The Frenchman's Woman

by Lee Taylor

  ~~~

  Governor Sampson and his family had eagerly accepted Nianzu’s offer to tour Los Vistas while they waited for their hosts. Like all well connected political and financial leaders in California, the governor knew the gracious Spanish hacienda was in reality home to one of the wealthiest men in the country, not to mention over a hundred members of the fiercest Tong this side of China. Tales of the magnificence of the villa were widespread, though few outsiders were given more than the most cursory glimpse of the spectacular complex.

  The governor and his family returned to the formal gathering room, marveling at the lavish yet practical beauty of the home.

  At that moment, Bai entered. Moving across the opulently tiled room with insouciant grace, he greeted the governor and his wife. “Good evening, Governor, Ginny,” he said bowing respectfully. “It is a pleasure to see you both. Welcome to Los Vistas.”

  “My pleasure, Bai. Nianzu was kind enough to show us some of this impressive compound. I have one question. How the hell do you make several million dollars of real estate look understated and elegant as hell? Damn, there isn’t an ostentatious bone in the whole place.”

  Bai smiled graciously. “Thank you, Governor. Yes, we are pleased that in addition to being functional, Los Vistas is comfortable and beautiful. Our goal is that it blend in to the extraordinary countryside rather than stand out in garish dissonance, as too many large scale complexes tend to do.”

  “Well, you sure as hell accomplished that. Goddamn, Bai, I know Nianzu only showed us the public parts of the villa, but how the hell many bathrooms do you have? Do they all look like the ones we saw? Christ, a small family could live in a couple of those.”

  “And don’t forget the kitchen,” Ginny Sampson, the governor’s wife, added, “I have never seen anything like it, including at the governor’s mansion.”

  “Ah, you both hit a soft spot with me. I appreciate your interest. A couple of years ago, I oversaw the renovation of the villa -- particularly the bathrooms and the main kitchen on the complex. I worked with the architects who renovated the Palace Hotel. While their taste is a trifle too opulent for me, they did introduce us to many of the state of the art facilities that we added. In answer to your question, Governor, we have a total of twelve bathrooms on the complex. And, yes, all of them are quite remarkable, although, I confess the family and guest wing house the most sumptuous bathrooms with the most amenities. They all have large baths, showers, various specialized toilets, and the like. As always, I strive for comfort, utility and, of course, beauty.”

  Ginny said with a bit of a sniff, “I must say I am surprised to see that the overall décor is Spanish or even…a little…Mexican. I had expected something more, well, more foreign.”

  Bai smiled to himself at her disingenuous remark. Apparently, she assumed that Chinese people can’t think outside of their race. Did she think they would build a goddamn Chinese pagoda in the California high country? Although he was annoyed, he was accustomed to the prejudice of the white community and said pleasantly, “Perhaps you expected our compound to reflect our Chinese heritage. Wan has a traditional home in China and I have a chateau in France that is appropriately French. But here in America, both Wan and I wanted our hacienda to have a strong sense of place. We wanted to reflect where we live, particularly the richness of California and the history it shares with Mexico.”

  Bai was amused when Ginny flushed at the implied rebuke in his response. She seemed grateful when her husband stepped in.

  “Well, you’ve impressed the hell out of me, Bai, and Nianzu didn’t even have time to show us your wine cellar. I’ve heard it is first-rate,” Governor Sampson said.

  “Ah, perhaps next time. But tonight we will sample some of the wines that Wan and I are producing in our northern California vineyards. I trust you will enjoy them.”

  “Knowing the extent of the enterprise you and Wan run, I hope that we can count on the Sing Leon for support come election time.” With a broad wink, the governor added in an undertone, “Not that we want to make that support a matter of public record.”

  Bai smiled, although his voice was cool.

  “Certainly, Governor. Like you, we appreciate discretion. We also appreciate politicians who are wise enough to understand that morality can’t be legislated, much less taxed – something the prohibitionists, among others, don’t understand.”

  In a casual reference to the fact that much of the wealth from the Sing Leon enterprise comes from illegal activities and with the merest suggestion of a threat, he added, “And, of course, we value political colleagues who look at the broad picture, ones who are willing to overlook the absence of the niceties we all would prefer.”

  The governor nodded, then flushed, as if not wanting to admit he had conceded that legality was a ‘nicety.’ He seemed relieved when Bai moved closer to the young women standing next to him.

  “Enough politics, Governor, at least until after dinner. I have not had the privilege of meeting these two lovely young women you appear to be hiding.”

  “My apologies, Bai. This is my daughter, Sarah, and my niece, Agatha.”

  The governor nodded to the two young women beside him who perked up with obvious interest, jostling each other for a position next to Bai.

  “Enchante, I am honored to meet you both.” Bai bowed to the young women, who both flushed with excitement at his greeting. Bai smiled, deciding that each of them was worth a second look.

  Sarah Sampson had dark hair and brown eyes. She sported the slender waif like figure that was becoming fashionable--a little too straight and lacking in curves for Bai’s taste, but attractive all the same. Agatha Peters was a contrast in color and size. Blond and blue eyed she was taller than her cousin. In comparison to Sarah, ‘plump’ was a gracious way of describing Agatha’s exuberant well fleshed body. Bai thought to himself that either one of them had potential for an after hours tussle or even a ménage if the chemistry worked.

  At that moment, Wan Chang and Wyatt entered. Within minutes, the room was filled with lively chatter. In his customary role of gracious host, Bai managed the overall conversation, making appropriate introductions and ensuring the servants were attentive. It was unusual to have the current governor of California, a past governor of Wyoming, and the leader of the most powerful Chinese Tong, in the same room in a supposedly casual setting. The energy was palpable. Wan engaged the young women, who spent most of the conversation ogling Bai, while Bai talked with Ginny Sampson, the governor’s wife, and her sister, Meg Peters.

  The two older women latched on to him, not hiding their interest. Bai grinned to himself, thinking there is nothing quite as obvious as mothers of eligible young women. They circled him like sharks smelling blood in the water, apparently deciding that he was the catch of the evening.

