Alliance, page 6
“I looked at a house for sale this afternoon, Father,” Mathias announced over dessert.
Mr. Wolf paused while eating his slice of rum cake. “This is rather sudden.”
“A friend I met last month has been in a hotel since he arrived in town. I’ve been helping him look for permanent residence and keeping an eye out for myself at the same time.”
“You must be getting on well, Mathias,” Marlene remarked.
“Very well, thank you. I’ve already advanced two levels in the accounting department since college graduation.”
“Jesse has told me his children are clever.” She looked at Josephine. “And he says you have a terrific green thumb. I’d love to see your garden when I come for Sunday dinner. I’ve heard stories about your herbal teas but have yet to try one.”
“The garden isn’t at its peak this time of year, but I’ll happily show you.”
“And we’ll be sure to serve some of Jo’s tea when you next visit,” Mr. Wolf said.
After supper, Mr. Wolf took Marlene on a tour of the house while Mathias and Josephine took brandy in the parlor.
“He’s old enough to be her father,” Mathias remarked between sips of his drink.
“It’s only fifteen years,” Josephine said, thinking of the decade that separated her and Sean.
“Boys can father children at fifteen. They’ve done it for centuries.” He smirked. “When I was of age, Papa told me a few stories from his youth that would curl your hair.”
“I can’t stand to think of our father doing anything sexual.”
“He wouldn’t be a father if he hadn’t.”
She rolled her eyes. “Still, it’s nothing I want to visualize, thank you very much.”
Mathias lit his cigarette as the sound of Marlene’s laughter floated down the stairs. “I’ll be glad I don’t have to listen to them going at it when the time comes.”
“You have months before the wedding, even if today’s house doesn’t come through. Maybe you’ll find something closer.”
“I’d like to be able to walk to restaurants and work without bothering with the streetcars. And your dungeon would await, sister.”
“But how would it look if I’m courting a man and have my own apartment?”
He laughed. “What man wouldn’t want to avoid parents and chaperones? Having easy access to you would be a blessing, not a hindrance.”
“I don’t want to be considered immoral by everyone. Have you ever…before?”
His toothy grin practically leered. “In more ways than you’ll ever know.”
Eight
After a night of impassioned dreams, Josephine rose early to work in the garden she had neglected the day before. With both Sean and Marlene inspecting the yard that weekend, it needed tending. Due to the cooler months, there were fewer weeds to deal with. She pruned the lavender, mint, and chives plus weeded around the green tea plants while Midnight dozed in the morning sun. Then Josephine inspected the shed where she did most of her herb drying. She checked the hanging herb bundles, wiped down the counter, and swept the floor.
By ten o’clock, both Mr. Wolf and Mathias were gone. Josephine went inside to wash so she’d be fresh when Sean arrived. Not wanting to look like she was trying too hard, she chose an old gingham dress best suited for summer chores and braided her hair in a single plait. A straw sunhat and gathering basket were her accessories.
While she was clipping a camellia blossom in the side yard, a hand went to her hip. Eyes wide, she turned to find Sean grinning at her.
He stepped back, looking crisp in a charcoal day suit and derby. “Good morning, Josephine. I hope it’s all right I’m a few minutes early.”
“Of course.” She smiled in return though a shift in him she didn’t understand unnerved her.
“Allow me to take your basket.” He slipped the gathering basket from her forearm.
“This side of the yard isn’t anything you haven’t seen a dozen times around town, so let’s move to the back.”
He stayed at her elbow as they walked. “Is there good news about your family?”
“Marlene Jensen will be my father’s wife this spring.”
“She’s an intelligent woman with a love for community work–your father is blessed to have found her. I’ll be sure to have masquerade invitations delivered for everyone.”
Sean was attentive and charming but also stilted as he followed her about. After showing him the medicinal and kitchen herb gardens, Josephine met his gaze across the rosemary.
“What happened at the party you attended last night?” she asked with trepidation.
“I met the most extraordinary woman.” Sean’s smile was bigger than ever, then he bit his lower lip making his chipped tooth all the more adorable.
“How exciting for you.” Josephine tried not to let her disappointment show, but he wouldn’t have noticed if it had.
“She’s twenty-five, from Boston, and has the most cultured tone that she chided me with. She came to town to teach science to the girls at Barton Academy. You’d get along splendidly.”
“I have no desire to meet her.” She snatched the basket from his unsuspecting hand and marched to the shed.
