Chapter Nine:The St. Louis Cathedral

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Getting out of the house was difficult. When she’d finally convinced Mother to let her go and visit Elizabeth and Faith, Rose decided she wanted to see the baby as well. This sent Crystal into a foul mood. Then for the rest of that week they had been incredibly busy. Any free time she managed to have was spent going over wedding plans. Or Charles would appear on their doorstep looking to take her on a stroll through the gardens.

She had finally got out on the first day of the following week. Then she found that the French Quarter was crowded with people shopping, but of course what did she expect on a Monday afternoon in New Orleans. As each minute passed she saw her time with Joseph slipping away. She had already lost an hour at Rosedown visiting Elizabeth, and now this. Of course, there was no way she could be late getting home again or her mother would give her a good thrashing. As she had been tempted to do the other night when she had showed up at Rosedown in a rented cart.

Mother had been furious. “Everyone is out looking for you! Why would you run off like that? What is wrong with you? Do you even realize how worried we were?” She had yelled herself to tears and then threw her arms around Crystal. “Don’t ever do that to me again. Do you hear me?”

It was apparent that once she had not returned from the ladies room at the opera, Charles and Jacob had gone searching for her along Bourbon. When they hadn’t been able to find her they summoned the police to help so that Jacob could take Elizabeth– who was near hysterics– back to Rosedown and get word to Father what had happened. Of course there was no keeping Mother out of it at that point. She accompanied Father to Rosedown and interrogated June and Elizabeth on what events had led to her daughter’s disappearance. It was two hours later that Crystal had appeared at the door claiming that she had gone for a walk and lost track of time.

Of course Mother had raged and screamed. Elizabeth had pointed out the horrible things that could have happened to her alone in the Quarter, and June shouted that she’d ruined everyone’s evening.

When the men returned Crystal repeated her story, feeling all the more guilty at the weary expressions they wore. William and Phillip seemed to sense that it was past time they leave at this point, and upon their departure, Father saw it necessary to take his turn to express his shame to her. Last of all, Charles told her that no wife of his was to ever act so disgracefully, and that she had best realize her place. It had been enough to bring tears of anger to her eyes, which Charles had taken for tears of remorse. She had wanted badly to slap him at that moment, she was not his wife yet!

She returned home with her parents. Who were, thankfully, silent the entire ride. Once inside of Oak Alley Crystal immediately fled to her room where Liza was waiting to sooth her tears and hear her rant childishly that no one understood her.

The entire episode was surprisingly quickly forgotten. Though there was no stopping the gossip that circulated throughout New Orleans for nearly a week. When they finally found more entertaining stories it was like nothing had ever happened and wedding plans were once again at the forefront of Mother’s mind. For Crystal it wasn’t the gossip or the wedding that she thought about. It was Joseph.

The coach pulled up in front of the Hotel de la Marines. As she made her way up to Joseph’s room she couldn’t help but wonder, would he be happy to see her? The uncertainty killed her as she climbed the three flights of stairs. Her skirts swished loudly in the silence of the hallway as she made her way to his door. She felt a rush of excitement as she raised her hand to knock.

Two short raps and she waited. When there was no answer she knocked again, images of last time she’d been here flashing across her mind. She’d nearly forgotten the brutal welcome she had received. She wondered what caused him to act in such a way. He was so mysterious; she wanted to know his secrets. What was he hiding?

Seconds passed, and still there was no sound from the other side of the door. She hammered at the wood with her fist, but it was apparent no one was inside. With a groan of frustration she leaned her forehead against the door. What now? Where would he be? She searched her mind for possibilities. Any saloon within a mile seemed most likely, but how was that going to help her?

With a long sigh she pulled away from the door and walked back down the hall. She supposed all she could do was come back again next week. But what if he’s gone for good! her mind shouted, I’ll never see him again!

The echo of the St. Louis Cathedral’s bell reached her ears, the clanging striking a memory in her mind. With only a moments hesitation she climbed into the coach, calling to Joshua to take her to the Place d’Armes.



*******



The old oak door of the cathedral creaked loudly as she opened it, drawing glances from those worshiping in silence. Crystal stepped inside and closed the door gently behind her. Struck by the magnificence of the church as she always was after being absent from it for a long time. Her eyes drifted up to the brilliant paintings that covered the ceiling. The nativity scene was at the far end, showing Christ in the manger, flanked by the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. At each corner were murals of the four Evangelists, and in the very center the huge painting of the Savior, surrounded by His apostles.

“‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep,’” Crystal whispered the admonition written upon the mural. She had loved the painting as a child and the line was often repeated by the priests. She had always remembered it because of the mural.

With a last long look above, she quietly walked down the long line of pews. Her footsteps muffled on the scarlet carpet that extended the length of the cathedral up to the high alter. She reached the end, where hundreds of candles were lit for evening mass. She knelt and murmured a quick prayer. Sure that it was a sin to enter a house of God without at least that. She crossed herself and rose, stepping to the side of the altar and making her way past the smaller alter on the right. She hesitated at a side door that she had never entered before, not sure what laid beyond. She glanced back at the few others in the church and found them deep in prayer. Quickly she opened the door, thankful it didn’t make a sound. On the other side was a large room with three giant tables, lined one next to the other. Stacks of parchment and ink covered the majority of space; benches surrounding them. Nothing of interest. However, across this room was another door. She didn’t hesitate to approach this one.

It was dark and musty in the room. The stale air hinting that it was rarely entered. She waited for her eyes to adjust before moving forward. Boxes towered against one wall; nearly reaching the ceiling. Small bits of parchment peeked over the tops to reveal their contents. Barrels, broken furniture and ruined paintings stood against the opposite wall. Discarded and forgotten years before. In the very corner of the room, half hidden behind a painting blackened by smoke, there was yet another door. This one small and round at the top; it’s handle broken off so that all she had to do was push it open. Which might have been easier if the hinges were not so rusted.

Heaving her slight weight against the thick wood, she moved it slowly open. Inside was not really a room, but a spiral stairwell, leading up through an opening in the ceiling. It was almost completely black inside, and she had to feel for the iron handles. The wooden steps whined as she stepped onto them, she wished she had a candle to light her way. Up and up the stairs spun. Each creaking so violently she was afraid it would give. Finally her feet found nothing more to climb up and she felt in front of her; she grasped an iron handle. The door didn’t resist, it opened silently. Threads of daylight reached her, revealing the giant church bell hanging securely to the roof of the cathedral. Below it were dozens of beams, straining under the wait of the tower, right down to the roof of the second floor. Surrounding the bell was at least a dozen open windows, giving her a view in every direction. She had found the watchtower.

Eyeing the thirty foot drop warily, Crystal edged around it. Finding that the floor boards weren’t quite as squeaky near the walls, and as she had hoped, he was there.

She took a moment to study him from where she stood. He was leaning on the stone sill of the window, his head bent as he studied the people below him. A half-smoked cigarette dangled between his fingers. She took a few steps forward, her movements making the floor creak. She wondered what he was thinking, his mouth was pressed into a hard line, his eyes seeing something she could not.

“I thought you might find me here.” His voice was casual, as if continuing a conversation they'd been having.

Crystal eyed him suspiciously. His gaze had not even flickered to her, but then she supposed there was no quiet entrance in this old tower.

“Why did you think I’d find you here?”

He gestured down to the street. “I saw you.”

She moved to the window as well. Her brow furrowed as she looked down upon the small people strutting about the Place d’Armes. “What do you mean?”

“It was about a month ago.” He tipped the brim of his Stetson down. His eyes fixed on a point below them. “I didn’t realize it a few weeks ago, but it was you, out by the gate. You saw me too . . . didn’t you?”

It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about; then she remembered the day in the square. She gasped. “I knew that was you.”

The shadow in the tower, and the old woman with her demon eyes and mixtures that could tell the future. Crystal wondered what she had done with that necklace. She had forgotten about it weeks ago.

“So that’s three times we encountered each other before meeting,” she said with a grin, as if this proved a point she had made.

Joseph nodded, seeming to not really be listening.

He turned to study her and she couldn’t hold his gaze. She looked away, her eyes downcast as she absently ran her fingers in circles on the stone wall. The wind blew strands of hair out of her loose bun. They danced across her face gently swirling in the breeze.

“Why are you here?” he asked quietly.

She bit her lower lip. “I wanted to see you.”

He raised his eyebrow, and shook his head. “I don’t understand you.”

“I don’t understand you either,” she said, moving closer. “Maybe that’s why I can’t stay away from you.”

He slide to away from her ever so slightly, and looked away without a response.

