by Lia Davis
She gingerly took each step down the stairs to the living room and found Noah leaning against the fireplace mantle. He whistled long and low.
“Mistress Adams, you done take my breath away.”
“Why, hello, Benjamin, honey. Aren’t you just the sweetest thing for sayin’ so.” She whipped her fan open and fluttered it vigorously in front of her. “Give yourself a spin so’s I can see your costume.”
He obliged and she gasped. “Noah! What happened to your back?”
“I put fake scars on it. Looks real, right?”
“I see those. No, I’m talking about the angry scrapes you’re refusing to tell me about.”
“Oh, they’re nothing. When I was hauling the gate to put over the hole, it slid down my back a bit. Adds to the realism, huh?” He chuckled, preening like a peacock.
She rolled her eyes. “Come over here and let me have a closer look.”
“They’re fine. I washed them up in the shower and put some stuff on them that I found in the medicine cabinet.”
“For heaven’s sake.” She shook her head as she scrutinized the wounds. “They do add a little something. You’re right. But geez! Have you had a tetanus shot recently?”
“In my line of work, I gotta be up to date on that kinda thing. So, yes. I’ll be fine, Florence Nightingale. Thank you for caring.” He leaned down and placed a fleeting kiss on her lips. “If I linger any longer—”
“To the car with you!”
Noah wanted to pinch himself. The best thing he’d ever done was make a trip down to Savannah. His heritage, his history, was important to him, and he had time and some money to spare to investigate and fill in the gaps. Never had he expected that the woman who’d been helping him would become the woman of his total admiration and raging desire. They’d pretty much been on their own since he arrived at her house yesterday. Her unabashed curiosity and quest for knowledge had set the stage for his heart. Now, to see her mingling with people from school, he admired her that much more.
Before they’d even walked through the massive entrance, there were people on the oversized porch whom she knew. She walked amidst the throngs of intimate conversational groups with ease, introducing him, explaining their costuming, and engaging in some light banter as is required amongst work friends. Once inside, he looked around the dimly lit foyer at all the lavish decorations. Orange and black metallic garland trimmed the grand staircase, while an array of witches’ hats hung from the ceiling by invisible fishing wire. Candelabras were on every mantle and table, with black candles burning bright. A cauldron sat in the middle of the kitchen’s island, bubbling from dry ice, no doubt. Ominous music filtered through the speakers all about the house, so when they entered each room, the foreboding melody followed them.
“Violet, so glad you could come this year, of all years.” An older woman, dressed like the matriarch of an old plantation family, approached with an aristocratic air about her.
“Cassie, thank you so much for the invitation. Your home is beautiful. It reminds of pictures of the old plantation homes.”
“Yes, well, my husband and I are obsessed with bringing back the glory days. Architecturally speaking, that is. I see you’ve been inspired by my theme this year. Tell me about your dashing young man’s costume and your own.”
“This is Noah Blackman. Noah, this is Cassie Windruff. She teaches upper level history at our high school.”
“Pleasure, Noah.” She held out her hand, as if expecting him to kiss it, but he shook it instead.
“We’ve been engaged in an historical quest involving both our families. We’re dressed as our ancestors who may have known each other. It’s a fascinating story I’ll share with you some time.”
“How wonderful. What is it you do, Noah, when you’re not channeling ancestral ghosts?”
“I’m a craftsman. I do custom wood work.”
“Really? I think we can all tell how physically demanding that can be just by the look of you. Impressive. Well, enjoy yourselves. There’s plenty of good food and drink to tempt any palate.”
“Thank you, we will.” Violet offered an obligatory smile, hooked her arm around his, and ushered him through the rest of the house.
“Sorry about her. As you can see, she’s a bit older than most of us and wealthier by far, so she takes liberties whenever she knows she might get a rise out of someone. We secretly call her the Grand Dame of the school.”
“She’s quite the personality. That’s for sure.”
“Oh, I see my crew out on the back lawn. I hope they saved us seats.”
“Lead the way.”
Her close friends were solid, and he was relieved they found his costume thoughtful and respectful rather than offensive. They settled themselves around the fire pit the group had commandeered.
“Cassie is sure playing her role as mistress of the house tonight to the fullest.”
“Yeah, you missed it, though, Violet. When we came in, she was standing on the stairs and she made a speech about who she was and extolled the virtues of her family and its ties to the success of the South, like she was channeling Scarlet O’Hara.”
“Oh, my God, Lizzie? Really?”
“Uh huh. Of course we all clapped when she was done and told her how amazing it was, but we’ve been cutting jokes about it ever since. So awkward.”
Violet shook her head and laughed. “That’s one history teacher who takes her work seriously.”
“Sometimes, I think too seriously. She idolizes her family lineage, without apology. Makes it a bit uncomfortable, you know, because this house has been passed down through the generations and has quite a history, she said. It was an active, prosperous plantation in its day, and it took a lot of slaves to run it. It’s her history she’s directly descended from, I get it, but does she have to be so proud her family owned slaves? In this day and age?”
