Elusive Hope (18 page)

Hayden wanted to ask him six what, but reason kept him moving. Evil, indeed. Outside of man’s own selfishness, did evil even exist? Yet Hayden couldn’t deny the heaviness that had weighed on him at the temple and the visions he’d seen—Katherine and the one of his father in the jungle.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, he reached the end of the street and started for the hotel. Just the ramblings of a crazy old priest. Or were they?

C
HAPTER
14

I
n all her twenty-three years, Magnolia had never enjoyed a bath so much. Though the water was brown and had a coppery smell to it, and the tub itself was nothing but a sawed off ship’s barrel, and the maids had dropped towels of questionable cleanliness on the dirty floor, Magnolia didn’t care. She relished in the caress of warm water on her skin, washing away the grime and grit and filth of the past five days. If only she could wash away her fears for her future as well. Now, as she stood at the open window in her chemise, gazing at the ships teetering in the bay, and battling the hopeless tangles in her hair, those fears rose again like tenacious flood waters, threatening to drown her.

It was one thing to tromp through the jungle with Hayden protecting her, and quite another to face a journey on one of those ships with no one to stand up for her, no one to defend her should a sailor get the wrong idea about her traveling alone. And then, once in the States, she would have to find her way, unescorted, to her aunt and uncle’s. Would they even take her in? Did they still live in the same home in Ohio? Since the war, they had not been on the best of terms with Magnolia’s parents. Or perhaps it would be better to seek out Samuel in Atlanta. Surely he would provide for her until they could be married. Although the last time she’d seen him, he’d slammed out of their home in Roswell, leapt into his waiting carriage, and driven away in a rage.

“Humph!” Her father had joined her on their wide front porch. “It appears the man has a temper. I’ve done you a favor, Magnolia.”

“Of course he was angry, Father. You broke off our engagement. Went back on your word as a gentleman. And for what?” She batted away her tears. “Because he doesn’t make enough money? Isn’t high enough on the social ladder? It isn’t fair!” She’d rarely spoken to her father in that tone, but as she’d continued to gaze at Samuel’s carriage rumbling away, she saw her future rumble away with him.

Her father swung to face her, his jaw tight. “If you hadn’t played the fool and lost the family fortune, I wouldn’t be forced to make such hard choices.” Indignation puffed out his cheeks even as his eyes grew narrow and cold. “Thank God we still have a sliver of our good name. Something, along with your beauty, that should lure a better positioned and wealthier prospect.”

Magnolia wilted beneath his fury and gazed down at her pink, tasseled shoes, lest he see her cry again.

“You have no right to speak to me of what is fair,” he continued, his voice thundering. “You have ruined us and you will unruin us. Or by God you’ll put me in an early grave!”

At that moment Magnolia finally realized she would forever be under her father’s thumb. Like their few remaining house slaves, her life was his. He owned her, and he would never let her forget.

Of course she and Samuel had continued secretly corresponding. He still loved her and wished to marry her. And she, him. But no amount of convincing, cajoling, or crying had changed her father’s mind. And after multiple attempts to wed her off to what remained of the landed gentry, wealthy politicians, and elite families in Georgia, he’d given up, sold what little they owned, and booked passage to Brazil. Apparently, the news of Magnolia’s scandal had swept through Georgia like wildfire, and no decent gentleman with a reputation to uphold would consider joining himself with their family. But in Brazil “the slate would be wiped clean and no one would be the wiser,” her father had said when he announced his decision. “And Brazil boasts of many wealthy land owners as well as those of royal descent with whom we can align ourselves.”

Magnolia only had time to send a quick dispatch to Samuel, informing him of her father’s plans. But word was he had gone into hiding after the war, and she had no idea if he’d received it or if he still loved her.

And, of course, now that she’d run away, she would never pay her debt to her father. She was a horrible, disrespectful daughter who only thought of herself. He’d told her that on so many occasions, she’d begun to believe it. Perhaps it was true, after all.

She combed through the last tangle and watched as a mulatto woman, four children in tow, walked past the hotel, each with baskets of fruit on their heads. The briny scent of the bay drifted in with the wind, floating atop the sickly sweet smell of decaying fruit. It was a peculiar city. A peculiar, beautiful city. A city filled with the most unusual, exotic people.

And yet she felt more alone in the world than she ever had. Would Hayden even come back? The way she’d treated him, she wouldn’t blame him if he abandoned her to begin his search for whomever or whatever he was looking for. But then again, he would want his money, wouldn’t he? Her chest tightened. If only the dock master was open, she’d be long gone. As it was, she’d have to find a way to run away in the morning, purchase a ticket, and board a ship without Hayden’s knowledge.

Her hands shook and she clasped them together. Nearly two days without a drink had taken its toll on her body. Perhaps that was why her thoughts spun in such a whirlwind.

A knock on the door startled her and Hayden’s voice on the other side caused an unavoidable smile to form on her lips. Coughing it away, she forced the traitorous glee from her voice and replaced it with petulance. “I’m not ready yet, Hayden. What do you want?”

“How would you like to go shopping, Princess?”

Shopping? She could almost see that pleased-with-himself grin of his through the door. “Shopping for what?”

“For a new gown.”

Regardless of how nonsensical his answer was, how ludicrous the notion, she yelped her “Yes” and then dashed through dressing. Aside from a few moans, groans, and unladylike curses at the difficulty of putting her clothing on without her lady’s maid, she managed to don her least filthy blouse and skirts and pin up her damp hair as best she could. By the time she opened the door, Hayden was leaning his head against the post, pretending to be asleep.

Pretending, she knew, because he usually didn’t wear a playful smirk in his sleep.

“Oh, mercy me.” She slapped him with her fan. “I didn’t take that long.”

