Tell Me I'm Dreamin' (29 page)

Hours later their parting kiss was the quintessence of love. Afterwards they stared into each other's eyes, searching for the truths that they felt within their own hearts, and hoped to see the same in the eyes of their lover.

“I love you, Ulysses. I want you to know that.”

At first he did not reply. Instead he searched deeper into the hazel eyes emanating sincerity. In the end his words were hesitant, but he said, softly, “I love you too, Nadine.”

The spoken words were like a pact between them. They hugged again, and Nadine made her reluctant trip back to her room before Catherine could come and rouse her for the busy day ahead.

The housekeeper was surprised to find her awake and dressed when she tapped on the bedroom door.

“Why, aren't you the early riser,” she remarked. “And don't you look lovely today. I am glad someone got a good night's rest. It was after midnight when I finally got to sleep,” she continued. “Ma-dame Deane managed to slip back into the library. She had pretended she was asleep, but later when I went to check on her I found her bed was empty. I do not know how in the world she managed to get back in that wheelchair by herself, but she did. When I found her she was cackling like a hen who had laid a golden egg, and repeating the word ‘finally.' I must tell you, Miss Nadine, it was the weirdest laugh I have ever heard. Needless to say, right away I went and found those new pills the doctor gave her, made her take two, and that finally put her away. If anything else happens around this place within the next twenty-four hours I think I am going to be the one who will need medication.”

Realizing she was just standing in the doorway babbling, Catherine decided to make herself useful as she talked. She emptied the washbowl out the window and made up Nadine's bed, which had been hurriedly put into disarray when Nadine heard Catherine's footsteps outside her door.

“Ulysses must have returned after I was asleep. I tell you, I sure am worried about things around here. The word is if Master Ulysses does not do well on this book sale he could lose part of the estate. And Miss Nadine,” her dark eyes were gravely serious, “I think that would kill him. He tries to act tough and all, but I know how much this place means to him.” She gave the feather pillow a final pat. “In a way he feels his parents died for him, and because of that he believes he must keep Sovereign going. He thinks that is the only way he can pay them back. And of course, keeping that special collection of his here at Sovereign.” Catherine picked up a dirty towel and placed it over her arm. “So I want you to know, Miss Nadine, how much we appreciate your being here, and helping Ulysses put everything in order. It never would have been set up so beautifully if it had not been for you.”

Nadine tried to lighten the sentimental moment. “It's all part of my job, Catherine.”

“I know. But I also know you care for Master Ulysses and I think he cares for you.” An awkward silence followed, which Catherine filled with a curt, “Well. I guess I better go check on madame. She is probably still sleeping from the dose I gave her, but you never know.” She left Nadine alone.

Nadine gave her calypso-colored scarf, which she had fashioned into a headband, a final tug. Her cinnamon twists were piled on top of her head inside of it, giving her a regal air. She stepped closer to the mirror and straightened out the matching dress that Catherine had presented to her on her return to Sovereign. Nadine had saved the outfit for today, believing it would add to the ambience of the book sale and social. She had stepped out all the way. Gotten behind her man and his cause, as Gloria would say. The sandals that had been given to her when she first came to the estate adorned her feet.

Nadine's eyes were bright from the love that dominated her night. She was happier than she had ever been, and she felt there was nothing she could not handle.

With that thought she removed the papyri from the animal skin, rolled them into a tight scroll, and tucked them into the pocket of her dress. Nadine felt it was time she showed the papyri to Ulysses. Perhaps with his knowledge of the cliff dwellers he could shed some light on the unusual story, and perhaps ease her fears about Basil.

Nadine made her way to the hall. She looked over the extensive collection of book and sprinkling of art pieces and hoped they would be quickly consumed by the public. Sundry tempting smells wafted past her—smells that had become familiar. She knew Catherine had been hard at work for quite a while in the kitchen. Garlic, nutmeg, seafood, and the sweet aroma of pastries made with guava cheese blanketed the space between the kitchen and the hall, and Nadine was certain the food would be a success with the patrons.

