Catalina's Caress (46 page)

❧

Seth stood on the deck of the
Belle
and felt an overwhelming satisfaction. He knew, when they reached Natchez, their problems would be over. They would retrieve Charles and head back to New Orleans.

He thought of his father, and again sensed a new satisfaction. Maybe now he was the man his father had wanted him to be.

He sighed and chuckled softly. He was going home... home.

Thoughts of home brought him suddenly to thoughts of Jake. He wondered if Aunt Charlotte had been in any way successful in rubbing off some of her rough edges.

He promised himself he would spend a great deal of time with her. It hadn't been fair to drop her off like that.

He would explain, and perhaps she would understand. He wanted Cat to meet Jake and to show her the fun a young girl could have.

The longer he thought about the future, the more impatient he became. He knew Cat and Marc were rebuilding the broken bridges between them, and in a few days—a few days—they would be home.

T
he morning sky was bright blue and was filled with white clouds that drifted lazily by on the languid breeze. A carriage stood on the dock and its driver was aware of the fascinated glances men cast at the woman who stood nearby.

She was startlingly attractive. Her red-gold hair, blown by the breeze, caught the glow of the sun. And her deep violet gown enhanced her almost fragile beauty.

Jake gazed up the river, as she had every morning for the past two weeks. Annoyance, mixed with another emotion that resembled fear, moved across her face.

"Oh, Seth," she muttered angrily, "why don't you come back?"

The driver climbed down from his seat and walked to her side.

"Miss Barde, Miss Charlotte will be impatient if we're gone any longer."

"I know, George." Jake smiled as she turned to face the driver. "I was just so sure he'd be back today."

George could not help but return her smile. Of course, he thought, not many in New Orleans can resist the charm of Jacqueline Barde. He did not understand why a young man like Seth Carrington stayed away so long when a lady like Jacqueline was waiting so impatiently for him.

"Miss Jacqueline, if the
Belle
does get back today, someone will bring us word right away."

Jake sighed. "All right, George. I suppose we had best get back." She stood for a long moment, then headed toward the carriage. The driver returned to his seat and urged the horses into motion.

As the carriage turned away from the docks and started toward the McNeil home, neither Jacqueline nor George were aware that the boat they sought had just rounded a curve in the river and had come into view.

Inside the carriage, Jake sat in silence. She knew she would come back to the docks the next morning—and every morning until Seth returned. She thought of his parents, who had arrived the morning before. Charlotte had tried to explain all that had happened since they had been gone, but her explanation had only made them more worried.

Charlotte had tried to make clear to Joseph Carrington the changes in Seth. Although he half believed them, he still had some doubts. Yet, he had had to admire what Seth had tried to do for Jake. Jake smiled to herself. After she had gotten over their initial surprise at her presence, Jake had gotten on very well with the Carringtons. In fact, she had grown quite fond of them. Even her grandfather was friendly with them.

Jake had everything she had ever wished for, but it was the look in Seth's eyes that she wanted—no, had— to see.

When the carriage stopped before the house, George helped her alight. Then she walked up to the front door and knocked.

The butler let her in, smiling warmly. It was obvious that Jake had found a place in the affections of everyone in the household.

"Good morning, Miss Jacqueline. I see the boat has not returned yet."

"No, I'm afraid not. Is Miss Charlotte in the drawing room?"

"Yes, miss. She's just having her last cup of morning tea. Mr. and Mrs. Carrington are with her. I guess everyone is impatient for ttye
Belle
to return."

Jake entered the drawing room. As she was removing her gloves, Joseph Carrington rose.

"You've been down to the docks again, Jake?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, Aunt Charlotte, but there's no sign of the
Belle
."

"Sit down and have a cup of tea, dear. It doesn't do any good to go down there every day."

"I know," Jake said resignedly. "It's just that they've been gone for so long."

"Don't worry so. Charles will make sure that Seth comes to no harm." Charlotte's eyes glowed with a teasing humor. "And I'm sure Seth will bring Catalina back safely."

