Butterfly Palace

by Colleen Coble

  “I know it’s a bit silly and superstitious, but I hoped possessing it would ensure my win in the election so I could bring about the necessary change for Texas. My motives were pure. I don’t seek power for myself. We have many challenges facing us. My job will be substantial, and I could use all the help I can get.”

  “Would someone want to steal it for its supposed power?”

  “It’s possible, though its magical abilities aren’t well known.”

  She knew of one other butterfly fanatic in the city. “What about Mr. Karr? Would he know about this butterfly?”

  “Oh yes, he and I spoke about it after I’d purchased it. And let me assure you, it was much more costly than the usual Blue Morpho.”

  “Did he know its value?”

  “I didn’t tell him, if that’s what you’re asking. Karr might be an opponent politically, but I hardly think he’d steal my butterfly.”

  “People do strange things for power.”

  Her uncle nodded. “True enough. Why are you asking so many questions about it? I thought you were most worried about tonight.”

  She closed the book and put it back. “I wondered if they might be connected. Someone could have stolen the butterfly for the same reasons you bought it. I’m trying to uncover what those reasons might be.”

  He stroked his beard. “Interesting hypothesis, Belle. You’re a smart girl.”

  “It wasn’t me. Lily thought of it.” She went toward the door. “Good luck, Uncle Everett. I hope you win by a landslide.”

  “From your lips to God’s ears.”

  She closed the door behind her and found Lily lurking in the hall. “Did you overhear what he said?”

  “I wasn’t trying to listen, but I was eager to know what he said.”

  “This particular butterfly is special.” She told Lily what Uncle Everett had said. “So maybe Mr. Karr took it. He might have thought it would help my uncle win the election, and he sought to prevent it.”

  Lily shook her head. “If he took it, Mr. Karr wouldn’t be willing to sell it. So maybe the woman who is coming today to sell one doesn’t have the same butterfly. How will we know if it’s the same?”

  Belle tipped up her chin. “I’ll know it. I should go with Mr. Hawkes to examine the specimen.”

  “He’s already left. He said if we had information to send it with Nathan.”

  Belle turned and walked toward the door. “I’d rather deliver it myself. I will know this particular butterfly anywhere. I have to get there before anything is done.”

  The only distraction Drew had had was Belle’s arrival. She’d wanted to watch with him, but he’d sent her away, much to her chagrin. This was something he needed to handle alone.

  A buggy stopped in front of the neat little house Drew had been watching for hours. He straightened when a woman stepped down, but when he squinted, he realized it wasn’t anyone he recognized. He made a quick decision to follow her into the house. Fred would be unhappy, but he’d save the fellow money if the woman didn’t have the butterfly he sought.

  He was on her heels when Fred opened the door. Fred’s welcoming smile vanished when he saw Drew over the woman’s shoulder. “I told you I’d contact you when I had the butterfly in hand.”

  “I thought to save you the trouble.”

  The woman turned to face him. She was in her thirties with blond hair surrounding a fair complexion. Her plain clothing indicated she might be a servant. One of the Karr servants?

  Her knuckles were white from her grip on the box in her hands. “What’s this about?”

  “This man is interested in your butterfly.” Fred’s voice held displeasure, but he stepped aside to allow them to enter.

  Her expression still wary, she turned and stepped into the house. Drew followed before Fred could shut the door in his face. The interior of the home was cool and quiet except for the clock ticking on the mantel.

  “I’d like to see the butterfly.” Drew took out the magnifying glass he’d brought. “There’s no need for you to spend the money on the butterfly if it’s not what I want. I won’t try to cut you out of the sale, Fred.”

  Fred’s scowl eased, and he held out his hands. “May I? I want to confirm it’s a Blue Morpho first.”

  The woman glanced from him to Drew, then handed it over. “It’s genuine.”

  “Where did you get it?” Drew asked.

  She watched Fred set the box on the table and remove the lid. “My late husband was a collector, and I’m forced to sell his specimens to support myself and my daughter. He traveled to other countries to collect the butterflies himself.”

