Because of Rebecca (20 page)

“Mr. Hollingsworth is it?” Delaney tipped his hat and sauntered over to him.

“I am.” Jared wondered what the man wanted.

“The hotel clerk tells me your name is Jared Hollingsworth, but I know for certain you’re not the same fellow I played cards with and won the plantation from some months ago.”

Jared’s jaw twitched. “No. I’m not. In fact, that was my ungrateful cousin Rory. He holds no claim to Oak Hill, your IOU is a forgery, but he will pay you the debt he owes.”

Delaney grinned. “How can you be so sure?”

“I will see to it, that is how I am sure you will be paid. He has the funds to do so and is waiting at Oak Hill for you to come collect.”

“Maybe I don’t want the money.” Delaney sneered. “Maybe I want the plantation.”

“Why? A man of your means is a free spirit. A place like Oak Hill will bind you in shackles and drain you dry. What good would come of it?”

“Ah, I see you, too, are a gambler, Mr. Hollingsworth. Your game is not at the table, but with your words.” Delaney pulled a small case from his pocket, took out a cheroot, and offered one to Jared, which he declined.

“If by a gambler you mean I take a chance daily on the land to provide for my family, then yes I am one, but I do not mince words with you Mr. Delaney. Oak Hill is not for the taking and if you do not accept Rory’s payment on the debt he owes I will take legal action to retain what is rightfully mine.”

Delaney chuckled. “We’ll see about that, Mr. Hollingsworth. We’ll see.”

Jared looked up and saw Rebecca descending the staircase. Her eyes enlarged and her pallor paled at the sight of them.

“Jared? I’m ready to go now.”

He nodded and glanced back at Delaney. “Remember what I said.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Take it as you like.” Jared did an about face and offered her his arm and they left the hotel.

Once outside, he relaxed and looked down at Rebecca by his side.

“Whatever did that man want?”

“Nothing. And that is all he will get.”

Chapter Seventeen

At Mr. Merewether’s law office, Rebecca settled into one of the matching Chippendale leather chairs opposite his large desk and took the legal documents he handed her. She read through the papers regarding the sale of her country home and the surrounding property on his desk awaiting her signature.

Looking up, she smiled at the man. “Will a surveyor be going out to draw the boundary line for the two acres of land and the family burial plot I wish to give to my aunt?”

“Yes, I’ve made all the arrangements,” he said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get someone here to do it while you were in town, but your request was sudden. When those documents are ready, I will forward them to you in Jackson.”

Rebecca signed the document and took a sheet of paper from her purse with Mitchell Cooper’s name and address on it. She handed them to him. “Mr. Cooper, a friend’s husband, will be happy to handle my affairs while I’m in Jackson.”

Mr. Merewether looked over the document and nodded. “It seems everything is in order,” he said. “As soon as the property sells, I’ll have the house closed and the pieces of furniture you specified shipped to you.”

Relief surged through her. “Excellent.”

He escorted her to the outer chamber where Jared had waited while they conducted their business.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hollingsworth.” Mr. Merewether shook his hand. “I wish you and Miss Davis many happy years together.”

“Thank you.”

“Good day, Miss Davis.” The attorney bowed.

“Good day, Mr. Merewether.”

Late June heat greeted them when they stepped outside of the brick building. “We need refreshment. Let’s have tea. There’s a lovely shop a few doors down,” Rebecca suggested, taking his arm.

He smiled and nodded. “I think that a wise decision.”

A few minutes later a smiling hostess led them to a corner table and took their order.

“I’m sorry Mr. Merewether wouldn’t allow you to join us in the meeting,” Rebecca said

“It’s understandable,” Jared said. “Mitchell is very private about my affairs as well. We never discussed business in front of Charisse when she was alive.”

The waitress returned with their pot of tea. “Will there be anything else?” she asked.

“No. Thank you.” Rebecca smiled as she waited for the tea to steep and realized it was the first time Jared had spoken of his beloved by name. “Your wife had a lovely name.”

Jared nodded. “She was just as lovely in person. Sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, and the prettiest smile I’d ever seen until I met you. We were happy.”

Rebecca laid her hand on his. “I’m glad.”

