“I know why you’re here, Amanda.”
I spun about and smiled at her again, bigger and brighter. Okay, I’ll play. “Do you?”
“Yes, I do. You want to get some dirt on Avery. You want to ruin her because taking her chair is not enough. You want to be her.” She smiled through her perfect teeth and spoke in a pleasant, even voice despite her words.
I kept my face as immobile as possible, but the fierceness of her whisper made me uneasy. She smiled as if she knew a big secret, something she shouldn’t know. “You wear her perfume, her brand of clothing, her shoes, but you can’t seem to get it right. They still won’t give you what you want. You’ve even spent time with her lovers, but that didn’t satisfy you either. You should leave, Amanda, because you can’t have what you’re after. You can never have it.”
How could she know that? Nobody knew! The hair crawled on my arms and the back of my neck.
“You don’t have any right to talk to me like that. How dare you! You don’t know anything about me.” I stepped back in fear. My raised voice drew unwanted attention. A crowd had gathered around us, and I could swear they were smiling at me, staring at me. “You people are crazy!”
To my utter shock, she laughed at me. “Crazy doesn’t begin to describe what we are, Amanda. I suggest you leave. You aren’t welcome here, and I am pretty sure your name wasn’t on the guest list.”
I raised my finger to point it at her, but I had no chance to make my argument.
“We’re leaving this place. I don’t care if I ever see that bitch again!” Jonah shouted. He grabbed my hand and dragged me away, griping the whole time. I didn’t fight him. In fact, I was kind of relieved. Summer and her weird posse watched us leave, and that unnerving smile never left her face. I didn’t even bother to see if Avery witnessed all this.
“What is going on? Turn loose of me, Jonah!” I snatched my hand away.
“I should never have let you talk me into coming down here to the Alabama backwoods. You are going to take me to the airport. Now. Let’s get our things.” We grabbed our stuff and forgot all about Ed. He could find his own way home.
I didn’t argue, and an hour later I was saying goodbye to Jonah. We promised to keep in touch, but we both knew we were lying. I certainly had no intention of calling him.
I watched the plane take off from the Mobile Regional Airport and walked back to my car. I wasn’t going anywhere. There was something happening at Sugar Hill. Something was wrong with that whole damn family. And I was going to get that interview.
I turned the car east and headed back to wait for nightfall. I wouldn’t leave without some answers. I promised News Quarter a package, and I always delivered.
I pulled over to the side of Jackson Lane. I found a spot that would hide my car, and I could walk from here without too much trouble as long as I put on my walking shoes. I had an extra camera in the car. I packed my kit in my backpack and sat behind the wheel listening to the news channel. When it was dark enough I got out and locked the car behind me. That was kind of dumb. Who would find it out here? I slid the backpack on my shoulder and headed back to Sugar Hill. I’d have to come up behind the pond and go to the house from that direction. I was in good shape. I could do this.
This was going to be my breakout story.
Chapter Twenty-One – Avery
Jamie Richards’ presence made an awkward reunion with Jonah much easier. Seeing the two men standing next to one another, I could hardly believe that at one time I wanted to be exclusive with the spoiled jerk. And now he was here, with Amanda? It didn’t take long to get rid of him, and thankfully the detective had my back.
Just like he did when faced with any obstacle in our relationship, Jonah had run for the hills, unwilling to stand up for himself or us. As he stomped away through the gathering, making a noisy scene, I realized I had absolutely no feelings for him. None whatsoever. And that made me smile.
Jamie raised an eyebrow at me and joked, “I’d ask if you’re okay, but I can tell you’re just fine.”
“Are you staying in Belle Fontaine, Jamie? Why don’t you stay this weekend? We’ve got fireworks tonight, and from what I’m told a ridiculous buffet of seafood tomorrow. Can you spare the time away?”
“I have to head back before Monday, but I am staying in Mobile at the Hilton. Not too far away. And yes, it has been a long time since I’ve been to a good old-fashioned seafood buffet, but I hate to come empty-handed. Is there something I can do?”
