Lynna's Rogue (Curse of the Conjure Woman, Book One)

by Kitty Margo

It had been an eternity, but at long last the day had arrived for their departure for Cedar Hill to attend the Harvest Ball. The morning dawned cool and overcast, promising a more comfortable journey than before.

  Lynna jumped out of bed at the crack of dawn, running straightway to her aunt’s room. “We must hurry, Aunt Judith, and get dressed before the carriage leaves without us.”

  “You are certainly anxious to get to Charleston. Why, I had no idea that you missed Suzanne so much,” Judith teased, knowing full well that Suzanne was the last person her niece wanted to see.

  Within the hour Lynna, Judith, Mary, and Rose were again settled in the carriage for the long ride to Charleston. Lynna was scarcely able to sit still, leaving Mary puzzled. Judith and Rose knew the reason for her excitement. Lynna would soon be with the man she loved and the waiting was agony.

  The ride was uneventful and they arrived at Cedar Hill late, extremely relieved to have finally reached their destination. Lynna fell into bed exhausted, and when she awakened the following morning the guests had already begun to arrive.

  The lawn was scattered with brightly colored gowns of every color, matching sunbonnets, and elaborate twirling parasols. She searched among the handsomely garbed men for Joshua, but he was nowhere to be found. Good. She had time for a leisurely bath before preparing to greet her new love, and the new day.

  Feeling refreshed after soaking in a tub of lavender scented water, she realized that she was the happiest she had been in… well, she couldn’t remember ever being this happy. Stretching lazily in front of the mirror, she closed her eyes and sighed, knowing that soon she would be with Joshua.

  Would he ask her to…

  Her hands trembled so that she could hardly accomplish the task of dressing. Combing her hair until it shone, she entwined blue ribbons to stream down her back to match her dress of blue watered silk, cut with a square neck and short puffed sleeves.

  Going to the balcony she peered across the well-manicured lawn that bustled with activity as couples strolled arm in arm and children romped with delight. The delicious aroma of cooked pork and poultry drifted to her from below, causing her mouth to water. From her lofty perch she could hear the shouts and laughter coming from the slave quarters, as they too were enjoying a feast.

  On this day the field hands did no work and were fed as much as they could eat. Afterwards there would be dancing and singing late into the night as the slaves celebrated the harvest, birth, and even death with throbbing music and dance. This was not the case on all plantations of equal size. Yet, Samuel had inherited his father’s kind heart and belief that slaves were more productive when shown a fair amount of decency. When he enjoyed a day of revelry, so did his slaves.

  Turning from the gay vista below Lynna drew a deep, cleansing breath. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. Picking up her skirts she hastened down the stairs before she lost her wavering nerve. What she saw waiting patiently at the bottom of the stairs caused her heart to lurch.

  Joshua stood with one foot propped on the step, if possible even more handsome than she remembered in grey trousers and a fine white ruffled linen shirt. She took each step carefully, willing her feet to move, watching his grin widen as she drew near.

  “I have been waiting for you, my love.” He smiled, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. Had there not been so many other couples milling around them, his lips would have found hers. “You can’t imagine how much I have missed you.”

  They gazed hungrily into each other’s eyes for several moments until Lynna at last found her voice. “I thought this day would never arrive.”

  Placing her hand in the bend of his elbow, he grinned that devilish grin. “We will join the others for the noon meal and then I would have a private word with you.”

  Did she dare hope?

  The long tables set up under the shade of fragrant magnolia trees were filled with a veritable feast.

  “Joshua Jordan, shame on you for keeping Lynna all to yourself,” Malinda teased. “I haven’t had a chance to speak two words to her since she arrived.”

  “Then you two go ahead and critique the fashion choice of every female in the county while I return to the tables for a second helping.”

  “I will have you know that I do not gossip,” Malinda insisted.

  “Then please,” Joshua chuckled with an arched brow. “I beg you to excuse my egregious error.”

  While Lynna chatted with the ladies, the men discussed their politics, cotton, and the North’s foolhardy notion of freeing slaves in the South.

  Lynna didn’t have another chance to talk to Joshua alone before she and the other young ladies were dispatched to their rooms to rest before the Ball. She wasn’t the least bit tired and much too excited to sleep, so she sat on the edge of the bed twiddling her thumbs and wondering about Suzanne’s uncommon absence from the morning festivities.