  ~~~

  Bai realized that he had been watching for her when the conversation came to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned to the doorway when Elena entered. To say she was dazzling, he thought with an appreciative grin, delegitimized the word. Bai knew Wan’s legendary admiration of beautiful women. But his usual appreciation reached astronomical heights when it came to his daughter and granddaughter. In addition to their beauty, both Lei and Elena had gorgeous bodies. Wan gladly used his extraordinary wealth and superbly honed taste to dress them accordingly.

  Elena’s gown was an astonishing sapphire blue, made all the more remarkable because it matched and intensified the color of her eyes. In contrast to the fussiness and slightly outmoded dresses of the other women, Elena’s daring gown hovered at the forward most edge of current fashion. It was a slip of a dress. Hugging every curve of her luscious body, it shimmered with a silky whisper when she moved. The gown was cut low to reveal the promise of full firm breasts and styled in a way that her lush hips and toned ass were breathtakingly apparent. As always, her fiery hair was glorious. Her wild curls were partially tamed with jeweled combs, but unruly tendrils broke free, shadowing her face and neck enticingly.
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br />   Bai was sure Governor Sampson spoke for every man in the room when he stopped in mid-sentence and hollered out in his boisterous voice. “My God, Elena. If I died tomorrow, I would go to my grave grinning like a Cheshire cat, knowing I had spent my last evening with you.”

  The governor strode across the room. He grabbed hold of Elena’s hands, kissing each with a loud moist smack. Looking over his shoulder, he said to Wyatt, “Goddamn, Wyatt, I can’t believe you haven’t locked her up in a tower. By God, my dear child, you may be the most beautiful young woman I’ve ever seen.”

  With a pointed glance at her body, he added, “Hell, Elena, you’re a grown woman now. You’re even more alluring than when I saw you last.”

  Elena blushed shyly, gazing at the floor.

