“What about after the baby is born? What do we do then?”

  She shrugged. “I don't know. I'll give you half the crop for your last name for my child. After the baby is born, you're free to leave, go wherever you want to go, as long as you don't expect me to give you the plantation.”

  For a moment he considered being honest with her and telling her he wanted the plantation. Though if he were truthful he risked her not marrying him and losing his chance completely. Then she could possibly find someone else and complicate things even further. But later, when she learned the truth, how would she accept his deception if he married her now on her terms?

  He looked up at her and stared into the velvety blue of her eyes. She certainly was a stunning woman, but did he want to spend the rest of his life with her? Yet he was duty bound to obtain the plantation back for his family.

  Quickly he made up his mind, determined this was the quickest way to get his hands on Rosewood. He would have to somehow convince his new wife their marriage should be permanent during the months before the babe was born.

  “I'll marry you and give your baby a name. Just name the day and the time, I'll be there,” he said, uncertain if what he'd just agreed to was wrong or if it was right. Only certain that he would now have Rosewood.

  Chapter Three

  Nicole spent a restless night thinking of her impending marriage to Maxim Viel. She'd met the man twice and was taking a huge risk by marrying him. What if he saw this as an opportunity to move from being a drifter to a planter? Sleep had been elusive as she'd thought of ways to try to protect her child and the plantation she loved. Finally, early that morning, she'd reached a decision. Now if only Consuelo would help her, she thought she'd found a way to safeguard both her child and the plantation.

  After breakfast, she searched and found her trusted servant and friend, Consuelo Salvador, in the dining room, her gray head bent checking the silver, making sure that the servants had cleaned it correctly.

  “I do declare, no one knows how to clean silver properly anymore,” Consuelo said, rubbing a rag over the intricate carvings in the handle of the spoon she held. She looked up at Nicole, her dark eyes suddenly narrowing. “You feeling all right? You look a trifle peaked.”

  “I'm fine. I just need to talk with you.” Nicole stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. She walked around the long walnut table, running her hand along the linen tablecloth. “How long have we been together, Consuelo?”

  “Going on fifteen years. You were ten years old and had just lost your momma when your grandfather hired me. Seems like yesterday.” She rubbed another spot on the silver and glanced at Nicole, studying her. “You know all that. So why are you asking me?”

  “We're both without family and you've pretty much taken the place of my kin since my mother and grandparents died,” Nicole said, staring at the older Spanish woman, noticing for the first time that her hair was more gray than dark now.

  “I guess so,” Consuelo said, peering at her intently.

  “You know everything about me, including my background.”

  “Yes,” Consuelo said as she laid the silverware down, along with the polishing rag. She tilted her head to the side. “What are you leading up to? I know you've been troubled since you returned from New Orleans. Why are you asking me all these questions?”

  “I'm getting there, just let me finish.” Nicole held up her hand and took a deep breath, needing to show the older woman how she'd arrived at her decision. Knowing she wouldn't like any part of what Nicole had decided.

  “You and I both know how it feels when everyone in town knows you're illegitimate. My mother was the local schoolteacher until the school board fired her because she was pregnant and unmarried. I don't want my child to grow up being laughed at because his father tricked his mother.”

  Consuelo reached out and laid her hand on Nicole's arm. “Honey, neither one of us were accepted because of our illegitimacy, but I think we're stronger women because of our birth. Your child will learn to accept his heritage, just as we have.”

  Nicole shook her head. “If you accepted your birth, why did you never marry?”

  The older woman picked up the polishing rag and began to clean again, rubbing the silverware until Nicole feared the silver would come off. “That's an unfair question that you know the answer to. But it was different for you. You thought you were married, and you've wanted this baby for so long. Don't tell me you're considering giving it up?”

  “No. I could never give my baby up, but I can make sure my son or daughter has a last name.”

  “How are you going to do that?” Consuelo asked, gazing at her like she'd lost her mind.

  Nicole smiled. “I've found someone to marry me.” Consuelo shook her head. “Oh, no. I don't think I like this. Who is this man who wants to marry you? Where did you meet him?”

  “He brought me home from town the other day,” Nicole said, knowing the older woman would need a few minutes to accept her reasoning.

  “What? You told me he was a drifter. I warned you about letting men you don't know bring you home, and now you're going to marry him?” She paused, dropping the silverware back into the drawer with a clang. “I think you've gotten the fever and I need to send for the doctor.”

  “Consuelo, he's a nice man. He's agreed to marry me and give my child his name. Our marriage will be in name only, and after the birth of the child, he's free to disappear.”

  “What about the child? This drifter is willing to give the baby his name, but what if he decides to stay? Everyone will think it's his baby.”

  “No, he knows this marriage is not permanent,” Nicole replied, wanting people to think that the baby was Max's.

  “Are you certain you can trust him to keep his word?”

  Nicole thought of Max and remembered the green of his eyes and the way he'd taken care of her that day. Her instincts told her he was trustworthy—yet she'd been wrong before.

  “I have no choice but to trust him to keep his word. I'm giving him half the crop as payment, so I would hope that would keep him honest.”

