The Bracelet (15 page)

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about choosing a trousseau,” Ivy said. “I’d only be in the way. Besides, I want to look for some of my old books for Louisa, the ones I loved as a child. I haven’t seen them in years.”

“Louisa!” Celia clapped a hand to her chest. “I completely forgot. It’s my turn to read with her next Wednesday. I shall have to postpone my trip with Mrs. Mackay.”

“I can go in your place,” Ivy said. “I don’t mind.”

“Oh, Ivy, would you? I do think it’s important to keep our lessons going. Last week Louisa seemed a little more interested in reading, so perhaps we are making some progress. What do you think?”

Ivy shrugged. “She’s compliant enough. But the last time I was there, she told me she hadn’t come to Savannah to learn to read.”

Celia frowned. “Did she say why she’s here?”

“No but I believe she is hoping to live in Savannah permanently. She complains all the time about plantation life.”

Another few minutes brought them home, where an unfamiliar horse and buggy stood near the gate.

“Were you expecting anyone?” Celia gathered her bag and shawl.

Ivy shook her head. “The rig must belong to one of Uncle David’s associates.”

The door flew open as they mounted the steps. Mrs. Maguire stood there, pale-faced and trembling. “Miss Celia, thank goodness you’re home. Your papa has taken a bad turn. Dr. Dearing is with him now.”

9

C
ELIA SLOWED
Z
EUS TO A WALK AND GLANCED OVER HER
shoulder. Behind her, Sutton reined in on Poseidon and drew up beside her on the narrow path through the woods. After church this morning they had driven to the racetrack in Sutton’s rig to exercise the horses. Now their mounts were tired and cooling down on the return to their stalls.

Sutton leaned over to stroke Poseidon’s sleek neck. The horse blew out and nodded his head. Sutton laughed. “That’s my boy.”

Celia watched man and horse and felt a surge of love for both. She was lucky that she and Sutton shared a common interest in horses. His letters from Jamaica had been filled with descriptions of the blooded horses being bred there, and she had looked forward to seeing them. But now their future was clouded by the prospect of war and another long separation, not to mention the uncertainty regarding Papa’s health.

Celia let Zeus set his own pace as they neared the oval racetrack and tried to focus on the more pleasant aspects of the past few days. After four days in bed, Papa was feeling much better and eager to return to business on Commerce Row. Speaking to her in the parlor after his examination of her father, Dr. Dearing had cautioned Celia to refrain from discussions that might upset her
father. In the meantime, plenty of rest, Mrs. Maguire’s Irish stew, and some fresh air would do her father a world of good.

Celia also had her upcoming shopping trip with Mrs. Mackay to anticipate. She caught Sutton’s eye. “Your mother and I are shopping for our china this week. If you have a preference as to the color of the cup that holds your morning coffee, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

He laughed. “It makes no difference to me. Choose whatever appeals to you.”

They entered the track and walked their mounts to the stables. Sutton was lifting Celia from the saddle when Finn O’Grady came out and took Zeus’s reins. “Bet he didn’t throw a shoe today, did he, Miss?”

“Thankfully, no.”

“That’s ’cause I checked him out extra careful when I tacked him up.” Finn nodded to Sutton. “Did the same for Poseidon, Mr. Mackay.”

Sutton fished an apple from his pocket and fed it to his horse. “We appreciate that, Finn.”

“Yes, sir.” The groom took the reins of both horses and led them toward the stalls. “I’ll take good care of ’em. Don’t you worry.”

Celia linked her arm through Sutton’s. “We should be getting home. Mrs. Maguire gets cross if I’m later than she thinks I ought to be.” He helped her into the buggy, and they set off on the three-mile trip to Madison Square.

“Can you stay for tea this afternoon?” Celia asked. “I know Papa would love it.”

“Oh, so the invitation is for his sake, is it?” Sutton teased. He guided the horse around a deep rut in the road.

“Perhaps I would enjoy your company too.” She sent him a sideways glance. “To some degree.”

He laughed. “I’d love to come, but I ought to head home. My Uncle Arthur arrived from Charleston last night and Mother will expect me for an early supper.” He caught her eye. “I’m going back with him on Tuesday.”

“To Charleston?”

“Only for a few days. He’s offered to introduce me to a friend of his. Griffin Rutledge.”

A carriage bearing three ladies in their Sunday finery approached. The driver tipped his hat as they passed on the sun-dappled road.

“Mr. Rutledge is interested in building a boat too,” Sutton said.

“To thwart the blockade.”

“If it becomes necessary. Uncle Arthur believes South Carolina will secede, maybe as soon as next year.”

“Yes, that’s what everyone says.”

Sutton reached over to squeeze her hand. “I know it’s worrisome, but it’s better to be prepared for the worst.”

