Between Two Worlds

By Wanda Reu

Louisiana has always fascinated me. I had an uncle who lived there, and he was a polished storyteller. When he came to visit, I liked to sit close to him and listen to his stories. I was convinced that no one told stories better than Uncle Watson. He could take you to different parts of the world as part of weaving his stories. This is what you will see as you are taken to the hot sands of Saudi Arabia, where Uncle Hadji lived on an oasis.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781496961624

Wanda Reu

I was born and raised in the midsection of our country. We lived in a rural area, and my father was a tiller of the land and a guardian of the animals that helped to provide income for our family’s needs. I had the privilege of growing up with a love of reading. By the time I had reached the sixth and seventh grades, it was nothing for me to read one hundred books each winter. Books were my lifeline, my connection with the world. Books took me to exotic places where I found myself dreaming under a large palm tree. I learned about beautiful women and handsome men who lived lives one could only imagine. I remember reading Gone with the Wind and getting caught up in the emotions experienced by Scarlet and Rhett during the time of the Civil War. I shed tears when Scarlet’s Rhett finally told her he’d had enough of her demands. As an adult, I wondered what it would be like to write my own books. I loved historical dramas, mysteries, a bit of humor, and stories of faith. I have also always enjoyed reading children’s stories and have written a number of children’s books. I wondered if people would enjoy reading the books I have written. Therefore, in the years following retirement, I have enjoyed writing all sorts of stories and even poetry. I feel that somehow the ink of an earlier writer has managed to fill my pen. If you pick up this historical drama and find you like it, feel free to let me know. You can reach me at [e-mail].

Book preview

Chapter 1

The ship rolled from side to side as the waves crashed against its exterior. Catherine had tied herself to her bunk to keep from falling onto the floor. She had vomited for three days while crossing the ocean, and at this point she was so weak she could barely stand. She now thought it was a foolish notion that had driven her to leave the comforts of England and journey to a land across the ocean. When her parents begged her to stay in England and to let George go and take the silver punch bowl to the wealthy plantation owner, she had insisted she would be all right. George was the son of her father’s brother. The order for the silver bowl had come months ago, and the bowl had been lovingly made. Because of its size and the quality of the silver, the bowl was priceless. Catherine’s father, Horatio, and his brother, Onsworth, were world-renowned silversmiths and had an international following for their products.

Catherine was a young woman who lived for adventure, and there had been a serious lack of adventure in England. Why not go and see the place so many people were talking about? Catherine was also a headstrong woman who stayed the course once she had made up her mind. No amount of talking by her father and weeping by her mother could make her decide to remain in England.

She had finally gotten past the point where she was continuously vomiting. For that she was grateful, but she lay there wishing she had a sip of water. She was so weak she was afraid she could not even think of getting up and asking a steward to help her. She could only hope the steward would come around and check on her. She heard a tap on the door, and a voice she assumed belonged to the steward said, Miss Catherine, may I get you anything?

She wondered how he could even walk with the ship rolling back and forth as it was. She asked, Could you please bring me a pot of tea and some biscuits?

He responded, I will see what I can do. She thanked him kindly.

The steward did not return for some time, and Catherine, in her bunk, had managed to doze off. She was awakened by a loud knocking on the door and someone yelling, There’s trouble on deck; stay in your compartments, and lock your doors. Catherine realized the ship was not rolling as it had been previously, and the winds had died down. She wondered what could be wrong but wearily crawled out of her bunk, dragged herself to her door, and locked it. She realized that the steward had not returned with her tea. She wondered how long it had been since he had been there to take her order. She peered out of the porthole and saw another ship tied alongside the one she was on. What could this possibly mean?

Even though she was in the lower part of the ship, she could hear noises on what she thought was the deck. She even thought she heard gunshots. The thought that the other ship might be a pirate ship was slowly coming to mind. She thought of the silver punch bowl. She had promised her father she would guard it with her life. Perhaps that would be closer to the truth than she even dared to think. She looked around her compartment. Where might she hide the bowl? Why did it have to be so large? At that moment, the only thing she could think of was to remove the crinkling wrapping from the bowl, turn it upside down, and sit on it, hoping her long gown would cover it. If someone broke into her cabin, would she be able to convince the person that she was simply sitting on a cushioned stool?

