Chapter Seven: The Theater d'Orleans

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“Elizabeth . . . do you believe in soul mates?” Crystal asked quietly as she strolled down the levee with her sister, who was pushing Faith’s baby carriage. Two maids followed behind them quietly chatting with each other. The sun was setting over the river, turning the sky into a brilliant painting. It’s red glow reflected off the hundreds of steamers that were banked at the docks as they were unloaded. Piles of merchandise from far away countries crowded the rivers edge, a mixture of heavy fragrances rising in the air and drifting across the levee on the summer breeze.

The sharp smell of molasses combined with the rich scent of orient spices, over ripe fruit, and West Indian rum penetrated the air. The aroma was familiar and comforting to Crystal on this evening when doubts plagued her mind and she couldn’t think straight. Walking along the levee at sunset had been a favorite tradition of hers since childhood. The cool evening breezes, beautiful scenery, and chats with acquaintances were just some of the pleasures that drew New Orleanians’ from their stuffy houses to join the abundance who made it a tradition to stroll by the river. Right now Crystal needed something to remind her of simpler times, times when life wasn’t so confusing.

It had been two weeks since her engagement ball, and the wedding plans were well under way. They had already picked a design for the gown she would wear, it was to be made of satin, with a ten-foot train and veil that reached the floor, the bodice was to be covered in tiny diamonds and the trim pure Spanish lace. It was the wedding dress of her dreams, but she was less than excited about it. The St. Louis Cathedral had been reserved for September 24th, invitations had been sent out, the reception planned, an orchestra hired, they would honeymoon in Europe, return home and live in the French Quarter. Everything was planned perfectly and it was slowly coming together. Yet with each passing day Crystal felt more and more uncertain about the path she had chosen. Each week went by and she did nothing, said nothing. She reasoned with herself daily; I said yes, it would be unfathomable to back out on my promise now . . . I would insult Charles’ pride, and his parents, I couldn’t bear to hurt them . . . Mother and Father would be humiliated. How could I explain to them why I don’t want to marry Charles? . . . They don’t believe marriage is for love like I do, status and money is all their concerned about. Maybe their right anyways, maybe marriage isn’t for love, maybe that comes in time for everyone . . . Charles is a good man, at least that’s what everyone says, he treats me well, though he is a little bold at times . . . I have to marry him.

Around and around she would go until her head was spinning, and it would always come down to the bare facts. She couldn’t bring herself to disappoint everyone so badly, even if it cost her her happiness.

“What did you say, Crystal?” Elizabeth straightened herself after readjusting her daughter’s blanket for the tenth time. She had been highly apprehensive about bringing Faith out in the humid air. Fussing that she may catch an illness that a foreign ship brought in, or worse a local disease such as yellow fever. It had taken Crystal an entire hour to convince her sister that Faith would be fine. She was perfectly healthy enough to handle a walk down the levee. Elizabeth had barely left the house since the baby was born, stubbornly proclaiming that she was the only one who could cater to her daughter’s needs. She wouldn’t even hire a wet-nurse, which had appalled Mother to no end. Taking pity on Jacob, who had been unsuccessfully trying for weeks to get his wife out of the house, Crystal had taken it upon herself to get Elizabeth to accompany her and Charles, along with June and Phillip Almonaster, to the opera that Saturday. She had only agreed an hour before they’d left the house that day, quite the short notice considering it was Saturday evening.

“I was wondering if you believed in soul mates, you know, someone you’re destined to be with– no matter what.”

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, a soft smile forming on her lips as she stared straight ahead. “Yes . . . yes I do,”

“Do you think it possible to find happiness without that person?”

“True happiness? No. I think you’d always feel something was missing from your life.”

Crystal nodded as she thought over Elizabeth’s answer. She watched a group of four men carrying a giant crate down a steamer ramp. One stumbled causing the crate to drop. With a loud crash it busted open, spilling it’s contents of imported wine across the dock. An official looking man who stood on the second story of the steamboat began cursing the workmen loudly. He shook his fist at them as they hurriedly tried to right it.

