Camellia by Diane T. Ashley Read Free Book Online Page A

disturbing thoughts aside. Tamar was free. She had a husband and a good job. Untying her apron, she pulled it off and hung it on a peg to dry. “I’ll meet you on deck, Jasmine. I just need to check my appearance.”
    “Looks are not the only thing that matters.” Tamar’s warning chased Camellia out of the room.
    Ignoring the words, Camellia hurried to the room she shared with Jasmine. A glance in the mirror proved her concern was valid. Her hair was a mess, and her shirtwaist was wrinkled from leaning against the galley counter. It would take too long to heat a curling rod. Camellia ran her fingers through the blond ringlets and fastened them with combs so that they cascaded around her face.
    A quick search in her trunks unearthed her short cloak. She could use it to hide the wrinkles in her blouse. Swinging it around her shoulders, she fastened the navy frog at the neck and checked her appearance once more.
    Milky complexion, wide blue eyes, generous forehead, and long neck. She would turn heads as always. Men admired her while women hid their jealousy behind stiff smiles. It was her place in the world, a place she was determined to keep in spite of everything else.
    She found both of her sisters and Jasmine’s shadow, David, on deck, watching as their shipment was off-loaded by burly dockworkers. “How long will we be in Memphis?”
    Lily glanced in her direction. “We’ll stay with Eli and Renée Thornton tonight and leave in the morning.”
    Swallowing her groan, Camellia pinned a fake smile on her lips. She was not going to complain, even though she had no doubt Lily knew she didn’t want to stay the night in Memphis. She wanted to get to New Orleans, get settled, and begin her school term.
    “Don’t worry.” Jasmine stepped closer and grabbed her hand. “Papa says we’ll get you there in time.”
    Camellia pulled her hand away. She didn’t want to hear what Papa had to say about anything. What did her sisters see in him, anyway? All he did was tell stories about the way the river used to be. Or preach at them about turning the other cheek and forgiving other people hundreds of times when they were unpleasant. That was fine for him, but Camellia didn’t see what good his talking did for her. Why should she be the one who forgave other people?
    The one time she’d tried to talk to Lily about Papa’s sermonizing, her older sister had gotten all serious and talked to her about letting go of the past like she had done. Camellia didn’t have any problem with Papa’s past. It was his present that bothered her. She’d much rather have Uncle Phillip for a father. He was a businessman. He knew how to dress, how to act at a dinner party, how to conduct himself in public. He would never be caught dressed like someone from the Revolutionary War. She busied herself comparing Uncle Phillip to Papa as they left the
Water Lily
and climbed into a rented carriage for the trip to Eli Thornton’s home a few miles east of the harbor.
    Jasmine chattered as usual, pointing out every building they passed as if they’d never before stayed in Memphis. How would others see them in the carriage? She was the pretty one, of course. Jasmine was the vivacious one. And Lily? Lily was just plain old Lily. Now that she had married Blake, her life had taken on a predictable pattern—one that Camellia would abhor, but one that seemed to bring her older sister happiness.

Chapter Four
    J
onah’s mouth was so dry he didn’t think he would be able to deliver the code phrase. “May I inquire where you got that flower? Yellow is my favorite color.”
    “A shop on Beale Avenue purchases them especially for me. They are quite dear, but I don’t mind the cost.”
    It was the correct response, the one that meant he was officially a spy. Jonah’s shoulders tightened. His tongue felt too big for his mouth, and his breathing was choppy—as though he’d run all the way from his brother’s store. He forced himself to take a slow, deep