Chapter 51
“But why me, Monsieur Bailey?”
T
he atmosphere in Julian Bailey's office was thick and full of venom. The Tresvant and Bouvier families were beside themselves with anger, and the will had yet to be read. The idea of Lauren Renee being in the will at all drove them to the edge of insanity. They would have understood to some degree if Aubrey or any of the other housemen were in the will. In fact, they expected as much. But Lauren had only been on the shores of the country for three days. They didn't understand how she could get anything, even if it were a penny. As far as they were concerned, it was a slap in their faces that she was there to hear the will read.
Julian escorted Lauren to her seat, which was right next to Cadence. Lauren thought she heard her growl when she sat down. She looked at Cadence and thought,
I'm next. She's going to kill me for this.
“I guess we can get started now that we're all here,” Julian said. “It's a rather simple will. Clear. Concise. To the point.” He cleared his throat, knowing full well that what they were about to hear was going to take their anger to another level.
“Beaumont wrote a letter that I'm supposed to read before explaining how all his assets are divided.”
Tristan said, “Who cares what he had to say? I don't like having to sit here with one of our servants, and I certainly don't want to sit here any longer than I have to. So please, skip his vitriolic drivel and tell us how he split up the estate.”
“If I don't read his letter to you all, if any one of you leaves before I finish it, all of you forfeit anything you had coming.”
“Who gets the money and property in that case?” Walker asked.
“Lauren gets it allâeverything.”
Tristan and Cadence nearly leapt out of their skin. They both stood up at the same time and in unison screamed, “What!”
Tristan, looking at Lauren, yelled, “This is an outrage!”
“Tristan, please,” Christine said. “Let's hear what your brother had to say. It'll be okay, I'm sure.”
He sat down and composed himself.
Expecting that reaction, Julian maintained his cool and calmly said, “I think you heard me, or better still, I think you heard Beaumont loud and clear. Now . . . do I read this . . . or do you leave this office with the clothes on your backs?”
Completely deflated, Cadence melted in her seat and almost in a trance, babbled, “You mean we wouldn't even be allowed to pack anything from Bouvier Manor? My clothes, my jewelry, nothing?”
Julian leaned back in his chair and said, “That's correct. Well, you'd get to keep your clothing shop, but you'd receive no support from the estate.”
“What about me?” Tristan said. “Would I at least keep my home and possessions?”
“No. Your children would be provided for, but that's it.”
“Damn him!” Tristan said. “I hope the Molly burns in hell forever and ever!”
“And me? What if I leave?” Marie-Elise said without passion.
“You get nothing. Walker is your husband, and it's his responsibility to provide for you.”
“Monsieur Bailey,” Lauren said, “surely I can leave. This is a family affair. I should not be here.”
“You can leave, Lauren, but if you do, they lose it and I get it. Like it or not, you have to be here so they can get their share. He was very specific about that.”
“But why me, Monsieur Bailey? I just don't understand.”
“You'll understand when I finish the letter and the will. Now, what's it going to be?” He eyed them all for a few silent seconds. “Do I get to keep an estate worth eight hundred thousand dollars a year? Or do you all want your share of it? It's up to you.”
Silence.
“By your silence, I take it you want me to read the letter. Here goes.”
Chapter 52
Dear Family
,
Hmmm. Family? I have often wondered if the term even applies to us as a unit. Perhaps it does, as we do have the same bloodâexcept, I suppose, for Aubrey and my other house servants. But I do think of Aubrey and the others as family; more family than my wife, and certainly my younger brother, Tristan.
As for my sister, Marie-Elise, I love you more than you will ever know. I was never disgraced by your choice of husband. That was father, never me. I was always proud of your courage to do as you pleased, not as society expected or even demanded. But, alas, you are fortunate that you made your choice in New Orleans, where free people of color are plenteous and the intermingling of the races are commonplace. Had you done the same elsewhere, you may have been hanged. Never lose sight of that, my dear.
In any case, I leave you the bulk of the Bouvier estate, which includes Bouvier Manor, Bouvier Hill, and Bouvier Sugar. In addition to this, I leave you sixty percent of everything, including all of the above, and the liquid assets.
I do this knowing full well that Walker is sitting there now as this letter is being read, thinking of how he can get the rest of Bouvier Sugar and the property. Perhaps a merger is the smart move now that I am no longer alive. Do what you will, and always remember I loved you until death knocked. Death, however, will not diminish my favor or my love for you. I was never ever embarrassed by any decision you made. I wish you and my dear brother-in-law, Walker Tresvant, all the best.
