Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (7 page)

“I’ve been ready for forever.” Jumping off the cushions of the couch Georgia took Amelia’s hand. “Is your aunt like you?”

“She’s… different.” Looking down at the small child she couldn’t help but wonder if it was a good idea bringing her along but then what choice did she have?

Their trip down to the other side of the city had been a long one. Georgia seemed to be full of questions, some of them to which she knew the answers and others she hadn’t the faintest idea. Gazing out at the rolling grass valley from the carriage Jordan insisted she use, Amelia found herself nodding mindlessly to words she didn’t even hear.

“How much longer Amelia?” Scooting next to her Georgia peered out the window too. “What are you looking at?”

“Not a thing.” Turning her attention back to where it belonged Amelia patted Georgia’s hand. “What are you looking at?”

“You.” Giggling, Georgia sat back into her seat. “If we have time can we go visit Margaret?”

“I’m not sure Georgia, perhaps.”

Feeling the sudden stop Amelia opened the door and stepped down and out of the carriage, helping Georgia out.

“But we will almost pass it going back. So can we?”

“What… oh… I said I will think about it Georgia.”

Lorraine waved from afar to her niece. She didn’t say that she was bringing the child. She hoped at least she was getting paid for watching the girl when off work. Knowing Amelia like she did Lorraine was sure she wasn’t. Watching as the two came closer into view she let out a sigh of disappointment, who did she think was fooling in that made up frock. She looked like a trollop.

Amelia gave her best smile as she approached noticing the bitter glare directed her way and of course Morgan’s devouring one, but she tried her best to ignore them and stuck the images in the back of her mind for the moment. “Lorraine, Morgan this is Georgia Bradford, Georgia my aunt and friend Morgan.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance.” Georgia had no intention of sitting around with the adults and she’d noticed the welcoming riverbank from her viewpoint in the carriage and she planned to play. “Amelia can I go down to play.” She asked pointing towards the water. “I won’t get wet or tear my stockings I swear it.” She pleaded.

“Georgia I can’t really see you down there. I’d like for you to stay here with me.” Amelia knew her pleading look was lost on Georgia.

“Rubbish, let that child play Amelia.”

Georgia smiled down at the older woman but still looked up at Amelia for final approval. “Alright but be careful.”

“I promise I will.” Hugging Amelia about the waist Georgia soon was running down the embankment.

Lorraine watched as the girl took off and then turned her attention back to her niece. “You look like a tramp. Where did you get that dress, Nina?”

Amelia knew her face was aflame with anger and embarrassment. Sitting down next to Lorraine she struck back the only way she knew how and removed an envelope from the small purse she carried. “Here Lorraine I know your funds are as stretched as mine but I thought this might help.” Amelia gave her best smile.

Both Lorraine and she knew that every week when she received her earnings, she would turn more than half over to Lorraine. The elder woman had no means of real income and depended on her niece to survive but that was a secret she’d rather die than have anyone know. The embarrassment she must feel was as apparent as Amelia’s own.

“All this pretty hair and you barely give it a thought.” Running her fingers through Amelia’s hair Lorraine was through quickly. “We were just wonderin’ what you’d think about coming home for good? No more nights working that way you’d be closer to both of us.”

“I’m as close as I can possibly be; we live in the same city.” Confusion crossed over her face as she looked from Morgan to Lorraine.

“Dat’s true but I ain’t hardly ever get da chance ta see ya.” Rising up from his position Morgan sat down closer to Amelia. “It’d be nice ta see ya more often?”

“No.” Amelia began. “I mean yes and no—Georgia needs me and I don’t know how Mr. Bradford would take to me just leaving.”

“You ain’t got much choice though do ya.”

“I do have a choice.” Amelia countered. “I like the way things are now I can’t see any reason to change them.”

“Look girl you ain’t no spring chicken. Now Morgan and I done told you that you’re to come home every night and that’s what you gon do!” Lorraine lashed out.

“I’m da only one who eva’ wanted you an I’m doin Lorraine a favor.” Once more rising up with the help of the cane, Morgan waited for her to follow and seeing that she wasn’t, reached down to yank her up. “Come on.”

