Author's Note: There is a visual of Sharon's dress at the "Big Valley Writing Desk – Behind Closed Doors" at the end of the chapter.
Chapter Sixty-Six
Eamonn was waiting in the lobby of the Chart House Restaurant. He and the Irish party were staying at the Empire Hotel, but he had heard about the Chart House. Over five years ago the ship he was on had docked in New Orleans, for a week. Eamonn had enjoyed the atmosphere, music, and food.
He was looking forward to sharing it with Sharon, wondering if she had been here before. Eamonn wanted to give her a happy time, since what he had learned. He knew after the tea party – that Sharon had entered into a marriage of convenience.
It saddened him because she was someone who should marry for love – a man who would appreciate the woman she was. Lovely, intelligent, kind, caring; beautiful inside and out. However, Eamonn did not fault her decision; she had been a young widow with small children. Clearly, she had seen how the Barkley name and wealth would guarantee her children a great future. Eamonn, having observed Sharon at tea knew that her children were everything to her. It made him curious about her first husband.
Eamonn was also curious about Heath's motives for marrying Sharon. He certainly did not act like a man in love. There was a stiffness about Heath that made Eamonn recall about three years ago when the destroyer he was serving on had spent time in the Baltic Sea at the main base of the German Navy. As an officer and a nobleman, he had been expected to make the social circuit at the port.
Heath reminded him, on a certain level, of the Prussian officers he had met. They had the same stiff sense of reserve, even as they held their families in high regard. Eamonn hoped that Heath did, in a "do your duty" sort of way, care for Sharon. If nothing else, he reassured himself that Sharon and the children would be taken care of.
His thoughts were broken when Sharon came into the lobby, and his breath was taken away. Her dress was a very pale olive-green satin, embroidered with cream-colored flowers with pink touches. The neckline, sleeves and top skirt detail were of lace. The skirt had been pulled up to reveal an ivory satin underskirt with pleats at the bottom. Her hat echoed her dress with silk flowers that matched her dress, with ivory ribbon.
"You look smashing! I am glad I wore my best suit." Eamonn went over to greet her, taking her into his arms.
"Well the Chart House is the fanciest restaurant in town; I wanted to dress appropriately." Sharon replied as she decided to enjoy being in his arms. She was glad that she had not had Violet lace her corset too tight.
"I chose it because I was in New Orleans several years ago and loved the town and the food. Have you been here before?" Eamonn asked as he removed his arms and stepped back. He knew that it was not done to be overly affectionate in public spaces. After stepping back, he bowed formally for anyone who might be watching.
"We had planned on going here earlier in the year, but Monsieur Jacques, the proprietor was not back from New Orleans." Sharon went on to explain that every year, between Christmas and Easter the man returned to his native city.
"I am glad then that it will be the first for both of us." Eamonn extended his arm, and Sharon wondered about the comment. It could be interpreted as an innuendo, but he had delivered it with a teasing look. One of the things she had always appreciated in Eamonn was his lightheartedness. It came to her that she was suddenly glad that she and Heath had not been able to come here.
"I am sure it will be a memorable experience." Sharon tilted her chin and gave him a knowing glance. "Shall we go inside to our table?"
As the head waiter took them into the dining room, they had stopped at two tables to say hello to people they knew. Eamonn liked how sure of herself Sharon was, being very comfortable being with him. Of course, he was an old family friend. Once they sat at their table, and gone through the waiter greeting them, presenting menus, and saying he would come back for their order.
"Since you have been to New Orleans, what should we order? Just so you know I like spicy food." Sharon had learned to appreciate Mexican cuisine and loved the flavors.
"So glad to hear! Honestly, I love foreign food; now mind you I do like a good roast beef and Yorkshire pudding." Eamonn commented going on "but really English food, as I am sure you remember is rather on the bland side."
"I actually have introduced Yorkshire pudding to the Barkley Sunday dinner." Sharon smiled with pleasure. "Every couple of weeks I host, and in addition to Yorkshire pudding, also bread sauce."
"Hopefully they appreciate how lucky they are for your influence." Eamonn beamed at her, wishing he could attend one of those Sunday dinners. Just then Pierre, who turned out to be the head waiter came back to their table.
"Monsieur are you ready to order? If I could suggest our Kir Royale cocktail to start your meal?" Pierre asked, going on "our menu is mix of French and Cajun food. Are you familiar with the cuisines?" He was really curious to see what the gentleman replied with. There was a sophistication about the man that intrigued him.
"Yes, the Kir Royale for the lady and myself. Just so you know I have been to New Orleans and Paris." Eamonn replied and liked how Pierre's eyes lit up. He went on to order, keeping Sharon's comment about spicy food in mind.