After their tea, she took him to several stores she thought would interest him. Then he insisted on going into one she’d never visited before. Michelo’s Estate Sales.

“This must be new,” Rebecca said.

The store had an interesting collection of antiquities. Furniture with a distinct European flair took up the majority of the store’s space while the remaining contained curios, filled with figurines, and a display case with a wide assortment of jewelry.

The delighted proprietor showed them necklaces, brooches, and rings of several styles and color.

“Do you have any emeralds?” Jared asked.

The man held up one finger, stepped to another case, and brought a wooden box to the counter. “I believe you will like this.”

Nested in black velvet, a three-tiered emerald and diamond choker sparkled in the lamplight.

“Oh.” Rebecca let out a long sigh. “It’s exquisite.”

The man carefully picked it up, came from behind the counter and draped it around her neck. “You’d be the envy of all your friends,” he said proudly.

Rebecca hesitated, reluctant to hurt his feelings. “I’d prefer not to evoke envy,” she finally said.

“No?” the man questioned.

She shook her head, and he immediately removed the choker.

Rebecca gave him a smile of thanks, and moved to look at several items on display in the curio.

“Actually, I was thinking about something smaller,” Jared said, pointing to his ring finger.

The man looked thoughtful. “And it must be emerald?”

“If you have it.”

The man searched his cases and returned holding a ring with a square cut stone set in a gold band. “How would this suit?

“It’s perfect.” Jared took the ring and inspected it for clarity. “May I see if it fits?”

“Anything you want, sir,” the clerk told him. He looked at Rebecca and added, “Though I think the lady would look lovely in any stone you chose for her.”

Jared walked to where Rebecca sat on a gold brocade settee. He knelt and took her left hand in his.

“Jared? I’ve already said yes. What are you doing?”

“You did,” he agreed. “But I didn’t have a ring. May I try this on you?”

She gave a slight nod, and he slipped the ring on. It was an exact fit. “Do you like it?”

She held up hand and inspected it. “It’s gorgeous. But why’d you choose an emerald?”

“It reminded me of your eyes and the dress you were wearing the first time we met. I’ll never forget that day.” He moved to sit beside her. “But if you’d prefer another stone?”

“No,” she said, taking his hand. “It’s perfect. I’ve always loved emeralds. I thought perhaps Aunt Josephine might have told you.”

He shook his head. “Let me settle the bill and we can go.”

When they left the store, Jared asked, “Will you marry me today?”

“Today?” Rebecca stopped, certain she’d misheard him.

“Yes. If we can find a parson to do the ceremony, would you marry me today? I don’t want to risk something stopping us if we wait until we return to Jackson.”

She slipped her arm around his. “What could possibly go wrong?” she asked.

“Stuart Delaney,” he said grimly, as they continued their stroll down the street. “I don’t trust him, and the less time he has to learn about Lucas the better.”

Rebecca squeezed his arm. “I know a parson who’d be delighted to marry us if you are certain you want to risk invoking Aunt Josephine’s wrath.”

He grinned. “I think your aunt will understand.”

****

Mawsy’s mouth dropped open as she stared at Rebecca. “Lord love ya, girl. What brings you back again so soon?” But upon seeing Jared, her brows furrowed. “Who’s that?”

“Mawsy, I came to see Ben. Is he around?” Rebecca asked.

“Sure he is. Are ya in some kind of trouble?” Scowling, Mawsy nodded in Jared’s direction.

Rebecca grinned. “No trouble. This is Jared Hollingsworth. We want to get married, and I hoped Ben would do the honors?”

The old woman stared at the couple for a full minute before she moved back and beckoned them inside. “Married you say?”

“Will that be a problem?” Jared asked. When the old woman didn’t answer, he suggested, “Perhaps we should go somewhere else, Rebecca?”

“No, no. Please have a seat.” Mawsy gestured at the table in the corner. They took their places, but Mawsy continued to stare at them, while wadding her apron between her fingers. “Are you sure you want to marry a man like him, Rebecca? He’s a scoundrel.”

“Mawsy!” Rebecca protested.

“I don’t reckon you’d admit to it, but I know all about you,” she said, pointing at Jared.

