Slowly, she surfaced. Her mind cleared. To cover her confusion, she sat down and gripped the edge of her desk. Her voice trembled. "Let’s get back to business." Looking down quickly she picked up a pen and dipped it in the inkwell. Her tone was frosty. "If you don’t mind, I’ll write the order. That way I’ll be certain to get the correct items."
Chase shrugged, fighting a surge of desire that left him reeling. He picked up a cup of coffee and noticed his hand tremble.
"Hattie Lee said you delivered goods here even during the war. How did you ever manage that?"
Lifting a napkin to his lips, he finished his coffee, then glanced up at her. His tone was ominous. "There are ways to accomplish anything, if you work at it."
"Did you have to resort to bribery and stealing? Or did you go even further? Murder maybe?"
Chase stood. The mood was shattered. The laughter was gone from his eyes. "I promised Hattie Lee I’d stop by the kitchen and visit with her and the staff before I leave. When you have the order ready, you can send it to me there."
When he was gone, Annalisa bit her lip. She’d gone too far. She had no right to ask him such things. While she’d been sheltered from the madness generated by the war between the states, others hadn’t been so fortunate. What Chase and the others had been forced to do to survive should not be judged by one who had been spared the hell. She was sorry she’d spoiled the moment.
Blotting out all thought of him, she began listing the goods she needed. At the sound of laughter from the kitchen, she paused. Chase Masters was a strange man. Charming. Debonair. Men enjoyed his company. Women, even sensible women like Hattie Lee, blushed and giggled and fell at his feet in worship. Annalisa had to admit he could make her laugh, even when her work and worries had her disturbed. Yet he could make her angrier than anyone she’d ever met. Stranger still, his simplest touch made her hot and cold all over, and made her knees weak. Certainly not ladylike behavior. Hadn’t the good sisters raised her to be better than that? He was a rogue and a villain, she reminded herself, and not an honorable man.
She thought of his eyes, so dark, so intense, yet always with a hint of laughter lurking in their depths. There were mysteries hidden there, just below the surface. Secrets. Probably none of them pretty.
Chapter Ten
Restlessly Annalisa wiped a strand of damp hair from her forehead and finished the last entries in her ledger. Her bookwork ate up hours of each busy day. Most days after lunch she had fittings for gowns, and practiced whatever lessons Hattie Lee or the others thought she needed to improve on. The lessons seemed endless.
"It is your eyes, chérie," Gabrielle complained, while the others nodded. "Stop staring at the floor. You must look a man in the eye and challenge him." Picking up a fan she lifted it to her face and added, "If you must look down, do it like this." She glanced down, fanned herself, fluttered her lashes, then looked up quickly, staring intently at Annalisa. The effect was seductive and a little bit haughty.
When she had mastered the art of flirting with her eyes, it was Francine’s turn to tutor. "Those little nun dresses must go. You have a good figure, and you must let our gentlemen see just enough to whet the appetite, but not so much they won’t pay to see more."
"I can’t bare my flesh." Annalisa turned away from her scrutiny. "I have been too many years learning about the sins of the flesh to forget my lessons."
"Sins? Aren’t we all sinners?" Delia asked in her childish voice. On her lap the kitten curled itself into a ball and promptly fell asleep.
"Yes, but. . ."
"And if we are all sinners anyway, why not at least enjoy some of our sins," the girl stated in perfect, childlike logic.
"I certainly enjoy being a sinner," Gabrielle said laughing.
"Especially when it’s with your sweet Doctor Jimmy," Francine said in her biting tone.
"Leave him out of it," Gabrielle hissed.
"Damnation!" Francine said in an amazing imitation of the doctor. "You do have a temper, woman."
"We were trying to teach Annalisa," Eulalie said, looking to Hattie Lee for help. If they weren’t careful this could turn into a name-calling, eye-scratching cat fight.
"Enough." The babble died suddenly as the rich contralto sliced through the noise. Holding up her hand, Hattie Lee called, "Silence."
