Lynna's Beau (Tropical Paradise Series Book 2)

by Kitty Margo

  “He still hongry,” Milly mumbled nervously, averting her eyes from the strange child.

  “Very well then.” Turning to Clara, Malinda said, “We must allow Beau to finish nursing then you can hold him. Is that satisfactory with you?”

  Clara bobbed her head again.

  “Would you like to come downstairs to breakfast? Perhaps when you finish your meal Beau will have finished his as well.”

  Clara gave one last longing look at Beau, cast a warning glance at Milly, and took Malinda’s hand to be led downstairs.

  Milly gasped, and determined then and there to head down to the quarters before the day was over and convince the old conjure woman to concoct a spell to protect her from Clara’s evil eye.

  Breakfast was a rather sad affair as well, Clara surmised. Was this family never happy? Were they upset over Joshua’s disappearance? She needed to discover the answer to several questions, but mainly where Lynna was. Then she needed someone to take her home to her grandmother and Joshua. She nibbled on her eggs and bacon while her problem raced around and around in her head.

  “I mentioned our young visitor to Samuel yesterday when he stopped by,” Jeremiah mumbled in between bites of fluffy pancakes swimming in maple syrup. In truth he had sent a message to Samuel asking him to come for a visit. “He and Beth will be dropping by later this morning to meet Clara and see if they can help us figure out who she belongs too.” He winked at Clara. “If we don’t soon find out, why, we might just adopt you and keep you here with us.” His teasing caused Clara to grin from ear to ear.

  Not long after they finished their meal a steady drizzle began to fall and by the time they heard a carriage pull up to the circle drive in front of the verandah it had changed to a downpour. Clara was deep in thought, watching the rain rush down the windowpane in rivulets when a man and two women entered the parlor. One of the females fluffed her hair and glanced at her in a dismissive way before lifting her nose and moving to kiss the air on each side of Patricia’s face. “Come join us, Clara. I would like you to meet Samuel, our neighbor and dear friend.”

  As she moved to stand in front of him, Samuel clasped Clara’s hands. “Here, let me get a good look at this adorable creature.” He put his hand on her chin and turned her head to get a better look, hoping to notice a resemblance to a friend or acquaintance. “No, I don’t recall ever seeing her. To be honest, I don’t believe she is from this area. Perhaps she’s a visitor at a neighboring plantation. I can certainly ask around for you.” Turning to the lady beside him, he asked, “How about you, Beth? Do you know her?”

  Taking Clara’s hands the lady also shook her head. “No, I don’t believe I do.”

  Then Samuel turned to the second lady and asked, “What about you, Suzanne? You flit about the county visiting more than either of us. Have you ever met this enchanting little lady before?”

  Suzanne snickered behind her gloved hand. Enchanting? It was plainly obvious the girl lacked any class whatsoever! She would wager the child was raised in a swamp. “No. I don’t believe I have had the pleasure.”

  A slow light of understanding dawned in Clara’s eyes. Suzanne? Suzanne! The evil witch who had shot Joshua and left him to die? Here? In his house? Without giving a singular thought to the consequences Clara politely walked up to Suzanne as if to take her hand and slapped her soundly across the cheek.

  “Ouch! Why, you little fiend!” Suzanne shrieked, shoving Clara away from her with more force than was necessary. “Get this lunatic away from me!”

  Fortunately Samuel caught Clara before she hit the floor. Beth turned toward a livid Suzanne and whispered, “Suzanne, calm down. I am appalled by your behavior. She didn’t slap you that hard and be so kind as to remember that the child has a slight… disability.”

  “Evidently her so called disability does not extend to her hand!” Suzanne snarled, caressing her stinging cheek. The ignorant little bitch will have more than a slight disability when I am finished with her!

  “Clara, darling,” Patricia rushed to lead her to the sofa, “what on earth possessed you to do that? Why, Suzanne is our visitor and we certainly do not treat our guests that way.”

  “Uh! Uh! Uh!” Clara grunted, wishing they could understand her. She was shooting razor sharp daggers at Suzanne with her eyes. Don’t you know who she is? She tried to kill your son!

  “I don’t know what you are trying to say, dear, I truly wish I did. But, in the mean time, I think you owe Suzanne an apology.” Clara looked at the woman as if she had suddenly sprouted a third ear. Crossing her hands over her chest, she gave Suzanne a decidedly evil glare and shook her head resolutely.

