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  As she stood to leave, she thanked the nuns for taking the time to speak with her and did her best to hide her disappointment.

  “God be with you, Valinda,” she was told as she departed.

  “Thank you.”

  Outside, she took to the crowded walks again to meet Julianna and Sable at the Christophe and gave her disappointment its head. According to the Sisters, the wealthy Creoles didn’t want their children taught in schools that also opened their doors to former slaves and were threatening to withdraw their patronage. Since these families were the Order’s main source of financial support, the Sisters had no choice but to comply. They assured her that a workable solution might still be found, but for now, class and wealth overrode the needs of the newly freed.

  Valinda wasn’t happy. It was yet another blow to her quest to teach and she wondered if it was a sign that it wasn’t meant to be. She also learned that due to a lack of funds, the state of Louisiana was closing many of the schools established by the Freedmen’s Bureau. In Val’s mind, that made little sense because the freedmen and their families needed education for a successful future. Yes, there were those who believed working in the fields was all the formerly enslaved could be expected to achieve, but she didn’t agree. During her month-long tenure in her now-abandoned classroom, her students had been eager, focused, and grateful to be learning.

  Thinking about them, she wondered if they’d all been contacted by the ones she’d spoken with already. But her own fate was of equal concern. Without a place to teach, the Bureau wouldn’t pay her, and without a stipend, she couldn’t afford to stay in New Orleans. She was thankful to Julianna for offering her a temporary job helping in her office and running errands, but it wasn’t a permanent position. All Val wanted to do was make a difference in people’s lives and teach. Even if her time in New Orleans would be ending when Cole returned to the States.

  Approaching the Christophe, she saw the corner where she’d met the fortune-teller, but the old lady wasn’t there. You will lose a love, reject a love, find a love. Val shrugged off the prophecy. She had more pressing things to think about.

  When she entered the hotel, she was met by Raoul, and he didn’t appear pleased to see her again. “Madam Julianna has been waiting for you,” he said in a haughty tone that seemed to suggest she was late. “This way.”

  Val ignored the dig and followed him to the table where Julianna and Sable were sitting.

  “Thank you,” Val said to him, but he’d already turned and walked away.

  “So, how did the meeting go?” Julianna asked once Val was seated.

  Val sighed and relayed the details. Both Sable and Julianna appeared disappointed, and Julianna said, “There’ve been rumors about this. I wondered if they’d bow to the pressure, but I suppose they had no other choice.”

  Sable said, “I’m sorry, Valinda.”

  Val asked, “But why would the Creoles make such a demand?”

  Julianna responded, “First, it isn’t all the Creole families, but there are enough opposed to be taken seriously. Why? Because they value class and their social position above all else. They don’t want to be lumped in with the freedmen just because we all share African blood. They cling to the belief that their education and wealth makes them superior. During the war they went to Washington and met with Mr. Lincoln with the hopes of being designated a special class of individuals, but that status was never granted.”

  “So, they want to punish the Sisters?”

  “If that’s what it takes to maintain their positions, yes.”

  Val found that maddening.

  “Looking down their noses at former slaves like myself is nothing new,” Sable pointed out. “Some still refuse to acknowledge me when our paths cross.”

  “I didn’t know you were once enslaved,” Val said.

  “Yes. Raimond and I met in one of the contraband camps. He was stationed with the Union troops and I was a runaway.”

  This was Val’s first time hearing any details of Sable’s life.

  Sable added, “When Rai and I married, Creole mothers all over the city wept.”

  Julianna chuckled.

  “Some even told me to my face that I had no business being in the House of LeVeq.”

  Julianna added, “Not that any of us cared what they thought. My son loved her, and she loved him. That was all that mattered. But some of the Creoles are coming around. The Tribune has been encouraging them to drop their stance because both groups—the free and the freed—need each other. The country isn’t making distinctions between the two, and we’d be stronger if we united, especially on the issue of suffrage.”

  Val agreed.