No one moved. No one even breathed.
"Feel this," Hattie Lee said, handing Annalisa a length of silk.
"I don’t understand."
"Run it over your skin."
Annalisa did as she was told. The silk whispered over her wrist.
"Now do that again, and this time, do it slowly, while you savor the touch." As Annalisa obeyed, Hattie Lee said, "Now tell me how it feels."
"Soft. Oh, wickedly soft. Like a moth fluttering its wings. Like a gentle drop of rain. It makes my skin tingle for more."
Hattie Lee nodded, satisfied. "From now on you will wear silk against your skin. And sleep in gossamer, or nothing at all." While the others laughed knowingly, she went on, "The sheets on your bed will be made of satin. And you will allow the maids to lather your hair, and perfume your body. I think that soon you will begin to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh. You will learn that they are much more than the touch of a man’s hand, or the feel of his lips on yours. They are the enjoyment of those things that make us feel pampered."
The others gathered around Annalisa, explaining the many fine fabrics for her selection. There were lovely watered silks, rich satins, delicate organdies, and sheer cotton lawns.
"Peau de soie," Gabrielle sighed in her heavily accented French. "Skin of silk. Feel it, Annalisa. It is my favorite."
She dutifully accepted the fabric and had to admit that it was indeed like a silk skin. Her head swam with all the new things she was absorbing.
Often in the late afternoon Annalisa took to her bed for a quick nap. After only an hour or so she would find herself refreshed and ready for the rigors of another busy evening.
Walking to the parlor this day, Annalisa found the women, in various states of undress, lolling about, fanning themselves.
"Mon dieu, chérie," Gabrielle muttered, "how can you wear all those clothes and work on your ledgers in such heat?" Wearing a flimsy wrap of ivory voile, she reclined on a settee, looking cool and elegant.
"What will we work on today?" Eulalie was lying on the floor, wearing only a chemise and pantalettes. She had discovered that she enjoyed the role of teacher.
Francine groaned. "It’s too hot. Let’s forget the lessons for today. Please, Hattie Lee."
Delia nodded in agreement. She appeared to be completely wilted. The ever-present cat lay in her lap, licking its paws.
"Does Old Gray ever stick his claws in your flesh?" Annalisa asked.
Delia glanced up. "He’d never hurt me. I’m the only family Gray has. He’d been savaged by a pack of dogs when I found him." Touching a finger to the animal’s torn, lopsided ear, she murmured, "Old Gray is a scrapper. We know how to stick together. The only time he’ll ever use his claws is against the next dog that attacks." She scratched the cat’s ear and got a few loving licks in return.
"I don’t know how you can stand looking at him," Francine said in a haughty tone. "He’s the ugliest cat I’ve ever seen."
Delia cradled the cat in her arms and rubbed her chin over his fur. "You just see what’s on the surface. But it’s what’s underneath that matters. Old Gray is loyal and loving."
"And ugly."
"You just hate him because he’s male."
The others grew uncomfortably silent.
"That and the fact that he’s ugly."
In her anger Delia’s voice rose. "You slept with old Matthews. He’s so ugly his nose looks like a turnip."
Francine fixed her with a piercing look. "You’re right. I did sleep with Matthews. And he is ugly." Her voice lowered to a purr. "And I hate him almost as much as I hate Old Gray."
Hattie Lee looked up from the pattern she was studying. She had ordered
the seamstress to adapt a Parisian fashion for one of Annalisa’s new gowns. One glance at the indolent group of women had her deciding quickly. Unless they were allowed a break, they would soon be at each other’s throats. Their spirits were as gloomy as the weather. "No lessons today. We will rest and conserve our energy until the sun goes down."
Laughing like children, the women relaxed and went back to fanning themselves while a maid brought in a tray of fruit and lemonade.
Annalisa fled the room, longing for an hour of privacy. She loved these women, who had become like family to her. Each day she learned more about them. Each day, despite their petty quarrels, she loved them more. But all her life she’d been forced to spend every waking hour surrounded by groups of females, living by a strict set of rules. Order and discipline were as much a part of her life as eating and sleeping. Now, for a blessed afternoon, she was free to do as she pleased.
