“Don’t be afraid, Miss Emma. Spirits mean no harm—well, most of them. Miss Marilyn knows she needs to go and she’s trying to hold on.”
“Go? Go where?”
“Beyond with Mr. Abraham. You understand, she couldn’t leave, not when Mr. Ramses was alone. That’s why I stayed when he offered me my own home and all the money I could spend. If I’d left, I’d be leaving her and him.” Miss Guidry smiled at the manuscript on the desk. “Few people are as blessed as I’ve been. And in there, in your words, you show that.”
I sat on the long chair. “I never thought about her leaving.” There was an ache in my chest that was as real as if we were discussing a living being. “I don’t want her to leave.”
“That’s kind.”
“No, it’s not.” I looked up. “It’s egocentric. I’ve lost people in my life, and then Rett found me when I didn’t know that I was lost. I had forgotten what life could be and how I’d missed being loved and being around others who care about me and who I care for. The parents who raised us loved us. I’m certain of that. But they died. And now I have Rett, you, and my mother.” I sighed. “There is also Ian and Leon, so many people.” I tilted my head. “And included in that mix is Miss Marilyn. I started trying to talk to her when I was taken to Jezebel’s house. I asked her to tell Rett I wasn’t scared and that I was safe. I was more worried about what he might do to try to save me.”
Miss Guidry nodded. “She heard you, child.”
“And she told you and you told Rett.” It wasn’t really a question.
“I did.” Her head shook. “He doesn’t believe.”
“I don’t know about that. I’m not sure he believes or not. Rett’s just...a man. What can we do to keep Miss Marilyn here?”
“She isn’t sad about leaving,” Miss Guidry said. “She knows Mr. Ramses is in good hands. She trusts you.” She looked back at the manuscript. “What are you going to do with that?”
“Publish. It’s always been my dream.”
“Does Mr. Ramses share that dream?”
“He asked me to use a pseudonym.”
“And are you all right with that?”
“I am. Emma Ramses’s place is here with Rett, doing what I can do for New Orleans.” I shrugged. “The writing can be a separate part of my life. When I first met Rett, he told me I could pursue my dream to write and that there’s no better place to do it than in this city. I believe he was right.”
“Have you decided on a name?” she asked.
“Betsy O’Brien.” I grinned. “It’s my way of honoring both of my mothers.”
Miss Guidry smiled as she looked down. “I’m not supposed to tell you this.”
“Is that going to stop you?”
She looked up through her lashes. “Miss Marilyn is concerned about Mr. Ramses’s age. You see, before she leaves, she hopes she’ll see at least one of her grandchildren.”
My hand went to my stomach as my eyes opened wide. “You better tell her to hold off on crossing for a while. Rett and I haven’t discussed children.”
“Oh, child, talking doesn’t make children.”
I nodded with a grin. “Thank you. I’m aware of what makes children.”
Epilogue - Chapter Two
A few days later
Emma
Standing at the window of my suite, I lifted my long hair from my neck and stared down at the courtyard. It was a beautiful time of night as stars peppered the sky and the Ramses family crest glistened in the color-changing lights from the fountain. While the days remained steamy as only Louisiana weather can, I mostly enjoyed the open windows in the evenings. Even the warmth radiating in the night air was getting more comfortable. Maybe it was Jezebel’s influence though I was quite certain that banning all air conditioning would never be on my agenda.
I turned as footsteps echoed from Rett’s suite.
With my hands on the window’s ledge, a smile curled my lips and lifted my cheeks as I waited for Rett to enter. I don’t recall dreaming about marriage or predicting what it would entail, but as my husband’s dark stare met mine and my body reacted, I believed that our marriage was something special.