New Orleans Noel

Part 1

by Stacey

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Chapter 1

Victoria Barkley’s eyes scanned the train platform for her third son. Behind her, she felt number two son shift anxiously.

“Don’t see Pete,” Nick groused. “He probably forgot we were coming.”

“Oh, he has not,” Audra nudged her brother to the side. “Besides,” she pointed across the crowd, “there’s Samantha.”

Victoria smiled at the sight of her beautiful but diminutive daughter-in-law standing on a crate and waving at them excitedly. But, it was true, Peter was nowhere in sight. Audra had already slipped past her mother and was walking quickly across the platform. Samantha had jumped down from her perch, and Victoria could just make out the feather of her hat as the young woman moved toward Audra.

“Mother?” Jarrod’s voice was gentle and the pressure on her elbow light, but she could feel his eagerness. Glancing over at Heath, who now stood on her left and was wearing his half smile, she knew that all her children were impatient to see their brother and his family. Nick had stepped down now and reached back to help her to the platform. She had only taken a few steps away from their private car when she was enveloped in a warm hug.

“Bienvenue,” Samantha pressed her cheek against her mother-in-law’s. “We’re so happy that you all were able to come.”

“We told you that we would come spend Christmas with you,” Victoria gave the young woman another squeeze before she released her.

“I know,” Samantha turned her cheek to accept first Jarrod’s and then Heath’s kiss, “but, having been married to Peter for five years, I also know that sometimes plans get changed.”

“Not this time,” Nick wasn’t satisfied with just kissing Sam’s cheek. He gathered her up in a big hug. “Hey, you’re kind of a skinny thing, aren’t you. Doesn’t my little brother feed you?”

“Your brother feeds me fine. This is just my regular size. Remember, the only time you’ve seen me was when I was carrying Lizzie V. and then right after she was born before I could lose all my baby fat,” Samantha returned Nick’s enthusiastic hug. “Where’s Gene?”

“Ah, he’s up mooning over some girl in one of the coaches,” Nick gestured toward the front of the train. “He’ll be along in a minute. More, important, where’s my other little brother?”

“Oh, something at the bank kept him. He warned me this might happen,” Samantha waved her hand.

“Well, where’s the rest of the family?” Nick demanded.

“The children?” Samantha laughed. “You don’t think I’m foolish enough to bring two active boys AND a baby to a crowded train station. They’re all at home waiting for you.”

“Well, let’s get going,” Nick took her elbow.

“Patience, Nick,” Jarrod said calmly. “We need to make arrangements for the car and our trunks.”

“Not to worry, Jarrod,” Samantha smiled at the oldest brother. “Peter may not be here but he has seen to everything.” She turned to the man who now stood beside her, “This is Jean Paul deBlaquiere. He is Peter’s assistant.”

The handsome young man nodded at the group, “Bonjour, madame, mademoiselle, messieurs. I have already made arrangements to have your car stored here at the station, and I have a charretier who will transport your trunks. All you need do is go out to Monsieur Barkley’s carriage and enjoy your ride. Everything else is taken care of.”

“All right,” Jarrod said slowly and glanced at his brothers. None of them were accustomed to having things handled quite this way. Any comments, however, were cut off by Gene’s arrival.

“Hey, Sam,” the youngest brother gathered his sister-in-law up in a tight hug. “You look great.”

“Merci, Gene,” Samantha grinned up at the young man. “It is so good that you all are here. Come, let us go to the carriage. On the way, you can tell me about this beautiful young woman you met on the train.”

Gene blushed but then grinned widely, “Sure, I’ll tell you about her. She’s from here, so maybe you know her.”

“Oh, really,” Samantha took the arm he offered and led the rest of the Barkleys from the train station to the waiting carriage. At the carriage, she turned to Peter’s assistant, “Once again, Jean Paul, you have been my savior.”

“And, once again, Madame Samantha, it has been my greatest pleasure,” he leaned forward to kiss both of Samantha’s cheeks. He nodded to the other family members and tipped his hat to Victoria and Audra, “Adieu.”

The exchange between Samantha and Jean Paul struck Nick as awful friendly, but he shook off the thought. It didn’t seem to bother the rest of the family. They continued to all laugh and chat as they settled into the carriage, Nick up beside the groom, Heath, Sam, and Gene facing Audra, Jarrod, and Victoria. As they rolled through the streets, Samantha pointed out the sights. At one point she asked Heath if he remembered any of these places from his previous visit to New Orleans many years before.

“Nope, to tell you the truth, Sam, I wasn’t in this part of town,” Heath gave Peter’s wife his charming lopsided smile.

“Hmm, let me guess, down by the docks? I understand that’s where most young men visiting our city prefer to spend their time,” Samantha teased.

Heath raised an eyebrow, wondering how much his sister-in-law knew about the various establishments along the docks. “Good guess,” he finally allowed. “Only had a couple of days before I had to head back to Texas.”

“Well, maybe this time, you can see some other parts of the city,” she eased up on him but did manage to give him a sly wink.

As the carriage pulled up in front of a pillared mansion, Victoria heard a high-pitched voice call out, “They’re here, they’re here.” She got a glimpse of both her grandsons standing on the balcony, waving wildly. But, as Heath helped her down from the carriage, both boys disappeared from sight. Samantha led them across the porch and through the door that had been opened by a white-coated butler. Victoria nodded at the man, but her attention was immediately drawn to the two little boys running down the stairs.

“Grandmother!” Thomas Henri Barkley reached the entryway first and skillfully slid across the smooth marble floor and into this grandmother’s waiting arms.

“Oh, Tom,” Victoria was just as excited as her grandson. She hugged him close and kissed the top of his blond head. She made herself release the boy but the love shone brightly in her eyes as she said, “Oh, my goodness, just look at how much you’ve grown.”

The boy proudly stood taller. “Yes, ma’am,” he started but was interrupted by another piping voice.

“Granmudder,” the dark-haired boy jumped down the last three stairs and mimicked his older brother’s slide across the entryway. “Me, too.”

“Of course, you, too, my little Nicky,” Victoria gathered up Nicholas Robert Barkley and hugged him tightly.

“Not Nicky,” the little boy said sternly, “Just Nick.”

“Oh, so you’re Nick now,” Audra knelt down between her two nephews.

“Yeth,” the smaller one nodded his head firmly.

Audra leaned over to give first Nicky and then Tom a kiss. She looked up at Samantha who was beaming and whispered, “You’ve cut Nicky’s, uh, Nick’s curls.”

Samantha made a face, “No, I didn’t. Peter had that done last week.”

“Not a girl,” Nicky informed his aunt.

“Well, I know you’re not a girl but you did have such beautiful curls,” Audra reached out to stroke the short hair.

“Girls have curls,” the boy responded.

“Thank his father for that one,” Samantha said dryly.

“Well, you did at least get to keep some of his curls, didn’t you?” Victoria asked hopefully.

“Oh, no,” Samantha shook her head and pursed her lips. “No, Peter just took him to the barber and brought him back home. He didn’t even warn me. And you know men, they never think about doing something sentimental like saving a baby’s first curls. I guess I should feel lucky that I managed to get some of Tom’s curls.”

“Well, let’s have a look at you, boy,” Nick sought to lighten the mood and reached down to pick up his namesake. “I think you look just pretty darn good.”

“Darn good,” Nicky mimicked.

“Nicholas,” Victoria scolded and then laughed as both her son and her grandson gave her a repentant look. But she shook her finger at her son, “Now, you have to be careful what you say in front of the boys. They will copy you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nick promised.

Nicky grinned widely and echoed, “Yeth, ma’am.”

“Come here, you little monkey,” Jarrod took Nicky from Nick. “Let’s get you away from the bad influence of Uncle Nick.”

“You’ll have to keep him away from his pappa, too, I’m afraid,” Samantha rolled her eyes.

The comment caught Jarrod by surprise and for a moment he didn’t know what to say. But the arrival of Samantha’s maid holding baby Lisette Victoria covered the awkward moment. “Well, there’s our Lizzy V.,” Jarrod said quickly.

“Oh, goodness,” Victoria eagerly took the baby. As the beautiful little girl dimpled and then began to jabber, Victoria fought back her tears. She had known that their months of separation would be most evident in the changes in the baby, but she had not really prepared herself for the impact. Lizzy V. had been a tiny infant the last time she had held her. Now her granddaughter was almost a toddler. Victoria swallowed hard to try to clear the lump in her throat.

“She’s grown so much,” it was Gene who broke the silence and voiced what all his siblings were thinking.

“That’s what happens with babies,” Samantha grinned at her youngest brother-in-law.

“I know,” he defended his comment, “it’s just that I didn’t expect her to have changed so much. Shoot, I bet she’ll be walking and talking soon.”

“Hmm, she’s still a few months away from that,” Samantha reached over to tweak her daughter’s fat cheek. “But she is crawling all over and starting to pull up on things and she definitely is talking her own language.”

“Just like a girl, always having to talk,” Heath joked. He reached down to pick up Tom, “So, are you able to get a word in edgewise, Tom, or is it like us and your Aunt Audra?”

“It’s not too bad, Uncle Heath. We mostly ignore her,” the little boy put an arm around his uncle’s neck.

“Just like us and your Aunt Audra,” Nick winked at the boy and was rewarded with a wide smile and an answering wink.

“Nick,” Audra gave her brother an exasperated look. “Mother, make them behave.”

“Boys,” Victoria gently admonished her sons but she was still almost overwhelmed by the changes in her only granddaughter.

“Well,” Samantha decided it was time to move everyone out of the entryway to her home. “I think we should see if we can show everyone to their rooms and get the trunks sorted out. I’m sure you all would like to freshen up a little after that long train ride. Tom, would you show your uncles their rooms while I show Grandmother and Aunt Audra theirs.”

“Yes, Mamma,” the little boy replied and then commanded, “Please put me down, Uncle Heath, so I can show you the way.”

“Yes, sir,” Heath promptly set the boy down.

Tom tilted his head back to look up at his Uncle Jarrod, “You can carry Nicky, Uncle Jarrod, cause he’s just a baby.”

“Am not,” Nicky shouted and aimed a kick toward his brother’s head. Tom stepped nimbly out of the way.

“Boys!” Samantha said sharply. “Tom, don’t tease your brother. Nicky, don’t kick your brother. Honestly, you two.”

“They’re just being brothers,” Nick defended his nephews.

“Well, brothers should be nicer to each other,” Samantha gave both her sons a stern look and then she sighed, “They usually do better when their father is around but, unfortunately, Peter has been so busy lately that they’ve become particularly unruly. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right, dear,” Victoria smiled a little ruefully. “Remember, I had Nick and Peter. I know the trials.”

Samantha just rolled her eyes and led the way upstairs.

Chapter 2

Jarrod sipped the fine brandy and leaned back in the armchair. Samantha was a wonderful hostess, and she and Peter certainly had a comfortable home. The only thing that was missing was his little brother. The afternoon had been pleasurable, however. The little boys settled down to playing together well, enjoying the attention they got from their four uncles. They both permitted their grandmother and Aunt Audra to sneak in some extra hugs and kisses. Little Lizzy V. was passed from lap to lap. Nick jouncing her got the baby to giggling so hard that she got the hiccups. Surprisingly, it was Gene who cured her by blowing in her face. Of course, the incident brought up a retelling of the story of how Nick and Peter used to rock Gene in his cradle so hard that he would start laughing and end up with the hiccups. What was missing, however, was Peter’s voice chiming in.