Jake's cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not deny that worry haunted her. After all, she thought, there are a lot of pretty girls between New Orleans and Memphis.

"This Marc Garrison," Jessie Carrington said quietly, "what do you know of him?"

"Very little, Jess," Charlotte answered honestly. "Charles and Seth were in such a hurry to catch up with Catalina that he had very little time to elaborate. I'm sure Charles and Seth will provide all the answers we need when they get back."

"I'm worried about my daughter. From all you tell me, Charlotte, both of these men are of doubtful character."

Charlotte replied quietly, "Cat has enough character for both of them. She will disgrace you in no way." Charlotte spoke firmly, but her thoughts were also on Cat. She had prayed every night that Seth and Charles would find Cat safe, and that they would bring her back soon.

❧

The
Belle
pulled into the dock, and the gangplank was lowered. Almost immediately Catalina, Seth, Marc, and Charles descended to stand in an impatient group while arrangements were made for a carriage.

Marc and Catalina were caught up in each other, Charles was preparing himself for Charlotte's questioning, and Seth was a model of silent self-control.

He feared Jake might have had a change of heart, and returned to her grandfather. His eyes scanned the length of the dock, but he could see no sign of Ben's fishing boat. If it was gone, Jake might very well be on it. Then she might just be gone out of his life. He was saddened by this thought.

He sat back in the carriage and counted the moments until it finally came to a stop before the house.

❧

Inside Jake had just finished her tea and had set her cup aside.

"I believe I shall change and go for a ride. That will help me to keep my patience."

When Charlotte nodded her agreement, Jake rose and walked to the door. Then she paused for a moment, upon hearing voices, laughter, and a great deal of activity in the hall.

Jake was less than three feet from the door when it was thrown open. Gasps of shock and surprise came from everyone in the room as the four they had worried about for so long stood before them.

Seth, unprepared for the changes in Jake, did not recognize her. His attention went to his parents and to his aunt Charlotte.

Thinking Jake a visitor, he muttered a quick "excuse me miss," as he moved past her to greet his mother, whom he kissed fondly, before enveloping Charlotte in a huge hug.

Soon the room was full of laughter and tears as Catalina and Charles were also welcomed.

Marc stood just within the door, and he was the only one who noticed the pretty young girl with tears on her cheeks run from the room and up the steps.

When the confusion had died down, Seth asked, "Where's Jake? I didn't see her grandfather's boat at the dock when we arrived."

"Jake?" Charlotte suddenly remembered. She looked past Seth to scan the room. "Why, she was here just a minute ago. In fact she had just come back from the docks. She has been going every morning to see if the
Belle
has arrived. She must have just missed you."

"Are you by any chance talking about that lovely little creature who just ran past me in tears?" Marc queried.

Seth's mouth dropped open as he suddenly realized that beautiful girl he had passed so abruptly had been Jake. He was struck by the thought that she must have felt he had pushed her aside, as if she were unimportant. What a crude and ugly thing he had done.

"Oh, God,"~he groaned. "I didn't recognize her."

"I doubt that you could have," Charlotte said, amusement in her voice. "But if you'd care to know, her room is the third one on the left."

Seth laughed, and was halfway out the door before Charlotte finished speaking.

"Really, Charlotte!" Jessie said, her shock evident. "It's unseeming for Seth to go to a young lady's bedroom. It's ... it's somewhat scandalous."

"Oh, fudge, Jess." Charlotte chuckled happily. "I have a feeling he'll be quite welcome there."

"Charlotte!"

"Don't be so prudish," Charlotte responded briskly. "The boy isn't going to attack her, and they need to talk. I have a feeling this confrontation is going to be as much of a shock to Seth as it is to Jake. Yes, yes." Charlotte looked like a designing matchmaker. "I have a feeling this little confrontation just might prove to be very interesting. Now"—Charlotte's eagle eyes rested on Marc's amused face—"young man, suppose you come over here and tell me just what deviltry you've been up to. I have a feeling this is going to be another interesting little story."

