Chapter Eight
Jarrod sent a message a day after making it back to San Francisco to Miriam asking her to dinner. She quickly replied hoping that he would explain for almost three weeks with no communication.
The butter-colored dress was pressed; her lady's maid did her hair; she borrowed some of her mother's jewels from the safe and she was ready promptly at 7 pm.
He would see what he was missing. And maybe he had a ring?
Jarrod arrived with roses and dressed in his best navy suit. He had stopped by the flower shop on his way to the mansion. The cart outside was filled with daisies. His eyes smiled with the memory.
Hopefully, what I am doing tonight will bring Daisy home to California, only if for visits.
"My dear, you look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you, Jarrod. The roses are beautiful."
Jarrod greeted her mother with a kiss and small talk. Miriam picked up her wrap and Jarrod placed it on her shoulders. He appreciated her long neck and ample décolleté as he gazed.
"Have a nice night you two" and her mother went back to her needlepoint. Her husband usually took weeknight suppers alone or in town. Men need time to unwind from business, she humored herself.
Jarrod kissed Miriam lightly on the lips when they got into the carriage. She was extraordinarily attractive. Not a hair out of place or an unpressed pleat. I have never seen her sweat... Now, why did that cross his mind?
They entered the restaurant and its clients turned to stare. The most handsome couple in San Francisco.
Small talk carried on through dinner and champagne. She told him about all the social events and latest gossip.
He shared some business and legislative news from his office and she politely acknowledged, "That's nice Jarrod. I worry when you take on those causes. I feel sorry about those poor farmers too but surely they can just grow more crops or buy some new cattle when water is short. It always rains again sometimes. Surely they really don't lose everything in a drought, do they? They should have put money back in the banks, I would think."
Jarrod was incredulous. "Miriam, these farmers, and ranchers live year to year. It's not rained significantly in the agricultural parts of the state. Feed is astronomically priced and being gouged by unscrupulous men. They can't save money when they have to put everything back in their homes to make a meager profit the next year. We have to protect their water and land rights along with fair interest rates from the banks and market prices for feed. They are the backbone of our state."
"Oh, of course, Jarrod," said Miriam as she waved at friends across the room. "I know you know best about these things." She looked disappointed.
He told her about some of the sights he had seen in New Orleans. She became very interested and asked about the hotel, restaurants, and the opera house. "Everyone in the United States has heard how fabulous it is."
Jarrod told her about the mansions on the Esplanade and they glowed at night with light among the ancient live oaks and Spanish moss. He told her how the houses were built to catch breezes and use the wind to cool off the summer nights. And of mosquito nets over the beds… he told of the street parties where millionaires and merchants equally participated...of cooking in the yards in vats and tubs...and pirogues on bayous…
Miriam was mesmerized. "I would love to go there. Were the gambling boats and casinos exciting?"
"I didn't go to any this time." She looked disappointed again.
Dessert and coffee followed. They danced for over an hour in the ballroom. Jarrod and Miriam were enjoying each other's physical presence immensely. He was so attracted to her.
He reluctantly called for the carriage and went over in his mind the conversation he rehearsed. It would make the difference on whether he would use the ring in his suit pocket.
He had the driver take them to a hill overlooking the city. Miriam nuzzled in on the drive hoping for the proposal. He had said he needed to talk to her so what else could it be…
"Miriam, I need to tell you why I went to New Orleans." She looked disappointed in him for the third time tonight. He wasn't sure why this time but he continued,
"I served in military intelligence during the War Between the States with a friend...John Jackson. He died a few years ago. His father died a couple of months ago and I was mentioned in his will"
Miriam continued to patiently listen.
"I and John's sister, Elizabeth Beaufort were given custody of a little girl."
"Like a ward or guardian?" Jarrod nodded.
"Her name is Mary Margaret and she is living with the Beauforts in New Orleans." He looked at Miriam for any clues of what she was thinking. There was none.
"Does she know who her parents are? ….oh Jarrod is she ah..baseborn?—-that poor misbegotten child...so sad...did you know your friend was a reprobate? You must be so ashamed of him and whoever bore his child...I can't imagine such a woman of low issue. Oh, Jarrod… What are you going to do?"
"Miriam, I am going to help raise the little girl and I need to tell you more."
"Oh Jarrod, that is so kind but you need to be careful. Your reputation is very important. Papa and Uncle Henry say you may be governor one day. I am glad you care about the little girl. You are the most kind-hearted man I know. I can't imagine his poor sister finding out her brother's indiscretion. I would die if I found out my brother had a child. I don't think I could even look at her without thinking of all that sin. I can't imagine how hard it was for your Mother when your family found out about Heath. Everyone says your mother is a saint….and she is—- Heath has turned out to be a fine brother to you. I like him. My family doesn't have any secrets like that."
