Southern Legacy: Completed Version Page 36

  “Why would you? It mattered only that you looked after his welfare and kept your word to his father.”

  “Is that what you truly think? Have you not heard any of the whispers about your papa?”

  “Whispers?” she questioned, once more bewildered. “I am afraid you have me at a loss. I thought you one of the few people who held Papa in esteem?”

  Whitney broke his gaze and stared out across the pond. “Esteem? I admired him more than I do any of my other sons.” He turned and faced her. “He was my son, Josephine, as you are my granddaughter.”

  The woods became deathly still as Josephine listened to a man expel his demons. This…this was what Miss Hazel had tried to keep from her. Her father was a bastard! Her stomach churned! No…no…no! Papa may have been the son of a poor man, but he was no bastard.

  “Brantley never meant for you to know,” Whitney confessed. “He did not want your name tarnished, but I’m afraid that my sins have fallen not only upon my son, but you as well. A child branded by not actions of his own, but would be shunned for a lifetime.”

  “I do not believe it…” Her voice quivered. “Papa would have told me.”

  “It was his shame, Josephine. It was what drove him to prove to everyone he was a gentleman.”

  The truth suffused within her. She was going to get sick. All she had done to have kept the dowagers’ tongues from wagging and all this time, they had been correct. She would never be part of their society…

  Then suddenly, a thought hit her hard. Grace Ann had complained about Louis…the mix-raced slave children. If the Whitney men gave no thought where they planted their seed…

  Jo drew in her breath. “My grandmother? Who was my grandmother?”

  “Her name was Eloise. She was the daughter of a small store owner in Nashville. She had come to visit her sister here in Camden after her mother passed away and her father had remarried.” Whitney paused, as if reliving a different time. He shook his head slightly. “We were young…too young. She was no more than fifteen when Brantley was born. My father out-and-out refused for me to marry one he thought so beneath us.

  “It was then that Father made arrangements for Brantley. When Eloise decided it would be for the best to give up the child, Father took him and gave Eloise enough money to return home. In turn, Father paid the Wrights to take in my son. Father made up the story of me being grateful to Lucas Wright after he passed so it would explain why we took Brantley into our household. Father took quite a liking to Brantley…he had charm and intelligence even then.”

  Josephine shook her head. “Why? Why are you telling me this? I do not want to know…You had to know it was better for me to think him the son of a farmer than a…bastard.” The word spewed out harsher than she wished. Her poor papa! The whole of his life he had strived to overcome the social stigma.

  “I was proud of my son, Josephine. He overcame much in his life. Know I would never have told you if I did not believe it necessary,” he said.

  In spite of her shock, Josephine had a need to know his purpose. “Then explain to me why you think it is important to me...now.”

  “Don’t go visit the Wrights. It will only stir up unnecessary trouble. Leave it as it is.”

  “Am I to live a lie?”

  “It is not a lie, Josephine. My son…your papa was a fine man. I wish men were judged by their deeds and not by the labels placed upon them, but you know as well as I that is not the way of the world.”

  Jo rubbed the pain from her forehead. Her lips pressed tightly together, she pushed back her toiling emotions. “I am so confused.”

  Whitney reached over and squeezed her hand tightly. “I am certain you are. This will be our secret, but know you are not alone. We are family.”

  She thought of Papa and the man beside her. She realized that Whitney had long looked after her and wanted only her to know of his love of the son he had lost. Strangely, she took comfort with the knowledge and took it to heart that he would never confirm the rumors. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so alone in the world.

  * * * *

  A canopy of moss-covered branches arched over the long avenue of oaks. It gave way to a pasture where the horses were stabled. Alongside the stables were the dog kennels where Josephine found herself this morning.

  Her slippers were wet from the dew as she kept up to the little feet of the child in front of her. Unable to sleep, Josephine had risen early and, as had been her habit of late, she walked. This morning, Mirabella, Sarah’s youngest girl, had joined her.