Basket and hat on the counter, Josephine waited for him to seal her fate. Midnight jumped onto the ledge a moment before Sean entered.
“Jo, I didn’t plan for what happened yesterday,” he said.
“Between us or the woman you met?”
He cupped her cheek. “Both, darling.”
“Did you kiss her?”
“We shared a few kisses and danced and talked.”
Josephine shifted away from his touch. “When do you see her again?”
“I have no idea.” He gave a nervous laugh. “I left that decision to her as a way to appease her feminist sensibilities.”
“But you love her already.”
“You’re intuitive.” He stepped closer, trapping her between his hard body and the counter, and tossed his hat next to hers. “I love this new connection with you, Jo, but I can’t deny Hattie Fernsby stirred something in me last night.”
“And that something, as you say, is more than what you feel for me. Is that because I’m still that scared five-year-old to you?”
“I thought we established that you’re a woman, and my response to you is as nature intended.”
When his hands grabbed her hips, she grasped his buttocks and held him firmly against her. “Damn you, Sean Spunner, for not allowing us to do more yesterday.”
“I love your tenacity, Jo, but you know you’d be hurting even more than you think you are right now if we had enjoyed each other fully.”
“But you might not have gone to the party or taken me with you instead!”
“No ‘what ifs’, darling. Any woman who grabs me by the ass isn’t one to sit around moping. You’ll be a feisty lover when the time comes, Jo.”
“I’ll give you until Christmas. If your science teacher doesn’t get in touch with you—”
“You’ll give me the sweetest present ever,” he finished. “Thank you for understanding I need to give her a chance. But don’t wait around for me. You’re too wonderful for that, which I think Mr. Harrington would agree with. He seemed very keen on you when I stopped by the restaurant yesterday.”
“I’m not sure I’d be comfortable stepping out with a friend of my brother’s.”
“You might not worry so much if you make a good connection.”
“How could anything feel better than this?” She shifted against him.
“Jo, you’re a natural minx.” He devoured her mouth.
Who would have thought old Mr. Spunner would get fresh with my little sister?
Josephine gasped and turned to the open door.
“What a surprise, Mr. Spunner.” Mathias smirked.
As calm as if he’d been seen discussing the weather, Sean slowly released Josephine from his arms and nodded at her brother. “Hello, Mathias. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“Yes… it is.” Mathias looked confused at the lack of stammering and excuses.
“Jo,” Sean said as he took her elbow, “did that complete the garden tour or was there more to see outside?”
“That was it, but would you like some clippings to bring your cook?”
“Althea would enjoy that. Thank you.” He handed Josephine her hat, then donned his own and took the gathering basket.
Mathias still stood in the doorway.
“Did you need something, Mat?” Josephine asked.
He gave a hearty guffaw and stepped to the side. “Not a thing.” When they passed, he slapped Sean’s shoulder. “Tread carefully, Mr. Spunner.”
“I plan to. Your sister is a siren.”
Josephine snipped parsley, dill, thyme, and more. Sean stayed at her side, watching the offerings fill the basket.
“Are you upset your brother found us?” he asked.
“I was at first, but not anymore.”
“Don’t be ashamed of your sexuality, Jo. It’s a very real part of being human. When you start hiding from it, you lose yourself. You’re the truest woman I’ve ever known. The world needs this bold Josephine Wolf.”
“But do you need her?”
He fingered her cheek and ran his thumb along her bottom lip. “I want her.”
Josephine gave a bittersweet smile, letting him know she’d rather him need her. Need was stronger, deeper, and had the potential to last longer than a passing fancy of want. He might want her now, but it could be because his new woman was untouchable for the time being. Would he want her tomorrow? Next week? Christmas?
“Would you like me to wrap the herbs for you?”
“That isn’t necessary. I’ll bring them home in the basket. You may collect it Monday evening, unless you’d rather I deliver it.”
“I’ll retrieve it.”
“I look forward to your visit.” He kissed her cheek and winked.
Midnight followed Josephine inside. The cat slipped quietly up the stairs, but Mathias pounced.
“Get in here and tell me what’s going on with you and Mr. Spunner.”
She rolled her eyes but sat across from him. “He’s always been friendly, but after a few years of a dry spell, we struck up a reconnection yesterday morning.”
“That’s some connection in twenty-four hours, Jo. Was he always physical with you?” Mathias propped his foot on his opposite knee.