Marc grinned, certain now that his first estimation of Charlotte had been accurate and that he was going to become extremely fond of this lady.

He walked to Catalina's side and put an arm about her waist. Charlotte did not miss the look in Catalina's eyes when she looked up at him, nor did she fail to note Marc's gaze of near adoration. The two were completely and thoroughly in love, and this, despite what others might think, satisfied Charlotte very much.

Charles and Marc recounted what had happened to them from the moment they had left New Orleans.

Of course, Charlotte had millions of questions, and all three did their best to explain the shadowy past that had reached out to touch them. "You mean you now believe your father's death was not suicide, but a well-planned murder?"

"When Simon held Cat in his home, he was so sure of himself that he boasted about it," Marc replied. "I'm sure we can find some proof. I know it might seem inconsequential to everyone else, but Lorelei and I need to do that so people will know our father did not die in disgrace." Marc spoke quietly, but he was determined.

"I can understand that." Charlotte smiled. "You see, at one time I knew your father quite well, and I never really believed he had killed himself. He had too much courage and pride to do that."

"You knew my father! How?"

"I will tell you that later." She placed a hand on Marc's arm. "Maybe," she added softly, "just you and Cat" Marc nodded. Another secret from the past would soon be unfolded.

Charlotte turned to Charles, who smiled and immediately answered the question he knew she was about to ask.

"In the morning I'm going to instigate a full investigation into Simon Gere's financial activities and his connection to Marc's father," he declared firmly.

"As you told us, Joseph, Simon Gere is a scoundrel. I can see why you never mentioned doing business with him."

"Charlotte, to tell the truth, I put Simon out of my life so long ago that I had completely forgotten him."

"Do you think you will find evidence of what he has done at this late date, Charles?" Charlotte questioned.

"I'm sure I will."

"We'll help in every way we can," Marc promised, "by going over my father's affairs again and again until we find a trace of the time Father and Simon crossed paths."

"In the meantime"—Charlotte smiled—"I do believe we had best begin to plan a wedding, unless we want this young gallant to abduct our Cat again. From the way he looks at her, the thought is not far from his mind."

Marc laughed, and his green eyes sparkled mischievously. "That thought has crossed my mind once or twice in the last few hours," he admitted. "I hope nobody is planning on a long engagement."

"I'm not," Catalina offered, as she joined her laughter to Marc's. "I've had to chase this man up the entire length of the Mississippi, and I wouldn't want to have to do it again."

"Who's running?" Marc replied quickly. "In fact, I'm waiting not too patiently. I don't intend to let you slip through my fingers, love." Suddenly he became serious. "I almost let that happen once, and I don't think I could handle that twice."

Their love was evident to everyone, but Charles was the only person aware of the depth of Charlotte's emotions. As she watched Marc and Catalina, they flitted across her face quick as the whisper of memories—happiness, loneliness, and a touch of sorrow. But, with her usual control, Charlotte overcame them, and her look became warmed by sincere pleasure.

"We will have a grand time with your wedding, Cat," she said enthusiastically, "what with a new trousseau to buy and a gown and all the invitations."

"Aunt Charlotte," Catalina interrupted, "Marc and I have decided on a relatively small wedding with just family and a very few friends. It would take too long to plan something so large. I don't want to hurt you, but a large affair isn't as important to us as being together as soon as we can. Please try to understand."

"My dear girl," Charlotte said gently, "of course I understand. It will be exactly as you want it. I want you always to be as happy as you are now, and I'm sure this handsome young devil has the same thought. So we will plan a very small, and"—she smiled at Marc—"a very quick wedding."

His eyes sparkled as he bent to kiss Charlotte's cheek. "Aunt Charlotte," he declared, "I have a feeling you and I are going to get along very, very well. We have a lot in common."

Charlotte laughed. She was sure of two things now. Marc and Catalina were going to be happy ... and she would have another wedding to plan; for she was sure that at this very minute Seth was getting one of the biggest surprises in his life.