Lily (Song of the River) (18 page)

He really shouldn’t tease her, but the temptation was sometimes impossible to resist. Especially since it ended whatever argument they were having. He loved seeing that startled look in her eyes, as well as the ready color that flushed her cheeks. Besides, it was about the only way he could get the last word.

Whistling as he walked, Blake smiled at the green canopy above his head. He wondered what her reaction would be if he kissed her. …

“I’m not taking you, Camellia, because I’m not going shopping.” Lily ignored the pout on her sister’s face. “You would have to stay in the wagon all day. You’d be redder than the sunset by the time we got back.”

“But I could help you—”

She put a hand on her sister’s arm. “You can help me most by staying here and keeping an eye on Jasmine and David. Blake and I will be back as soon as we arrange for a paying cargo. Just think of it. We could be leaving for New Orleans as early as tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to go to New Orleans. I want to go home.” A solitary tear traced a path down Camellia’s cheek.

Lily sighed. “This is our home now.”

“This is not a home.” Camellia stomped her foot for emphasis. “It’s a boat. A nasty, ugly boat. I hate it. I hate the way it rocks and creaks. I want to go back to Grandmother’s house and sleep in my own bed. I’m tired of sharing a bedroom with you and the others.”

Pulling on her gloves, Lily wondered what Blake would think if he could hear her sister now. Contrary to his belief, Camellia didn’t admire anything about her older sister. “I am sorry for that, but it doesn’t change anything. You are to stay here with Jasmine and the boy you begged me to keep. If anything goes missing, I am holding you personally responsible.”

Camellia sniffed. “I can’t wait until I’m older. I’m going to find a husband who’ll take me to his home. It’ll be larger than Grandmother’s house. We’ll have parties and balls and eat grapes every day.”

“I’m sure I wish you the best in your search, but until then you will do as I say. Now go find your sister. We’ll be back before you know it.”

She watched as Camellia flounced off, her nose high. Lily sincerely hoped she hadn’t taught her younger sister that particular attitude.

With a shake of her head Lily joined Blake, who was waiting in the wagon. They had decided to rent it rather than a carriage in case they needed to bring cargo back with them.

Blake reached down a hand to help her climb up. “Where do you want to go first?”

“I’ve been thinking about that.” Lily was proud to show she had a head for business. “I think the market would be a good place to start. Tamar says they have all sorts of stalls selling goods. Perhaps we can offer to move—”

Her words were cut off by laughter.

Miffed, she frowned up at Blake. “What’s so funny?”

“You are. You couldn’t find your way out of a feed sack without directions.” He laughed again. “Those people only sell their goods locally.”

Lily tilted her chin up, thought of Camellia’s flounce, and lowered it again. “That may be true, but they can probably direct me.”

He shook his head. “You should have stayed back at the boat with the others and let me do this alone.”

“I suppose you’re an expert at shipping?”

“No, but I know a great deal more about business than you do.”

No one had the ability to make her feel like an imbecile more than the man sitting beside her. With a gesture he could reduce her to the level of a dim-witted schoolgirl. “Where would you go, then?” Anger made her voice sharp.

A horseman careened around the corner. Blake pulled back on the reins, the muscles in his arms straining to stop the wagon. As though time had slowed, Lily saw his jaw clench, saw the horseman’s shocked expression. She scrunched her eyes together, certain they would crash into the horseman, but somehow Blake managed to avoid a collision.

After a moment she remembered to breathe.

He pulled the wagon to a standstill and grazed her cheek with a hand. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” As she gazed into his eyes, Lily forgot about their near miss. She forgot her irritation with him, forgot everything except his mesmerizing blue eyes. How had she ever thought they were cold? They were as warm as a summer day. Up close they looked like flower petals with black centers.

His lids lowered, and for some reason her heart increased its speed. She should pull away, but it was all she could do not to lean toward him. His breath fanned her face. His pupils dilated. He blinked and pulled back. Then turned away from her.

Lily’s heart pounded. She was breathing like she’d run all the way to Natchez. What had just happened? Had he almost kissed her? She put a hand to her chest, certain her heart was about to jump free. “I … I’m not hurt.”

“That’s good.” At least he sounded as winded as she did.

Lily watched as he jumped down and went to the horse’s head. He spoke quietly to the animal and checked to make sure it was unharmed. “You were amazing.”

He glanced back toward her, his gaze unreadable, and nodded. “I would suggest you start with either Sweeney’s or LeGrand’s. They are two of the largest shippers in Natchez.”

So they would ignore what had just happened? She supposed that was as good an answer as any. It wasn’t as if they could develop any romantic feelings about each other. Neither of them wanted the same things from life. He saw the
Hattie Belle
as a means to achieve riches. She considered their boat her home, a place to raise her sisters and to live free from the strictures of local society. They had absolutely nothing in common.

