Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (36 page)

“Regina the only way I’d be willing to touch you again was if God himself came down and commanded it. The only way I’d help you would be if he did the same. I won’t give you a damn dime so you can take your more-than-used goods elsewhere.”

“You bastard!” Regina felt her fury burn. “How dare you speak to me like that?”

“Get out of my sight.” Turning his back on her Jordan turned the knob. “I don’t know why we ever thought this would work.” Regina grumbled under her breath. “I told him we’d have to do it the hard way.”

Her last sentence stopped Jordan in his tracks. “We?” he breathed and turned to face the hellcat. It was then that he felt the sharp pain in his side. His hands flying quickly to the offended area Jordan eyes grew big with shock as he lifted them up to see that they were stained by blood.

Barely given time to process what had happened Jordan was just making eye contact with the protruding blade coming out of his side when the force of a blunt object to his head nearly knocked him senseless and sent him toppling to the ground below.

“You didn’t have to stab him.”

“Shut up Stanley you’re one to talk when you just clubbed him, just help me while he is down here.” Regina snatched open his lapel. “Empty out his pockets.”

“Jesus he’s still not out he’s a strong one isn’t he.”

“Stanley hurry!” Regina whined.

Jordan saw the two figures through blurred vision before darkness took him.

It had been a week before he woke again. Weak and pale from the great amount of blood he lost as he lay in front of his home for God only knew how long. It was Vivian who had found him he’d been told, but Margaret was the first face he’d seen upon waking.

She had told him about all of the things that Regina had taken from the house, and he didn’t care. He could replace things, but he could never replace the little bit of faith he had left in women that she had stolen. He hated Regina with his whole being. He still did. She tried to take his life for a few dollars that she’d run through in no less than a month. She was low and evil—she was everything that he hated and despised. Liar, cheat, backstabber, thief, adulteress, the list went on.

“Damn.” Jordan voiced out loud, it was true that Regina had destroyed his faith in women and in love, but Amelia had restored it. His sweet angel with her soft smile and gentle touch. “Damn!” Jordan said again.

It was then that Jordan felt Amelia’s presence behind him and gave a heavy sigh. “Amelia…” He was at a loss.

Wrapping her arms around him from behind Amelia lay her head on his back. “It doesn’t matter.” She whispered knowing he understood. Kissing his back she let him go. “But you will keep your promise. Below deck with you Captain, you have a day to spend with your wife in bed.”

Jordan gave her a weak smile, he didn’t want to care about her, he didn’t want her to mean so much. But Lord did he love that woman. Letting her take his hand in her own he followed obediently behind her widening frame. Watching in a daze as her hair bounced up and down with every step. He loved her more than he ever thought it was possible to love anything in this world. “Princess.” He began stalling any further movement.

“What?” Amelia asked in an exasperated tone. “I already know what you’re thinking and I’ll hear none of it, we are going back to that ridiculously large bed you have down there and we are going to pull the covers right up to our chins.” At the last part she gave a finalizing nod.

Jordan followed suit. why argue against something he wanted to do anyways? Nothing sounded sweeter than climbing into bed and holding his wife.

When they came to the door he almost laughed out loud at her eagerness to pry it open. And once it was she gave a running leap and collapsed in the bed with a slight jump.

“Be careful.” Jordan warned, worry marring handsome features. Lifting his shirt from his body Jordan once again found himself in the secure arms of his wife.

“How many weeks until we reach London?”

“Weeks, you mean days.” Jordan said surprising her.

Amelia squealed in pleasure. “Are you serious, if you’re joking I’ll have to kill you.”

“Days darling.” Jordan stated sternly. “You Mrs. Bradford will step foot on English soil by Wednesday.”

“Jordan that’s in two days.”

“I said days my dear, didn’t I say days?”

“That you did.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

London would take some adjusting to Amelia decided as she made her way down a busy street. They had been at port for several days but had not yet found a home in which to stay. Jasper and Margaret however had headed over to their brick house on Myrtle Street in some prestigious area the first night they made harbor.

Being silly she had insisted on staying with Jordan even though Margaret had bid her come along a thousand times. Jordan had tried to order her away but to no avail. She wished she had listened. She was beginning to acquire cabin fever.