“I was nothing but a child all those other times we talked. Now that I’m in my twenties, that decade gap isn’t so wide.”
He dropped his foot to the floor and leaned forward from his seat. “Listen, I’m pledging to a society next month, but don’t tell Father.”
“Sean is going to invite us to Order of Mayhem’s New Year’s Eve ball.”
“Those old men aren’t the ranks I’ll be joining. Mardi Gras is another reason I want to move out. I’ll be coming and going a lot and don’t want to have to answer questions from Father or Sarah.”
“I know better than to ask which society it is.”
Good, because I don’t want to say Mystics of Dardenne aloud. Miss Sarah might wash my mouth out with soap.
Josephine laughed. You would join the most notorious krewe. They don’t even parade and that’s the best part about Mardi Gras.
You can’t say that until you’ve attended a masquerade. Besides, they would parade if the city let them, but Dardennes don’t have the best track record with law enforcement.
Yet you want to join them despite that.
I want to join them because of that. Mathias grinned and stood. Tweaking his sister’s nose as he passed, he said aloud, “No matter what, Jo, I’ll be here for you.”
***
On Sunday morning, Mr. Wolf attended late Mass with Marlene at the cathedral. Josephine and Mathias were under instructions from their father to be in the parlor when they returned to dine together for Sunday dinner, though nothing afterward would be forced.
“I don’t know what to think about him going to Mass when it isn’t a holiday. I’m glad he isn’t asking us to attend with him.” Mathias exhaled a tight smoke ring. “Nor has he forbidden smoking in the parlor. When I get my own place, I’ll smoke at the dinner table.”
“What will your future wife say?”
“There won’t be one of those if I have anything to say about it.”
Circling a finger over the scrolling arm of the chair, Josephine smirked. “I suppose you find all the companionship you need without those strings.”
“Damn right I do, Jo. Marriages are a sham most of the time. What our parents had was a miracle these days. Most men would have spent their downtime at a club or whorehouse rather than sitting beside their wife’s bed for two years, watching her die.” He took a deep drag. “Seeing how a husband should be is one of the many ways I’ll never measure up to our father.”
“That’s rather dismal, even for you.”
Mathias waved his cigarette toward the room. “This house is trapped in the previous century. Not a whit of it has been redecorated from how Mama set things when we were kids. Even if Moneybags Marlene agrees to stay here, she’ll gut the place of every ruffle. That’s more than love that would allow Papa to sit by and watch that happen. That’s a level of patience and self-mastery I don’t have.”
“You’ll find someone to put up with you, brother.”
He flashed his debonair grin. “I need someone who will worship me, dear sister.”
“Del thinks you’re the handsomest man in Mobile.”
“Cordelia Barnes is even odder than you, and that’s saying a lot, though she does appear to have fine taste in men.” He crushed the butt of his cigarette into the crystal ashtray on the coffee table. “Funny, I always assumed she’d be in a convent by now.”
“She’s waiting a few more years. If she’s still single, she plans to join so she won’t be a blight on her family.”
“And you, Jo?” He looked me over. “Getting physical with an established lawyer is risky. Do you plan on trapping him into marriage?”
“I’ll never force a man to marry me.”
“Then I hope you’re careful or know what to do should things get away from you. I suppose you have the means in the garden.”
“Whatever are you talking about?”
“The true witch of Mobile, Old Lady Rettig.”
A heaviness passed through Josephine’s chest at the memory of the afternoons and summers she spent with the woman. “She wasn’t a witch.”
Mathias laughed. “Why do you think your nickname held so long? By the time it was slipping from people’s memory you had to go and befriend that woman.”
“So?”
“All the older boys and girls knew she was the medicine women society strumpets visited when they went too far. She fixed them a nice herbal cocktail to make their problems go away. I’m surprised someone hasn’t turned up here asking you for one.”
Josephine’s mouth gaped as she stared at him over the forbidden topic.
He shook his head. “You were naïve, but I’d have thought you would have figured that out by now. The only thing more promiscuous than a drunk debutante is a buck rabbit in spring.”
Before Josephine could remark on her knowledge she’d acquired from Mrs. Rettig’s books, their father’s automobile pulled to a stop on the side of the house. Josephine moved to the far armchair, leaving both her father’s seat and the sofa open. Mathias waited at the front door to welcome them.
“Allow me to take your coats,” he said once they entered.
“It was a lovely service,” Marlene said as she swept into the parlor. “Advent is special every year. I do wish y’all would go with us next Sunday.”
