Ashes in the Wind (69 page)

As Leala dissolved into sobs, Alaina knelt beside her, placing an arm across the woman’s shoulders as tears swam in her own eyes.

“Aunt Leala,” Alaina murmured softly, “you mustn’t blame yourself too much. The war did many cruel things to many people. Roberta was caught in the flower of her youth when she was expecting better things. She just wasn’t able to deal with it.”

Leala raised her tearful gaze to Alaina’s face, then lifted a hand to fondly caress the other’s cheek. “Thank you, Alaina. I won’t call you child anymore. You’re so much more than that now.”

Leala drew out a kerchief, plied it, and drew a deep breath. “This has been such a burden.” She smiled at Alaina and straightened her shoulders. “But I feel so much better now. I think I shall have a very good night’s sleep.”

Alaina went to the door with her aunt who paused halfway through the portal.

“Good-night, my dear.” She kissed Alaina’s cheek. “I shall make a special prayer of many blessings for you and yours.” Then she was gone.

Alaina returned to the bed to find Cole staring at the money with a heavy frown. He rubbed his chin with the back of his hand.

“I can’t imagine Roberta taking this much and my not knowing it!” He shuffled some into a stack and riffled it. “This money is crisp, new. I haven’t seen money this fresh since—” He paused, a look of sudden dawning coming over his face. He tossed the money with the rest and strode from the bedroom, leaving a puzzled Alaina to slip into bed alone. She heard his feet on the stairs, then the squeak of the study door. In a moment he was back to display for her three ten-dollar notes.

“These are from the gardener,” he stated and placed the bills near his pillow. Drawing up a footstool, he sat on it and proceeded to arrange the money neatly in rows on the bed and rearranging them as if to match some mysterious order. He formed them into stacks and each bundle was stiff and new, all but the last one which sagged sharply as if it had been folded in half. He showed it to her.

“This money was folded and perhaps stuffed in a pocket or purse. You see the bent edges?” Cole
glanced up to receive her nod, though bemusement was still rampant in her eyes. “Now look.” He lifted the three tens and placed them with that same stack. They bent alike. “Also, the serial numbers of these three match the rest. They are all in sequence.”

“But what does it mean, Cole?”

“It means that probably both Roberta and the gardener had their hands on this money.”

“But where did they get it if it was not from you?”

“That, madam, is a question I can only wonder about, or, at best, make wild conjectures as to where it came from.”

He gathered all the money as he rose and laid it on the hearth. He doffed his garments, then flopped down on the bed, clasping his hands behind his head and staring thoughtfully into the shadows of the ceiling.

“Martin said the man came from Missouri,” he mused aloud. “If he were a member of one of those gangs down there that are robbing trains and such, he might have brought some of the loot with him.”

“But how did Roberta manage to get it away from him? Do you suppose he was her lover?”

“I cannot imagine Roberta stooping to entertain the family gardener. Besides, he was filthy, old and haggard, certainly not the sort she would have even flirted with. She hated the man!”

A warm form snuggled against his side, and a small, finely boned hand rubbed his chest and belly.

“Milord Yankee?” Her breath tickled his shoulder. “Are you going to think about Roberta and that money all night? Or are you going to set my jealousy to rest and hold and kiss me and assure me that
even with a fat stomach, I’m the light and love of your life?”

Cole chuckled and brought the lamp close to blow it out, then rolled back into her embrace. He kissed her pert nose. “You’re my everything, Alaina MacGaren Latimer, and just to prove that I think you’re beautiful when you’re carrying my child, I will keep your belly filled with many more for years to come.”

Alaina leaned her head back and peered up at him with bright, twinkling eyes. “Every year, milord Yankee?”

Cole pondered the question a moment, then smiled down into the visage he loved so well. “Well, almost every.”

Early the next morning Cole took the money to the sheriff and offered his theory to Martin. The bank notes only became another piece in the puzzle and lent no more to a solution than any other of the all-too-meager clues. The memory of it dimmed, and the end of June flowed past like a dream for Alaina. Mrs. Hawthorne and Leala were with her constantly, and no action could she take without coming under their stern scrutiny and guidance as to what was best for the babe.

