The Fragrance of Her Name (13 page)

“
How would you like to be saddled with me for the rest of your life?” he interrupted angrily. “I’m going home and my family…”

“
No one will be saddled with you. And your family’s pain won’t be a grain of sand compared to what it would’ve been had you been lost.”

“
Would you…Miss ‘
love is so wonderful
’,” Brant mocked, imitating her soft, southern accent. “Would you want to go through life with me? Like this? Would you go through eternity?”

“
If I were in love with you, it wouldn’t matter.” It was out of her mouth before she could stop it. She had said something, out loud, that had been lurking in the corner of her mind since the moment she’d approached him on the train; that there was something about him that whispered to her soul and the loving part of her heart. “And besides, you won’t be blind for eternity,” she added in an effort to distract him from her first remark.

“
How do you know?” Lauryn was relieved that Brant had chosen to go the route of whether or not blindness remained an affliction in the afterlife, as opposed to the fact that she had mentioned love again.

“
Ever hear anyone tell of seein’ a blind ghost?” she asked plainly. He smiled and shook his head, his mood obviously having been lightened by her positiveness. “And besides,” she continued, “I asked the Captain once if people still carried their afflictions and deformities with them and he said they don’t when they’re at peace.”

“
What if I don’t die peacefully? What if I’m lost like Laura?”

“
Then I’ll find you.” Lauryn dropped her gaze to the ground, embarrassed at making such a promise to a man who was nearly a complete stranger. And she wondered how much merit it would hold anyway considering how long it was taking her to find Lauralynn.

“
I think you just did,” he mumbled. Lauryn looked to him once more. He was again turned away from her, but there was a peacefulness, a profound humility to the set of his mouth. And something in Lauryn bloomed suddenly. Like a butterfly that had just taken to the breeze, her heart fluttered and she felt that her adventures in life were only just beginning.



Brant was very quiet for the remainder of the morning. He seemed pensive, thoughtfully withdrawn. It wasn’t until Sean, Mindy and Junie arrived at Connemara later that he appeared to be aware of something other than the echoing thoughts of his own mind.

Sean and Brant talked for hours about the war, politics, the economy, automobiles and other such subjects that interest men. Even after supper they visited. There seemed to be a lot in common between them and although Georgia smiled, delighted to see both men enjoying each other, Nana smiled understandingly each time her eyes met Lauryn’s. Yes, Nana understood Lauryn’s envy over Sean’s ability to capture Brant’s attention so completely and for such a long period of time.

But when evening had settled and Sean and his family had left Connemara for their own home, it was Lauryn that Brant asked to help him upstairs so he could retire. He accepted Georgia’s and Nana’s affectionate kisses on each of his cheeks and Patrick’s friendly handshake, bidding them a kind and grateful, “Good night.”

“
Have you got everthin’ you’ll be needin’ for the night?” Lauryn asked.

“
I do,” he assured her, beginning to unbutton his shirt even though she still stood in his presence.

“
Well, then…I guess I’ll be leavin’ you to your rest,” Lauryn stammered.

“
Too tired for ghost stories, tonight?” he asked.

“
Never,” she assured him, excitedly, her mood lifting.

Brant didn’t bother to rebutton his shirt, simply let it hang open as he sat down on his bed obviously ready for discussion. Lauryn went to the chair that sat in the opposite corner and pushed it over to the bed so that she could sit just across from him. She was feeling more comfortable with him. Afterall, she’d known him for an entire day.

“
Laura’s lost,” Brant began. “She’s not wet, she’s not hurt anywhere else but her stomach.” Lauryn nodded, acknowledging that these were facts known to them both now. “She’s still wearing her jewelry…”

“
So it wasn’t thievin’ Yankees that found her,” Lauryn finished for him.

“
That’s what I think.” He was thoughtful for a moment. “Why the fragrance, though?” he asked, mostly to himself. “I’ve never been able to figure that out.”

Lauryn shrugged and simultaneously offered, “Perfume?”