Feeling good, she wanted Catherine to know how much her services were appreciated, so she stuck her head inside the kitchen door. “I hope everyone can pull themselves away from the food long enough to look at what's for sale,” Nadine teased as she looked at the trays of roti and tamarind balls. There were baked dishes stuffed with sea urchins, flying fish, pork, and cod dominating several counters.

Catherine turned toward her, giving her the largest smile to date.

“I think you had better keep Clarence away from the kitchen,” Ulysses called out. “You know how he is when it comes to good food.”

He came up and stood beside Nadine in the doorway. Their arms touched. To Nadine it was a caress. They looked at each other and spoke.

“Morning, Miss Nadine.”

“Good morning, Master,” she lingered on the title, “Ulysses.”

To anyone else there may not have been anything different about it, but to Catherine's watchful eyes and ears, she saw and heard the loving exchange. “Aren't you the cheery one this morning, Master Ulysses.”

“I am hoping for good things out of the sale today, Catherine.”

“Oh, is that right? We should have a sale around here more often if it is going to put you in that bright of a mood,” she retorted.

Ulysses walked over and gave her stocky shoulder a hefty squeeze, then he took a piping-hot roti from one of the trays. “What would we do without you, Catherine, even though you think you know everything.” He gave her a playful wink. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a few things to take care of outside.” He tilted his ebony head. “Is there anything you need before I go?” First he looked at Catherine's obstinate back, and then Nadine.

Catherine's no came in the form of a grunt, while Nadine shook her head, smiling infectiously.

Ulysses smiled back. “Then I shall leave you.”

He advanced past Nadine and proceeded toward the front entrance. Not being able to help herself Nadine turned to watch his departure. His slim hips rose and fell to the rhythm of his gait, conjuring up flashbacks of their night together. The impact was so strong it caused her to shiver.

Behind her Catherine gave a loud “Humph. Sale indeed.”

Chapter
25

The crowd had swelled to its largest size yet. Nadine could tell most of the late arrivers had come out of curiosity, or just to enjoy the pending social. She was more than pleased with how the day had progressed. Money was no object for the deluge of book lovers from all over the Caribbean, and some from faraway countries. To her delight and surprise the most valuable books were the first to go.

Dr. Steward's beady eyes gleamed each time an extremely expensive set acquired a sold tag, for that translated into dollars for the institute's share of the profits. Nadine could not help but notice that Etien Richarde was amongst those who bought some of the more costly pieces, at his wife Jean's persuasion.

Automatically, her eyes searched the crowd for Ulysses. She found him sharing a chat with a stout, well-to-do female. Nadine could tell the woman was enjoying the attention she was getting from the charming host of the event, if charming was a sufficient enough description for Ulysses' deeds throughout the day.

“Well, I must say, I sure am glad I came to see for myself,” a strong female voice declared not too far away. “It just goes to show you cannot always believe everything you hear.”

As discreetly as she could Nadine turned to see who was speaking. She recognized the gray-haired woman immediately. She was part of a group of middle-aged women whose husbands had shown far more interest in each other than in their wives. Some of them, from what Nadine had gleaned, were very influential on Barbados and Eros.

“He is most charming, isn't he? Paul could learn a few lessons from him when it comes to how to treat people,” her blue-eyed female companion interjected. “And to think we had heard the man was barely civilized.” She inhaled the fragrance of the purple orchid she held in her hand. “Ulysses gave me this flower,” the woman announced, smiling like a schoolgirl. “He told me it matched my eyes perfectly.”

Nadine smiled and turned away. There wasn't a woman in the room who had not been made to feel special as Ulysses commented on her taste in literature, clothes, or simply her smile. Yes, Nadine concluded, Ulysses had won the hearts of most of the people attending the sale. She had seen their initial haughtiness and disdain melt into acceptance, then awe. Before today, she had given little thought to the battle Ulysses had to fight being half Egyptian and half British. She felt somewhat embarrassed that she hadn't. Many of her associates back in the States who were deep into the racial struggle would have scoffed at her for her naivete.