Now the little boys had been fed their supper, bathed, and dressed in their nightshirts. They were sitting on either side of Victoria as she read them a story from a book that Tom had selected. Samantha had spread a quilt on the floor for Lizzy V. in the center of the adoring adults. The baby contented herself with chewing on a rag doll and jabbering away. The maid had come in once to check on dinner and Samantha indicated that they would wait a few more minutes for “Monsieur Peter.” Jarrod noticed that Samantha had since glanced at the clock on the mantle twice. The sound of the front door opening and closing and the jaunty whistle brought shouts of glee from the two little boys.

“Pappa!” Tom jumped down from where he sat beside his grandmother and dashed from the room with Nicky close on his heels.

Peter’s laughter sent a thrill through Victoria. It was her Tom’s laugh, so full and vibrant. The rest of the family joined Peter’s laughter as he struggled into the room, a boy attached to each leg. There was a round of hugs and kisses and backslapping. When Peter finally was able to sit down in his chair with his brandy, he had a son perched on each arm of the chair. Lizzie V. was not to be outdone. She crawled over, grabbed Peter’s pants, and pulled herself up on shaky legs. He purposely ignored her jabbering for several minutes and then she began to pat his leg with a plump little hand, intent on getting his attention. Her efforts brought chuckles from the entire family.

“Say Pappa,” Peter coaxed.

“Peter,” Samantha scolded, “she’s too little.”

Peter ignored his wife and tried again, “Say Pappa, Lizzie V.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” the baby jabbered.

“Close enough,” Peter said and snatched her up. She giggled wildly as he dangled her over his head and then put her on his knee. He bounced the baby as they all chatted until the maid again came in a few moments later to announce dinner.

“We were just about to give up on you, Peter,” Samantha said as she stood.

“Sorry, business lasted longer than I expected,” he replied as he kissed Lizzie V. and handed her to the maid.

“Do we have to go to bed now, Pappa?” Tom asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Peter picked the boy up to kiss and then set him back down.

“No, Pappa,” Nicky begged as he got his kiss.

“Yes, Nicky,” Peter replied sternly.

“Just Nick,” the little boy announced.

“Well, Just Nick, it’s time for you to go to bed,” Peter teased.

“No,” Nicky wailed. “Just Nick.”

“That’s what I said, Just Nick.”

“Pappa,” the boy shook his head in exasperation.

Peter ruffled the boy’s hair and directed, “Go give Mamma and Grandmother and Aunt Audra a goodnight kiss and then head off to bed.”

The little boy scrunched his face up but followed his older brother around to hand out final kisses and hugs to the women. Surprisingly, Gene swept Tom off his feet and kissed his nephew’s cheek and passed him to Heath, who followed suit, as did Jarrod and Nick. Nicky got the same treatment which sent him into gales of laughter.

As the boys started out of the room, Tom turned back and asked, “Are you going to be here tomorrow morning, Pappa?”

The question confused Victoria but Peter’s response concerned her more. “Sorry, son,” Peter started and watched his son’s face fall, “but I figure you can be the one who shows your uncles our horses.”

“Can we go for a ride?” the boy asked eagerly.

“Sure, you tell your uncles about the horses and then they can pick the ones they want to ride,” Peter grinned at the boy’s obvious delight. “You can show them the best paths to ride.”

As the family walked toward the dining room, Nick voiced the thought that was on everyone’s mind, “You won’t be here tomorrow morning?”

“I’m sorry,” Peter replied easily. “I’ve got a major deal working and I need to be at the telegraph office when it opens to pick up some overnight dispatches.”

“Oh,” Nick was obviously disappointed.

“Don’t worry, I’m saving you from considerable pain and suffering by sending you riding with Tom and Nicky. I understand that Sam’s plan is to take Mother and Audra shopping tomorrow,” Peter said as he ushered his family into the beautifully appointed dining room. “After Tom takes you touring, however, why don’t you come by the bank and we’ll do a late lunch.”

“Sam says there’s a ball tomorrow evening,” Audra said as she slid into the chair that Heath held for her.

“Yep, unfortunately,” Peter made a face.

“Peter,” Samantha scolded. “That’s not a kind thing to say.”

“I just don’t care for the people throwing the ball,” Peter offered as explanation. “But, all the right people will be there, so we will be there.”

“All the right people?” Audra asked.

“Oh, yeah, the men who control business and the women who control the men,” Peter grinned.

“Peter,” Samantha rolled her eyes. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, yes, it is,” he responded calmly. “It makes for a less enjoyable evening but often very profitable.”

“Hmm,” Samantha shot her husband a scolding look. “This is the Christmas season and things are usually not so, umm, so business oriented. You know that, Peter. I wouldn’t make your family go to a ball if I didn’t think they would enjoy it.”

“We’re looking forward to it, Samantha,” Victoria said quickly.

“Oh, really, tomorrow night’s ball is the most pretentious. It’s very large, and there will be all sorts of politicians,” Samantha admitted. “It will be beautiful, though. And, it’s always fun for us to see what alliances are being struck. The other balls we’ll be going to this week are smaller, more our circle of friends.”

“Other balls?” Nick almost choked on his supper.

“Oh, yes, I told Audra this would be a wonderful time to come visit because there will be a Christmas ball every evening,” Samantha smiled innocently. “She better have brought several pairs of slippers because she will wear them out at our balls.”

“Oh, God,” Nick groaned.

“Sounds good to me,” Gene interjected. “Lots of pretty girls to dance with, right?”

“Mai oui, but of course, Gene,” Peter grinned. “I promise you a feast for the eyes.”

Victoria sat quietly as her children continued to banter. Her eyes kept being drawn to Peter’s face. His hair was longer than it was last summer. She wondered if that was a function of choice or simply that he was too busy to take time to get it cut. There was no doubt that he looked more tired than he had last summer. Oh, he was smiling and laughing, making jokes and teasing his siblings and wife, but she saw the weariness in his eyes. He had been working too hard, she decided as only a mother could decide. When he glanced her way, she knew that he saw the concern in her eyes. He gave her a small smile and a wink as if trying to assure her that all was fine. But it really did nothing to reassure her. She needed to talk with Peter or Samantha or both.

Chapter 3

Victoria did not have a chance to talk with Peter that evening. It seemed as if the evening just flew by and they all began to make their way upstairs. She was a little surprised that Samantha, after giving Peter one sharp look as he stood off to one side quietly talking with Gene, went upstairs without her husband. And, as Peter had forewarned them, he was not at the table when they gathered for breakfast the next morning. Moments to talk seriously with Samantha were just as sparse as her daughter-in-law quickly swept her and Audra into a busy day of shopping and seeing the sights. Her few efforts to talk with Samantha were gently rebuffed. Her daughter-in-law just said that Peter was involved in a couple of major business negotiations that he wanted to get completed before Christmas. Victoria secretly hoped that perhaps Jarrod had found out more when he and the other boys had had lunch with Peter. She had seen Jarrod’s brow wrinkle a couple of times when he looked over at his younger brother.

Like his mother, Jarrod was concerned about his brother, and he thought he may have discovered at least part of the reason for Peter’s obvious overworked condition. When the four brothers had followed Samantha’s directions and arrived at the bank in the early afternoon, Peter was behind closed doors in an important meeting, according to his assistant, the Jean Paul deBlaquiere they had met the day before. Young Mr. deBlaquiere had made them comfortable in Peter’s private office, a beautifully appointed room, Jarrod noted. It was perhaps 30 minutes later that Jarrod glanced out the office’s open door and saw Peter making his way across the crowded bank. Peter was just nearing the office door when he was intercepted by one of the bank employees. Jarrod could not hear their entire conversation but he did make out something about “the auditor wanting to see Monsieur Barkley.” Peter had made a face and then shook his head. Jarrod saw his brother lean forward and whisper into the bank clerk’s ear. The man nodded and stepped away. Peter had visibly forced a smile onto his face and turned back toward his office. He saw Jarrod watching him and gave his oldest brother an easy grin and wink as if to dismiss the whole exchange.

Peter had then taken them down the street to one of his favorite restaurants where they were given first class service. The chef had even come out to chat with them for a few moments and had promised them each a main course that they would truly enjoy. He had certainly delivered. Jarrod had no idea what he used in the crust on his trout but it was delicious and Nick kept asking Peter, “What the heck was in that sauce he put on my steak? That’s the best damn steak I’ve ever had, I swear.” Peter had just shrugged. Jarrod had noted, however, that his brother did not get to each much of his lunch. Three times he was summoned from the table to talk “business.” As Peter bid his brothers farewell outside the restaurant, Jarrod could see that his younger brother’s mind was already back on the bank. No doubt thinking of the auditor that he was going to have to talk with, Jarrod surmised. The idea of an auditor in the bank concerned Jarrod. Perhaps there were problems, serious problems that Peter was having to deal with. Perhaps these problems were causing Peter to lose sleep. Maybe that and not overwork was what was making his little brother look so weary.

If it had been any of his other brothers, Jarrod would not have hesitated to ask what was going on. But things were still a little tenuous with Peter. Oh, the love was there as it was with all his brothers, but Jarrod was not exactly sure of how Peter perceived their relationship. All the other boys looked to him as the big brother, sought his counsel, would listen when he talked. Even Nick. And Jarrod chuckled to himself when he realized that Nick was the measuring stick that he used. Jarrod had long ago realized that Heath had been longing for a big brother all his life and that Jarrod and Nick both filled portions of Heath’s idealized big brother. Heath often came to Jarrod to talk over things, and Jarrod truly cherished these moments with his newest brother. And, of course, Eugene saw Jarrod as a surrogate father. Whether he liked it or not, he would listen to Jarrod. More importantly, when things were troubling Gene, he would most often turn to Jarrod with his questions.

But things with Peter were different. Like Heath, Peter had grown into manhood outside the family’s realm. But, unlike Heath, Peter seemed to have no need or desire for any big brotherly assistance. He was the head of a bank, a bank that he had managed for five years. He had taken a wife and become a father long before any of the rest of his brothers. He appeared to be successful, self-assured, thoroughly independent. Jarrod thought back on the letters that they had received from New Orleans over the past seven months. Always, they were long letters started by Samantha, filled with stories of the three children. Peter would always add a short message at the end of the letter, usually just a note about business being busy or Sam making him work for a living. But the letters were principally from Samantha, Jarrod realized. She was the one who was working at keeping the connection between the two families intact.

Now, as Jarrod finished dressing for the evening’s ball, he wondered just how much Peter wanted the rest of the family in his life. He was being a congenial if somewhat absent host, but he probably would not care for any of the family intruding in his business affairs. Sighing, Jarrod tried to wipe the concerned look from his eyes before he went downstairs to join the rest of the family. There was no need to stir up things in Peter’s household. He just hoped that if Peter needed any help that he would not hesitate to ask them.

As he started downstairs, Jarrod encountered Eugene at the top of the stairs. He made the boy stand still as he retied his tie. Gene rolled his eyes but stood quietly. “There,” Jarrod dropped his hands to the boy’s shoulders and gently patted, “There, much better. You look very presentable. Now if you can just remember to mind your manners, we just may not disown you.”

“Jarrod,” Gene grumbled. “I’m not a kid.”

“Sorry,” Jarrod left one hand on the boy’s shoulder and steered him down the stairs. “I’m afraid you’re always going to be my baby brother. I’m always going to be inclined toward wanting to keep you in line.”

“Couldn’t you just concentrate on keeping Nick in line,” Gene replied.

“Ah, now you’re asking me to perform miracles,” Jarrod laughed softly.

When they reached the first floor, they found the rest of the family – except for both Samantha and Peter. “About time you two showed up,” Nick groused.

“Uhm, Nick, it doesn’t look like we’re the last ones,” Jarrod smiled easily. “Good evening, lovely lady,” he leaned down to brush Victoria’s cheek with a soft kiss. “You look wonderful. And,” he turned his eyes to his little sister, “Audra, you look positively stunning. New dress, of course, but I don’t believe I recognize the necklace and earrings.” His voice raised at the end of the sentence in an implied question.

