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Authors: Sylvie F. Sommerfield
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anyone in the city.
Charles Dante was approaching sixty, yet he had the grace of a man who has lived a full and active life. He was tall and retained a touch of his youthful handsomeness. His hair was still dark brown, and the streaks of white in it gave him a touch of distinction as did the full mustache he wore. His eyes were hazel and they glittered now with pleasure.
"Charlotte my dear, I swear time is a man and he's in love with you as every man in New Orleans was. He has been good to you."
"Ah, you are still the silver-tongued Charles." Charlotte laughed.
"I speak only the truth, my dear. Tell me, Charlotte, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Must I want something to visit you?"
"Some years ago I would have questioned that since you so enjoyed creating gossip. But today"—he chuckled—"you want something."
"Well, you're right, Charles. I do."
"What is it?"
"You know everyone and everything of importance in New Orleans. Have you heard of a young man named Marc Copeland?"
"Copeland ... Copeland. The name rings a bell."
"You know him?"
"I'm not sure ... seems I heard ... isn't he the one who .. . ah—" His eyes glowed. "I've heard rumors that the Belle has changed owners. Could it be the exchange was not to everyone's liking?"
"Hardly."
"Want to tell me about it?"
"No," Charlotte replied with a smile, "but I want you to find out about young Marc Copeland ... all about Marc Copeland. No matter how trivial you think the information might be. I want to know everything."
"And I'll do this for you without a question?" He laughed enthusiastically. "Tell me, Charlotte, how do you keep that sweet face when you're such a diabolical schemer?"
"I admire you too, Charles." Charlotte joined him in laughter. "And I shall buy you the very best dinner in town when you have the information."
"That, my dear, is a bargain I shall look forward to."
"Good. Now I must get back. My niece and nephew will be having dinner with me tonight." She put her hand on Charles's arm and looked up at him. "I'm grateful for your help. I really am. One day, when this little affair is over to our satisfaction, I'll explain it to you. I promise."
"That's good enough for me, Charlotte." She nodded, patted his arm, and left.
❧
When Charlotte arrived home she checked on the preparations for dinner, then went to her room to change.
The meal, when it was served, was exceptional. The crystal seemed to shine more brightly, the china to be more beautiful, the candlelight to glow more softly. And pleasure filled the hearts of those at the table. It came as a welcome surprise to Catalina that Travis did not appear with the promised champagne. She did not know his reason and did not care. His absence pleased her.
After they had eaten and had enjoyed their brandies, Seth rose from his chair.
"Well, I think I'd best get down to the docks. I'm impatient to see Mr. Copeland's reaction when I tell him that the Carringtons can still spit on him and his shady dealings."
"I wish you'd let me go with you, Seth," Catalina said. "After all this negotiation was really between him and me."
"After the things he suggested to you, do you think I'd let him even be in the same room with you again? Forget it, Cat. He's a blackguard and I don't intend to let his influence touch you again."
The two women sat together and listened to the door close. Both were aware that at least two hours would pass before Seth would return.
❧
Seth went to the stables. At any other time he would have had a carriage made ready, but tonight speed was more important, so he saddled a horse and rode toward the docks.
It had been many months since Seth had ridden with such assurance. For the first time in years he felt his life was on the right path. The route he chose took him along the river for some distance before it was possible to skirt the edge of town nearest the docks. The dirt road was deserted, and he rode quickly, still allowing himself the pleasure of enjoying the
Charles Dante was approaching sixty, yet he had the grace of a man who has lived a full and active life. He was tall and retained a touch of his youthful handsomeness. His hair was still dark brown, and the streaks of white in it gave him a touch of distinction as did the full mustache he wore. His eyes were hazel and they glittered now with pleasure.
"Charlotte my dear, I swear time is a man and he's in love with you as every man in New Orleans was. He has been good to you."
"Ah, you are still the silver-tongued Charles." Charlotte laughed.
"I speak only the truth, my dear. Tell me, Charlotte, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Must I want something to visit you?"
"Some years ago I would have questioned that since you so enjoyed creating gossip. But today"—he chuckled—"you want something."
"Well, you're right, Charles. I do."
"What is it?"
"You know everyone and everything of importance in New Orleans. Have you heard of a young man named Marc Copeland?"
"Copeland ... Copeland. The name rings a bell."
"You know him?"
"I'm not sure ... seems I heard ... isn't he the one who .. . ah—" His eyes glowed. "I've heard rumors that the Belle has changed owners. Could it be the exchange was not to everyone's liking?"
"Hardly."
"Want to tell me about it?"
"No," Charlotte replied with a smile, "but I want you to find out about young Marc Copeland ... all about Marc Copeland. No matter how trivial you think the information might be. I want to know everything."
"And I'll do this for you without a question?" He laughed enthusiastically. "Tell me, Charlotte, how do you keep that sweet face when you're such a diabolical schemer?"
"I admire you too, Charles." Charlotte joined him in laughter. "And I shall buy you the very best dinner in town when you have the information."
"That, my dear, is a bargain I shall look forward to."
"Good. Now I must get back. My niece and nephew will be having dinner with me tonight." She put her hand on Charles's arm and looked up at him. "I'm grateful for your help. I really am. One day, when this little affair is over to our satisfaction, I'll explain it to you. I promise."
"That's good enough for me, Charlotte." She nodded, patted his arm, and left.
❧
When Charlotte arrived home she checked on the preparations for dinner, then went to her room to change.
The meal, when it was served, was exceptional. The crystal seemed to shine more brightly, the china to be more beautiful, the candlelight to glow more softly. And pleasure filled the hearts of those at the table. It came as a welcome surprise to Catalina that Travis did not appear with the promised champagne. She did not know his reason and did not care. His absence pleased her.
After they had eaten and had enjoyed their brandies, Seth rose from his chair.
"Well, I think I'd best get down to the docks. I'm impatient to see Mr. Copeland's reaction when I tell him that the Carringtons can still spit on him and his shady dealings."
"I wish you'd let me go with you, Seth," Catalina said. "After all this negotiation was really between him and me."
"After the things he suggested to you, do you think I'd let him even be in the same room with you again? Forget it, Cat. He's a blackguard and I don't intend to let his influence touch you again."
The two women sat together and listened to the door close. Both were aware that at least two hours would pass before Seth would return.
❧
Seth went to the stables. At any other time he would have had a carriage made ready, but tonight speed was more important, so he saddled a horse and rode toward the docks.
It had been many months since Seth had ridden with such assurance. For the first time in years he felt his life was on the right path. The route he chose took him along the river for some distance before it was possible to skirt the edge of town nearest the docks. The dirt road was deserted, and he rode quickly, still allowing himself the pleasure of enjoying the
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