Unspoken Love (26 page)

Nakao knocked lightly on the door. “Jennifer, may I come in?”

“Yes,” Jenny replied. “Come see the baby.”

Nakao stepped forward and gazed at the infant. His eyes showed surprise, then riveted on Jenny. “You were right all along, Jenny. Nicholas is the father.”

Jenny explained that Nicholas admitted to coming to her room the night she conceived.

“I had been puzzled about that night, myself,” Nakao said. Reminding Jenny of Gilbert Johnson and his conspiracy to ravish her, he continued, “I was convinced Gilbert had not been in your chamber, but I wondered who this faceless man could be. I am glad the mystery is solved.” He added, “You look tired. I’ll let you rest.” Sending her a reassuring look, he quietly left the room.

At the end of six weeks, Nicholas made reservations for Jenny and the children to return to
Small Timbers
. His tenacity assured her she would go with him regardless of any protest. Realizing she was fighting a lost cause, Jenny had Millicent pack their belongings.

Before their departure, Jenny called Nakao and Lily into the study. “You have both been very dedicated, and I wish to reward you for your loyalty,” she said. “I want you to stay here in Vicksburg and oversee
Ladies’ Delight
for me. You know the business well and have shown great devotion to me. I will give you a considerable share of the profits for your efforts. You may stay here at my house. Perhaps I will need to visit Vicksburg someday, and if not, you may want to purchase the house for yourself.”

Tears of joy sprang into Lily’s eyes. “Thank you, Jenny! Thank you so much!” Lily swung around and addressed Nakao. “Nakao, did you hear Jennifer? She’s giving us permission to run her shop and is allowing us to remain in her home!”

Nakao grasped Jenny’s hand. With watery eyes, he gave her a hearty hug. “You have given us a new start in life, and we thank you. If ever you need me, I will come immediately. Farewell, Jenny.”

“Good-bye,” she whispered, squeezing his hand in friendship. She went to the waiting carriage and joined Nicholas, Millicent, and the babies.

“Before we leave Vicksburg, could we ride by
Ladies’ Delight?”
Jenny asked.

“Certainly,” Nicholas responded.

Hiding the tears threatening to fall, Jenny took one more glance at the quaint shop. With perseverance, she had finally attained her dream. She felt disappointed to be leaving something so dear to her until she looked at her precious children. The twins were giggling and looking up at Nicholas with trusting eyes. Suddenly, material things become secondary to her, and she knew she was doing the right thing by going back to the plantation. She motioned for Nicholas to drive on, a bittersweet feeling sweeping over her.

Chapter 24

The trip home was taxing for Jenny, and she was happy when they finally arrived at
Small Timbers
. “It feels good to be back at the plantation with wide open spaces and abundant wildflowers,” Jenny commented.

“Indeed, it does, Jenny,” Nicholas replied.

Hoping there was never a reason for her to leave again, Jenny pondered how wonderful life would be if she and Nicholas could get along.

Nicholas took the baby from her and helped her down from the carriage. As they entered the house, joy lingered in her heart.

Learning of their arrival, Thomas meandered into the parlor and greeted her and Nicholas. He hugged Jenny tightly. “It’s so good to see you back at the plantation, Jenny.”

“I’m happy to be back,” she sang. “There is someone I want you to meet.” She walked with him to where Nicholas was cradling Nicky. “A new grandson for you,” she boasted.

Delighted with the newest addition to the family, he gazed down at Nicky with admiration. “Ah, Jenny, you have certainly pleased an old man,” he sighed.

“And she has greatly pleased me,” Nicholas said. His eyebrow arched in amusement as he recalled the night Nicky was conceived.

A rush of heat crept over Jenny’s face and, flustered, she glanced away.
How dare he taunt me? Have I not suffered enough?
She was thankful that her father had missed the innuendos. Her attention was drawn to Billy as he rushed into the house and wrapped his arms about her.

“I’m so glad you’re back, Jenny. We’ve missed you terribly!”

Jenny hugged him. When she released him, she held him at arms’ length and studied his appearance. “I’m happy to see you, Billy. You are turning into a fine young man.”

Billy puffed out his chest with pride. “Thanks for the compliment, Jenny.”

Warren stepped into the room and removed his hat. “I’m mighty glad you’re home, too, Mrs. Grant. Nicholas has been a bear since your departure.”

“Come Warren, Billy, we have work to do,” Nicholas said.

Jenny watched the threesome ride into the fields, then she addressed her father.

“Why didn’t you tell me you sold the farm to Nicholas?”

“I trust you’ll forgive me, Jenny, but I promised Nicholas I would withhold this information. He wanted to tell you when the time was right,” Thomas chimed.

Jenny smiled and gently squeezed his hand. “I forgive you, Father.”

Their conversation ended when Hattie came up to the house, her arms laden with clean laundry.

