Wronged (Book 1)

  ***

  Marian glanced across the steamboat deck and watched Louis with her son.

  Louis was a shrewd man. She’d dropped the businessman part, because though it fit him, she was quickly discovering the word shrewd described him.

  She felt a pang of emotion seize her. Philip glanced at Louis so trusting that her heart ached for the child. He missed his father so much and though he appeared to be feeling better, there was a conspicuous absence of his friends around their house. At least he hadn’t spoken of any more trouble, but then school had been out for the last month. The only time he saw his friends was for baseball games in the park.

  She tried to remember when she’d last seen him play ball with his friends in their yard and couldn’t recall. She'd question him later.

  “Momma, look over there at that island. Can we stop there?” Renee asked. She had been timid coming on board and even now she hadn’t left Marian’s side since the boat departed. The boat quickly slicing through the water, heading upstream had made the child wary, though Marian felt exhilarated.

  “No, dear, we’re going up river to some place Mr. Fournet knows.”

  “Will it be fun?” the child asked.

  “I don’t know. You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “Renee,” Philip called. “Come see this.”

  The child glanced at her brother and then at her mother, her reluctance to move obvious.

  “It’s okay,” Marian reassured her. “Just be careful.” The little girl took one last look at Marian and then slowly ambled off toward her brother. Marian turned her attention once again back to the river and gazed at the shoreline.

  Occasionally they passed large houses surrounded with fields of sugarcane, the green blades tall in the hot sun. Sometimes a field hand would glance up from his labor and wave at the boat. She stood watching the changing shoreline, her mind on the man who had picked her up this morning.

  Now, he was trying not only to court her, but it seemed he also appeared to be working his charm on her children, which she didn’t appreciate.

  She felt his presence and turned to see him step to the railing beside her.

  “So what do you think of one of your boats, Mrs. Cuvier?”

  She gazed at him, noting the way the breeze ruffled his hair. “I think it’s a typical steamboat.”

  “True, but they’re a dying breed. If you’d like to, Capitan Paul said you could steer once we get past the sandbars on this part of the river.”

  “No, thank you. I’ll leave that to the professionals,” she said. “Where are you taking us today? Are we just out for an excursion on the river?”

  “Yes and no. We’re only an hour from Belle Fournet, my family’s plantation, and Capitan Paul has a load for the White Castle plantation, which is just up the river. I thought that we could stop and spend the afternoon with my family.”

  “Your family?” Marian asked, surprised.

  “Yes. The kids could ride horses and I could show you around Belle Fournet.”

  Marian took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Mr. Fournet, while I understand you’re trying to charm me and somehow find a way to get me to marry you, I don’t appreciate your enticing my children. If you harm them in any way, I promise you, I will retaliate in a most unladylike manner.”

  Louis frowned, his eyes flashing. “I would never do anything to hurt your children, Marian. That would be the worst thing anyone could do and I take offense at your even suggesting it.”

  “I’m just warning you,” she said.

  “Your worries are unfounded. I like Philip and Renee and would never use them to get to you,” he said. “I will, however, do things I think they will enjoy.”

  “I can’t argue with you for that. In fact, I appreciate everything you’ve done for them so far.” She paused. “I guess I worry about how Jean’s death has affected them and I’m very protective of my children.”

  “I understand.”

  They stood at the railing for several moments, neither one saying anything. The silence seemed peaceful and Marian enjoyed the feel of the breeze on her face.

  “When we come around this bend, you can see Belle Fournet’s landing. That’s where we’re getting off.”

  “Is your family expecting us?” she questioned.

  “Yes, I sent word several days ago, after you agreed at the picnic.”

  As the boat docked, Marian gazed at the big house that sat at least half a mile from the river. The raised Creole plantation house stood off in the distance, the French doors on the second floor opened for the cooling river breeze.

  “You never told me your family lived so well.”

  “Would it have made a difference?”

  “No, though I would certainly hate to offend them in any way. Are you certain they will want me to visit them?”

  “Marian, you don’t understand the way of life along the river road. Everyone is welcome at Belle Fournet.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  A wagon pulled up to the dock, driven by a servant “Mr. Louis, welcome home. Your mother said to tell you she’s expecting you.”

  “Thank you, Leon.”

  “Mr. Fournet I’ll blow my whistle as I come around the bend to let you know it’s time to go. We should be back to pick you up in four hours.”

  “Thank you, Captain Paul,” Louis said, and then turned to Marian. “Shall we?”

  Marian gathered her children and they disembarked, stepping onto the dock and then crossing to the waiting wagon.

  Louis helped Philip into the wagon and then lifted Renee up to sit beside her brother. He turned to Marian and helped her into the wagon, before climbing in beside her.