“
I don’t think so. Though it is perfumey.” Brant seemed pensive again, then added, “Oh, well.” He moved on. “Mud stains at the hem of her dress. Was it raining that day?”

“
Nana never mentioned it but we could ask her specifically.” Lauryn could feel the excitement rising in her bosom. Brant would help her! She knew he would! Something in his mind, in his memory was the key.

“
She weeps when she thinks of Brand…but also when I mention her family. She’s mournful over someone else,” Brant suggested.

“
Her father maybe? Or just being separated from them?”

Brant nodded. “Maybe.”

“
What else?” Lauryn prodded.

“
Sometimes…though actually not in recent years,” he began. “She would be holding a little cup. Maybe a tea cup. But she hasn’t had that in her hand for years and years.”

“
A little teacup? A child’s teacup?” Lauryn was puzzled by this bit of information.

“
Maybe,” Brant mumbled.

Lauryn was intrigued. Why would Laura be holding a teacup? “Was it a child’s teacup? Or maybe a demitasse?”

Brant smiled and shook his head. “Hell, I wouldn’t know! That’s girl stuff.” He quickly mumbled an apologetic, “Sorry,” for having sworn in her presence. Lauryn smiled, amused and again unconvinced of the sincerity of his apology. “I hadn’t thought of that little cup in years. How strange. I can see it clear as ever in my mind’s eye now,” he seemed to think out loud.

“
It must be important,” Lauryn assured him, excitedly. “Go on. What kinds of things would she talk about…try to make you understand, I mean?”

Brant shrugged. “It’s hard to know where her giving me every clue she could ends…and where our friendship begins.” He lay back, stretching his legs out on the bed and tucking his hands behind his head. As his shirt fell open, revealing the well-defined lines of his chest and ribcage, Lauryn reminded herself that he was obviously a returning soldier used to being in the company of men only. Still, she gave him no modesty reprimand and simply tried to avert her gaze. This was difficult however, because the revealed section of his body was quite impressive. And to one so inexperienced in such sights as Lauryn was, it was still unnerving.

“
Just tell me anythin’,” she urged. “There might be things that don’t seem important to you…that might be significant for me to know.”

Brant nodded and thought for a moment. “She has always wanted me to come here…to Connemara,” he mentioned. “When I was younger I’d say,
‘Someday I’ll go to Connemara, Laura…’
and she would cheer up and nod frantically. She always wanted me here.”

“
To look for her?” Lauryn asked.

“
It’s the obvious answer. Maybe to make absolutely certain that Brandon was safe. She knew he was searching for her because I’d told her about you. But she really is quite selfless and I know she worries for him.” He yawned and Lauryn knew he needed his rest.

“
You’re tired. We can talk more tomorrow,” she said. She hoped he would assure her that he was fine and ask her to stay. There was so much to be unraveled. And so little time.

But instead, he nodded and said, “Yep. Maybe my mind will be less foggy in the morning.” Then, much to Lauryn’s surprise, he sat up, stripped off his shirt completely and fumbled with it until it hung haphazardly on the bedpost. “I like mornings. But I notice that you down here in the south…are more night people. I can’t keep up.” He smiled and Lauryn stood, replacing the chair in case he should get up in the night and it would be in his way.

“
Hot days, cooler nights, I suppose,” she muttered. “Good night then, Brant.”

“
Good night, Lauryn.” And it was done.

It wasn’t until Lauryn returned to her own bedroom and found the Captain pacing anxiously back and forth across the room that she even realized she hadn’t spoken to him all day.

“
Oh, Captain!” she began to apologize. “I’m so sorry! It’s just that…”

The Captain nodded, smiled understandingly and interrupted, “Does he know anything that will help you?”

Lauryn shrugged. “I’m sure he does. He told me several things tonight that I think must be pertinent. I just have to sort it out and…and…I’m afraid it will still take some time, Captain.”

She could see the disappointment on his face, although he smiled and reached out taking her hand in his. “I know. I just…I’ve no right to be impatient but…”

“
You have every right to be impatient!” Lauryn exclaimed. “And my bein’ gone for so long was pretty selfish.”