“I don’t know. Can you wrangle crawfish?”
“It’s been a while, but I think I can handle that.”
“Well, I insist that you stay with us this weekend. I know for a fact we have an extra room. We have a few here.”
“I don’t want to bump anyone, and you appear to have a house full. Are you sure?”
“Oh yes, I’m sure.”
“I would like that.”
“Me too. See you for some gumbo and fireworks later, Jamie.”
Jamie’s face relaxed. That felt good. It was nice to make someone happy; I wasn’t used to that.
I went in search of Summer. As usual she was carrying her pink clipboard with the monogrammed D on the back for all to see. Weren’t we all Dufresnes? Well, most of us.
“Summer, I want to make room for Jamie. Is there any way we can put someone in a hotel?”
“Your coworker and her friends have left, so that is no longer an issue. I’ll ask one of Robin’s girls to clean that room up for the detective. So nice of him to stay. He’s a handsome man, Avery. Been holding out on me, have you?”
“Oh, it’s not like that. He’s helping me with the case. He says they are going to let the guy go, the one who cut me. I think he was hoping I would remember something else, but I just don’t. I wish I could. I remember his breath being hot, but I can’t remember what he said. I just know he threatened me. Is that weird or what?”
“Not at all. These things happen, but I’m sure it will come back to you.”
“Well, if you don’t mind I am going to wander around. What time are the fireworks?”
“At nine o’clock, but of course the big show is tomorrow night on the actual Fourth. Should I have Handsome go get the detective’s bags from the hotel?”
“Handsome is here?”
“Yes, and he brought you a basket of peaches.”
I smiled at hearing that. “How thoughtful. He was my first friend here. I think I’ll go speak to him. Is he around?”
“I think he went back home. I asked him to bring the car up for a guest. He should be back soon.”
“Well, how far is the walk?”
“About a half mile, in that direction.” She pointed past the pond.
“I can do that! I’ll catch up with him. It’s been a long time since I’ve walked in the woods.”
“You sure? There’s so much to do here. And it’s a hot day, Avery.” She looked stunned at my suggestion.
“What else is new?” I had on my sleeveless summer dress now, and I was so glad I had gone up to change.
Seeing that she couldn’t change my mind, she said, “Okay, but come back soon. I need your help with something.”
“What is it?” I was anxious to get going, but I didn’t want to leave her to shoulder a burden by herself. She scribbled on her clipboard and said in a distracted voice, “A lady named Susanna called the house. She wanted to know if you had seen her baby, Minette? Is this some story you were working on? She sounded really desperate.”
“Susanna?”
“Yes, she had a strange accent, and her last name was…it sounded foreign. Now what was it? Oh yes, Mandeville. She seems to think you have seen Minette. Oh no, Avery? Avery? Are you okay?”
I fainted for the first time in my life.
I woke up with a crowd of people around me and Summer patting my cheek. “Get those EMTs over here!”
Suddenly Jamie was there, ready to administer first aid, but I smiled at him and pretended I was all right. “No, I’m o
kay. Everyone calm down. I’m okay. Just the heat, I think. I’m going inside to cool down. Don’t fuss, Summer.” I pushed her hand away with a smile. “Really, I am okay.” Mitchell helped me inside, and I thanked him as he handed me a bottle of water and insisted that I drink it. Once the crowd dissipated, I went up to my room to recover. I was more embarrassed than anything else. What in the world was happening?
I closed the door behind me, collapsed on my settee, kicked off my shoes and closed my eyes. If I had any intention of taking a nap, that was blown out of the water. Just then, both my television and the tape player powered on without my doing a thing. The screen flickered, and Grandmother Margaret’s face appeared. Slowly I sat up and obediently watched the television screen.
Heaven help me, was all I could think.
