Bayou Bride Read online

  Needing to think of other things, Nick trained his gaze on Montgomery, who was sitting directly across from him. He studied him openly, finding him to be younger than he'd originally thought and certainly better looking, though the beard hid much of his face. The man seemed fit enough and in good health, but on closer inspection Nick could see that he was obviously not a manual laborer, for his hands were neither calloused nor rough. Nick wondered how he'd come to be indentured if he'd led a gentle life, and he wondered too at the depth of his involvement with Jordan.

  Philip was studying Nick at the same time and with equal interest. He sensed a veiled hostility in Nick's regard and wondered at it. Philip kept his expression carefully respectful as he tried to find out a little more about their current situation.

  "Where are we going?" Philip asked.

  "Right now, back to our hotel. Once I've completed the rest of my business here in town we'll be returning to my home in Louisiana."

  "Oh," he said tightly, thinking Harrison had followed through on his threat and sold him to a man who would put him to work draining swamps. It was not a happy thought. While he could give a day's labor as well as any man, he'd spent his entire life surrounded by books. He had hoped somehow that it would continue that way.

  "What can you do, Montgomery? Have you had any training in a trade?" Nick wanted to know what talents the man had. He couldn't very well go back home and tell his father he'd bought an indentured servant. His father would want to know why, and then he'd be forced to lie about everything. It was going to be difficult enough maintaining his pretense of being madly in love with Jordan. He wanted as few other complications as possible, so he had to come up with a plausible story explaining Montgomery's presence at Riverwood.

  "No, I've never learned a trade as such," Philip answered honestly. Seeing the flash of irritation on Kane's face at his revelation, he hurried to add, "But I can read, write, and cipher." Philip said no more than the bare minimum, for he didn't want too many questions asked about his past. The less everyone knew about him, the better.

  Nick had to struggle to hide his astonishment and his happiness over the news. "You're an educated man... How did you end up indentured?"

  Philip felt his sister's eyes upon him and knew she was worried that he might say too much. He was very careful in his choice of words. "My parents were insistent that education was the key to improving one's lot in life, so they made sure I learned as much as possible. But things changed and times got hard. My parents died. The money, what little there was, quickly disappeared." He gave an expressive lift of his shoulders. "I'd heard that a strong mind and back and a willingness to work were all that was needed to make it here. This seemed the best way to make a fresh start."

  Though he didn't want to, Nick felt his respect for the young man growing. "We'll see how good you are once we get back to the hotel. I may have the perfect solution to making the best use of your talents."

  Philip nodded, not at all afraid of having to prove himself.

  "Speaking of the hotel," Slater interrupted, "have you given any thought to accommodations now?" He'd been sitting there quietly, noticing the slight discomfort both Nick and Jordan were showing in each other's company and growing ever more amused by the situation.

  "Since our rooms are connected, I was hoping you'd be a gentleman and offer Jordan the use of yours. With all the work that needs to be done, I was thinking it would be better if I have her close by," Nick explained very logically. Not for one minute would he admit to himself that he wanted to keep her near to him so he could make sure she wasn't with Montgomery.

  "I see your point," his friend agreed, his eyes sparkling even as he tried to hide a smile.

  "Good. Then you'll agree to do it." Nick didn't appreciate Slater's sense of humor one bit.

  "Have I ever let you down?"

  "No, and don't start now."

  Philip didn't like the thought of Jordan being in a room adjoining Kane's, and his phrase "with all the work that needs to be done" worried him. He let his gaze swing over to Jordan, but was surprised by how calm she looked. He wished he knew what was going on, but he realized that there was no way he was going to find anything out right now. Resigned to playing a guessing game for the time being, Philip settled back to wait out the ride.

  When Jordan heard Nick tell Slater about the "work" that had to be done, it took a great deal of willpower for her not to speak up, for it hurt her to find that they thought she needed so much improvement. She longed for the days at home, when she was always clean and well-groomed. She hated to think that she looked so bad that these two couldn't picture her beauty.

  As much as it upset Jordan, though, she didn't blame them. She reminded herself that it was because of Nick that she was here with Philip and not still standing on the dock or being sold to someone who wanted a maid to scrub floors and clean. Soon she would get her first real bath in weeks-and then she would show them!

  Thoughts of impressing Nick and Slater faded as she imagined herself in a tub of hot water, scrubbing herself clean with a scented cake of gentle soap. It would be heaven after the harsh conditions on the ship. For the first time in weeks, Jordan felt almost contented. Things seemed to be looking up.

  That contentment instantly dimmed, though, when the reason for her being here in the first place crept insidiously back into her thoughts. Dominic Kane seemed pleased enough so far with the way things had turned out, but she wondered dismally how he would feel if he knew the truth about her ... if he knew she was a murderer. She forced the thought away, refusing to dwell on it. She and Philip were safe now, and she had to make sure they stayed that way.

  The carriage rolled to a stop before the hotel, and Jordan was impressed by her first sight of its grandeur. Obviously, Nick hadn't been exaggerating when he'd told her she'd be living a very comfortable life with him. He certainly had to have money if he could afford to stay here...