Her burden lowered, and her pace became labored and clumsy. She awaited her time with a growing expectation and daily inspected the nursery that all might be in readiness. Cole had set the men cleaning out the overgrown yard of the cottage and began to see patients in his father’s old office. Braegar visited to complain that some of his patients
were seeing Cole now and, after a cursory conference, agreed that Alaina was progressing as she should. He totally captivated the elder ladies with his brash rhetoric and his unpolished political opinions.

It was a pleasurable time for Alaina, and she lived every day fully with her unquenchable zest and enthusiasm. The Prochavski family came to stay on a brief sojourn from the north woods. When all the figures were in, the logging operation proved a profitable venture, and plans were made to continue it the next winter.

The Darveys were invited for an evening meal and graciously accepted the chance for a repast with the Southern visitors. After weeks of a closer seating order, Cole had escorted Alaina to her end of the table and reluctantly had taken his own chair at the far end. At least from there he had admitted that he had the best view of her, and for once, Braegar had chosen a place to Cole’s right.

Carolyn left that evening, much amazed by the realization that Cole had changed. He was the man of old again, easy mannered, relaxed, gracious, and yet something more. His concern and care for Alaina was readily apparent even to a casual eye, and still, that was not the key. It was more that he was a man, whole, unhampered, self-assured, confident, made complete by the beautiful woman who now shared his life. He was no longer irascible and curt because, all of a sudden, life pleased him and wonderfully so. He did not doubt Alaina because Alaina left him no room for doubt. He was once again a most handsome man in every way, and at his side, Alaina, even with her hour near, was a woman in the finest and fullest interpretation of the title.

It was during the next evening’s meal that a low growl echoed in the room, and all eyes turned to Soldier who had been dozing just inside the dining room doorway. Now he raised his head, and his ears stood alertly erect.

“Someone’s coming,” Cole observed.

A moment later the rapid approach of horse’s hooves confirmed his statement and brought the Latimers and their two guests to a waiting silence. Heavy footsteps trod across the porch, and a loud pounding sounded upon the door. When Miles answered the demanding knock, Angus Craighugh pushed his way through with a gruff announcement. “I was directed here and informed that this is where Major Latimer resides. Is that true?”

“Doctor and Mrs. Latimer live here, sir.” Miles looked the rumpled, red-faced man over with some distaste. One who intruded into his employer’s house with such callousness was certainly no gentleman. “Is it your desire to see Doctor Latimer?”

Leala had come to her feet in surprise when her husband entered the house, and now she sank back into .her chair and sat with her hands folded as she stared down at them. Sensing her aunt’s dismay, Alaina quickly rose from her seat and hurried to the wide doors of the dining room.

“Uncle Angus?” she questioned softly, amazed by his disheveled appearance. He was thinner than she had ever known him to be, and he looked haggard and tired. He had obviously been traveling long and hard. His hair was mussed and unkempt, as if it had not been combed for some time, and there was no sign of a hat on his person. For a usually neatly
dressed man, he was a terrible sight. His cravat hung loose about the open collar of his shirt, and his shoes were scuffed and dirty.

At the sound of her voice, he turned, and then stared much agog, his gaze lowering to her rounded belly. His face reddened, and his eyes seemed to protrude forth as he glared. Taking several halting steps toward her, he made an effort to speak through the grinding sneer that twisted his lips. He was almost on her when the words broke through with pure rage.

“You filthy little trollop! It didn’t take you long to fall into his bed, did it?”

Incensed, he was oblivious to the horrified gasps he drew from the table, but as he pulled back his arm to avenge his sense of outraged justice upon the girl, quick footsteps sounded behind him, and he was seized by two very capable hands and hauled backward away from Alaina. He was spun about to face blazing blue eyes that bore into him mercilessly.

“Be careful that you never raise your hand to my wife again.” Cole ground out the warning. “And if you were anything besides the besotted fool you are, I’d have it out with you here and now. You have abused the privileges of a guest, which you may deem a fair turnabout, but I decry the fact, for the one abused in your house was not the one who claimed it. In my befogged stupor, I allowed you to commit an act of which all of us have been acutely rueful. I warn you now, sir, for the good of all those present, that henceforth when you enter this house or tread upon any of my lands, you strive most heartily to be gentle of tongue and mild of manner—and most respectful to my wife.”

