Free Lily (Song of the River) by Aaron McCarver, Diane T. Ashley Page A

settling back against her pillows once more.
    Lily pulled her coverlet up to Jasmine’s chin, relieved to see the returning color in her cheeks. Putting a finger to her lips, she signaled Tamar and Camellia toward the nursery. They spent the next half hour discussing the day, ending with the earlier disaster.
    Camellia wiped her mouth after finishing one of the delicious tarts and folded her hands in her lap. “I couldn’t believe it when that boy bit Jasmine.” She looked toward Lily, tears welling up in her blue eyes. “I was trying to get the other one to stop tearing up our things, but I should have been protecting Jasmine.”
    “It wasn’t your fault, dearest. You did what you could. And you had Jasmine mostly calmed down before I got here. I’m sure that’s why she fell asleep so quickly.”
    Looking pleased, Camellia stood up. “I suppose I shall go to bed, too. Is your dinner party over?”
    Horror overcame Lily. “I forgot. As soon as I help you straighten up in here, Tamar, I’ll go back down and see if Mr. Marvin is still here. I hope he is. I have some hard words for him about his children.”
    “You go on down, Miss Lily.” Tamar returned their dishes to her tray. “I can clean up this mess in no time.”
    Camellia added her voice to Tamar’s. “I can help her, Lily.”
    “Are you sure?”
    Both of them nodded, so Lily shook out her skirts. Checking to make sure there was no rhubarb on her skirt, she left them working and went downstairs.
    On her way to the parlor, Lily noticed the door to Grandpa’s study was open. Certain the men had joined the women in the parlor by now, she stopped to pull it closed. But with her hand on the doorknob, she heard a voice. Someone was inside! Who could it be? The terrible Marvin boys? She leaned closer to make sure before going in to confront them.
    “I tell you steamboats are what you should be investing in.” She recognized Uncle Phillip’s voice and realized the men were still discussing business. “They are the easiest, fastest, safest way to transport people and goods. If you’ve never seen the inside of a steamship, you should do yourself the favor of taking a trip, say to New Orleans or Memphis. You will be amazed at the luxury to be had. The quarters are comfortable, the food is as good as our cook prepares, and the scenery is astounding.”
    Knowing she should turn away, Lily couldn’t. Would Mr. Marvin be interested in purchasing a steamboat and raising a family on the river? She might change her mind about the man if she could be assured of living on the Mississippi River.
    “I don’t know, Phillip. I’m not a man to take risks.”
    “I tell you there is no risk, no risk at all. Everyone connected to a riverboat makes money—from the shipwright to the crew, not to mention the planters, farmers, and shipping tycoons who rely on the river to deliver their goods.”
    Lily closed her eyes as she imagined the scene in the study. Her uncle would be sitting in Grandfather’s leather chair, a cigar in one hand and a glass of brandy in the other. Mr. Marvin would be sitting on the other side of the desk, leaning forward with eagerness to learn more of her uncle’s ideas.
    “I’m not saying I’m ready to take the plunge, but if I was, how would I proceed?”
    Lily leaned closer.
    “I normally wouldn’t tell anyone this, but since you are so close to becoming a member of the family, you should go to Dashiell Champney.” Her uncle’s voice was quiet, confidential, like he was sharing a deep secret. “He owns several boats and would likely have one or more for sale. It’s better than having money in the bank. I don’t know how your finances are, Adolphus, but it never hurts to have a goose to lay a few golden eggs, eh?”
    “I don’t know if you should be so hasty to consider me a part of your family.” Mr. Marvin coughed. “Your niece is less than receptive to my overtures. She seems more concerned about her sisters than finding a