Rapture's Rendezvous (36 page)

“Early tomorrow morning.”

“I plan to be in Hawkinsville day after tomorrow,” he said. “Isn't there some place we can meet?”

Maria's eyes faltered. She was not yet familiar with Nathan's house, or his schedule of coming and going. She suddenly thought of Ruby. Could . . . they . . . ? But no. Too many eyes were there. She couldn't take that chance. “I don't know, Michael,” she finally said. “Maybe it's too .. . soon. .. .”

He held her shoulders more tightly. “No. It isn't,” he demanded. “By God, I will see you. Day after tomorrow. More than likely, Nathan will have business to' attend to after being away, so you should be free to come and go as you please.”

“But. .. how . . . ? Where . . . ?”

“You're familiar with the iron bridge that leads from Hawkinsville to Nathan's estate and Ruby's house?”

Blushing, Maria's eyes lowered, remembering her night with Michael at Ruby's house. “Yes, I know.”

“We can meet near the grove of trees and hide in that deep Indian grass. Around noon. When everyone will be too busy to catch two lovers in the grass.”

Maria's pulsebeat raced. She gazed upward into his blue eyes and clung to him one more time, then pulled the hood of her cape over her head. “I will try to be there, Michael,” she said. “You know I will try.”

Michael walked with her to the door and opened it
and kissed her briefly. “Be careful, darling,” he whis-
pered, reaching a hand for her as she hurried on away
from him. He watched until she disappeared down the
staircase, then closed the door and leaned heavily
against it. He hung his head, kneading his brow.
“Damn that bastard Nathan Hawkins. Damn him all
to hell “

Having just returned from Saint Louis, Maria was exhausted and glad when the carriage moved in front of Nathan's house. Her corset felt as though it had been laced too tightly and she was ready to shed her dress of London Smoke Cloth with its embroidered silk braid. She was anxious to change into one of her new skirts and shirtwaists. When she had tried them on at Nugent's, she had noticed that they felt quite a bit more comfortable than the fancier dresses chosen by Nathan.

She knew that she was a picture of style, in her hat with its egret plume and satin-faced brim. But all these changes had been thrust on her much too quickly. She only wished to be simple again, to be the Maria her Papa and Alberto would know.

“Maria, I have many things to attend to in Creal Springs,” Nathan said, tipping his hat to her. “I may be gone for some time. Maybe even overnight. I have another house in Creal Springs where I can stay. If my meetings go too much into the late hours of the night, I shall stay there. Mama Pearl will see to your comforts.”

Maria's eyes widened. She placed a gloved hand to her throat. “You have another house? Besides this
one?” she gasped. Was Nathan even wealthier than she had at first thought? This could cause Michael to have an even harder time succeeding with his plans for his union organization.

“Yes.-Someday I shall take you there. But now I must take leave of you. You appear to need a bit of rest anyway. You are a bit pale.” He reached in front of Maria and opened the door for her. “And your things should have arrived ahead of us. I saw to it that they were whisked from the train and taken to our house so you would be able to change into something more comfortable upon our arrival.”

“Thank you, Nathan,” Maria said, lifting her bead-covered clutch purse, scooting toward the opened door. She felt a bit in awe at hearing his house now being also referred to as hers. But it was indeed a truth. She was now Mrs. Nathan Hawkins. Oh, how that name caused a bitterness to rise in her throat.

Nathan lifted her free hand and kissed it almost gallantly. “You will be all right, Maria?” he asked.

“Yes. Quite,” she answered, pulling her hand free from his. Stepping from the carriage into the fading rays of the late afternoon sun, she moved toward the house, not stopping to look back at Nathan. It was such a relief to be away from him. How could she bear a lifetime with such a man?

A sense of remorse tremored through her, then she tensed when the shrill whistle from the coal mine reverberated through the air. It was a reminder of her Papa and Alberto. What would they think when they saw her so changed? Shame caused her face to burn. But surely they would understand. She had done it for them. For
the whole Italian community. She would seek her revenge. Hadn't she already begun?

She looked in the direction of the coal mine, seeing the tipple looming ominously into the sky. She knew that below that earth her Papa and Alberto were coming to the end of their hard day's labor. Then she suddenly remembered Michael's words about the dangers of the mine—how each time the men were carried beneath the earth the chances were quite great that they possibly would not return . . . alive.

