Camellia (15 page)

“Yes, sir. I’ll check with Mrs. Dabbs.” The girl led him to the visitors’ parlor before scurrying toward the back of the school.

A pendulum clock on the mantel marked the minutes while he waited. Jonah was about to go in search of Mrs. Dabbs and her charges when the lady appeared at the door, Jane behind her. The older lady carried a basket of handwork, apparently something to occupy her while she chaperoned her charge. He gave both of them his winningest smile, a smile that barely faltered when Camellia’s blond ringlets and familiar features came into view behind her friend. Why was she with Jane? His plan would not be as easy to carry out if she was going to remain in the room. He’d counted on letting her friend tell her his errand later.

“Good morning, Mr. Thornton.” Mrs. Dabbs swept into the room, a question in her gaze.

She must be wondering if he had more information to pass along to her. A slight shake of his head gave her the answer.

The reason for this visit was different. He needed to secure a valid reason for attending the end-of-the-term dance. And he needed to get as close to Captain Watkins as possible. “It’s a beautiful day,” he said.

He bowed at all three of them as they took seats in the parlor. The younger girls sat on the sofa next to each other while he and Mrs. Dabbs sat in chairs across from them.

Camellia unfurled her fan and fluttered it with practiced ease. “Are your parents well?”

Jonah nodded at her but turned to Jane as he made his answer. “As well as can be expected since their lovely guests departed.” He sent the auburn-haired beauty a smoldering look, one he remembered from his earlier days. One that had always gotten a positive response from females, whether in ballrooms or parlors.

His effort was wasted as Jane’s brown gaze swept past him and settled on something behind him. “How kind of you, sir. We very much enjoyed our weekend, didn’t we, Camellia?”

He wanted to look back over his shoulder to see if someone else had entered and was about to cuff him. Managing to control the impulse, his gaze clashed with the sparkling blue gaze of the minx sitting beside Jane.

Camellia’s eyes danced as though she read his thoughts. “Yes, indeed. Your mother and father are
two
of my favorite people.”

He swallowed a grin at the barbed comment. He got the message. He was not one of her favorite people. Jonah raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure they would want me to return the compliment.” Which was not to say he would. Miss Anderson was not the only one who could use double meanings to make a point.

A slave entered with a tea tray and set it down on the table between the sofa and his chair.

“Would you care to serve?”

Jane’s eyes opened wide in response to Mrs. Dabbs’s question. “I think it’s Camellia’s turn.”

“Very well.” Mrs. Dabbs nodded to Camellia and reached for her embroidery, effectively divorcing herself from the conversation.

Closing her fan with a snap, Camellia rolled her eyes and reached for the teapot. “Would you care for sugar, Mr. Thornton?”

“What need have I for sugar when I’m surrounded by such sweet temperaments?”

Camellia tossed him a dirty look, one that made his smile widen.

Jane looked from one of them to the other, her brow wrinkled. She was a beauty but apparently did not understand the joy of verbal sparring with a worthy opponent.

Jonah reached out to accept the cup Camellia offered. “How are your needlework skills progressing?”

The liquid threatened to overcome the lip of the porcelain cup as she jerked. “How dare you,” she hissed between clenched teeth, practically dropping the cup and saucer into his hand.

“You would be amazed at Camellia’s talents.” Jane came to her defense. “She understands mathematics and medicine better than anyone else here.”

Jonah nodded. “A family trait she shares with her sister Lily.”

“I know you didn’t come today to speak of my family, Mr. Thornton.” Camellia held out a tray of sweets.

Balancing his tea on one knee, Jonah picked out a cream-topped cookie. “How right you are. My reason for visiting is to ascertain whether or not Miss Watkins would allow me to be her escort for your school gala.”

Jane lifted her cup and drank instead of looking at him. What was the matter with the girl? Did she find him repulsive? Did she have an escort already?

“She would love to go with you.” Camellia stepped into the uncomfortable moment. “Wouldn’t you, Jane?”

Mrs. Dabbs’s needle stopped, and she put her embroidery down. “How kind of you, Mr. Thornton. I have to admit I have been concerned about whether or not our ball would be a success this year. So many of our Southern gentlemen are not available to act as partners.”

“They are more concerned with protecting their families and homes from marauders.”

Trust Camellia to take every opportunity to point out his apparent unwillingness to fight. Jonah tamped down his irritation. What was it about her disdain that made him want to defend himself?

“Camellia, you need to mind your manners.” Mrs. Dabbs frowned. “Your sentiments are not shared by all.”

“They are shared by those who are loyal to the South.” The thump of Camellia’s cup against the serving tray emphasized her words.

“God gave each of us different talents.” Jane seemed to be a natural peacemaker, ready to diffuse tension. “I think those who remain at home may sometimes have the harder road.”

Her championship didn’t soothe him much. Jonah still wanted to blast Camellia for her ignorance. Couldn’t she understand how wrongheaded she was? Or was she incapable of seeing beyond her own comfort to the needs of those enslaved to support her way of life?

Mrs. Dabbs stood. “How right you are, Jane. I’m sure you are looking forward to your entrance on Mr. Thornton’s strong arm.”

Jonah tried to keep his gaze centered on the girl as she nodded, but something drew his attention to Camellia. Was she pouting because her loyal friend had the effrontery to disagree with her disparaging words? Or was she the tiniest bit disappointed because he was not paying her the homage she seemed to feel was her right?

“Thank you for the honor, Mr. Thornton.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” He stood and bowed to her. “I’ll leave you ladies to return to your studies.”

Camellia’s gaze burned as he took Jane’s hand and dropped a kiss on it. But her glower only made him lengthen his salute.

A knock brought everyone’s attention to the door. It opened and revealed the crisp gray uniform of a Confederate soldier.