  “Coosin Joosphin,” Mirabella, a pretty little thing with natural blonde ringlets falling haphazardly around her smiley face, called to Jo. “See!”

  Josephine smiled at the small one, who had her pudgy little fingers between the opening in the fence and played with a litter of puppies being weaned from their mother. Seven whiny pups gathered around the girl.

  “I see, Mirabella.”

  “Want ’em out.” Mirabella pointed to the momma dog, a large, powerfully built bitch pacing in another pen.

  “Sweetie, we need to leave them where they are and ask your papa when you can get them out.”

  “They cry.”

  “It may not seem so, but it’s for the best for the momma and the puppies.” Jo knelt down on one knee to face the little girl.

  Suddenly, she caught herself. Oh, it was happening again...the dizziness, the stomach upheaval. Covering her mouth with her hand, her stomach churned and her head spun.

  Jo opened her eyes. She was on the ground with a tiny hand patting her face, trying to wake up. As she looked up, she saw Mirabella crouched down beside her.

  “Coosin Joosphin’…you okay?”

  Faint, Jo sat. Almost immediately, she saw an entourage come toward her, Grace Ann leading the way. Not even waiting to dress for the day, she still wore her nightclothes.

  “I’m fine.” Jo attempted to stand. Embarrassed, she waved back those who had rushed to her aid.

  Grace Ann would have none of it. “Oh, pooh! It is only us women, Jo. Not like we haven’t seen it before. The sickness will pass in time.”

  “It’s not that, Grace Ann,” Jo protested. “I just haven’t slept.”

  Grace Ann smiled, a knowing smile exchanged with Sarah. “Of course it is. Hon, you married a couple of months ago.”

  With her arm wrapped about Jo’s shoulders, Grace Ann walked with her back to the main house while Sarah had Mirabella’s mammy look after her daughter. The women ushered Jo back to her bedroom and into bed.

  Oh, mother of all! She couldn’t be expecting! She fought against welling tears—the tangled mess that had become her life. Whatever am I going to do!

  “I’ll see to getting you some tea,” Sarah offered. “It helped me in your condition.”

  The moment Sarah left the room, Jo gripped her cousin’s hand. “I can’t be expecting…I just can’t be. Wade…”

  “Hon, he will be thrilled, I’m certain. Men are, you know.”

  “He won’t be…he only married me because…” Jo couldn’t finish the words. She burst into tears and wept.

  Sitting down on the bed’s edge, Grace Ann pulled Jo into her arms and rocked her. In the silent room, she asked, as if contemplating the worst, “You did have relations with your husband?”

  Jo nodded. “Yes…but…”

  “Then there are no buts,” Grace Ann stated plainly, dismissing Jo’s fears. “Honey, it ain’t right the way you’ve been treated. Engaged to one brother, then marry the other. But you need to write Wade. He needs to know—”

  “No,” Jo said emphatically. “I’ll die first. He wants nothing to do with me. Why else would he send me away? You don’t know…Andrew is in Charleston with his…his wife. I’m left out…they only wanted…”

  “Nonsense, you silly girl,” Grace Ann said. “Mr. Whitney says that Wade has done a grand job of negotiating peace between Grandpa Henry and the Montgomerys. Now that Harry Lee is recovering nicely, it is well that there are no ramifications
from that awful incident.”

  “You don’t understand. Wade is not happy with me to begin with…now this.”

  “Now what? A baby? Are you not happy with the thought? Do you not understand how much I would love to be in your place? You have to realize how much I would have loved to have a child.”

  “You never have said.”

  “I have maintained my dignity.” Grace Ann heaved a tremulous sigh. “Mr. Whitney does not care. Our marriage has been a happy one for us both. He has children from his other marriages and does not feel the need for more. It is my loss.”

  The idea that Grace Ann felt the sting of being barren had never occurred to Jo. Grace Ann had never been the mothering sort, but Jo understood the reproach of an unforgiving society.

  “I have always yearned to have a child…it is only…what if Wade doesn’t want it…or me?”

