Chapter Seven
Elizabeth woke up about 2 am. She had skipped dinner to have some alone time to collect her thoughts. She downed three glasses of wine uncharacteristically. She rarely even drank a half of a glass with dinner; she did not like to feel out of control. That had never worked out well for her.
She was asleep by the time Isabella came up to bed with tears, too much wine, and an empty stomach. Camellia was soundly sleeping in the trundle.
But now she was wide awake and her mind was racing with the legal trouble. She found her robe in the dark, not to awake the others and padded downstairs. She wished she could have found more than the thin one...but it wasn't worth a light to wake Camellia and Isabella.
She opened the study and wicked a single light. The papers were still on the desk where she and Nick had gone over them before the trunks arrived. It had disturbed her so much to know someone was pilfering through their personal belongings and had taken all of her correspondence with the shipping. She involuntarily shivered again thinking about it.
There was one thing she knew for certain; it was absolutely the right thing to do by giving the land to the Barkleys. The railroad proved to her today with no question how ruthless they could be. Her French mother and British father instilled doing the right thing no matter what. They both suffered for their abolitionist views in pro-south Bermuda.
Her main concern was her employees; they depended on her. She began to pour over the documents and was so engrossed that she did not hear the front door open.
Jarrod went to check on the light still on in the study. It wasn't like Silas to leave one going. He stood at the door and saw the most extraordinary creature at his desk, well Nick's desk now. She had long auburn hair loose, almost to her waist, and was wearing a purple nightdress and peignoir. Her eyes opened wide when she saw him and she let out a sharp intake of breath.
The most beautiful green doe eyes I have ever seen
"Excuse me, I didn't mean to startle you. I just got home and I was checking on the light."
Elizabeth looked at him. He was uncommonly handsome. His black hair was rumpled and he had not shaved in a day or so. His jacket was over his arm, his shirt unbuttoned a few holes and his starched white shirt sleeves were rolled up from the ride. That only increased his attractiveness.
Her heart seemed to stop for a moment; she had not felt these feelings since Camellia's father. "Dear God, Lead me not into temptation", she prayed silently.
She stood up and quickly pulled her robe around her as she realized how immodestly the bodice was open. He had noticed.
"I am Elizabeth Beaufort. I am assuming you are Jarrod Barkley.
He did a little mock bow, "At your service m'lady" and walked up behind her.
He smelled of scotch, cigars, and bay. She deeply inhaled subconsciously. He did the same thing with the scent of fresh lilacs from her long tresses. He willed himself not to touch her hair. He could get lost in it.
He quickly got control of his thoughts; too much scotch and too little food for three days. "What are we looking at?"
"The injunctions and subpoenas from the railroad for your holdings and mine. My hotel room was purloined by the railroad it seems and all my business documents were taken. They packed up all our possessions and sent them to the ranch. It was a warning, I assume."
That got his attention focused. He had been trying to discern the last four days on what the legal maneuvers the RR would try. The heads-up he got from the Vanderbilts had given him valuable time to plan. Classic legerdemain...slight of hand...chicanery...
The first part of his plan was to keep his presence home a secret. Jarrod knew the value of the element of surprise; he knew few attorneys in the state would dare take on the railroad. The train's late arrival was fortuitous to the plan. If the railroad thought they were underrepresented, they may make a miscalculation.
"Do you mind if we do this tonight? I have had plenty of sleep on the train and way too much scotch. I can make some coffee and you could tell me everything you know—sorry, I just assumed since you were up. If you want to do this tomorrow, we can."
"Oh no, I am wide awake myself and I have a few ideas"
Jarrod and Elizabeth went into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. She found some fresh bread, grapes, and cheese and put them on a tray. They went back into the study. He got a long tablet from a leather folio out of his valise and grabbed a pen. He dragged the overstuffed leather chair and ottoman to the side of the desk so she would be comfortable. He grabbed a couple of needlepoint pillows for her for propping. She's so tiny. She brought out every protective instinct he had.
"I want to thank you again for what you have done for our family. I am sincerely sorry for the pain and grief that the railroad is—-and will cause you. You not only helped our family but an entire group of voiceless people in my state."
"Thank you Jarrod for saying that. I am quite committed to seeing this through. Nick has been quite honest with me about the repercussions. Your family has been so kind to us. If I have to go through this, I can't imagine a better family to have my back" Or attorney.
He smiled and his eyes sparkled. " I think they are pretty special too".
They spoke until sunrise. She was very astute and insightful. He began organizing all of his notes and condensing them in his elegant handwriting. He made a stack of telegrams to send; a ranch hand would be used to deliver them to a telegram office in another city. He lost track of time when he got in this mood trying to organize his thoughts.
He looked over and saw Elizabeth had drifted off to sleep. He got up and picked up an afghan and covered her gently with it. Jarrod moved a loose tendril from her face gently. She didn't even move. He sat back down to his work occasionally looking at his sleeping ally.
Nick and Heath came in dressed for work. Jarrod put a finger to his lips and walked out with them.
"Well, it's about time. Jarrod, this is big. Missed your lily-white hands around here," said Nick smiling and bear-hugging him.
"Glad you are home, Big Brother" grinned Heath with a slap on the back.
"Me too. Elizabeth tells me how well you have taken care of her, Brother Nick."
"She did us a hell of a turn. She and her sister are mighty fine women. That daughter of hers has Tab hogtied and entertained most of the time. He is going to be a lady's man, you can tell. Those girls of mine toddle after her constantly."
"Daughter, she didn't mention a daughter… only a sister Isabella". Well, did that mean she had a husband somewhere? Where was he?
"Yep, she is 8 years old. Sweetest little girl you will ever find. Good help for Katarina, too"
"I can't wait to see my nephew and nieces. I hope they remember who I am"
Nick went to answer affirmatively but stopped himself, he has been gone a long time.
"You will hear them before you see them, Jarrod.", laughed Heath.
They walked to the kitchen as Jarrod explained his plan so far. First of all, no one except the immediate family knew he was home. He wanted to keep the element of surprise as long as possible.
"Good to see you, Mr. Jarrod. The place hasn't seemed the same without you." Silas poured them more coffee.
He could just nod and smile with the lump in his throat.
Victoria walked in a few minutes later. "Oh, Jarrod I didn't know you were here. We have missed you so much. I can't wait for you to meet Elizabeth and Isabella. They need your help as much as we do."
"I have missed you, lovely lady. Elizabeth and I are acquainted already. She was up in the study when I got home about 2 am. We made coffee and worked through the documents. We have started a plan. Elizabeth is an astonishing lady and quite brilliant. She is asleep in the study. I didn't have the heart to wake her up." as he kissed his Mother on the cheek-twice.
It was good to be home.