Napoleon's Gift

by Alie Infante

  “Did ye find Geneviève?” Benjamin asked, and Abel nodded.

  “Sir, she waited, but Ma lords did not make it back from town.” Abel returned, and Benjamin nodded frowning slightly.

  “Have her here directly after the morning meal.” Benjamin commanded, Abel nodded, then left the room.

  “I must say she’s a flighty one.” Bartholomew stated, and Benjamin nodded.

  Benjamin sighed as he thought about the girl from last evening again.

  Could there truly be anything between them?

  Were his notions of taking her from a life as such, just those?

  Moreover, what of Geneviève, he had loved her for years.

  Would she even have him now, especially after what happened?

  It was the very reason he was reluctant to come in the first place.

  How could he face her, even now?

  They looked up as Clarette Ampère walked into the dinning area.

  “Clarette, has it not been ages?” Benjamin cried as he rose to embrace the graying woman, and she laughed as she embraced him back.

  “I believe it has. It was dreadful news of your father Ben, and I was quite sorrowful at his passing.”

  “Thank ye very much for that; however it was a peaceful passing. I could not have asked for more if he was to leave this life.” Benjamin replied as he gestured to the chair next to him and she sat down.

  Lucy immediately placed the breakfast rolls and coffee in front of her, but Clarette waved off the food and motioned to the china cup. Lucy filled it, then went back to the kitchens.

  “And have you been to see Gaillard?” She questioned as she sipped the coffee, and Benjamin shook his head.

  “No, I only arrived the day before yesterday, still unable to wrap my head around this entire thing. Why ever would Tobias bequeath this to me?”

  “Because you know yourself, these narrow minded people here, excluding us French of course, would never allow Geneviève to procure his lands, nor his money, because of the color of her skin chér.” Clarette replied, and Benjamin nodded frowning.

  “Then I take it, it is best if I was to see him at once. When ye sent the letter, Mr. Gaillard attached a replication of the will, but I daresay, because of this Mr. Charles, I should have the original.” Benjamin asked looking up at Clarette, and she nodded, still frowning.

  “You had best. Charles has been after Tobias to sell to him ever since he became ill. I personally think it is only to get his hands on Geneviève.” Clarette spat with such contempt, that both Benjamin and Bartholomew frowned.

  “Whatever do ye mean?” Benjamin asked, immediately incensed.

  “You have not seen the petite fille in many years. She has grown to be une très belle jeune femme chér I promise you. He wants her, not the land, nor the money. She is the one thing that he has not been able to procure, because Tobias threatened to take his life if he ever touched his daughter. However, now that Tobias has passed on, she is vulnerable.” Clarette sighed, and Benjamin’s frown deepened.

  “He shall never touch her as long as I have breath in my body.” He hissed, and Clarette smiled.

  “Good, now, I have come to escort you to see Gaillard, he is most anxious to have things underway.”

  “But I am not quite sure I want the responsibility of this Clarette.” Benjamin returned, and she gasped as she looked at him.

  “I was under the impression that you were when I sent that telegraph?” She cried, and he sighed.

  “I am quite confused Clarette, I have a home in England. I daresay I am not sure I am ready to give that up.” He cried, and she nodded.

  “Mon amour, it is not as if you have to reside here. You can allow Abel and Marié to take care of the business here, and send whomever you wish to reside here.” Clarette commented, and he frowned.

  How could he trust Tobias’s daughter to just anyone?

  Geneviève deserved better.

  He could hear his father now, complaining about his duty to this friendship.

  Benjamin sighed again, then rose to his feet.

  “Fine Clarette…for now.” He stated, and she smiled as she too rose.

  “Then we shall see Gaillard now.”

  Benjamin nodded, and the three of them left the house.

  ***

  As I stretched in the bed, I immediately shook my head to clear the images from last evening. I would need to speak to Ms. Claudette immediately.

  I was sure I was not supposed to be feeling as such.

