'I don't know. She's acting different, but . . .'
'But you don't trust her?'
'Yes. Gisselle thinks I'm being unnecessarily skeptical, but I can't help it.'
'I don't care what Daphne's motives are as long as I can see you,' he said. 'Let's not even think about her.'
'You're right, Beau. I'm tired of being unhappy anyway. Let's just enjoy ourselves.'
'I'll come by after breakfast,' he said. 'I'll spend every possible waking moment with you, if you like.'
'I'd like nothing better,' I told him.
The days before Christmas were full of fun and excitement. As soon as I could, I told Beau all about Louis and played the symphony for him. I didn't want Gisselle planting any bad thoughts in his mind. He was understandably jealous, but I assured him Louis was someone whom I had just befriended and who had befriended me. I told him about Mrs. Ironwood's expulsion hearing and how Louis had testified on my behalf, even though it meant he would be in the doghouse with his grandmother and cousin.
'I wouldn't blame him if he did fall in love with you,' Beau said.
'He asked me if I loved someone else, and I told him yes.' Beau brightened.
'And he understands,' I added.
Confident now that Gisselle couldn't plant any nasty seeds of doubt in Beau's mind, I relaxed and enjoyed our time together. Beau and I went for rides, took walks, and spent hours cuddling on the sofa talking. We had been separated by time and distance and events so long, it was as if we had to get to know each other again, but if it was possible to fall in love with the same person twice, I did.
At first I thought Gisselle would be envious, since she didn't have a steady boyfriend. But most of her old friends were drawn back to her, parading in and out of the house day and night. She had private parties in her room whenever Daphne left. I knew they were smoking pot and drinking, but as long as they kept the door closed and didn't bother any of the servants, I didn't care.
Daphne went out every night to parties and dinners with Bruce, but on Christmas Eve we had a special early dinner for just the three of us because Daphne was going to a Christmas party in the French Quarter.
'I thought we would have a quiet family dinner together to celebrate the holiday,' she declared at the table. She was radiantly beautiful in her black velvet dress with her diamond brooch and matching earrings. Her hair had never looked softer or richer. She had planned our menu for our Christmas Eve dinner herself, asking Nina to prepare trout amandine. The dessert tray was filled with delectable choices, including tarte aux peche, banana nut bread, lemon mousse, and chocolate rum souffle. Gisselle sampled everything, but Daphne barely nibbled on some lace cookies. She had often told both Gisselle and myself that a lady leaves the table a bit hungry. That was the way to keep your figure.
'Well, what have you two decided to do for New Year's Eve?' she asked.
Gisselle looked at me and then blurted: 'We'd like to have a party here for just a few friends.' She held her breath, expecting Daphne to reject the idea.
'Good. I'll feel better knowing you two are safe at home and not riding around the streets of the city.'
Gisselle beamed. Daphne had permitted us to have friends over this night too.
Why was she indulging us so? I continued to wonder, but, like Gisselle, I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
After our Christmas dinner, Bruce arrived to escort her to the party. He brought gifts for both of us and placed them under the tree.
'It'll take you two hours tomorrow morning to unwrap everything you've been given,' he declared, gazing at the pile. I had to admit it was overwhelming.
'Enjoy your evening, Mother,' Gisselle said as they started to leave.
'Thank you, dear. You two enjoy yours. And remember, everyone leaves by twelve,' she said.
'We'll remember,' Gisselle replied, then looked conspiratorially at me. The truth was that there were only two people coming to our house for Christmas Eve: Beau and Gisselle's newest boyfriend, John Darby, a good-looking dark-haired boy whose family had moved to New Orleans just this year. He had been on the football team with Beau.
Before they arrived, Edgar informed me that I had a phone call. I went into the study to take it. It was Paul.
'I was hoping you were home so I could wish you a merry Christmas,' he said.
'Merry Christmas to you too, Paul.'
'How are things there?'
'Something of a truce has been declared, but I keep expecting my stepmother to pop out of a closet with a whip in her hand.'
He laughed. 'We have a houseful of people for dinner.'
'I bet you have beautiful decorations and a nice tree.'
'We do,' he said wistfully, 'as always, but . . . I wish you were here. Remember our first Christmas together?'
'Of course,' I said sadly. 'Do you have any friends over, any special friends?'
'Yes,' he said, but I could hear the lie. 'Anyway,' he added quickly, 'I just wanted to wish you a quick holiday greeting. I've got to get back. Wish Gisselle a merry Christmas and happy new year for me.'
