by Jerri Hines
“He flew into a rage and laughed at me. Told me that the account that Wright set up for his daughter held no more than twenty-two hundred dollars. A far cry from Clarissa’s. It would leave the estate with a debt it cannot pay and a blemish once more on our honor.”
A silent breeze swept over the river, a chilling one in the early morning air. For a time, neither said a word.
“You are holding to your engagement.” Cullen said it as a statement, not a question.
“Yes,” Wade admitted in a voice no louder than a whisper. “I have to find the courage to tell Josephine. I fear I’m not brave enough. I don’t know how to walk away from her…”
Cullen clasped his cousin’s back. “Then, I will do it for you.”
Chapter Two
The early spring morning gave way to the promise of a warm day. A puff of a breeze came over the still pond and stirred the water ever so slightly into a ripple. Cullen stood at the foot of the elongated bridge that connected the garden in the Groves, the Buchanan family plantation, to the meadow where the cows grazed.
It was here that Wade told Cullen to meet Josephine. It had been their spot. A perfect place for lovers to rendezvous. Hidden away from prying eyes, huge live oak trees dripped with Spanish moss that shielded the view around the pool.
The lush garden filled with blooming azaleas wove around the banks of the pond. Its touch gave way to a sense of peace and tranquility Cullen had rarely experienced. For a moment, he soaked in the beauty, a façade of the world around them.
Cullen had accepted this life…this belief that his people were God-ordained in so much that their wants and needs came before all else. It wasn’t until he moved North that doubts emerged, doubts that he could no longer ignore.
But today…today wasn’t to question the life around him. He had a mission. He pulled his pocket watch out of his pocket. He was early.
A rustling sound interrupted his thoughts. He looked up over on the other side of the bridge. A woman ran down the slight incline. She held up the hem of her skirt while the low grass whipped her ankles. Her hair ribbon blew off as she hurried, giving way for her raven hair to tumble down her back.
She wore a rose muslin gown, with a high collar and puff sleeves. Her cheeks blushed from her exertion with the warmest of smiles. She had the look of one rushing to her love. He could not take his eyes from her.
The night of his return, he had attended a dinner party of Charleston elite. Beautiful women at every turn of his head, none more so than Wade’s intended, Clarissa Wragg. Clarissa was a stunning woman, her dark hair upswept with ringlets that framed her classical oval face. Her brilliant blue eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Beaus surrounded her and waited on her every whim.
Yet she had done nothing for him, not like the one who ran toward him. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Laughing aloud, she hurried across the bridge and called out, breathless, “Wade. Wade. I’m here.”
Screened from her view by some overgrown azaleas and trees, Cullen stepped out. Startled, she stumbled.
He reached out instinctively and caught her by her shoulders. In his grasp, she gazed up at him and met his eyes. Her dark eyes widened, but slowly the fright subsided with a flicker of recognition.
He had seen those eyes stare at him years before when he had saved her from drowning. Lord, she had been only a child. She was a child no longer. The eyes that flared back at him were fully a woman’s.
Red-faced, she pulled back and glanced around him. Troubled, her smile disappeared. “I am afraid I have made a mistake. I was—”
“Expecting my cousin,” Cullen offered. Bowing his head slightly, he continued, “Wade could not make it this afternoon. I came in his stead. You may remember me, Cullen… Lieutenant Cullen Smythe.”
She shrugged in a self-conscious way. “I remember you. One doesn’t forget being pulled from the depths of certain death.”
“An over exaggeration.”
“Not to me,” she said in a low voice. Her chest heaved as if she regained her composure. “Wade was looking forward to your visit.” She looked him over in his blue uniform. “You are in the Navy. Wade said you served together until he was called home after…the unfortunate incident. I did not realize you had arrived.”
Her voice faded and left an awkward silence. She broke her gaze and glanced around the grounds; then back at him. “Wade is not coming?”
Cullen had never been one to panic. Moreover, this task had seemed so simple. Yet, he could find no words. He stood there dumbfounded on how to handle the words he had to utter.
