Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou)

by Arlene Lam

  The weather was colder than she was used to and she found herself more often than not trying to draw herself completely into her high necked velvet dress for warmth.

  The morning had been a disaster as of yet. She awoke early to explore the city and discovered that though the accent was different there wasn’t much difference in the way the English felt about her race than those in the states.

  Oh they weren’t so upfront with it but she could feel it among most of them. The feeling of not really being wanted around, of not being good enough. She shrugged it off, just as she would at home, she would go crazy if she didn’t. Besides not everyone was cruel, there were some pleasant men and women, but the worst part simply had to be the weather.

  “Mrs. Bradford.”

  Turning at the mention of her name in the unfamiliar territory Amelia felt a smile creep across her face. “Grady!”

  “Pretty.” Grady gave her a heart stopping grin. “You faring well?”

  “I’m doing fine, how have you been? I’ve barely seen you since our first meeting.”

  “Ain’t my doing.” Grady half grumbled under his breath. “Cap’n kept you under lock and key on da ship, nice to see you free again.”

  Amelia scrunched her nose up at the latter part of his statement. “Jordan can be—” Searching skyward for some sort of answer a sigh was all she found. “He can be a little over protective. Tell me Grady have you had breakfast yet?”

  “No ma’am, that an invitation?”

  “It was.” Amelia started down the cobblestone street stomach growling in hunger. “I have to admit I don’t know where to go. I’ve wandered around these streets since morning. I purchased a locket for Georgia but I’m afraid the clasp is broken.”

  Turning in a slow circle Grady finally stopped in the opposite direction and offered her his arm. “I can fix it let me have it and I’ll bring it to you once I’ve got it working. Sides I started working on a wooden horse for that young’un of yours while we was at sea. I’ll be finish wit it soon and can drop that by too.”

  “That would be wonderful and thank you in advance for the gift.” Taking the tiny chain out Amelia handed it to him. “Do you know a place where we could sit and eat.”

  “I know a place.”

  Giving him a quizzical look Amelia declined the arm but took a stance on the opposite side of him.

  Shaking his head Grady led the way. “Tell me bout yourself.”

  “What would you like to know?” Amelia eyed a boutique as she walked, London might have some wonders to offer. In that boutique alone there were more fancy dresses and jewels than she’d ever seen in all New Orleans.

  “You like dancing?”

  “No.” Amelia frowned but the memory of her dance with Jordan soon flooded to the forefront of her mind and she changed her answer. “Yes.”

  “Any good Pretty?”

  “Amelia…” she corrected. “Nope I’m afraid not but I enjoy it.” “What you doing tonight?”

  “I don’t know, whatever Jordan would like.”

  “Hmph, what would you like? I can take you dancing if you’d like to go. You can bring the Cap’n wit you.”

  “And where would we go dancing here? Doesn’t look like the most lively of places when it comes to dancing. Well at least the type I’m accustomed to.”

  “Believe you me there are places, jus gotta know the right places to look.”

  “Thank you Grady but no. Look at me I’m as big as all outside, much as I’d like to dance I’m going to pass.”

  Grady conceded. “See dat little shop.” Taking up her hand in his Grady pulled her inside. “They sell da best boysenberry muffins.” Pulling a seat out for her Grady made sure she was seated comfortably before he went to the counter to purchase two of the sweet treats along with a warm cup of tea then took a seat alongside her.

  Amelia nodded her thanks as he passed the warm cup into her palms. Sniffing the strange brew she took a hesitant sip before deciding that if the drink had been a little sweeter it would have been perfect. “Grady.”

  “Yes.” Grady responded. “What do you like to do?”

  “Oh I like to do a little bit of everythin’—I can play the piano so I do that when I get the chance. Love swimming and dancing, seeing a pretty girl’s face.” He laughed at her roll of the eyes. “I like carvin most though if I had to choose.”

  “Then why work on a ship, why not be a carpenter.”