Jarrod stared at her and had his answer. The ring stayed in his pocket.
He would need longer to get her used to the idea of him having a child.
August and September came and went...Jarrod was still no closer to making a decision about marrying Miriam. His intellect said she was a perfect choice; his heart said Daisy was more important.
After he lost Beth … after Rimfire and almost killing Nick...he swore to himself that he would never allow his feelings to overcome logic...he would not lose control again … he would weigh all his actions through rationality...he was an attorney after all.
They saw each other several times a week; he squired her to the finest social events in town. They made the social columns each week and Jarrod even took her home to the ranch for a pleasant weekend. She wowed his whole family.
Pleasant was the perfect word, he thought to himself.
He would be engaged by now if it weren't for New Orleans.
Each week, he received and wrote letters to New Orleans. They were the highlight of his life. Evelyn knew to bring them immediately to his office no matter his schedule.
The first week of October...the mail came and went with no correspondence. On Monday of the next week, Evelyn brought in the newspaper with a ghastly look upon her face with an article folded for him to read,
Hurricane decimates South Louisiana
-New Orleans 14.14 inches in a week-almost whole city submerged during the tempest.- Steamboats and sailboats were driven ashore. Steamers Keokuk, W. , Daniel Boone, and Laura sank.- Grand Coteau lost most of its fruit crop.- Coal sunk in New Orleans Harbor.- 90 mph winds howled. Cyclone of pressure 29.22, lowest in years.- The Peveto Beach Hotel in Cameron parish might have been washed away if a large number of cattle had not taken refuge in the building.- One-half of the rice crop in Plaquemines parish destroyed by Gulf inundation. Sugar sheds were blown down. Sawmills at Jeanerette were destroyed. Trees were defoliated as if it were winter.- Schooner Mabel sailed out of the mouth of the Mississippi never to be heard from again. *(Real headlines from hurricanes 1870-1880)
Jarrod sent out a messenger for all of the newspapers he could find with the news. It was scarce. Telegraphs down and rail service disrupted into Texas and Arkansas. He made his way to the Jackson shipping offices. They were in disarray and desperate for information too; the manager promised to send him any information he heard but to know, it would be days…
"Mr. Barkley, I know you are worried about them. We are too but if anyone can survive such, it's them Cajuns and 'coonasses'. They are tough people, those swamp-dwellers."
Yes but four women alone with a child in the middle of a riotous city? All of their servants were elderly and was there anyone to help?
He was beside himself all week. He was the in middle of an important trial or he would go himself. He would next week if he hadn't heard from them, trial or not. He had newsboys on the lookout for any new Louisiana news and checked with the shipping office daily. He let his family know in Stockton.
Heath couldn't get his brother out of his head. Nick felt the same and encouraged them to go
Heath and Victoria came up to check on Jarrod after the first week. They both felt like he needed them so they boarded the mid-week train.
They had just sat down at dinner with Miriam at the townhouse. She had been at the office when they arrived and Jarrod included her in their meal plans.
I wonder how close she is to becoming my daughter-in-law. Jarrod is still so closed-lipped on this. Does she know about the child's parentage? wondered Victoria during the dinner conversation.
Miriam carried the conversation beautifully and gracefully while Jarrod stayed distracted and uncharacteristically quiet.
He excused himself for a moment to grab another bottle of Barkley wine and Miriam confided, "He's not been himself since he read about the hurricane. He feels responsible for his friend's child."
Victoria got her answer.
As dessert was served, Charles answered the door to a man dressed in common seaman's clothes. " I wuz told to give this note to Mr. Barkley and Mr. Barkley alone" quite loudly.
"I will take it Charles" and he fished out a dollar from his trousers. "They are safe." he whooped and smiled widely. His entire countenance improved at that very moment.
Elizabeth had gotten a fisherman to send Jarrod and her shipping office a telegram from telegraph offices in Port Arthur, Texas almost 260 miles away from New Orleans.
"They are coming here for an early Thanksgiving while their home is repaired and to visit their San Francisco offices. Will send further word."
"This deserves a toast."
Jarrod raised his glass as well as Heath and Victoria. Miriam looked at them funny and raised hers too. His mood was well-improved the rest of the night.
He excused himself from his family to take Miriam home. "I can't wait for you to meet Mary Margaret and the Beaufort sisters." She nodded.
Jarrod looked over at her, "What's wrong?"
"I am happy for your ward and her family of course, but don't you think holidays are for families. You have been gloomy all week since that hurricane news and now they are coming for Thanksgiving? Isn't that very presumptuous of them? I was looking forward to having you to myself during the winter ball season. I am very jealous of our time together and I miss you so much as it is..."
That explained it well enough to him, he pulled her close in the carriage " We will have plenty of time together my dear," and kissed her soundly.