Southern Secrets

by Shelley Stringer

  “I want to thank you, dear, from the bottom of my heart. You have done me the greatest service…” Mrs. Henrietta began.

  “What have I done?” I asked as I looked over at Banton…he sat next to Mrs. Wilhelmina, and I could tell he was having fun flirting with her and keeping her entertained. John was having the time of his life watching Everett’s horrified expressions.

  “You have brought Everett back. I thought the man who Everett had been was lost forever to us. These last few months, what little we’ve been around him, we’ve noticed a change.”

  “How so?”

  “It’s a little hard to explain, without your knowing his history. Sweetheart, has he told you anything at all about his past? About the one time he dared to love…” she began.

  “No, he hasn’t. I think he’s come close, but then he always laughs and says I’m not ready for his sad story. He’s said it on more than one occasion. He’s so aloof when I ask any questions about his love life.”

  She smiled sweetly at me, and as her eyes twinkled like Everett’s I thought I detected a hint of sadness. She leaned forward, placing a hand on my knee as she surveyed the SEALs.

  “I think one day soon he will tell you. You’re the nearest to a confidant he has had in over a hundred years. He has dared to love you and trust you as no other human he’s had contact with. He’s opening himself up, and I thought that would never happen.”

  Mrs. Henrietta stole a glance at Everett and continued, “The young man I saw mature into a soldier, he was so like your SEALs. Like your dear Banton, he had a great capacity to love passionately. He was a young man born into wealth, but he never took it for granted, or acted the part of a wealthy landowner. He was always humble and thankful. And as your friend John, he was fiercely loyal and hard working. Ty reminds me of the part of Ev’s personality that was daring! He would have been the first to climb into one of those Model-A contraptions or climb into an airplane with the Wright brothers. Sweet Ben brings to mind the part of Everett so young and fresh, and painfully naïve. Colin exudes the quiet, critical thinker who quietly studied every angle, and always seems to be in the background, but is in the middle of all the action.”

  Throughout her monologue regarding Everett’s buried qualities, she seemed almost in a trance.

  “How can you know so much about the SEALs, having just met them?” I asked, incredulous.

  “Ev has told me so much about you all, I feel I’ve known you forever. And, it’s an Aldon thing.” She tapped the side of her head with her finger. “Once bitten, our senses sharpen…we sense things we could have never picked up on before. The skill hones as one spends years and years of observing humans.”

  “But I thought you were only a half-breed, a Sange-Mele like us.”

  “Oh, I am. I just refer to all of us as Aldon, we’ve lived among them so long. Your senses will grow and sharpen, just as mine have.” She smiled and patted my knee.

  Everett began to dance around all of the groups, visiting as if he had ants in his pants. I could tell the conversation coming from his grandmother’s group was getting a little too uncomfortable for him. Thankfully, his grandmother’s butler saved him.

  “Brunch is served…if you will all come this way,” he ushered everyone through another set of French doors across the courtyard into a beautiful dining room decorated with large delicate iron chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows which opened out onto the courtyard. Instead of one long table, there were three round tables draped with brown taffeta and tulle, centered with sprays of spring fern, roses and gypsophila.

  “Wow, nametags…” John uttered as he picked up a small card from one of the place settings. Constance elbowed him and whispered sideways, “they’re place cards, Cowboy.”

  “Over here, I think I have the little blonde bombshell with us,” Mrs. Wilhelmina called,. She motioned to Constance and Ty. As it happened, Banton and I were seated at her table as well as Everett. Banton took my hand and guided me over to her table.

  “According to Everett, I will be thoroughly entertained by her. He says she’s never at a loss for words or frightened of expressing her opinion on any subject. I admire that quality!” She held her glass up in a toast to Constance as she grabbed her glass, and lifted it right back.

  John leaned back in his chair, and whispered to Constance, “Told you, Diva-doll…two hundred year-old version of you.”

