| Subject: The New World - Part #14 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 18:52:41 06/01/03 Sun
PART #14
Catherine was enjoying the afternoon with Joshua. They were sipping iced tea with mint on the white pillared front porch of the main house. Servants had made up a tray of delicious tea cakes, and placed it on the table with a pitcher of iced tea. They chatted about the plantation and Joshua’s art collection. Joshua could see that Catherine was quite knowledgable about art, so he was extremely careful what he had to say about the paintings because of the way he had acquired his collection.
Catherine asked Joshua what he did on the plantation. He told her he owned a sawmill that was active, and he sold lumber to people who made furniture for the homes around the area. He said the lumber was a necessary basic natural resourse that was used to make and refine finished products that helped develop the area’s economy. He also told her he sold lumber to Captain Goos, who had come to Lake Charles, and went into the business of building schooners, tugboats, and even steamboats.
Joshua spoke about being in the import-export business, but he did not elaborate on that business. Catherine said, “It would appear you are a very busy man.” “Yes, my dear, I am a busy man,” he said. He reached up, and twisted his mustache as he talked. She had noticed he seemed to have a habit of doing that.
Catherine watched Joshua as he spoke, and thought of his mannerisms. He seemed to be such a gentleman. She was finding herself hanging onto his every word. She realized she had been enjoying herself so much the time had gotten away. She stood up; and said, “I really should be getting back to Lake Charles.” Joshua said he would call her driver to take her back. He left for a few moments, and soon the driver returned to the carriage. Joshua took her hand, kissed it gallantly, and bid her good-bye.
After Catherine left, Bowregard walked to the main house from the carriage house. “Well, how did your afternoon go with Catherine?” Joshua smiled; and said, “It went very well, Bow.” “Did she mention anything about me?” asked Bowregard. “Well, strange as this may seem to you, she didn’t say a word about you,” said Joshua. Bowregard thought, “Maybe she hadn’t been as angry about that kiss as I thought she had been.” Perhaps she had figured out I would not steal the money from her. Still he was surprised she had not spoken out against him to Joshua.
On the way back to Lake Charles, Catherine was fuming in the back of the carriage. She had gone out to Joshua’s plantation for a reason. Why had she backed down from telling Joshua about Bowregard stealing the money for the silver punch bowl? He could say he had not taken the money, but she didn’t believe him. Her cheeks flushed as she thought of the kiss he had planted on her lips the day before.
That man was such a charmer, and he made her so angry. She had never been kissed with so much passion before. Was she being a total fool? She told herself to forget that silly kiss; it meant nothing to him. He was simply trying to take advantage of her. He saw her as a helpless female. Well she would show him she was no helpless female.
To be continued...
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