Jared stood. “I beg your pardon?” he said coolly. “Why do you consider me a scoundrel?”

The old woman planted her hands on her hips. “You know why.”

“Mawsy!” Rebecca exclaimed again. She didn’t understand what had gotten into her friend, but she’d never seen her act or say things like this before. She apologetically looked at Jared, and motioned for him to sit again.

Mawsy turned away and shuffled across the floor to a doorway. “Ben, we got company. Bring your Bible.”

A moment later a white haired man wearing spectacles entered the kitchen. “I thought I heard voices. Rebecca, it’s so good to see you again.”

She stood and hugged him. “Ben, I’ve come to ask you to marry me and my fiancé, Mr. Hollingsworth, if you’ll be so kind.”

“Don’t do it, Ben.” Mawsy shook her head. “He’s that scoundrel that works for the committee. He no doubt hexed the child with his charms.”

“You mean Rory?” Rebecca asked, glancing at Jared. His set jaw clearly indicated he wasn’t happy at being mistaken for his cousin. “I don’t want to marry him.”

“You’ll have to excuse her, she doesn’t see well without her glasses.” Ben smiled and patted Mawsy on the arm. “Where’s your glasses, woman? If you were wearing them you’d see clearly this is not the same man.”

She fumbled in her apron pocket, pulled out the glasses, and put them on. She gasped. “But they look so much alike.”

“You know my cousin Rory?” Jared asked. “How?”

Rebecca swallowed a laugh. “I told you, darling, he works for the same organization that I do.”

“He’s a scoundrel,” Mawsy insisted. “I don’t care how many souls he’s helped with his gambling to raise funds for the committee and his wicked disguises. He’s still a scoundrel.”

“Ah, Mawsy.” Rebecca said patiently. “This is Jared, not Rory.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hollingsworth,” Ben gave a good natured sigh, “but Mawsy speaks her mind freely. Heaven help the person who tries to stop her.”

“I’m sorry, too, for not seeing you weren’t that wretched man,” she said. “I know it’s not Christian to feel the way I do about that Rory fella. Guess I’ll just have to ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.”

Jared ran a hand through his hair and gave her a rueful smile. “Don’t worry, Mawsy, I share your sentiments.”

“Let me make you some coffee,” she offered. “Perhaps even a bite to eat?”

“That would be lovely,” Rebecca said, “but we came for a—”

Ben nodded. “You want to get married. I’ll be happy to do the honors, but first, I’d like to talk to Mr. Hollingsworth in private. Will you follow me to my study?”

Jared left the room with Ben and Rebecca turned to Mawsy. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Set the table for coffee and cake. It’s nothing fancy like a wedding deserves, but I baked it this morning.”

Rebecca took napkins from the hutch near the door, craning her head in hopes of hearing parts of the men’s conversation from behind the closed door.

“Are you certain you’re ready to be a wife?” Mawsy asked.

Rebecca went back to the table, laying out the napkins. “I believe I am.”

“How long have you known Mr. Hollingsworth?”

“Not long, but long enough to know I love him.”

“Look at me, child.”

She raised her head. Behind the spectacles, Mawsy’s gaze was clear and direct. “Do you love him enough to spend the rest of your life sharing his bed? Taking care of him and his children?” she asked.

“Yes.” Rebecca took spoons from the table’s middle drawer for the sugar and cream. “And even that doesn’t seem long enough.”

“Marriage isn’t always about the romance.” The old woman continued her counsel. “There will be hard times as well as good ones. Remember what the vows say, for better for worse.”

“Jared and I have already had some difficult moments,” Rebecca admitted. “But I do know I love him heart and soul.”

Mawsy continued to regard her thoughtfully, then grinned.

“What will your Aunt Josephine say? I got the impression when I met her she’d be the kind of person who’d insist on being part of the ceremony, at least be in attendance.”

“She’ll understand.”
Or at least I hope so.
Rebecca offered a hasty prayer heavenward and added, “She knows Jared and I truly love one another.”

The smile Rebecca knew so well creased Mawsy’s face. “Then you marry with my blessing, child. And I pray you will be happy all the days of your lives together.”