Tariana
Thought you might need something to brighten your day. The florist says you can plant the Angel’s Trumpet in your garden. Of course, it is not a climbing tree, so be careful. I trust you are surviving your punishment in good form.
Look forward to seeing you out and about soon.
Michael
The message had not included Frances’s name, and Tariana’s thoughts turned suddenly wicked. All attempts to regain an honorable state of mind failed, and she feared that she’d never overcome this obsession, no matter how many times Father locked her inside the room. Mostly, Tariana feared the worst of her would emerge on her sister’s wedding day, and there’d be no turning back from the dark side after that.
Evelyn remained standing at the door, so Tariana put her to good use. “I have a letter for you to mail. It is a writing exercise, and Father will permit it.” She put down the planter, hurried to the desk to retrieve the sealed envelope, and placed it in Evelyn’s hand. When she continued to stand there, Tariana asked, “Is there anything else?”
“I know a secret,” she said in a hushed tone as if the walls had ears.
“You?”
“Yes. Quite by accident. I overheard Frances and Michael talking about the little mishap that got you into trouble. She mentioned seeing the shrub in the shop window in town and how you resembled the droopy flower as you drifted to the earth.” Evelyn walked closer and fingered the petals. “Its form resembles a trumpet with the large white opening at the end, its insides open for the world to see.”
Tariana shrunk in horror.
“Frances giggled and told Michael to purchase them for you – to take the starch out of your attitude. Maybe you’d eat the poison flower and get the comeuppance you deserve.”
“She did not!” Tariana shrieked.
At times, Frances came across as meek, but she definitely was not mild when it came to dealing with Tariana’s shenanigans. They shared little sisterly love, which caused Father all the more concern for the eternal welfare of his two eldest girls.
“Heard it with my own ears.” Evelyn picked idly at her fingernail and hummed.
“Maybe Frances, but surely not Michael. He would never agree to trickery like this.”
“The amusement on his face begged to differ. That and the fact that he’d sent the flowers. I wonder what he’d think if he knew you’d swooned while reading his words.” She arched her brow and chortled. “Your secret is out, sister dear. How ever will you face the world?”
Tariana pushed Evelyn out the door. “Get out. You are the worst deceiver of us all. Your flawless exterior disguises your treachery, but now, it is you who should worry. Your secret is out!” She slammed the door against the girl’s toes. The eldest and the youngest were the biggest challenges in her family. She loved Cherise and Samantha, but they were the busiest, with their studies and clubs, never finding the time to visit her prison tower. Leastways, since her father had locked her away.
“One more week,” she grumbled aloud. Suddenly the beautiful flowers no longer provided the comfort they had only a few minutes prior. Perhaps she should eat one, and Frances would have her sister’s death on her conscience, but she didn’t want to die. She had to find out if Michael had truly sent the plant intending malice.
Chapter 2
Jamie Sackerton watched Tariana from the hedge separating their properties. The sun shone bright, warming her pale skin as she breathed the air of freedom deep into her lungs. Her confinement ended that day, and with gratitude she drank in her surroundings. Reverend Gracin had falsely assumed that two weeks would be enough to cure the defiant streak that had pierced her soul, but Jamie knew otherwise; they’d never take that from her. Jamie put a more complimentary label on her peculiar fixation, calling it a compelling devotion to her convictions, which made it sound positive and exemplary. If she could learn selective in her obsessions, she would be a strong force within her circle of influence one day.
Jamie would have her no other way. The girls in town fussed, expecting the fellas to perform cartwheels to win their approval. Tariana, on the other hand, had always been his friend. Jamie was the blacksmith’s only son, and he worked at the docks as a laborer, but he had dreams and was determined to unleash his passion someday. His family generally kept to themselves, avoiding stirring the ever-churning grapevine pool by mistake.
Tariana searched souls and understood Jamie. In fact, she’d helped to mold his character with her natural child-like faith. She had the ability to tip-toe across boundaries while still maintaining a tight relationship with the Almighty. A more spirited woman he’d never met.
She began the trek down the cobblestone walkway, displaying the posture of a proper lady, but he caught the glint of the sun reflecting off her face and knew she itched for relief from the expected protocol. The gate opened and closed behind her. After a quick glance at the house, she turned and headed toward the edge of town.
Jamie knew her destination. He raced to a shed in the back yard of his property and grabbed the fishing rods, hers included. Pastor Gracin would be appalled at the thought of his daughter touching worms and gutting fish. He wrongly surmised that Jamie performed the unladylike activities for her, but in reality, she’d never hear of it. They’d been buddies since birth, and Jamie swore he knew Tariana better than she knew herself, although he’d never admit it out loud. She’d just as soon use him as live bait if she suspected – even for one minute – that he believed a fella
