Napoleon's Gift Read Online Free PDF

on to my grave, knowing full well that you aren’t taken care of.” Granny stated, and I sighed.
    I was far more capable than Granny believed, but it always made her feel as if she were taking on the world for me, so I’d let her believe that these last twenty-six years. Granny tended to forget that I was an adult, not a child. As far as etiquette and such went, I was rather long in the tooth, and should have been married ages ago. Nonetheless, I had only ever loved one person in my life, and I refused to marry without love.
    “Now come chil, we must make haste.” She said, tugging me from the house.
     
    Somewhere
    on
    the Atlantic…
     
    Benjamin looked out over the water and sighed.
    W hy on earth would Tobias do this?
    He had not spoken to Tobias since before his father died, so why the sudden urgency?
    Surly, Clarette and his solicitor could manage things for Geneviève.
    Benjamin began to pace, and Bartholomew looked up from the paper.
    “I daresay, what has y e in such a state?” He cried, Benjamin paused, then frowned.
    “I am not quite sure; however I do feel a sense of foreboding upon my arrival. I have not spoken to Tobias since father died, ye know yerself, and I was never one for the business of slaves.  Therefore, I have no notions as to why he would do this. I don’t believe he would actually think I would approve of this?”
    “Yet, we don’t know why he has done what he’s done yet chap; there must be some dire reasoning to it. Therefore, keep a stiff upper lip, until we do arrive. Not to mention, since Lincoln passed that act, the idea of slavery is a thing of the past.” Bartholomew grinned; Benjamin gave him a slight frown, then nodded and resumed his pacing.
    They had another week, until they arrived in New Orleans, and it was almost as if he were arriving for the first time. Nearly fourteen years had passed since he last stepped foot in New Orleans, so he knew just from the news abroad, things had changed drastically.
    Would she desire to see him?
    He wondered, and his frown deepened.
    If ever he had loved anyone in his life, it had been she.
    What would she appear akin to fourteen years later?
    She had been a beautiful girl, and on many occasion he remembered her wonderful depthless hazel-green eyes. Many a dream of his had been filled with them, however, he had destroyed it all, in one instant.
    Had she forgiven him by now?
    “And what is this I’ve heard the chaps back home speak of, a Madame Soleil’s ?” Bartholomew asked, Benjamin paused again retreating from his thoughts, this time with a slight smile.
    “I have nary a clue, yet leave it to y e to find a spot of sport in all seriousness.” Benjamin retorted, and Bartholomew laughed.
    “I must say, it is the talk of Sir Francis and his cronies. He has spoke of nothing else since his trip last winter. I cannot in all good conscious allow myself to ignore such good counsel.” Bartholomew cheered, and Benjamin could not help laughing.
    “Fine, however it must be abated until I attend to this pressing matter with Tobias. I myself may join ye in a bit of sport.”
    “And has the captain said how long till port?”
    “If the weather holds true, another week, but he swears nothing more.”
    “Splendid, I grow weary of this vessel and it s ragamuffins.”Bartholomew sighed, and Benjamin shook his head.
    “Ever the noble, I see.”
    “Yes, and ye shall remember that.” Bartholomew quipped, Benjamin tipped the chair backwards, and Bartholomew toppled to the floor as Benjamin howled with laughter.
    “Arse, I shall repay y e in kind!” Bartholomew cried, then laughed as Benjamin helped him up, and they went to seek the evening’s supper.
     
    New Orleans
    Basil-Leaf Plantation…
     
     
    “Where is Ginny presently?” Millie asked frowning.
    “I sent her to Adamae’s for her special spices.” Mari é said frowning now herself.
    “And do you thank that boy is gonna do as Mr. Jones asks?” Millie inquired as she shuffled