Because of Rebecca - By Leanne Tyler Page 0,39
ill at ease with the subject. “Yes. She also claims if I do not discourage Rebecca from seeing him then she’ll go to Father Bohannon and we’ll no longer be welcome at St. Anna’s. I hate to imagine what Constance would do if she learned you and I have become friends.”
A grim smile formed at his mouth. “Constance has a high opinion of herself and the lofty standing she claims within this community. Much of this came from her husband’s position before he died. However, please know that she doesn’t dictate how I view others. Especially those I choose to associate with and call my friends. Is that clear, Josephine?”
She slowly nodded. Knowing he considered her his friend should have made her happy, but she wanted desperately to know he considered her more.
“Good. And while we’re speaking on this, I wouldn’t worry about Father Bohannon giving one fig as to what Constance has to say either. He admires Jared’s stand and has said so to Constance’s chagrin.”
“I’m so glad to hear it, Ancil. I’ve worried all afternoon on what I was going to tell Rebecca if we should be turned away from the church.”
He reached for her hand again and squeezed it. “Don’t worry further. As for our seeing one another, I’ll have a talk with her myself and make sure she understands my feelings on the matter.”
“Your feelings?”
Ancil half-grinned and squeezed her hand again. “I like you, Josephine. I hope the feeling is mutual?”
She nodded. Her stomach did flip-flops and she couldn’t eat another bite. “Very mutual.”
“Good. I’m not one to beat around the bush either. I’d like to call on you for a drive Sunday afternoon. Have you seen much of Jackson other than your visit out to the Hollingsworth plantation?”
“No. I haven’t. I’d enjoy going for a drive with you.”
“Excellent.”
She pushed her food around on her plate for a few moments and tried to contain her excitement. She looked up and found him watching her. “Rebecca will be out of town for a few days. Would you like to have Sunday dinner with me before we go for that drive?”
“That would be nice.”
“I think so too.”
After coffee and dessert of gelatos, Ancil invited her for an evening stroll before he walked her back to her suite.
“Will I see you at Mass tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Until then.” He said, taking her hand and brushing a light kiss across her knuckles.
“Until then.”
She lingered in the hall watching him descend the stairs until she couldn’t see him anymore. When she entered the suite Charlotte was preparing a bottle for Lucas.
“Would you like anything, Miss Josephine?”
“Hmm? Oh. No, Charlotte. I’m fine. See you in the morning.”
“Good night to you.”
“A very good night.”
Chapter Twelve
Rory checked his pocket watch and rechecked it a few minutes later as he waited for Miss Davis to arrive at the Lady’s Chapel located off from the High Altar inside St. Anna’s Church.
In the distance he heard the clicking of heels only a female’s shoe would make. He ducked behind the statue of The Virgin Mary and watched as she stopped momentarily before the stoup, dipped her fingers in the holy water and crossed herself before entering the chamber. When she had seated herself in the back of the chapel, he imitated a cricket’s call.
In answer, the woman sneezed three times. He approached slowly, admiring her profile and fair complexion. The color of her hair was hidden beneath a dark lace prayer shawl.
“Miss Davis, I presume?” he whispered.
She nodded without looking in his direction. “Mr. Hollingsworth?”
“At long last.”
“Yes, I—” her words stumbled as she turned, emerald eyes widened. “Jar—Jared?”
Puzzled by her calling him his cousin, he settled in the pew beside her and asked the simple question, “You know Jared Hollingsworth?”
“Yes. But you look like—”
“I know. It’s a curse, I assure you,” Rory explained.
She stared at him for a moment and then her features changed as if she suddenly realized something important. “It was you. You sent me the letter when I first arrived to town. You were supposed to have met me at Elizabeth’s wedding. Not Jared. Yet he was there because he and Mitchell are friends. Not because of our mission. It all makes sense now. No wonder he didn’t know about Ruth.”
Rory stiffened as her babbling made sense to him. “You told Jared about Ruth?” He reached out and grabbed her by the arms and shook her. “Good God, woman. What were you thinking?”
“I thought he was you!” She glared at him and flinched away from