“I’ll be at the Christmas Eve service,” Josephine told her.
“But—”
“Jo and Mat are old enough to make their own decisions,” Mr. Wolf said, then left a kiss on her cheek as they sat together on the sofa.
“Just call us heathens,” Mathias said with a devilish smile.
Marlene wrinkled her nose.
“Mass or not,” Mr. Wolf said, “I’ve always loved Sunday dinners with the family.”
There was an awkward silence, followed by a knock at the door. Josephine excused herself, grateful to escape even if only for a moment.
Andrew Graves, Merritt’s son, stood blushing on the porch in the full uniform of a Mardi Gras court page. The white and gold costume matched the pillow he extended, on which sat four envelopes.
“Thank you.”
As soon as Josephine took them, he ran through the park, tossing the pillow and catching it as he went to his home on the Chatham Street side—no doubt to hastily remove the tights and silk Sean had wrangled him into.
The envelopes were marked for Jesse, Mathias, Marlene, and Josephine.
“We had a delivery by Mardi Gras page,” she announced, handing each person their envelope.
As expected, it was an invitation to the Order of Mayhem’s New Year’s Eve ball. Tucked inside Josephine’s was a small note that read “No matter what, save a dance for me.” Smiling, she looked at the others.
“I had no idea you were acquainted with members of the society,” Marlene said to Mr. Wolf. “I typically attend with my parents, but it will be lovely to go with you.”
“Jo, now you really need to go shopping.” Papa looked to his fiancée. “Josephine doesn’t have a gown, and her Sunday finery could use a boost.”
Josephine ran a hand over her blue skirt, realizing that she’d had it for a couple years.
“I could pick you up tomorrow, Josephine, and bring you to Mademoiselle Bisset’s,” Marlene said. “She’s the only one to trust for special occasions. One word to her, and she’ll send the bill to your father’s office with an immediate credit for anything you want.”
“That’s sounds fine, Jo,” her father said. “Get yourself two gowns and the same for Sundays.”
“And whatever extras are needed,” Marlene added with a squeeze to his arm. “Women often need new foundation pieces and accessories to complete an ensemble.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “It’s well overdue, at any rate. Will you take Marlene up on her offer to assist you?”
Mr. Wolf paused while eating his slice of rum cake. “This is rather sudden.”
“A friend I met last month has been in a hotel since he arrived in town. I’ve been helping him look for permanent residence and keeping an eye out for myself at the same time.”
“You must be getting on well, Mathias,” Marlene remarked.
“Very well, thank you. I’ve already advanced two levels in the accounting department since college graduation.”
“Jesse has told me his children are clever.” She looked at Josephine. “And he says you have a terrific green thumb. I’d love to see your garden when I come for Sunday dinner. I’ve heard stories about your herbal teas but have yet to try one.”
“The garden isn’t at its peak this time of year, but I’ll happily show you.”
“And we’ll be sure to serve some of Jo’s tea when you next visit,” Mr. Wolf said.
After supper, Mr. Wolf took Marlene on a tour of the house while Mathias and Josephine took brandy in the parlor.
“He’s old enough to be her father,” Mathias remarked between sips of his drink.
“It’s only fifteen years,” Josephine said, thinking of the decade that separated her and Sean.
“Boys can father children at fifteen. They’ve done it for centuries.” He smirked. “When I was of age, Papa told me a few stories from his youth that would curl your hair.”
“I can’t stand to think of our father doing anything sexual.”
“He wouldn’t be a father if he hadn’t.”
She rolled her eyes. “Still, it’s nothing I want to visualize, thank you very much.”
Mathias lit his cigarette as the sound of Marlene’s laughter floated down the stairs. “I’ll be glad I don’t have to listen to them going at it when the time comes.”
“You have months before the wedding, even if today’s house doesn’t come through. Maybe you’ll find something closer.”
“I’d like to be able to walk to restaurants and work without bothering with the streetcars. And your dungeon would await, sister.”
“But how would it look if I’m courting a man and have my own apartment?”
He laughed. “What man wouldn’t want to avoid parents and chaperones? Having easy access to you would be a blessing, not a hindrance.”
“I don’t want to be considered immoral by everyone. Have you ever…before?”
His toothy grin practically leered. “In more ways than you’ll ever know.”
