Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (20 page)

Carefully he took a slender cigar from his coat pocket as a man unfamiliar to her struck a match and then he inhaled. Smoke escaping from his mouth and nostrils like a dragon, an old wrinkled dragon. Her dragon she thought, not bringing herself much comfort in the end. But this was her life and starting now she would accept it with open arms, or die trying.

Brushing her skirts with her palm she took a deep breath, and started forward. Life was what you made of it. She would make a grand one. Amelia took the time to smooth over her hair and put tiny flyaway strands back in their places.

Morgan cracked a wry smile as she came up beside him and wrapped a possessive arm around her waist pulling her into him. “Where ya go?”

“I’m sorry I just needed a minute this is all so unexpected, but very sweet and welcome.” She said kissing his cheek. It was a start.

Handing her one of the many glasses of tart lemonade placed on the plain white and blue checked tablecloth he watched her cup it in her hands.

“When are you going to tell everyone?” She whispered up to him.

“Don’t be stupid.” Morgan waved his hands widely. “Look at dis’ they didn’t just come fo’ nothin’ I told em already.”

“Of course.” Amelia said taking a sip of the contents in her glass.  “Thank you so much. I don’t know how I am going to repay you.”

“Ah can think of a few thangs.”

Shucking off a cringe Amelia opted for a warm smile instead and held his hand in hers as she began to make her  stroll from each congratulating person to the next. Shaking hands and giving hugs and of course accepting well wishes. Half of the people there she didn’t even recognize, all friends of Lorraine’s she was sure, and of course Morgan.

“Let me introduce my gal to ya’ll now.” Morgan pushed her toward his cousin Jane briskly as she and her husband inspected his choice in a wife carefully.

“She’s very pretty.” Turning her around before her Jane flicked at the woman’s hair and brushed at her dress. She was too good for Morgan but if the girl was fool enough to marry him, so be it.

Amelia waited patiently for her to finish what seemed to her an inspection of cattle to a prospective buyer, before she relaxed some and stayed close to Morgan’s side.

“You got’s yourself quite a catch wit this one now. I’m Jane Johnson, Morgan’s cousin, and since this old bear aint gonna introduce us we ought’s to get to doin it ourselves.”

“Nice to meet you Mrs. Johnson.”

“Well aint you fancy. So well spoken in all. You go to one of those fancy colored schools.” She waited as the girl nodded quickly before she continued. “Don’t let dis girl get away from you Morgan you won’t find another at yo’ age.” Turning to the young woman Jane engulfed her in a tight hug. “You sho’ is a pretty thing you know that.”

Amelia stood back stunned to say the least. She had never thought she had been much to look at until recently and Morgan’s cousin was only making her ego grow. Smiling brightly she thanked her with a compliment of her own. “And you are very lovely yourself.”

“Well it sho’ is nice meeting you Ms. Fancy.” Jane said playfully. “I’m lookin’ forward to seeing’ a whole lots more of ya to.”

“Now wait a minute, She aint shown ya’ll her ring I done bought her now did she?”

Panic coursed through Amelia at the mention of the ring. She hadn’t bothered to put the damned thing on. That wasn’t the reason for her quickened heart beat however. It was the thick golden band shinning on her ring finger. Glancing down nervously at it she hid her hand quickly behind her back. Cursing herself silently for removing it from her thumb to the finger next to her  pinky, foolishly pretending for a moment that it wasn’t Morgan she was going to marry but Jordan instead.

“Come on girl show em’.” Morgan reached for her hand and presented it for everyone to view.

He had been quicker than she would have dreamed, as her hand was now being held up, as all eyes fell on the large golden band.

“Aint that something.” Jane said cheerily not yet noticing the confused look clouding her cousin’s features.

“That aint it.” Morgan blabbed.

Amelia focused all of her attention of the ground as she could feel the ring she wore being slipped from her finger and into Morgan’s palm.

“What you mean it aint it?” Jane asked confused turning to her husband Gerald as if he might hold the answer.

Morgan looked to her as well and waited patiently confident that she could explain. “What you doing wit that ring Amelia?” He asked her calmly.

“It was a gift.” She said quickly. Hoping that it would be the end of it.

“From who, ain’t no body givin’ no gold rings as gifts?”