Crystal turned her gaze away from the scene and looked up at the sky. Seagulls circled the ships from high up above, their cries like an echo as one bird call followed another. She studied the creatures, yearning to fly away from her life, from her wedding, from her dreams.

She faced her sister once more. “Would you have married Jacob had you not loved him?”

Elizabeth sighed. “I don’t know, Crystal. I can’t imagine not loving Jacob, but if that had been the case I’m not sure I would have had the strength to deny Mother and Father’s wishes. I cannot say for sure.”

As they continued their walk, both deep in thought, Crystal felt hollow. She knew Charles wasn’t her soul mate, if there was such a thing, but she would spend her life with him anyways, loving him as best she could. It was as these thoughts crossed her mind that His green eyes flashed through her mind, a stranger’s eyes, and she felt an ache in her heart that was beyond anything she could explain. The man that continued to fill her dreams was always there, in the back of her mind, appearing at moments when it hurt the most to think about him. She didn’t know him, and probably never would, yet wherever she went he was there. She looked for him on every street, in every crowd, at every café. Over time she began to wonder if she had simply made him up. It was only the nights when she awoke sobbing into her pillow as she heard the words echoing around her – ‘You’re the only one that can help me, but it would hurt you, and I couldn’t bear to hurt you.’– that he was more real to her then anything.

It was nearing dusk when they started back to Rosedown. They entered the house through the small door in the carriage gateway, and turned into the central courtyard to sit and refresh themselves before getting ready for the opera. While Elizabeth put Faith to bed, Crystal sat upon a wrought-iron chair and sipped her iced tea.

It was a peaceful place, this garden. In the soothing light of twilight it had a mystical feel. The sound of the splashing fountain calmed her frazzled nerves. She breathed in the sweet smell of the magnolia blossoms growing abundantly on the trees. Neatly kept flagstone paths wound around tidy flowerbeds and disappeared from view behind giant banana trees. An adventure waiting for a child to find.

Crystal closed her eyes, soaking up the peace for at least that moment. It seemed like she was never alone to just think anymore, there was always someone around, someone who wanted something from her. She needed some time to herself, time without Charles, who was unsuccessfully trying to get her alone. Time without June’s endless whining that she would never get married and have a family. Time without Rose and Dawn and Christy fighting over clothes and jewelry and anything else either one had that the other didn’t. Most of all she needed time in which she didn’t obsess over a stranger she would never see again.

She sighed and stood up, circling about the garden. She stopped before the fountain and sat on its edge, running her finger through the rippling water. In the center was a statue of a young woman pouring water from a pitcher in her hands. Crystal envied the look of peace on her face and wondered what it would be like to not feel anything. She shut her eyes tightly, fighting the hopelessness that threatened to drown her, tears spilled from her closed lids.

“Crystal?”

Her head jerked up at the sound of Elizabeth’s concerned voice, and she hurriedly wiped the tears from her face.

Elizabeth came closer. “Crystal, what’s wrong?”

Crystal took a deep breathe that turned into a choked sob. She looked up at Elizabeth, a broken look in her eyes. “Why did I ever agree to marry Charles?” She dropped her head into her hands and began to sob.

“Oh, Crystal,” Elizabeth said her voice filled with sympathy and understanding. Sitting down next to her, she pulled Crystal into her arms without a word. She didn’t try to comfort her with meaningless words or tell her she was being too emotional and that she would love Charles in time. She just let her cry, and that’s what Crystal needed most right now. Someone to hold her while she cried.

When she was finally silent Elizabeth offered her a handkerchief. “Call it off, Crystal. You don’t want to spend your life regretting this.”

“I can’t. I made a promise and I can’t go back on it,”

“I hate seeing you miserable like this,”

“I’ll be fine.” Crystal wiped the tears from her eyes and blew her nose. Seeing Elizabeth’s doubtful look, she smiled. “Really, Elizabeth, I will. I’m just having a bad day is all.”

