Heart of Glass (31 page)

Simon climbed down off the seat and helped Colin onto his horse. Once Colin was back in the saddle, Simon loaded the silent, bedraggled children into the wagon.

“Eugenie made you some hot cocoa,” Simon told them. “Bet that’ll taste good right about now. But first she’s gonna dunk you in a hot bath. Chase the cold out of you.”

“Can we have some biscuits and honey?” Damian wanted to know.

Simon started the rig moving. “I ‘spect so.”

Nudging his horse into a trot, Colin led the way. With the children safe, all was right with the world.

Almost.

Once they were home Eugenie reprimanded the children for giving her such a scare and clucked over them, promising hot chocolate once they were free of wet clothes and muddy shoes and socks. Colin took their bundles out of the wagon and carried them upstairs. As he set down the larger of the two, a folded piece of paper fell out. Kate’s letter.

He glanced over his shoulder before he unfolded the page and ignored the way his hand trembled as he read her words.

Were the tearstains on the page Kate’s or Marie’s? Or was it rain?

Colin reread the letter and carried it onto the gallery into the brisk air. He had expected recriminations. At the very least he thought Kate would accuse him of sending her to the city, but she’d laid none of the blame at his doorstep.

Her consideration was more than he deserved. He folded the letter and slipped it into the poorly tied bundle. The children were safe. So why was his heart heavier than before?

A
lone in New Orleans, Kate buried herself in work, which brought some light into otherwise long and empty days.

Roger Jamison was a wonderful mentor who entrusted her with more work — so much work that she was becoming known around town as more than Gilbert Keene’s daughter; hopefully she would soon make a name as a talented architect in her own right.

When she asked Dan Rosen what rumors, if any, were circulating about her leaving her new husband to take up residence in the city, he said no one was giving it much attention. Nola had always been more than content to live apart from Gilbert; folks assumed that Kate took after her mother.

Let them talk, Kate decided. Speculation was far better than the truth.

After two weeks in the city without any word from
Belle Fleuve
, she was certain she had made a big mistake by leaving. After three weeks she was heartbroken. She should have stayed to plead her
case. How else could she convince Colin the last thing she ever wanted was to hurt and embarrass him?

Just as she made up her mind that it was high time she returned to the plantation to reason with him, she stopped by the reception desk at the St. Charles. A letter from Cora Bolton awaited her. Cora and Eugenie were making the trek to New Orleans with the children. They were all looking forward to visiting her for the day. She read the brief missive over and over. There was no mention of Colin.

Her heart sank. If he was sending the children to visit, there was little hope of reconciliation anytime soon.

Kate shook off her disappointment and tried to see the bright side; soon she would be with Damian and Marie again, and perhaps Cora or Eugenie could shed some light on Colin’s mood.

“I won’t be in tomorrow,” she reminded Roger, as she handed him her latest drawing.

He smiled as he peered over his spectacles. “I may be in my fifties but I’ve still got my wits about me, young lady. That’s the third time you told me today.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just excited. The children are coming to visit.”

He sat down on the arm of a chair and studied her.

“You know, Kate, there’s nothing good to be had by living apart from Colin. I know a man in love when I see one, and he was certainly in love with you when I met him. Why don’t you go home?”

She sighed a small sigh and shrugged. “It’s not that easy.”

“This has nothing to do with Ezekiel Stevens does it?”

“Not at all.” Kate wished things were that simple. “I assured Colin he had no reason to be jealous of the captain. I’m certain he believed me.”

Roger was a true gentleman, and Kate had come to consider him not only a mentor and employer, but also a friend. Still, she could tell him no more.

“I had a client in here last week, a man named Sparks. He and his wife saw your plans for
Belle Fleuve
and wondered if you’d be
willing to copy them. They’re preparing to build on some land they recently purchased on the river.”

A replica of
Belle Fleuve
?

“I’m afraid
Belle Fleuve
is far too precious to me. Besides, the original plans belong to the Delanys. They belonged to the Baudiers before them.”

“He’ll be very disappointed.”

“I’d be more than happy to come up with something equally lovely for them. Something with the same colonial feel.”

“Good. I’ll let them know.” He put the new set of drawings on the table.

“Any word yet on your periodical contest entries?”

Kate shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Don’t be discouraged. I’m sure you’re going to become so sought after that I’m afraid I’ll lose you.” Roger was headed around his desk.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

He gave her a thoughtful appraisal. “You’ll be going home soon, Kate.”

Her heart contracted with a familiar ache of longing. She hoped he was right. Weeks ago nothing could have kept her from
Belle Fleuve
, not even Colin’s temper. Now she wasn’t certain of anything.

T
he day of the visit dawned on the chilly side, but it was warm in the sunshine. Still wearing mourning colors out of respect for Amelie, Kate chose one of her finest day outfits, a long jacket of striped gray silk with plain sleeves. She donned a small felt hat with short feathers. Kid gloves the color of her narrow-cut boots and matching silk bag completed the ensemble.

She might not have much left in her account, but she had never scrimped when she had money, so her wardrobe wasn’t lacking. She could always have her things altered to keep up with trends. She set her hat at a jauntier tilt and then adjusted her
glasses before she looped the silk drawstrings of her reticule over her wrist. Finally, she was ready to await the children in the grand vestibule of the St. Charles Hotel.

The place was already bustling with businessmen and government officials. As it had been for decades, the hotel’s famous Parlor P was still the center of Southern politics, and during Reconstruction the hotel had been the site of at least six different congressional committee investigations.

Kate waited for the children beneath the grand rotunda. The hotel housed six hundred guests, and it was here that many of the formerly wealthy planters displaced by the war had sought asylum for as long as they could afford it. Who knew she would be experiencing their plight firsthand?