Now to my younger brother, Tristan. You have always been an embarrassment to the Bouvier name. You've added nothing to our legacy, and have only taken. I suspect your progeny will be equally slothful and needy, thinking the world owes them something. But, you are my brother no matter what you've done to me, to my wife, to your wife, and to yourself.
I suppose you and Cadence, the whore who pretended to be a wife, thought you were fooling everybody. You should know that you fool no one, except perhaps Christine, who adores you and worships the very ground you walk on. For the life of me, I never understood why. At this point, I don't need to.
For your treachery, you will receive nothingâno percentage of Bouvier Hill, Bouvier Manor, Bouvier Sugar, and no percentage of the liquid assets. You will have no association whatsoever with the family business. You will, however, be taken care of for the remainder of your days on earth.
As I said, you are my brother. But, if the day ever comes and it is discovered that you are not my blood brother, and I sincerely hope it does, you will be cut off completely; you and your children with Christine. The children you sired with the whore who pretended to be my wife, Cadence, well, that's another story. They will be cared for despite her longtime adulterous affair with you.
And now for the whore who pretended to by my wife, Cadence. You are still quite beautiful, and so I guess you shall not be alone forever. I can only hope that my letting the proverbial cat out of the bag in Christine's presence has irreparably destroyed your diabolical alliance with Tristan.
As my brother is my brother no matter what, you are my wife no matter what, and so I will not completely destroy you. My dear Cadence, you have always sought power and control, and you shall finally have it. But it comes at a price.
First, you can never marry, unless you marry a Bouvier by blood. This excludes Tristan, as you may actually love him, which would put poor Christine in danger. If you love Tristan, I have no doubt that you would figure out a way to rid yourself of her to pursue your own base ends.
Perhaps you'll marry a younger Bouvier, who will fulfill your every longing. You're still beautiful and you have the bosoms to attract just about any man. Or perhaps your lust for power will keep you alone. Perhaps you'll live in sin so that you maintain power. Whatever you do, try to be happy doing it.
Second, while Bouvier Hill is yours to control, you must answer to my beloved sister, which means you will have to answer to Walker Tresvant. I know that hurt, didn't it, dear? But wait; there's more to come.
I am leaving you thirty percent of everything; however, to get it, you must relinquish your beloved clothing store, which I purchased for you so you would stop trying to run my business. Bouvier Hill is a fulltime position. Do not treat it like a bordello.
If you decide to keep the store, you forfeit Bouvier Hill and the power you so desperately crave. You must decide now, by the conclusion of the reading of the will. Also, if you do choose the clothing store, you must leave Bouvier Manor immediately and permanently. You will finally be completely on your own and call all the shots. Your thirty percent will be given to my sweet sister, Marie-Elise.
A final note to my family, and especially you, Walker: if and when a merger takes place between Bouvier Sugar and Tresvant Sugar, both names must now and forever be a part of the brand name. To be clear, the names are never ever to be changed, as they are our legacy, the proof to our posterity that we lived, succeeded, and thrivedâboth houses. And because we lived, they now enjoy the fruits of our collective labor.
I'm sure you're dying to know why I want both names to remain in perpetuity. It is because Damien Bouvier created in Alexander Tresvant Bouvier, his former slave, the drive necessary to become what he became. I will not regurgitate the messy details of how it happened, but it did. Dropping the Bouvier name cannot repudiate this fact.
I apologize for his ruthless behavior two generations ago. Now, we will all go down in history as one family. The Tresvants will be a large branch of the tree of life that Damien spawned through lust. Personally, I think it fitting that it turned out this wayâit's almost righteous.
Last, but not least, to my dear house servants, I leave the remaining ten percent. Each servant is to receive one percent, and the rest goes to my closest friend, Aubrey Bouvier. If any of the house servants die, his share goes to Aubrey. If Aubrey dies, the percentage is to be divided among the survivors. If there are no survivors, the remaining ten percent goes to Marie-Elise.
Effective upon the reading of this letter, all my house servants are free. They, too, must keep the Bouvier name or they forfeit their shares. They must also remain in New Orleans. I have not freed them so that some greedy slaver can claim them again.
The surviving house servants will be given Bouvier Manor, or they will be given the clothing store, whichever Cadence decides to give up. Their formal educations, homes, and businesses will be paid for by the Bouvier estate. Once their businesses, or whatever endeavors they so choose are established, they will be on their own. No further help will be given to them without the say so of Marie-Elise.
