Jackson Keene received more than his share of Isla’s attentions, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Karah’s pretty face was awash with red color, obviously flushed with embarrassment at her mother’s forwardness. Once Isla even touched Jackson’s leg as she spoke. Although she acted like it was an accident, I believed no such thing. As quickly as I could politely arrange it, I excused myself; I was eager to remove myself from her presence. But where would I go?
As I walked through the patio door into the ladies’ parlor and then down the downstairs hallway, Docie followed me, watching every step I took.
“May I help you, Docie?”
“No, miss.” She did not move but stood in the hallway like a sentinel, her hands clasped in front of her. I wanted to go upstairs and hide, but then thankfully Jackson stepped into the hallway.
“Miss Page, may I speak to you for a moment?”
“Yes, of course. Why don’t you take a walk with me, Mr. Keene? It’s a lovely night, and it’s much too stuffy in here.”
“Indeed it is.”
As soon as our feet hit the path of the Moonlight Garden, I felt the burden lift. “What do you think of Isla Beaumont, Jackson?”
He mulled over his answer and then said, “How can the daughter be so different from the mother? Karah is the picture of virtuousness, but her mother has no such restraint.” That wasn’t exactly the answer I had expected. I had no idea that Jackson thought so highly of Miss Cottonwood. He looked about him; when he was finally convinced that no one was listening he said, “I have had a difficult time of proving your cousin’s parentage.” We strolled down the brick path together, circled the fountain and walked into the garden maze. “Everyone in the county says that her mother was never a respectable young woman. Isla herself was born out of wedlock, and now her daughter shares her status.” He glanced over and added quickly, “I mean no insult. I am merely repeating what others have said.”
“That is gossip, Jackson, and I am surprised to hear you repeat it.”
“No, it is fact. As Miss Cottonwood’s attorney, I have a professional duty to investigate these matters. Supposedly, Miss Beaumont took up with a riverboat captain, a David Garrett, but he was murdered a few years ago. By all accounts he was a man of few restraints. I should not like to shock you, but I have it on good authority that this Captain Garrett once had designs on your sister, until he met Miss Beaumont. After that, he cared for no other woman. I am almost convinced that he is Karah’s true father, but what can I do?”
“I can hardly believe what I am hearing. No wonder Isla does not like me—I take it she was no friend of my sister’s, then?”
“Not in the truest sense of the word, no. And to make matters more complicated, she had an affair with Jeremiah Cottonwood, while he was married to your mother.”
“I see,” I said as I pondered what he had told me.
“However, I have good news to share. I have had an offer from Claudette Page. Would you like to hear it? Perhaps I should wait until tomorrow to tell you the details?”
“No, please I want to hear her offer now. I need something else to think about.” I sat on a nearby bench and waited.
“Very well. Your aunt came to my office yesterday and says she will agree to acknowledge you in name and will not contest any deed you possess if you agree to leave Mobile. She says she will give you everything that her brother wanted you to have but insists that you must leave and remain away from the city until her death.”
I shot up from the bench. “How dare she ask me to leave? How can I leave Karah and Seven Sisters?”
“My dear, Karah could always come visit you wherever you reside. Think about what this would mean. You would never have to work again—no more late nights at Miss Weaver’s shop. You could travel and see the world. With this act, Miss Page has sealed your future. You are a very wealthy woman now, Delilah. The world is your oyster!”
Exasperated, I stormed off, walking deeper into the garden.
“Delilah! Wait!”
“You don’t understand, Jackson! It was never about the money.”
“Please, just think about this.”
“No! And don’t follow me!” I turned to the left, then to the right and then to the left again, slapping branches out of my way as I went. After all this time, Jackson still didn’t understand. Yes, I would have money and possessions, but I would still be denied the thing I wanted most—a family! I wanted to belong somewhere…to someone. Claudette Page was willing to sacrifice her fortune to see that I never had that.
I was so angry that I barely noticed the dark-haired man watching me from the other side of the clearing. Yes! There he was—near the Atlas fountain. It was the same man who had followed me the other night. I froze on the spot. He smiled, and my stomach twisted. I turned to walk away and nearly walked into Isla Beaumont.
Her eyes were fierce—she reminded me of a wild animal. One that was trapped inside the body of an innocent sheep and desperately wanted to be released. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t hear you,” I said. “I think we should go, Miss Beaumont. There is an intruder in our garden.”
She stared at me and then turned her attention to the man standing at the Atlas fountain. She could see him too! The wind picked up, sending her ethereal blue dress fluttering. I just watched as she took down her hair and let her blond tresses blow freely behind her. I looked from her to him and felt my unease growing.
She took my hand and tugged on it, dragging me after her. She was walking toward the man and taking me with her! He hadn’t moved, but he had an evil smile plastered on his pale face. “Let go of me!” I yelled at her, wrenching my hand free from her deathly grip. She did not seem to notice. She continued toward him as the wind continued to blow.
I ran! I ran as fast as I could all the way back to the entrance of the maze. I ran so fast that I collided with Jackson Keene. “There you are,” he said, steadying me. “Have you changed your mind? Delilah, what is it?”