  “That’s not necessary…” Beth began.

  “I don’t think that is your decision to make, Beth,” Suzanne snapped. “You aren’t the one she assaulted.”

  “You were not assaulted,” Samuel warned his sister with a stern shake of his head. “We will let the matter drop and not mention it again.”

  “I can only offer my deepest apologies, Suzanne,” Jeremiah said from his chair by the fire. “I don’t know what got into the child. We haven’t witnessed this type of behavior from her prior to now.”

  Suzanne was not to be placated. “Well, since you have only known the simpleton for a day, you really don’t have any idea what type of behavior she is capable of, now do you? You might want to be more careful about who you allow into the bosom of your family, Jeremiah. In fact, I would watch my back around her if I were you. Who knows when she might decide to stab you in it.”

  “That’s quite enough, Suzanne,” Samuel warned.

  Hearing the ominous tone in her brother’s voice Suzanne quickly changed her tune. “But thank you, Jeremiah,” she murmured demurely. She had to stay in her brother’s good graces lest he think she had worn out her welcome and send her back to Magnolia House. She couldn’t allow that to happen. Eric would be distraught if he returned and was unable to locate her. “Apology accepted. I don’t suppose any real harm was done.” The look she gave Clara let her know the episode was far from forgotten.

  “Now,” Patricia stood and clapped her hands together. “Would you like to see little Beau?”

  “Of course we would,” Beth answered. “I have been just dying to get my hands on him.”

  Patricia turned to her daughter. “Malinda, dear, would you go fetch our little man?” Clara jumped up, following closely on Malinda’s heels.

  When they returned to the parlor Beth was waiting with outstretched arms, “Oh, Samuel,” she cried. “Would you just look how he has grown? May I hold him?”

  “Of course.” Malinda smiled as she handed the baby off to her.

  Beth held Beau and cooed at him for several minutes then sat beside Samuel on the sofa as Clara watched them both with an eagle eye, ready to pounce at the first whimper from Beau. “Just look at his eyes, that hair. Have you ever seen a stronger resemblance to…?” Realizing too late what she had been about to say, Beth paused and glanced at Patricia with apologetic eyes. “I’m so sorry, Patricia. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to remind you of…”

  “I’m fine, Beth,” Patricia said, but glistening tears hovered on her lashes. “I rarely break down at the mere mention of his name any longer.”

  Beau was holding tight to Samuel’s pinkie. “I don’t suppose you have any news on that front do you?”

  “No,” Jeremiah responded bleakly. “Not a word.”

  Clara hid her clenched fists in the folds of her skirt and glared at Suzanne from across the room.

  If looks could kill! Patricia, Malinda, and Beth thought at the exact same moment, Why would Clara hate Suzanne so when she doesn’t even know her? Each of them would completely understand the emotion if Clara was acquainted with the wretched girl.

  The room quieted down as the occupants settled into pockets of conversation. The men discussed the fools in the North and the women chatted about little Beau and his latest accomplishments. After an hour Patricia announced that Sally was taking a
pound cake out of the oven and it would be served with coffee to the delight of all, especially Clara. Why, Sally uses grandmother’s yearly ration of sugar in a day.

  After the dishes were cleared, Samuel looked out the window at the water beginning to stream across the drive. “We have certainly enjoyed our visit, but we need to be heading home before the roads are washed out. The rain is coming down sideways. I can’t even see the trees in the yard.”

  “Yes, you probably should head out before it gets too rough.” Jeremiah reached up to shake Samuel’s hand and give Beth a warm hug. “We are so glad you could come. We’ll have you over for dinner soon.”

  “We’ll be here.” Samuel winked at Patricia and grinned. “I never turn down one of Sally’s meals.”

  As they were readying to make their departure, Suzanne smirked at Clara and quipped, “Oh, I didn’t get the chance to hold little Beau. I must give him a kiss before we take our leave.”

  Clara was instantly on her feet and before anyone could stop her had lifted Beau out of Malinda’s hands and was clutching him to her chest protectively. She was standing with her eyes blared and feet braced apart ready to do battle if Suzanne dared approach Joshua’s son.

