crippled. Blinded. Or killed. Would that be fair to you? To keep a promise to half a man, or a dead man?”
She tried to laugh it off. “Why, Byron Guilbert, you say the most unpleasant things! Is this a warning of what’s to come in our lives together? Unpleasant dinner conversation? Doleful strolls in the garden?”
He remained serious. “I can only be fair to you, Eugénie. Here, between us. Without your father. My grandmother. My father.”
“Don’t forget Aunt Agnes,” Eugénie said.
Aunt Agnes grunted. The two noted she was catching on to English.
“I think we are well matched,” Byron said. “But your aunt behind us and the countess in New Orleans would choose a different future for you.”
“I’ve spent time with my aunt in New Orleans, and I find I like a quieter life. One much like the one I’ve known with my father.”
“What?” Byron said, finding his sense of humor. “No fancy balls? No emerald and ruby earrings, or pearls from constant suitors? No trips to France—or where is your aunt’s husband from? Rome?” Byron gave her a knowing look. “We won’t be impoverished at Le Petit Cottage, but I’ll say it: it won’t be an improvement on how you live now. How your father agreed to bind you to us under those terms is a mystery. The Duhons and the Guilberts live a similar life.”
“Precisely.”
“And this is fine with you? Do be honest, Eugénie. I’ll hold nothing against you.”
“Byron Guilbert, I think you wouldn’t. Would you?”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Or are you trying to break the engagement? Are you not a man of your word, and you seek the coward’s acquittal?”
“Eugénie. My Eugénie. To break our engagement isn’t my intention. Knowing what’s possible for a soldier if war between the States breaks out, I only seek to give you a choice: betrothal to a man marked for dismemberment or death, or disengagement to allow the countess to better align you for your own good.”
“No, you coward!” Eugénie was only half joking. “I don’t accept the choice, as you put it. Not in this matter. You will declare yourself as my betrothed, or I will understand that you are not a man of your word and that you scheme to have me do your work for you.”
Byron was a bit surprised by this small outburst from his otherwise demure betrothed. But if this was the extent of her outburst, then it would not change his opinion of her. “Dear Eugénie, even when you are cross, there is a sweetness about you,” he said. “All right, then.” He admired her as he might admire a pair of shiny cuff links. A thing that is beautiful, but apart from himself. “On my word and my honor to our families, as a gentleman, as a cadet, I pledge to you my troth.”
“And your chastity.”
“And my chastity,” he vowed without hesitation but kept the signet ring in his jacket pocket.
Byron spent an hour with Colonel Duhon, admiring his portrait, discussing politics and his own progress at West Point. He declined to join the family for supper and made his apologies for his uninvited visit and its abrupt end. Only Aunt Agnes was pleased to see him go.
His ride back to Le Petit Cottage gave him much to contemplate. His grandmother was wise to send him to the Duhon plantation. He had an agreeable situation. While Eugénie Duhon didn’t set a fire within him, he could envision her as one day being his wife. He could see Eugénie as one to manage the household, scold and punish the servants, and perform acts of charity for the poor. Most important, she would bear an heir. He smiled, thinking about his grandmother. His wise grandmother. How did she know that the even-keeled and good-natured daughter of Colonel Duhon would be the perfect wife for him?
But first, he had to make amends with his friend.
“I won’t have you guess my whereabouts,” Byron said to Pearce when he found him in the garçonnière.
“I didn’t put the question to you,” Pearce said.
“Then why bother you with it, if you don’t wish to know.”
“I’m sure it’s none of my concern.”
“Put that way, you’re correct. It doesn’t concern you. It’s family business.”
“Then by all means, carry on. Do what a good son does. Take care of the family business.”
Byron broke down first.
“Grandmère urged me to pay my respects to Colonel Duhon, and to court Eugénie. My fiancée.”
“How goes the courtship? You must make me familiar with the rituals. I’m sure there are customs specific to