“Again, I need to apologize. I thought my note…”
“Note?” She glanced back over her shoulder. Only then did either of them notice a petite mulatto girl, a pretty thing, stood on the edge of the bridge with a letter in her hand.
“Miss Josephine, I tried to tell you when you dropped the note in your bedroom. You left in such a hurry. I had no time to stop you without drawing attention.”
A look of panic flashed on Josephine’s face. “Oh, Gillie, did anyone…?”
Gillie shook her head. “I do not believe so.”
“Your girl reads?” Cullen asked the question without thinking of the consequence of putting Josephine on the defense.
Cullen had sent a note in Wade’s usual manner to inform Josephine of his arrival, but it had not been Wade, but Cullen. Cullen had only requested a moment of her time. Obviously, Josephine had not read it, but reacted only to the note being delivered.
But the girl had to have read the note to realize Wade would not be waiting for her mistress. Slaves were not allowed to read…or most were not. It, also, did not pass his notice that this girl, Gillie, seemed quite fluent in her speech.
Josephine snapped her head back around to Cullen. Her eyes hardened. She said coolly, “Gillie is not my girl. She is my companion.”
Cullen let it go. It would serve no purpose to dispute Josephine’s claim. He, too, had been raised here in the South. He had heard all the justifications for keeping the institution: the slaves were content; they would not know how to take care of themselves. Moreover, Southerners hated being told what to do. That in time, they would resolve the slavery issue themselves.
The question became when that time would come. Only when he moved up North did he understand the magnitude of the cruelty and injustice of slavery. He supposed everyone had their own way of dealing with the issue. If Josephine felt this girl was her companion, he would not argue, at least not at this moment.
Cullen stepped toward Josephine. “Again, I apologize. I need only a moment of your time.”
Her eyes were solemn, without any show of emotion. She folded her hands in front of herself. “What has happened?”
“I’m afraid I’m a bearer of bad news, Miss Wright. I have been asked by my cousin to extend his deepest regrets, but he is breaking off any further communication or meetings between the two of you. He understands that you may have misunderstood your relationship, but he needs to uphold his responsibilities and hold to his engagement to Miss Wragg.
“I am certain you will understand his position. He doesn’t want to cause you harm by a continued association…”
She looked mortified. Her bottom lip trembled. She stumbled over her words. “He’s not coming…ever? He is holding to marry Clarissa?”
“He hasn’t done anything to compromise you, has he?”
“Compromise?” she gasped, visibly shuddering. “Oh, Mother in Heaven! Did he say he had?”
“No, no,” he assured her. “He said he had not. It is only you seem distressed.”
He did not add that although Wade gave his word he had not compromised Josephine Wright, looking at her in this light, in this place, doubts emerged. Wade had never had an issue bedding a lady on his choosing…unless Wade had other plans.
Slowly, the realization sank within him Wade had had honorable intentions in this less than proper courtship. Wade played with fire and got burned, but it was not
his cousin who held his sympathy.
Josephine stood there as she came to her senses. She fumbled to get herself presentable. The girl, Gillie, ran over to her mistress and twisted Josephine’s hair back into a bun.
“Miss Josephine, we need to return to the house. Oh, my, you don’t even have your bonnet,” Gillie said in a nervous manner. She shot Cullen a look of suspicion from the corner of her eye. “Your grandfather requested your presence down in the parlor. He wasn’t happy…far from it. We have a visitor.”
Josephine gripped Gillie’s hand while the girl pinned her hair in place and wheeled around to face her. “Who?”
Gillie hesitated. “Mr. Wragg.”
Josephine covered her mouth with her hand. Shocked. “Oh, Heavens to Betsy! Why does he want to see me?”
Cullen’s head snapped to the sound of hooves crossing the bridge. His attention upon Josephine, he had not observed two horsemen who headed toward them. He recognized them readily even though he had not seen either for years: Henry Buchanan’s grandsons, Harry Lee and Buck Haynes.