  “And I believe I am, dear boy. I know a compliment, when I hear it,” Everett’s Grandmother answered John, letting him know her hearing was not in the least affected by her age. “And I’m a little older, but we’ll leave it at that. A true lady never reveals her age, true hair color, the number of lovers she’s taken or the work she’s had done.” She tapped the corners of her eyes, where no crow’s feet were present.

  I giggled as Everett rolled his eyes skyward. We visited throughout the delightful meal, and then enjoyed a variety of decadent desserts as Mrs. Wilhelmina entertained us with dark family secrets.

  “…and I had a flamboyant uncle. He had the greatest flair for fabrics. He was quite the businessman, and was one of the most successful dress-makers in the entire South! It was a shame, though; he couldn’t quite keep his penchant for dressing in his own creations a secret. Pity, that…it almost ruined his business!” she exclaimed as Everett looked at me with the most pained expression. “That’s where our dear Everett gets his flair for the dramatic, among other things. Madness skips a generation or two, you know,” she quipped as she smirked at Ev.

  “Evidently, Mother!” Mrs. Henrietta scolded, shooting her a warning glare.

  “Oh, Everett knows I’m just teasing him for their benefit, don’t you, Darlin?” she asked, in her best southern belle drawl.

  “Certainly Grandmother Wellington. Now, isn’t it about time for your medication?” He rose, and offered his arm as Banton and the rest of us laughed.

  “Very funny, Everett. I’ll cut you out of the will after I’ve had my nap.” She smiled sweetly at him as he kissed her cheek.

  “Mrs. Wilhelmina, it’s been a pleasure. We’ve so enjoyed your company,” Banton took her hand in his and kissed the back of it as she seemed to melt.

  “Please, dear boys…come back real soon. This much young male flesh just brings an old woman back to life!” she beamed as each SEAL took their turn with her hand.

  “Oh, you’ll see them again. They’ll be at our ball later tonight, that is, after they’ve had enough to drink to fit in,” Everett joked.

  I placed a kiss on Mrs. Henrietta’s cheek.

  “Please, dear girl, let us know when the babies come. I would so love to come and visit you.” Then she glanced up at Banton, “and keep her safe…keep them all safe.”

  “Believe me, I will.” He smiled down at me as he put his arm around my waist and led me out the door.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Upon our arrival at home, we witnessed the first temper tantrum by a Gastaneau grandchild, and it seemed like a dandy.

  “What on earth has my little doodle-bug upset?” Banton asked in his best concerned uncle voice. Everyone else filed in behind us, still chattering on about Everett’s eccentric grandmother and charming mother.

  “Unca Banin, Aba has to hab Pwincess Yamin, Yamin has to hab a dwess, wike Aba!” Ava Grace cried as she ran across the living room and leapt at Banton.

  He swept her up into his arms and hugged her close to his cheek. “Now, what’s all this? You need a dress for your doll?”

  Ava Grace sniffed her tears back as she wiped her chubby little hand across her eyes, nodding fiercely.

  “Ava, we have dresses to fit your Princess Jasmine doll, do you want me to get them?” I asked her as I touched her cheek.

  “Not those dwesses…a dwess for the bwall! Wike Aba’s dwess. She has to go and stand wif Aba!”

  “Oh, I see…” I turned and looked at Claudia; she stood with her arms crossed by the fireplace.

  “This all started when I told her she would be a fl
ower girl and she would carry roses up to Aunt Julia when they crowned her, then stand with the other little girls on the court. She had an historic hissy-fit, and says she can’t carry the roses, because she is carrying Jasmine.” She rolled her eyes, and then walked over to take Ava from her brother.

  “That’s right! My Dear Princess Ava…Uncle Everett forgot! Let’s go and find Mr. Philippe, and we’ll see if we can find Jasmine’s dress!” he exclaimed as he intervened, taking Ava from Banton and trotting up the staircase with her.

  Claudia shook her head. “I don’t want to give in so easily to her. I’d just begun to reason with her. I don’t want her to think she can just throw a fit and get her way,” she fretted.

  Banton chuckled. “I’m no expert, Sis, but I’ve never seen the child throw a fit, ever. I don’t think you have to worry. Remember what momma says.” He shot her his dimple, and I laughed as I watched them.