  “Carvin aint the same as carpentry and because this is what I do to survive. I ain’t got family, no ties to nothing on land, and being a deckhand pays alright enough. My carvin aint never drawn much more than a few pennies here and there”

  “Maybe you should talk to Jasper; I know it’s not exactly the same thing but he has a carpentry business back home.”

  “Nah, no need for that, you best eat your pastry Amelia.” He remembered to use her name. “The Cap’n is sure enough goin to be wantin you back soon. I seen you earlier today didn’t say nothin’. You was up and out before da rooster could coo and that was some time ago.”

  “I know, I wanted to get something to eat there is no cook on the ship anymore I thought it would be nice to get Jordan something to eat as well. I didn’t find much until you showed up; however you are right about the time. Care to escort me back? I would enjoy the company.”

  “No need to even ask.”

  Amelia gave him a warm smile. “Let me just get another muffin for Jordan, it’s not much but it will do.” Reaching into her purse she pulled a few coins out. “Better yet I think I will get two.”

  *

  Jordan let the salty air of the pier fill his lungs while he directed a young man as to where the trunks he’d be taking from the ship should be loaded. More than half of the trunks had been hauled onto the little cart already and with the last three being placed on board Jordan would be somewhat happy to be on his way to what he could now again call home.

  Georgia was with Jasper and Margaret since yesterday and he had to admit he missed her and wanted her back. However he’d promised Margaret that he would let her take Georgia about for a week and make her into a little princess. It would be good for Georgia, she tried too much to be like him. It also gave himself and Amelia time to get adjusted while she was gone.

  Fighting a yawn Jordan glanced at his pocket watch. He wanted to be underway. However he’d need to collect his wife first. She’d been gone for a while now. London was new and no doubt busier than any city she’d ever encountered. Jordan was growing concerned.

  “Everything’s loaded gov’na.”

  “Thank you.” Jordan placed a handful of coins into the boy’s hand noting the child’s thankful grin before he quickly took off to the cart to sit atop it and drive away. Taking out his pocket watch Jordan glanced at the time once more, it was half past noon.

  The driver of the rented hackney seemed to be getting antsy when finally Amelia could be seen coming up the old cobblestone street. The smile that sprouted across his face soon dissipated when he saw who she had in tow and was replaced by a deep grimace. Jordan could feel the heat of his anger growing with each step that brought the duo closer. Hadn’t he warned Grady?

  Amelia could sense something was wrong the moment she caught sight of Jordan’s face and knew immediately to try and brace herself for the worst.

  “Where have you been?” It was more of a demand than a question.

  Amelia flinched at his tone. “I went exploring, here.” Handing him the warm muffin Amelia moved to his side abandoning Grady. “I brought you this, in case you were hungry.”

  “I was beginning to worry Mrs. Bradford. It’s time to go, get in the carriage.” Jordan nearly bellowed.

  She was beginning to notice that she wore the grand title of Mrs. Bradford whenever a man was around. “I was hoping to take in some sights, Grady is willing to show me about if you are busy and you are always busy.” Amelia smiled.

  “Get in the carriage.” Jordan barked.

  “What’s g
otten into you?” Amelia tried to touch his hand but he pulled it away. “Why are you angry?” She needed to know.

  “Why can’t you do as I say and obey like a wife should?” Jordan let the words come out without thinking.

  “No call for that Cap’n girl aint done nothing but try and please you and get you some breakfast.” Grady felt the need to defend Amelia. “She only wants to make you happy.”

  “I’ve told you.” Jordan spoke ominously calmly while he snatched open the door to the carriage and placed Amelia inside before slamming it back. “Stay away from her, are we clear?”

  “No.” Grady confronted back not willing to back down. “She’s my friend and if she wants to be round’ this ol country boy so be it, you aint got no say.” With that he turned heel and disappeared in the crowd.

  “Jordan!” Amelia seethed from inside the cart and the moment he pulled the door open and sat beside her, she started to give him a piece of her mind. “What is the matter with you?”

  “I’ve told you to stay away from that man.”

