Tell Me I'm Dreamin' (19 page)

I have got to stop this, Nadine admonished herself. I have not been on Eros but half a day, and already I am off on a tangent. There is something about this place that tends to do me that way, she thought. There will be plenty of time to rationalize the things that had occurred during my first stay at Sovereign. But now it is time to get started on the work at hand, and no matter what the circumstances are, I am determined to do an impeccable job.

She walked over to inspect an old set of leather-bound books entitled
The Caribbean: Eden Found.
Nadine could tell from the look and age of the novels that they were priceless literature. This is what I am going to do, she decided. The objects that I can suggest a price for I will, and those whose value that I think are beyond my ethical capacity to determine, I will say just that.

Nadine decided to start with a box filled with an assortment of books. She pulled up a chair, and shortly thereafter time and space were forgotten. The work became a labor of love as she wrote down each title, then recorded it in two places. One record would go to Ulysses and the other to the institute.

Nadine was amazed at the extent of literature and art Ulysses' family had tucked away in the antechamber where no one could see it. The collection process itself had to have taken decades. She could not help thinking, as she continued to work, how most people would love to have just one of the rare objects to display prominently in their homes.

She was in the middle of cataloging a bronze mask with kinky hair and thick features when Catherine came down to inform her it would soon be suppertime.

“The food will be on the table in no more than thirty minutes.” The housekeeper looked around the antechamber with dissatisfaction. “You are good to stay down here for such a long time without taking a rest. I myself could not do it. It is too stuffy in here and there are no windows. It is also too quiet. I like lots of noise and activity. I guess that is one reason it does not bother me so much when madame is having one of her moods. I grew up in a big family where something was always happening.”

Nadine smiled. “I guess I'm just the opposite. As a child I usually played alone. I really didn't mind. It just gave me more of an opportunity to create my own rules. My own reality.” Stretching, she began to rotate her neck. “Anyway, I enjoy my work. It's been anything but boring down here. Plus I can appreciate the solitude.”

“I can understand what you are saying,” Catherine replied, “but too much solitude is not good for anyone. Your mind can begin to play tricks on you and you will not even know it. It can become overworked, Miss Nadine.” She placed her foot on the bottom stair. “Don't forget about supper.” Catherine started to ascend the stairs. “Thirty minutes is not a long time, so I suggest you finish up and get ready.”

“I will, Catherine.” Nadine glanced up at Catherine's retreating back.

The housekeeper's warning about the mind playing tricks brought back the vision in the hallway. Solitude had nothing to do with that. She was sure Ulysses had spoken the truth when he said he had heard nothing. But Nadine was also sure of what she had experienced. It was possible all of it had been a figment of her imagination. No doubt if she told anyone else about it, they would say just that. But something inside told her there was truth and reason behind everything that had happened since she came to Eros.

That belief placed Nadine in dangerous waters. Anything resembling a belief in what people called premonitions or psychic powers went against the religious teachings she had grown up with, teachings she still embraced in many ways. But there was no way she could cast the vision aside as another person's misguided beliefs. It was not someone else's experience, it was her own.

The very thought made cold tingles run through Nadine, reminding her of the stone tablets that hung around her neck. She knew she could either let her fears run rampant, and drive her to the point where even she thought she might be going crazy, or she could find out why these things were happening. Nadine decided on the latter.

“You do not think it is rather late to start sending out more invitations?” The cold, clipped voice cut into her explanations.

Nadine felt nervous energy moving inside her as she looked directly into Ulysses' eyes. His face looked harder than she remembered. “Not if we faxed them from the World Treasures Institute. I'm sure Dr. Steward would have no problem with that. The more sales we're able to generate, the larger the proceeds the institute will be receiving. And the kinds of groups that I have been speaking of are on the institute's current mailing list. They are small, but financially capable of sending someone to the showing even at short notice.”

The conversation had been strained from the beginning. Wearing his customary white shirt and black pants, Ulysses had arrived for supper shortly after she and Madame Deane. Excitement jarred Nadine when he entered the room neither slow nor hurried. Control was the word that came to her mind, something that she now barely possessed. First, Ulysses spoke to his aunt and then to her, scarcely giving her more than a casual look. It made her feel that much more aware of her feelings for him because it was clear the feelings were not reciprocated.

The meal began quietly, so much so that Madame Deane felt it was her duty to make some kind of conversation. She was at her best and looked it. As she spoke Nadine could feel the older woman's excitement about the upcoming event.

“It has been such a long time since the hall has been used for anything, has it not, Ulysses?” She looked his way, waiting for an acknowledgment. He nodded his head, and from there Madame Deane began to talk nonstop about the preparations that had to be made to ensure that the evening would be successful. “I hope we will have enough space and food for everyone,” she concluded on a note of expectancy.

“Aunt Helen, I hate to remind you, but this is merely a book sale, not some grand social event. And from the people that I have invited and the notices that have been placed on Barbados, I doubt if there will be a need for all the things that you have been talking about.”

“Well, maybe I am getting a little carried away,” Madame Deane recanted, her slender shoulders slumping as she sat back in the wheelchair.

Nadine could detect some of the sparkle leaving the older woman's eyes.

“I—I guess I just thought we would make the best of the situation,” Madame Deane threw in softly as she watched Ulysses' mask-like countenance.

Nadine felt compelled to come to Madame Deane's defense. It was obvious Ulysses found her presence distasteful, but that was no excuse for taking away the joy his aunt was getting out of planning the event. There was already enough unpleasantness in Madame Deane's life. After all, if he had not wanted her at Sovereign, he should not have pressed Dr. Steward to send her.

