Across town, Raimond sat on the new loveseat he’d purchased for Sable and wondered if getting drunk would make him feel better. He’d spent most of the morning dealing with the freedmen at the bureau, but not even their pressing needs could clear her face from his mind. Sable had him so tied up in knots he didn’t know how to proceed. Deciding to see if cognac would lighten his despondent mood, he took the crystal decanter from the sideboard. Before he could retrieve a glass, however, he heard a carriage pull up outside and went to the front door. Upon seeing Galeno Vachon descending regally from the rented hack, Raimond grinned broadly. His smile widened further at the sight of Galeno’s lovely wife, Hester.
Raimond set the decanter aside and rushed out to greet them. After sharing tight hugs and spirited slaps on the back with his two friends, he ushered them into his home.
The first words out of Hester’s mouth were, “Where are your facilities?”
“She’s carrying again,” Galen announced proudly.
Raimond hastily pointed the way and Hester took off.
Raimond added up the number of Galen’s children as they took a seat. “This will be the fourth?”
“Correct. Another little dragon for Maxi and Mama Frances to spoil.”
“As if you won’t also.” Raimond chuckled. Maxi was Galen’s cook. Frances was Hester’s mother. “I was there when Francine was born, remember? You carried that baby around for hours at a time. Wouldn’t let me hold her until she was almost a week old.”
“A father’s first child is always special. Besides, I was afraid you would drop her.”
Raimond snorted with comic outrage. Hester returned in the middle of their playful ribbing. “Are you two cubs at it already?”
Galen gently squeezed his wife’s shoulders as she seated herself by his side. “Better now?”
“Infinitely.” She sighed with pleasure. “What were you laughing about?”
Raimond supplied the answer. “How possessive Galen was with Francine when she was first born.”
Hester grinned. “He did go a bit over the top, didn’t he? He wouldn’t even let me hold her at first. Maxi had to remind him that babies needed their mamas for feeding if for nothing else and he very reluctantly handed her over. He was a bit better with the other two girls, but not much.”
Lord, it was good to see them again, Raimond thought. Although Galeno had been born in New Orleans, he now called Michigan home. The two men had known each other since childhood. During the volatile abolitionist years they’d been part of the Underground Railroad, leading runaways North. Furious slave owners had issued warrants for their arrest for what were termed “crimes against the South,” and the bounty offered had made each men worth his weight in gold to the feral bands of slave catchers roaming the North. In fact, had it not been for slave catchers, Galeno and Hester might never have met. She’d hidden him in her cellar after he’d received a severe beating from a group of the mercenary predators, and by the time he’d recovered enough to be taken home by Raimond and the Brats, he’d fallen in love.
“What brings the two of you down here?” Raimond asked.
“You,” Hester said. “Your mother wrote us of your marriage. I’m very offended that we weren’t invited.”
“For you to have arrived here so quickly, she must have written to you the moment the engagement was agreed upon.”
“Yes, she did, and we immediately booked passage south.”
Raimond owed his mother thanks for bringing about this reunion, but he wondered how much of the story she’d revealed.
Hester must have seen the emotions playing over his face because she asked, “What’s the matter?”
Galeno leaned forward. “Why so glum? Don’t tell me the bride looks like a bear.”
Raimond glared.
Galeno grinned. “I’ll take that glare to mean she does not. So what’s the matter?”
Hester asked warningly, “Raimond, you didn’t get some poor freedman’s daughter with child and have to marry, did you? Juliana wrote that she was a former slave.”
“She also said you are in love, Rai,” Galeno added.
The glare darkened even further.
Galeno observed the man whom he loved like a brother and began to laugh. “You are in love, aren’t you? Petite, look at his face. How miserable are you?”
Raimond didn’t answer.
“Does she hate the ground you walk on? Is it unrequited love?”
Hester looked to her husband. “Stop it, Galen.”
“Oh, no. Not after the way he dragged me through the mud over you. This is choice. Tell me the story, Rai, or so help me, I’ll go right to Juliana and ask her. She’ll tell me.”
Raimond knew he’d receive little sympathy for his plight from Galeno, but he trusted him with his life. Even though Galeno was having fun at Raimond’s expense, Raimond valued his advice almost as much as his friendship.
So he told the tale, starting with his initial meeting with Sable and finishing with the wedding and his parting from Muriel.
Hester stared, her dark eyes wide. “You have given up your mistress for a woman who may or may not have been a Rebel spy?”
Galeno couldn’t seem to help himself. He was laughing so hard, he almost rolled off the divan.
Hester, doing her best to hold in her own laughter, smacked her husband across his knee. “Now stop, Galen. This is serious.” She turned back to a scowling Raimond. “When can I meet her?”
“Now seems as good a time as any. I vowed to stay away from her, but I can’t do it.”
Galeno howled.
Raimond looked to his laughing friend, who now had tears of mirth sliding down his ivory cheeks. “With any luck, he’ll laugh himself to death on the ride over. Come on, Hester. I’ll escort you to the coach.”