  “I wouldn’t advise it.” Samuel chuckled. “I do believe she just might claw your eyes out if you even attempt to go near the baby.”

  “Clara, darling?” Patricia turned to Beth and Suzanne, her face beet red with embarrassment. “Honestly, I don’t know what to say. I cannot imagine why she is behaving this way.”

  “When will the imbecile be leaving Sea Grove?” Suzanne ground out.

  “Suzanne Fletcher!” Beth shrieked.

  “Suzanne Jordan,” Suzanne corrected, before remembering that she was in the very bosom of Joshua’s family, causing all eyes in the room to turn toward her with shock and indignation. “Oh, I was just teasing.” She laughed daintily behind the glove she was pulling on in a feeble attempt to cover her glaring slip. “Simply trying to lighten the mood in this somber room.” Then she turned to Clara with a fake smile and an evil glint sparkling in her eye. “You hold on to little Beau. While you can.”

  And that will be a long time! Clara held her ground, leveling a defiant stare at Suzanne as she donned her wrap. Believe one thing. You will NEVER get your blood soaked hands on Joshua’s son!

  The time for dawdling had passed. Clara’s plan to make Joshua’s family understand why she was here, and then return home for Joshua, had just been ratcheted up a notch with Suzanne in the picture.

  Chapter 19

  At dinner Clara wondered if Jeremiah and Patricia would still be upset over her behavior toward Suzanne, but if they were they didn’t show it. And even if they did, she wouldn’t let it bother her overmuch. Suzanne was not putting one finger on little Beau. Not as long as there was breath left in her body to prevent it. But how could she make Joshua’s family understand what she so desperately needed to tell them? Lifting another spoonful of cornbread and milk to her lips, she chewed thoughtfully. Suddenly she dropped the spoon to fall clattering to the table as she had, what she thought at least, was a splendid idea. She pointed to Malinda.

  “I am Malinda, Clara,” Malinda smiled patiently, sipping on her sweet tea. “Are we playing charades?”

  Clara nodded her head and pointed to Patricia who passed her the breadbasket. “I am Malinda’s mother, Patricia.”

  Exactly. Clara nodded happily. She lifted a steaming buttermilk biscuit from the basket, reached for the scuppernong jelly, and pointed upstairs making a rocking motion with her arms.

  “Beau,” Patricia said.

  Yes. Yes. Again she pointed to Malinda and then to Patricia.

  “Mother and daughter?” Malinda asked.

  With her biscuit fixed to her liking, Clara took a bite of mouth watering chicken and dumplings and gave the continue motion with her hand.

  Patricia smiled at the variety of food lined up in front of Clara. A glass of cornbread and milk, a biscuit filled with scuppernong jelly, and a plate filled to overflowing with chicken and dumplings. Clara would take a bite of each and smile with obvious satisfaction, waiting patiently for the black eyed peas to be passed her way. “Mother and child?” Patricia guessed.

  Clara bounced up and down excitedly. Yes. Yes. Yes. Then she pointed upstairs and rocked her arms.

  “Mother and child. Beau? She wants to know where Beau’s mother is,” Patricia said thoughtfully, lowering the spoonful of peas that had been half way to her mouth back to her plate.

  “I believe you’re right,” Malinda agreed with a catch in her voice, losing her appetite as well.

  Jeremiah coughed attempting to remove the lump his throat. “Clara, Beau’s mother, left… us. She was very sick and we are not sure whether she left of her own accord or was abducted. All we know for sure is that we woke one morning and she was gone.”

  He shook his head sadly, gazing out the window across the vast expanse of land. “Her father and Aunt Judith have been scouring the countryside for her. I’m worried about Nathan, in fact. He did not take the news of her disappearance well, at all. You see, the same thing happened to his wife and she was never found. Nathan blames himself for leading the kidnappers, if indeed they are the ones who took his wife, directly to her. But, as of yet, no ransom demands have been received. So, in essence, we have no idea where Lynna is.”

  Clara was speechless. Lynna was gone? Poor Joshua! This was not good. Not good at all. But Joshua needed to know about this latest turn of events. He would find his wife! As of now, he thought Lynna and the baby were safely tucked away at Sea Grove awaiting his return. He would be distraught.

