Fireblossom

by Wright, Cynthia

  "I can't tell you how happy I am that you searched me out last night!" he repeated. "It's amazing that you remembered I was here in Alexandria! I am especially pleased since I am sure James Wade must have been most anxious to have you stay at West Hills."

  Lion sampled the fresh coffee. "That is putting it mildly! It was all I could do to persuade him to travel on to Virginia ahead of me. He wanted to wait and show me the way. I was afraid that if I stayed at his plantation he might chain me to his sister! Besides, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to look you up. I had a feeling you would not have strayed far from your family homestead."

  "Lion... I know that you have plans to ride out to West Hills this morning, and I don't want to make you late, but—" The doctor's sensitive face reflected his search for the right words. "I don't mean to pry, but I know the Wades quite well, and this news concerning you and Priscilla comes as quite a shock!"

  Lion's smile was wry. "Because I've never met the girl?"

  "Well, of course... and then there is the matter of Priscilla herself!"

  "Don't tell me she's homely! Her brother described her beauty to me until, to my great relief, the port he was swilling did him in for the evening."

  "No, no, she's a lovely creature—well-bred and all—but supremely shallow and narcissistic. I am simply at a loss to understand how all this came about! For God's sake, Lion, I expected you to marry the most charming, delightful female on earth..."

  "Shallow, you say? Splendid. Perfect." Lion grinned enigmatically before taking pity on the curious Dr. Dick. "Don't worry so; this entire affair is my idea. James Wade just happened to arrive in Philadelphia at the moment when I needed him most. We met at the Indian Head Tavern; he learned that I was, ah—eligible, and proceeded to make me an offer that was tailor made to my current need."

  "Which is?" Elisha prompted, his courage mounting.

  "An ornamental wife. You needn't look so baffled! My motive is quite simple—and timeless. Ambition. I intend to become a congressman, or even a senator, within the next few years, and in my case a wife seems to be one of the prime prerequisites. You see, it suits me that the arrangement not be complicated by the question of love. Meeting James Wade was a stroke of luck, for it seems that Priscilla would use me as impersonally as I am using her. She will gain wealth and position in Philadelphia; I will gain the well-bred, beautiful wife that I need."

  Hannah Dick appeared at that moment to ask if the men needed more coffee.

  "No, thank you," Lion replied as he stood up. "The breakfast was delicious, but I must be away. I wouldn't want to keep my bride-to-be waiting!"

  Hannah beamed at his words, but Elisha was all too aware of the mocking glint in Lion's blue eyes. He felt stirrings of the old worry he'd had for Lion when they were young, but he forced himself to stifle them. After all, for all his recklessness, had never met with anything but success. Right now, illuminated by a soft, yellow beam of sunlight, he seemed larger than life and quite invincible.

  * * *

  "I cannot believe your capacity for immobility!" Meagan exclaimed as she pulled aside the wine and rose brocade bed-hangings. Priscilla opened one eye to the flood of sunlight and moaned convincingly.

  Meagan frowned. "It is past ten o'clock, you dolt, and your fiancé arrives today!"

  "Well, I want to look my best, don't I? Sleep is a very important part of beauty."

  "If that is the case, then you must be the most exquisite woman alive!"

  Priscilla, failing to hear the sarcasm in her voice, smiled. "Why, thank you. You know, you could stand some beauty sleep yourself, if you don't mind my saying so. You look altogether wild!"

  She threw herself down on the window seat. "My looks are of no importance to me whatever, Priscilla. Some of us have more pressing worries than the color in our cheeks."

  "How tedious," the other girl yawned, critically taking in Meagan's tangled curls and mud-spattered breeches and coat. "I can't imagine why you persist in wearing those horrid boy's clothes. It's not as if you didn't have any gowns."

  She dismissed her words with a wave of her tiny hand, which she then thrust down the front of her waistcoat, withdrawing a crumpled sheet of parchment. "I received this letter yesterday from Mr. Bumpstock."

  "Who?"

  "Father's solicitor!" Her voice took on a desperate note. "It's all been settled. The plantation and all the slaves, furniture, everything, will be sold to pay the debts and I'm to be packed off to Boston."

