Napoleon's Gift (27 page)

Haven

Plantation…

Two months later…

Although I had been through a dreadful ordeal, Doctor
Augustine said I came through unscathed.

However, mentally, I would never be the same.

I still could not quite fathom, how Claudette had taken something so pure, and turned it into something so primeval, unnatural and malicious. Even so, I was truly saddened by her senseless death.

I
was not sure what could be done about
Monsieur
Marcus, because since her death, he refused to leave his home, and had become somewhat of a hermit.

Benjamin
did not think it best for me to visit him, and I agreed, because the Pinkertons left the fact that Claudette was killed during which I had to watch out of their report.

Nonetheless
, I felt for him, because they had not given him a reason for her death, so I felt it kept him from grieving properly.

I had no clue what happened to both madams, and
whenever I asked Abel, he would only smile and say I need not worry over it. I would kiss his cheek, then go about my business.

Of all my
despondency, I was struck most by Ms. Millie’s death. I could not comprehend how someone could dispend with such a wonderful person as Ms. Millie, and Isaiah and I both cried for two days because of it. As of that moment, he and I were kindred spirits. Fabre sought out the constable the day after the chaos, showed him where he had buried Ms. Millie, after constable Jefferies held him for questioning, then eventually let him go.

I went to see Onrey days after Gonrey’s death, and was
astounded that Mrs. Bushé was not in mourning. She believed that maybe the lord had shown Gonrey mercy, and opened his pearly gates for his spirit. However, because I knew Gonrey was a rotten egg, I prayed that there was some truth in what Mrs. Bushé believed.

What surprised me most was the fact that Monique had taken over
Madame’s. Nevertheless, I knew because of the compassionate person Monique was, the girls would be treated well, and if they chose to return to their former lives, Monique would allow it, with no consequences to them. I was elated, that she was finally content, although it was not the occupation I would have chosen for her; yet she had told me once, that this was their lot. I was pleased, that she was able to lessen the burden of it for the girls.

Since Mr. Charles had been gunned down in a criminal act, the bank had seized his properties, and if my assumption was correct, my father’s solicitor Gaillard was in the process of procuring it for Benjamin’s friend Bartholomew.

The Opium house was shut down, and the residents of New Orleans were just as astonished as I was to learn that it was there. The Pinkerton Agents went on their way to their next adventure, because in all the commotion, although shot in the arm, Thomas Cole Younger managed to escape, with Declan Anderson hot on his trail.

I sighed, because at least the shenanigans would be far from New Orleans.

Benjamin sold his home in England, and seemed to be adjusting to Southern life quite well. If ever I loved anyone on this earth more than I loved my Marié, it was Benjamin.

Yet, I was quite
flabbergasted when his friend Bartholomew decided to stay as well, for I thought New Orleans a bit slow for him. Conversely, Benjamin mentioned that he had taken quite an interest in Adèle, and I was very happy for her. Her face seemed to light up each time he came into the room, so I was sure nuptials would be declared soon.

As I sat on the veranda thinking on all of this,
I instantly missed my Marié. I had no clue if I had truly seen her that night, but I believed I had. I felt as if she was watching over Benjamin and me with a smile, and I felt this to be true every time I placed fresh flowers on her grave.

I retreated from my thoughts, and
smiled as I saw my handsome husband walking towards the house, with a hand full of copper irises. The smile he gave me caused my heart to skip a beat.

When he reached me, he placed the
irises in my hand, then kissed me deeply as his hand found its way to my slightly protruding belly. I laughed, and as he drew back, his beautiful blue eyes sparkled.

“Why are ye not upstairs resting? Especially after what ye’ve been through my love.”

“I am quite fine Benny.” I laughed, then frowned as he swept me up in his arms moving towards the door.

“I can think of much finer things we can teach each other. I daresay yer tutelage is not quite finished.” He grinned, and I laughed.

“Ye don’t say?” I mocked, and he laughed again.

“That I do, there is always much to learn about the art of loving a man.” He claimed, and I laughed again.

“I only wish to love one man.” I countered; he smiled, then kissed me deeply.

“Then it is time ye kept that promise.” He grinned
wolfishly, then took the stairs two at a time.

Here was my Napoleon’s gift, the day I walked into that Bordello
. He had changed my life;
and for the better
, I thought as his hips took mine. It took us fourteen years, but he was finally mine, and I was finally his.

I would
seize this love and bliss, then secrete it deeply in the recesses of my heart.
He…
was all I needed.

My one genuine gift.

I thought, as he whispered
I love ye
.

Catch a Snippet

Shards of Grey…

England 1795

Essex…

    
William stood watching his sister from the path.

He looked at his brother’s face, and it was grim. He knew what he was doing, and neither of them could sway him from it. Someone had to protect Samantha, even if their father would not.  His brain repeated the scenes of the last hour, and he trembled again just contemplating it.  It had been his father’s proposal, but he knew she should not have attended.