Sharon was enjoying watching Eamonn going through the menu, noting how well he pronounced the names the French dishes. She felt so cared for and protected. All she had to do was enjoy the company. She had been able to follow some of his conservation – she had spent three years with the French governess, but she was out of practice.
"Just so you know, I ordered a French cocktail with our appetizer. I also went ahead and ordered a French white blend to go with our main course. The wine cellar is decent, I have to say." Eamonn suddenly wondered if he had overstepped, ordering alcohol. In England and Europe having wine at the midday meal was common, and he said as much to her.
"Absolutely fine! So interested to try a French wine; you do know that the Barkley's – well Nick and Priscilla – have a winery?" She replied happily, going on "Priscilla runs the blending house, and also keeps bees. Her honey is prized in San Francisco."
He smiled her as Pierre brought the cocktail to the table, along with a plate French bread, brie cheese, and apples. Eamonn told her about the cocktail, before he raised his glass "here is to a memorable experience." They toasted, and she noted how his eyes were twinkling.
The next hour they enjoyed the meal, Eamonn liking how Sharon had happily eaten the dishes he had ordered. He had been careful to balance the spicy dishes with the smooth richness of the French ones. Sharon had noted how the wine had been very complimentary to the food. While they ate, he shared stories about New Orleans, and liked the questions she asked.
"This was like nothing else." Sharon declared, when the dishes were cleared away. "You choose well." She looked at him with admiration, as she finished the wine in her glass.
"I like to think that I have discerning tastes." Eamonn retorted with a smile, letting his eyes admire her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her dark blue eyes were sparkling. She looked happy and relaxed, which made him happy.
"Is there an interest in dessert? We do a bread pudding that involves cinnamon bread, with a caramel, vanilla, rum sauce." Pierre was at their table, as he extended the dessert menu. "It is the specialty of the house."
"We cannot say no to that, right?" Eamonn looked over at Sharon, being sure she would probably only be able to manage a bite. "Can we also get two expressos?" He knew the strong beverage would help offset the food and wine.
"I thought you only drank tea?" Sharon asked, after Pierre excused himself. She did like rich coffee, but most coffee in her opinion was just bitter.
"A meal like this needs expresso – it is what you drink in the afternoon. I will tell you that in Paris, starting your day with croissants and a cappuccino is de riguer." Eamonn went on to explain what a cappuccino was.
He shared several anecdotes about France while they waited for the dessert and expresso. When the dessert and coffee arrived, Eamonn let Sharon have several sips of her drink, which he could tell she enjoyed. He passed the dessert to her, letting her take a taste. If they were somewhere private, he would have passed a spoonful to her.
"Can I ask you something personal? Keep in mind if you do not want to tell me I will understand. And if you prefer not to talk about it here, we can do it at a later date at a better location." Eamonn actually had so many questions he wanted to ask her, but he had decided to start with an indirect question. He hoped that the food, wine, and happy experience had lowered her guard.
"Why do you not ask me, and then I will decide." Sharon noted the concern in Eamonn's eyes. She recalled Heath's admonishment that she could not talk to anyone about their arrangement. Had Eamonn figured it out?
"Your husband clearly adores your children." He had noted how her eyes had widened as an almost fearful look came over her face. It puzzled him, but decided now was not the time to address it. "They still have the name of your first husband, correct? Has your new husband not wanted to adopt them?" Eamonn watched as she slightly relaxed at the question.
"Yes, he is an amazing father. They were both young when my first husband passed, so Heath is the only father they have known. He has offered to adopt them, but I am putting it off. It is complicated." Sharon took a sip of her expresso, before going on, suddenly wanting to share so much.
"How complicated? You have morals, and manners – I cannot see you being involved in anything unseemly." Eamonn gave her a reassuring smile and saw the appreciation and understanding in her eyes.
"My first husband was my cousin; the marriage was arranged." Sharon forced herself to take a deep breath. "He was not a good man – he drank, he gambled, he.." she felt herself going stiff. The memories of those nights overcame her, and her face was taut with pain filled eyes.
"Did he beat you?" Eamonn asked in a soft voice, already knowing the answer. Her story was unfortunately too common, and when he heard them, it always made him angry. There were just some men – no it did not matter if they had a title or were a pauper, felt the need to be cruel.
"Yes, he did. Can I leave it at that?" Sharon felt a sense of relief, having shared the story with someone. "I do not excuse his behavior, and was certainly not a grieving widow, other than for appearances sake. But you see, if I had not married him, I would not have had Sean and Tara. Further, I would not have had Mother Flynn."
