Unspoken Love (28 page)

“For ransom, Mr. Grant, say, five thousand dollars. I’m sure you’ll pay well to see her safe, then I’ll be on my merry way.”

Nicholas saw Gilbert’s blood-caked lip and suspected the cause. He wanted to wipe the smirk from his face and give him the trouncing of his life, but his common sense took over. He knew he mustn’t jeopardize Jenny’s life. Rifling through his desk, he brought out a small amount of cash and tossed it to Gilbert. “That’s all the money I have at my disposal. I’ll need time to collect the rest.”

“I’ll give you until tomorrow noon. Ride along the road to Greenville. I’ll find you. If you have the money, I’ll release Jennifer. If not, she goes with me, and you’ll never see her again.”

An angry twitch blossomed across Nicholas’s cheek. Gilbert would not get away with this. He would give his life to set Jenny free, if need be.

Gilbert waved the gun at Nicholas. “I’ll leave you now, Mr. Grant. Don’t follow me unless you want Jennifer harmed.” He backed out the door, knocking Millicent out of the way as she came from the parlor. He ran from the house, mounted his horse, and rode away at breakneck speed.

Nicholas raced to the window and saw Gilbert ride into the woods.
Why would he ride into the forest instead of going by way of the main road, especially with darkness descending? It is pitch black in there.
He looked up to see a distraught Millicent enter the room. She placed her hands down to her sides to keep them from shaking.

“I am so sorry, Mr. Grant. I thought the man was a friend of yours,” she apologized.

“You didn’t know. Don’t worry about it, Millicent. Go stay with the children.”

She nodded and ran from the room.

Nicholas sent for Warren. “Gilbert Johnson has Jenny. I want you to ride to town and summon Sheriff Miller. Don’t speak of this to anyone,” he instructed. “We don’t want Gilbert to learn we are searching for Jenny. He might panic and dispense with her.”

Warren’s startled expression turned to anger. “Why, I’ll squeeze the life out of the varmint, if he harms our Jenny.” With urgency, he dashed out the door and rode for town.

Jenny shivered as a chill settled over the forest. Dark shadows emerged as treetops swayed in the breeze. Only the moonlight saved her from total darkness. A faint chirping of crickets sounded in the distance. She heard hoofbeats pounding the ground and prayed that Nicholas had found her. Her happiness was short lived when she saw Gilbert riding toward her, holding a lighted lantern in his hand.

“Ah, my dear Jennifer, all has gone well,” he said, sliding down from his mount. “Tomorrow you will be with your beloved, and I’ll be a rich man. But tonight. . . .” His voice trailed, allowing her to draw her own conclusions. Gathering tinder, he made a small fire, being careful to maintain the flames so he wouldn’t draw attention to their whereabouts. He scrutinized Jennifer as she remained tied to the tree, still gagged. Muffled sounds escaped her as she returned his gaze.

“I can’t understand your mumbling. One scream and you’re dead. You won’t see your babies or Nicholas again,” he warned, removing the cloth from her mouth.

“Untie my hands, Gilbert. They are numb.”

“I guess it won’t hurt. You won’t escape me in these dark woodlands.” He cut the rope away from her hands.

Jenny exercised her stiff limbs and allowed the circulation to flow.

Gilbert drew her to the fire.

“No need to be cold, my pretty. Stand here and warm yourself while I lay out my bedroll.”

Tempted to run while her hands were free, Jenny knew it would be futile thanks to the darkness and the twisted trees throughout the forest. She knew Gilbert would dispense with her posthaste if she called for help, but she had to do something She realized Gilbert’s cleverness by holding her hostage at
Small Timbers
. She was sure that Nicholas would never think to look for her on his own property. Hoping to alert him to her whereabouts, she seized the opportunity to unfasten her skirt and drop it to the ground. The crisp night air blew through her thin petticoats as she cautiously nudged her skirt toward the heat. Pushing yards of material along the hot timber, she stepped away from the fire with Gilbert oblivious to her purpose. She hoped he couldn’t discern her lack of clothing in the darkness, for she didn’t want to tempt the lust-driven man.

After Gilbert made a place for them to sleep, he sauntered to his horse and withdrew a bottle of whisky from the saddlebag. He took a swig of the fiery liquid, then another. As the spirits seeped into his veins, he applauded his wise scheme. “Nicholas will never think to look for you here,” he bragged. “I have planned your abduction well and will come out the victor, and a very rich man.” Desire replaced his greedy expression as the moon outlined Jennifer’s voluptuous silhouette. Quickly he brought her to him and sought her lips. Like a vulture honing in on its prey, he held her immobile and kissed her long and deep. Jenny tried to break free, but he held her tightly.

Brilliant orange flames licked the black sky as her skirt burst into a ball of fire, singeing nearby trees, and smoke billowed into the night air.

“What —the—?” Gilbert spun around and rushed to the fire.

Jenny jumped in his way and fought to keep him from extinguishing the flames.