“Sam loaned them to me. When she saw my dress, she said she had the perfect jewelry. Don’t they look beautiful,” Audra gently touched the pearl strand that encircle her neck.

“Very beautiful, and Sam is right. They are perfect for that dress,” he leaned over now and kissed her cheek. “So where are Sam and Pete?”

“Samantha is checking on the children,” Victoria replied, “but I don’t think Peter is home yet.”

“Not home yet,” Nick groaned. “I’m gonna have to sit around in this monkey suit waiting on my brother?” He put a hand up to jerk his tie loose.

A voice from the edge of the sitting room ordered, “Don’t you dare untie that tie, Nick Barkley.” Samantha’s voice was surprisingly stern. “Peter will be here in just a few minutes.”

Nick automatically snatched his hand away from the tie. Dang, he thought, it was just like Mother getting after him. He started to snap at Sam but when he turned toward her voice, his jaw seemed to become unhinged. If Mother was wonderful and Audra was stunning, then Sam was breathtaking.

As Nick struggled to re-hinge his jaw and say something appropriate, Heath gently whistled, “Boy howdy, Sam, you trying to knock every man’s eyes out?”

“What?” Samantha asked innocently as she swept into the room.

“Wow,” Gene whispered. “You look terrific, Sam.”

“Well, thank you, Gene,” she smiled at him.

“Sam,” Audra moved to stand beside her sister-in-law. “Your gown is stunning. Where in the world did you get it?”

“Actually, it’s from Paris but I had to have Madame desMaret alter it a little after we got it here,” Samantha said wryly. “Having three children has certainly altered my figure.”

All that Nick could think was that Sam certainly didn’t look like the mother of three children. The sapphire blue gown certainly showed off a very youthful, firm figure. Before he could say anything, however, the front door slammed shut. “I know I’m late, Sam,” Peter’s voice called. His footsteps as he climbed rapidly to the second floor sounded clearly in the sitting room.

“Yes, you are late and you need to hurry, Peter,” Samantha called up to him. “And when you come down, bring the boys. They are playing in their room.” She received no answer but she calmly turned back to face Nick, “See, I told you he would be here in a few minutes.” She then fell to chatting with Audra and Victoria about the evening’s festivities.

Nick studied his sister-in-law for a bit and then finally said flatly, “Pete gonna let you go out in public dressed like that?”

“Nick,” Victoria scolded.

“Excuse me?” Samantha turned her wide green eyes onto her brother-in-law.

“You heard me. Is Pete gonna let you go out showing that much, that much . . . skin?” he sputtered to a stop and waved a hand in the general direction of Samantha’s chest.

“Nicholas,” Victoria warned.

Samantha’s voice was surprisingly cool, “You need to understand, Nick, that Peter doesn’t ‘let’ me do anything.”

“You’re his wife,” Nick started.

“Yes, I’m his wife, but that doesn’t mean that he owns me and that certainly doesn’t mean he tells me what to do,” her sparkling green eyes dared Nick to contradict her.

“Well, he’s your husband and he’s supposed to look after you,” Nick tried another tact.

“Actually, we’re a married couple, and we’re supposed to take care of each other. No one ‘looks after’ anyone,” Samantha put her hands on her hips.

“Well, sure,” Nick started to sputter again, realizing that he had entered into dangerous territory. Amazingly, he was saved by Peter’s voice.

“See, Sam, done already,” Peter said as he walked into the room putting on his cufflinks. “C’mon, boys, Mamma has a mission and we’re part of her legion.”

“Peter,” Samantha turned to face her husband. “Behave. Where are the boys and Lizzy V.?”

“The boys are coming and Jacqueline is putting Lizzy V.’s dress on her and will bring her down in just a minute,” Peter said as he came into the room, but then he stopped to study his wife. Uh-oh, Nick thought. Sam might better re-think about whether or not Pete would tell her to do something. Peter, however, just raised an eyebrow and gave a slight shake of his head. “Where’s Raoul?”

“Being bribed to wait on you by some of Francetta’s crepes,” Samantha replied. “Did you remember . . . ?”

Peter withdrew a case from his coat pocket, “I remembered. Here.” He flipped the case open and Samantha reached in to pull out a pair of earrings. She stepped to a mirror to slip them on. As she tossed her head, the diamond and sapphires captured the lamp’s light and broke it into a thousand pieces. She turned back to Peter, silently asking his approval. He nodded and then, with a twirl of his finger, gestured to Samantha to turn around. He carefully placed the matching necklace around her neck and closed the clasp.

“Oh, Sam, they’re gorgeous,” Audra’s eyes were wide.

Samantha smiled at her sister-in-law, “They were my mamma’s. Peter keeps them in the vault at the bank. I picked this dress specifically for these jewels. So, did I pick well?”

“Perfect,” it was Jarrod who answered.

“Thank you,” she grinned at him and then turned back to her husband. “Here let me fix your tie, Peter.”

“It’s fine,” Peter started and then gave up as his wife deftly pulled his tie loose and then began to retie it. “Aggrr. Sam, I have to be able to breath.”

“Shush,” she replied calmly. “You’re fine. Ah, there are my beautiful little boys.” She smiled over at the two little boys who both came trudging into the room.

“My goodness,” Victoria exclaimed. “You two are so handsome, but why are you all dressed up?”

Tom, in short pants, jacket, and starched white collar, trotted across the room to lean over the arm of the chair where his grandmother sat, “We’re getting our picture taken, Grandmother.”

“You are?” Jarrod was surprised at the rather unorthodox timing for a child’s photographic session.

“We all are having our picture taken,” Samantha explained brusquely. “It’s a family picture. I thought this would be an excellent time since we’re all dressed up. Here, Nicky, let mamma fix your collar.”

“Aggr, Mamma,” the little boy groaned. “Can’t breath.”

“You’re fine,” Samantha scolded and then looked up at her chuckling husband and shook a finger, “and don’t you encourage him.”

Peter just shrugged and then said, “Ah, here comes Raoul with his camera and Jacqueline with our Lizzie V. All right, Sam, what do you want us to do?”

And Samantha took charge, “I think at this settee, don’t you, Raoul. Here, Victoria, you sit in the middle and hold Lizzie V. Audra, you sit on that side and I’ll sit on this side. You boys stand behind. Jarrod, in the middle behind your mother. Peter, you stand on this end beside me. Tom, darling, could you go stand by Aunt Audra and Uncle Eugene. Nicky, you’re going to stand next to me and Pappa so that we can be sure you are a good boy and stand up straight and tall for the picture and smile so pretty.”

“Boys not pretty,” the boy curtly informed his mother.

“All right, handsome, then,” Samantha rolled her eyes. “You just stand there, all right.”

“Yeth, ma’am,” the little boy replied but tilted his head back to look up at his father and roll his eyes. Peter put a finger to his lips and smiled at the boy.

“Ah, bon,” the photographer nodded his head in agreement with Samantha’s arrangement. “Now we will get only one picture because the flash will frighten the little ones so let us all settle ourselves. Nice smiles, oui, bon.”

They all jumped with the flash, but instead of crying Lizzie V. broke into a happy laugh and, after a few blinks of her eyes, tried to catch the spots floating in front of her. Samantha took her daughter from Victoria, kissed her chubby cheek, and passed her back to her nursemaid. The laughing little boys circled through the group for goodnight kisses. “Now we must go,” Samantha informed the family. “We only want to be fashionably late.”

Chapter 4

Victoria’s eyes roamed the dance floor, cataloging her family. At the moment, Peter was standing next to her. It seemed as if all evening either Peter or Samantha was with her or she was dancing with one of her sons. Right this moment, all her other children, including Samantha, were dancing.

“Would you like another dance, Mother?” Peter leaned down to ask her.

“No, actually, I’m very much enjoying just watching this spectacle,” she smiled up at him and gently patted his arm.

He sighed softly, “It is something, isn’t it? Tell me, do the balls in San Francisco get this outlandish?”

“It’s not outlandish, Peter, just a little overwhelming. We have lavish balls in San Francisco. Maybe I just find this one a little overwhelming because I don’t know who’s who,” she smiled at him.

“Well, this is definitely a who’s who of New Orleans society. Very much the group of men who make things happen in New Orleans.”

“And you?” she teased gently.

“I’m sorta on the fringe. I’m the banker for many of them. I help them make things happen. For that reason, and the fact that I have a beautiful wife who will dance with them all, I’m included on the invitation list,” he grinned.

“I see,” Victoria replied, thinking that Peter was probably not being exactly truthful of his role in the New Orleans business community. She doubted that he would have been able to stretch his invitation to include all of his family if he was only on the ‘fringe.’ She watched as Samantha swept around the room with a man at least twice her age. Her expression was animated as she tilted her head back to talk with the man. When the song ended, her partner gestured toward where Peter and Victoria stood, and Samantha nodded and walked with him across the dance floor.

“Victoria,” Samantha said as she and the man reached them, “this is a good family friend, Colonel Wilton Markham. Will, this is Peter’s mother, Mrs. Victoria Barkley.”

“A pleasure, Mrs. Barkley,” the man took her hand and bowed over it.

“How do you do, Colonel Markham, is it?” she replied.

“Oh, the title is just an affectation left over from the War of Secession,” he looked a little chagrined. “One that the army of occupation doesn’t care for but one that my friends continue to use.”

“An honor well deserved, I’m sure,” Victoria said diplomatically. She had doubted that Colonel Markham, who had a soft southern accent, was serving with the Army still providing martial law in New Orleans.

“Hmm,” he smiled softly, “some might doubt the honor of carrying a title bestowed by the vanquished army but I will never forget the honor I felt in leading such valiant young men. But, I digress from my original intent when I asked Samantha to introduce us. I was hoping that you would do me the honor of a dance.”

“Oh, thank you very much, Colonel Markham,” Victoria tried to decline graciously. “I prefer to only dance with my sons, but I do truly appreciate the invitation.”

“I understand, Mrs. Barkley. May I, instead, keep you company while we send your son and daughter-in-law off to dance,” he smiled softly.

“I think that would be very nice, Colonel Markham,” she returned the smile.

“Oh, that’s all right, Victoria. We can all stand here and visit for a bit,” Samantha offered.

“Peter, you’ve hardly danced with Samantha at all this evening,” Victoria gently chastised her son.

“Go dance with your wife, Peter,” Colonel Markham said. “I promise I won’t tell your mother too many stories about what a cad you are.”

“Mother,” Peter deadpanned, “please know that this man is a notorious liar. You can believe nothing that he says.”

“Yes, dear,” Victoria said in just as serious a tone but then smiled at them all.

Peter looked over at his wife for a moment. She shrugged her shoulders and managed a wry smile. “Would you care to dance, dear wife?” Peter offered her his hand, which she accepted.

Victoria and Colonel Markham watched them move across the dance floor for a few moments. Then the colonel offered as explanation, “You’ll find that many married couples don’t spend much time dancing together at these gatherings. They each move among the crowd, picking up bits and pieces of gossip and other information from their various partners. Sometimes I think these balls are much more business meetings than social events.”

“I suppose that happens at many social events,” Victoria admitted. “So is that what you’re doing here with me? Hoping to gather a little information.”

He ducked his head, slightly embarrassed at being so transparent, “Perhaps, a little. There are things afoot at the bank that I would be curious to know about, but I have a feeling that you are not aware of any of that. No, I think that my true motivation was to have a chance to meet the mother of such an interesting young man. I had a feeling that her story would be just as interesting as his.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Victoria laughed softly. “I think my life, while interesting to me, does not carry quite the story-telling value that Peter’s does.”