  Carrying her single bag for her, Nick ushered her quickly through the sumptuously appointed lobby, leaving Slater to see about getting the additional rooms that would be needed. She didn't say anything as he escorted her down the wide, carpeted hallway and unlocked the door to his room.

  "This is where we'll be staying for now," Nick announced as he pushed the door wide to allow Jordan to enter before him.

  It was a big, well-appointed room with a dresser, washstand, and massive four-poster bed. Jordan struggled to keep her eyes averted from the bed, for it seemed too personal, somehow.

  "Your room is right through here." He led her to the connecting doorway and in gentlemanly fashion opened that for her, too.

  The room beyond was as nice as Nick's, and she was surprised. "Are you sure your friend doesnt mind letting me take his room?"

  "My friend's name is Slater MacKenzie, by the way, and no, I'm sure he doesn't mind," Nick answered easily, adding to himself, He owes me.

  "Well, thank you," Jordan told him over her shoulder as she moved farther into her room and started to take off her cloak.

  Suddenly Nick was there behind her, and his voice was a deep drawl that sent shivers down Jordan's spine as he helped her shed the garment.

  "I'm sure Slater will be here shortly to get his things. Until then, make yourself comfortable. I'll be right next door. If you need anything just let me know." Nick found himself staring down at the slender slope of her shoulders and the nape of her neck, where a few stray strands of pale hair had escaped their strict confinement. For a second he longed to press a kiss to that delicate spot, but he managed to hold himself back, giving himself a mental shake as he moved quickly away from her,

  "I would like to take a bath." Jordan requested, turning to look up at him. It was important to her that he see her looking her best as soon as possible.

  "I'll see that one is sent up." He found he couldn't deny her anything, and a vision of her bathing crystallized in his thoughts. Slater's knock at his door saved Nick, and he was glad when his friend walked right in with Philip fol
lowing.

  "We've got our rooms. They're the last two at the end of the hall on the opposite side," Slater announced as they came to stand in the doorway between the rooms. "And you can rest assured that Philip here can read and write. He took care of his own registration."

  Nick was about to make an approving comment to his indentured servant when he noticed that Philip's gaze was locked with Jordan's. He scowled blackly.

  "Good," Nick said sharply. "Now let's see how good he is at figuring. Jordan, we'll leave you to your privacy for the night, now. I'll see to ordering that bath you wanted."

  "Thank you."

  "Plan on breakfasting early. We have a lot to do tomorrow." With that he closed the door between the rooms and went to quiz Philip on his mathematical prowess.

  Jordan stared at the closed door for a moment after they'd gone, wondering how in the world she was going to get the chance to talk to Philip and explain everything. She had seen the concern in his eyes, but there was no way she could tell him anything with Nick and that too-observant friend of his, Slater, there. She hoped that later on she might be able to sneak out of her room and find Philip. It would only take a few minutes to clear everything up, and she hoped he had no quarrel with what she'd decided to do. They really hadn't had much choice in the matter, but at least this way they were still together.

  Jordan sat down on the edge of the bed to think over all that had happened since they'd arrived in Mobile earlier that day. The bed's softness delighted her, immediately distracting her from her troubled thoughts. A sigh of ecstasy escaped her at the prospect of finally getting a good night's sleep again after all those weeks on the miserably crowded ship. Knowing she had a few minutes before her bath arrived, she took the time to pull the pins out of her hair and run her fingers through the silken length. That done, she couldn't resist lying back for a moment. With great relish, she stretched out and closed her eyes, intending only to rest for a minute. She could hear the sound of the men's voices through the closed door, and though she couldn't make out what they were saying, she was lulled into a sense of security by their deep mellow tones. She slept.

  Nick studied the column of figures Philip had just added and was impressed by his ability. "This is good," he told him. "You've done well."

  "Thank you."

  "There's no need to thank me. You're going to be earning your keep."

  "That's what I intend to do."

  "Good." Nick eyed him up and down, noticing the poor condition of his clothes. "I take it you don't have much in the way of clothing?"

  "No. There wasn't much I could bring," he managed not to lie.

  "Then we'll take care of that tomorrow. For now, go on back to your room. I'll see you in the morning... early."

  "Yes, sir." Philip left the room after bidding them both good night.

  "Well, well, well," Slater spoke up from where he sat on Nick's bed, his back against the headboard, his long legs crossed casually at the ankle. "This has been quite an eventful evening for you."

  Nick's smile was satisfied. "Yes, it has, hasn't it?"

  "Do you really think this is going to work?" He gestured toward the adjoining room.

  His smile faded. "It better work considering all the money I've got invested."

  "Well, what do you say we go out and celebrate your good luck? Madame LaFleur's is still waiting."

  "I don't know..." He hedged, hesitant to leave Jordan there alone.

  "You're soon going to be a married man, Nick."

  Nick glowered at him for reminding him of that part of it.

  "Think about it. Once we get back home your bachelor days will be over."

  He grimaced distastefully.

  "Trust me, you need this one last fling. The girls at Madame LaFleur's are very special."

  "All right, all right. Let's go."

