Tell Me I'm Dreamin' (20 page)

“Yesterday Catherine brought one of her special mixtures over to our cook who was not feeling very well, and she told me you were back on the island. When I asked her how you were doing, she said you were working very hard to get things ready for the sale. So I thought I would come by and offer you a hand.”

“I'm certainly glad you did.”

Melanie wandered around the room, her eyes growing large with amazement. “I knew that Ulysses' family had quite an extensive collection, but I never expected this.”

“It's overwhelming, isn't it?” Nadine concurred. “I never would have guessed the collection down here could be so extensive after seeing the collection upstairs.”

Melanie turned quickly toward Nadine. “Ulysses showed you his private collection?” Her tone was not friendly. Then she realized how she sounded. “I mean . . . it is just so unlike him.” She attempted a small chuckle. “He is such a private person. In all the years that I have known him, and as close as we have been, he has never even shown me this.” She made a sweeping gesture.

Nadine sought to soothe her newfound friend's feelings. She could tell she was dealing with something, but what, she did not know. “I believe the only reason I saw it is because I'm a consultant. Maybe he wanted to show it to someone who could appreciate it on a professional level.”

“Maybe so,” Melanie acquiesced. “There have always been rumors about Sovereign's famous collection. The more I would question Ulysses about it through the years, the more closedmouthed he became.” Her eyes hardened. “Is it as beautiful as I have heard?”

Nadine's eyes took on a far-off look as she spoke. “I don't believe I've ever seen things quite so beautiful. It was as if I had entered another world. One of love and desire displayed through statues and books.” Her voice trailed away as she remembered the intimacy she and Ulysses had shared among his treasures.

“I admire art, as well,” Melanie told her, “but from listening to you, I am sure it does not evoke the passion in me that it does in you.” She smiled, although her features appeared harsh. “Now where would you have me start?”

Nadine was glad to pull back from the emotional discussion. “As a matter of fact, I've done the labeling on just about all of the smaller pieces. Maybe we can start taking them upstairs into the hall where the tables and stands have been set up.”

With the two of them working together, the smaller tables began to fill up quite rapidly and conversation flowed. Nadine and Melanie compared the differences and similarities in their lives as they worked.

“I must say I was surprised to find that English is spoken so well here on Eros,” Nadine commented.

“When Ulysses, my brothers and I were school age we had a tutor.”

“That's right. A woman that I met on Barbados named Pamela spoke of a tutor that taught here on Eros. She was with Ulysses,” she added with forced calm.

“Through the years my brothers and Ulysses have spent a great deal of time on Barbados. In some ways it has so much more to offer than Eros does,” she cast Nadine a meaningful look, “but personally I do not feel it is as beautiful.”

“Do you ever go there?” Nadine asked.

“From time to time,” Melanie replied. “I shop for things that are not available here on Eros. But the old ways are very much a part of my life. That is the way I like it, and as I believe it should be.”

“You know, for the majority of my life I've lived by a strict set of rules that in some ways I've found to be very good for me, but in others I'm not so sure. I've begun to feel as if life may be passing me by.” She gave a nervous laugh. “I can look at myself and see why certain things haven't happened for me, but when I look at you, I don't understand why some lucky guy hasn't snatched you up and married you.”

Melanie's laugh was melodious. “First of all there are not that many men to choose from here on Eros . . . besides Ulysses. I have had some acquaintances on Barbados, but even so, I do not know how well my marrying someone would be accepted by Basil and Rodney. I am the woman of the house. I believe they would be very lost without me”

“Why haven't they gotten married? I'm sure there are plenty of women who would say yes. Rodney is quite good-looking, and Basil is charming. I'm looking forward to the dinner he's offered me at Sharpe Hall.” Nadine repositioned several books.

“You have met my brother Basil?” Melanie's dark eyes took on a startled, then cautious look.

“Yes, a couple of days ago.” Nadine flung the words over her shoulder as she continued to work. “Not long after I arrived back on the island.”

“You must have really impressed him. I cannot remember when Basil has invited anyone to the house.” This time it was Melanie's turn to sound a nervous laugh. “He is not as social as Rodney and I.”