Eight
After a night of impassioned dreams, Josephine rose early to work in the garden she had neglected the day before. With both Sean and Marlene inspecting the yard that weekend, it needed tending. Due to the cooler months, there were fewer weeds to deal with. She pruned the lavender, mint, and chives plus weeded around the green tea plants while Midnight dozed in the morning sun. Then Josephine inspected the shed where she did most of her herb drying. She checked the hanging herb bundles, wiped down the counter, and swept the floor.
By ten o’clock, both Mr. Wolf and Mathias were gone. Josephine went inside to wash so she’d be fresh when Sean arrived. Not wanting to look like she was trying too hard, she chose an old gingham dress best suited for summer chores and braided her hair in a single plait. A straw sunhat and gathering basket were her accessories.
While she was clipping a camellia blossom in the side yard, a hand went to her hip. Eyes wide, she turned to find Sean grinning at her.
He stepped back, looking crisp in a charcoal day suit and derby. “Good morning, Josephine. I hope it’s all right I’m a few minutes early.”
“Of course.” She smiled in return though a shift in him she didn’t understand unnerved her.
“Allow me to take your basket.” He slipped the gathering basket from her forearm.
“This side of the yard isn’t anything you haven’t seen a dozen times around town, so let’s move to the back.”
He stayed at her elbow as they walked. “Is there good news about your family?”
“Marlene Jensen will be my father’s wife this spring.”
“She’s an intelligent woman with a love for community work–your father is blessed to have found her. I’ll be sure to have masquerade invitations delivered for everyone.”
Sean was attentive and charming but also stilted as he followed her about. After showing him the medicinal and kitchen herb gardens, Josephine met his gaze across the rosemary.
“What happened at the party you attended last night?” she asked with trepidation.
“I met the most extraordinary woman.” Sean’s smile was bigger than ever, then he bit his lower lip making his chipped tooth all the more adorable.
“How exciting for you.” Josephine tried not to let her disappointment show, but he wouldn’t have noticed if it had.
“She’s twenty-five, from Boston, and has the most cultured tone that she chided me with. She came to town to teach science to the girls at Barton Academy. You’d get along splendidly.”
“I have no desire to meet her.” She snatched the basket from his unsuspecting hand and marched to the shed.
Basket and hat on the counter, Josephine waited for him to seal her fate. Midnight jumped onto the ledge a moment before Sean entered.
“Jo, I didn’t plan for what happened yesterday,” he said.
“Between us or the woman you met?”
He cupped her cheek. “Both, darling.”
“Did you kiss her?”
“We shared a few kisses and danced and talked.”
Josephine shifted away from his touch. “When do you see her again?”
“I have no idea.” He gave a nervous laugh. “I left that decision to her as a way to appease her feminist sensibilities.”
“But you love her already.”
“You’re intuitive.” He stepped closer, trapping her between his hard body and the counter, and tossed his hat next to hers. “I love this new connection with you, Jo, but I can’t deny Hattie Fernsby stirred something in me last night.”
“And that something, as you say, is more than what you feel for me. Is that because I’m still that scared five-year-old to you?”
“I thought we established that you’re a woman, and my response to you is as nature intended.”
When his hands grabbed her hips, she grasped his buttocks and held him firmly against her. “Damn you, Sean Spunner, for not allowing us to do more yesterday.”
“I love your tenacity, Jo, but you know you’d be hurting even more than you think you are right now if we had enjoyed each other fully.”
“But you might not have gone to the party or taken me with you instead!”
“No ‘what ifs’, darling. Any woman who grabs me by the ass isn’t one to sit around moping. You’ll be a feisty lover when the time comes, Jo.”
“I’ll give you until Christmas. If your science teacher doesn’t get in touch with you—”
“You’ll give me the sweetest present ever,” he finished. “Thank you for understanding I need to give her a chance. But don’t wait around for me. You’re too wonderful for that, which I think Mr. Harrington would agree with. He seemed very keen on you when I stopped by the restaurant yesterday.”
“I’m not sure I’d be comfortable stepping out with a friend of my brother’s.”
“You might not worry so much if you make a good connection.”
“How could anything feel better than this?” She shifted against him.
“Jo, you’re a natural minx.” He devoured her mouth.
Who would have thought old Mr. Spunner would get fresh with my little sister?
Josephine gasped and turned to the open door.
“What a surprise, Mr. Spunner.” Mathias smirked.
