Elusive Hope (34 page)

He raised her hand to his lips. “I would like to court you properly, Magnolia, if you’ll accept my suit.”

The lace at her neckline rose and fell like the beat of angel wings, breathless, eternal, full of promise. Finally, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. A passionate, hungry kiss that revived his heart and sent flames down to his toes. Enveloping her in his arms, he drank in her sweet savor, never wanting the moment to end. When they parted, he leaned his forehead against hers. “I have something for you.”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the carving he’d just finished that morning.

Magnolia held it to the light. “It’s a toad.” Surprise heightened her voice. She looked at him. “This is what you were carving on our way back to New Hope?”

“Your nickname for me.”

“I never meant it.”

He tapped her chin with his finger. “Come now. You meant every word of it.”

“Well, perhaps.” She smiled and fingered the carving as if it were made of gold. Then lifting it to her lips, she kissed it. “We shall be good friends, shan’t we, little one?”

“Now you’re making me jealous. It wasn’t meant as a substitute for me. Just a reminder.”

“I need no reminders. Ever.” Lifting her hand, she traced his jaw, her touch so gentle, so full of affection, his head grew light. But then the sparkle in her eyes dulled, and she glanced down. “My father will never permit a courtship between us. He has other plans for me.”

The night song of a whippoorwill trilled its agreement. Hayden hefted a sigh. “Plans that don’t include an impoverished con—broker, I’m thinking.”

“He’s forbidden me to ever speak to you again.” Thankfully, she missed his near blunder, which reminded him that he should disclose his true profession—or his former profession—to her if they were to be courting. But later. Not now. The sound of music and laughter drew her gaze back to town. “Father will be returning soon. I shouldn’t stay.” She kicked the leaves by her feet. “It’s hopeless Hayden, don’t you see? I have nowhere else to go.” Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes.

Placing a finger beneath her chin, he raised her gaze to his. “Ah, but you do. I have already spoken to Sarah. She would be happy for you to move in with her in exchange for help with baby Lydia. And Eliza is offering you a position at the clinic. Your work there will more than pay for any food and other necessities you need.”

She stared at him as if he’d asked her to swim back to Georgia. “
Work
for a living?”

Hayden clenched his jaw. How could he want to kiss her one moment and strangle her the next? “Yes, work. Like most people must do to survive. Do you want to be free, Princess?”

“Of course.” A tear slipped from her eye. “Yes, of course. But you don’t understand—I owe my family.”

“Whatever it is, we will pay them back. Together.”

Another tear joined the first. “You would do that for me?”

He cupped her face in both hands. “I would do anything for you.”

“Magnolia!” Her father’s voice echoed off branches and leaves, clamoring like a gothic gong and drowning out the pleasant music.

Hayden took her hand in his. “Shall we go announce our good news?”

Magnolia’s joy was soon swallowed up by apprehension as they made their way back to town. She feared not only what her father would say but what he would do. If her courtship with Hayden ended in marriage—ah, dare she hope?—she might never be able to pay back the money she owed her parents, and she’d certainly never gain them the prestige of title or position.

She fingered the toad carving in her pocket. But to become the wife of such a man! Was it possible? When she was with Hayden, everything seemed possible.

Breaking free from her father and living independently as a single woman, for one. It simply wasn’t done. At least not for a genteel lady. But could she do it? Could she rise from her bed every morning and spend her days working like an impoverished washerwoman? She
had
enjoyed helping Eliza in the clinic, but it had been her choice to be there and her choice when she would leave. Yet…she had felt useful for the first time in her life. And Eliza said she had a gift for nursing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have value beyond her appearance? Perhaps that would cause her reflection to transform back into one of beauty.

The thought elated her. Along with being loved by such a strong, courageous, kind man. And of having a lifetime to love him in return. It was too good to be true. Too much to hope for! Yet there he was, walking beside her, his warm, rough hand enveloping hers, the taste of his kiss lingering on her lips, his manly smell wafting in the air between them. And she knew she could face anything, even her father’s wrath, with Hayden by her side.