  I washed, dressed, then went in search of breakfast. I looked in on Granny, changed her dressing gown, brushed out her hair, then tried to get her to drink some broth.

  However, after several tries, and her not drinking it, I gave up sighing.

  This could not be good for her!

  I would seek out the doctor tomorrow, just as he said.

  From what he told me about Addison’s, the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones in a rare, chronic endocrine disorder. I was not exactly sure what any of that meant, and said so. Doctor Augustine frowned, then sighed as he motioned me to the settee outside of Granny’s room.

  Doctor Augustine explained, that a number of relatively nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal pain and weakness, characterizes it, but under certain circumstances, these may progress to Addisonian crisis, a severe illness, which may include very low blood pressure and coma.

  Which he believed was most likely, what Mr. Charles’ news resulted in, sending Granny into coma.

  Addison’s disease was named after Doctor Thomas Addison, the British physician who first described the condition in 1849. The adjective “Addisonian,” is used to describe features of the condition, as well as patients suffering from Addison’s disease

  As I sat eating the brioches à la cannelle, or what the English call cinnamon rolls, Ms. Minnie had Isaiah bring this morning; I thought on my situation. I was sure a seductress was not supposed to have intimate feeling for the first man she seduced.

  Even if he was the seducer.

  I finished up, looked in on Granny one last time as Isaiah came back to the house, then left promising I would return before sun down. I had no notions of how I would keep the ruse up, or when someone would actually see me coming from Madame’s.

  As usual, Claudette was in her garden. She smiled when she saw me, then beckoned me.

  “Well hello chér, how was it?” She asked grinning, I felt my cheeks flame, and she laughed.

  “Certainly you cannot still be this timide?” Timid, she grinned, and I rolled my eyes and took up the next row of flowers she was pruning. I took the sheers, then commenced to cut off the dead leaves.

  “I am quite at a loss Ms. Claudette. I was not expecting to have these peculiar feeling for him this soon.” I said, she frowned, then looked at me.

  “Him who?” She inquired.

  “I have no notions, we never exchanged names.”

  “Really, yet you have feelings for him after just one rendez-vous?” She asked surprised.

  “Yes, and I cannot fathom why. He seemed so familiar to me, especially the eyes. It was as if we had met in a different lifetime, and we knew each other intimately. I am quite perplexed.” I sighed, as I cut the next flower, and her frown deepened.

  “And I hear Monsieur Waverly has finally arrived?” She asked as she looked up from the flower.

  “Yes, but I have not had the fortune of seeing him. I waited for him last evening, but he never arrived.”

  “If I remember correctly, he was quite taken with you as a child file, yet, I also remember you leaving for St. Martins, in the middle of the summer that last year he was here.”Claudette stated grinning.

  “Yes, it was an equal feeling, nevertheless Benny ruined that, and I have been hard pressed to forgive him.” I stated frowning, and she smiled slightly.

  “True love and first love always pains the hardest my love. Nonetheless, I can see it, even though you try to deny it. I hear the love in your voice.” C
laudette stated smiling, and I frowned.

  “I do not, as well you do not. I only wish to know what he has planned for Granny and me.” I countered, my frown deeper, and she laughed aloud this time.

  “Fine, then you are mine.” She stated grinning, and I smiled slightly. “Humm, mayhap you can get him to help with your plight?” She returned, and I frowned shaking my head.

  “I don’t think that is an option I can take advantage of. I am quite sure Madame would not take too kindly if I were to suddenly not return. I believe as tenacious as she is, she would have someone come for me, and then where would that leave me?” I moaned, and she laughed.

  I frowned at her.

  “I know this is not a quoi rire, but it is truly an affreux situation you have gotten yourself into chér. And this man, you have feelings for?” A laughing matter, she said and I frowned again.

  “I am not sure. In spite of this, he did pay Madame, so that he was the only man I am to entertain.” I commented, and she laughed again.

  “I daresay I have done quite a job with you then. Il paie pour qu'il soit votre amant seulement?” He pays so he is your only lover?" She asked shocked, and I nodded.