  “How you been, Leon?” he asked the servant.

  “Good, Mr. Louis. Your brother, he’s been making some changes in the fields and they seem to be working. The sugarcane is looking even better than last year’s crop.”

  “Good. How’s the family?”

  “Thanks for asking, sir. My son is going to be leaving for New Orleans to attend school.”

  “Tell him to look me up when he gets into town and I’ll try to find some part-time work for him.”

  “Thanks kindly, sir.”

  They pulled up at the front of the big house and Marian heard the tinkle of wind chimes, soft and melodic in the breeze. Two huge oak trees shaded the front of the house, two matching staircases wound in a graceful curve toward the second story.

  A beautiful, older woman stood on the second story verandah gazing down at them. Her dark hair was tinged with gray, her long neck graceful and proud. Marian knew she could only be Louis’s mother. He took the stairs two at a time and when he reached her, wrapped his arms around his mother, kissing her cheek.

  “Mon fils.”

  “Mere. Still the prettiest woman I know.”

  She laughed. “Still my son, the courtier. It’s good to see you.” She patted him on the cheek. “We miss you. The summer is upon us and you should leave that dreadful city and come home where it’s clean.”

  “Mere, New Orleans no longer has the outbreaks of yellow fever it once had.”

  “Pooh! It’s still not healthy, mon fils. “

  She released him. “Introduce me to your guests.”

  Marian slowly made her way up the stairs with Renee and Philip in tow. They stood quietly waiting, watching with interest as Louis greeted his mother. Somehow she’d never expected this big, strong man to care for his mother so much. His affection to her was a contrast to his usual callous ways with women.

  “Mere, this is Mrs. Marian Cuvier, my business partner and friend,” he said smiling at Marian.

  “Nice to meet you,” she said shaking her hand. She pointed to the land that surrounded the house. “Welcome to Belle Fournet.”

  “It’s lovely,” Marian said, in awe of the land and the house.

  “Thank you. And who are these beautiful children?” his mother asked.

  “This is Renee and young Philip, m
y children.” Marian said proudly.

  “We’re honored to have you. Please come in.”

  In the Creole custom, she took them into the house through her bedroom, though she defied convention and led them into the parlor of the big house.

  “My husband and other son, Edmond, will join us soon,” she said. “Please make yourself comfortable.” Renee and Philip followed them, their eyes wide as they gazed at the rooms. They sat down in the parlor and a servant brought lemonade, which they sipped, their throats parched from the summer heat.

  “I’ve sent a servant to fetch the men.” She gazed at Marian. “Louis tells us that you’ve taken over your husband’s part of the business.”

  “Yes, I’ve taken Jean’s place,” Marian said expecting censure from the older woman.

  “Good for you,” Mrs. Fournet said. “Creole women ran many businesses until the Americans came. Then it suddenly became faux pas, though the Creole women were excellent at controlling the family finances. Sometimes a woman has to take control of her own destiny.”

  Surprised by the woman’s vote of confidence, Marian smiled. “Thank you.”

  “My son knows my feelings and I’m sure he must be very helpful in your work.”

  Marian tried not to laugh and managed to suppress her amusement to a grin. She glanced at Louis who looked sheepish and quickly changed the subject.

  “Leon told us that the sugarcane crop is better than ever.”

  “Yes, Edmond has increased the production. Your father is very pleased with him.” His mother reached over and touched Louis on the arm. “I must warn you that your father wants you to return home. Please Louis, listen to him, but do what pleases you.” She glanced at Marian. “I only want my sons to be happy.”

  “When is he going to give up on me coming home and working under Edmond, Mere ?”

  She shook her head and gave a slight shrug to her shoulders. “He’s a typical father. He wants both of his sons working the family business. He doesn’t realize that one of them is as strong and stubborn as himself.” She paused and laid her hand on Louis’s arm. “You must do what your heart tells you to do, regardless of what your father says.”

  Louis leaned forward and kissed his mother’s cheek. “I don’t want to work under my brother. I want to be in charge of my own company. He knows that’s why I left.”

  “If you had children, you would understand his thinking better, Louis.”

  “I know he means well, Mere, but I’m not going to return to Belle Fournet, unless I’m working with the family in my own company.

  Marian felt like they had forgotten her as they discussed the family situation as if she were not there.

  “But what would you do, Louis? What kind of company could that be?”

  “I have some ideas. When I’m ready to discuss them, then I’ll let Papa know.” He picked up his mother’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mere. Everything will be all right.”