“
No.” the Captain argued firmly. “You must have a life, too, Lauryn. A life of your own. That is one of the reasons this frustrates me so…watching you waste your life because of me.”

Lauryn smiled and threw herself into the Captain’s warm embrace. “That’s nonsense and you know it. What fun would my life have been, up to now, without my best beau?” she teased, trying to find the light-heartedness that she seemed to be losing.

The Captain chuckled and patted Lauryn affectionately on the back as he returned her hug. “Well, you’re older now, sweetheart. It’s time you had a real beau…one that is still alive.” He embraced her for a moment longer and then, releasing her reminded, “His time here is very short, Lauryn. I want you to make the most of it…do you understand what I mean?”

“
Yes,” Lauryn assured him.

“
Don’t worry about me,” he demanded. “I’m here and there all the time. Spend your time with him. Understand?”

“
I will,” she agreed, and tried not to feel guilty for the pure delight she felt at the prospect of carrying out the Captain’s order. “And don’t worry,” she added. “I’ll pick his brain raw. I’ll find her…for you. I promise.”

The Captain shook his head, seeming amused. “Don’t pick it too raw, angel. And…and spend some time enjoying yourself. Don’t be afraid to…”

“
I am enjoyin’ myself,” she interrupted. She didn’t want him to say anything further. She didn’t want him to add any further hope to the beautiful dreams of owning Brant Masterson that were already lurking in the corners of her mind.

The Captain smiled in understanding. “I see,” he mumbled. “Goodnight, sweetheart.” Then putting his hand to Lauryn’s cheek and cupping it affectionately, he vanished.

Lauryn sighed, heavily. Her mind was a messy cupboard of wondering and confusion. The Captain was right. Brant would only be at Connemara a few more days. She must get every morsel of information she could from him. And with the short time given her in his presence, she would let her heart soak up every ounce of the perfect dream he was.

Amazingly, sleep came quickly to Lauryn that night. And her last thought before drifting off to slumber was, “I hope Brant is warm enough.”



“
So…is it as bad as everyone says?” Patrick asked, as he sat near the creek with Brant.

Brant smiled. He could well remember when war seemed like an exciting adventure to him, too. But that was before he knew the reality of it

“
Yep,” he answered the small boy. “It’s worse.”

“
But…when you’re fightin’ you feel good ‘cause you’re doin’ the right thing. You know you have to do it to protect your home,” Patrick begged. Brant remembered, too, how important it was to know that war was necessary sometimes. That it was a righteous cause. That it was done to protect everything a man held dear.

“
That’s right. It’s what keeps you going.” Brant could hear the pebbles Patrick was tossing hit the water’s surface. “You have to remember why you went.”

“
I’d go,” Patrick stated. “I’d go for my family… for Connemara.”

“
Yep. That’s why I went,” Brant confirmed.

“
Did you have a girl at home when you left?” Patrick asked. Brant chuckled. He liked the way this boy’s mind worked. And Brant did notice the similarity between Patrick’s way of thinking and Lauryn’s.

“
Not when I left. I had a girl before…but…she wasn’t right for me,” Brant confessed.

“
Was she pretty?”

“
Yep. Very pretty.”

“
Was she as pretty as my sister?” Patrick’s question wasn’t meant to be cruel. It was honest. The boy obviously didn’t spend his time noticing that Brant was sightless and couldn’t see Lauryn. And suddenly it bothered Brant all the more that he, indeed, was not able to see her. Surely a girl with Lauryn Kensington’s inquisitive mind, sweet voice and compassion would be attractive physically as well.

“
Oh, I highly doubt that she was as pretty as your sister, Patrick,” Brant told the boy. Then a thought struck him. “What does your sister look like?”

“
Oh,” Patrick chuckled. “I plum forgot you were blind.” Another pebble made a splash in the creek. “Well, it’s hard for me to say…she is my sister and all and…”

“
I won’t tell her if you say anything nice about her,” Brant assured the boy, completely amused at his full understanding of the boy’s need to irritate his sister mercilessly and never to be caught being nice.