As calm as if he’d been seen discussing the weather, Sean slowly released Josephine from his arms and nodded at her brother. “Hello, Mathias. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“Yes… it is.” Mathias looked confused at the lack of stammering and excuses.
“Jo,” Sean said as he took her elbow, “did that complete the garden tour or was there more to see outside?”
“That was it, but would you like some clippings to bring your cook?”
“Althea would enjoy that. Thank you.” He handed Josephine her hat, then donned his own and took the gathering basket.
Mathias still stood in the doorway.
“Did you need something, Mat?” Josephine asked.
He gave a hearty guffaw and stepped to the side. “Not a thing.” When they passed, he slapped Sean’s shoulder. “Tread carefully, Mr. Spunner.”
“I plan to. Your sister is a siren.”
Josephine snipped parsley, dill, thyme, and more. Sean stayed at her side, watching the offerings fill the basket.
“Are you upset your brother found us?” he asked.
“I was at first, but not anymore.”
“Don’t be ashamed of your sexuality, Jo. It’s a very real part of being human. When you start hiding from it, you lose yourself. You’re the truest woman I’ve ever known. The world needs this bold Josephine Wolf.”
“But do you need her?”
He fingered her cheek and ran his thumb along her bottom lip. “I want her.”
Josephine gave a bittersweet smile, letting him know she’d rather him need her. Need was stronger, deeper, and had the potential to last longer than a passing fancy of want. He might want her now, but it could be because his new woman was untouchable for the time being. Would he want her tomorrow? Next week? Christmas?
“Would you like me to wrap the herbs for you?”
“That isn’t necessary. I’ll bring them home in the basket. You may collect it Monday evening, unless you’d rather I deliver it.”
“I’ll retrieve it.”
“I look forward to your visit.” He kissed her cheek and winked.
Midnight followed Josephine inside. The cat slipped quietly up the stairs, but Mathias pounced.
“Get in here and tell me what’s going on with you and Mr. Spunner.”
She rolled her eyes but sat across from him. “He’s always been friendly, but after a few years of a dry spell, we struck up a reconnection yesterday morning.”
“That’s some connection in twenty-four hours, Jo. Was he always physical with you?” Mathias propped his foot on his opposite knee.
“I was nothing but a child all those other times we talked. Now that I’m in my twenties, that decade gap isn’t so wide.”
He dropped his foot to the floor and leaned forward from his seat. “Listen, I’m pledging to a society next month, but don’t tell Father.”
“Sean is going to invite us to Order of Mayhem’s New Year’s Eve ball.”
“Those old men aren’t the ranks I’ll be joining. Mardi Gras is another reason I want to move out. I’ll be coming and going a lot and don’t want to have to answer questions from Father or Sarah.”
“I know better than to ask which society it is.”
Good, because I don’t want to say Mystics of Dardenne aloud. Miss Sarah might wash my mouth out with soap.
Josephine laughed. You would join the most notorious krewe. They don’t even parade and that’s the best part about Mardi Gras.
You can’t say that until you’ve attended a masquerade. Besides, they would parade if the city let them, but Dardennes don’t have the best track record with law enforcement.
Yet you want to join them despite that.
I want to join them because of that. Mathias grinned and stood. Tweaking his sister’s nose as he passed, he said aloud, “No matter what, Jo, I’ll be here for you.”
***
On Sunday morning, Mr. Wolf attended late Mass with Marlene at the cathedral. Josephine and Mathias were under instructions from their father to be in the parlor when they returned to dine together for Sunday dinner, though nothing afterward would be forced.
“I don’t know what to think about him going to Mass when it isn’t a holiday. I’m glad he isn’t asking us to attend with him.” Mathias exhaled a tight smoke ring. “Nor has he forbidden smoking in the parlor. When I get my own place, I’ll smoke at the dinner table.”
“What will your future wife say?”
“There won’t be one of those if I have anything to say about it.”
Circling a finger over the scrolling arm of the chair, Josephine smirked. “I suppose you find all the companionship you need without those strings.”
“Damn right I do, Jo. Marriages are a sham most of the time. What our parents had was a miracle these days. Most men would have spent their downtime at a club or whorehouse rather than sitting beside their wife’s bed for two years, watching her die.” He took a deep drag. “Seeing how a husband should be is one of the many ways I’ll never measure up to our father.”
“That’s rather dismal, even for you.”