  As the waiter arrived with menus, the conversation was set momentarily aside. While the man waited for their orders, Val chose the fish. Julianna and Sable did as well.

  After he departed, Sable said, “The Sisters closing their doors presents a problem for me as well. My children and my orphans are enrolled in their school, and now I’ll have to find a new place for them.”

  “You run an orphanage?”

  Sable nodded. “I do. Twelve children. Seven girls and five boys.”

  Julianna asked, “Would you consider being their teacher, Valinda?”

  Excitement rose. “I would. Do you have a place where they can be taught, Sable?”

  “Unfortunately, no. Unless it’s out of doors. There’s barely room to turn around in the house where they live on our property.”

  Before Valinda could ask, Julianna said, “And I don’t own a property to offer, either.”

  “Then how can we proceed?”

  Julianna replied, “We may be able to find a temporary location, but the facility might not be ideal. Carpetbaggers have descended on the city like the plagues of Egypt and are buying up foreclosed and abandoned land as if it were made of gold, because in truth it is. New Orleans was the richest city in the South before the war, and everyone is hoping it can be again.”

  “I was teaching in a barn, Julianna. If we can find a place that has walls and a roof, I can conduct classes.” Hope rose. “When can we begin the search?”

  “Immediately would be my preference,” Sable replied. “I don’t want the children to go too long without schooling. I’ll ask Rai if he knows of a suitable place. How long will you be in New Orleans?”

  “At the most, another month or two. My intended, Cole, plans to return around then.”

  Sable said, “Two months of schooling for the children is better than none, and in the meantime I can search for someone permanent.”

  Valinda was disappointed that she’d not be that person.

  Julianna said, “I’ll ask my acquaintances about a place to hold classes as well. Someone has to have walls and a roof they’d let us lease.”

  Val wondered how to bring up the delicate subject of compensation but decided to just state her concern. “I’ll need to be paid.”

  Julianna waved her hand. “Of course. And if you don’t mind my company, you’re more than welcome to continue living with me and Reba until your intended comes for you. That way you won’t have to use your salary for rent. Housing prices are at a premium as well.”

  She was grateful for the offer.

  Their lunch arrived shortly thereafter, and as they ate they discussed Valinda’s qualifications. “I had a standard education, but my father refused to allow me to continue studying further. I begged him to let me attend Oberlin, but he thinks education is harmful to women.”

  Julianna and Sable shook their heads at that.

  “So, I continued on my own. My grandmother Rose is dressmaker to some wealthy New Yorkers and one client is married to a professor at the City College of New York. When my grandmother told him how much I loved learning, he invited me to come and see his library. I’d never seen so many books in my life. When he said I could read what I wanted, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.”

  “How old were you?” Julianna asked, smiling.

  “Fourteen
, and since then, I’ve read everything of his that I could get my hands on: Greek classics, books on science and astronomy. Philosophy. Architecture. I may not be a formally trained teacher, but I’m a knowledgeable one.”

  “Maybe more than most,” Sable said.

  Val appreciated that.

  They then spent a few minutes discussing the orphans’ ages, and how far along they were in their studies.

  The talk was interrupted by Archer’s arrival at the table. Unlike Drake and Raimond, his skin was lighter, his body leaner. Julianna’s sons came in a variety of colors and builds but all were undeniably handsome.

  “Ah,” he said, smiling, as he stood over them. “Three of the loveliest ladies in New Orleans. Are you enjoying your meals, or should I fire the chefs?”

  “I believe their jobs are safe,” the amused Sable replied.

  He turned to Valinda. “Are you settling in, Miss Lacy?”

  “I am. Your mother has been very generous.”

  “Good. If I can help in any way, please let me know.”

  “Thank you.”

  Valinda saw Julianna look past Archer and smile. “Ah. Here’s Drake.”

  Valinda turned. She needed to tell him about her encounter with Creighton but decided to wait until they were alone. He took up a position behind her chair and his nearness enveloped her like warmth from a hearth.