The ten percent due the house servants is payable immediately. To be clear, the house servants are to immediately have eighty thousand dollars divided according to the manner I already outlined. The house servants shall receive ten percent of Bouvier Sugar or Bouvier Tresvant Sugar in perpetuity.
I love you all. May the Bouvier and Tresvant names live on forevermore.
Â
Beaumont Bouvier
Chapter 53
“What about your money?”
W
hen Julian Bailey finished reading Beaumont's letter, he looked at them to get their reaction. First he looked at Tristan and Christine. They were both hurt and confused. They obviously expected more. As he watched Christine, her expression seemed to morph into shock. She was no doubt surprised by the revelation of adultery and children with her sister-in-law.
Cadence, on the other hand, was dissatisfied, but not overwhelmed by it. She probably thought thirty percent and finally being the boss was better than nothing.
Walker Tresvant and Marie-Elise were beside themselves with joy, while the young woman that didn't feel she belonged with the family was subdued.
“What's wrong, Lauren?” Julian said.
“I don't think I understand, sir,” she said.
“What don't you understand?” Julian asked.
“Well, I think the letter said something about me being free,” she said. “Is that right?”
Tristan flung a profanity-laced tirade at Lauren and stormed out. He was outraged at the sum of money and benefits she had received. Christine followed him, but she wasn't upset at all. She was probably still in shock and unsure if there was any truth to what was read to them. She was too much of a lady to make a scene. She maintained her dignity by keeping silent. When she walked out, she walked out proudly, as class and grace oozed from her pores.
“Yes, Lauren, you certainly are free,” Julian said. “Do you understand the restrictions?”
“Restrictions? What do you mean?”
“Beaumont wanted you to keep your freedom, so he wants you to stay here, in New Orleans. I know you only recently arrived on the
Windward,
but if you leave New Orleans permanently, you could be captured again. Beaumont didn't want that for you, or any of his house servants. He also gave you a thriving business and a substantial amount of money. There are numerous free people of color here. Stick around awhile and see for yourself.”
“So I'm free to go right now if I want?”
“Yes,” Walker said. “But don't. I agree with Julian and Beaumont. I advise you to stay for a few months and see how you like it. I understand that you haven't seen your family for a while and they are worried sick, I'm sure. But if you go in search of them, there's no guarantee you won't be captured again.
“Even if you get back to Africa, there's no guarantee your family will be there. For all you know, they are on their way here. If they are, you can buy their freedom and you can all stay. Think about it.”
“How do I get to the Isle of Santo Domingo?” she asked.
“What's on the Isle of Santo Domingo?” Walker asked.
“Amir. We were to be married before our capture. We both made promises. I intend to keep mine.”
“Listen, Lauren. I don't think you understand the situation because you're from another land,” Marie-Elise said. “Ten percent of a thriving company has just fallen into your lap. Do you have any idea what you can do with eighty thousand dollars cash in New Orleans? And the idea that you'll get at least that or more until you die doesn't appeal to you? And then your children will get it.
“The dress shop alone could be worth a fortune if you work hard and turn it into something. I mean, you've already got clients lined up. What with the octoroon ball just a month or two away, women will be storming the place, needing gowns and all the things women need.”
“Lauren,” Cadence interrupted, “I'm going back to Bouvier Hill. Are you coming with me, or are you staying with your new friends?”
“I take it you've decided to take Beaumont's offer of running Bouvier Hill and Sugar?” Julian asked.
“Yes, I've accepted.”
“So then,” Julian continued, “you'll be turning the keys over to Lauren immediately?”
Cadence's face twisted into a menacing scowl. “I suppose you want me to show her around too?”
“That would be the ladylike thing to do, Cadence.”
“Well, I'm leaving right now. If you want to see the place, you better come along. There's nothing in that letter that says anything about me having to show you anything. What I do now, I do out of respect for Beaumont.”
When Lauren heard what Cadence said about respecting Beaumont, she wanted to strangle her. She had no love for Beaumont, but he did set her free, and that gesture made her feel badly about the way his life ended. She thought Beaumont's life should be avenged, since the real killers had not paid for their crimes. She would see to it, but it would take time.
“Okay, let's go,” Lauren said. “Show me the clothing store.”
“Lauren,” Walker said, “what about your money?”
“Oh yeah.” She looked at Julian. “Can I get it later?”
“Sure,” Julian said. “When you return, I'll take you to the bank and help you open an account, okay?”