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Texas, 1857
Chapter Thirteen
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"Has it helped?" Carlisle asked pointing to the book in Isabella's hands. Edward had been restless. That morning he'd noticed the older man respond soothingly to Isabella's steady voice. Under his encouragement, she retrieved one of Edward's favorite books and began to read to him. It seemed to have done the trick.
"He seems more comfortable," she answered.
"Isabella," Edward's voice came out moist and uneven. He reached blindly for her. His hand unsteady.
"What is it Edward?" she asked. Resting the book on her lap, Isabella placed her hand under Edward's. He was so cold to the touch. If it wouldn't have bothered him, she would have covered him with a heavier blanket. "Is my voice not clear?" she asked. As Edward's condition worsened, he found it difficult to hear her soft voice. Not answering her, Edward drew her hand up to his lips, kissing her.
The intimate touch made her uneasy. Three days ago, she would have felt impartial toward her husband's touch. But now, this natural gesture between a husband and wife, made her feel disloyal. Though she belonged to Edward in every legal sense, she was Jasper's. Heart and soul.
After their first night, the night when she intended to only kiss him that once, kissing Jasper Whitlock proved to be an event she couldn't satiate with only one kiss. And for the last few days, each kiss; each caress; each intimate union grew needier than the ones before.
Time was against them.
He would have to leave; he and his men. This was a reality she knew since the beginning, yet it did nothing to alleviate the pain of heart knowing she would never see him again.
Neither Jasper nor Isabella voiced this eventuality. And though she thought herself to be many things, she was a realist. So leaving Jasper asleep in his bed alone that morning, Isabella slipped out quietly. In her room, before Alice came in, she worked at hardening herself for the inevitability that she knew was coming.
"Kind and sweet Isabella," murmured Edward. "I may not have always shown it," he paused, his breathing so slow Isabella thought several times while sitting next to him that his suffering had ended. "I have loved you."
Isabella's eyes glossed. Despite the indifference she'd always felt toward Edward, she could not dismiss the world he had opened up to her. He had taught her how to write and read. He'd taught her how to navigate the intricacies of his society. He'd provided comfortably for her and her sister.
"I know Edward." Drawing his hand to her lips, Isabella kissed the back of his hand.
In the hallway, just outside the bedroom door, Jasper stood silently watching the exchange between Edward and Isabella. Though he went over repeatedly in his mind that the gesture was benign, it did little to lessen the state of his heart. Seeing Isabella gazing at Edward with her beautiful dark eyes made something hard and sharp bite him on the inside. He hated the thought that someone else other than him could and would be touching her.
Without being noticed, Jasper walked away.
Unaware of the audience she had, Isabella gently tucked Edward's hand under the sheets. Returning to the book, she began reading again. Before she reached the second page, Edward seemingly drifted to sleep again. He was doing a lot of sleeping since Jasper's men had arrived. Neither she nor Laurent were able to coax him into eating any more.
"You'll need to prepare yourself," kindly stated Carlisle as he examined Edward. Isabella's eyes darted from the book and up to Carlisle. His voice was so soft, Isabella was not sure if she heard him correctly.
"What can be done?" she asked.
"Make him as comfortable as you can." Isabella's gaze darted from the Lieutenant to Laurent and to Edward. He looked so peaceful.
"How much longer?" Isabella whispered. Fear crept up threatening to ensnare her. Edward had always taken care of everything. He paid the bills and made the deposits; he managed their business interests; he negotiated the price for their crops. She only ever had to concern herself with the running of the house.
"It's hard to say." Carlisle noted the fear in Isabella's dark sultry eyes. "It could be hours even days." Isabella nodded her head. "I'll send word to his physician."
"Of course," her voice trembled with emotion.
"Our platoon will be leaving at day break."
"I see." The news was as potent as being struck. She felt her lungs deflate.
"Take some respite," Carlisle encouraged her. "I'll stay with him."
"Thank you Lieutenant." Isabella could hardly conceal the emotions stirring below the surface. She stood, handing Laurent, Edward's book. As he began to read, she slipped into the hallway.
She was light headed. Pausing in the hallway, she took a moment to catch her breath. She was about to lose Jasper and though everything inside her seemed to want to drown in the misery that, that thought created, she had other things that needed her attention.
