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  “I’m not going to marry her, brother.”

  “That’s what I said about Sable. Now I can’t imagine being without her.”

  LeVeq men had a history of loving their wives fiercely. The love between their ancestors Dominic and his Clare was the stuff of legends. Drake was eight years old when their father, Francois, lost his life at sea. The only thing that kept the Lovely Julianna from walking into the Mississippi to join him in death was her concern and love for the six sons she’d be leaving behind. Last year, she’d married longtime friend Henri Vincent and loved him very much. Drake assumed he’d love his wife just as passionately—once he found her, but presently, he wasn’t ready. He was content with his mistress, Josephine.

  Raimond said of Valinda, “She’s a little thing.”

  “Yes, but don’t let the petite stature fool you.” He told Raimond about the stick she turned on the attacker Appleton.

  “Nothing like a woman who won’t go quietly.”

  “I’m sure Raoul learned that a few moments ago. He’s probably still appalled by her defiant shouting.”

  Rai chuckled and took a sip of his wine. Drake watched Valinda talking to little Desiré, and was pleased to see the teacher smiling.

  Archer joined them. “Your lady has Mama eating out of her hand.” Julianna had moved her seat to sit beside the teacher.

  “She isn’t my lady.”

  “No? Then you should tell Mama. I think she’s eyeing her as a potential daughter-in-law.”

  Drake sighed. “I just met her earlier today.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Archer replied. “Sable seems taken with her as well.”

  “I doubt either is planning a wedding, Archer.”

  He shrugged. “That mysterious sixth sense women seem to have lets them know things we men find out only after the smoke has cleared. How much in love with her are you?”

  Drake gave him an exasperated look.

  Beau joined them and said to Drake, “Phillipe and I’ve decided, if you don’t stake a claim, we will.”

  “You don’t know anything about her.”

  Archer said, “Since when has that been a deterrent?”

  Drake told Beau firmly, “There will be no claim staking. Let her be.”

  Beau said, “Fine. You have one week.” And he walked away.

  Seeing him take a seat near the women then lean in and start up a conversation with Miss Lacy tightened Drake’s lips. He asked Raimond, “Can you take him out to sea and drop him over the side?”

  “Ten years ago, I asked Mama the same question about all you Brats. She said no.”

  “Pity, he’d make fine shark bait. You’d think he’d be content with those two mistresses of his.”

  Archer said, “He’s always looking for new candidates for his harem.”

  “He should look elsewhere before I smother him in his sleep.”

  Both brothers turned his way.

  “Just because I’m not staking a claim doesn’t mean I’m not interested.” And admittedly, he was. Very. In spite of his mistress and a few other lovelies he called on from time to time, something about the feistiness inside Valinda’s small frame drew him. He didn’t know any woman with the temerity to cause the ruckus she’d had out front. Any woman not already named LeVeq, that is. Hearing a woman’s voice yelling his name had brought the entire party to a halt, and then to discover who the voice belonged to? He wanted to know more about her.

  Sable, holding her sleeping daughter Desiré, walked over and said, “Rai, we should head home and put the children to bed.”

  He nodded.

  She then turned to Drake. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your lady has an intended. He’s in Paris presently, but will be back in the States, soon.”

  Drake felt like he’d been hit in the chest by one of Raimond’s ship anchors and that surprised him. By all accounts, her ties to another should’ve made him shrug and move on, but for unknown reasons, it didn’t.

  Archer patted him on the back. “Sorry, brother.”

  Rai said, “Maybe he’ll fall overboard on the passage back.”

  Amused, Drake raised his glass in toast, but it didn’t numb the disappointment.

  “At least she’s safe from Beau’s harem.”

  Archer disagreed. “No woman is safe. I told him the next time he has a duel with an angry husband, I’m staying home. Someone else can be his second.”

  Drake prided himself on hiding his feelings. It was necessary with so many brothers, but somehow Rai could always see behind the mask. “You’ll survive, Drake. You still have Josie and whoever else you’re dabbling with.”