  "Boston? Whatever for?"

  "Mother's maiden aunt Agatha is there and she is my only living relative. Mr. Bumpstock informs me I have no choice; I shall have to go and live with her!" Meagan shuddered and scrambled to her feet, pacing across the carpet. "I only met her once; she was shriveled and deaf and smelled of musty air. I shall go out of my mind!"

  She was realizing today just how unprepared she had been for the reality of her father's financial position, even after the trail of hints dropped by Mr. Bumpstock since the shipwreck. Growing up at Pecan Grove, in a lavishly furnished mansion, Meagan had never questioned her family's wealth. However, the solicitor's letter had shown her the truth in transcripts from those frustrating ledgers; Sayers had overextended himself repeatedly. Although the profits from the plantation had been sizable, they were far exceeded by the cost of her parents' extravagant lifestyle. Meagan thought back with bewildered horror to the sumptuous dinners and balls, her mother's silk and satin gowns, the expensive furniture, and the custom-made wigs. Her bitterness left little room for forgiveness, especially when it became clear that everything would have to be sold to meet the debts, leaving her homeless.

  The crowning blow was the news that she would be moving to Boston and Aunt Agatha; Meagan's mind rebelled at the injustice of her fate. Her violet eyes smoldering with defiant resentment, she paced at the foot of the four-poster bed.

  "I don't know..." Priscilla remarked as she accepted a cup of chocolate from her maid Lily, "Boston might be just the thing. If your aunt is rich, you will doubtless be exposed to some very prominent men. Actually, your opportunities would probably be better there than here in Virginia where all the boys know you are—that is—"

  "Oh, do be quiet, Priscilla. I've got to think of some way out of this horrid coil."

  The spindly maid was scurrying around the bedchamber, pouring water and laying out clothes, so Meagan retreated to the window seat. She casually pulled her knees up to her chest, ignoring the dust her shoes left on the cushions, and gazed outside.

  January and half of February had gone the way of the two previous months, depressingly wet, but last week had brought heavy dose of sunshine. The vast lawns of West Hills were brown and soggy, but the sky was clear blue and mild at last and Meagan sensed that the dreary winter was behind them. Soon the roads would be fit for travel and she would be on her way to Boston. Sheer misery overtook her momentarily and a single tear escaped, clinging to her thick lashes.

  "I wonder what he'll be like?" Priscilla asked her reflection as she sat at her dressing table. Lily brushed her long auburn tresses and her mistress closed her eyes, letting her head drop back slightly.

  "You mean your fiancé?" Meagan stressed the last word with meaningful irony.

  Priscilla's eyelids fluttered, a smile curving her lush red lips. "Isn't it a lovely word? James says he's dreadfully handsome and so well off. Imagine him wanting to marry me with all those beauties in Philadelphia!"

  "Yes," Meagan murmured dryly. "Imagine that!"

  "Life will be so exciting there! James says the assemblies never end!"

  Meagan sat forward suddenly on her knees, pressing her little nose against the glass. "Priscilla, I don't mean to interrupt your dreams, but I do believe your prince is arriving!"

  A horse and rider had appeared between the huge oak trees that bordered the road leading to West Hills. It was the reflection of the sun against the man's tawny hair that caught Meagan's eye, and she found herself staring at him in fascination.

  His ha
ir was caught neatly back at his neck, revealing an arresting, sun-darkened face. He rode well, carrying himself with easy grace in spite of his size.

  "Why is he riding a horse?" Priscilla fretted as she joined Meagan at the window. "I thought he would surely have a carriage! Oh, but do look at his coat. Such handsome green velvet, and so well tailored!"

  Meagan rolled her eyes hopelessly, then turned back to watch as Lion Hampshire drew up to the mansion, handing over the gleaming chestnut roan to a stableboy. He smiled at the slave and slipped him a coin, then started up the broad steps to the front door.

  Priscilla was moving faster now than Meagan ever imagined she could. With Lily's help, expensive gauze petticoats were layered over her long legs, followed by stylishly simple beige muslin skirts sprigged with green and coral flowers. The colors made a subtle backdrop for her rich auburn hair, ivory skin, and huge green eyes.