Catherine removed the bowl from its wrapping as quickly as she could. Why did it have to be so heavy? She was in such a weakened condition that working with the bowl brought out beads of perspiration on her forehead. She folded the wrapping and placed it in the closet behind her suitcases. She grabbed a cushion from the porthole ledge, set it on the bowl, which she had turned over, and then positioned herself on the bowl. As she sat there, she checked to make sure her gown had covered every inch of the bowl. Thankfully, her gown was extra full, and it seemed to conceal the bowl entirely.

Chapter 2

Catherine was visibly shaking. The weakness and dehydration were taking a toll. She could only hope she would not faint. At that moment she heard a knock on the door. At first she did not respond. She heard a second knock, and this time it was much louder. A voice said, We know you are in there, so you might as well open the door. She yelled back, I can’t get up. I am too ill. The door was kicked open. Catherine could only hope they would see how ill she was. One of the men said, We want your valuables, lady. The other man said, What is wrong with you? She said, There has been a storm, and I have been ill for the last three days. I am so weak from vomiting I cannot stand up without fainting." Again they demanded to know where her valuables were stashed. At that moment Catherine began gagging and was trying hard not to vomit. The first man was kind enough to empty some apples out of a bowl and give the bowl to her. She vomited once again, and it was all she could do to keep from fainting.

The other man was going through all her drawers and suitcases. He found her sack of money and took it. She began to cry, and the man who had handed her the bowl asked, Why are you crying? She wailed, I don’t know anyone in the Americas, and now I will have no money. What will I do to live? The first man ordered the second one, Give her back the money. The second man was going to argue, but he could see the steely stare the other man was giving him, so he dropped the money back into the suitcase. Catherine thanked him profusely. The one man said, Let’s go on to the next compartment. Before the men left, he walked over to Catherine; and asked, Would you like me to help you get to your bed? Catherine said, No, the vomiting becomes worse when I lie down. When the two men finally left the room Catherine was still seated on the silver punch bowl.

She could hear the two men going up and down the row of compartments and breaking into the rooms. The passengers were screaming at them to leave. She knew she must not faint, and she must stay seated because they might stop by and look in on her again. She had to hold it together a little while longer. Perhaps her parents had been right in suggesting that her cousin, George, come on this trip. No one had told her there was the possibility of pirates on this sea voyage. A smile played across her lips as she thought of the picture she must have made for the two pirates.

Sure enough, one of the pirates opened the door before the two of them went back to deck. He smiled at her and told her he hoped she would soon be feeling better. He doffed his hat, took a deep bow, and said, When you reach the Americas, should you travel to a place called New Orleans, you may find me at the Silver Lantern. My name is Bowregard Le Faye. I will certainly do what I can to help make your stay more pleasant. Good day, Madame.

Catherine smiled weakly at the man and thanked him for not taking all her money. He smiled and bowed once again saying, It was my pleasure, lovely lady. The pirates left the ship, jubilant about their acquisitions. They had shot two people who dared to defy their orders, but otherwise the passengers were unharmed, though they muttered and complained a great deal after the pirate ship pulled away.

Captain Roark called all the able-bodied people together on top deck and told them they were fortunate not to have been killed. He told them this type of thing had been happening, but, in view of the storm, he had thought they would be safe this time. He said, That man and his crew are fearless men, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. The two men who had dared to defy the pirates were buried at sea.

Since Catherine was physically unable to go up on deck, a steward came to give her the news. Once again she asked if they would bring her some tea and biscuits. Soon her order arrived. She nibbled on the biscuits and drank her tea. She also took a lady’s knife, sliced an apple, and ate little pieces of it. Soon she began to feel a little better. Someone came to repair her door, which had been kicked in, and when that task was complete, she felt she could finally get up off the silver punch bowl. She got the wrapping out of the closet and did her best to cover the punch bowl once again. It would not be good for the bowl to be seen.

By the time she had managed to wrap the bowl and stow it away, she was exhausted. She climbed onto her bunk and fell asleep. She slept most of the afternoon and was awakened by a knock on her door. She called out, Yes, what is it? and was told, It is time for the evening meal. Would you like for me to deliver a tray to your room? She replied that she would appreciate that very much.

Chapter 3

Two days later the ship pulled into the port of entry at Lake Charles, Louisiana. The passengers lined up on the upper deck, waiting to disembark. Catherine hoped there would be someone from the plantation there to meet her, but she realized she would not recognize the individual, anyway. When the steward came to help her with her luggage, she insisted she would walk with the him to the gangplank. She promised him a sum of money if he would help her disembark. He said, My dear lady, I am so sorry, but it will be necessary to see the money before I agree to help you. Catherine thought the man was acting like a low-life, but she also realized that the pirates had taken money from the passengers, so he thought she was lying to him. When she showed him her money, he gladly carried her luggage to shore.