Jonah recognized the beefy face of Captain Watkins before the man got all the way into the room. His teeth grated together.

Camellia rose and met the soldier in the middle of the parlor. She extended her hand, and the captain bowed over it.

Jonah didn’t like being on this side of the glower. But he had not drooled over Miss Watkins’s hand. And he had a responsibility to Camellia. He might not be her relative, but as a friend of the family, he had a duty to make sure her reputation was safe. He cleared his throat.

Captain Watkins took the hint, dropping her hand and bowing to the rest of the parlor’s occupants. “Hello.”

To give himself the chance to regain his composure, Jonah made a show of pulling out his pocket watch. “It’s been a delightful visit, but I am going to have to say good-bye. My father is expecting me at the office prior to lunch.”

“We enjoyed your visit.” Mrs. Dabbs rose and walked with him to the parlor door. “Please feel free to drop by at any time.”

“Thank you.” He bowed and left, his resolve hardening as he heard the laughter and chatter between the captain and the girls.

All the way to his father’s office, Jonah lectured himself. He had a job to do here in New Orleans. A job that had nothing to do with flirtatious females. The sooner he got the needed information and returned to the battlefield, the better his life would be.

Camellia brushed her hands together as if she had completed a satisfying chore. Although he had left on his own, seeing the back of the irritating Mr. Thornton was reason to feel satisfied.

She turned back to the charming captain. His chocolate-colored eyes brimmed with flattering consideration. Very different from the sarcastic green gaze and supercilious attitude of their recent guest. She felt sorry for Jane. Her friend was bound to be miserable with him as an escort to their ball. But she would make sure Jane enjoyed herself as much as possible. How could she do any less for her best friend when she was going to have the night of her life?

Captain Watkins was nothing like Jonah Thornton. Although both men were handsome and polished in their manners, the similarities ended there. Most girls would be delighted to attract the captain’s attention, even without him wearing an officer’s uniform. With it, he became the type of beau every young lady wished for.

Excitement coursed through her as she shared a glance with Jane. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the two of them became sisters? Of course that would only be a formality. They really were sisters. She felt as close to Jane as she ever had to Lily or even Jasmine. She and Jane were so much alike. They wanted the same things from life, and they weren’t afraid to work for their goals.

“If you would care to join me?” His brown eyes caught her attention.

Captured by the admiration in his gaze, Camellia felt like she was lost in time. Thaddeus Watkins. A sigh filled her. Captain Wonderful would be a more fitting name for the man. He was so handsome. She could stare into his eyes forever. And he never poked or prodded her like the man who had just departed. No, this man could be counted on to be a gentleman rather than an irritation. Her gaze traced the outline of his insignia, and her mind recounted the other main difference between the two. It didn’t matter how many excuses the others were willing to give for Jonah’s actions; he was a coward. Captain Watkins believed in giving more than lip service to the things he believed in.

“Camellia seems to have lost her tongue, but I can assure you it’s because she’s excited at the prospect you have offered.” Mrs. Dabbs’s voice brought her back to earth. “Even though they have lessons, I generally set aside some time for leisure activities for the students. She has my permission as long as she and Jane wish to go.”

She could see Jane’s encouraging nod from the corner of her eye, and even though she had no idea exactly what she was agreeing to, Camellia took a deep breath. “Yes, Captain. We would be delighted.”

“That’s good, then. I’ll pick you and Jane up prior to two o’clock. The troops will be performing maneuvers in Jackson Square. If you’ve never seen it before, I think you’ll be quite impressed.”

The smile that turned up her lips was genuine. She would be impressed with any destination he chose, as long as he was there to protect her. Before she could get caught up in the daydreaming his handsome physique seemed to encourage, Camellia nodded. She needed to focus or he might decide she was an empty-headed ninny, one of those giggling young women who had no ability to carry on a conversation. “I’m sure you are right. How kind of you to take time out of your busy day to escort us.”

“It will be my pleasure.” His smile was wide, showing his straight, white teeth.

Camellia felt like she would float across the parlor floor once teatime was over. No need to worry about the length of her stride or the sway of her skirt. Happiness would keep her feet several inches above the wooden planks.

Jane served tea to her brother with all the aplomb Mrs. Dabbs expected. He sat and conversed with them for another ten minutes before rising.

Camellia wanted to ask him to remain a little longer but knew she could not say anything of the sort. She watched him kiss Jane’s cheek and bow to Mrs. Dabbs. Then he crossed to her.

She fumbled with her fan, her heart threatening to burst out of her chest. “I’m sorry to see you leave us.”

“Only for a little while.” He flashed that beautiful smile at her and took her hand in his. With a smooth movement, he planted a warm kiss on her skin.

Camellia’s breath caught. Now that no one was looking on with disapproval, she could get lost in the moment. Her heart stopped beating altogether. This must be love. The tingling of her skin was proof. She was in love with Captain Watkins. And if the look in his dark eyes was a mirror of his desire, he felt the same way about her.

He straightened and turned to march out of the room, his stride strong and even. Everything about him was perfect.

This man had been designed specifically for her, according to her deepest desires. And she was going to do everything in her power to make certain he knew it, too. She would make him the best wife possible. How long would it be before she could claim the title of Mrs. Thaddeus Watkins?

T
he air in New Orleans had a distinct flavor all its own—a mixture of seafood from the fish market and tropical fruit from nearby plantations, with an underlying hint of the smoky odor of burning pitch used to ward off dreaded yellow fever outbreaks. Camellia raised her scented handkerchief to her nose to block out the unpleasant odors.

Captain Watkins pulled back on the reins of the restive horses leading their open barouche. “I should have procured a closed carriage.”