“Oh, Miss Jenny, I am so glad you’re back. Mr. Grant, he been so moody since you left.”

Jenny smiled but refrained from discussing Nicholas. “I’m home now, and I brought Millicent, a nursemaid, with me. I’m sure she’ll be quite helpful.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Hattie said. “It sure is good to see Miss Jenny home again,” she muttered. “Nicholas is gonna be a new man!” She hurried off to do her chores.

Jenny observed Millicent ogling the parlor and knew she was impressed with the ornamental furnishings. “Come with me, Millicent. I’ll show you around the house,” she said kindly. Leaving her father to look after the children, she ushered her from the room.

A good while later Jenny completed the tour and stood in the foyer with Millicent.

Her bright blue eyes shone with excitement as she ran her fingers over the polished banister. “This house is by far the nicest home I’ve ever lived in, Mrs. Grant!”

Jenny chuckled. “My sentiments exactly.”

When Millicent and Jenny returned to the parlor, She grabbed Jenny’s valise off the floor. “I’ll set your bags in your chamber,” she said. Bubbling with enthusiasm, she exited the room and climbed the spiral staircase.

That night when Jenny retired, she started to disrobe, then stopped abruptly when she heard Nicholas tapping on the door adjoining hers. Peering into the entranceway, she saw him holding her bags.

“Millicent put these in my room. I thought you might need them tonight.” Setting her luggage on the floor, he brushed against her arm.

Jenny feared if she continued to stand close to him, she would give in to her passion. They gazed at each other.

Finally, Jenny said, “Thank you. Goodnight, Nicholas.”

“Goodnight, Jenny,” Nicholas whispered, then stepped back into his chamber and closed the door.

As the months sped by, Nicholas spent long hours toiling over the plantation while Jenny tended to the many tasks at hand on the home front.

Millicent adapted well and was quick to help in any capacity. With patience, Jenny taught her the aspects of cooking, from making pies to preserving fruits.

As each new day dawned, Jenny fought to keep from calling Nicholas back as she watched him ride out on the plantation.

Nicky thrived on love, as did Aaron and Abigail, while Jenny strove to make a loving home. Regardless of her estranged relationship with Nicholas, she carefully kept her grief secret. While maintaining the dutiful role befitting a plantation owner’s wife, she hid her loneliness, yet craved Nicholas’s approval. Even though she and Nicholas had their differences, she was pleased that her father doted on the children and lavished them with gifts, his latest present being a charming miniature rocking horse that he had carved from the finest oak on the property. Millicent, too, hovered over the children, fully devoted to the young darlings.

As the festive season descended upon them, Sherman arrived at the door bearing a letter for Jenny.

With enthusiasm, she opened the delicate stationary and read the penned invitation. Molly and Wade Dillon were inviting them to a Christmas ball in one week’s time.
Only one week’s notice!
Molly and Wade were known to make spur of the moment decisions. Hoping Nicholas would agree to go, she scribbled a reply in which she accepted Molly’s gracious invitation, then fed Sherman and sent him on his way.

When Nicholas came in from the fields, Jenny approached him. “Molly and Wade invited us to their Christmas Party. I took the liberty of accepting for all of us.”

“If it pleases you, it will please me,” Nicholas replied, acquiescing to her wishes.

“Thank you, Nicholas,” she commented, a smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

Delighted for some form of diversion from her chaotic life, she searched her wardrobe for a suitable garment to wear to the festive occasion.

On the day of the gala, she pampered herself by soaking in the tub. She added a drop of perfume to her bath and let the rich flowery fragrance fill the room as she relaxed from the day’s work.

After drying off, she donned a blue satin gown covered with lace flounces and ribbons and stepped into black leather slippers. She pinned her hair up, leaving wispy ringlets along her hairline, then used a smidgeon of rouge to bring a rosy glow to her cheeks. She descended the stairs, ready for the evening ahead.

Nicholas stepped into the foyer. “You look lovely,” he said. He placed a shawl about her shoulders, his fingers lingering momentarily as he caught sight of the pearl necklace he had given her after Nicky was born. “I am glad you’re wearing the pearls,” he said. His eyes fastened on her nape, tempting him to trail kisses across her skin and run his fingers through her raven hair.

Nicholas helped Jenny and Thomas into the carriage. Loaded with yuletide gifts, they set off for the evening.

As they traveled the countryside, they came upon Jenny’s old homestead. Filled with happy memories, Jenny recalled how her father, Molly, and she had shared the happiest of occasions there. She took in the charming farmhouse and saw the livestock huddled together in the pasture, then fixed her eyes on other animals moving to the barn to keep warm.

“Your own handpicked workers run the farm,” Nicholas said. “Wade Dillon keeps a watchful eye on the property since he only lives a few miles away. And William, your stable hand, has been exceedingly helpful.”

When they arrived at the Dillon’s country home, Molly and Wade joyously ushered them into the house.

