Because of Rebecca(32)

“Jared and I have already had some difficult moments,” Rebecca admitted. “But I do know I love him heart and soul.”

Mawsy continued to regard her thoughtfully, then grinned.

“What will your Aunt Josephine say? I got the impression when I met her she’d be the kind of person who’d insist on being part of the ceremony, at least be in attendance.”

“She’ll understand.” Or at least I hope so. Rebecca offered a hasty prayer heavenward and added, “She knows Jared and I truly love one another.”

The smile Rebecca knew so well creased Mawsy’s face. “Then you marry with my blessing, child. And I pray you will be happy all the days of your lives together.”

Rebecca went to hug her friend. “Thank you,” she whispered. She stepped back and asked, “How long have you known Rory?”

“Hmmph! That scoundrel?” Mawsy scowled again. “More years than I care to recall. He was reckless when he first started working for the committee, and he’s still reckless. We even thought he got caught on his first mission. Poor Ben went searching for him, risked his own life for that no good... And do you know where he found him? Playing poker with the plantation owner who he later snatched the package from.”

“I believe it,” Rebecca said. “He cares for no one but himself.”

“A gambler through and through.” Mawsy looked toward the doorway, waited a minute, and turned back toward her. “He likes to run with those painted women,” she whispered.

Biting back her smile, Rebecca nodded. “I know. He took me to one of their establishments.”

Mawsy laid a hand over her heart. “That man needs salvation from himself,” she declared. “And only the love of a good hearted woman will turn a man like Rory into a redemptive soul. And the merciful Lord above to get him into Heaven.”

“I’m afraid he hasn’t yet met the woman who can do that,” she said sadly.

Mawsy took Rebecca’s hands between hers. “Then we should pray he meets her, and soon, before he loses his life and spends eternity paying for his sins.”

They bowed their heads and silently prayed for Rory’s soul.

“Amen!” Mawsy handed her the plates as Ben and Jared came back into the kitchen.

“Rebecca,” Ben said. “I believe you’ve found yourself a good man. I’ll perform the ceremony.”

She sat the plates on the table and rushed to hug him. “Thank you. I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d want performing my marriage. May we do it now?”

“Yes. I have the necessary documents for you both to sign. Do you have the rings?”

Jared nodded, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He took the rings out and handed them to the parson.

“Not so fast, Ben.” Mawsy stepped forward and spoke to Rebecca. “You go into my room and freshen up. Don’t come back until I call for you.”

Rebecca nodded and turned to leave the room, but Mawsy grabbed her arm and led her into the hall. She leaned close to Rebecca and whispered, “Don’t worry, child. Tonight will not be that horrible, though young women have the right to be fearful going to a man’s bed for the first time.”

Heat flooded Rebecca’s cheeks and she hurried from the room grateful the pitcher in the bedroom was still full. She poured water into the washbowl, splashed her face, and blotted it dry with a clean towel. Staring at her reflection, she took a long slow breath to steady her wildly thumping heart. “There’s nothing for you to be nervous about. You’re marrying Jared.”

“You certainly are,” he said from the doorway and she jumped, turning toward him. “But if getting married tonight feels rushed, we don’t have to do it. We can wait until we return to Jackson, plan a small wedding, and invite our friends.”

She shook her head. “No. I want to do it now. I-I think I’m excited about it to the point of distraction. It’s hard to believe and yet it’s happening. A girl waits for this day all her life. When I woke this morning I had no idea I’d be going to bed as your wife tonight.”

He came forward to take her hands. “If you’re sure?”

She smiled up at the man with whom she intended to spend the rest of her life. “I am.”

“Then Ben is ready when you are.” They slowly walked back to the parlor, and Mawsy began playing the small upright piano in the corner.

Ben stood in front of the mantel and waited for the music to stop. “On this special occasion I have the honor to unite you in marriage. It’s a sacred bond. Neither of you should enter into lightly.”

Rebecca looked at Jared, carefully watching his expression. Ben’s words filtered through her ears and into her heart where she felt them with much joy. When they exchanged vows, she repeated the words as instructed and slipped the gold band on Jared’s finger. It was a piece of metal that had no meaning before she put it on, and now it meant he was hers. She watched as he put a similar band on her finger where he’d placed the emerald that afternoon.

“By the power vested in me by the State of Tennessee, I pronounce you husband and wife,” Ben concluded.

Jared didn’t wait for the traditional command, “you may now kiss the bride.” Instead, he pulled her into his arms and gave her their first kiss as husband and wife. She wrapped her arms around his neck and eagerly returned it. From this day forward they’d face the trials of life together.

****

When they entered the Exeter Hotel later that evening Rebecca went up to her room to collect her things while Jared stopped at the front desk. He spoke with the clerk and settled the bill on Rebecca’s room.

“Congratulations, Mr. Hollingsworth,” the clerk said. “I heard about the excitement in the dining room earlier today. We didn’t realize you’d be making it official so soon. If you’ll kindly reregister as husband and wife there will be no problem.”

“Thank you.” Jared took the pen and signed the book again. When he finished, he looked at the clerk. “There is one other service you can do. I’ve learned another guest is asking questions about me. His name is Stuart Delaney. I’d appreciate our privacy until we check out.”

“O-of course,” the clerk stuttered. “I-I beg your pardon, sir. It was a simple mistake. He said he knew you, but couldn’t remember where you were from.”

“Neither my wife nor I want anything to do with the man,” Jared said firmly. “Is that clear?”

“Y-yes, sir. Bu-but you won’t have to worry about Mr. Delaney bothering you. He checked out this afternoon.”

“He did?”

The clerk nodded.

“Did he say where he was going?”

“No sir, but he did say something about going to collect on a debt owed him.”

Any sense of relief knowing Delaney wouldn’t bother them further vanished, and Jared swallowed the bile rising in his throat. Good God, if Delaney was headed to Oak Hill, he had to get there before the man arrived. He didn’t trust him to do the honorable thing anymore than he trusted Rory not to gamble the money away before he paid his debt.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?” the clerk asked.

Jared grabbed the pen and drew a line through his signature. “Change of plans. I need to settle my bill. Do you know when the next train to Mississippi leaves?”

“Sir, did I say something wrong?” The clerk asked. “I never meant to make you want to leave the Exeter.”

“No. I thank you for telling me that Delaney left.” Jared tried to put the clerk’s mind at ease. “It’s where he’s headed that concerns me. I need to get there before he does. Now, about the train schedule? When is the last train leaving Memphis today?”

The clerk opened a drawer and fumbled with its contents before holding up a railroad timetable. After glancing over it, he said, “It left at four-thirty this afternoon. There isn’t another one until noon tomorrow.”

Damn. If Delaney was on that train then he’d have high tailed it out of town after he learned Rory was at Oak Hill with the money. Jared never should have told him that. “Is there a stage?”

“There is, but it won’t leave until morning. But if you must leave tonight, you can hire a coach to take you as far as Grenada where you can catch the connecting train to Jackson. That should get you there before Mister Delaney if that is your intent.”

“Where can I hire such a coach?” Jared asked.

“Let the Exeter arrange it for you while you pack your bags. It’s the least I can do, sir.”

“All right. I’ll be ready to depart in half an hour. Will that be sufficient?”

“Yes.”

He paid his bill and headed upstairs to pack. He arrived at his door at the same time as Rebecca. “Perfect timing, Mrs. Hollingsworth.”