  “It’s exquisite,” Fred said. “In perfect condition. See for yourself, Mr. Hawkes.”

  Drew stepped to the table and inhaled. The butterfly seemed almost iridescent. There was no damage to the wings. He focused his lens over it and studied the delicate wings. His heart sank when he realized this wasn’t the specimen he sought.

  He straightened. “It’s quite beautiful. I’ll take it.” Even though the cost would deplete his savings, the desperation in the woman’s demeanor tugged at his heart.

  Fred beamed. “Excellent. If you’ll step outside, I’ll finish my negotiations with the lady.”

  Drew beckoned Fred to follow him into the hall. “I’ll only buy it if you pay the lady the price you and I agreed on minus a hundred dollars.”

  Fred’s grin twisted into a scowl. “That is very little profit.”

  “You’re still making a decent profit, and you have no risk. She needs the money, Fred. That’s the only way I’ll buy it. And I’ll ask her how much you gave her.”

  Fred sighed. “I’m too soft for my own good. Very well.” He extended his hand. “You’re a good man, Mr. Hawkes.”

  Drew handed over the money he’d brought. “Just doing the right thing. Thank you for doing the same.”

  Lily pressed the last flounce of Belle’s dress, then stepped to the balcony veranda where Belle reclined on a chaise with a book in her hand. Belle had come back disgruntled after seeing Drew. She’d sulked the entire afternoon until it was time to get ready for the dinner party.

  “Miss Belle, your bath is ready.”

  Belle put down her book. “I wish I could stay home. I can’t bear to see Uncle Everett harmed, and I’m so fearful.”

  “I am too, but he’ll be disappointed if you don’t go. And Drew is there.”

  “Where is he? He promised to let us know what he discovered.”

  Lily shaded her eyes and stared at a man walking their way. “That might be him.” As the figure drew closer, she recognized Drew. “It is he.” She waved at him, and he increased his pace until he stood under the balcony.

  Lily leaned over the railing in a most unladylike way. “What did you find out?”

  He craned his neck to look up at her. “It wasn’t the right one. No red marking in the shape of a key. I bought it anyway though. The lady was a widow supporting a small child.”

  Lily wished she could fling herself over the railing and kiss him. Only Drew would think so much of others. “Perhaps it will calm Mr. Marshall.”

  Belle looked as if she might cry. “No connection at all?”

  Drew shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry. I’ll be by your uncle’s side tonight though. I’ll do my best to protect him.” He touched his hat. “I must be off to get ready.”

  Lily wanted to beg him not to go. What if he threw himself in front of Mr. Marshall? “Be careful, Drew.”

  He smiled up at her with a trace of sadness in his eyes. “I will, love. Pray while we’re gone, and try not to fret.”

  Lily watched him enter the house. He was walking rather oddly, as though he was in pain. She dismissed it as a trick of the angle, and the way the coming night felt full of portent. It could all go right or terribly wrong.

  She turned to face her employer. “Can I come, Miss Belle?”

  “What about Hannah?”

  “Nathan has her tonight.”


  Belle stared at her, then slowly smiled. “Why not? We can dress you up, and I can introduce you as a friend. No one will ever know.”

  “Your aunt and uncle will, of course.”

  “Just avoid them. There will be tons of people there.” Belle walked to the wardrobe and threw it open. “I doubt I will ever wear that green dress you repaired again anyway. We’re about the same size, so I’m sure it will fit you.”

  Lily reached out to touch the silk, then pulled her hand back. “Are you sure, Miss Belle? I never dreamed I’d wear something so lovely.”

  “Of course. Take off that dress and try it on.”

  Keeping her eyes on the dress, Lily did as instructed. When the gown settled onto her frame, it felt just the way she’d imagined. Soft and sensuous, with a whispering sound when she moved.

  She touched the skirt with tentative fingers. “It’s exquisite.”

  “You look very different. Can you do your hair yourself?” Belle walked back to the dressing table and settled onto the stool. “After you do mine, of course.”

  “Oh, of course.” Lily looped Belle’s hair up in an intricate arrangement of loops and curls atop her head. She settled a diamond pin on the left side. “Perfect.” She stepped back and redid her long hair in a fancier style more in keeping with the elegant gown.