  “Your father can be very stubborn,” she said, and turned her attention to Marian. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Cuvier, for discussing such things in front of you, but my husband will be here shortly and well you know how protective a mother feels toward her children. No matter what their age, that feeling never goes away.”

  “I understand, Mrs. Fournet,” she said, surprised at the way Louis reacted to his mother. She never thought of him as a man who would care deeply for his parents, but he obviously did.

  This new revelation about him surprised her. Jean Cuvier had barely spoken to his mother and when she’d died he didn’t appear to grieve. But then Jean had hidden so many of his emotions, she realized.

  Heavy footsteps resounded outside the main room as his father strode into the parlor.

  “Louis, you’re home.” His father came forward, tossing his hat onto the settee.

  “Hello, Papa,” Louis said.

  “Mrs. Cuvier, it’s nice to see you again. And who are these monkeys?” he asked glancing at Renee and Philip.

  “Hello, Mr. Fournet. These monkeys are my children, Renee and Philip,” Marian said, thinking how much Louis looked like his father.

  “Ah! I bet you are bored silly sitting here with these adults. Would you like to go horseback riding?”

  “Yes,” Philip cried.

  “Will the horse go fast?” Renee asked timidly.

  “No, he’s docile. Come now and I’ll take you out to the barns.”

  The children jumped up, happy to escape the adult conversation.

  Marian followed them. “I just want to make sure they’re all right.”

  “I promised to show you around Belle Fournet We’ll go for a buggy ride and then come back,” said Louis.

  “Lunch should be ready in just over an hour,” Mrs. Fournet advised. “Have a good time.”

  The hour sped by too quickly, with Louis driving her around the plantation, showing her the sugar mill process, and how the cane was cut and burned in the fields.

  At the appointed hour everyone gathered around the family table. As they sat down to eat Marian realized once again just how different Louis seemed around his family. He appeared relaxed, yet she sensed he was on guard waiting for his father’s reproach. At the last second, a hurried Edmond joined them at the table.

  “Marian, meet my older brother, Edmond.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Cuvier.”

  “I’ve heard a lot about you from Louis,” Marian said.

  “All good, I hope,” Edmond said glancing at his younger brother.

  “Of course.”

  Edmond smiled. “We did have some good times together.” The man glanced at his brother. “Papa says the crops are better than ever this year.”

  “Yes, the weather has been excellent and so far the cane is looking very good. We could use another hand to help get the crop in,” his father hinted.

  “You know I will help you any time I can. I have my own business to run,” Louis told him.

  “Papa said that Mrs. Cuvier was helping to run your shipping business,” Edmond remarked ignoring Marian.

  “I am,” she replied before Louis could answer for her.

  “My life is in New Orleans,” Louis said looking at his brother and his father.

  “Your life should be here at Belle Fournet with your family. You’re my son and you should be here working the land with your brother,” his father said, his voice rising, taking advantage of the opening to express his frustration with his youngest son. Stunned, Marian watched as Louis defended his decisions.

  “When the time comes I will return home and help with the harvest. But I have my own company in New Orleans, Papa.”

  His father turned to Marian. “I apologize, Mrs. Cuvier, but this has been a long standing argument between my son and me. Edmond is my oldest, but I always dreamed both my sons would work the plantation. But one of them runs away from his responsibilities to the family.”

  “I do not, Papa. I’m just not a planter. I find no pleasure in watching the cane grow.”

  “Who says you’re supposed to get pleasure from the work? This is the way we earn our living,” his father insisted.

  Marian saw the tightening of Louis’s facial muscles. She watched his eyes darken with anger and she suddenly felt sorry for him.

  She turned to Mr. Fournet, needing to say something to help Louis. “Sometimes our children don’t always follow the dreams we have set out for them.”

  He dismissed her comment with a wave of his hand, but the words suddenly resounded in her head and she wondered at them. Wasn’t she setting up her own son in exactly the same situation? Would Philip want to inherit the shipping company or was there some other profession that he dreamed of, one she knew nothing of?

  “Wise words, Mrs. Cuvier,” Louis’s mother said, and then turned her steely gaze on her husband. “I think this discussion should be continued after lunch, Mr. Fournet.”

  The older man started to reply, but then closed his mouth. “As you wish, Mrs. Fournet.”

  “Thank you,??
? she replied with a nod.

  Marian glanced across the table at Louis. She felt like a window had been opened and the reasons for some of his actions were clearly revealed. Cuvier Shipping was his escape from working under his father and brother. Without the shipping company he would have to return to working the plantation, which he clearly didn’t enjoy.

  So why then did he want to sell the business? What did he want to do if he no longer had the shipping company? Had she been wrong in assuming he intended to sell Cuvier Shipping?