Chapter 26

Juliet clutched her portfolio, and Philip held open the door of 700 Drayton, the restaurant in the Mansion on Forsyth Park hotel. Rafe had stayed outside to call Pete.

Both Philip and Rafe had arrived at her apartment to pick her up and, after recovering from her shock at seeing Rafe in dark wool dress pants, black button-down shirt, and navy silk tie, she’d convinced them they could take one car.

As they went upstairs, the scent of roast chicken made her stomach gurgle.

Philip glanced back. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” The silver lace shift was the only fancy thing she owned. Months ago, when Dessie’s Couture opened across the courtyard from Juliet’s Lily, she’d been tempted to go in. But there was no way she could’ve afforded couture prices. Even worse, if Calum had heard she’d gone in there—not an impossibility since he owned the building—he would’ve insisted on buying her something. While she wasn’t too proud to ask him for business help, she’d never accept his charity.

They entered the cocktail lounge, a dimly lit, elegant space with a granite bar and leather couches. Beyond the bar was the restaurant with tables set up in a hexagonal room. Picture windows overlooked Forsyth Park and its fountain across the street. She and Philip had to wait for their drinks. The bar was unusually crowded for a weeknight.

Carina, in a red silk wrap dress, stood nearby with her champagne, surrounded by men. A diamond necklace sparkled, and crystals lined her stilettos heels. Even though Juliet loved her own dress, she felt like a country girl when compared to Carina’s sophistication.

“Hello, beautiful.” Calum appeared in a perfectly tailored tuxedo and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

No doubt Calum and Carina were the two most elegant people in town. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t helping me with your sister.”

“I’m not.” Calum nodded to a corner where Mr. Delacroix and Detective Garza talked. “Tonight’s the Savannah Friends of the Police dinner downstairs.”

Philip arrived carrying two glasses of wine, and she took one. It was cold and delicious.

“I’m off.” Calum nodded toward the dining room. “I want to speak to the Habersham sisters before dinner.”

Juliet watched while Calum went to the table near the biggest window. He bowed over both of the sisters’ hands.

“I wonder what it’s like,” Philip said, “to be one of the richest people in the city.”

“Those things don’t matter.” She sipped her wine, wishing Philip would stop comparing himself to others. “Look at Eugene Wilkins. He had everything and died a horrible death.”

“Agreed,” Mr. Delacroix said, coming up behind her. “I hope you don’t mind my joining you. I couldn’t help but overhear.”

Tonight, Mr. Delacroix wore black dress pants with a white dinner jacket and bow tie.

“Not at all.” She smiled. “Philip and I were discussing life goals.”

“One of mine,” Delacroix held up his whiskey, “was always to be independent. Never to rely on others financially or emotionally. I’ve always taken risks others were afraid to face.”

Philip nodded. “You wanted more than you’ve had?”

“Yes. More money. More experiences.” Mr. Delacroix smiled at her. “More women. For some, it’s the adrenaline rush that makes them feel alive. Feel more like a man.”

She studied her wine glass. So much of what he said reminded her of Rafe’s letter.

“I want to build a life with a fulfilling career and a family,” Philip said.

Delacroix clapped Philip’s shoulder. “I’ve seen your designs for my new mansion. It’s why I chose your architecture firm and why I’m asking you to lead the design group. You were the only one with the guts to suggest we rebuild while at the same time recovering the windows and moldings and other elements. It’s brilliant.”

Philip smiled wide.

“That’s wonderful,” Juliet said to Philip. “Your first big project from the ground up.”

“I haven’t forgotten you, Juliet,” Mr. Delacroix said. “I like the idea of you two working together to rebuild that property.”

If she had to stay up for the next two days, she’d have those renditions done by Friday. “Thank you, Mr. Delacroix.”

“Here’s to the new Delacroix Mansion on Pulaski Square.” Mr. Delacroix held up his glass, and they toasted.

A huge clap of thunder rolled, and the lights flickered.

“Looks like that storm has arrived,” Delacroix said. “I’m off to dinner. I hope you celebrate this evening.”

“We will,” Philip said. “Thank you.”

Once they were alone, Juliet clinked glasses with him again. “I’m so happy for you.”

“What are we celebrating?” Rafe’s voice cut through her like a razor over glass. She knew the cut was there but didn’t want to move or else she’d break in two.