  While Lily skillfully applied rouge to her mistress's high cheekbones, Meagan pulled up a slender rosewood chair and tried to get her attention.

  "Priscilla, I think I'd better be getting home. I must begin packing, and I know it would be embarrassing for you to have to explain me to Captain Hampshire."

  "But do tell me, would I be overdoing it if I wore my emerald necklace?"

  She got to her feet, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "I can't believe that my opinion would matter to you." A loud knock interrupted her and she turned to answer it, adding, "Why not ask your brother? He's an authority on everything, after all. Good luck, Priscilla. How long will it be before you leave for Philadelphia?"

  "Four days."

  "I'll come by again to say good-bye."

  She opened the door to admit James Wade, whose close-set eyes glowed with triumph over his coup.

  At the sight of Meagan, he beamed. "What a pleasant surprise, my dear. May I say that you are the loveliest little ragamuffin I have ever encountered? That smudge on your nose is particularly enchanting!" A perfumed handkerchief floated from his breast pocket and when she saw it coming toward her nose, she ducked under his outstretched arm.

  "Wonderful to see you as always, James!" she sang and scampered down the hallway. Reaching the oaken banister, she leaned over the top to make certain her escape route was clear, then hurried down the broad stairway. Her speed was such that when she touched the last step and Lion Hampshire emerged from the parlor, it was impossible for Meagan to stop. Only Hampshire's surefootedness saved them from falling to the floor on impact, and Meagan found her face buried in his clean-smelling shirt-front. She was horrified to find her breath stuck in her lungs; even worse, she was trembling under his strong, sure grip.

  "Egad!" he laughed. "Are you all right, young—ah—lady?" The last word was uncertain, the abundant raven curls winning out over the male attire in his mind.

  Meagan looked up into ocean-blue eyes far above her. When his hands left her arms, she felt her confidence flow back through her veins.

  "Excuse me, sir. My behavior is appalling, isn't it!" Instinctively, she returned his grin, feeling him scrutinize her.

  Lion was interested and curious at the sight of the tiny, scuffed girl with her amethyst eyes and sooty lashes. Her face, with its small, tilted nose and dimpled smile was deceptively childish. He had a feeling that she was older and more clever than she looked.

  "You aren't Priscilla by any chance, are you?" he queried in a vaguely hopeful voice.

  "Goodness, no! What a terrible shock that would be for you! I am—I am—merely a servant," she blurted without thinking, then paused, wondering why. After a moment, she decided the situation would only be more embarrassing if she stopped to explain and continued, "I must be running along! Again, my apologies, sir!"

  She was gone as speedily as she had appeared, leaving Lion standing alone in the marble entry hall, rubbing his jaw in perplexed amusement.

  * * *

  Long rays of iridescent moonlight slanted across the dark parlor, spilling into silvery pools on the carpet. Meagan sat with her elbows propped up on the polished block-front desk, palms cupping her chin as she stared miserably at a shadowy miniature of Aunt Agatha. In the hallway, the tall-case clock struck twelve.

  Getting to her feet, Meagan pulled the sash of her Chinese silk robe more closely around her waist and walked out onto the flagstone terrace. The rush of chilly night air refreshed and fortified her.

  "Lord," she whispered, gazing up into the inky, star-strewn sky, "this time, could you please lend me some assistance? I have a feeling I am going to need help to carry this off!"

  With a rueful smile, she turned back into the empty house, dark and quiet after more than twenty years of gaiety and light. Her candle stood on a table in the stair hall, the flame struggling weakly in a pool of liquid tallow. Picking up the brass candlestick and shielding the flame with her hand, Meagan hurried up the stairway and down the hall to her spacious bedchamber. She pulled on a pair of clean, fraying breeches, a rough woolen shirt, and a warm gray coat. After turning up the cuffs until her hands showed, she found a ribbon with which to tie back her hair.

  The back stairs that led to the kitchen were cold and winding, and Meagan slid her hands along the damp walls to feel her way down through the darkness. Her buckled shoes sat next to the kitchen door, and after slipping them on, she went outside to the stables. Her own dappled gelding was in the first stall. She was accustomed to saddling Laughter herself and only minutes later she sat astride his back as they trotted out to the road.