  Clara knew she couldn’t just sit around here in the lap of luxury wasting another second. Something had to be done. Tonight! Standing up from the table, she ignored their questioning stares and walked into the kitchen, searching around the room until she discovered a large hamper. She went to stand in front of Sally, motioning to the hamper.

  Sally quickly ascertained that the child wanted her to fill the hamper with food, but was she supposed to cater to the girl’s whims without instruction from Miss Patricia?

  Her question was soon answered when Patricia came through the door and spying the hamper asked Clara, “Are you going somewhere, dear?”

  Clara nodded her head.

  “And you will need food for your journey?”

  Again Clara nodded.

  “I too think it is time for you to return home to your family.” Patricia had the utmost sympathy for any parent of a lost child. “Your family is probably worried sick.”

  Finally! But Clara’s attention was momentarily seized by a delicious aroma wafting from the oven. Pecan pie. Joshua’s favorite. She glanced toward it with a wan smile on her face.

  Patricia saw the smile and was swamped by a pained memory of watching as her son had eaten piece after piece of the rich sweet. “Pecan pie was Joshua’s favorite.”

  Clara absently nodded her head in full agreement and smiled a knowing smile at Patricia. Yes, Grandmother has made Joshua several pecan pies.

  “I didn’t know she knowed Mast’ Joshua,” Sally said.

  Clara was immediately in front of the cook jumping around and bobbing her head up and down.

  Patricia was becoming accustomed to Clara’s odd behavior and didn’t give it a second thought. “I don’t believe she does, Sally. Clara just gets… excited easily.”

  “She sho’ ‘nuff knowed pecan pie was his fav’rit.” Sally chuckled. “I wunner how she be knowin’ dat?”

  “The same way she seemed to know Beau at first sight, I suppose. Clara just seems to have a special intuition about things.”

  Sally peered at the girl curiously thinking back over all she had heard from the housemaids since the child had shown up on the doorstep. Clara loved Beau like he was her own. She was always pointing to Master Joshua’s painting on the mantle. She tried to get Miss Patricia to go riding with her in the carriage. She wanted Sally herself to pack a hamper for a
trip. It all made perfect since to her. And, most telling of all, how did Clara already know to hate that uppity Miss Suzanne without being told? Oh well, white folks thought they knowed best about everything, so she would just keep her thoughts to herself.

  Hoping to make Clara forget about leaving for home tonight Patricia took her hand. “Let’s go find Beau to cheer us up.”

  Clara bounced up and down happily, loving that idea. When they arrived in the parlor they discovered Malinda to be a step ahead of them. She was just handing Beau to her father.

  After patiently waiting for what she thought was a reasonable amount of time, Clara walked up to Jeremiah’s chair and held out her arms.

  Laughter, such a rare sound lately, rumbled deep in Jeremiah’s throat as he handed Beau over to Clara. “Yes, yes, I understand, child. You will be leaving us soon and you want to hold him as much as possible before you go. I can’t say that I blame you.”

  Clara took Beau and went to sit in the rocking chair by the window. Cuddling him close to her chest she began to hum a familiar refrain. The haunting melody touched Patricia’s heart and caused a tear to well in her eyes. She had never heard anyone sing that song except Joshua.

  Malinda, who had heard her brother sing the song too many times to count, supplied the lyrics when Clara reached the chorus:

  Angelina Baker! Angelina Baker’s gone

  She left me here to weep a tear

  And beat on the old jawbone.

  “That was my son’s favorite song,” Jeremiah said, brushing a betraying tear from his cheek.

  Clara nodded her head knowingly, in complete agreement with him. As Jeremiah watched the child intently there was not a doubt in his mind that if Clara could speak she wouldn’t have said, “Yes, I know.” She hummed the song without missing a beat, putting emphasis on the same words, exactly as Joshua would have, almost as if Joshua had taught her the ditty himself.

  When Beau began to fuss Clara took him upstairs to Milly without being told and returned to the parlor. She stood in front of the fireplace wondering what more she could do to make this family understand. As she pondered this, her eyes moved to the mantle where Joshua’s bandalore lay. In her rush to sneak out of the house without alerting Joshua and her grandmother she had forgotten the bandalore he had carved for her and she had missed it sorely. Taking it down from the mantle she absentmindedly slipped the knot over her middle finger and tossed it to the floor, catching it expertly and tossing it over and over.