He had bathed, shaved, and dressed over an hour ago, and now sat on the side of the small wooden bed waiting for the forthcoming confrontation. He had drawn back the heavy yellow cotton curtains so that the bright sunshine could warm the room.
“Aaron?” Eunice called as she entered.
“Come in, Eunice, and please close the door.”
Obeying, she shut the door and walked over to him. Leaning down to place a kiss on his cheek, she smiled. “You’re certainly looking well for a man who’s survived a concussion. I’m pleased you sent Moses for me. Papa had intended to bring me down tomorrow.”
He couldn’t help but compare Eunice’s actions to Maggie’s. If Maggie had been in town when she’d heard the news, she’d have found a way to come to him immediately. But then, Maggie loved him. Maggie Campbell would have been asking a dozen questions about the who, why, and what concerning the brutal attack that had occurred. Ladies like Eunice did not ask questions about things so indelicate. But then, Maggie Campbell was not that kind of lady, thank God.
“Sit down, Eunice.” Aaron patted the bed, indicating a place for her to sit.
“I hardly think it proper,” she said demurely.
“Suit yourself. There’s a chair by the window.”
She seated herself in the rough-hewn wooden chair that Maggie had occupied so much lately while keeping a vigil as his bedside. “I don’t understand why they didn’t take you back to White Orchard,” Eunice said. “The accommodations there must be better than this crude little place.”
He let out a sneering, closed-mouth laugh. “Lady, I was unconscious. The only thought Maggie and Thayer had was for my life, not the nicety of my surroundings. However, I don’t find anything wrong with Phineas and Daisy’s home. It’s warm and clean and filled with love.”
“Whatever is the matter with you, Aaron? You’re talking so strangely.” She crossed her slender ankles, well hidden beneath the fine wool of her dress.
“Am I?” He placed his big hands on the top of his thighs, then rubbed them back and forth. He was stalling for time, dreading this woman’s reaction to his news.
“Since Moses is here with the carriage, would you like for me to accompany you back to White Orchard this afternoon?”
Clutching his knees, Aaron looked down at the floor. “Eunice, I owe you an apology. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but asking you to marry me was the biggest mistake I ever made. I hope someday you can forgive me for being such a fool.”
“What are you saying? It’s her, isn’t it?” Eunice refused to look at the man sitting on the bed. “Somehow she’s convinced you not to marry me.”
“I’m sorry. I love Maggie. I’ve loved her for months.”
Eunice clasped her hands together as if in prayer. She rested her chin on her knuckles. “How can you think that she’ll make a proper wife? She’s nothing but an uneducated farm girl.”
“She’s everything I want. I don’t need a fine lady for a wife. All I need is the woman I love. Try to understand. I would have made your life miserable if we had married. Could you have endured an unfaithful husband?”
“I can’t believe that you’ve actually thought this through.” She unclasped her hands, nervously smoothing her skirt. “A man of your social standing surely can’t want to marry beneath himself?”
Shocked brown eyes stared at the man who rose from the bed, laughter vibrating his huge chest. “I think there’s something you should know about me, something that will make you glad you won’t become Mrs. Aaron Stone.”
Cocking her platinum head to one side, she cut her eyes in his direction, curiosity brightening their darkness. “Something about your past?”
“I think you should consider this a farewell present. You’ll be the one who can inform everybody in the county about my mysterious past.”
“I believe you’ve just called me a gossip,” she said, her mouth tightening into a sour pout.
Aaron wondered why he had never noticed what a shrewish-looking female the widow really was. All he had seen was her cool, blond loveliness, her regal bearing, but never the petty glint in her eyes or the haughtiness of her speech.
“I’m a bastard,” he told her and waited momentarily while she gasped. “Not just any ordinary bastard, mind you, but Richard Leander’s offspring by a woman as young as his own daughter.”
“You’re . . . you’re Martha Coleman’s . . .”