He held no doubt that they recognized him as well. There was contempt in their eyes. The elder, Harry Lee, rode ahead. He wore no hat, exposing his deep auburn hair, tousled back from his sunburned face. Tall and lean in the saddle, he rode with an arrogance that illuminated his fine horsemanship.
The shorter one seemed content to follow in his brother’s shadow. His hat sat snug over his large ears. He reined in beside Harry Lee and leaned over his saddle.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Buck asked with a contemptuous smile. “Here we thought our dear cousin was rendezvousing with Wade.”
“Doesn’t mean he’s not here. Look over in the undergrowth. Don’t trust any Montgomery.”
Harry Lee exchanged looks with Buck. Buck nodded and maneuvered his mount around the small group.
“My cousin isn’t here,” Cullen said coolly. “I was out for a morning ride. Thought I would ride by the Groves and pay my respects.”
“I had heard you were on leave here in Charleston. A lieutenant now in the Navy!” Sarcasm oozed in his voice as his eyes raked over Cullen. “Come for Wade’s wedding? Should be a doozy. I hear Randolph Wragg is sparing no expense on his only daughter.”
Josephine’s face drained of all color to a whitened ash. She had lost the tears welling in her eyes, replaced with a blazing anger. Her hand whipped around Gillie and pushed the girl behind her. The action didn’t go unnoticed by Cullen.
Cullen stepped forward, hoping to take the disgruntled pair with him and away from Josephine. “Perhaps you can ride with me…”
Harry Lee pressed his lips together with a gleam in his eyes. “Don’t think so, Yankee. We came down here on business. Grandpa Henry sent us to find Josephine.” He looked directly at her. “Going to tan your hide.”
“Get going, Harry Lee,” Josephine demanded. “You got no business here. Take Lieutenant Smythe up to Grandpa Henry. He’ll be quite mad if you offend a guest.”
“Is that what you call your visitors…guests? Think there are other words I would use.”
Josephine reddened. Buck laughed on his return to the group. Cullen felt his hand clench tight.
“Here we thought you were only entertaining Wade.”
Cullen’s hand tightened together into a fist.
“Guess they share more than just blood.” Harry Lee tossed his head back and laughed.
In one quick motion, Cullen jerked Harry Lee off his horse. He had enough of the insinuations. He pulled back his arm and punched Harry Lee, first with a right, and then a left. The next, Harry Lee lay sprawled on the ground. Behind him, Cullen heard a horse neigh and a thud.
He spun in response to see Buck befuddled, crawling to his knees with his horse running away down the path. A gun sat on the edge of the bridge, flung from Buck’s fall. To the idiot’s back, Gillie silently dropped a fallen tree branch she had used to swat the horse.
“Son of a bitch,” Harry Lee cursed under his breath and rubbed his jaw.
“Next time watch what you say in the presence of a lady.” Cullen stood over him. He glanced back at Josephine, who started forward at her cousin. Cullen seized hold of her. “No need, Miss Wright.”
“Ain’t gonna do any good. Not after Grandpa Henry gets hold of her. She’s done gone and hurt the Buchanan’s name like her mother,” Harry Lee uttered.
The words hit Josephine harder than if he had physically hit her. She started to speak, and then stopped. Cullen saw the turmoil boil within her, the pain that flashed across her face.
“What kind of nonsense is that?” Cullen demanded. “How can her reputation be ruined by an accidental meeting? Ask her! She did not come to meet me.”
Josephine shook her head in a dazed manner. “I have done nothing to be ashamed of, Harry Lee. I will explain to Grandpa Henry. He will understand.”
“Not after this morning. Mr. Wragg is waiting to get your word you won’t do anything foolish to stop Wade and Clarissa’s wedding,” Harry Lee growled.
“What kind of men are you?” Cullen demanded. Infuriated, he took hold of Josephine’s arm and pulled her to him. “You would let someone tarnish Miss Wright’s good name on a rumor. For I know for a fact that it is all there is. Hell, it’s your name. You are out here taking it out on me when it is not I who pose a danger to Miss Wright or my cousin.”
“What do you expect when we find you here alone with Jo?”
