by Beth Bennett
“That’s funny,” Hettie remarked. “I don’t remember it ever bothering you before.” Jackson frowned but made no reply.
Olivia smoothed her skirts and smiled. “Oh, no, there’s plenty of room. I don’t mind.” When she looked up at his face, a lump formed in her throat. His light toilet water mixed with his own masculine scent was overwhelming. He looked straight ahead but didn’t seem to mind the close quarters. She wiggled her behind in an effort to find a comfortable position. She couldn’t be sitting any closer if she were sitting in his lap. The satiny feel of his evening coat brushed against her cheek.
Pulling up to the Opera house, Jackson alighted first, then held each lady’s hand as they stepped down. Hettie immediately flipped open her fan. “Good heavens it’s warm tonight. I hope I won’t wilt inside.” Jackson walked beside his sister but it was to Olivia that he offered his arm. “I have to make sure my ward has a proper escort.” He smiled but Olivia’s heart sank. His ward?
He patted her hand when she rested it on his sleeve. His eyes shone as he smiled down at her. “You’ll like the opera. It’s one of New York’s finest achievements. I am glad you get to experience it.” He hesitated slightly. “With me.” The words made Olivia’s breath catch. Don’t be a ninny. He’s simply being kind. He doesn’t mean anything by it.
They had arrived a little early which gave Hettie and Mrs. Jackson plenty of time to socialize. Sipping wine and chatting in the grand hall seemed to be as much a part of the opera as the music. Jackson took two glasses from the refreshment table and gave one to Olivia. “You must be thirsty. This crush of people is enough to make anyone hot and bothered.”
She laughed gently at his quip and accepted the wine. “I never cease to be amazed at New York. Look at this magnificent building. All these people.” She looked back and forth. “Imagine what Aunt Bessie would think?”
Jackson spoke low so only she could hear. His lips brushed her ear. “Don’t let the glitterati fool you. Fancy clothes and money are just a cover. I’ll take sincerity and kindness over that, any day of the week.” His words made her heart sing.
He took a sip of wine and Olivia followed his lead. She noticed his eyes dart down to her bodice. It made her flush. She wished she could think of something interesting to say. “I’m doing very well in my studies.” That was boring. Why can’t I be more like…like Lucy?
“That’s wonderful.” He took his watch out of his breast coat pocket. “It’s nearly time for the opera to begin.” He slipped it back. “Have you ever considered staying in New York?”
Olivia took another sip of wine. “Stay? In New York? I should think you would be glad to be rid of me.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I heard a saying one time. Fish and houseguests stink after three days. I’ve been here much longer than that.” Jackson tilted back his head and belly laughed.
The crowd made their way up the soft, carpeted steps and into the theater. Hettie and Mrs. Jackson were swept up with the crowd as Jackson called to them. “You go on ahead. Olivia will come with me. I see Albert Winestock across the way. I need to speak to him for just a moment.”
Hettie narrowed her eyes. “Don’t be late. You’re not going to get out of this by chatting with friends in the lobby.”
“Go.” Jackson waved her away. He gave Olivia his full attention. “Wait here for just a moment. I need to speak to Albert about business.” She nodded.
Relegated to standing by the steps, Olivia watched as Jackson and Albert conferred in hushed tones. By this time, the lobby was nearly empty. Albert’s deep brown eyes kept glancing at her over Jackson’s shoulder. She nervously looked away.
Finally, both men walked toward her. Albert proffered his arm. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you upstairs?”
Jackson took her by the hand. “Oh no, you don’t. I’m the lady’s escort for the evening.”
“I say, old man, you should be able to share her for one evening.”
“As I said, I am the lady’s escort.”
Albert raised his eyebrows, clicked his heels and bid them adieu. He took the steps two at a time.
Jackson adjusted his tie in aggravation. “I don’t know why he won’t leave you alone. Every time you’re around, here he comes. It’s one thing to work together in business. I won’t have him invading my privacy.”
