Unspoken Love (18 page)

As daylight crept into the bayou, Jenny became fully awake when she heard the click of a gun. Thinking her abductor had returned to kill her, she bolted to her feet as the gun discharged. Her eyes fixed on the man as he shoved the gun into his holster, then to a dead snake only inches from her. The sudden shock caused her to weave, and he caught her fall. His deep voice echoed in the forest.

“You’re injured, Jennifer. Don’t overtax yourself.”

Jenny attempted to get her bearing and stand alone. “My heads hurts, and my body aches,” she complained. A rush of heat consumed her, and dizziness engulfed her. “I feel sick,” she groaned, then fainted in his arms.

When she awoke, she was resting against his chest. Gently, he applied a damp handkerchief to her brow as his soft brown eyes studied her.

Jenny gazed up at him and sent him a perplexed look. “Am I hallucinating or are you Zachary Brown?”

A smile crossed Zachary’s tanned and handsome face. “I am Zachary,” he answered. “You became sick the first time we met on the
Marylou
. I might get a complex, Jenny.”

She suspected a tinge of pink stole over her cheeks as she recalled their meeting on the steamship. She turned from him to shield her embarrassment.

Zachary attempted to smooth the moment. “I apologize for placing you in such straits, Jenny. I knew you were a lady of quality and should not have propositioned you. I beg you to forgive me.”

Jenny faced him, her tired eyes fixed on him. It was his fault she had run from the
Marylou.
Letting her sixth sense guide her, she said, “If you are truly sorry, then I forgive you.” A puzzled expression crossed her features. “What are you doing in the swamplands?”

“I left the riverboats. I decided to quit wagering and sat my feet upon dry soil,” he explained.

“You quit gambling, just like that?” Jenny asked.

Zachary sent her a sheepish look.

“Not exactly, I was accused of cheating in a card game. The man jumped up, and the next thing I knew we were throwing punches. One of his cohorts started shooting up the room. I ran for my life and figured, if I lay low for a while, it would give him time to simmer down. I toured the country and came upon a band of Gypsies. Not one to settle down, I took up residence with the caravan. We traveled up the coast and just arrived in Mississippi. I was scouting the area when I came upon you. And it’s a good thing I did,” he said, pointing to the snake. He helped her to her feet.

Jenny tottered and clung to him for support. “What’s the matter with me?”

“Perhaps you can tell me what happened,” Zachary said, “then we can decide what’s going on.”

“A man accosted me and used chloroform to subdue me. He was taking me to an unknown destination when I escaped.”

“I see,” Zachary said. “Maybe you are ill because of the medicine.”

“Yes,” Jenny agreed. “But now I must be going home. Can you direct me out of the swamps?”

“I’ll take you home,” Zachary insisted. “First I have to return to camp for my mount.”

“May I go with you? I am afraid to be by myself in this forsaken land.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Jennifer. Come along.”

Jenny tried to keep up with Zachary, but she lagged behind as she pushed aside vegetation and swatted at mosquitoes. Hungry and woozy, she began to linger even more.

Zachary swept her into his arms and carried her to the camp.

Grateful for his assistance, Jenny didn’t struggle as she fought waves of nausea. When they arrived at camp, the Gypsies paid him little heed as they went about their business.

Zachary took her into a beautifully carved wagon and placed her on the cot. “Rest while I get us some food,” he said, then hastily left the wagon.

While Jenny waited for his return, she took in the intricately carved decor and brightly colored materials. A portrait of a Gypsy couple displayed on a wooden shelf made her homesick for Nicholas and the babies. Yet, confident that Zachary would take her home, she relaxed. She vowed to regain her strength and be with her beloved family soon.

Zachary entered the wagon carrying a tray of food and beverages. “This is not ordinary fare for breakfast, Jenny, but it should suffice.”

Famished, Jenny tore into a chicken leg as Zachary looked on.

“So, where is it that I am to take you Jenny? Where do you live?”

Jenny tossed the chicken bone onto the empty plate and wiped her greasy fingers on a cloth that Zachary held out to her. “I live at
Small Timbers
, a plantation near Leland. I live there with my husband, babies, and father.” She failed to see the hurt in his eyes.

“You are married and have children?”

“Yes, Nicholas is my husband. He must be out of his mind with worry.” A rosy glow stole over her as she continued, “And my twins, they are so tiny, only seven weeks old. Aaron and Abigail are beautiful babies. I miss them so much.” Tears sprang into her eyes as she continued, “Father has a heart condition. I hope he isn’t overwrought.”