Elizabeth clasped Crystal’s hands in her own and looked her straight in the eye. “I just don’t want to see you unhappy.”

“I’ll be happy, Elizabeth, don’t worry.” Crystal squeezed her sisters hand affectionately. She hadn’t meant to burden Elizabeth with her doubts, and now she regretted it immensely. She had gotten herself into this and it was too late to back out now. “Now I do believe we have an opera to attend,” she said in the gayest voice she could muster.

Elizabeth nodded, and together they rose and arm-in-arm went to get ready.



*******



The Theater d’Orleans, set at the corner of Bourbon and St. Louis streets, was a plastered brick structure of Italian design. Four stories high, it could hold up to twenty-five hundred people. Many termed the theater America’s best-designed opera house, especially because it allowed a clear view of the stage from any seat.

At eight o’clock in the evening the de Mandeville coach pulled up in front of the main entrance that projected over the banquette with pillars to the curbstone. Charles assisted Crystal from the coach, and they were followed by June and Phillip. June squealed with excitement as she gazed around the crowded sidewalk. Clutching Phillip’s arm tightly, she looked about ready to burst. “I love the opera, it’s so exhilarating.” She beamed up at Phillip with childlike delight and he smiled back with quiet weariness.

Crystal couldn’t help but feel pity for the young man. He hadn’t any idea what he’d gotten himself into by attending the opera with June. She saw any sort of attention as practically a proposal of marriage, though it was obvious by Phillip’s aloof presence that he wasn’t so infatuated with June as she would like.

“June, you’ve attended the opera a thousand times. Why is it suddenly so special?” Crystal asked adjusting her white shawl over her bare shoulders. It was the custom to wear all white to the opera, and keeping with tradition, all three women had adorned themselves in white gauze and cotton. They opted for color only in their hair where they arranged flowers of brilliant reds and yellows.

“Oh, I don’t know. I guess it’s more about the company then the event,” June said mirthfully. She threw Crystal a sharp warning glance and then returned to batting her lashes up at Phillip sweetly.

Crystal rolled her eyes and lightly took Charles’ proffered arm, glancing over at Elizabeth who was just emerging from the coach with Jacob’s assistance. The look on her face was the complete opposite of June’s blithesome expression. “Jacob, are you sure we should be here? What if Faith falls ill while we’re away? I don’t trust her with that woman.”

Jacob gave his wife a fatigued look. “Elizabeth, we’ve been over this before. Lulu is perfectly capable of taking care of the baby, and if anything should happen, she knows to notify us immediately. Everything will be fine.”

“Oh, but what if–”

“Elizabeth, please stop worrying,” Crystal interjected. “Try to enjoy yourself. You need this.”

Elizabeth started to respond when June interrupted. “Oh, dear look at the time! We better get inside before it starts.” Giving Phillip a light tug, she started towards the large double doors of the opera house.

Crystal scanned the familiar front room of the Theater d’Orleans; the entire foyer was colored in soft white, red, and gold. Two broad flights of stairs led to a hall that held chandeliers and great mirrors. Ascending the stairway, the three couples made their way to the de Mandevilles’ private stage box and sat in the upholstered armchairs. They sipped champagne and conversed animatedly, while waiting for the show to start.

When the curtains finally rose, June gave a dismayed little gasp. “Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve no idea what we are seeing tonight. Crystal what was on the list?”

“Carmen, June. Tonight’s opera is Carmen,” Crystal said patiently.

“Ooh, good. I love the male lead– Don Jose – he is terribly handsome.” June turned to Phillip with a seductive smile. “Why, Mr. Almonaster, I do believe the two of you could be twins.”

“Surely not,” Phillip said, a hint of a blush coloring his ears. Crystal hide her smile behind her fan, and turned her attention to the stage and Carmen’s first piercing note.

At intermission they all agreed to dine at one of the many restaurants that surrounded the opera house. They had a light meal and then started out on the short walk back to the theater. Bourbon was considered the opera street of New Orleans; it was clustered with shops, restaurants, boarding houses, and dozens of small stables for those who had nowhere else to keep their horses.