  Julianna asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “I stopped by the house to see you, and Reba said you were having lunch with Sable and Valinda.” His baritone voice flowed into her blood. Glancing up, she found his eyes waiting.

  “Have you eaten?” Julianna asked him.

  “No.”

  “Join us, please.”

  “Thank you. Get me a chair, Innkeeper,” he commanded Archer.

  “Get it yourself. And we just opened for lunch so don’t eat everything in the kitchen. I have other diners to feed.”

  “Your food’s not that good, brother.”

  “Would you not say that so loud?” Archer snapped, sounding scandalized and looking around at the other diners with concern.

  Julianna and Sable chuckled. Valinda did, too. She enjoyed the brothers’ banter.

  “Drake, get a chair and sit,” Julianna said. “Archer, you go and do whatever it is you do here.”

  Archer cut his sibling a mock dirty look. “Ladies, your meals are on me. The bear pays for his own.”

  Drake set a chair between his mother and Valinda, and shot back, “You’re so kind.”

  Archer kissed his mother’s cheek and departed.

  Valinda wondered if bear was Drake’s nickname. His size certainly rivalled one.

  After Drake gave his order to the waiter, his mother asked, “So, how did things go with the authorities?”

  “Not well.” And he told them of his unsuccessful quest to get justice for Erma’s son. “Allie can’t testify because of her race.” Val knew that although the practice was considered illegal, many areas of the country continued to abide by it, even in the North.

  Drake continued, “And I was so furious with Merritt’s refusal to bring charges, I’ve quit the Bureau.”

  Julianna appeared stricken. “Oh no.”

  He nodded. “It was either that or not be able to live with myself. I’ll volunteer my time elsewhere.”

  Sable said, “I can always use your help with the food distributions.”

  “Okay. Let me know what day you need me. The Republicans’ offices mirror many of the services the Bureau provides in terms of relief efforts, so I’ll help out there as well.”

  Seeing how frustrated and unhappy he appeared tugged at Val’s own feelings.

  His mother asked, “How’s Erma faring?”

  “I drove Erma to her sister’s place yesterday. Told her to take as much time away as she needed. I’ll be talking to Rai about how to proceed next.”

  Julianna looked very concerned. For a moment, she searched his face silently before asking, “You’ll be careful?”

  “Always, Mama. Don’t worry.”

  Valinda had no idea what was being referenced but noted the serious set of Sable’s features, too. She sensed she was being left out of something important, but was too polite to stick her nose into a matter where it didn’t belong.

  Drake’s meal arrived and in spite of his brother’s warning, he appeared to have ordered everything the kitchen had to offer. There was a large steak, three pieces of fried catfish, collards, plantains, a large bowl of rice, and half of a still-warm and fragrant baguette.

  His mother chuckled, and he looked over innocently. “Yes?”

  “I’m always amazed at the amount of food you put away, my son.”

  “I’m still a growing boy, Mama. And I worked up quite an appetite earlier tearing down the barn we built for Old Man Kirk.”

  “Why’d you tear it down?”

  “He didn’t want to pay the agreed-upon price, so rather than let him keep the barn, I used a sledgehammer to express my displeasure. Took me over an hour to turn it into rubble, but he’ll think twice before trying to cheat anyone else again.”

  “Good for you,” Sable said with a laugh.

  Valinda was impressed. Most people would’ve met the man in court or simply taken the incorrect amount and angrily walked away. He hadn’t done either, and the hellion in her applauded him for the novel solution.

  “How’s the search for a new classroom going?” he asked her.

  “Not well.” And she relayed the problem the Sisters were facing along with the disappointing decision they’d made.

  “Those Creoles need to be horsewhipped. Forcing the Sisters into a corner that way is unfair.”

  “I agree.”

  “If you were going to stay in New Orleans, I’d build you a school.”

  She blinked.

  Sable asked, “Do you have a teaching position waiting for you back home?”

