“We’ll never know his reasons for betraying all of us. I long to put all this behind me, but it’s hard when you don’t understand the reasons why. When your husband doesn’t love or want you, it does things to your confidence as a woman,” Marian said, her hands tightly clasped.
Nicole raised her head her eyes searching Marian’s. “Oh Marian, you can’t know what Jean’s reasons were. You’re a beautiful woman.”
Marian shrugged. “I don’t feel beautiful or desirable. I feel like a matron past her prime, while Jean married two much younger women.” She paused. “Sometimes I hate the two of you for what you’ve done to my life. But then I realize it’s not your fault, but Jean’s. And then I hate him.”
“You’re not past your prime. As for hating Jean and us, I can’t say I haven’t felt many of the same feelings. And once I loved him so much.”
“I came here with the hope that maybe together we could finally understand Jean, but you’re just as confused as I am.” Marian said.
Nicole shook her head. “Nothing makes sense anymore. I don’t understand how Jean could be the man I loved and yet betray all of us.” Nicole turned her tear- filled eyes to Marian. “For over four years I’ve been trying to get pregnant. Every time he came home, we talked about what our son or daughter would do with their life.”
A tear trailed down her pale cheek. “The day he died, I came into town so happy and excited to tell him— I’m pregnant, Marian. I’m pregnant, unmarried, and Jean is dead. What do I do now?”
***
“Thanks for meeting with me,” Louis said to the attorney, Stephen Hudson, who sat across the table from him in his tiny office located two blocks from the wharf. “I need to know how the sale of Cuvier Shipping is coming along.”
“I’m sorry, but with all the bad press lately, I haven’t had many people express an interest,” the attorney said. “A year ago, I could have gotten you a good price for this business, but today with all the news surrounding Jean’s death, I don’t know. It may take some time.”
“I have another business interest that I’m pursuing; I don’t have a lot of time. Three months at the most. Have you checked with one of the larger shipping companies?”
“No, I always start with my contacts and then progress from there. I didn’t realize there was an urgency,” Mr. Hudson said.
“Well there is,” Louis said pushing away the guilt he felt at arranging the sale behind Marian’s back.
“Are you willing to take less than what the business is worth, just to sell it?”
“I might,” Louis acknowledged thinking about how Daniel Comeaux planned to retire soon. He didn’t want that mill to slip away from him. He needed the mill to turn it into the large-scale operation he had planned.
“Give me a week. I’ll speak with several people I know in the business and see what happens. I’ll send word to you, if I should hear anything.”
Louis started to rise from his chair. “All right, but I’m willing to make a really good deal on this company if I can get it sold.” He paused just before he left the office. “There is one other thing. Mrs. Cuvier is in mourning for the death of her husband. Please don’t disturb her with the details. Direct all inquiries to me.”
“Of course, Mr. Fournet. Women aren’t very logical when it comes to business decisions anyway. I will contact you as soon as I know something.”
“Thank you,” Louis said and walked out of the office.
After Louis found a buyer, he would convince Marian that selling was in her best interest. She could find another business for her son someday.
***
Marian and Claire strolled down the street, their parasols shading them from the late afternoon sun. Marian’s thoughts kept returning to Nicole. She was expecting Jean’s baby and Marian felt sorry for the young woman and her unborn child. Marian had sought Nicole out to see if she could tell Marian anything that would help her learn why Jean married Nicole and Layla. Also to help her understand why Jean had sought other women, but the answers to Marian’s questions seemed to have been buried with Jean. Nicole was just as hurt and betrayed as Marian, if not more.
“You’re certainly quiet today,” Claire said as they walked away from the last dress shop they’d visited.
“I’ve had some things on my mind today is all,” Marian replied, not about to reveal Nicole’s confidence to her sister. “I went to see Nicole today.”
“Whatever for?” Claire asked.
Marian shrugged. “I needed to understand why Jean married her and Layla. I knew he didn’t love me, but still I needed to know if Nicole knew of a specific reason why he no longer found me attractive.”
Claire turned toward Marian, her brows drawn together in a frown. “You’re being ridiculous. It had nothing to do with you personally. Jean only thought of himself. What did she tell you?”
Marian shook her head. “You’re my sister, you’re prejudiced. My life with Jean left me feeling unattractive, unappealing, and matronly. I know I’m not as thin as I once was. I did put on some weight when I had the children, and I’m not a girl of eighteen anymore, but I don’t think I’m so ugly that a man would be frightened of me.”
“Dear sister, you are being ridiculous. Think of the man you married. He was a bastard.”
“Yes, even Nicole I believe is beginning to realize that Jean wasn’t the nicest of fellows. She feels more betrayed than I do. And I believe she has reason to feel that way. After all, if the man you thought you were happily married to died and you found out that you weren’t even his legal wife, but wife number two out of three! I can understand her feelings.”
Claire shook her head. “I don’t think it’s good for you to become friends with his other wives.”
“We’re not friends. But she and Layla are the only ones who understand even a fraction of how I feel regarding Jean.”
“You hadn’t loved Jean in years, it’s not your fault he found two other women,” Claire reassured.
