It didn’t go unnoticed that Rett and Miss Guidry both mentioned my heart when Rett and I had specifically stated this wasn’t about love.
“Being Mrs. Ramses,” she continued, “comes with responsibilities. Miss Marilyn didn’t fully understand the weight of her responsibility. I believe that was because Mr. Abraham chose to keep things to himself. Mr. Ramses, your Mr. Ramses...”
MyMr. Ramses.
“...didn’t marry a woman like Miss Marilyn.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, child, it’s the answer to prayers.” Miss Guidry squeezed my fingers as she looked down at the rings and back up. “Times were different back then. Mr. Abraham had Mr. Boudreau to carry some of the load that is New Orleans. Their relationship wasn’t always contentious.” She shook her head and peered back up. “I’ve watched Mr. Ramses through the years, how he now carries that same burden alone. Don’t think that he’ll include you in his plans, but that’s no never mind. You are included. You are here for a reason.” She grinned. “The spirits are rejoicing. You see, you are the combination of your momma and your father.”
Rett had said that I was the daughter of a king and a whore.
“I want to meet her.”
Miss Guidry stood taller—her whole five feet nothing—as her smile faded. “She wants that, Miss Emma. She does, never doubt that. But first, I’d be right pleased and so would Miss Marilyn if you’d concentrate on him.” She lifted her chin toward the front doors. Rett’s silhouette showed through the leaded glass. “He needs you more than you know, more than he knows. Prayers from the spirits brought you here to us and to him. Not only those of Miss Marilyn, but Miss Delphine also. You see, it took them some time to find common ground, but in you, they have it. You are the answer to their prayers, and they know you won’t let them down.”
“Miss Delphine?” I questioned, having never heard the name before.
“She would be Mr. Ramses’s grandmother.”
“Miss Marilyn’s mother?”
“No, her mother-in-law.”
I nodded, remembering Miss Guidry mentioning her earlier, just not by her first name.
“I don’t understand what they want from me.”
“They want what they aren’t able to accomplish. They believe in your promise.”
“My promise?”
Miss Guidry grinned, small lines appearing at the edge of her hazel eyes. “Miss Emma, they have entrusted you with their most cherished treasure.”
I looked down at my hand as my mind went through the different pieces of jewelry that had come my way over the last month: the rings on my fingers, diamonds in my ears, and the ruby and diamond necklace.
She lifted my hands. “No, Miss Emma. Their treasure isn’t a piece of jewelry, money in the bank, or even this home. What they treasure above everything is now yours to keep safe.”
The door to our side clicked as the doorknob moved.
“Do you mean Rett?”
Miss Guidry nodded.
“And what does my mother want?” I asked.
Before Miss Guidry could answer, the door opened and Rett entered, his brown orbs moving from me to Miss Guidry and back. Instead of addressing our conversation, he offered his arm to me. “Dinner, Mrs. Ramses.”
Miss Guidry released my hands as I laid one on Rett’s arm and together we walked beyond the staircase back out to the courtyard. Two of the men who had disappeared earlier, reappeared at the threshold, opening the doors as we stepped back under the lights and stars. As we continued along the pebblestone walkway, I asked, “Are there guards at each entrance?”
Rett patted my hand. “Neither Kyle nor his men will ever enter this house again. You can take my word. I promised you that you would be safe. You are.”
I was.
Was I also captive?
It wasn’t a thought I wanted to entertain on the evening of my wedding, but it was there.