Chapter Four
Drake couldn’t believe how happy he was to see Valinda Lacy again, but it was a happiness coupled with concern. She’d had an awful day. First the attack, and then being cruelly served by her landlady—he wanted to take her home and dare anyone to hurt her again. Instead he stood off to the side and let his mother and Sable fuss over her and show her to the buffet. As he sipped from his wineglass, his eldest brother, Raimond, drifted over. “Tell me her story.”
Eyes never leaving her, Drake related the details of the attack.
Raimond’s face clouded with anger. “Glad you were there. So many women have no champions when facing such violence—especially women of the race.”
“I wouldn’t call myself a champion.”
“What would you call yourself?”
“Just someone who helped.”
“Uh huh. Is that why you’re looking at her as if she’s the only person in the room?”
Drake did his best not to show his embarrassment.
Raimond said, “It’s okay. I acted the same way the first time I met Sable. Thought I’d lose my mind when she was taken.”
A few years ago, Sable, along with their three adopted children, was stolen away by her former master. Seeing Raimond’s pain when they couldn’t be found was something Drake would never forget.
“I’m not going to marry her, brother.”
“That’s what I said about Sable. Now I can’t imagine being without her.”
LeVeq men had a history of loving their wives fiercely. The love between their ancestors Dominic and his Clare was the stuff of legends. Drake was eight years old when their father, Francois, lost his life at sea. The only thing that kept the Lovely Julianna from walking into the Mississippi to join him in death was her concern and love for the six sons she’d be leaving behind. Last year, she’d married longtime friend Henri Vincent and loved him very much. Drake assumed he’d love his wife just as passionately—once he found her, but presently, he wasn’t ready. He was content with his mistress, Josephine.
Raimond said of Valinda, “She’s a little thing.”
“Yes, but don’t let the petite stature fool you.” He told Raimond about the stick she turned on the attacker Appleton.
“Nothing like a woman who won’t go quietly.”
“I’m sure Raoul learned that a few moments ago. He’s probably still appalled by her defiant shouting.”
Rai chuckled and took a sip of his wine. Drake watched Valinda talking to little Desiré, and was pleased to see the teacher smiling.
Archer joined them. “Your lady has Mama eating out of her hand.” Julianna had moved her seat to sit beside the teacher.
“She isn’t my lady.”
“No? Then you should tell Mama. I think she’s eyeing her as a potential daughter-in-law.”
Drake sighed. “I just met her earlier today.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Archer replied. “Sable seems taken with her as well.”
“I doubt either is planning a wedding, Archer.”
He shrugged. “That mysterious sixth sense women seem to have lets them know things we men find out only after the smoke has cleared. How much in love with her are you?”
Drake gave him an exasperated look.
Beau joined them and said to Drake, “Phillipe and I’ve decided, if you don’t stake a claim, we will.”
“You don’t know anything about her.”
Archer said, “Since when has that been a deterrent?”