Return to Paradise (Torres Family Saga) (50 page)

      
“I imagine so, yes. He is my uncle's business partner in this and many other trading ventures. You need not fear Miriam's father any more than you need worry about her as a rival.”

      
Rani looked dubious. “She is an ocean away, but her sire is here. I do not like him nor that skinny man who always tags at his heels.”

      
“Richard DuBay? Yes, he is an unpleasant fellow. Uncle Isaac detests him and only tolerates him because of his friend Judah.”

      
“Both Toulon and DuBay have the Evil Eye,” Rani said with a shudder.

      
“Surely you are not still holding on to those old superstitions. Judah is a gruff, unbending old man and DuBay is a fortune hunter, but they are quite harmless.”

      
“I have offended Judah Toulon grievously. If he sees me at the feast I know he will raise a protest.” Rani explained the incident with the shrimp-shell amulet to Olivia. By the time she had finished, her mentor was doubled over with laughter.

      
“I must say the idea of that pompous old man having shellfish tangled in his beard delights me utterly. Even the most holy and mighty should be brought low on occasion.”

      
A small grin wavered on Rani's lips. “He was fearfully angry and screaming at me and Vero. I imagine it took at least a score of rabbis to purify him after that!”

      
Olivia wiped tears of mirth from her eyes. “No doubt it did. I am glad you have learned about our laws and no longer bring unclean things into the house. That makes it far easier for the family to accept you.”

      
“I have loved learning the Law of Moses.” A conspiratorial look came over her small, heart-shaped face as she whispered, “After seeing the ugly staffs of my uncircumcised brothers and other little boys in our band, I much prefer Benjamin's. I would willingly convert for that reason alone.”

      
Olivia nearly choked with laughter. After subsiding, she said, “Having never seen an uncircumcised male member, but for my newborn son's, I could not say how they look when larger, but I do not think it will be necessary for you to convert. Benjamin has ever been eager to return to Española and if he does, twill be safer for you to be Christian than Jewish—providing you do not make mention of all those baptisms.”

      
Thinking of Benjamin's horror when Rani had confessed her sacramental overindulgence, Olivia again burst into laughter.

      
Willing herself to forget her aversion to Judah Toulon and jealousy of his daughter, Rani joined her.

Chapter Twenty-Five

      
Rani stood before the mirror in Olivia's apartments while the maid fussed with her hair. A cluster of ebony curls was piled high atop her head and fastened with golden combs inlaid with rubies. The rest of her hair lay artfully arranged about her shoulders, carefully entwined with silk ribbons and more rubies that winked like flames through her midnight tresses.

      
“The rubies do set off your hair and that gown,” Olivia said as the maid stood back, looking to her mistress for approval of her handiwork.

      
Rani placed her hand at her throat and nervously fingered the delicate necklace of gold filigree and rubies. “These are far too valuable. I should not be wearing them.”

      
“Do not be foolish. They flatter your black hair more than my auburn. I never wear them. They were part of a tiresomely enormous treasure trove of jewelry bequeathed me by my husband's great aunt. Anyway, the rubies also set off the gown.”

      
Rani's eyes glowed as she turned this way and that before the mirror. Could the apparition in deep ruby red samite truly be Rani Janos? She ran one delicate hand across the gold-stitched stomacher, then experimentally raised her arm, letting the gold silk tissue billow out from the slashes cut in the rich samite sleeves. “Tis the most beautiful gown I have ever seen.”

      
“I warrant Benjamin will approve,” Olivia said as Rani walked gracefully around the room, carrying the edge of her long, gold-embroidered red samite train.

      
“Am I moving the way I practiced? I fear I shall trip on the gown and disgrace myself.”

      
“You handle the train beautifully. I was right about the farthingale though. You are too tiny to wear one. Twould have swallowed you up. The slimmer line of the skirt with the train is much more dramatic. You look deliciously dainty.”

