by K T Grant
Beau sighed and sat back. “I was wrong about Lily and Wyatt. There. Are you happy now?”
“It doesn’t matter to me. The person you should talk to no longer cares. Lily has moved on and—”
“You really think she’ll stay with you?” Beau asked, his voice dripping with a sly tone.
Rose laughed dryly. “Because I was once a whore who had a child out of wedlock and enjoys sex without the bonds of matrimony? Lily knows it all and doesn’t care. I’ve helped her break those chains hypocrites like you and those self-righteous asses you associate with tightened around her. She once tried to live life on her own terms with Mary and it ended in disappointment. If you think about it, you reaped the rewards by Mary rejecting Lily. But now because of your stubborn nature and annoying pride, you lost the most important thing in your life.” She grinned. “Your loss is my gain.”
“Bravo, Madam.” Beau clapped.
The fight left Rose and she sat back against the squabs of the carriage. “I don’t want to be your enemy, Beau. You either accept how things are between me and Lily and move on or you don’t. But if it’s a fight you want, then a fight you’ll get.”
“I’m tired of the anger and hurt. I...wish I could go back in time and change things.”
“It’s too late for that now,” She said and held out her hand.
Beau placed his hand in hers and he tugged. She sat down next to him and rested her cheek against his chest.
“I could seduce you as a form of revenge, but you’re like a sister to me,” Beau said over her head.
Rose patted Beau’s chest and gave him a kiss on his cheek as she sat up. “You can’t seduce someone whose body won’t respond to you.”
“Ouch.” Beau brushed his palm down the back of her head. “The question now remains, where do we go from here?”
“Hell if I know.” Rose gave Beau a perceptive look. “Perhaps we can discuss this more over a cup of coffee. I know of a quant café a few blocks away from the Delights where we can chat some more.”
“And you’ll tell me more about your new building purchase? Expanding your business?” Beau asked.
Rose didn’t bother to ask how Beau knew about her plans. He always found a way.
“If you’re paying, I may tell you what I have planned.”
“Are you going to tell Lily?” Beau asked as he hit the roof and the carriage came to a halt.
“Yes. I have nothing to hide. We’ve always been honest with one another.” Rose laid her hand on Beau’s arm. “Perhaps afterward you can come back with me and if Lily is up to having company, you both can talk.”
“I would like that,” Beau said and called up to the driver to give him the directions to their new destination.
* * * *
The gravestone was cool against her fingertips as Lily left a yellow daffodil on top. She bowed her head and said a silent prayer. This time her eyes remained dry and her hands didn’t tremble as she brought them up to her mouth and blew a kiss.
“I hope wherever you are, you’re happy and at peace,” she whispered and with one last touch on the gravestone turned to leave.
Wyatt Ashford stood a few feet away holding a colorful bouquet of petunias.
“Wyatt,” Lily said his name fondly and he pulled off his hat as he gave her a short bow.
“You’re looking well, Lily.” Wyatt walked over to her side. “Can you please give me a moment with Mary?”
Lily poked the petal of one of his flowers. “Of course. Mary would have loved these.”
“They were her favorite,” Wyatt replied, giving her a small smile.
“I’ll wait over here for you.” She motioned to the big birch tree near the edge of the grass.
Wyatt knelt down on one knee and positioned the flowers at the base of the grave. His mouth moved as he dipped his head, his finger tracing Mary’s name and dates of her birth and death. He then turned his attention to the smaller gravestone next to Mary’s where his son was buried. Lily almost went to him then, to offer some comfort, but he rose, and with one last pat to both gravestones, he came over to her.
“When did you get back?” she asked.
“Yesterday morning. I booked a room at one of the hotels in town. I can’t stay in my house. Too many bad memories.”
Lily could understand. She couldn’t see Wyatt sleeping in the same bed or living under the roof where his wife and child had died.
“It’s so good to see you, Lily.” Wyatt held his hand out to her and she took it. He pulled her in close and gave her a hug.
“Why don’t we take a stroll and talk?” she suggested softly.
