near perfect.” Jordan shaded the truth.

  “Liar.” Jasper knew the truth when he heard it.

  Jordan laughed he should have known better than to try and lie to Jasper. “She was ebony haired with breathtaking gold eyes, with a marvelous smile, and flawless honey chocolate skin.”

  Jasper’s smile quickly faded as he nearly choked on the smoke of the cigar but recovered soon after. “Two women, one night—that explains why you just strolled through the hall.”

  Moving away from his friend he headed toward the door and stopped. “I see you decided you wanted her after all.” Jasper regarded his friend with astonishment and frustration. “Amelia is a good woman Jordan. The man may be old but he’s going to figure out she’s been with someone else come their wedding night.”

  “She wasn’t exactly protesting.” Jordan said getting up to follow behind his friend.

  “You knew better than to ever get involved with that woman if not for the very obvious reasons. New Orleans might be tolerant of some rather scandalous things but the days of Plaçage are all but memories.”

  It was the second time he’d heard the word today and this time Jordan let his irritation at the notion show. “And who said I would have her as a Placée?”Or that she would be one? You make it seem as if I plucked her up from a Quadroon Ball!” Jordan walked ahead of Jasper toward the stairs and his bed. He had a hundred different things he would rather do than be lectured as if he were a fifteen year old boy. “She has a mind of her own you do know.”

  Jasper shook his head in annoyance. “Jesus Jordan she is to be married.”

  “To an old man, who no doubt doesn’t appreciate her and doesn’t deserve her. And don’t assume to know my intentions.”

  Jasper stopped in mid stride. “Who are you to decide if he appreciates her? And I’ll assume I know enough to understand your intentions are not to marry her even if you could.”

  “I’m not the marrying type, least not anymore.” Jordan winked. “Leave her alone Jordan. For both your sakes!”

  “Why!” Jordan snapped. “She wanted me, not him—she belongs with me not Hanson.”

  “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. I know that you can handle your liquor but maybe today you’ve had one too many. Belongs with you? Listen to yourself you sound like a jealous idiot.”

  Jordan moved up the stairs tiredly but stopped short of the top. He needed to make one thing very clear. “I’m a man not a child Jasper I don’t need your permission. I wouldn’t intentionally do anything to hurt her”

  “Then act like a man and since you don’t seem to realize it I’ll tell you you’ve already hurt her.” Jasper barked back. Sometimes he wondered how he could stand Jordan’s arrogant mannerisms. “People talk. If one person gets wind of this then you can count on five others at the least knowing the same thing by the end of the day, with a few elaborations to make it worse. And what about Margaret? I pray for your sake she doesn’t find out as she counts Amelia in her group of friends.”

  “Make sure she doesn’t.”

  Jasper nodded not because he was agreeing but because he didn’t want to see his wife distressed. With any luck she wouldn’t find out. But with her knack at finding out the smallest of details that would be some luck indeed. Lord help them all but Ms. Amelia Marriott was going to either bring them extreme misery or happiness. He was hoping for happiness. The thought was sobering but still Jasper had to smile as he looked up at his friend. He could just barely make out his figure grasping the doorknob in his hand and spoke before he could disappear into his domain “Whatever happened to her not being your variety? Not wanting her and all that.” He teased.

  A wide grin on his face, Jordan looked like the cat who caught the canary as he strode back to the top of the stairs “I believed y
ou asked that earlier and the answer is a man has the right to change his mind.”

  Jasper’s hearty laugher could be heard loudly as he turned on heel and walked out of the room calling after Margaret. “Indeed he can.” Jasper threw back knowing Jordan would hear.

  Jordan did hear and shook his head as he made his way into his room. Once he was inside his bedroom Jordan pulled his shirt off and tossed it carelessly to the floor. Stretching he let his body fall back to his bed, only then did the small envelope laying across his pillow catch his attention. Ripping the seal off he began to read.

  Jordan,

  To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. You can make it up to me some other way today. I’ll be at the park. If you don’t come today don’t bother to show up any other time.

  Melanie

  “A man’s work is never done.” He said out loud while rummaging through his drawer for a fresh shirt and trousers. As much as he didn’t feel like making the trip to meet Melanie he would, nonetheless. The woman was starting to expect more of him than he could give and it was only right he broke it off. They had said before more times than he could remember ‘no promises.’ With the letter she had left him he could all but tell she had forgotten that fact.

  Rubbing his back he could feel a few long and slender welts on his shoulder blades. A token from last night, he could still feel her hands run across his chest. He hadn’t managed to get Amelia out of his system. Now she only seemed to be lingering on him. And he hated that. Hated that he’d gone back and took her out to a damn morning picnic.

  No woman had ever managed to get to him like she did. It was as if he had the vision of her burned in his brain, her smell and touch forever engraved on his senses. He couldn’t stand the fact that even right now he wanted nothing more than to be beside her in that old cot. And he hated that he missed her. He actually missed her. Stilling himself against his discovery Jordan rose again to rummage through his drawer and took out a clean linen shirt and pulled it over his head.