“My, that does sound impressive.” Nadine felt pleased about the special invitation. “Maybe my charms are working better than I think.”

“Yes, you never know.” Melanie's steady gaze followed her movements about the room. “If you would like, I can arrange dinner for this evening.”

“This evening? I'd love to.” Nadine broke into a wide smile. “It'll give me something to look forward to other than another late evening down here.”

“It is settled then,” Melanie said. “I will make sure I get back in time to tell Cook. It will be exciting having a dinner guest at Sharpe Hall,” she said before they descended the stairs again.

“I am simply upset because big brother beat me to the punch.” Rodney flashed another brilliant smile. “So the least I could do for my brother Basil and myself is to offer to escort you to Sharpe Hall for this all-important event.” He chucked a rock at a nearby tree before continuing, “Catherine told me how Ulysses the Terrible had you slaving away in his dungeon, so I thought a walk through the grounds of Sharpe Hall would bring some fresh air and sunshine into your dark life.”

Nadine's hazel eyes gleamed with merriment. It felt kind of strange to be having such a good time with Rodney. Caught up in his mood of frivolity, Nadine responded to his antics with due drama, and raised her arms beseechingly toward the sky, then she placed her hands on her hips and said, “Ulysses the Terrible. You got that right.”

Rodney's laughter matched her own, but was cut off in its vigor as Ulysses approached them from the fork in the road. Trying to gain his composure as well as warn Nadine of Ulysses' nearness, he began a set of spasmodic coughs.

“Well, hello, Ulysses. Had you been home earlier, I would have invited you to come along and have dinner with us tonight,” Rodney said, trying not to laugh again.

“So that is where you are going,” Ulysses commented, his visage unreadable.

Looking at Ulysses now, it was hard for Nadine to imagine him being as friendly and carefree as Rodney. For a moment she thought, as she suppressed a rising giggle, he even looked like a Ulysses the Terrible.

An awkward pause followed as Nadine and Rodney struggled to remain serious while confronting the object of their jest. Nadine watched Ulysses' cool gaze slide from Rodney to her. A definite spark entered his eyes as he took in her petite figure clad in an orange top and skirt. Once again she had washed her hair and let it dry naturally, resulting in a profusion of tiny, spongy ringlets which she had attempted to brush away from her face. A pair of rather large ivory and silver earrings, given to her by Gloria, graced her ears.

Feeling obligated to her temporary employer, Nadine began to explain, “A couple of days ago Basil extended an open invitation to me for dinner. It was Melanie who suggested that I come tonight.”

A thick eyebrow rose suspiciously at the mention of Basil's name. “I have never known Basil to be so gracious.” The words were spoken slowly, ending in a derisive upward tilt of one side of Ulysses' lips. A hint of jealousy descended on his striking features that was quickly masked, but not before Nadine saw it. Her spirits and confidence soared. She was glad she had taken some extra time with her looks: applying mascara, blush, and a light dusting of facial powder in addition to her customary dab of lipstick.

The jealousy she had recognized in Ulysses, and her feelings of high self-esteem urged her on. “I hope things went well on Barbados.”

“Yes, they did.” A distrusting glint entered his eyes at her obvious pleasure and willingness to strike up a conversation. “I spoke with Dr. Steward. He said he would be glad to send out the information.”

“Wonderful.”

Another awkward pause followed.

“We will not hold you any longer.” Rodney brought the conversation to an end. “I am sure you must be tired after your . . . business on Barbados.” He flashed Ulysses a knowing smile, which was not returned.

The meaningful pause before “business” was not lost on Nadine, and despite her feeling of momentary victory, the thought of Ulysses being involved with another woman was very disheartening.

“I hope you do not intend to stay out too long, Nadine. We have a very busy day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Before Nadine could respond Rodney came to her aid.

“Why, Ulysses, I never knew you could be such a hard taskmaster.”

“Why, Rodney,” he mimicked, “what else would you expect from Ulysses the Terrible?” A mock smile crossed his face as he nodded his departure.

Nadine and Rodney walked quite a distance before they let go of another round of laughter, not wanting Ulysses to overhear them again. It had been a long time since Nadine had felt so good, and she was determined to make the most of it.