He threw her aside and sent her sprawling to the ground. Working fervently, he brought the blaze under control. Anger consumed him as he dragged Jenny to her feet. He gripped her shoulders and shook her roughly.

She didn’t flinch, but eyed him with contempt. Still, she regretted that he had put out the fire before help could be summoned.

“You will not ruin my well-laid plan, you little vixen.” He stared at her. Greedy to claim all spoils, he scoffed, “I’ll swindle Nicholas out of the money
and
take you with me.”

A deafening shot rang out. Gilbert’s features contorted as he released Jenny and fell to the ground.

Jenny scrambled away from her captor. Unable to distinguish direction, she collided into someone’s arms. Brought to the ground and forced to remain silent, she heard the sweetest voice of all.

“Don’t call out, Jennifer, lest we lose our prey.”

“Oh, Nicholas, thank goodness you’ve come,” Jenny whispered. A commotion sounded in the distance, and they watched as the laborers converged on Gilbert.

“What you doing out here? You poaching off our land?” Hattie asked, swinging a dead branch. “I’ll beat you black and blue if you so much as think of stealing from Mister Grant!”

A feeling of doom gripped Gilbert as he realized his plans had been thwarted again. Forced to abandon his plan, he ran to his mount. He stopped abruptly as the click of a gun echoed in his ears. The steel barrel felt cold against his head.

“Move, and it will be your last,” Nicholas warned, resting his finger on the trigger. He jerked the rope from Gilbert’s saddle and bound his hands. Retrieving the money Gilbert had stolen earlier, he stuffed it in his pocket. “You won’t need this where you’re going.”

Keeping watch over Gilbert, Nicholas glanced at the group standing around him. Half dressed and with their hair mussed, the slaves had come to his aid. With gratitude, he addressed the people.

“Your loyalty knows no bounds, and I am grateful for your intervention. You may return to your quarters. Mr. Johnson will be properly punished.”

As the slaves dispersed, Warren Bond rode up with Sheriff Miller. The sheriff leapt from his mount and listened as Jenny explained her harrowing experience.

When she had finished speaking, he said, “I’m sorry a delicate lady like you had to suffer such indignities, Mrs. Grant.” Then to Nicholas, he stated, “Gilbert will be brought to justice. He has an extensive record of thievery and assaults. Judge White will put him behind bars for a long time.”

Gilbert sat astride his horse, thwarted and downtrodden. Cruelly, his eyes raked over Jennifer. She had humiliated him far more than any man ever dared.

Sheriff Miller grabbed the reins. “We’ll be heading for the Greenville jail,” he announced, leading Gilbert away. He tipped his hat and slapped the reins. The horses followed the path leading out of the forest.

As the workers chatted amongst themselves and sauntered back to their quarters, Warren addressed Jenny. “I’m glad you’re safe, Jennifer.” He glanced at Nicholas. “I’ll take my leave. See you tomorrow.” Sending them a curt nod, the worthy overseer made his departure and rode to his cabin.

Nicholas placed his jacket over Jenny and led her out of the forest. Moonlight danced across the pond, which was surrounded by weeping willows draped with Spanish moss. They strolled along the winding road as the moon guided their way, outlining the plantation. He stopped walking, placed his arm around Jenny, and drew her into his embrace.

“How did you find me?” Jenny asked.

“I saw Gilbert ride into the woods, giving me cause to reflect on his actions. When I saw the blaze, I knew where to find you.” He pushed a lock of hair away from her face. “Speaking of Gilbert, you’ll have to calm Millicent down. She is quite upset that she allowed him entrance to our house and has been begging for forgiveness.”

“I’ll talk to her,” she said. “No doubt, Gilbert tricked her with his hypnotic ways. Thank goodness those days are over.” She sent him a look of terror. “I nearly burned the forest down tonight in my haste to summon help.”

Nicholas cupped her chin in his hand and forced her to meet his gaze. “We can plant more trees, Jenny, but there is only one
you
.” He kissed her deeply. “Ah, my sweet lady, will we ever be free of our past? Must I always play cloak and dagger with the men in your life?”

“Perhaps,” Jenny teased and ran her fingers over his handsome profile. Bringing his lips down to meet hers, she kissed him profoundly. “I was destined to be with you, Nicholas. You are, and always will be, my one true love.”

She gave him a smile that sent his senses reeling. Her brilliant green eyes innocently enticed him. He hugged Jenny and said the words she longed to hear.

“I love you deeply, Jennifer. You are my very life.”

Also by Lynn Gale:

GARTH’S WOMAN

Proud but penniless after her father’s death, Cathleen Foster takes a job on a nearby ranch. The foreman hires her, unaware that she and owner Garth Evans, who has a Texas-sized mistrust of women, have already met. Cathleen finds herself falling in love with the brooding rancher and over time, her determination and kindness chip away at Garth’s walls. But standing between the two and their growing love are the efforts of a backstabbing ranch hand, a rash of cattle rustling, and Garth’s black-hearted cousin who covets Cathleen for himself.

Available now from Amazon http://tinyurl.com/ma856b4