A True Southern Belle

Chapter Twelve

     By the time Charlie and Jason arrived at the house, the sun was setting and Bella had concocted a fruit salad.

   They found her setting the table while Cara Jane rocked in her crib.

   "We caught eight fish," said Jason.

   "You caught four and I caught four," Charlie playfully corrected him.

  He frowned at her.

"How are you feeling Bella - don't set the table, let me do that. You go sit down and play with your baby." Charlie ushered her away in a manner very reminiscent to Mary.

   Bella gratefully obliged. Goodness knows her feet hurt and her arms longed for her baby.

                             🌿

   Charlie accepted the invitation of staying one more night, mainly because Jason swore he'd take her home before the sun went up the next day.

  She found such pleasure in being around Bella, watching her doted and play with her child and exude her calming influence on the atmosphere, as if everything were perfect and the inhabitants in the little house were part of a happy bubble of peace and cozy comfort. Jason wasn't horrible either. She found him to be truly genuine and caring. She couldn't believe that she'd ever hated him. He showed himself to be a man incapable of inciting hate in others towards himself.

  She admired that, seeing as most the women in the neighborhood hated her - disliked her, she should say. Gentle ladies didn't hate.

  

    When Jason came to get her the next morning she was up and waiting, somehow finding herself sleeping problematically despite her fondness for the home. Jason's scent, though he had not been in the room for nearly two days, seemed more potent, and lying on his pillow certainly did not help the matter.

     They jested and played all the way to Scarlet Oaks.

      Charlie had a very good time. She hoped Jason would come to get her next time Bella had a baby.

   Unfortunately, things took a rather bad turn.

   They were just riding passed the fields when Charlie spotted her father coming out of the house with a group of workers with him, all holding guns. She flung out an arm to stop Jason, nearly knocking him from his saddle.

  "That hurt, Charlie," he whined.

  "Shut up and use your eyes."

   She pointed to the men before grabbing the reins from his hands and directing their horses around the back.

  "I'll ride in and you go back home."

  "I will not. I want to come and make sure there is no misunderstanding. Bella will kill me if I don't."

  "Well I'll kill you if you do, and who do you think will make your death more painful? If you must go hide in the woods."

  With that she gave a gentle kick to Copperfield and was off trotting to the front drive of Scarlet Oaks.

   "Father," Charlie called.

  All of the men turned to stare at her. Daniel was furious and William merely nodding as if he were right all along - but right about what?

  "Charlie, my dear girl, are you alright? Where have you been?" Mr. Winter scolded his youngest with no more care then if he had been scolding a spoon because it was gold instead of silver.

  "Bella Twain had her baby. The doctor was not available so I had to deliver it."

   No one gasped at this, though if anyone else in the county found out, gasps would be heard around the country.

   "And how is she?"

   "Forget her! Where is that brother of hers who no doubt forced you to come! I'll kill him if he hurt you, Charlie." Daniel huffed.

   "Calm down my boy."

   "Danny that is the cruellest thing I've ever heard you say! Bella is a dear friend of mine and she made me godmother! Godmother to little Cara Jane."

   "Caroline! Where have you been?" Mary and Mrs. Winter came out to join the group.

   Mr. Winter explained as Charlie scanned the line of trees for Jason. She did not see him.

   "Charlie! Was there a chaperone present? You did not... stay the night, did you? You've been gone two days!"

   "Bella was there. And while she was having the baby a neighbor stopped by. She stayed half a day."

   This was the damning sentence.

  Mary's eyes widened and her eyes darkened as Mrs. Winter grew colder then her last name.

  "A bedridden woman is not a suitable chaperone. And you, an unmarried girl should not have seen a birth. Gentlemen, I must ask you to leave since we approach a sensitive topic."

  The group, save brother and father, dispersed.

   "Do you understand what you have done? You have embarrassed your family in front of their servants and ruined yourself! How dare you do that, Charlie. You have been compromised!"

   "He did nothing to me!"

   "He is an unmarried man who allowed you to witness a woman... having a baby!"

   "Giving birth is it so hard to say?"

   "Oh here is the lad now," Mr. Winter wiped at his glasses after announcing Jason, who was quickly riding to the inflamed party.

    "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Winter. I noticed everyone becoming agitated and I just wanted to say that Charlie was incredible these past couple days."

  Mrs. Winter turned deathly pale.

   "I-I mean she - if not for her Bella and the child would be dead. The doctor wasn't available, nor was the midwife. Charlie saved two lives."

   "Mr. Winter." His wife stared pointedly at him.

  "Ah yes. Well young Jason, Charlie might have done a kind, wonderful thing. But her reputation is now ruined and I have but two options to give you. You may leave right at this moment, or I will shoot you in her honor."

   Jason nodded to Charlie before riding away.

   "Fancy that. Him leaving me here."

   "Stay in your room. I can't bear to see you," Mrs. Winter cried.

    A/N

I'm back. And yes, this was a garbage chapter because I'm trying to get back in the swing.

Thanks to my lovely readers.

Alcat