Camellia (17 page)

Her breath caught, and her cheeks glowed.

John had never seen a more beautiful sight in the world. No other female could hold a candle to this tenderhearted young woman. And he knew in an instant he was in love. In love for the first time in his life. With a girl he knew only as Anna.

T
he temporary walls between the parlor and the first-floor classrooms had been removed this afternoon, and large potted plants were brought inside to decorate the large area where the ball would take place. Camellia and Jane were supposed to be napping in preparation for the festivities, but they had been unable to relax. Instead they crept downstairs to gaze at the ballroom and imagine what the evening would bring.

Jane sat in one of the chairs that lined the walls. “Are you disappointed that your family couldn’t attend?”

“Not at all.” Camellia took the chair next to her. She was happy with the separation between her colorful steamboat family and the social world of La Belle Demoiselle. “But I know you wish your mother was able to come.”

A sigh answered her. “I’m just so worried about the situation at Willow Grove.”

“Do you really think the slaves at your plantation might revolt?”

“It’s happened at other places.”

“That’s true.” Camellia reached out and took Jane’s hand in hers. “But that was because of cruel owners and miserable conditions. I’m sure your parents are good to their slaves. Like at my grandmother’s home. They have no reason to be unhappy.”

Jane squeezed her fingers, her features relaxing as she nodded. “Besides, we’ll be going there as soon as Thad can get permission to escort us. I’m so glad you’ll be with me. We’re going to have so much fun.”

Camellia was excited, too. It wouldn’t be like Natchez where everyone knew her and her family. And of course she was looking forward to spending time with Thad … and Jane.

“What are you girls doing down here?” Mrs. Dabbs’s voice made the two of them start.

“We were curious.” Camellia stood to take the blame. It had been her idea to come downstairs, after all.

Jane stood beside her. “We’ll go back to our room.”

Mrs. Dabbs shook her head. “Since the two of you don’t feel like sleeping, I could use some help. I have a thousand details to see to before tonight.”

“What can we do?”

“Go put on your aprons and come back down.” Mrs. Dabbs waved a hand toward the dining room on the other side of the hall. “The silverware needs to be polished, and then you can inspect the crystal for cracks or smudges.”

Jane didn’t look very happy with the instructions, but Camellia was glad for something practical to do. It would help pass the time until they dressed for the evening. The tasks were something she would be expected to oversee when she gave her own parties. She hurried her roommate upstairs, grabbed a starched apron, and returned to the first floor.

As she entered the dining room, however, Camellia began to understand Jane’s reluctance. She had never seen such a pile of silver. It would take them an hour or more to finish polishing and probably as much time to inspect the crystal lined up on the sideboard. “We’d better get started.” She took a seat and reached for a polishing cloth and the nearest spoon.

“Have you ever been kissed by a man?”

Jane’s question startled her. “Sure I have.”

“I mean someone besides your family.”

Camellia’s cheeks warmed. “No, of course not. Have you?”

Jane shook her head. “I wonder what it feels like.”

“My sister seems to like it.” Camellia could feel a deeper flush coming up now. “At least I’m sure Blake is the type of man to like kissing a lot, and she seems happy with him.”

“Maybe my brother will kiss you tonight.”

The skin on Camellia’s arms tingled and rose like gooseflesh. Would he try? If he did, should she let him? “I’m not sure I’d like that.”

Jane’s mouth drooped in a pout. “I thought you wanted to be my sister. I don’t think your romance will go very far if you’re not willing to be kissed.”

“Aunt Dahlia says a lady shouldn’t let a suitor become too familiar or he’ll take advantage of her innocence.”

Jane’s right eyebrow rose. “I don’t care what your aunt says—I want to know I’m in love before I get married. It’ll be too late if I discover I don’t like his kisses after.”

Camellia’s heart, which had been fluttering, suddenly felt heavy in her chest. Jane wanted Jonah to kiss her? She wanted him to hold her close and press his lips on hers? She dropped the knife she’d been polishing, and it clattered to the floor. She leaned over to retrieve it. By the time she sat back up, she had recovered her equilibrium. “I doubt Mrs. Dabbs will let us go off alone with anyone. Can you imagine the scandal?”

Jane giggled. “I guess not, but it sure is exciting to think about.”

Camellia didn’t feel excited at all. In fact, she wasn’t even looking forward to the ball now. She glanced toward Jane, who was concentrating on rubbing a dull spot from the handle of a serving spoon. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to join her roommate at her family’s plantation. Maybe she would beg off and stay here with the Thornton family until Lily could collect her. That way she wouldn’t have to watch Jane flirt with anyone.

The stays were so tight Camellia could hardly catch her breath.

Brigitte stepped back to reach for the hooped skirt that would form the basis for Camellia’s evening gown. “
Bien. Vous sera magnifique….
Beautiful.”

“Merci, mademoiselle.” Camellia tried to take a deep breath, but the boning around her ribs and waist would not allow it. “Can you loosen this a bit?”

Brigitte shook her head, her lips folded into a straight line as she tightened the waist of the hoop skirt.

“It will be better after a moment.” Jane was already dressed, her maroon velvet gown a sharp contrast to her milky skin. One of the maids was combing her hair into elaborate swirls.

Camellia ignored the stab of jealousy. She refused to envy Jane. In fact, she would help her all she could. “I’ve never seen you look lovelier.” Another petticoat cut off her view for a moment before it settled around her waist. Brigitte cinched it with expert fingers.

“You will surely outshine me in that dress.”

“I don’t know.” Camellia panted while another petticoat followed the first. Then it was time for her ball gown. The silk sighed as it drifted down. It was as cool as springwater, and she knew it was a flattering color for her, but still … “If I look half as lovely as you, I’ll be satisfied.”

