***
Marian scurried around the room helping the servants pack the children’s trunks when Edward came upstairs to tell her she had a guest. It had been over a week since she’d walked out of Cuvier Shipping needing to put some distance between her and Louis. Since that time, Henry had come to visit and let her know that Louis had also left town. He’d gone home to the plantation, leaving Henry in charge of the shipping company.
Marian trusted the man and knew he would make sure things were done right. In the meantime, she still intended to go home to Virginia, to rest near the pine trees, be comforted by her family, and let her spirit heal. “Who is the visitor, Edward?”
“A Mr. Drew Soulier.”
What was her lawyer doing here?
Maybe it had something to do with the trial or maybe something with the will. She hurried downstairs to meet him.
“Hello, Drew,” she said coming into the parlor where Edward had left the man. Tall and distinguished looking, his dark hair matched the suit he wore, his green eyes were ever observant.
He kissed her cheek. “How have you been? You’re looking beautiful.”
“Thank you. I’m all right. I’m about to take the children home to Virginia for a few weeks and then I’ll return and decide what to do about Cuvier Shipping.” They sat down on the settee in the parlor and he cleared his throat nervously, his brow furrowed.
“Before you go rushing off, I have some papers for you to look over.” He took a deep breath and gazed at her steadily. “Has Louis been acting odd lately? Or has anything happened between the two of you?”
Marian glanced away, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. There was no reason for her to reveal everything to Drew. “Our friendship has always been rocky and lately it’s been more strained than usual.”
Drew frowned. “I must say his latest instructions shocked me.” He shrugged, his large shoulders rising beneath his black coat “He sent me a letter from Belle Fournet with instructions for me to draw up the papers giving you his part of Cuvier Shipping.”
Marian gasped, her gaze locked on Drew. Had she heard him correctly? “He’s giving me his share of the business? Did he say why?”
“No, but he did enclose a letter to you,” he said pausing as he gazed at her speculatively. “My instructions were to make sure that you knew it was a gift and that there would be no money exchanged. He said that Cuvier Shipping should belong to you.”
“I don’t understand.” Marian massaged her forehead with her fingertips, trying to ease the ache that suddenly appeared. Why would he just give her the business? “Why is he doing this?”
Drew shook his head. “I don’t know, he didn’t explain his actions to me. Why don’t you read his letter and see if there is anything there that tells you?”
He handed the envelope to Marian and she stared at it, afraid to open the missive from the man she still loved desperately. His handwriting scrawled across the front and she resisted the urge to hold the paper close to her heart. No matter what he’d done, her heart ached at the thought of him, and she missed him more than she thought possible.
She broke the seal and slowly pulled out the letter, the crisp white paper crinkling in her hand, the noise seeming loud in the silence. Unfolding it slowly, she began to read.
Dearest Marian,
What can I say that will make you ever truly believe anything I say ever again? I am not worthy of your love and forgiveness, and I realize the extent of the hurt and pain my actions have caused you. I would tell you I’m sorry, but I don’t know if you would believe me. I would beg for your forgiveness, but I don’t know if that’s possible.
I can only tell you that until you came into my life, I led a very selfish existence, thinking of only myself and my dreams. But you’ve shown me just how empty my life is, and how my dreams mean nothing without you by my side.
I know that words from me mean naught right now, so I want to show you how much I love you, how much your happiness means to me. I’m giving you my part of Cuvier Shipping. It is my gift to you and I hope it will fulfill your dream for you and your children. Along with the business, I give you my heart and my love, though they are only words to tell you of my affection.
All my love, Louis
Tears trickled down her face as Marian finished reading his letter. What should she do now?