Because of Rebecca - By Leanne Tyler Page 0,59
well without her glasses.” Ben smiled and patted Mawsy on the arm. “Where’s your glasses, woman? If you were wearing them you’d see clearly this is not the same man.”
She fumbled in her apron pocket, pulled out the glasses, and put them on. She gasped. “But they look so much alike.”
“You know my cousin Rory?” Jared asked. “How?”
Rebecca swallowed a laugh. “I told you, darling, he works for the same organization that I do.”
“He’s a scoundrel,” Mawsy insisted. “I don’t care how many souls he’s helped with his gambling to raise funds for the committee and his wicked disguises. He’s still a scoundrel.”
“Ah, Mawsy.” Rebecca said patiently. “This is Jared, not Rory.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Hollingsworth,” Ben gave a good natured sigh, “but Mawsy speaks her mind freely. Heaven help the person who tries to stop her.”
“I’m sorry, too, for not seeing you weren’t that wretched man,” she said. “I know it’s not Christian to feel the way I do about that Rory fella. Guess I’ll just have to ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.”
Jared ran a hand through his hair and gave her a rueful smile. “Don’t worry, Mawsy, I share your sentiments.”
“Let me make you some coffee,” she offered. “Perhaps even a bite to eat?”
“That would be lovely,” Rebecca said, “but we came for a—”
Ben nodded. “You want to get married. I’ll be happy to do the honors, but first, I’d like to talk to Mr. Hollingsworth in private. Will you follow me to my study?”
Jared left the room with Ben and Rebecca turned to Mawsy. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Set the table for coffee and cake. It’s nothing fancy like a wedding deserves, but I baked it this morning.”
Rebecca took napkins from the hutch near the door, craning her head in hopes of hearing parts of the men’s conversation from behind the closed door.
“Are you certain you’re ready to be a wife?” Mawsy asked.
Rebecca went back to the table, laying out the napkins. “I believe I am.”
“How long have you known Mr. Hollingsworth?”
“Not long, but long enough to know I love him.”
“Look at me, child.”
She raised her head. Behind the spectacles, Mawsy’s gaze was clear and direct. “Do you love him enough to spend the rest of your life sharing his bed? Taking care of him and his children?” she asked.
“Yes.” Rebecca took spoons from the table’s middle drawer for the sugar and cream. “And even that doesn’t seem long enough.”
“Marriage isn’t always about the romance.” The old woman continued her counsel. “There will be hard times as well as good ones. Remember what the vows say, for better for worse.”
“Jared and I have already had some difficult moments,” Rebecca admitted. “But I do know I love him heart and soul.”
Mawsy continued to regard her thoughtfully, then grinned.
“What will your Aunt Josephine say? I got the impression when I met her she’d be the kind of person who’d insist on being part of the ceremony, at least be in attendance.”
“She’ll understand.” Or at least I hope so. Rebecca offered a hasty prayer heavenward and added, “She knows Jared and I truly love one another.”
The smile Rebecca knew so well creased Mawsy’s face. “Then you marry with my blessing, child. And I pray you will be happy all the days of your lives together.”
Rebecca went to hug her friend. “Thank you,” she whispered. She stepped back and asked, “How long have you known Rory?”
“Hmmph! That scoundrel?” Mawsy scowled again. “More years than I care to recall. He was reckless when he first started working for the committee, and he’s still reckless. We even thought he got caught on his first mission. Poor Ben went searching for him, risked his own life for that no good... And do you know where he found him? Playing poker with the plantation owner who he later snatched the package from.”
“I believe it,” Rebecca said. “He cares for no one but himself.”
“A gambler through and through.” Mawsy looked toward the doorway, waited a minute, and turned back toward her. “He likes to run with those painted women,” she whispered.
Biting back her smile, Rebecca nodded. “I know. He took me to one of their establishments.”
Mawsy laid a hand over her heart. “That man needs salvation from himself,” she declared. “And only the love of a good hearted woman will turn a man like Rory into a redemptive soul. And the merciful Lord above to get him into Heaven.”
“I’m afraid he hasn’t yet met the woman who can do that,” she said sadly.
Mawsy took