Camellia (11 page)

Poor little Catherine’s eyes grew monstrously large behind her spectacles, and a fat tear rolled down her cheek. She was a very high-strung child.

Pauline was more resilient. She rolled her eyes. “What’s the matter with her?”

“How can you be so insensitive?” Camellia’s hands balled into fists. She loved Jane like a sister. “Jane has never done anything to you. Don’t you know her brother is a soldier? One of these bandages could be used on wounds he sustains in a battle.”

“I’m sorry.” Pauline’s dark face blanched. “I didn’t think—”

“That’s right. You didn’t think. You never think about anything if it doesn’t affect you.” Camellia could feel the blood pounding in her head.

“Enough.” Mrs. Dabbs pointed to the pile of cloth strips. “If you cannot be civil to each other, then you will finish your tasks in silence.”

Camellia enjoyed the practical job of rolling bandages much more than stitching stars or circles. Where would this roll go? What hands would unroll it and gently wrap it around a wounded soldier? Would this bandage save his life? She hoped so. She hoped the nameless soldier would sense the love and caring wrapped into the spiral of cotton.

Half an hour passed, and her roommate had not returned. Camellia was about to go in search of her when the door opened and Jane rejoined them. Her eyes and nose bore indications of a tearful interlude.

Reaching for a fresh strip, Camellia sent a threatening look at Pauline. She had better not say anything else untoward. Camellia wasn’t afraid of her or her family.

A rustling sound brought her head up. One of the servants had opened the door, but Camellia hardly saw her for the vision standing directly behind her. He was beautiful. Tall, with shoulders so wide they looked like they would fill a doorway. His face was all angles, from his square chin to his high cheekbones. His dark eyes surveyed the room and zeroed in on one face. Camellia barely had time to register the way his smile was reflected in those delicious eyes before a feminine squeal startled her.

Jane launched herself toward the stranger and threw herself into his arms. Had she forgotten to tell her best friend about this man she obviously loved? Wistful envy filled Camellia. What a fortunate girl she was to be adored by such a fine specimen of a man. And a soldier at that. He didn’t even need the gray uniform—he would have been equally handsome in civilian attire.

“Jane!” Mrs. Dabbs’s shocked tones separated the two at the door.

Jane’s tears were back. They trickled down her face, reddening her eyelids and nose all over again. But the wide smile on her friend’s face told Camellia this time her tears were of the joyful variety.

The tall man reached into his pocket and produced a handkerchief that he offered to her.

Jane wiped her face clean and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Dabbs. Please allow me to introduce a very special man.” She sent him an adoring glance and reached for his hand, drawing him farther into the room. “This is my brother, Captain Thaddeus Watkins.”

Camellia’s heart tripled its speed. Jane’s brother? The man her best friend wanted her to meet? Her whole world turned upside down. Her earlier envy turned into anticipation. He
was
the man of her dreams. Handsome, rich, and a soldier. Captain Thaddeus Watkins was almost too good to be true. She would need to be on her best behavior.

As Captain Watkins exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Dabbs, Camellia realized that even his deep voice was perfect. When Jane dragged him across the room to stand in front of her, Camellia wondered if she was going to swoon. If she did, would he be impressed with her delicate femininity or repulsed by her weakness?

“My sister has written to me of her bosom friend.” His eyes were like a cup of warm cocoa. “I have to admit she didn’t exaggerate your beauty.”

“I am happy to meet you, Captain. Your sister speaks so highly of you.” Camellia thought she could look into his face for hours on end. For the rest of her life.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you ladies—”

“Don’t give it a thought, Captain.” Mrs. Dabbs beamed at him. “We were about to take our afternoon tea. I hope you’ll join us.”

Three parallel lines appeared in his noble brow when Jane’s brother frowned. Camellia longed to smooth them away with her fingers.

“I don’t want to intrude. I wanted to let Jane know that I’ve been stationed at Chalmette. With your permission, I will come back and visit tomorrow.”

