Chapter Five
Jarrod and Jo ate breakfast downstairs. Paul had sent two men over to relieve Grau for a few hours rest at midnight. They had packed their derringers but the presence of Grau in their buggy was reassuring... They had an hour ride to the home of Auguste Matthieu, attorney for Jean Beaufort.
The French countryside was beautiful in winter. Jarrod enjoyed the rolling landscapes divided by primeval forests. There was something ancient and magical about this land. He could imagine his childhood fairy tales taking place in these forests and castles. I need to read Hans Christian Andersson with the twins through their eyes again.
Jo was very distracted. She pointed out landmarks and castle names to Jarrod but her mind was still seething in anger with Charles. She found herself clutching his hand a little too tight. He understood and put his arm around her. "I promise you it will work out."
And he added a few seconds later "The Lord knows…". She took that in comfort and laid her head on his shoulder. Those words had begun to comfort him too...
Grau smiled. The Admiral was right. Miss Elizabeth is going to be happy.
Auguste was pleased to see Elizabeth Beaufort and meet the esteemed Jarrod Barkley. His American contacts had sent their highest recommendations of him since last summer when Isabella decided to marry his brother. His consulate friends had echoed the sentiment. He had helped convince the Admiral that he was leaving her and her sisters in good hands. Most of all, the old man was concerned with the Beaufort sisters before he relinquished all his worldly possessions and concerns to take orders in the monastery. He also thought Jarrod was perfect for taking over this trust in the states. The attorney was nearing seventy years old and wanted this last requiem to be safe.
He and the Admiral were tired. He just wanted to live out his days in his country estate while Jean wanted his penance in a monastery.
In fact, Jarrod's only mark against him was his reputation as a ladies' man in San Francisco but that had ended according to all sources when he met Elizabeth. The attorney would have been shocked to find out how they originally met. Even Jean did not know who was on the beach that fateful night ten years ago…
Word had come to him from LeHavre several weeks ago that Charles Beaufort had shown up with a wife and moved into the chateau and vineyards. He had written Elizabeth immediately but the letters must have crossed paths since she was en route to France to pursue the annulment.
Auguste kept mulling over the situation in his head…
The annulment … damn, he was still so confused. If Jean had only waited a few more weeks to make sure it was filed, they would not be in this predicament. Auguste had filed his portion within a day in Avignon. Upon hearing it had not been filed in the states, he questioned the majordomo and was assured it had been sent by messenger immediately by the Admiral. Jean was incommunicado until next October and the messenger was missing. It made no sense to him. Jean had been so concerned he was dying outside of the church for his sins… He made his will, signed the annulment papers, and left for the order within a week. Where were those papers? Surely the Admiral knew better than to send them with that damn reprobate nephew. Yes, Jean had a better sense than that. Give him money, yes, he always had felt sympathy for Charles but to trust him? No that was not possible.
Jo told the attorney about the forged trust papers with Heath's name misspelled. He was incensed. Jarrod proceeded to discuss all the intricacies of the trust and the missing annulment papers. He shared the judgmental attitude of the New York Monsignor and the lack of recourse in the states without the originals. Auguste only had copies in the file. The two notarized original ones were sent for the filings.
He was impressed with Jarrod's intelligence and how protective he was of Elizabeth. The Admiral would be pleased.
Jarrod, Auguste, and Elizabeth spent the next two hours strategizing. The house, contents, and vineyards were not part of the trust. They should belong to Elizabeth still since she was his wife. Jean's will could change that but he was still alive. A magistrate not associated with the de Vallas or Charles Beaufort would have to be brought in from outside the province and that would take a couple of days to deal with the forgery.
A letter of contestment was written and sent to all the auction houses to cease and desist sales of all Beaufort properties until a legal ruling could be decided.
All three of them would serve notice to Charles tomorrow. Auguste was looking forward to evicting that leech, Jarrod believed Charles was behind the annulment paper loss and Jo was furious about his trying to break her father's and Jean's trust for her and her sisters. Charles and Melanie were in for the visit of a lifetime.