  Still reeling from Drake’s words, she finally responded to Sable. “No. Not yet. I shouldn’t have a problem though.” There were many schools for students of color in the city of New York and areas nearby, but she was stuck on Drake’s words. Would he really build her a school? The offer was as moving as he was. But she wouldn’t be staying. Once Cole arrived, she’d leave vibrant New Orleans behind. The thought was unsettling. She glanced his way and wondered how soon he’d forget her once she was gone. Recognizing the foolishness in that, she returned to her meal.

  “Do you mind if I move in with you until Erma returns?” Drake asked his mother. “I can cook for myself at my place, but Little Reba’s cooking is better, and I’ll probably not want to do anything but boil water after working on the house all day.”

  “You know I don’t mind. Move in whenever you like. Henri will be returning from Cuba tomorrow, and once he’s rested up, we’ll be going up to Baton Rouge to look at some property he’s interested in purchasing. I’ll feel better knowing Reba and Valinda won’t be at the house alone.”

  Valinda wasn’t sure how she felt about being in the house with Drake, even with Little Reba there. “How long will you be away?” she asked.

  “Two days. Three at the most. If you get lonely, Sable is close by.”

  “In fact,” Sable said easily, “if you don’t have anything pressing tomorrow, I’ll come get you and you can meet the orphans you’ll be teaching.”

  “I’d like that.” Even though her time in New Orleans would be ending sooner than she cared to think about, teaching the children would be in line with her goals, and she might even get to know Sable better.

  Drake looked confused. “You’re going to teach the orphans, Valinda?”

  “Yes.”

  Sable explained how the Sisters’ decision to close the school was impacting her orphans.

  He looked to Valinda. “That’s very kind of you.”

  The sincerity in his gaze snared her and she was at a loss to explain why he affected her in ways no other man had before.

  Julianna’s voice br
oke the spell. “But we need a place we can lease as a classroom. Can you ask the property owners you know if they have a barn or a cottage, or anything she can use?”

  “I assume you’d prefer a place close to the orphanage.”

  Valinda replied, “I would, but if I can borrow a wagon, I can also pick up the children each morning before school if it’s necessary.”

  He nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The soft tone of his voice slid over her once again, leaving her warm and unbalanced. She knew she shouldn’t be reacting to him, but her responses seemed to be choosing their own path. Parts of her wanted to explore whatever he’d awakened, only to be reminded that he had a mistress while her future lay with Cole.

  Once everyone finished their meals, it was time to depart.

  Julianna announced, “We’ll be having dinner tomorrow evening at my house to welcome Henri home, so Drake, make sure your brothers know they are to be there.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And tell them that mistresses, gambling halls, or goings-on at gentlemen’s clubs don’t qualify as legitimate excuses. Only hospitals or death.”

  He chuckled. “I will.”

  She added, “Henri’s been gone almost three months and I’ve missed him dearly. I’d like to celebrate him being home again with the entire family.”

  Sable said, “We’ll be there.”

  Julianna looked to Valinda. “You’re part of the family now, too. Will you dine with us and meet my Henri?”

  “I’d be honored.”

  Her husband’s dinner would be the second celebratory gathering of the week, and Valinda couldn’t help but envy the joy the LeVeqs took in their familial ties. Her family was quite the opposite. There was no bantering or joy. They celebrated Christmas, and little else.

  Drake said, “I’ll come by later to bring the things I’ll need while staying with you, Mama.”

  She nodded.

  He gave Valinda one last intense look, inclined his head her way, and departed.

  On the slow drive back to Julianna’s home, Valinda spent the time thinking about her future. In truth, she realized she didn’t want to return to New York. A strong sense told her that her future lay in New Orleans. Having heard nothing from Cole about his search for an investor, she wondered if he could be convinced to try his hand at a newspaper here. It might be difficult to learn the ins and outs of the city’s volatile political climate and its effects on the daily lives of the citizenry, at first, but might he be willing to try? It was a question she intended to ask.