“Didn’t you see Isla? She was just here with that man. The evil-looking one with the dark hair. He…she…they are just in there.”
“Nobody came out here. Just you and me. I wish you would reconsider Claudette’s offer. I do believe she is being sincere.”
“Very well. Make the arrangements. I am ready to leave Mobile.” With one more glance over my shoulder, I practically ran back into the house. I could hardly believe it…when I passed the ladies’ parlor, Isla was still there, regaling her guests, except for Jackson and me, about her experiences on the stage. How could I have seen her just now in the garden with that evil man? With that ghost? As if she knew what I was thinking, she stopped talking and smiled at me innocently.
Yes, I was ready to go. I would go to my room and pack, and then leave first thing in the morning. I heard Jackson’s carriage leave almost immediately, but I went upstairs and asked Hooney to help me pack. I went to my mother’s room and plundered her hope chest and treasures. If I was going to leave, I would take something of hers with me. Karah had told me repeatedly to take whatever I liked. She had no need of it. In fact, she hinted that when her mother left Seven Sisters, she wished to go with her. Then no one would live here, except a few forgotten former slaves.
I found a few books, ribbons and sewing pieces that I decided to take with me. Walking back to my room, Hooney surprised me by bringing supper to me. I ate it, hungry now that I did not have to entertain Isla any longer. “Please ask Stokes to come get my things, Hooney. I am going to stay in town tonight.”
“It’s too late, Miss Calpurnia. Stokes isn’t here now. He had to go somewhere for that lady. I suspect he won’t be home until late.”
I tried to keep the tremor out of my voice as I replied, “Well, I can send for these things tomorrow. I’ll just take one bag with me.” My hands shook as I sorted through everything. Just as I was ready to leave, Isla walked into my room. Hooney scurried out, making the sign of the cross as she went.
“What’s this, cousin? Are you leaving when I j
ust got here? I was hoping we would have some fun, get to know one another. I have so much to tell you.”
“I saw you in the garden, Isla. I saw you with that man.” I said, nervously clutching my bag. “I think I will stay in town tonight. Stokes can bring my things tomorrow.”
“Hmm…you act like you are the lady of the house here, Delilah. You don’t command my servants. In regards to what you think you saw, I must confess I am at a loss as to what you mean.” Then in a sad, sweet voice she added, “You know, those are just the maladies I was referring to when I spoke about your sister. She had…such an imagination. It must be a trait the two of you inherited from your father. A Beaumont would never go about saying such things.”
“How dare you…”
“How dare I what? Tell you the truth?” She sat on the bed and ran her hands across the leather suitcase. As quick as lightning she opened it and began rummaging through my things. She plucked out the things that belonged to my mother. “This is thievery,” she said indignantly as she rose from the bed. “Are you stealing from me, cousin?”
“These are my mother’s things. You can’t stop me from taking them.”
“Everything in this house belongs to me.” Her voice sounded sharp and angry. “You put those things back, or I will call the sheriff and he can settle this.”
“You would call the sheriff to report a sewing kit and a few keepsakes? I can’t believe it!”
“You should believe it.”
Just then Karah poked her head in the room. “Are you leaving, Delilah?”
“Yes, I am afraid I must. Thank you for your hospitality, Karah.”
She went to hug me, but Isla prevented it. “You are not leaving with these things. You empty those cases now! I do not make empty threats—just ask my daughter.”
“Mother, I told her she could have a few of her mother’s treasures. Surely that is permissible.”
Isla slapped her across the face. “Get out!” Karah scurried out of the room sobbing.
I grabbed Isla’s arms and shook her. “How dare you hit her? You evil woman! Don’t ever touch her again!”
To my utter surprise, she smiled and then kissed me. In revulsion I pushed her away and ran out the door after Karah. “Karah! Where are you?” She was not in her room, and Hooney was nowhere to be found. The balcony door overlooking the Moonlight Garden was open, and I walked toward it. “Karah!” I did not see her and turned to walk back inside when Isla stepped in my path.
“Move out of my way!” I said angrily, but she only laughed. Then her beautiful face hardened. She shoved me toward the balcony, and I fell to the floor. “What do you think you’re doing, Isla?”
“I am doing what I should have done a long time ago. I should have done it when you were too stupid to know who you were, but it is no matter. You are worm food now, I suppose.” She giggled as she brandished an evil-looking knife.
“Oh God, what are you doing?” I lay sprawled on the floor, my mind racing. I looked about me, hoping to find something to defend myself with. But there was nothing, only a chair and a table. “Why are you doing this, Isla? I am your blood.”
“Now, now, don’t be difficult. Be still, cousin. I don’t want to get your blood all over my new dress.” The knife arced toward me as I rolled and scrambled to my feet. I was standing now, but she still blocked the only exit. “Very well. If you prefer to jump, I won’t stop you. Go ahead.” She pointed her knife to the balcony’s edge.
“No!” I shouted. “Karah!”
