When Strangers Marry (Vallerands #1)(71)

Max tossed a small bag to the messenger, who paused in his barrage long enough to catch it. It landed with a heavy clink in his palm. “That’s enough to allow you to disappear and live in comfort for a long time.”

Another rapid speech followed. Max glanced questioningly at Jacques, whose Spanish was more proficient than his. “What is he saying?”

“He needs more, for his wife and children.”

Max smiled wryly. “Give him what you have,” he told Jacques. “I’ll reimburse you later.”

“Is the letter worth that much?” Clement asked incredulously.

Max tucked the letter in his own coat with great satisfaction. “Oh, yes.”

———

Max enjoyed Claiborne’s astonishment as he read and reread the letter. “Are the Spaniards aware that we have this?” Claiborne finally asked.

Max shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. It won’t change their plans.”

“This is quite a piece of news,” Claiborne said slowly. “Not only do they not trust Burr, they’re starting a backlash against him. If this letter is accurate, they’ll discredit him completely!” He looked back over the letter. “And the clever bastards are using an American to do it! Have you met Stephen Minor before?”

“Briefly.”

“Did you know before you read the letter that he was in the Spanish pay?”

“No.” Max smiled casually. “But I can’t be expected to keep track of all the Americans in the Spanish pay.”

“Insolent Creole,” Claiborne retorted, beaming at him. “Are you implying that Americans are easily bought?”

“It does rather seem that way, sir.”

Claiborne contained his jubilation and assumed a more statesmanlike expression. “For now all we need do is wait. If this information is accurate, Minor will spread rumors throughout the territory that Burr is planning to separate the West from the rest of the nation, unite it with Spanish possessions, and claim it as his own empire. That should set the country ablaze all the way up to the Northeast.”

“The rumors should reach St. Louis at the same time Burr does,” Max agreed.

“I would give a fortune to see General Wilkinson’s face. It shouldn’t take long for him to disassociate himself from Burr completely.”

Max stood up and extended his hand. “I must be leaving now. If you require me for anything else…”

“Yes, yes.” Claiborne stood up and shook his hand, gripping it more warmly than usual. “Vallerand, you have proved your loyalty this day.”

Max arched a brow. “Was it in question?”

“I did wonder what you may have omitted when you described your meeting with Burr,” Claiborne admitted. “He is a persuasive man. You might have shared part of his glory by siding with him.”

“I have no desire for glory. I only want to keep what is mine,” Max said seriously. “Good day, your excellency.”

———

In an unexpected move, Max appointed Justin to supervise the destruction of the old overseer’s house. Lysette was pleased by the news, understanding its significance. The past was losing its terrible hold over Max and his sons. Justin took great pride in the responsibility, organizing a crew to help him pull the ramshackle structure to the ground and burn the rubble. Philippe preferred to apply himself to his studies, perfectly happy in his world of books.

Lysette found herself also facing challenges of a different nature. Although she and Irénée were undeniably fond of each other, there were the inevitable points of contention between a daughter and mother-in-law. Irénée was firmly attached to the old Creole ways while Lysette embraced the changing attitudes of their small society. Irénée had never been so horrified as she was the first time Lysette invited some of the young American matrons of New Orleans to visit the plantation.

“They are nice, well-bred women,” Lysette had told her gently.

“They are American women! What will my friends think when they hear of this?”

“Americans are part of New Orleans now, just as much as Creoles. We share many of the same concerns.”

Irénée stared at her, scandalized. “Next you will be saying it is acceptable for Creoles and Americans to intermarry.”

“Oh, never that,” Lysette said dryly.

Irénée’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Does Maximilien know about this?”

Lysette smiled, knowing the older woman was planning to go to Max behind her back. “He approves of it wholeheartedly, Maman.”

Irénée sighed in disgust, silently vowing to speak to her son about the matter that very night.

But Max paid no attention to Irénée’s complaints, saying that he did not see what harm would befall them if Lysette had friendships with a few American women.

Irénée was also troubled by the way Max was indulging Lysette’s every whim, encouraging her outspokenness, talking to her about worldly subjects wives. Worse, Max seemed to expect the entire family to pay attention to Lysette’s opinions.

Not long ago, no one would have believed that any woman would be able to manage the infamous head of the Vallerand family with such adroitness. The fact that a young, inexperienced, and fairly average-looking girl could manage such a feat was no less than astonishing.