Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (31 page)

Amelia could hold back her tears no longer and a deep sob escaped her throat and she let Jasper hug her tightly.

Jordan on his feet now stared at her back and how it shook with her violent wails, he fought the urge to go to her instead he walked over to his horse and just as silently got on and began to ride away.

“How could he says those things to me? I love him more than life itself. I love my baby, why did he say those things to me?” Amelia begged Jasper to tell her.

“Amelia listen to me, now you will fret and you will pout but eventually this too will pass.”

“No.” Was Amelia’s reply and she stepped from him. No amount of time could ease the suffering in her heart. “Nothing will ever be the same.”

“It will,” Jasper tried to assure her. “Believe it or not you’ve become that man’s heart.” Taking her chin in his hands he forced her to look at him. “A man cannot live without his heart.”

Shaking her head Amelia found her eyes faceted on the ring on her thumb and slowly removed it. “Please, will you give this back to him.”

Picking up her hand in his, Jasper kissed her palm. “Everything is going to be alright, if you need anything come to me, anything at all.”

“I could never do that.” Voice crackling Amelia started toward the house.

“You are family now if you like the fact or not, why the baby you’re carrying will be my little nephew or niece. Call on me if you need anything besides if you don’t I’ll hear about it because I sure plan to call on you.” Jasper tried lightening the mood. “Amelia I just want to make things right until that idiot realizes what a mistake he’s made.” His heart went out to Amelia. Jasper watched as Nina finally came up behind her best friend.

“Honey lets go inside its cold.”

“She is right Amelia remember what I said.” Jasper told the girl before saddling up.

“Goodnight to you sir.” Nina cut him off angry and ushering Amelia over to Cole he led her inside, leaving Nina and Jasper in the cold.

“What has just happened here?” Nina needed to know.

“The biggest mistake of one man’s life.” Jasper offered, tired beyond reckoning. “Let her know I’ll be around soon.”

“That will not be necessary sir.” Still confused, Nina too headed into the house and let the blonde man disappear in the darkness.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Margaret tiptoed her way around in the musky room stealthily avoiding the empty bottles of wine and bourbon. The drapes had been drawn tight and only hints of light filtered in.

Nearly tripping over a broken glass Margaret decided to flood the room with sunlight by snatching the curtains apart. Then just as suddenly she lifted the windows hoping to rid the room of the dank smell of alcohol and smoke.

After being utterly vulgar to any and everyone for two months, Jordan had then decided to lock himself away in the dark cave of his room for three weeks now and enough was enough as far as she was concerned. Inclining her head toward the bed Margaret kicked aside a pair of russet trousers and tore off the blanket that covered him. “Get up.” He didn’t budge. Bending over Margaret placed one slim finger under his nose to make sure the cad was still breathing, confirming that he was she took the same finger and flicked him hard on the head. “Wake up, you ass.”

Grumbling incoherently Jordan rubbed at his eyes freeing them of the silt that blurred his vision. Still finding it hard to focus especially with the iron sledgehammer banging in his skull, Jordan closed droopy lids and rolled over offering Margaret his back. “Not now.”

“Then when?” Haughtily Margaret flopped down hard beside him and slapped him on his back. “Get up Jordan.”

Groggily Jordan rubbed the sparse piece of skin he could reach that burned from her assault. Rising up on his elbows Jordan turned to Margaret. “That hurt.”

“You smell of bourbon.” Margaret leaned away from him. “Have you even bothered to bathe?”

“The ladies like my masculine scent.” He sniggered at Margaret.

“What ladies? It seems to me that you’re all alone.”

“Not for long.” Rubbing the rough stubble of his grubby beard Jordan climbed out of bed nearly falling flat on his back.

“It’s nice to see you’re still drunk cousin, I’m sure you will be most sensible.”

“I find it helps my disposition.” Chuckling loudly Jordan forced himself into a shirt from the floor. “Tell me Margie dear what brings you here today?”

“Your lack of common sense, drunken behavior, oh let’s see there was more, the fact that you barely leave this room and apparently refuse to bathe and wait I’m sure there was one more very important things. Oh that’s right Amelia and your baby.”

“In that case woman you can go home.”

