by K T Grant
Lily opened her mouth to argue, but then went silent. Jo stepped back and folded her hands behind her back as she waited for her to say something.
“You think I haven’t accepted Rose for what she is? That’s not true. I have.”
“Prove it.”
“Prove it?” Lily raised her hands in an inquiry. “And how should I prove it? Do you expect me to write a letter to the newspaper announcing my love for Rose?” Lily walked around Jo and sat down heavily in a chair as she covered her mouth at the realization of her statement.
“And there you go,” Jo said and reached up to pull the heavy drape to the side. Dust flew up in the air and one of the brass rings came loose. She lifted up on her toes, trying to fix it.
The drape fell back, impeding Jo’s progress. “You may need a step stool.” Lily rose from her chair to help her.
“I think I got it.” Jo spoke over her shoulder. As her fingertips jangled the bottom of the ring, a loud whistle went off and the window in front of them exploded.
Chapter Twelve
“I’ve never seen your street this busy before,” Beau said as he stuck his head out the window of the carriage.
“There might have been an accident. Only last month two fruit carts slammed into one another. It happens from time to time.” Rose shrugged. “I can always get out here and walk the rest of the way.”
“I’ll escort you back to the Delights then. I would like to talk to Lily. That is, if she’ll see me.”
Rose gave Beau’s knee a soft squeeze and smiled. Over their pot of coffee and pastries they had a pleasant conversation about her plans for the future and how Lily would be involved. Beau surprised her by listening and offering advice.
When the carriage came to a halt, Beau knocked on the top of the carriage and opened the door. He helped her out of the carriage and then climbed out, telling the driver they would walk the rest of the way.
Arm in arm, she and Beau walked past the familiar buildings, coming upon a small crowd that had formed in front of hers.
“Whatever is going on?” she asked more to herself than to Beau. Lifting up her skirt, she broke away from him.
The people around her buzzed using words like ‘gunshot’ and ‘glass breaking.’ She made her way through the bodies blocking the entrance to the Delights and stopped as she viewed the damage to the first floor window. Ragged shards of glass stuck out from the frame and torn pieces of the drapes swayed. She rushed up the front steps, ignoring her name being called.
The front door stood slightly ajar and when she walked inside the foyer, the servants and her girls whispered to one another. A few women held each other while some sat on the staircase watching in stunned silence.
“What’s happened?” she asked to no one in particular, and when Beau took hold of her elbow, they walked toward the room.
Tagg hunched down with two men as they poked around the broken glass with pokers from the fireplace. A hysterical Alene sat next to Jo who lay prone on a divan with a towel over the side of her face. Lily knelt in front of Jo and Rose cried out when she spotted blood on Lily’s face and dress.
“Lily!” Rose rushed over to her. Small cuts covered her face and her forehead bled.
“I’m so happy you’re here now.” Lily stood and pulled her into an embrace.
Rose held Lily tightly and smoothed her hand over her hair. Beau glanced around the room. He was knocked to the side as a panicked looking Clinton ran in.
“The doctor is here,” Clinton said and picked up Jo. She cried out in pain and he shifted her against his chest. He whispered something close to her ear and with a nod at a sobbing Alene, he left the room with her following on his heels.
“Can someone please tell me why my window has been destroyed and why Jo and Lily have been hurt?” Rose asked, her frustration building at being left in the dark. She continued holding Lily as she looked at Tagg for answers.
Tagg came over to her with a thunderous look on his face. He held a gun bullet. “Someone shot this through the window.”
“What? Why would someone do such a thing?” Rose asked at a loss for words.
“Jo and I were the only ones in the room. She went to fix the drape,” Lily said in a shaky voice. “I went to help her and heard this strange whistling sound. Suddenly the window cracked and glass flew all around us. I pulled Jo away, but she took most of the blast. I think the drape protected us because it landed over us as we fell to the floor. Jo’s face was bleeding profusely and we both were covered in glass.” Lily pulled away and wiped her face.