“Let’s.” Wyatt directed her toward the path.
They both walked in companionable silence. Lily stared up at Wyatt, viewing his appearance. He was the total opposite from Beau in looks and breeding. He had no facial hair and had a lighter skin tone due to his days of sitting in an office rather than working outside. His blonde hair was smoothed back with some sort of pomade that always smelled like licorice. Nothing in Wyatt’s manner showed that he had suffered from a recent tragedy, but then again even during the harshest of circumstances he always appeared composed.
“I walked past your house and was surprised to see it dark and the lawn unkempt. Have you and Beau decided to move?” Wyatt asked.
Lily kicked a pebble away with the toe of her boot. “Beau and I have separated and we’re divorcing.”
Wyatt jerked to a stop. Concern filled his eyes and he took both of her hands in his, squeezing them gently. “Last night I went out to dinner with a business associate and he told me you left Beau and now are residing with...” Wyatt cleared his throat, letting his statement go unfinished.
“I’m living with Madam Ware at Rose’s Delights,” she replied softly. “She took me in when I had no other place to go and has been a wonderful friend to me.”
Wyatt swiped his hand over the back of his head and his mouth fell into a frown. “You should have contacted me. I would have rushed back to help you. I hate to think—”
“Hate to think what? My reputation is already in tatters, so what does it matter if I’m living in a whorehouse? Actually it’s been quite liberating.” She gave him an impudent look and moved away to stroll again.
Wyatt caught up to her and grasped her elbow. “What do you mean by liberating?”
“Beau leaving me is the best thing that has ever happened. Right from the beginning, he and I were more like oil and water. We didn’t have the same relationship you and Mary had. Our personalities clashed far too often. Beau never really trusted me. He believed you and I…” Lily waved her hand around. “That doesn’t matter anymore. What does matter is I’ve found someone who doesn’t care what our neighbors may think. This entire situation has been a blessing in disguise.”
Confusion filled Wyatt’s face as lines appeared on his forehead and his mouth dipped down even further. “How can Beau think you and I would…the only woman I loved was Mary. I can go talk to him and fix this.”
Lily grabbed hold of Wyatt by the arm as he started to storm off. “Wyatt! Please don’t. It’s all said and done. Even if Beau believed you and wanted to take me back, I wouldn’t return to him. I have a new outlook on life and Beau isn’t part of it.”
“Please don’t tell me you’ve become a whore—”
“Oh, Lord no.” Lily laid a palm over her throat. “That’s one profession I could never do.”
Wyatt wiped his forehead and gave her an uneasy smile. Not since Mary’s death had she seen Wyatt so off center.
“I’m surprised you want to stay in Charleston.”
Lily shrugged. “Charleston has been my home for far too long. I could go somewhere else and begin anew with the settlement Beau has given me, but I’ve decided to stay and see what happens.” And now with Rose in my life I don’t have to run away in shame.
Lily left the last statement unsaid. She didn’t want to spring even more surprising news on Wyatt since he looked unnerved with what sh
e had admitted. A vision of Wyatt passing out as she told him how close she and Rose really were caused a few giggles to spill from her mouth.
Wyatt took no notice as he glanced around. His forehead knitted again and he scraped the bottom of his shoe over the dirt.
“There are far too many unfortunate memories for me here,” Wyatt said and his eyes charted a squirrel digging in the grass a few feet away from them. “I’ve decided I can’t stay in Charleston. That’s why I left so soon after Mary’s…death. I’m going to sell my house and move out west to San Francisco where I’ve been offered an opportunity I’d be foolish to pass up.”
“Oh, really?” Lily asked, not necessarily surprised by Wyatt’s decision, but where he planned on going. “San Francisco is quite a distance away. Why not return home to North Carolina and rebuild there?”
“Mary would haunt me there,” Wyatt said softly. “Her ghost wouldn’t follow me to California.”
Lily held back from arguing with his statement. Mary’s memory would haunt not only him, but her for the rest of her days.
“When do you leave?” she asked instead.
