Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) Read online

  It soon became apparent that as much as he loved his travels, Georgia of course, he loved more. After a few months he'd miss his little sister, more his little girl and would gather as many trinkets, dolls and bobbles to return to her that he could and when he did she wouldn't even look at them but instead just run up and hug him and he'd play with her all day.

  A soft rap at the door pulled him out of his thoughts. Instinctively he knew who it was. "Took you long enough to show your face."

  Jasper laughed up at his friend. "It took you long enough to come home." Pulling up the closest chair to him he plopped down. "How long have you been back?"

  "A little over a week, I believe I wrote you well before I left Paris to inform you of my impending arrival." Jordan poured himself a glass of whiskey and then one for Jasper.

  "I never received it." Jasper only half lied not sure if he'd laid the letter amongst other documents. Quirking his eyebrows up Jasper took the glass and downed it along with Jordan.

  "Where is my lovely cousin, she is usually draped across your arm."

  "You know Margaret, she is probably off saving a kitten or rescuing some injured swamp rat."

  "More likely she's inserting her nose in someone else's business." Jordan laughed.

  Jasper did not. "You realize that Margaret's my wife don't you?"

  "She's been my cousin longer than she has been your wife and I love her, but she does have a knack for delving into everyone’s affairs if they want her to or not."

  Jasper just frowned, picking up the plain blue vase perched at the edge of Jordan's desk. "What's this?"

  "A vase." Jordan retorted, scribbling down some numbers in the books.

  Smirking at Jordan's remark Jasper examined the piece of porcelain. Of course it was a vase. .Jasper turned it over in his hands. It was a nice piece Margaret would appreciate it. "Where did you get it?"

  "It was a gift—the maid bought it." Was Jordan's short reply.

  "Vivian?"

  "Vivian's a Governess, not a maid."

  "Then why is she in charge of your household and why does Mrs. Langston come here and teach Georgia French?"

  "Vivian is a Governess and head of household while I'm away, she has many trades which is why I pay her handsomely." Jordan quipped.

  There was only one other female in the household that Jasper could think of. "Amelia bought this?" Jasper concluded. "Why."

  Jordan looked up from his papers to his close friends confused at his curiosity. "She broke one in the hall and replaced it."

  "Then shouldn't this be in the hall?" Jasper inquired.

  "I like it here, I'm sure Ms. Marriott won't mind telling you where she acquired it. She seems sweet enough."

  “She and Margaret are acquainted."

  Jordan was about to respond when he caught sight of his sister’s form bouncing into his study.

  “Hello Georgia." Pulling her into a huge hug Jasper watched happily as she moved from him to her brother.

  "Have you seen Amelia?" Tugging at her hair Georgia tied and retied the bow that was placed at the end of her pigtail.

  "Speak of the devil." Jasper muttered under his breath. Sure it was just a vase but Jordan kept his study dismally dull, so the fact that he placed the vase on his desk was oddly intriguing.

  Jasper was heard but ignored. "No." Jordan poured another glass, eyes on their own accord shifting to look at the vase at the mention of the housekeeper’s name.

  "She was going to come with Vivian and me to the river." Disappointment crossed over her pretty features before she headed for the door. "If you see her tell her that I'm waiting.”

  "We will Georgia." Jasper chimed.

  "Cousin Jasper would you like to come down to the river to go swimming."

  "I can't today Georgia, but I'm sure your brother would love to." Jasper volunteered his good friend smiling.

  Jordan scowled at Jasper not because he didn't want to go with Georgia, but because today he was just too damn busy. "Tomorrow Georgia I promise."

  Georgia was disappointed but smiled all the same, after all, once one thought on it—she would get two days to go swimming.

  "Alright." Hugging him once tightly she happily left the way she came.

  "That will be rich, seeing you down at the river playing the part of a fool picking daisies and having tea parties."

  "I'd rather swim than be surrounded by screaming children. Georgia's been invited to a birthday party, Margaret is going to take her, but the best part is—so are you." Smiling slightly Jordan looked at his friend. "I hope that you enjoy yourself."

