Camellia by Diane T. Ashley Read Free Book Online

you, dearest, but you cannot continue to put this off. It’s weighing on you too heavily.”
    “You’re right, and I want to.” His large, warm hand cupped her chin. “I have an idea.”
    She placed her hand over his and met his gaze, trying to encourage him. She loved him so much she felt her heart would burst, and she wanted him to see what was in her heart. “What is that?”
    “Why don’t you pray for God to show both of us the right time and the right way to deal with my father?”
    Lily nodded. As long as both of them leaned on His strength, they would weather any storm. That knowledge also brought her a measure of peace regarding Camellia. The Lord would watch over all of them—whether they were in the same town or not.

    Camellia reached for another of the plates Tamar had scrubbed clean. “If I never had to spend another night on a steamboat, my life would be perfect.”
    “Don’t you say such things.” Tamar frowned at her as she continued her task. “This is your sister’s chosen home.”
    “She can come and visit me once I get married.” Camellia grimaced at the thought of her family creating a rumpus in her spotless, well-ordered plantation home. Papa’s tall tales, Jasmine’s dramatic posturing, and Lily’s stubbornness would put an end to harmony. It would be a wonder if Camellia’s husband didn’t forbid their return after a single day in company with her family. “But only if she brings Aunt Dahlia and Uncle Phillip along as well.”
    The choked sound from the woman standing beside her made Camellia smile. Both of them knew the likelihood of Lily and Aunt Dahlia traveling together. The probability that at least one of them would expire during the journey—and not from natural causes—was extremely high.
    Camellia reached for another plate to dry. “Why do you remain on the
Water Lily
?”
    “Many reasons.” Tamar’s voice sounded serene, almost dreamy. “I suppose the main reason is that a wife’s place is at the side of her husband.”
    The statement brought a nod from Camellia. She had finally gotten used to the romance between Blake’s friend and the woman who had been a surrogate mother to her.
    Tamar and Jensen first met on Lily and Blake’s steamship the
Hattie Belle.
Jensen had been the cook on that ship, but Tamar was a slave, the slave who had taken care of Lily, Camellia, and Jasmine as though they were her own children. She had seemed content with her position. For as long as Camellia could remember, Tamar had been loving and kind, with a world of practical wisdom to impart to her charges.
    Camellia had been surprised when her older sister went to their grandmother and asked for Tamar’s freedom—and even more shocked when the newly freed woman announced she was going to marry Jensen. It gave her a whole new view of Tamar as a real person, not just the unassuming woman who made sure her clothing was mended and her hair arranged.
    “But don’t you want a regular home and children of your own?”
    “Oh child, a home is wherever and whatever you make it. Besides, the good Lord blessed me with both of those things when He let me watch you and your sisters grow up.” She sighed. “I wouldn’t complain if He decided to give us a child of our own, but with things in such an uproar, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
    Now it was Camellia’s turn to sigh. “The war affects us all, doesn’t it?”
    “Even though I’m free now, it may not always be that way. Who knows whether our children would be safe?” Tamar’s voice was matter-of-fact.
    Camellia’s problems were small in comparison to Tamar’s. The war had delayed her plans for the future, but whether she would be free to pursue her goals had never been in doubt.
    Tamar swished her hands through the dishwater and pulled them out to reach for the towel Camellia was holding. “That’s all of the dishes.”
    Jasmine ran into the small gallery. “We’re about to dock!”
    Camellia thrust her