Tell Me I'm Dreamin' (30 page)

“Are you sure?” Nadine looked at Ulysses with adoration.

“Of course I am,” Ulysses encouraged her.

“Honey, you don't mind if Nadine and I get together for some girl talk, do you?” With her mild Southern voice, Gloria sidled up to Larry.

“If I did, would it really matter?” His brown eyes glistened as he teased her.

From their exchange Nadine could see that Larry knew Gloria well. She always acted submissive when it suited her, but if there was something she wanted to do, no man or anyone else would be able to change her mind.

Nadine watched as Gloria smoothed Larry's well-trimmed gray beard. “Now darlin', you know it would.” She batted a set of curly eyelashes. “But I'm sure you'll be okay. Ulysses will show you around, won't you, Ulysses? Perhaps you can buy me a little something, honey, to remember this trip by.” She gave him a peck on the mouth before she and Nadine linked arms and walked away. They had already begun a revealing conversation.

“. . . so Larry has just been wonderful for me. Sometimes our friends tease us because of the age difference, but it really doesn't matter. I've never been happier in all my life, and we're thinking about making it permanent.” Gloria wriggled the empty ring finger on her left hand. “Now enough about me. I've got to hear all about you. Girl, do you know how much you've changed?” Gloria leaned back and looked Nadine directly in the eye. “You look absolutely wonderful. And for some reason I think Ulysses has a lot to do with it.” She paused. “So tell me all about it.” She crossed her legs and took a bite of one of the pastries on her plate.

Gloria's plate was empty and so was her glass when Nadine finished updating her on the current events in her life. She had decided to leave out the part about the legend and Lenora. She did not know how to begin explaining it, the vision, and the cliff dwellers. Nadine decided not to broach the risky subject with her old friend.

“So the rosebud has become a full-fledged rose, hmmm?” Gloria kidded her. “Well, honey, from the way he was looking at you I knew if you hadn't, it wouldn't be long before you did,” she laughed. “And I believe this was meant to be.” She squeezed Nadine's hand. “You know, traveling all around the world I have seen some strange things. In the States we've got this mentality of, if you can't prove it scientifically, it doesn't exist. But after going to Cape Verde and India, I'm no longer sure if that's the approach to take. There are some things that cannot be explained with the mind alone.”

Nadine's hand went up and touched the cliff dwellers' necklace. “I believe you're right,” she replied earnestly as the band began to play.

“What in the world are they trying to play?” Gloria turned around and looked at the quartet.

“I guess it's an old island tune,” Nadine informed her.

“Girl, please,” Gloria sighed as they got up. “I'm ready for some Luther or Anita Baker after all this traveling.”

Nadine laughed as she led Gloria toward the courtyard. “I'll put in your request, but I don't think you're going to be too lucky tonight.”

All the lamps in the courtyard were lit. Soon they would be needed. The sky was already darkening in the east. Profusions of orchids crowded an assortment of flower boxes, adding color and fragrance to the evening. But by far the colorful terra-cotta well was the focal point of everyone's admiration.

Nadine and Gloria saw Larry standing near the well. “There's Larry,” Gloria announced. “He looks rather lonely,” she pouted. “I should join him.”

“You go right ahead,” Nadine told her. “I'm going to check with Ulysses and make sure everything went okay.”

“Alright. You know, you are working hard for this man, aren't you, queen?” Gloria squeezed Nadine's arm before she walked away.

Nadine found that Ulysses had taken care of everything. The hall had been closed off. The tables in the courtyard had been stocked with fresh appetizers, and the crowd appeared to be enjoying the music and the food as they milled around and talked. The band was beginning to play another tune when an impatient Ulysses appeared at Nadine's side.

“These people do not know how to enjoy themselves.” He looked around at the subdued crowd. “They are too tame. They do not know how to let the music enter into their hearts. You understand what I mean?” His dark eyes filled with consternation. “Really take them over.” He paused a second before saying, “Come on. We will show them how it should be done.” Ulysses grabbed Nadine by the hand and pulled her into the middle of the courtyard. He signaled for the band to strike up a more lively tune.