The subtle withdraw made her feel uncomfortable, and she fumbled for something to say. Opening and closing her mouth as threads of thought slipped through her mind. “It’s beautiful up here, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he said, eyes on the horizon. “It is.”

The red sun was setting over the Mississippi, turning the river into fire. Steamboats blasted in and out of the harbor, smoke billowing from the ships and filling the sky. The roaring of the steamers could be heard miles from the waters edge. The city was filled with noise and commotion, it never seemed to stop.

Joseph had come up here to think. As he often did, ever since he’d found the entrance to the tower years before. Up here, no one could disturb his thoughts, at least that had been the case until moments ago.

He felt her eyes upon him and shifted his gaze to meet hers. She was studying him with such fierce curiosity that it was hard to stay still. His eyes flickered over her apparel, the dark blue of her dress brought out the brilliant shade of her eyes. She lifted her left hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and he noticed the diamond engagement ring on her finger. He wanted to ask her to whom she was engaged, but quickly bit back the question. It was none of his business, though it agitated him that she hadn’t mentioned it before. Even if they had only talked for a few hours. He took his eyes from the ring, and realized that she had caught him examining it.

She covered the ring with her right hand and smiled at him. “I don’t mind if you ask questions.”

“I don’t want to pry.” He flicked his cigarette off the tower and straightened. “I can’t stand people who want to be everyone’s business.”

Crystal laughed. “Is that a hint I should be taking?”

He glanced at her briefly, then shook his head. “No, I didn’t mean you –well, unless you plan on prying I suppose.”

“I bother you, don’t I?” She asked an understanding grin on her face.

He stared at her for a moment. Did she bother him? No. That was the problem. She shouldn’t hang around him. It wasn’t good for her. But she didn’t know what he knew. She didn’t know what he did. How could she know if he didn’t tell her? How could he tell her? She would think him vile, an outlaw with no morals whatsoever, and for some reason he didn’t think he could handle that. It had surprised him how disappointed he had been when he’d thought he would never see her again. After only one day of knowing her that wasn’t normal. He had to keep his guard up or his feelings could get out of control. Then he may not be able to stop the outcome of their meeting.

“Joseph?” She cocked her head, regarding him questioningly.

“What? Oh. No, you don’t bother me. Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re ignoring me.”

“No, I’m not, I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Crystal sighed. “All right . . . might I ask you a question?”

He glanced at her trying to discern what it was she would say. “Sure.”

“Are you glad we met?”

He stared at her for a moment, wondering what had prompted her to ask such a thing. “In a way.”

“That’s not the answer I was looking for,” she said with another sigh.

He smiled slightly, amused by her irritation. He knew his short answers annoyed her. “Look, to tell you the truth it would have probably been better for you had we never met. But I guess I’m glad we did.” Her face lit up and he pressed his mouth into a line, wishing he could take back those words. He shouldn’t lead her on, but he couldn’t lie to her. He wanted her around, she seemed to breathe life into the air around him; make him feel human instead of like the shadows that he always hid in.

She nodded, his answer seeming to satisfy her curiosity.

There was a long pause in their conversation before she finally spoke. “Do you come up here often?”

“Only when I need to think.”

“What do you think about?”

“Everything– nothing.”

“Oddly enough I know exactly what you mean,” she said. “Sometimes you just need time to yourself, time when you’re completely –completely . . .” She looked to be searching for the word that would best express her meaning.

“Free,” he supplied at the exact moment that she spoke the same word. He looked at her in surprise wondering what she wanted to be free from. The same expression was on her face and he chuckled. “I guess some thing’s everybody wants.”

“Yes, but freedom has to be fought for.”

“Don’t I know it?” He said bracing his foot against the sill and resting his forearms on his knee.

“Do you ever feel trapped?” she asked, turning her back to the river and it’s brilliant view. She leaned against the stone wall steadying herself with the palms of both hands behind her. The perspective from the north side of the tower was an endless sea of houses, churches and shops, all meshed together. The lack of trees seeming to choke life out of the air.

“All the time,” he murmured staring off into the opposite direction. The image of Riley clear in his mind. An odd silence filled the air, below them noise bursted from the square. Chartres was flooded with sound, but it was only a distant hum from their perch high up in the tower. Wind swept across the river, whistling in their ears, brushing their faces with its cooling caress.