“Yes, I’m Martha’s brother. A brother that she is more than willing to claim. I’m the fool who’s been too ashamed to accept my birthright, too stupid to forgive my parents for loving each other more than they cared about public opinion. I understand now because that’s how I feel about Maggie.”
“You would have married me with such a secret between us?” she demanded, rising quickly from the chair, her trembling fingers patting the back of her perfectly coiffed head.
“You have been saved from a fate worse than death, my dear Mrs. Arnold. You and I are totally unsuited for one another.” He stood up, moving toward her.
An agitated Eunice walked away from him, but stopped when she opened the bedroom door.
“You’re quite right. We most definitely are not suitable for one another. And you can rest assured that I will not spread one word of this to a living soul. I should be too embarrassed to admit that I allowed you to pay me court.”
In a huff of righteous indignation, Eunice Waite Arnold departed, leaving behind an amused and very relieved ex-fiancé.
“Auntie Gem got her to drink some tea, but she wouldn’t eat a bite,” Maggie told Phineas. “She’s going to be all right. It’s just that she’s been through so much. It’ll take time.”
“I know, Miss Maggie, but it’s hard for a man to see his wife in such a bad way. I feel like there’s something I ought to be doing to help her.”
“In the long run, your love is going to pull her through this.”
Phineas stood there on the porch watching as Toe Joe disappeared down the road, his horse leaving a trail of dust behind him. “I know you was wanting to get to town to see about Miss Jude, but she’ll be all right till you can get there. Mr. Thayer’ll be on as soon as he can.”
“I know. Toe Joe said he was working as hard as he could to take care of the problem at the mill. But if he can’t get away soon, it’ll be dark before we get to Tuscumbia.”
Eunice Arnold walked out on the porch, her dark eyes glaring at the young woman beside the big, black man.
“Fetch Moses for me,” she snapped. “I’m ready to go home.”
“You didn’t stay long,” Maggie said, wondering why the widow’s visit had been so brief.
“I didn’t want to tire him. That nasty blow on his head has made him not quite himself.”
“Has it?”
“Will you get Moses for me?” The Widow Arnold turned her mocha brown eyes on the servant who had not rushed to do her bidding.
“Yes’am,” Phineas said, heading for the back of the house.
Eunice eyed the woman who stood on the far side of the porch. Maggie had a bonnet on her head and a heavy shawl draped around her shoulders. “Are you going somewhere?”
Maggie wanted to tell her that it was none of her business, but controlled the urge. “I was expecting Thayer, but he’s been delayed.”
“Oh?” The tall blonde smiled, moving across the porch in the redhead’s direction. “I can’t imagine you’re leaving Aaron at a time like this.”
Now just what did she mean by that? “Aaron seems to be fully recovered. Besides I’d think as his fiancée, you’d have some objections to my staying on here taking care of him.”
“As his fi . . . You mean he hasn’t . . . Oh, I see.”
What was wrong with the widow? She was babbling. “I’ve got to get to town to see about my sister. She’s awfully upset about what happened out here the other night.”
“You’re going to town?”
“Yes. As soon as Thayer can straighten out a problem at his mill.�
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“I’d be more than happy to offer you a ride to town,” Eunice said, her haughty face softening as she smiled. “There’s no longer any reason for us to be enemies.”
She did not want to spend hours alone with Eunice Arnold, but she did need to get to town as quickly as possible. She could just imagine what a state Jude was in by now. The entire Mobley household was probably ready to explode.
“All right. I’d appreciate a ride.”
“Fine. Fine. Perhaps you can just leave a message for Aaron. He was almost asleep when I left him, and I’m sure you don’t want to disturb him.”
“I’ll just tell Phineas,” Maggie said when she saw Daisy’s husband coming around the house with Moses following.
“I’ll wait in the carriage for you.” Eunice walked away, still smiling.
Maggie stopped Phineas as he started into the house. “I’m going to ride into town with Mrs. Arnold.”
“Miss Maggie—”
“I know. I know. But she made the offer, and I need to go on before it gets dark. Thayer could be delayed for hours.”