The weather was colder than she was used to and she found herself more often than not trying to draw herself completely into her high necked velvet dress for warmth.

The morning had been a disaster as of yet. She awoke early to explore the city and discovered that though the accent was different there wasn’t much difference in the way the English felt about her race than those in the states.

Oh they weren’t so upfront with it but she could feel it among most of them. The feeling of not really being wanted around, of not being good enough. She shrugged it off, just as she would at home, she would go crazy if she didn’t. Besides not everyone was cruel, there were some pleasant men and women, but the worst part simply had to be the weather.

“Mrs. Bradford.”

Turning at the mention of her name in the unfamiliar territory Amelia felt a smile creep across her face. “Grady!”

“Pretty.” Grady gave her a heart stopping grin. “You faring well?”

“I’m doing fine, how have you been? I’ve barely seen you since our first meeting.”

“Ain’t my doing.” Grady half grumbled under his breath. “Cap’n kept you under lock and key on da ship, nice to see you free again.”

Amelia scrunched her nose up at the latter part of his statement. “Jordan can be—” Searching skyward for some sort of answer a sigh was all she found. “He can be a little over protective. Tell me Grady have you had breakfast yet?”

“No ma’am, that an invitation?”

“It was.” Amelia started down the cobblestone street stomach growling in hunger. “I have to admit I don’t know where to go. I’ve wandered around these streets since morning. I purchased a locket for Georgia but I’m afraid the clasp is broken.”

Turning in a slow circle Grady finally stopped in the opposite direction and offered her his arm. “I can fix it let me have it and I’ll bring it to you once I’ve got it working. Sides I started working on a wooden horse for that young’un of yours while we was at sea. I’ll be finish wit it soon and can drop that by too.”

“That would be wonderful  and thank you in advance for the gift.” Taking the tiny chain out Amelia handed it to him. “Do you know a place where we could sit and eat.”

“I know a place.”

Giving him a quizzical look Amelia declined the arm but took a stance on the opposite side of him.

Shaking his head Grady led the way. “Tell me bout yourself.”

“What would you like to know?” Amelia eyed a boutique as she walked, London might have some wonders to offer. In that boutique alone there were more fancy dresses and jewels than she’d ever seen in all New Orleans.

“You like dancing?”

“No.” Amelia frowned but the memory of her dance with Jordan soon flooded to the forefront of her mind and she changed her answer. “Yes.”

“Any good Pretty?”

“Amelia…” she corrected. “Nope I’m afraid not but I enjoy it.” “What you doing tonight?”

“I don’t know, whatever Jordan would like.”

“Hmph, what would you like? I can take you dancing if you’d like to go. You can bring the Cap’n wit you.”

“And where would we go dancing here? Doesn’t look like the most lively of places when it comes to dancing. Well at least the type I’m accustomed to.”

“Believe you me there are places, jus gotta know the right places to look.”

“Thank you Grady but no. Look at me I’m as big as all outside, much as I’d like to dance I’m going to pass.”

Grady conceded. “See dat little shop.” Taking up her hand in his Grady pulled her inside. “They sell da best boysenberry muffins.” Pulling a seat out for her Grady made sure she was seated comfortably before he went to the counter to purchase two of the sweet treats along with a warm cup of tea then took a seat alongside her.

Amelia nodded her thanks as he passed the warm cup into her palms. Sniffing the strange brew she took a hesitant sip before deciding that if the drink had been a little sweeter it would have been perfect. “Grady.”

“Yes.” Grady responded. “What do you like to do?”

“Oh I like to do a little bit of everythin’—I can play the piano so I do that when I get the chance. Love swimming and dancing, seeing a pretty girl’s face.” He laughed at her roll of the eyes. “I like carvin most though if I had to choose.”

“Then why work on a ship, why not be a carpenter.”

“Carvin aint the same as carpentry and because this is what I do to survive. I ain’t got family, no ties to nothing on land, and being a deckhand pays alright enough. My carvin aint never drawn much more than a few pennies here and there”

“Maybe you should talk to Jasper; I know it’s not exactly the same thing but he has a carpentry business back home.”