      
Rani made a moue, then bit her lip worriedly. “If only I dance daintily in all this finery.”

      
Olivia chuckled. “Be grateful such gala occasions as this do not occur often. After this evening, you will not be called upon to perform in such arduous attire for a good while.”

      
“If I survive this evening. What will your aunt and uncle say when you bring me to the feast?”

      
“Only concern yourself with what Benjamin will say. Leave Ruth and Isaac to me.”

* * * *

      
Benjamin stood in the great hall, a goblet of wine in his hand to fortify himself for a long and doubtless boring evening. Already he could smell roasting beef and lamb, the salty aroma of tunny and salmon, as well as the sweet tang of stewed apricots and other spiced fruits. The meal would include at least five courses, each accompanied by wines. Musicians played lutes and recorders. There would be dancing before and after the great feast. Fleetingly he wondered what it would feel like to dance with Rani, then laughed at the idea of her going through the intricate and formal steps of a pavane.

      
He could still see her whirling sensuously to the wild rhythms of tambourines and drums.
I would rather spend the evening with her than among my peers
. He thought of all the eligible daughters who would be paraded for his inspection. With each passing day he drew closer to the conclusion that he should take Rani and return to Española. There would be time enough once he had established a practice in Santo Domingo to settle on a wife. The spoiled ladies of Provence wanted none of a life in the Spanish New World.

      
He knew it was but a means of postponing the inevitable, yet he was homesick. The pain of Miriam and Rigo had lessened more quickly than he had imagined it could, leaving him to wonder if she had not spoken truly. Had she been destined to be his friend, not his lover? Perhaps his brother had unwittingly saved them both from a grievous mistake.

      
“You are deep in thought, Benjamin. Come, enjoy the evening of celebration. I have several beautiful young ladies who long for an introduction,” Isaac said wryly.

      
Benjamin groaned inwardly but put on his best face for his uncle. The hall was rapidly filling with guests, richly arrayed in silks and velvets of all hues, dripping with lavish jewelry. Servants carrying silver pitchers of wine wended skillfully through the crowd, dispensing libations freely.

      
Judah Toulon stood across the room, but Benjamin felt no desire to speak with him. The old man considered his daughter dead and allowed no mention of her. He pitied the stubborn fool, denying his own grandson.
Odd, knowing that Miriam and Rigo have a son almost seems to please me
. He dismissed the confusing thought as Isaac introduced him to the pretty young daughter of a council member.

      
Just as he took her hand for a cursory salute, his cousin Olivia and her husband Noah were announced, along with another. Benjamin stood in gape-jawed amazement as a smug Olivia Fontaine led her charge into the crowded hall. Rani was a vision, glistening and glittering in gold tissue and red samite. He watched as she curtsied, smiled and exchanged greetings with the Fontaines' friends.

      
“By heaven, what has that woman wrought? This house will come crashing down on us stone by stone before this night is done!” Isaac's formidable scowl fastened on Olivia, then moved between her and the crimson beauty of Rani Janos, unbelievingly.

      
“Twould appear she has wrought some minor miracle,” Benjamin replied in amazement.

      
“Will she loose the wolf during the banquet or merely let him devour a musician or servant for amusement, think you?”

      
“I shall ask her the whereabouts of Vero, Uncle. Pray, excuse me.”

      
Isaac's hand clutched Benjamin's sleeve quickly and a warning look flashed in his fierce blue eyes. “Do not be further bewitched by the wench, Benjamin. She is
caraque
beneath all that finery.”

      
“I am most intimately acquainted with what lies beneath that finery, Uncle,” Benjamin said with a coolness he did not feel. He walked slowly toward the cluster of admirers surrounding Rani, feeling a wholly irrational urge to flatten the slavering pups.

      
Before he could reach her, Rani was whisked into the dance by one young swain. Smug as Cinnamon, Olivia strolled up to Benjamin. “Do you like my handiwork?”