“It’s a mistake to go off with that woman.”
“Thank you for your concern, Phineas, but I’ll be all right. She’s going to be Aaron’s wife. I’ve got to accept the fact and go on with my life. Tell Daisy that Jude and I’ll be back tomorrow and I’ll stay on as long as she needs me.”
“Yes’am. But you be careful, and don’t pay that woman no never mind.”
Touched by the man’s protective attitude, Maggie patted him gently on the upper arm. Yes, Aaron was right. Phineas Moulton was a good man and a true friend.
Allowing Moses to help her into the carriage, Maggie turned to her companion. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.”
“It’s quite all right,” the widow said, turning her head slightly to look directly at the other woman. “We’re ready to go now, Moses.”
The two women sat silently as the cabriolet rolled along the dirt road leading to Memphis Pike. Maggie was glad that the late September cool spell had come and gone quickly and this first week of October was unseasonably warm. Here in the Southland, the weather was so changeable. It was not uncommon to have a big frost one morning and almost summertime warmth the next day.
“May I ask you a question, Miss Campbell?”
“What would you like to know, Mrs. Arnold?”
“Have you made plans for your future? I mean, are you planning on continuing your relationship with Thayer?”
“Contrary to what you and everyone else thinks, Thayer and I are just friends.”
“Is that so?” The widow’s eyes widened in amused disbelief.
“You can rest assured that I have no intention of interfering in your marriage. As soon as Daisy is well, my sister and I will be moving.”
“Back to Tennessee?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” She didn’t have to tell Eunice that they weren’t moving home to Grovesdale, but were going to Franklin to live with Martha Coleman. At least, she prayed that the invitation would still be open when Thayer wrote his mother about Maggie’s condition.
“Does Aaron know?”
“Not yet. Perhaps you’d like the pleasure of telling him.” She had to admit that she still hated Eunice, the selfish, haughty bitch. But if she was what Aaron wanted then more power to him.
Eunice laid her head back against the warm, leather-upholstered seat. She was smiling inwardly and outwardly, a very pleased look on her face.
Maggie wanted the trip to hurry and end. She leaned back and closed her eyes, weariness etched on every feature of her face.
She hoped that when she got to the Mobleys’, she’d be able to convince Jude that everything was going to be all right. Her little sister’s selfish actions had inadvertently set off a chain reaction that had almost cost four people their lives, but she had acted out of childish hurt, never dreaming what Wesley Peterson was capable of doing. Did she dare tell the child the complete truth? From Alice’s letter, Maggie knew that Jude thought Wesley, out of insane jealousy, had told the wrong people about Maggie and Aaron’s sin, and that these men had acted on their own.
She had tried not to think about the good reverend. It was only a matter of time until something would have to be done. She doubted seriously if Aaron or Phineas would let the man get away with his deeds. What if they were to take the law into their own hands? She shuddered to think what could happen if they did. Would anybody believe that Wesley was capable of such monstrous behavior? Probably only a handful of the local residents were aware of the man’s dual personality. What would it do to Aunt Tilly if she ever found out that her beloved son was insane? As much as she disliked her uncle’s wife, she prayed that the poor woman could be spared from learning the truth.
Maggie looked around, recognizing the scenery from previous trips. Thankfully there were still several hours of daylight left because they were just now leaving Pride Station, which meant it was still a good nine miles to town.
Off in the distance she could see another buggy approaching, the driver obviously in a hurry. The horse seemed to be fairly flying, huge clouds of dust billowing up behind him.
As they neared the other vehicle, Maggie’s heart lodged in her throat. It was Wesley’s carryall. Oh, dear God, it can’t be! But it was. The reverend slowed his buggy, pulling up alongside the cabriolet.
“Keep going!” Maggie shouted to Moses.
“Nonsense,” Eunice said. “Stop this carriage immediately. It’s apparent that Reverend Peterson wants to speak with us.”
“No!” Maggie screamed.
