Diane T. Ashley

by Jasmine

  Wondering why Sarah had instructed their guest to go to the music room instead of the parlor where she usually entertained visitors, Jasmine slipped down the stairs. She could hear the plink of a piano chord and wished she knew how to play. Perhaps Mr. Hargrove did. Of course singing was another accomplishment she lacked. Which meant she would never get any parts in operettas or other productions requiring singing.

  She peeked into the room to see if Sarah had arrived before her, but the room was empty except for the tall man towering over the keyboard. With a deep breath, she swept into the room, her skirts rustling around her. “Thank you for waiting, Mr. Hargrove.”

  He spun around, and a wide smile broke out on his face. “That didn’t take long. Dare I hope you are as anxious for my company as I am for yours?”

  Why had she pinched her cheeks? They were bound to be flaming at the moment.

  Sarah swept into the room before Jasmine could come up with an answer to his daring question. “Mr. Hargrove, I know you and Jasmine made plans to visit the beach at Pontchartrain this evening, but I have an alternative invitation for you.”

  Jasmine could not have been more surprised if Sarah had pulled out a pistol and aimed it at her heart. This was the first she’d heard of a new arrangement. Lily might have forbidden her outing, but as an adult Jasmine could arrange her time according to her own desires.

  “Jasmine’s sister was so upset she didn’t get a chance to meet you last night.” Sarah’s laugh tinkled. “She saw you on the stage, and I believe she was a bit jealous that we got to share a meal with you while she was stuck at dinner with my parents.”

  At least Sarah had come up with a good excuse to give the man. But Jasmine knew the real reason for the suggestion. Lily was determined to control her life.

  “I … of course I would be delighted.” Vance looked confused. And why not? He was probably not familiar with meddling relatives.

  She wouldn’t have thought it was possible for anyone to extract the pleasure from her visit with Vance. Her lips thinned. If she got a chance to talk to Vance alone before he left, she would tell him that they need not change their plans. Or maybe she could send a note to the theater. She would make some excuse to Sarah and Kenneth and send them off to dinner with her sister. As long as Vance didn’t arrive before they departed, the two of them could still go to Pontchartrain together. Alone.

  “Excellent.” Sarah looked pleased with herself. Her smile encompassed both Jasmine and Vance. “And now, if you don’t mind, I am going to the parlor. I’m expecting a few of my friends to drop by for tea.”

  Masking her surprise, Jasmine nodded. She had never thought the opportunity to talk to Vance alone would be so easy.

  Sarah paused at the doorway. “Make sure you don’t close this door. I would hate for Lily to think I wasn’t being careful of your reputation.”

  Jasmine’s cheeks flushed again. She opened her fan and used it to cool her face. Her gaze met Vance’s. Was he laughing at her? Her family?

  The room was furnished with half-a-dozen straight-backed chairs, arranged in rows for musical evenings. Choosing one on the front row, she sank into it, her fan fluttering fast enough to lift her collar. “I … I’m sorry about—”

  “Don’t apologize.” He sat next to her, his voice pitched low. “I think you’ve seen that I know how to make myself popular with chaperones.”

  Jasmine doubted her sister would be won over by a few compliments. Besides, she didn’t intend to remain under Lily’s thumb any longer. She would be free no matter what it took. “You don’t have to do that. I’d much rather spend the evening alone with you.”

  Vance took her hands in his own, pulling her fan away and placing it on the chair behind him. “I would like that, too, but I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

  “What is going on in here?” David’s voice caused Jasmine to jump.

  Vance dropped his grip on her hands and stood to face the man at the door, the man whose eyes blazed green lightning.

  Something must be wrong with Jasmine’s heart. It felt like a frightened bird trying to escape a hunter’s noose. She lifted her chin and willed it to slow down. She had done nothing wrong. Her eyes narrowed. Was Lily behind David’s appearance, too? It would make sense as she had seen nothing of him for the past day and a half. Her chin went up another notch. Would she ever be free of chaperones?