The two of them progressed together, engrossed in laughter and idle chatter. They cut through a thick cluster of evergreen trees before reaching a road that ended at the steps of Sharpe Hall.

“Well, this is it.” Rodney stopped and looked at his home which rose majestically in front of them. “This is Sharpe Hall.”

Chapter
18

To Nadine it looked like a miniature palace with columns. A wide, steep limestone stairway led up to arched openings which introduced a similarly shaped double doorway, enhanced by bronze metalwork. She remained quiet as they walked closer to the magnificent structure. Her well-trained eyes took it all in as she assessed the age of the building. Nadine could tell it was old but very well kept. The difference between Sharpe Hall and Sovereign was obvious. Sharpe Hall was much more majestic.

“What do you think?” Rodney asked, seeking some reaction as they climbed the stairs.

“There's only one thing to think,” Nadine said. “It's absolutely amazing,” she replied, then thought to herself, Not too long ago I probably would have been forced to go through the back door.

“Glad you think so.” Rodney placed his palm in the middle of Nadine's back. “Shall we go in?”

A servant opened the door as they approached. Nadine sought to make contact with the young woman's eyes to thank her, but she never raised her face from its lowered position.

Immediately, Nadine felt something was different. There was no sense of camaraderie between the servant and Rodney as he ushered her past the head-wrapped creature without a word.

“I will take you to the salon, and then I will check to make sure everything is ready for dinner. Make yourself comfortable,” Rodney advised her before he left her alone.

Like the outside, Sharpe Hall was quite different from Sovereign in the inside as well. The furnishings were more modern, and there were only sprinklings of artwork here and there. As Nadine looked around the room it was plain to see everything was precisely arranged, all the way down to the ashes that had been smoothed out in the fireplace. Nadine thought it was attractive to the eye but it felt sterile instead of inviting.

A wooden stand filled with whips drew Nadine's attention. Their presence seemed to mar the pristine feeling of the room. The whips did not appear to be artifacts that had outgrown their days of usefulness; on the contrary, some were brand-new, while others appeared to have been used quite often. Nadine could not imagine what purpose they served in this day and time. Certainly, even here on Eros where there were many remnants from the past, the whipping of animals would be considered outdated and cruel.

Nadine's thoughts were interrupted when another servant, a much darker, smaller woman, entered the room carrying a tray of tea. Nadine wondered if she was of Ashanti or Egyptian descent. The woman's curious eyes stole a brisk, but assessing look at the guest before she put the tray down and turned quietly away.

Nadine added sugar to the aromatic brew before picking up the delicate china cup with care. Although Rodney had tried to make her feel welcome, she did not feel comfortable in the quiet, pristine surroundings. Just the thought of spilling even a drop of tea rattled her nerves, unlike Sovereign whose organized clutter drew her in, reminding her of the surroundings where she was brought up.

Nadine knew the difference between Sharpe Hall and Sovereign was not only a physical one. The friendliness that existed among Ulysses and Madame Deane, Catherine and Clarence would seem out of place here. Then she recalled how both Melanie and Ulysses had expressed surprise when they heard Basil had invited her to dinner. Now, looking about her, she wondered why he had extended the rare offer. She was draining her cup when Basil Sharpe joined her. He was immaculate in a dark suit and tie.

“Welcome to Sharpe Hall, Miss Clayton. I'm so glad you decided to join us tonight.”

“Thank you for inviting me.” She reached out to meet his extended hand. His grasp was so strong Nadine nearly winced. Despite the welcome in his words she noticed there was no warmth in his eyes which glowed with a harsh light.

Basil offered her his arm, which she took, and he escorted her into the dining room.

The room was perfectly arranged. Just the right touch of everything. Not too much and not too little. Both Melanie and Rodney were already seated at the silver and china-laden table. Neither one spoke as Nadine and Basil entered the room. On the contrary, Melanie's blank features watched them as they advanced while Rodney never looked up from the place setting in front of him. Basil stood at the head of the table and motioned for Nadine to be seated at his left before taking his seat. Confused over the quiet reception from Melanie and Rodney, Nadine looked at one of them and then the other.