Jewel of the Pacific (29 page)

His eyes snapped. “You’re the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met. The matter about Kip is too serious to ignore. Will you stop playing childish games and tell me the truth?”

“I care about Kip, too. I want what’s best for him now and in the future.” She folded her arms. “And after the way you’ve treated our relationship, I don’t think you’re ready to handle the information my mother entrusted to me.”

The air seemed to curdle between them.

Her attack upon his maturity touched the root of his pride—the insult had done its work. She realized she’d gone too far.

Almost immediately she was grieved. She thought of how he’d always been honorable, decent, and strong. He’d helped Zachary, and Keno, and even herself during the years when she’d thought someone in the Derrington family had murdered her mother. But her words were a device to hurt back as he’d hurt her.

Now what? Apologize? Tell him she hadn’t meant it? Run to him, hold him, and tell him she loved him as much as ever—and except for the trouble between them over Miss Judson she could not be more proud of him as a man?

His earthy dark gaze grew heated. He began to step toward her, and she stepped back. She caught a breath, snatched up her skirts, and ran toward the court.

At first she heard his footsteps. Then they suddenly stopped. By the time she’d reached the edge of the court where the guests mingled peacefully and the band played soothing music, she paused and turned. He had not pursued—he was too angry.

Then, as she stood in the torchlight, she saw Rafe walk toward the court. She saw Great-aunt Nora and Zachary on the steps of the palace and hurried toward them.

“There you are,” Great-aunt Nora said, looking toward Rafe. She seemed to understand that something was wrong.

Rafe walked up. Eden refused to look at him and moved to the other side of Nora, looping her arm through Nora’s. “We’d better go in, Aunt.”

“Yes, come along, Eden dear.”

Zachary looked at Rafe with masked sympathy, as though he also knew something had broken between them.

“The dancing is beginning,” he said lamely. “I hope I’m not expected to do a polka with anyone. The last time I tried it my knee bothered me.”

Without another word they walked up the steps and into the palace.

Six gleaming chandeliers glittered. Between the doors into the receiving hall hung large oil paintings of some of Europe’s royal family members. An attractive amber panel lined the wall. Royal footmen were handsomely attired with gold braid, flanked by royal attendants in full regalia. The Royal Chamberlain led them toward the doorway into an area where the guests were dancing.

Oliver Hunnewell walked up. “My waltz, Miss Derrington?” He looked at Rafe for permission among gentlemen.

Rafe bowed his dark head briefly as though releasing her from his attention.

“Your waltz,” he agreed. “If you’ll excuse me I wish to speak to someone across the room.”

Well, I got my sword thrust
, Eden realized as he left.
Now, Rafe cares even less what I do. I’ve only added more justification in his mind for his behavior
.

She moved onto the floor to waltz with Oliver. A minute later she noted that Rafe was across the room near the long veranda, talking to a man.

Queen Liliuokalani sat in an elaborate chair smiling and watching the others having a pleasant time. Eden saw Great-aunt Nora seated in one of the chairs against the wall talking to a Hawaiian woman. Dr. Jerome sat beside Nora engaged in their discourse.

Zachary, blond and handsome in his dark evening clothes, was waltzing with a young woman who would have made Claudia Hunnewell mourn. Eden thought how much Claudia would have enjoyed being here at the ball with Zachary—but as the daughter of their stalwart annexationist, Thaddeus, she would hardly be welcomed. Eden had no idea who this other young woman was. For that matter, she recognized few in the room.

Eden was downcast. Despite her lush ball gown, elaborate hairstyle, and lovely appearance, she had failed in her response to Rafe.

Drat everything!
Eden thought.
I wish I were home at Kea Lani asleep. Maybe I’ll get a cat to keep me company
.

T
he change in Great-aunt Nora took place unexpectedly and mysteriously.

Nora had gone with a group of guests into the courtyard where the breezes were cool, to sit on chairs and enjoy the music played by the Royal Hawaiian Band, which had switched from dance music to a concert.