  “That you don’t know who they are proves I’m discreet.”

  Archer rolled his eyes. “I’m going to console Raoul. Safe travels home. Good night.”

  Julianna beckoned Drake over.

  “Yes, Mama?”

  “Valinda is going to spend the night with me. Will you drive us home?”

  He looked at Valinda sitting next to his mother. He was touched by the weariness in her shoulders and eyes. “Of course, but didn’t you come over with Phillipe?”

  “I did. He’s had a bit too much wine, and I don’t want us to end up in a ditch. Valinda’s had enough for one day.”

  He agreed and searched the room for his baby brother. “Where’s Phillipe now?”

  “He and Beau just departed.”

  “Did he drive you here in your carriage? I came in a wagon from the livery. It needs to be returned and Havana’s on a lead tied to the bed.” Havana was his stallion.

  She nodded. “Archer will have one of his staff return the wagon in the morning.”

  “Good.” He was a man of many talents but not even he could drive two vehicles and ride a horse at the same time. He glanced between the two women. “Are you ready to leave now?”

  His mother nodded but Valinda said, “I just need to get my bag and valise.”

  “Where are they?” he asked. “I’ll get them.”

  “By the buffet table.”

  He fetched them and led the ladies out into the night.

  By the time they made it to his mother’s large house in the Treme district, their guest was asleep.

  “Poor thing,” Julianna said, glancing at Valinda curled up on the back seat. “I don’t want to wake her. Can you carry her up to Sable’s old room?”

  Drake knew that the close physical contact was sure to ensnare him further, but he couldn’t tell his mother no. After assisting Julianna out of the carriage, he reached in and gently eased Valinda into the cradle of his arms.

  Inside, he laid Valinda down on the large four-poster bed and stepped away.

  Julianna covered her with a light blanket and they closed the door behind them.

  He asked, “How long will she be staying with you?”

  “I don’t know. She and I will discuss that in the morning. Little Reba and I are the only ones here, and there’s plenty of room, so she’s welcome as long as necessary. Are you staying over so you can take care of that leak in my greenhouse roof?”

  Guilt singed him. He’d been promising to see to the roof for weeks. “I’m sorry I haven’t gotten over here to fix it.”

  “My orchids don’t like being dripped on.”

  “I understand.” He was building a house on his portion of the LeVeq land and had been concentrating on that. “I’ll stay and go home when I’m done. It shouldn’t take that long.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning.” She beckoned him down. When he complied, she raised herself on her toes and placed a motherly kiss on his cheek. “Good night, son.”

  “Night, Mama.”

  Settling into the bedroom he once shared with Phillipe and Beau, Drake continued to think about Valinda. The feel of her slight weight in his arms and the sight of her peacefulness had indeed tightened the snare. She belonged to another, however, which meant he needed to tamp down any thoughts of pursuit. The idea left him grumpy though. Determine
d to put her out of his mind, he undressed and climbed into bed.

  When Valinda awakened, she groggily noted that she was fully dressed and had no idea where she was. Shaking away sleep’s lingering fog, she sat up and looked around the beautifully appointed room. The dark gold drapes were drawn closed but a line of light at the base gleamed brightly against the polished wood floors. The bed was enormous, and the tufted gold upholstery on the dainty ivory chair by an ivory-colored vanity table matched the drapes. Where am I? Her last memory was getting into the carriage with Captain LeVeq and his mother. Had she fallen asleep on the drive? That had to be the explanation as to why she didn’t remember. The knowledge left her appalled and more than a bit embarrassed. Granted, she’d had a long terrible day, but she could’ve at least stayed awake long enough to thank his mother for generously offering a place to sleep for the night. And how had she gotten to the bedroom? Had someone carried her? That it might have been the captain left her cheeks hot.