Grau took them back to LeHavre. Paul had arranged more security and Grau promised he would be back at sunrise to return them back to Auguste's home. He delivered letters personally to the auction house to prevent any more Beaufort sales. He went to the bank and delivered another of Auguste's injunctions to the Bank President. He thanked Grau. He would be rid of the 'de Valla pup' that he was forced to hire finally.
Jo and Jarrod were exhausted. She ordered sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and wine to be sent up to her room. Jarrod changed clothes into his smoking jacket and comfortable pants. Jo put the long day dress and robe on from last night. They banked the fire and nibbled on the food. Jarrod poured several glasses of wine for each of them. Jo dimmed the wicks and Jarrod pulled out his trundle. He kissed her chastely goodnight.
She went to her bed and got under the covers. Jarrod had closed his eyes and heard Jo get back up. "Are you ok, my love?"
"Yes, I was so tired I forgot to take my hair down. Silly me".
He got up, "Let me help you".
He took out the pins and unraveled the braids. He would stop and take a deep breath of her auburn tresses. It was all it took to ignite their passion again. They kissed deeply and lay close together. She went to sleep in his arms exactly as she had at the north pasture creek six months ago. It took Jarrod a long time to fall asleep holding her hair.
Adrienne woke to another bright and warm morning on the ranch and went down to breakfast.
"This California weather is amazing. I don't even have to wear a cape outside. In Boston, we would have inches of snow and a chill that went straight to my bones. My feet would stay wet all day until I toasted them on the fire. I lost some wool socks that way. In Bermuda, we would have a gale that lasted for days. It would howl through the window sills and in Paris, a low mist of rain that brought you low could last for days in January."
Victoria smiled at the youngest Beaufort sister. "You have a way of storytelling that makes me feel I am right in the midst of what you are describing."
Isabella smiled lovingly at her sister. "She has always had that gift."
Heath had left at sunrise after loving Isabella again. It had become their morning ritual to wake up to each other and express their passion again. Isabella looked forward to her nights and dawns these days with Heath. She was spending her time getting to know Victoria better and working with a weak foal that had been born too early. Adrienne and Audra were getting along blissfully and sweet Rose was enjoying all the ladies' attention. Family … those words comforted her. It has been too long. Mama, I hope you can see how well your daughters are doing. We miss you. Thank you God for the Barkleys as my new home….and oh and Heath. She warmed and blushed at the thought of those blue eyes.
Audra had left early herself that morning. Grace Anne had started teething and she wanted to give Carl and Rosa a break. And hopefully, see Carl. They had enjoyed their dances at the wedding and seen each other at his home with the baby and his father and grandfather. His kiss on the cheek after the wedding was the extent of any private moments. He was definitely taking his time now that he was a Father.
"Silas, may I have just some plain grits and toast?" Victoria raised her brows at Isabella. She just shrugged her shoulders. Victoria was hopeful. Adrienne was oblivious to the exchange.
"When will Eugene be here today?" Victoria and Isabella turned their heads at the same time. Adrienne noticed their knowing looks and blushed defensively. "What? We are just good friends." They smiled back at her.
They both thought them too young at eighteen and twenty-one for a long-term relationship. It's just an infatuation since they were thrust together so much in December. Eugene will be going to medical school at Harvard after his Berkley graduation in May with his animal husbandry degree. And Adrienne is such a flirt and child.
What the family didn't know was they had been exchanging letters through Shad on the RR. Their month together for the wedding festivities had developed quickly and without anyone knowing. The youngest of the siblings was oft left to themselves as their older siblings struggled through their problems that month.
Adrienne was already thinking of going back to Boston for piano and voice training again. Eugene's trip back to the ranch in mid-January was unusual. He usually waited until a term break but he couldn't keep his mind off the youngest Beaufort sister. The families had no idea what was in their young minds. If they had, they would have been chaperoned day and night..
He had even gathered his courage to kiss her in the barn before he left for school. His dreams were full of that one kiss.