Page 14 of The Unforgiven
“No, he’s never been married.”
Rae gave Quinn a look of pure disapproval. “Bit of a tomcat then?”
“No, he’s not like that,” Quinn replied, defensive on Gabe’s behalf. “Gabe is very loyal, and very romantic.”
“Yes, I can see that.” Rae gave Quinn a knowing look and allowed her hand to gently brush against Quinn’s stomach. “When’s the wedding?”
“Next month.”
“Better sooner rather than later.” Rae nodded.
“Mama, what are you talking about?” Seth asked, as though oblivious to Rae’s insinuation.
“Nothing, son. I just like weddings, that’s all. I wish I could be there to see you get married. Never got to see my own girl as a bride. It would be nice to see my granddaughter walk down the aisle.”
“Do you think you could travel to England?” Quinn asked.
Rae shook her head. “No, dear. I’m too old to travel across the street, much less to Europe. You’ll have to send me a photograph. I want the old-fashioned kind, the kind I can put in a frame and show to my friends. None of this digital nonsense.”
“Who will you show it to?” Seth asked, making Rae guffaw with laughter.
“I still have a few friends who aren’t dead.” Rae turned to Quinn. “Will you come back and see me before you go home? I want to say a proper goodbye.”
“Of course I’ll come. And it doesn’t have to be goodbye.”
“Darling, at my age it’s important to say goodbye to those I love. Just in case. I might still be here when you return, but itdoesn’t mean my mind will be. It’s going, bit by bit. I just wish I’d forget the difficult parts instead of the happy memories, but we don’t get to choose, do we? I hope I remember you, but if I don’t, I want you to know I’m so glad to have met you. You’ve made an old woman happy today.”
Quinn nodded in understanding. Rae reminded her a little of the grandmother she’d lost twenty years ago. They had the same wisdom and the same unflinching regard for the truth. Rae was too old for euphemisms, and looked reality in the face, frightened but ready to face the abyss.
“And you,” Rae said, turning to Seth, “bring me marzipan next time. I have few pleasures left in life. Let me have my sweets.”
“Mama, I’d like to give Quinn Amelia’s fan,” Seth said as they rose to leave. “I’ve taken it out of the safety deposit box.”
Rae nodded. “As well you should. Not like you got anyone else to give it to. It’s a lovely thing, Quinn. A piece of our past.”
“I will treasure it, Rae.”
“Give it to your own daughter someday. Tell her where her roots were planted.”
“I will.” Quinn kissed the old woman’s papery cheek in farewell and smiled when Rae whispered into her ear, “This one is a boy, but maybe next time.”
“Bye, Mama. I’ll see you next week,” Seth promised. He picked up the box of strawberries, but Rae snatched it out of his hand and pulled off the ribbon.
“I’ll be waiting,” she said as she took a bite of strawberry.
Quinn followed Seth out to the car. She couldn’t wait to return to her hotel room and hold the fan. She was more than ready to learn its secrets.
SIX
AUGUST 1858
New Orleans, Louisiana
Madeline sat perfectly still while Tess carefully removed the paper curlers and arranged Madeline’s hair to her satisfaction. Fidgeting resulted in the dressing process taking longer, and Madeline barely had the patience for the three-quarters of an hour it usually took to get her ready to face the day. She was hungry and looked forward to going downstairs for breakfast. Breakfast was her favorite time of the day, since she always had it with Daddy, who rose from his bed in time to eat with her, regardless of when he’d come in the night before. It had become their ritual to eat together since Mama had died six years before when Madeline was just nine. She sometimes had bad dreams and cried out during the night, so Daddy always joined her for breakfast and tried to cajole her out of her melancholy, often taking her to walk by the river and pointing out the various boats sailing past or unloading goods.
Once it got closer to noon, Daddy would buy them molasses cakes from the Negromarchandeswho walked along the banks of the Mississippi and sold their goods from flat boxes hanging around their necks by a rope. Daddy always brought a blanket so they could sit on the grass while they enjoyed their treat. The cakes were delicious and Madeline licked her fingers when no one was looking, to get the last bit of sweetness before dutifully wiping her hands with a handkerchief. Lately, her governess, Miss Cole, had begun to join them for walks by the river, but in the mornings, she took a tray in her room to allow father and daughter their time together.
Madeline descended the stairs, enjoying the sound of silk swishing against the damask-papered walls. Her new gown hadhoops so wide they brushed the spindles of the banister and the wall along the stairs, making Madeline feel grown-up. The silk was a sea-foam green, not one of the bland colors like pale yellow or rose pink that young ladies were expected to wear. The green was quite sophisticated, in Madeline’s opinion, and since this was the first time she had worn the gown, it gave her a little thrill.
