Shyly, Juliet reaches out and places her hand over mine. “What will I do while you’re gone?”
“Anythin’ you please.” Leaning forward, I gesture to the window as we drive. “This is why we’re drivin’ about Charleston. So that when I’m at work, you’re familiar with your surroundin’s.”
“That’s true,” Juliet concedes. “However, if I become turned around, perhaps I can ask your momma to show me around.”
Juliet seems so hopeful that my momma will step in to save the day. I don’t have the heart to tell her that she should save her hope for something else. Momma couldn’t step in and help me as a child. She isn’t about to help her new daughter-in-law.
I keep a strained smile on my face and nod, but Juliet is already staring out the window, staring at the shops.
Her face lights up. “Oh, can we stop there?”
With her fingernail, Juliet points to Madame Bourgeois’ dress shop. I stare at the shop with a sense of dread. The last place I want to go to is a dress shop, but the purpose of this drive is for Juliet to feel more comfortable.
Tomorrow I go back to work at Southern Bell. I’m restless and ready to return to my old routine. There were times during our honeymoon that I couldn’t stop myself from going through documents for Étienne’s business, EAL Corporation, and wrote down reminders of people I needed to contact, and contracts I needed to read over when we arrived in Charleston. But even with those small moments where I broke away from Juliet, she appeared dismayed. How would she manage when I was gone throughout the day?
“Please stop,” I tell the driver.
At once, the car brakes, eliciting the car behind us to honk their horn.
“No need to park. We’ll make a quick exit.” I lean across Juliet to open the car door and open my own door to rush over to help her out of the car. She takes my hand and steps onto the sidewalk, her blue eyes holding the same wonder they always do.
Will there ever be a time she’s unhappy? I’m beginning to think she’ll never be troubled by life.
Even Nathalie, my Lady Gouldian, has fire in her. One rarely sees it, though. It takes a lot for her to become heated.
How is she? Is she still in Charleston? It was agony not being able to speak with her. It had been so long. The last time I saw her was Tuesday, May 25th, 1915. The day of her birthday.
I didn’t go to Savannah for Oliver’s funeral. I wanted to more than anything, but I simply knew I couldn’t be trusted around her. So I stayed away.
The moment I saw Nathalie at the church, I saw the transformation that had occurred throughout the years. She was no longer the hopeful, naïve girl I once knew. Her almond-shaped eyes were sharp and knowing and sad. Almost as though she saw the world for what it truly was and could never forget it.
I loved my Nathalie for her never-ending happiness and joy. But the Nathalie that interrupted my wedding was someone else I didn’t know. Nonetheless, I was still drawn to her, even though she should be none of my concern.
When Juliet and I said our vows and we walked out of the church, I had my bride on my arm, but I searched for Nathalie. When would the next time be I would see her? Was she returning to Georgia or staying at Belgrave?
But she was already gone.
If Étienne hadn’t stepped between us, would I have walked to her?
I didn’t have the answer to that question. I would like to say no. I’m married now, and Nathalie’s been married for several years. I will always love and care for her, but what chances we had at being together are gone.
As Juliet and I step into the dress shop, thoughts of Nathalie disappear. At once I feel ill at ease in my surroundings. The air is filled with multiple perfumes that I’m sure smell pleasant on their own but mingled together create a noxious scent.
Madame Bourgeois’ dress shop takes both levels of the building. Years ago, as Madame Bourgeois’ clientele grew, she had an escalator installed in the middle of the store. Momma was still unsure of the “inclined elevator.” She was convinced it would stop midway and nearly needed smelling salts once she took “the dreadful moving stairs.” Those were her exact words.
As we walk deeper into the dress shop, I see more colors, lace, bolts of fabric that I have ever seen in my entire life.
Pillars are scattered throughout the first floor, connecting to the ornate, coffered ceiling. I search for a place to sit, but all I see in the sea of dresses and fabrics are large plants peppered throughout the store.
“Oh, my,” Juliet breathes. “It’s beautiful in here.”
“I suppose,” I reply as I skeptically walk beside her. “If one is in the business of purchasin’ a dress, or women’s belongin’s.”
Juliet doesn’t hear my reply, she rushes toward the nearest dress-form mannequin and gently holds the material of a dress between her fingertips.
“May I help you?” a saleslady asks as she comes up to Juliet.
Immediately I take a step back and allow the two of them to talk. With my hands tucked in my pockets, I rock back on my heels and scan the vast store.
“Asa? I’m goin’ to the second floor. This saleslady here says she has the perfect dress for me.”
“All right. I’ll stay here.” I’m afraid if I drift any farther into this store, I’ll suffocate from the scent.
In a flurry, Juliet hurries toward the escalators with the saleslady, happily discussing whatever ladies discuss regarding clothing.
I watch my new wife. Not for the first time does the thought come inside my mind that she is a stark contrast to Nathalie. She has blonder hair, where Nat’s is so dark, you can only see glints of copper in the sunlight, but only if you’re looking very closely. Juliet is tall, almost as tall as me, and slender. The crown of Nat’s head barely reaches my shoulder, and while she’s lithe, I don’t feel as though I’m going to break her. I know all too well that she has curves in all the right places. When I stare much too intently at Juliet, something I can’t help but do with everyone, she immediately looks away. Nat looks right back at me, straight in the eyes. And then she’ll slowly smile. That smile always felt like an anchor for me.
Would it be rude if I waited for Juliet outside? Of course, it would. But I feel foolish being the only man in here. I look around and begin to turn toward the front doors when I hear a familiar voice behind me.
“I still can’t believe you haven’t received your luggage.”
Is that Serene?
“The chances are remarkably slim I’ll ever receive them.”
My shoulders tense, and the hairs on my arms rise from the sound of that female voice. Discreetly, I itch the back of my neck and look over my shoulder.
Christ, it’s her.
I see Serene, Rainey and Nat across the dress shop. Serene and Rainey are looking at bolts of fabric while Nat examines the hats. All three of them are so heavily engrossed in the conversation; otherwise, they would see me staring at Nat.
At once, I look away and blindly stare at the dress in front of me while I strain to hear the trio’s conversation.
“What does she stand to gain by keepin’ your gowns? That’s what I care to know,” Rainey says.
Frowning, I lean my head ever so slightly in their direction. Who is she? What are they talking about?