“Don’t fret, Jenny. Soon you’ll be home and can forget this whole ordeal. Here, drink some of this herb mixture so you can get your strength back. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

Jenny took the warm brew from Zachary. She gulped down the spicy liquid. She turned her nose up at the bitter taste. “I have tasted better.”

Zachary expressed amusement. Eyeing her pensively, he encouraged, “Give the brew time to work. I’ll return with a mount.”

Jenny sent him a delightful smile, knowing she would soon be in the arms of her beloved. However, she fell into Zachary’s arms when blackness descended upon her.

Sweeping her into his embrace, Zachary laid her on the cot.

“Jenny, Jenny, how can I let you go now that I’ve found you? I must think this through clearly. Until then, you will stay here with me.” Capturing a lock of her hair, he wrapped it around his fingers, then bent down and kissed her softly on the lips. As he studied her sleeping form, he again noticed her bruises and abrasions. Concocting a potion that he’d learned from the Gypsies, he painstaking applied it to her wounds. “This will heal you, my love, but there is no cure for me,” he sighed. He forced her family from his mind.

He didn’t ravish Jenny as he longed to, but he knew he couldn’t keep her indefinitely without arousing the Gypsies’ suspicions. Yet he suspected their philosophy was to
live and let live
and they wouldn’t hold him accountable if he chose to keep her.
Who would be the wiser if I were to abscond with her?

Chapter 18

Shaken and battered, Jake struggled to his feet and found his way out of the swamp. He stood along the path and whistled for his horse, which came promptly. Convinced Jenny would meet with ill fate in the swamplands, he rode back to Greenville to see Bonita. Upon entering her chamber, he told her of his entanglement with Jennifer and concluded by saying, “The woman got away.”

“You fool!” Bonita seethed. “You couldn’t even tame Jennifer?”

Refusing to be bested by a woman, Jake hotly answered, “That woman was not like most. Her strength nearly matched mine! But never fear, drugged and confused, she ran into the swamp and is sure to get lost. She’ll die of hunger or drown first, or poisonous snakes will kill her. She won’t be here to bother you again, my pretty.” He pulled her into his embrace and felt her stiffen as she refused his caresses. His eyes darkened with fury. “Remember our bargain, Sweet Thing?”

“You didn’t complete the mission,” Bonita taunted, shaking loose of him.

“But I got rid of her,” Jake bragged. “Now come here, give me some loving.”

Moving swiftly, Bonita reached into the bureau and pulled out a knife. Pressing the point slightly into his throat, a trickle of blood seeped down his neck. “Get out of my sight, you vermin. You will never touch me again!”

Too angry to be scared, Jake grabbed her wrist and twisted it, causing Bonita to release the knife. His shifty eyes bore into her. “You highfalutin hussy, I’ll teach you to strut your stuff then double-cross me!” They scuffled about the room, tipping over an unlit lamp, and dragging down the curtains. Jake clipped her across the jaw and knocked her to the floor. On impact, two front teeth fell out of her mouth and blood splattered the rug. Jake jerked her to her feet and shoved her in front of the mirror. “Look at your face. No man will pay for the likes of you, you conniving bitch!” He threw her onto the bed. “You got just what you deserved,” he sneered, then strode from the room, his heavy boots echoing loudly in the corridor.

Gingerly, Bonita crept to the washstand and poured water into the basin. She dabbed at her swollen face and rinsed away the blood. Applying pressure to her gum to stop the bleeding, she studied herself in the mirror. Her once flawless cheeks were covered in bruises. She came away from the mirror and removed her bloodstained garments as Ethel barged into the room.

Ethel’s eyes widened as she took in her battered profile.

“Bonita, you’ve been beaten! I heard a racket in here, but had no idea it was so violent.” Playing down the significance of what had happened, she hastened to say, “Oh, now and then, the guys get rough with the girls but never enough to show.” She examined her face and mouth. “You’re missing two teeth. It changes your appearance considerably.” She frowned. “Why didn’t you call me, honey? I could have sent George to your rescue.”

“It was a personal matter,” Bonita replied.

“I’ll be right back,” Ethel said, rushing from the room. She returned with a cup of comfrey tea. “Drink this, it’ll soothe your mouth.” Ethel shoved a lock of red tresses into her upswept coiffure as Bonita sipped the brew. Regretfully, she said, “You’ve been bringing money in steadily, Honey, but with your blemished face and toothless gaps, you’ll be an embarrassment to my brothel. I only hire women of exceptional beauty. I have to let you go.”

“I can’t leave. I’ve nowhere to go!”

“Well, you can’t stay here,” Ethel replied. “Maybe you can go back to cleaning again. Thelma Smith might rehire you.”