“Tell them to play something of Bob Marley's,” Nadine whispered.

Ulysses agreed and followed her request. As the musicians struck their first chords Ulysses began to step to the beat. Nadine followed suit, then motioned to Gloria and Larry to join them.

“What are we about to do?” Gloria asked under her breath, looking at the crowd around them.

“We're going to do a kind of island electric slide, that's what,” Nadine informed her.

“You mean to tell me we've got all these island people here, and we're going to lead the dance?” she replied.

“You've got that right. And since you can't have Luther, I'm sure Bob Marley is the next best thing. Now just follow Ulysses.”

The steps, dips, and slides were easy enough for the foursome. But Ulysses outshined them all, showing that he was born to it, and had mastered the spirit of the dance as well as the technique. Soon Nadine, Gloria, and Larry were dancing with abandon which encouraged others to join them. Before they knew it the entire courtyard was filled with exuberant dancers, including Dr. Steward, Claudia, and Pamela.

When the spirited tune was over Nadine excused herself. “I'm going to check on Catherine and make sure she's doing okay,” she told her friends. “Perhaps I'll drop in to see Madame Deane as well.”

Nadine was enjoying the feeling of being the lady of the house. She knew it was just for that night, but she intended to enjoy every moment of it. Tomorrow would come soon enough. For once, she was a woman in love who was being loved in return. Nothing could put a damper on that.

She was headed for the kitchen when a woman stopped her.

“Someone is in the foyer asking for you. He said he is looking for the woman involved with the sale.”

“Thank you,” Nadine replied, wondering who could possibly be looking for her. Or perhaps it was Madame Deane that they sought.

She entered the foyer where a poorly dressed man was waiting near the door. He evaded her eyes as she approached him.

“Hello. I believe you may be looking for me.”

The man gave no reply. He simply handed her a crumpled piece of paper he had clutched in his hand.

“What is this?” she asked, looking up. But the man had turned to leave.

Nadine felt a chill. The beauty of the night before, and the busy sale, had made her forget about Basil. But the wrinkled wad of paper created a web of anxiety around her. With shaking fingers Nadine unfolded it. As she read the note her deepest fears began to take shape. It read: This is a reminder of our private conversation yesterday. No further word will be sent to you. I am not a patient man. Basil.

Nadine stared transfixed as she read the simple but clever message over and over again. Basil had made sure if Ulysses got hold of the message he would think it was intended for him—a grim reminder of their confrontation yesterday. But Nadine was certain the note was intended for her.

In a matter of moments, the highest heights of happiness Nadine had ever experienced were plunged into the depths of fear and apprehension. She glanced back in the direction of the music and the happy voices coming from the courtyard. She thought of Ulysses and Gloria, but she could not bring herself to destroy their contentment as well. And Basil had threatened that if she told Ulysses, he would not lose half of Sovereign, he would lose all of it.

There was nothing her friends could do. This was something she had to handle alone.

Stealthily, Nadine appeared in the front of Sovereign. She checked to make sure no one had seen her. When she felt confident she had not been discovered, she quickly headed in the direction of Sharpe Hall. Maybe she could return before they realized she was missing.

Chapter
26

Despite all her caution Nadine's departure had not gone undetected. Painted lips turned into a knowing smirk as the observer watched her hurried exodus on the path to the Sharpe estate. Cassandra had seen Basil's servant, Kevin, trying to read a note by the full moonlight, and then saw his disappointment in not being able to accomplish his clandestine task. Overcome by curiosity, she waited to see what would happen next, and had not been disappointed. Cassandra saw Kevin leave first, followed momentarily by the American.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked toward the group of workers and servants who had launched their own party outside Sovereign's courtyard-wall, and she swayed her hips even more as she advanced. So that is what Ulysses put me down for, Cassandra thought contemptuously. A woman who would prefer a man like Basil to Ulysses.

Cassandra was already upset. Rodney had refused to see her tonight, claiming he had something very important to do. Something that would guarantee his financial independence. He had reminded her that he was not Henry Sharpe's firstborn son,' and that meant Sharpe Hall actually belonged to Basil. He and Melanie were only entitled to certain percentages of the profits yielded from the sugarcane crop.