It wasn’t like there was a chance for saying no, with Lorraine’s persistent stare and Morgan pulling her behind him. All she could get out was “Please keep an eye out for Georgia.”

“You gonna quit the job at the Bradford’s as soon as possible.” Morgan informed her as soon as they were out of hearing distance.

“I won’t.” She hadn’t meant for her voice to be so low and small when she spoke but she couldn’t get it much louder than that. “It’s my only means of support.”

“You givin me sass? It ova’ dat’s tha end of it. Know how many colored women kill ta be you. Don’ got ta’ slave over some white man’s household you is dumb as dey come.” Morgan slumped down on the bench and pulled her down with him sure that the whole ordeal was done with.

“I will not quit… I am a grown woman.”

“You what?” Tightening his grip on her arm he knew that he was probably hurting her but he didn’t care. “Don’ talk back ta me Amelia. You gonna be my wife soon nough and dat ain’t gonna happen!”

Glancing at the fingers that were now biting down into her skin Amelia looked up at the man and tried to shake it free but was only presented with more pain for her effort. “I won’t do it.”

His answer was a hard hand to the back of her skull which both jolted her forward and rendered her speechless.

“You best mind dat tongue of yours.” Morgan set off in the other direction. “Get yo self-home. I’s sick of ya.”

Amelia’s hands were balled in tight fists as anger, mortification and hurt ran a fast course through her. Making it hard not to cry and not to run after the old man and slap his wrinkled face. In the end she would do neither and instead sought out Georgia whom she prayed didn’t make a fuss about the all too short visit. Thankfully Georgia was wise beyond her years and without saying a word she took Amelia’s hand.

She held her head high as she marched by both Morgan and Lorraine and refused to give either a second glance. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. With graceful movements she helped Georgia into the carriage, then herself. It was only once she’d given the command to drive on and felt the carriage lumber forward that the fiery sting of tears became too much to bare.

She had no clear recollection of when she had arrived at the Bradford house she was far too caught up in her own head for that. Nor was she completely aware of stripping off her shoes and burying herself under the thin covers.

When Vivian had come and sought her out Amelia tried to act as if nothing was wrong but she soon found out that Georgia, as keen as she was, had told Vivian that she was sure something was wrong with her friend and that she’d cried on the way home.

Amelia didn’t want to be bothered. She had turned Vivian away the first time she came to see about her. Vivian however came back of course.

“Are you ready to tell me what the matter is now Amelia?” Vivian softly forced Amelia’s face to hers. Still the younger woman shook her head no emphatically “Alright, well at least I can help you get ready for bed.” Waiting for approval, Vivian helped her friend up and helped her out of the heavy dress leaving her in her shift. Turning down the sheets she let Amelia crawl into bed. “I will be up for a while.” Vivian informed then rose from the foot of the bed.

Nodding Amelia flipped over and waited for the soft click of the door closing. Amelia felt crushed. She didn’t want to leave her only safe haven, but more than that she didn’t want to leave what was her home. Any fond feelings she had been trying to hold on of Morgan were now long gone. She despised the man. She resented Lorraine.

The woman had always tried to convince her, that life would be nothing if she never married. If she didn’t have a family but Amelia knew she didn’t want to be a wife if it meant being his wife. She’d rather be alone for the rest of her days. The whole thought of it was crazy.

She knew everyone considered her to be somewhat of a plain girl. She wasn’t tall enough and was never one of the pretty, thin girls either. She was quiet most of the time and kept to herself. That was just her way, her real qualities being that of her warm and pleasing personality. And if it wasn’t her social charms it was her hair, its color in particular. She had deep black wavy hair that fell past her shoulders and was thick and glossy. Lorraine had told her she inherited both traits from her mother.

Glancing out her window at the newly clouded night sky she was sure it reflected her mood. Flinging the pillow to the floor, Amelia slid out of bed. She knew that there would be no sleeping tonight and pulling on her long cotton nightgown, she headed out to the large reading room.

The hallway was eerily silent and the only sound to be heard was the pattering of her feet on the carpeted floor. Blindly Amelia turned to her left and felt for the knob of the library door and with a quick turn pushed inside.

