Lily (Song of the River)

by Aaron McCarver

  Blake turned to see what had caused such a response. Miss Anderson’s chaperone? Curiosity kept his attention centered on the woman. She had to be a few years older than Jensen, and if he judged correctly, a necessary ability of a gambler, she was devoted to her mistress and would have no time for a romance.

  “Good morning, Mr. Moreau.” Miss Anderson stepped forward and curtsied.

  Jensen came out of his trance, but the gentle smile that looked so odd on his face remained. He bowed, exhibiting more grace than Blake would have thought possible. “Welcome aboard the Hattie Belle.”

  “You may not realize it, Jensen, but you are welcoming your new employer.” He shot a tight smile at Jensen’s shocked face. At least he had managed to refocus the man’s attention to important matters. “Miss Anderson has purchased interest—”

  “Controlling interest.”

  Her interruption made him grind his teeth. He consciously loosened his jaw before continuing. “Controlling interest in the Hattie Belle, and intends for us to get the boat in shape to run cargo.”

  “I don’t rightly understand.” The man looked from Blake to the spitfire, but his gaze moved back to the slave and settled there. It appeared Jensen had been struck by Cupid’s arrow.

  Jean Luc made a disgusted sound. “Can we get this over with? I promised I would have Miss Anderson home in time for luncheon.” He pulled a watch from his waistcoat. “We need to leave before much longer if I am to keep my word.”

  She tilted her chin upward in a gesture of defiance, showing she intended to stay as long as she pleased.

  If Blake didn’t want the lot of them here all day, he needed to come up with a distraction. “I do have a problem you could help me with, Miss Anderson.”

  Her chin came down a notch. Her brown eyes gleamed with triumph. “What is that, Mr. Matthews?”

  “Jensen here needs to concentrate on getting the kitchens ready, but I cannot do all the carpentry by myself, much less the cleaning.” He nodded to the scattered bits of wood and sawdust where he’d been working. “Perhaps you could hire some help.”

  She nodded, and her bright smile moved her face from the realm of pleasing to attractive. “Do you have a captain?”

  Blake gathered his wandering thoughts. “I don’t think we’ll need a captain since the boat won’t be leaving the bank.”

  “I see.” She ran a finger across her chin. Miss Lily Anderson’s frown was rather cute.

  Blake steeled his heart. He couldn’t afford to let her puppyish eagerness get under his skin. He would give her tasks to keep her busy until he could put together enough money to buy the boat outright. Then he would send her home where she belonged.

  “You’ve given me much to think about, Mr. Matthews.”

  He bowed to the three of them and swept his hand outward. “This way to the stairs.”

  Jensen came up beside Blake as he watched Jean Luc help the women pick their way around muddy patches on the way back to the carriage.

  “That’s one mighty pretty girl.”

  Blake frowned. Was Jensen talking about Miss Anderson? He followed his friend’s gaze to where the slave, Tamar, was climbing to her seat.

  “I thought she turned your head, but I have to warn you, I doubt she’ll leave her little chick. She’ll probably want to stay with Miss Anderson until she marries, and perhaps even after.”

  Jensen sighed. “She’d never look at the likes of me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, man. You’re a fine fellow with a steady job and a good heart. Any woman would be lucky to be the object of your affection.” Blake hid his doubts from the other man. Jensen would probably forget all about his attraction after a few days. As much as Jensen prized his freedom, Blake could not see the man settling into matrimony. But if his friend decided he did want to win Tamar’s heart, Blake would do everything in his power to help him realize his dream.

  Jean Luc whipped up his horses on the ride back to Lily’s home. He needed to figure a way to turn the obvious enmity between Lily and Blake to his advantage.

  Sliding a glance to the young woman perched beside him, Jean Luc wondered what had happened to her determination to use the Hattie Belle for ferrying cargo. She had seemed so certain of her plans. Had she been overwhelmed by the enormity of the work to be done? Or had she simply knuckled under the pressure applied by Blake?

