Phantoms In Philadelphia by Amalie Vantana Read Free Book Online Page A

you, Mother? Hmm? I will run him
through again and again.” Jack lunged forward with his imaginary
sword poised before him, and I wanted to laugh at his absurdity,
but only a choking noise came from my throat.
    “Jack! I have not been seduced. Think better of your
mother, I pray.”
    Jack lowered his hand, all
amusement fading. Now he
understands.
    “You are in earnest? You have indeed accepted the
hand of some unknown man?” Jack asked.
    “I love him.” Tears had formed in her eyes before
she turned away from us.
    Pain mingled with guilt as it sailed across my
chest. “Mama, we did not mean to hurt you, but it has come as a
shock. Please tell us how this came about.” I held my hand out to
her.
    She moved to sit beside me. I glanced over at Jack,
but he was scowling at her. In his eighteen years, he had perfected
that scowl; the dip of his black brows, the hard lines around his
mouth mixing with the stormy color of his eyes.
    “How was your trip?” She dabbed the corners of her
eyes with her handkerchief.
    “We ran into some disturbing weather, but we are as
you see, unharmed and happy to be home,” I explained. Not unharmed,
but we would not tell her that. The high collar of my gown covered
the bruises around my neck that were fading, but still visible.
    “Now it is your turn,” Jack said.
    She slowly explained that the name of her betrothed
was Richard Hamilton. She met him on the ship to Savannah, only to
find out that he owned the ship. He was a wealthy merchant from
Baltimore, who owned a large import export business. I continued to
hold her hand, but I felt utterly betrayed. Mother’s two year
period of mourning ended only six days ago, and she was already
contracted to a new man. It made me sick to my stomach to think
that she contracted such an alliance without our knowledge. Casting
a quick look at Jack, I could detect a hardness to his face. His
lips were compressed tightly, his jaw working while he was grinding
his teeth. I knew he felt the same.
    “Richard has an appreciation for the finer aspects
in life. He called on me every day in Savannah, and when we sailed
back to Baltimore, he admitted that he could not live without
me."
    Jack snorted, and we both looked up at him.
    Mother bristled. "I was not looking for love, but it
found me, and I will not fight it." She was always defensive around
Jack. I thought it was because his mulishness reminded her of
Father.
    “We must meet your Richard, mustn't we, Jack?” I
asked, trying to keep the two of them from arguing.
    Jack turned to look at the fire refusing to
reply.
    “Have you decided upon a date?” I asked softly.
    She did not have a chance to reply, as Jack turned
toward us, his eyes burning with restrained anger. He shook his
head then smiled, but it was an unpleasant tilt to his lips. “Do
you expect us to believe this farce?"
    Before Mother could speak, a knock fell upon the
front door. A deep voice came from the foyer that caused Mother to
rise.
    Wringing her hands in agitation, she whispered, “It
is Richard. Please, Jack, please play your part, Richard knows
nothing about our work.” Without awaiting our reply, Mother pasted
a smile upon her lips and called entry.
    Richard Hamilton bounced into the room on high heel
shoes that were no longer fashionable and bowed low before my
mother. He was a trim man with a head of black hair and straight
black mustache stretching along his upper lip. Holding him up
against my father’s regal bearing, I failed to see why my mother
liked him. He was dressed neatly in a cranberry colored coat and a
silver waistcoat, but he held his chin too high and the look he
cast my mother made me want to box his ears. I moved to stand
beside Jack.
    Mother bestowed a dazzling smile upon him,
murmuring, “My dear Richard.”
    I felt like I was going to lose my breakfast.
    Richard took both of her hands in his and kissed the
palms of each. His familiarity awoke my ire.
    She laughed, pulling her hands away as she