  Surveying her wrinkled, soiled clothing, she wondered where she could wash up and change into something cleaner. She spied her carpetbag near the vanity. Leaving the bed, she noticed three doors. One turned out to be a large closet. The other led into a quiet hallway, and the last one opened into one of the largest and grandest bathing rooms she’d ever seen. There was a water closet and a sink with shiny brass fixtures. The claw-footed tub, big enough for two people, drew her in and she ran a hand over its smooth curved edge. Having had nothing but tepid hip baths at the Dumas house, she longed to immerse herself and take a long hot soak, but she wouldn’t be so presumptuous without the permission of her hostess, so after availing herself of the facilities, she dug out the sliver of soap from her carpetbag and washed up as best she could. The injury on her cheek was now bruise blue. Viewing it in the mirror brought back those terrifying moments of her attack, and she closed her eyes, forcing herself to draw in a deep breath until the lingering fear receded. Wondering if she’d ever rid herself of the incident, she set it aside for the moment, donned clean clothes, redid her bun, and left the room. A short walk down the hallway led to a staircase. Descending the steps to the floor below, she found herself facing a grand door she assumed led outside. To her right was a large parlor with many windows, fine furniture, and expensive-looking lamps, but no one was about. Trying to determine where she might find the captain’s mother, Val heard, “Valinda? Is that you, my dear?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  A few seconds later, the LeVeq matriarch appeared wearing a lovely gray morning dress. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I did. What time is it?”

  “Almost one.”

  “In the afternoon?!”

  Julianna chuckled. “Yes. Is something wrong? Did you have an appointment of some kind? If you missed it, my apologies for letting you sleep. I thought you needed the rest.”

  “I did want to see the Sisters this morning. I’m not accustomed to rising so late.” And she wasn’t. Back home, she was up every morning by six to start the fires and light the stove for breakfast. The Dumas sisters had been early risers as well. Thinking about Madeline’s death made her send up another silent prayer for her soul.

  “I sent them a note earlier to let them know you were here. They sent back that the bishop was visiting, so they’ll be in prayer and there’ll be no school.”

  Valinda sighed. Even though her visit would only be delayed a day, it felt like another setback.

  “We need to get you something to put on your cheek. Hold on.”

  She left for a moment and returned with a small jar. “This should help with the healing.”

  Val walked over to the large mirror hanging above the fireplace mantel, and dabbed a bit of the creamy substance on her cheek.

  “It has witch hazel in it, so it shouldn’t sting.”

  “It doesn’t. Thank you.” She handed the jar back. “I’ll put more on this evening. I need to wash my hands.” Remnants of the salve were on her fingers.

  “Let’s go to the kitchen. Are you hungry?”

  Val heard hammering off in the distance. “I am.”

  “Come. Little Reba will whip something up for you.”

  “Just toast will be sufficient.”

  Julianna stopped. “I’ve worked hard to provide a good life for myself and my children. We have more to offer you than toast.”

  The soft scolding made Valinda drop her head and smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Little Reba turned out to be a small well-built woman about Val’s age. She had a ready smile and sandy skin dotted with freckles. Her tignon was gray and decorated with cowrie shells. While Val dried her hands after washing them in the sink, Reba said, “I’m cooking chops for Drake, along with some yams and collards. He’s going to be hungry when he gets done. Would you like some?”

  Val went still at the mention of Drake’s name. “Um.”

  “Or if you want something a little lighter, I’ve bacon, shrimp and grits, and eggs.”

  Val preferred the second offering but didn’t want to make more work for her.

  Before she could ask for the chops, Julianna, as if reading her mind, said, “Give her the shrimp grits and eggs. She just awakened. Chops and the rest may be a bit heavy for now.”

  Little Reba nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Val tried to protest. “Mrs. LeVeq—”

  “It’s LeVeq-Vincent, but please call me Julianna. My husband, Henri, is currently in Cuba.”

  Val wouldn’t think to be that familiar with a woman of her age. “But—”

  “Julianna,” she voiced again, a bit more firmly. “Everyone calls me that. Even my sons at times.”

  Val sensed she stood little chance of winning this, so she surrendered. “Julianna.”