“Oh, I don’t know, orphaned at a tender age, took a job as a school teacher in Ohio, met a man who had big dreams and journeyed across the continent with him to make those dreams come true, toiled beside him for years, gave him beautiful children, and then, much too soon, lost him to an assassin’s bullet. Seems like an interesting story to me.”

She shook her head, “It sounds as if either my son or my daughter-in-law has already filled you in on all there is about my life.”

“All?” he challenged.

“Enough,” she responded. Then she turned back to watch the dancers, wondering how close this Colonel Markham was to Samantha and Peter.

“They make a beautiful couple,” he said after a few moments, indicating Peter and Samantha with a nod of his head.

“Yes, they do,” Victoria smiled as she watched her son guide his wife around the dance floor.

“She is definitely an asset for him,” the colonel smiled.

“Asset?” Victoria asked.

“Yes, the perfect wife, from a wealthy family, intelligent, beautiful, and already has produced the requisite heirs,” he explained. “All the things a successful businessman needs in a wife.”

“I think Samantha is more than that to Peter,” she replied carefully. “I think he loves her very much.”

“Oh, yes, love, well, that, too, I guess,” he simply shrugged. “I guess that just makes the arrangement even more enjoyable, at least for the short term.”

“Short term?”

“Well, we all know that love fades,” he smiled at her.

Victoria shook her head, “I don’t believe that’s true. True love only gets stronger as time goes by. I think Peter and Samantha have that kind of love.”

“You will be at the Trudeau’s ball tomorrow evening, I think,” he suddenly changed the subject. “You will find it friendlier than this ball.”

“Everyone was friendly at this ball,” Victoria said quickly.

“Polite, yes, friendly, I think not,” he raised an eyebrow. “Please understand that it was not that they are bad people; they simply all know that you are an outsider and can do their cause no good.”

“Cause?” she was definitely confused.

“Oh, not a single cause, just their own individual aspirations. That is what most of the people here are about, achieving their own personal goals and they look to others simply as tools to help them achieve those goals.”

“Sounds rather cold,” Victoria said softly, suddenly wondering if Peter fell into this group.

“It is, rather, I guess, but it is this drive for individual success that makes so many things happen that actually benefit the greater populace. Factories would not be built, railroads not laid, cotton not harvested if it weren’t for some individual’s desire to become wealthier.”

Victoria decided to ask the question, “And Peter?”

“I wondered if you would ask,” he grinned at her. “Peter is an interesting paradox. He is an excellent banker in that he takes great satisfaction in helping the others achieve their dreams through negotiating mergers, financing ventures. As he has built the assets of the bank, he has been able to increase his reserve for investing and lending and thereby the revenue the bank has generated for he and the other stockholders. He has done well in ensuring a comfortable lifestyle for himself and his family. And he is not so greedy to have his desire for his personal gain influence how he handles his clients’ business dealings but he is just ambitious enough that he does enter into certain opportunities for his own gain. He learned well at Henri’s knee.”

Victoria frowned slightly, not exactly sure what upset her about the statement.

But Colonel Markham did, “Ah, it bothers you a little when I credit Henri Lesueur with Peter’s business acumen. Please understand that I know Peter well, know he foolishly ran away when he was just a boy, know he made his way in the world for many years before he came under Henri’s tutelage. Henri taught him much about the banking business in a very short time, but Peter’s ability to ferret out the good investments, the smart deals, that does not come from Henri. I am sure that that is something he inherited from your husband.”

“As you say, he was just a boy when he ran away,” Victoria said softly. “I’m not sure how much he learned from his father.”

“Inherited, I said,” he corrected. “Not learned. I think there is something in-born in men that gives them certain business instincts. I think you see it in all your sons, those who were close to your husband and those who were not.”

“There is something,” she admitted while wondering if Peter had told Colonel Markham about Heath’s past. Was he that close of a friend? She chose to change the subject, “Samantha said something yesterday about that it was always interesting for them to come to this ball to see what alliances were being made.” Victoria volunteered and then immediately wondered if she should have relayed such a statement to the colonel.

He just smiled and nodded, “Alliances, yes, she is right. I told you she was intelligent. Not just a pretty tree on which to hang the ornaments and baubles that reflect his successes.”

“Samantha said that the jewelry belonged to her mother,” Victoria said shortly.

“Ah, yes, Lisette. I knew her, you know,” the colonel smiled softly. “A true beauty, Samantha has many of her features. It was a tragedy when she died. It almost ruined Henri.”

“When did she die?” Victoria realized that Samantha had never shared this with her.

The colonel seemed surprised at the question, “When Samantha was born. Henri was so brokenhearted that he could not deal with the children at all. Robert was 10. He was shipped back to France to relatives there. He was there until he was 21. Samantha was left in the care of nursemaids until she was six and then she was sent off to convent school. She only came home for brief holidays. It is interesting that despite all the years of separation both Robert and Samantha loved Henri and they love each other.”

“Samantha and Robert do seem close,” Victoria murmured, remembering the way Robert had placed a protective arm around his sister and kissed her forehead as Peter had carried little Lizzy V. around to introduce her to her aunt and uncles less than an hour after her birth. “Samantha has only spoken of her father on a few occasions, but she seems to have cared for him deeply.”

“Yes, she did, even though he had so little to do with her when she was growing up. Poor child spent all her time at the convent school. It’s rather amazing, given how sheltered she was, what a splendid lady of society she has become.”

“She seems very confident,” was all that Victoria would contribute as she watched the dance end and Peter and Samantha start back across the floor toward her. Before they reached her, however, an announcement from the riser where the orchestra sat captured everyone’s attention. It seemed that the host of the party was asking a Madame Proust to favor them with a performance.

“Madame Proust is a magnificent pianist,” Colonel Markham explained softly. “She would be playing concerts in Europe, I’m sure, if she hadn’t fallen in love with and married Monsieur Andre Proust, a citizen of our little city. She generally only entertains her closest friends in the privacy of her home, but occasionally she can be prevailed upon to perform at a larger gathering. Perhaps we are going to be so fortunate this evening.”

The tall, slender blonde woman had moved to the riser, politely acknowledging the applause that marked her appearance with an almost regal nod of her head. She spoke with the host for a moment, who shrugged and nodded his head, and then turned to address the party-goers, “Thank you all so much for your kind welcome and encouragement. I am so honored that you are willing to give up your dancing to listen to me play.” She smiled when a wave of applause reinforced the crowd’s desire to hear her. “I do have a favor to ask of you, however. Would you allow me to forego a solo and rather do a violin and piano duet with my favorite partner?” Another spat of applause gave her the crowd’s answer. “Ah, thank you. Please, Peter, will you join me?”

When the woman said “Peter,” Victoria’s eyes automatically went to her Peter. But that was ridiculous, her Peter didn’t play the violin. Victoria was shocked to see her son was shaking his head slightly. She watched as Samantha tilted her head up to look into Peter’s eyes and gently commanded, “Do it.”

With a shrug and slightly embarrassed smile, Peter started across the dance floor. A wave of applause greeted his decision. Victoria could only stand stunned. Her Peter played the violin? When, where had he learned to play, she wondered. As if he could read her thoughts, Colonel Markham spoke softly, “I take it you did not know that your Peter is an accomplished violinist. My understanding is that a sea captain taught him the instrument many years ago, said it was a good way to keep from being lonely on long voyages. He and Madame Proust often perform together.”

“I see,” Victoria whispered, wondering how many other things she did not know about this son. “When he was a boy, just before he left home, he began learning how to play the guitar. Actually, he was very good, given what a short time he had been playing it.”

“Yes, he still plays the guitar on occasion, too,” the colonel nodded. “Usually, very intricate Spanish tunes although I think his boys prefer it when he plays cowboy songs and sailor ditties.”

“I see,” she repeated as she watched her son step on the riser and accept the violin offered by the concertmaster. There was apparently a teasing conversation between them as Peter tuned the violin, and then her son turned to Madame Proust. They appeared to be discussing what composition to play. After a few moments, Peter nodded his head and Madame Proust turned to the room and announced, “Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 1.”

Madame Proust took her place at the piano and Peter moved where they could see each other. She nodded her head to set the tempo, and she and Peter set off through the piece. They were obviously accustomed to playing together, skillfully using their instruments to challenge each other through the piece, now soft, now louder, now slow, now faster. It was almost as if they were skillfully sparring with each other, Victoria thought suddenly. She was almost sad when the duet was over; it had been truly a beautiful thing to hear and watch. She proudly joined the rest of the room in praising the two musicians with applause and a few shouts of “bravo.” Peter returned the violin to the concertmaster and then extended a hand to Madame Proust. Victoria watched as the woman took it and gracefully stood. The two faced the audience and gave a quick bow which brought another thunder of applause. As Peter started to step down from the riser, Madame Proust caught his arm and then placed a kiss on his cheek. Peter smiled at her and leaned over to return the gesture. Even from across the room, Victoria could see tears in the woman’s eyes. She wondered what in the world prompted such a response. Peter gave the woman a small smile and a wink and then tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her onto the dance floor.

Victoria’s eyes scanned the room for her other children. All looked surprised by Peter’s performance. Obviously, none of them had known about Peter’s musical talents either. Her eyes turned last to her daughter-in-law, expecting to see her smiling proudly. What she saw stunned Victoria. Samantha’s arms were crossed across her chest in what could only be interpreted as an angry gesture and the expression on her face . . . . Victoria wasn’t sure what it was, embarrassment? anger? sadness? A mixture of all three?

Peter must have seen the look also, because he quickly handed Madame Proust off to another man, perhaps her husband, Victoria thought, and made his way back across the dance floor to Samantha. He bent his head so that he could hear her whisper. Victoria thought that, when he raised his head, his face had an almost amused expression. Samantha, however, still stood with her arms crossed and her lips set in a firm line. Peter just smiled at her and gestured toward the entrance to the ballroom. Samantha nodded and started toward it. Peter followed her but stopped long enough to have a quick whispered conversation with Nick. Victoria saw Nick frown deeply and then nod. In a few moments, her second son made his way to her and explained that Samantha was concerned about one of the children and that Peter was taking her home. “I don’t think that’s it,” Nick added tersely. “I think Sam was upset with Pete for being so friendly with that lady piano player. Pete said not to worry that he’d be back shortly. I tell you, Mother, I don’t think things are good between Pete and Sam.”

Victoria want to disagree but her own concerns stopped her. She just murmured, “I think that’s between Peter and Samantha, Nick, and I think we shouldn’t interfere.”

Chapter 5

Breakfast was a pleasantly late affair the next morning; even Heath was slow in rising. Of course, he had a good excuse, one not known to most of the rest of the family. When they had arrived home last night and everyone was heading upstairs, Peter had gotten him off to one side and asked if he was really tired. Heath hadn’t been sure what his brother was up to, so he had just smiled and said that he was doing all right.

“Well, come on then,” Peter had grinned at him broadly. He had walked Heath up the block, hailed a hack, and then taken him to a brightly lit house. It had taken Heath a few minutes to realize that this wasn’t just another party at some mansion; this was one of the high-class “sporting houses” that Peter had alluded to before.

The place was apparently doing a good business; sure were a lot of folks there, Heath remembered. And Peter was apparently pretty well known there. “Monsieur” Peter had been greeted many times by both the ladies of the establishment and the patrons. At first this concerned Heath, but when the woman who apparently owned the house had stopped to visit with them, it had slowly become evident that Peter did not spend any time upstairs with the beautiful young ladies who were available.