Slipping out the back door, she crossed a wide lawn before entering a wildflower-strewn field. Beyond that lay a tangle of Cyprus and weeping willows, cool and inviting. Walking beneath the low hanging branches of a willow, she found herself on a sloping bank of the Mississippi. Sitting down, she spread her skirts out around her and watched the meandering path of a piece of driftwood as it followed the current in little whirls and eddies. Above her, sunlight filtered through the lacy leaves. Beneath her, the grass was cool and damp. Leaning her back against the rough bark, she felt as if she were all alone in the universe. This was her own little cocoon of privacy. There was no one here to tell her what to do, or when to do it.
Laughing, she suddenly pulled off her shoe and dipped a foot into the water. Cool. So cool. Slipping off the other shoe, she lifted her skirts and stood in the shallow water that lapped at the shore. Refreshing.
Seeing a leaf floating by, she speared it with her toe before dropping it back into the water and allowing it to continue its passage. Taking several tentative steps, she felt the water rise to her knees and lifted her skirts higher. Heavenly.
Dancing around, she kicked a spray of water high into the air and chuckled. Oh, what a feeling it was to be rid of her shoes and cooling her feet in the river.
Fighting a prickly feeling that she was being watched, she gave a careful look around. She really was alone and completely hidden from view. It was impossible for anyone to see her here. With a little laugh, she scurried up the bank and began removing her clothes. Hadn’t she always wanted to try splashing in the river? Hadn’t it been her private fantasy since she was a little girl in the convent? Why shouldn’t she grab this chance while she could? As the last of her garments dropped to the grass, she felt a little shiver of apprehension. Was it wicked to step naked into the water? Sister Marie Therese would think so. But then, the good sister had taken vows of chastity and obedience. Her life was dedicated to God, and lofty ideas, and dreams not of this world. Annalisa had no such restrictions. Laughing once more, she stepped hesitantly into the river and began walking until the water was waist high. Ducking down, she felt the cold water cover her breasts, splash over her shoulders, swirl around her, leaving her shocked and a little breathless.
Free. For the first time in her life, Annalisa felt completely free of restrictions. No lessons. No rules. She giggled. No clothes. Frolicking like a pup, she ducked beneath a wave and came up streaming water. She slicked her hair back and dipped beneath the water once more. Slipping out from the cover of the willow, she walked a little further. Mustn’t walk too far, she cautioned herself. She had no way of knowing if she could swim. But the sun beating down on her naked shoulders felt so good. Just a little further, and then she would head back to the cover of the willow branches.
The sun glistening off the water nearly blinded her. Closing her eyes, she stood very still, feeling the heat burning above her, the water chilling below.
* * *
The tall, slightly stooped figure stood very still, watching her. She was the most magnificent creature he’d ever seen. Fate must have brought him here today. There would be no one around to hear her cries. He grew hard at the thought of what he would do to her. This time he would have her.
* * *
She heard a splash and squinted against the blinding sunlight to find the source of the sound. A low, flat boat was following the bend in the river, heading straight for her. With a feeling of panic, she hurled herself through the water, which tugged at her, holding her back, slowing her progress. Her foot encountered the sharp edge of a rock and she let out a little gasp of pain before rushing on. She dared not stop and look over her shoulder to see if the occupants of the boat had spotted her. She was almost there. A few more steps. Then, ducking beneath the low hanging branches of the willow, she shrank back, praying that she hadn’t been spotted.
The boat was closer now, and she could hear the low rumble of men’s voices. As the boat glided past, she peered through the lacy branches. She could make out two men, huddled facing each other, their heads bent in earnest conversation. A young Negro stood at the back of the boat, poling through the deep water. The craft passed so quickly, she had only a glimpse of them before they followed another turn in the river and were out of sight.
