Because of Rebecca

chapter Five

“You’re very quiet this morning,” Josephine said over coffee. “How was your outing?”

Rebecca studied her aunt. Something was different, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. She’d expected the inquisition this morning over her soiled dress. Yet, Josephine hadn’t said a word.

“It was pleasant and most enjoyable. I wish you could have come along.”

“I’d have only been in the way.” Josephine spread a generous amount of butter over her biscuit.

If you only knew.

“Perhaps if I’m invited to visit Oak Hill again you’ll come with me?” she said.

“Perhaps.” Her aunt picked up her coffee cup and sipped.

“You sound as if you are feeling better. No headache this morning?”

“No headache.” She stared off into the distance and remained silent for a few minutes before she sat her cup down and announced. “I think I’ll do some shopping this morning. Do you have plans?”

Rebecca nodded. “I have a few errands to run for Elizabeth, but I should be finished before noon. Shall we plan on lunch?”

“Elizabeth? The girl is on her wedding tour. What could she possibly need your help with?” Josephine asked.

“She’s having her first tea as a married woman when she returns next month,” Rebecca said. “I’m seeing to the invitations.”

“Doesn’t she have a mother or sisters who could do this for her?”

Rebecca hid her smile. This was the Aunt Josephine she knew so well. “She’s married now. She wants to do this on her own. It’s important to her.”

“It sounds to me as if she’s foisting the job on you.”

“Think what you wish. I’m happy to do it since I couldn’t help her before the wedding,” she said. “What about lunch?”

Josephine shook her head. “There’s a midday Mass at the church. I thought I’d drop in on the ladies auxiliary afterward to see if I could be of service while we are here.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” If her aunt found something to occupy her time, then she’d have more time to see to her own business without making excuses.

“Well, it’s either find something to do or stay in this suite, as you put it yesterday,” Josephine said. “I found I didn’t like being here alone while you were away, even if I wasn’t feeling well.”

She pushed her chair back from the table and stood, her blond hair tumbled from the loose chignon that had replaced her usual bun. She absently patted it and said, “I’d better go change and redo my hair.”

“I’ll see you this afternoon.” Rebecca carried her coffee over to the small secretary.

Sitting down, she took out her stationary and wrote a letter to Isabella, thanking her for her hospitality. Then she struggled with one to Mr. Hollingsworth in regards to their mission. Their conversation about Ruth yesterday had ended abruptly and she needed to know where they stood. She felt antsy about completing her assignment. The longer it took, the more she feared for Ruth’s safety. Yet she also feared for Lucas and what might happen to him if she were caught transporting Ruth to Memphis.

Her hand trembled and she considered her words carefully.

Dear Mr. Hollingsworth,

It is with utmost haste that I write regarding our association. I must speak with you again on the matter at the first opportune time. We must settle it quickly.

Miss Davis

Putting thoughts of danger out of her mind, she folded the letter and sealed the envelope before going to check on Lucas. Charlotte was almost finished bathing him and he splashed the water with his hands.

“Now Luc,” Charlotte scolded, causing the child to laugh.

“He’s feisty this morning,” Rebecca observed.

“A little too much to complete his bath.”

“Here, let me help you.” Rebecca picked up a towel, scooped Lucas up and carried him over to the bed. “I’ll dress him. It’ll give me a little time with him before I go out for the morning.”

“Yes, miss.” The maid took the tub of water out of the room.

The child cackled as Rebecca played peek-a-boo with him and dried him. She sprinkled a sweet smelling powder on his body and rubbed it on him so he wouldn’t chafe from the heat. Jackson was definitely much warmer in June than Memphis.

“Oh Lucas, what would I do without you?” she asked and kissed the top of his head, his chubby cheeks and the tip of his nose.

In response he blew spit bubbles at her as she dressed him for the day. Overcome with thoughts of a failed mission to get Ruth to safety, she cradled him against her body, enjoying the warmth.

“M—m—m,” he cooed, stuffing his fist into his toothless mouth.

She smiled, laying him back down and continued to play with him until Charlotte returned with his bottle.

Rebecca scooped him up and handed him to the maid.

“I should be back by lunch,” she called, disappearing behind the dressing screen to quickly change into a fresh day dress before she left.

The first stop on her to do list was the post office, then the engravers to place Elizabeth’s order for invitations. While there she also ordered new calling cards for her friend. Coming out of the store she was startled to see her aunt leaving the dress shop across the street in a dress and hat she had never seen before. Rebecca watched as the woman headed toward St. Anna’s.

First, she’d had a new hairstyle and now a new ensemble. What had gotten into Josephine?

Rebecca headed toward the dress shop determined to see what the latest styles offered in Jackson. Her aunt did not make hasty purchases unless they were haute couture. It was her one vanity.

****

Beneath her gloves, Josephine’s palms were damp as she entered the church. She spotted the confessional and it beckoned to her to repent, because she was there on a carnal mission rather than to reverently worship God. She felt sinful in her actions, but she couldn’t stop herself.

In a chance conversation with the hotel clerk she’d learned that Doctor Gordon attended midday services regularly. He also worked with the ladies’ auxiliary, putting them in touch with families in need. Two factors that appealed to her faith and charitable work, and gave her reason to speak with him.

Taking a deep breath, she took her rosary from her purse and genuflected, crossing herself before sliding into a pew among the other parishioners. She knelt and nervously adjusted the collar of her new dress and touched the chignon underneath the short lace veil to make sure it was still in place. She prayed her efforts would not go unnoticed by the good doctor and he’d be pleased to see she’d taken his advice.

