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

husband.”
    “You let me worry about that. As long as you would like to have her as your bride, all you have to do is propose.” Uncle Phillip chuckled. “I’ll make certain Lily says yes.”
    Mr. Marvin’s laughter joined her uncle’s, creating a revolting noise. Uncle Phillip was supposed to be her protector, not someone willing to pawn her off on the first man who approached. Or had Uncle Phillip approached Mr. Marvin? Either way, she would not stand for it.
    All thought of rejoining the dinner party evaporated. She could not abide the idea of being polite to either Uncle Phillip or Mr. Marvin. Lily picked up her skirts and fled to her bedroom. Shutting the door with a firm click, she flung herself across her bed. Hot tears flooded her down pillow as she fell victim to despair.
    What would she do? What could she do? She was only a girl, a girl who had inherited nothing more than an adequate dowry. The same amount of money each of her sisters had inherited. If there was some way to put all their money together, she might be able to come up with a solution. What she needed was a way to take care of all three of them.
    Inspiration struck. Mr. Champney was Jean Luc’s father. He had seemed interested in her when they danced. He could use his influence with his father to allow her to purchase one of his steamships. All she had to do was convince Grandmother to let her have her dowry now. It might be sufficient to buy a boat, but if it wasn’t, perhaps Mr. Champney would sell her the boat if she promised him a large percentage of the riches she would earn transporting goods along the river.
    Lily sat up in bed, her tears drying as she considered the idea. She would take Camellia and Jasmine with her. They could make a home for themselves on the river. It would be unconventional, but it would also be free of the restrictions they faced here. No one would be able to tell them what to do or whom to marry.
    The more she thought about her idea, the more excited Lily got. When Tamar entered to help her get ready for bed, she could hardly contain her emotions.
    Tamar combed out her long hair and braided it. “It seems someone has stars in her eyes. Are they stars of romance?”
    Lily rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her plans were far too vague to share with Tamar. Perhaps in the days to come, but tonight she would keep the information secret. “I didn’t speak to him after I left you and Camellia. The idea of being polite to him after seeing what his child did to Jasmine was too much to bear. I hope he understands I’m not at all interested in him.”
    Tamar cocked an eyebrow. “Maybe the child needs a mother to teach him how to act.”
    “Maybe so, but I don’t plan to take on that job, and I pity the woman who does.”
    “I thought your aunt and uncle were in favor of a match.” Tamar pulled back the covers and waited for Lily to climb into bed.
    “They may be, but Grandmother assured me I do not have to marry anyone I don’t wish to.”
    Lily thought she would be too excited to sleep, but her eyelids grew heavy as soon as Tamar blew out the last lamp. Schemes and dreams blended, and she barely had the energy to bid Tamar good night before sleep claimed her.

Chapter Ten
     
    B lake wiped his forehead with a grimy sleeve. “I’m not used to this kind of work anymore.”
    Jensen grunted. “I thought you never worked with your hands.”
    A laugh burned his throat. “There was a time all I knew was physical labor. Every bite of food I put in my mouth came from hard work.”
    “I never heard you talk about your past.” Jensen gave a final tug to the drapes he’d spent the past hour hanging. “You were a farmer’s son?”
    How he wished the days of his youth were so easily described. Blake shook his head. “Ma taught us how to plant a garden, or we’d have perished from starvation.”
    He leaned over the wood he’d been sawing and started work again. His mind, however, had