Chapter Thirteen Several Days Later 13/15
Elisabeth and Elize finished up folding the last of the bedding and extra pillows from the family week. Elisabeth and her two boys were the last family left in their childhood home. Her husband had left earlier on the train for a meeting in Sacramento. Elisabeth had decided to stay the extra week with her parents. She had always thought them invincible and immortal but her father's heart scare last year had made her face reality.
"They won't be around forever. My handsome Pappy. He had even become handsome as he aged into Victoria's silver hair and crinkly eyes. He was still sharp and brilliant and fierce—-and had the gentlest touch she had ever known. All of the children believed they were his favorite.
She heard a private remark when her mother was nursing him last year, "Jarrod Barkley, don't you dare leave me. I need your kind touch to guide me each day. I feel the love in your fingertips." She had been embarrassed at the carnal thought but the more she looked at her parents as an adult, she understood.
"—-Pap was always inconspicuously touching her elbow, patting her hand, straightening a wisp, holding her hand in church, thanking her as he rubbed her thumb, his hand in the small of her back—it hit her one day—-she knew they loved each other; all her aunts and uncles loved each other. There was never a question nor a doubt."
"They served each other very discreetly—-all the time; they appreciated each other. "Yes, that was it. She had his coffee ready; he made sure her tea had its sugar cubes. They took a walk alone every day. He always helped her with her cloak; she straightened his tie and made his favorite foods. Fresh wildflower bouquets often graced their table from their father.—-"
"Uncle Nick and Aunt Miranda were known for their passion and strength; Uncle Heath and Aunt Melly were so full of compassion and kindness—Uncle Gene and Aunt Adrienne were friendly and partners—-Aunt Audra was full of life and joy—-their adventures and competitions with Uncle Carl. But Mam and Pap? They seem to admire each other, and yes appreciate each other. They would look at each other like no one was in the room sometimes. They still courted in a quiet way. Pap was the best secret keeper in the family according to my uncles. But Mam? I think so too. It's like they share a secret and no one else in the room knows."
"I grew up with people thinking Pap was my Gramps. Or Mam, my sister. Folks didn't understand. She may have been fifteen married to a forty-year-old—-but they are perfectly suited. Mam was an old soul, Aunt Jane once remarked, "and exactly what your overthinking father always needed."
The family stories from the week left her wanting more. "How did Mamere and Pappy meet in Paris? Why don't they ever talk about it?"
"Elisabeth, come bring me the extra feather pillows I bought for the week. There is plenty of room to put them in your father's cedar closet until we need them."
She brought them down to the room and into her father's private office. It smelled of him and she deeply inhaled. She passed through the open door to his private dressing room of their master bedroom. She handed the pillows to Elize on the stepladder to a top shelf. Her father's fine suits, boots, and belongings were orderly hanging or shelved on the walls.
The family would laugh that Jarrod's closet would best the ladies any day. Elisabeth knew it was true. Her mother dressed the most elegantly of the women in the family but her dresses were unique and selected with care. She still dressed in a European style with Edwardian tea dresses and silks. The peacock dress she wore to the ceremony was made by a San Francisco designer. An artisan. Audra wore the latest styles; Miranda wore bold choices. Melly chose pretty florals and chintz. Adrienne dressed in more of a city style with simple lines. But her Mam—she was sophisticated almost royal.
As Elisabeth handed up the last pillow to her Mam, she looked over at his chest on drawers. The mysterious painting was hung above the mahogany piece. Her father had asked for the painting to be brought to him when he was so ill from his heart seizure. She had seen the signature that day, E Degas 1880.
"Mamere? Is that you in the painting?" as she gained some courage.
She took a deep breath and Elisabeth felt she had gone too far.
"Yes, my Cherie. It is. From another time."
"You were in the Palais Royale?"
"A short time. Very short. Your Pappy's friend, Armand sent that to him the first year we were wed. Degas had sketched it and finished it later—-after I married. I never danced that solo part in the painting—-because of Pappy."
"I don't understand but how romantic is that Mamere? Paris is so—-"
"Evil. Just evil. Jarrod saved me from an impossible life."