      
“I told Uncle Isaac you had wrought a miracle. He likened it more to conjuring up the devil.”

      
She gave a warm, hearty chuckle, all the while observing the discomfited way his eyes followed Rani across the room. “I do imagine she will steal a few hearts tonight.”

      
“Hah! If only she confines herself to hearts, not to purses, I shall be grateful.”

      
“Not even a whit jealous, Benjamin?”

      
“What insanity has led you to do this? Tis madness. Now she will expect to be admitted to the upper classes...to...to...”

      
“To wed a man of means? Yes, I imagine she will have her pick among many suitors in the weeks to come. Noah has agreed to dower her—as a favor to me.” Olivia studied her cousin rather like a dungeon master might watch a felon being stretched on the rack.

      
“Dower her? Good God, she is caraque! No man here can wed her!”

      
“Lower your voice, Benjamin. Rani's father was
Rom
but her mother was of the Hungarian nobility. Of course, she is a bastard, but that signifies naught if an influential family supports her—and we do.” Olivia smiled and accepted a goblet of wine from a server, then sipped it thoughtfully, letting her cousin fulminate.

      
“I asked her about her mother once. She said the woman was
Romni
”

      
“Considering the manner in which you doubtless made the inquiry, I can scarce imagine a girl with Rani's pride would say otherwise. She is more proud of her
Romani
blood than of her Hungarian. Your own sister has wed a half-caste. Your brother
is
one.”

      
“That is Española. Rudolfo and Rigo are half Taino. This is Marseilles. Rani is half
caraque
. Tis different here and well you know it. She is unlettered, socially—”

      
“Rani already knows more of reading and writing than a good number of the fine ladies in this hall. As to her social graces, why not judge how apt a pupil she is for yourself?”

      
He quirked an eyebrow sardonically at his smug older cousin. “And you think I might fancy taking over your job as tutor.”

      
“You have already seen to her education in some areas more than sufficiently.” Her tart reply caused a slight flush to stain his face.

      
“Rani is my problem, not yours, Cousin.” Benjamin stalked toward the dancers, just now returning from the floor as the musicians ceased playing.

      
Rani had watched Benjamin covertly since she entered the hall. He was furious and so was his uncle. Now he bore down on her, his handsome face set with a harsh, mocking expression.
I will remember what Olivia has taught me. I will act the lady...if it kills me!

      
He took her hand and kissed it lightly, dismissing the young man who partnered her with a cursory admonition to enjoy his uncle's fine wines. “You look to be skilled at the pavane. Yet surely it cannot be half so exhilarating as dancing barefoot before the crackling flames of a campfire.” As the music resumed, he led her into the stately steps.

      
“I no longer have the option of dancing barefoot before
Romani
fires, Benjamin,” she replied evenly, willing her heart to slow its frightened pounding.

      
“Why did not you tell me what Olivia was doing?” he growled.

      
“You would have approved no more than your uncle, who scowls blackly from yon corner.” She met Isaac's fierce gaze levelly and nodded as they passed in the dance.

      
“What game do you play, Rani? Olivia says you are learning to read and write as well as dress so splendidly.”

      
“Never fear. I shall not surpass Miriam Toulon in erudition, but the books in Noah's library are a great enticement to learn. The world is so wide, filled with such infinite possibilities.”

      
He saw the expression of rapt wonder in her eyes and felt a strange tightening in his chest. As the dance came to an end, he led her from the center of the hall to a secluded corner by the wide doors leading to the portico. “Rani, I do not want to see you hurt,” he began very carefully.

      
Her eyes met his, their dancing golden lights considerably quenched. “You would not see me hurt, yet you would keep me hidden in the servants' quarters, dressed as a
caraque
, used only to warm your bed.” How she hated that word,
caraque
! It held all the scorn and revulsion
gadje
felt for
Rom
—that Benjamin had felt for her when first he met her.