"It is a good thing your first husband is dead, because otherwise I would kill him with my bare hands." Eamonn declared forcefully, before going "Mother Flynn?" he asked, wanting to hear more of the story. He understood her not wanting to dwell on her first marriage. Sharon had always been a realist, as he was – they did what needed to be done.
"She was my first husband's mother, and I would not have been able to make it without her." Sharon started to feel the need to tear up but controlled herself. "She was such a strong, faithful woman. Her husband, Sean's grandfather – he is named after the man – had graduated from Trinity College in Dublin. He was the manager of one of the Irish properties of the English crown. From what I was told, Sean resemblances him in many ways."
Eamonn understood what she was sharing – for an Irishman to hold such a position, it said a great deal about the man. He let her catch her breath, as she took another sip of expresso.
"I want Sean and Tara to know and honor their Irish heritage. I also want to honor Mother Flynn and her husband." Sharon sighed as she looked at him with wide honest eyes. "However, I have already decided that if, down the road, Sean and Tara want to be Barkley's I will understand and let the adoption go ahead."
"Would you put your hand under the table?" Eamonn so badly wished they were having this conversation in private. The tables were draped with white tablecloths that went halfway to the floor. He had already moved his right hand to under the table and saw her pondering his request.
It was when her hand moved under the table, that Eamonn reached over, finding it with no problem. He interlaced his fingers with hers, letting his thumb lightly stroke the top of her hand. As he watched her Eamonn was sure that she had never talked about any of this before.
"I would like to say that you are admirable, and an amazing mother. It is honorable of you to want your children to be proud of their heritage." Eamonn was in fact in awe of Sharon. Clearly her husband had been a nasty piece of work, but Eamonn liked how she had been close to his family.
"Does your husband know this?" A thought had come to Eamonn, and he hoped he was wrong, but rather doubted it.
"He knows about my reasons because of Sean and Tara's grandparents." Sharon answered, being aware that Eamonn was still holding her hand under the table. It just seemed so right – it was easy to talk to him and share with him the unpleasant details of her first marriage.
"He does not know about your first marriage?" He waited to hear her answer.
"Not the details. Honestly the subject has never come up." Sharon recalled their business arrangement. "Heath is a very private reserved person. I am sure you have heard the details of his parentage?" She was hoping to deflect Eamonn's attention in a different direction.
"I will confess that I had heard a great deal – in nauseatingly detail." Eamonn gave her a direct look, as he removed his hand and brought it up to the table. Pierre came up and inquired about their well-being. Eamonn asked for more expresso for both of them.
"Then you will understand that Heath is a very private, reserved person." Sharon could only imagine everything that Eamonn had heard. At least, as far as she was concerned, her copy book was clean.
"Do not blame the man in the least, just saying." Eamonn wanted to reassure Sharon. "On a side note, your brother-in-law's have equally good stories! If I was writer, I could get a whole novel out of it all."
"The Barkley's are the main subject of conversation in the state. Poor Priscilla, she had an awful time five years ago – did you hear that story?" Sharon was concerned about what Eamonn had heard in town; she waited to hear Eamonn's reply.
"I was hearing so much more until I played up your closeness with my sister, and Elspeth announced I was family. It all worked out because I can take you in public." Eamonn shrugged his shoulders, wanting Sharon to know that he was not discussing her behind her back. "Frankly I do not want to listen to the gossip." He added, giving her an understanding smile.
"Thank you; and thank you for the delicious lunch. This meal was just amazing! I love listening to all your stories about overseas – and the food!" Sharon was so relieved that Eamonn had no interest in gossip. "I very rarely get spicy food, so this was such a treat."
"Have you ever had Asian food?" Eamonn asked, thinking of somewhere he would like to take her. "I have spent a fair amount of time in the far east. The cuisines are amazing – similar but different at the same time. I actually had lunch yesterday at a place in the 'China town' by the wharf. Excellent food - Cantonese and Mandarin."
"Could you take me there?" Sharon asked, going on with a sigh "I don't want to put you in a bad position." She knew that there were parts of towns that were off limits to someone of her position.
"I was there at midday, and the restaurant I went to had a very mixed client. I will confirm to make sure that it is appropriate to take you there," Eamonn was so happy that she was up for the trip.
"Yes, please." Sharon restrained herself from taking his hand. "Just send me a note, and I will meet you." She replied, as she stood up and Eamonn followed suit. He escorted her out of the restaurant and asked the doorman to bring her surrey around. It was pulled by a sorrel mare, with a smooth gait.
Eamonn made it a point to stay on the portico, watching Sharon drive away. He gave the man a very nice cash tip, knowing how servants worked. He then walked over to the Empire hotel, greeting several people along the way.
