Colorful paddle boats seemed to skim the murky water, their huge wheels making a melodic sound. It took Olivia several moments to realize that something was wrong.

Paddle boats? she thought with trepidation, counting three, four, five, six! There might be one or two of the graceful old relics that ferried tourists up and down the Mississippi, but not half a dozen.

She glanced down and saw that she was wearing a long gray silk dress with an empire waist and puffed sleeves. Dear God, she was Jade, but with the consciousness of her own mind! This had never happened before. Somehow she and Jade were beginning to merge into one being, and Jade was growing stronger every day, while she was becoming weaker. How much longer could she hold on to her identity-did she even want to?

One thing she was certain of was that Jade was not aware of her existence.

Behind her, Olivia could hear the sounds of horse-drawn buggies clattering down the street. She felt herself getting dizzy and she seemed to be falling into a dark crevice, into the very arms of oblivion.

Betty Allendale elbowed her way through the crowd to Olivia's side. The girl was pale and shaken and was being assisted by a policeman.

"Olivia!" Betty cried with concern. "What has happened to you?"

"She just collapsed," the policeman stated, putting away his notebook. "I offered to take her to the emergency room, but she says she's fine. Are you a friend of hers?"

Betty took Olivia by the arm. "Yes, I am, Officer, and I'll take care of her."

Olivia pushed a damp curl from her forehead and smiled with embarrassment. "There is nothing to be concerned about. This has happened before. Could we return to Bridal Veil now?"

Betty looked doubtful. "Yes, of course, if you are sure you're all right. Lean on me and I'll help you to the van."

Once they were speeding along River Road, Olivia closed her eyes and tried to comprehend what was happening to her. She felt like she was suffocating, so she adjusted the air conditioner vents to direct cool air on her face. Her nerves were raw and her mind was being tugged in two different directions.

The transitions were happening more frequently and they could happen at any time. How much longer could she dwell in this twilight of unreality?

"Betty," she asked, turning to her companion, "have you ever had an out-of-body experience?"

Betty turned to her, her brow furrowed in thoughtfulness. "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"I can't explain it. But something is happening to me. I don't expect you to believe me, but I have walked in Jade St. Clair's shoes, felt what she felt, and for reasons I cannot explain, I often occupy her body."

Betty had growing concerns about Olivia's fixation with Jade. She was getting worse, as if she were truly obsessed. "I have watched you change your appearance to what you think Jade might have looked like. You lightened your hair, and I assume you've changed the color of your eyes by wearing green-tinted contacts. What you're doing is unhealthy, Olivia."

"Betty, you don't understand." Olivia knew that she sounded demented, but she had to tell someone what was happening to her. "The changes you see in me are not of my doing-you must believe me! I did not color my hair and I am not wearing contacts. Explain how this has happened to me."

Olivia seemed so sincere. That was the pity of it, Betty thought. She actually believed that she was becoming Jade. "Perhaps all you need is a good night's sleep."

"Betty, have you noticed-have… have I been absent from Bridal Veil for long periods of time?"

"Not that I am aware of."

Olivia buried her face in her trembling hands. "More and more I am becoming Jade St. Clair. I believe Olivia Heartford will soon cease to exist."

"And / believe we should turn around right now and take you to a doctor. You're scaring me."

"And tell the doctor what-that I am losing my mind? I think not. Besides, a doctor wouldn't be able to help me."

"What can I do to help you, Olivia?"

"Nothing. But thank you for not calling me a lunatic."

"I admit," Betty said, gripping the steering wheel until her knuckles whitened, "that ever since your arrival I have felt something was wrong. Although I can't explain what it is, I do know it's unnatural."

"Sometimes I'm frightened, and other times I feel more alive than I've ever felt in my life," Olivia said softly.

"Perhaps you should return to Boston," Betty suggested, thinking that everything might return to normal when Olivia left.

"Whether I go or stay won't make any difference-I know that now because I have no control over what's happening to me."

Betty pulled into the driveway and switched off the ignition. Then she turned to Olivia, her eyes filled with sympathy. "You must be careful. Remember that Jade St. Clair died tragically."

That night, dark nightmares stalked Olivia. All through the early hours of a restless night, vague sketches of memory were beating against her mind like flashes of lightning, striking and then disappearing. Her mind was a vast wasteland-no memory, no thoughts, no love or hate-nothing.

Cold, clammy hands reached out to her and baleful eyes burned into hers.

"Jade, my dear, I have been wanting to speak to you for some time. I am glad you accepted my invitation for tea."

The young girl blinked her green eyes. After a moment, she looked into Felicity Dunois's pale gray eyes, which seemed like those of a statue-blank, cold, dead of feeling. Madame Dunois was a thin woman, almost too thin. Her cheeks were sunken, her small, pinched mouth was held in a spiteful pose, and her breath was sour, causing Jade to move back in her chair.

"You said you had a reason for asking me here. I cannot remain long, because I am on my way to Charlene Brev-elle's."

Harsh laughter grated on Jade's ears. "You are just like your mother, cutting right to the point. But, very well, I shan't waste your time or mine. How would you like to marry my son, Tyrone?"

Jade had just taken a sip of tea and choked. It took her a moment to catch her breath. Felicity Dunois's audacity angered her.

"Madame, Tyrone is a dear friend to me and I hold him in high regard. However, I shall never marry him, nor would he ask me. His feelings for me are not what a man should have for the woman he would marry."

The air was suddenly thick with evil; Jade could feel the malice, and it was directed at her.

"You are mistaken. Tyrone loves you a great deal and he would make an admirable husband." Felicity measured her words. "I know you think Raige Belmanoir will ask you to marry him, but he will take what he wants from you and then replace you with another."

Jade was too shocked and angry to reply to the woman's vicious assessment of Raige's character.

"Well," Felicity said at last, taking Jade's silence for consideration of her proposal, "do you make my son a happy man or condemn him to a life of loneliness?"

Jade came to her feet, her anger overcoming the good manners her mother had instilled in her. "Tyrone cannot know that you have asked me here to propose marriage for him. He would certainly disapprove of your boldness, as will my mother and father." She reached down for her riding gloves, which had fallen to the floor, and clutched them tightly in her hands. "I will wish you a good day, madame."

Felicity laughed, undaunted by Jade's resistance. "The young are often so foolish. You will soon see that I am right."

Jade hurried out of the room and through the front door. A swirling mist blocked out the sun just as she was assisted into her saddle by the Dunois's groom. She urged her horse forward, knowing she had to get away.

Jade had not realized where she was going until she found herself by the stream that ran through Meadow Brook. Sliding to the ground, she leaned her head against the oak tree, wishing she could stop shaking.