  It was very unlike her to miss being the focus of a social function. When Lynna had questioned Mary earlier she had been told that Suzanne had a stomach malady and had decided to spend the day in bed so as to be well rested for the Ball later that night.

  Hours later, Judith’s shook Lynna awake. “Wake up, Lynna. It’s time to get dressed for the Ball.”

  Rubbing her eyes, Lynna slowly became aware of her aunt standing over her, grinning from ear to ear. “I simply cannot keep this secret a second longer. I have been positively dying to give this to you.” Thrusting a box in Lynna’s hands, Judith beamed with excitement. “Here, open it.”

  Sitting up, sleepily, Lynna opened the box and suddenly came fully awake. “Oh, Aunt Judith,” she cried. A sob escaped as she lifted ruffle after ruffle of soft silky material and held it before her. It was the most exquisite ball gown her eyes had ever beheld. “It is… it’s… I have no words to describe it,” she marveled, fingering the expensive silk. “But where did you get the fabric and when did you find time to make it? You were so busy with Suzanne’s gowns.” Tears of love and immense gratitude glistened in her eyes.

  Judith had promised Joshua that she wouldn’t tell Lynna that he had purchased the material for the gown when he and Silas had ridden into town, along with a bolt of green silk for herself, and slipped it to their cottage undetected. Now she had to admit that Lynna’s gown was her best work to date, far surpassing any of Suzanne’s. “I stitched it in between Suzanne’s gowns, when you weren’t looking. The gown has love sewn in every stitch, darling.”

  “Oh, Aunt Judith, you are simply too wonderful for words and I love you so much,” Lynna wept, hugging her fiercely. The gown was creamy yellow silk, off the shoulder, with frilly ruffles sewn into the full, hooped skirt. Yellow satin formed a bow around the tiny waist. “Thank you. You will never understand how much this means to me, today, of all days.” She glanced up with a beaming smile and gave her aunt the slightest hint of what the night promised. “But after tonight I believe that you might have some idea.”

  Many sighs were heard that evening as Lynna descended the curving stairs looking the part of a regal queen arriving at her court. Joshua didn’t need to look, for he knew that only Lynna could draw such a chorus of murmured responses. Sauntering toward the stairs he glanced up, stopping dead in his tracks and once again mesmerized by her dazzling beauty. When he had purchasing the material for her gown, he had imagined her slim figure sheathed in the yellow silk, but his imagination had failed to do her justice. She was breathtaking. “I always know when you enter a room, and as always you are ravishing.”

  “Thank you, sir.” She took his hand, allowing him to draw her into his arms. “You cut quite a dashing figure yourself.”

  Leaning over, his whispered words caressed her ear, “Would you care to dance, my love?”

  “Only with you,” she breathed.

  Leading her onto the floor they danced a lively reel, then he took her into his arms during the next slower tune, inhaling her lilac fragrance. The heat radiating from his body warmed her so that she wished de
sperately to be alone with him; to leave her sumptuous gown discarded on the floor and once again feel nothing save his strong arms encircling her.

  “You make every female envious and leave men awestruck by your beauty.” He was gazing into her sultry azure eyes, glazed with her longing for him. “Let’s step outside, Lynna. There is something I would ask you.”

  Lynna’s knees went weak and her pulse quickened. This was it.

  Joshua took her elbow and steered her toward the open side doors, but as he turned he noticed Daniel bounding towards them.

  “Joshua, my father would like a word with you, in private,” Daniel called in an uncommonly crisp tone to gain their attention, stopping them before they could make their exit.

  “Can it wait, Daniel?” Joshua continued moving toward the balcony doors. “I have been attempting to have a word with this fair lady all day, yet we seem to be constantly interrupted.”

  “No, Joshua, I’m sorry. It cannot wait.” Daniel’s words were solemn, although his eyes danced with excitement. “My father insists.”

  “Very well. Lynna, please excuse me.” As he walked away, Joshua turned to give her a sly wink and promise. “I shall return as quickly as possible. Keep a dance open for me.”

  Lynna watched with concern etching her creased brow as Samuel followed Joshua into the parlor and closed the door swiftly behind him.