Elisabeth took another chance after the rebuff. Her mother had never spoken this much of her life before California.
"Please tell me, Mam. I want to know. Please—-"
Elize sat down on the tufted boot ottoman and closed her eyes. She rubbed her temples. Elisabeth sat down beside her mother and held her hand.
"My papa was a shepherd and a stage worker. He poured all his life into my lessons. My mamere was a laundress and a— anyway. She left when a better life came by. Yes, that is what I said. Papa died before I was accepted but I danced there in the corps. I was selected for my first solo but—-" and she shook violently.
"You don't have to tell me, Mam. I am sorry."
"No baby. This story has the most beautiful ending in the world. Your Pappy and all this family. There is a price to pay to dance at the Palais. Do you see the man in the black suit? Those are the wealthy men, aristocrats who use their money to buy what they want —- and that includes the dancers. It is the only way to survive and dance."
"Oh, how horrible. I had no idea."
"Most do not. Degas almost always sketched a man in the dark suit watching in the wings. It was the way of it."
She took a deep breath and continued, "My virginity was a commodity. The young often were bid out for such evil men to buy. It brought a lot of money to the company."
Elisabeth's eyes were filled with terror. She wanted to ask her Mam to stop but she desperately wanted to know the truth.
"It was my time. The ladies dressed me in a sheer gown and gave me lots of advice. I was to meet the bidder in the curtained off rooms in the chamber."
"People could hear ?"
"Yes. I think the evil men delighted in such depravity. The older girls were used to it and were quite theatrical to attract more patrons."
Elisabeth tried to swallow her gasp.
"I went to the curtained room and tried to make myself invisible on the couches. I waited a long time and your Pappy came in. He looked angry at my predicament and put his jacket on me. He walked me out of the room and to a new pure life."
"Oh, Mam. I had no idea. Please tell me how this happened."
"Your father saved me. With a poker debt."
Jarrod's rich baritone startled the women, "Elize? Elspeth ?"
He had come to his chamber and heard the story from the door.
"May I finish Elize?"
She smiled through her tears, "Always rescuing me, my love."
He sat down beside his wife and daughter and kissed Elisabeth on the forehead as he did as a child. He tipped up Elize's head and left a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"I was lost and bereft after the loss of my first two wives and child. I swore to never marry again. I was playing poker across Europe after the wolfram business deals—-made quite a bit of money but it didn't satisfy me. A man lost the game and gave me his mark—-which was your mother's innocence. I tried to refuse but it seemed to be a matter of honor. When I saw her, I knew had to get her out of there. I didn't know it then but she was what my soul was missing."
He continued, "We tried for a week to get her a visa, an emigration, anything—I had this idea to bring her to California for an education, a life, away from Paris. We married because it was the only way the Embassy could give her papers. We fell quite in love and you came first two years later."
Elisabeth looked at her parents with awe—-this was why she always felt gratitude from them.
"I danced. I never sold myself. A man sold me." (Paraphrase from My Fair Lady) Elize quietly spoke, "And by the hand of God, I was found by Jarrod Barkley. I shall always be grateful."
"What did Mam cost you?"
He smiled and his sapphire eyes sparkled, "My heart."
Eliza's hand went subconsciously to the aquamarine heart at her neck.
And the three of them embraced as a family.
—&—
Jarrod walked into their master suite at bedtime, "I told three stories to the boys before they finally relented to sleep. Stubborn Barkleys." he laughed.
"Elisabeth thanked me again for us, telling our story. I didn't realize how curious she had become."
"Curiosity, another Barkley trait."
He kissed his wife as she was combing out her bun.
"Elize, I know today was hard."
"It was but I feel better knowing that one other person knows. And our first born, Elisabeth. I feel I grew up with her."
"You are a wonderful mother and now grandmother."
"As are you, Pappy."
He donned his silk pajamas and Elize poured him his nightly wine as he got into bed. She took a glass herself. She was wearing a forest green Japanese kimono; Jarrod had brought it back ten years ago from a trip to San Francisco. It was hand painted and one of her favorite gifts.
