Because of Rebecca(3)

Heart fluttering, she refolded the note and tucked it securely back into the hidden pocket she’d made in the lining of her purse. She’d been so frightened taking her first road assignment from the Vigilante Committee, especially now that she had Lucas. The thought of being caught and the consequences of the crime left her weak in the knees. Nevertheless, they’d chosen her for this important job and she vowed to see it through.

She poured a small amount of water from the pitcher into the washbowl and dipped a portion of a hand towel in it. She ran the damp towel over the back of her neck to calm her nerves and closed her eyes. When her pulse settled, she took a deep breath, picked up her elbow length gloves and slowly walked out of the bedroom and down the hallway.

She stopped for a moment at the top of the wide staircase to slip on her gloves and spotted Elizabeth’s brother waiting for her at the foot. When she reached the bottom, he offered her his arm with a gentle smile and walked her through the house to the back loggia where the many guests waited on the lawn for the wedding to begin.

Arrangements of fresh flowers decorated the perimeter of the yard. In the center, a dais signified the altar. White chairs positioned in rows around the dais were available for the guests.

Outside, she noticed a very handsome man dressed in black standing alone near the back of the fashionably dressed gathering of men and women. His blond hair was pulled back at the nape in a queue, and he stood military straight with hands clasped behind his back. The string quartet began to play and he turned toward them.

Oh my goodness! He’s wearing a yellow rosebud.

Rebecca’s mind went numb. She hadn’t expected to meet her liaison at her friend’s wedding, nor that he’d be so handsome. The mere sight of him astounded her.

Josiah motioned to him and the man in question came toward them.

“Mr. Jared Hollingsworth,” Josiah said. “I’d like you to meet Miss Rebecca Davis. Miss Davis, Mr. Hollingsworth.”

Rebecca nodded appreciation to the young Mr. Calhoun and curtsied when Mr. Hollingsworth took her gloved hand in his. Tingles of awareness halted her midway, and she forced herself to rise without prolonged hesitation. His blue eyes sparkled as she boldly stared into them, mesmerized by his handsome face.

“It’s a pleasure, Miss Davis. Mr. Cooper tells me you attended Augusta Seminary with Miss Calhoun.”

“Yes, I did. Did you also attend West Point with Mr. Cooper?” she asked, still unable to look away from his ruggedly handsome face.

“Class of forty-eight.” He offered her his arm. “We’d better take our seats. The ceremony should begin soon.”

Rebecca placed her hand in the crook of his arm. Her heart pounded as she walked beside him down the aisle to the reserved seats near Elizabeth’s family members. She felt honored to be included, and oddly, she felt sensationally alive being by this stranger’s side. She couldn’t explain what had come over her, but she had never felt more at home.

Awareness of him consumed her thoughts, and she paid little attention to the wedding ceremony. Yet, when Elizabeth and Mr. Cooper sealed their vows with a kiss, she wondered how it would feel to have Mr. Hollingsworth’s lips pressed against hers and his strong arms holding her close.

Rattled, she chastised herself for her thoughts. She was in Jackson on a mission, and Mr. Hollingsworth as fortune would have it, was her cohort. There was no room for daydreaming about him, even if she did find him handsome.

Today was a day of celebration, but tomorrow would be a day of joy for a very lucky young woman. Rebecca knew what role she would play in this mission, but she couldn’t help but be curious how Mr. Hollingsworth would go about doing his part. She’d love nothing more than to discuss it with him if the opportunity arose, but it was unlikely. Neither of them could risk being overheard.

****

Jared shifted in his chair beside Miss Davis. She was the first woman with whom he’d spent company since his wife had died in childbirth three years earlier. Charisse was his first love and had been a wonderful woman. Losing her and their son had nearly killed him, but fate had been cruel and left him to bear the burden alone.

Now here he was at Mitchell’s wedding playing host to this beautiful young woman whom he couldn’t deny he found attractive. As he’d walked her to their seats, he’d overheard murmuring. One guest wanted to know why he was there and another had wanted to know who she was and why she was here with him.