  Moonlight cast eerie shadows as it filtered through the trees, but she had no time for midnight fears. The ride to West Hills took less than half an hour, and when she gained sight of the plantation house, Meagan slowed the horse to a walk. Hopping to the ground, she led Laughter into a grove of fruit trees and tied his lead to a low-hanging branch. In her breeches, the run to the mansion was easily accomplished, despite the muddy ground. The servants' entrance was as familiar to her as her own, and Meagan slipped in silently, pulling off her shoes. It took less than a minute for her to reach Priscilla's bechamber and she lost no time waking her friend, who immediately opened her mouth to scream.

  "Don't do anything foolish!" Meagan commanded. "It is I! I have to talk to you!"

  Priscilla pushed herself up against the lace-edged pillows, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Meagan! What are you doing now? I declare, you are the most shocking person—"

  "I had to talk to you when I was certain Captain Hampshire wouldn't be around. I have arrived at the perfect solution to all our problems!"

  Chapter 4

  The high yellow wheels appeared slender to the point of fragility, and Dr. Dick eyed the post-chariot dubiously. A cool, sunny breeze ruffled his dark hair as he turned to speak to Lion Hampshire. "Are you certain that this contraption is strong enough to support the weight of human beings?"

  Lion laughed out loud, his head bent as he finished strapping his valise to the carriage. "Elisha, you are entirely too skeptical! I assure you that not only is it strong enough, but it is also one of the fastest vehicles on the road." He came around then to clasp his friend's outstretched hand. "I thank you for providing me with such fine accommodations

  . It has been wonderful to see you again and to meet Hannah at last."

  "The pleasure has been entirely ours! You are welcome in our home at any time." Dr. Dick paused, frowning slightly. "Are you certain that this marriage to Priscilla Wade will go according to your plans?"

  "Well," Lion smiled dryly, "I'll admit that her brother may have oversold her to me, but I believe she'll do. Priscilla's shallow beauty should suit my purposes quite well."

  Elisha cocked an eyebrow, then shrugged. "I suppose farewells are in order. Again, thank you for coming to me; it's been wonderful catching up on each other's lives. I hope, after all you've told me, that your problems with Marcus Reems can somehow be resolved. It seems such a shame... Perhaps your marriage might help—"

  "I don't lose sleep over Marcus, and haven't for fifteen years," Lion
replied laconically. "His bitterness goes too deep to allow room for hope of mending matters between us. I cannot enjoy knowing that any man would name himself my enemy, but at least I am assured that the fault lies in Marcus, not in me."

  Elisha's face puckered with sadness, not only because of what Lion had said, but also because of the tone of his voice. The gregarious, magnetic youth he had known so well at the Academy had a new, diamond-hard facet to his personality; cool, determined, and apparently lacking in sentimentality. Was it possible for him to have hardened so, or could this attitude be a defense? Blinking, Dr. Dick extended his hand. "Good fortune to you, Lion. Give my regards to our old friends in Philadelphia and keep in touch. If you should change your mind—if your plans don't work out—we should be delighted to see you settle here. Alexandria is destined to become a great seaport, you know!"

  Lion grinned, white teeth contrasting with his tanned face. "I appreciate that, but I intend that my future will be all that I desire."

  He called to Joshua, his coachman, who hopped onto the carriage perch, and then Lion mounted his own chestnut roan. Hair shining in the sunlight, he waved to Elisha and to Hannah, who had appeared in the doorway, then rode away down Cameron Street.

  It was still early when the white columns of West Hills appeared on the horizon, rising over the bare treetops. The yellow carriage was right behind him as he cantered down the drive.

  Priscilla stood on the veranda, looking attractively nervous. The robe of her emerald green silk gown was parted to reveal a pale muslin underskirt tiered with narrow ruffles, while her lovely breasts curved above the low, round neckline. Only a woven shawl protected her from the crisp February air and she took care that it was held open across her bodice. As Lion came toward her she smiled at him coquettishly, dropping her eyes when he raised her soft white hand to his lips.

  "You are looking exceedingly lovely this morning, Miss Wade. I am honored by this personal welcome!"