  “Told me?” She was appalled. “I’m a grown woman, you don’t tell me anything!”

  “You stay away from Miles Grady Amelia or so help me.”

  “You’ve lost your mind haven’t you?” Amelia screamed. “I don’t want anything from Grady but friendship and here you act like I plan to run away with him. For God’s sake I love you, why is that so hard to understand?” In a huff Amelia moved to the opposite side. “I will not have you try to ruin my life because of jealousy.”

  She could hear the slight grumble he made and rolled her eyes. What a child he was for all his airs.

  “I don’t trust him Amelia, he is after you.” Jordan stated in a hushed tone.

  “Doesn’t matter what he’s after.” She threw back before the reality of what he’d said sunk in. “I hope you know you’re being silly! Jordan look at me, I’m pregnant and I’m married to you aren’t I?”

  “I had to force you.” Jordan countered.

  “I’m married to you.” Amelia stressed. “I’m Mrs. Jordan Bradford as you so often proclaim, what woman could want more than that? I love you and you know it. Miles Grady is not you and he never will be so you’ve nothing to worry about.” Amelia was still upset and her voice let him know it.

  “I don’t like him around you I just don’t. For my sake please?” She made him resort to begging and at the moment Jordan resented her for it. “Just avoid the man.”

  “If it will make you happy.” Was all she was willing to give him still feeling embarrassed from the way he’d forced her in the carriage like a bad child. Placing her hands on her swollen stomach she thought, one trait she didn’t want her child to inherit was Jordan’s temper. “Come here.” Amelia bid and when he complied she laid her head on his shoulder. “Eat your muffin brat, the hell you put me though I just don’t know if you’re worth it.”

  Jordan chuckled at that and leaned down to capture her lips in a sweet kiss. “Now how do you feel on the matter?”

  “You really have your nerve don’t you” Amelia looked up as if in thought.” However might I ask you to do that once more?” Amelia felt his lips on hers as soon as she’d finished her sentence but this time he was slow and drew her bottom lip into his mouth and sucked it slowly before releasing it. “You’re worth it.” She sighed a heavenly sigh. “But barely.” All she could hear from him was laughter just before he kissed her again. “Where are we headed?”

  “Home, I thought it was about time I got you off that stuffy cargo ship.” Jordan replied. They made the rest of their trip in relative silence. Amelia leaned against his frame in silent comfort. The green hills acting as a picturesque sedative lulling them both into a dreamlike state. Jordan almost dozed off and upon seeing the old mansion crest above the hills before him, nudged his wife awake. Clambering out he offered her his hand in support as she followed suit. There was a comfortable silence and a bit of suspense as they walked up the long pebble trail to their home.

  *

  Home was unlike anything Amelia had ever seen before. It made the manor back home look plain and small. This was no cottage this was a palace. Marble floors you could see your face in. Golden banisters that led up an unbelievable stairway. Rich velvet indigo curtains hung from every window and there were many windows. Large oil paintings lined the walls, the home was simply breathtaking. “Where did you find this place?” She asked Jordan who was leading her from her tour of the gorgeous garden back inside.

  Dropping her hand Jordan turned to look at her. “I didn’t so much as find it, but came back to it. I lived here with my first wife.” The words felt like poison on his lips. “I haven’t been here in years. I couldn’t find a new house for us in such short time. If you hate it you need not worry I will find somewhere else as soon as possible.”

  “We can make it like new and you’ll love it.” Amelia squeezed his hand knowing that it must not have been easy for him to settle on coming back here. He’d yet to tell her much about Regina but the woman had caused him a considerable amount of damage. “I want you to be happy here, don’t worry about me, I’m pleased as long as you’re near.”

  “You deserve to have the fairy tale you’ve always dreamed of.” Sweeping her up in his arms Jordan made his way up the massive stairway. “Tell me now am I making your dreams come true?”

  “Jordan must you always be so silly.” Laying her head on his shoulder Amelia took in the sight of her new house. And was again amazed at the grandeur of it, tapping him on the shoulder she felt him stop and slid down on her own two feet. “You know with this double staircase we could have some amazing races.” Amelia smirked hiking her skirt above her ankles. “Which bedroom is ours?”