  “Yes, pick your battles. Good advice. How did you get to be so wise?” she asked as she rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek.

  “Father of twins, remember?” Banton retorted.

  John slapped him on the back. “Yeah, I’ll remember that one, Brother, when I come through your door, and you have one under each arm, and they are screamin’…it’s easy to give out advice when they’re still in the oven!”

  Banton turned to me and smiled as I wrapped my arms around him and led him to the back of the house.

  Everyone scattered, the SEALs camped out in the den to watch basketball, and Constance, Brie and I sat down in the kitchen to visit with Aunt Sue and Mrs. Elaine.

  “How did brunch go at Everett’s grandmother’s house?” Aunt Sue asked.

  “It was a hoot! I’ve never had so much fun watching Ev squirm,” Constance laughed as she pulled her heels off and wriggled her toes.

  “Why did Everett squirm?” Mrs. Elaine asked, pouring a cup of coffee for herself and Aunt Sue.

  “I think Mrs. Wilhelmina entertained us a little more than he bargained for,” I offered as I took a barstool beside Brie at the island in the center of the room. “She’s a little eccentric and quite colorful when she’s had a little to drink.”

  “And evidently, she’d had more than a little before we got there!” Brie finished for me.

  “What’s Everett’s mother like?” Aunt Sue asked.

  “Beautiful,” I breathed. “She resembles Everett and is just as warm and sweet as she can be. She said she wants to come and visit us when the twins are born, so maybe you’ll all get to meet her then.”

  “Well, what else is on the agenda for today?” Mrs. Elaine asked. “We have a little time to kill until we have to be at the ballroom at six-thirty.”

  “I think I’ll go up and lie down a little while and rest. I want to be rested for tonight,” I decided as Constance rose to join me.

  “Well, you have a companion up there. Ava Grace is down for her little nap, right in the middle of your bed, Bebe,” Everett informed me as he waltzed into the kitchen.

  “Everett to the rescue…did you get her all squared away?” Mrs. Elaine asked him.

  “All taken care of. Mr. Philippe is bringing in all of the dresses, and hanging them all in the spare bedroom across the hallway from Chandler and Banton’s. He’s going to give them one more pass with the hand steamer, and they will be ready for all of you. So I’m off…I’ll meet you all at your masque at six-thirty!” He waived over his shoulder as everyone thanked him again.

  Upstairs, I opened our bedroom door slowly. Ava was curled up in the center of our bed, her naptime blanket clutched in one hand with her thumb in her mouth; in the other hand she clutched her doll, complete with white ruffled dress and little tiara, masque and feather. I tiptoed over and lay down beside her. I smiled to myself as I drifted off to sleep…Everett, the fairy godmother!

  * * *

  Warm, strong arms circled my waist and pulled me into a hard, muscled chest. I stretched and sighed, turning over and kissing him without even opening my eyes.

  “That’s scary, you didn’t even check,” he murmured against my throat.

  “Don’t have to. I’d know your earthy scent and those pecs anywhere…” I opened my eyes, and Banton’s sparkled back at me.

  “You should have told me you were coming up to take a nap…You know I need to watch you,” he admonished me as he played with a strand of hair which had escaped my hairclip.

  “I’m getting pretty good at waking myself up, and I haven’t had one bad dream since you came back. I’m betting he’s gone for good.”

  “I sure hope so, and I hope after we return home, we won’t need the Aldon’s protection at the house anymore. I’m ready for everyday life to be nice and calm and peaceful for you girls at home.”

  “Not that I mind, but do you realize you talk about our house as if everyone lives there?” I traced my finger around his lips.

  “Well, they practically do. And about that…I kind of made a deal with John without consulting you first, and I apologize. I started to tell you about it last night and I got a little sidetracked,” he began.

  “Tell me about what?”

  “The house down the street, the one I thought would be perfect for John and Brie. I know he struggles, and doesn’t have a lot of money right now with college and everything, and he wouldn’t have a down payment. So I bought the property and then asked him if he’d remodel it, then he could lease it to own it. He and Brie would have a place of their own, we’d have another nice house in the neighborhood, and we control who our neighbors are. I…I hope you don’t mind I acted without talking it over with you first.” He searched my eyes as he finished.