  They were heading for the door when someone knocked. Nick answered it to find that it was the maids with Jordan's bath.

  "You can come through here if you like. Let me tell her that you're here." Nick knocked on the connecting door. "Jordan?"

  Jordan had been so exhausted that she'd fallen into a very sound sleep. At Nick's call, she came awake, only vaguely aware of her surroundings. She called out sleepily as she sat up, "Yes? What is it?"

  Nick opened the door. "Jordan, the-" He stopped in mid-sentence at the sight of her sitting there with her hair down around her shoulders and her cheeks flushed from sleep. Even in her disheveled state she looked absolutely beautiful, and it left him floundering for words. "Jordan, ah...I didn't know you were asleep ...ah...The maids are here with your bath."

  "Oh..." She stared at the tall, handsome man standing in her bedroom and blinked in confusion. She paused briefly to orient herself and then swung her legs off the bed and stood up, "Oh, good, I can hardly wait. Please, have them come in."

  "Ladies," Nick invited as he stepped aside to allow the women passage. He watched Jordan as she greeted them with open warmth and genuine delight. He found it difficult to believe that she could really be so thrilled over a bath, but for some odd reason, the thought that he'd provided it for her filled him with pleasure.

  "Nick? Are you ready?" Slater's reminder brought him back to reality.

  "Yes..." he answered over his shoulder, and then spoke to Jordan again. "Jordan, I'll be going out for a while, so I'll bid you good night now. If you need anything more, I'm sure one of the maids will be able to help you."

  Jordan looked up intending to answer, but Nick was already closing the door. She wondered what had caused him to hurry so.

  Nick's expression was a bit pensive as he sat down across from Slater in the carriage they'd hired to take them to Madame LaFleur's.

  "You look worried," Slater remarked as he leaned back against the side of the carriage and folded his arms across his chest.

  "I'm not," he denied. "It's just hard to believe everything's worked out so well."

  "Do you really think Jordan's going to be a good enough actress to fool your father?"

  "What's so difficult about pretending to be in love with me?" Nick demanded, offended by his friend's suggestion that it would be a hard thing to do.

  Slater erupted into laughter at Nick's reaction. "Nothing, I'm sure. It's just that you don't know much about Jordan yet. I mean, how can you be certain that she'll be convincing?"

  Nick grew thoughtful. "Once she's cleaned up and I've bought her some new clothes, she'll look the part. She's got a lot of spirit and she's quick enough. Whatever she doesn't know, I think I can teach her before we get back."

  "What about her past? How are you going to avoid that?"

  "Her real background doesn't matter. I'll make something up that's believable but can't be verified."

  "You sound like you've pretty much got it all figured out."

  "I think so. The hardest thing, though, is going to be convincing my father that I'm really in love with her."

  "You don't think he'll believe you when you bring her home?"

  "I think hell have his doubts after all the trouble I've been having."

  "Well, you're just going to have to pretend, that's all. Draw on some of your past experiences."

  Nick shook his head. "I've liked a lot of women, but I've never been in love with one."

  "It's easy," he advised.

  "If it's so easy, why haven't I fallen in love before?"

  "How should I know?" Slater exclaimed in exasperation. "Besides, that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about now... about you and Jordan."

  Nick only grunted.

  "This is what you wanted, remember, Nick?"

  "Yes."

  "Now, listen, there are some important things to remember if you want people to think you're in love."

  "Like what?" Nick was suddenly very interested. He needed all the advice he could get on this subject.

  "Well, when you're in love with a woman you can't stand to be away from her. You want to be with her every minute of every day. When you'r
e with her, all you can think about is holding her and kissing her and hopefully, some time in the not-toodistant future, making love to her." A glimmer of the abiding pain he lived with glistened in his eyes for a moment as he remembered his life with Francesca.

  "I've felt that way about quite a few women in my time, but it's never lasted much beyond a few weeks," Nick observed, thinking back over his past love affairs.

  Slater gave him a strained look. "Pretend this time, Nick."

  "I know, I know. What else?"

  "If you're really going to make your father believe you love her, you've got to act like her happiness is more important to you than your own. You have to put her first in all things."

  "All right."

  "And there's one other thing."

  "Which is?"

  "The most important thing to remember if you're going to satisfy your father is that when you're in love, there's not another woman alive who can tempt you-not even if she took all her clothes off and danced in front of you naked."

  Nick laughed out loud as he imagined the scene, and he wondered if there was any woman alive who could wield that kind of power over his emotions. "The real thing is that powerful?"

  "It is, and I'm telling you now, you're going to have to be very careful."

  "Why? About what?"

  "You know how charming you can be when you set your mind to it, just remember Jordan is a female and just as susceptible as the next woman."

  "You think she might really fall in love with me?" The idea had never entered his mind. He'd been too busy concentrating on the business end of their arrangement.

  Slater nodded. "It's definitely a possibility, and there's something else..."

  "What?"

  "Watch out, or you might find yourself falling in love with her."

  "Never." Nick was quick to deny that it might happen. "This is strictly a marriage of convenience. I hope I come to like her during the next few months. It would certainly make our time together more palatable. But fall in love with her? Impossible."