  Belle watched her with an approving smile. “Wait until Drew sees you.”

  Lily’s pulse sped up at the thought of the expression in Drew’s eyes when he caught sight of her. If he wasn’t upset that she’d come. “Are you sure no one will notice?”

  Belle stood and looped arms with her. “If I sponsor you, no one will dare to question your presence. It’s time to go.”

  Lily swallowed and nodded. She prayed all the way to the carriage.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  People teemed around the lighted hall at the Driskill Hotel in an excited mass. A band played patriotic songs on the red-white-and-blue-draped stage. Lily couldn’t stop gawking until Belle yanked on her arm.

  “Smile and look unimpressed.” Belle put on that same expression and began to introduce Lily as her “good friend” from out of town.

  Lily managed to follow Belle’s example, even though the sea of names and faces soon overwhelmed her. She retreated into a quiet corner to observe the festivities and watch Mr. Marshall. She caught a glimpse of Drew hovering near her employer, and she suspected his pocket contained a gun.

  Mr. Vesters, drink in hand, stood about ten feet away from Mr. Marshall with several other men she didn’t recognize. The telegram with the election results should arrive soon, but this crowd didn’t seem to care who won or lost. Lily inhaled, then left the sanctuary of the shadows and sidled closer to listen in to what Vesters had to say.

  “The woman is clearly insane.” Vesters took a swig of his drink. “Anyone who knows me won’t believe her story.”

  “Have the police questioned you?” one of the men asked.

  Vesters shrugged. “Just a cursory meeting.”

  Sickened at his self-satisfied tone, Lily edged away. Just because Jane had been poor and alone, her story was disbelieved in favor of this evil man. The only way to clear Jane’s name was to get to the bottom of the entire plot. She was sure Mrs. Karr’s death was intertwined with the plot against Mr. Marshall.

  She wandered to the table and took a glass of punch. Sipping it, she saw a familiar face. “Well, hello, Mrs. Adams. How good of you to come.”

  Dressed in sober gray silk, the preacher’s wife looked much grander without her gardening attire. Molly Adams joined her at the table. “I didn’t recognize you at first. Your dress is lovely.”

  “It’s my mistress’s,” Lily admitted.

  “Mrs. Marshall? She’s not usually so generous.”

  “No, Miss Belle loaned it to me. You don’t seem to like Mrs. Marshall.”

  Molly lifted a brow. “I knew her many years ago. I was Christopher’s nanny. He was quite . . . a handful. I’m afraid I packed up and moved on when I caught him tormenting a rat in the barn. I’m a bit squeamish that way. When I told Mrs. Marshall, it was quite ugly. First she defended him, then she beat him herself until the blood flowed down his legs. I intervened before I left, and I thought she would strike me too. I’m quite sorry I let my bias show. And how about you, Miss Donaldson? Did they ever catch the man who attacked you?”

  Lily shook her head. “I don’t think the police are looking very hard.” Her gaze met Drew’s. His eyes widened, and he took a step toward her. She’d hoped to escape his detection for a while, but there was no help for it. “I think I’ve been discovered.”

  “Ah, your young man didn’t know you were here? Go along, child. I have to find the reverend anyway. I’m glad we ran into one another.”

  Lily answered Drew’s beckoning finger, and he took her arm. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to come, and Belle loaned me a dress.”

  A frown hovered between his brown eyes. “I’m trying to save Mr. Marshall’s life, and now I’ll be distracted trying to make sure you’re not in harm’s way. Please, please stay close to me or Belle. Don’t wander off into the dark.”

  “I’ll be fine, Drew. No one will harm me.” She looked back at Mrs. Adams. “At least I found out why she seemed to dislike Mrs. Marshall. She used to work for her. It appears she didn’t like Christopher’s behavior with rats.” She told him what Mrs. Adams said, but he didn’t seem to be listening.

  “You seem to forget someone attacked you, Lily, and we don’t know why. I would be much happier if you went home.”