  David could hardly believe he’d walked in on Jasmine making eyes at some stranger. Had she lost her mind? She glared at him like he was the one in the wrong, but he refused to accept any blame. He had not closeted himself with an unmarried lady. Which led him to another question. Where was Sarah Cartier?

  “I suppose this is another of your swains?” The stranger’s question interrupted their staring match.

  “What?” Jasmine looked as though she’d forgotten he was in the room.

  “Not at all.” It was one of those moments when David knew exactly what to say. He smiled at Jasmine, causing her eyes to narrow in suspicion. But she need not worry. She was the one who had suggested their relationship after all. “Jasmine is my sister.”

  He felt the twin pricks of their stares. Jasmine looked as though he had slapped her. Then guilt entered her expression. It was too late for that. And posing as her brother would scare off the man he’d found her with. The man who shouldn’t be alone with her.

  “Indeed?” The stranger infused a large measure of disbelief into the two syllables.

  Jasmine briefly closed her eyes. All the color had drained from her cheeks. For a moment David almost recanted. But then she opened her eyes. The deep purple in them seemed sad, mournful even.

  “David, this is Mr. Hargrove. Mr. Vance Hargrove.” The way she said the man’s name made it obvious she thought David should know him.

  Unable to put any significance on the name, David gave a brief nod.

  “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Anderson.” Hargrove offered his hand, and David shook it, barely managing to suppress the urge to wipe his hand on his trousers afterward.

  “Mr. Hargrove is a famous actor here in New Orleans.” Jasmine recovered her composure and cast an admiring glance in his direction. “He is the star of a current production.”

  Which explained Jasmine’s fascination with the man. David ignored Hargrove. “Where is your chaperone?”

  Another wave of red darkened her cheeks. “Sarah is in the parlor.”

  “Does she know you’re in here with … him?” David couldn’t bring himself to repeat the man’s name. He didn’t like Vance Hargrove. He didn’t like the shiftiness in his eyes or the wet gleam of his pomaded hair. He didn’t like his voice or his clothes. But the thing he didn’t like the most was the admiring glances he was exchanging with Jasmine. Something was not right. It made David itch to pull Jasmine out of the music room—get her to a safe place and convince her to avoid any future dealings with the actor.

  “Of course she does.” Jasmine sniffed. “Not that it’s any of your business, but Sarah left a few moments ago and told us to leave the door open.”

  “I see.” David walked to the piano and sat on the stool, resting his arm across the keys. Sarah might trust Hargrove to act the gentleman, but he didn’t. Looking at the man put him in mind of a snake. A snake on the hunt for prey.

  “Are you enjoying your visit to New Orleans?” Hargrove directed the question toward him.

  “David is working.” Jasmine answered the question for him.

  “Yes,” he interrupted her. “I’m working my way through every bar and card game in town.”

  “I suppose that’s why you didn’t join your sister at the theater last night.”

  David hid a yawn behind his hand. “I had more than one reason to choose other entertainment.”

  An understanding smile curved Hargrove’s lips. “Have you enjoyed much success?”

  “Not yet.” He winked at the man. “But I’m sure my luck is about to change.”

  Jasmine was wearin
g a frown as her gaze bounced between him and Hargrove. At least she didn’t challenge him. She had enough sense to know he had a reason for his falsehood.

  Hargrove bowed to Jasmine. “I do have an appointment this afternoon, but I’ll see you this evening.”

  David felt the hair on the back of his neck rising. He didn’t like the idea of the two of them spending any time together.

  The actor turned to David. “It was a pleasure to meet another member of Jasmine’s family. I’m looking forward to meeting your other sister this evening.”

  This sounded much better. David allowed a little smile to relax the muscles of his face. Lily and Blake would put an end to the man’s pretensions. “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.”

  Jasmine stood. “Let me show you the way to the front door.”