When Heath had reached for his wallet to pay for the drink that had been delivered to him by one of those young ladies, Madame Doucet had laughed, “Oh, no, Monsieur Heath. Your money is no good here. Did Monsieur Peter not explain to you that this is his special Christmas gift to you? An evening at Madame Doucet’s, all on his tab. You just enjoy yourself; I will send Monsieur Peter a bill.”

“Enjoy myself, huh?” Heath had sipped his drink and studied Peter’s smiling face for a moment. “Now just what does Monsieur Peter’s tab cover?”

“Whatever you want,” Peter had winked. “Have some drinks, get yourself some chips and play some poker, but I’ll be really disappointed if you don’t take some time to get well acquainted with at least one of Madame Doucet’s special ladies.”

“At least one?” Heath had raised an eyebrow. Shoot, what did Pete think he was? Some randy buck who just wanted to see how many notches he could put on his bedpost? Heath had decided a long time ago that quality and not quantity was the important thing.

“Whatever,” Peter had just shrugged.

They had sat together for a time, just chatting. Then Heath’s eyes had happened upon a beautiful dark-haired girl, playing cards with a couple of gentlemen at another table. He had been a little surprised that the girl didn’t disappear upstairs with either of the men; apparently, like Peter, they were there only to play cards and drink. The girl was a good card player . . . maybe that’s all she did here, Heath had thought. But she was awful pretty. The girl must have noticed Heath looking at her, because, after a bit, she had folded her cards, smiled at the two gentlemen, and then wandered across the room to where Peter and Heath sat.

“Good evening, Monsieur Peter,” she had said even as she kept her eyes on Heath. “Is this one of your brothers?”

“Evening, Della,” Peter had nodded at the young woman. “Yes, indeed, this is my brother Heath.”

“Monsieur Heath,” she had smiled. “Perhaps you would like to play some cards with me?”

“I don’t know,” he had smiled back at her shyly. “Seems to me that you’re a pretty sharp card player. I saw you really working those two gents across the way.”

“Hmm, I am good, but I have a feeling that you will be worthy adversary,” she had replied as she sat down next to him. “Some poker, I think. Five card stud?”

“Sounds good,” Heath had nodded.

She had picked up the deck of cards in the middle of the table and expertly shuffled them. As she started to deal, she had turned her attention to Peter, “Are you playing, Monsieur Peter?”

“No, I think not,” Peter had stood and stretched. “I have to get into work early tomorrow. I think I will leave my brother here with you.” He had reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a key, “Here’s a key to the front door, Heath. Just make sure you lock up when you come in. Sam doesn’t like the doors left unlocked. Good evening to you both.”

“Evening, Pete,” Heath had smiled up at his brother. “And thanks.”

Peter had just grinned at him and, after visiting for a moment with Madame Doucet, left. Heath and the girl, Della, had played cards for perhaps 20 minutes when, after he won a second straight hand, she had laughed and asked if he was as good a lover as he was a card player. He knew he had blushed, he could feel the color rise from his neck to his face, but he had managed to wink at her and say, “Well, you might be the best one to judge that.” She had laughed again, laid the deck of cards down, and taken his arm. As she teasingly pulled him onto his feet, he hadn’t been able to keep his smile back. It was going to be a good night, he decided. This girl seemed like one who knew how to have fun. He had been so focused on the girl that he almost missed seeing Gene coming down the stairs as they were starting up. In fact, he would have missed the boy entirely except that Gene leaned over to whisper to him, “Brother Pete gives just pretty good Christmas gifts, doesn’t he?” Heath had been so stunned, he couldn’t say anything, but did manage a wink and a nod as Della continued to lead him up the stairs.

Yep, Pete gave pretty good Christmas gifts, Heath thought as he slid into a place at the big dining table. He glanced across the table at Gene who had on an almost pious look. It was all Heath could do to keep from laughing out loud. He was beginning to realize that the youngest Barkley brother probably got into just as much mischief as any of his older brothers; he just was better at covering his tracks. Heath was gaining a whole new kind of respect for his little brother.

Heath was pleased to see that Samantha was her usual smiling, lively self this morning. She sure had seemed upset last night at that fancy shindig. He wondered if it was like Nick thought, Sam was upset because Pete had kissed that other woman, albeit just on the cheek. Pete sure hadn’t seemed concerned about anything last night. He’d come back to the party about an hour after he had taken Sam home and rounded the family up and taken them back to the house. He’d just said that Sam had been worried about the baby and decided she needed to go home to check on her. “Just an overprotective mother,” Pete had explained with a wave of his hand.

This morning, Samantha had explained her sudden decision much the same way, “Oh, I just got to worrying about the children. I haven’t really been away from Lizzy V. all that much and she seemed a little warm when I kissed her goodnight last night. She’s teething, you know, and I was afraid that she was running a little fever from that and would have a bad night.”

“How is she?” Nick demanded, immediately concerned about his tiny niece.

“Oh, she’s fine,” Samantha replied. “She had cooled back down by the time we got home, but I decided to stay home to watch over her and just sent Peter back to get you all. I hope you don’t feel like I abandoned you.”

“It’s fine, dear,” Victoria said instantly. “We all understand that your first priority is the children.”

“Well, so where’s Pete?” Nick now demanded.

“At the bank, Nick,” Samantha responded patiently. “I’ve told you, he’s terribly busy right now, but he’s really hoping that he gets everything settled out by Christmas so that he can enjoy your visit. He has, however, made special plans for his brothers today. He’s sending you down to the docks for a ride on a lugger with one of his good friends. He thought you might want to see the gulf.”

“Lugger?” Gene asked.

“Sailing boat,” his sister-in-law smiled at him. “Captain Dick often takes us out for short sails on his boat. It’s a wonderful experience. I would say that we all should go but the waves will be a little choppy this time of year and my sea legs aren’t as good as Peter’s and the boys’. I thought I would send you all along to the docks with Tom and Nicky. They both would be heartbroken if they found out you went sailing without them. And Victoria and Audra and I will slip off to a tea this afternoon at a friend’s.”

“Sure, that sounds fine, Sam,” Heath was the first brother to reply. “You know we love being with the boys. Are you sure Pete can’t get away and go with us?”

“I’m sorry,” Samantha shook her head. “There’s just no way right now. He is sorry he’s not getting to spend much time with you right now but I’m sure that things will slow down very soon. You’ll see him this evening. We’re going to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and then to the ball at the Trudeaus’.”

“Another party, huh?” Nick pretended to be exasperated.

“Oh, yes, I know how much you hated last night’s party, Nick,” Samantha made a face at him. “Let’s see, how many dances did you sit out? It seems to me that you were very busy last night meeting every eligible and ineligible woman there.”

“Some of those women were ineligible?” he pretended to be surprised. “Sure were a friendly lot to be ineligible.”

“Oh, the women of New Orleans are noted for their friendliness,” she replied easily. “Even old married ladies like me.”

Heath grinned softly, “You don’t act much like an old married lady, Sam. Seems to me that your dance card was just as filled as Nick’s.”

“Hmm, it was a busy evening, wasn’t it,” she acknowledged. “You’ll find that the pace of tonight’s ball will be much more relaxed. There will be much more time to just visit. Everyone isn’t quite so intent on being seen on the dance floor with this person or that.”

“Well, I had a wonderful time,” Audra countered. “I thought last night’s ball was divine. I don’t think I’ve ever danced so much.”

“I’m glad,” Samantha smiled at her sister-in-law, “and I promise you that you’ll have just as much fun tonight. Now, however, we need to start getting around. I’m going to have Francetta prepare a lunch for you men to take with you to the ship. Captain Dick always loves Francetta’s picnic baskets. They’re always full of good treats.”

“That sounds excellent,” Jarrod smiled at his sister-in-law. He had to admit one thing about this trip. If nothing else, it had been a gastronomic success. He had never had so much good food in such a little amount of time. If he didn’t watch out, he’d have to have his tailor let out his pants when he got back to San Francisco.

Chapter 6

The day went much as Samantha had planned it. She got the men, including her two excited little boys, out to the carriage and on their way to the docks in good order. She, Victoria, and Audra spent the morning together at the house. She and Audra spent most of the time talking about fashions and dances and life in general while Victoria settled in with playing with Lizzie V. Samantha couldn’t help laughing when she saw her very proper mother-in-law sitting on the floor with Lizzie V. and playing dolls with her. The baby just basked in all the attention. All Samantha could think was what a wonderful grandmother Victoria was.

When the baby went down for her midday nap, the three women enjoyed a light lunch on the back gallery, overlooking the gardens. As they ate, Samantha told them the history of the house, how her father had built it for her mother before Robert was born, how much of the furniture had come from France, how her mother had had a gardener from France to come and help lay out the grounds.

“They say that the garden parties they had here were unrivaled,” Samantha said, almost wistfully.

“You don’t remember them?” Audra asked innocently.

“Oh, no, Mamma died when I was born,” Samantha replied. “There were no parties in this house when I was growing up. Pappa never recovered from his loss of her. It was only after Peter and I came back, after Tom was born and Pappa died, that we began entertaining again. Peter thought it would be too painful for Pappa while he was still alive, but we’re both convinced that he and Mamma would be happy to know that the house is full of laughter again.”

“I know they are, dear,” Victoria reached over to touch her daughter-in-law’s arm.

Samantha shook her head to clear her mind of her sad thoughts, “You’ll be able to enjoy one of our parties. Day after tomorrow we’re going to have our annual Christmas open house. All of our friends, all of the employees of the bank, many of Peter’s other business associates, people from our church, it’s always a huge turn out.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Audra gushed.

Samantha spent the rest of the meal describing her plans for the open house, the menu they would serve buffet style, the wines that they would have open, the punch and coffees that would be served. Presently, it was time for them to set off for her friend’s house to have tea. Again, it was an enjoyable experience for Audra and Victoria, but Victoria thought that Samantha saw this as a chore rather than a pleasant visit. It was only on the way back that Samantha admitted that the woman was actually the wife of a business owner that Peter was dealing with at the bank and Peter had asked Samantha to accept the invitation in order to keep their dealings on an even keel. Victoria thought back on Colonel Markham’s comment of the previous evening – that Samantha was an asset for Peter. That was a good thing, Victoria knew. Certainly, she had always felt like a help to Tom in his business dealings. But Victoria fervently hoped that Samantha felt that she was much more to Peter than just a means for furthering his business aspirations.

When they reached Peter and Samantha’s home, Victoria had slipped off to take a nap before having to get dressed for their evening activities. “I don’t have quite as much energy as you young girls, I’m afraid,” she told Audra and Samantha. Samantha sincerely doubted that. In the short time that she had been around her mother-in-law last summer, she had been truly amazed at the older woman’s stamina. No wonder she was able to help her husband carve an empire out of a wilderness, Samantha thought. Victoria could anything. Sometimes Samantha wondered if Peter measured his wife against the standard set by his mother and found his wife a little lacking. Samantha had always lived in luxury; certainly, she had never faced any of the hardships that Victoria had, had never been solely responsible for caring for children on an isolated homestead, had never been responsible for helping run her husband’s business when he was absent. Samantha was just a little intimidated by her mother-in-law.

She and Audra had gone into Audra’s room with the intent of also resting a little but they had brought the baby in with them, which meant rest wasn’t likely. Samantha knew that she would be very tired before this day was over, but she still felt too nervous about having all her in-laws in the house to rest properly. Sighing softly, she turned back to watch Audra playing with Lizzy V. on her bed. The little girl was showing her aunt how she could stick her big toe in her mouth. “You’re such a silly girl, Lizzy V.,” Audra cooed as she tickled the baby’s ribs. The baby rewarded her with happy gurgles and grinned around her toe. “Does that toe taste good? Hmm, does it?”

Samantha smiled, “She’s loving all this attention.”