The rotunda amplified even the most hushed sounds rising from the floor beneath it. The many footsteps and conversations exchanged by harried businessmen and politicians combined with the higher-pitched voices of women preparing to venture out created quite a din. Even with all the noise, it was hard to miss Damian’s shout as he came running across the room.

“Aunt Kate! Aunt Kate, we’re here!”

When she spotted him making a beeline for her, Kate knelt and opened her arms wide. He barreled into her and hugged her tightly.

“Oh, Aunt Kate. We’ve missed you. When are you coming home?”

She looked over his head and saw Cora hurrying toward them. Marie was clinging to the woman’s hand. Kate extricated herself from Damian’s hold but kept his hand in hers as she waited for Cora and Marie.

As soon as they were reunited, Marie wrapped her arms around Kate’s waist and hugged her without a word. Kate drew back and smoothed her hand over Marie’s damp cheeks.

“There now, don’t cry on such a wonderful day. I’m so happy you’re finally here.”

“Can we see your room?”

After a moment’s pause Kate said, “I’m afraid it’s a terrible mess right now. I couldn’t decide what to wear today and my things are flung about as if a hurricane stirred them up.”

She reached for Marie’s hand and held tightly to both children. She told Cora, “I’ve planned a picnic for later. We’ll all be more comfortable in the park than here at the hotel.”

She could tell Cora was both overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place and relieved to hear Kate say this. In her plain serge gown and wide-brimmed bonnet the woman looked neat and clean but hopelessly unsophisticated, and Kate found herself wishing she had dressed down a bit.

“That sounds wonderful,” Cora agreed readily.

“Have you been to New Orleans before?” Kate asked.

“Only once, but Jason hadn’t time for sightseeing.”

“Well, today we’ll take our time. The children have never been to a city before. Have you, Marie?”

Marie shook her head no.

“We’ve never been anywhere ‘cept Kansas.” Damian was enjoying the echo in the din.

They exited onto the portico and started down the wide marble steps to the street where Eugenie waited with fussy baby Jake. Cora was relieved when they found her safely tucked in the shade away from the steady stream of passersby. Cora reached for Jake as Kate greeted Eugenie. Dressed in somber black, the woman’s eyes filled with tears the minute she saw Kate.

“I wasn’t goin’ to do that,” Eugenie said as she wiped her eyes.

“Please don’t cry or I’m afraid I will too. I missed you, Eugenie. I’ve missed you all. How is Simon?”

“He’s fine. Everybody’s fine. Don’t you worry ‘bout us.”

Kate blinked back tears. “Today is going to be a fine day,” she said, leading the way.

They headed for the French Quarter. Damian was thrilled when they paused outside of an old building once thought to be Jean Lafitte’s blacksmith shop.

They walked as far as they could, and when Cora tired of carrying Jake and the children were dragging, Kate hired an open carriage and they all piled in. The children’s heads swiveled right and left as they took in the sights and sounds. Damian asked why there were so many soldiers on the streets but Kate soon gave up trying to explain the military law established to quell the frequent riots between opposing sides vying for control over the city government.

“Why isn’t Uncle Colin soldiering here?” Damian wanted to know.

“Because of his ankle, silly,” Marie told him. “He’s not a soldier anymore.”

At the mention of Colin’s name, Kate noticed that Cora busied herself adjusting the baby’s blanket. Eugenie had been mostly silent. They visited a toy shop where each child was allowed to choose a small memento. Marie chose a souvenir plate with a paddle wheeler in the center and magnolia blossoms painted around the rim. Damian chose a cup-and-ball game.

They finally went on to the French Market, where Kate kept a wary eye out for pickpockets. She handed Damian and Marie a few coins so they could choose their own items for the picnic in Jackson Square.

“Pralines!” Damian dashed for a cart with a grand display of sugary treats.

“Fruit and cheeses, please,” Kate advised when she caught up. “I’ll get some bread. Perhaps we’ll all have a praline later and definitely some ginger cake.” She nodded to Eugenie, who shadowed Damian as he made his purchases. Kate helped Marie choose items for all of them to share.

They walked three blocks back to Jackson Square and found a bench on the river side of the park near the equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson astride his rearing mount. After they spread out their food and sat down, Kate pointed out St. Louis Cathedral facing the square, the
Presbytere
, the
Cabildo
, and the Pontalba buildings.

Once he gave up on getting the ball in the cup, Damian ran around the lanes circling the park. Marie, ever concerned, hurried after him.

All day Cora and Eugenie had avoided any mention of Colin. Kate could take their silence no longer.

“How is Colin?” she asked neither in particular.

“I’d best go keep an eye on the children.” Eugenie stood and shook out the breadcrumbs that had fallen on her lap.

Frustrated, Kate watched her go.

“She’s very angry at him,” Cora volunteered. “I’m surprised he hasn’t fired her.”

Kate was aghast. “He wouldn’t.”

Cora shrugged. “Not unless he’s lost his mind. She does such a fine job with the children.”

“That’s good.” Kate’s gaze found the familiar trio across the park.

“But it’s not the same as having you there.” Cora paused, considering. “They ran away last week.”

Kate dropped the leftovers she was wrapping. “The children ran away?”

Cora shifted the baby to her other shoulder and patted his bottom. “They didn’t get far. Eugenie came to the house looking for them. Colin searched the road. I was frantic until Jason came home and told me Colin had found them not far away. They were running away to live with you. That’s why Colin agreed to this visit.”

What if he hadn’t found them so quickly? What if they’d lost them for good?

“I can’t thank you enough for bringing them to town.” Kate smiled at the babe nestled in Cora’s arms. “I’m sorry you had to make the journey with the baby.”