It was Olivia’s turn to raise her eyebrows. “Privacy? I don’t think he means any harm.”
“The hell he doesn’t.”
She covered her mouth with a gloved hand to hide her smile. The very beginning strains of music could be heard and she hurried to follow him up the steps and into the theater. Something unwieldy grasped her by the foot. She tried to shake it loose and quickly realized her heel was caught in the hem of her gown.
Reaching down, she tried to pull it free but the action only caused her to stumble. Somehow, the dress was behaving like a cloying animal and she could no longer walk. O goodness, I’m going to fall right here in this big old Opera House. A strong arm reached around and grasped her by the waist. Suddenly, she was completely pulled up against Jackson’s side. Her head tilted back till her lips were practically touching his. His breath smelled of sweet wine.
Instead of pulling away, he leaned closer and whispered her name. His head turned slightly to the side. Before she knew what had happened, his lips brush across hers. The kiss deepened and desire took hold. She responded with a kiss of her own. Longing replaced the feeling of shyness. She had never felt such undiluted joy in her entire life.
The tip of his tongue startled her as it pleaded entrance. She pulled away in surprise. Her hands still clung to his neck and his arms were still wrapped tightly around her.
“Olivia…I’m. I’m sorry.” His words were hoarse.
“Why?”
“That was completely inappropriate.”
“It was?”
“I…I don’t know what happened. I got carried away in the moment.” He seemed out of breath. “I don’t know what got into me. This isn’t like me at all.” It was his turn to look flushed, embarrassed even. “Come, the others will be wondering what happened to us.”
Now she was the one who felt embarrassed. He had kissed her and she had fallen all over him like a common whore. He was as red as an apple. He was ashamed of her! Of course that’s what it was.
Olivia turned away and stared straight ahead as they entered the brightly lit theater. The Daniels were all seated together in their box. Olivia nodded in greeting and left Jackson’s side to sit beside Hettie. She wanted to be as far away from him as possible.
His kiss had shattered her world, and he chatted with some acquaintances as if nothing had happened. The curtain rose and she tried to concentrate on the stage. It was simply impossible. She lightly brushed her fingers across her lips. He had kissed her, and she, had brazenly kissed him back. She squirmed in her seat as the curtain finally came down for intermission.
Hettie leaned toward her with a quizzical expression. “For your very first opera, you seem awfully distracted. Did you like it?”
In truth, Olivia had hardly heard a note. “It was fine.”
“Fine! Is that all you can say? This is Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute.’ One of the most famous Opera’s ever written. Where were you all night?”
Olivia ignored Hettie and glanced over to see that Jackson had disappeared. Lucy Spear and friends were coming toward their box. Hettie tapped Olivia on the arm. “Look there’s the gang. Let’s go over and say hello.”
“You go without me. I’d rather just sit here.”
Hettie shrugged and left Olivia alone. Mrs. Jackson was also conferring with friends. Olivia glanced around the opera house. Several stories tall, she took note of the heavy curtains that framed all the box seats. The Daniels’ were some of the best in the house. The chandelier in the center was the largest thing she had ever seen.
“It’s a beautiful opera house.” She jumped. Lucy was
seated right next to her and leaned in to hiss. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Olivia leaned away. “Yes, it’s fine.”
Lucy tittered. “Most people would be inordinately impressed with their first opera. I can’t imagine why you aren’t. Maybe you just don’t understand what you’re seeing. Opera does take a certain level of education and sophistication.”
Olivia’s nostrils flared in anger. Her lips drew into a thin line. “I’m not sure why everyone seems to think everything about New York is so awe inspiring. New York is not the only place in the world.”
“Indeed?” Lucy sat back and crossed her legs. Olivia flipped open her fan and lightly waved it in front of her face. It conveniently gave her a bit of cover from Lucy. The woman’s lips curled into a pitying half-smile. “The Daniels have been terribly kind to you haven’t they?”
