Read Online Fields of Fire by Carol Caldwell - Free Book Online Page B

words, she turned on her sister-in-law. “Reality? This is reality. We live. We die—some unjustly before their time.” She lashed out at Margaret, releasing both her anger and her anguish. “I don’t understand it. James was always so careful. His workers knew the importance of stacking every oak cask correctly. How could one of those casks have fallen on him?”
    She wanted answers that, thus far, she hadn’t been able to obtain. She waited for Margaret’s reply.
    Margaret sighed. “I don’t know. I wish I did. It is a sad ending for my dear, sweet, James, and so horrible.”
    Jalene watched her struggle to control the tears. Margaret, who was now left to care for twin babies by herself, had been stronger than she. Wrapped up as she was in her own sorrow, Jalene had neglected the fact that Margaret had lost someone, too.
    “Oh, Margaret, I am so sorry.” Jalene sat up and hugged the woman to her.
    “I know, I know,” Margaret said, in between sobs. “We all grieve in our own way.”
    Jalene hugged Margaret closer. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks. She gently patted Margaret’s back until the woman’s weeping subsided.
    When they moved apart, she studied Margaret’s red eyes and weary face. She touched her own swollen face and smiled. “Do I look as haggard as you do?”
    “Worse.” Margaret smiled wanly. “I’m surprised the gentleman downstairs didn’t turn and run at the first sight of me. That’s what I came upstairs to tell you. He’s waiting to see you.” She rose from the bed.
    Jalene quickly did the same and eyed Margaret expectantly. “What gentleman? Please send him away. I don’t want to see anyone. I saw all the visitors I cared to see, at James’s funeral.”
    “Although he was quite courteous to me, he did say that if you didn’t come downstairs, he’d come up.” Margaret gave her a questioning look while she waited for her reaction.
    Jalene’s mouth dropped open in surprise at the audacity of this stranger. Who would be so bold as to barge into a person’s home, much less a lady’s bedchamber? Certainly no gentleman.
    “Margaret,” Jalene’s voice held a grave tone, “I’ll go get Tom from the malt house to send him away. I know he’ll be there. We’ve suspended operations, but he said he would continue turning over the barley just the same.”
    Margaret stopped her as she headed towards the door. “I really don’t think that’s necessary. The man said he wanted you to be surprised. He’s quite handsome in his military uniform. I wasn’t aware that you knew anyone commissioned.’’
    Jalene’s eyes grew wide as if a warning bell rang in her head. The man calling on her had to be Taylor. From the moment she first arrived at Sorrel House, she’d thought only of James. Instantly, she recalled with vivid clarity the threatening expression on Taylor’s face when he made his ominous promise to pursue her. She shuddered.
    Margaret gently touched her cheek. “Are you all right? You look like you’ve just seen a headless phantom. Maybe we better get Tom, after all.”
    “Nay.” Jalene spoke quickly, knowing it would take more than Tom to prevent the resolute and stalwart Taylor from doing as he wished. “I’ll see him. His name is Captain Taylor Traynor. I know why he’s here.” She patted Margaret’s wrist to give her the reassurance that she herself didn’t really feel.
    Margaret nodded, but gave her a puzzled look.
    “I’ll explain later. Don’t worry. Please tell the captain I’ll be down in a moment,” she touched her face and hair, and added, “while I try to look more presentable.”
    * * * *
    Jalene stoically made her way down the staircase. She held her head regally high, despite the grief that showed in her face.
    “Why Captain Traynor—what an unexpected pleasure!” she said much too sweetly. She unfolded an ivory-handled fan and briefly waved it in a demure fashion. She had brought the fan with the intention of hiding her face as much