“That won’t happen,” Bonita snapped. “I’m a whore in Thelma’s eyes.”

“Well, you do sleep around . . .”

Bonita shrugged her shoulders. She knew Ethel wouldn’t relent.

“I guess I’ll be leaving,” she said indifferently. She sat the half empty cup on the dresser and started packing her things.

“It’s late. Stay until tomorrow, then you’re on your own,” Ethel said with pity. “I have a business to run and have to think of my prospects.” Silence dominated the room until Ethel inquired, “Where will you go?”

“I don’t know yet, but I’ll leave Greenville. There’s nothing to keep me here,” she answered bitterly. “I have no living kin.” A look of determination replaced distress. “I’ve survived this long alone. I can do it again.”

Ethel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, kid, you were my top earner.” Avoiding Bonita’s gaze, she exited the room, her taffeta gown swishing with each step.

Bonita took another sip of tea, then lay down on the bed. Her thoughts drifted to Nicholas. She was sorry for ever knowing him and Jennifer as she fully realized her punishment for interfering in their lives.

Jenny awoke and looked around the wagon. Her eyes came to rest on Zachary.

“Why haven’t we left?”

“You fell ill two days ago, Jennifer. I couldn’t drag you on horseback since I need you to direct me to your plantation.”

“I’ve been sick for two days?” She stretched and yawned. “Thanks for watching over me. May we leave now?”

“Certainly, Jennifer. I’ll saddle Cocoa.” He led Jenny from the wagon. “I’ll only be a moment.”

While waiting for him, she took in her surroundings. Young Gypsy children gathered around and stared at her with coal black eyes. Jenny smiled, dazzling the children with her presence. They, in turn, responded with shy grins until a harried mother clapped her hands.

“Come, children, it’s time for supper!”

Jenny watched them scurry to the campfire. Soon, she would hold her own babies. Her eyes shifted to Zachary as he came into the clearing with Cocoa. Zachary helped her mount, jumped up behind her, and then started the long trek to the plantation.

Believing she suffered a reaction from the chloroform and still a bit weak, she rested against Zachary’s chest. As he held her close, Jenny rejoiced that she was finally going home.

They had gone a good distance when darkness descended.

“We must bed down for the night,” Zachary said.

“Bed down?” she queried. “I’m eager to get home. Can’t we let the moonlight guide us?”

“It’s unsafe in the wilderness, Jenny. Surely, you don’t wish harm to Cocoa here.” He patted the stallion’s damp hide. “If we went by foot, we’d be tired, hot, and covered with mosquito bites. We’d have to contend with nocturnal creatures, too.”

“You’re right,” she concurred. “Cocoa needs to rest.” A misty rain began to fall, making her wish she were already home. She pointed to a Cypress tree. “Perhaps I can bed down over there, and you can sleep near Cocoa,” she said thoughtfully.

Zachary dismounted and brought Jenny with him. “I have but one worn blanket, Jenny. Would you have me exposed to the elements and catch my very death? For surely, I will not have you exposed to the rain after your recent illness. I insist you use the cover.”

I can blame myself for this moment,
Jenny thought. If she hadn’t been so anxious to return home, they could have stayed another night and left at daybreak. Now Zachary was putting his life on the line for her, and here she stood, duly chastised. Still, in good conscience, she couldn’t lie with him, especially since she was deeply in love with Nicholas. Stalling, she strolled about the wet ground to bring circulation back into her numb legs.

Zachary scouted the area and found a small cove hidden by trees and brush. “We can stay here tonight. It will shelter us from the rain,” he said. He removed his backpack and bedroll. “I’ll fix us a bite of food.” He served her biscuits and water. “I apologize for such meager fare. It’s nothing compared to the food on the
Marylou
.” He bit into the biscuit. “Perhaps someday we can sit down to dinner and enjoy a full course meal.”

“I don’t think so,” Jenny said. “We must sever our relationship once we arrive at the plantation.”

A sad expression crossed his face. “I feared that might be the case.” He shrugged his shoulders in resignation. “So be it, Jenny, I don’t care to impose upon your contented lifestyle.”

Zachary stood and stretched his long muscular frame. A smile formed at the corners of his mouth. His eyes danced as he tried to cheer her. Bowing politely, he said, “Allow me to assist you to your chambers, Jenny.”

“I don’t find this humorous,” she said, tapping her foot on the ground. “I must sleep in the rain rather than lie down with you.”

He dropped to the damp ground and pulled the blanket over his robust form. “Suit yourself.”

Jenny curled up nearby and closed her eyes.

