Chapter Four
The family retired to the study for drinks and conversation. Heath and Nick continued their nightly game wagering at the billiards table.
Eight-year-old Camellia was exhausted and went upstairs with Katarina as she put her three children down with Rosa. She had never been around toddlers and was enjoying every minute of entertaining them. Honestly, she had not been around many children or people but only her Mother and Aunt. Katarina and Rosa loved the interaction with the inquisitive child and the three Barkley young.
"Cammie!" Tab would loudly yell when his baby sisters got more of their visitor's attention. She read to them, sang, chased, and simply captivated the toddlers' attention. Camellia had done what the Barkleys thought could never be done, wear those babies out.
Isabella and Elizabeth took small glasses of the Barkley wine and continued the conversations with Victoria and her sons.
"Elizabeth and Isabella, I would like to take you on a ride around the ranch tomorrow" offered Heath.
Nick smiled. "Look at my little brother," he thought in pride. "He always can charm the ladies."
"We would love to" quickly, maybe a little too quickly, agreed Isabella. Nick stifled a laugh with his hand. Heath grinned his lop-sided grin. Elizabeth and Victoria shared a knowing look.
Elizabeth in turn asked Victoria about Tom Barkley and how they came to the Valley. She shared some stories of their early days coming in the wagon train, Jarrod being born at their friend's library, and Nick's arrival in a gale. She told of Heath's gift of putting up with them all and being the trickster of the family. She described Eugene and Audra to the sisters as well. "I hope you will meet them one day also,"
It was so heartwarming for Victoria to speak of her children so glowingly. "I wonder if Mother had lived how she would have described us to strangers."
Elizabeth drifted off for a moment in her own private world. Victoria seemed to intrinsically know that she was deep in her thoughts… She watched the beautiful young woman with a lost expression far away from this conversation.
A few moments passed and Elizabeth apologized, "I was thinking of my own mother. I am sorry. I was loving your stories and I got lost in my memories too."
"Tell me about your mother, Elizabeth."
She hesitated for a moment, it was something she usually didn't talk about. While she was getting her thoughts together, Isabella quickly answered for her; she seemed to want to spare her sister.
Elizabeth stiffened and heard her sister describe what had happened to them. I don't think I have ever heard her tell a stranger before"
"Maman died when I was ten. Elle was fourteen. A terrible influenza epidemic went through the island and our younger sisters died within a week of each other and Maman. Elle tried to take care of all of us with several of the ill house servants. No neighbors would help as they were afraid of the contagion. Papa and John were at sea. They came home to me and Elle, the only ones who survived. My sister saved my life. She never left my side."
Victoria reached out to both girls and placed her hands on them, "I am so very sorry. I didn't mean to pry." She looked at them with compassion and empathy.
Nick and Heath looked at each other. Each had experienced loss, Tom and Leah but to lose four family members….and to be so young. They slightly shook their heads reading each other's thoughts as they were prone to do.
And the thought crossed Heath's mind…where was Camellia's father?
Elizabeth thanked the Barkleys for the lovely evening. She asked what time they needed to be up for breakfast and for the ride. She smiled wistfully, "I do want to thank you for opening up your home. Our small family enjoyed the camaraderie of yours." Victoria thought her the epitome of grace. And she excused herself for the evening.
Isabella hesitated for a moment as she arose too. She came back and gave Victoria a quick hug to her surprise.
She smiled, "Thank you, Isabella. My home is your home."
When the sisters were safely out of earshot, Nick uncharacteristically lowered his voice, "I can't imagine losing four family members. Those ladies have certainly been through it."
He put the pool cue down and said, "I need to go check on my babies and make sure they are asleep. Goodnight. "
Heath put his cue stick in the rack too but he crossed the room and sat by Victoria. "Mother, I am glad you invited them." He kissed her on the forehead and headed upstairs.
Victoria stared into the fireplace, finishing her sherry. Oh dear Jesus, those poor girls.
"All Rise". The New York Circuit Court was in session after a recess for the verdict. The judge looked over his spectacles at the two premier lawyers and their clients.
"Both of you presented fine arguments for your clients. I am swayed by the precedents set forth by both parties and the amount of litigation that has taken place. I rule in favor of Manhattan Bank. Mr. Barkley, please approach the bench for the final judgment amounts for your client."
