Lilac Temptress (31 page)

Blinking at him and inhaling deeply,
Sierra’s eyes showed her appreciation. Drake indeed had lessened
her fear. His eyes seemed to glow for her and she didn’t know what
she would have done at this moment if he weren’t near her. She
accepted his hand as he pressed his palm into hers.

He somehow always made her feel at
ease. She thought back to the evening when she first saw him
sitting in Wil’s bar. She knew instantly that she had wanted to
know him, and now she realized that there was nothing in this world
that would make her want to leave his side. But she understood,
with a heavy heart, that she wouldn’t always be by his side—not
unless their relationship evolved into something beyond their
friendship. However, Drake had not expressed enough interest in
anything more, and she must not let herself fall any deeper for
him, she reminded herself.

“
Come,” Drake said
releasing Sierra’s hand reluctantly as two men approached the
Concord.

Rosaline barely heard her brother
speak. In deep thought, she glanced every so often at Kyle, who
stared out the window silently for most of the ride
there.

Handsomely dressed doormen greeted
them in turn as they exited the stagecoach. Drake held his hand out
to Sierra and placed the other around her waist to steady her as
she exited the coach, and then did the same for Rosaline. Kyle
hopped out behind the women. They were all led into the house
through a marble entrance hall, the women escorted before the
men.

“
You will be fine
tonight, Sierra,” Rosaline assured her while wondering about her
own conduct with Kyle’s presence putting her on edge.
Get control of yourself, Rosaline. He is only a
boy, a commoner, uncultured, unrefined
.
But now he is polished and so
handsome—appearing as a gentleman.

As they were being escorted toward the
grand ballroom, Sierra glanced around in complete awe.
Men—sophisticated, distinguished, sharp and clean in their tuxedos
and women—beautified in costumes, rich and elaborate as a peacock’s
plumage, stared back at her and Kyle like hawks while at the same
time cordially nodding their heads, greeting them. Rosaline had
informed her that these people would be bankers, merchants,
politicians, doctors and lawyers, semi-famous figures from the
local theaters, artists, business owners and directors from
corporate boards who enjoyed themselves, conversing in small talk,
eating and drinking.

Drake lingered near Sierra in his
usual protective manner in order to shelter her and Kyle from
prying or envious glares, but mostly he stayed near to discourage
any man from approaching, who gawked at Sierra or Rosaline for that
matter. Indeed his little sister was growing up, and men noticed
her far too much.

Sierra sensed Drake’s overprotective
vibes and looked at him disapprovingly for a moment before they
entered two large doors leading into the grand white ballroom. She
pored over the room that was large and nearly square, a little
longer than it was broad.

Farthest from the entrance sat the
orchestra with men of talent, partially veiled by a screen of
foliage; the well-ventilated room brilliantly lit with the aid of
crystal chandeliers. The smooth parquetry floors were perfectly
polished.

At the end of the ballroom stood a
refreshment table set with elegant china and crystal paired with
cut flowers, serving punch and cakes. Dinner was being served
throughout the evening, Rosaline had told her, and she noticed
small lace embroidered coverings, on round decorative tables,
scattered along the walls of the room for dining. Waiters bustled
to and fro carrying silver platters of delectable dishes to the
patrons.

Dazed, Sierra watched
handsome impeccably attired gentlemen quickly choose their partners
from among the lovely ladies in richly colored bustling gowns. The
orchestra struck up music that breathed life into the airy
ballroom. Dozens of couples swirled in circular motion gracefully
to the tender melody in a
minuet de la
our
, a French waltz. Nothing could compare
to the glamour of this extravagant event where the brilliantly
colored aristocrats radiated their enormous wealth.
There must be over a hundred
guests
, Sierra thought.