Philip’s smile evaporated. “I got the job to rebuild Prideaux House.”

“Congratulations.” Rafe picked up the portfolio she’d rested against the wall. “Let’s talk at our table. Carina is with the Habersham sisters, and it looks like Calum is annoying her.”

Juliet agreed. The last thing she needed was a sibling argument to ruin her chances of getting paid.

Rafe took her hand and led her to the Habersham sisters’ table. “I hate to interrupt,” he said, “but I wanted to tell the sisters how lovely they look tonight.”

Juliet didn’t roll her eyes. But she wanted to.

Miss Nell turned a few shades pinker than her silk dress. Miss Beatrice held out her hand for Rafe to kiss.

Carina, standing nearby, tilted her head. “You haven’t changed at all, Rafe Montfort.”

“Carina, darling,” Calum said in his deepest Southern drawl, “it’s not nice to tease a man recently released from prison.”

“Rafe has always taken care of himself,” Carina said. “I’m sure he’s not afraid of things that go bump in the night. Unless he’s the one doing the bumping?”

“I only bump things in the night that deserve it,” Rafe said.

Carina narrowed her gaze.

“I believe our table is ready.” Philip waved to the four-top with the hovering waiter.

“Please, Rafe,” Miss Nell said. “Would you, Juliet, and Philip join us for dinner?”

“Remember, Nell?” Miss Beatrice said. “We’re going to that dinner downstairs. We got the table to stay away from the crowds in the bar.”

“That’s right,” Miss Nell said. “We’re not comfortable in bars.”

“You’re not comfortable in bars,” Beatrice corrected.

Calum offered the ladies a short bow. “I’d be honored to escort you both.”

Miss Beatrice nodded. “We’d be delighted.”

“You’re going to that police dinner?” Carina said to Calum. “Whatever for?”

Calum grinned. “To make new acquaintances and strengthen old friendships. Something you might want to do before Election Day.”

Carina opened her mouth, and then closed it.

“Will we see you later?” Juliet asked Calum. “Philip has good news.”

Calum nodded. “I heard. I think you’ll do a wonderful job rebuilding the mansion.”

“Rebuilding the mansion?” Miss Beatrice said, taking his arm. “Surely not mine.”

Calum led the sisters away. “Did you hear Vivienne Beaumont is coming to town? She’s hosting a salon at the Ravenels’. It will be un grand scandal.”

“Noooo,” Miss Nell said. “I want to hear everything.”

Once they left, the waiter led them to their corner table. Juliet leaned her portfolio against the window overlooking the square. Rafe and Carina sat on either side, and Philip was across, frowning.

Carina ordered champagne and appetizers. “I haven’t eaten all day. It’s hard being on the campaign trail and talking to random people about their pathetic lives.”

Rafe winked at Juliet. Carina had always been like this.

The ensuing silence fueled the awkwardness between the brothers. Between Carina and everyone else. Juliet decided to get things started. “Carina—”

“Juliet,” Carina said sharply, hiding behind the menu. “I don’t want to talk about money. C’est très impoli.”

“It’s even ruder not to pay your bills. Especially ones you’re contracted for.”

Carina snapped the menu shut, and the lights dimmed. “I hope there’s a generator.”

“There is.” The waiter appeared with four glasses of champagne and left the bottle. “I’ll be back with your appetizers.”

“Good.” Carina played with her flute.

Juliet wanted to get to work, but Rafe reached beneath the table and squeezed her hand.

“Since you don’t want to talk money,” Philip said, “what do you want to talk about?”

“How about the fact that Juliet is the reason my brother was sent to boarding school when he was eleven? And when he came back at sixteen he was so traumatized he barely spoke?” Carina’s smile was so tight Juliet thought her lips would snap back.

“Instead,” Philip said, “let’s talk about your party.”

Juliet appreciated Philip’s attempt to divert Carina, but Juliet knew it wouldn’t work. “Calum being sent away wasn’t my fault.”

“You weren’t living in secret in his room at our Isle of Hope plantation for two weeks? You weren’t stealing our food? Sleeping in his closet?”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Things are never your fault. I told Eugene I didn’t want him to give you the square project. You’re the sleeping princess who refuses to wake. By day, you’re the gardener—”

“Landscape architect.”

“By night, you’re nothing but a strip—”

“What was Eugene doing in the back meadow when he died?” Rafe’s voice cut through the tension.