     Samantha was best acquaintances with Lord and Lady Athermays’ daughter Jessica. Jessica and Samantha supplicated and beseeched father to allow Samantha to travel on holiday with them to Bristol. Jessica was to be betrothed to the Duke of Harmony, and Samantha was to be her chaperon. The rumors of the
Ton
were that Lady Jessica was into obsessions her parents had no designs of, and the fact that she drew Samantha downward with her, only served to make William even angrier.

    “Manley, don not do this. Please!” Samantha wailed from the carriage.

  The prior days flashed through William’s mind. He remembered being in high spirits for Samantha, because finally she would be able to go on holiday.

   Samantha was marrying age, and since the death of their mother, William had done the best he could in nurturing her. Their father was too consumed in his social scenes, making money, and giving the appearance that they were extremely well off, and a content family. Samantha had
completed the setting, and unbeknownst to him she had agreed to attend Nathaniel Grimly’s, The Earl of Wiltshire’s ball.

   He had taken benefit with her, and was in the process of assaulting her, when William burst through the doors.

   “You can not go in there sir!” The butler screamed.

   “
Observe me.” William spat, shoved the butler aside, then burst through Grimly’s study.

  Samantha’s dress was
cleaved, and the Earl was on top of her fumbling with her under things. William grabbed him by the back of his head and heaved him to the floor. When he rose, William struck him in the face repeatedly, until he was hauled up from the Earl.

The Earl howled for his men, his pain quite evident.

       “I will retain justice! Declare yer second.” He yelled as he pulled his handkerchief from his sleeve, placing it to his bleeding nose.

Nicholas rushed into the room.

       “William! What have ye done? I convey ye to delay, allow father to conduct this!”

       “Ye’ve seen how he
has dealt with it Nicky! How can ye declare that?”

       “I will have my
retribution! That little trollop threw herself at me, and now ye have assaulted me in turn! Moreover, in my own home no less!” The Earl shouted and William took a step towards him, but Nicholas caught him from behind.

       “At dawn, take this whore from my home.
Furthermore, ye had better be at Crest Square at dawn. I will be avenged of this slight.” He spat as he glared at Samantha.

       “Ye will, but ye’ll not live to tell it.”
William retorted a bit too contained for Nicholas. He seized Samantha and led them both from the house.

       “I
t is essential that I depart Nicky, transport Sam home and I’ll be there shortly.”

       “And what shall I
inform father?” Nicholas cried.

       “
Forthrightly, I don not care Nicky. Anyway ye slice this loaf; it is entirely his damnable fault.” William frowned; Nicholas nodded, then turned towards the carriage, when William’s voice caused him to pause.

       “Will ye be my second?” William asked and Nicholas nearly choked on the fear.

He was not one to disappoint his brother down, but God, a duel.

       “Fear moves me to
decline dear brother, but ye recognize I was never one to cower from a fight.” He replied grinning.

       “Thank ye Nicholas, now
transfer Samantha home, and be at Crest Square at dawn.”

       “Are ye
certain Will?” Nicholas asked, his eyes pleading with his brother for sanity.

       “Yes I am, and even were I not, do ye
earnestly imagine Grimly would allow this pass?”

Nicholas shook his head gravely.

       “Precisely, neither did I. Just make certain ye are there.”

       “I will.” Nicholas replied, then
instructed the driver to depart.

Ashcroft

Estates London…

When Nicholas arrived at his father’s town house, he was waiting for them in the parlor.

      “Where is yer brother?” He snapped.

      “I have no suspicions father; yer deduction is as best as mine.” Nicholas responded as he handed his sister over to her maidservant. She needed the attention of a doctor, so Nicholas told Billingsworth to fetch the doctor quickly.

      “I
desire to be acquainted with what is transpiring Nicholas, and I wish to know now.”

      “Then ye
shall have to solicit the answers from William, because I cannot distinguish what they are.”

      “Do not
perjure yourself to me boy!” The Duke retorted, then seized Nicholas by his shirtfront.

      “I
am not acquainted with then, nevertheless whatever it is William is burden with should not have been his responsibility in the first place! Yer her father; this was a slight against ye. Yet ye do nothing.”

  The Duke released
Nicholas; Nicholas took a step back as he saw the anger in his father’s eyes. The Duke’s frown increased, he did not necessitate clarifying himself to either one of his sons.

      “I have already taken care of the
state of affairs, and William will only make matters inferior! Samantha is to marry Lord Farmington at the weeks end. It is dreadful enough they will have to have a rushed wedding, because the rumors are bound to fly.”

       “Surely not rushed father?” Nicholas replied dryly, and his father looked at him.

      “Ye had better stay yer place Nicholas. Ye are of the nobility, and acting like a buffoon is not a selection. Ye will permit this to me, because if ye do not I will disown the both of ye. Therefore, it would behoove you to inform William of the same thing!” The Duke shouted and left Nicholas standing there. 

It was near to four am
.

Nicholas
thought sighing as he looked at his timepiece.

He had better
hurry along, if he were to set things right.

He
turned and rushed out the door.

   Samantha
delayed until Nicholas went out the front door to call for Newly. She just could not allow William to do this!

Crest

Square…

   William stood
in the middle of the square observing his timepiece.

Grimly was already
in attendance, with Lord Sinclair as his second.