"I realized that somehow I had stumbled on a doorway back. I still don't know how. I managed to evade them when we reached their camp for the night. My legs were like jelly after riding all day and I sat on the ground. I'm sure they thought a mere woman wasn't going to escape." She looked at him, swallowing hard. "I know what they had planned for me. I wasn't sticking around. They were careless. I made it to the edge of the woods before they realized I was gone. They gave chase through the dense woods so I had an easier time then they did on horseback."
"The timing had to have been perfect," Darien said softly.
"What do you mean?"
"Roof and I were headed home after journeying all day ourselves. We were tired, hungry and in a hurry."
"Lucky for me you were in the right spot."
"No." He shook his head. "You do not understand my meaning. Going that way was not our normal route."
"How did you come to be there?"
"I had a sudden premonition, if you will --"
Elise nodded. "Mandine."
Darien frowned at her, his voice gruff, "She told you, then."
"No. All Mandine told me was the time for my return was right. I saw her -- thought I saw her, among the band of thieves before I escaped. I thought it was an illusion."
Darien crossed his arms over his chest, feet planted wide as he threw her a disgruntled look. "Well, then this explanation grows more difficult. I heard a voice clearly, as if a woman rode in the saddle behind me. The voice bade me follow an old log road and ride into the clearing." He shook his head. "And I am sure my brother thought me daft," he added. "Until he found you, then he seemed mesmerized."
"Mandine helped you find me. Mandine and her magic." She gripped his arm, felt the corded muscle tense. "Darien, you have to concede there's things in this world that aren't easily explained."
"Witchcraft is more like it."
"Whatever you choose to call it, Mandine always had our safety in her heart."
"If she had so much magic, why did she not hide you that night instead of sending you away?"
"Through all the years I wondered at Mandine's purpose in sending me away. I was so angry and lost, but deep inside I knew there must have been an important reason for her actions. After a time, I adjusted." She looked down at her boots. "For a time, I wished to die, and I am not proud to admit that, but I grew stronger and knew I had to go on. I lived for the day I might return here, to you, to our life together." She swallowed, knowing her emotions were laid bare to him. "I hoped there was a way to return, when the time was right. Why would Mandine give me those words to remember?"
"Tell me the words."
Elise closed her eyes. "When the air is heavy and spring bursts upon the mountains, destiny calls to those who will listen. Heed its call or forever be lost, for once the circle is closed, two souls must be joined or separated evermore."
"It is a riddle."
"I don't know the exact meaning it had for her. She died before telling me."
Darien put his arm around her shoulders, and that simple act sank down into her bones, filling her with an abundance of hope.
"Elise, I have mulled this story over and over in my mind. I did not sleep for thinking of it. All these years have passed, and then you suddenly return. You must bear with me, certainly it is a fantastic tale."
"But more than a tale," she said urgently, turning in his arm to face him squarely. "How else could someone disappear without a trace?"
"There are ways to disappear," he said grimly. "Be patient, 'Lise, you must understand I wish to believe you. It is just difficult."
"It's a matter of trust."
"Yes." He looked at her, then pulled her to him. Elise let him enfold her close. It was where she had wanted to be for twenty years and more.
Chapter Ten
Just before dusk, the ship breezed into a small inlet on calm waters. Elise watched the dock as they drew nearer, saw the many vessels lining the crowded harbor. It was a scene imprinted on her mind. The smells, the bustling activity. Darien by her side.
She cast him a sidelong glance, enveloped by an all-consuming feeling of warmth and rightness standing by his side. This is the way it was meant to be. She couldn't stifle the thought that she and Darien should have been together for half a lifetime already. They had spent the afternoon together, talking, sharing stories, and it had felt incredibly right.
"Would you care to go ashore?" Darien's voice brought her into the present.
With a quick smile and barely concealed excitement, she placed her hand on the arm he held out her. Then she shook her head. "I must change. I can't go ashore in this old thing."
She ran down to the cabin. Elise changed into the green dress, glad now that she had packed it. Was she getting used to being in this time that she had thought to pack it before leaving? Luckily, the fabric was uncreased despite the fact it had been folded for most of the voyage. Darien had to fasten most of the back, and once more upon the deck, she watched avidly as the crew dropped anchor and secured the vessel, calling back and forth to one another as they went about their duties. Everyone, it seemed, was anticipating going ashore.
Elise and Darien went ashore first, the crew close on their heels.
They walked toward a thoroughfare at one end of the dock, and Darien hailed a passing coach. Despite the day's end, there were still people strolling the boardwalk that ran along the water. Elise wondered how far she was from her daughter's husband's family home on the James River.
They were comfortably seated inside the coach when Darien said, "There is someone who is expecting us."
"A friend of yours?"
He nodded. "Adeline lives in the city not too far away."
"Adeline?" she asked faintly. "Darien, this is unexpected, and I'm really not sure how to react. This could be very awkward."
"Please trust me," he said. "Adeline and I talked about a possible future but despite our best intentions, we realized we cannot marry. We never progressed beyond good friends."