Chapter Twenty-Two – Susanna
I hid behind the lace curtain of my bedroom window and searched the sea of faces that passed by. I had seen him yesterday and the day before that—I was sure of it. His dark hair protruded in big waves out from under his top hat, and he wore a gray suit. He walked with another man, but neither of them spoke. He’d glanced up at me as I pressed the palms of my hands against the window, but he never came up the steps or did more than pause and tilt his hat. Each time I saw him was like another knife shoved in my heart until there was no heart left.
The baby was stretching in odd ways today, and it was difficult to find a comfortable position. I had been forbidden to sit upon any of the velvet cushions in the parlor, for Etienne was quite sure my waters would break and destroy her couches. Etienne had left me alone for a change, as alone as you could be in her busy house in the Ramparts. The bright yellow house stood on the corner of Lively Street and Hopkins Avenue, and it was one of the largest homes in the area. Several girls lived here year-round, waiting for their introductions into society at the next Quadroon Ball, but I was the only Serene present. Despite my current status as an adulteress, I was still treated with respect and deference by the other members of the household. Although they refused to socialize with me beyond common courtesy for fear of angering Etienne, I was rarely alone. At the beginning of my return to her house, Etienne held me up as an example of a woman who had done everything wrong. She mocked me openly and for many months refused to call me by my proper name, preferring slanderous labels instead. I was quite sure that if I had not been pregnant, she would have done more than verbally abuse me.
But her slander had ceased, and I heard the rumors that floated around the house of busybodies: Etienne was in serious negotiations regarding me. But what that could mean, I did not know. Would Chase finally put me away? Would I marry again to someone else on Etienne’s ever-growing list of clients?
I wondered sometimes if my husband knew that I remained in Belle Fontaine. Nobody came to call, not even the elder Mr. Dufresne, to see about my welfare or the welfare of my child. But Ambrose knew I was here, locked up in a house of women. He knew, and yet he never came.
I scanned the crowd again and glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. Yes, it had been about this time yesterday when he had walked past the house. Maybe he would pass by again today. Where could he be going? Why wouldn’t he stop to see me? He had to know I was here—he was my husband’s cousin! Why had he betrayed me? I leaned forward to see further down the street, but after a few minutes of peering through the lace I gave up. I stretched my back and went to lie down on the bed when the door to my room opened.
Sulli stood in the doorway. Her brown eyes scrutinized me, and she closed the door behind her quietly. I could tell by her manner that she wished to keep her visit secret. I hadn’t even seen her come up the street.
“How are you feeling today?” I was surprised that she would ask, for during my long stay here I had barely seen her. That had not been the case before. I grew up in this house, as far back as I could remember, and she had been a part of that upbringing. Never a warm woman or one prone to showing affection openly, there were times when Sulli surprised me with small gifts or thoughtful comments and suggestions. And as soon as she bestowed her kindness upon me, I would not see her for quite a while. Etienne did not approve of her spoiling me, as she described it, but that did not dissuade the older woman from doing as she liked. Now here she was again. What was the meaning behind this surprise visit? Some sort of test?
“I don’t think I have one more inch of room left in my belly. Chase’s son grows larger each day.” Even as I said the words, I didn’t believe them. I knew that I carried a girl. I’d dreamed about her. I had even named her. She was my Minette. I imagined her a petite little thing with dark hair like mine. I imagined her arms about my neck as she kissed my cheek. I imagined Chase proudly holding her in his arms.
A dream. I knew it was only a dream. Chase would never accept a child that he suspected might not be his. Or more to the point, Chase’s father would never accept a child that he suspected might not be his grandchild.
“I hope you have the good sense not to say such things to your benefactor. She would not approve of a declaration like that.”
“I don’t care what she thinks. What about you, Sulli? Do you approve?” My familiar friend, desperation, rose up within me. Then the spark of an idea hit me. Maybe, just maybe, Sulli would be willing to help me. There had to be some way I could persuade her to set me free. If only I could see Chase one more time! “You know this isn’t right! I am a free woman! What can I do to convince you to help me?”