“Did you know that your sister has been with Jasper and I for the past eight days.”

“How could I not, it’s been quiet.”

“Did you care?”

Sobering some Jordan gave Margaret a heated look. “I love Georgia.”

“Then act like it, be her big brother. Shave, put on some clean clothes, and for God’s sake quit drinking.”

“Will that be all?” Jordan spat feeling like a scolded child.

“No that is not all.” Walking over to him Margaret cupped her cousin’s face. “Jordan what are you doing—just look at you, really, what are you trying to prove?” Jordan would have moved his head from her but she held him fast. “Stop, look at me.” Margaret smiled warmly at him. “I never would have thought it possible for you to love anyone again after Regina.”

“Margaret …”

“No listen, Jordan I admit it would have been so much easier if you’d only let someone else capture your heart but you haven’t.”

This time Jordan did break away to sit back down on the overstuffed bed. “I do not want to hear it.”

“Amelia is not Regina.” Margaret stated leaving no room for argument. “Don’t give up on someone who loves you so much. She thought that she would be protecting you by not telling you about the baby. It’s still news to her for goodness sake”

“She had no right to keep it from me.”

“But she did Jordan and now it’s out and over with, Amelia made a mistake you can’t blame her forever.”

“I want to.” Jordan pouted loudly.

“Jordan stop acting like a child.” Moving to him again Margaret let him lay his head in her lap and patted his head comfortingly. “Now let’s be honest here for a moment.”

“Margaret.” Jordan said to let her know he only wished for her to massage his scalp.

“You love her.” That was the first question that needed to be verified.

“I don’t want to talk about her.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Take it as you will, but the words were never spoken.”

“Don’t be stupid your whole life Jordan.” Warning him Margaret rose and began to stalk across the room. “What am I going to do with you? Jasper told me all about your antics, if I were Amelia I’d rather die twice than forgive you.”

Jordan rolled over onto his back and laid his arm across his eyes. “I don’t want her to forgive me. After she has the baby the devil can take her.”“Rubbish all of it; things are going to have to change around here. We’ll need to get a cradle and have a room prepared...”

“I’m leaving Sunday.” Jordan cut her off.

Eyeing him skeptically Margaret placed her hands on her hips before speaking. “Where are you going Jordan?”

“I’m going back to London then maybe France.”

“So you’re taking a sabbatical from life? What about your child?”

“It will be with me of course.”

“Oh that’s rich. How do you plan to pull that off?”

“What do you mean?” Jordan wanted to know.

“So you think that everything will be forgiven like that. That Amelia is just going to go along with you and have the baby just like that.”

“It’s my child.”

“The baby belongs to her as well. Its growing inside her, you don’t think the situation is going to require a little finesse.” Margaret threw her hands up in frustration.

“Tonight I’m going to get her.”

“I see.” Quirking an eyebrow up at him Margaret drummed her fingers along her hip. “And does she know Jordan.”

“She will.”

“You’ve taken to abduction?” Rolling her eyes Margaret poured herself a glass of the water teetering off his desk and swallowed it down fast. “You can’t do that Jordan.”

Jordan paid her no heed and continued to lazily lounge about. “I can. Actually I think it should be relatively easy. She can’t be extraordinarily strong,  I have no doubt I can take her. Once I get her in the carriage all I need do is drive off she won’t jump out, then I’ll get her to the ship I’ll carry her on tie her up if I have to and set sail.”

“Easy indeed!”

“Exactly, I knew once I explained it to you, you’d see just how well thought out my plan was.” Thrumming his fingers on his chest Jordan smiled to himself, if that woman thought she was going to keep his baby from him she had another thought coming. “Have Georgia ready.”

“Jordan you’ve lost your mind,” Margaret balked before staring him down sternly. “You cannot take that child.” He wouldn’t go to abduct Amelia either if she had anything to do with it.

“I am her guardian, I will be taking her with me make no mistake about that.” Margaret was beginning to get on his nerves.

“You’ve not cared enough to see to her wellbeing until now, why the sudden change of heart.”

“I know you love Georgia so I will forgive you for that. Have her ready by this evening Margaret.” Enough was enough, getting out of bed Jordan took Margaret by the arm and forced her to the door. “Always a pleasure cousin,” Kissing her forehead sweetly Jordan just as rudely shut the door leaving Margaret speechless.

