by Kitty Margo
“I didn’t, really. I was but trying to match your eyes to one and your hair to another. Then every woman I have ever known loves pink and the last was simply because I knew you would look lovely in red.” His eyes fair sparkled as they traveled the length of her frail body. “As for your size and shape, they were easily brought to mind.”
Lynna blushed at the compliment. “I cannot thank you enough, Sean. But how can I accept such an extravagant gift? I don’t know when I will be able to repay your generosity? You have done so much for me already.”
“I’m sure you can think of a way to express your gratitude.” She felt his warm breath on her face as his hand moved to stroke her hair and his lips descended toward hers. But before he could touch her she clutched the dress to her like a shield and fled out the door to stand on the balcony as jittery as a schoolgirl.
She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t give herself to a man she didn’t love no matter how grateful she was. But she knew Sean would insist she make good on her promise. If she just went ahead and got that… chore… behind her the debt would be settled and she could concentrate on returning home to her son without constantly looking over her shoulder for Sean.
She finally released the breath she had been holding when she heard the door close behind him.
The last of the scabs finally came off in her evening bath. Her energy was slowly returning and she seemed to be ravenous at all times. She was on the balcony in her nightgown drying her hair in the steady breeze when she looked to the south and noticed the sky. The horizon was dark blue, almost black, with jagged streaks of lightening playing across it. Lynna felt an old, familiar terror squeezing her heart. She was terrified of storms, had been since she was a child.
Rushing back into the cabin, she threw open the sea trunk and grabbed the first dress she came to, the pink one. Not bothering with hoops or petticoats, she shimmied into the dress, somehow managing to get most of the fasteners attached down the back. Rummaging through the trunk she found kid slippers and slid them on her feet, refusing to be stuck in a cabin alone during the storm.
Not wasting the time it would take to appraise her appearance in the cheval glass, she flung the door wide, and walked on unsteady legs down the dimly lit corridor. She was gasping for breath as she climbed the narrow flight of stairs leading to the deck. Struggling to draw air into her starving lungs, she collapsed when she finally reached the deck from sheer exhaustion. No one even noticed her. It was the first time she had been out of the cabin since the ship set sail and every available hand was scurrying about readying the ship for the approaching storm. The men were busy lowering sails and battening down the hatches. She saw Sean at the wheel issuing orders to his men and rushed to his side.
“Lynna, you chose a most inopportune time to come out of the cabin,” he shouted over the roar of the whistling wind and approaching thunder. The storm was almost upon them. “I’m afraid you will have to return to it posthaste. A storm is brewing and you will not want to be on deck when it hits.”
“Yes, I see it, but I cannot be alone during the storm.” The wind whipped her hair around her head as she pushed strands out of her mouth and finally gathered it in her hand, holding it out of her face. “Sean, I have forever been terrified of storms. Please! I cannot be alone.”
“There is nothing to fear, Lynna. My ship is most seaworthy and has weathered far worse than the storm on yon horizon.”
“Please, Sean. I cannot be alone.” She saw the understanding in his eyes and relaxed momentarily, but trembled when thunder boomed directly overhead causing the deck to shudder beneath her feet.
“Very well. Just stay out of the way.” Sean warned. “But when the sea gets rough, and I promise you it will, you must return below.”
“You must go with me, Sean!” She held on to his arm pleading with her eyes. She would rather face the storm head on than be shut up in a room to face her greatest fear alone. “Please, do not make me go without you.”
Sean realized the panic in her eyes was real when he noticed her body quivering from head to toe. In an effort to soothe her fears, he pulled her to him feeling her heart pounding against his chest. Suddenly, a wave of emotion… a powerful emotion… swept over him as he stroked her hair to calm her. Stunned, he realized that he felt no greater desire than to protect her. Holding her to him for several seconds, he gazed into the darkening storm, puzzled by his reaction to the tiny wisp of a girl in his arms. Was it possible he could be developing stronger feelings than mere lust?
Lynna wrapped her arms around Sean, afraid to let go, terrified the strengthening winds would sweep her into the towering waves that were now splashing over the rails and onto the deck. She watched, speechless, as the gray water advanced across the deck, soaking her kid slippers through and through. The rigging hummed as the wind caused the ropes to vibrate with an eerie whistling sound. The ship groaned and creaked as it rode the whitecaps then gracefully careened down the backside of each swell.
They stood motionless for several minutes, each taking comfort from the other as they braced against the roll and sway of the ship. Removing her arms from around his waist Sean bent to her ear. “I must finish preparing my ship for the battering she is about to take. Then I will see to you.”
Moving carefully out of his way on the slippery deck, Lynna quietly watched as he shouted orders to his crew. But mostly she watched the threatening storm. When the first fat drops of rain hit the deck and the lightening was directly overhead Sean lifted her in his arms and carried her below. He had done all he could to help his ship stay afloat during the storm. Now he would see to the needs of the shivering girl in his arms.
In the cabin he placed her on her feet and moved to secure the balcony door. Satisfied that he had done all he could, he turned to draw Lynna into his arms in an effort to calm her quaking body as the ship began to rock in the buffeting wind. Lightening rent the night air making it as bright as day. “Don’t be afraid, love,” he whispered. “I promise to keep you safe.”