Cassandra looked at the throngs of people inside the courtyard walls. It was not right that Rodney had the money and birthright to mingle with people of stature, and she had to share the music and food with the peasants.

She watched as appetizers were passed through the gate to the workers. She knew it made little difference to Ulysses if they ate inside the courtyard or out, but the poor stiffs were so well-trained to their class that they refused to dine with what they considered to be their betters.

Cassandra picked up a glass of rum and dashed it down her throat, eyeing the crowd within the courtyard resentfully. “I am just as good as they are,” she hissed.

Several of the workers looked at her, but none dared to approach her. Cassandra's attitude had become extremely haughty.

She listened as two more songs were played, and the party-goers became more lively at the music's command. By the time a third arrangement was in full swing Cassandra observed Ulysses excusing himself and entering the house. Minutes later he emerged back in the courtyard. This time his expression was serious, and he began to question some of the guests. Cassandra assumed he was looking for the American.

Tossing her hair arrogantly, she knew her moment of revenge had arrived. With a saucy strut she walked through the gate onto the terra-cotta floor. Cassandra cornered Ulysses in the back. “Looking for someone?” Her voice came across provocatively.

Ulysses was surprised to see her. He had not seen or spoken to her since their dispute near the rum still. His eyes became hooded. “Maybe.”

“Oh well, if that is the case, there is no need to tell you what I have seen.” She looked him up and down triumphantly, and acted if she was about to leave.

“Look here, Cassandra.” Ulysses grabbed her forearm, squeezing it hard.

She looked down at the iron grip he had on her arm, then looked up slowly. Her flashing ebony eyes confronted his. “Are you taking lessons from Basil these days?”

Immediately Ulysses loosened his grip. “No, I am not.” Then his voice became smooth and threatening. “And I don't have time to play any games with you either, Cassandra. Do you have something to say, or are you just trying to show me how angry you are for my not getting back into your bed?”

Incensed by his arrogance and the truth, Cassandra could bait him no longer. “Yes, I am angry with you. Angry that you would choose that American slut, who would leave you here tonight and go to Basil. How does it feel now, Ulysses?” She stepped in close enough to feel his heavy breathing. “To be turned down for someone inferior to you.” Her laugh was deep and satisfied.

Ulysses grabbed Cassandra's shoulders. “You are lying!”

“You wish I were, don't you? Well, I am not.” She shook her hair out of her eyes. “I saw Basil's man bring a note right to your door. Minutes after that, your little American practically fell over herself, she was getting over to Sharpe Hall so fast.” Cassandra laughed again.

Ulysses pushed her away. He could tell she was telling the truth, and the pain of it cut into him. With long, quick strides and Cassandra's shouts accosting his ears, Ulysses crossed the crowded courtyard to enter the house. He could not bear her jeering face any longer.

Merry voices rang out as the music's crescendos drowned out Cassandra's cries. Goat heaven reigned with the guests as Ulysses felt his world tumble down around him. Nadine had lied. She did have some kind of secret alliance with Basil or she would not have gone to him.

Basil took another look at the gold watch on his arm. The minutes seemed to drag as he waited for Kevin to return. His palms felt sweaty and he could feel his hands tremble before he rubbed them together with anticipation.

Everything had been set up. When Nadine arrived, a servant would tell her she was expected down in the neighborhood. Basil had made sure the small shack where he had cornered Salinah would be empty. Actually, it was not used that often anymore. Basil thought about how he had permanently disfigured Salinah's face with his whip, making her bitter and her customers few. Now most of the prostitution that took place on the island was on a street near the main wharf, and Basil hardly ever went there. He preferred the young daughters of the workers whose innocence and fear made him feel that much more powerful.

Nervous, Basil wondered if Nadine would have the nerve to brave the path to the neighborhood alone. He tried to second-guess her and decided that if she was brave enough to meet him at Sharpe Hall, she would also risk going to the neighborhood at night.