  Everyone in the room laughed when Greg Forester and Peter Sampson bumped into each other as they jockeyed to get to her first. Wyatt beat them to her. Bai saw Elena flinch when Governor Sampson bellowed out his greeting. He was grateful when Wyatt moved protectively next to her.

  With a grin, Wyatt put his hand firmly on her elbow and ushered Elena into the room.

  “I have done the next best thing to locking her in a tower, Governor. That is to ensure that Elena, like my wife, Lei, is one of two women kung fu masters in the country.” He turned to Peter and Greg and said with a smile, “Gentlemen, forewarned is forearmed.”

  Everyone laughed. Elena blushed and reached up to give her father a quick kiss.

  “You’re a fighter, is that correct? How charming,” Sarah Sampson said with a slightly disdainful curl to her lips.

  Wyatt’s eyes darkened when Elena flushed and moved closer to him, clutching his arm.

  Bai was standing next to Sarah and said in a quiet, cool voice, “I doubt that is the word any of her opponents would use to describe Elena after they spar with her. ‘Formidable’ is the word that comes to my mind.”

  Sarah looked appropriately embarrassed, then turned to speak to Nianzu, who was staring at Elena in awe. He recovered when he realized Sarah had asked him a question and dragged his gaze away from Elena to respond.

  Bai walked over to Elena and met her eyes with a knowing half smile. He reached for her hand, then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. A deep rosy pink stole across Elena’s face. She trembled slightly and looked down, avoiding his eyes. Holding her hand in his, Bai drew her closer to him, encouraging her to look at him. She tried to slip away, but he tightened his proprietary grip on her arm, eliciting an even brighter blush.

  “You look beautiful tonight, Elena. This must be the infamous sapphire dress. It has lived up to its reputation.”

  “You…you look nice, too, Bai,” she said shyly, glancing away when she spoke.

  He smiled at her nervousness. “Thank you, Elena.”

  Bai’s eyes twinkled when Wyatt said in an undertone, glaring at Sarah, “Thanks, Bai. You obviated the need for me to start the evening by knocking that catty bitch on her ass. Not a particularly good way to endear myself to the governor or his wife.”

  Bai stepped back, realizing he and Wyatt were each protectively clasping one of Elena’s arms when Greg Forester came up and interrupted in a hearty voice, “Come now, Governor McManus and, you, too, Bai. For God’s sake, you get to see her every day. Let the rest of us have a chance.”

  Wyatt smiled and looked inquiringly at Elena, who nodded her consent.

  “You’re right, Greg. Bai and I do have the privilege of seeing Elena every day. I will step out of your way. And, Bai, it looks like you are about to be run over by Peter.”

  As Wyatt and Bai stepped away, Greg and Peter crowded next to Elena, where they stayed until Wan invited everyone to the dining room for dinner.

  ~~

  Chapter 10

  While Elena had stopped the conversation with her entrance, Bai found himself at the center of the dinner discussion. Before dinner, he had responded politely to Meg’s and Ginny’s chatter in French. When they were finishing the first course, Meg turned to Bai and gushed,” Do you have any idea how nice it is to find a young man who speaks fluent French? So many of our young people have not been taught French, the universal language of culture and diplomacy. I shudder to think how uncouth we have become. Of course, Sarah and Agatha both speak fluent French, don’t you, girls?”

  “Qui, Mere,” Agatha said with a smug smile, as Sarah quickly echoed her reply.

  “How many languages do you speak, Bai,” asked Sarah who was seated on his right.

  Bai smiled disarmingly. “Several.”

  Wan interjected. “Bai is too modest. He speaks five languages fluently.”

  “Really,” said Agatha, practically drooling. “Do tell. Obviously French and English are two of them. What are the others?”

  Bai responded with a good natured grin.

  “French and Chinese are my native languages. I acquired English, Spanish, and Russian in my travels.”

  Ignoring the rapt looks of his wife and sister and their daughters, Governor Sampson asked, “Why French and Chinese, Bai? I would think English would be one of your native languages.”