She dragged the wooden chair from its worn spot in front of the window and sat it beside the bed, waving her hand to instruct me to sit and be quiet. As always, she spoke plainly. “Your freedom is not in my power, Susanna. It is contingent upon your marriage to Chase Dufresne, my dear. What happens when he divorces you is anyone’s guess.”
“Divorces me? What do you mean? Chase would never do such a thing!” Again I knew that wasn’t true. I had wounded him in a way that only someone you loved could wound you. Yes, I had shamed him, but Chase loved me. He must be made to understand what divorce meant for a woman in my position. “You could go to him for me. Plead my case, Sulli! Take a letter to him for me.”
“You have so much to learn about men, Susanna. It would do little good. But from what I understand, you are going to get a lifetime of schooling in the subject of men and their desires.” I felt my skin crawl as she spoke; the baby heard her too and stirred within me.
“I don’t understand. Are you referring to the rumors? Am I to marry again? Some cruel old man?”
She scowled at me and shook her head, and her bright green earrings shook lightly. “No, Susanna Serene. You won’t marry again. Etienne has plans to turn you out after you deliver.”
“Out into the streets?” I said, rising from the bed now.
“No, girl. You’ll take a room at the Red House right here in the Ramparts. You’ll earn your keep the only way a woman in your position can.”
I felt bile rising up within me. I gagged at the thought of such a future. “You lie, Sulli! Etienne would never do that! She hates that place! And Chase would never allow it!”
“He has allowed it and will allow it unless you listen to Sulli.” She clasped my hands and leaned forward. Her eyes were wide and serious, and I paid attention to every word she spoke. Just like my life depended on it. Right now, it did. This was so unlike her—it frightened me into silence. “I don’t want that for you, Susanna Serene. I don’t want that for you! I never did. The only reason I gave you to her was for a better future. So you could have more than I did! How was I to know you’d throw it all away?” She squeezed my hands harder as I stared at her, my eyes transfixed on her face. She bowed her head and sniffled tears away.
“You gave me to Etienne? That means you’re my…”
“That’s all in the past, Susanna. I’m nothing and no one. Listen to me, girl. There’s only one way I can help you. That man is going to put you away—he will if you don’t do something. Ain’t no words or fluttering eyelashes going to help you now. If she�
��d let me, we might could have played on the softness of his heart toward you, but I’m afraid he’s not the same man now. He’s taken a white wife, and I hear she pleases him a great deal. But I know for a fact that he still loves you.”
Fat tears fell on my cheeks as she spoke the words I hoped were true.
“Yes, he misses his Serene. He misses you, but you have damaged his pride in such a way that it can’t be healed—not without strong magic. We have to cast a spell, a strong spell, to keep him bound to you. If we don’t, you’ll be at the Red House before the end of the month. And I don’t want that for you, my Susanna. Believe me. Believe Sulli. I don’t want that for you. You’ll die there, my beautiful child.”
“You’re my mother, and you gave me away?” I sat down again, the springs in the bed sagging under the weight of my big belly.
“We do things for our children. Sometimes cruel things. Yes, I did. But things weren’t supposed to end this way. Not like this. Why did you do it? You know you can’t trust a man, especially one wearing a handsome face and talking sweet words.” She shook her head at me.
I heard Etienne’s carriage pulling up to the front of the house, and we both poised on the bed, unsure what to do. Everyone knew when Etienne traveled up and down the street in her Brogue. She had bells on the horses like she was the Queen of England, I heard someone say once. I supposed the Queen of England liked bells. But what did I know?
“What do I do, then?”
“It is too late to do anything today. She must not find me here—and she can’t know that I told you anything at all. You hear?”
“Yes!”
“The back door will be open tonight. I will make sure of that. Etienne’s new man will come to see her around eight o’clock, and she’ll be dead drunk before ten. I will meet you at the corner here—look for my carriage. I know a spell we can use. It is strong, and it will cost you something valuable, but maybe it will protect you.” She touched my cheek with her hand and suddenly hugged me. I clung to her like I was dying of thirst and she was the Living Water.
Wife of the Left Hand (Sugar Hill Book 1) Page 18