His manners were impeccable, too. Camellia knew as well as she knew her name that she was in love with Thaddeus Watkins. She hoped he didn’t disagree, because she was certain they would one day become husband and wife. From the admiration in his eyes as he gazed at her over the top of his sister’s head, Camellia suspected he wouldn’t put up much resistance.

“I have butterflies in my stomach.” Camellia put her hand on the waist of her blue-gray walking dress.

“I’m just glad you want to go with me.” Jane tweaked the flounce on her skirt, part of the gold ensemble that complemented her burnished auburn hair. “I promise we won’t spend the whole evening talking of family members you’ve never heard of.”

“Don’t worry about that. I will be content to be next to my best friend.”

They left the room together, descending the staircase with their arms around each other’s waist. Camellia was aware of the picture they presented. Jane was glowing, prettier than Camellia had ever seen her. It was a good thing they were not competing for Thad’s affections. Not that he could resist Camellia when she put her mind to attracting him. No one could.

He stood in the foyer, even handsomer than she remembered. His gray uniform was pressed, and he had his slouch hat tucked under his right arm. He lifted his head and watched as they floated down, his eyes glowing with appreciation.

Camellia’s heart soared. She and Jane reached him at the same time, but she stepped away to allow him to hug and kiss his sister.

When he turned toward her, she sank into a deep curtsy to exhibit her gracefulness. Straightening, she extended her gloved hand for his salute.

He bent and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “I’m the luckiest man in New Orleans.”

A tiny splinter of disappointment buried itself in her mind. Where was the tingle she had expected from his touch? Was it because of her glove? A more daring man might have turned her hand over and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist. Camellia shook her head to banish the thought and allowed her lips to curve into an admiring smile. “We are the lucky ones to be escorted by a true hero.”

“I’m thankful to have two of the people I love the most right here with me.” Jane’s pleasure was reflected in her radiant smile.

The captain helped them with their cloaks. Did his hands linger a second or two as he settled the dark velvet across her shoulders? Camellia hoped she was not imagining the tiny detail. Whether she tingled at his touch or not, she still knew Thaddeus was the man she was destined to marry.

The sun was setting as they arrived in the Vieux Carre, embarrassing the sky into a deep blush. Camellia wished she could emulate it as Captain Watkins handed her out of the carriage. She needed to get rid of her gloves. Perhaps she could leave them behind in the hotel during their meal. Frozen fingers would be a small price to pay to feel his skin on hers.

Soldiers wearing uniforms of all styles and states of repair filled the lobby. They stood in small knots, laughing and talking. But as Camellia and Jane gave their coats over to be held for them, the conversations hushed. She looked around to see that they were the center of attention. Unsettled, she looked at the captain.

His smile comforted her. “I cannot blame them for looking when I can hardly tear my own eyes from your face.”

Camellia wanted to blush. That’s what she was supposed to do when a man complimented her, but her heart continued its steady pace. She grabbed the fan dangling from her wrist and opened it to hide her lack of emotional upheaval.

One of the men separated himself from the others and moved toward them. His hair was so white Camellia at first thought he was an older gentlemen, but as he drew closer, she realized her mistake. He was about the same age as Jane’s brother, but his freckled face was nowhere near as handsome. “Thad, you rascal, you didn’t tell anyone you would be entertaining two ladies.”

The captain made a face but turned to the man who had hailed him. “Jane, Miss Anderson, allow me to introduce Lieutenant Harold Baxter, a bold scoundrel who does not mind presuming on the barest of acquaintance.”

Camellia didn’t realize he only had one arm until he bowed and his coat sleeve dangled free. She glanced away and caught the expression of sympathy on Jane’s face. It shamed her into donning a smile and turning back to the lieutenant.

“Harry, this is my sister, Jane, and her friend, Miss Camellia Anderson.”