“It’s odd, Claire, I just want to understand how this happened and why. If I know why then it can never happen to me again.”
“Oh tosh! You’re being silly. Jean made his choices in life. Good riddance, I say.”
“I wish it were that simple,” Marian said thinking of Nicole and her unborn child and her own fear that she was so unattractive that her dead husband sought other women to slake his desire. Jean’s only legacy was of pain and heartache.
The two women continued down the street on their way to a favorite restaurant. The face of the maitre d’hotel brightened at the sight of them and he hurried over to greet the two sisters.
“Mrs. Cuvier and Mrs. Bienvenu, how nice to see you again.” He smiled. “Your favorite table is available. Would you care for it?”
“Thank you,” Marian nodded and followed him to the little table situated close to the fountain in the courtyard. Water splashed down the stone statue, the gurgling noise peaceful and soothing.
After they ordered, Claire glanced at Marian. “You haven’t mentioned Mr. Fournet in days. I miss your tales of his attempts to rid the office of a woman.”
Marian sighed and wished her sister weren’t quite so perceptive sometimes. She hadn’t spoken to Louis since the night he’d come to the house at her bidding and they’d gotten into that terrible row.
“I haven’t spoken to him in several days. I didn’t go into the office today.”
“Why not?”
“I wanted to see Nicole and then ... I don’t know. I wasn’t quite ready to face him. We had an argument the other night when he came to the house.”
Claire put her menu down, her eyes questioning as she gazed at Marian.
“It was partly my fault.”
“I don’t think you’d say anything vile to the man. So what new trick is he up to?”
“Actually he’s been rather nice to me of late. You remember how Jean never included me in any of the decision-making for our family?”
“Yes, as his wife your pla
ce was to be seen and not heard.”
“Yes, well, Louis made some business decisions and forgot to tell me about them. I became upset even though he had made most of these resolutions before he accepted our partnership. I just kept thinking that his actions were exactly like Jean’s. And then I mentioned the fact that he’d known about Jean’s other women and never told me about that either.”
“Did you really expect him to?” Claire asked. “I mean men take up and cover for one another just like women do. So don’t you think your expectations were unrealistic? Did he even know you then, Marian?”
“I know. You’re right. Louis didn’t know me and he said that Jean’s affairs were none of his business. I thought it through later and realized I had overreacted, but I didn’t want to go back and tell him,” she admitted.
That evening as she had stood there staring at him in his tuxedo, she’d realized just how much she was attracted to this handsome man she shared a business with and she could think of nothing worse in this world at that moment.
“So what are you going to do?” Claire asked.
Their food arrived and spared Marian from having to answer right away. Claire waited for their waiter to walk away and then repeated the question, not giving up on obtaining Marian’s response.
“I’ll go back to the office tomorrow. I just took today off.” She sighed, her memory of his apology still amazing her. “And I guess I now owe him an apology. Do you know he actually told me he was sorry about what Jean had done to me and the other women? God, I was so mad at him and I didn’t want to like him, but he apologized and it—few men have ever done that to me.”
Claire smiled. “Are you certain you don’t like Louis a little more than you’re letting on?” She laughed. “I haven’t seen you this animated about a man since grade school.”
“Oh please, Claire! Don’t start this. I can honestly tell you that my intentions are to remain unmarried and focus on this business and my children. I am not going to be involved with a man again.”
“You know it’s really all right if you wanted to. You married Jean so young. If you found the right man and married for love this time, it could be different.”
“How can you say that? Haven’t you been listening? I don’t want another man in my life again. And besides I couldn’t keep Jean interested in me, how would I keep a man like Mr. Fournet attracted?”
Claire looked at her. “You know Marian, I don’t think the problem was with you, but rather Jean. You could have danced naked around Jean’s bed and he would have found some excuse to go to another woman. You are a beautiful woman. You could have more children!”
Marian felt her face flame with embarrassment. “Claire watch your language. We are in a public restaurant and I would appreciate your not talking about me dancing around any man’s bed naked.”
“Oh all right, but it’s true.”
“Finish your lunch, I need to get home.”
“I will, but I still think there is more going on inside that devious mind of yours regarding Louis Fournet. I just don’t think you’re ready to admit to it, even to yourself.”
Marian glanced away from the table and ignored her sister’s comment. She would not admit or deny anything else Claire said about Louis Fournet. No matter how much she ignored her attraction to the handsome man, she knew she was losing the battle. Even though they argued the other night, his apology had stunned her...
For the first time in more years than she cared to admit, she found a man attractive. She wanted him and that both infuriated and tantalized her. But she wasn’t willing to marry any man again. Especially not the handsome Mr. Fournet, no matter how much he apologized.
Chapter Nine
Louis looked up at the house on Josephine Street and gazed at the mansion with its white columns and iron grillwork, which reminded him of Europe. He wondered again why Jean would give up Marian and all of this to live a lie with two other women? Marian was beautiful and witty and more strong-willed than any woman he’d ever met. Their verbal sparring both challenged and excited him. Even when things were tense, there was something about her that beckoned him like a siren to a sailor.
