Author's Note: This is a long chapter, but I know that everyone has been waiting for this scene. Instead of doing two chapters and dragging it out, this seemed the best way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nick came back from taking Teddy home, in a calmer frame of mind than when he'd left. On the drive into town they'd been mostly silent, as she cuddled close to him. When they did talk it was just casual observations about the countryside. It was as if both had an unspoken agreement not to talk about what had happened in the study.
Once they were at the town house, she invited him out to sit on the terrace, overlooking the river. Carmen brought tea for her, but she had kindly offered Nick something stronger. He decided though to pass, wanting to have his wits together for when he talked to his brother. It was a quiet time, and he watched as Teddy calmed down, as they drank their tea and watched the river flow by.
It was then that she had told him everything that had transpired in the study with Jarrod. It touched him that she had felt bad about getting frustrated with Jarrod, even as she felt sad for him. Teddy told him what she had told his brother, even as he was throwing her out of the room. Nick looked over at her, admiring her bravery and compassion, in trying to make the best of a bad situation. He took her in his arms, and gave her a gentle kiss, before telling her that he loved her.
He would have liked to have stayed longer, but Nick knew that she was tired and still slightly shocked by what had happened that afternoon. There was also the issue of the talk he would need to have with his brother. Teddy's words, about Jarrod wanting love, resonated with Nick. He wished that Jarrod had not needed to find out about them the way he did, but at least now everything was in the open. Nick was also realistic enough to admit that there was no guarantee that his brother would have acted at all different.
Arriving back at the house, he saw Heath in the barn, and they chatted for a few moments about the stray cattle. Nick then told him about what had happened with Brent St. Claire, and the intruders. He left out the rest of the story, but asked Heath if he and Melissa would have dinner with him at Teddy's house tomorrow night. She wanted to tell both of them the whole story, about her family, and the gold.
Heath agreed, making the comment that he'd planned on taking Melissa out anyway, so it would work. He also offered to go talk to Jarrod, but Nick turned down the well meaning offer. He wanted to deal with Jarrod directly, not through a third party. Heath nodded his head in understanding, before he announced that he was going to go spend some time with the hands in the bunkhouse, to give Nick privacy.
Entering the house from the back, he came across Silas and Eliza in the kitchen. He talked to them for a bit, once again praising Eliza on her actions. She smiled happily, and then excused herself, saying she needed to pack Miss Edwina's things, to return to town. Nick didn't miss the look the couple exchanged, and he was sure that there was something between them. Silas confirmed that when he spoke, once Eliza had left.
"Mr. Nick, do you have some time? There is something I need to discuss with you." The older man asked, and when Nick indicated that he did, Silas gestured for him to sit in the chair by the table. He brought coffee, and a plate of cookies out, before he started talking.
"I hope you won't be upset, but Eliza has told me all about you and Miss Edwina." Silas started, and Nick nodded his head, not surprised. "The thing is, Eliza and I have feelings for each other, and I want to marry her." He put it out there, and waited for the young man's reaction.
"Silas I am so happy for you! She is an incredible woman, and I think you are doing the right thing." Nick reached over and hugged the older Negro, thrilled that he'd found someone. He remembered the sad story the man had told him, all those years ago, and saw that this was a second chance for him.
"Mr. Nick, I sure am glad to hear to you say that! I know sometimes servants marrying are frowned upon, in a household." Silas replied, knowing his world all too well. The Barkley's had been different than any other people he'd ever worked for, or heard about, and once again he said a private prayer of thanks for the day he'd met Tom Barkley, at the hotel in St. Louis.
"Silas, you know you are more than a servant!" Nick announced, his voice booming around the kitchen. A thought came to him, and he gave the man one of his infectious grins. Based on what his mother had already told him, he and Teddy would be living at the main house.
"You know, that little one room cottage you live in is not that big. Would you and Eliza like the two bedroom house north of the barn?" There were several rooms set aside for servants in the big house, but Silas had always liked having his own space. The small cottage was tucked in back of the house, by the greenhouse.
"Mr. Nick that is too kind of you! Are you sure?" Silas was overwhelmed with the offer, as he pictured the spacious house on the other side of the barn. Eliza was going to be thrilled to have somewhere of her own, he knew. It was the thought of Eliza that reminded him of what else he'd wanted to talk to Mr. Nick about. "You know how you've always offered to teach me how to shoot? Well Mr. Nick I think it is time I learned how!" He was rewarded with a slap on the back, before the younger man stood up.