“I can’t help it,” she mumbled into the cloth of his coat that had been soaked through and through. “I have been afraid of storms since the night… since the night my mother went missing.”
Sean now had a better understanding of Lynna’s irrational fear of storms. The poor girl would forever associate thunder and lightening with the loss of a parent. “How old were you when it happened?”
“I was small.” She paused to wipe a tear from her cheek. “I barely remember her at all before she was abducted.”
“I have trouble remembering either of my parents as well.” Sean rested his chin on the top of her head. “They both died from Yellow Fever when I was ten and Michael was eight. I struggle now to even bring my mother’s face to mind.”
“I’m sorry, Sean.” She glanced up with tear filled eyes. “Where did you live after your parents passed?”
“With my grandmother Lisbeth.
“Were you happy there?”
“Yes, Lisbeth was wonderful, doting on both of us outrageously.” He kissed the top of her head then stood her at arms length. “I have no complaints.”
“I had my father, but he was always working. Gertrude, my nanny, raised me.” Lynna thought fondly of Gertrude and wondered if the elderly woman was still alive. “I can’t imagine growing up without her by my side.”
“I feel the same way about Lisbeth.” Sean brushed a tear from Lynna’s cheek with the back of his hand. “My brother and I were both fortunate that we had others who were willing to step in and love us.”
Lynna cried out in terror when the sound of lightening striking nearby split the night air and a loud volley of thunder followed.
“I pray that wasn’t the mast,” Sean mumbled against her hair.
When the roar from the thunder had died, she whispered, “Thank you for staying with me, Sean.”
“Always, my love. Now let’s get out of these wet clothes before we catch our deaths.” After helping Lynna removed her sodden dress, he
slipped her night rail over her head, grinning at her shyness when she held the soaking wet material in front of her. Sean pulled on a pair of dry breeches in case he was needed on deck in a hurry. With an arm around her tiny waist, he led her to the bed where he lay down beside her. “Try to relax, Lynna.”
“I’ll try.” Wishing she could just sleep until the storm spent itself out, Lynna turned her back to Sean and took his arm to pull around her waist and clutch it to her breast. Thank God he was with her.
Rain pounded the little balcony as the mighty ship was tossed about like a toy on the waves. The crashing thunder rattled the timbers until Lynna worried that the ship would break apart, leaving them to the whims of the frothing ocean. Through it all Sean held her close soothing her fears and whispering words of encouragement that the storm would pass.
As he cradled Lynna against his muscular chest, Sean’s mind ran rampant. Drawing her closer, he felt her relax back against him as his grandmama’s words of patience from his childhood echoed in his ears. In due time. Patience is a virtue. Good things come to those who wait.
As with all storms the thunder finally subsided, but the rain still pattered against the ship into the wee hours of the morning, lulling Lynna and Sean into a peaceful slumber. As Sean drifted off to sleep he realized that it was the first time Lynna had slept in his arms. But he vowed it would not be the last.
Chapter 16
February, 1855
Joshua had told Clara so much about Sea Grove and its inhabitants she had little doubt that if she could just make it to Charleston she could find his family plantation. She knew from the map Joshua had drawn in the dirt to travel south and stay close to the ocean. Galloping with the wind in her face, she only stopped by a river or stream to hunt, clean, and cook a rabbit or squirrel while Jezebel grazed.
Nights were the worst. Shivering under her blanket, she thought of Joshua and her grandmother in the warm cabin, worrying about her. Several times over the last few days she had caught herself wondering what her punishment would be for such a rash decision, but she refused to allow her mind to dwell on it. Huddled against the trunk of a tree, she would lunge for her rifle when the sounds of howling animals and critters moving through the forest grew too close for comfort. When exhaustion finally overwhelmed her she slept.
The morning sun was peeping over the horizon and an eerie mist was swirling over the river when she struck out again, following the coast, eager to reunite Joshua with his wife and meet their newest member of the family.
When Clara came to the outskirts of Charleston she knew in her heart that she was on the right track. Her grandmother always said she had a sixth sense about things and for once she believed her. Veering off the main road, she traveled another day and waited, hidden from view, to see the comings and goings around each plantation she passed. None of the people passing in and out looked remotely familiar to the ones Joshua had described.
Then, somehow, against all odds and by the grace of God, Clara made it to Sea Grove, confident she had found Joshua’s home.
Chapter 17
Suzanne sat across from Amari as she tied the bristles from a pig that had been recently cooked into a bundle. It was one of Amari’s most often requested charms. If the bundle was carried on a person at all times it would prevent any voodoo spell from being placed on that person. Amari sold several a week.
Suzanne knew how to prepare these spells almost as well as Amari, since she had spent practically every waking moment in the old conjure woman’s cabin. She hadn’t gotten the knack of telling fortunes, yet, but she was becoming adept at casting love spells, laying curses, preparing good luck charms, and the like. She could hardly wait to return home to Magnolia House and discover which of her slaves practiced the ancient religion.
