The Lady's Hand Read online

  Claire picked one up and smiled. "The workmanship in this is beautiful."

  "My mother made it."

  "She did a fine job."

  "I'll tell her you said so, or better yet, you can tell her yourself when we get to Natchez. Rafe has agreed that she can come live with us at his home, so I'm sure you'll get to meet her."

  "That's wonderful. Not all men would be so accommodating of their mothers-in-law." Claire wasn't quite sure how to ask her next question, but she was dying to know where Brandy had worn her more revealing gowns. "So tell me, Brandy, where exactly did you, um... Well, I was wondering..."

  "You're curious about my wardrobe," Brandy finished for her. She had known Claire would ask after seeing her clothes, and she sat down on the edge of the bed, still holding one of the daygowns her mother had made.

  "Your dresses are... interesting..." Claire's expression and tone were both noncommittal.

  Brandy had expected condemnation or haughtiness from her. She hadn't expected Claire to be simply curious. "When Rafe and I met and fell in love on board the Pride, I was working."

  "You worked on the steamboat?" Claire was frowning, trying to imagine what kind of job Brandy had had where she would wear such clothes.

  "Yes, I did." Brandy had been dreading this moment. She had almost left her dresses behind with Ben, but since her mother had sewn them, they meant too much to her. She girded herself for Claire's coming condemnation of her character. "I know you're wondering what you've gotten yourself into, but now you'll understand why Rafe felt the need to hire a tutor for me. I worked on the steamboat as a gambler."

  "You're a gambler?" Claire's eyes rounded in amazement. Brandy looked so sweet, hardly the hardened type she would have imagined, who dealt cards and matched men drink for drink in a men's saloon.

  "Yes, and a damned good one, at that," Brandy answered defensively, though she hadn't sensed any real censure in Claire's question. "That's how Rafe and I met-by playing poker-and now we're going to be married."

  "I would never have dreamed you two met that way. It's so romantic."

  "Isn't it, though?" Brandy tried to keep from sounding jaded. It wouldn't do for anyone to suspect that all was not as it should be between them.

  "And now you're going to give it all up to become his wife." A small, secret smile curved Claire's lips and she asked, "How did you ever get into gambling?"

  Brandy figured there was no point in lying to Claire. She quickly told her how she'd come to be a gambler with Ben on the Pride, and how careful she'd been about her reputation.

  "So now I understand why it was so important for Rafe to hire me," she said thoughtfully. "It's good that he cares so much about you and wants to help you adjust to his way of life."

  "I know, but it's going to be hard not being `me' anymore."

  "Oh, you'll still be you. You'll just be a better `you,' "Claire told her confidently.

  Brandy smiled at her reassurance. "Thanks."

  "For what?"

  "For not judging me for what I had to do."

  "I think your life sounds exciting. You're going to have to tell me more about your adventures."

  "It wasn't that exciting. I was just trying to take care of my mother and myself"

  "And you did it. I'll bet your mother is very proud of you."

  "I hope so...I truly do." Brandy wondered what her mother would say when she found out what had happened between her and Rafe. "But what about you? It must be wonderful to be a teacher and influence so many young lives. Tell me about the academy."

  "I do love my students, and I'm always thrilled when they graduate and go on to succeed. But the one life I've wanted to change the most, I can't...."

  "Whose life was that?"

  "My own," she sighed.

  "But you're here with me now. That's a change for you.

  "You're right, and that was precisely what I was thinking when I agreed to take the job."

  "I think we're going to be great friends, Claire."

  "I'd like that."

  The two women shared a warm look.

  "Well, we know one thing for certain, Miss Brandy O'Neill."

  "What's that?"

  "If you're going to make your debut in Natchez society as Mrs. Rafe Marchand, you are going to need an entirely new wardrobe. I don't think your gambling dresses would play too well in any of the ballrooms of the finer families of Natchez," she said with an impish grin.

  "I don't know why not." Brandy laughed. "I might be able to tell everyone that I'm a trendsetter and that it's the latest style from Paris."