“Oh, she’s so beautiful,” Audra bent down to place a kiss on Lizzy V.’s nose. “You are so lucky, Samantha. To be married, to have three beautiful children. I just don’t know if I’m ever going to find the right man, if I’m ever going to have children.”

“Well,” Samantha said firmly, “let me warn you, Audra, don’t ever settle. I’ve seen women settle for something other than the right man just to have children and it was a horrible mistake. For all the joy those children might bring them, their lives are still desolate.”

Audra was a little shocked by her sister-in-law’s tone, “Goodness, Sam, you sound almost grim.”

“I’m sorry,” Samantha said quickly. “I don’t mean to be that way. But I just want you to know that no one thinks less of a woman just because she doesn’t have children. You can fill your life with so many other worthwhile things. I know that Peter, and I’m sure all the rest of your family, would much prefer that you never got married rather than have you tied to some man who was going to end up making you miserable.”

“All right,” Audra said hesitantly, a little shaken by Samantha’s words. Surely Samantha wasn’t thinking of herself.

Samantha realized she was getting a little carried away. In a clear effort to change the subject, she blurted out, “Did you know that this was my bedroom when I was a girl? I always loved it. When I was home for the holidays, I would sit out on the gallery early in the mornings with my feet curled up under me, stroking my cat, and listen to the world wake up.”

“It is a beautiful room,” Audra acknowledged. “I’m surprised that you and Peter didn’t keep it when you got married.”

“Oh, by the time we got back from Europe, Pappa had moved himself downstairs . . . it was more convenient for him because of his illness. He insisted that Peter and I take his and Mamma’s suite,” Samantha sighed softly as she looked around the room. “But this is the room where we made love for the first time.”

As was appropriate behavior for an unmarried woman, Audra blushed but then she boldly prodded her sister-in-law, “And that was your wedding night?”

“Actually, no,” Samantha started and then it was her turn to blush. “Don’t you dare tell your mother! I’m sure she would be horrified. It was actually two weeks before we were married.”

“When Peter realized he had lost his heart to you,” Audra interjected.

Samantha stopped, obviously stunned, “How did you know that?”

“When you were busy having this beautiful little lady, I got Peter to tell us the story of how you two met and fell in love,” Audra grinned. “He said that he was ready to leave New Orleans when he came back by your father’s house one last time and that you were here and that he kissed you for the first time and that was when he realized that he had lost his heart to you.”

“He said that?” Samantha’s eyes were wide.

“Yes, in fact, he said that he realized that he had lost his heart to you and that the only way he could ever get it back was to spend the rest of his life trying to make you happy and that you two were married two weeks later,” Audra was surprised that Samantha had not heard these very words from Peter. They were such romantic words.

“He really said that to his brothers?” Samantha whispered.

“Yes, Sam, I was there,” Audra replied. “Of course, he didn’t add that was not only the night that he kissed you for the first time but also that you two, well that you two, umm, consummated your love. You are so right; Mother would be so upset with him if she ever found out.”

“I wasn’t thinking about her being upset with him,” Samantha said quickly. “I’m just worried what she will think of me. I mean, a proper young lady isn’t supposed to do ANYTHING before her wedding night and, well, Peter and I did it all.”

“Oh, since you and Peter are married now I think Mother would overlook one slip,” Audra tried to think of something appropriate to say, although she knew that Mother would be terribly angry with Peter if she found out. While Mother turned a blind eye to what the boys did with loose women in places like brothels, she had quietly made clear to all of them that they were never to take advantage of a woman outside such establishments. Audra was not completely sure that all of her brothers had obeyed but there had never been any scandals. Audra also knew that her mother would be so disappointed in her if she ever let something like that happen before she was married. For some reason, however, she actually thought Mother would only be angry at Peter and not Samantha.

“I’m not too certain about that, Audra,” Samantha grimaced, “so please don’t say anything to her. I would be so embarrassed. It’s just that, well, we both needed each other. And, well, we just got carried away.”

Hmm, that was something her mother had always warned her about. How sometimes you could get carried away with your emotions. Audra glanced over her shoulder guiltily and then leaned closer to Samantha, “What happened, Samantha? Peter just said he came back and you were here and he kissed you. He obviously left out some very important information.”

“Well, I’m glad he did,” Samantha said quickly. “I would have hated it if he had told his family that we didn’t wait until our wedding night.”

“But what happened,” Audra pressed.

“Well,” Samantha also glanced over her shoulder to make sure the door to the bedroom was closed. “Well, Pappa had told me that Peter was leaving that night, that I would probably never see him again. I pretended it didn’t bother me. After all, all we had ever done was argue. But, of course, I was lying. I had fallen in love with Peter; I just knew that there was no way he could ever care for me. I was just a silly little schoolgirl in his eyes. That night, I went out to stand on this gallery and cry by myself. I didn’t want anyone to know that my heart was broken. It was raining hard, so I knew no one would hear me.”

She sighed softly, “I cried and cried and then, when there were no more tears left, I just went and leaned against the pillar and looked up into the dark sky. I don’t know how long I stood there, when I realized that there was a man standing across the street watching me. He was just standing in the rain; I couldn’t understand why someone would do that. It wasn’t until he stepped into the middle of the street and took off his hat that I realized it was Peter. He just stood there, with the rain soaking him, holding his hat, looking up at me. He started to turn to walk away and I called his name. He turned back to look at me and hesitated. I knew that it was up to me, I held my hand out to him. He ran across the street, jumped up and got a handhold on the bottom of the ironworks and pulled himself up. He didn’t hesitate again. He took me into his arms and he kissed me. We kissed each other. We kissed and we kissed and he whispered in my ear that he loved me, that he couldn’t live without me.”

“Oh, that’s so beautiful,” it was Audra’s turn to sigh. “But, you’re leaving out the best part.”

“Audra,” Samantha scolded. “I really shouldn’t be telling you any of this. It’s really not proper.”

“Oh, Sam,” Audra protested, “this would be the kind of thing that sisters would share. You know, the older married sister letting her younger unmarried sister in on all the secrets.”

“Oh, Audra, I really don’t think your mother would approve,” Samantha shook her head.

“Look, you don’t have to describe the, the, umm, actual act, I just want to know how you two ended up, well, you know, doing it,” Audra pressured.

Samantha made a face and looked toward the door again, “Oh, I just know your mother would have a fit if she knew I was telling you any of this. But, I guess, as your ‘big’ sister I could share a few secrets with you.”

“Good,” Audra grinned.

“Well,” Samantha took a deep breath. “Peter just kept kissing and hugging me and telling me that he loved me. Of course, he was soaked from standing in the rain and he got me pretty wet. I was only wearing a white cotton batiste nightgown and a light peignoir over it. Well, you know how batiste is when you get it wet. Well, you could see right through it. When Peter stepped back enough to look at me, well, I might as well have been naked. He got that look in his eyes.”

“That look?” Audra questioned.

“Umm, that look he gets when nothing but, nothing but performing the, umm, the umm act will satisfy him,” Samantha bit her lips, truly embarrassed. She was sharing far too much with her sister-in-law. “Of course, I didn’t know that at the time,” she added hastily.

“So, you just did?”

“No, not exactly. Peter told me that he loved me, that he wanted me, that he wanted us to be together, that he never wanted to be away from me ever again. He asked me to marry him and, of course, I said yes. He scooped me up and carried me into my bedroom, saying that I was soaked and that I was going to get sick standing around in wet clothes. I told him that he was much wetter than I was and he was the one who was going to get sick. He laughed and said maybe we both needed to get out of our wet clothes. I reached up and started unbuttoning his shirt. He put his hands over mine and asked me if I was sure. I told him I was. The whole time that we undressed each other he kept telling me that all I had to say was that I wasn’t ready, that I didn’t want to do this, and he would stop. Of course, I never said that.”

“So, what was it like?” Audra whispered.

“Oh, no,” Samantha pulled herself back into the present. “We already agreed that I wasn’t going to describe the act.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Audra explained. “I just wondered how it was for you. How you felt. How was it, Sam?”

“It was different,” Samantha said evasively, but the disappointed look on Audra’s face forced her to add, “it was wonderful, it was exhilarating. It was the most incredible experience in my life. Now, are you satisfied?”

“Is that the truth, Sam?” Audra raised an eyebrow.

Samantha ducked her head and smiled softly, “Yes, it’s the truth. It was wonderful. The act of becoming one is so . . . so . . . oh, I can’t really describe it. But, just as good were the feelings afterwards. Peter fell asleep with his arms wrapped around me. I know I must have dozed but I was awake through much of the night, loving how he held me, how his breath would stir my hair, how even in his sleep he would murmur my name.”

“Did you feel, umm, guilty afterwards?” Audra asked cautiously.

“No, never. I guess it was because in my heart I felt that Peter and I had already made our vows to each other. We’d already promised to be with each other forever. A marriage ceremony would just make it formal.”

“So why did you two wait two weeks to get married?”

“Oh, that was Pappa. We went down the next morning together to face him. Peter looked pretty rumpled. He had to dress in the clothes we had left on the floor and he couldn’t shave. When Peter said Pappa’s name as we walked into the dining room, Pappa turned with a big smile on his face, thinking Peter had changed his mind about staying at the bank. When he saw us together, holding hands, saw how Peter looked, he knew. Peter said that he wanted to stay at the bank, but he understood if Pappa could not agree to that; however, no matter what, he and I were getting married. Pappa said, ‘I see.’ Peter said we were getting married that day, but Pappa said no, that we had to wait two weeks. When Peter asked him why, Pappa said he wanted me married in Mamma’s wedding gown and it would take two weeks to make the necessary alterations to the gown and the arrangements for the ceremony at the church. I started to protest that I shouldn’t be married in a white gown because, well, because, you understand.”

“I understand,” Audra whispered. Only virgins were to wear white, but Audra knew a good many girls who had worn white and then had a nine-pound “premature” baby seven months after their wedding.

“Pappa said that we were going to be married in the church, that I was going to wear Mamma’s wedding dress, and that he expected Peter’s word that we would not be together again until that day. I was so surprised when Peter agreed. Pappa told him to get his luggage from where he’d stowed it at the train station and to move back into his rented rooms. That he was to get cleaned up and report to work at the bank. Peter just said ‘Yes, sir.’ Peter kissed me and promised me that he would see me that evening. Pappa told me to sit down and eat my breakfast because we had a busy day ahead of us.”

“And that was it?”

“Uh-huh, pretty much,” Samantha shrugged. “Peter came every evening for dinner and Pappa allowed us to be alone for brief periods of time, long enough to kiss and whisper the sweet nonsense that you do when first you find love. I don’t know how Pappa knew my, umm, my cycle but I umm had my visitor right on schedule the next week. Of course, then I was worried that I might not be able to give Peter children. He just laughed at me and told me that wasn’t the reason he was marrying me; however, he wasn’t too concerned. He said he figured we’d just have to work at it a little harder after we were married.”

“So you were married as your father wanted?”

“Yes, two weeks later, in the church, just a few close friends in attendance. Robert was Peter’s best man and my dear friend from convent school, Jocelyn, was my attendant. Pappa gave me away to Peter and then as soon as the license was signed he informed us that he had booked passage on a ship bound for France that was leaving that day and that we were to spend our first year together on a honeymoon abroad.”

“Wow,” Audra’s eyes were wide. “How exciting. I mean, I knew Peter said you honeymooned in Europe, but I didn’t realize you left your wedding day.”

“It was pretty incredible. I had never been anywhere and here I was, going to Europe with my husband. Pappa could not have given us a better wedding gift. The time we spent together, just the two of us, was so important to us.”

“Of course, you didn’t have any problems giving Peter children either,” Audra smirked.