As Nadine looked around the room she thought of Melanie. She wished she and Rodney could have stayed long enough to enjoy some of the food, and the dancing that was about to get started, but Melanie had apologized and blamed their early departure on some pending business at Sharpe Hall. Nadine noticed that Rodney appeared to be nervous and high-strung. Still, before they left, Melanie bought a collection of poetry and a decorative dagger.

Everyone appeared to be having a good time, but Nadine would have felt better if Madame Deane could have enjoyed it as well. But Catherine had done what she thought was best, and Madame Deane had been heavily sedated. She had not emerged from her room the entire day.

“Everything has gone wonderfully, thanks to you,” Ulysses whispered in her ear. “And after everyone has left I intend to show you how much I love and appreciate you.”

At that moment Nadine did not trust herself enough to turn around. If she did she knew she would end up wrapping her arms around his neck, showing the entire room how much she was in love. Instead a tremulous smile shaped her lips, and she looked out into the crowd with as much composure as she could muster, before a shocked expression appeared on her face. That expression melted into disbelief and then utter delight. She could not believe it, but there was Gloria standing several yards away, her hands placed gracefully on her hips.

“Nadine Clayton,” she called, her voice vibrant with joy and memories.

“Gloria?” Nadine questioned. “My God, it is you!”

The two old friends rushed to embrace one another, tears streaming down both sets of cheeks as they hugged and cried. Who would have guessed that after all these years they would be reunited on the island of Eros?

A strong male voice boomed nearby, hailing their reunion. “So this is the well-spoken-of Nadine Clayton.”

“Yes. Yes, it is.” Gloria stood back, holding her friend at arm's length. “Doesn't she look just wonderful?” She looked at the man, then smiled at his nod of approval.

“Never mind all that, what are you doing here?” Nadine still could not believe she was speaking to her old friend.

“Remember in my last letter I told you I was going to be traveling to India? Well, I met Larry there,” she linked arms with her attractive companion, “and since then we've been together. We've traveled to Cape Verde together, and now we're here.”

Nadine shook her head, exasperated. “But how did you end up
here
on Eros?”

“We had always planned to come to Barbados,” Gloria explained, “but about three weeks ago, when we were back in the States, I tried to contact you. So I called your grandmother. And you can imagine how surprised I was to hear you were already in Barbados, working with the World Treasures Institute. I knew during your last letter you had spoken of the possibility of traveling to the Caribbean, but I had no idea it would happen so quickly.” She smiled at her college friend. “So anyway, after talking to Auntie Rose, I made up my mind to contact the institute when we got here. Someone there told me you were working on Eros with this sale, and now here we are!”

The two women hugged again and let out a couple more exclamations of “Girlfriend, I can't believe it,” while Larry stood by shaking his head.

“Nadine, is everything okay?” Ulysses asked as he approached them through a curious crowd.

“Ulysses, you won't believe this, but I know this woman. This is Gloria.” Nadine looked up at him expectantly, then realized she had never told him about Gloria. “Oh my goodness. I'm so excited I forgot I never told you about her.” Nadine wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulder as she continued, “This is the best girlfriend I've ever had, Gloria Turner. Gloria, this is Ulysses Deane, the person who is putting on this sale and the owner of Sovereign.”

Ulysses acted sufficiently surprised as he reached out to shake Gloria's hand, and then Larry's.

Gloria looked from Nadine to Ulysses. “Queen, I think we've got a lot of catching up to do.” She smiled with a special twinkle in her eyes.

Nadine's hesitant chuckle revealed everything, “Yes, we do. We most certainly do.” She looked at Ulysses. “But first I need to help Ulysses close down the sale, then once the party begins we will find us a corner and talk,” Nadine assured her.

Ulysses could tell Nadine wanted to remain with her friend but was reluctant to leave her work. “It seems to me just about everything has been sold,” Ulysses told her. “And if anybody else wants to buy something I can take care of it. You have done more than you should have already. So go ahead. I will take over from here.”