Before the service began, she saw him slip into a pew near the front, on the opposite side of the sanctuary.

Oh dear Lord, forgive me, but he’s better looking than I remembered, she silently prayed, clutching her rosary to her breast. His dove gray suit stretched across his broad shoulders, but looked rumpled as if he’d slept in it.

He’d been rude to her. Yet she couldn’t put him out of her mind. She abhorred his profession, believing his kind were nothing more than charlatans. So why did she want to learn more about him? Who was the man behind his rough exterior? And why did her heart beat so rapidly when he was near?

She went through the motions of Mass, repeating the litany and praying the decades of the rosary without much conviction. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed herself to put Ancil Gordon out of her mind and concentrate on God and her service to Him. But the more she tried, the less it worked. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the doctor’s handsome face, and her cheeks heated at an alarming rate.

Rising from her knees, she settled once again on the seat and listened as the priest spoke before beginning Holy Eucharist. Feelings of unworthiness soared through her as she partook of the Host. Walking back to her seat, she made brief eye contact with Doctor Gordon. He smiled, and joy rippled to her core. The jolt shook her and she took a seat in the nearest pew.

When Mass concluded, she approached the priest to introduce herself and inquire about the ladies’ auxiliary.

“Miss Davis, it’s a pleasure to have you with us at St. Anna’s,” the priest expressed. “I know that Mrs. Fletcher will be glad to have your assistance. Let me find her. Oh, there’s Doctor Gordon. He can help you get started.”

“No, you don’t have to—” but her words fell on deaf ears as the priest motioned to the doctor to join them.

“Doctor Gordon, this is Miss Josephine Davis. She’s visiting Jackson for a while and would like to aid the ladies’ auxiliary. I looked for Mrs. Fletcher, but it seems she has already left the chapel. Would you be so kind as to show Miss Davis to the canteen? I’m sure you’ll find Mrs. Fletcher there.”

“Certainly, Father Bohannon,” Doctor Gordon replied and glanced at her as the priest walked away.

She held her breath, noticing a woodsy scent, as his eyes looked her up and down.

“Why doesn’t it surprise me to see you here, Miss Davis?”

Josephine hoped the warmth surging through her cheeks wasn’t apparent. “I think I mentioned my devotion to working in my home parish. It’s only natural I’d want to be of service to the church while I’m in Jackson.”

“Of course you would.” The doctor half-grinned and she could feel his gaze rove over her again. “If I may be so bold to say, you look much improved today, Miss Davis.”

“Thank you, Doctor Gordon. Are you going to look for Mrs. Fletcher?”

“Oh yes.” He sounded startled by her question as if he’d forgotten the priest’s request. “Come with me. I’m sure Constance will be able to use your help.”

Constance?

Josephine followed him outside to the breezeway that led to a mid-size building. Two women, carrying bundles of cloth swatches, were going inside as they approached and the doctor introduced her.

“Miss Davis, I’d like you to meet Posey Reynolds and Matilda Bradbury,” He said. “Miss Davis is visiting Jackson and would like to be of aid to the auxiliary while she’s in town.”

“Can you sew?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.

“Yes, I can,” Josephine assured. “One of my quilts came in second at the county fair.”

“Good. We can always use an extra pair of hands. Mr. Haggerty at the mercantile just donated these bundles of cloth samples for our use in making quilts for St. Benedict’s Orphanage in Mobile County,” Mrs. Reynolds said.

“We do it every year for Christmas,” Mrs. Bradbury explained.

A woman in a blue dress and white gloves joined them and Josephine assumed she must be Constance Fletcher. She was about ten years older than the other women and her hair was black as pitch. Her demeanor spoke volumes about her and Josephine felt inferior.

“Hello, Ancil. Who do you have here?” Mrs. Fletcher asked in a superior tone.

“Constance,” he acknowledged with a slight nod. “I’d like you to meet Miss Josephine Davis. She’s visiting Jackson and would like to help the auxiliary.”

Mrs. Fletcher nodded but her smile suggested she was not entirely pleased. “We’re always in need of extra hands. We’re beginning a sewing project today. Are you handy with a needle?”

“Yes I am.” Josephine wondered what kind of connection Ancil and this woman had that they’d used their Christian names so freely. He certainly hadn’t called her Josephine.

“I’ll leave you in Constance’s capable hands, Miss Davis,” Doctor Gordon said.

“Thank you.” She gave him her warmest smile, looking straight into his eyes.

He looked startled for a moment, then cleared his throat and smiled at those around him. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me I have patients to see.”

The women went about their business while Josephine watched him go. Her heart beat a little faster as she feared he had a love interest with Constance Fletcher. She desperately wanted to know if he did. She would not allow herself to be made a fool.

Slowly turning to join the others, Josephine noticed Mrs. Fletcher’s close cold stare. Chills ran up her spine and for the first time in her life she felt she’d just entered the lions’ den.

But she wouldn’t cower. She didn’t care how hard Mrs. Fletcher stared or how cold her smiles were. As far as Josephine was concerned Ancil Gordon was fair game and until she knew otherwise she’d pursue getting to know him. It didn’t matter how much Mrs. Fletcher dyed her hair, she was younger and she could turn on the charm when she wanted. And she wanted Ancil Gordon.