Carina’s shoulders popped up so fast the diamonds around her neck threw prisms. Then she glared at Juliet. “He was helping you.”

“How?”

“Don’t play the naive heroine. He was looking for your lily while Calum searched for your King’s Grants.”

Juliet put her glass down so she wouldn’t snap the stem. “Excuse me?”

“Calum didn’t tell you?” Carina snorted elegantly. “Eugene was part of some group, along with Grady Mercer, who devoted their lives to eradicating your lily.”

“Why?” Philip asked.

“Because it’s poisonous.” Contempt laced Carina’s voice. “It’s the lily Anne Capel used to poison all those kids.”

“That’s crazy,” Philip said.

“What do the King’s Grants have to do with anything?” Rafe asked.

“King’s Grants were pieces of land granted by King Charles to the Lords Proprietors who ruled the Carolina Colonies, including parts of Georgia and the Savannah area.”

“We already know that,” Juliet said.

“Well.” Carina spoke as if they were all in kindergarten. “Since nothing is free, those grants were issued with stipulations. If the owners haven’t broken the stipulations, the grants supersede federal authority.”

Philip frowned. “What stipulations?”

“Like the land owner could never build a barn. Or maybe they couldn’t own horses or raise sheep. Some could own land to the low-tide mark, others to the high-tide mark. My guess is they were rules set up by the Lords Proprietors to keep certain people from doing certain things.” Carina paused to dab a napkin against her red lips. “As long as the owners haven’t broken the stipulations, the government can’t take their land. Since Juliet’s family has held the land for over three hundred years, if she sold it now, the federal government would take up to forty percent due to wetlands regulations.”

Philip leaned his elbows on the table. “But if she has the King’s Grants—”

“And can prove she’s never broken the stipulations, not only would she own all of the granted land, but she’d probably own it out to the low-tide mark. Since King’s Grants supersede state and federal rules, the government can’t appropriate her land or regulate her usage of it. Ever.”

Juliet hated asking Carina for anything but did anyway. “If I sell?”

Carina shrugged. “If the grants allow a sale, then you sign them to the new owner.”

“Do you know what the stipulations on my land are?”

“No. That’s why Eugene and Calum wanted to find them. Gerald believed one stipulation was that the lily never grow on the Isle, so he asked Grady, Eugene, and Calum to help. All to protect your inheritance.” That last bit was laced with a sneer.

Juliet sat back and sighed. “Why didn’t Calum tell me any of this?”

Carina took another sip of champagne and pursed her lips. “Ask Calum.”

Rafe, who was still holding Juliet’s hand, shifted it to his thigh. Heat burned through his pants, his muscles beneath her fingers bunched, and his foot tapped.

He vibrated and held on firmly, as if forcing her body to resonate at his hotter, higher frequency. She drank her champagne and forced herself to remember why they were there.

“I understand Calum’s interest, but why was Eugene involved?” Philip asked Carina.

It was a good thing Philip could speak because Juliet had lost the ability to make simple sounds.

The waiter dropped off plates of appetizers, and Carina ate a mushroom cap. “Eugene loved the stories of the Prideaux/Prioleau pirates and the legends of Anne Capel and the Prioleau sigil.”

Juliet took another sip, and the bubbles tickled the back of her throat. “I saw your sigil today.” She coughed, trying to gain some traction in her voice. But it was difficult with Rafe moving her hand…higher. “In a window in Prideaux House.”

Carina waved a hand, her diamond rings glittering. “Not unlike the Prioleau mark Calum pays people to paint all over this city.” She handed her glass to Philip to refill. “During the golden age of piracy, the Prideaux pirates dominated the coastline. Many citizens were hostile, but those who raised the Prideaux flag or a black flag with a white Capel lily were allies. Eugene’s fascination with our history got him killed.”

Juliet switched to water, except she spilled it because her free hand shook. The other was still held captive against Rafe’s thigh.

“You’re worried about Calum.” Rafe spoke casually, as if he wasn’t at all affected by her touch. “That’s why you hired Detective Garza to look into Eugene’s death.”

Carina took her refilled glass from Philip. “Yes.”

Lightning flashed, and Juliet looked out the window. The park’s lights were on, and the street was empty except for a man in a hooded coat standing near the fountain. He stared in her direction, but when she blinked, he was gone. Yet, in that moment before he disappeared, the man bowed.