The lieutenant grinned at them. “If I weren’t bold, I’d never get to meet the prettiest girls.”

Other men began drifting in their direction, their gazes curious. Lieutenant Baxter held out his good arm to Jane, and he winked at Thad. “I think we’d better get these two ladies into the dining room before we are overrun by the less enterprising officers present.”

Jane’s brother opened his mouth to say something but was forestalled when she put her hand on the other soldier’s good arm. With a good-natured shrug, Thad offered his arm to Camellia. “Don’t think this means you can join us for dinner.”

Lieutenant Baxter’s infectious laughter drifted back over his shoulder.

Captain Watkins chuckled and leaned his head toward Camellia’s. “I hope you don’t mind. The poor fellow has had a rough time.”

“Did he lose his arm in battle?”

“Yes, he fought with the Army of North Virginia at Manassas.” The captain’s face tightened. “All teasing aside, he is a good man. He and I have become fast friends since we met.”

Lieutenant Baxter was helping Jane into one of the three seats as they reached the square table covered by a snowy tablecloth. A waiter dragged a fourth chair toward them, a sour look on his face.

Camellia moved toward the chair opposite Jane’s, but the captain redirected her footsteps with a slight pressure on her arm and pulled out the chair on his sister’s right. Then he took the seat opposite Jane, leaving the chair on his sister’s left open for the lieutenant.

“Afraid to let me sit next to Miss Anderson, are you?” Lieutenant Baxter winked at her. “I can understand your fear. I’m so much more handsome than you.”

His joke set the tone for the evening. Camellia could not remember ever giggling so much. Their meal was delicious, too: rack of lamb with sprigs of mint that reminded her of the meals Jensen prepared on her sister’s first riverboat.

Lieutenant Baxter leaned back and sipped from his water goblet as the waiter removed his empty plate. “I still can’t believe any finishing schools are still operating in the city or that your families will allow you to attend.”

Camellia looked away. This conversation made her think of the time and effort she’d had to expend to convince Lily that she would be safe.

“Why not, Lieutenant Baxter?” Jane asked. “My parents believe it’s important for us to continue ordinary life as much as possible.”

He raised his sandy-white eyebrows. “I thought we were on a first-name basis since we’ve broken bread together.”

“Harry.” Jane looked down at the table as she spoke.

“Much better.” He grew serious. “The city is filled with people who want to help the North destroy our way of life.”

“Really?” Jane looked at her brother for confirmation.

Thad cleared his throat. “Let’s not frighten the ladies. We don’t want them to worry.”

“I’m not worried.” Camellia summoned a confident smile for Jane’s benefit. “Not when we have such fine men defending us.”

“You may rest assured that both of you will be safe no matter what happens.” Thad’s smile was aimed at both of them. “I promise.”

Camellia finally felt a shiver rush through her at his words. How exciting to feel protected. She reached under the table for Jane’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Everything was going to be just fine.

The lieutenant tried to include himself in the carriage ride to La Belle Demoiselle, but Thad sent him back inside with a wave of his hand. Camellia wouldn’t have admitted it to Jane, but she was relieved. Although Harry was an entertaining dinner companion, she had no desire to listen to any more of his tall tales.

Remembering to leave her gloves in her reticule, Camellia sat next to Jane, leaving the opposite bench for Thad. She pleated the folds of her cloak and wondered if he would try to take her hand.

Darkness and silence intermingled as the carriage left the lights of town behind. She searched her memory for some interesting topic to introduce, not wanting to bore Thad with conversation about the weather or their studies.

“Spring will be here before we know it.” So he couldn’t think of anything either.

Then an idea came to her, sparked by his mention of spring. “Mrs. Dabbs told us this morning that we are going to host a gala as soon as the weather warms a little.”

She couldn’t see Thad in the dark, but she heard the rustle of his coat as he nodded. “What does Mrs. Dabbs consider a gala to be?”