Chapter Thirty Two
The next few days at the ranch were calm: Isabella improving every day, Jo appearing more herself, Heath heading out a few hours a day to work, Nick and McColl working the ranch, Jarrod working on legal matters, Victoria enjoying all of the family in one place, Audra healing well and spending time with Carl and Grace Anne at the house…
Audra asked her brothers and the sisters to talk in Isabella's room. She still wasn't up to being up and about for long periods of time. Audra helped her bathe and got her in a dressing gown in the armchair. She braided her long hair into a crown braid. So this is what It feels like to have a sister… Jo and the men came in a few minutes later curious about why Audra called this meeting.
"I need to get something off of my chest. I owe you all an apology. I have been a selfish and spoiled child."
Everyone started trying to tell her it was ok and interrupting her.
"Stop, please and hear me out. You need to know what I have done. Isabella and Jo, I helped start those rumors about you. When I heard them, I repeated them myself. I felt like I was losing my brothers and I couldn't see it for what it was. I don't know where the rumors started but I did my part fueling them." She looked up at the four people in the room to gauge their expressions.
Isabella reached out first, "Audra, I forgive you and I am thankful you were by my side during the attack. I feel like you saved my life that afternoon. Thank you for telling me the truth. We never have to mention this again. I want to be your sister."
Jo found her words next, " I am glad you told us. I forgive you of course and I know you are sorry. I also thank you for being there with Isabella through this. We can forget this as she said, and be sisters."
Her brothers did not look so conciliatory. Jarrod looked at his sister, "I take part of the blame for this. I should have been more aware of your feelings." He didn't elaborate anymore or express forgiveness.
Heath didn't say a word. He walked out of the room. Audra blanched. Isabella and Jo both made an effort to convince Audra that this would be forgotten in a family. Jarrod observed the ladies for a few minutes and quietly left the room himself.
Jarrod had not had any replies to his telegrams but a satchel of correspondence for Beaufort Shipping and Barkley holdings came with the afternoon train. He had not yet told Jo about his encounter with her cousin.
They were already married in almost every way in his mind. He felt he was within his rights to protect her. Jo had allowed him to make financial decisions, hold her power-of-attorney, design their home and most importantly raise the children together. She was deferring to him in disciplining the children as he saw fit. He found himself calling them Barkleys already in his head... He did not want to distress her in any way since she was improving so much. HE would take care of Charles Beaufort. He might even let Nick use his persuasive powers. He chuckled to himself at that thought.
Heath was adamant that he wanted no money to go to Charles Beaufort. He didn't want any of his 'Bella's money as it was. I did fill my little brother in on the 'plan'. If those telegram inquiries would just get here… I don't plan on giving that wastrel a penny.
Marriage was the only thing on his mind… Jarrod had found himself staunching thoughts regularly to keep the pink peignoir out of it. He couldn't concentrate or sleep otherwise. Just like a schoolboy again...
He was kept busy with all of the mail. He came upon a freight invoice insured for $50,000. That was an inordinate amount of insurance for freight. He asked Jo if she had made a purchase from France. She shook her head. She looked at the invoice and shipping directions.
Attn: Elizabeth Beaufort ℅ Beaufort Shipping. Please sign for the package and check the contents for damage.
"I have no earthly idea, Jarrod. Telegram them please and ask for the shipper's address. I am curious now."
Jarrod sent a hand to town to telegraph for Jo about the shipping crate... He and Nick spent the next few hours working on the Land Grant they needed for the waterway project to the valley. Nick was to go to Alaska in March when the ice jams broke up in the harbor to make the deal. Prince Naryshkina's agent had agreed to the Barkley-Pacific offer but he had one condition. One of the Barkley brothers would need to go to New Archangel to confirm the deal and take the funds in person. The Spanish land grant was in the hands of the Russians as repayment for saving the son of the Spanish viceroy.
Nick agreed to the trip since Heath would be a newlywed and Jarrod was in limbo with the annulment. He loved adventure books and wanted to see this new territory of Alaska. He knew how much the Valley needed the land grant for cattle watering, improving the flow of the river, and more commerce to the area. Victoria was not thrilled with dealing with the Tsar's envoy. His reprehensible treatment of his people nauseated her and she disliked the aristocracy system of the Europeans very much. Jo and Isabella's experiences had confirmed her opinions.