  A laugh escaped Grace Ann. “Then we will do it together. You and I…and Mr. Whitney, of course. We have a plantation over the border in North Carolina. It’s small. I have only been there once, but thought it would be a lovely place for a child.”

  “Do you think we could?”

  “I would not have said so, if I didn’t know we could,” Grace Ann assured her. “But I doubt it will come to that. I can’t believe Wade would ever let you go. You forget I was there when the two of you were on the verge of scandal, proclaiming love for each other.”

  “I’m not so sure.”

  “Well, I am. Truly, though, it is of no matter, for I’m quite excited to be an auntie.”

  Jo eased her head against Grace Ann’s shoulder and listened to her cousin talk. She needed to be distracted for despite the confidence Grace Ann displayed, Jo held none. She was worried, terribly worried.

  * * * *

  It was a quiet afternoon. Josephine sat out on the porch and enjoyed the peace and serenity of the moment. Sarah and Peggy had taken the children to visit Peggy’s sister, who lived over in Chesterfield. It was good to have this time.

  Somehow, she had to come up with a semblance of a plan. Despite Grace Ann’s support, she couldn’t impose on their hospitality much longer. She had heard Whitney talk of returning to Charleston. Jo held little doubt Grace Ann would be by her husband’s side.

  Jo had let Grace Ann ramble on about their wild fantasy of going to the plantation in North Carolina to raise her baby. Her cousin meant well, but Charleston was brewing with the thrill of anticipation of the upcoming presidential election. Anxiety would riddle Grace Ann if she missed a moment of the excitement and celebration, especially with the news filtering in about the escalating tension against the North.

  The question had become not if she was going to leave South Carolina, but where was she to go. She had few options, but she couldn’t stay. However was she going to carry on?

  Instinctively, her hand went to her stomach. The local doctor had confirmed she was to be a mother. She had long dreamed of having a child, but not like this. Not with a husband who hated her…not knowing… Oh, she could die!

  “Josephine.”

  Slowly, Jo turned and uttered under her breath, “Wade.”

  Her first impulse was to run. As she stood, she readied herself to bolt, but he caught her hand and held it firm.

  “Calm yourself, woman! My Lord! One would have to wonder what you think of your husband!”

  Her eyes flicked over him. By heavens, he looked handsome! His face bronzed golden by the sun; his blonde hair gleamed; his clothes were immaculate, with not a button out of place; his boots brightly shone. He carried himself in his crisp manner, which was evidence of his good breeding…but he had taken her by surprise.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve come to take you home.”

  She stared at him in silence. She didn’t know for how long. Finally, she said, “Surely, you jest. I haven’t heard from you in the last couple of weeks. Then you show up unannounced. Why?”

  Wade closed the gap between them. “I have behaved abominably. I have no excuse except I let my anger…jealousy get the better of me. It was not my finest hour. I have come here to beg your forgiveness.”

  “Don’t do this to me. I can’t take it from you…not now.”

  “Take what? An apology?”

  Her dark eyes snapped with fire. “Your lies. I don’t know what game you are playing, but I want no part of it.”

  She pivoted around with every intention of leaving him where he stood. He seized her by the shoulders and maneuvered around to face him. “I asked you to listen to me, Josephine.”

  “Why? In your eyes, I have shamed you. I can’t undo what has been done. I didn’t ask for any of this…” She pulled away from him. Her voice trailed off. “I don’t know what you could say that would change anything.”

  “I love you. I’ve always loved you.” His words silenced her. He took advantage and swept her back within his arms. “I do not deserve your forgiveness, but it is what I ask.” His declaration and soft words gave her pause. He pressed on. “I was angry, but not at you, but myself. I should have never let you go to Andrew.”

  “But you did… How could you?”

  “I didn’t know he was married. If I had, I would never have let you go. Remember it was you who lied to me that he had called for you.”

  “With reason.” Her eyes burned into his. “You chose Magnolia Bluff over me.”

