Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller - [Lights of Lowell 01] (17 page)

Just ask him to allow us to spend the night here—tell him the journey has taxed you overmuch.’’

‘‘Well, that would be no lie,’’ Alice Wainwright admitted.

‘‘But, Jasmine, I don’t know what you hope to gain with this delay.’’

Jasmine squared her shoulders. ‘‘I’d rather not divulge my plan, otherwise you might face Bradley’s wrath. The less you know, the better.’’

‘‘This isn’t like you,’’ Jasmine’s grandmother stated in a worried tone.

‘‘I’m afraid,’’ Jasmine said, feeling somewhat strengthened by her own revelation, ‘‘that I’m not the same girl I used to be.’’ She patted her grandmother’s hand. ‘‘Truly, this is very important. I hope it might even mean changing Papa’s mind regarding the wedding.’’

‘‘I cannot do something that would place you in harm’s way.’’

‘‘I won’t be in harm’s way. This is where I grew up. I know most everyone here in Lorman and in the surrounding countryside. You mustn’t worry. I’ll be as safe here as in Mammy’s arms. Just trust me on this—please.’’

It took some convincing, but Bradley finally relented and the foursome checked into the nearest hotel. Jasmine and her grandmother pleaded to be left to rest for the remainder of the day, while Nolan suggested that Bradley could use the time to speak to other cotton growers in the area.

Jasmine waited until her grandmother went into the adjoining room for an afternoon nap before hastily exchanging her traveling suit for a riding habit. She would borrow a horse from the Bor-dens. Dr. Borden was a good friend of the family and had tended most every Wainwright member for one illness or another. He and his wife were also much more liberal in their beliefs than some of their Southern contemporaries. They wouldn’t think anything amiss or in the leastwise troubling when Jasmine made her request known.

Jasmine knew she would have to hurry if she were to make it home before dark, however. Her father would not be at all sympathetic to her cause if he thought she’d risked her well-being by traveling in the darkness—unescorted.
He won’t approve of this,
she knew in her heart. But on the other hand, once he saw what she was willing to do in order to plead her case, Jasmine felt confident her father would at least delay the wedding, if not cancel it altogether.

Dr. Borden was gone on rounds when Jasmine arrived at the house, but his wife, Virginia, was more than happy to accommodate her.

‘‘You will hurry back for a long visit, won’t you?’’ Virginia questioned as the groomsman came forward with a fast-looking bay.

Jasmine touched the horse’s dark mane, stroking him gently as a means of introduction. ‘‘I will do my best to see that we have a nice long talk very soon.’’ Jasmine allowed the groom to help her into the sidesaddle. ‘‘Thank you again for the loan,’’ she said. Then without further ceremony, she yanked the reins to the right and quickly headed out.

Her biggest fear was the possibility of running into Bradley as he moved among the folk of Lorman seeking yet someone else to devour. Jasmine thought momentarily that perhaps it wasn’t fair to equate her fiancé with the devil, but it didn’t overly bother her conscience.

The road home was in good condition, much to Jasmine’s relief. The old sights and sounds of her beloved Southern home reached out to embrace her, welcoming her back to that which she loved. Urging the horse to a canter, Jasmine passed from town into the rural areas, where cotton fields were dotted with dark-skinned workers. She slowed the horse momentarily and watched with interest as she remembered the words of the abolitionist speakers back in Lowell. She saw no signs of rough treatment, no proof that these slaves were unhappy or ill-treated.

Picking up her pace again, Jasmine smiled to herself. Surely the things spoken of in Lowell were extreme circumstances and not the normal events of Southern life.

The hours passed as Jasmine urged the horse to his limits. The sun had long since set and the skies were pitch black when Jasmine rounded the final bend for home. Her skin tingled from the exertion of the ride, as well as the overwhelming knowledge that her father would be greatly displeased with her actions. Still, she had seen no other recourse. She had to be allowed to speak her mind and explain her feelings on the matter.

A groomsman approached as Jasmine brought the bay to a stop at the porch stairs. ‘‘Miz Jasmine?’’ the man asked in disbelief. ‘‘Is dat you?’’

‘‘It is indeed,’’ she replied, happy to be home at last. ‘‘I need to speak to my father. Is he here?’’

‘‘Shore ’nuf. He was over to Master Franks, but he comed home nearly half an hour back.’’