  "I will I'm sure." Jasper laughed. "Well now that that's over, I'm glad to have you back." Jasper said downing the last drop of his concoction, a grin of his own now making an appearance on his handsome face

  *

  Morning came quicker than anyone would like and the sweltering heat was a warning of what was to come. By noon it was almost unbearable and Jordan had declared no one was to lift a finger in the house unless it was to fan themselves.

  His promise the day before would not haunt him. Jordan felt relief at the prospect of heading down to the cool river bed. In fact he already had the horses hitched to the carriage and waiting in the shade ready to go once Georgia finished her lessons, which would be any moment now.

  The pretty housekeeper paced up and down the hall, her basket of treats swinging from her arm as she too waited. Jordan watched her from the end of the long corridor, interested. She looked sick to her stomach.

  Amelia would have confirmed his suspicions if she'd known them. Under pressure she’d let Morgan and Lorraine convince her that she was only wasting time and that they should marry in the coming weeks. In truth they made it hard to object with Morgan squeezing her hand red and Lorraine telling her that she wasn’t going to support her much longer both she and Morgan were tired of waiting.

  Amelia couldn't think straight. Already she had burnt breakfast along with a few of Georgia's and her brother's belongings while ironing. She didn't even want to think about what it would cost to replace the articles. Her funds were stretched painfully thin.

  "Stop pacing and sit down, you’re making me sweat."

  Amelia nearly jumped out of her skin. She had not noticed Mr. Bradford. "I'm fine Sir, thank you?"

  "I insist." Jordan stated just as Georgia burst out of the library.

  "It’s blazing!" The child yelled in her haste, running past the duo to the heavy doors. Andrew barely had time to open them as the girl became a blur she was so quick.

  Jordan followed suit and when they reached the carriage helped Georgia into the stately cart. Turning, he held his hand out for Amelia to take but instead she stared at it like it was a snake. "It's too hot for that." He said already knowing the reason for her resistance.

  "I can walk."

  "That is ridiculous. I know you can walk but I refuse to let you in this heat. Besides I'm inviting you. Please Ms. Marriott?" he again offered his hand and when she hesitated he took it anyway and placing his other hand at the small of her back helped her ascend into the shelter of the carriage and waited for her to take a seat on the soft velvet seats. Then he clamored in behind her he shut the door and rapped on the window so the driver could head on.

  "Thank you."

  "I couldn’t let you walk. Later I'm going to apologize to Mitchell and the damn horses." He laughed, their journey would be short. They could have walked but that heat would have slowed anyone.

  The ride was filled with Georgia's joyful chatter as she bantered back and forth with Amelia. Soon enough however the glittering blue of the river could be seen and the carriage came to an abrupt halt.

  Georgia was first out of course and with a gleeful giggle she rushed to the surprisingly desolate river bed, stripping down to her stockings and shift before anyone could protest.

  Amelia spotted a cypress tree and took the quilt she bundled along with the lunch basket to it. She splayed it across the soft blue grass and set the basket of
f to the side, before lowering herself down and settling in.

  "Come swim with us!" Georgia begged just as Jordan joined her tossing his shirt to the river bed.

  "I can't." Amelia hollered back avoiding eye contact with Jordan’s bare torso. She wanted to swim, but there were a lot of reasons why she wouldn't.

  "But it's blazing."

  That was the second time Georgia had used that word to describe the weather and Amelia had to give it to her. It was the perfect fit. "I'm just fine here." Fine her foot—Amelia’s forehead was beaded with sweat and she longed to feel the cool water fall over her skin but she couldn't swim. Even as the fact flittered across her mind she also thought wadding never hurt anybody to her recollection and she was seriously contemplating it.

  Dipping beneath the turquoise oasis Jordan stayed under as long as possible swimming just below the surface to come up right beside his sister who doused him with a handful of water as soon as his head began to crest.