Only then did Annalisa let out the breath she’d been holding. They hadn’t seen her. She was convinced of that. They were too engrossed in their own conversation. Besides, if they had spotted her, they would have been looking toward shore, trying to locate her through the canopy of branches.
Relieved, she sank once more into the water and took several tentative steps from the cover of the tree. The sun was hot; the water cool. Heaven could be no better than this, she thought, watching the ripples spiral out as she slapped the water with her hand.
Though the water had cooled her body, she felt a stab of heat in her foot. The rock must have cut her deeper than she’d first thought. She began to walk slowly from the water.
Along the shores of the Mississippi, the only sounds were the chorus of birds, the occasional hum of a bee. The man watching her heard the snap of a twig and ducked back, out of sight. Seeing the figure approaching along the riverbank, he swore viciously and fled.
* * *
"What’s this?"
Annalisa whirled at the sound of the familiar deep voice. Beyond the fringe of willow branches, she could see the figure of Chase Masters, standing over her pile of clothing. Dressed in a white morning coat over tight black trousers, with a gold chain draped across his waistcoat, he looked more like a dashing pirate than a businessman. His black hair gleamed in the sunlight. His dark eyes flashed with their ever-present humor.
"Some poor woman has lost her clothes," he murmured, picking up the gown of pale yellow batiste.
Mortified, Annalisa sank beneath the water, holding her breath, crawling along the river bottom toward shore.
In a louder tone, he added, "And such immodest undergarments." Lifting a gossamer chemise, he examined it carefully before picking up a pair of lace bloomers. "I’d better take these clothes into town and see if anyone can claim them."
Annalisa came up sputtering. "Chase Masters. Put those things down immediately."
"Well, well. What have we here? A mermaid?"
"You know very well who I am. Now put those clothes back where you found them and get out of here."
"There’s only one woman in New Orleans who can shriek like a fishwife. The mermaid must be Annalisa Montgomery."
"Fishwife!" She took two steps forward before realizing that she was naked. With a little cry she dropped into the water like a stone, while Chase nearly collapsed with laughter.
Huddling in the water she hissed, "What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to be back until tomorrow."
"I finished my business early."
Once again forgetting herself, she took a step nearer. The pain in her foot was sharper now, more insistent. She grimaced. "But how did you get here? The steamship isn’t due into port until late this evening."
"A—friend brought me in his boat."
; In the brilliant sunlight she looked like a shimmering angel, hair streaming about naked shoulders, tiny droplets of water dripping down her face. For one brief moment he felt a flash of desire that left him reeling. Pushing it aside, he realized that a man in his line of work couldn’t afford to get involved with a woman like Annalisa. He still had no idea who she was, wanton or virgin, temptress or innocent. But she was definitely not what she appeared to be. He knew instinctively that she could never be a casual affair. It was intriguing that despite the fact that she was the local madam, she was the kind of woman who made a man think about marriage, home, family. There were too many mysteries about Annalisa Montgomery. Abruptly he decided his best course of action was to tease her until her anger surfaced. Anger was a safe emotion. One he could deal with.
"I’ll just take these clothes up to the house and give them to Hattie Lee." With that he turned as if to go.
"Don’t you dare." She changed her shrill tone to one of pleading. "Please, Chase. Have you no mercy? Leave me to my privacy."
"It is very private here, isn’t it?" He seemed to think about that a minute, then said, "It would be a shame to waste such a secret spot. You look so cool and comfortable, I think I’ll join you."
Annalisa’s mouth dropped open in surprise. "You can’t do that."
"And why not?" Dropping her clothes, he removed his crisp white jacket.
"Because . . ." She could hardly speak, she was so flustered. "You can’t. I’m . . . You’re . . . Chase Masters, you can’t disrobe right here in front of me and walk naked into this river. We’ll be the talk of New Orleans. I’ll never be able to show my face again."
Toying with his shirt buttons, he grinned. "Have you ever wondered just what your reputation is in New Orleans, Annalisa? I’m not sure I could do anything to tarnish it further."
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