  “Yes, Madame told me this morn as I was to leave.” I replied, and she gasped again.

  “I must say, I am very surprised. You chér have made an impression as well. Was this before, or after your intermède?” Interlude, she asked still amazed.

  “After, when Madame woke me to tell me that I must make haste before the sun rose.”

  “Hummm, this is quite the torrid little romance.” She said laughing, and I frowned.

  “I do declare that he is quite familiar to me. I would swear I know him already. But what am I to do Claudette?” I cried, and she smiled as she rose, then pulled me to my feet.

  “Come, we shall work on it.” She said, and I laughed.

  Was it eccentric, that I was attracted to Ms. Claudette as well?

  Canal

  Street…

  Gaillard looked up as Clarette, and the two gentlemen walked into his offices.

  “Clarette Bonjour, si beau de vous voir. And who do we have here?” He asked as he gestured to the set of armchairs.

  “To you as well Gaillard, this is Monsieur Waverly, and Monsieur Grains.” Clarette declared, and he nodded twisting his mustache.

  “Yes, yes, Tobias was expecting you much sooner than this unfortunately.” Gaillard replied, and Benjamin frowned.

  “Yes, we were unexpectedly delayed. I must say I am quite at a loss as to why he has done this?”

  “I am not. From what I know, Tobias was very fond of your father, and considered him as a brother. He was quite taken with you as well. Moreover, since Tobias has no living relatives, he felt you would best be suited.” Gaillard stated, and Benjamin frowned.

  “Yes he does, and she is more entitled to his estates than I am.” Benjamin countered, and Gaillard sighed.

  “Yes, Oui, le français, elle serait, be. However, we are becoming the minority here, and unfortunately we have white southerners who migrate everyday, and ils ne se sentent pas les mêmes sentiments que nous, Français.”To the French it is. They are not French, they do not feel the same sentiments as we French, he said, and Clarette nodded.

  “I am confused as to what it is that he wanted of me. I am not my father. I feel as if I am being forced to comply with this. I love Geneviève, Marié, and the lot, but I am not quite sure that I am ready for the responsibility of such a grand undertaking.” Benjamin sighed as he rubbed his temples, then placed his head in his hands, and Clarette massaged his shoulders.

  He looked up as Gaillard cleared his throat.

  “Monsieur Tobias, did not expect you to stay here son, he merely wanted you in charge of his properties, money and daughter.” Gaillard said, and Benjamin nodded sighing again. “You have the option of keeping your home and estates in England, and none will think any less of you for that. We each know what an enormous responsibility this is, and so did Tobias, he only wished your name to be on his property, so that Geneviève and Marié would be taken care of, for the duration of their lives. Now, if you would only sign, we shall be set.” Gaillard stated, Benjamin nodded again, then signed his name and handed the quill to Clarette as witness.

  “It is all yours, now what you wish to do with it is up to you. However, I would entreat you to at least consider Tobias’ daughter before you contemplate your choices. Geneviève is hapless in the entire situation, and she has not known the life of a slave, for she has never been one.” Gaillard stated frowning, Benjamin sighed again, shook his hand, then the three of them exited the offices.

  Haven

  Plantation…

  I arrived home, just before sunset, and was surprised to see Ms. Millie there.

  “Chér, where you been?” She asked frowning, and I sighed.

  “Ms. Claudette’s Millie, is there something wrong. Is Granny alright?” I asked as I hurried to Granny’s room.

  “Yo Grand-mier is just fine. What I wonts to know is where you been?” She countered, and I frowned.

  “I just said Ms. Millie, whatever is the matter?” I asked and she sighed.

  “Have you not heard the commérages, concerning Ms. Claudette?” She asked, and my frown deepened.

  “No I have not, not that it would taint my judgment of her anyway.” I replied, very infuriated that Ms. Millie would give in to vicious town gossip.

  “Well, you had best entertain them. Was it not you, Margarett saw coming from Madame’s?” She countered, and I gasped.