Jordan heard the door open but was still startled. Who would be up this late—the dim candle light didn’t give him much of a view from his seat in the corner, but he didn’t bother to move his position he was sure it was a woman and that narrowed down the possibilities. That being the case he didn’t want to scare Vivian or Amelia. Lounging in his chair he lit the cigar that hung from his lips and poured himself a glass of brandy.

Seeing the burning tip of a cigar Amelia felt her hand fly to her chest on its own accord, and tried to will her heart to stop beating so fast. “You nearly scared the life out of me!”

Jordan glanced up at her with a smile. “Well I am deeply sorry Miss Marriot as it was not my intention to frighten you, but I do seem to do it a lot.”

“Please call me Amelia, everyone here does.” Clutching the front of her gown tightly she realized how wildly inappropriate she must seem. “Besides it is I who should apologize Mr. Bradford; it is not my place to come into your library so late without permission and dressed like I am.”

Seeing her dash for the door he spoke up. “You don’t need my permission to use the library and since it is late as you said it’s more than appropriate for you to be dressed so.”

Sliding down onto the nearby couch Amelia picked up the book that lay next to it. “Reading relaxes the soul—you know I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d use a book for a remedy.”

Turning the pages of the book in his lap lazily he glanced across at her before returning to it. “I agree.”

“Poetry, it always does the trick.” Amelia blurted mindlessly, finding herself oddly at ease for the first time in the man’s presence.

Quirking an eyebrow up at her Jordan put down the book in his hand—this was the most she’d ever said to him willingly. “I suggest Longfellow.” Rising he handed her his book.

Frowning at him Amelia too put her book down. “I couldn’t.”

“I insist, besides I can sleep, I don’t need its aid.” Winking at her Jordan returned to his chair but in the dim light noticed the large bruise that marked her brown arm but resisted the urge to ask her from where she received it.

“I thank you Mr. Bradford I’ll return it as soon as I finish I promise.”

“Don’t worry your pretty head about it I would like you to keep it.”

Amelia felt that now too familiar blush come to her face and the corners of her lips curl up at the unexpected compliment.

“She smiles.” Jordan said to himself and walking past her Jordan came close enough to touch her. “Something I am sure the world could see much more of.”

“Really?” Amelia asked thoughtlessly.

“Of course it’s a beautiful and welcome sight. Goodnight Amelia.”

“Goodnight Mr. Bradford.” The soft clicking of the door shutting behind him was her only indication that he’d left the room and peering down at the book of poetry in her palms Amelia brought it to her chest. Suddenly she too felt she wouldn’t need to read its pages to find rest feeling unexpectedly at ease. Promising herself she’d read every word tomorrow she curled up in the chair not wishing to move from the comfort she’d just found in the library and quickly drifted to sleep.

When Amelia woke the next morning it was to the feel of a warm quilt laid across her body and a pillow propped under her head. She smiled, knowing who had seen to her last night and clutched the book to her bosom. She would treasure it always. Folding the quilt and gathering up the pillow she would put them away later but for now the way she saw it there was no need in prolonging what was to come. She was no longer going to be living day to day in the house and had told Vivian but waited on telling Georgia, but she needed to know.

It would be easier if she had Vivian do it for her, but knew that the news should come from her. She wanted to assure the child that she would still see them almost every day she just wouldn’t be living there.

She made it to her room without seeing anyone and grabbing up a few personal things she shut the small wooden case. It was early but she had decided that she would wake up early enough to take the bulk of her possessions over to Lorraine’s. Morgan lent her his old hackney and mule to do so. She didn’t need it, there was not much to take.

Laying her head down Amelia tried to make the best of the situation. It wouldn’t be so bad she would have more time to spend with her friends get to see them every day. She hadn’t seen Jessie or Lenora in ages.

This would be her chance to rectify that. Perhaps the time with Lorraine would help them to grow close before she married. She’d spend more time with family— what was left of it—and friends. Rubbing her eyes she managed a small smile. It wouldn’t be that bad at all. She would have her friends. She had slept well but Amelia still felt weary. Yawning she decided it wouldn’t hurt to sleep a little longer. Besides she was more than ready to forget the events of the other day.