  “Sounds like you've decided this is what you're going to do. So why do you need my help to carry out this foolhardy plan? Why can't you leave things as they are?” she asked, picking up a new piece of silver.

  “I want to sign the plantation and all the land over to you as a precaution.”

  Consuelo's eyes widened and she stared at Nicole, her dark eyes intense. The spoon she'd been holding slipped from her hands and she didn't even glance down at it. “You have gone loco. Since Jean died you've not been yourself and I need to send someone for the doctor.”

  “No, Consuelo. I'm fine. Don't you see the beauty of this idea? My baby will have a last name, but my new husband will not be able to take my land away from me. It's just a precaution. Just in case ...”

  “What am I supposed to do with Rosewood?”

  “You're going to hold on to it until the baby is old enough to take it over or Max is permanently out of our lives.”

  “This is crazy.”

  “No, it's a safeguard to keep me from having the land go to my new husband. This way I know the baby will inherit”

  “I don't know, Nicole.” Consuelo stared at Nicole, shaking her head slightly. “Yet it would solve the problem of the baby being illegitimate. It seems so drastic. Are you certain of this?”

  “Yes, I am. But not unless you agree to help me. I'm not willing to risk the plantation my child will someday inherit, with a man I hardly know.”

  Consuelo frowned. “You know I love you and would do anything I could to help you and the babe. You're like a daughter to me.”

  “You're the only person I would give Rosewood to, Consuelo. I know that you will hold on to it, until I want it back.”

  Consuelo hugged Nicole. “Thank you. I'll do this to help you, though I'm worried about this man you're marrying. It's so sudden. You hardly know him.” Nicole returned the older woman's hug.

  “I know, but I can't wait. People will already be questioning who the father of my baby is. But this way, my baby will have a name, and someday Rosewood, too. We'll go into town tomorrow and take care of the paperwork.”

  ***

  Max pulled the buggy he'd rented to a halt in front of the Creole mansion. Today was his wedding day and though he'd often wondered whom he would marry, he'd never considered the ceremony would be before a justice of the peace. Where didn't matter, however, only that this marriage would certainly guarantee his right to Rosewood Plantation and fulfill his family obligation.

  The memory of his grandfather recounting to him the numerous tales of Rosewood were as fresh today as his first recollection somewhere around the age of four. At the end of each story, his grandfather would remind him by saying, “It's up to you, boy, to get our home back.”

  Even as his grandfather lay dying, he'd reminded his grandson of his obligation. “Get the family home back, boy. I lost it. You reclaim Rosewood.” And so today he made the final sacrifice to obtain the land, thus fulfilling his obligation.

  It wasn't as if he minded what he perceived to be his duty for his kin. He wanted the family home back just as much as the rest of them, but marrying a woman who had no clue of his intentions troubled him. There would be no divorce, no separation after they were joined as man and wife. He intended to somehow convince Nicole that their union would become permanent and everlasting.

  Yet their life together would begin based on lies, and that disturbed him more than he cared to admit—not to mention the fact she thought this a temporary arrangement. He'd been attracted to her from the very beginning, so consummating the union wouldn't be an issue, but she thought him a drifter, a man without wealth or direction, and he'd let her believe her misconceptions. Once she realized he was never leaving, and then he could be honest with her and tell her about his family. But until then, it seemed best to keep her in the dark.

  He had very few doubts she would make him a good wife, yet her heart had been broken by a deceitful man, and now their own life together would begin based on dishonesty.

  Many marriages begin like theirs, two people needing something from the other, but he'd never thought his bride would be a stranger. And he'd never considered he'd deceive the woman he would wed just to get what he wanted. If only she'd sold him the plantation, then he wouldn't be forced to take such drastic measures.

  There was still time to back out, to walk away, still a last chance to be honest and tell Nicole the truth regarding his reasons for marrying her. There was always the possibility she would sell him the plantation outright this time, though she'd turned away every offer his lawyers had presented. But being honest with her was too big a risk and marrying her would guarantee the property would return to his family. Unless he intended to give up his family obligation, he had to go through with the wedding.

  A cool breeze blew off the river as he climbed down from the buggy, determined to go forward with his promise to his grandfather. He hurried up the steps to the big house and paused to glance around at the beauty of the land, the way the tall oak trees shaded the house, and the wisps of moss that hung from their leaves. In the distance he could see the sugarcane rippling like a green wave in the breeze. No wonder his grandfather insisted he restore the land to the family.

  A sense of rightness and belonging overcame him. This land belonged to the Viel family and would soon be returned to them. And Max felt good about keeping his promise to his grandfather.

  Nicole met him at the men's entrance. Her beauty outshone the splendor of the land so, he couldn't think for a moment as he stared at her. Her dark iris-colored eyes gazed back at him, trepidation shining from them like a beacon. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head, the curls cascading down like a waterfall shimmering in the sun. Stunned, he couldn't help but think in a bit of awe that this lovely woman would soon be his wife.

  “Good morning. I saw you drive up,” she said.