Catherine stepped off the gangplank and found the heat oppressive. She had never experienced such a sticky type of heat, and she was perspiring through her clothes. She was still in a weakened condition and felt somewhat lightheaded. After the steward set her luggage down, she paid him the amount they had agreed upon; and he left her standing there alone. Raising her hand to shield her eyes against the bright sunshine, she looked around at the people coming and going on the shore.

Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. Catherine turned around, and a handsome, well-dressed man said, Good afternoon, Madame. She thought the voice sounded familiar, but the appearance of the man provided no clue. He doffed his hat and bowed deeply, and she realized the man was none other than Bowregard La Faye. Her mouth fell open, and she mumbled, I am surprised that you would show up here after robbing all those people on this ship.

With the most charming smile, he said, Would you have recognized me, had I not spoken and offered you my most humble bow? Catherine looked at him more closely and said, I guess I would have to admit that I probably would not have recognized you. He smiled wickedly and said, I had a feeling we would meet again, since this is our port of entry. I decided I would take a chance and meet your ship. My dear lady, are you feeling better?

Catherine knew in her heart that this man was trouble, but he had the most delicious smile, and his eyes had a way of piercing her heart. Why did she feel so giddy with him standing there? How foolish was she going to allow herself to become? She came back to reality and remembered that her mission was to deliver the silver punch bowl to the plantation owner. She would have to make some inquiries to find out the location of the plantation.

Bowregard was watching Catherine and saw the heat was bothering her immensely. He said, Why don’t you let me take you to your hotel and get you settled in? You should get out of the heat, rest, and have something cold to drink. Catherine thought the idea sounded wonderful. She wondered, What could it hurt for him to help me settle into the hotel? As they were walking across the street to the hotel, she asked whether he knew many people in the area. He told her he knew some people and asked whether she had someone particular in mind. Catherine replied, I am looking for Joshua Sallier.

Bowregard smiled at Catherine and said, I seem to remember you told me you did not know anyone in the Americas. Catherine blushed and realized she had been caught in telling a lie to protect the money and the silver punch bowl. He saw that she was blushing, which seemed to give him the greatest satisfaction. He smiled again, saying, I do believe I know this man. She was somewhat shocked and asked, Would it be possible for you to direct me to his residence? He said, I will do better than that. I will take you to his plantation tomorrow.

Chapter 4

Bowregard took Catherine to the desk at the hotel and asked the clerk for a room for the lady. Catherine noticed that the desk clerk seemed to know him well. She could also see that Bowregard used his charm wherever he went. She thought, The man is a cad, a rogue, and a knave. She knew in her heart that she had better be on the alert around this man who appeared so charming.

After he got her checked into the hotel, Bowregard asked whether he could carry her things to her room. Once again, Catherine found herself blushing. How dare he suggest such a thing as carrying her things to her bedroom! He could see that she was becoming flustered, and this made him smile all the more. He turned back to the hotel clerk and asked that someone take the luggage to Miss Catherine’s room. Turning toward Catherine, he said, I will bring a carriage by at eight o’clock tomorrow morning if that is all right with you, and we shall drive out to the Le Bleu plantation.

Catherine walked up the stairs to the second floor, keeping an eye on the box that contained the silver punch bowl. She was so close to delivering this priceless object, it would not do for something to happen to it now. She wondered what Bowregard would think if he knew how she had tricked him. She smiled impishly and thought, Two can play this game, Mr. La Faye. She asked whether some food might be delivered to her room. She also asked for a pot of tea. The young man said, Would you not prefer to have some iced tea, since it is so hot? Catherine said she would try some iced tea. He promised to be back shortly with her food and her tea.

Catherine went to the window, lifted the blind, and opened the window for some air. It seemed to her that she could not get enough air to breathe, and she wondered whether it was the change of climate that had affected her in this way. She had never experienced such hot and humid weather before, and she wondered how people endured it. As she stood at the window, she could smell the most unusual fragrance, and she realized that there was a flowering tree outside the hotel. There were large, creamy white blooms on the tree, and Catherine thought she had never smelled anything so wonderful.

