The Seven Sapphires of Mardi Gras Read Online Free PDF Page A

luggage.”
    Anxiously, I followed as the young man found my luggage and dutifully set the two trunks and hatbox out upon the empty wharf. Iberville. An eerie sensation gnawed at my stomach as I searched beyond the isolated dock for some sign of civilization. I saw only low, twisted underbrush and moss-covered trees. “Where is the town?”
    He pointed to the lone road that wound like a narrow snake alongside the water, then turned sharply into the trees. “Iberville’s a couple miles down the way. You have someone to meet you, lady?”
    “Yes, my uncle should be here soon.”
    He nodded. “Good, ‘cause it looks like it’ll be raining cats an’ dogs soon.” With a look that betrayed his pity, he disappeared inside the boat.
    I felt a sharp sting upon my cheek as a hungry mosquito buzzed about my head and lit upon my face. There were more mosquitoes to come. A veritable swarm of mosquitoes hummed a welcoming chorus from the nearby swamp. Alone, I studied my dismal surroundings, realizing with dismay that Iberville might be every bit as terrible as the two ladies had warned me it would be!
    And where was Edward? Gusty wind tore at my skirts. I glanced overhead. Angry storm clouds had gathered force and lightning lit up the jagged sky directly above me.
    Hastily, I stepped from the wharf, a deserted, rotting platform floating upon a soggy mass of marshland, onto a series of planks that led to drier ground. Through the splintered planks, I could see dark puddles of water. A light drizzle of rain began as, forced to desert my luggage except for the precious hatbox, I inched my way toward the road to see if Edward might be coming.
    Behind me I heard the low tug of the ship’s whistle. The steamer was leaving shore. Footsteps echoed behind me upon the planks. Stiffly, I turned my head. In the darkness, I saw the tall shadow of the voodoo man walking the planks directly behind me.
    My heart leaped to my throat at the sight of him. Why had he left the boat? Was this his intended stop or had he gotten off here because of me? I thought he had left with the boat, but he was still here, following me, stalking me. We were out here alone, miles from town. And I was afraid.
    His footsteps pounded upon the wooden walk, then the sound disappeared as he reached the soft road. He was rapidly catching up with me, trying to overtake me. But why? I didn’t wait to find out.
    Panic overcame me, and I ran.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Breathlessly, I hurried toward the faint twinkling of lights in the distance. Iberville must lie ahead—and some measure of safety.
    The sound behind me was eerie and unrecognizable, like the flutter of bat’s wings in the darkness. My first thought was that the voodoo man was attacking me—or casting some evil spell. Then the thunder of horses’ hooves were crashing through the cypress grove! A dark shape emerged, beating down the road with reckless speed. A carriage!
    With a cry, I dropped my hatbox and raised my arms in an attempt to hail it down. But it did not slow.
    A scream caught silently in my throat as snorting horses passed just inches to my right. They were so close that I could feel their clouded breath, see their glistening sweat, hear the swift, winging motion of their damp bodies as they brushed past. I raised my hands protectively to my face. The wheels of the carriage splattered thick Louisiana mud across my arms, my face, my dress. I cried out in utter despair as the carriage whipped past, giving me only a fleeting glimpse of a dark-clad driver.
    Then, before my startled eyes, the carriage began to slow. I watched the horses pivot about on the too-narrow road, then a deep voice called out as the rig came back around to where I stood, shivering and waiting.
    “Mademoiselle?” I heard him jump down from the height of the carriage seat. Strong hands clutched my shoulders, forcing me to face a dark-clad stranger. “Are you hurt? Mon Dieu!”
    “Ed-Edward?” I cried out hopefully over the