Because of Rebecca(38)

He nodded and brushed kisses along her cheek and her neck, stopping at her ear. “Of course, darling. I’ll take you home as soon as the next train will get us there.”





Chapter Twenty-One

It was early evening and the sun dipped low in the hot summer sky when the train from Grenada pulled to a stop in Jackson. Jared still found the new knowledge about Rory remarkable as he helped Rebecca off the train. His beautiful and strong Rebecca, he thanked his good fortune that Mitchell had asked him to be her escort or they might not have met. She’d withstood so much since then. Some of the danger was her own making while the other was unnecessary because of Rory.

Rory. It would be a long time before he could forgive Rory. Not just for putting Rebecca in danger, but for all the trouble he had caused.

“Should I hire a horse and ride on to Oak Hill?” Rory asked walking a few steps behind them, carrying their bags. “I can send Higgins back with the carriage and Mary can have a proper wedding supper prepared by the time you arrive.”

Rebecca stopped and tucked a stray tendril behind her ear. “After today’s events, I’d prefer a hot bath and to retire early tonight. Perhaps we can have a celebration tomorrow and invite a few friends?” She looked to Jared for his approval.

He nodded. “Anything you like, my love.”

Rory stepped between them. “I’ll still send Higgins to fetch you.”

“Have him call on us at the Bakersfield Hotel.” Jared instructed.

A sly smile formed at Rory’s mouth. “Can’t wait until you arrive home, Cousin?”

Rebecca’s cheeks flamed at his words, but she continued to smile.

“We’re going to see her aunt and tell her the news,” Jared explained. He fought the urge to grab Rory by the collar and throttle him for his crudeness.

“Beg your pardon,” he said with a grin.

“No harm done,” Rebecca assured him, touching his arm. “Thank you again for your aid today. You didn’t have to come in search of us, but you did, and for that I’m truly thankful.”

Rory half-bowed and flashed a smile. “It was the least I could do. You did marry my cousin and for that I’m eternally grateful. Perhaps now he’ll be less cross with me.”

Jared grimaced at his cousin’s attempt at charm. “Get going.”

Rory sauntered a few steps ahead, but turned back. “I’ll get rid of Delaney if he should be waiting around Oak Hill. After all, I instructed Mary to be cordial and offer him a room if he wished to wait for my return.”

“How very hospitable of you,” Jared grumbled.

Rory shrugged. “He does believe the place mine, so why shouldn’t I be generous?”

Rebecca remained quiet until he’d left them. When he was out of hearing, she turned to Jared. “You don’t think Delaney is waiting for Rory at Oak Hill, do you? Surely if Mary paid him the debt, he’d take the money and leave.”

Jared sighed and offered her his arm. She placed her hand on it and they began walking toward the main street. “It’s hard to predict what a gambler will do, and after meeting Delaney, I could see him wearing out his welcome.”

“I can’t take Lucas to Oak Hill until I know Delaney is gone.” Her brow creased with concern. “Maybe I should…stay in town…tonight while you make sure he has?”

“No.” Jared’s stomach tightened in frustration at the thought of another night apart from her. Damn Rory and his interference.

“We both should stay in town?”

“Yes. We are married now. Don’t you think we should stay together?”

A wicked grin lit up her face. “And as your cousin has reminded us, we haven’t had our wedding night yet. Besides, you did promise to kiss me soundly each morning when I wake.”

“Yes. Yes I did. And I can’t very well do that if you are in town and I am at Oak Hill. It just isn’t a way to start a marriage.”

He slowed their pace and turned to face her. “However, as much as I detest the idea of being apart from you, I can wait for our wedding night, if we must. And I can stay at Oak Hill alone tonight if you desire. But if we stay apart I promise to arrive early to keep my word and to bring you home to Oak Hill.”

She smiled. “Darling, there is no need for us to stay apart. I want to be with you tonight and I can bear to be away from Lucas another night to ensure he’s safe from Delaney. I will ask Aunt Josephine to bring him out tomorrow. Besides, we will need time to prepare him a room before he arrives.”