  "You might, but somehow..."

  "I know. You don't think they'd believe me. I guess we'd better find a dressmaker and fast."

  "How soon is the wedding?"

  "Some time next week. Rafe and Marc have to meet with the priest first to set the date, and I think they're planning on doing that tomorrow."

  "Then let's go shopping. What do you say? I know just the place...."

  An hour later, as she descended from the carriage that Claire had hired to take them to the dress shop, Brandy found she was holding her breath in excitement. She had often dreamed of shopping in one of these exclusive establishments, but she had never had enough money. She tried to look blase as she entered the store, but she really wanted to gawk. Bolts and bolts of colorful fabric were artfully arranged on tables and along the walls, and dress forms fitted with already completed dresses were displayed about the room.

  "Do you shop here often?" Brandy asked Claire in a low voice.

  "I've been in occasionally, but most of what they carry is far more elaborate than what I need."

  The owner approached them, smiling brightly in welcome.

  "Good afternoon, ladies, and welcome." She had already eyed them critically and thought they might be serious customers. "My name is Lorna. What can I help you with today?"

  "Miss O'Neill is in need of a whole new wardrobe," Claire said in her most authoritative voice. "She's getting married and must have the perfect trousseau."

  "How wonderful! How romantic and exciting! Congratulations!"

  "Thank you," Brandy replied, a little taken aback by the woman's eagerness to wait on them. She was finding that she was glad to have Claire with her. Claire was taking charge without being pushy or demanding.

  "Will you be needing a wedding gown?"

  "Of sorts," Brandy began.

  "The wedding is going to be a small, intimate one, so well need something suitable for that."

  "Of course. I have the perfect pattern..." Lorna started rushing about the store, pulling materials and patterns for their approval.

  "She's going to need everything from underthings and negligees to daygowns and ballgowns. Shoes and stockings, too. Can you provide all these things?"

  "Of course," Lorna answered eagerly, seeing dollar signs in her eyes.

  "There is a time limit, too. Do you have any gowns that she could take with her today?"

  "I have several that might be just the thing, and a few more that would work with some alterations."

  "And the rest? How soon could you have them completed?"

  "Ten days... two weeks at the most."

  "That's unacceptable," Claire stated firmly in her authoritative teacher's voice. "We'll need everything by Friday of this week or we'll have to go somewhere else."

  "Friday?" The dressmaker's eyes widened. The order was a magnificent one she dared not lose. It was obvious that these women had money, so she knew she could hire extra help to complete the job on time.

  "Is that a problem?" Claire acted as though she was ready to walk away.

  "No, no!" Lorna insisted. "I can do it. Your things will be ready by Friday."

  "Good. Shall we start?"

  "This way, please. We'll need to take your measurements and then begin selecting patterns that you like."

  Lorna led them to the back to the dressing room. She called to her assistant, Kate, to come help, and they began the arduous task of p
lanning Brandy's new wardrobe.

  Brandy felt as if she were being swept along in a dream. All the clothes she'd ever owned in her life were inexpensive compared to the garments in this shop. She kept quiet, letting Claire debate with the women, and she had to admit that she was impressed by her new friend's fashion sense. It amazed her that a woman who dressed so plainly would know so much about fabric and current styles.

  "Why don't you buy something for yourself while we're here?" Brandy asked Claire.

  Lorna and her assistant had gone in search of another fabric, and they were left alone for a moment.

  Claire glanced at her in surprise. "Me? Buy something here? No, I could never wear something like that."

  "Why not? I'm sure that once we get to Natchez we're going to be doing a lot of socializing. You'll need to have an evening gown or two in your own wardrobe," Brandy urged, wanting to see the prim and proper Claire in a fancy dress. She wondered how very different she might look in a color that set off her fair skin and brought out the highlights in her hair. The way she was dressed now, she played down all of her good features. She had a nice figure and beautiful skin and an easy, bright smile that could charm anyone. It surprised Brandy that Claire didn't try to do more with herself.