  Malinda came rushing to her side. “Come, Lynna. While the men are cloistered in the parlor, let’s try the rum punch.”

  Following Malinda to the punch bowl, they accepted a cup of the tasty beverage and nibbled on fresh from the oven oatmeal cookies. Popping the last bite into her mouth, Malinda smiled as she pointed out the man of her dreams, and judging from his puppy dog eyes he held no slight infatuation for her as well. Covering their mouths with dainty, hand painted fans, they giggled with the intoxicating exhilaration of new love.

  Unable to control her racing thoughts a moment longer, Lynna whispered behind her fan, “Malinda, I am almost positive that your brother is about to ask me to become his wife.”

  Malinda gasped, nodded her head once, and opened her mouth to speak, but then thought better of it and grabbed Lynna’s hand instead. She knew! Malinda already knew that Joshua was going to propose. Was his entire family aware of it as well?

  Moving to stand on the verandah with Mary, Judith, Patricia, and Lynna, Malinda stood at an angle to keep the object of her affections always within sight and was deep in concentration, wondering how long it would take him to work up the courage to ask her to dance.

  “What is taking the men so long in there?” Lynna wondered aloud. She wished for Joshua to hurry with his discussion of politics, secession, war, or whatever they were debating at the moment so she could twirl around the dance floor in his arms.

  “Where did the men run off to?” Patricia queried.

  “And where on earth is Suzanne?” Mary posed the question. “Has my daughter even come downstairs yet, or is she still in her room primping?”

  “I hope Suzanne is feeling better,” Patricia added sympathetically.

  “There she is.” Malinda frowned, noticing the smug smile on Suzanne’s face and not liking it one whit.

  Suzanne exited the parlor, of all places, in an extremely low cut, pink satin ball gown, with diamonds dripping from her ears, neck, and both wrists and with a triumphant smile on her face. Joshua followed close behind with a look of stark rage marring his handsome features. He sent Lynna a forlorn look of defeat and misery that almost sent her to her knees as Suzanne clutched his arm possessively and followed eagerly behind her father. Samuel and Daniel followed, Samuel pushing Jeremiah’s chair.

  What could this mean? Why was Suzanne so jubilant that she was almost floating across the room?

  Once Suzanne and the men had made it through the throng to the bandstand, Silas immediately made his way to the band and motioned for them to stop playing. He climbed the two steps to the stage, clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentleman, I am glad that you could be here tonight to share in our joy. I have an announcement to make,” he said, drawing everyone’s rapt attention and speaking loud enough for those in the back of the room to hear. “Tonight, I would like to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of my daughter Suzanne Nicolette Fletcher to Captain Joshua Jordan.”

  Loud whoops and whistles arose from the crowd to deafening applause as the band struck up a merry tune, although some of the guests looked toward Lynna with a puzzled frown since she was the one that had been on Joshua’s arm for most of the day. Applause and shouts of congratulations echoed from well wishers.

  “You finally fell in love didn’t you, Joshua?”

  “It’s about time you settled down and raised a family.”

  “After all these years, a little lady finally came along that was impossible to resist.”

  “I knew someone would eventually tame the rogue.”

  Malinda was immediately by Lynna’s side and softly whispered, “My God, Joshua. What have you done?”

  This could not really be happening. There must be some mistake. But there wasn’t. Lynna knew this when she stared into Suzanne’s gloating face. Judith rushed to take Lynna in her arms, as Malinda went to her mother’s side. Witnessing a stunned Patricia leaning against her furious daughter for support, Lynna lifted her skirts and raced up the stairs, praying with each step for the ground to open up and swallow her.

  She had been a fool to even dream that he would propose to her.

  When Joshua could extricate himself from the crowd, and Suzanne’s clutches, without making a scene, he silently crept up the stairs. His hands trembled as he knocked softly, then opened the door to Lynna’s room to find her wrapped in her aunt’s arms, weeping pitifully. It was a sound that tore at his heart and made him hate his new fiancé with renewed vigor.

  He yearned to hold Lynna, console her, and assure her that it was all a horrible misunderstanding. But he could not, for it was not a misunderstanding. It was a mistake of his own doing, and one he would be forced to pay penance for the remainder of his insufferable life. He had caused her so much pain. She had known nothing but abuse and suffering from the hands of men since the day she left France. “Lynna?”