Crystal closed her eyes and breathed in deeply of the fresh air, a rare find in New Orleans. The city streets, even in the best of places, were used as sewer and garbage dumps. Everything from dead animals to rotting fruits and vegetables baked under the heat of the hot June sun all day long, filling the air with foul perfumes well into the evening. The only weapon against it was the breeze off the Mississippi that once in awhile blew strong enough to relieve them for a short time.

She glanced at Joseph, his head was bowed deep in thought. She inched closer and this time he didn’t move away, she could feel the heat from his body and had the urge to reach out and touch him. He smelled of leather, tobacco, and something sweet she couldn’t quite place. She breathed him in, and found that she could no longer keep her thoughts straight. She noticed his clenched jaw and balled up fists, and wished she could be privy to the scenes playing in his head.

“What are you thinking of?” she whispered in his ear, wanting to bring him out of his reverie.

He started, and for a moment looked at her as if he’d forgotten she was there. Finally his gaze relaxed and he seemed to come back to the present. “What is it that an upscale lady like yourself could possibly feel trapped by?” he asked, inclining his head to one side as he regarded her.

Laughter burst from her lips, and she pushed off from the wall, turning to face him from a few feet away. “What isn’t there to feel trapped by?” she exclaimed. “My entire life has been laid out before me and I have no say in any of it. I wish for nothing more than to make my own decisions without everyone breathing down my neck at every turn.”

Joseph rested his weight on one elbow as he leaned back against the low wall, a sympathetic smile on his face. “So what’s stopping you from telling them to back off?”

She sighed, dropping her head. She began fidgeting with the ring on her finger. “I’m afraid to, truthfully.”

He considered her answer for a long moment before replying. “Does that mean you’re gonna marry a man you don’t love?” he asked, gesturing to the diamond she was worrying.

Her head came up, surprised by his perceptiveness. She held her hand out to examine her ring. It glittered like tiny stars in the orange light of the setting sun. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen, yet it was a symbol of the doubt and turmoil inside her heart. “I don’t know.”

He raised one eyebrow. “You don’t know if you’ll marry him, or you don’t know if you love him?”

She swept strands of dark hair from her face with an agitated flick, avoiding Joseph’s gaze. “I do love him,” she said, determined to convince herself. “He’s a good match for me.”

He looked skeptical, but he didn’t pursue the subject. Instead he pulled a box of matches from his pocket and turned his back to block the wind as he lit another cigarette.

Crystal returned to his side, resting her elbows on the rough stone. Chin in her hands in what she knew was an unladylike position. “What about you? What makes you feel trapped?”

He took a slow drag of his cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he considered her question. “That’s a long story I don’t have time to tell,” he said finally, straightening as he spoke.

She nodded. “Maybe some other time.” She rose as well and smiled at him.

“Yeah, maybe,” he replied, his expression void of emotion. He seemed entranced by the blazing glory of the sunset. So intense was his gaze upon it, though it was plain that his thoughts were far from there.

The sun had nearly disappeared, the sky was glowing brilliant pink, yellow, and orange. Seagulls soared overhead returning to their nests for the night. The square was emptying of shoppers and the vendors were slowly shutting down their carts as everyone made for the levee for a stroll.

Crystal watched the crowd of people calling out farewells and gathering their children for the walk home. Carriages were much too grand an expense for most, though her father had been determined to own one. She saw a small girl chasing her puppy across the square. The mutt ran under a cart and to the feet of a darkly clad man sitting upon a bench. He didn’t move as the pup nipped at his heels, or when the girl darted up and scooped the dog into her arms. He was staring up at the cathedral, more accurately, he was staring up at them.

“Joseph?” she murmured, quickly turning her head away from the icy gaze. Her voice was quiet as if she was afraid the man would overhear her.

He looked at her questioningly, his green eyes filled with concern over the slight tremor in her voice.“What’s the matter?” He took a step toward her, lightly brushing her arm with his finger tips. She knew he could feel the tension in her body even with so light of contact.

“Do you know that man down there?” She didn’t even turn her head, simply indicated in the man’s direction with her eyes.

Joseph looked over her shoulder. When he caught sight of the man his expression changed from one of confusion, to one filled with loathing.

He cursed vehemently, throwing his cigarette into a corner of the tower. He pulled her sharply away from the window so that they were no longer visible. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Who is that man?” she asked eyes wide with alarm.

“It doesn’t matter, you just need to go. You’re not safe with me.”

“Why not?”