  "I don't know...."

  "If it's money that's worrying you, we can put it on my bill and just tell Rafe that it was one of my gowns."

  "Oh, no. I could never do that. I have enough money to pay for it. My parents left me comfortably well-off when they passed away. It's just that..."

  "That what? You'd look absolutely beautiful in that teal evening gown she showed me earlier," Brandy urged, remembering the way Claire had looked at it when Lorna brought it in for them to see.

  Claire fell silent, thinking of the full-skirted satin gown. It had been simple, yet elegant, and she'd thought it a shame when it had proven too big for Brandy.

  "You're several inches taller than I am. It would probably fit you without any alterations. Why don't you try it on? I shouldn't be the only one who's being poked and prodded and pinned today."

  Lorna reappeared at that moment carrying several bolts of material and two new patterns for ballgowns.

  "Lorna, bring back the teal gown. Claire wants to try it on."

  The seamstress looked amazed, then smiled. "You're right. The color would be perfect on her. I'll be right back."

  She put the materials down and hurried off to find the creation she'd made for another woman who'd changed her mind. It was a stunning dress, fit for a queen, and it had annoyed her when the other woman had refused it. Of course, she'd always known someone would come along who could wear it, and it seemed that this woman might just be the one. In fact, she'd been looking at her with a rather critical eye while she'd been measuring Brandy, and she could tell that the woman named Claire had a near-perfect figure beneath the shapeless, dull day dress she was wearing. She was smiling brightly as she gathered up the gown and hurried back to her two customers.

  "That was an inspired idea, Miss O'Neill," Lorna said as she helped Claire out of her gown. "I hadn't thought about having you try this on earlier, but I think you're going to find that the color is ideal for you."

  Claire was nervous. It had been years since she'd bought anything so frivolous. As a teacher, she didn't have any need for fancy dresses, but maybe Brandy was right. She was going to Natchez where no one knew her. Here she was Miss Patterson, the teacher from the academy, and she was expected to behave in a certain, sedate, well-mannered, unobtrusive way. When she went to Natchez, she could be anybody she wanted to be...at least for a little while. An image of Marc flashed into her mind.

  Claire lifted her arms and let Lorna slip the dress over her head. She'd forgotten how heavenly satin felt against her skin. The gown slid down over her body in a sensuous caress, and she didn't immediately look in the mirror as Lorna straightened the skirts about her and adjusted the neckline.

  "There," Lorna said with satisfaction, stepping back to admire the way she looked. "What do you think, Miss O'Neill?"

  "Oh, Claire! Look at yourself in the mirror," Brandy told her a bit breathlessly.

  She wouldn't have imagined that just a change in color could do so much for the other woman, but the teal blue seemed to light up her entire face. It drew attention to her eyes. Brandy had never noticed their color before behind the glasses she wore, but now she realized that they were a fascinating blue-green that seemed to change color with whatever she wore. The gown fit her through the bodice, revealing the tops of her firm, full breasts, and then it nipped in at her slender waist. Brandy stared at her in delight, impressed by the change that one dress could make. Claire truly could be pretty if she'd give herself a chance.

  Claire couldn't imagine why Brandy and Lorna looked so shocked, but when she turned to the fulllength mirror behind her to take a look at herself, she understood. She stopped dead still as she stared at her own reflection.

  "Oh..." she breathed. "It's beautiful...."

  "It's not beautiful," Brandy corrected. "You are! You look gorgeous. You have to take that gown. I know you'll have the occasion to wear it once we get to Natchez."

  "Yes..." was all Claire could say. "Yes, I'll take this one for myself"

  "A wise choice," Lorna agreed. "I never dreamed it would look so magnificent on you, but it does. That dress seems like it was made for you. I hope that the night you wear it, all your dreams come true."

  Brandy smiled at the woman's kind words. "They certainly should. She looks like a fairy princess in

  "Hardly," Claire said. She knew that no matter how lovely the dress, underneath it she was still Claire Patterson, an old-maid schoolteacher who was playing at being a chaperone and tutor. Forcing her gaze from her own image, she turned her attention back to Brandy. "Now, what about you? If I'm going to wear this, we have to find something even more wonderful for you. Not to mention the gown you're going to wear for your wedding."