"Then why --" The coach dipped and then stopped. "You will have to tell me the story," she said slowly. "If there's any chance of a relationship between us, we need to be honest with each other."
"Agreed," he said, then reached past her to open the coach door.
#
Elise looked outside. Quite a few carriages lined the long driveway leading to the house, a beautiful white building, several stories, that for Elise embodied the old South. Lights lit the walkway and either side of an enormous double door entrance.
Having decided to make the best of the situation, Elise straightened her shoulders, glad she had made Darien wait while she donned the fancy green dress Mandine had given her.
Darien looked handsome in his pristine white shirt, dark coat, brown waistcoat with a thread of gold, and black breeches and boots.
He helped Elise down from the coach, reaching across her to gently release the delicate fabric of her dress from the sharp corner of the coach door. Elise held her breath a moment with him so close, his eyes meeting hers. He stood upright and held a hand out to her.
Lamps lit the wide, curving entryway. Elise drew a nervous breath, thinking that indeed it appeared they were expected. What would Adeline think of her arriving with Darien?
They stood a fraction of a moment before huge oak doors and then both panels opened. A black man dressed in a deep blue jacket and black pants directed them inside. He took Darien's long coat and Elise's shawl. That's when Elise drew in a shaky breath. This was the era of slaves in the South. She began to feel a knot churning in her stomach.
"Hello, Ike," Darien said. "This is Ms. Elise Lancaster.
Ike smiled at her. "Ike."
"How is your family?" Darien asked.
"Very well, thank you Mr. Darien. My little Leela gets more grown every day."
The sound of laughter and music was heard, as if a door had suddenly opened.
"Come, Elise. Adeline is in the midst of a gala."
They
walked through a richly appointed white marbled hallway, while Elise's stomach flip-flopped in unease. A young black girl carried a pitcher of water and filled several glasses on low lying tables. Elise put a hand to her head. A throbbing began in her left temple.
They stopped under a huge, lit archway at the top of a long flight of stairs which led down. The doors were open, and Elise stared speechlessly at the festivities in the grand ballroom below them. The room was dazzling, lit brilliantly by decorative oil lamp fixtures suspended strategically above the dance floor, the walls hung with glimmering white and silvery silks and tapestries.
A band played near the front of the large room and many were engaged in a lively cotillion. It reminded Elise of her present time square dancing.
"Darien, you arrived and I wasn't told," complained a female voice.
Elise turned quickly to their hostess, Adeline. The one time Elise had met Adeline she had thought her somewhat subdued. Not so tonight. Dressed in a daringly low cut blue silk gown, her hair intricately styled in dark ringlets, Adeline appeared a completely different woman. Positively glowing, her lightly powdered and made up face showed her exquisite bone structure.
Elise felt dowdy beside her, then chastised herself. Certainly her gown was a fashionable as Adeline's, but she felt a tad envious of the other woman's obvious joy and glamour. Elise wore no makeup. It was ridiculous, really; she hadn't experienced such insecurity since she'd been a teenager.
Darien's arm encircled her shoulders, then he pulled back, his fingers lightly entwining hers.
"Adeline, I am sure you remember Elise," he said.
The younger woman smiled charmingly at Elise. "Of course. And I am so very glad you were able to come. The last word I had from you, Darien, you seemed disinclined to travel south right now."
Darien shrugged in an offhand manner. "Situations change, as you know. Roof and I had an unexpected cargo run, so I decided to see to it myself. It had been a time since I was on the sea."
"Well," Adeline said gaily, clearly excited, "I am so very happy to see you both. If you can see your way to fit in a little visit, I would love to have you both stay the night. We have plenty of room."
"Adeline, that is most generous, however we only plan to stay in Virginia for the night. We set sail at first light."
"Well, if your plans change, know you are welcome." She smiled at Elise. "Elise, I will catch up with you later. I have new guests I must greet."
Graciously, she indicated they should join the revelry on the lower level, then moved past them into the marbled hallway.
Elise had expected tense, if not unpleasant, moments, but Adeline had seemed quite at ease and pleased to see them.
"Would you care to go into the ballroom and listen to the music, Elise?" Darien smiled at her. "I recall your love of music."
Elise hung back. "Darien, I -- I don't feel well."
He frowned. "You're sick?"
She hesitated, watched several black women carrying trays into the room. She turned back, distressed. "Darien, I just can't be here. I can't be a party to it."
He pulled her into a private corner, away from others. He faced her, his back to the room. "Elise, what is it?"
She blinked quickly, trying not to let the moisture escape her eyes. "Darien, are these men and women slaves? And that little girl? I just can't bear it."
Darien looked around behind him. Comprehension dawned and he turned back to her. "Elise, when Adeline's husband died, he freed all their slaves in his will."
An immense relief pulsed through Elise. "Oh my gosh, Darien. I was so --"
"So even though you see the servants working here, they are all free. With the exception of a few, they decided to stay on with Adeline when Gilbert died." He looked down at her searchingly. "Does that make you feel more at ease?"
Elise gave him her hand. "Yes, and I would love to listen to the music," she declared with a gay smile.