“As soon as I settle things here.” Wyatt took hold of her hand and swiped his thumb back and forth across the ridges of her knuckles. “If things don’t work out for you here, you’re more than welcome to come with me.”
“As what, your housekeeper?” she responded pertly.
“As my wife.” Humor injected Wyatt’s voice and she slapped his arm.
“I’ll have to decline, Mr. Ashford, but thank you for the honor.”
Wyatt pulled her arm through his again and walked. “Before Mary died, she asked me to look out for you.”
“Much like you did during the war?” Lily asked, a sudden memory rushing back when Wyatt had rescued her from being raped by a Yankee solider who snuck on to her property back when she was trying to keep it running.
Wyatt’s mouth slanted up. “Yes. She and I had more than a few discussions about you. Mary loved you. I love you. You’re friendship for both of us is something I’ll never forget.”
“You and Mary were my dearest friends.” Lily blinked away the tears forming in her eyes. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t have done for both of you.”
“And us for you.” Wyatt cupped her cheek and smiled down at her.
Always you and Mary together as a unit. In the past she would have been pained by that thought. Now it no longer did.
“Shall we take one last stroll around before we leave?” she asked, knowing this could be the final time she saw Wyatt before he left.
“An excellent suggestion,” Wyatt responded.
Lily hugged Wyatt’s arm close as they walked on.
* * * *
When Lily entered the Delights, she came upon Tagg who had come out from one of the sitting rooms.
“Hello, Tagg. Has Rose returned yet from her errand?” she asked as she took off her hat and patted the sides of her head.
“Not yet, Mrs. Odell. She should be back before lunch. If you will excuse me, I have something important to attend to. I can have one of the maids bring a light snack to your room.”
Lily gave the proficient guard a grateful smile. “Lemonade would be nice and some of those peanut butter cookies Rose and I had for dessert last night.”
“Yes ma’am. I’ll see if I can find Josephine.” Tagg gave her a stiff bow and walked down the hall.
Lily fanned her face with her hat and unfastened the top button of her dress. Already the humidity had escalated and her walk with Wyatt left her drained. She would sit in one of the rooms in the back of the house where it was cooler until Rose returned.
A sound much like a woman’s laugh came from the front sitting room. Curious, she gave the half-opened door a push, only to stop when she saw the two in the room. Clinton had boxed Jo in against the wall near the front window and was kissing her. His hips moved back and forth and Jo rubbed her foot over his ankle. She moaned and her hands went into his hair. A groan burst from his mouth and his arms came around her, grabbing her buttocks. Loud sucking and more sighs came from both.
Lily slowly took a step back and went to close the door, when the floor creaked.
Clinton broke the kiss. His lips were red and shiny and his face had a rosy color to it. Jo gave her an embarrassed smile.
“I apologize. I’ll leave so you can carry on.”
“Don’t go. Clinton’s keeping me company while I’m dusting.” Jo pulled a rag from her skirt pocket and poked Clinton in the side.
“Um yes, I’m helping Jo with the household chores,” Clinton said and wiggled his finger against Jo’s hip. She slapped his hand away.
“Only dusting, hmm?” Lily asked, her voice lifting in a teasing matter.
Jo mumbled under her breath while Clinton gave her a wide grin as he rocked back on his heels.
“You should see us together when we sweep the floors.” Clinton winked and Jo smacked him with her rag.
“Why don’t you go and see how lunch is coming along?” Jo requested, and when Clinton grabbed her and pulled her up against his chest, Lily glanced away.
Jo and Clinton whispered to one another and when Lily looked back at them again, their lips broke apart slowly. Jo stared up at Clinton with a dreamy look and he brushed his hand over her cheek, giving her a lazy smile.
Lily cleared her throat and Clinton kissed Jo’s knuckles and walked out of the room, whistling under his breath.
Jo exhaled loudly. She grimaced and rotated her ankle in the air as she sat down on the window seat. Lily went to join her.
“You two make a very happy couple,” Lily said.