Mathias waved his cigarette toward the room. “This house is trapped in the previous century. Not a whit of it has been redecorated from how Mama set things when we were kids. Even if Moneybags Marlene agrees to stay here, she’ll gut the place of every ruffle. That’s more than love that would allow Papa to sit by and watch that happen. That’s a level of patience and self-mastery I don’t have.”
“You’ll find someone to put up with you, brother.”
He flashed his debonair grin. “I need someone who will worship me, dear sister.”
“Del thinks you’re the handsomest man in Mobile.”
“Cordelia Barnes is even odder than you, and that’s saying a lot, though she does appear to have fine taste in men.” He crushed the butt of his cigarette into the crystal ashtray on the coffee table. “Funny, I always assumed she’d be in a convent by now.”
“She’s waiting a few more years. If she’s still single, she plans to join so she won’t be a blight on her family.”
“And you, Jo?” He looked me over. “Getting physical with an established lawyer is risky. Do you plan on trapping him into marriage?”
“I’ll never force a man to marry me.”
“Then I hope you’re careful or know what to do should things get away from you. I suppose you have the means in the garden.”
“Whatever are you talking about?”
“The true witch of Mobile, Old Lady Rettig.”
A heaviness passed through Josephine’s chest at the memory of the afternoons and summers she spent with the woman. “She wasn’t a witch.”
Mathias laughed. “Why do you think your nickname held so long? By the time it was slipping from people’s memory you had to go and befriend that woman.”
“So?”
“All the older boys and girls knew she was the medicine women society strumpets visited when they went too far. She fixed them a nice herbal cocktail to make their problems go away. I’m surprised someone hasn’t turned up here asking you for one.”
Josephine’s mouth gaped as she stared at him over the forbidden topic.
He shook his head. “You were naïve, but I’d have thought you would have figured that out by now. The only thing more promiscuous than a drunk debutante is a buck rabbit in spring.”
Before Josephine could remark on her knowledge she’d acquired from Mrs. Rettig’s books, their father’s automobile pulled to a stop on the side of the house. Josephine moved to the far armchair, leaving both her father’s seat and the sofa open. Mathias waited at the front door to welcome them.
“Allow me to take your coats,” he said once they entered.
“It was a lovely service,” Marlene said as she swept into the parlor. “Advent is special every year. I do wish y’all would go with us next Sunday.”
“I’ll be at the Christmas Eve service,” Josephine told her.
“But—”
“Jo and Mat are old enough to make their own decisions,” Mr. Wolf said, then left a kiss on her cheek as they sat together on the sofa.
“Just call us heathens,” Mathias said with a devilish smile.
Marlene wrinkled her nose.
“Mass or not,” Mr. Wolf said, “I’ve always loved Sunday dinners with the family.”
There was an awkward silence, followed by a knock at the door. Josephine excused herself, grateful to escape even if only for a moment.
Andrew Graves, Merritt’s son, stood blushing on the porch in the full uniform of a Mardi Gras court page. The white and gold costume matched the pillow he extended, on which sat four envelopes.
“Thank you.”
As soon as Josephine took them, he ran through the park, tossing the pillow and catching it as he went to his home on the Chatham Street side—no doubt to hastily remove the tights and silk Sean had wrangled him into.
The envelopes were marked for Jesse, Mathias, Marlene, and Josephine.
“We had a delivery by Mardi Gras page,” she announced, handing each person their envelope.
As expected, it was an invitation to the Order of Mayhem’s New Year’s Eve ball. Tucked inside Josephine’s was a small note that read “No matter what, save a dance for me.” Smiling, she looked at the others.
“I had no idea you were acquainted with members of the society,” Marlene said to Mr. Wolf. “I typically attend with my parents, but it will be lovely to go with you.”
“Jo, now you really need to go shopping.” Papa looked to his fiancée. “Josephine doesn’t have a gown, and her Sunday finery could use a boost.”
Josephine ran a hand over her blue skirt, realizing that she’d had it for a couple years.
“I could pick you up tomorrow, Josephine, and bring you to Mademoiselle Bisset’s,” Marlene said. “She’s the only one to trust for special occasions. One word to her, and she’ll send the bill to your father’s office with an immediate credit for anything you want.”
“That’s sounds fine, Jo,” her father said. “Get yourself two gowns and the same for Sundays.”
“And whatever extras are needed,” Marlene added with a squeeze to his arm. “Women often need new foundation pieces and accessories to complete an ensemble.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “It’s well overdue, at any rate. Will you take Marlene up on her offer to assist you?”
