***
Louis’s heart wrenched at the sight of Philip, dusty, beaten, with scraped knees and an eye that was rapidly swelling. He remembered those days of his own bygone youth, when he’d tangled with someone in the schoolyard.
His own boy would have been about the same age as this boy by now. Quickly he pushed the thought from his mind. There was no sense in dwelling on the past, especially when it hurt.
Marian was staring at him, her look questioning.
“They told me Philip came in hurt and I wanted to make sure he was all right,” Louis said meeting Marian’s gaze.
She glanced at her son, whose head was bowed. “I think he’s going to be fine.”
The boy looked dejected and angry at the world. Louis had heard just enough to realize what happened. The boy had gotten into a fight at school because of his father. Louis felt the urge to take him and give him some fighting lessons that would cure the other boys from picking on him. But instinctively he knew that Marian would not appreciate his efforts.
“I know your carriage isn’t due until five o’clock. If you’d like, I can take you and the boy home now, in my buggy,” he said, wanting to do something to help Marian and the child.
Marian contemplated him for several moments and then glanced at her son. “Thanks, I think that is a good idea,” she said. “I’ll spend the rest of the day at home with my children.”
He nodded his head. “I’ll meet you at the front door.”
Less than five minutes later, Louis helped her and young Philip into his buggy. He climbed in and picked up the reins. He called to the horses and they were soon on their way.
Passing the river docks, a bird flew overhead squawking a lonesome cry that was barely heard over the cries of the men yelling to each other as they loaded the boats. The boy sat between them, quiet and withdrawn. Louis felt sorry for the kid and wanted to cheer him up.
“Philip, is this your first black eye?” Louis asked, trying to make light of the subject.
“Yes, sir,” he replied, sullenly.
“Most boys remember who gave them their first shiner. My brother gave me mine. Of course my father thought we shouldn’t have been fighting in the first place, and made us clean the animal barn as punishment”
“Nasty!” the boy said, with some interest.
“Yeah, we hated it” Louis told him.
“How many brothers and sisters do you have?” asked Marian.
“I have an older brother,” he replied. “He runs my family’s plantation.”
“Why didn’t you stay on the plantation instead of deciding to go into the shipping business with my husband?” Marian asked.
Louis shrugged. “My father and my brother were doing just fine running the plantation together. There was no challenge, except in getting along with them. I didn’t want to do their dirty work. So I took my inheritance and came to New Orleans to make my fortune. That’s where I met Jean.”
“You knew my father?” the boy asked.
“Yes, I was his business partner,” Louis replied. “Maybe your mother could bring you to the shipping office sometime and I’ll give you a tour of the place. We could even go out on one of the boats and see a shipment start off for some far-off destination. Would you like that?”
“Yes!” the boy said loudly, his eyes growing large in anticipation, a tentative smile on his face.
It was the first smile Louis had seen on the boy’s face and it pleased him that he’d managed to draw it out of the kid.
Marian turned and stared at Louis, frowning slightly, yet her gray eyes were surprised. He smiled and watched as the wind teased wisps of her hair about her lovely face.
He swallowed and glanced away. It would not do for Philip to see Louis’s desire for Marian. Philip wouldn’t recognize Louis’s longing for his mother as the simple flirtation Louis knew his lust to be.
“Hey look, we’re right here at Tony’s,” said Louis. “How about we stop for an Italian ice? It would cool us all off.”
“Would you like that, Philip?” Marian asked.
The boy glanced with longing at the outdoor cafe and then at Louis, his eyes so much like Jean’s. “All right.”
Leaving the buggy at the curb, Louis helped Philip out then he reached up to help Marian alight. His hands encircled her waist and he lifted her out. When he placed her on the ground, her eyes met his.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“My pleasure,” he said indulging his gaze in the depths of her gray eyes.
He took them into the courtyard where a water fountain babbled from a cherubic angel, the water splashing down over rocks into a pool. Lantana bloomed in pots in the courtyard, with crepe myrtle growing along the sides.
Louis seated them at a table and ordered the ices.
They sat there awkwardly staring at one another, the boy watching him with interest.
“I remember you,” he said finally. “You were at my father’s funeral.”
“Yes, I was,” Louis replied, as the waitress served the Italian ices.
“My mom is working with you now,” the boy said.
“Yes, she is.”
“Do you like her?” he questioned.
“Philip! What a question to ask the gentleman! You don’t ask that kind of question,” Marian scolded.
“It’s okay, Marian. Of course I do, Philip. She’s a nice lady. Awfully smart, too.” Louis glanced over at Marian and noticed her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright in the afternoon sunshine. She spooned the ice between her full lips, while he tried not to notice that her mouth was more tempting than any chilled dessert.
If the boy hadn’t been there, he would have considered trying to kiss her again. Just to experience the velvet and sweetness, with a hint of orange Italian ice.
“If you like her, then why don’t you want her in the office?” young Philip asked.
Louis was taken aback. While he sat thinking lustful thoughts about the boy’s mother, Philip surprised him and he didn’t quite know how to answer.
“Philip! What’s gotten into you?” said Marian.
“Its okay, Marian.” He paused.
“Where did you hear that?” Marian asked Philip.
“You told Aunt Claire he didn’t want you there.”
Marian looked at Louis with an apologetic smile. “I did.”
“Philip, the business your father and I ran has no women in it. It’s not that I don’t want your mother there, it just isn’t a place for a woman. One day you’ll understand. I’m trying to look out for her.”
“Oh,” the boy said, and once again delved the spoon into his Italian ice, somehow satisfied with Louis’s response.
Marian glanced at her son and then at Louis. She raised her brows with a questioning look. “And Philip, I’m trying to look out for our family’s interest, since someday you will take over. Until then, I’m going to take your place.”
The child glanced at the adults like he knew something wasn’t quite right, but didn’t understand exactly what.
Louis pushed away the niggling feeling of guilt that suddenly appeared. He had to have the business. Marian Cuvier would marry a wealthy man to take care of her and then he would have his new business. He would not give up until he won this battle. He needed the capital from Cuvier Shipping to achieve his dreams.