When Sable returned to Juliana’s it was past dark. She’d spent the last part of the day over in Freetown, a growing city of shacks and tents across the river. A child she’d been searching for all day had reportedly been seen there, but after asking around for nearly two hours, Sable and her driver had given up. The muddy grounds of Freetown had left her hem and shoes covered with mud. Having to crawl into an abandoned boxcar that the orphans sometimes used for quarters had ruined the dress she was wearing for anything but gardening. At the time, Sable hadn’t cared about appearances; finding the child, a small girl, had been her only priority, but now, seeing the many carriages parked in front of the house, her husband’s among them, Sable almost wished she’d had a more sedate day.
The house was filled with people. Seated around the parlor were Juliana, all her sons except Archer, and a man and a woman Sable did not recognize. The atmosphere seemed so festive, Sable fought to remember if today was the birthday of someone in the family, or if Juliana had mentioned a gathering that morning. Had her preoccupation with the passionate night she’d spent with Raimond made her forget?
Juliana’s voice rang out, “Ah, here she is, everyone.”
Sable stepped further into the parlor. Her eyes immediately sought her husband’s. He took in her muddy appearance and, smiling, shook his head.
Beau, standing with a glass of cognac in his hand, asked, “Where on earth have you been, little sister? Digging for gold?”
The other Brats were soon suggesting other scenarios to explain her bedraggled state, each more ridiculous than the last. Well accustomed by now to their wry humor, Sable poured herself a glass of lemonade and said, “You’re all wrong. I was playing in a boxcar over in Freetown.”
“Looking for more children?” Juliana asked solemnly.
Sable nodded.
Juliana took Sable’s dirty hand in her own. “You’ll be blessed for all you’re doing. Come, let’s introduce you to some old and dear friends. Raimond.”
Raimond set his glass down and damned himself for loving this woman. Even covered with mud, she made his heart pound. “Sable, I want you to meet Galeno Vachon and his wife, Hester. This is my wife, Sable.”
Hes
ter held out a black-gloved hand. “I’m glad to meet you, Sable.”
“As am I you.”
Galeno bowed over her own hand and kissed it. “I am truly pleased to meet my dream come true.”
Confused, Sable looked to Hester, who replied, “Pay him no mind. Finding Raimond married has left him a bit delirious.”
Galeno then asked, “Lovely lady, would you care to dine with us this evening?”
Sable looked to Raimond, who replied, “The decision is yours. I’d like a chance to see them, but if the day has been a long one for you, tomorrow will do just as well.”
“Dinner sounds fine,” Sable replied. “Let me wash up and I’ll be right down.”
Upstairs in her room, Sable hastily stripped down to her underwear. She was washing her soiled face and hands when Raimond entered.
Her heart picked up its pace at the sight of him, making her wonder if he would have that same effect on her for the rest of her days. “I’m certain your mother taught you to knock first,” she said.
“She did.”
He closed the door behind him and stepped into the room. As always, his presence filled the space, making Sable remember how thoroughly she’d been loved. “If you’ve come to rush me along, I’m truly moving as fast as I’m able.”
“No, I came to say you don’t have to come if you don’t wish to.”
“Do you want me to stay here?” she asked quietly. She knew her heart would break if he said yes, but her face remained unreadable.
“No. I want you to know my friends.” His small confession took her somewhat by surprise.
“Where are we going?” she asked, trying not to be affected by his smoldering gaze. She needed to know what to wear.
Raimond gazed openly at her soft curves clad in nothing but a camisole and drawers. “Archer’s place, I believe.”
Sable went over to the armoire and took down a simple but elegant gown. As she put it on she confessed, “I do wish I had time to bathe. I’d love a real bath after such a day.”
“I’ll give you one when we return.”
Desire flashed over Sable, sharp and hot.
“Hurry and dress now. I’ll wait downstairs.”
As he left, she was still reeling.
The dining room in Archer’s hotel served excellent food and was one of the most popular and fashionable free Black eateries in town. Because of its reputation, it never lacked for patrons, and tonight was no exception. Knowing the owner helped, and they were given a table in one of the back rooms.
They spent the evening laughing, talking, and reminiscing. Sable found she liked Hester very much. She enjoyed Galeno’s company also. It was apparent that the Vachons were still very much in love after six years of marriage and three children. They had a way of looking at each other that made Sable envious. With Raimond’s mistrust hanging over her own marriage like a threatening cloud, she doubted they would ever achieve such closeness.
As the waiter removed the dinner dishes, he told Sable, “Monsieur Roundanez wishes to send you dessert.”
Raimond swiveled around in his seat until he could see the newspaperman across the room. Louis-Charles nodded politely. Raimond offered a terse nod in reply before turning back to his wife. “Why is he buying you dessert?”
“It’s his way of thanking me for working with the children. He buys me dessert at least three times a week.”
Raimond glowered.
Sable chose to overlook her shocked husband and the now laughing Galeno Vachon, and replied to the waiter’s question. “Yes, George, I’ll have my dessert.”
George smiled. “Yes, madame.”
After George had taken orders for coffee and dessert from everyone else at the table, Raimond asked her, “You know the waiters by name?”