  "I've found just the pattern for that," Lorna said and they turned their attention back to their original intent.

  Across town, Rafe sent word to Marc that he would be done with business by mid-afternoon and that he could go to see the priest with Marc at four. The two men met near the church where Marc and Jennette were married and went together to the rectory to speak with Marc's long-time friend, Father Finn.

  "Marc? Marc LeFevre? It's great to see you! Come on into my office," the priest greeted them at the door.

  "It's good to see you, too, Father."

  "I was so sorry to hear about Jennette. Suzanne and Roger took it so very hard. It was tragic." Real sympathy shone in his eyes.

  "We all took it hard," he said solemnly.

  "I understand."

  "Sad news is not why I came to see you today, though, Father. I'm here as a favor to my friend, Rafe Marchand. Rafe, this is Father Finn."

  They exchanged pleasantries as the priest led them into his office where they could sit down and talk.

  "What can I do for you?" the priest asked earnestly, looking from Marc to Rafe.

  "Well, Father, I want to get married," Rafe an nounced, and suddenly paused, realizing what he'd just said. He'd never voiced that sentiment before in his entire life.

  "Rafe was hoping that you could do the honors, Father. He's in town with his fiancee for only a short time, and they wondered if you could marry them?"

  "Right away?" Father Finn frowned slightly.

  "I have to return to my home in Natchez next week, and I was hoping to take Brandy back with me as my bride," Rafe told him.

  Father Finn drew a deep breath as he studied Rafe seriously. "Church law calls for banns to be published for three weeks before a wedding."

  "But can't exceptions be made, Father?" Marc spoke up for his friend. "Your marriages work. I certainly loved Jennette with all my heart, and I want that same happiness for Rafe and Brandy. You've got the touch, Father."

  Father Finn was laughing at Marc's good-natured teasing. "I'd like to be
lieve that what you say is true, Marc. It would be good to know that all the marriages I perform are happy ones."

  "They are. Of all the marriages I know, we were the happiest. I'm sure it's because of you. Will you do it for Rafe and Brandy, Father?"

  Inwardly, Rafe was cringing as he listened to their banter. His acting had been too good. He'd convinced everyone, including his best friend Marc, that he and Brandy were really in love and that theirs was going to be a real marriage that would last forever.

  Father Finn turned to Rafe, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he studied him. "Well, I suppose I could arrange something if it's that important to you to be married next week."

  "Thank you, Father," Rafe said, smiling widely, re lieved that everything was working out.

  "You're welcome, young man. Why don't you bring your fiancee by tomorrow morning? That way we can get to know each other and set all the plans for the ceremony."

  "We'll be here."

  They rose to go.

  "Marc?"

  "Yes, Father?"

  "I'd love to see those children of yours. Can you bring them by for a visit? I haven't seen Merrie since her baptism."

  "I'll make sure of it."

  "Good."

  Rafe returned to the hotel and was just starting inside when he noticed the sign on the shop down the street-CLARKSON AND SONS, JEWELERS. He stood unmoving for a moment, considering, then altered his course and headed for the store. A bell jingled, signaling his arrival as he entered.

  "Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you today?" an elderly gentleman asked as he came out from behind the curtains that shielded the back room.

  "I need a..." Rafe let his gaze sweep the glass display cases searching for the perfect... "ring." And then he saw it, glistening and shimmering in the bright light.

  "A ring, sir?"

  "That one..." he said immediately, staring at the solitaire set in yellow gold. The setting was simple, almost stark, but it served to enhance the glory of the gem itself.

  "You have an excellent eye, sir," Clarkson gushed, hurrying to unlock the case and take the ring out. He handed it over to Rafe and waited for his reaction.

  Rafe didn't need to think about it. He knew a quality stone when he saw it. The ring would be Brandy's.