“Leave my daughter out of this unless you want to get her killed too. Now be a good girl and do as I tell you. Keep moving—this will all be over soon.” I heard a noise below and saw Karah looking up at me. Isla sliced my arm with the blade, and I screamed.
“No! Go away!” I kicked the chair at her as I cried and moved out of her reach. Blood poured down my arm as she herded me to the edge of the balcony just as she’d promised. “What do you want? Why are you doing this?”
“Since the first day I arrived here, I knew this was mine. My adulteress sister didn’t deserve this place—neither did her fool of a daughter. Calpurnia was so stupid—it was mind-numbingly easy to make her believe that David loved her, but he never did. He only ever loved me!” She shouted and waved her knife. “Now there is just one untidy loose end left. You. The forgotten bastard. I told Claudette that you wouldn’t be so easily dissuaded, but she was too proper to agree to my solution. But here we are, just the two of us. I sent Stokes away, and Hooney is so old and blind, she’d never hear you even if you cried day and night.”
My back was against the railing now. There was nowhere else for me to go. Only down, down, down to my death. I looked down again but only for a second in case she sliced me again. “Help me! Somebody!” I screamed into the fading light. Nobody answered. I turned to see Isla waving her blade again, and this time she tore through my dress and cut my abdomen. I cried out in pain.
“Mother! Stop it!” Karah reached for an old wooden cane that stood in a bucket near the doorway. She raised it high and swung at her mother.
Isla crumpled to the ground and squealed angrily. “Stupid girl!” She clutched her arm and reached for her knife.
“Stop, Mother! You are out of your mind!”
“Such a coward! How could I have raised such a coward? I never wanted you, did you know that? All I ever wanted was my captain—and my home. That’s all I ever wanted. Now you want to throw it all away like it meant nothing. Like what I did meant nothing. You stupid coward!” She ran toward us with her knife raised, but Karah struck her again. She fell again, but I knew it wouldn’t stop her—she was truly mad.
“Run, Delilah!” My arm was slick with my own blood and I felt cold, but I tried to keep up with her. Then Docie appeared at the top of the stairs, her hands in her pockets and a murderous look on her face.
“Stop them, Docie!” Isla yelled as she tried to stand after Karah’s latest attack.
“You heard the mistress. Where do you think you’re going?” Karah’s face turned white, and I could see fear arresting her reasoning. It was my turn to do something. I snatched the cane and swung it toward Docie, hitting her square in the stomach. Without a sound she fell backwards down the stairs and landed at the bottom, her head turned at an awkward angle. Karah pulled me out of the way as Isla ran toward her, leaving her knife behind.
“No! Docie!”
“Run, Karah! Come with me!” We scrambled down the stairs and out the back of the house. A half hour later, my cousin and I appeared at Jackson’s door, and the last thing I remembered was Jackson lifting me out of the carriage in his strong arms. How I wanted to stay in his arms forever…
***
The first thing I did when I woke up was examine my arms. I had felt every painful slice Delilah had endured, and I was happy to see that those wounds had not followed me into my own life. I tried to still my breathing, and the baby fluttered about as if he too had seen and experienced the drama. I hoped I was wrong about that. I hoped Lenore was wrong.
Shh…sweet little one. It’s all right now. We’re safe.
As always, I reviewed what I dreamed, remembering details I thought would be important later. That surely hadn’t been the end of Delilah—I knew she had become a celebrated actress. But what about her and Jackson? Did they have a happily ever after? It would be nice to know that someone in Ashland’s family did. Ashland stirred beside me and put his arm around me. I lay back down and snuggled up next to him.
“Still dreaming, Carrie Jo?”
“Yes, still dreaming.”
“How about this once you just dream about us?”
“I like that idea. Now how do I do it?” I sighed, feeling tired but suddenly very peaceful.
With a devilish smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes, he whispered, “Let me help you with that.”
With a smile of my own I agreed.
The Sun Rises Over Seven Sisters
By M.L. Bullock
Text copyright ©
2016 Monica L. Bullock
All Rights Reserved
Dedication
To the ghosts of the South, we remember you.
MIDNIGHT has come, and the great Christ Church Bell
And may a lesser bell sound through the room;
And it is All Souls’ Night,
And two long glasses brimmed with muscatel
Bubble upon the table.
A ghost may come;
For it is a ghost’s right,
His element is so fine
Being sharpened by his death,
To drink from the wine-breath
While our gross palates drink from the whole wine.
—William Butler Yeats
“All Souls’ Night”
Autumn 1920
Prologue—Isla
This morning’s chilly air had long since evaporated, replaced by the pungent fragrance of the nearby docks. No cool breeze blew off the water. Not one strong enough to wind through the stale rooms of the Holy Angels Sanitarium. I supposed building the hospital near the Mobile Bay was meant to soothe the facility’s patients, but it did not bring that kind of relief for me. The eternal slapping of the water on the shore and the constant churning of the steamboats passing by made me think of my Sweet Captain.
Oh, mon amour! How I miss you! Rescue me, my darling! Take me in your arms once again!
The Ultimate Seven Sisters Collection Page 62