  Of course she was only a woman. Truth to tell, he was a bit relieved Lily wouldn’t be joining the world of business. Women had no place in that sphere. He might not have put it as crudely as the gambler had, but ladies should concentrate on their families and households.

  He stole another glance at Lily. What was she thinking? He couldn’t tell from her expression, but it must be engrossing as she had not said a word for the last mile. “Is everything okay?”

  She started as if awakened. Her brown eyes were full of apology as she turned to him. “I’m afraid I was caught up in my plans. Thank you so much for taking me to the Hattie Belle. I don’t know when I could have gotten there on my own.”

  “It is my pleasure. When Papa told me what Blake intended to do with the boat, I thought you would want to know about it.”

  “Yes. And you knew right where it was docked. I doubt I could have found it on my own.”

  He basked in her approving words. At least she admired him. He could grow accustomed to her smile and the glow in her large brown eyes. It was a welcome relief after the vitriol he’d recently gotten from his parents. “I could not believe Matthews wanted you to hire help. I doubt you’ll want to ask your uncle for assistance since you said you wanted to keep him from learning about your purchase, so I’d be glad to take on the task of interviewing some of the local workmen and sending them to the boat.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Champney. It is sweet of you to offer, but I won’t be hiring anyone.”

  Jean Luc frowned. “Do you plan to leave Matthews and his servant to do the work?”

  “Not at all.” She beamed. “I plan to do the work myself.”

  Her words blasted him like a winter gale. “You plan what?” He was shocked to the core of his being. She must be teasing him. One glance at the determined set of her chin, however, told him she was serious. “But your reputation—”

  “Oh, I will have plenty of chaperones.” The look she shot him was full of mischief. “I’m going to take Tamar and my two sisters. We can do the cleaning and arranging in the kitchen and leave the men to work on the upper decks.”

  Jean Luc’s shoulders shook with laughter.

  “I don’t see what you find so amusing, sir.” The mischief was gone from her expression, replaced by cool disdain. “I assure you we are quite capable.”

  He sobered immediately. “You misunderstand, Miss Anderson. I wasn’t laughing at the idea of you and your sisters working.” He swallowed his laughter and slowed the horses some so he could concentrate on explaining himself. “I was just thinking of Matthews’ expression when you tell him you are moving aboard.”

  A giggle answered him. “It won’t be what he’s expecting, but Mr. Matthews is going to find I am not some biddable female who will allow him to ruin the Hattie Belle. She is going to be my home whether he likes it or not.”

  It was an unconventional solution, to say the least. Jean Luc doubted even his father, the quintessential opportunist, could have foreseen this turn of events. But the more he considered her idea, the better he liked it.

  All he had to do was lead her on. Lily was already showing signs of being bowled over by his knowledge and abilities. With a little work, he had no doubt he could make her fall in love with him. He might even marry her.

  As her husband, he would control the day-to-day operations of the Hattie Belle. If Matthews could offer him enough incentive, he might let the man continue turning the boat into a casino.

  Even if he didn’t marry Lily, he could make sure she depended on him. Then when she tired of her foolishness, she would come to him for help. He would offer to take over. No matter w
hich way he went, Jean Luc would end up controlling the Hattie Belle without having to spend a dime. And his father would have to admit he’d been wrong.

  They were nearly back at the Blackstone plantation before another idea came to him. “You’re going to need a captain.”

  She nodded. “I can put an advertisement in the Courier or Free Trader. There are probably many good captains in Natchez. I’ll simply choose amongst them.”

  “You might find that more difficult than you think.” Not wanting to offend her, Jean Luc chose his words carefully. “Although I don’t agree with them, some men will be reluctant to work for a woman.”

  Her face puckered in a frown. “They would care more about that than about earning a good salary?”

  “I’m afraid so.” He let the horses slow to a walk. “But since my family owned the Hattie Belle until a few days ago, I know the man who captained her for us. I could talk to him privately and assure him of your ability.”