  “I, too, had reason. Do you not realize that I know you better than you know yourself? You…who holds to family honor and duty! You told me that Andrew was holding to your engagement. How could I ask you to sacrifice a part of yourself?”

  “I can’t think,” she whispered. “What more do you want from me?”

  “Before God I declared myself to you, Josephine. You are my wife. Have you no sense that it is you who has consumed me?”

  “Then why do you hate me so?”

  “Hate you?” he asked. “Can you not understand I love you? Everything I have done is for you. I have the matters settled with your grandfather. Andrew has gotten his own house in Charleston, with strict orders to keep that woman from you…”

  “That should be easy enough since I’m not in Charleston.”

  “But you will be,” he uttered thickly as his disarming smile emerged. “I have no excuse for leaving you as long as I have other than I hadn’t the courage to face you. It was easy to get lost in the happenings in Charleston. It is no excuse, but I have come now to repair the damage.”

  “I don’t know if you can.”

  “I ask only that you give me the chance to try.” He took her hand and fell upon one knee. “Josephine Wright Montgomery, we can spin in a circle all day, all month. By God, I believe we could do so for the rest of the year, but it will not get us to where I want us to go. I have come to take you back and I will make up to you all that I have failed to do. Give me a chance to show you of how I feel.”

  He reached in his side pocket and pulled out a ring. “It’s about time I put a ring on your finger. What I would like to do when we return is have another ceremony. A large one in Charleston. We will invite the whole of the city, if you want. I want to give you the ceremony you deserve…”

  She shook her head as she looked down at the ring, not a simple gold band, but a band encased with an emerald surrounded by a diamond on each side. “I can’t…” She desperately searched for her courage and control to tell him the words that needed to be uttered.

  She wanted nothing more than to tell him of the child…to tell him the child she carried was Cullen’s…to make him wonder if her words were true. Would he love her then…would he still promise her the words he uttered here today?

  She had a desire to hurt him as she hurt. But to what end? Her hand went upon her stomach once more. It was not her life, but her child’s she had to consider. She could not play with the future of her child. Words uttered cannot be taken back. Once they are said, the damage is done.

  She withdrew her hand and said simply, “I can’t… I’m with
child.”

  * * * *

  From the look on Wade’s face, the news was not a shock. Instantly, she knew Grace Ann had interfered and written him of the circumstance she now found herself. She saw it in his eyes.

  Over the last year, she had lost her youthful innocence. She had become suspicious of everyone…trusted few…questioned the man she married, even the man she loved. She had spiraled down an abyss to where there was only a faint light in the distance.

  She waited for the accusations. He had come to torture her…humiliate her further…label her a hussy…her child a bastard.

  At the time, God forgive her, she had no remorse for lying with Cullen. Had they not loved each other…planned for a future together? She had given herself freely…but he had left her.

  No matter the reason, she had to fend for herself and a child…a child…God help her…she didn’t know what to do.

  That last night she had spent with Cullen, words were never spoken, but each had known she had no choice. She would marry Wade. Why then would Cullen have made love to her, leaving her to deal with the possible consequences of their actions?

  Surely, Cullen had known that Wade wouldn’t be patient toward exercising his connubial rights and where would she be? Where I am now—at a loss and terribly alone.

  She shook her head solemnly and stepped back. She wanted nothing more than to withdraw back to her room, but he halted her progress.

  “Don’t leave, Josephine. We need to talk without other ears listening.”

  Hesitantly, she looked up at him through blurred eyes. She could take no more, but he held her firmly.

  “I can’t allow you to turn away from me after uttering those words.”

  “What do you want from me, Wade?” she asked amid simmering frustration. “Do you want to taunt me as I try to defend myself? You know as well as I, I have no defense. Tell me what you want me to say. Do you want to hear the child is yours? Would you believe me if I declared it was?”

  She jerked back her hand. Tears she had fought so hard to contain fell silently down her cheeks; her legs weakened. “I can’t,” she cried. “God help me, Wade. I can’t live with your accusing eyes upon me, knowing the question that will always dwell within you.”