He squeezed her hand and gave her that wink that melted her heart before they burst into the center of the square.

Her father, his face bloated like a jellyfish—with a sting just as potent—charged toward her. Her mother followed, ringing her hands. “Where have you been? I told you to stay away from that man!”

Before her father could yank her away, Hayden released her hand and stepped in front of her. Equal in height, the men stared each other down, one snorting like a bull, the other calm and determined.

The music faded into contrary chords before ceasing altogether, giving way to protests and grunts as all eyes swerved to the brewing altercation. Still, Magnolia’s father kept his eyes locked on Hayden’s, like cannons about to fire. Magnolia knew that look. It was a look that had caused strong men to wither and staunch women to cry. But Hayden did not falter.

“You will step aside at once, sir, and hand me my daughter.”

“Only if she wishes to come to you.” Hayden’s voice bore neither rancor nor intimidation.

“Of course she wishes to come to me, you hawkish popinjay!” With narrow, seething eyes, her father peered at her around Hayden. “Magnolia, come here this instant!” Her mother stepped beside her husband, a strength in her expression Magnolia had never seen before.

Gathering her own strength, Magnolia stepped forward, slipped her hand once again into Hayden’s, and lifted her chin. “I cannot, Papa. Hayden and I are officially courting.”

He let out a guttural laugh and glanced at the gathering townspeople. “Rubbish! There’s nothing official about such nonsense.”

“And I am moving to town,” Magnolia continued. “Taking a position at the clinic.” She feared he would read the tremble in her voice as doubt.

But he seemed not to notice as maroon exploded on his face. “A position? Moving!” He loosened his necktie, his chest pitching like a ship on high waves.

A gust swirled through the square, sending the lanterns sputtering and casting patches of light over the crowd. Magnolia thought she saw her mother smile.

Colonel Blake and James pushed through the mob to stand beside them.

Magnolia’s father gave a bitter chuckle, casting another incredulous glance over the bystanders. Then leaning close to her—so close she felt his spittle on her neck—he said, “You will stop this foolishness at once! You are embarrassing your mother and me. We will discuss this at home.” He clutched her arm.

Magnolia winced, and Hayden grabbed her father’s wrist. So tightly, her father’s jaw twitched with the silent struggle until finally he released Magnolia. Rubbing his hand, he gave Hayden a look that would have killed him if he had been armed.

Magnolia drew a shaky breath. “I have made up my mind, Father.”

For once, her mother wasn’t sobbing. Instead, she stared at Magnolia with pride.

“You ungrateful girl,” he hissed. “This is the second time you have walked out on your bargain, and it will be the last.”

Hayden took a step forward. “We will pay you what she owes.”

Her father measured him with a scornful gaze then glared at his daughter. “You are a bigger fool than I thought, Magnolia, but do not take me for one.” He tugged on his waistcoat, stepped back, and waved them away. “You are no longer my daughter.”

Gasps sped through the crowd.

Eliza eased toward them. “You can’t mean that, Mr. Scott.”

A tangible pain speared Magnolia’s heart. Her mother began to sob. Hayden squeezed her hand and drew her close as her father strode away, head held high, ordering her mother to come along. But Magnolia didn’t have time to consider the implications of his words before the sound of crunching leaves—a multitude of crunching leaves—rose from the jungle. Blake, James, and most of the men, including Hayden, headed for their rifles and pistols, leveling them toward the noise while ushering the women behind them. Magnolia joined Eliza and Angeline as everyone watched to see what new dangers emerged from the trees.

Seconds passed like minutes. The leaves parted and a group of men marched into town. No, not just men, women and children too, their clothes torn and stained, their faces weary and frightened. Eyes widening, they froze at the sight of the guns pointed their way. Some of the men in the group plucked out pistols and returned the favor.

