Thurston House (13 page)

Good morning, Mary Ellen. He looked businesslike as he set down two full mugs. I made coffee so it would be ready when you got up. She nodded, and looked frightened again. The night before she had been sure that she had changed his mind, and now suddenly she was no longer sure. Her voice was frightened and soft.

Are we going to church? They sometimes did. But now nothing was the same anymore. He nodded slowly at her, took a sip of the coffee, and then set it down.

Yes, we are. There was a pregnant pause. And then I'm going home. And they both knew that it was for the last time, but she hadn't given up the fight yet.

Jeremiah. ' She took a deep breath as she set down her cup. You don't have to change anything. I understand. You were decent to tell me about it last night' about' about her. ' She almost choked on the word, but she didn't want to lose this man.

It was the only thing I could do. He looked hardened now. He knew he was going to cause her pain, and it was the only thing he could do. He felt stronger than last night, and that frightened her most. I care about you. I couldn't lie to you about what was in my thoughts.

But you're not sure. Her voice was almost a whine, and a muscle grew taut in his cheek.

Do you want to wait until I am? Sleep with me until my wedding night? Is that what you want? He stood up, and his voice had grown loud. Let me do the decent thing, for God's sake, it's hard enough as it is.

And if you don't marry her in the end? It was a pathetic plea, and he shook his head.

I don't know. Don't ask me that. If I don't marry her, do you really want me back? He turned away, and she watched his back. You'll hate me after this.

I could never do that. You've been nothing but decent to me for all these years. But just hearing her words made him feel worse, and when he turned to her again, his eyes were damp, and suddenly he went to her and held her in his arms.

I'm sorry, Mary Ellen. I didn't mean it to end like this. I never thought it would.

Neither did I. She smiled through her own tears as they held each other tight, and that morning they did not go to church, instead they went back to bed again, and made love until that afternoon when he Anally saddled Big Joe, pulled himself up into the saddle, and sat looking at her on the front porch in her pink robe.

Take care, pretty one.

There were tears running slowly down her face as she stood there. Come back ' I'll be here. ' She was barely able to speak and lifted a hand, as his eyes reached out to her for a last time as he rode off toward home, without her, without Camille, without anyone. Alone. As he had always been.

SUMMER in the Napa Valley was rich, and ripe, and hot that year. The flasks of quicksilver went out to the South as had been arranged in spring, the mines prospered, the grapes grew, and Jeremiah was more restless every day. Time and again he thought of stopping in to see Mary Ellen in Calistoga, and he was lonelier than he had ever been on Saturday nights, but he did not go back again. Instead, he went to San Francisco several times, and visited the brothel he preferred there. But there was an ache that no one seemed able to reach, and Hannah watched him come and go, with little to say, and that sudden look of relief he wore whenever he went to get his mail, and found a letter from Camille.

Camille had been writing to him since his return, funny letters about the people she met, the balls she attended, and the parties her parents gave, several trips to Savannah and Charleston and New Orleans, and a hopelessly ugly girl Hubert had met and was chasing because her father had the best stables in the South. The letters were rich and funny and perceptive, and it amused him to read the pirouettes of her pen, and always at the bottom were a few crumbs she left there for him ' as though to dangle him along ' to give him hope ' to bring him back. There was no evidence of real passion now, and she let him know that he would have to pursue her when he returned. By August he couldn't stand it anymore, and he made reservations on the train. It had only been four months since he'd seen her, but he knew his mind now, and Hannah knew it too when he left St. Helena. She was still sorry for Mary Ellen, the girl had been grieving for months, but she was glad too that Jeremiah would be bringing a young bride home, the house would soon be filled with the sounds of his children and a laughing young bride.

Jeremiah had cabled Orville Beauchamp to warn him of his arrival, but he had also asked that nothing be said to Camille. He wanted to surprise her, to see what her reaction would be. Four months was a long time in a young girl's life, maybe she had changed her mind after all. He could do nothing but think of that on the long trip into the South, and this time there was no Amelia on the train. He barely spoke to anyone at all, and he was nervous and exhausted when he arrived and saw the Beauchamp carriage waiting to take him to his hotel.

He checked into a beautiful suite of rooms, and sent a note to the Beauchamps, and an answer was quickly returned. The pleasure of his company was requested for dinner, and Orville Beauchamp assured him that Camille had still not been told of his arrival. And now suddenly it began to amuse Jeremiah to think of her surprise at seeing him again. It was odd though, he felt a ripple of fear at the same time, and by the time he climbed into the Beauchamp coach at eight o'clock that night, his hands were damp, and he could feel his heart jolt as he saw her house again.

He was ushered into the small, lavishly decorated parlor at the front to wait, and Orville Beauchamp himself was quick to enter the room and pump Jeremiah's hand. He had known when he'd gotten the cable from the West Coast, that Jeremiah's trip meant good news.

How've you been ' good to see you here, man! He looked genuinely thrilled, and Jeremiah hoped that his daughter would be as pleased.

Very well.

I didn't think we'd see you for another two months. There was a question in the father's eyes. And at this, Jeremiah smiled.

I couldn't stay away for another two months, Mr. Beauchamp. His voice was soft and the swarthy little man beamed.

I thought it would be like that' I hoped it would. '

How is she? She still doesn't know I'm here?

No. But you came at just the right time. 'Lizabeth is in South Carolina visiting friends, Hubert is off buying some damn horse. We're alone, Camille and I, and there's precious little going on in town. Everyone's away for the summer months, but she's been kind of peevish this year, he grinned, she waits for the mail a lot, and talks about you to all her friends. He didn't tell Jeremiah that she referred to him as the richest man in the West, my Daddy's friend. He didn't need to know that, only that she talked about him to her friends.

