Lily (Song of the River) (41 page)

This time Camellia’s smile was much steadier. “What about Jasmine?”

Lily nodded. “While you’re getting ready, I’ll explain things to her. Then we’ll go downstairs together and spend some time with Papa.”

Jasmine entered the parlor and ran toward their father. She hugged him with enthusiasm. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.” His voice choked with emotion. “Me, too.”

At least her youngest sister wasn’t going to have trouble adjusting to Papa’s reappearance. Lily envied her. How liberating to be young, without all the responsibility of adulthood. She wanted to warn Camellia to stay young as long as she could. But Lily knew that would be a waste of breath. She could well remember when she’d been as eager as Camellia to embrace adulthood.

“Hello, Camellia … Lily.” Papa nodded in their direction. With one arm still around his youngest daughter, he stepped forward.

Camellia curtsied, her skirts wide, her face downcast. “Good evening … sir. I am happy to welcome you to Les Fleurs.”

So that was how her younger sister was going to react? She was hiding behind etiquette. Lily couldn’t blame her. Who knew better than she how hard it was to trust a man who had deserted them. Perhaps if she showed that she had forgiven their father, Camellia would follow her example.

She moved toward her father and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Would you prefer we call you Father or Papa?”

While he considered his answer, Lily sat and motioned for Camellia to join her. Jasmine left her father’s embrace to perch on the tufted footstool in front of Grandmother’s chair.

After they were seated, Papa sat in a wooden chair near the fireplace. “Whichever you prefer.”

Lily cocked her head. “I think Papa suits you best.”

He nodded, a thankful smile lighting up his features. “Papa it is, then.”

Jasmine sprang from the stool. “Papa, I’m so glad you found us.”

His smile widened. “I am, too, little one. God is very good to me.”

“Will you be continuing to captain Lily’s boat … sir?” Camellia’s hands were clenched in her lap. She let out a brittle laugh. “Or will you be chaperoning us here in Natchez?”

Like an anxious parent, Lily watched the emotions flitting across her sister’s face. Anyone else might have thought Camellia poised and self-confident. They might not have caught the slight hesitation before she decided not to call him Papa. But Lily was her sister. She knew Camellia well. She recognized the uncertainty in her blue eyes. And she had the advantage of knowing firsthand the distrust her sister was experiencing. Until she had turned back to God, Lily had felt the same way.

Camellia needed to return to the
Hattie Belle.
Once she was around Papa more, she would accept him. He might not be perfect, but the love he had for them was plain to see. He had respected Lily’s wish that he remain anonymous, showing a patience and understanding that she realized now could be likened to Jesus’ love for mankind.

Now that she and Camellia had a better understanding, maybe Camellia wouldn’t resist coming back to the boat. Lily hoped she wasn’t trying to manage her sister. But regardless of what Camellia might think, she would be much better off aboard the
Hattie Belle.

Lily put her arm around Camellia’s waist. “Shall we join Grandmother for dinner? I’m sure they are wondering where we are.”

“May I come, too?” Jasmine asked with a hopeful expression.

Lily shook her head. “I thought you already ate your supper before I got back to the house.”

Jasmine’s face fell. “I don’t get to do anything fun. I wish I was back on the
Hattie Belle.
”

“Don’t worry.” Their father stood and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. “We’ll be leaving in a few days, and you and I will have plenty of time to become close friends.”

After Jasmine climbed the staircase, the others entered the library. Lily wished Blake were here to offer support, but he had declined, saying that her family needed time to themselves. At least they didn’t have to contend with other guests. She could not imagine trying to make polite conversation with some vapid planter’s wife after the emotional upheaval they had been through.

Why was Camellia so eager to join the gossip-filled, narrow-minded world of the Natchez debutante? Lily would much rather spend the evening with Jasmine in the nursery or on the deck of the
Hattie Belle.
She had promised to treat her sister as an adult who could make her own judicious choices, but it was going to be a difficult task.

Perhaps by the time Camellia was eighteen, she would understand how empty and unfulfilling the trappings of wealth could be. Lily could only pray she would come to her senses before she found herself bound by her eagerness to embrace luxury and privilege.

W
omen don’t belong on the river.

Jean Luc studied the note he’d written to make sure his handwriting was disguised. Satisfied, he folded it and handed it to the man standing in front of him. “Make sure you leave this where they can find it.”

Lars Steenberg licked his lips. “I got it. When do you want me to do it?”

Did he have to explain everything? “Wait until everyone’s off the boat. They don’t take many precautions, so I’m sure you’ll be able to get on board without much trouble.”

A snarl twisted his features. “I’ll need some money to pay for helpers if you want this job done right.”

Of course the man wanted money. Didn’t he always? Jean Luc removed his pocketbook and withdrew a few bills. Irritated to see how little cash was left, he realized it was time to ask his mother for another loan. “Make sure no one’s hurt. Remember, I only want to frighten the women, not do any lasting damage. My goal is to recover my boat. And when I do, you’ll be able to captain her again.”