“
Drake, so you’ve made an
appearance after all.” A lovely older gentlewoman approached with
slightly graying chestnut hair swept up in curls. Though she wore
gold-rimmed spectacles, they did not hide her remarkable likeness
to Rosaline. Her voice was smooth as honey and cheerful. Her
luxurious evening gown, made of dark burgundy velvet with black
satin trimmings, hung beautifully on her tall lean frame, and she
wore a matching, enormous ruby necklace that shimmered and weighed
down against her half-bare bosoms.

“
Mother,” Drake kissed the
woman on each cheek, careful not to spill the wine elegantly
displayed in a dainty crystal glass in her hand. It was good to see
her again, he thought, smiling even brighter.

“
I’m happy that you are
back in town from your travels. It’s not good for you to be away
for so long,” she chided him gently. “A mother likes to keep close
to her son.”

Drake wanted to change the subject,
uncomfortable with the rising sentiment it evoked. He would feel
guilty if he took her remarks to heart.

“
Mother, I would like to
introduce you to Lady Sierra Maudet and her brother,
Kyle.”

“
They are friends,”
Rosaline interjected, before Drake could say more.

“
Friends you say?” Elaine
McCalister kindly smiled at Sierra and then Kyle, eyeing the
handsome pair meticulously. Rosaline had spoken too quickly out of
turn, which piqued Elaine’s curiosity.

Rosaline realized her blunder and
plotted a speedy getaway before her mother began a barrage of
questions. Her mother had a keen eye for spotting a lie. “Mother,
while the night is young, may I introduce Sierra to friends?”
Rosaline implored, careful not to bat her eyes to
eagerly.

“
By all means, Rosaline.”
Elaine gave her daughter a slight frown of suspicion.

Rosaline didn’t hesitate to take
Sierra’s hand and pull her away, leaving Kyle behind.

Kyle watched the two take their leave.
He had been feeling awkward in Rosaline’s presence since he had
first seen her in that gown, and now with her away from him, he
could finally relax and breath normally again.

“
Truly Drake,
Rosaline should stay home more often instead of running away like
an outlaw to
Newhaven
all the time,” Elaine asserted with an agitated glare.
“However, that one she is with is very attractive, stunning
really.” Elaine glanced at Sierra, being dragged farther away by
her daughter. She noticed sudden alarm on her son’s face. “Don’t
look at me in such a way, Drake.
You’ve
escorted a very beautiful
woman.”

“
Mother—” Drake
murmured his embarrassment as he shook his head in disappointment.
His mother had already figured out that Sierra was
his
guest.

Elaine spoke again, her eyes fraught
with worry. “Your sister will send me to an early grave. She fears
I might marry her off straightaway.” Elaine glanced at Kyle. She
had not forgotten that he stood there next to Drake. “You must send
her home shortly, Drake.”

“
Yes mother, I will.
Soon.”

Drake heard the all too familiar sound
of his father’s voice as he neared them.

“
My dearest, Mrs. Beaudouin
is asking after you.” Randal McCalister sauntered toward his wife,
with all the graceful authority of a man of his
position.

“
Please excuse me
gentlemen,” Elaine said, looking at her husband with appreciation
and warm adoration before turning and walking away.

Randal excitedly gripped Drake’s head
with both hands, and kissed both his cheeks. He glanced at Kyle who
stood next to them. “Now, introduce me to your guest.”

“
This is Kyle Maudet,
father—a friend of mine.”

“
Pleased to meet you young
man. I wish I could chat with you a bit more but I must speak with
my son momentarily. I hope you don’t mind?” Before Kyle could say
one word, Randal was already speaking to Drake. “Alexandre Gravier
Marcos is here tonight.”

“
Isadora?” Drake questioned
reluctantly—he noticed Kyle eye him quiet inquisitively and knew he
must not discuss her in front of him. He didn’t want any part of
his conversation about Isadora to reach Sierra’s ears. Their new
platonic friendship was still very fragile after coming from a
place where they had shared secret intimacies. He would do whatever
it took to keep whatever relationship they had in tact because...
Drake let go of the thought when he noticed his father studying
him.

