The night was aglow with millions of stars and he quelled his impatience to be with his love. She must be wondering why he had not come to see her for several weeks. Tonight he would explain to her that he had been overseeing the redecoration of Tanglewood because he wanted it to be perfect when he brought her home as his bride.
Hearing voices on the other side of the box hedge, Raige rounded the corner and stopped in his tracks, feeling as if his heart had just been ripped from his body. For there, with the moonlight illuminating her distinctive red gown, was Jade in another man's arms.
Charlene knew it was wrong to keep up the pretense, but it was wonderful to be alone with Tyrone and have him make love to her, even if he thought she was Jade.
"You can't marry Raige," Tyrone said, pulling her into his arms. "You love me."
Charlene said nothing, but nestled against him. Neither knew that they were being observed by jealous eyes, golden eyes that closed for a moment, feeling the agony of betrayal.
"You do love me; you know you do," Tyrone stated with assurance.
Trembling, Charlene could only nod. Oui, she loved him and she would steal this moment of happiness for herself. Surely it would do no harm. Tyrone's warm mouth bruised her tender lips in a kiss that made her giddy with delight.
"I knew it!" Tyrone exclaimed, tearing his mouth from hers. "Mother assured me that you cared for me, and if I placed my heart at your feet, you would not turn me away."
His companion did not answer.
"Jade, my dearest love, you cannot marry Raige. Not after the way you just returned my kiss."
"He's right," a deep voice spoke up from the shadows. Raige moved into the light, his face a mask of fury. "I can see how it is, Jade." His eyes moved to the woman behind the red mask, the woman he had trusted with his love, the woman who had just admitted she loved Tyrone.
Tyrone stepped back, his arm going protectively around his Juliet. "I did not intend for this to happen, Raige, but I love Jade and she loves me."
Charlene knew that she should tell Raige that she was not Jade, but it would be too humiliating. Tyrone would hate her for pretending to be Jade.
Raige moved closer, his heated gaze on Tyrone. "You know what this means?"
"I do," Tyrone said with a sneer.
Raige worked his fingers out of his glove and slapped Tyrone across the face, leaving red welts. "Tomorrow in the gardens behind St. Louis Cathedral."
"I'll be there. My second will call on you early."
In a moment of wild panic, Charlene ran down the path, seeking the sanctuary of her room. She had to get away, to hide. Oh, God, what had she done!
Olivia awakened early and went for a long walk, trying to clear her mind. She was like a sleepwalker, because the dream she'd had last night had drained her of life and substance. She now knew what had caused the duel between Raige and Tyrone, and she had to find a way to stop it- but how?
As she approached the garden, she spied Betty Allendale picking fresh flowers.
"Good afternoon," Olivia said, stopping to admire the crimson-colored tulips and dipping her head to smell their light, delicate scent.
"Good afternoon," Betty replied stiffly, looking at the pale woman rather strangely. "Can I help you with something, miss?"
"No, I was just out for a morning stroll. It's so peaceful and beautiful at this time of day."
Betty gathered her bounty of flowers and smiled tightly, her eyes frosty. ' 'You are welcome to walk on my grounds if you keep to the path. This is private property, and I do not encourage trespassers."
Olivia was suddenly shaken by a cold dread that seemed to surround her heart. There was no recognition in Betty's eyes-she did not seem to know her. "Surely you are joking, Betty. I'm your houseguest."
"No, you're not, and I don't appreciate your trying that subterfuge." Her hostess's eyes flashed and she shook her head, her usual serene expression replaced with one of distrust. "I do not welcome strangers to my grounds, because this is not only an inn, it is my home as well."
Olivia was frantic, her eyes unseeing, her mind unfeeling as she tried to hold on to her identity. "Betty," she whispered through trembling lips, "you have to know who I am!"
Now there was fear in Betty's eyes. She took several quick steps backward, her eyes darting toward the house, planning her escape from this crazed woman. "If you don't leave now, I shall be forced to call for help."
The now familiar swirling mist descended, consuming Olivia within its murky depths. Reaching out her arms, she cried out to Betty, knowing that the woman was not even aware what was happening just a few feet away from her. She also knew in that moment mat she had ceased to exist as Olivia. She had no more substance than the mist that consumed her.
There would be no one who would mourn Olivia Heart-ford, if indeed she had ever really existed. There was no sadness in her heart as she became completely absorbed by Jade's world. But she must fight to retain some of what was Olivia if she was going to prevent the tragedy that would take place on a spring morning in 1813.
"Please, God," she prayed, "show me a way to help Jade St. Clair!"
It was still dark when Charlene dashed up the stairs, not even stopping to catch her breath; nor did she bother to knock on Jade's bedroom door, but threw it open and hurried to Jade's sleeping form.
"Wake up!" she cried, jerking on Jade's arm. "You have to help me; I've done something dreadful!"
Jade blinked her eyes, trying to focus on what Charlene was saying. Her friend had always overdramatized everything. "Tell me what has happened," she said, yawning.
Charlene tearfully explained what had occurred after Jade had left the ball the night before. "How could I know my deception would lead to a duel?" she sobbed. "It will be my fault if anyone is killed!"
Jade's mind was racing ahead as she stripped off her nightgown and took her riding habit from the wardrobe. "How could you have been so foolish, Charlene? You allowed Tyrone to believe he was making love to me, and you did not explain to Raige when he came to the same conclusion."
"I know what I did was wrong. I lay awake for hours, trying to decide what to do. Someone has to stop them before Raige kills Tyrone."
Jade turned so Charlene could fasten her blouse in the back. "Where is the duel to be fought?"
"In the city, behind the cathedral."
Jade nodded. "While I finish dressing, go to the stables and have someone saddle my horse and have a boat made ready to take me to New Orleans. And hurry, Charlene! Even now it may be too late."
As Charlene rushed out of the room, Jade pulled on her riding boots, her hands shaking so badly she could not control them. In the back of her mind, it seemed she had lived this day before. It was a vague feeling, a dream-she wasn't sure what.
Jade moved quickly toward the door and paused. Turning back, she saw the Elizabethan costume where she had placed it the night before. Grabbing it up, she ran out of the room and down the stairs.
She was the only one who could stop this madness.
After leading her horse off the boat, Jade frantically urged the animal into a thundering gallop as she raced toward the cathedral. When she neared her destination, she could hear the sound of rapiers echoing off the stone walls of the garden.
Not waiting for her mount to come to a halt, Jade leaped to the ground and hurried in the direction of the duelists.
For a moment, her eyes rested on Raige, who was poised with his rapier ready to strike. He was white-lipped, unforgiving, his features savage, intent on nothing but killing Tyrone.
She watched as Raige's sword flashed with lightning, his moves like quicksilver, driving poor Tyrone backward.
She cried out when she saw that Tyrone had already been wounded and his shirtfront was bloody.