Olivia silently wondered where this vein of conversation was going. “Yes, they have.”
“Hettie told me about the money she gave you. My, my, you certainly have found yourself in a windfall haven’t you?”
Money? “Hettie hasn’t given me any money. The Daniels have allowed me to stay with them and they have provided very well for me but they have never given me any money.”
Lucy’s eyes darted down. “Yes, they did. You used it to pay for that dress you’re wearing.”
“What?” Olivia had, had enough. “You’re a liar, Lucy Spear.”
Lucy simply smiled at Olivia’s outrage. “Hettie felt sorry for you. She’s the liar. Jackson didn’t get the money from your farm at all. That money came from the Daniels’ bank account. Hettie confided in me herself.” Lucy demurely looked down. If anyone had been watching, they would have thought Lucy Spear the epitome of sweetness and light. “They’re a kind family and didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I for one, think Hettie would have done you a favor by telling you the truth instead of letting you strut around New York. She even told me you sent money home.” Lucy leaned back and laughed. “It’s pathetic, really.” Lucy patted her hair and lightly bit her lips to add a little color. “At least you know the truth now.”
Olivia’s eyes filled with tears. Instantly, she knew what Lucy said was true. She’d been suspicious to start with but her pride had kept her from asking questions. Her heart had wanted to believe it was true. She had been so pleased to pay for the dresses with her own money. Never had she felt so much joy as the day she wired money back home. She had even lain awake in bed imagining all the celebrating that must have gone on when the money was received and all the things Aunt Bessie had been able to do with it.
Her own money! She was a fool. A stupid little mountain girl. “I don’t want nobody to think I’m a charity case.” The memory of the ignorantly spoken words sent a jolt through her stomach. She looked up and watched as Lucy and Jackson greeted one another. He’d been in on the lie all along. Lucy stood and lewdly leaned into him and Jackson did nothing to stop her. Olivia even thought she saw him smile. They could have each other. They could have New York. Staring straight ahead, she endured the rest of the opera in silence.
Chapter 20
Jackson had given Argus Hatchgrove the day off. He wanted to see what he could discover for himself. Argus had been gigantically unhelpful. The man was adept at double speak and bait and switch. Jackson couldn’t stand to talk with him another second. He would compare the books with copies of the bank records himself. If he found a discrepancy, he would make a notation.
As he looked through column after column it was becoming ever more obvious that Mr. Hatchgrove had been diverting funds over the entire period of time he’d been manager. It was turning out to be a significant amount of money. It wouldn’t be enough to put the granary out of business but it would be more than enough to send the man to prison for a number of years. What an arduous day’s work. He was never so glad as that evening, to be getting home. With relief, he handed Simmons his coat and hat. Diverting to the library, Jackson enjoyed a cigar and whiskey.
The dinner bell rang and footsteps sounded as everyone assembled in the dining room. Hettie was bubbling over with some important news. “James and his brother are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. I hope you’ll be here, Jackson. I’ll invite Lucy to round out the numbers.”
“I’m sorry, Hettie, but Lucy and I have other plans. I’m meeting her at the Astoria. It’s a personal matter. We won’t be eating here.”
“Oh.” The look of disappointment on Hettie’s face was palpable. “I suppose there’s no help for it?”
“No, there is not.”
Jackson buttered a roll. His eyes fell on Olivia. She looked like she had swallowed a chicken bone. “Olivia, is there anything wrong?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m just not very hungry tonight. I think I’ll turn in early.” She pushed back from the table. He raised his eyebrows but his mother and Hettie only shrugged and went on eating.
Olivia did not appear the rest of the evening. He was growing concerned. Perhaps she was ill. “Mother, would you check on Olivia? She has been up in her room all evening and she did not eat a bite of her dinner.”
“Of course, dear.” His mother was gone several long moments then reappeared downstairs. “She’s asleep, dear. I felt her forehead. She seems perfectly fine to me. She’s simply worn out. The rest will be good for her. You needn’t worry.”