She may change her mind when she sees me again. He had worried about that all the way east. She was young after all, and he was a much older man. Maybe he would seem too old to her now.

Why would she do that? Beauchamp looked surprised.

Girls do, you know. Jeremiah smiled, but Beauchamp laughed.

Not Camille. That child has known her own mind since she was born. Stubborn as a mule, and headstrong too, he laughed again, proud of his only girl child, though I don't suppose I should tell you that, but you'll manage her all right. She's a good girl, Thurston, she'll make you a fine wife. And then his eyes narrowed as he looked at the other man. That's still what you have in mind? He assumed that was why Jeremiah had traveled all the way to Atlanta again, and he was right.

Jeremiah spoke softly from his great height. Yes, it is. And you haven't changed your mind, sir?

On the contrary. I think it will be a perfect match for you both. He toasted Jeremiah with his glass, and Jeremiah smiled. Now all that remained was to convince Camille.

It was another ten minutes before she entered the room, the door swung open quickly, and in floated a vision in the palest yellow silk, there were ropes of topazes strung with pearls dancing at her throat, and her hair was loose in a cascade of dark curls, with one perfect yellow rose pinned behind her ear. She sailed into the room looking at her father, and then glanced uninterestedly at his friend. It was terribly hot, and she'd been lying for hours in her room. And as she saw him she stopped, and he could hear her breath catch as she stood there, and then just as suddenly she flew across the room and hurled herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest, and when she pulled away again there were tears in her eyes and a huge smile, and she looked more than ever like a beautiful child as his heart went out to her and held fast for good. He had never felt that way for any living being before, and he was breathless as he looked at her.

You came back! It was a squeal of joy as her father laughed. They were a lovely sight to see, the huge man, and the delicate girl, so obviously in love, their age mattering not at all. What mattered was the delight one saw in her eyes, the appreciation in his. The passion barely reined in.

Of course I came back, little one. I told you I would!

But it's so soon! She was dancing about him with glee, clapping her hands, and the rose in her hair fell at his feet. She scooped it up, and curtsied deeply as she handed it demurely to him. And this time he laughed at her. It was laughter born of ecstasy and relief. He could see in her eyes that she still cared for him.

You're as big a tease as you ever were, Camille. Should I go away and come back if it's too soon? He tucked her hand into his as she stood looking into his eyes.

Don't you dare! I won't let you go away again. And if you do, I'll go to France with Daddy, and marry a duke or a prince!

That's a charming threat. But he didn't seem worried about it. I will have to leave eventually though, you know.

When? It was a frightened wail and her father smiled. It was going to be a perfect match for them both, and he had no doubt that Thurston loved the girl, and she was obviously quite taken with him. She was flattered by the attentions of a much older man, just as Thurston was enjoying the affection of a young girl. But there was more to it than that, something that burned between them, almost too bright to touch.

Let's not talk about my leaving yet, little one. I only arrived today.

Why didn't you let us know you were coming back? She pretended to pout as dinner was announced and they moved slowly toward the dining room.

I did. He smiled at Beauchamp and she tapped her father's arm in reproach, with her fan.

How naughty you are, Father. You didn't say a word!

I thought it would be nicer if Mr. Thurston's visit came as a surprise. And he hadn't been far wrong.

She beamed at them both. How long are you here for, Jeremiah? She looked imperiously at him, suddenly enjoying the power she had. She knew full well that he had crossed die country to see her, and he was a very important man, her father had told her so, again and again. And she had told her friends how important he was. That mattered a great deal to her.

He had made arrangements at the mine to be gone for a month. It was the longest he felt he could stay away, but that would give him more than two weeks with Camille, and if she said yes, he'd have to come home and get things organized anyway. There would be plenty to do. He already had a plan, and Hannah had been as nervous as a cat when he left, making him promise to write to her and tell her what Camille had said. But his thoughts were not on Hannah now, but on the pretty girl at his side. She was even more beautiful than she had been that spring, and she seemed to have grown up. She asked him countless questions about the mines and complained that his letters never gave her enough news. I haven't written to very many girls. He smiled at her, and a little while later her father shooed her from the room. The butler served them both brandy and cigars, and Beauchamp looked at his prospective son-in-law.

Are you going to ask her tonight?

With your permission, I will.

You know you have that.

Jeremiah sighed softly as he lit his cigar. I'd like to know where I stand with her.

Do you really have any doubt?

Some. She could just be playing, with no idea that I'm going to ask for her hand. That could be frightening to a girl her age.

Not Camille. He kept saying that, as though she were different from all other girls, but Jeremiah wasn't as sure. Would you like to announce the engagement at once?

I would. Before I go back. And then I could start my plans when I return to California.

And what plans are those? Beauchamp eyed him with interest, wondering what he had in mind for his little girl.

Something that you said before. Jeremiah was cautious. After all, she hadn't accepted him yet, but he had already given the matter a great deal of thought, and Beauchamp had been right. She'd be unhappy in Napa too much of the time, and he could go back and forth to see to the mines. He would build a house in San Francisco for her, and they would at least spend the fashionable winter months there. He explained his plan to Beauchamp now, who looked pleased. And after the house is built, say in five or six months, I'll come back here for the wedding, and I'll take her back to California with me. How does that sound?

Perfect. She'll be eighteen in December. That's four months from now ' think the house might be ready then?

That's a little quick, but it might. I was thinking of February or March, but Jeremiah smiled and he looked like a boy again I'd prefer December myself. He was lonely without Mary Ellen now. We'll try for that. And then suddenly he got to his feet and began to nervously circle the room.