They reached the city, and Sutton turned onto Bull Street. “At any rate, I won’t be gone long. I should be back from Charleston by Friday, and you can show me everything you and Mother have bought for our home.”

She smiled ruefully. “If only we knew where that home will be.”

Sutton drew up at the house. “I don’t care where we live as long as we’re together.” He glanced at the Sunday crowd milling about in the verdant little park opposite the house and sighed. “I want to kiss you, but with all these people about, I suppose I’d better not.”

He handed her down from the buggy and walked her through the gate and up to the veranda. “Don’t worry. Whatever comes, I’ll take care of you.”

“I know you will.” Standing on tiptoe, Celia planted a swift kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Sutton Mackay.”

“That’s what all the girls say.”

She gaped at him in mock horror. He grinned and headed for his rig before she could think of a retort.

She waited until he turned the corner before going inside. She crossed the entry hall and peeked into the library.

Papa looked up from his book, one finger marking his place. “How was your ride with Sutton? How is your mighty steed these days?”

“The ride was lovely, thank you. And Zeus is in fine form. It’s hard to say who enjoyed it more, Sutton and me or the horses.” Celia removed her hat. Despite her refreshing outing with Sutton, she felt weary, burdened by secrets. She wanted to tell Papa about the anonymous message she’d discovered in the foyer the night of the masquerade and about Sutton’s plans for his ship, but Papa didn’t need more worries. “What are you reading?”

“Mr. Emerson’s essays.” Papa rolled his eyes. “The writing is fine, but overall the book lacks dramatic tension.”

She grinned, relieved that he could still joke with her.

“Dr. Dearing says I am to avoid reading anything that might cause me distress and tax my old heart.”

She bent to kiss his cheek. “Then no newspapers for you, Papa.”

He frowned. “Where is Ivy?”

“Off with Lucy Chase. Lucy invited her to a picnic after church this morning.” Celia settled onto the chair and arranged her skirt.

“Humph. “He set his book on the table, facedown. “How was church?”

“Fine. Though Alicia Thayer nearly fainted during the general confession.”

“Miss Thayer isn’t ill, I hope.”

“No, I think her corset was laced too tightly.”

Papa laughed. “I wish I’d felt well enough to attend.”

“Perhaps next week. Mrs. Lawton brought her new baby, who was very much admired. And she reminded me of my promise to collect the Christmas donations for the hospital.” Celia sighed. “I suppose I should see to that next week since November is practically here. Mrs. Lawton does not believe in leaving things until the last minute. And I still have to plan the fund-raiser for the Female Asylum.”

The door opened, and Ivy stuck her head into the room. “I’m home.”

Papa motioned her into the library. “Celia tells me you had an outing with Miss Chase.”

Ivy removed her hat, unwound herself from her shawl, and checked her reflection in the mirror.

“I’m happy to know the Chases are back in Savannah,” Papa continued. “I understood they were away until the Christmas holidays. When did they return?”

“Oh, did I say it was Lucy Chase?” Ivy turned from the mirror, two red spots staining her cheeks. “I misspoke. Mary Quarterman invited me. We were discussing the Chases after services this morning, and I guess Lucy was on my mind. A silly slip of the tongue.” She smiled at Papa. “I do hope I haven’t missed tea.”

Celia glanced at the clock and rose. “It should be ready any moment. Papa, if you will excuse me, I’d like to change out of these riding clothes.”

He waved her away. “I’m not going anywhere. Take your time.”

Celia picked up her hat and climbed the stairs to her room. She shed her alpaca riding skirt and blue bodice and left them on the back of a chair to air, changed her shoes, and donned a simple rose-colored day dress. She leaned toward the mirror to check her hair and saw a small wrapped package lying on her dressing table. When had it arrived? And who had put it there?

She untied the string, unwrapped a small white box, and lifted
the lid. A gold bracelet set with a quartet of square-cut jewels lay in a nest of cotton.

She laughed. This must be the other surprise Sutton had mentioned the night of the masquerade. But how had he managed to get it into her room without her noticing? Perhaps he had conspired with Ivy or Mrs. Maguire to leave it where she would be sure to find it.

She draped the bracelet over her arm. The jewels glittered in the afternoon light streaming through the window. Diamond. Emerald. Amethyst. Diamond.

“Oh!” The bracelet slid to the floor. Cold fear spurted through her arteries.

It was possible this was merely a harmless coincidence, that Sutton had sent it, unaware of the so-called language of the jewels. But if the bracelet was indeed the surprise he’d been planning for her, why would he not have enclosed a note?

The room spun before her eyes. She pressed a hand to her midsection.

If Sutton hadn’t sent it, who had?

Who wanted to see her dead?

10