  Years back his aunt Susanna would bring him and Margaret here to swim seeing how she was more a mother than his own who chose to spend her days away or traveling with his father. Thank God for Aunt Susanna.

  Feeling refreshed Jordan wadded to the shallows intent on watching Georgia and studying Ms. Marriott—she had to be on fire, that cotton skirt she wore looked thick and the sleeves of her blouse came past her wrists. "You'd be doing yourself a favor if you at least came and put your feet in. You look like you might faint."

  “It’s very tempting but I don’t think so."

  Jordan grinned. “All you need do is take off your skirt and wear your chemise I think folks would understand besides no one's here. Modesty be damned!" He teased, and the look on her face was priceless. Not because she was appalled but because she looked as if she was giving it some serious thought.

  It was a good idea in truth and it wasn’t really modesty that was worrying her though it was a component. Mostly it was fear of being seen. Of course there was nothing to fear of Mr. Bradford or Georgia but what would someone else think.

  A negro swimming around in the lake with whites dirtying the water. There could be repercussions, when she was younger a group of boys were caught swimming in the river while some white children were doing the same all four were whipped.

  Did she want to risk being punished; of course not but right now she didn't care she wanted to get in that water. Slipping behind the tree, she shimmied out of her skirt discarding it down at her feet revealing only the bottom portion of her full slip. Sheepishly she revealed herself and without a word made her way to the edge of the shoreline. That cool water caressed her toes and it felt like heaven.

  If Lorraine saw her she'd be strangled. But it was a day made for being in the water. Keeping more than a decent distance between her counterparts and herself she became bold enough to wade knee deep and a smile a mile wide spread across her face at the cooling effect.

  She could see Georgia closing the gap between them and felt bad for retreating even farther away but the farther she went the more determined Georgia became. She was vaguely aware that the water no longer was at her knees but her waist and upon trying to maneuver herself toward shore somehow managed to slip against the smooth rocks below and went under.

  It was sobering, and Amelia came up sputtering. She nearly screamed in panic before realizing that she was still able to stand, the water now over her shoulders, she was on the tips of her toes.

  Jordan could see her worried expression from a distance and didn't need to ask to know what her problem was. With sure and strong strokes he swam to her and gently took her hand. "Come on I'll help you."

  Nodding she decided no more wadding. After all she just proved it could be dangerous, at least to her. When she was close enough to shore Amelia felt Mr. Bradford let go of her hand. "Thank you." She heard herself say but only barely over the pounding in her chest.

  Jordan had to tear his eyes away from her form, the water making her shift near transparent. "I'm going to have to teach you to swim." he chuckled.

  *

  Embarrassment was now a constant Amelia thought. Heat rose to her cheeks as she remembered how she had embarrassed herself the last two days on several occasions, there was the kitchen incident where she'd fallen on her butt in front of Mr. Bradford, he'd startled her in his quest to find his sister.

  Then of course the murky river bed experience, the breakfast accident where she'd dropped all the contents of a plate and fumbled up her words. She was quickly becoming a babbling idiot.

  She wasn't herself and whenever Mr. Bradford was around she was far from being herself. So it was fair enough to say she was frustrated, and now for the life of her she couldn't remember where she put the dust pan.

  She gave an exasperated sigh—as silly as it all was, she was sure that if one more thing, just one more little bitty thing went wrong she was going to cry. Walking out and into the large corridor she dropped down to her knees looking under the heavy carved oak tables that lined the hall—today was going to be rough.

  Upstairs Jordan stretched out his long form, a yawn escaping as he swung his legs off of his desk and over onto the floor. He and Jasper had been going over plans for expanding their lumberyard by buying out one of their less prosperous competitors. It was a tedious process and he was worn out.

  It all of course lead to Jasper beating around the idea of going into business for himself. Something he felt Jasper should have done long ago, he was a strong businessman and he knew he would do fine.