“Do you feel that I have compromised Miss Wright? Is that your issue?” Cullen’s voice rose. His anger ran high. “Do I need to make an offer for her hand? Is that your mission?”
Josephine gasped. Her eyes widened. Obviously, the utterance was not what she expected. In truth, it was not his intention, but he would not let her suffer for his cousin’s foolishness. Wade had asked him to offer for Clarissa. The thought horrified him beyond measure.
Yet, he would do so now for Josephine? Damnable guilt weighed upon him. It was not only honor that brought him to this point, but a strong attraction he had never felt for a woman.
He had never been like his cousin, with a woman on his arm at every turn. A foreign feeling surged through him. He had made love to many women, but had never fancied himself to be in love nor did he now. But he was overcome with a sudden need to protect this woman.
Thunderstruck, Harry Lee stood and dusted the dirt off his pants. He shook his head and retreated. “Do not be hasty. There’s no need. The matter could well be cleared up. You are right. It is not you we have issues with at the moment.”
“Then I will escort Miss Josephine and her girl to the house. The matter will be settled, I assure you.”
Harry Lee mounted up. Buck ran off after his horse, which had stopped at the bend and grazed.
“I will inform Grandpa Henry.”
Cullen watched Harry Lee ride off, and then turned to a stunned Josephine.
She made no movement other than a slight shake of her head. “Are you mad? Do you have any idea of what you have done?”
He shrugged and eyed her with a sudden found amusement. “I have attempted to protect your honor. Do not be concerned. I doubt that your grandfather will see the need to take the matter further.”
“But what if he does? Where will you be then?”
“With a distressed wife, it seems.” Cullen joked, but the look on Josephine’s face told she was not amused.
“Don’t tease me, Lieutenant Smythe. You do not know my grandfather. If it is as Gillie and Harry Lee have indicated, my grandfather will be on a rampage. He has warned me of what is expected of me, no matter the arrangement he made with Papa.”
“Arrangement?”
“When Papa left me here with Grandfather, he made an agreement with Grandfather. Grandfather disowned my momma when she married Papa. Papa wanted me raised in Charleston and to become a lady. It was why I thought I had a dowry that would satisfy you Montgomerys. Did Wade…?”
“Wade looked into what your father left you.” Cull
en’s tone sobered. “It was not enough to pay the debt owed he is expected to cover.”
Josephine lowered her gaze and pressed her lips together in a manner to keep control of her emotions. “Papa didn’t leave me a dowry?”
Cullen hesitated. It pained him to confess his knowledge. “A small one only.”
She looked back up at him with her large telling eyes. “How much?”
“Twenty-two hundred, from what I gather.”
“No, no, no, it can’t be.” She shook her head. “It makes no sense. Papa has been most adamant about me marrying a gentleman. He gave Grandpa Henry instructions. I wasn’t to marry before eighteen. Said that we marry too early down here in Charleston. But I thought…he wanted…me to marry…”
“Perhaps you should talk with your father,” Cullen suggested.
“Yes, of course, I will write him immediately,” Josephine said, her voice unsteady. She glanced back at Gillie. “Come, Gillie. We may need to pack to return to Charleston.”
She stepped onto the bridge, but turned once more to Cullen.
“Do not repeat your offer, Lieutenant. I will take care of the situation.”
“I can assure you, Miss Wright, I am capable of handling myself. I ask you only to trust me.”
“But…”
“It is a matter of honor, Miss Wright. I will not let my family’s name be tinged. My cousin cannot rectify this situation without causing a larger scandal. I promise you I will not let that happen.”
“I cannot ask you to make such a sacrifice,” she said in a soft whisper.
“Please, Miss Wright, all I ask of you is to trust me.” He offered his arm to Josephine and strolled toward the house through the lovely gardens. Behind them, Gillie led Cullen’s horse by the reins.
Chapter Three
In the library, Josephine Buchanan Wright waited to be summoned by her grandfather. Most days, Jo loved the quiet hours she spent in the warm and friendly room. She would lose herself in the pages of one of the many books lining the shelves.