“What shall I do?” she whispered, now rushing on toward the house. “What can Michael even truly do? Nathan is so powerful. Nathan is so devious.”

The front door swung open, revealing the bulkmess of Mama Pearl standing there, smiling warmly as she wiped her hands on her apron. Her gray hair made a nice contrast with her brown face. And her attire was the same as before—a fully gathered cotton dress that caused her hips to appear even wider than they were.

Maria stepped onto the porch, looking around her at the white wicker furniture, knowing that she would have time to explore this mansion that was now in part hers. She hadn't been able to do so before. Nathan had been too anxious to sweep her away to Saint Louis, where he could transform her from an Italian waif into a grand lady of style.

Mama Pearl moved in a rush for Maria, pulling her into her embrace, hugging her tightly. “Sweet Baby,” she purred. “Ya'all looks so pale. Was the first nights of marriage so hard?” Her heavy, thick hands caressed Maria's back.

Maria looked in confusion around her, not under
standing this heavyset woman's open affection for someone she had just become acquainted with. But Maria had to think that this Mama Pearl would probably feel a closeness to anyone she had just met. She had the jolly personality of someone who never met a stranger. Maria sighed deeply when Mama Pearl finally released her hold and guided her into the house.

“Your trunks arrived a while ago,” Mama Pearl said in her squeaky voice. “I had them taken to your private room. You would probably like a soaking in the tub before doing anything else. I drew your bath and filled the water with some bubblies for you to settle yourself beneath.”

Maria's mouth dropped open. “A bath? Bubblies? Does this house .. . have … a toilet?”

“Three,” Mama Pearl giggled. “One for my quarters, one for yours, and one for Mastah Hawkins's own private bedroom.”

“Do you mean that I will have a room … all to … myself… 7' Maria asked hopefully. If she and Nathan weren't in the same bed each evening, maybe she wouldn't have to play the wife so often. Shivers raced up and down her spine, remembering how quickly he had always mounted her and left her lying feeling so used. Never once had he asked if she had enjoyed it. He had just thought of his needs. Only his needs. But, in fact, she had been grateful for that. In no way would he ever be able to arouse any sexual feelings in her.

“Mastah Hawkins's business hours often move into the awkward hours of the night,” Mama Pearl said, moving from chair to chair, fluffing cushions. “A private bedroom was his suggestion, so he wouldn't
disturb you in the sometimes wee hours of the morning.”

“Oh, I see,” Mana said, still oh so relieved. Her gaze traveled around the room, seeing more of it this second time. A fireplace that covered the narrower, longer wall grabbed her quick attention. She knew that the chimney would have to be cleaned yearly. Were there chimney sweeps in the area? Would there possibly even be one she would have to hire? It made a strange sensation surge through her realizing that she was now in the position to do the hiring, instead of being the one being hired. But many things had changed since a few days ago. Many, many things.

She looked further around her, marveling at the lightbulbs shining so clearly from the crystal chandelier and the many wall sconces. What a marvelous invention to not have to strike a match to a wick to bring forth enough light to light a room. The lights of Saint Louis had been an incredible sight, as was everything about that marvelous city. She could understand why such a man as Michael would live there. Was he not a great man?

She moved to a back window, staring outward at the row after row of grapevines. She turned to Mama Pearl, eyes heavy with wonder. “Mama Pearl, why does Nathan have such a vineyard? Does he have such an interest in the growing of grapes with his thoughts being so full of his coal mine?”

Mama Pearl moved to her side and pulled a drape aside, also looking outward. “He hopes one day to have a wine named aftah him. How bettah than to start with growm' his own grapes for wine?”

“A wine named after him?” Maria said, wanting to laugh out loud. It so sounded like something Nathan would want. He was so egotistical… so arrogant.

‘If ah knows mah Mastah Hawkins very well, he'll succeed,” Mama Pearl giggled. “He usually gets every-thin' he hungahs foh.”

Maria moved away from the window, working her gloves from her fingers, one at a time. “You do like Nathan, don't you?” she asked softly.