  “Good. Now, let’s step outside while Little Reba fixes your food. I want to check on Drake’s progress. He’s repairing the roof on my greenhouse.”

  Mentally preparing herself to see the captain, she followed Julianna down the gravel path that cut through the well-groomed landscape of shrubs and trees to a large glass-sided greenhouse. Her son was on the wooden roof hammering nails into shingles. At their approach, he stopped, and when his gaze met hers, Val’s heart skipped in her chest. With his dark skin, close-cropped beard, and Herculean build he was breathtaking, a description she’d never attached to a man before. The men she knew back home were fine upstanding examples of their gender, but none as riveting as Drake LeVeq.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Lacy.”

  “Captain.”

  He picked up a towel and wiped the perspiration from his brow, his eyes still on her.

  Julianna asked, “Are you done?”

  “Almost,” he replied, but kept his attention focused on Val. She’d never had a man view her with such intensity before. She wanted to look away but the will to do so seemed beyond her grasp.

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

  “I did. Much longer than I planned.”

  “Which I take full responsibility for,” his mother said lightly. “But she apparently needed the rest.”

  “Apparently,” he echoed.

  “Valinda, Drake built this greenhouse for me years ago. Would you like to see the beauties inside?”

  “I would.” If only to get away from the overwhelming presence that was her son.

  Drake protested, “And here I was hoping to have the company of two lovely ladies while I worked.”

  “Finish my roof, and maybe I’ll let you eat.”

  He chuckled and commenced his hammering.

  Inside the greenhouse, the hammering could be heard, but the wealth of beautiful plants immediately grabbed Val’s attention.

  As Julianna pointed out the colorful array of specimens from faraway places like Borneo, India, and Australia, she explained, “My late husband, Francois, was a merchant sailor and picked up my first orchid on a trip to Brazil. I didn’t know anything about the care and tried to grow it in the house. It died
, of course, and I was devastated. He searched high and low for someone I could learn from and found an elderly Dominican named Yves, who tended orchids on a plantation north of here. Yves said I needed a greenhouse, so Francois built the original one for me. Every time he went on a voyage, he’d bring back orchids, and with each one I grew better and better at their care.”

  “What a lovely gesture.”

  “He held my heart in so many ways. He died in a storm off the Cape of Good Hope when the Brats, as Raimond calls his younger brothers, were little. I didn’t think I could live without him. I never knew losing him and his love would bring such pain.”

  “My condolences on your loss.”

  “Thank you.”

  Val had never heard anyone profess to loving someone so intensely. Her parents had an arranged marriage, as did most of the adults she’d grown up around. Some couples treated their mates kindly, but others, like her parents, barely tolerated each other. More importantly, the women, particularly her mother and Val’s older sister, Caroline, seemed so unhappy being wives. To escape that unhappiness and the prospect of her father marrying her off to someone she couldn’t abide, Val had agreed to marry her dear friend Coleman Bennett. They cared for and respected each other, but their union wouldn’t be based on what people termed love because it was more of a business arrangement than anything else, and frankly, Val had never witnessed nor experienced love. You will lose a love, reject a love, find a love. The fortune-teller’s words rose out of nowhere and the hairs stood up on her neck. She shook them off and turned her attention to the next orchid Julianna was describing.

  When the tour was done, they stepped back out in the heat and saw the captain gathering his tools.

  “I’m done, Mama. All the old shingles have been replaced. Your beauties should be safe for another few years.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m going to get washed up and eat.”

  “Reba is fixing Valinda a plate, too. I have some contracts to finish going over. Would you mind keeping her company while I work? It shouldn’t be long. Is that okay with you, Valinda?”

  Val’s original plans for the day had been to thank Julianna for taking her in last night, then depart and speak with the nuns about a new schoolroom and a place to stay. She also needed to contact her students about the closing of the classroom. Nothing in that included eating with her son. Now, her plans in disarray, she had no legitimate reason to decline the invitation, so she surrendered again. “That will be fine.”