Lily (Song of the River) (42 page)

The two men exchanged glances. Blake turned to her. “I don’t like the idea of you and Camellia riding through that area at night.”

“We’ll be perfectly safe inside the carriage.” She indicated the empty seat opposite her. “Now get in and stop being contrary.”

Blake shrugged. “I suppose we’d better do as she says.”

The men climbed in, and the carriage began the steep descent. The streets were dark, as was the waterfront. Only the saloons showed activity. The saloons and one of the steamboats.

Lily’s heart plunged. She hoped it was not a fire. As they drew closer, she realized the light was coming from lamps, not a fire. Her heart resumed its normal position until she looked more closely and realized the boat was hers. “Something is wrong.”

The carriage came to a halt, and Blake pushed the door open. “Stay here while I see what’s going on.”

Lily ignored his command, climbing down before anyone could stop her. Whatever was going on, she did not want to remain in the dark. Her livelihood was at risk.

She crossed the gangplank on Blake’s heels and saw the destruction firsthand. Barrels had been overturned. The door to the staterooms hung at an angle. Her heart thudded. She dreaded seeing her room, but that would have to wait.

Blake was bent over someone propped against the outside rail. A group of strangers, many of whom carried lanterns, stood in a loose circle around him. Jensen! She hurried forward until she could see Jensen’s face. “Are you all right?”

Jensen held a handkerchief to his head. A stain—looking like blood—covered part of his shirt. “Yes, ma’am. The varmints surprised me. Gave me a bit of a headache. I’ll be fine, but the rooms are pretty bad.”

Blake frowned at her. “I thought I told you to wait.”

“You are neither my father nor my husband.” She turned to go toward their quarters, but a strong grip on her arm held her still.

“Lily, listen to reason. I don’t want you going anywhere on this boat until we’re sure the thieves are no longer on board.”

Papa and Camellia appeared at her elbow before Lily could respond. Blake’s words had given her pause. Especially since Camellia was here.

“I think they’ve gone.” Jensen lowered his hand and pointed to one of the strangers. “He’s the one saw what was going on and called for help. Them cowards went running when they realized they might get caught.”

Papa dragged out a chair for Jensen from the dining room. “Did you recognize any of them?”

“I never got a chance.” Jensen took the offered chair. “They come up behind me and tapped my head with a cudgel. I didn’t see nothing until this fellow here helped me sit up.”

“Don’t worry.” Blake’s mouth tightened. “We’ll catch them.”

Camellia leaned toward Jensen. “Do you feel woozy?”

He grinned. “Nah. It’ll take a lot worse to break this head of mine. But I am a bit worried about my handsome face.”

Comforted by his quip, Lily turned her attention to the boat. Papa was questioning the other men about what they’d seen, but Blake had disappeared. Anger carried her into the passageway. How dare he sneak off while she was distracted?

She headed for the room she shared with her sisters. The paintings they had hung to enliven the passageways had been torn down or sliced to ribbons. So much hard work undone in a matter of minutes. She supposed she should be thankful. It could have been much worse.

The light faded as she got farther from the main deck. Why hadn’t she asked to borrow a lantern? A movement ahead made Lily’s breath catch. Had Jensen been wrong?

A door opened—her stateroom—and flickering light outlined a familiar shape. She breathed a sigh of relief when she recognized Blake. “I thought I told you to remain with the others.” He folded a piece of paper and tucked it into his shirt pocket.

“How bad is it?”

He shrugged. “They didn’t do as much damage here as on the main deck.”

She considered his face. Did the lamplight make him look so distressed? “What are you hiding from me?”

Blake shook his head. “Nothing. Let’s go check on Jensen.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll get all of this cleaned up, Lily. Don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it looks.”

She wanted to believe him, but it was difficult. Lily remembered her earlier assurance that she and Camellia would be safe driving through Under-the-Hill. How could she have been so naive?

N
ew Orleans seemed even busier than during their first visit. It took nearly two hours to secure a decent berth for unloading their cargo, and they would have to move to another location for the duration of their stay. Blake wondered how long it would be. Lily had mentioned finding a finishing school for Camellia. She’d probably want to interview several before making her decision.

“There you are.” Lily’s voice pulled Blake from his reverie.

As she walked toward him, her footsteps sure and fast, he could not but admire this woman. Ever since the day she’d broken down in front of him, something had changed in the way he viewed her. Although she appeared self-confident, he knew firsthand the fears she hid from the rest of the world. She might be autocratic and jump to the wrong conclusion from time to time, but no one was perfect. And she had shown him a flawless picture of forgiveness.

During the voyage to New Orleans, Lily had been unfailingly warm and loving toward Captain Henrick, introducing him as her father to their guests and spending her afternoons visiting him in the pilothouse. They had delayed their voyage one day when they stopped at the island that held quince trees. Jensen cooked the fruit, and they enjoyed a quince pudding that put to shame the one they’d enjoyed at the restaurant.

Lily seemed happier, as if letting go of her resentment had healed her in some way. He wondered if the resentment he felt toward his father was weighing him down. But how could a person let go of resentment when he’d been wronged?

“I’ve arranged for a carriage to take you and Tamar and your sisters to the Thorntons’ home.” His fingers itched to touch the strand of hair that blew across her face. “I will also hire some guards to remain on the ship.”