  “No, I was born in France. I lived there until I came to this country when I was eleven years old. My father is Chinese. My mother is French. I learned Spanish, Russian, and a smattering of Italian and Greek traveling in Europe. I didn’t learn English until I was nearly twelve, which accounts for my occasional lack of fluency and lapses into French.”

  “Sorry to join the third degree, Bai, but, I’m curious,” Wyatt asked with a pleasant smile. “How did you end up in California with Wan?”

  “I wanted to leave France, but more important I wanted to come to America. My family had connections and Wan took me in. You might say it was my destiny.”

  “Hmm, that’s interesting. You wanted to be part of the new world rather than the old?”

  “That is perceptive, Wyatt. That is precisely why I came.”

  “How fortunate you were to be born in Europe, and France of all places!” Ginny Sampson purred enthusiastically.

  Bai smiled to himself at her transparency. He was accustomed to the many nouveau riche Americans he met, who like Ginny, saw Europe as a cultural icon compared to the untamed roughness of the western United States. Confirming her pretensions, Ginny grasped his hand and fastened her bright eyes on his face, as if they were fellow travelers, kindred spirits.

  “Bai, I would love to compare notes. In all your travels, what is your favorite place in the world? I am assuming France, given your obvious interest in culture, but what is next?”

  Bai responded pleasantly, as he withdrew his hand. Glancing from person to person, he spoke to the group at large.

  “Yes, I love France and most of Europe. I have a soft spot for Switzerland because I enjoyed skiing as a boy. However, if I had to choose where I want to spend the majority of my time, it is where I am now, California.”

  “Really.” said Sarah in disbelief. “ I would so love to travel to Europe more frequently, but Father only lets Mama and me escape once a year. Don’t you, you mean old thing, you,” she said with a simpering smile at her father.

  Governor Sampson shook his head and muttered “Women!”

  Throughout the conversation, Elena looked down at the table, or occasionally at her father. She acknowledged his encouraging smile, but then looked back at the table. Bai saw her distracted look and was concerned. He was annoyed with the four women who had joined together, peppering him with questions while making a point of excluding Elena. He knew Meg and Ginny were staking him out as a potential suitor for one of their daughters. Clearly they did not want to shift the focus to the lovely Elena.

  Greg also seemed aware of the slight and attempted to include her in the conversation. He turned to Elena with a bright smile. “Where is your favorite place to go when you travel, Elena?”

  She looked at him surprised, then flushed. “I’m sorry, what was your question? I apologize. My mind wandered.”

  Bai smiled at her, interjecting smoo
thly, “I’m not surprised your mind wandered, Elena. Mine is beginning to, as well.”

  Determined to move the conversation away from him and to include Elena, Bai turned to the two young women hanging on his every word.

  “Tell me, Sarah and Agatha, what do you do in your spare time? We know that, among other things, Elena is a kung fu master. What kinds of things interest you young ladies?”

  Bai wasn’t surprised that Meg Peters jumped in before either girl could answer. Her unhappiness with her brother, the governor, for making such a fuss over Elena at the expense of her daughter and niece, was apparent.

  “Bai, you of all people know what sophisticated young women do. The girls have been thoroughly trained in deportment and all the social skills. They are excellent hostesses and conversationalists -- witty, perceptive, and attentive,” she said, glancing with a pointed look at Elena, who was looking down playing with her napkin.

  Ginny Sampson took the bait, adding other accomplishments. “The girls do beautiful needlework, practice their French, of course, and both Sarah and Agatha are accomplished musicians.”

  She turned to Elena with a brittle smile, “And, my dear, when you aren’t fighting, what do you do with your time?”

  For the first time in the evening, Elena seemed to focus on the conversation. She looked up, her gaze sweeping the table. As she looked at each of the four women, her eyes hardened.

  “Well, Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Sampson,” she said, nodding to each of them sweetly, “Let me think. Like all girls who grew up on a ranch in the wilds of western Wyoming, in addition to riding my horse and practicing my ‘fighting,’ I spend a good deal of my time ‘charming’ the ranch hands.”