"Do you mind me asking, Silas? Is Mr. Jarrod still in the study? And what about my mother?" Nick wanted to deal with Jarrod before he was too drunk; based on what Teddy had said about the amount of scotch his brother had consumed, it might be too late. He also wanted to know how Victoria's conversation had gone with him. Silas' reply took Nick by surprise.
"I took Mr. Jarrod some coffee and sandwiches over an hour ago. Mr. Nick, he didn't look too good." The older Negro man replied, remembering the flushed face, unfocused eyes, and slightly slurred words. Silas was too much of a gentleman to come out and say that Mr. Jarrod was drunk, but he was sure that Mr. Nick would know what he meant. "Miz Barkley, she retired to her room and asked not to be disturbed. She left this message for me to give to you." He handed the dark haired cowboy a folded note, sealed with wax.
Nick took it and broke the seal, to read what was inside;
Dear Nick, I hope Edwina is safely home and settled. I spent some time with Jarrod, but it didn't go well. He is very angry at your meeting with Edwina, as well as what she hadn't told him about her family background.
I doubt very much he will listen to what you have to say, provided he is in any condition to do so. Please, if you do talk to him, be the bigger man, even as hard as it might be. He is angry, hurt, and ready to lash out at everyone, not caring about the wounds he causes.
Quite frankly, I would prefer that you wait until tomorrow, to have your conversation with him. However, knowing you as I do, you won't want to do that. All that I ask is that you think about the bigger picture and our bonds as a family.
Love,
Mother
It wasn't even 5:00pm in the afternoon, Nick calculated; if his mother had taken to her room this early she must be very upset. He sighed, and looked at the note again, before folding it and putting it in his pocket.
Standing there in the kitchen, he, for one of the few times, thought long and hard about his next move. His mother obviously thought that Jarrod would be passed out by now; at least she was hoping so Nick wouldn't engage him in the heat of the moment. Nick though balanced that against Silas' statement of Jarrod asking for coffee and sandwiches; he could not have been that drunk if that was the case.
Nick reasoned that Jarrod must have wanted to be sober enough to deal with him, in the here and now. He remembered the last time he'd had to deal with Jarrod wound up and drunk, and how he had ended up knocked out on the study floor. That time, Nick had only been trying to stop Jarrod from seeking revenge; this time, it was Nick that was taking the woman that Jarrod loved.
The thought of his brother in love caused a wave of guilt to wash over him. It bothered him because he knew that while Jarrod had been in love, it was clear to everyone else that Teddy didn't reciprocate those feelings. She had confessed, with great sorrow, her reasons for going along with Jarrod's courtship.
He then remembered her comment about how she would rather be happy with him in a small house, than the governor's mansion with a man she didn't love. Nick also weighed Teddy's words, about how Jarrod needed a woman who would love him whole heartedly, no matter what. His brother needed someone, that much was clear, but it wasn't Teddy. Jarrod wouldn't see that right now, but down the road, Nick hoped he would.
It was that thought that made him able to go face his brother in the study. Jarrod was going to be beyond mad, and Nick saw that it was his right. It came to him that the high price he had not been able to pay for Teddy, that long ago night in South Carolina, was now going to be collected. Nick bowed his head and said a silent prayer that he would handle the confrontation correctly. It was important for the sake of their family; his mother's statement about the bonds of their family weighed heavily on his mind. Teddy too, with her concern of not wanting to come between him and his brother, was also in the forefront of his mind.
Nick decided that Jarrod wanted to deal with him, as badly as Nick did too. He squared his shoulders, and made the decision that his mother knew he would make, and walked to the study, wanting to get the confrontation over with. Nick Barkley never shirked his duty or responsibility, and certainly in this case he wouldn't. Arriving at the study door, he knocked, and waited for the response from inside.
Jarrod, after his mother had left had been all set to finish off the scotch, but something about her voice had stopped him. It was the contempt he heard, the same contempt that Edwina had talked to him, tinged with sympathy, which caused him to stop before he poured another glass. He was just drunk enough to understand that another glass or two, and he would be passed out, and in no shape to deal with his brother.
The fury he felt towards Nick, as he thought about that scene in his bedroom, made him turn away from the drinks tray. Obviously he had not imagined the scene with Edwina and Nick, as they had made out while he was supposedly sick from a high fever. Jarrod wondered if they wished that he had died from Cousin Brent's wounds, which would have solved all kinds of issues.