“Just trust me, please.” He gripped her arm tightly and they headed for the door Crystal had entered through.

“Where are we going?” she asked. She stumbled down the winding stairwell, unable to keep up with his fast pace. They came out into the cluttered storage room she had been in earlier, but instead of returning the way Crystal had come he pushed aside a giant torn painting. Behind it was a door she would have never noticed on her own. He forced it open and pulled her through.

“Where are we going?” she asked again. The dank hall they had emerged in was completely black, their footsteps echoing on what sounded like stone.

“I don’t want to disturb the service and this way will be faster,” he said, his excuse unconvincing.

“This way.” He dropped her arm and heaved open the door at the end of the short hall. Evening light spilled in and he beckoned her go through while he held it open. They had emerged behind a line of giant azalea bushes, so thick the door couldn’t be visible from the other side. The bushes lined the entire wall, forming a small alley. She started to push through these bushes, but Joseph grabbed her arm once more. Crystal fidgeted by his side an uneasy feeling rising up from her stomach and catching in her throat. “Joseph, what’s going on?” she asked quietly.

He raised a hand to silence her. “I’ll explain later,” he whispered, his body rigid as he looked to their right and left. As if waiting for someone.

“Is she what’s had you so distracted lately, Joey?” A sardonic voice rippled from their right. Joseph swore under his breath as he slowly turned to the sound. A young man stepped into view, the azalea’s were so thick he had easily concealed himself. Tall and dark he looked familiar to Crystal. Not only because he greatly resembled his brother, but because she was quite sure she’d seen him in her dreams at a much younger age. There was a smug expression on his face, as if he’d just made some great discovery. “Can’t say I blame ya,” he said his eyes greedily looking Crystal up and down.

She squirmed under his gaze and moved closer to Joseph. He had yet to relinquish his hold on her arm and she felt the imprints of his fingers in her skin. She could almost feel the rage running through him at his brother’s crude gaze. Joseph shoved her behind himself, blocking her from view. “Since when did you become Sam’s pet rat, Mike?” he spat scathingly. “A little starved for attention, are we?”

Mike’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t rise to the challenge of Joseph’s words. “A little touchy, are we?” he shot back mockingly. He leaned back against the church wall, his movements eerily similar to Joseph’s. He regarded his older brother with a satisfied smile. Plainly pleased that he had riled him with his comment.

“Why don’t you get out of here before I grind your face into the dirt?” Joseph suggested coolly.

Mike laughed heartily, throwing his head back in amusement. “I guess I’ve hit a nerve. Tell me, Joey, when did you plan on informing us about the wedding?”

There was a noticeable pause before Joseph replied.

“What, her?” He stepped aside so that Crystal was in plain view. She was baffled as to what was going on and more than a little scared. “You think this has anything to do with her? She’s nothing but a common whore.” Crystal gasped at Joseph’s words, her head jerking around to stare at him as if he had just grown horns.

Joseph dropped her arm in a disgusted gesture, and pushed her away from him firmly. She must have imagined the glimmer of guilt that flashed across his face. Crystal staggered backwards, nearly tripping over her many skirts. She caught herself on the doorframe behind her. Fighting back tears that threatened to fill her eyes, she wouldn’t cry in front of them. She looked at Joseph trying to find some sort of explanation in his eyes, but they remained cold and empty as they stared at her. “Get out of here you little slut, your services aren’t needed anymore.” He pushed her harshly back inside.

She still didn’t leave, she felt frozen, sure that she was missing something. “I think she wants something from you, Joey,” Michael said, watching them with amusement.

Joseph laughed falsely. “I think you’re right.” He dug in his pocket, grabbed her wrist and forced a stack of bills into her hand. Crystal stared down at the money in her palm and then up at Joseph. Sick at what he was trying to say she’d done. Anger and hurt flooded her veins, gritting her teeth she threw the paper back at him wishing it was something much heavier. “You insult me,” she said in a trembling voice.

“Take it or leave it, you’re not worth anymore than that,” he replied brutally, his green eyes impossibly cold.

She rose her hand to slap him, but he swiftly caught her wrist. She let out a cry of frustration and tried to wrench free. “Unhand me!” she shouted, tears now spilling from her eyes. She looked up at him with disgust and for a moment she saw his mask drop and thought his mouth formed the words ‘I’m sorry,’ but quickly dismissed it as her imagining’s.