Directly across the street from the Theater d’Orleans was one such stable, this one highly popular, for many preferred not to leave there valuable beasts hitched to a post for hours on end. Crystal absently observed this building as Charles led her through the multitude of people on the sidewalks. They had neared the main entrance to the theater when Crystal caught sight of someone she had never thought she’d see again. The shock stopped her mid-stride, her heart stopping with her. At that same moment Charles spotted another of his many friends and rushed forward to catch him. Crystal was left alone in the throng of people, completely unaware of her surroundings as she stared across the street in amazement.

He was leading his black mare into the stables. She could see his lips moving as he spoke into the horse’s ear. She wanted to run across the street and make herself known to him, but her feet wouldn’t move. Her heart pounded frantically in her chest. Her mind racing. She had to speak with him. She took a step forward, unable to take her gaze from the tall dark stranger, afraid that if she did he would disappear and she would lose him forever. Another step and she was at the edge of the sidewalk. Another and she was in the street.

“Crystal, what are you looking at?” Elizabeth’s voice brought her out of her daze abruptly.

“What– what did you say, Elizabeth?” Crystal pried her gaze from the mysterious man with great effort and found her sister watching her curiously.

“What are you looking at?”

“Oh, um . . .” Crystal couldn’t help but glance back across the street. Thankfully he was still there, talking with a stable boy. “I was just admiring that horse over there.” She gestured weakly in the horse’s direction. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

Not fooled by Crystal’s unconvincing alibi, Elizabeth smiled knowingly. “Yes, though its owner is rather more pleasant to look at.”

Crystal felt her face flush with heat at her sisters inappropriate presumption. “I– I–I’m . . . engaged.” Was her weak defense.

Her faltering response put a satisfied grin on Elizabeth’s face. “Come along. Intermission has been over for nearly ten minutes now. Jacob’s waiting for us by the door, but everyone else is already inside.”

Crystal didn’t resist Elizabeth’s light tugging on her arm. She let her lead her to the theater doors, though her gaze returned once more to the man who had disturbed her dreams for the last month. She caught her breath when he looked up and their eyes met for a single moment. One moment had never lasted so long. Their gazes broke only when a coach blocked their view.

Once back in the stage box with the others, Crystal reclaimed her seat next to Charles who was deep in conversation with William Dreaux, who had joined their small group. When there was a break in their quiet discussion, Charles turned to Crystal and lightly kissed her cheek. His expression warm, though she was sure she glimpsed frustration and anger under his careful mask. “Where did you disappear to, darling?”

Crystal put on a cheerful face. “Oh, I just got distracted by something,” she said, brushing her off absence. She then smiled at William who occupied the seat to Charles’ left. “Mr. Dreaux, what a pleasure that you have joined us.”

“Well, I could hardly pass up such delightful company,” William said, his smile unsuccessful at covering the stress on his face. “But please, don’t let me distract you from the opera. Carmen is one of my personal favorites.”

Crystal was grateful for everyone’s diverted attention. She stared blankly at the stage and fidgeted with the ribs of her lace fan. She didn’t know what to do, sitting there was driving her insane, yet going after him seemed equally absurd. Her heart said go to him, find out what makes him so important to you. Her mind said stay, the only thing that could come of it was trouble and tears. But in that moment she realized that she had been listening to her head entirely too much lately. It was about time she followed her heart.

Standing abruptly she made the excuse that she needed to attend to some private matters and refused June’s offer to accompany her to the ladies room. In the foyer she walked a little faster than was appropriate to the front door and almost ran outside. She crossed the cobbled street and made her way into the stables, aware of more then a few peculiar looks from those she passed. Crystal searched each stall, urgently looking for the black horse. When she finally came upon it, she was dismayed to find the beast completely alone. Hurrying from the stables, her eyes darted up and down the street seeking his lean figure in the crowds. Her heart flooded with relief when she spotted him heading up Bourbon, his black Stetson standing out in the throng. With no care for propriety she lifted her bulky white skirts above her ankles and briskly started after him, ignoring the appalled looks from those she passed.

