Free Unspoken Love by Lynn Gale - Unspoken Love

eggs, and biscuits and gravy with buttery hotcakes and warm maple syrup. Piping hot coffee rounded out the meal.
    “Sit with us, Aunt Thelma,” Jenny said as she helped herself to the food.
    “Maybe for a few minutes,” Aunt Thelma replied. “It might be a while before I see you again.” Leaving Edward to oversee the servants, she joined the handsome couple and visited with her one and only niece.
    After they had eaten, Nicholas pushed himself away from the table. “Excuse me while I put our baggage in the carriage and see if Billy has arrived.”
    While Nicholas ran his errands, Jenny commented, “Aunt Thelma, I didn’t see Blake Preston at the dance last night. How is he doing?”
    “Blake went to Natchez on business. He’s due back any day,” Aunt Thelma explained. She leaned toward Jenny and spoke in hushed tones. “Blake hasn’t heard of your marriage yet. You know, Jenny, I think he fancied you, but Nicholas beat him to the altar.”
    Taken aback at Aunt Thelma’s candor, Jenny’s mouth flew agape. Before she could reply, Nicholas appeared in the doorway. If he had heard Aunt Thelma’s remark, he didn’t let on.
    “Billy’s waiting outside. If you’re ready, we’ll be on our way.”
    “I’ll be right out,” Jenny answered. She hugged her aunt. “Thanks for your hospitality, Aunt Thelma. You and Uncle Edward must visit us at the plantation.”
    “Perhaps someday, Jenny, but duty keeps me here, and I can hardly get Edward away from the inn.”
    Nicholas escorted Jenny to the carriage and helped her aboard. She squeezed between Nicholas and Billy.
    “Have you eaten breakfast, Billy? It will be a while before your next meal.”
    “Yes, Ma’am. Thelma let me eat in the kitchen early this morning. I’ve been in the stables talking with Davy.”
    “Then we can leave for Small Timbers ,” Jenny said.
    As Nicholas guided the horses home, he casually brushed against Jenny’s shoulder and rested his knee against hers.
    She glanced at Billy. Oblivious to the friction between Nicholas and her, a wide grin replaced his usually somber expression.
    “I’m so happy, Jenny! I’m going to a new home!”
    “You’ll like Small Timbers . It’s a beautiful plantation,” Jenny assured him.
    When they arrived at the plantation, Nicholas dropped Jenny at the house, then took Billy to the fields.
    Warren saw them approaching and came to greet them. He removed his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. Shoving the hat back on his head, he sent Nicholas a questioning gaze.
    Nicholas smiled. “Warren, this is Billy. He will be staying with you. He’ll need your guidance. Show him how we run the plantation, then give him some work to do.”
    Warren grinned, and his soft brown eyes sparkled. He reached out his calloused hand to the wide-eyed boy and shook his hand mightily.
    “Welcome, Billy. I’ll show you around the place.”
    Billy’s face lit with glee as he stood at attention. He responded with excitement, “I’d like that very much, sir!”
    Nicholas grinned. Convinced Billy and Warren had become allies, he said, “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” Sensing the boy was going to work out well, he left the field and turned the carriage toward the stables.
    Over the next several days, Billy stayed by Warren’s side, learning all the farming knowledge that he could. As they watched the slaves load cotton, Warren explained how it was prepared. “When the wagons are full, they’re taken to the gin for processing. After the seeds are removed, the cotton is pressed into bales, then wrapped with burlap and tied. Then the heavy bales are ready to sell.”
    Billy listened, engrossed in all that Warren taught him.
    Jenny knew Billy was happy with his new life. Warren made him feel important and took the time to care, even with his busy schedule. For this, she was grateful.
    Jenny didn’t fare as well. Her thoughts became chaotic, and her tension considerable, as she continued her existence with