“It was from Mr. Bradford for all my hard work.” Amelia lied quickly.

“You got’s dat man’s ring on yo’ finger?” He was confused to say the least.

“You mean dat white man, which owns the lumber and shipping business in town.” Gerald asked looking to his wife Jane.

“Yes. That’s right.” Amelia replied nervously.

“He might own a little more than that.” Gerald said crudely under his breath but the jest was still detected by those near him. Amelia gave him a hot glare.

“Why tha hell dat man ring on yo’ finger?” Morgan said, temper rising. Now he wasn’t a man to jump to conclusions but this didn’t make one bit of sense. His Amelia was wearing another man’s ring. A white man’s ring? His hand went about her arm securely. She’d explain herself now and it better be a damn good explanation.

“It’s nothing more than a gift.” Amelia started as she felt his fingers tightening on her arm. “Nothing more; He’s a kind man.” She tried.

“Why is it on yo finger?” He asked her his rising anger evident. “You tryin’ to make a fool of me?”

“I told you it was a gift I foolishly left it on.” She said now antsy. “I’ll take if off now if you’d like.”

“You should neva’ of put da damn thing on! Neva’ even taken it.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Morgan snatched the piece up to his face exploring it closer. The initials J. B. jumping out at him like a slap in that face. “He own you now girl?” He said his heated gaze burning a hole through her skin. “You messing wit dat white man!” he bellowed

“Morgan—” Amelia gasped, taken back by his outburst but not shocked. Right now the world seemed to be closing in on her quick.

“You’re wrong let me explain to you…”

“Like hell you can!” Morgan hollered fingering the tiny piece and reading the engraved initials once more seething. “You dat man’s whore, aint you. All those years up in dat house and he aint never got a piece of ya!” He screamed.

“Years? The man hasn’t stepped foot into his own house until recently.” She tried to reason.

“Morgan” Jane voice cut into her cousin’s rage. “This aint the time or place for dis now if yall got’s something you needs to work out I think you should go where’s no one can hear or see yall.” She said trying to divert them from causing any type of scene.

“I aint got no ideas as to what’s now just happening or what happening ‘tween you all but you need to straighten it out fo’ everybody come together to cut that there cake.” She said pointing to the frosted white two-layered masterpiece on the table. “And I also know what you just said to this here girl has no business being said right here in the open. Ya’ll only gonna end up embarrassing ya’ll selves. And probably over something silly.”

She didn’t have any idea Amelia thought as she turned to face Morgan scared to death of the darkness she found on his face, but still followed behind him to the large Magnolia trees that acted as a barrier from prying eyes and ears.

His strides were long and sure as she tried desperately to stay with him and she wondered why he used a cane if he could move around so diligently if the mood stuck him. “It’s not what you think.” she tried again. “I’m marrying you.”

Morgan studied her carefully as words he barely heard and didn’t care to hear flooded out of her mouth. It was his turn to talk. “You aint nuthin, no more’n a damn lyin’ worthless whore.” Turning on her he grabbed her by her shoulders roughly before pushing her down to the ground. “How long you been sleeping wit that white man? Lettin’ him use ya. Den’ let em’ run off to his rich white folk an laugh at how he had tha stupid nigger bitch to warm his goddamn sheets tha night befo’.” Going to his trousers he made quick work of them and they hung low off his hips in no time. “You wanna play the part of a swamp tramp so bad, I gonna have my turn wit you too.” He explained falling down hard on her.

“Stop!” Kicking wildly beneath him Amelia could feel his hot breath and rough whiskers graze her neck all the while his calloused hands forced their ways up her skirts. “Stop…please…” Pushing against his chest she tried to scurry away to yell for help but his strong arms looped around her in an iron grip pulling her back to him.

Opening her mouth to scream, her words were caught in her throat, his grip there silencing any call. Frantically she tried to gasp for air. Causing her to fight more vigorously and for his fist to come down hard on her cheek. Stunning her enough to let his wet tongue jut out and touch her lips.