  “Good morning,” he replied, noting how her pale blue dress brought out the color in her cheeks. “We'd better get going so we can get you back before the heat becomes unbearable.”

  “Yes,” she said nervously. She gazed at him, her expression thoughtful, as if she feared what she wanted to say. He stared into her soft blue eyes, waiting patiently for her to voice what troubled her.

  “Are you sure about this?” she asked, her face tilted to the side. “I mean, you can back out if you'd like.”

  He nodded his head. “Yes, I'm certain. How about you? Have you changed your mind?”

  “No,” she said quickly. “My baby needs a name. I won't let my child be thought of as illegitimate. I just can't. But you must understand that this is just a temporary marriage, nothing permanent.”

  “I understand. We need to get going,” he said, despising lying to her, yet trying to reassure her. “The justice of the peace is expecting us.”

  She sighed and gripped her reticule tightly in her hand. “All right, let's go get married.”

  ***

  “I now pronounce you man and wife,” the justice of the peace said, smiling at them like they were a happy couple instead of two people coming together to solve a problem. Nicole stood beside him, with a fake smile on her face. “You may kiss your bride, Mr. Viel.”

  Max hadn't thought of this moment before now. He turned to Nicole, feeling awkward as she gazed at him, her blue eyes large and apprehensive. Her feelings were so easy to distinguish on her soft face. She hadn't considered this part of the ceremony, either. There were a lot of things that neither one of them had thought of as they rushed to get married.

  Max leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. The sudden urge to linger surprised him as he tasted the sweet dew of her mouth, but he quickly ended the kiss.

  “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Viel. Just sign the marriage license and the register, then you're all set,” the man said, but Max stared at Nicole, surprised at how tender her lips had felt against his own. He'd been attracted to her the moment they met, but he was a little shocked at her kiss.

  Finally he turned to the justice of the peace and placed his signature on the license. Then Nicole leaned over and signed the document, making it official. They were man and wife, for better or worse.

  “For an extra three dollars we can take a photograph of this special occasion,” the clerk said.

  “Oh, no, I don't think that's necessary,” Nicole said, shaking her head.

  Max thought for a moment and realized that this was his wedding day, and no matter what, they were married until one of them perished. Shouldn't they have something to remember their simple ceremony by?

  “We'll take it,” he said, removing his money clip and paying the clerk for the picture and the ceremony.

  “But. . .” Nicole began, gazing at him with a questioning glance.

  “Come on, honey, it's our wedding day,” he reassured and took her by the arm. “We can afford one small luxury.”

  She glanced at him awkwardly and then the two of them posed for the traditional wedding photograph in the small office. Max sat in a chair and Nicole stood behind him, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders.

  The clerk poked his head under a dark cloth that draped the equipment, and peered through the lens at them. “Looks good. I'll count to three. One, two, three.”

  A large flash and a pop recorded the day on glass plates. The smell of sulfur filled the room and Max couldn't help but wonder how they would look back on this photo in the years ahead.

  “If you want you can pick this up sometime tomorrow. It will take me a little while to process it,” the clerk said as he stepped out from under the cloth.

  “I have to come back into town tomorrow anyway. I'll pick up the picture then,” Max assured the man.

  The wedding was over, the marriage complete. Max looked at the woman who now was his wife. What did they do now? They weren't the typical couple that could hardly wait to be alone.

  Yet, if given the opportunity, he couldn't say having sex with his wife would be unwelcome. In fact, he'd jump at the opportunity.

  “Well, you're all set,” the justice's wife said, moving them toward the door. “Best wishes.”

  “Congratulations,” the clerk called.

  Max took Nicole by the arm and they walked out of the justice of the peace's office in awkward silence. The door shut behind them and a strained hush enshrouded them, leaving Max uncertain as to what to do next.

  “Is there any place in town you'd like to go?” he asked her, as he helped her up into the buggy. She was extremely quiet and he worried that she regretted her quick action.

  “No; could we just return to the house? It's beginning to get warm and I don't want to chance getting sick,” she said, her face seeming pale and drawn once again.

  He'd thought of suggesting lunch at a local cafe to celebrate their nuptials, but realized the heat, a full stomach, and a bouncing buggy could have terrible results for a woman with child. Nicole was right; they should get back to Rosewood. While she rested, he could explore the house he'd heard so much about “All right. I thought I would move my things from the hotel I've been staying at tomorrow,” he said, going around the other side of the buggy to climb in.

  Nicole glanced at him from beneath her long dark lashes. “Oh, I hadn't even thought about you moving in. I mean, I knew you would, it's just that it all seems a little strange. One day we're strangers and then a week later we're married. Dear God, I'm so nervous I'm rambling.”

  For the first time since he'd known her she appeared frightened and he wanted to reassure her that everything would be fine.

  “It's all right Nicole,” he said, using her given name for the first time.

  She glanced at him, her forehead wrinkling in a frown. “Yes, everything will be just fine. While you're gone tomorrow, I'll clean out Jean's things. You can have his old bedroom.”

  She stared at him, her head tilted to the side, worrying her bottom lip. “Why did you have the clerk take a picture?”

 

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