future. One day she would perform in front of a real audience. She would stand in front of a heavy curtain made of rich crimson velvet and bow to a full theater of well-educated patrons who had paid hefty prices for the chance to watch her perform.
Instead of enjoying this moment, Jasmine found herself wondering if Lily would ever allow her to follow her own dreams. She wanted more, much more, than what Natchez had to offer. She wanted fame. She wanted to see her name on a theater marquis, to be feted and adored by people from all over America. From all over the world, actually.
Aunt Dahlia might not approve, but that wouldn’t stop Jasmine. She would not be ashamed of her own dreams even if her family didn’t support them. Providing entertainment to others was a time-honored tradition. It gave people chances to forget for a while their boring, humdrum lives.
Since she’d been a youngster, Jasmine had found satisfaction in performing for others. Family and friends all told her she was talented. If only Lily would let her go to Chicago or New York—anywhere that would give her a chance to see her dreams come true. Why couldn’t anyone else understand that? Was she always to be alone?
David stood back a little as Jasmine’s family congratulated her. He wished he understood why she had such a strong hold on his heart in spite of everything. She was beautiful, of course. But he had met beautiful women in both California and Illinois. No one intrigued him like the dark-haired minx who was accepting the compliments of her family with an attitude adopted from British royalty.
Jasmine Anderson was far from perfect. She was headstrong. A grin formed on his lips. He couldn’t really blame her for that. None of the Anderson sisters could be described as wallflowers, despite their floral names. Lily was a riverboat owner. Camellia had spent part of the War Between the States nursing soldiers on a riverboat and had been at Vicksburg while it was under siege. He supposed Jasmine was simply following in her older sisters’ footsteps.
But did she have to trample on his heart at the same time?
“What did you think of the performance?” Marguerite’s voice startled him.
“Impressive.” He bowed to her. “Did the orphanage benefit?”
“Oh, yes.” Her dark gaze turned toward Jasmine. “Your Jasmine is quite the center of attention this evening.”
He could feel heat rising to his face. “I thought I told you there’s nothing between us. She’s not my Jasmine … apparently she never has been.”
Marguerite tilted her head. “I know what you said, but I can read the signs for myself. If you’re not careful, that girl will tear out your heart and leave you a bitter man.”
“I don’t think that’s any of your concern.” He regretted the cold words as soon as they left his mouth.
Marguerite’s eyes widened. Then she nodded. “I’m sorry if I overstepped the boundaries of our friendship.”
He put out a hand to stop her, but it was too late. Marguerite moved toward Miss Deborah and began gathering the children. He ought to catch up to her. Apologize. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Marguerite was getting too close to the truth for his comfort.
It was time for him to leave Natchez anyway. He should have headed to New Orleans a day or two ago, but he’d wanted to see the play.
With a disgusted shake of his head, David moved away from the crowd surrounding Jasmine. She would never miss his presence. She had more attention than any of the rest of the cast. Even “King Lear” had not received so many compliments.
Blake Matthews broke free of the crowd and moved toward David. “Lily sent me to invite you to dinner with us at the Bluff.”
“Thanks, but I don’t—”
“You really expect me to tell Lily you won’t come?” Blake put an arm around his shoulder. “Do you know how much discord your refusal will cause?”
David chuckled. “We can’t have that.” He would rather have
Instead of enjoying this moment, Jasmine found herself wondering if Lily would ever allow her to follow her own dreams. She wanted more, much more, than what Natchez had to offer. She wanted fame. She wanted to see her name on a theater marquis, to be feted and adored by people from all over America. From all over the world, actually.
Aunt Dahlia might not approve, but that wouldn’t stop Jasmine. She would not be ashamed of her own dreams even if her family didn’t support them. Providing entertainment to others was a time-honored tradition. It gave people chances to forget for a while their boring, humdrum lives.
Since she’d been a youngster, Jasmine had found satisfaction in performing for others. Family and friends all told her she was talented. If only Lily would let her go to Chicago or New York—anywhere that would give her a chance to see her dreams come true. Why couldn’t anyone else understand that? Was she always to be alone?
David stood back a little as Jasmine’s family congratulated her. He wished he understood why she had such a strong hold on his heart in spite of everything. She was beautiful, of course. But he had met beautiful women in both California and Illinois. No one intrigued him like the dark-haired minx who was accepting the compliments of her family with an attitude adopted from British royalty.
Jasmine Anderson was far from perfect. She was headstrong. A grin formed on his lips. He couldn’t really blame her for that. None of the Anderson sisters could be described as wallflowers, despite their floral names. Lily was a riverboat owner. Camellia had spent part of the War Between the States nursing soldiers on a riverboat and had been at Vicksburg while it was under siege. He supposed Jasmine was simply following in her older sisters’ footsteps.
But did she have to trample on his heart at the same time?
“What did you think of the performance?” Marguerite’s voice startled him.
“Impressive.” He bowed to her. “Did the orphanage benefit?”
“Oh, yes.” Her dark gaze turned toward Jasmine. “Your Jasmine is quite the center of attention this evening.”
He could feel heat rising to his face. “I thought I told you there’s nothing between us. She’s not my Jasmine … apparently she never has been.”
Marguerite tilted her head. “I know what you said, but I can read the signs for myself. If you’re not careful, that girl will tear out your heart and leave you a bitter man.”
“I don’t think that’s any of your concern.” He regretted the cold words as soon as they left his mouth.
Marguerite’s eyes widened. Then she nodded. “I’m sorry if I overstepped the boundaries of our friendship.”
He put out a hand to stop her, but it was too late. Marguerite moved toward Miss Deborah and began gathering the children. He ought to catch up to her. Apologize. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Marguerite was getting too close to the truth for his comfort.
It was time for him to leave Natchez anyway. He should have headed to New Orleans a day or two ago, but he’d wanted to see the play.
With a disgusted shake of his head, David moved away from the crowd surrounding Jasmine. She would never miss his presence. She had more attention than any of the rest of the cast. Even “King Lear” had not received so many compliments.
Blake Matthews broke free of the crowd and moved toward David. “Lily sent me to invite you to dinner with us at the Bluff.”
“Thanks, but I don’t—”
“You really expect me to tell Lily you won’t come?” Blake put an arm around his shoulder. “Do you know how much discord your refusal will cause?”
David chuckled. “We can’t have that.” He would rather have
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