Juliana smiled in memory. “Especially Leland.”
“But then he did fall for you the very moment he saw you.”
“He says he did,” Juliana said. “But whatever his true feelings, it gave him the courage to…” She took a breath.
“Kiss you in the pantry.” Hyacinth sighed.
“I will always wonder if he would have been so brave if he’d ever felt Father’s oar on his backside.”
“That sent many of our prospective suitors running,” Hyacinth said. “I still long for a man who dares to brave his wrath.”
“There have been plenty of them,” Juliana said. “Caleb Kingsley climbed up the rose trellis almost to your bedroom window before Father heard him and began the chase. Caleb can certainly run fast! He would have made you a fine husband.”
“I’m not so sure. I think he and Valentina are the better match. She returns Caleb’s grand emotions. I prefer a quieter life.” Hyacinth took her sister’s hand. “How will I have our tea parties without you?”
“How will I bear meeting all of Leland’s relatives alone?” Juliana said. “They are such an elegant set. His mother got seasick just from the trip over to the island. And his sister asked how well I can play Mozart.”
“And what did you reply?”
“That I didn’t know any Mozart, but I could play ‘Lame Sally’s Jig’ on a brown jug.”
“You didn’t!”
“No,” Juliana said, “I didn’t. But I wanted to.” For a moment she looked around at the familiar setting and thought of all the laughter and good times they’d had there. “I will miss this room and this island every day of my life. Promise me something.”
“Anything,” Hyacinth said.
“That if something should happen to me, if—”
“No!” Hyacinth said. “Don’t think like that on your wedding day. It’s bad luck.”
“But I feel that I must say this. If all does not go well with me, bring me back here to this house, to this island. Let me rest here forever. Will you promise me that?”
“Yes,” Hyacinth said softly. “And I ask the same of you. We must stay together always.”
Juliana kissed the top of her sister’s head. “We’d better go or Father will think someone has stolen us away, and get out his oars.” She looked at the little man. “Finished?”
He nodded as he got up and put the sketch on the big dresser to dry. It was of two beautiful young women, sitting side by side, heads together, the window behind them. Beside the drawing of them was one he’d done earlier of the bridegroom.
The sisters, with the artist behind them, were nearly to the door when it was flung open by their friend Valentina. She was beautiful too, but in a colorful, flamboyant way, a striking contrast to the quiet loveliness of the two sisters.
“You must get to the church,” Valentina said. “We’re all beginning to think you two ran off with a couple of handsome mermen.”
“I’d rather have Leland,” Juliana said.
“And I’m holding out for Neptune,” Hyacinth said. “I like his trident.”
Laughing, they all left the room. None of them noticed the way the wind caught the pictures on the dresser and lifted them flat against the backboard. When the door closed, the papers fell straight down behind the big cupboard, hidden from view. And later, in the tragedy of what happened that day, no one thought to look for the drawings.
When Jamie woke, he didn’t know where he was. As now seemed to always be the case, he felt a sense of panic. Where w
as his gear? Where were his fellow soldiers? Where were the exits and entrances?
He flung out his arm, searching for what he needed. Why had he slept?! Why hadn’t he made sure that everyone was safe?
When he heard a woman’s soft weeping, he remembered Valery. He’d tried to help her, but a medic had held him down. “Hold on there, sir. You can’t get up. Most of you looks like Freddy Krueger went to work.”
“Sergeant!” someone yelled. “Zip it!”