She looked troubled. “Do you think we will be targeted again?”

“Not really, but I don’t want to take any chances.” He still hadn’t mentioned the note he’d found in her room because he didn’t want to add to her concerns. But he was determined to find the culprit who had engineered the attack. When he found him, the man would wish he had left them alone.

“You look so solemn. I’m beginning to be worried. Are you hiding something from me?”

“I don’t want to have any trouble.” She was too perceptive. To distract her attention, he changed the subject. “How is Camellia doing?”

Her brows drew together in a frown. “I’m not sure. She is still so stiff with Papa. I wish she could let go of her anger. I worry that she is still upset with me, too.”

“I don’t think so, Lily. I imagine she’s preoccupied with that finishing school you promised her.”

“It worked as a bribe, but I’m beginning to have second thoughts. Camellia sometimes seems to be hiding behind a mask.” Lily pushed the strand behind her ear, but it escaped and blew back across her face. “What if the school we choose reinforces that tendency? She is at the very cusp of adulthood. What if I make the wrong choice, and she is ruined for life?”

Blake smiled. “I’m sure Mrs. Thornton and her daughter can help you avoid making a mistake.”

“Thank you for knowing exactly the right thing to say.” She tucked the errant strand back once more. Once more it blew free.

“Turn around.”

She looked up at him, a question in her gaze.

“Trust me, Lily.”

“I do.” She turned to face the dock. Blake stepped behind her and pulled one of her hair clips out. He used his hand to smooth back her hair, especially the strands that had broken free. Then he refastened the hair clip and stepped back to the rail.

She shot him a glance. “I don’t want to know how you learned to do that.”

Laughter rumbled through him. “I have a younger sister.”

“Really?” She looked up at him. “I didn’t realize that.”

Silence fell between them, a companionable silence. His thoughts wandered back to the burglary. “I wonder where Captain Steenberg is working.”

“Do you think he attacked the boat?”

Why had he spoken out loud? “I don’t know, but he did threaten me when I told him to leave.”

She turned at his admission. “I didn’t know that.”

“I didn’t want to tell you because I knew he was recommended by your friend Monsieur Champney.”

Her sheepish look brought a smile to his face. “I’m so sorry. But believe me. Jean Luc Champney is not exactly my friend. I have discovered we do not see eye to eye.”

His smile deepened. He looked away from her. Was the sun brighter than it had been moments ago?

She leaned against the rail, her arm very close to his. “How long before the carriage will be here?”

Contentment bathed Blake in warmth. He wanted to linger next to Lily. “It will wait until you and the others are ready, but I have a question.”

“As long as it has nothing to do with finishing schools.” Her gaze teased him.

“Okay, I’ll ask the other question.” He took a deep breath. “I was thinking you and your sisters might enjoy an evening at the theater.”

Another sideways glance. “Are you offering to escort us?”

“If I was, would you accept?” He held his breath, his heart pounding so hard he thought she might be able to hear it.

“Why certainly, sir. How could I resist such a sweet offer?” Her smile made his heart triple its speed.

“Why, Miss Anderson”—he fought to keep his voice light—“I do believe you have a bit of the debutante in you. Are you sure you haven’t spent time in a finishing school yourself?”

Her giggle was music to his ears. She had been too serious of late.

As though she had read his mind, Lily sobered. “I need to ask you for something, too.”

Now what? He braced himself for bad news. “Go ahead.”

“I want you to consider contacting your family.”

He should have known. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

She turned to face him. Her chocolate-brown eyes pleaded for him to listen. “Yes, I do. When you told me I should tell my family the truth, you were right. But before I could face them, I had to go to God and ask for His help in forgiving my father.”

He felt her hand on his arm. He wanted to shake it off. He wanted to tell her to get in the carriage and leave him alone. To preserve their friendship, he folded his mouth into a straight line and said nothing.

“You were there when I needed you, Blake. I’ll never be able to repay you for supporting me during a very difficult time. I want to offer you similar support.” She squeezed his arm once before releasing it. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

He shook his head. Maybe one day he would be able to talk about this subject. But that day was not now. He watched as she walked away from him. Then he turned back to the dock. He didn’t know if that day would ever arrive.

Lily looked in the mirror atop her dressing table and caught sight of Tamar’s pursed lips. “Do I look that bad?”

Tamar shook her head. “I like your gray dress better. This is a special evening. You know you should dress up.”

A knock on the door stopped Lily’s protest. “Come in.”

Mrs. Thornton opened the door, a broad smile wreathing her face.

It had been so good to see her friend again. Lily enjoyed the pampering she received at the Thorntons’ home, but she valued even more the relationship she and Mrs. Thornton shared. Why couldn’t Aunt Dahlia be a little more like her?

“Oh no, dear, you must wear the dress you bought on Canal Street. It will complement the little gift I brought for you to wear.” She opened her hand to reveal a pair of exquisite pearl-gray hair combs.

Lily could feel her mouth drop open. “They’re beautiful, but I cannot accept such an expensive gift.”

Mrs. Thornton frowned. “I bought these last year on a whim. But I’ve never found anything to wear them with. You must accept them. It would make me very happy.”