He opened one eye, one devilishly green eye, and grinned, sending a thrill through her.

“You tease me, sir. But you have no idea of the complexity of a lady’s attire. Without my maid, I must tighten my corset behind me and then tie on my crinolette…”—he was still grinning. Rather mischievously, in fact—“Well, never mind. Let’s just say there are far too many things a lady must put on.”

His brow cocked. “You need not wear them all on my account.”

Heat sped up her back. “You are indeed a toad, Hayden. And why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?”

He didn’t answer. Instead he gestured toward her valise sitting on the floor. “We will need your money.”

“
My
money?” Magnolia snapped. “But I don’t know if I have enough. I mean…”—she fumbled with her fan—“For the ticket, of course, and then to pay you as well.”

“Then we’ll take it out of my share.”

This confused her further. Surely a man who would only escort and protect a lady for a fee wouldn’t so willingly purchase her a gown. Besides, unbeknownst to him, it would still come out of
her
money.

Magnolia bit her lip and looked down at her stained skirts and the tattered fringe drooping from the hem. She supposed she did have enough for traveling
and
a new gown. Besides, she couldn’t very well allow Samuel to see her in these rags. He might mistake her for a street urchin and send her away!

“Very well.” She plucked her purse from inside her valise and met him in the hall. “What is the gown for?”

“For tonight, Princess.” He extended his arm. “We are going to a ball.”

The oddest thing happened to Hayden. He actually enjoyed shopping with Magnolia. It was odd for a number of reasons. One, he had about as much interest in women’s clothing and fripperies as—to use her analogy—a toad had for fine literature. Two, her spoiled coquettish ways normally caused his blood to boil. Yet today, strolling about Rio, seeing the way her eyes lit up at all the fanciful items being sold at market, watching her caress the silk scarves from India, bite into a fresh mango till juice slid down her chin, giggle at the colorful parrots and chattering monkeys hopping along the roofs, and successfully haggle with a woman for a beaded bracelet, Hayden found himself utterly enamored. She may be spoiled and a bit self-centered, but she was the epitome of femininity. All lace and fluff and softness.

She seemed to grow more beautiful with each passing moment. Her sun-kissed hair, dried by the gentle breeze, dangled from her chignon in golden ringlets. Roses blossomed on her cheeks. Even the sheen of perspiration on her face and neck made her glow like an angel. Hayden swallowed and tried to avoid staring at her as they turned down
Ruo do Ouvidor
and found a drapers as fine as any in Charleston. Bolts of taffeta, calicos, and gingham filled the room that smelled of French perfume and musty cloth. Neither the language nor monetary differences impeded Magnolia from bartering for a ready-made blue gown that hung in the back. Apparently a return from an unhappy customer who thought the needlework subpar.

So, with wrapped gown flung over her arm, Hayden escorted her back to the hotel with a promise to return after sunset. Of course he had nothing to wear himself besides the disheveled, torn suit he had on. But finding something suitable had never been a problem before.

So, it was with a jump in his step that he returned to fetch Magnolia promptly at 8:00 p.m. He attributed his exuberant mood to his upcoming chat with Mr. Eduardo Santos and the possibility of discovering the whereabouts of his father. Hayden was tired of chasing the man all over the world, putting his own hopes and dreams on hold. Once justice was served, Hayden could get on with his life, perhaps learn a trade, become a sailor, or help out in his friend’s furniture shop in Savannah.

Entering the hotel, he tipped his hat at an attractive lady in the lobby and mounted the steps. He might even get married, have children. His conscience rose to chastise him for the ridiculous notion. No decent woman would marry a confidence man—a swindler who had ruined so many lives.

Magnolia opened the door to his knock and widened her eyes when she saw his gray cotton suit with black velvet trim and double-breasted cutaway coat. “Where on earth did you get that?”

No decent woman would marry a thief, either.

But that thought quickly dissipated at the sight of her. Her flaxen hair, adorned with sparkling beads, was swept back in a bun from which golden swirls fell across her neck. The shimmering blue of her gown only enhanced the color of her eyes. Ruffles bubbled like foam from her bell-shaped sleeves, while the lace embellishing her low neckline drew his unbridled gaze. He gulped and prayed for a breeze to drift down the hall and cool the heat swirling in his belly. The victorious sparkle of delight in her eyes told him she’d noticed his approval. But then she was accustomed to men fawning over her, wasn’t she?

“So?” She tapped him with her fan as her eyes took him in. “How did you purchase such a fine suit?” Now it was his turn to be delighted for he could see the appreciation in her eyes as she scanned him from head to toe.

“I borrowed it.” He winked and offered his elbow. Giving him a suspicious look, she gripped it and allowed him to lead her down the streets of Rio. With every step they took, every street corner they turned, they drew appreciative glances. Hayden’s shoulders rose a bit higher, and for the first time he no longer felt like a thief and a rogue. For the first time in his life, with Magnolia on his arm, he felt like a gentleman. Not just pretending to be one. But a real gentleman. Strangely, it made him want to become one.

That illusion, however, slipped away once they reached the estate of Adelino Manuel Guerra da Costa. Though music and laughter spilled from the windows of the palatial two-story home onto the manicured lawn, sprinkled with flowering bushes and majestic palms, Hayden was forced to tug Magnolia to the side and head down the fenced outskirts of the property like the uninvited guests they were. She glanced back at the open front doors and the guests being greeted by their host and hostess and gave an adorable little chirp signifying her dismay.

“Where are you taking me?” Her voice turned shrewish.

Ignoring her, Hayden peered into the darkness, finally finding what he sought. “We can slip in through here.” He gestured toward a broken spoke in the fence that created a two-foot gap.

“I thought you said we were invited.”

“I said we were attending. I said nothing about being invited.”