She snuggled up to him as they drank their wine in their four-poster bed. The first year of their marriage, they slept apart of course in his old room but when they built this home next to the mansion, he adamantly built a large master suite with an office, dressing chambers, and a water closet. He had a huge four-poster bed built and assembled in the room.
"Elize, I love you. That painting I hang onto reminds me how blessed I am—-that you never had to solo."
"And I am eternally grateful."
"As I," and he kissed her quite passionately.
"My my Jarrod, you haven't forgotten a bit. In fact, that might be better with age—-Barkley vintage."
"I may be slower but I am more skillful."
She giggled and put her wine glass down. Jarrod downed his and dimmed the light.
"Did you lock the door, sir?"
He frowned, "It's been years since I have had to do that but with grands at home I better."
He got up a bit too quickly and flinched at his knee pain, "Ouch. damn knee. Old age is for the birds."
"I shall kiss your knee and make it better," she laughed.
His eyes widened and he went to the door with more spring in his step. She smiled as she noticed.
—&—-
As Jarrod dozed after their passion, Elize couldn't get to sleep; she put her hand on his heart and was reassured by the strong beat. Last year had shaken her to her core.
She sighed and the conversation of earlier took her mind back to the first year of their marriage. Their hurried marriage at the embassy began the day early. The ambassador married them in a civil ceremony. Jarrod placed a simple gold band on her finger. She twisted the ring on her finger as she lay next to her husband of thirty years later. Jarrod had added rings over the years but the first gold band always went on first.
She was unsure about their return to the hotel; she knew that she now was his under the law, French or American. He had assured her that he had no intentions but to help her find a new life in the United States.
She asked to see the license in French. The ambassador smiled and had one translated into both languages. Jarrod winked and told her, "Wise lady."
They went to a late lunch at the Ladurée Cafe, which sat along Paris' immortal, Champs Elysées. Her eyes grew big. This was frequented by the wealthy. "Jarrod, will I be allowed?"
He frowned, "Honey, you are my wife. You may go anywhere you like."
"Oui."
The maitre 'd took their names and Jarrod handed a coin over.
"The best alcove is available, Monsieur Barkley for you and your lovely wife,"
Jarrod put his hand in the small of her back and then took her hand. It was the first time she had felt safe in years—-and the first time her stomach dropped at his touch. She would find ways to accidentally touch him to recreate the pleasure. At that time, she had no idea until months later—-in Stockton that Jarrod was feeling the attraction too.
She tasted her first champagne, Coq au vin, Crème brûlée, and macarons to take home. He would smile as she would try to hide her excitement over each taste. No one else in the restaurant noticed her delight but he was learning more each day about the young ballerina in his care. It satisfied him in so many ways.
They took a horse and carriage around the city. He found himself holding her hand a bit more than was necessary helping her in and out of the carriage. He convinced himself he was only making her feel safe in his regard.
Returning to the hotel, Jarrod invited her to play chess. She told him she did not know how—-"I will teach you."
His hand would linger over the marble pieces as he instructed her. She was a quick learner which pleased him. He discussed his plans: education or skill or any lessons she desired. She chose English lessons first.
"I will hire a tutor at home. Until then we will practice together."
Their first night at the hotel was interrupted by a telegram. Jarrod was called to Berlin for the last business deal of his long trip.
"We will travel by train the day after tomorrow. Then California. We shall do some shopping tomorrow for the trip. I will pick up your identity documents at the embassy and we will make train reservations."
Her eyes grew big, "Germany? Oui. I am sure I have plenty of clothes. You shouldn't waste your money on me. I have never had five dresses and all the fripperies you have already bought me. Do American women have such?"
He laughed, "Wait until you meet my sister Audra and even my mother? I want you to feel comfortable in our surroundings."
She felt very overwhelmed. Married one day, the fancy restaurant, the feelings of her husband's touch and now headed to Berlin.
"Jarrod, thank you for everything. I will excuse myself for the night and rest. I will see you at breakfast. Good night, husband."
"Good night my wife. See you in the morning."
—-&—-