Isabella tried to talk to Heath after supper about Audra's apology. He didn't want to talk about it. He cut short their evening visit and went to bed early. Heath Barkley is the most stubborn man I know...well his brothers too.
The rest of the week passed with no news. Jo and Jarrod worked on their house plans together. Jarrod had created an entire portfolio of sketches, trims, and notes for the architect in SF. His library was of particular importance to him. Jo was concerned with lighting, window and window seats in almost every room, an art studio/music room combination, surfaces for baking, and her rose garden. They were so evenly matched. She was content to let Jarrod design his dream house with her elements. Jo had even felt well enough to go back into the kitchen and make Palmier and Sadie Breton cookies. The family was delighted with her labors.
Building the house within an acre of the Big House would allow them privacy with quick access to the family. Victoria was already so attached to the twins. They hadn't decided if they would attend school in town or continue with private tutors. With the gossip dissipating in town, they were leaning towards Stockton.
Whatever they decided, it just felt good to be doing it as a couple with a future.
The telegram finally came from Beaufort Shipping. The box was shipped to Elizabeth from the Admiral.
"Jarrod, we have to go back and open it. I think it's important "
They had the private car hooked up and ready to leave in the morning. The twins had wanted to stay on the ranch and since it was a one day or so trip, they agreed. Grandmere was thrilled.
They went straight to the warehouse on the docks from the train. Jo didn't want to stop for lunch or the Palace or even the shipping office.. 'A feeling that this was good news.
Jarrod and the workers opened the crate carefully while Jo paced. "I am right, Jarrod! The Admiral is giving me my freedom" when she saw the first pieces in the crate.
The largest item was a 4x7 portrait wrapped very carefully. Jo started crying as the men gingerly unwrapped it. "Mamma..." She sat down on the floor of the warehouse and stared at the full-length painting.
Jarrod couldn't believe his eyes. He was looking at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and at the same time, Isabella and Jo were staring at him through green eyes. The auburn hair was the same and she was dressed in the height of fashion in the 1850s. He would have known Marie de Beaufort anywhere.
A second painting was unwrapped. A portrait of Marie with her six daughters. Jarrod could recognize them all by Jo's descriptive stories… Jo stood up and went over and touched each of their faces lovingly calling their childhood names: JuJu, Bella, Nat, Adri, and of course Lillibet. Jarrod thought he had never seen Jo so beautiful as within that moment.
They unpacked the rest of the large crate... Isabella's childhood pony painting, two original Corot paintings, family photos, and Bible, Jean's medals, battle sword, and service revolver, Marie's wedding dress, the twins Christening gowns, Adrienne's original piano compositions, Julienne's first painting, Jay's toys soldiers and Rose's porcelain doll along with a magnificent set of conch shells. There were three small boxes wrapped addressed to Jarrod, Heath, and Adrienne's intended one day.
"Jean is saying goodbye, Jarrod". Jo handed Jarrod's box to him. "Go on…". He opened a magnificent pair of cufflinks with an emerald inset of the initials JB. He was awed by the sentiment and the value. "I suspected he gave you those, his most prized possession". She walked over and kissed Jarrod on the cheek.
"He already did, my love." He smiled with love.
"Before they were yours or Jean's, she was mine." boomed a deep baritone voice.
A man dressed in a naval uniform came out from the stored crates. He was tall, almost 6'5 and well-built with a head full of gray hair. His lined face was tanned and weathered. He was an extremely handsome man.
"I came in from Tahiti yesterday. I checked in at the office and they told me you and Isabella were in Stockton. I realized I had not proffered a bank draft and came back to the shipping office for the trip. One of the men told me that you were at the warehouse on the wharf."
"What, no hug for your Pappa?" Jo didn't move.
BlackJack did not seem to notice the slight. He walked towards Jarrod and offered his hand. Jarrod shook it firmly and introduced himself. Her father's grip was fiercely strong. Tom Barkley would approve of that handshake. He stared past Jarrod and Jo at the unwrapped paintings of Marie and his children. His voice caught in his breath and he seemed to almost shrink a few inches in stature.