The mask returned and he sharply shoved her from himself. “Get out of here, you little bitch.” This time when he shoved her she fell back into the dark hall of the cathedral and he slammed the door behind him. Enveloping her in blackness.

*******

Joseph turned to his brother, panting as if he’d just run a mile. He wanted to vomit. He felt like the most monstrous man on earth. There was a great stabbing pain in his chest as if someone had just run him through with a knife. Why was that so hard to do? He was only trying to protect her. So what if she had looked at him with hatred? It was better for her to hate him than for her to be dead.

Michael was regarding him quizzically. Obviously wondering what the dramatic scene had been about. Yet unable to piece together the puzzle. “Some women need to learn when to bow out gracefully,” Joseph said, determined to keep Mike from doubting even for an instant that Crystal was anything more to him than a roll-in-the-hay. Even if he had caught them at a church.

Mike nodded slowly; Joseph shot him an annoyed glance and started out of the alley of azalea’s, pushing through the bushes. Mike, after a moments hesitation, followed.

“Why were you at a church?” he asked as they emerged into the street. The sky was a deep blue, in the half-light of dusk it was nearly impossible to make out his brother’s face. But from his easy tone Joseph could tell he had accomplished his goal.

“It was the only place she was willing to meet me alone.” Joseph walked briskly along the sidewalk of Pirates Alley towards the Place d’Armes. Throwing together a story as quickly as possible in his head. “I met her at the St. Charles Hotel a fortnight ago. She pretends she’s innocent, but as soon as there’s no one around she’s wild. I guess you could say she’s been distracting me a little lately.” He threw a cunning look over his shoulder at Mike who was lagging behind. “But even roses have thorns, and she’s scratched me one to many times.”

Michael let out a little hoot and broke into a jog, catching up with Joseph and clapping him on the back as he laughed. “One fiery woman too much for you, Joey? Maybe I should have a go at her. She may be worth getting burned.” Joseph chuckled through clenched teeth, a sickening feeling flooding his stomach. “Yeah, maybe she needs a more feminine touch.”

A shadow of anger flickered over Mike’s face, but he quickly replaced it with a grin. “I’ll get you for that one, Joey.”

“What are you and Sam spying on me for?” Joseph asked abruptly, ignoring his brother’s last comment as his mind jumped to another subject.

Mike’s face fell, and he seemed to remember what he had been in the alley for in the first place. “I can’t tell you that.”

“So it was Riley then,” he said to himself more than to Michael. “Does he think I’ve been slacking on the job or something?”

“He said you’ve been distracted lately. Wants to know what’s got you that way. Says if we notice you hanging ‘round unfamiliar faces or doing anything out of the ordinary we’re to tell him about it. He thinks you’re looking to turn him in.” The words seemed to burst from Mike, as if he’d been dying to explain to someone the important mission Riley put him on.

Joseph felt the blood drain from his face. If there was one thing that Riley couldn’t stand it was a traitor. If this rumor got out of hand he might very well end up with a knife in his back. “Sam did this didn’t he?” He ground out through his teeth.

Mike didn’t seem inclined to answer this question. He suddenly became very interested in watching his feet as they moved him along the banquette.

With a furious curse Joseph quickened his pace, nearly colliding with people in the street more than once as he rushed through the crowd. Michael not far behind. He was intent upon reaching Sam and putting his fist in his face. They arrived at the bench in the square that Joseph had seen Sam sitting on earlier. It wasn’t all that surprising to them that Sam was nowhere in sight.

“Damn!” Joseph searched the surrounding area with narrowed eyes. Sam had probably seen them coming and slipped away. Joseph absently ran his hand over the long scare that ran down his face as loathing filled him. The feeling quickly disappeared when he caught sight of Crystal emerging from the front doors of the St. Louis Cathedral. Head lowered as she hurried toward her coach; obviously still shaken. She glanced up just as she reached the coach door and her gaze locked upon him. He could see the red rings around her eyes and felt a sharp pain in his heart. She stared at him for a moment; he couldn’t quite read the expression in her eyes. She looked away as if he were beneath her, he was sure a blade had just twisted in his soul. She disappeared inside the coach assisted by the young driver.

Joseph pried his gaze away from the scene and found Michael watching him with a curious look on his face. Joseph shoved past him and headed for his horse. He needed a drink.

*******

Please continue with: "Chapter Ten: Oak Alley"