  Lynna didn’t realize that Joshua had entered the room, she was so overcome by her feelings of pain and betrayal. When she glanced up, she quickly buried her head in her aunt’s shoulder, unable to look him in the eyes and let him see how profound her hurt was. He must never know the agony that his and Suzanne’s treachery had caused her.

  She would hate him until the day she died for leading her to believe that he loved her and wanted to marry her, when he had only been toying with her affections, while scheming and making wedding plans with Suzanne behind her back. She had never felt or looked like such a consummate fool. “Please, Joshua. I just want to be left alone.”

  “Judith, would you mind if I have a private word with Lynna? Please?” His eyes beseeched Judith to be understanding. “There are some things I must… explain.”

  Judith was far from understanding any of this. “Can you not leave her alone, Captain Jordan, as she requested? Have you not caused her enough pain already?” Judith felt the urge to strip the expensive silk from Lynna’s back and throw it in his handsome face.

  “Please, Judith? I beg of you.” Judith couldn’t deny the sorrow in his eyes. “I must try to explain all of the madness that has transpired tonight. I owe her that much.”

  Conceding, Judith left the room, but not before giving him a look that told him what she, being a lady could not.

  Joshua didn’t know where to begin. Everything had changed in a split second. Everything, except his feelings for Lynna. They were stronger than ever. Had his father not been in the parlor expecting his son to accept his responsibility and do what was right, he might have refused the demands of Silas and his sons entirely. But he could never embarrass his father, a man who had raised his son to be honorable in all matters, even if it
hurt.

  He needed to hold Lynna in his arms one last time before he lost her forever. Moving toward her he attempted to do just that, but she pulled away from his touch as though it had scalded her. “Don’t you dare touch me!” she cried, the enormity of her pain evident in her trembling voice.

  “Please, listen to me, Lynna,” Joshua begged. “Don’t for one second believe that I have any desire to marry Suzanne Fletcher. I am being forced into it against my will.”

  “Forced by your greed,” she murmured brokenly. “You chose Suzanne over me because I live in a small cottage behind her huge plantation house, and my aunt and I work for our wages. Have you perhaps forgotten who my father is, Joshua?”

  Her words were like a slap in the face, making him understand some of what she must be feeling. Without thinking, his hands bit into her shoulders. “Is that what you think? That I chose to marry Suzanne for her money? Why, you little fool.” He laughed harshly. “I am not after her money. You should know that I have more than enough of own. And yes, I recall who your father is. If it was money that I was after, don’t you think I would have jumped at the chance to marry you three years ago?”

  “Then why?” she sobbed, her pain mirrored in her glistening eyes. “Why, Joshua?”

  He went to stand at the open balcony door, staring out at the bench under the tree where he had sat that morning, perfectly content with his lot in life.

  Now his life had been plunged into the bowels of hell.

  “She is carrying my child,” he finally admitted. “I have to marry her.”

  “Are you certain?” Lynna cried, grasping for any sliver of hope. “Perhaps her…flow...is only late.”

  “Her father assures me it is so, Lynna.” His tone was final.

  Suzanne? Carrying Joshua’s child? How could he allow this to happen, knowing full well the consequences of his dalliance with the insatiable Suzanne? Lynna wondered if he had any idea what a dismal future lay ahead of him being bound to her. She came to the conclusion that they deserved each other. Leaving her to bear the brunt of the suffering for their indiscretions.

  It was too much.

  She could not bear to be in his presence another second. “Please, leave me alone,” she cried, throwing herself on the bed as pitiful sobs shook her slender frame.

  Hearing her tormented cries, Judith rushed into the room. Joshua opened his mouth to speak, but stopped short, realizing that there was nothing more to be said. No way to ease Lynna’s pain or his guilt for causing it.

  With a sigh of defeat, Joshua left the woman he loved to join in a celebration with the woman he loathed. True, Lynna was miserable, but no more so than he would be with Suzanne tied like a ball and chain around his neck for the remainder of his wretched life. He left the room in search of whiskey, knowing that a bottle of spirits would be his dearest companion for many years to come.

  Chapter 24