Moses had slowed the buggy before Maggie could persuade him to keep moving. Wesley raised a rifle from his side and aimed it directly at the black man.
“Merciful heavens, Reverend,” Eunice gasped. “Whatever are you doing with that rifle?”
“I don’t mean you any harm, Mrs. Arnold,” Wesley said in the most gentle of voices. “I was on my way to White Orchard to fetch Margaret. I intend to take her with me, and I don’t want any fuss out of this nigger.”
“My, my. I should think that would be no problem. I’m sure Miss Campbell would be glad to accompany you.”
“Is that right, Cousin Margaret? Will you come with me willingly?”
“No,” Maggie groaned, her terror-filled eyes beseeching Eunice.
Moses moved quickly, turning the whip in his hand toward the other vehicle, but before he was able to accomplish his objective, a shot rang out loudly, the sound echoing in Maggie’s ear like a cannon blast. She screamed, knotting her hands into tight fists while Eunice swooned in a near faint. The carriage jerked, and then began to move forward, the startled horses whinnying. Suddenly more shots sounded. Both horses made dying cries as their huge bodies slumped to the ground.
“Dear Lord, what happened?” Eunice wailed.
“He’s shot Moses and both horses.” Maggie looked down at the black man, blood oozing from the bullet wounds in his body. He lay face down on the road, the huge horses beside him, one of them sprawled across his legs.
“But why? I don’t understand.” Eunice’s eyes were glazed with shock.
“Get down, Margaret,” Wesley said as calmly as if he were asking her for the next dance. Was he even aware that he had just killed a man? “You get down and come with me and I’ll let Mrs. Arnold live.”
“No, Maggie.” Eunice grabbed the other woman by the arm. “I don’t know what is going on, but you mustn’t go with him.”
“I have no choice. He’ll kill us both if I don’t,” Maggie whispered. “I’ll go with him. You walk back to Pride Station and get help.”
“I will. I promise, I will.” Eunice clutched Maggie’s hand just before she stepped down from the cabriolet.
Maggie trembled from head to toe. She had never been so afraid, not even two nights ago. She knew that she was going to die. There was little hope that help could arrive in time.
When Wesley reached out a fleshy hand to help her into his carryall,
she refused, pulling herself up into the seat.
“Good day, Mrs. Arnold. Please give my best to your parents,” Wesley said as he cracked the whip over his horse.
The Widow Arnold sat there in the cabriolet, her glassy-eyed stare never leaving the other vehicle as it moved rapidly in the direction of Tuscumbia. Maggie kept looking back, praying that Eunice would come out of shock long enough to go for help. It was doubtful rescue would come before Wesley acted upon his insane instincts, but she tried not to give up all hope.
Aaron had never prayed so much in all his life. He was a man who seldom made contact with the Lord, but today every thought in his mind and every feeing in his heart was concentrated in prayer. If a man could make a bargain with the Almighty, then he’d do it. He would do anything, give anything, if he and Thayer could reach Maggie in time.
Young Pete Grimes had come from Pride Station in record time. Breathlessly, he had told them that Mrs. Arnold was at his pa’s place, and had said for somebody to take out up Memphis Pike after a gal called Maggie because Wesley had taken her at gunpoint.
He and Thayer had wasted no time discussing a plan of action before they left. All he could think about was what would happen to the woman he loved if they didn’t get to her in time.
“Look, there’s a buggy stopped up ahead,” Thayer said.
“It’s them. I recognize Peterson’s carryall. Why the hell have they stopped?” Aaron slowed his horse to a trot.
“We can’t go riding up and try to overtake them. He’s liable to shoot her before we could stop him.”
“Let’s cut off the road here,” Aaron suggested. “We can circle around through the woods and come up behind the buggy.”
They left the road and went straight into the woods. When they were directly parallel to Wesley’s vehicle, the two men dismounted, leading their horses to the edge of the thicket. They could hear the sound of the good reverend’s shouting voice and see the back of his tall, fat body.
The Right Wife Page 26