Warm tears now trailing down her face. Amelia could scarcely think. But she did know he didn’t have the right. He wasn’t going to do this to her. He couldn’t take away from her what she wasn’t willing to give. Feeling his grip loosen some on her throat she took a ragged breath. The feel of his hand thrusting up her thigh disgusting her beyond belief. Gathering her wits and power she prayed for God to give her strength and pushed up mightily against him catching him off guard, she scurried out of his grasp. “How dare you. You’ve got no right.” She said wretchedly. “No right!” Her watering eyes blurring her vision. “You have no right to take what I won’t give.” She spat, salty tears stinging the slight cut at the edge of her mouth. “How could you try to take it from me?” She asked hurt.

“I’m tellin’ everybody what you is. What ya done. Never show yo’ face in tha day again.” He said wicked gleam lighting up his eyes.

“And I will tell them just what you are. How could you?” She asked again body shaking, before she turned away from him. Her feet taking on a will of their own and she ran she didn’t know how far she had run or how long she had before she stopped. Falling down limply to the cold soil below.

Curling her knees up tightly Amelia held herself. Afraid of going back and facing the mess she’d managed to get herself into. Afraid to face everyone, especially Lorraine. She was afraid of tomorrow. What did life have in store for her now?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Georgia twirled her hair between her thumb and finger pretending to pay attention to what her brother was saying—she was tired, and tired of listening too. She’d been caught running around the backwoods bayous again. Because of this she was now being scolded.

Jordan had been droning on for ages now, first on how she shouldn’t have been out when she was to be with her tutor, then onto about how it was dangerous for her as a “young lady” to roam the back roads and alleys like a ragamuffin.

She had heard that speech on numerous occasions. Didn’t they understand she could take care of herself? Besides everyone knew her in New Orleans, or most everyone did. She didn’t think it was possible to get in trouble, lost or hurt with so many friends to help her out. Pouting she looked up at him with her best ‘I won’t ever do it again’ look on her face. “Can we talk about something else now?”

Frowning, Jordan shook his head at her there was no use in drilling in information she no doubt would disregard as soon as she left his sight. “What do you want to talk about brat?” He teased.

Sticking her tongue at him Georgia moved around to stand beside him. “When are you leaving back to London?” She asked. “Margaret said that you were leaving again, she said that if I wanted to stay with her that it would make her happy.” Looking up at him she continued, green eyes shimmering. “But I want to go with you Jordan, I don’t want to stay with Margaret she’s so serious.”

“She used to be just like you believe it or not and she’s still has a mischievous side to her she just doesn’t show it as much.” Looking into sparkling green pools Jordan smiled. “You know of course that I’m going to take you with me. I’m just not sure that I should. You never listen, more trouble than you’re worth I’d say.”

Looking at him questionably Georgia tried to decide if he was being serious. She couldn’t quite make up her mind. “Can Vivian come too? That is if she wants?”

“If she wants.” Jordan said distracted. Almost feeling what she was to say next. “And Amelia?”

Sighing he picked her up into his arms. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not, you like Amelia.”

Smiling Jordan looked at her and pinched her nose. She had no idea. “I do, but Ms. Marriott is soon to be married. She will want to spend time with her husband. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” She said with a slight frown. “She’s marrying that man from the park who made her cry.”

Jordan thought for a moment before responding. Ignoring the disturbing information that had just come from his sister’s mouth. “We’ll be back again soon enough.”

“I can write can’t I?”

“Yes of course.” He assured patting her back.

“I wanted to go to Annabelle’s birthday party, its next month, do you think I still can?”

“Of course you can go.” What were a few more weeks, there was no real hurry.

“Thank you Jordan.” Kissing him on the cheek Georgia hugged her brother’s neck tightly. “I can’t wait to tell Amelia.”

“You’ll have to, she will not be in today.”

“I know!” Georgia exclaimed. “She’s getting engaged today. We were invited Vivian and I. Her friend Nina said it was today but not to say anything. It’s supposed to be a surprise. Do you want to come too?”

He contemplated it only a moment before deciding that no matter how much he’d like seeing her it would be against anyone’s better judgment. Besides seeing Morgan with Amelia hanging off his arm didn’t sit well. Even if he knew she wasn’t going to marry him. She couldn’t. “Georgia I doubt if you’d like this type of event.”

“I don’t think anything could be better.” Georgia eyed her brother stubbornly. “Besides she’d be sad if I’m not there. I’m her friend.”