She had been eating a bowl of Lucky Penny stew at least once a week since meeting Amari and her life had never been better. Joshua was dead. Lynna was on her way to a man who would treat her exactly as she deserved to be treated. And Eric would be returning for her soon. Life was good again! She was still debating over what type of curse to place on little Beau. But it would definitely be her pièce de résistance.
Chapter 18
It was an unseasonable warm day. Trees were budding, iris and daffodils were blooming, and birds were chirping overhead when Clara noticed a lady dressed in black sitting on a blanket under the branches of an ancient oak tree. She was playing with a baby. Joshua’s baby! She recognized the miniature version of Joshua instantly. It was boy. Would Joshua be disappointed? Why, all he ever talked about was a girl that looked just like Lynna.
Clara perused the lady sitting on the blanket cuddling the baby and quickly deduced, from her strong resemblance to Joshua, that she must be Malinda, his sister. Without taking time to consider what Malinda’s reaction might be, Clara marched her disheveled self up to her and held out her arms for Joshua’s baby. After all, Joshua had specifically said she could hold his baby whenever and as often as she liked. She tried to tell Malinda this but all that came out were a series of grunts.
“Hello,” Malinda said timidly. “Can I help you? Are you looking for someone?”
More grunting was her only response. Clara was exhausted, hungry, thirsty, filthy, and her patience was growing thin as she patted her foot and held her arms out expectantly. Just give me Joshua’s baby. She had heard so much about this baby that in her mind at least, he was half hers.
“Are you lost?” Malinda asked.
Clara shook her head, no. She wasn’t lost. For crying out loud she had made it this far on her own and she knew exactly where she was. Again she held out her arms for the baby.
Not knowing who she was or having any idea why she had just wandered onto their lawn, Malinda scooted away from the girls outstretched arms, glancing toward the house in panic. Any other time someone would be cutting the grass or weeding the flowerbeds, but not a living soul was out and about this morning. Turning back to the girl, Malinda cried out when she moved even closer. Was she trying to kidnap Joshua’s baby?
Unable to hold herself from the baby for another second a bedraggled Clara bent down on her knees on the blanket and reached out her dirty hands to take him.
Fearing the girl might try to snatch Beau, Malinda jumped to her feet and raced for the house shouting, “Mother! Mother, come quick!”
Luckily, Patricia was in the study going over her accounts and arrived on the verandah, out of breath, about the same time as Malinda and Beau. “Malinda, why on earth are you shouting?” Before her daughter could answer Patricia noticed the young girl slowly trudging up the steps behind them.
One look at the unkempt youngster convinced Patricia that she was exhausted and beyond weary. Judging from the dried mud caked on her boots and the hem of her dress she had not had a bath or a change of clothes in several days and her waist length strawberry blond curls were filled with leaves and twigs leading one to assume she had been sleeping on the open ground. If Patricia were a betting woman she would wager her last coin that the child would not turn down a hot meal. “Can we help you, darling?” she asked Clara.
Up and down Clara’s head went. Yes, she needed help. She wanted Malinda to let her hold Joshua’s baby right this very minute!
Since she couldn’t say the words she held her arms toward the infant in a pleading gesture. “I believe she wants Beau,” Malinda whispered over her shoulder, keeping her back, and Beau, turned from the girl.
“Would you like to hold the baby?” asked the woman Clara recognized to be Joshua’s mother, also garbed in black. At the question Clara’s face lit up, her eyes sparkled and her arms went out. “I cannot see any reason why you shouldn’t hold him. I trust you will be careful with out little darling.”
Clara’s head bobbed up and down excitedly as she reached toward Beau.
“Mother?” Malinda shrieked backing up with Beau. “Mother, we don’t know anything about…what if she tries to take…”
“It’s quite alright, Malinda. Both yo
u and I will be here should she need assistance,” Patricia insisted, shushing her daughter with a finger to her lips.
Patricia opened massive double doors with a beautiful fanlight that spanned the entire width and Clara stopped in her tracks. Peering through the doors and into the house, her mouth dropped open when she saw the twin staircases with their finely carved mahogany banisters and handrails inlaid with brass that were joined at the top by a bridge. She had never seen anything to compare to this house.
Taking her hand, Patricia led her through the doors. “Malinda, give Beau to this young lady for a few minutes before he goes down for his nap, then perhaps we can find out more about our visitor.”
Clara reached out her arms and Malinda reluctantly released Beau to her as a look of pure bliss descended over the girl’s angelic features. She beamed at the baby and grunted softly to him, bending her head to place a tender kiss on his soft curls.
“It’s almost like she already knows him,” Patricia whispered, amazed at the love the stranger displayed for her grandson. But how could she know Beau? Strange indeed.
Clara sighed happily, pressed Beau’s soft, silky cheek to her own to inhale his fresh baby smell. Oh, how he looks like Joshua. She stuck her finger in his chubby hand and he grasped it causing Clara to gasp in wonderment. So smart too! She cuddled him closer and without asking moved into a light blue parlor with dark blue trim and took a seat on one of two rosewood sofas that faced each other in front of a marble fireplace. Over the mantle on either side of a bull’s eye mirror were beautifully done portraits of Patricia and each of her children. Joshua.