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.
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…