  Having risen when his “sister” did, David made as if to accompany them. Jasmine’s warning glare stopped him, however. “I need to talk to you after you see Mr. Hargrove out.”

  She nodded and reached for the arm the actor presented. “I’ll be right back.”

  David returned to the stool and tapped an impatient rhythm on the wooden top of the piano as he waited for her.

  It took several long moments, but she finally reappeared, her cheeks suspiciously red. “Why did you lie to Vance about who you are?”

  “Because you were about to tell him I’m a Pinkerton detective.”

  “At least it’s the truth.” She lifted that chin of hers again.

  He pushed a hand through his hair. “I don’t need everyone in town to know my business.”

  “But the Thorntons and Cartiers know. And Papa. And Aunt Tessie. Jensen and Tamar, too.” She ticked off the names on her fingers as she listed them.

  “They are all either family or close friends.”

  “Well, Vance is a close friend of mine.”

  “A close friend? How well do you even know him? Where is he from? How long has he been in New Orleans? Does he have family here? You don’t know anything about him except that he’s an actor.”

  “I can tell what kind of man Vance is by looking in his eyes and listening to him.”

  David couldn’t believe how foolish she was being. Jasmine couldn’t really think she knew Vance well enough to consider him a trusted friend. “We aren’t children anymore. You seem to think life is nothing but a game, a theatrical production that will end after all the lines are spoken. But it’s not. People aren’t always what they seem.”

  “Vance Hargrove is.” She turned on her heel and stomped toward the door.

  “Be careful with that man.” David raised his voice so she could hear him even in the hallway. “I don’t want to have to pull you out of any scrapes.”

  “Don’t worry.” Her voice floated back to him. “You’re the last one I would call on, dear brother.”

  His elbow slipped off the piano, hitting several keys and producing a discordant noise that made him wince. He supposed he would have to allow her the last word. His threat had been an empty one, and she probably knew it. David would always come to her rescue. Whether she returned his affection or not, he would always be there for her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lily winced as her amethyst earbob clamped down on the tender portion of her earlobe. She didn’t like having to wear jewelry. It pinched and poked. But the jewelry was a gift from her husband. And they matched her lavender dress. She settled the matching piece on her other ear. She would make the sacrifice for his sake.

  “What do you think I should say to Jasmine?” She glanced at his reflection in the mirror above the bureau.

  Blake pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and attached them to the high waist of his trousers. “Dwell on the things you have in common instead of your differences. Let love guide you instead of your mothering instinct.”

  She leaned her head to one side as she considered the advice. “I want her to have a good time this evening.”

  “Then we should be taking her back to the theater instead of to dinner.”

  Lily walked to the bed and picked up her husband’s black frock coat. “But we went to the theater last night.”

  He slid one arm into a sleeve before turning slightly to reach for the other one. As soon as the material was on his shoulders, Lily reached up and smoothed it. “I doubt Jasmine would complain if we returned every night while we’re in New Orleans. Your sister loves the theater. She has ever since she was a child, and I don’t look for her to change anytime soon.”

  A part of Lily dreaded the evening. But she needed to talk to Jasmine and reassure her that she would be more reasonable. She didn’t want to drive her sister away. She wanted to avoid the type of division that Blake and his father had experienced. Spending the afternoon praying had helped, but Lily wondered if she would be able to maintain her calm.

  “It’s going to be okay, Lily.” Blake put his hands on her shoulders and leaned over to kiss her.

  Lily melted into his embrace, letting her fears go. She clung to him, wanting to remain in his arms a little longer before facing the people waiting for them in the parlor.

  Blake hugged her tight before letting go and offering his arm. “You are looking very lovely this evening, Mrs. Matthews.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Matthews.” Lily accepted his compliment with a smile. “You look very handsome yourself.”

  His tender look buoyed her. Blake believed in her. She sent a silent plea to heaven that his faith was not misplaced. And for patience and wisdom in dealing with Jasmine.