  Blasted hell!

  Ms. Margarett was the nosiest chatterer this town had probably seen in centuries no doubt. She was never one to mind her own business, and thought it her duty to spread everyone else’s all over town.

  “Yes Ms. Millie, it was the only place I could get a cleaning job until Claudette’s father returns from France to find me something more suitable.” I wailed, she frowned, then sighed as she took up her seat again.

  “I say you must tread lightly chér, association apporte de l’assimilation file.” Association brings about assimilation girl, she said frowning and I sighed again.

  “I know this Ms. Millie, but I have no choice in the matter. Granny needs to be taken care of. I have the doctor coming tomorrow; however, I have a need to pay for his services as well. I do not have the means to pay for her care, unless I do this.”

  “But petite file, Mr. Waverly is here now. He has asked for you twice already. Even now, he sent for you. He has agreed to take care of Marié.” She wailed back, and I shook my head.

  “I cannot allow him to do that Millie, then I would be indebted to him. Which, I will never allow myself to be again! If I have learned nothing from Granny all these years, it was that the majority of them cannot be trusted, and I will not allow someone else to dictate Granny’s fate.” I stated shaking my head again, and the scene from the Dubios’ ball filled my head, with images I had tried for years to surpass.

  “Well, he has sent for you chér, you best go see what he wonts. I will stay with Marié, then have Isaiah come so you can go work at that den of iniquity.” She hissed, and I sighed again.

  Ms. Millie’s religious ways would never allow her to understand this, even if it were truly a cleaning occupation.

  “Thank you, I’ll be back as soon as I am done with him.” I said, she nodded, and I went out the door.

  As I walked to the big house, I noticed the carriage was already gone. I also noticed the sun was retreating for the night. This would have to be quick, if I were to make it to Madame’s early enough.

  When I rapped the knocker on the door, Abel opened it after two tries.

  “Mr. Waverly asked to see me.” I stated stiffly as he ushered me into the foyer.

  “He went to town chil.” He countered, and I frowned.

  “My world, then how on earth am I to see him, if he is never here when I arrive.” I cried, and Abel laughed.

  “That I cannot say chil, but I
will tell him you were here…again.” He said, I smiled, then turned for the steps.

  I was happy to leave, to do anything, to keep me from having to face him after all these years.

  “Be careful chil.” Abel called; I paused, but did not turn.

  Did Abel know?

  “Sans aucun doute.” Certainly, I replied with a smile, then hurried off.

  When I reached Granny’s, Isaiah was already there. We exchanged greetings, he said he would stay with Granny, and I was off.

  French

  Quarter…

  I arrived at Madame’s just as the sun was completely set, and of course, she was in a sour mood. I was ushered upstairs, bathed, scented, then dressed in a sheer nightdress, which was little more than a cover for my body.

  This time I felt completely ashamed.

  What would he think?

  “Come, you shall entertain in the red room this night.” Madame said, I nodded, then followed her down the hall.

  Absinthe

  House…

  Bartholomew sighed as he watched the frown on his best mates face for the last hour.

  “Come chum, ye could use a spot of fun.” Bartholomew said, then tugged Benjamin from the room and out the door.

  Madame Soleil welcomed them with a smile, ordered them both a drink from the keep, then had Monique lead them upstairs.

  As Monique opened the red door, Benjamin frowned at her, and she nodded towards the room.

  I gasped as he suddenly appeared at the door, and jumped up from the bed.

  He was frowning when he turned my way, then dropped the drink and stood opened mouthed in the doorway.

  Monique retrieved the glass, then winked at me smiling as she closed the door.

  “My God.” He whispered when he could breathe again, and I smiled shyly.

  I guessed Madame knew men.

  He walked to me, caressed my face, and my eyes closed as he kissed first my eyelids, my cheeks, then my lips.

  “Has anyone ever told ye, ye are absolutely beautiful?” He said softly, and something in me stirred.