“Oh, Lily,” Rose said and cupped Lily’s chin to get a closer look.
“We were lucky. The bullet didn’t hit us. I don’t even want to think what would have happened if…Oh, hello Beau,” Lily’s rambling halted and she shook her head. “Is he really here or am I seeing things?” Lily touched her forehead and winced from one of her cuts.
Beau came forward and pulled Lily into his arms. “I’m real, Darlin’,” he said against the top of her head as he rubbed her arms. He then lifted his fingers and they came away sticky with blood.
Rose went to take Lily back, but stopped when Lily pressed her face against Beau’s arm.
“I don’t feel well and the room is spinning.” Lily touched her forehead and her eyes rolled in the back of her head. Before she fell, Beau caught her and lifted her up in his arms.
“Show me where her room is,” Beau said in a harsh voice to Rose.
Rose knew now wasn’t the time to argue, and when she noticed Sissy hovering in the doorway, she waved her over.
“Sissy will show you to Lily’s room,” she said and went over to Lily’s maid. “Sissy, please show Mr. Odell to Lily’s room and tell one of the maids to bring warm water and bandages. “ Rose turned back to Beau. “I’ll have the doctor check Lily when he’s finished with Jo.”
Beau didn’t respond and left the room, holding Lily tightly against his chest. Sissy scrambled to follow him and as soon as they left, Rose faced Tagg again. She had to deal with the matters at hand for now and ignore how her stomach knotted over the possessive way Beau held Lily.
“In the ten years since I founded the Delights, nothing like this has ever happened before. Please tell me you have some idea who could be responsible,” Rose spoke directly to Tagg, trying her best to keep the panic out of her voice. Now of all times she had to be her strongest.
“Perhaps it would be better if we go into your office away from prying eyes and ears. We can talk freely there,” Tagg suggested.
“Have the authorities been called for?” she asked. She wasn’t thrilled by the police investigating, but if they could figure out the person or people responsible for destroying her property and harming her loved ones, she would welcome them and even serve them tea if she had to.
“I sent one of the men out as soon as this happened. For now I think we should keep everything where it is until the police arrive.”
“I agree. Let’s talk quickly so when the law does come they won’t make any excuses and do their jobs my taxes pay them for.” With the sweep of her dress, Rose stormed off with Tagg beside her. She didn’t speak to anyone else, and took in deep breaths to stop her rage from erupting, rushing upstairs to take care of Lily.
* * * *
After Rose finished talking with the police and supervised the cleanup of the damaged window, including removing the bloodstains on the carpet, she went to check on Jo. On the other side of the second floor where Alene’s room was located, she found Jo’s door open with Alene lying down on her bed with her arm across a sleeping Jo. The left side of her face was covered with a white bandage and red marks marred her chest and arms. Clinton didn’t sit on the bed as she’d expected, but leaned against the window as he watched over both sisters.
Rose remained in the doorway. Clinton glanced her way. His eyes were red and as he squeezed the back of his neck, his hand shook. She came further into the room and he lifted up his finger to his mouth and shook his head, moti
oning at the bed.
With a nod, she backed away as an anguished moan came from Jo. Clinton rushed over to her side and bent over her. Her eyes flickered open and she rolled, facing Alene. Clinton stared down at her, wiping away his damp cheek. Alene whispered something to him and he replied. Alene nodded and glanced at Rose. Her mouth quivered as she gently combed her fingers through Jo’s hair spreading it out on the pillow.
The tender scene nearly broke Rose’s heart and she went into the hallway to wait for Clinton to join her. A short time later, he emerged and closed the door behind him with a soft snap.
“How’s she doing?” Rose asked.
Clinton cracked his knuckles and his eyes darkened as his body stiffened. “She’s in pain. The doctor gave her laudanum to help her sleep. The left side of her face,” he ran his fingers down his cheek, “has the most damage. He had to take out pieces of glass and then stitch up from her cheek to under her ear. She’ll have a scar for the rest of her life.”