“Yes. I eat luncheon here with Archer most days. This is your brother’s restaurant, Raimond.”
Raimond looked over at Louis-Charles Roundanez once again. Roundanez grinned and Raimond smiled falsely in reply. He turned back to his wife, wondering why he was so irritated all of a sudden. He knew she worked tirelessly on behalf of the orphans, but he’d no idea she’d made so many friend in the community or become such a regular public presence. What else did he not know about his wife?
George wheeled in dessert, coffee, and cognac. He placed slices of pecan pie in front of Raimond, Galeno, and Hester, but Sable received something else entirely.
“Sable, what is that?” Hester asked. “It looks wonderful.”
George volunteered the answer. “The chef calls it Strawberries du Sable, after madame.”
Stunned, Raimond asked, “You have a signature dessert?”
“It isn’t something I asked for, but yes. The chef created it one day, and Archer named it for me because he knows how much I love strawberries.”
Raimond could feel how tight his jaw had become. He took a deep breath in an attempt to relax. It would not do to fly into a jealous rage; Sable would undoubtedly consider him insane, and Galeno would laugh so hard they’d have to cart him away. He found Hester watching him intently, knowingly, as if she could see into his heart.
Yes, he was jealous, jealous of everyone Sable had ever spoken to or blessed with her smile. He wanted to storm over and demand Roundanez never buy his wife dessert again. He wanted to punch the chef, and Archer too. In less than two months she’d become so well known and loved, men were buying her dishes of strawberries topped with golden meringue, and he hadn’t known a damn thing about it!
Raimond was beset by such a storm of emotions, he felt in desperate need of fresh air. He stood abruptly and excused himself from the table.
Sable watched him walk stiffly away. She had no idea what he was about, but she assumed his agitation stemmed from her. She looked to his friends, hoping her disappointment didn’t show, and asked Hester about her three daughters. As Hester began naming them, Galeno excused himself and went in pursuit of Raimond.
Alone at the table, Sable and Hester sat quietly for a few moments, each preoccupied with her own thoughts, then Hester asked Sable quietly, “You love him very much, don’t you?”
Sable offered up a bittersweet smile. “Is it that obvious?”
Hester nodded.
“I’d hoped to hide it.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t love me, and probably never will.” She then added, “Since our husbands are such close friends, I assume he has told you the story of our past?”
“Yes.”
“And that he believes I was involved in the theft of General Sherman’s papers?”
“Were you?”
“No.”
Sable sensed Hester believed her, but she didn’t reply. Instead, Hester said softly, “Raimond loves you very much also.”
Sable smiled wanly. “Even though it’s not true, it is nice to hear.”
“I’m being truthful, Sable. I haven’t known him for as long as Galen has, but I know Raimond LeVeq in ways Galen does not. Did I mention he’s the godfather of all my girls?”
“All of them?”
“Yes, and I refuse to have anyone else as godfather. Should anything happen to Galeno or me, I know Raimond will see that my babies lack for nothing, that he’ll love them as fiercely as if they were his own.”
“How long have they known each other?”
“Since they were boys here in New Orleans. Before the war they were conductors on the Underground Railroad and led many slaves North. My Galen went by the dashing name of the Black Daniel to mask his true identity. He and Raimond had very large bounties on their heads for what was known as ‘crimes against the South.’”
Sable was impressed. “He’s never told me about that part of his life.”
“Of course they are both prone to exaggeration, but they were very serious about the roles they played in freedom. I’m certain Raimond would tell you his stories if you asked.”
“I don’t know,” Sable said, looking doubtful. “I wonder if we’ll ever be as at ease wit
h one another as you and Galen seem to be. If there were a way to bring Baker here and make him tell Raimond my story, I would.”
“But right now you can’t, so let love build the trust you two need instead. My pride was the obstacle that kept Galeno and me apart, but his love made me set it aside, just as love will make Raimond set aside his mistrust.”
“I’d like to believe that.”
“Then do. He stomped out of here because he’s jealous of all the attention people are showering on you. He’s in love. Build on that. Seduce him in a dark carriage—that always works with Galeno. Tempt him, make him so wild for you that he thinks of nothing but you. Both of our men are very—shall we say—talented in the bedroom, but they are also very playful, like tiger cubs or puppies. Play with him. Galeno and I make mudpies.”
“Mudpies!”
“Yes. I’d never made them before Galen showed me how. Now making mudpies is a very important part of our marriage.”
Sable echoed, “Mudpies.”
“Yep,” Hester summed up proudly.
“When we make mudpies we leave the worries of the day behind. We play, talk, even argue on occasion, but it has become our special time to be close and alone with each other.”
They were interrupted by the newspaperman Roundanez, who’d come over to meet Sable’s guest. She introduced him to Hester, and both ladies invited him to sit and chat.
Outside, Raimond pulled in deep draws of the night air and wondered what the hell was wrong with him. Roundanez was a friend, Archer was his brother, yet he was so jealous of both men he could hardly see.
Galeno walked up to him and in all seriousness asked, “Are you ill, mon frere?”
“No. I am losing my mind.”
“Love will do that to you.”