Eden was with Oliver on the upper balcony where she’d noticed Rafe at the other end with others including the attractive young lady Zachary had danced with earlier. Rafe was leaning on the rail, listening, and occasionally making some comment to the young lady. For as long as Eden could remember he’d preferred large orchestras and classical music, and while the Royal Band did not play classical they were famous for their lovely music.

Oliver was monopolizing her and talking about a dinner he would enjoy taking Eden to on Saturday evening at Hunnewell House. It seemed that a great many elite were going including Miss Judson, escorted by Rafe Easton.

The time hastened onward toward the dinner to be held in the State Room; Zachary joined Eden and Oliver. Oliver’s eyes raked him and he tightened his lips. He slipped his jeweled pocket watch from his silk vest, glanced at the time, then politely smiled at Eden and excused himself. “I’m afraid that even amid times of relaxation business demands my attention. Unfortunately, I must meet an associate in the court. Please excuse me, Miss Derrington.”

As soon as Oliver had gone through a doorway Zachary looked in Rafe’s direction. He picked up their drinking glasses, commenting that he would replenish them from the punch bowl in the State Room.

When he’d gone, Eden turned to see that Rafe had also slipped away.

They’re watching Oliver.
Did they expect him to meet someone from the gambling and opium cartel?

About ten minutes later Great-aunt Nora returned. Eden was startled by the change in her appearance. Her face was strained, her cheeks a fevered pink.
Of all things!

Eden started toward her when Zachary reappeared without the punch glasses. He looked as if he’d been running. He saw Great-aunt Nora and then moved toward her. Eden followed, noting signs of the older woman’s weakness.

Zachary took hold of her shoulders. “Better sit down, Aunt Nora.”

“I’m all right—” she murmured.

Eden spoke with professional efficiency, “Are you ill, Aunt Nora?”

Nora slumped into a quiet faint.

There was a stir in the room. The Marshal came from somewhere, servants moved in, and Dr. Jerome was hurried in from the balcony. The queen insisted Nora be taken upstairs to one of the daybeds. No one else was permitted to go into the queen’s private quarters besides Zachary who carried her, and Eden, as a nurse to assist her father.

Nora came out of her faint some minutes later, murmuring that she was perfectly fine and that she was a dreadful burden to everyone—and that the commotion was such an embarrassment. She wished to go to her room in the Royal Hotel.

“Be still,” Dr. Jerome urged. A medical bag was ushered into the room from somewhere, kept by the royal physician, Dr. Trousseau, for emergencies. Eden assisted her father in a swift, cursory examination of Nora’s heart condition, for they both feared symptoms leading to heart failure.

Not until the exam was concluded did Eden turn from the bedside and see Zachary on the other side of the room. He was surveying the room and the window, and was looking up and down the corridor.

Eden walked up to him and quietly said, “It’s rude to look into people’s closets and under their beds. Whatever are you doing?”

“Shh.” He glanced toward Dr. Jerome and Aunt Nora, who were talking in low tones, then gestured her over near the open window.

“The queen’s expecting a caller to her private living quarters soon after the State Room dinner is over and the guests go home.”

“So?”

“Use your head, Cousin! This secret caller is connected with the cartel. Either gambling or opium. Rafe thinks both. You’re in this room. A perfect spot to observe the identity of the caller.”

“Oh no I’m not—” She turned away.

He pulled her back. “Don’t be a goose, Eden! This is important for the future of the Islands! Listen,” he whispered, “the queen’s apartments are just down the corridor. But the stairway is just below this room. So if people come up, you’ll hear them walk by the door. Rafe says all you need do is open the door a crack and look at the caller.” He snapped his fingers. “Spiff, nothing to it. It’s not as if you’re being asked to hide in her closet, or creep under her bed.”

“Oh, well, thank you very much. That makes all the difference.”

His mouth twitched. “Well, you know what I mean.”

“Did Rafe ask you to get me to play spy?”

“No. Fortune turned our way.”