“Oh dear.” Rose lifted her hands to her mouth.
“When I find the bastard who did this, I’m going to rip his balls off and force them down his throat.” Clinton spat and lifted his fist. A tear fell from the corner of his eye.
Rose pulled him into her arms. A shudder left his body as he rested his head against hers. “I can’t lose her…I can’t.”
“I understand completely.” Rose rubbed his back, thoughts of Lily consuming her. She needed to see her as soon as possible to make certain she was all right.
Clinton broke away and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “I know this isn’t the right time or place to say this, but I can’t work for you any longer. Jo means too much to me. As soon as she’s well, I want to take her away from here.”
“And what will you do if Jo won’t go with you? She’s leaving with Alene next week,” Rose pointed out.
“I’ll kidnap her if I have to and make her see we belong together.” Clinton gave her an arrogant stare, daring her to argue. “She won’t be able to run off if I keep her busy in my bed.”
“She may see things differently now because of what has transpired,” Rose pointed out cautiously. “You must take care with her.”
Clinton squeezed his nose. “I plan on marrying her. That should prove how much I love her.”
Rose cut off her chuckle. “You’re a tenacious fellow. When things have settled down with Jo, come see me tomorrow. I may have a new job situation that could be a great benefit to you and your future.”
Clinton gave her an uncertain look. “Would this job allow me to keep my clothes on?”
“Yes, Clinton,” Rose said and squeezed his arm. “Go be with the woman you love. I plan on seeing mine now.”
“Good luck with Lily,” Clinton said, giving her a knowing look.
“And same to you,” Rose responded and turned down the hall to walk up the stairs to the third level. Her stomach cramped with nerves, not knowing what she would find when she saw Lily.
Her walk seemed to take forever. She had just reached her own door, when Lily’s door opened and Sissy came out with a tray covered with empty dishes and the remains of food.
“How is Lily fairing? Is the doctor still with her? Did Beau leave?” The questions rattled off her tongue in anticipation for the answers.
“The doctor left some time ago. Mr. Odell is still with Miss Lily.” Sissy’s fingers whitened as she tightened them around the tray. “Miss Lily is doin’ better than she was before. The doctor cleaned up her face some and now she’s restin’ in bed.” Sissy gave Rose an awkward look. “Mr. Odell is lying next to Miss Lily and they’re both whisperin’ to one another.”
“Oh.” Rose laid her palm against the wall, her head becoming lightheaded.
“Mr. Odell said I could leave and he’d take care of Miss Lily for the rest of the night.”
“Beau—Mr. Odell will be spending the night with Lily?” Rose asked, her chest contracting to include a slight throbbing behind her eyes.
“I’m not rightly sure. You could always go in and see them,” Sissy recommended.
Rose pressed her fingertips to her pounding forehead. “I simply must take something for this dreadful headache.”
Sissy gave her an understanding nod. “It’s been a day full of headaches.”
“Indeed it has,” Rose said and opened the door to her room.
“Miss Rose, Miss Lily kept askin’ for you right up until the doctor fixed her up.”
“Thank you for telling me, Sissy.” Rose gave her a small smile and the sting in her chest lessened.
“You’re good for my Missus. After everything she’s gone through with the war, losin’ her baby and what Mr. Odell did to her, she needs someone besides myself to care for her.”
“As long as Lily wants me in her life, I’ll be there,” Rose held back a grimace as the pain in her head grew. “Excuse me now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sissy said and walked away.
Rose went into her room and leaned back against the door. She closed her eyes and bright spots appeared behind them. She had to lie down and get some rest since she would be up early tomorrow. But before she could go to bed, she needed to see how Lily was fairing.
First she went into the washroom and took some headache powder. Drinking down the chalky mixture, she walked over to the oval mirror on the wall and carefully took it down. Part of the wallpaper protruded out and she lifted the piece up and placed her eye over the hole to spy into the next room.