He did anyway. Waiting until everyone had gone to bed, he took the stairs to the crow’s nest and quietly knocked on her door. When there was no answer, he gently pushed it open. Moonlight dripped over her small form. Her shoulders were shaking with sobs. He quickly crossed and lowered his weight beside her on the bed. His hand reached over to feel her cheeks. She was warm but not overly so.
“Olivia, what is wrong? Are you ill?”
She turned her face to the pillow and managed a muffled reply. “What are you doing in here?”
“You left without eating anything for dinner. I was concerned for your health.”
“My health is fine. Please leave.”
“Now see here, young lady. There is no call for rudeness.”
Olivia rolled to her back. Her hair spread out upon the pillow, framing her face like an angel. The moonlight gave her face an ethereal glow. Jackson could see the deep sadness in her eyes. “I want to go home.” She wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand.
“Why? Has something happened?”
“I just want to go home.” A sob caught in her throat.
“You will. Just as soon as you finish your studies. You’ve come so far.”
“I want to go home, now.”
He was hard put to form a response.
She turned away from him. “I want to go home.” The little figure curled in the bed looked absolutely forlorn.
“How about you get a good night’s sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
She wouldn’t answer him. He pulled the covers over her shoulder and patted her lightly on the back. He left quietly, but when he shut the door, the sound of muffled sobbing began again.
In the morning, there was no chance to speak to her. She disappeared into the library before breakfast and the professor arrived shortly thereafter. After work, he would be going straight to the Astoria Hotel to meet Lucy. It unsettled him that she was so upset. He would however, have to wait deal with it.
The work day was uneventful. At exactly six o’clock Argus emerged from his office, put on his coat and left. Jackson felt annoyed. The man doesn’t work a minute longer than he has to. At least it was quiet. He continued to sift through the books until it was time to leave for the Astoria.
While waiting for Lucy, the image of her in a lustful embrace with his manager, caused him to shudder. She would never have been with a man like Argus Hatchgrove without some type of ulterior motive. Lucy always followed the money, and never more so than in the company she kept. He felt sure she was involved in the embezzlement somehow.
Her carriage finally pulled up. Fashionably late. He r
eached up a hand to help her down. “Don’t you look lovely tonight and where ever did you find such an impressive ensemble?
Lucy tittered. “Oh, I’ve had this for ages. You just haven’t seen very much of me lately.”
He allowed her to place her arm in his. As she did so, he tried to send her his best smile. “You’ve been very busy haven’t you?”
Lucy tossed her head and the ostrich feather in her hair waved back and forth under his nose. “You’re the one who’s been busy. I’ve been practically begging for your attention.”
“Have you now?” Jackson escorted her up the steps and into the dining room. They were seated in an out of the way corner. Good. He wanted this conversation to be private. They placed their order and Lucy gazed across the table at him. Her eyes were like limpid pools and she pursed her ruby red lips. Her tongue darted out. Jackson thought she looked rather like a small dark lizard. He made no comment but only stared across the table at her.
“Really Jackson, are you going to sit there in silence all night?” Before he could answer, they were interrupted by the first course. Lucy delicately took a bite.
Jackson cleared his throat. “I was rather surprised when I arrived at the granary the other day. You and Argus Hatchgrove seemed to be well acquainted with one another.”
“Who?” Her eyes were now roundly innocent. He had to hand it to her, she played the game extraordinarily well.
“You know, Lucy. Argus Hatchgrove. He’s been with me at least a year. Surely you know the man.”
“The granary office is not a place I frequent. It wouldn’t be proper for a lady to be seen down near the docks, now, would it?”
“No, it most definitely would not.” Jackson looked up from his plate. “Where ever did you get that red hat you were wearing the other day? I’ve never seen another one quite like it. You must have gotten it in New York.”
Lucy’s eyes narrowed into slits, making her look more lizard-like than ever. “You never displayed such interest in my hats before. Of course I got it in New York, where else?”