Flopping down into the permanent groove in his bed Jordan reached for the bottle of wine he had stored near his pillow and put it to his lips, and disappointment soon followed finding it empty. “Come out my dear.”

From the side closet a form did appear, Melanie continued to brush glossy red locks as she walked out to Jordan as if she had heard none of what had just transpired as she hid.

She hadn’t known until then what had plummeted her lover into the depths of despair, but had been willing to give all she could, even if it was just her body to try and heal him. It was now apparent that it would take more than she could offer.

Jordan in love was hard enough to bear. Jordan expecting a baby was true heartache. He always took precautions with his women, with her. How could he let this happen and with Amelia?

Settling down beside him her heart lurched when he placed his head to her chest. She had always hoped that she would be the one to steal his affections. It was a silly dream but one she held close nonetheless. He had been the only one of her men she’d ever allowed herself to love and now her heart was crushed because of it. But after all it had only been a dream, and she’d always been content with being his friend, and had always wanted to see him happy.

“You never told me about Amelia, was that why you asked about her that night?” She purred sweetly into his ear and patted his head.

“Who?” Jordan kissed her arm.

“Don’t play dumb Jordan I know you are very witty.”

“She’s a harpy and now she’s run off, besides I only want you.” Kissing her lips Jordan ran his hand along Melanie’s thigh.

“I’ve been here four days and you haven’t managed to want me. Jordan you’ve always been honest with me why stop now. Tell me about Amelia and the baby.”

“Curse you and all women.” Playfully Jordan tugged at her hair. “Why would you want to hear about that harlot?”

He had said it so maliciously Melanie did a double take. “Amelia had many conquests before you? I would have never guessed.” Melanie wanted to see if he would prove himself a liar.

Burying his face in the nook of her neck Jordan nipped the soft flesh there. “I never said that.”

“But you did say that she was a harlot or am I mistaken?” Pulling away she captured his eyes with her own and awaited his answer.

“No, you’re not mistaken but she’s not been with many men.” Begrudged he rolled over to his side. “I was her first.”

“Slander has never been a part of your personality don’t add it now. If you are mad at the woman be mad but don’t label her a whore, it’s a nasty mark to bare. Besides what has she done to earn your wrath?”

Jordan sighed heavily. Women would be his downfall. Asking so many questions, causing all his problems, he’d be happy if he didn’t have a damn irrefutable weakness for women. “She betrayed me.”

“You are not innocent.” Rolling her eyes Melanie tossed her hair off her shoulders before shaking her head. “I know she can’t be completely to blame.  But tell me your sordid side.”

“There is not much to tell. She tried to leave and never tell me about my baby.” The statement was so matter of fact and left no room for argument Jordan thought.

“Did you ever stop to think she was doing it because she thought it was right? Are you willing to deal with the complications of claiming a colored child? Be reasonable, that child will be considered a mutt, a half-breed bastard.”

“I advise you to shut your trap and never again speak ill of my child.”

“They are not my opinions, I’m only telling you what I know and if you’re upset with me you better prepare yourself, because if you manage to do what you’re setting out to do every day thereafter you will be livid.” Fluidly Melanie maneuvered herself before him, noting the frown still marking his forehead, no doubt still irritated at her statement. “We are friends, first and foremost and I don’t want to offend you, you know that. So let’s leave that one little moment in the past. Your cousin however was right, Jordan you’re not taking care of yourself you drink too much and you haven’t been outside in days.” Smiling she kissed his cheek. “Talk to me, we’ve always been able to at least talk, I’m willing to listen.”

“I wouldn’t know where to start.” Grumbling Jordan took the opportunity to reach on the floor for his linen shirt, pulling it on he rose from the bed to settle down in the cherrywood chair.

“Start from the beginning. Tell me what made you fall in love with her.” Staring away from him she waited for him to grumble all the more but nothing came. Looking to him she only found him staring back as if lost. “It’s rare to find someone you truly love, even more scarce is when you feel that for someone and they feel the same. Don’t stay mad at her too long, especially since you love her so.”