“
But of course, Isadora is
here as well,” Randal stated the obvious, wondering what had gotten
into his son. Drake looked uneasy at the mention of Isadora’s name,
which was unusual since her name would come up often in reference
to their shipping rival, her father Alexandre.

“
Kyle, if you would excuse
us,” Drake asked in a considerate tone. “You will find that Girard
and Daniel are somewhere about, I am sure.” Kyle nodded as the two
men wandered away.

Kyle wondered briefly about the
discussion he had just overheard between Drake and his father, but
decided it didn’t concern him so he let the matter rest. Watching
Rosaline from a distance held more interest.

* * *

“
Drake, what of our latest
exploits? Have you any good news? How goes it with you and what of
my investment in the railroad?” Randle rattled off a series of
questions and waited anxiously for answers.

“
All goes well with me
father, and your investment in the railroad will return a high
profit,” Drake stated with pleasure. He enjoyed seeing his father’s
proud grin.

“
Good, good.” Randal patted
Drake on the shoulder. “And what of your two companions tonight?
More to the point, what of the woman—she’s quite ravishing,” he
said stating the obvious. Are you not taken with her? I never
thought it at all possible, but she is every bit as stunning as the
fair Isadora, and of course, my Elaine.” Randal smiled
whole-heartedly.

“
She—” Drake glanced over
his shoulder, finding Sierra standing near Rosaline with a small
group of young ladies. “She is more stunning.”

Randal elevated his brow with scrutiny
and rested his arm across Drake’s back on his shoulders, leading
him on a stroll to get a drink. “You know how important this merger
is with Alexandre. New Orleans is the Queen City of the South.”
Randal continued with eyes beaming his admiration of the city. “The
heart of our business has rested on the thin line of wharves and
levees of the waterfront for decades. The dozens of schooners,
steamboats, and barges, loading and unloading cargo is quite a
sight to behold. It has always been a part of our family
history.”

Drake glimpsed his father’s fixed face
as they walked beside each other. Randal’s nostalgia never seemed
to dissolve when he spoke of trade.

“
You are my merchant prince
and very soon you will head the family business. You make me very
proud. You have never failed me.”

Merchant
prince
... it was what Drake’s father had
called him since he was a child. Drake swallowed uncomfortably, but
nodded his agreement at his father. Pressure built inside his chest
as always when speaking with him about the family business. He must
be a greater success than his father was. Every McCalister man
before him was a greater success than his father. Drake must lead
the company into the twentieth century with prosperity. The company
offered work and supported trade to the needy and there were a
dozen other reasons why the company should thrive. The company
serviced the greater good for society as a whole. All of which his
father would effortlessly remind him of if he asked.

“
There you are.” A
feminine, velvety voice interrupted. “Mr. McCalister, my father
wishes you to smoke cigars with him in the gentlemen’s parlor,” she
continued, “I will keep Drake in good company.”

“
Thank you, my dear, and my
compliments on how lovely you look tonight, as always.” Drake’s
father glanced at him encouragingly before strolling
away.

“
Isadora.” Drake received
her into full view before taking her hand into his and kissing the
back of it. “Your beauty never ceases to astonish me.” He stayed
cool and composed; she didn’t have the immediate arousing effect on
him that he was used to and he knew the reason was because of his
attraction to Sierra.

Isadora welcomed his flattery. “Walk
with me Drake, to the balcony for privacy. There is much I wish to
speak to you about, and the moonlight is very exquisite,” Isadora
insisted gently.

* * *

Sierra scarcely listened to the gossip
that the young women around her were engaged in. She peered over
Rosaline’s shoulders, watching Drake, who was speaking with a
beautiful woman who radiated and easily flaunted her sexuality to
her advantage. She didn’t know why this worried her so much. Drake
must know many beautiful women, after all he was quiet
fascinating.