  Reclining back, he reached for his glass and drained it of its contents before rising up and heading for the dark oak doors that were the exit from his room. Making his way down the windy staircase he greeted Andrew as he walked by and Vivian who busily muttered a greeting of her own while walking blindly to the garden. Scanning the foyer he saw no sign of Georgia but that was usual he had found. By noon she was out and about playing and it was rare to see her before dusk.

  Walking past the library he stopped, the cook or maid or whatever her title, was coming toward him thoughtlessly ready to collide into him. He swore the woman had to be a walking calamity. "Amelia—" He started in warning, and wished he'd thought better as she jumped a mile high. "I didn’t mean to startle you." He apologized. Steadying her quickly Jordan bent down to pick up the tin dustpan that she dropped.

  Stilling her nerves Amelia almost laughed. After all she was becoming somewhat comical. "Thank you Mr. Bradford I swear I need to be more careful I don't know what's gotten into me." Taking the pan from him Amelia let her eyes linger on his body for far too long. She could not help it but any woman would understand, there was no stopping it, one couldn't help it.

  For a moment more she indulged the wicked side of her nature and explored him all the more. Then abruptly tore her gaze away painfully aware that the suddenly struck by stupid expression upon her features must be alarming him because he was giving her the most perplexed look.

  "Are you alright" Jordan couldn't hide or help the slow smile that suddenly graced his lips; her brown cheeks all of a sudden seemed to be aflame. Looking into her eyes it only broadened. She had extraordinary eyes; they were gold not a light brown like he first thought but true golden pools and at the moment they held nothing but wide eyed surprise.

  She nodded a silent yes and turned to leave, a frown marring her face. "Thank you again, and sorry.”

  "You're welcome, and no apologies, just be careful I'm beginning to worry" Jordan commented from behind her.

  Amelia briskly walked into the kitchen. Flushed and flustered she hacked into the apple on the counter with a knife then took a big bite out of one of the halves she had made.

  Knocking the carved-out core to the floor she reached down to retrieve it when she noticed the small wet spots marking the floor. Walking around the table she let her eyes follow them as they made their way to the door and out to the other side.

  Hands on hips she retraced the marks following them all the way into the foyer where she f
ound a very angry Vivian who stood tapping her foot in frustration, while Amelia looked at the muddy mess in pure disbelief.

  Paw prints led from the freshly waxed marble floor all the way into the recreation room into the large office and up the carpeted floor and for each of the four muddy prints the creature left there was two small matching little human footprints. "I'm going to spank her hide." Vivian stated.

  "Where would she get a dog?" Looking around her Amelia couldn’t help the small giggle the escaped as she looked at the mess, little prints here and there.

  "It's not funny Amelia and I suggest you stop laughing." Vivian said her own smile threatening to show.

  "We have to forgive her." Grabbing the large towel Amelia quickly dropped to her knees followed by Vivian.

  "Just look at this mess. Let me help you." Vivian grumbled. “That girl—sometimes I think she deliberately goes out of her way to be defiant, but that’s the least of my problems"

  "What is the matter?" Amelia asked smiling—for all of Vivian’s complaining, she wouldn’t take Georgia any other way.

  "Well for one I need to know where the dog is?"

  "I think you need a break, go have some lemonade it’s fresh. I’ll go find Georgia, see about the mystery dog and clean up in here." Wiping at her face Amelia smiled at her friend.

  “Where would I be without you child?” Vivian questioned.

  “Completely lost.” Amelia joked. “Go on I promise I’ll take care of everything.” Rising from the floor she watched Vivian’s retreating figure and set out for the task at hand.

  Georgia wasn’t that hard to find, all she had to do was follow the little muddy prints until she made it outside in the back of the house, where she was greeted with the picture of the culprits near the water well.

  "Just what do you think you're doing?" Placing her hands on her hips she almost laughed as the girl jumped in surprise.

  Georgia tried to hide the bucket behind her, mindless that her little legs were brown from now-dried mud. "I found him." Pleased with her answer, she continued on "I was just going to feed him and give him a bath he was awful dirty you should have seen it. He's ten times cleaner than he was before."