“I got it.” Steenberg pocketed the money and the note.

Jean Luc wished he was not forced to work with someone so shady. But sometimes it was necessary to make compromises to reach a goal. Especially since Lily Anderson was not going to be reasonable. Dealing with Steenberg was better than pleading with her to come to her senses. No matter what it took, Jean Luc had to regain control of the
Hattie Belle.
He would use whatever tools were available, spend whatever money he could lay his hands on, do whatever he needed to. One day the boat would belong to him again.

“Keep close watch on the
Hattie Belle.
If you mess up again, you won’t see any more money from me.”

Steenberg’s laugh gnawed at Jean Luc’s patience. “It’s not like you’re making me wealthy.”

“I’ve told you I won’t have much until the
Hattie Belle
is mine again. When that happens, I’ll see you’re rewarded.” Jean Luc tamped down his anger. He needed Steenberg for now. Once he got his boat back, he’d decide if he wanted to keep Steenberg on. Trusting him wouldn’t be easy. “Just remember my instructions.”

“Don’t worry. That woman will be ready to sign the
Hattie Belle
over to you when she sees what can happen to an unguarded boat.” He slinked down Silver Street, disappearing into the mist rolling up from the river, quickly blending in with the other shadowy figures in Natchez Under-the-Hill.

Lily couldn’t remember enjoying an evening as much in a very long time. She shared a glance with Blake, wondering if he knew how much she appreciated his advice to forgive her father.

“I’m so excited about finding a school in New Orleans.” Camellia’s pleasure shone through her expression.

While Lily wasn’t looking forward to the eventual separation, it was better than letting Camellia remain in Natchez or forcing her to accompany them to New Orleans against her will.

“What do you think they’ll be able to teach you that you can’t learn on the river?” Papa propped his elbows on the table and leaned forward.

Camellia frowned. “To sit with my hands in my lap, for one thing.”

The volume of Papa’s laugh drew the attention of several other restaurant patrons.

“Camellia.” Lily shook her head. Another thing they should teach her sister was to show respect for her elders.

Camellia’s cheeks grew pink as she focused on the food on her plate.

Lily turned to Blake. “Did you have any success with your search for David’s parents?”

Blake shook his head. “His mother lives in a shack next to one of the saloons. No one has seen his father in more than a year. He hasn’t returned from California or sent word for his family to join him. I suspect he may be dead.”

A pall fell over the group as they absorbed his words. Lily’s heart sank. She had been so hopeful Blake would be able to uncover better news. “What about the orphanage?”

“I spoke with the manager. She says they can take him in.”

“Why can’t we let the boy stay with us?” Papa’s question turned everyone’s attention back to her.

Lily tucked her napkin under the edge of her plate as she considered how to voice her concerns. “David is a sweet boy, and I appreciate the affection he lavishes on Jasmine.” She glanced toward Blake, buoyed by his encouraging smile. “But adoption is not a responsibility I’m ready to shoulder. I don’t know the first thing about raising a boy. I hope his father will return, and David needs to be where he can be found, not traipsing up and down the river.”

Blake continued the explanation. “David doesn’t want to be adopted, either. He loves his father and believes he will come back one day to rescue him. He wants to stay in Natchez so he’ll be here when his father returns.”

“Blake and I didn’t want him living on the streets, so we told David he could stay here if he would agree to remain at the orphanage and apply himself to his studies.” Lily finished the story. It was odd how well their minds worked together. As though they were an old, married couple. She supposed it came from their business partnership.

“Does Jasmine know?” Camellia had recovered her equilibrium enough to reenter the conversation. “She’ll miss him terribly.”

“I haven’t told her yet.” Lily dreaded that moment. Jasmine was with Tamar at Les Fleurs this evening. While she had spent almost all her waking hours with David since they’d rescued him, Jasmine would have her family to support her. Lily sent a thankful prayer to the Lord for that blessing.

A servant removed their dinner plates before serving small bowls of chilled quince pudding, one of Lily’s favorites. “I wonder if we could serve this during our next trip.”

“I imagine so.” Blake spooned a bite of the fluffy pink dessert, his face registering pleasure. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted it before. What is it?”

“Quince pudding.” Papa answered. He turned to Lily. “I saw an island covered in quince trees a few months back. Unless someone else has harvested the fruit, we can plan on stopping there on our way to New Orleans next week.”

She smiled. “Perfect.”

Blake settled their account while Papa escorted them to the waiting carriage. “We’ll walk back to the boat.”

Lily shook her head. She wanted to extend the pleasant evening. “We’ll take you. I wanted to ask Jensen about our linens. He mentioned something about new ones the other day, and I haven’t had the chance to get back with him.”

Blake walked up as she spoke. “What time will we see you on Monday?”

“She wants to go to the boat right now.”