“Oh, no, we’ve never had any problems in that department. Tom was conceived aboard ship. He would have been born in France except that Pappa became ill and we had to return home,” Samantha’s eyes glistened with tears.

“Oh, Sam, I’m sorry to remind you about your father’s death,” her sister-in-law reached out to hug her. “Peter told us that you had to return home early because of his illness but that he did live to see and hold Tom. I think that’s wonderful.”

“It was,” Samantha nodded firmly. “Peter was so sweet to Pappa in those last months. Pappa said he couldn’t have asked God for a better son. Robert had stayed at the bank until we returned, but then he left to join the marshals. He said he wanted to be sure that all were clear on who was going to run the bank after Pappa’s death.”

“Didn’t he resent Peter?”

“No, amazingly, not at all. Robert said Peter gave him his first chance at freedom, at choosing his own path through life. I wish he hadn’t joined the marshals . . . it’s so dangerous, but Peter said Robert needed it. And he says it’s better than having Robert trying to earn a living playing cards on riverboats,” Samantha laughed. “Look, we need to decide what you’re going to wear tonight. Let me see your dresses.”

Knowing she had pried as many secrets as she could for now out of Samantha, Audra accepted the change in subject and went to her wardrobe and began pulling out possibilities. By the time Victoria joined them, the young women had selected Audra’s gown for the evening and were working on assembling the best accessories. When Victoria asked what the two had done all afternoon, neither offered any information on their private conversation. It was something shared between just sisters.

Chapter 7

As she carefully straightened the bodice of her dress, Samantha thought, “Just a few more days, I only have to keep this up for a few more days.” She regarded her reflection in the mirror. She looked all right, not as dazzling as last night, but certainly attractive. Sighing softly, she hoped that her in-laws would enjoy this evening. The Trudeaus’ ball had always been fun for her and Peter in the past; they had been with their closest friends. This year, however, there would be some sadness. Changes were occurring and not everyone was comfortable with them.

Peter was late, as usual, she thought as she went down the hall to check on the boys. Both had fallen asleep early. Actually, Nicky was asleep on his Uncle Jarrod’s shoulder when the men came back from their sailing adventure. Samantha had known that the boys would be worn out after spending most of the day with Captain Dick. They both loved sailing, something they had no doubt inherited from their father, but the long hours in the sun on a rocking boat was guaranteed to take the starch out of them.

Her brothers-in-law had confirmed that the boys had had a wonderful day. Nick had added, however, “You’ll be glad to know that Jarrod was like an old mother hen with them. Wouldn’t let them go swinging off on the yardarm or anything.”

“Trust me, Nick, I wouldn’t have let them go if you’d been the only one going with them,” Samantha’s voice had been dry but her twinkling eyes had given away her teasing disposition. “You would have been right out there with them, risking life and limb.”

Nick had been a little ruffled, worried she might not think that he was careful enough with his nephews, “Now, listen, Sam, I wouldn’t do anything dangerous with the boys. I mean boys have to be allowed to have fun, but I’m not gonna let them do anything where they’d get seriously hurt. Shoot, Nicky tried to get me to let him ride on my shoulders and us climb up the mast, but I told him it was too dangerous.”

“Oh,” Samantha had continued to tease him, “you won’t let them get seriously hurt but a little hurt will be all right, huh?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” Nick had sputtered.

“Oh, I know what you meant. You’re just like Peter. ‘They’re boys, Sam, you can’t tie them to you with your apron strings. You’ve got to let them have some adventures and they’re probably going to get a bump or bruise or two along the way, but that’s just part of being a boy,’” Samantha had quoted her husband.

“Well, Pete’s right, Sam,” Nick had started.

“Oh, I could have predicted that you would side with him. You two would probably have Tom and Nicky breaking horses before they start school,” she had had so much fun teasing Nick.

“Now, that’s not true,” Nick had shaken his head. “We won’t do that. Sure we’ll have them riding ponies by themselves by then but we sure won’t have them on any wild horses. I swear, Sam, when they’re with me we’re not gonna do anything dangerous but that’s not saying they might not get a bruise or two, like Pete said, but it won’t be because I’m not watching over them.”

Nick had been so serious that Samantha couldn’t tease him any longer. She had just kissed his cheek and gone to settle both boys in for the night. Tom had been able to mumble a few sentences about all that they had done, but was fast asleep almost before she could get his face, hands, and feet washed off and him into his nightshirt. Now, as she checked on them once more, she was pleased to find both boys were still sound asleep. They should sleep through the night just fine. She brushed each boy’s forehead with a soft kiss and slipped back out of their room.

“Boys still sleeping?” Victoria was standing right outside the door.

“Uh huh,” Samantha managed to smile at her mother-in-law. Once again, she marveled at how beautiful Victoria was. She always looked so elegant. “They should sleep through the night. Being on the lugger all day just wears them out.”

“Do you go sailing often?” Victoria asked as they started down the hallway to check on little Lizzie V.

“Peter usually takes the boys a couple of times a month but he’s been so busy lately that it’s been a while. Lizzie and I went when the weather was warmer; it was nice to get out where there was a breeze. I just don’t handle the choppiness very well and it tends to be a little rougher this time of year.”

The older woman smiled, “Well, I think your brothers-in-law had a wonderful time. Gene can’t stop talking about the fish he caught and Nick says seeing all the dolphins was incredible. It was a wonderful idea for them to go out today. I just wish Peter could have gone with his brothers.”

“I know,” Samantha started her litany one more time, “it’s just that he’s so busy right now.”

As they stepped into the baby’s room and found the little girl still sleeping soundly, Victoria sighed, “I hope this isn’t the way things are for you normally. It doesn’t seem that you and Peter get to spend much time together.”

“Really,” Samantha tried to reassure her mother-in-law, “it isn’t usually this way. Peter is just exceptionally busy now. I think had we known how bad his schedule was going to be we might have encouraged you to delay your arrival a few days, but I promise you things are going to improve in just a few days.”

“I’m so sorry that our visit has put so much on you, Samantha,” Victoria apologized.

“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way,” Samantha was horrified at her gaffe. “I just know that you all want to spend time with Peter; after all, he is your son and brother.”

Victoria slipped an arm around her daughter-in-law’s waist, “We came to spend time with the whole family, and we’re just looking forward to when Peter isn’t so busy so that we all can be together.”

“I am, too,” the younger woman replied earnestly. She realized that also didn’t come out the way she meant it. Scolding herself, she decided it was time to change the subject, “We’re all be together this evening, though. You’ll love the restaurant we will be taking you to. True French country cooking. And the ball tonight will be fun. You’ll get to meet all our closest friends.”

As they started down the stairs, Samantha heard a familiar voice. Her smile lit up her whole face and she left Victoria’s side to dance down the stairs. “Robert,” she greeted her older brother with a laugh and a hug. “I didn’t expect you until Christmas Day.”

“Bonjour, petite seuer,” Robert Laseuer hugged his sister and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “And bonjour and joyeux Noel to you also, Mrs. Barkley.”

“Please, call me Victoria,” she came forward to warmly shake the young man’s hand. “It is so good to see you again, Robert. Samantha and Peter didn’t tell us that you were also coming for Christmas. This will truly make it a family Christmas.”

“I generally try to make it back at this time of year . . . if the work allows,” Robert’s smile was genuine. “My schedule allowed me to arrive a little earlier this year.”

“Oh, goodness, tonight’s the Trudeau’s ball and we’re going to Antoine’s for dinner. You need to hurry and get ready,” Samantha told her brother.

“I know, I know. I have been at the bank with Peter and I know all about tonight’s festivities. I also heard all about last night’s,” he grinned at her wickedly. Victoria wondered what Robert had heard, but she tried to keep her face neutral.

“Hush,” Samantha wrinkled her nose at him and directed, “Just go upstairs and get changed. Did Peter say when he would get here?”

“He’s five minutes behind me,” Robert said as he started up the stairs.

“Oh, like I believe that,” Samantha rolled her eyes.

“See for yourself,” Robert nodded toward the door. “I believe that’s him riding up just now.”

“Oh,” Samantha turned to see her husband indeed swinging off his horse and trotting into the house. “Peter!”

“I know, I don’t have much time, we have a reservation,” Peter said as he came through the door. “Hello, Mother. I hope you had a good day. Did the sailing go well?”

“Yes, it did,” Samantha said as Peter followed Robert up the stairs. “The boys are sound asleep. I know your brothers are full of stories to share at dinner tonight. I think Heath even saw a few places he remembered from his last trip to New Orleans. It should be fun getting him to confess about them.”

“Good,” Peter called back and then disappeared into their room.

Victoria just blinked her eyes at the whirlwind of her third son. He always seemed as if he was constantly rushing from one place to the next. She worried again about the effect that this was having both on his family and his health.

Samantha, however, didn’t seem the least concerned, “Let’s wait for Peter and Robert in the sitting room. I bet the rest of the family is already there and Peter and Robert will be ready shortly. Peter knows Antoine hates for people to be late for their reservations.”

Victoria managed a small smile, “Of course, dear,” but her eyes traced Peter’s path upstairs. She needed to talk to Peter about his schedule.

Chapter 8

Peter apparently managed to get his family into the restaurant close enough to the time of their reservation that it garnered him a smile and a handshake from the proprietor, Antoine. As they were shown to their large table near the center of the room, Robert, Samantha, and Peter stopped to talk to several patrons along the way and made some general introductions. When they reached their table, Samantha insisted that Jarrod take one end of the table while Peter took the other. “I don’t often get to sit next to my husband,” she explained as she slid into the chair that Peter held for her. Victoria was a little surprised when Robert took the chair across from Samantha and next to Peter. It almost seemed as if Peter was buffered from the rest of the Barkleys. She scolded herself, what a ridiculous thought. They were all family, what did it matter who sat next to Peter.

Their waiter, a young man with a patch over one eye, introduced himself as Jean Luc and explained that “Monsieur Peter has gone over the menu with my pappa and has selected entrees for you all that he is sure that you will enjoy. I will bring out your soup in a moment; however, first Monsieur Peter has selected a very exceptional wine for you this evening.”

He gracefully brandished the bottle of wine, already opened “so it can breath” and poured Peter the requisite taste in his glass. Peter took a sip and nodded his approval, and Jean Luc moved around the table to fill the glasses. Nick immediately took a sip of his and exclaimed, “Hey, this is really good!”

“Of course it is, Monsieur,” Jean Luc replied quickly. “It is French. Only the French know how to make good wine.”

Jarrod jested, “I’m not sure how the Italians will feel about that.”

Jean Luc squinted his one good eye, “Ah, the Italians, a poor imitation at best.”

“Well, we make pretty good wine in California,” Nick blustered.

The young waiter rolled his visible eye, “Ah, how sad that is what you have to drink. Perhaps while you’re here, Monsieur, you will have a chance to enjoy more French wine. Then you will understand what fine wine is. Monsieur Peter has excellent taste in wine, perhaps he could teach you about wine.”

“Oh, no, my little brother isn’t teaching me anything about wine or anything else,” Nick snorted.

“Whatever you say, Monsieur,” the waiter shrugged. “If you’ll excuse me now, I will get your soup.”

As promised, the dinner was delicious, from soup to dessert. They were actually still on their main courses when a couple was escorted near the table.

“Nathaniel, Suzette,” Samantha exclaimed. “It was getting so late, I thought you two may have decided to skip dinner out.”

The man leaned down to press a kiss onto Samantha’s cheek, “Skip one of Antoine’s meals? No, never! Robert! It is good to see you, old man.” He reached over and shook Robert’s hand as Peter stood and placed a kiss on the woman’s cheek.

“Good evening, Suzette,” Peter gave her a smile and a wink. “So you made this miser take you out for a decent meal.”