  “They all are.”

  “Good!” Amelia squeaked taking off in the opposite direction; she ran a few feet once she and reached the top of the stairs turning down the hall she randomly picked an engraved oak door and pulled it open. The bed in the room was small compared to what she had recently been accustomed to but she threw herself onto it in a hurry pulling the covers over her head much like a child.

  Jordan followed behind her slowly; he wanted the anticipation to eat at her. Purposely he opened the first door several feet ahead of the room she was in and slammed it loudly so that she could hear. He could picture her pouting, full-lipped and beautiful, at his mistake. However he knew something that she didn’t—placing his hands on the bookshelf he pushed it apart to reveal a hidden doorway leading into the room in question.

  He wasted no time entering into the other side. And the sight that greeted him was his wife sitting on top of the bed, legs crossed and arms too, and looking much too smug.

  “I knew you had something up your sleeve I just had no idea what it was.” Amelia said coolly from the bed. “That’s a nice trick; I mean hidden entries and all.”

  “Spoil sport.” Grumbling Jordan gave her an unsure look.

  “Come sit with me.”

  “No, we are going to our room in the South Wing.”

  “The South Wing, hmm? Sounds fancy.” Amelia teased.

  “You mock yourself my dear, for this house is also yours.” Chuckling Jordan tugged her from her seated position and led her out the door. “Besides the fancy south wing has the largest bed and the softest goose down bedding.”

  “Womanly knowledge isn’t that?” Amelia could not relinquish her quirky mood.

  “Hush you little brat.” Jordan said with forced fire.

  “Lead the way.” Amelia giggled still holding his hand; she waited for him to do as she bid.

  The house was almost too much to take in, one could get lost it was so vast. Or become very lonely she thought solemnly but moved it from her mind quickly. They would fill the house with children and laughter soon enough if God allowed.

  “When will Georgia arrive? Her face will light up this house.”

  “She is due back in another week; Margaret is out spoiling her as we speak, surely buying her all that Londo
n has to offer.” After walking for what felt like a mile Jordan turned the corner of the large carpeted hall and finally stopped, turning the silver lever he pushed the door open. “Mrs. Bradford.”

  Winking at him mischievously Amelia walked past him into the wide expanse of a gloriously lavish room. Adorned with lush white and gold velvets and satins and accented every so often with a deep ebony black. It was bright and welcoming and Amelia loved every inch of it. “The South Wing?”

  “The South Wing.” Jordan laughed. “I assume it meets with your approval.”

  “It will do.”

  “Will it now?” Jordan let his eyes ravish his wife. “I’m suddenly ready for bed.”

  His meaning was not lost on Amelia but she shrugged the statement off. “The day is still young…how about a game instead.”

  Jordan was intrigued. “Cards?”

  “If you like, do you have a deck here in the South Wing?” Her voice was laced with mirth and mischief.

  “That might pose a problem.” If there was a deck he’d no idea where to locate it, it had been years since he’d been in this house. “A wager then perhaps” “What will you barter?” He was beginning to enjoy their game a lot.

  “It does not matter to me, ask and I will give.” Amelia replied toying with her hair while running her other free hand along the dark cherry wood boudoir.

  “What will you take?”

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  “If I don’t know what’s at stake I’m not so sure I can go all in.” “Pity,” Lounging against the heavy bedpost Amelia summoned him to her with only a look. “Yet I do find it odd for a man whom always wins to need to know what is at stake.”

  Jordan who’d begun undoing his shirt stopped immediately a deep smile claiming his finely chiseled features. “I’ll take your wager minx, and gladly.”

  Amelia stifled a laugh of her own and turned into his chest replacing his warm hands at the lapel of his shirt with her own she went to the task of removing Jordan’s shirt.. Leaving a kiss on each spot she had exposed. “I’m going to enjoy beating you Jordan.”