  They negotiated the stairs side by side and entered the parlor together. Kenneth stood, and Sarah looked up as they entered. Lily glanced around the room, her face tightening into a frown. “Where is Jasmine?”

  “Don’t worry, dearest.” Sarah stood and rushed across the room, her satin dress rustling in the quiet room. “Your sister wasn’t feeling well this evening. I’m sure it had nothing to do with that little tiff between you. She had several visitors this morning and then again this afternoon.”

  Lily wanted to forget their plans for the evening and rush over to the Cartiers’ home to check on her sister. She turned to Sarah’s husband. “Did you see her? Is she coming down with something?”

  Kenneth shook his head. “She had no fever, only a few nebulous complaints. I’m sure it’s nothing that a restful night’s sleep won’t cure.”

  “I shouldn’t have forbidden her to see that man.” Despair laced her words. No matter what Sarah thought, it had to be the argument that had prevented Jasmine from coming. Her sister didn’t want to be around her. The thought pained her. Where had she gone wrong? And how could she make it right?

  Sarah put an arm around her waist and drew her toward the sofa. “That’s not it at all, Lily.”

  “It has to be.” Lily sat down and put her face in her hands.

  “No.” Sarah touched her arm. “Mr. Hargrove was coming to dinner with us until I sent him a message that your sister was not feeling well.”

  Lily lifted her head.

  “He was at my home when we returned this afternoon. He’s such a gentleman. I can understand why Jasmine would find him attractive. He presented her with a beautiful bouquet. And he is so handsome, so polished. When I invited him to dinner as you and I discussed, he accepted most graciously. Both he and Jasmine seemed pleased by the idea.”

  The information from Sarah set her head spinning. “Then I wonder why Jasmine decided not to come?”

  “It is evident that you don’t need to worry so.” Blake offered his reassurance from the other side of the sofa. “If Jasmine was as smitten with him as you thought, she would have joined us, no matter how she felt.”

  Her husband’s thoughts matched hers. Jasmine was as determined as any member of the Anderson family. No headache would have prevented her if she really wanted to see this Hargrove fellow.

  Was Kenneth wrong? Was Jasmine sicker than he realized? That made no sense. Sarah’s husband was a renowned doctor. He would recognize any s
ymptoms.

  The temptation to excuse herself and go across town to check on her sister was strong. Lily glanced around the room, her mind considering and discarding half-a-dozen excuses. But in the end, she realized she had only one course to follow. She couldn’t wreck all their plans to go and check on Jasmine tonight. Holding onto an image of Jasmine sitting in bed, a cap on her head and a book leaned against her knees, Lily stood. “Shall we get going?”

  Blake’s gaze met hers, and he sent her an approving smile. The dread that had been building in her chest eased some. Jasmine was safe. And the two of them might do better with a little more breathing time.

  This was a first step in allowing her sister to make her own decisions, an olive branch of good intentions. Perhaps it would help heal the breach between them.

  The Smoky Mary was well named. Thick billows of gray smoke blew past them as the train picked up speed. But Jasmine could endure a little discomfort on her adventure. The Water Lily’s twin smokestacks were almost as obnoxious at times.

  She still couldn’t believe how easy it had been to slip away from the Cartiers’ home. When Vance had called for her, after the departure of her host and hostess, Jasmine had blithely told the servants that she was going out.

  The butler had not looked pleased, but he had not said anything. What could he say? He was not her father or any other relative. She was free. Finally free.

  “I’m glad you managed to keep our assignation.” Vance shared the narrow bench with her, his knee a bare inch from hers.

  She giggled and fluttered her lashes at him. She’d practiced the move in front of her mirror all afternoon while she pretended illness. Apparently her hard work paid off. His scorching glance made her feel heady. And powerful. Maybe he wouldn’t think her so innocent now.

  When he put his arm on the bench behind her head, however, Jasmine gulped. She didn’t want him to think she had no morals. Leaning forward, she pretended interest in the passing scenery. “How long before we arrive?”