  “You would do that for me?” A slow smile appeared on her face. “I’d be very much in your debt.”

  “Think nothing of it.” He leaned toward her, happy when she did not move away as she had earlier. “I want to be of service in any way.”

  Her cheeks suffused with blood. “Thank you, Mr. Champney.”

  “I have only one request.” He felt her body tense, so he rushed on. “I’d like for you to call me Jean Luc.”

  “Is that all?” She relaxed and looked down at her hands. “I would be most happy to grant your request, Jean Luc.”

  He smiled as he turned the horses into the drive. He’d make sure Lars Steenberg reported to him daily on the activities aboard the Hattie Belle. And all he had to do to romance the girl sitting next to him was be patient and attentive. Miss Lily Anderson would soon give him everything he wanted.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It’s a good match.” Aunt Dahlia added her voice to her husband’s. “You ought to be thankful your uncle has arranged your future for you.”

  “Maybe I want to plan my own future.” Lily glanced at her grandmother, whose hands twisted in her lap as she listened to the argument. Grandmother understood her reluctance to marry a man she did not love. They had spoken of it on more than one occasion. But it seemed Grandmother was not going to support her now.

  Uncle Phillip pushed away from the mantel and took up a position behind his wife’s chair. “And what type of future do you think you can arrange for yourself, young lady?”

  “I suppose she could be a governess.” Aunt Dahlia sniffed. “Mother and Father have certainly paid enough to educate her over the years.”

  Lily shuddered. The idea of being cooped up with someone else’s children held about as much appeal as marrying Mr. Marvin. “I want freedom. Freedom for myself and for my sisters.”

  Uncle Phillip’s frown darkened.

  She wished he would not be so angry, but she would not bow to his wishes. Lily was determined to stand up for herself. She closed her eyes and prayed for the words to convince her relatives her way was best.

  “And exactly how do you propose to get that freedom?”

  Her heart thudded in anticipation of the response her answer was going to bring. “I have purchased a steamboat.”

  “You’ve what?” Her aunt’s screech made Lily wince.

  Grandmother gasped, and Uncle Phillip’s jaw dropped.

  Lily had the sudden urge to tell him to be careful or he was likely to swallow a few flies. She stifled a giggle. Nothing about this discussion was funny. She had to keep her head … for her sake as well as Camellia’s and Jasmine’s. She had to be strong. “I took the money my sisters and I inherited from Grandfather and bought the Hattie Belle. Mr. Champney sold it to me on Monday, and I went to see it this morning. It is in need of some repairs, but I expect to be able to load cargo on it within the month and take it on the river.”

  “Preposterous.” Her uncle sputtered the single word. “You’re a girl. What do you know about running a boat? At best you’ll end up losing every dime you’ve invested. At worst you’ll end up as dead as your mother.”

  Lily could not believe the callous words. Tears stung her eyes. She wanted to lash out, to turn her back on her family. They obviously didn’t love her.

  “That’s enough.” Grandmother stood, ignoring her needlework that fell to the floor. “I will not have you casting aspersions on either my daughter or my granddaughter.”

  “But—”

  “Not another word, Phillip. Lily has made her decision. She has already purchased a boat, and though I might have wished she had consulted me before taking such a drastic step, what’s done is done.”

  “Surely you cannot support her in this madness,” Aunt Dahlia challenged Grandmother.

  “Lily is eighteen, and no longer a child. She should have the right to spend her inheritance in whatever way she sees fit.” Grandmother sat next to Lily on the sofa and put an arm around her shoulders. “I love you, darling. I don’t want to see you miserable.”

  “Thank you, Grandmother.”

  Uncle Phillip snorted. “Both of you have lost your minds. Lily’s reputation will be in tatters if you allow her to go off on a riverboat.”

  “It may be unconventional,” Grandmother said, “but the Blackstone family has never bowed to convention. Lily will be following in the footsteps of many of her forebears—men and women who risked everything to follow their dreams.”