Besides, she knew his type. Like Father, he would desert her. He’d get bored, or earn enough money, or find some other excuse. Then he would disappear. And leave her to pick up the pieces.

“Did you fall asleep?” His voice brought her back to the present.

Lily gathered her skirts in one hand and climbed down. “I’ll go to Sweeney’s since it’s the closest.”

“Fine. I’ll just wait here.”

She walked away from him without a backward glance—not to assert her independence but rather because she knew the less she looked into his blue eyes, the better off she would be.

L
ily tapped her foot. A wall clock told her she’d been waiting half an hour. What could be keeping Mr. Sweeney? Why had he left her in his office?

The door opened. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Anderson.”

“I understand you are a busy man, Mr. Sweeney.” She pasted a smile on her face. “I hope you have found a load for the
Hattie Belle.
”

“Who is your captain?” He walked to the large window overlooking the street.

“Lars Steenberg. He recently worked for the Champney family.”

“I see.” He turned to her. “Miss Anderson, I’m afraid I do not have good news for you.”

“You couldn’t find anything for us to transport?”

He shook his head. “Not so much as a bale of cotton.”

“Yet I have seen any number of wagons unloading their goods at your warehouse across the street.”

“Yes, but those clients are particular about the boats I hire.”

“Exactly what are you saying, Mr. Sweeney?”

The older man cleared his throat. “They don’t feel comfortable with a boat that has a female on it.”

“I see.” Lily thought hard. Suddenly she wished she’d invited Blake to join her. He would know how to broker the deal. Inspiration dawned. “What if I offer to charge half of what others are getting?”

“Miss Anderson, may I be blunt?”

She answered with a nod.

“Then let me encourage you to go back home to your parents and leave the dangers of river travel to men.”

“My parents are dead.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” His sympathetic words left her cold. “Isn’t there any family you can turn to?”

“Mr. Sweeney, my personal life is none of your concern.” She stood up and pulled her gloves over shaking fingers. “If you don’t have any cargo for me, I suppose I will have to take my leave. Perhaps those at LeGrand Shipping will be interested in making a profitable deal.” She swept out of the room on a righteous tide.

One day Mr. Sweeney would be sorry he had not given her a chance. One day the
Hattie Belle
would be so much in demand the shipping companies would be fighting over her.

Lily deflated when she reached the wagon. Where was Blake? Had he given up on her? She looked around as people passed, hoping she wouldn’t see anyone she knew. She didn’t feel like making small talk.

“Did you have any success?” His voice came from directly behind her.

She jumped. “You scared me.” His half grin made her blush. “Where did you come from?”

“I ran into some old acquaintances, and I have good news.” His grin widened, making him look years younger.

With a little imagination she could see the boy he’d once been. Her heart turned over. “You found some cargo?”

The gleam in his eyes confirmed it.

Lily squealed. “What is it? Tell me all about it. Is the pay good? Tell me, tell me.”

He tweaked her nose. “It’s a full gross of whiskey barrels. Not a full load, mind you, but if we pick up a few other items, we should be able to make a profit.”

Her joy evaporated. “Whiskey?”

“That’s right.” His smile wavered. “Please don’t tell me …”

“We can’t transport alcohol.”

He groaned. “I can’t believe you. We cannot afford to be picky about our first load. We need to make money.”

Lily wanted to agree, but she knew it was wrong. She shook her head. “It’s impossible.”

“I should have known. You’re such a little puritan. Always have to hold yourself to a higher standard. What kind of sanctimonious, self-righteous, judgmental girl are you?”

His words were sharper than a razor blade. But Lily knew she had to stand up for her beliefs. Anything less would doom her to the future she’d been trying to escape. “You’ll have to cancel the deal. I’ll go to LeGrand Shipping and see if I can find a respectable load.”

Jean Luc retraced his path through the park and climbed back into his carriage, a smile of triumph on his face. He could not believe how well things were going. It looked like the time was growing ripe to offer Lily a deal for her portion of the
Hattie Belle.

He’d thought at first that Blake was going to bring everything to ruin, but Lily had rejected the whiskey on moral grounds. Perfect. After a few more setbacks, she should be ready to grasp at whatever solution he offered.

Of course, returning to her old life would not be possible. The gossip at parties, behind fluttering fans, was that Lily Anderson had ruined her reputation by moving aboard the boat with a man. He doubted she would ever be received again in polite society unless she married someone who could face down the talebearers. Perhaps he would do that—take pity on her, offer to marry her in exchange for the deed. Or maybe he would just set her up in a little house along the bluff and visit her from time to time.

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a coin. Too bad he’d wasted money bribing Captain Steenberg. Stopping to look back over his shoulder, Jean Luc pursed his lips. He had an idea. If it worked out, he could tell the captain his services were no longer needed.