#
Elise sat on a comfortable chair beside the dance floor, content for the moment to watch the dancing. She was surprised to find she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Darien had even invited her to dance a cotillion, and it had been a lively, high stepping experience dancing with him across the crowded floor. He had partnered her magnificently, making up for her missteps with grace. In the time she had been gone, he had learned to dance. It still felt strange, the things she didn't know about him, even though at one time she had loved him so very dearly.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Elise?" asked Adeline at her side, then the other woman sank gracefully onto the seat next to her.
"Yes, thank you Adeline. I'm having a wonderful time," she said with sincerity. In truth, she was putting together a scenario for a new book. It had felt like so long since she had written anything, but a new story was forming in her mind and it excited her with the possibilities.
"I am glad. Where has Darien run off to?"
"I think he went to smoke a cigar and avoid the dance floor."
"Oh yes, the ladies have not left him alone a moment." Adeline smiled with satisfaction. "Good, then perhaps we will have a few undisturbed moments before he returns."
Warily, Elise looked at the other woman.
"I am heartened to see Darien having such a good time," Adeline added. "It's rare to see such enjoyment on his face."
"Well, I'm sure when you and he --" Elise paused awkwardly.
"No, no," Adeline said softly, "it is true. I have never seen him so happy."
"Adeline, I really find this whole thing quite, er, well, uncomfortable. We travelled here together, you know."
"Of course. I was surprised to hear from Darien. He did send word he would be arriving by sea. He is such a character, blowing in and out of one's life in the blink of an eye."
"And that didn't bother you?" she asked.
"No." Adeline laughed, waving a hand. "Darien has always been most considerate of me, especially after my husband passed on." She looked at Elise and sighed. "He and my husband did business together. When Gilbert, my husband, died in a tragic accident, Darien helped me considerably. We became the best of friends. And that's all it was, two friends finding safety in a friendship, both of us lost, I guess you could say. At one point we thought to marry, and it seemed a perfect solution." She sighed. "But it was no solution at all. We were both locked up emotionally." She lowered her voice. "And I have you to thank, Elise, for opening my eyes."
Shocked, Elise could only stare at her.
"Yes." She nodded briskly. "When I saw how Darien reacted to you, it made me realize I could not settle for less than what Gilbert and I had. We were deeply in love, you know. Darien is a friend. It would be an injustice for both of us to marry."
"Thank you for sharing this, Adeline."
"It's easy to see he loves you Elise." The other woman patted her hand but Elise could not form any response to Adeline's words.
"This gala tonight is my way of celebrating the beginning of a new life."
"I'm glad you told me," Elise said simply. "I wish there was time for us to get to know one another. I think we would have been friends."
"What a marvelous thing to say. But of course we shall meet again." Adeline accepted a drink of cool punch for herself and Elise as a young girl paused beside them with a tray. "Oh, this is turning out so beautifully, the party, you know, and to think I was apprehensive about the entire affair." Adeline took several sips from her glass, fanning herself vigorously.
"You have a beautiful home," Elise said, relaxing her guard.
"Thank you, Elise."
"Excuse me Miss --" interrupted Ike, looking stressed out. "Miss Adeline, it is almost time for the major festivities."
Adeline gave Elise an apologetic smile. "Please excuse me. As hostess of this affair I am afraid to say it is my responsibility to see to the next round of entertainment." She hastened off into the crowd. "Perhaps we will get a chance to speak again later," Adeline called over her shoulder. "I know I should like it immensely."
/> "Go ahead," Elise said with a smile, "I will see you later."
#
Elise and Darien left Adeline's home shortly after one in the morning. Unfortunately, Elise did not see Adeline again to speak with her, although she did spot her now and again in the crush of people.
Despite fearing how the evening would go, Elise had enjoyed herself immensely, though at times she still felt out of her element. Elise wondered what would happen if she could not return to the present and her daughter. How did she mesh the two lives she lived? She still had trouble wrapping her mind around it all.
On the coach ride back to the ship, Elise said, "I'm glad we came."
Darien made no reply, but his hand sought hers on the cushioned seat.
As Elise settled in her cabin aboard ship and Darien in his, she realized they were trying to find their way, redefine and figure out where a relationship could lead them. But what if it was all in vain? What if she left this time as abruptly as she'd arrived?
Chapter Eleven
The cargo in the ship's hold was removed early the next morning. By the time Elise rose, still somewhat groggy from her late night out, the ship was well under way and out to sea once more. As she stood there looking out her cabin porthole, she was dismayed to see a fine white mist had dropped like a shroud, blocking out everything. It was a dreary morning to be sure, and she hoped it was not a foreshadowing of the rest of the day.
When she walked on deck a short while later, she found Darien consulting with several of his crew members.
Not wishing to intrude or get in the way, she walked along the deck, back and forth several times, feeling somewhat revived as the brisk wind buffeted her, carrying with it the ever present tang of salt. It was a glorious sensation to feel the drag of the swirling, changing wind as she leaned into its force. She had even reached the point where she could walk rather steadily as the ship pitched against the waves. She could surely understand some of Darien and Rufus' love of the sea.
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