When the young man came to her door with a tray of food, Catherine asked him whether he knew the name of the flowering tree next to the hotel. He laughed and said, Miss Catherine, that is a magnolia tree. I don’t guess they have magnolia trees in England, do they? She agreed that there was nothing that looked like a magnolia tree in England.

Chapter 5

The young man left, and Catherine lifted the lid covering the plate to see what he had brought. She found a bowl that contained tomatoes, with various types of meat floating in the stock. She detected rice, peppers, and onions and could smell many spices. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. There was a knock on her door, and she asked, Yes, what is it? The young man called out, Miss Catherine, I forgot your pot of iced tea. She got up to open the door and took the pot of iced tea from him. She said, Just one moment. Could you tell me what you brought me to eat? He said, Yes ma’am. That is jambalaya. It’s is a favorite dish here in Louisiana. Have you never tasted jambalaya? Catherine laughed and replied, No, that is not anything at all like the food we eat in England. He said, I also brought you some salad, and some French bread, and a piece of pecan pie. She thanked him for coming back with the tea and asked him to please leave a message at the desk saying she would want some water for a bath in the morning and also a breakfast tray. The young man assured her that he would and then left to return to the lobby of the hotel.

Catherine picked up a fork and tried to eat some of the jambalaya. She could not believe how hot and spicy the food tasted. Something was burning her tongue. She decided to eat her French bread and salad and leave the jambalaya. There would surely be a time when she felt better. The pecan pie smelled wonderful, and she enjoyed each bite. When she had finished eating, she set her tray outside the room, locked her door, and prepared for bed. She realized it was early, but she was exhausted.

The next morning Catherine awoke at 6:00 a.m. She hoped they would be bringing the hot water soon for her to take a bath. At 6:15 she heard someone knocking on her door. She grabbed a robe, and then walked to the door, where she asked, Who is there? She heard someone reply, We have brought your water for your bath. She opened the door to find two women and a man who was carrying a tub. He stepped into the room and deposited the tub in the middle of the floor. The women each carried two pails of steaming water, which they poured into the tub. Soon another woman appeared with two more pails of steaming water. She poured the water into the tub, and Catherine was told there were soap and towels on the bedside table.

Catherine asked them to return with a breakfast tray at 7:00 a.m. so that she would have enough time to bathe, dress, and be in the lobby by 8:00 when Bowregard La Faye returned to pick her up.

After the door was closed, and she was alone, she reached for the towels and soap, removed her robe, and stepped into the water. Ahh, it had been some time since she had experienced a proper bath. The water felt wonderful. As she sat in the tub of water, she thought about Bowregard La Faye. How would she be able to keep the silver punch bowl concealed until they reached the plantation? What would he do if he knew she had tricked him on the ship? Should she be fearful that he would steal the bowl if he realized what she was carrying with her? She chided herself for being so foolish as to allow him to drive her out to the plantation. Why hadn’t she checked in to the hotel and then inquired about hiring someone to drive her out to the plantation? She was terribly frustrated with herself. She realized, with a blush, that this man had unsettled her thinking with his charm. She was behaving like a twit.

Chapter 6

There was a knock on her door, and a voice asked, Are you ready for your carriage ride? Here she was, sitting in the tub, and that had to be Bowregard La Faye’s voice. Surely it couldn’t be eight a.m. She refused to believe that she was late. She called out, Mr. La Faye, you are too early. If you will be so kind as to return to the lobby, I will dress and be right down. She could hear him laughing on the other side of the door, and then she saw the doorknob turn as he tried to open the door. She gasped as she realized he was trying to come into her room. She had figured this man correctly; he was a cad. He continued to laugh as he walked away.

Catherine got out of the tub as quickly as she could manage, dressed, and called for someone to help her with her things. Actually, all she needed to take was the silver punch bowl, her bag, and her parasol.

Soon a young man appeared at the door, and she pointed toward the wrapped punch bowl, asking him to carry it downstairs and set it in the carriage outside. She followed the man down the stairs and saw Bowregard sitting in a chair in the lobby looking expectantly in the direction of the stairs. He watched her every move as she came down, and she was extremely uncomfortable that he was watching her. He was smiling and seemed to be enjoying whatever game he was playing with her.