He truly felt like everyone had forsaken him, and it was only brought home when he'd had Silas bring in sandwiches and coffee for him. The man wouldn't meet his gaze, and Jarrod remembered Nick's comment on how Silas was getting on with Eliza. That only annoyed him more, because it was due to Eliza, over a year ago in Carson City, that he'd come to know Edwina.
Jarrod spent the next hour drinking two cups of coffee, and choking down half a sandwich on the tray. He wanted to be coherent enough to deal with his brother; the man who had taken the woman he loved from him. The comments that his mother had dropped hovered around the edge of his brain, but he disregarded them. He knew that if Nick had not been in the picture Edwina would have happily married him, for the security and status he could give her. She would have, he was sure, come to love him in time.
The knock on the door let him know that Nick was coming to talk to him, and he decided a quick shot of whiskey was in order. Jarrod was looking forward to letting his brother know exactly what he'd gotten himself in the middle of.
"Come in!" Jarrod strode over to the heavy wooden door, and threw it open, stepping back to let Nick enter. He took in his brother's clothes, including the black leather vest, and the booted feet with the elaborate Mexican silver spurs.
"Just so you know Nick, you should really remove your spurs, – they are going to ruin the carpet." Jarrod observed coldly, as he regarded the man. Nick took careful stock of Jarrod, and saw that while he was intoxicated, the man was not drunk. That was both good and bad, because his brother was now like a badly wounded animal, ready to lash out at the least provocation.
"Would you like to talk now or maybe tomorrow?" Nick decided to take a neutral position, wanting to see just how combative Jarrod was going to be.
"Brother dear, I think we need to talk now! Especially because of cousin Brent – between you and me I would think long and hard before marrying into that mess! Oh, but of course you already knew all about Edwina's family!" Jarrod faced him head on, asking the question in a sneering voice. "Wait, you call her Teddy? What a stupid name!" He knew that he was being petty, but Jarrod felt like he needed to hit below the belt. Edwina's comment about his father still rankled, and while he couldn't take it out on her, his brother was more than fair game.
"Look Jarrod, I can understand how you feel about my – hell, if the situation was reserved – oh yeah, it was once – not quite, but similar enough!" Nick started to say, wondering if the man was sober enough to hear what he was saying.
"God Nick, this is not the least bit similar to you, Heath, and Hester! I do find it interesting though that you always seem to find yourself in these situations." Jarrod observed, walking over to the desk, before turning to face his brother. "Does your Teddy know about your past misdeeds?"
Nick heard the anger and fury in his brother's voice, and sighed, suddenly wishing he had taken his mother's advice. Jarrod was too wound up to listen to anything, not matter how well presented. However, Nick saw that having come this far, he couldn't turn back now, in trying to talk to his brother.
"Jarrod, when I met Teddy she was seventeen, and I was nineteen! I was posing as Confederate scout, while she was holding on to her family's destiny, even as she knew how wrong the way of life was!" Nick walked over to where his brother was. "She was looking at losing everything, including land that had been in her family for over two hundred years! However, she stood by her family, while I did my duty!" He wished his brother could understand what it had been like, but Jarrod's words killed that hope.
"Yes, your little undercover mission slinking around the south! I am sure that you were the dashing officer in Confederate grey! How nice that you were able to enjoy the hospitality of the Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederate Government. And how can we forget those trunks you saw in the barn." Jarrod commented, as he looked at his brother through narrow eyes.
"What the hell was I supposed to do, Jarrod? My mission was to gather information on the low country plantations, outside of Charleston. Nothing was said about Edward Rutledge in my briefing!" Nick countered, thinking about his shock at finding out who his host was; he had been sure that it was a bad joke on God's part that he had ended up where he was.
"I bet you had a fine time though, talking to all those old southern landowners – horses, et al? You do it so well." Jarrod countered. "For you it is always about the land, right? Oh, poor Teddy having to lose her family's holdings! Did she throw herself in your arms – like the night she did in my room? Obviously she has had a lot of practice at that maneuver!"
Nick drew himself up very tall, as he realized that Jarrod was saying what he was, out of hurt and pain. The words also confirmed the suspicion that he'd had, about whether his brother had been aware of Teddy in his room that night. Neither he nor Teddy had meant for what had happened to happen, and Nick had no problem understanding Jarrod's feelings, because it had been wrong of them.
"Jarrod, I'm sorry for that, really! Teddy and I had not planned on having any contact with each other, until after she talked to you. She was very insistent about that, wanting to do the right thing!" Nick explained, almost pleading. "However, you got shot, and then mother invited her out here. Teddy was in your room because mother had a backache after sitting with you every night. I came in to relieve her, and was surprised to find Teddy."