“Don’t be silly.” Jane turned her head back and forth to admire her new hairstyle. “You’re at least twice as pretty as I am.”

“Between us, we’ll attract all of the male attention.”

Brigitte clucked her tongue, looking for all the world like Mrs. Dabbs in spite of her darker hair and unlined face. But she didn’t say anything.

Camellia was glad. She wasn’t in the mood for a scold. Tonight was going to be difficult enough. She took Jane’s place at the dressing table, concentrating on her breathing as the maid twisted her hair into a knot. Of course it sprang loose the minute the maid reached for hairpins. “My hair will never lay smooth.”

Jane’s smiling face appeared in the mirror in front of her. “You don’t need smooth hair to be the belle of the ball. Just wait and see. You’ll never get to sit down.”

The maid finally managed to subdue the largest portion of her hair, but stray tendrils formed corkscrews around her face and at her neck. With that she would have to be satisfied. Jane passed her white gloves and a lacy gold fan to complete her outfit.

“Is it time to go downstairs?” Jane glanced toward Brigitte for the answer. Receiving a nod, she linked arms with Camellia. “Let’s go see what my brother thinks of the woman he’s going to marry.”

C
amellia and Jane were still giggling as they descended the stairs, so Camellia failed to realize some of the guests had already arrived.

“Well, if it isn’t the two loveliest debutantes in New Orleans.” Captain Watkins’s deep voice stopped Camellia in midgiggle.

She stood still, forcing Jane to do the same or risk tumbling down six or seven steps. “Oh dear.”

Jane looked from her brother to her friend, a wide smile on her face. She leaned toward Camellia. “I think it’s a bit early for you to be calling him that.”

Camellia’s cheeks flamed. She glanced toward the small group of people in the foyer. Had anyone heard Jane’s teasing remark? Captain Watkins, standing head and shoulders above the other soldiers who had come with him, did not show any evidence of having heard the words. His dark eyes were full of appreciation.

Finally, Camellia realized everyone must think she had turned into a statue. What would Aunt Dahlia say if she could see her niece frozen with fear? She would tell her to get down to her guests and present a friendly, welcoming face. The internal lecture helped her to release her strong grip on Jane’s arm. Camellia took a deep breath and stepped out, her slippered feet moving as trained. She must float as though lifted a few inches above the ground. “I hope you will forgive our tardiness.” She glanced past the captain toward Mrs. Dabbs, who had taken up a position at the front door.

Captain Watkins bent over her hand. “You are worth waiting for.”

His voice was pitched low and, combined with the emotion in his dark eyes, caused excitement to spread upward from her stomach, bringing a rush of warm blood with it. “Th–Thank you, Captain.”

Jane cleared her throat. “It’s nice to see you, too, Thad.”

He winked at his sister. “You look lovely as always, Sister. You’re doing something different with your hair.”

Camellia nodded. “Doesn’t she look even more beautiful than usual?”

“Excuse me.” A plaintive voice from behind Captain Watkins drew her attention to the rest of the soldiers. “I believe we should be introduced to these two ladies.”

Captain Watkins’s grimace made Camellia smile. She watched his features as he turned to face the man. “If you insist. This is my sister, Miss Watkins. I warn you that I will not tolerate any of you breaking her heart or treating her with the least disrespect. The same holds true for her friend and mine, Miss Anderson. Not that I plan to let you have much chance to monopolize her.”

The men groaned at his words, each one bowing as Captain Watkins rattled off their names. Camellia recognized Lieutenant Baxter, the man who had dined with them last month, but the rest were a mishmash of names and faces. She might have managed one or two others, but Captain Watkins appropriated her hand as he practically spirited her away from the foyer.

With all of the candles glowing, the large room had been transformed into a magical setting akin to one from a fairy-tale world. The musicians had not started playing yet, so Camellia and the captain moved toward a section of empty chairs.

Camellia sat and arranged her skirts around her. Her waist felt pinched, but she ignored it. The admiration in her escort’s gaze was worth her pain. “I’m so glad you came tonight.”

Captain Watkins reached for her hand, encompassing it in both of his. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Aware of the looks from some of the other students, she pulled her hand free. “Mrs. Dabbs must be delighted that you brought so many of your friends.”

“Now that was a true sacrifice.” He smiled at her, his teeth even and white, his eyes gleaming. “I hope I won’t have to compete with them too much for your attention.”

Heat warmed her cheeks once more, and Camellia glanced away. Her gaze traveled around the room as she considered how to answer him. Should she be coy? He was making his interest in her obvious. Perhaps she should let him know how much she admired him. But would that make him lose interest? For a moment she wished Aunt Dahlia had been able to come to New Orleans. She would know exactly how to advise her. But she hadn’t, so Camellia had no choice but to follow her instincts. She opened her fan and let it rest against her chin in an attitude of deep thought. “I wouldn’t want any of our brave soldiers to feel slighted.”

The captain straightened his spine.

Camellia raised her fan to hide her smile. His reaction, the fierce frown on his face and the way he glanced about the room, told her she’d responded in the best way possible.

The musicians began playing, and the others in attendance poured into the room from the foyer. Camellia looked around and saw that Jonah had arrived. But he was not standing near Jane. Instead he was chatting with some of Captain Watkins’s buddies. That was odd. What could he possibly have in common with them? She filed away the question for future consideration as the captain stood.

“Please dance with me.” He held out a hand.

Camellia put away her fan, fumbling to draw out the moment. The captain knew she would accept his invitation, but why be in a hurry? By the time she put her hand in his, several couples had already taken positions on the dance floor.

She noticed that Jonah did not break away from the group he was conversing with. Jane, however, did not seem to mind. She was too busy smiling at a handsome soldier in a butternut-hued uniform who was leading her toward the other dancers.