Jarrod approached the bench. The judge leaned over conspiratorily as he handed him the papers. "Well done Barkley. You just created one of the largest bank monopolies in the area. They will be able to shut down those rinky-dink banks and German cooperative credit unions. Crush those immigrant banks. National banks are the way to go if I say so myself."
Jarrod thanked the judge and walked back to his table. He knew The Manhattan Bank was perfectly legal in its policies about loan collections and interbank transfers or he would not have accepted the case. His firm represented the bank and it was a completely legitimate lawsuit. He had no problem ethically representing them and allowing more investment capital acquisitions for corporations.
"But what if this legal precedent took more power away from the common man as the judge seemed to imply." crossed his mind.
His thoughts were interrupted by his client. "We will be using you more often, Barkley. We will squash all the competitions in New York. We added a little extra to your commission." He shook Jarrod's hand and headed off to celebrate.
As he was packing up his valise, a beautiful woman dressed in a red business day suit caught his eye.
"Barbara Valaise, the society writer for the New York Herald. "Of course, her reputation preceded her. She loved to flout convention and make her presence known around the city and its elite social scene. The ladies in town viewed her as loose but pandered to make her column. She once traveled with the Mayor of New York to Paris for a liaison and ended up charming the Mayor of Paris as well. The risqué story made the rounds of the upper tier of society. It ended up costing the mayor a diamond necklace for his wife's forgiveness. The stories were brazen but intriguing. Why is she here to see me?"
"Jarrod Barkley, Barbara Valaise" she proffered her gloved hand to him. She is more beautiful than I thought.
He chuckled to himself, as he thought of the childhood story of the spider and the fly.
"I heard your closing arguments. You have quite a future ahead of you. I would like you to escort me to Vanderbilt's soirée tomorrow night. You have an invitation with your name on it even if you do not choose to escort me. I am rarely turned down. Dress for 8 pm" as she provocatively laid her glove hand on his forearm and squeezed.
Jarrod swallowed and took a breath. This should be interesting. He decided to take control of the situation. This was a game he knew well how to play in New York.
He took her elbow and traced his hand down to her wrist which he slightly pinched. "I would like to get to know my escort better. What restaurant would you like to go-now?"
He took her arm and guided her to the hall. Every man in the room looked like they wanted to be in his shoes.
Their mutual eyes glimmered with anticipation. Neither of them was ingénues.
Dining on champagne and lobster; dancing in a dimly lit private club; escorting her back to her home. The heat in the carriage was unmistakable and it continued as he closed her door behind them.
Jarrod awoke and left before dawn. "See you tonight my dear." She smiled sleepily at him.
Jarrod made it home to change clothes and get ready for the day. It had been a wild night for him. Barbara was quite skilled in her ministrations and her appetites. She would definitely be worth a second visit. She was indicative of his New York life…. Beautiful society women who flouted convention and society's mores. One or two assignations and on to the next….
Jarrod hurried through the day and dressed to pick up Barbara at 7 pm for the Vanderbilts. She was dressed in a deep purple satin dress of a French design with a low bodice. They made a dashing couple as they were introduced at the door. She started working the room and making mental notes for her column. Jarrod headed over to the bar and ordered a scotch.
He made small talk around the room and one of the Vanderbilt attorneys he knew from the Yacht Club came up. They caught up on some sailing talk and then he motioned for Jarrod to head to the balcony.
"I am glad you got my invitation. Barbara can be useful in many ways. If you ever want to leave your firm, we have a place for you here."
Jarrod graciously thanked him. There was no way in hell he would work for a railroad of any kind.
"Also, you did a good turn for the Manhattan Bank today. They are our partners in many capital acquisitions around the country. I have some information to share with you that affects your family's holdings in California. Our partners here asked me to share it with you and I hope one day if you come across information that will help the Vanderbilt railroad empire in turn."
Jarrod felt unclean and swarmy; he disliked backroom gossip but he had to admit, it was useful occasionally- but he listened to the inside information being shared. "The Coastal&Western has …"
He went to Barbara, made his apologies, and offered to take her home as he needed to leave on a family emergency. She declined. "I can always find a gentleman to make time for me. I will see you again when you return, Mr. Barkley. you may count that as a promise."
He smiled politely, kissed her hand, and left to book a train for Stockton. On the way he telegrammed Nick.