Jo covered her face and groaned. “I can’t think straight around him. Ever since we…well, ahem, he follows me everywhere. Not that I mind at all. I love being with Clinton but I’m afraid it won’t last.”
“Why would you think that way? The man is smitten with you.”
“Smitten with me?” Disbelief colored her voice. “Clinton has been with many women, most of whom are beautiful and classy. Next to them I’m plain and ordinary. He’ll grow tired of me soon enough when the novelty wears off.”
Lily rubbed Jo’s arm. “You can’t believe that. Unless you’re not comfortable with his profession? His work would put a strain on any relationship.”
“There’s that also.” Jo scratched her cheek. “Clinton hasn’t been entertaining as much as he used to. He’ll be an escort to various functions, but when his clients invite him to spend the night with them or ask about coming back here, he refuses them, or so he has told me.”
“The only bed he’s been sleeping in now is yours?” Lily asked.
Jo’s cheeks grew pink. “Well…he has started to share my bed and doesn’t leave until the next morning.”
“Perhaps he’s decided his work is no longer important to him and he wants to be loyal to you,” Lily pointed out.
Jo got up and paced in front of her as she rung her towel. “We’ve talked a great deal together over the past few weeks and he says he wants to quit here but I have nothing to offer him.”
Lily rose and crossed her arms as she stared down at Jo. “I strongly disagree. You have so much to offer a man like Clinton. You’re a wonderful home maker, as well as kind and giving. Not many women can do what you’ve done. I have a great deal of respect for you.”
“You have respect for me?” Jo’s voice caught as she lifted her hands. “That’s rich. Here I may be someone of importance, the one all the girls and the staff go to for advice. But beyond these walls I’m nobody. I’m dirt.” Jo’s mouth twisted as she eyed Lily’s blue velvet taffeta dress. “If you were still with your husband and in your perfect house and with your perfect, fake friends, you wouldn’t have acknowledged me if we walked past one another on the street.”
“Possibly, but I’ve changed,” Lily admitted. “I now have a better understanding of those who are different from me and my lifestyle. I can thank Rose for that. She has taught me so much since I’ve come
to live here.”
“And what has Rose taught you?” Jo asked.
“To be open to change.” Lily sat back down on the window seat. “She makes me happy and...”
“Alive?” Jo inserted and gave Lily a pleased nod. “Just like I feel with Clinton?”
“Exactly. And why would we ruin what we have with them? It would be silly to turn away from them because we may want more than they can give us.”
“I’m not certain what you mean. You think Rose isn’t ready to give you her heart?” Jo asked as she stared at Lily. “You’re wrong.”
“How do you know?” Lily asked.
“I could ask you the same about me and Clinton. How do you know he’s willing to give up everything knowing I may not have enough to offer him? You and I may come from different backgrounds and have completely differently personalities, but we’re stuck in similar situations.”
“You’re very insightful, Miss Jonet.” Lily said and stood, wiping away the wrinkles on her dress.
“That’s the one thing I do have. I guess it makes up for what I lack in other areas.” Jo lifted the hem of her dress, showing her marred leg. “I’m limited in some ways, not that Clinton seems to mind.”
“See, there you go. Why put all your time and energy on what you may find lacking about yourself? It took me until recently to figure out obsessing over those things I don’t have will bring me a world of heartache.” Lily took hold of Jo by the arm and gave her a light shake. “Clinton and you have a special relationship regardless of both of your current circumstances. You took the first step in accepting who he is. Now take that final step and don’t look back on the past. If you do, it may destroy you where you could lose everything you’ve worked so hard to gain.”
“Perhaps you should take your own advice with Rose.” Jo indicated.
“What do you mean? Rose and I are together. We’re going to be partners—”
“That’s not what I mean,” Jo said softly. “Have you told Rose how much you care for her? Or are you still afraid she may reject you?”
What’s she going on about? “Stop right there. This isn’t about me—”
Jo moved in closer until her face was an inch away from hers. “It certainly is about you. You’re giving me some sound advice. Why not take your own?”