Steadily the rain fell, seeping into their make-do chamber. Time passed. Chilled, Jenny gazed at Zachary and listened to his even breathing. Convinced he was sleeping, she nudged her way alongside him for warmth.

As Jenny listened to the bullfrogs and crickets, she gazed up at the stars and reflected on Nicholas.
Soon, my love, I’ll return
. She closed her eyes and slept.

Sleep did not come as easily to Zachary as he lay beside Jennifer. He recalled how, after much deliberation, he couldn’t keep Jenny away from her family. He convinced himself he was doing the right thing by returning her to the plantation. Even so, he still wanted her desperately and brought her into his embrace. Guilt nagged at his consciousness as contrary thoughts raced through his mind. Part of him was honorable; the other, deplorable. Jenny had a way of distorting his thinking, making him risk everything just to have her, if only for a few days. Not wanting to waste the precious moments he had with her, he barely slept, but lay enamored with her beauty and saddened that they soon would part.

By morning, the rain had abated, so they broke camp. Zachary and Jenny continued their journey. Arriving at the plantation by mid-afternoon, Zachary helped Jenny dismount, then prepared to leave.

“Stay and have dinner with us,” Jenny pleaded. “I owe you that much. Besides, I want you to meet Nicholas.”

Lily stood on the veranda, waving to Jenny with enthusiasm. “Excuse me, Ma’am, but Nicholas isn’t here. He went in search of you. We haven’t seen him since the day you left.”

“Oh,” Jenny said. She was dejected, as she was eager to feel his warm embrace. She glanced at Zachary and smiled. “Come meet Father and the babies,” she said, ushering him into the house.

Thomas came from his room and looked up to see Jenny. “I was worried about you, Jenny. What happened to you?”

She rushed into his arms. “I’m happy to be home. I’ll tell you later about my ordeal.” She introduced Zachary to him. “Zachary saved my life by coming to my rescue when a poisonous snake slithered toward me. He also took care of me when I fell ill and brought me home.”

Thomas gripped Zachary’s hand and gave him a hearty handshake. “Thank you for bringing my daughter safely home. Nicholas would thank you, too, if he were here.”

While Thomas and Zachary exchanged banter, Jenny hastened to the nursery and found her infants sleeping. “Oh, my darlings,” she whispered. “I missed you so!” She held each child and reassured herself that they were thriving. She then carefully returned them to their cradles.

Zachary stood in the doorway, his eyes fastened on Jenny.

She saw his reflection in the mirror and bade him enter. “Come see the twins.”

After their brief visit, she left the babies in Lily’s care. Bathed in radiance, she returned to her father.

They sat down to a savory meal. A pleasant conversation ensued as Zachary spoke to Thomas and Jenny of his travels, telling them about the steamships he had lived on and the intriguing people he had met. They hung onto every word, occasionally interjecting their own experiences.

Upon finishing his meal, Zachary stood to take his leave. Thomas and Jenny walked with Zachary to the veranda.

“Again, we are indebted to you for bringing Jenny home,” Thomas said.

With a tip of his hat and a lingering gaze at Jenny, Zachary bid them adieu, then rode from the plantation.

“I should have asked him to stay the night,” Jenny said, realizing dusk was upon them and recalling the damp night they had shared.

“I don’t think so, Jenny. Are you aware that Zachary is in love with you?”

“Father, that’s a bold assertion! Zachary was only doing what any fine gentleman would do. To my recollection, he showed only proper conduct to me.”

“Be that as it may, Jenny, the man has a hankering for you. It’s probably wise that he left, lest Nicholas return and misunderstand his intentions.”

“Perhaps you are right,” she replied with resignation. “I hope Nicholas comes home soon. I have missed him beyond endurance.”

Jenny stepped inside and went to the nursery. She nursed the babies and changed their diapers. She spent time rocking them and humming to them. Finally, she returned them to their cradles.

She said goodnight to her father before retiring to her chamber. She lowered herself into a warm bath, then leisurely soaked. She let out a contented sigh, recalling her days outdoors. It was refreshing to feel the silky clean water gliding over her body, and she reveled in the luxury of lathering her skin with lavender-scented soap.

She stepped from the tub, toweled herself dry and slipped into a clean cotton gown. She sat at the vanity and brushed her ebony locks. Her thoughts drifted to Nicholas. “Come home soon, Darling,” she whispered, then doused the lamp and got into bed.

In the midnight hour, Nicholas stepped into her chamber. The moonlight illumined Jenny as she slept.
How can she be so beautiful, yet so wicked
? He dropped to the bed.