  “I think it’s a great idea! Why would you think I’d mind?”

  “I just forget sometimes we’re a partnership. I shouldn’t make financial decisions without asking you first, especially something this big.”

  “Sweetheart, it’s your money,” I began.

  “No, it’s our money. You’re my wife, my partner in every way…I don’t want you to think I railroad anything. I’m just used to doing everything on my own. I’ve got to get used to having someone to answer to,” he replied as he grinned at me.

  “Yeah, and don’t you forget it. Now, since you answer to me, get over here…” I laughed at him as he growled at me, acting as if he were going to devour me. I glanced over at Ava Grace, and her eyes were wide open, having just woken up.

  “Did Uncle Banton scare you, sweet girl? I’m sorry, come here. Did you get your nap out?” I cuddled her to me as he pulled both of us close into his chest.

  “Yes Ma’am, I’m not sweepy anymore. Unca Banin gwowled wike a bear!” she exclaimed. He brushed the hair from her eyes.

  There was a knock at the bedroom door.

  “Come in…its open,” Banton called out.

  Claudia pushed the door open and Beau bounded through, running to Banton’s side and laying his head down on the mattress.

  “Ava, it’s time to give you your bath, and get you ready for the big party. Did you have a good nap?” Claudia asked cheerfully.

  “Yes Ma’am, wets go get Aba’s party dwess on!” Ava Grace squealed, bouncing across the bed and into Claudia’s arms.

  “See you all in a bit,” she called over her shoulder.

  Banton sighed and kissed the nape of my neck. “I guess I’d better go shower too. Do you want to come with me?” he asked boyishly, his dimple peeking through.

  “Oh, yeah…I thought you’d never ask.”

  After we’d showered and lingered, and then showered some more, I sat at the dressing table putting my makeup on. Banton threw on a t-shirt and sweat pants.

  “I’m going to go and grab my tux. Do you want me to bring your dress in?” he asked, bending to place a kiss on my bare shoulder.

  “Sure, thanks.”

  As he opened the door and stepped into the hallway, he froze, staring down the hallway to the right. I watched him curiously as he moved his head, seeming to follow someone. Whoever it was clea
red their throat as they approached him.

  “Uh’hum. Hey, Banton,” Ben’s voice drifted through the doorway.

  Banton stood frozen for several seconds, and then growled, “What the hell were you doing in there?”

  I realized he’d had caught Ben coming out of Julia’s room.

  “We…were just talking. She’s going to get ready, so I was going to go down to my room and do the same.”

  “Yeah, why don’t you do that,” Banton growled, and then stepped out into the hallway.

  “Was that…Ben?” I asked as he came back into our room a few moments later. He draped his tux down across the bed, and then turned to hang my dress on the closet door.

  “Yeah. I can’t believe it…he was coming out of my sister’s room! What the hell, what were they doing? I’ve got to go and talk to her. She has no business messing around with him; he’s too old for her. I can’t believe he was alone with her, in her bedroom!” He started out the door.

  “Banton?” I called him softly. He paused and looked at me as he held the door.

  “Let me go and talk to her. Don’t make more out of this than there is. I know I will be a little more delicate than you.”

  He continued to frown, and the muscle ticked at his jaw line, a sign I knew all too well meant he was worried and agitated.

  “Please? At least let me find out what is going on before you go barreling in there,” I urged him.

  “All right, you win. Just find out…”

  “Calm down.” I rose and walked over to him as I tied the tie on my bathrobe. “I’ll get all the juicy details, and then you decide what to say.” I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed his lips.

  “There better not be any juicy details,” he muttered as I hurried down the hallway to Julia’s room.

  I knocked softly on Julia’s door. “Julia, it’s Chandler. May I come in?”

  “Sure.”

  I pushed the door open, and found her at her dressing table, putting the finishing touches on her hair. She turned and immediately smiled at me.