Marian hadn’t shown up to the office today and after the way he’d left her the other night, he worried about her most of the day. Though he’d apologized that night, he felt as if she’d withdrawn to some unreachable place. On impulse today he’d bought her and the children beignets and brought her the latest financial figures. Anything to keep her trust and not arouse her suspicions during this time, while he worked to sell the business.
The sound of a child’s laugh drifted on the breeze from the back of the big house. He walked down a flagstone path that led to a gate. A large crepe myrtle shaded him from the sun as he gazed over the top of the gate at Marian.
The sun glimmered off her white shirtwaist as he watched her pitch a baseball to her son. The boy swung awkwardly and missed the slow pitch. The daughter he’d seen at Jean’s funeral chased after the ball, her braids swinging down her back. She scooped up the ball and threw it back to her mother.
Marian ducked her head to keep from getting hit from the child’s throw.
“Momma, you’re supposed to catch the ball not dodge it,” the little girl said, laughing.
“Thank you, Renee, I’ll try to remember that,” Marian said picking up the ball. Then she gazed at her son. “Concentrate on how your coach told you to hold the bat, Philip.”
The boy wrapped his hands around the bat and lifted it over his shoulder. “I am, but it feels funny.”
“Give it time. It will get better,” Marian reassured the boy.
She tossed the ball, the pitch going high and wide. Yet the boy swung, missing the ball by several inches.
Philip picked up the baseball and glanced at it as if it were defective. He then tossed the ball back to his mother who caught it. After the child repositioned himself, Marian threw the ball again, but this time Philip stepped too close and the ball connected with his forehead, knocking the child back.
Marian ran toward the boy, who dropped to the grass holding his head. “Oh my God, are you all right, Philip?”
“Ouch! You hit me,” Philip said, embarrassment and hurt pride filling his voice.
Louis pulled the gate open and walked toward the trio, wanting to make sure that Philip wasn’t hurt
“Let me see your forehead. I didn’t throw it that hard, so you couldn’t have been hurt very bad,” Marian said, her hand brushing back the hair from his face.
The boy scrunched up his face trying hard not to cry. “I want to quit. You can’t throw. I can’t hit. I knew it was a mistake to ask you to help me.”
Louis tried not to laugh as Marian bent over a distraught Philip. The boy was not happy that his mother had hit him with the baseball.
“Momma,” Renee said tugging on Marian’s skirt as she noticed him coming toward them.
“Just a minute, Renee,” Marian replied, her hand stroking her son’s forehead. “There’s not even a bump.”
“It’s that man,” the little girl said.
As if she suddenly realized what Renee had said, Marian turned and glanced at Louis.
Their gaze met and he stared into her gray eyes watching as her pupils widened slightly. She looked beautiful, mussed from playing with her children. He swallowed. Whenever she looked at him with that warm, lazy gleam, he felt the world disappearing, receding, and he wanted to block out everything but the two of them.
“You’re fine, Philip,” she said, distracted, her eyes never wavering from Louis’s face.
“Sorry to interrupt. You didn’t come to the office today and I was worried. I thought I would bring you the latest financial numbers along with some beignets I picked up in the marketplace.”
She rose slowly and for a moment he wasn’t sure how she would react to his unannounced presence. He should have come through the front door, he should never have walked around to the back garden unannounced. But the sound of laughter had d
rawn him, lured him here, and when he’d seen her, he couldn’t turn away.
She swiped a loose strand of silken hair away from her face. “Thank you. I’m trying to help Philip with his batting practice.”
“She pitches like a girl,” Philip said standing and dusting off his pants, while keeping a close watch on Louis and his mother.
Renee moved in closer to her mother, gazing at him in curiosity.
“You want to play?” the little girl asked. “I think brother needs someone beside Momma to throw the ball. He’s not getting any better.”
Louis laughed at the child’s honesty.
Marian reached down and stroked her daughter’s hair. “Renee, Mr. Fournet has other obligations. He just dropped by to give me some papers.”
Louis winked at Renee and then returned his gaze to Marian. He’d thought of going to a club later tonight to sit and drink, listen to the music, and maybe argue politics, but he liked the idea of playing baseball. And he wasn’t ready to leave, not before he’d proven to her he was sharing information about the finances of Cuvier Shipping. Not before he had a private moment with Marian.
“I’m not busy,” he replied, with a slight shrug. “I can’t remember the last time I played baseball, but I bet I could remember how to pitch. I’d like to play, Renee,” Louis said gazing at the child. He glanced at Marian. “If it’s all right with you.”
“But—but don’t you have someplace you need to be?” she stuttered, her eyes wide and questioning.
The bright afternoon sun shone on her rosy cheeks and Louis didn’t know if her blush was from the heat or the fact that he intended to stay.
He picked up the bat and handed it to Philip, then glanced at Marian, his gaze serious. “There’s no place I’d rather spend the afternoon.”
She closed her mouth, seeming confused.
“Good,” Philip said. “Maybe now I’ll get some pitches I can hit.”
Louis laid the beignets and the papers down on a bench and began to remove his coat and loosen his cravat, pulling the tie from around his neck and tossing the clothing onto the bench. He removed his cuff links and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, past his elbows.
Wronged (The Cuvier Widows Book 1) Page 13