“Yes, I did, Peter,” the woman smiled back. “But you see he got us here so late that I won’t be able to have dessert if we’re going to make it to Victor and Jocelyn’s on time.”

“Hmm, nice ploy on his part,” Peter acknowledged. “Well, at least you know that there will be plenty of delicacies at the Trudeaus’ to appease that sweet tooth of yours.” Peter chucked her under the chin.

“You just remember that I get all the jigs,” she shook a finger at Peter, taking his teasing in stride.

“As your physician, however, I have to warn you that this meal is much too rich for you. Let me just relieve you of this terrible temptation,” the man reached to pull Peter’s plate away.

“You’re going to be a pretty poor surgeon missing fingers, which is exactly what’s going to happen to you if you don’t get them off my plate,” Peter snarled.

“Ooohhh,” the man released the plate and fluttered his fingers. “That sounds very serious. I think I will re-think my concern for your health."”

“Good thought,” Peter sat back down and picked up his knife and fork.

The woman apologized to the rest of the table as she took the man’s arm, “Excuse us for interrupting your dinner. We will make introductions at the Trudeaus’ tonight. Enjoy your meal!”

As they moved away from the Barkley’s table to a nearby table for two, the man said, “Hey, Jean Luc, I want the same thing that Peter is having!”

Peter chuckled loudly and was joined by the rest of the family. Victoria was just reflecting upon what a wonderful dinner it was. Peter seemed so relaxed. He and Robert were laughing over some private joke and Samantha was smiling at their antics. Victoria was so enjoying her dinner and the wonderful conversations swirling around her that for several moments the angry tone of the newcomer did not reach her. When it did, she could not believe the harshness of the tone and the crassness of the words. As her eyes sought Peter’s face, she realized that her son had already heard some of the exchange between the man and their waiter, Jean Luc. His eyes had gone cold and he had dropped his silverware and leaned back in his chair. Victoria knew that look well; it was just the way Tom would look when he was furious. Victoria laid a hand over Nick’s to stop his teasing of Heath about not being able to stop at some of the “establishments” along the docks that Heath knew about because they had the little boys with them. Nick stopped and looked down at his mother in confusion. It was then that he heard the man.

“What do you mean you don’t have any tables, you slimy little rebel? I can see that there are empty tables,” the man’s voice was rising.

“As I said, monsieur, all our tables are booked for the evening. We have many reservations this time of year. I could recommend another restaurant.”

“No, I want to eat here, you damn little goober. You make room for me,” the man demanded.

“Monsieur, I am sorry. We just do not have room,” Jean Luc tried to calm the man before anyone else got upset. But, by now, every eye in the place was watching the confrontation.

Antoine hurried to his son’s side, “Please, monsieur, we do not want any trouble.”

“All you gotta do is give me a table, old man, and there won’t be any trouble.”

“Please, monsieur, as my son said, we have no available tables but I can recommend a very nice restaurant just down the street,” Antoine tried again.

The man ignored Antoine and reached out to jab Jean Luc in the chest, “Now listen to me you little one-eyed grayback, I could squash you with one swipe of my hand so you just show me to a table before I decide to teach you again what a worthless bunch of cowards you Johnny Rebs are.”

There was the sound of the scrape of wood against wood. Jarrod’s eyes flicked to where Peter’s physician friend had jumped to his feet. He saw the man’s wife reach out to touch his hand and her lips move, “Please, Nathaniel, no.”

The man hesitated, but as he did other chairs were pushed back. Across the restaurant, men began rising to their feet. Jarrod caught his breath. Of course, they were deep in the south. At one time, these men stood across a battlefield from him. Jarrod swallowed hard. The war, they all tried to forget the war but then there would be something like tonight. After almost 10 years, the division was still there. And, here in the South, it must be felt so much more than in California. Would this country ever heal, he wondered.

Jarrod’s pain was doubled as Robert murmured, “I am sorry, ferere,” and placed both hands on the table as he pushed his chair back with a sharp shove. As Robert turned to face the man who was still uttering slurs about the “yellow-bellies” and “pathetic losers” of the South, his feet shoulder width apart and his hands clasped tightly behind his back, the classic parade rest stance, Jarrod realized that the war had divided their family, their new family. Robert had obviously been an officer in the Southern army. Jarrod’s eyes went from Nick’s face, which reflected something between sadness and resignation, to Heath’s. While they all had found war to be a generally sad and grievous affair, Heath was the one who had suffered most in the war. How was Heath dealing with the idea that one of Tom and Nicky’s uncles had fought with the army that had imprisoned him, that had treated him as an animal, in fact, less than an animal?

Heath was staring straight ahead, his countenance set in his best poker face. But his control slipped when Peter pushed himself away from the table and slowly stood. Jarrod tried to put a name to the look that crept into Heath’s eyes – disappointment, pain, betrayal. He had no problem seeing what was in Nick’s – anger bordering on rage. How dare this little brother side with the Army that had shot at him and Heath and Jarrod.

Jarrod’s eyes moved quickly around the rest of the table. As expected, Audra’s blue eyes were wide and teary with sympathy as she watched Heath’s face; they were so close; she was feeling her brother’s pain. Eugene’s brow was wrinkled in confusion. He had always been proud of his brothers’ service, but today as he listened to the stranger’s rants he almost felt ashamed that they were here, in the deep South, representing the victors among all the vanquished. Victoria sat between Nick and Heath, one hand still touching Nick’s, the other reaching to touch Heath’s. But her eyes were on Peter. Her third son had picked up his wineglass and was now reaching for Samantha’s. Samantha’s eyes were tear filled as she looked from her husband to her brother, but she refused to look down the table at her brothers-in-law. As Peter picked up her glass, she placed her hand on his and looked up at him, beseeching him to stop. Jarrod was confused by the smile and the wink that Peter gave her.

His younger brother’s eyes swept around the table. Jarrod could not read his look when their identical blue eyes met for a moment. What was Peter going to do? He watched as his brother, who in many respects still seemed like a stranger, moved through the restaurant to where the proprietor, the waiter, and the angry man still stood. Nick glanced over at Jarrod, his expression reflecting his perplexity. Jarrod and Nick both looked toward where Heath still sat staring straight ahead, struggling to control his emotions. Victoria gently squeezed his hand, but Jarrod didn’t think Heath even felt it.

Like everyone else in the restaurant, their eyes moved to where Peter had reached the trio. The angry man snapped at Peter, “What do you want?” The proprietor, Antoine, looked at Peter in concern. Jarrod could just barely hear his plea, “Please, Monsieur Peter, please don’t do anything.”

Peter simply extended the hand that held Samantha’s wine glass. Hesitantly the angry man took the glass. Now he looked just as confused as virtually all the patrons of the restaurant.

“A toast, gentlemen,” Peter turned and raised his glass. “To the Army of the North, indeed the victor.” The antagonist smirked, pleased to have an ally; the Confederate veterans in the room shifted uncomfortably. But Peter was not going to disappoint his friends, “And to the Army of the South, a smaller, poorly-equipped force that proved a mighty opponent for four years primarily because of the character of the men that served in it.” The men standing in the room stood a little straighter. Peter’s eyes swept the room and he continued, “To fallen comrades, in both blue and gray.” All the room became a little quieter as all seemed to hold their breath.

“So to our past when the old men, the politicians, failed and sent the young men to war,” Peter’s sharp words caused a gentle murmur. “And to the future, when we will not make the same mistake, we will not send our sons to war to fight their brothers. To the future when we will stand side-by-side. Only this way, with North and South rejoined can this country gain the stature that it must in this world. So, gentlemen, to the past and the future.”

Peter lifted his glass in the air. For a heartbeat, there was no response to Peter’s toast. Then, Nathaniel reached down for his glass and raised it just as Jarrod took up his glass and stood. Together they repeated, “To the past and the future.”

As Nick stood, others who had worn the Union blue and who had been embarrassed by the rude man’s words, others scattered throughout the restaurant rose to their feet. Heath was one of the last to stand, the troubled look in his eyes fading away, and he raised his glass with the others and murmured along with the rest, “To the past and the future.”

Only the boorish would-be patron had not raised the glass that Peter had handed him. For a moment, he looked at Peter and then at the men standing around the restaurant. Something in Peter’s eyes made him take a sip of the wine but he did not repeat the toast. Instead, he murmured, “I’m no longer interested in eating here. I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

“As you wish,” Antoine inclined his head. “I can make a recommendation.”

“Not interested,” the man said shortly, handed Peter the glass, and turned and left.

Antoine heaved a small sigh of relief and reached up to pat Peter’s cheek and then did the same to his son. A wry grin twisted Peter’s mouth as he made his way back to his chair. Nathaniel stepped over to shake his hand and leaned forward to whisper something in Peter’s ear that turned the wry smile into a genuine one. There were other handshakes and murmurs from men who had worn both blue and gray. When he reached their table, Robert clapped Peter on the shoulder, “Well done, ferere.”

“Excellent toast, Pete,” Jarrod smiled softly at his little brother as they all sat back down.

“Well, it did not seem to have the desired effect on the one individual; however, it did seem to ease some of the tensions in the room and the one problem decided to leave,” Peter shrugged.

“It did more than that, Pete,” Heath drawled. “It made us all remember what’s important. Sure there’s the pain of the past but the toast made us remember that there’s hope for a better future – if we work together. It was a good toast for stitchin’ back both families and a country.” He nodded at his brother solemnly.

Peter rocked back in his chair, a surprised look on his face. “Well, thank you, Heath,” he finally managed. “I guess it was adequate from someone who was half a world away when all this was going on and served on neither side.”

“You were too young anyway,” Nick said quickly.

“I’m older than Heath,” Peter pointed out, “and he served.”

“He went in underage and you know Father would have never let you do that,” Nick replied.

Peter chuckled softly, “And what makes you think I wouldn’t have run away and joined up. That would have probably been my approach to it all.”

“Well, I’m glad you were not even in this country, ferere,” Robert returned to eating his supper. “Dixie John and I often thanked God that we never faced you across a battlefield. Your version of the Rebel yell would have been most confusing to both sides.”

“Could we not talk about the war, please,” Samantha asked softly.

Peter’s eyes shifted to his wife and he frowned slightly at her request. His eyes moved to his mother. She was looking down at her plate. He then looked at Heath, who sat between them. Heath gave him a small smile and a shrug. He, too, had no idea why the women were so upset. The war was always going to be there in the past, but this time Peter had been there and had handled things just fine. Heath expected that they would all learn how to deal with the fact that Peter’s brother-in-law and many of his friends in New Orleans had fought for the South while his brothers had fought for the North. Things were going to be just fine.

“Sure, Sam,” Heath finally drawled, “we’ll not bore you with any of our tall tales. Tell you what, why don’t you tell us all about your shopping trip yesterday. I’m sure that’ll be much more interesting.”

There were teardrops on Samantha’s eyelashes as she finally turned to look at her brother-in-law. She knew about Heath’s imprisonment; Peter had told her. This was one thing that had worried her most about their two families. Heath gave her one of his wonderful half smiles, his beautiful blue eyes dancing. Heath gave her a small measure of hope that she would be able to deal with her changing life. Impulsively, she reached to squeeze his hand and then leaned over to kiss his cheek. He blushed and then raised his hands, one held by his mother and one held by his sister-in-law, “Look, ladies, I appreciate all the attention, but it sure is gonna be hard for me to finish this fine dinner with you two hanging onto me.”

It was just what the family needed. Laughter reverberated around the table. Forks were taken up again and glasses clinked. The conversation began to swirl again. Victoria relaxed and smiled to herself. Tonight was going to be wonderful, she thought.

Continued…