  She smiled up at him. “What do you think of my dress?” She refused to go home now.

  His frown eased. “You’re the most beautiful woman here, and if we were alone, I’d have to kiss you.” He leaned closer. “In fact, maybe I’ll just take a kiss anyway.”

  She danced away. “Not in front of everyone.” But her pulse skipped at the expression on his face.

  His teasing smile faded as he scanned the crowd again. “I’ll be glad when this is over and we can start planning our future together.”

  She stepped closer again. “Have you thought any more about what you’ll do, Drew?”

  He took her hand. “I don’t know. Get a desk job somewhere, maybe a bank. I can recognize fake money.” His mouth twisted.

  A rock settled in her belly. “What if the bank was robbed?”

  “Lily, you worry too much. Life isn’t meant to be easy. Look how boring that would be.”

  “Is it wrong to want a little peace?” Her eyes burned, and she blinked away the moisture. “Things have been hard for me for over four years, Drew. I want to wake up in the morning and not worry about what bad thing is going to happen today. I want to smile at you across the breakfast table and not be fearful that a bullet will find you. I’m tired of struggling. For years it’s been all Mama and I could do to put food on the table.”

  He listened without interrupting. “But look at what the struggle has done for you. You’ve grown into a strong, self-assured woman. The Lily I loved before our fathers died would never have donned that beautiful dress and come to this party. She would have stayed home knitting. I don’t think she would have put herself in danger for a woman like Jane either. Adversity has made that change in you.”

  Had she changed that much? Maybe so. Though she wouldn’t say she would ever pray for adversity, she could see how God had used it in her life. “I’m weary, Drew. I’ve changed enough.”

  “That’s for God to say,” he said softly. “He may not want you to stay a caterpillar. I don’t think you’re quite out of your cocoon yet.”

  For a moment, she struggled to comprehend what he meant, then she remembered Mr. Marshall talking about the butterfly’s struggle to escape the cocoon. She twirled a little in her dress. “I think I’m out of the cocoon.”

  A male voice spoke behind her. “Lily?”

  She turned to see Mr. Marshall frowning at her. “Yes, sir.”

  “What are yo
u doing here? And where did you get that dress?”

  “Miss Belle l-loaned it to me.” She clasped her hands in front of her.

  His frown eased. “Well, as long as Belle is in agreement, what can I say? Though Mrs. Marshall forgot her wrap, and the breeze is a bit chilly. Would you run home and get it? I think it’s in the back of her closet. You may have to dig through a few things. She wanted the brown silk one. Take my carriage.”

  “Of course, Mr. Marshall. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.” She hurried away without another word to Drew. Her future suddenly wasn’t as bright as she’d hoped.

  The mansion was quiet when Lily let herself in. The servants had all been given the night off, but she knew Emily had opted to stay in and would likely be in the third-floor bedroom reading by candlelight.

  Lily’s Cinderella night had come to a screeching halt. Even though she would go back with Mrs. Marshall’s wrap, it was all ruined now that she’d been recalled to her maid duties. Enough people had been standing near Mr. Marshall to know her true status.

  She dropped her bag onto the hall table. The servants usually used the back stairs, but she felt just rebellious enough to climb the front sweeping staircase. Her slippered feet made no noise on the polished oak treads. She reached the landing and glanced down the hall toward the Marshall master bedroom. Most of the servants had never been inside that room. Mrs. Marshall didn’t have a personal maid, and she cleaned the room herself. She felt a maid was pretentious, though she’d seen the need for Belle to have Lily.

  The room was at the far end of the hall, away from the noise of the street, and looked out on the quiet rose garden.

  “Lily, what are you doing back so early?”

  Lily whirled to see Emily, book in hand, at the bottom of the attic stairs. She was dressed in her nightgown, and one long light-brown braid was over her shoulder. “I came back for Mrs. Marshall’s brown silk wrap. Do you know where it is?”

  Emily shook her head. “They’re letting you in the bedroom? You know how odd they are about that.”

  “Mr. Marshall sent me himself.”

  Emily’s hazel eyes gleamed as she came closer. “Promise to tell me what you find?”