His stride was twice as long as hers, and he already had at least a hundred feet on her, it was nearly impossible to keep up. Afraid she would lose him, she lifted her skirts a little higher and ran after him. She had never seen so many scandalized faces in her life. She knew she must be a sight, a woman with a bright white ball gown pulled up past her ankles, hair flying loose from it’s delicate holds, running down the street like her life depended on it. Mother would kill her!

He turned at the next block onto St. Phillip Street and she followed. Finally gaining ground on him, she stopped running to catch her breath. Her gaze intent upon her target the entire time. She felt the disapproving eyes of those around her and pulled her shawl up over her head so that she wouldn’t be recognized and continued her pursuit in a more calmly manner. It was but another block before he stopped in front of the Hotel de la Marine and entered the two story brick building with iron lacework balconies. Crystal hesitated outside the thin black wooden door. It was well known that the hotel was frequented by gamblers, pirates, and notorious bold spirits of the city, but what was she thinking? She’d come this far how could she turn back now?

She pulled the door open with deliberation and stepped inside. She glimpsed his tall frame disappearing up the front staircase of the stuffy lobby and followed him from a safe distance up three flights. She waited for his footsteps to fade before continuing up the last stairway, and quietly followed. She glanced around the corner and saw him at the end of the dim hall, stepping back, she took a deep breath and waited to hear the sound of the closing door. When it came, she rounded the corner and started down the hall trembling more with every step.

Upon reaching the door, she knocked lightly. Her hand shook and she felt ready to faint. She waited with abated breathe, listening for movement in the room. When no answer came, she raised her hand once more and rapped on the door. Nothing. Hadn’t he just gone into this room? She put her ear to the wood trying to hear any sound from inside. There was none.

With trembling fingers she clutched the knob. Slowly she turned it, and found no resistance. She pushed gently and the door swung wide. The room was of average size, with solid oak furniture and a comfortable looking bed, but there was no one inside. She entered hesitantly, her gaze flickering from the worn Bible on the bedside table to the saddlebag thrown across the bed. The bag sparked her interest, and she moved into the room to investigate. She reached for the it, forgetting that she had no right to search it, as she flipped up the flap of the old bag. She heard a low and familiar voice growl in her ear,“I know you’ve been following me.” She was jerked back roughly by her hair. A cry of pain erupted from her lips as her wrist was twisted harshly behind her back.

“Now I just want to know why?”

*******

He had seen her staring at him across the street at the opera house, and had thought nothing of it, but her penetrating gaze had made him uneasy. Against his will, his head had turned and their eyes connected. She looked familiar and something about her stirred him. Then she had disappeared inside the theater, and he shook off the troubled feelings. He put his horse away and started down Bourbon. He was half way down the block when he noticed her following him at a distance. His first thought was to make a few quick turns and lose her, but he found himself wondering what she wanted with him. A finely dressed lady running down the street in her ball gown was not something you came upon every day.

He grew suspicious, wondering if Riley was having him followed. But then Riley wouldn’t get someone who stood out so well in a crowd. He went up to his hotel room, knowing that she wasn’t going to make herself known in public or she would have called out to get his attention. He hid himself behind the door and waited for her to enter. Was this some kind of plot against him? Maybe Sam had sent her. Knowing she would be the least suspected of being a hit-man. Either way he wasn’t taking any chances.

She knocked twice before finally entering. He closed the door quietly behind her and slowly approached. When he spoke, she froze in surprise and he locked her wrist behind her back. Sharply pulling her head back, he looked into her bright blue eyes. Shock rippled through him, and he relinquished his hold on her, stumbling back into the dresser. She had the lovely alabaster skin, the long luxurious dark hair cascading over her shoulders, soft lips that had called out to him night after tormenting night, and the brilliant blue eyes that had haunted him for what seemed like eternity.

It was the woman from his dream.

*******

Please continue with: "Chapter Eight: Hotel de la Marine"