“I totally get where you’re coming from, Liz. I mean, part of my family was just like hers, but the other parts weren’t. I have to acknowledge that a piece of my personal history is forever marred by the fact there are slave owners in it and they fought for the Confederacy. But I also have other parts that went north or stayed here to help slaves escape. I’m proud of those ancestors and glad I am directly descended from them.”
One of Violet’s male friends spoke up. “What about you, Noah? How much do you know of your history?”
“Jack, right?” The man sitting next to Noah nodded and smiled. “Well, that’s what Violet’s helping me find out. I’m directly descended from a runaway slave, named Benjamin Blackman, who found his way to New York, but not before some interesting turns occurred. We’re uncovering more and more each day I’m here.”
“What are your plans once you find out?”
“I think it just might be worthy of a book,” Noah said, “and Violet writes, so—”
“A perfect union! Ha ha!”
“You’re a regular riot, Jack.” Violet whacked his arm with the back of her hand.
Lizzie leaned over, across Jack’s lap. “Violet, did you walk into the different rooms to see the games Cassie’s laid out for tonight?”
“No. I saw you through the back doors and we walked straight out here.”
“She’s got all these authentic games from long ago going on. There’s bobbing for apples, which, ew. We’ll just leave it at that. In another room, she’s got this game where you try to eat a doughnut tied to a string without using your hands. There’s one that’s actually cool called, Puicini. It’s in the dining room. I tried it. It’s fun and the most interesting of the bunch.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s an old Irish game that’s supposed to tell your future. It’s kinda cool. You two should check it out. Come on. I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks, Liz. Noah, what do you say?”
“Sure. We’re here at a Halloween party, right? Let’s play.”
Lizzie took them right to the dining room to try the Puicini game. There were directions
on a card for guests to read and follow. “Okay, so who wants to go first?”
“I’ll go. I’m feeling lucky tonight.” Noah sat down in the seat before a row of salad plates filled with all sorts of odd objects.
“Violet, you blindfold him. I’ll mix up the plates.”
As she followed Lizzie’s instructions, Noah took the opportunity to feather kisses up Violet’s arm. She kissed the top of his head and gave his shoulders a sweet massage before leaving him to play the game. “What next, Lizzie?”
“Now, Noah gets to choose a plate and whatever’s in it will tell his fortune, as written on this card. Ready?”
“Ready! Hmm.” He waved his arms with dramatic flair, and then fluttered them over to his left and right. “I choose… this one!” He lowered a hand to one plate. “What is it? What did I get?” He removed the blindfold. His hand had fallen on the plate with rings. “What does that mean?”
Violet had been looking over Lizzie’s shoulder to read the card. As she started to blush, she turned away and giggled.
“And?” He urged.
“You’re going to marry, Noah. Congrats!” Lizzie laughed so hard, she doubled over while slapping the table.
“Sweet. I could be into that.”
“What about you, Violet?” Lizzie’s face had gone beet red from her fits of laughter. “Could you be into that?”
Violet turned back around, having pulled herself together. “Why yes. Yes, I could.”
“What?” Lizzie grabbed at her heart. “You big fat liar! You told me Hell would have to freeze over for you to ever consider that again. Ha ha!”
Violet rolled her eyes and glanced over at Noah. He raised a questioning brow just to taunt her a bit more. “I’ll go next!”
“Nice way to deflect.”
“Shut it, Lizzie! Noah, blindfold me, please.”
He stood so she could sit, and as he wrapped the handkerchief around her, he whispered in her ear, “If you like this, I’m not opposed.”
“You are so bad.” She paused. “I like bad.”
Thank goodness he had the chair in front of him. He hadn’t expected a comeback like that and he responded like any lusty man would. “Point given, Violet. Point given.” Once his manly parts settled down, he stood beside her, watching Lizzie mix up the plates and to see which plate Violet would choose.
“I pick this one.” She lowered her hand into the plate of flower petals. “What is it, Liz?”
“Um, flower petals means success. You will have success.”
“That would be nice. I’ll take it. This was fun. Thanks for telling us about it.”
“No problem. Why don’t we head back to the gang? I’m sure Jack and the others are missing us terribly.”
“Yeah, right.”
Noah chuckled. “Can I get you something to drink, Violet?”
“Oh yes, I’d like one of those dangerous-looking Halloween concoctions we passed on the way out here. If I have one now, I’ll be good for the ride home.”
“I’m on it. You go on ahead. I’ll be right there.” He grasped her arm lightly and pulled her to him. “Don’t do or say anything interesting until I return.”
“Absolutely not. We will talk about all things mundane and boring.”
Not wanting to miss a chance at reminding Violet what was to come later, he leaned toward her and kissed the curve of her shoulder. He watched in smug satisfaction as her breasts rose and fell in quick succession.
“A reminder of promises to come,” he proclaimed in her ear, and was close enough to hear her breath catch.
As he navigated the rooms and hallways, the woodwork completely distracted him. The built-in cabinetry, the intricate yet simple lines of crown molding, the mantles over the fireplaces, all triggered ideas in his head for what he’d like to do in his own home, when he finally bought one. One thing was certain. He loved the charm of Savannah’s architecture and interior design. He stopped to admire a small, built-in corner shelf.