He feared word had already spread through the town about cousin Rory’s latest scandal, another black mark against the Hollingsworth name. As if he needed any help spreading scandal. He’d been doing fine all by himself being branded a societal outcast when his father had died, and he’d taken over running Oak Hill. Plantation owners from all around Jackson rebuked him for giving his father’s slaves their freedom and hiring those that wished to stay as tenant farmers instead.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Jared stole another glance at Miss Davis. Mitchell hadn’t lied when he assured him she was beautiful. He chuckled at his good fortune to escort this stunning woman. Her auburn hair glistened in the afternoon sun like honey dripping off the wax comb, and reminded him of the young woman he’d encountered in passing at the post office the day before.

Could it be her?

His thoughts wandered back to the vision of the young woman walking down the street toward the hotel. He hadn’t gotten a good look at her face, but the memory of her slender neck, the shape of her back and trim waist, not to mention the sweet smell of her that somehow still lingered in the air, stirred something deep inside.

Could it be a coincidence that the beauty sitting beside him smelled just as sweet? That her hair shined just as bright? His interest in her perplexed him, especially when he’d initially not welcomed the request to be her escort. He had no doubt there would be competition from the other male guests to be her dance partner at the reception.

“Don’t they make a lovely couple?” Miss Davis whispered, breaking his train of thought. She wiped her eyes with a hanky.

“Yes, they are a striking pair.” He joined the applause at the end of the ceremony. Standing, he offered his arm to her again and asked, “Shall we go inside for some refreshment?”

She smiled up at him. “That would be most enjoyable.”

Music drifted from the ballroom as they approached the house. He wondered what it would feel like to have Miss Davis in his arms, her body pressed just so against him as they danced. He shook those thoughts away and focused on making small talk.

“How long will you be staying in Jackson, Miss Davis?”

“I’m not sure. Elizabeth has asked me to stay on and help her with a few social functions once she and Mr. Cooper return from their wedding tour.”

“So there is nothing pressing that insists you return to—”

“Memphis? No, not really.” Her emerald eyes sparkled as they joined the mass of guests waiting in the receiving line to bid well wishes to the newlyweds.

Jared found it strange that the beautiful young woman didn’t have suitors lined up waiting to spend time with her. Before he realized, he’d spoken his thoughts. “No suitor eagerly awaiting your return?”

“Mr. Hollingsworth!” Her cheeks pinked with color as they reached Mitchell’s parents.

While they waited to congratulate the bride and groom, Miss Davis modestly leaned closer and whispered, “In answer to your question. No. There are no suitors at present. I’ve just come out of mourning.”

He hadn’t realized she was a widow. Why had she been introduced to him as a miss? Puzzled by her remark, Jared clasped Mitchell’s hand tighter than he intended as they shook hands.

“Are things going that bad?” his friend asked, looking concerned.

“No. Not at all.” Jared released his grip before taking the bride’s hand and raising it to his lips for a kiss. “Congratulations to you both. I hope you’ll reserve at least one dance with me, Mrs. Cooper.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth cooed, reaching for Miss Davis’ hand. “Mama, this is my dearest friend from Augusta Seminary, Miss Rebecca Davis.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Calhoun. Thank you for allowing me to attend the wedding. It was absolutely beautiful,” Miss Davis said. “Mr. Calhoun.”

“Miss Davis,” Mr. Calhoun responded.

“You must be proud, Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun,” Jared greeted.

“Thank you for coming all this way to be with us today,” Mrs. Calhoun said coolly without shaking his hand.

“Mama!” the new Mrs. Cooper gasped, giving him an apologetic look and drawing further attention to the slight.

Again Jared heard murmuring behind him and decided to escort Miss Davis away from the line before she questioned the snub. “How about that refreshment now?”

She nodded, but looked confused.

He left her in a small alcove in the ballroom while he fetched punch. When he returned, he found his companion swaying to the music.