Queen of Swords
Page 25

Luke decided to dispense with social niceties and put his concerns out plain. He said, “After the scene we had this morning I don’t know what I should do first, thank you or apologize. Jennet is—” He paused, not quite sure what to say, beyond the fact that he needed help.
Julia Savard seemed to have been expecting this. “Jennet has been through a great deal. For a very long time her survival depended on her ability to dispense with all emotion, and now that you are reunited—she is awash. You must take her behavior now as what it is: evidence that she loves and trusts you above all others.”
Paul said, “You must forgive my wife. She hasn’t lost the habit of plain speech.”
“And I never shall,” Julia said. “Though I hope I haven’t distressed you.”
“No,” said Luke. “I think surprise is closer to the truth. I hadn’t seen it that way, but it makes sense.” He cleared his throat. “Since we’re talking plain, I’ve got something else to say. We can’t set off for home just yet, but maybe we can get out of your way, at least. If you knew of a small house we could rent for the next few weeks.”
Paul Savard glanced at his wife and raised an eyebrow; his expression said clearly that they had been discussing something, and that Paul had been proved right. Julia’s mouth set itself in a resolute line, and that line turned into a smile that could only be called grim.
Julia said, “Could we please put the subject of your lodging aside for the moment? We have an idea to share with you. One that may solve most of your problem.”
Paul leaned toward his wife. “Julia, you must leave him room to disagree with you.”
“Of course he may disagree with me,” Julia said, though her tone said he would not.
“Now I’m curious,” Luke said. “What is it?”
Paul said, “You know of Edward Livingston?”
That was a name well known in New-York as well as New Orleans, and Luke said so. “Prominent family, successful lawyer. There was some kind of scandal before he left Manhattan. He’s been here for a good while.”
“He came in ’04. As a lawyer he’s without equal, and few can match him for his business sense.”
“Or aggressiveness,” Julia added.
Paul nodded his agreement. “He’s the most prominent figure in the American community. His influence reaches as far as Washington and London and Paris, and he’s connected to everybody and everything here, starting with the governor and the leading Creole families.”
“And the Baratarians,” said Julia.
“He’s connected to your family as well,” Luke said. “Your daughter gave me the family history this morning.”
Julia looked a little embarrassed, but before she could say anything Luke went on.
“I like Rachel,” he said, with complete sincerity. “She reminds me a little of Jennet at sixteen. Eager to fling herself out into the world, no worries about the cost.”
“That is our Rachel,” Julia agreed.
Paul made a small humming noise in his throat. “The point is, we’re connected to Livingston through Julia’s first marriage, and he’s connected to everybody else. And here’s another point: His secretary has resigned suddenly due to ill health.” And then: “I see you understand my thinking. I’d like to introduce you to Livingston and recommend you as a replacement. A temporary replacement, of course, though we needn’t mention that to start with. You have all the business experience and skills, you speak English and French fluently, and you’re American. Or at least you’re enough of an American to satisfy him.”
Luke tried to sort through the questions that had presented themselves. “I’m not sure what advantage there’d be in the arrangement, but I can see one problem. I’m bound to run across Poiterin if I’m out in the city day by day.”
“Yes, you are,” Julia said. “But if Edward Livingston takes your part, and you are presented as his trusted colleague and employee, Poiterin won’t be able to touch you.”
“Not in public he won’t,” Paul added.
Julia went on. “You’ll be free to act on your own behalf while you’re working for Livingston.”
“And what of Jennet?” Luke said. “What do I say if Poiterin approaches me about Jennet and the boy?”
“We have talked that through,” Paul Savard said. “And it seems to us that you have to turn the tables on him. Produce papers to prove your marriage—you do have your marriage lines? We’ll introduce you and Jennet to Livingston and his wife at the same time.”
“With your son,” said Julia. “Louisa will be besotted with him.”
“Tell them the story of Jennet’s abduction, and then Poiterin must back off,” Paul Savard said. “He can’t afford to have his name linked to the men who were responsible. His reputation here is shady as it is, and he must tread carefully if he doesn’t want to be exposed completely.”
“Though by rights he should be arrested and tried,” Julia said. No doubt she knew that Poiterin was involved with the illegal importation of slaves, something that would be anathema to any Quaker.
“And his grandmother?” Luke said.
“She hates Americans,” Paul said. “But I don’t believe she’d be willing to take on Livingston, though that’s something we have to ask him about.”