“If you don't mind my saying so,” Nadine cut in, “I believe Madame Deane has the right idea. People love being a part of something they think will be talked about for years, especially when it involves the kind of literature and art that you will be selling. They will be able to purchase a part of history, and the more appealing the food and the surroundings, the bigger success it will be.” She looked down at the table momentarily to collect her thoughts. “If you want the advice of a professional,” Nadine paused for impact, “I suggest you take Madame Deane's suggestions to heart. It will make the event that much more successful.”

Ulysses' eyes bore into her the entire time she spoke. Nadine felt as if she were under the hot glare of interrogation lights, but knowing she was giving sound, professional advice was the only thing that kept her from backing down.

“Sounds like you have got it all figured out, Miss Clayton.” The sound of her surname dropped heavily in the informal dinner surroundings. “I suppose with all the grand plans that you have bought into, you are also committed to putting in the work that it will take to pull off such an extravagant event,” he pressed.

“Yes, I am,” Nadine replied, knowing she was being put on the spot.

“Good. Since I was planning to spend the night on Barbados anyway, I guess I will just stop by your office in the morning and speak to Dr. Steward about your suggestions.”

“Good.” Nadine's expression gave no indication of what she was really feeling. Stoically, she returned to the pork and vegetables in front of her. She could feel his dark eyes staring at her as she focused on cutting her food.

He planned to spend the entire night on Barbados! Thoughts of what might be his activities there and with whom, mainly Pamela, nearly brought a flush to her face.

Across the table Ulysses was growing more perturbed as the moments passed. Nadine seemed so cool and detached. Professional was a better word for it. So, Miss Clayton, he thought, all your pretense about having so much to do on Barbados and not wanting to come to Sovereign has just melted away. He watched her slide the fork in and out of her mouth. You're as comfortable as a cat who just happened to show up on my doorstep. I open the door, and not only do you come inside, but you curl up on the divan as if it were yours, taking over the place. Well, that's fine with me, because I have a reason for wanting you here. Your being here will make it that much easier to find out if you are involved with any of the things that have been going awry at Sovereign. No matter how adept at this game you may be, you are still human, and humans make mistakes. I am waiting and counting on yours.

He studied the curve of her face as she avoided his stare. Her hair had been drawn back with a colorful scarf that formed a headband. The blue, black, and gold played up the gold highlights in her yellowish-brown locks. He had never seen her hair so soft and springy, with tendrils around the edges, playing against her skin. She looked so feminine and trustworthy. A profusion of curly lashes hid her downcast, provocative hazel eyes. Suddenly, Ulysses wanted to reach out and touch the curve of her cheek and the cottony twists that lay against it.

He tried to smother the tender feelings that were surfacing, tying his stomach in knots. The feelings forced him to admit to himself that finding out the truth was not the only reason he had arranged for Nadine Clayton's stay at Sovereign.

Abruptly, Ulysses removed the linen napkin from his lap and placed it in the middle of his half eaten meal. “If I am to catch the next ferry to Barbados I need to be on my way,” he said gruffly. He rose and placed a kiss on his aunt's thin cheek, and left the room without another word.

Nadine and Madame Deane looked at one another but said nothing. They both finished their meals in silence. Madame Deane with the slightest hint of a familiar twitch about her lips. Nadine with a similar tremble about her hands.

Chapter
17

“This is all he could get,” John Castle said as he laid the medium-sized package on the desk.

Ulysses looked at the man then down at the package. He did not move.

“Sorry if you were expecting more,” John smothered and crushed the remainder of his cigarette in an ashtray, “but I understand he was lucky to get that.”

Ulysses leaned forward and took the envelope, then sat back in the leather chair, weighing it in his hand. John thought he was hesitating because of the size of the package. Ulysses wished it was that simple. He was reluctant because he was unsure how he would feel after he had read the contents. “So the job wasn't as easy as he thought it would be?” he asked, looking up at the attorney.

“No, that's not it. My man said it was as easy as pie getting into the place.” John ran his hand across his mouth. “He said he nosed around what they called ‘uptown,' and he heard that her grandmother, an Auntie Rose, sold antiques. So he posed as someone interested in buying antiques when he went out to the farm.” John rested his arms on the chair arms, and began to rock slowly. “He said the place was extremely small, but neat and clean, and the woman was a sweetheart. Claimed she really warmed up to him when he told her he wanted to find just the right piece for his daughter's bedroom, and that he was willing to pay plenty for it.” John stopped rocking and leaned on the desk. “Evidently, she took him right inside the house and showed him a dresser. The woman said it used to belong to her granddaughter, Nadine.”

“Is that right?” Ulysses continued to finger the envelope.

“Uh-huh,” John said, and started to read from a piece of notebook paper. “He says, I didn't have to ask too many questions because the woman talked extensively about hating to part with the furniture, but she intended to surprise her granddaughter and buy her a fancy printer with the money, since she always talked about starting a desktop publishing business.” He looked over the rim of his glasses. “The woman seemed to think that would be a way to keep her granddaughter on the farm. She said her granddaughter would be able to work out of the house if she got her the printer.” He looked back down at the notes. “He says when the woman went out to get a box for the old papers and odds and ends from the dresser, he made good use of his time. He took all the letters and handwritten papers he could without being conspicuous.” John put his elbows on the desk and raised his palms to the ceiling. “And that's it.”

Ulysses put the envelope inside his soft leather satchel. “Once again, John, you have done an excellent job. How much do I owe you?”

“Just hold off until we get that tax situation together.” John and Ulysses rose from their chairs at the same time. “We'll take care of it then.”

“Alright.”

The two men shook hands before Ulysses left.

“Hello. I bet you can use some help down here.” Melanie's soft voice seemed to reverberate as she came down the stairs.

Nadine smiled, extending her an enthusiastic welcome. “You bet I could. After this I wonder if I'll ever be able to work in close quarters again.”

The two women laughed, immediately feeling comfortable with one another.