She caught sight of Lily in bed. She was lying on her side facing her with the covers up to her waist and wearing only a thin chemise. Behind her lay Beau, in his shirttails with his arm around her. Their fingers were linked together. Beau moved his face near Lily’s ear and his lips moved. Lily nodded, her eyes flickering open then closed.
Rose covered her mouth as Lily moved on to her back, turning her face against Beau’s throat. She murmured something and his hand came up, lightly rubbing her cheek where it was red and slightly discolored.
Pulling the flap back down over the hole in the wall, Rose twined a curl around her finger as she went over to the table near the window to grab a bottle of alcohol. She poured herself a glass of whiskey and sat down on the chair next to the fireplace, the same chair where Lily had come to her a few weeks ago and asked her to make love to her. She longed for Lily terribly, to hold her close and be the one in her bed, not Beau.
I should go in there and take her from him!
A small sob left her mouth as she downed her drink. Acting the jealous lover wouldn’t accomplish anything. She had to keep a steady head. She’d suffer in silence, only a few feet away, as Lily slept with her former husband, the man she’d always loved.
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Rose whispered and got up from the chair. This time she took the bottle and went into her bedroom. She quickly disrobed and got into her bed naked. She sipped from the bottle, wishing Lily could be with her.
Finally her headache left her, but not the ache deep inside as she drifted off to sleep under an alcoholic haze.
Her last thoughts were of Lily. For the first time in a long time she prayed. She prayed to a higher power that Lily wouldn’t turn to Beau for comfort, which would lead to them being naked and their bodies damp with their mutual release.
Chapter Thirteen
In the light of the next day, the boarded up window was an eyesore, but would have to remain so until it could be fixed. Tagg assured her the room would be righted in two days’ time and things would be back to normal by then. Rose put on a brave face and acted as if everything was fine, but she knew it wouldn’t be for a long time.
She then had her meeting with Clinton. He accepted the new job she offered him that would allow him to keep his clothes on and not engage in any scandalous acts unless Jo was the only one involved. Afterward, she sat in her office making a list of anyone who would wish her harm. The only logical person she could come up with was Margaret Anne. But would Margaret Anne go as far as to shoot up her
window in broad daylight? Could she be filled with such jealous hate that she would do such a thing?
She dropped her face onto her arms on the top of her desk. She really didn’t want to deal with this knowing Lily was still in her room with Beau...
The loud knock on her door made her lift her head.
“Enter,” she barked.
The door opened and Lily stood there in a green and white striped day dress with her hair piled high on her head.
“I don’t mean to be a bother and interrupt—”
“You’re never a bother. Please, come in and sit down.” Rose jumped up from her chair and walked around the desk.
Rose’s fingers ached with the urge to grab Lily and kiss her. Instead, she leaned back against her desk and soaked in everything Lily did from the way she closed the door to the sway of her hips as she walked over to her.
“How are you doing? I meant to check in on you last night, but had other pressing matters to deal with.” Rose waved her hand in the vicinity of Lily’s face. Other than some swelling on Lily’s cheek and red marks near her throat, she looked well.
Lily touched her cheek. “I was lucky. It’s Jo who concerns me. I went to go see her but she’s resting. Clinton answered the door. He told me to come back later when Jo’s up for having guests.”
“He’s barely left her side since yesterday.” Rose fiddled with one of the bows on her skirt. “He took her back to her room this morning so Alene can get some rest. She stayed up most of the night watching over Jo.”
Lily took a step closer and Rose’s breath caught in her throat. “She’s very lucky to have so many people care for her.” Lily placed her hand over Rose’s. “Why didn’t you come see me last night?” she asked.
Rose’s hand twitched as Lily drifted her fingers back and forth over the side of her stiff ones. She finally pulled away, dropping her arms to her sides. “You had Beau to take care of you. I wasn’t needed.”
“You’re a foolish, stubborn woman, Rose Ware,” Lily stated in an incensed voice.