Karen Michelle Nutt (6 page)

"Whut's goin' on here?”

Startled, Sally Mae slammed her hand down on the keys like a gavel. The effect was just as severe. Sally Mae slid from her seat. "Sorry Maeve. Miss Annabelle wuz showin' me how to play."

"You leaves Miss Arianna alone. Do you hear me?"

Arianna intervened. "I asked her to join me."

Maeve’s shoulder relaxed. "Still, she has things to take care of.” She motioned for Sally Mae to move. The little girl reluctantly made her way to the door. She stopped and looked back to Arianna. "Thank you, Miss... Arianna."

"You are very welcome, Sally Mae.” The little girl smiled and left humming the little ditty.

"You have a kind heart, Miss Arianna. But you must be careful. Not many white folks would like you bein' so friendly with my kind."

"What do you mean your kind? We were having fun. Surely there is no harm in teaching the child to play.”

Maeve eyes softened. "Where you come from things must shore be different.” Before Arianna could question her, she had changed the subject. "We need to get you ready fer tonight’s gatherin’."

"Gathering?"

"Yas'm. It be a small get together, but I want ter fix you up real purdy."

"Should I know these people?” Arianna felt queasy all of a sudden.

"Some, I'd say. You don’t have ter worry none.” Maeve told Arianna, seeming to understand her reservation.

"I can’t do this, Maeve."

"You kin. Mista Keldon will help you."

She followed Maeve upstairs to her room. "Did Keldon and I marry for love?"

The woman actually chuckled. "You’s not married ter Mista Keldon."

"But I thought—"

"Annabelle be married ter Mista Keldon. You’ve gone and took her place."

"You keep saying that. How did I take her place?"

"Don't knows dat, but I hope you's stayin'. As far as everyone knows, you be Misses Buchanan ‘cause you look jest like her. But you be a sweet girl. Mista Keldon will fall in love with you. Not ter worry."

Arianna was more confused than ever. Why did everyone think she was Annabelle Buchanan if she wasn't, and how did Maeve know the truth? "I don't think I like Keldon," she confessed.

Maeve shook her head a smile touching her lips. "I’m shore you will change your mind. He's a gud man dat Mista Keldon. The ladies shore do think he’s purdy."

Arianna harrumphed. “Maybe the ladies would like to have him then.”

Maeve chuckled again. “Ah don’t gets yourself all works up fer nothin’. Mista Keldon and you belong together.”

CHAPTER SIX

Maeve helped Arianna dress. She slipped on the white soft silk under dress and a powder blue crape robe over it. Maeve fussed with her hair, pulling part of it up in the back, and curling the remaining around her face so that it showed off her delicate features.

Arianna put on the white kid shoes then ran her hand down her dress to straighten it, feeling uncomfortable with the attire. "I feel like I'm dressed up for a play.” She looked at Maeve.

"You look real purdy," Maeve said as she placed a necklace around her neck to finish her outfit.

"I really look okay?"

"Breathtaking,” a deep-timbered voice answered her. Arianna turned to see Keldon standing in the doorway, dressed in his finery. Her pulse kicked up a beat. He had pulled his thick dark hair back and tied at the base of his neck. His shirt was white with a high collar and he wore tan breeches with white knit stockings that covered his well-shaped calves. To finish the attire, he wore a blue double-breasted jacket with bronze buttons.

"Madam, are ye ready?”

“Hmm?” Her eyes fluttered a moment before she met his disarming smile. Heat flared in her cheeks and she knew an unwelcome blush crept across her face. Damn her fair skin for betraying her. She’d been ogling him and if the amusement in his eyes was any indication, he was well aware of it. "Yes, I… well, yes, I think so."

He approached her then and tucked her arm under his. The impulse must have surprised him for he hesitated and looked down at her as if he expected her to pull away.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

His gaze touched her features as if he wasn’t sure. He shook his head and smiled. “Come, our guests will be arrivin’ soon.”

Keldon stated each of the guests’ names as they entered. Now if she could just keep all of them straight in her head.

Bernard and Elizabeth Prescott arrived first. Bernard carried at least twenty extra pounds in his gut. He wore his thinning hair slicked back and his bulbous nose stood out like a clump of clay. He had a habit of sneaking a drink from a flask he had hidden in his coat. Elizabeth stood two inches taller than her husband and she wore her rich brown hair tightly wound into a bun. She looked down her straight nose at everyone and fluttered her eyes when irritated. The Prescott's were a perfect match—pompous, condescending, and if they lifted their noses any higher, rain would pour into their nostrils and drown the both of them.

Nicholas Sherborn arrived next, tall, slightly built with aristocrat features of a privilege born Englishman. When he smiled, charming dimples dented both sides of his cheeks. His alluring charms gave her the impression he left many women’s hearts weeping.

Vincent Aubrey, she had already met earlier in the day. His amber colored eyes sparkled with mischief. His cultured voice betrayed he once lived in France. Arianna liked Vincent’s easy demeanor and he seemed to enjoy her company as he told her of his sister, Chantal and her husband living in New Orleans. He may be one person she hadn’t hurt in her questionable past.

Doc Hathaway and his wife Martha joined them also. Martha brought her servant, Grace with her. She claimed she needed Grace to help her freshen up before dinner. Arianna did her best not to roll her eyes. Truly couldn’t the woman powder her own nose? Grace stayed with the other servants while they dined.

Leighton McRae, Arianna finally learned from Maeve, was a long time friend of the family and had resided with the Buchanans since Keldon was a boy. He arrived last. Arianna wondered what he’d been doing.