Edward had never discussed with her what would happen to her or Alice if he ever died. She needed to speak with Edward's lawyer, Michael Newton.
Isabella went down the hall and into her bedroom. Inside she stood in front of her dress cabinet, reaching in for one of her gilets. She slipped it on, covering the low neckline of her white blouse. If she was going to meet with Mr. Newton, she wanted to be dressed appropriately. Edward may have been many things, but he had trained her well when it came to presenting herself.
Slowly, Isabella moved, making her way downstairs and in to the parlor. Sitting behind her writing desk, Isabella quickly penned a note to Mr. Newton requesting a meeting. Sealing it neatly, she searched for Margaret.
"Where is Nathanial?" Isabella's voice drew the older woman's attention from the ironing. "I need a letter delivered immediately."
"He's outside," answered Margaret. Isabella's countenance was flat, and instantly the older woman was worried. "Who should I tell him it needs to be delivered to?"
"Mr. Newton's office," replied Isabella.
"Is everything fine?" she asked.
"Edward doesn't have much time."
"Oh," breathed the older woman. "I'm truly sorry Ms. Isabella." Margaret placed the hot iron on its plate. Wiping her hands on her apron, she reached for the letter.
"No," said Isabella. "I'll give it to him myself. I need to speak with Nathanial."
"He's at the barn."
Isabella quietly walked out through the back door and headed toward the barn. The closer she got, the clearer the layers of voices inside became.
Alice, who was playing on the swing, jumped off and ran over to her sister. "Where are we going?" she asked. Isabella only wore her long dark gilet when she was going somewhere.
"No where," Isabella answered. "We aren't going anywhere."
"Oh," Alice's disappointment was obvious.
"I need to have a private conversation with Nathanial," Isabella explained. "Then I need to go see Stefan's father. I need you to go back and play."
"Can I have some apple pie?"
Isabella smiled at her sister, "Yes. Just let Margaret know that I said it was fine."
"Yeah," squealed Alice. She smiled at her sister as she turned and ran into the house. With Alice safely inside, Isabella pulled the barn door open so she could enter.
Her heart instantly stopped.
Jasper was standing a few feet in front of her inside the barn.
"Hello Mrs. Isabella," Nathanial greeted her.
Hesitantly, she drew her eyes away from Jasper and to Nathanial. "I need this delivered immediately," she said. "It's important," she stressed. Nathanial approached her, taking the letter she was handing him.
"Who do I take it to?" he asked.
"Mr. Newton." Nathanial nodded. "I also need my horse prepared," she instructed him.
"Garrett is in the stables Mrs.," he informed her. "He'll get you set-up straight away."
"Thank you Nathanial."
"Yes ma'am."
Isabella's gaze turned to Jasper. She wasn't sure what to make of his hard expression. Had he even planned to tell her he was leaving? With an audience watching her, she turned without saying a word to Jasper.
"Nathanial," she said, "Walk with me please."
"Yes ma'am," he said.
Once outside and away from the barn, Isabella spoke. "Edward is dying. I'm not clear on what that'll mean for us. Me, Alice, you and Margaret and the others." Nathanial immediately understood the gravity of their new situation. "I don't even have the first idea at how to run this place. We'll talk later," she told him. "Anything that you can share with me would be much appreciated. For now, I'm going to go speak with Ephraim."
"Garrett," Nathanial's baritone rumbled through the stables.
"I'm right here," answered Garrett.
"Get Mrs. Swan's horse ready," he directed the young man. "She needs to leave now."
"Yes sir," said Garrett. His lithe frame made him fast.
"When we have more time," Isabella told Nathanial. "I'll need to put a list together of everyone the farm does business with."
"Do you have any idea how he's leaving the property?"
"No," answered Isabella. "That's why I need you to deliver that letter right away."
"I'll get it to Mr. Newton," Nathanial's low tone was filled with conviction.
Garrett expertly prepped Isabella's horse, Nuala, even assisting her into the saddle. "Thank you Garrett," Isabella said as she took the reins into her gloved hands.
"Be careful Ms. Bella," Nathanial gave her horse a gentle nudge.
Maneuvering Nuala, Bella headed toward the workers' quarters.
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