She must have looked appalled for he scowled. He glanced again toward the bed to see if Jerome still had his back to them.

“Where’s your patriotism?”

“Patriotism!” she whispered hotly. “I’m not an annexationist, remember?”

“Looks like Rafe is right,” he lamented.

She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“You want to protect Oliver Hunnewell.”

She looked at him sharply. “Did Rafe say that?”

He wouldn’t answer. “Just see if it’s Oliver who shows up at the queen’s apartment with a woman in a black veil.”

Woman in a black veil?
Her interest was awakened.

“Nora and I won’t be in this room for very long. If the secret caller isn’t likely to show until after the dinner—the dinner doesn’t end until one o’clock. It’s several hours yet before the guests depart.”

“Find a way to keep Nora here.”

“I can’t do that. She’s already recovering. Her heart is all right.”

He looked over at the medical bag then at the clock. “Three more hours is all we need. Even if her heart is fine, she still fainted. Poor Aunt. A little nap will be good for her.”

“Zachary!”

Behind them Dr. Jerome was saying to Nora: “You’ll need to rest for a time, though. I want to make certain your recovery is strong before we take you down to the coach.”

Zach nudged her. “You see?” he whispered. “Straight from the doctor.”

Eden moved toward the bed where Nora lay.

Her father was saying, “I’ll send word to the queen and to the guests from the Legislature that Miss Nora Derrington will be just fine. As far as I can now tell, your heartbeat is normal.”

“I told you so,” Nora snapped. “Such a fuss, Jerome. I want to go back to the hotel.”

“You did faint, Aunt Nora,” Eden said quickly. “And we’re not sure why.”

“You’ll need to lie still for a while. Then we’ll take you back to the Royal Hotel,” Dr. Jerome said calmly, patting Nora’s hand. “All is well.”

Eden handed her father a glass of water that she’d stirred powder into.

“Yes, a wise idea. Here, drink this,” Jerome told Nora. “A couple of hours of rest will do you much good.”

“What is it?” Great-aunt Nora demanded suspiciously. “I don’t need any medicine.”

Eden lifted her aunt’s head from the pillow. “It’s just a minor calming powder to give you a rest while we wait to go home. I’ll stay right here with you.”

“Oh if you both insist,” Nora complained. “You’re enough to wear me out.”

“Now, now,” Jerome said as if coddling a child.

“You’re not upsetting the queen’s ball,” Zachary spoke up. “The dancing has ended. Next is the dinner, and then we’ll go home.”

Nora looked at him. “I’d almost think you wanted to keep me here, dear boy.”

Zachary plucked at his tie. “Why would you think that?” He nervously laughed.

“Yes, why indeed? I suppose Rafe is involved in this?”

Zachary’s eyes met Nora’s. A strange moment of silence followed, and then Nora sighed. “So I thought. Very well, I shall lie here until the cat is out of the bag.”

She reached for the glass. When she finished drinking, she handed the glass to Eden and said, “There, now you and Jerome should leave or you’ll miss the dinner.” She rolled over on her side.

Eden had watched this strange interplay with interest. So, then, it’s just as she’d thought earlier and Zachary was in this with Rafe. They must think Oliver was aiding this woman in a black veil—

“Eden?” Jerome said.

She nearly jumped, and turned toward him. “Yes?”

Her father showed her the medical bag. “I’ll leave this on top of that chest over there. I’m going to the State Room with Zachary. Shall we have something sent up?”

“No, I’d rather not. I don’t think Nora will awaken and want anything either.”

“Then I’ll check on both of you after the dinner. If Nora is awake and feels stronger we’ll leave at once for Kea Lani. I think she should be looked after by Noelani at the house rather than being alone at the hotel tomorrow.”

Eden nodded. When they’d gone she went to the side of the bed to peer at Nora. The powder had induced sleep. Eden frowned. What had Nora seen or heard that had upset her so deeply? Had fear or shock prompted her strength to fail? Would she explain later? If Rafe suspected anything he was likely to question her when she returned to the Royal Hotel.