Mama Pearl straightened the drapes, smoothing their lines with her deft fingers. “He's been good to me,” she said. “Can't ask foh more than that.” She moved to Maria's side. “Now are you ready to be shown your room, Sweet Baby?” She reached up and touched the softness of Maria's hat. Envy showed at the depth of Mama Pearl's eyes. Maria understood such envy. Up until only a few days before, she had felt such envy, almost a hunger inside when she had seen beautifully attired ladies.

Smiling, Maria reached up and removed two hatpins from her hat and lifted the hat from her head. “Do you like the hat, Mama Pearl?” she asked softly, handing it to Mama Pearl.

“One of the prettiest ah've evah seen,” Mama Pearl sighed, running her fingers along the satin-faced brim.

“It's yours,” Maria said, taking one of Mama Pearl's hands, easing her hat into it.

“Mine . . . ?” Mama Pearl gasped, eyes wide. “But ah'm sho Mastah Hawkins wouldn't want you to. . . .”

Maria straightened her back and set her jaws firmly. “I don't care what Nathan Hawkins thinks,” she said. “If I want to give a gift to you, it is my right to do so.
Please accept this hat as a gift from me to you as a
souvenir from the great city of Saint Louis.”
“But.. . it's yours “

Maria sighed heavily, loosening her hair from its combs and pins. “Mama Pearl, didn't you see the many hatboxes delivered to this house? Nathan must have purchased one of each style for me. I won't miss just one. Please believe me.”

Maria placed her combs and pins on a table, then went to Mama Pearl. “Here. Let me place it atop your head,” she said softly. She took the hat and arranged it over the tight, gray bun, seeing a softness in Mama Pearl's eyes as she did so. Mama Pearl reached up and touched it gingerly, making Maria proud. Maria stepped back, eyes wide, smiling. “Like it, Mama Pearl?” she asked, clasping her hands together in front of her.

Mama Pearl's fingers movecl over it, then she broke into a fit of giggles. “Land's sake, Sweet Baby,” she said. “Nevah, no nevah have ah had such a thing of style on this head of mine.”

Maria giggled also, then tensed when a loud banging on the front door forced an awkward silence between her and Mama Pearl. When the knocking persisted, Mama Pearl rushed to the door and opened it, exclaiming loudly, “You again? Why do you con-tinue to pestah me so?”

Maria's heartbeat skipped when she heard the loud voice of Alberto traveling across the threshold into the room.

“I'm here to see Maria Lazzaro,” he boomed. ‘Just like I have been for the past several days. Has she
arrived back here yet? If so, I must see her. Til put it even more strongly than that. 1
insist
on seeing her.”

With weakened knees, Maria hurried to the door and stepped in front of Mama Pearl. “Alberto? Oh. Alberto,” she cried, rushing into his arms.

“Maria, what is this all about?” he demanded, pushing her away from him, holding her at arm's length, studying her. His eyes raked over her, over and over again, seeing the fanciness of her attire. He had never seen his sister look so beautiful. But in Nathan Hawkins's house? Explanations were due!

“Did you and Papa receive word by messenger, Alberto?” Maria asked, wiping a tear from her eye. She now realized that a part of her had just been put in place again. She and Alberto had never been separated before. Seeing him now made her ache, knowing that she had put him from her mind so easily.

“Yes. We received word all right,” Alberto growled. “Word that you had ventured off with Nathan Hawkins to Saint Louis.”

“Didn't the message state that I was to become . . .
Nathan Hawkins's wife?” Maria gasped, paling. Had
Nathan felt it safer not to include that tidbit of infor-
mation? Maybe he had guessed the anger of Alberto

Alberto dropped his hands to his sides, eyes wide. “Did you . . . say . . . wife . .. ?” he gasped, also pal-ing.

Maria's gaze lowered. She fluttered her lashes nervously. “Yes. I am now … his wife . . . Alberto,” she confessed.

Alberto grabbed her by the shoulders and began shaking her violently. “No,” he screamed. “No. No. It
just can't be. You . . . wouldn't. . . .”

Mama Pearl pushed Alberto away from Maria and stood with hands on hips between brother and sister. “I don't think ah'd lay anothah hand on Mastah Hawkins's bride, suh,” she said firmly.

Maria moved to Mama Pearl's side and took a hand in hers. “Mama Pearl, this is my brother Alberto,” she said softly. “Please don't fret over me. My brother has reasons for such anger.”