Jared cupped her cheek in his hand. “The nursery is already furnished. It only needs to be cleaned, and I’ll set Mary on it first thing tomorrow, but I think you will find it sufficient for his needs.”

Rebecca blinked and her green eyes glistened. “Oh Jared. The room that was meant for your son? Are you sure you want my Lucas to have it?”

“Our Lucas,” he corrected.

Her eyelids fluttered and a lone tear rolled down her cheeks. “Our Lucas,” she whispered. “I like the sound of that.”

“For now and for always.”

She nodded and he brushed his lips against hers, not caring who might see them. They were married now.

They began walking again. “It’s such a beautiful evening. I wonder what your aunt will say about our news.”

Rebecca laughed softly. “She’ll be pleased. She thought we were eloping and that was the reason behind my going to Memphis so suddenly anyway. I assured her it wasn’t, but you changed that.”

“I’m glad I did.”

It wasn’t long before the Bakersfield Hotel came into view. From behind the doors, gay music could be heard. “They must be having another extravaganza in the dining room,” Rebecca said. “I wonder what the theme is tonight. Aunt Josephine and Doctor Gordon went to Italian night together.”

Jared smiled, recalling the morning after Mrs. Paxton gave birth and the good doctor and Miss Davis drinking coffee at his table. Rebecca had confided in him that the pair had been flirting. “Do they spend much time together?”

Rebecca nodded. “They meet at the corner every day and walk to noon Mass together. They’re both devout Catholics.”

He slowed again, considering her words. “And being such a devout Catholic do you suppose she will mind that we were not married by a priest?”

“We were married by Parson Ben. She will not mind one bit about that.”

As they drew closer to the music, laughter and voices could be heard. Rebecca squeezed his arm. “It definitely sounds like a party.”

Jared pointed at the carriage. “That’s Mitchell’s. Do you suppose he and Elizabeth have returned from their honeymoon tour and have come to call on you?”

“Now she’ll be the one cross with us for eloping.” Rebecca picked up the skirts of her dress and hurried up the steps into the hotel lobby. Jared followed.

“Ah, Miss Davis. It’s so good to have you return. You have been missed.”

“Thank you.” The clerk’s greeting surprised her. “Is my aunt in?”

“I believe she is in the dining room with a few other guests.”

“Thank you.” Rebecca turned to Jared and held out her hand. “Shall we go in?”

He took it and felt her hand tremble. He squeezed it to reassure her, but her cheeks paled and she bit her lower lip. Where had the strong woman he knew gone to so quickly? Was she suddenly afraid of her aunt or Elizabeth’s reaction?

As they walked into the room, he spotted Mitchell and Elizabeth seated at a large table with her family and Doctor Gordon, Miss Davis and Charlotte holding Lucas.

“Miss Rebecca!” Charlotte exclaimed. The music stopped and the chatter ended as the people turned to look at them.

Josephine rushed to hug Rebecca. “I’m so glad you are here,” she exclaimed. “I have so much to tell you.”

Rebecca returned her embrace. “I’m glad to be home. I have something to tell you as well.”

Josephine stepped back and looked at Jared. “Mr. Hollingsworth? What brings you here tonight?”

He bowed. “Miss Davis.”

“What do you have to tell me?” Josephine asked, glancing back to her niece.

Rebecca took Jared’s hand again. “We’re married.”

Josephine clapped her hands together, smiling as tears ran down her cheeks. “How wonderful. Simply wonderful news.” She turned toward the group of people. “Ancil darling, did you hear? My Rebecca and Mr. Hollingsworth have eloped.”

Elizabeth squealed and rushed across the room pulling Mitchell behind her. “Eloped? But I had hoped to plan your wedding.”

“Don’t be too upset. We didn’t want to wait,” Rebecca explained. “I’m so glad you’ve returned.