“I will not be respectful of a harlot and a thief!” Angus railed.

Cole’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Be careful, man. You slander what I hold most precious to me. She was a virgin when I took her, and she’s never taken a cent that was not hers!”

“You are the thief!” Angus glowered.

“Oh, Angus, give it up!” Leala wrung her hands and wailed. “It was Roberta who was the thief. She stole the money from Cole!”

“It was stolen money long before that! It was part of the Yankee payroll money that was taken from the riverboat in New Orleans. Did you not hear me?”

“I think we had better discuss this at some length, Angus,” Cole said and reached out to take the man’s arm.

“Stay away from me!” Angus bawled as he clawed for the small revolver tucked into his waistband. Just as quickly Cole caught the hand that grasped the weapon and forced the older man’s arm upward until the weapon was pointed toward the ceiling. He seized the man’s lapel in his other hand.

“Angus! Listen to me!” he barked. “There was another time when you waved a gun at me, and I have suffered much chagrin because I did not take it from you and seek the truth then. You must understand that the money Roberta sent to you was not mine. We found a dead man buried in the rose garden this spring, and he had some of the same bills on him. I suspect that Roberta got the money from him, but I didn’t know where he had gotten it.”

Angus’s bitterness remained unchecked as his sneer betrayed. “Now a blemish is put on my daughter’s name.”

“You have had your time of blustering, Angus, and I will tolerate no more.” Cole dragged the pistol from the man’s hand and placed it on the mantel as Leala came out of her chair.

“And I will tolerate no more!” She was furious as she stepped around the table to face her husband. Angus sagged into an empty seat near the door, his face crumpling, his ire dwindling into defeat. “You followed me the depth of the country, outraged because I had taken money you had planned to use against Cole. You came here athundering on your horse in the night with your all-vengeful manhood astir and dare attack Alaina because she had not held herself from a man she loves. Roberta was my baby, too, Angus, and she was so pretty and so fine. But, Angus, you have to realize that she was not a nice person. All our high-minded thoughts about our daughter were not valid. She tricked Cole. She tricked and used Alaina. She tricked and used us. Now you come here with a violent intent and claim to be my husband. Have I had a husband this last year? A man who winds his way home trekking from one tavern to another and on the way sampling from any handy bottle? Was it my husband who stumbled into our bedroom
most every night with the reek of whiskey heavy on his breath? I think not.” She shook her head slowly. “It was some stranger whom I saw but knew not.”

Tears suddenly blurred her vision, and she drew a ragged breath. “Perhaps if I hadn’t been so lenient when Roberta—gave herself—to one of her young boyfriends—”

Angus looked up in surprise.

“Oh, yes, I knew she was not—the virgin in Cole’s bed. She told me about her friend, and when she promised never again, I didn’t even tell you. I know many other things about her that give me nothing but pain. But Angus”—she paused until he met her eyes again—“I’m going to remember her as a sweet, beautiful child and try my best to forget the rest.”

Mrs. Hawthorne moved to Leala’s side and took the now-sobbing woman against her bosom. Angus raised his head briefly as he felt her stare.

“You too, eh, Tally?” he muttered.

“I think you’ve let your grief befuddle your mind, Angus.” Mrs. Hawthorne stated bluntly. “I am of a mind that the sooner you get yourself up out of the mud of your wallowing self-pity, the sooner you will begin to enjoy life again. Leala is right. Forget the hurts. You can’t change the past. Get out of your hole and live the rest of your life like it means something.”

“Why should I, when it doesn’t?” he replied sourly.

Tally cocked her head to one side and stared down at him. “That’s your choice, Angus. Just don’t blame the rest of us if we don’t agree.”

“Cole?” Alaina’s plaintive appeal was barely noticeable to anyone but her husband who turned quickly at the soft summons. His eyes widened as he found his wife half crouched against the door holding an arm over her stomach. “Cole, I think it has started.”

A startled hush fell over the room as Cole bent and lifted his wife into his arms. Briefly he turned and caught Mrs. Hawthorne’s eye.