But Magnolia’s gaze fastened upon a single man leading the pack, his arms raised and an impudent grin on his lips. Her heart seized. It couldn’t be. It simply couldn’t be. Surely, it was just another vision.

“Hold up there, gentlemen,” the vision spoke, his slick voice confirming her fears. “We come in peace. We are settlers from the Confederate States, just like you.”

“Martin!”Magnolia managed to growl the name. She started toward him, but her father stormed past her. “Mr. Haley? Mr. Martin Haley!”

The man lowered his arms. His eyebrows shot up over eyes filled with shock. Magnolia’s mother shrieked.

“No, sir. You are mistaken. That is not my name.” He spoke with his usual aplomb.

But the closer Magnolia got to him, the more she recognized the cultured goatee and thin mustache, the gray streaking the temples of his black hair. Those firm cheek bones and stark green eyes. Handsome, charming Martin.

Her father stopped before him. “I don’t care what you call yourself. You stole all my money, sir! And I demand it back.”

Wondering where Hayden was, Magnolia glanced over her shoulder to find him staring at Martin as if he were a ghost. No, worse. A monster, from the look of fury blazing in his eyes.

Blake approached the group. “What is the meaning of this? Who are you and who are these people?”

“Ah, you must be the man in charge.” Martin faced the colonel with the same smile he used on everyone he wished to deceive. “As I said, we are but settlers like yourself. In fact”—he waved an arm over the town—“we are the ones who inhabited these huts before you.”

“This man stole from me and I demand reparation!” Magnolia’s father bellowed.

But Magnolia was tired of talking. Barreling forward, she planted her hands on Martin’s chest and shoved him backward. He stumbled but quickly righted himself. Brushing off his coat, he smiled—a sweet, sickly smile that made her stomach turn. “Ah, dear Magnolia, how good to see you. Of all the places to find each other…Brazil.” He chuckled.

A few of the newcomers took up positions at their leader’s side, weapons raised, and defiance written on their faces.

“I am not your dear,” Magnolia spat. “You are a liar, a cheat, and a thief!”

Seeming to forget he had an audience, her father shoved a finger in Martin’s face. “You charmed my daughter into an engagement, wormed your way into our family’s graces, and took me for everything I had with some spurious investment! You owe me, sir! You owe me, and you will pay. By God, you will pay!” Lunging for Martin, he locked fingers around the man’s neck and squeezed.

Martin’s eyes bulged. He clawed at her father’s hands, gasping and croaking. Several women in his group screamed and the two men at his side cocked and pointed their pistols at her father’s head.

“That’s enough, Mr. Scott!” Colonel Blake shoved his way between them and pried them apart. Martin gasped for air. “Settle down! Everyone, lower your guns!” Blake shouted to the colonists.

But Magnolia didn’t want to settle down. She wanted to gouge Martin’s eyes out for what he’d done to her and her family. She was just about to attempt that very thing when Hayden nudged both her and her father aside, cocked his pistol, and leveled it at Martin’s forehead.

Martin retreated, real fear skittering across his eyes for the first time.

“Hayden, no!”

“What are you doing, Hayden?” Blake grabbed Hayden’s arm but he shrugged him off.

“Put the gun down.” James came up from behind.

But Hayden didn’t move. Didn’t breathe, as his eyes remained locked on his target. A drop of sweat slid down his cheek onto a jaw strung as tight as a sail under full wind. Magnolia had never seen him this enraged, this focused. It frightened her.

“Please, sir, whatever you have against me, let us settle it like gentlemen.” Still Martin’s voice was as slick as oil.

With an ominous growl, Hayden flipped the weapon, raised it, and slammed it atop Martin’s head. The odious man toppled to the dirt with a groan.

Shock filtered through the crowd as Blake knelt beside Martin and gazed up at Hayden. “Why did you do that? Who is this man?”

Hayden stuffed the gun into his belt. “He’s my father.”