Forsaken Dreams (43 page)

“And this, believe it or not is
tatu
, or armadillos.” He chuckled and offered her a smile that reminded her of the days they’d shared before he’d discovered her identity.

She shook her head, trying to dislodge what was surely a fabrication of her desperate heart. “And how do you know all of this?”

“The man who is to be our guide, Thiago Silva Melo”—he gestured to a tall man with a tanned complexion standing by the door—“informed me of each dish when they first set the table.” He stared down the line. Plucking a small piece of cake from a platter, he plopped it in his mouth then served her a piece.

Eliza took a bite. Sugar and almonds filled her senses. Their eyes met, his warmly glazed, hers searching for the reason behind his attentions, daring to hope.

“There’s a”—he gestured toward her mouth—“a …” He brushed her lips with his thumb. “Crumb.”

“Oh.” Embarrassed, Eliza dabbed a napkin over her mouth still tingling from his touch.

He leaned toward her ear. His breath warmed her neck. “Lucky crumb.”

Eliza’s heart sped. Her toes tingled. Even as her anger began to simmer. What cruelty was this? Did he wish to torture her into changing her mind about staying? He lengthened his stance. His gray eyes churned like a turbulent sea. He hesitated, opening his lips as if he wished to say something, before flattening them again.

The quadrille ended, and people crowded around them seeking refreshments, but Eliza barely noticed. Blake took her gloved hand in his. “Would you care to dance?”

“No thank you.” She didn’t want to dance. She wanted to stare into those eyes for as long as she could. She wanted him to keep looking at her as if she were Dodd’s lost pirate treasure.

He frowned and glanced across the people lining up for a reel. His fingers loosened on her hand, and for a terrifying moment, she thought he might leave. Her heart braced for the impact. Instead, he tightened his grip. “Perhaps a stroll in the garden?”

Though her insides screamed to run away, to leave, lest her heart suffer a wound beyond repair, she could do nothing but allow him to lead her around the dancers and out the side door. Moonlight dusted the landscape in sparkling silver. Lofty palms swayed above dancing ferns and graceful orchids of every shape and color. Eliza slipped her hand in his elbow as they walked in silence. Lanterns hanging from trees spread snowflake patterns over the grass beneath their feet. Water bubbling from a fountain blended with the fading gaiety coming from the hotel as he led her away from the crowd. She gazed at him, memorizing every detail, every movement, his hobbled gait that was more a march than a casual stroll, the tightness of his jaw, as if he bore all the problems of the entire world, the three lines creasing his forehead, his adorable awkwardness in these social situations. Who would help him when he had one of his episodes? Who would hold him until it had run its course? Who would comfort him?

Sorrow threatened to overwhelm her.

He stopped and faced her, taking both her hands in his. Eliza’s pulse raced. He shifted his stance and gazed across the garden.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

He smiled and released a tiny snort. “I fear I’m not very good at this.”

Eliza waited. Her breath retreated back into her lungs.

He kissed her hands then bowed on one knee and gazed up at her.

Eliza’s heart stopped beating.

“Will you marry me, Eliza?”

Blake braced himself for her rejection. Aghast, she stared at him, her tiny brows bowing together as if he’d asked her to align herself with the devil. Perhaps he had. What was he thinking? He’d done nothing but show her his disdain most of the voyage. And now, without an explanation, he begged for her hand?

Her breath released in short bursts as if she had trouble breathing. Her eyes searched his, confused and conflicted.

“I’m sorry.” Blake rose. “Forget I ever—”

Her lips were on his. She flung her arms around his neck, pulling him near. He lost himself in her taste, in her passion, in the beat of her heart against his. He cupped her face and drank her in, desperate for more of her. His mind reeled at the impossibility. His body thrilled at her response. A little too thrilled at the moment. Withdrawing, he nudged her back, but she snuggled close and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“If you’re trying to soften me for your rejection,” he said, “please don’t stop.”

She looked up at him. “Rejection? I never kiss a man out of pity, sir.” Her voice was teasing, but then she grew sad and took a step back. “Have you forgiven me for marrying Stanton?”

“Yes.” Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it. “I’m sorry it took me so long to understand, to let go of my bitterness.”

She eased her fingers over his jaw. “You suffered so much. I hated it that my marriage caused you more pain.” Then a teasing look claimed her face. “Wait. You’re only marrying me for my nursing skills, aren’t you?”

He gave her a mischievous grin.

She turned her back to him, her skirts bouncing like lilies on a pond. “I won’t be married for charity.” Her tone was playful.

Blake stepped toward her, longing to bury his face in her hair. Instead, he leaned and whispered in her ear. “It isn’t your nursing skills that captivate me.” She smelled of gardenias and jasmine. “Eliza, you are the most … You are the most … Oh blast it all, you enchant me. I can’t imagine my life without you.” He slipped his arms around her waist and drew her back against him. “It is I who should worry that your yes is but an act of charity.”

“Nonsense.” She spun around, her golden eyes shimmering with tears. “I love you, Blake. I have loved you from the first moment you took my hand and welcomed me aboard the
New Hope
.”

“My heart was lost then as well.” He caressed her cheek. He couldn’t believe she loved him! “So, you’ll marry me?”

“Yes.” She embraced him. “Yes. Yes. Yes!”

Gently, he pushed her back and gripped her shoulders. “Some of the colonists may never accept you. Can you handle that?”

“With you by my side, I can handle anything.”