He stood up, took her by the arm, and together they walked out to the carriage. Bowregard helped her into the carriage, and she noticed that he kept an eye on her package. He motioned to the driver that they were ready, and the man clucked to the horses, who started off at a trot. As they rode, Bowregard said, Miss Catherine, I take it you have never visited the Americas before this trip. When she acknowledged that this was the case, he replied, I would consider it a privilege to tell you something about Lake Charles if you like, he said with a smile. I would like that, thank you, Catherine said.

Bowregard began by saying, You may have noticed that there is swampland here that is referred to as the Atchafalaya swamp. We have the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and pine and cypress forests to the north. From the beginning, Lake Charles was not made up of one ethnic group, race, religion, or type of politics. Tradition tells us that Jean Lafitte frequented Contraband Bayou and the lake. Catherine looked at him and said, I’m sorry, but I am not familiar with that name. Who was Jean Lafitte? Bowregard smiled broadly and said, Oh, my dear, you do have a lot to learn. Let’s see, what I can tell you about Jean La Fitte? He has been called the Corsair, the Buccaneer, the King of Barataria, the Terror of the Gulf, and the Hero of New Orleans. At three separate times, U.S. presidents have condemned, exonerated, and again condemned his actions. He is known for his piracy in the Gulf of Mexico and lauded for his heroism in the Battle of New Orleans. Each persona seems to balance the others. He hated being called a pirate, for, as he saw it, he was a ‘privateer’ serving an economic purpose in a frugal time in a new country that needed to economize. When he at last sailed away from American shores, he felt betrayed by a country that didn’t understand the difference. That, my dear, was Jean La Fitte.

Chapter 7

Catherine said, You seem to know a great deal about this man. He said, Oh, dear lady, I have only begun. Let me share some other information about him before we reach our destination. From the Gulf of Mexico through a vast, uncharted maze of waterways to New Orleans, his name was a legend even in his day. He was known as an entrepreneur and astute diplomat. I might also tell you that he took an islandful of bloodied seafarers, rovers, and fishermen and turned them into an organization of buccaneers, smugglers, and wholesalers. From the ships they plundered off the Caribbean Coast and in the Atlantic, he and his crew of a thousand men sold black-marketed and very necessary provisions to the early South. He and his men moved through the Mississippi Delta to help feed and clothe a part of the nation that the government overlooked. As a result, he won the praise of rich and poor alike.

Bowregard continued, Jean La Fitte never attacked an American ship. He was a man without a country, but he nevertheless respected the American constitution and ideals and hoped that what he called his kingdom by the sea might someday adopt such ideals. His self-made kingdom, from the Gulf of Mexico through the villages and plantations near New Orleans, was a part of an untamed wilderness that came as part of the package called the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This delta was a new and lusty territory, overgrown with willows and wildlife. Within its miles and miles of marshlands a man could get lost and wander until he grew mad and died of starvation. Unlike anything the government knew, this area, with its misunderstood Cajuns and Creoles, confused and perplexed Washington decision makers. Overcome with other, deepening international problems, the nation more or less abandoned this wetland with its foreign cultures to fend for itself. La Fitte sold his merchandise—cloths and linens, spices and trinkets, furniture and utensils—at discount prices, without high tariffs, to the grateful citizens of New Orleans. In short, La Fitte’s piratical methods, despite their negative reputation, proved to be a survival factor for what was to become a major American city.

Looking at Bowregard, Catherine said, I am amazed that you know this much about the man. How is it you know him so well? Bowregard smiled and said, The man was my father. Catherine gasped. She said, But I don’t understand, you told me your name was Bowregard La Faye. Is that your name or not? Bowregard said, Dear lady, I go by my mother’s name, not my father’s name. Catherine found herself blushing, and she asked nothing more.

Bowregard said, Miss Catherine, we are almost there. I am not sure how much you know about the Le Bleu plantation. Joshua’s grandparents were Martin Le Bleu and his wife, Dela Marion. They left Bordeaux, France, and arrived here before the beginning of the nineteenth century. Soon to follow was Charles Sallier, who was a native of Spain and the first white man to build a house within what are now the city limits of Lake Charles. He married Catherine Le Bleu, the daughter of Martin and Dela, and they had the first white child born in southwest Louisiana. These people are the ancestors of Joshua Sallier, who now owns and operates the plantation. Of course the plantation is still referred to as the Le Bleu plantation.