Jasmine smoothed her dirty habit and bounded up the steps in an unladylike fashion. She didn’t bother to knock but rather pushed back the ornate oak door and stepped into the sanctuary that had been her home for eighteen years.

‘‘Hello?’’ she called out as she moved through the foyer and into the front sitting room. The room was empty. Jasmine sighed.

She knew in her heart that she’d most likely find her father in his study, but she had hoped that she might encounter him first in the presence of others. That way, she presumed, the shock would be less and his anger would abate more quickly.

Giving up on that hope, however, she made her way to her father’s office and took a deep breath before knocking loudly on the door.

‘‘Come in.’’

Jasmine opened the door and peeked in. ‘‘Hello, Papa.’’

‘‘Jasmine!’’ Her father got to his feet from behind his austere mahogany desk. ‘‘I didn’t realize you were arriving tonight. We’d had no word and had intended to send someone to check on you tomorrow.’’ He came forward and embraced her.

Jasmine enjoyed the moment, knowing that once her father learned the truth there’d be no pleasantries. ‘‘I missed you so much. I just couldn’t wait another moment.’’ She pulled away and eyed her father seriously. With any luck at all, she’d get their conversation started before he realized the situation for what it was.

‘‘We must talk, Papa. I’m not at all happy about this marriage.’’

He looked at her oddly. ‘‘But Bradley assured me . . . well . . . that is to say, he implied you were content with the arrangement.’’

‘‘But I am not. I do not love Bradley Houston. I have no intention of ever loving him. Please reconsider this marriage, Papa.

I am most desperate to be freed from this responsibility.’’

Her father backed away as if she’d struck him. ‘‘I’m afraid I don’t know what to say.’’

Jasmine nodded and tried her best to sound sympathetic. ‘‘I know arrangements have been made and that people are counting on those arrangements. But, Papa, I long to marry for love—not because it suits the family business. Would you deny your only daughter this one request?’’

‘‘Have you discussed this with Bradley?’’

Jasmine wondered how best to answer. ‘‘He knows of my feelings, if that’s what you’re asking. But, Papa, I’d rather all of this conversation stay between you and me. I would rather not worry Mama, and I certainly don’t wish to anger my brothers or bring any further shame down on the family. I wanted to write you and discuss the matter sooner, but then before I realized what was happening, we were on our way back here. That’s why I had to come to you alone—why I had to talk to you before Bradley or Grandmother or anyone else.’’

‘‘Truly we cannot continue to discuss it now,’’ her father said.

‘‘It’s very poor manners that we should leave them alone. Where are they? Did you at least situate them with refreshments?’’ Her father began to pull on his jacket.

Jasmine looked down. ‘‘They are in Lorman.’’

Her father stopped even as he was buttoning up the coat.

‘‘What did you say?’’

‘‘I said they remained behind in Lorman. I rode out alone. No one knows I’m gone.’’ Jasmine watched her father’s face contort.

‘‘Before you get angry, please hear me, Papa.’’ She went to him, tugging on his arm like a little child. ‘‘I had to talk to you about this marriage without Bradley hanging on my every word. I cannot marry him. He’s abominable to me.’’

Her father stared in disbelief. ‘‘You risked your life—your reputation— to ride all the way from Lorman unescorted, for this?’’

‘‘I thought if we had some time to talk, for me to explain how I feel . . .’’

He jerked away from her and began to pace. ‘‘Jasmine, this has nothing to do with feelings. This is a business arrangement that will benefit generations of Wainwrights to come. It will see our family secure, as well as the families of your uncles and cousins.

How dare you come here as a spoiled and frightened child and declare that the entire arrangement be dissolved in order to suit your feelings?’’

Jasmine felt as though she’d been slapped. Her father had always been gentle and protective of her. This was the first time she’d ever faced his wrath.

‘‘I only pray that Mr. Houston doesn’t change his mind. If that were to happen, this family would face extreme consequences.’’

Jasmine shook her head, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. ‘‘But, Papa—’’

He held up his hand. ‘‘No. No more. I won’t hear another word.’’ He came to stand directly in front of her. ‘‘You are too young to understand the importance of this matter, and because of that, I can and will overlook your foolhardy behavior of this evening. I am uncertain as to how we will explain the matter to Mr.

Houston or whether he’ll be as sympathetic, but you will not speak of this again.’’