She knew Leighton didn’t like her or trust her. He made it obvious by the way he watched her every move. She mentally added him to her list of people she must have wronged.

As the night progressed, Keldon suggested they should relax in the drawing room. Arianna stayed behind hoping to escape the tedious mingling. Maeve wouldn’t let her and pushed her out of the dining room. Pushy servant.

She sighed and was resigned to endure the rest of the evening, but sniffles alerted her that someone was crying. She halted her steps. She followed the sound around the corner where she witnessed Doc Hathaway hugging Grace.

“Oh.”

They both turned, coming apart. Grace gasped. Her dark eyes widened and she covered her mouth, stifling a cry.

“Go now, Grace,” Doc Hathaway told her.

She scampered away like a frightened rabbit.

“Talk about uncomfortable,” Arianna mumbled. “I didn’t mean to—”

“You won’t say anything to Martha, will you?” Doc Hathaway licked his lips. “I keep your secret and you keep mine.”

“Your affair with Grace is the secret I’m keeping?”

“Affair,” he huffed as if offended. “You know Grace is my daughter.”

“Oh, I… oh.” Arianna’s eyebrows furrowed.

“You truly don’t remember, do you? I thought…”

“You thought I was faking.”

He cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Mrs. Buchanan. Please don’t tell Martha. She’ll send Grace away. I won’t be able to protect her then.”

“She’s your wife’s slave.”

“You know there isn’t any other way. While she’s the house servant, I can ensure her safety and a much easier life than if she was a field slave.”

Arianna didn’t know what to say.

“You will keep my secret,” he insisted she give her word.

Doc Hathaway feared she wouldn’t and that revelation didn’t sit well with her. She placed her hand on his arm. “Doc Hathaway, your secret is safe with me. I would never put Grace at risk.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, about my secret your safe keeping for me, would you—”

Doc Hathaway stiffened.

“What is it?”

“Annabelle.” Keldon’s voiced boomed.

Arianna jumped. “Must you yell?” She turned to glare at him.

“The guests are waitin’.” He waved his hand down the hall.

Arianna sighed and looked at Doc Hathaway. “Will you be joining us?”

“Yes… Yes, of course.”

Arianna could feel Keldon’s heated gaze. She wished he hadn’t showed up when he did. She wanted to know what her secret was and why she forced Doc Hathaway to keep it. She had a sinking feeling it couldn’t be good.

With everyone seated, Samuel poured drinks for the guests. Samuel, who preferred to walk around barefoot most of the time, was dressed formally tonight.

The talk turned to politics and Arianna tried not to yawn. She downed her second glass of wine.

"Have you heard how the war has progressed of late?” Vincent Aubrey gave the opening to the evening’s conversation.

"General Ross' force marched on Washington is what I heard.” Bernard Prescott nodded his head.

Arianna sat up straight. She knew this. She read about it somewhere.

"In retaliation to the burning of York," Nicholas Sherborn added.

“Where was our Army?” Elizabeth Prescott joined in.

Vincent addressed Elizabeth. "Madame Prescott, our army took it upon themselves to flee.”

"Oh my. Yes, I remember reading about this,” Arianna spoke up.

All eyes turned toward her.

“They made it to Virginia," Arianna continued, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"Oui.” Vincent eyebrows rose.

Arianna’s gaze touched Keldon’s. She wanted to impress him, let him know she grasped a memory. She chuckled. "I would have loved to have seen President Madison’s face. I bet he turned all shades of purple.” She waved her hand. “He blamed John Armstrong for the capture and the burning of Washington. I believe he decided to name James Monroe as interim Secretary of War, am I right?”

"Where did ye hear this information?" Leighton said with such venom that Arianna would have backed up a space, if she hadn’t been sitting down.

"It’s common knowledge,” she answered him sharply. “Check your history books, if you don't believe me.” How dare he question her?

Keldon stepped in. "Enough. Annabelle, why don’t ye play us a tune?” He gently helped her to her feet and led her to the harpsichord.

"I thought you said I never played before," she hissed at him, trying to break his hold.

"Aye, I dinnae think ye did, but ye proved me wrong.” He put pressure on her arm until she was forced to sit. "Now, be a good lass for once and play somethin' sweet."

"Did you know your Scottish accent becomes more pronounced when you’re angry?"

His eyes flashed in a now familiar display of impatience. "Just play.”

Arianna flinched at the silken thread of warning in his voice. What had she done wrong, anyway? All night she’d been the perfect hostess, and she refused to be treated as a naughty child now.

He wanted her to play something sweet. Well, too bad.

Her mind raced. She wanted to pick just the right song for him, one where his hair would stand up on end.

Her eyes narrowed and a slow smile spread across her face. She ran her fingers over the harpsichord with a sweet melody, pretending to do as her ill-tempered husband bid. His smug smile riled her further. As he raised his glass of wine to his lips, she let loose, pounding on the keys.

Keldon choked on his drink.

"Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!" she screeched.

Keldon’s eyes bulged and a vein popped out at his temple.

She couldn’t wait to give him the finale. She stood, throwing the bench behind her. She swayed to the music and enjoyed every second of Keldon's discomfort. The words bolted from her lips so everyone could hear.

When she finished she turned and curtsied to the stunned guests. Elizabeth eyes fluttered like butterflies as she clutched her throat.

Bernard turned red and quickly pulled out his flask.

Doc Hathaway clutched his wife as she threatened to faint.

Nicholas smirked, but said nothing.

Vincent Aubrey, bless his soul, smiled and clapped his hands. "Brava! Brava! Where did you learn to play with such finesse?"