“Excuse me. It’s Noah, right?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I thought my memory served. Cassie Windruff, the party-thrower and mistress of the house, just in case you’ve forgotten. When Violet introduced you and said what you did for a livin’, I knew I had to grab you at some point and talk to you. It seems that time is now.”
“Really? Why’s that? Needing some work done around here?”
“Of a sort. I have a few rooms that haven’t been updated to reflect the rest of the house’s remodelin’. The husband ran out of time and money for a while, but we’ve had a boon and are lookin’ for someone like you to bring those rooms to life.”
“I’m flattered you’d consider me, but I’m only here for the weekend. I live up north. Plus, you haven’t even seen my work to know if you’d really want to hire me.”
“Oh, now hush about all that. Details. Come, I want to show you the rooms. It won’t take long and there’s plenty of evenin’ left to enjoy.”
“Violet’s expecting her drink.”
“Violet can wait a few extra minutes, don’t you think?” She rested a hand on his naked back and ushered him from the ballroom to the hallway where the grand stairs led to the second floor.
“This way. The rooms are upstairs. So, tell me about your work, Noah. How long have you been in the business of craftin’ with your hands?”
“I’ve always done it. My grandpa taught me how to whittle as a boy scout, and I just fell in love with wood. I’ve been my own boss now for close to ten years.”
“You must do well, then. What is your favorite thing to craft?”
“I’d say built-in cabinetry that follows specific design eras.”
“Ah, here is the first room needin’ your expertise.” She opened a door to a large room, sparse but for a four-poster bed and an octagonal side table with a small Tiffany lamp. “Look around. Do you see what I mean? No charm, no history. The family who owned this home briefly before returnin’ it to its rightful owners modernized it and wiped out any historic feel. A travesty, if you ask me. No respect for history. This home’s history. Needless to say, we’ve had a tremendous amount of work to do to bring it back to original accuracy.”
“That always bothers me, too. Modern isn’t always best.”
She closed the door and sat on the bed. “Come. Sit down and ruminate a moment about the possibilities for this space.” She patted the space beside her.
“I’d rather walk around, if you don’t mind.” A sick feeling roiled in his stomach. Was bringing him up to this room just a ploy? Was this woman coming on to him? In her own home? With a ton of people downstairs, not to mention Violet? Disgusting. He’d give a good show and look around, tell her his recommendations for someone else to follow, and then get the hell out of there.
She sniffed and toyed with her bracelet. “Suit yourself.”
As he walked about the space, peering at the baseboards and window casings, he mentioned how he’d change those elements to reflect the correct era. The rustling of material behind him drew his attention. Before he had a chance to turn and look, cold hands skimmed his arms up to his shoulders.
“Noah.” He flinched and whirled around to find a lustful glimmer in her eyes. “I can see you are a man who admires finer things with a bit of age on them. How about you admire me for a little while?”
“Mrs. Windruff, I’m involved with Violet and have no desire for anyone else or to do anything with anyone else. I think I’ll leave now before this gets even more inappropriate than it already is.” He maneuvered around her wide gown and opened the door to leave.
“Oh, I’m just havin’ a bit of Halloween naughtiness, Noah. No harm, no foul, right? Trick or treat, or why not have both? Come on. Come on back here.”
“My treat is waiting for me downstairs. Thank you, Mrs. Windruff. Have a good evening. Maybe someone else will do for you.”
He didn’t linger to hear her response, but hustled down the stairs and outside to Violet.
“We were
starting to wonder what happened to you. This insane crew came up with many an imaginative tale about your lengthy disappearance. And where’s my drink?”
“Hello everyone.” He flashed a quick smile and bent over to whisper in her ear. “We need to go. Now.”
She lowered her voice, as well, and offered a concerned frown. “Wh...why? What’s happened? Are you alright?”
“I’ll tell you in the car. Can we please leave now?”
“Absolutely.” She turned to her friends. “Well, we need to be going. I’m sorry, but we still have so much more to do before Noah leaves. I’ll see you on Tuesday. Yes, I took Monday off with him here.”
He helped her out of her seat, said the obligatory farewell, and prayed they wouldn’t run into the Grand Dame before reaching the car. Luckily, she was already spinning her web around another unsuspecting victim at the far side of the dining room, but she didn’t miss the opportunity to cast him an evil glare on his way out.
Safely in the car and on the road, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Noah, you’re worrying me. What happened back there?”
“That Windruff lady is nuts! She’s a real piece of work.”
“Did she say something or do something offensive? She’s been known to be a bit inappropriate at times.”
“A bit? Yeah, well, I was admiring the woodwork in the rooms on the way to getting your drink. She steals me away, upstairs, to show me a room that still needs remodeling. Only thing is, she closed the freaking door and propositioned me!” He shuddered. Violet swerved off to the side of the road and stopped the car.
“What?”
“She actually put her hands on me, and get this…. She asked me to admire her for a while. Said it was just some Halloween naughtiness. Ugh! I told her we were involved, but she didn’t care. I beat it outta there so fast and came directly to you.”
“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry. What a fucking bitch! I can’t believe she’d do something like this. Especially to someone she knows.”