“Nah, no need for that, you best eat your pastry Amelia.” He remembered to use her name. “The Cap’n is sure enough goin to be wantin you back soon. I seen you earlier today didn’t say nothin’.  You was up and out before da rooster could coo and that was some time ago.”

“I know, I wanted to get something to eat there is no cook on the ship anymore I thought it would be nice to get Jordan something to eat as well. I didn’t find much until you showed up; however you are right about the time. Care to escort me back? I would enjoy the company.”

“No need to even ask.”

Amelia gave him a warm smile. “Let me just get another muffin for Jordan, it’s not much but it will do.” Reaching into her purse she pulled a few coins out. “Better yet I think I will get two.”

*

Jordan let the salty air of the pier fill his lungs while he directed a young man as to where the trunks he’d be taking from the ship should be loaded. More than half of the trunks had been hauled onto the little cart already and with the last three being placed on board Jordan would be somewhat happy to be on his way to what he could now again call home.

Georgia was with Jasper and Margaret since yesterday and he had to admit he missed her and wanted her back. However he’d promised Margaret that he would let her take Georgia about for a week and make her into a little princess. It would be good for Georgia, she tried too much to be like him. It also gave himself and Amelia time to get adjusted while she was gone.

Fighting a yawn Jordan glanced at his pocket watch. He wanted to be underway. However he’d need to collect his wife first. She’d been gone for a while now. London was new and no doubt busier than any city she’d ever encountered. Jordan was growing concerned.

“Everything’s loaded gov’na.”

“Thank you.” Jordan placed a handful of coins into the boy’s hand noting the child’s thankful grin before he quickly took off to the cart to sit atop it and drive away. Taking out his pocket watch Jordan glanced at the time once more, it was half past noon.

The driver of the rented hackney seemed to be getting antsy when finally Amelia could be seen coming up the old cobblestone street. The smile that sprouted across his face soon dissipated when he saw who she had in tow and was replaced by a deep grimace. Jordan could feel the heat of his anger growing with each step that brought the duo closer. Hadn’t he warned Grady?

Amelia could sense something was wrong the moment she caught sight of Jordan’s face and knew immediately to try and brace herself for the worst.

“Where have you been?” It was more of a demand than a question.

Amelia flinched at his tone. “I went exploring, here.” Handing him the warm muffin Amelia moved to his side abandoning Grady. “I brought you this, in case you were hungry.”

“I was beginning to worry Mrs. Bradford. It’s time to go, get in the carriage.” Jordan nearly bellowed.

She was beginning to notice that she wore the grand title of Mrs. Bradford whenever a man was around. “I was hoping to take in some sights, Grady is willing to show me about if you are busy and you are always busy.” Amelia smiled.

“Get in the carriage.” Jordan barked.

“What’s gotten into you?” Amelia tried to touch his hand but he pulled it away. “Why are you  angry?” She needed to know.

“Why can’t you do as I say and obey like a wife should?” Jordan let the words come out without thinking.

“No call for that Cap’n girl aint done nothing but try and please you and get you some breakfast.” Grady felt the need to defend Amelia. “She only wants to make you happy.”

“I’ve told you.” Jordan spoke ominously calmly while he snatched open the door to the carriage and placed Amelia inside before slamming it back. “Stay away from her, are we clear?”

“No.” Grady confronted back not willing to back down. “She’s my friend and if she wants to be round’ this ol country boy so be it, you aint got no say.” With that he turned heel and disappeared in the crowd.

“Jordan!” Amelia seethed from inside the cart and the moment he pulled the door open and sat beside her, she started to give him a piece of her mind. “What is the matter with you?”

“I’ve told you to stay away from that man.”

“Told me?” She was appalled. “I’m a grown woman, you don’t tell me anything!”

“You stay away from Miles Grady Amelia or so help me.”

“You’ve lost your mind haven’t you?” Amelia screamed. “I don’t want anything from Grady but friendship and here you act like I plan to run away with him. For God’s sake I love you, why is that so hard to understand?” In a huff Amelia moved to the opposite side. “I will not have you try to ruin my life because of jealousy.”