Jasmine felt the truth tighten around her neck like a noose. ‘‘So it doesn’t matter to you that I not only do not love Mr. Houston, but I cannot bear to be in his presence?’’

‘‘Time will change that,’’ her father assured. ‘‘Few women can honestly say they marry for such luxuries as love and attraction.

This is a good match. It benefits the greater good of our family.’’

Jasmine saw the determination in her father’s eyes and in that moment felt herself age a decade. ‘‘So my heart is to be sacrificed for the greater good, is that it?’’ How foolish she had been to imagine that her desires were important to anyone other than herself. Somehow she had been confident that she could come home, speak to her father in private, and persuade him to put an end to her engagement. She realized her foolishness.

‘‘You may not understand my decision at this moment, but in time you will.’’

Jasmine shook her head. ‘‘I understand that I am nothing more to you than a possession to be bartered. I might as well be one of your slaves, up on the block, sold to the highest bidder.’’

Jasmine hadn’t expected the hard slap across her face. From the look of her father’s expression, the move took him by surprise as well. It was the first time he had ever struck her. Jasmine touched her gloved hand to her cheek, staring in disbelief at the man she thought she knew so well.

Embarrassed, her father went back to his desk. Toying with some papers there, he said, ‘‘We will speak of this no more. Your wedding will take place as planned. One day you will understand, but until that time, I demand that you keep your childish notions to yourself. I cannot have you ruining this arrangement for nothing more serious than little-girl fears. This is an excellent arrangement. You will never want for anything, and despite your feelings, Bradley assures me that he has come to love you quite ardently.

Your love for him will come in time. You’ll see.’’

Jasmine stared at her father for several minutes, then backed away as if it were impossible to grasp the meaning of his words. For the first time in her life, she felt very much alone.

Jasmine sat alone in the music room when Bradley approached her. ‘‘I believe we should talk,’’ he said rather dryly. He closed the door behind him and, to Jasmine’s surprise, slid the lock into place.

‘‘I’d rather we not be disturbed.’’

Jasmine trembled at Bradley’s tone. No doubt he meant to berate her for her actions. ‘‘I presume you wish to discuss last night.’’

‘‘Among other things,’’ he said, pushing out his coat tails before taking a seat. ‘‘Your actions were imprudent—dangerous.’’

‘‘I thought you would see it that way,’’ Jasmine replied, trying hard to show no fear. ‘‘I do not regret my choice, however. I was very homesick.’’

Bradley nodded. ‘‘I’m sure you were. But you could have met with grave harm. It was inconsiderate of you to risk your life in such a manner.’’

‘‘I didn’t know you cared,’’ she said sarcastically. ‘‘Unless, of course, you’re speaking merely out of concern for your business arrangement.’’

‘‘You do me injustice,’’ Bradley said softly.

Jasmine hated his calm, determined manner more than the times when he was forceful and mean-tempered. ‘‘You are the one forcing me to marry you. I’d say that’s a bigger injustice.’’

‘‘You feel that way now because you’re young. In a few years, you’ll see this as a completely different matter. You’ll have children and a new home . . . you will be happy.’’

‘‘Or else?’’

Bradley’s expression altered and a hint of anger tinged his voice. ‘‘Why do you insist on making this difficult?’’

Jasmine got to her feet and began to pace. Her burgundy gown swirled around her heels as she turned abruptly. ‘‘If you were the one being forced against your will to marry someone you don’t love, perhaps then you would understand my difficulty.’’

‘‘I am sorry that you cannot conjure up some kind of affection for me. I have tried to win your heart. I’ve tried to show you that I am worthy of your love—that I will make a good provider and protector. Still you refuse to yield any ground to me whatsoever.’’

Jasmine looked at him hard. ‘‘You speak as though it’s some kind of war—a battle for territory. I speak of the heart and a desire to be in love with the man whom I marry. Why is that to be considered such a terrible fault on my part?’’

Bradley got up and came to her. To Jasmine’s surprise he didn’t sound in the leastwise angry. ‘‘It’s not a fault, my dear. It’s simply unrealistic. Do you honestly mean to tell me that your friends have married purely for love—that their feelings were considered first and foremost?’’

Jasmine thought of her three closest friends. One had been matched to a man nearly twenty years her senior because his land holdings adjoined her family’s property. Another friend had been pledged to her cousin since birth, while the third was also a victim of an arranged marriage to a local politician.