Chapter 8

As the carriage pulled up the lane leading to the plantation, Catherine gasped at the opulence of the main house. She had never seen anything like it in her life. The carriage came to a stop in front of the marbled steps leading to the home. A servant came to help carry in Catherine’s large, wrapped package. Bowregard stepped down from the carriage and offered his hand to Catherine. He took her by the arm and led her up the marble steps to the front door. A butler met them there and invited them into the parlor to wait for Monsieur Sallier. Catherine looked at the magnificent paintings that hung on the walls of the parlor. Bowregard watched her as she walked around the room looking at first one painting, then the next. Are you a connoisseur of art, Miss Catherine? asked Bowregard.

Catherine answered, My father collects art, so I have been exposed to it all my life. I can see that Monsieur Sallier has an outstanding collection. I would not have expected to find something like this here. Bowregard smiled and said, You would probably be surprised how he has obtained his collection. His reply puzzled Catherine, but she said nothing. She wondered, Is this another game he is playing with me? It was difficult to figure out this man, who had such a handsome face and such a mischievous way about him. He made her uncomfortable most of the time because of the way he watched her. What sort of game was this man playing? She had never met a man like Bowregard La Faye.

She could hear someone approaching as the heels of a pair of shoes clicked on the marble floor. She looked up to see a man approximately forty years of age walk into the room. He was a tall, lean man with dark hair and eyes, and he was strikingly handsome. He extended his hand and said, You must be Catherine. My name is Joshua Sallier. Have you brought my order? Catherine looked toward Bowregard and asked, Would you like to do business here or in private? He laughed, and his laughter rippled through the huge room. I don’t have any secrets from Bow; we have known each other since we were small children. Bow is my cousin, Miss Catherine.

Realization settled over her as surely as night settles over the day. After all her attempts to keep the silver punch bowl hidden from Bowregard, he had probably known about it the whole time. Joshua said, I would really like to see the punch bowl now. Catherine pointed to the package and said, The punch bowl is inside; please feel free to unwrap it. Joshua lifted the bowl and set it on a table, carefully removing the wrapping from the package. When the paper had been removed, he examined it carefully and then said, This is truly exquisite. Bowregard stepped up to the table to look over the bowl as well. He walked around the table and said, Hmm, nice, very nice.

Joshua looked at Catherine and said, Everything I have heard about your family is true. Their reputation as silversmiths has traveled to the Americas. I have heard nothing but good about their craftsmanship and the quality of silver they use. I will get you your money.

When Joshua went to get the money for Catherine, Bowregard came up behind her and whispered, Where did you hide the punch bowl when we entered your compartment? She said, You figure it out. You scoundrel! You knew about the punch bowl the whole time, didn’t you? He laughed at her frustration with him. Let’s just say, I tricked you, and you tricked me. It would be best to leave it at that. Catherine then asked, Does your cousin know what you do for a living? He replied, Oh, I believe he does; we don’t talk about it, though. Catherine snorted, I can certainly understand that.

Joshua returned with the money promised for the punch bowl. He spoke to Bowregard and suggested he take her to the bank in town to get a bank note so the money would be more secure during her return to England. Catherine said, I can see the wisdom of that decision. You never know when pirates will attack your ship. Joshua said, Pirates have been gone for many years now, Miss Catherine. Catherine looked at Bowregard and then commented, Hmm, you don’t say?

Chapter 9

On the way back to Lake Charles, Bowregard said to Catherine with a smile, You didn’t tell me where you hid the punch bowl when we entered your compartment on the ship. She responded, I realize I didn’t tell you where I hid the punch bowl. Surely you don’t think it would be a problem now to tell me where you hid the bowl, do you? She thought for a moment then said, Oh, I suppose it couldn’t hurt anything now. I sat on the bowl. A puzzled look crossed his face and then he laughed, I get it! When we entered the compartment, you were sitting on the bowl. That’s why you refused to get up when I, with common courtesy, offered to help you, sick as you were, to your bed. He roared with laughter. Catherine, you are a woman after my own heart. Catherine looked at him, her cheeks flushed, and said, And you, Sir, are a rogue and a scoundrel. He laughed again and said, I am not sure I understand those two words, but I have a feeling you will gladly interpret them for me. Am I correct?

By this time Catherine was utterly frustrated with Bowregard. Her eyes were flashing, and she blurted out, I’ll have you know that a rogue is an unprincipled person, a rascal, a trickster; and a scoundrel is an utterly dishonest and base fellow. Bowregard stopped the carriage and turned to her. Catherine, I believe you have just insulted me. She was startled, and she looked at him, her eyes dancing with anger. He saw the determination behind that expression. Without hesitation, he reached for her and kissed her fully on the mouth.