Blake wrapped his arms around her. He felt the same way. Nothing would ever come between them again.

Eliza woke to the sound of dozens of birds chirping congratulatory tunes outside her window. Joy! Joy everywhere! In her heart, in her spirit, buzzing over her skin, in the sweet tropical air, in the sounds of life filtering through the halls of the immigrants’ hotel. She was engaged to Colonel Blake Wallace! Could it be true? Was it only a dream? Yet when she turned and opened her eyes to see Angeline staring at her, she knew from the twinkle in the woman’s eyes, it was no dream.

“Good morning, Mrs. Soon-to-Be Eliza Wallace.” She smiled. Stowy leaped on Eliza’s cot and performed a balancing act up her side and onto her shoulders before nuzzling his face in Eliza’s hair.

“Come here, you little beastie.” Eliza grabbed the cat and sat up, placing him in her lap. “I can hardly believe it.” She touched her lips where Blake had kissed her over and over again in the garden before escorting her back to the party lest people began to talk. There they had announced the news, much to the delight of many and to the horror of some. But Eliza didn’t care what people thought anymore. She didn’t care about anything but becoming Blake’s wife.

Two hours later, after a light breakfast of mangoes, some sort of bread soaked in milk and cinnamon, and the best coffee she’d ever tasted, Eliza joined the
New Hope
colonists as they made the long trek back to the bay, into boats, and back onto the ship that had been their home for the past two months. Aside from a few compliments over breakfast, Blake had been too busy organizing everyone, checking maps, and signing final papers to speak to her. Still his occasional smiles and knowing glances filled with love were enough to warm her inside as much as the rising heat of the day did to her outside.

Once on board she positioned herself at the railing and gazed at the beautiful city, not sure when she’d be back. With God’s help, in a few years their new colony would thrive and they would have no need of constant supplies from the city. Their new colony! Eliza held back a shout for joy as Angeline and Sarah joined her. A colony she would now be a part of creating. A new life in a new world. She glanced over her shoulder at Blake and their new Brazilian guide, both men leaning over a map spread atop the capstan. Her heart leaped. A new life with a man she adored.

“He is quite a catch, Eliza. I’m so happy for you,” Angeline said.

“He
is
wonderful, isn’t he?” Eliza giggled, surprising herself. Giggling was not something she’d done for quite some time.

“Now we have a wedding to plan, ladies.” Sarah laid Lydia over her shoulder and patted the infant’s back.

“Yes indeed.” Mrs. Scott, Magnolia by her side, approached the group. “I’ve orchestrated many wedding parties before. Of course they were elaborate affairs, and we have nothing to work with here, but we shall make do. We’ll need an archway and lots of flowers and some sweet punch and cakes, and of course some of the ladies can stitch a veil from the lace in our old shawls. Oh it will be such fun!” Eliza wondered at the sudden change in the woman. Hadn’t she been one of the more vocal
nays
, alongside her husband? Yet weddings had a way of bringing women together, she supposed.

While the lady continued chattering with the other women, Magnolia gave Eliza a sincere smile. “I wish you every happiness, Eliza.”

Other ladies soon joined them, all aflutter about plans for a wedding on the beach, going on and on about what a wonderful way it was to start the colony and how it would bring them all good fortune. They continued to prattle, most completely unaware that the ship had struck sails and headed out of the bay to the open sea. Regardless, Eliza couldn’t help but relish in the acceptance of a few ladies who heretofore had done nothing but cast her looks of disdain. Perhaps the rest would accept her in time, after all. Soon a stiff breeze drove the women below, leaving Eliza alone.

“You want to stay near to your beau, I suppose.” One elderly lady winked at her before joining the others.

Eliza’s glance took in said beau—all six feet of steely muscle—assisting Hayden and a sailor as they heaved a line that led above to the sails. She longed to spend time alone with him, talking about their love and their plans for the future, but she knew that despite the first mate’s return, the captain had come to depend on Blake. Instead, she would gladly settle for a lifetime with him.

With a huge smile on her face, she turned to gaze out over the azure sea, bubbling in frothy waves as if it held the same excitement she felt within. The wind tore her hair from its pins once again, but she was thankful for its cooling caress after the oppressive heat of land. She wondered if their new home would be as hot as Rio. No matter. She would grow accustomed to it.

Several minutes passed while she gazed at the lush greenery passing by the ship. She felt, rather than heard, Mr. Graves slip beside her. With him came an outward chill, a shrinking in her soul. She couldn’t quite explain it. He stared at the passing shore, the lines on his face drawn and unyielding.

“Good day, Mr. Graves.” Eliza forced down her unease.

He nodded but said nothing.

“You do not seem as overjoyed as the rest of the colonists at our arrival in Brazil,” she said.

“Quite perceptive, madam.” He gripped the railing, still gazing at the land passing by them in an artistic blend of greens, browns, and gold.

“I don’t understand, sir. Why did you join the colony if you did not wish to come here?”

Breaking his trance, he turned to face her, leaning his elbow on the railing. “Forgive me, Mrs. Crawford.” He smiled. “I meant only to say that now that we
are
here, I am unsure whether the colony will be a success.”

“Where is your faith, sir? We will succeed because we must succeed.” She would not allow this sullen man to spoil her newfound joy.

“Faith?” He gave a repugnant snort. “Faith in what? Faith in people? Faith in
God
” The Almighty’s name spewed from his lips. “No. I have faith in something else.”