“We have gifts for you and Wade,” Jenny announced jovially. “But wait until Christmas Eve to open them.”

Wade’s rugged face took on a boyish grin, and his blue eyes sparkled. “Christmas Eve is two days away, Jenny. You would have us wait that long?” He set the presents on the side table in the foyer while Molly took their wraps.

Jenny smiled. She knew that the poetry book would be perfect for Wade since he loved to read in his spare time and that Molly would treasure the malachite box and use it to store her jewelry or mementoes.

Jenny studied Wade. He was quite attractive, and his black hair had just started turning gray at the temples. She turned her attention to Molly. She had acquired a tranquil beauty since marrying Wade. She could tell they were very happy. She envied them.

“I hope you ladies don’t mind, but I’d like to take Nicholas and Thomas into the study for a moment. We’ll join you shortly in the parlor,” Wade announced.

Molly winked at Jenny. “Business talk again,” she whispered.

Jenny glanced into the crowded parlor. Gaiety filled the air as friends visited. The sound of glasses clinking echoed in the room as everyone made a toast, wishing their fellowman a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Jenny’s gaze fixed on garland and holly hanging from the banisters and draped across the mantel. Stockings hung on the hearth at a safe distance while bright orange flames licked the logs in the fireplace, making her feel the spiritual warmth of the season.

Judge White and Ellie waved to her from across the room. Jenny returned the amenities and started toward them, but Aunt Thelma and Uncle Edward intervened, momentarily hindering her intentions.

“My, you get prettier all the time,” Aunt Thelma bragged, hugging her. “Married life agrees with you.”

“My thoughts exactly,” added shy Uncle Edward.

Jenny felt her cheeks warming. Had it not been for Uncle Edward, she wouldn’t have married Nicholas. Quickly she changed the subject. “Who is minding the inn, Aunt Thelma?”

“Inga and the servants,” Thelma answered. “Inga does a superb job.”

How nice that you finally have an evening to yourselves,” Jenny announced. “You’ve worked hard all your lives and deserve time away from your diligent tasks.”

Molly saw to the guests’ needs and refilled their glasses with eggnog for the women and liquor for the men.

Wade, Thomas, and Nicholas emerged from the study with grins plastered across their faces. Jenny stood beside the men and watched the scene unfold between Father and Emma Brooks.

Emma rushed up to him. Her beautiful green eyes dominated her pleasant features, and her cheeks became flushed with excitement. “You look well, Thomas. I trust you are in much better health then when we parted.”

A twinkle lit Thomas’s flirtatious blue eyes when he looked at Emma. “I’m feeling quite fine, thank you. And how have you been, Emma?” he asked.

“Just fine, Thomas. Come, let me introduce you to the people I work for now.” Emma glanced at Jenny. “Do you mind if I take Thomas away for a while?”

“By all means,” Jenny said, smiling.

Locking arms with Thomas, Emma whisked him away.

As Jenny watched her father mingle with Emma, she was happy for him. She felt that he could use a night of amusement and a woman to shower him with special attention.

A deep voice crept into her complacent thoughts. “Jenny, I’m so glad to see you!”

Jenny spun on her heels and gazed up at Blake Preston. “I didn’t know you were in Greenville,” she said, giving him a friendly hug.

“I came home for the holidays. Since mother and father are abroad, I wanted to spend Christmas with my friends.” His lips brushed against her temple.

“Blake, please!” Jenny reprimanded. “I know you are only greeting me with an innocent kiss, but you must remember that I am married!”

“Something that I can hardly forget,” he answered. “When I was in Vicksburg, I called upon you at
Ladies’ Delight
. Lily told me of your newborn and that you had returned to the plantation.” He peered into her eyes. “Are you truly happy, Jenny?”

“Yes, very,” she fibbed and cast her eyes away from his probing gaze. She saw Nicholas standing in the doorway, a slight tic moving across his jawline as he concealed his displeasure. She pried herself away from Blake. “Let’s be friends as we once were and share happy memories, for I am wed to another and will remain so until my dying day.”

“I’ll try, Jennifer. Yet, when I am in your presence, I lose all sense of control. You affect me as no other.”

Blake moved away as Nicholas strode up to them.

Nicholas kept his feelings in check. He didn’t want to dampen Jenny’s Christmas party and tried to keep the peace. Still, he sent Blake a reproachful glare, silently warning him to steer clear of Jenny.

As the opportunity arose, Nicholas held Jenny close, resting his arm on her small waist. Each touch sent his passion soaring, and he wanted to devour her with love. He gazed into her deep green eyes. “I can’t leave you alone lest Blake hover about you like a vulture about to snap up his prey.”

“Dinner is ready,” Molly announced, breaking their intense conversation. She stepped between them. Locking arms with the twosome, she escorted them into the dining room. “We have so much to discuss, Jenny. Please sit beside me. Nicholas, you may sit across from Jenny.”