  He turned his attention to Lily. “I don’t know what bee has gotten into your bonnet, young lady, but I wash my hands of you. Don’t think you can come back here and beg me to introduce you to any of my acquaintances.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Relief flooded Lily. Did Uncle Phillip think his words were threatening? On the contrary, she ought to thank him for his promise.

  “You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Lily.” Aunt Dahlia shook her head. “Do you know how much effort your uncle has put into this match? And now he’s going to have to tell Adolphus you are not interested in his suit.”

  Uncle Phillip put a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Can’t you see that your words are falling on deaf ears? Your niece is determined to bite the hand that feeds her.”

  “That’s enough,” Grandmother interjected. “If you cannot keep a civil tongue in your head, Phillip, you can leave.”

  He closed his mouth with an audible snap, but the look he threw Lily promised more repercussions.

  She lifted her chin and glared back at him. She refused to be intimidated. And thanks to Grandmother’s championship, she didn’t have to worry about her aunt and uncle’s disapproval.

  “How soon do you plan to leave, dear?” Grandmother’s voice broke the staring match.

  Lily turned her attention to her grandparent. “Tomorrow morning.”

  Sadness crept into her grandmother’s violet eyes, eyes that reminded Lily of her youngest sister. “So soon?”

  “There’s so much to be done.” Lily hesitated, hating to ask her grandmother for a favor at this time, but she couldn’t see any way around it. “May we take Tamar with us?”

  Aunt Dahlia’s mouth dropped open. But Grandmother stopped her words with a raised hand. “Of course. I’ll feel much better knowing you have her to watch out for you and your sisters.”

  Relief and anticipation filled Lily. She hugged her grandmother before standing. “I promise to take good care of Camellia and Jasmine.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.” Grandmother smiled through tears. “And I expect all of you to visit as often as you can.”

  “We will.” Lily left the parlor, her mind already consumed with the things she needed to gather for all of them. She could hardly wait to tell Tamar and her sisters about the changes coming to all of them.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Will we be back in time for my piano lesson on Tuesday?” Camellia’s pout had not lightened all morning as Lily and Tamar rushed about to get everything ready for their departure.

  “I’m not sure how long it w
ill be before we can return for a visit.” Lily knew Camellia was going to have a difficult time adjusting to life on the river. She loved the comforts that went along with being the pampered grandchild of a wealthy planter.

  “Is there a piano on the boat?”

  Lily closed the trunk she had just finished packing and sat on the lid. She tilted her head at her forlorn sister as she tried to remember whether the boat had the desired instrument. “They had one during the ball I attended several months ago, but I didn’t see any sign of one yesterday.” She patted her sister’s knee. “Everything is going to be all right, Camellia. I’m only trying to do what I think is best for all of us.”

  When Camellia didn’t respond, Lily directed, “We’d better finish packing. The morning is slipping away quickly.”

  A little before noon, the three sisters and Tamar finally climbed into the carriage. The family’s largest wagon—usually reserved for carrying baled cotton to market—followed them, its bed piled high with clothing, trunks, and household items.

  “Whooo.” Jasmine leaned against the side of the carriage, looking out the window at the passing scenery. Jasmine would embrace this adventure, and Lily would have to keep a close eye on her.

  Camellia’s frustration boiled over as Jasmine continued making strange noises. “What are you doing?”

  “Making the sound of a riverboat.” Unperturbed, Jasmine turned from the window and smiled at Lily. “Have you heard the Hattie Belle’s whistle?”

  Lily ignored Camellia’s disgusted sigh. “Yes, it’s quite distinctive. You’ll love it.”

  “Could be none of us will hear it for a while.” Tamar joined the conversation. “From the look of things yesterday, a great deal of work remains to be done before your boat will be ready to leave.”

  Tamar’s observation had merit, but Lily hoped to be done with the cleaning and repairs in a couple of days. She made a mental note to ask the captain about securing profitable cargo to load. Excitement zipped through her. She could hardly wait until they pushed the Hattie Belle away from the bank and headed out on their first adventure.