Because of Rebecca(2)

“Then you must find Rory,” his attorney stated.

“I haven’t seen him since his mother died. No doubt he’s used up his inheritance and is off somewhere writing more bad drafts using my name. Isn’t there some way to protect Oak Hill?”

Shaking his head, Mitchell sat in his leather chair and read over the letter again. “Delaney says he’ll be here within the month with the auctioneer to look over the estate. It may be an idle threat, but you have until then to get Rory back here and face the man. I’ll help any way I can. I’ll send a few inquiries around to cities known for their gaming clubs and see what we can turn up.”

Jared ran a finger around the rim of his glass. “What do you propose I do until then?”

“Pray that we find Rory in time.”

“And if we don’t?” he countered.

Silence filled the office for a few moments until Mitchell grinned. “Have you thought of remarrying?”

“Remarry? You want me to marry a woman I can’t even support?” He scoffed. “Not likely.”

“Her dowry could buy you some leverage with Delaney, or at least the bank.”

“Listen to you. You’re getting married tomorrow so you think everyone should be consumed in marital bliss.”

“It’s a thought. Besides, Elizabeth has a former Augusta Seminary classmate attending the wedding. I had hoped you’d agree to be her escort. Keep her company during the afternoon festivities.”

Chuckling, Jared shook his head. “Too priceless. You’ve waited how long now to drop this little request on me?”

“Only a week. I wanted to make sure you hadn’t changed your mind about coming,” Mitchell confessed. “Besides, Elizabeth just received word her friend is going to attend. She assures me Rebecca is a very beautiful woman and she comes from a wealthy family.”

“At least you didn’t say likeable.” He didn’t appreciate the position his attorney put him in, especially since he rarely went to social functions anymore. The last thing he wanted was to be saddled with a chattering female. However, Mitchell was more than his attorney. He was a friend and he rarely made requests. Jared took a breath before speaking. “I’ll consider it if you allow me to dance with the bride at the wedding.”

Mitchell smiled and came around his desk to shake Jared’s hand. “Absolutely. Try not to worry too much about this ordeal with Delaney.”

“Easier said than done.” He drained the rest of the whiskey from his glass and sat it on the credenza. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jared left the office and headed to Maple Street to check with the postmaster for any mail. He prayed Rory wasn’t dead. If he could get his cousin to return to Oak Hill and show Delaney there were two Mr. Hollingsworths and explain his fool hearted actions, then perhaps the man would reconsider staking a claim on the plantation. Since this fellow wanted to auction it off, he surely cared more about the money than the land.

Jared opened the door to the post office and paused to allow a young woman to exit. As she passed, he smelled lemon verbena and saw the glow of her auburn hair peek from beneath her fashionable bonnet. Enchanted, he hesitated before going inside, choosing instead to watch the sway of her hips as she strolled down the street toward the Bakersfield Hotel. It had been years since he’d noticed a woman.

****

Rebecca watched in the mirror as the mulatto servant repinned her hair for the wedding. She’d left her maid at the hotel to help her aunt with Lucas while she attended the wedding festivities.

“Ah, there you are.” Elizabeth entered the guest room, looking flushed. “I thought I’d never get away from Mama to have a word with you.”

Rebecca dismissed the servant and turned to her friend. “You look beautiful.”

“I think so too.” Elizabeth grinned and slowly turned a complete circle showing off the dress. “I’m so nervous. Does it show?”

“Not at all.” Rebecca stood and helped her friend carefully sit down on the bed without wrinkling the heavy, beaded wedding dress of imported Italian satin.

“I can’t wait until it’s your turn to marry. I just know you’ll meet someone handsome, and he’ll sweep you off your feet.”

“Perhaps.” Rebecca doubted any man would give her a second look with an infant in tow.

Elizabeth fidgeted, touching a tendril of golden hair near her ear. “How’s Lucas doing?”

“Trying to crawl. He’ll be walking before I know it. The doctor says he’s healthy.”

“I wish you could have brought him out for the wedding. I do adore babies. Does he look like Mariah, or is it too soon to tell?”

“I’m not sure who he looks like. He does have my auburn coloring though, so I believe he must take after Papa.” Rebecca smiled. “But good heavens, I couldn’t have brought him today.”

“Why not?” Elizabeth asked. “It’s my wedding. Shouldn’t I invite who I want?”

“Aunt Josephine would have died at the mere mention of my bringing him here. She made a big enough fuss when I asked for her and Lucas to make the trip from Memphis with me.” Rebecca shook her head. “I’m so tired of being trapped out in the country, never seeing anyone. I feel we’re constantly in hiding. Josephine keeps us there for fear gossip might start about Lucas and damage her stellar reputation among the parish women. I believe she’s told them I’m traveling and she’s living at the cottage alone.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I remember you telling me about your prim aunt when we were at seminary. It doesn’t sound as if it has been easy on you raising Mariah’s child as your own.”

“No. She won’t let me forget what I gave up by taking Lucas as my own. But I wouldn’t change one single day. I love him more than I could ever imagine possible. I’m so glad that scoundrel Delaney never knew he got Mariah with child during their brief farce of a marriage. I don’t know what I’d do if he tried to take my boy from me.”

“I can’t wait to have a child.” Elizabeth looked wistful for a moment. “But not right away. I want to enjoy my husband first.”

“Don’t be enjoying him too much or you’ll be starting a family sooner than you think,” Rebecca warned.

Her friend blushed and looked away as a knock sounded at the door. The mulatto servant peeked inside.

“Missy, your Mama be lookin’ for ya. Says it’s bout time and you ain’t got your veil on yet. She’s a waitin’ for ya. Now’s hurry up.”

“Thank you, Tilda.” Elizabeth stood with Rebecca’s help. “I love the pale green of your dress. I wish I could wear that color, but it makes me look ill.”

She smiled. “It’s one of the few colors that work well with my hair. Besides, it’s gay and alive. I’m so sick of black bombazine that I’ve had to wear every day for the last six months.”

“I detest black and having to wear it when Grand Mama passed away.” Her friend scrunched up her nose for a second but perked up again. “I’d better go or Papa will be walking the floor. He nearly wore a hole in the carpet when Hélène got married because she wasn’t ready on time.”

“All right. I’ll see you after the ceremony.”

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Elizabeth stopped near the door and turned back around. “Mitchell has arranged for you to have an escort for the afternoon. His name is Jared Hollingsworth. He’s a very nice man, though not very active in the social circles. I’ve never met him so I asked Mama about him, but she couldn’t tell me very much either. He owns his own plantation and runs it without slave labor.”

Rebecca took note of that last tidbit and smiled. “Mitchell didn’t have to go to any trouble on my account.”

“Nonsense. You don’t know anyone here, and I didn’t want you to feel lonely. I want you to have a good time. Besides, I’ll be able to enjoy myself knowing you’re in good hands.”

“If it’ll make you feel better.”

“Excellent. My older brother, Josiah, will introduce you. He’ll be waiting for you downstairs. Wish me luck!”

“The best of it.” She hugged her friend, careful not to crush her beaded gown. Then she watched Elizabeth move as swiftly as she could down the hallway.

Stepping back inside the room, she closed the door and quickly pulled the folded note she’d received at the post office the day before from her reticule.

Dear Miss Davis,

Thank you for agreeing to help me in this matter. Our mutual acquaintance has assured me you will be very discreet. I will contact you shortly after your arrival. You will recognize me by the yellow rose bud in my lapel.

Your devoted servant,

Hollingsworth

When Elizabeth said the name, Rebecca had known it sounded familiar. Could her escort for today be the same Mr. Hollingsworth?