"God, would you just stop your self-serving justifications!" Jarrod got in Nick's face as he hurled the words, the smell of scotch very apparent. "I've already heard how you only met her at the River Queen because there was no other way to talk to her. A meeting you setup in MY OFFICE, UNDER MY NOSE?" He roared, looking at his brother with hatred. Nick sighed, as he realized that Jarrod wasn't done yet.
"Your dear old Teddy was quite willing to meet you though in such a déclassé way! I'd wonder if she hadn't done it before, if I was you! And spare me the speech about how she only wanted to do the right thing! I don't think she would know the right thing if it was presented to her! She is a lying, deceitful bitch!" Jarrod took pleasure in making the statement, taking care to notice Nick's reaction to the words. He wanted to provoke his brother, as he continued on "By the way, I heard all about the pink roses you ordered for the evening – a vulgar display, but perfect for a whore."
"Enough, Jarrod! I don't care what you say or do to me, but you leave Teddy out of it." Nick's temper snapped, as he heard the words his brother used. "She has only ever wanted to do the right thing by you, even as you disregarded her desires! I heard all about how you followed her home in Carson City!" His right foot jutted out, as he got into fighting mode, starting to raise his arms.
Jarrod smiled with pleasure as he saw what Nick was doing. "Your Teddy and the words right thing don't belong in the same sentence. I could have been disbarred for what she did, with the mine sale." He goaded his dark haired brother, the anger rising even higher as he thought about how she had deceived him from the first day.
"I should have known then what a lying, convening bitch she was!" Jarrod sneered, and watched as Nick's hands curled into fists. "Are you going to fight me? Why not, isn't it what you do? Only this time instead of a bar, it is just you and me."
Nick couldn't take it anymore and executed a nice right cross, causing Jarrod to fall to his knees. "Don't criticize Teddy! She was only trying to help her father, and you certainly didn't have a problem with it when you were trying to hire her to run your law practice. Wait, you really only wanted to go out with her, but her skills was a nice bonus." He exclaimed, as he watched Jarrod slowly rise up, and pause to rub his jaw.
"Considering who you've hired in the past, Teddy was head and shoulders above any of them. I don't want to hear one more word against her!" Nick declared, and was rewarded with Jarrod coming at him, hitting him hard in the face. He staggered backwards, but kept his balance, which only incensed Jarrod more.
"I know all about your comments about my hiring practices, brother! Big old boss man Nick is such an expert, after all." Jarrod hated the sight of his brother standing there, and anger overcame him. "I think it is rather ironic that you are punching me out, after the way you moved in on the woman I was seeing." He taunted, wanting to get his brother going again, so he could take another swing at him.
"I am punching you out because you insulted the woman I love, the one I AM GOING TO MARRY!" Nick roared the words, and watched as hurt replaced anger in his brother's eyes. It came to him that he was about to cross the same line that Jarrod already had. His mother's plea, about remembering their bonds as a family, as well as Teddy's comment that Jarrod only wanted to be loved, resonated in his head. Nick took a deep breath, and stepped back, lowering his hands at the same time.
Jarrod couldn't believe that Nick was not going to punch him out, and the reference to him marrying Edwina caused Jarrod's blood to boil. He lunged at Nick, swinging with both fists, as he tried to hit the man. Unfortunately the scotch was finally catching up with him, and the next time Jarrod swung, he toppled over and found himself lying on the floor.
"I think we are done with this conversation for tonight, Jarrod! I'm not going to hit a man who is down, but trust me – if you ever insult Teddy again, I will be more than glad to finish what we started." Nick walked over to where his brother was sprawled out on the floor. "Hopefully by tomorrow we will both be calmer, and we can finish our discussion." He stated, trying not to look disdainful as he regarded his brother.
Jarrod heard the threat in his brother's voice very clearly; just as clearly as the pitying look he'd given him. He watched as Nick turned his back on him, just as everyone else had too. Nick walked over to the door and started to open it, and Jarrod suddenly felt furious at Nick.
"JUST SO YOU KNOW, NICK BARKLEY, I HATE YOU! AND I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" He almost screamed, but was only rewarded with the door being slammed very hard. Jarrod felt an immense loneliness overtake him, which caused him to curl up in a tight ball, on the floor. Tears of anger and sadness flowed from his eyes, before he passed out.