At first she was shocked, but that emotion was quickly followed by seething anger. She pushed him away and then slapped him hard across the face. How dare he try to take advantage of me! she thought. He sat there eyeing her warily and then flashed his roguish grin at her. He said, For a little lady, you certainly pack quite a punch. She was sputtering as she said, You do something like that again, and that will only be a sample of what I will give you. He threw back his head and laughed heartily as he clucked to the horses for the carriage to start up.

He dropped her off at the hotel and reminded her that she should go to the bank and get the bank note that Joshua had suggested. She answered, I am fully capable of taking care of my own business, thank you. She stiffened her back and walked into the hotel without looking back. If he thought she was going to thank him for taking her out to the Le Bleu plantation, he was mistaken.

She walked up to her room and began to pace the floor. He had made a complete fool out of her. When she thought of that kiss, she became angry once again. What sort of person was this man? She was astounded that he had behaved in such a manner. Then she realized how foolish she had been. The man, after all, was a pirate. What had she expected? She wondered how much Joshua Sallier knew about his cousin. He seemed to be a highly reputable person. He seemed to be a gentleman she would like the privilege of getting to know. Perhaps she could arrange to meet him again. She had some time left before she would return to England, and she needed something to do with her time. She decided that she would hire a messenger to go out to the plantation with a note asking permission to visit Mr. Sallier.

Chapter 10

She hid the money for the punch bowl in her portmanteau and decided to take a walk around the town. It felt good to walk, even though the heat was stifling. At least there was some breeze outside, whereas in her room, the air didn’t move at all. She wondered how people ever became accustomed to this heat. She stopped in the lobby on her way back and asked that a pot of iced tea be brought to her room. As soon as she opened the door, and her eyes became accustomed to the dimness of her room, she realized that all was not well.

Someone had been in her room. It was obvious that the person had made a hasty retreat, for her clothes were on the bed, and there sat the empty portmanteau. It suddenly struck her that the money for the punch bowl had been stolen. Why hadn’t she gotten the bank note as Joshua and Bowregard had suggested? Why had she been so stubborn? Bowregard had told her again when they got back to town to take care of that. She and her stupid pride had brought this about. She wasn’t about to go running over to the bank simply because he had suggested it to her. If he knew this had happened, he would be laughing at her at this very moment.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, and a terrible thought came to mind. She knew who had stolen the money. It was Bowregard, himself. He didn’t get to steal the bowl, so he took the money for the bowl. She now believed that she was the most gullible woman ever placed on God’s green earth. Her father and uncle would think she was a twit, and the loss of revenue would not be good for their business. This was the most valuable silver piece they had ever crafted. How was she going to explain this to her family? She wondered how she would ever be able to face them again.

There was a light tap on the door, and she said, Who is it? A voice answered, It is Bowregard. I came back to apologize. She jumped up, ran to the door, threw it open, and said, What did you do with my money? With a puzzled look on his face, he said, Slow down, Catherine, what money are you talking about? Catherine stamped her foot and said, You know full well what money I am talking about: the money for the silver bowl. He said, Please tell me you went to the bank and got a bank note after I left you here at the hotel. Catherine was so upset, she was not rational. You know I didn’t go immediately to the bank. Otherwise you would not have found the money in my portmanteau.

Catherine’s dark brown hair was hanging in ringlets all around her dainty face. The heat had caused her naturally curly hair to tighten up, and as she walked the curls bounced on her shoulders. She had an ivory complexion and dark-brown eyes that had a way of flashing when she became angry. She was a petite young woman with a tiny waist. Bowregard had never seen a woman that stirred him as this woman did. She was so frustrating, independent, headstrong, beautiful—the type of woman he had looked for all his life. This woman had spirit, and he did like a woman with spirit.

Bowregard stood there watching her go through a range of emotions because of losing her money, and he knew he loved her. He had never believed you could love someone this soon after meeting, but he had somehow managed to fall in love with this little fireball of an English lady.

Chapter 11

Catherine demanded that Bowregard tell her where he had put her money. He said, Catherine, I did not take your money. I will try to do what I can to help you locate it. She stormed at him, Don’t lie to me! I know you took the money. He calmly said, "Catherine, how do you know I took your money? Try to be reasonable. I left you at the hotel and went down to the docks to