The Moreau Witches Trilogy
Part Three
Wormwood
by Julien Gregg
Copyright © 2025 by Julien Gregg
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact the author by email. The link is below.
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Fourteen
The next morning he got a phone call from Angelique telling him that she’d like to see him. He got dressed and headed over there after telling John where he was going. Angelique had a breakfast spread waiting for him.
“I wanted to talk to you about New York,” she said.
“What about New York?” he asked.
“I want to give you stock in both Moreau Medical and Moreau Legal there in Rochester,” she said. “When you get out of medical school you can work there at Moreau Medical.”
“You want me to move to Rochester, New York?” he asked shocked.
“Well you said you didn’t want to live in Santa Barbara or the bay,” she said. “This is a chance for you to live somewhere else but still be connected to the family.”
“All right,” he said. “But I have four years of medical school and then six of residency.”
“You can do your residency at Moreau Medical,” she said. “It’s going to be a teaching hospital.”
“You’re sure about that part?” he asked.
“They said they needed one in the Rochester area,” she said. “So I decided to do what they wanted to make it into a teaching hospital.”
“Well then I say you’re on,” Bart said. “It would let me have what I want while giving you what you want at the same time.”
“Yes,” she said, smiling. “I thought you’d see it my way.”
“I just don’t know about the cold every year,” he said.
“Well you’re going to have those winters for four years at Harvard,” she said.
“That’s true,” he said. “Maybe I’ll get used to them.”
“Maybe you will,” she said with a laugh. “Oh this is wonderful. Thank you for agreeing to this. I wanted a Moreau on staff there and I thought of you.”
“What about Moreau Legal?” Bart asked.
“I’ll send one of the junior partners out there once a year to check in on it,” she said.
“Sounds good,” he said. “I wasn’t planning to be in New York after school but it looks like I am now. I should go tell John.”
“Oh is he going to want to work there, too?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he said. “We haven’t discussed where we’ll work.”
“Well then by all means go and tell John,” she said. She stood so he did too. Then she hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Maria was initiated last night so she’s a full member of the coven now.”
“Okay,” he said. “Philippe told me that only four members of the coven were in attendance.”
“Philippe was wrong,” she said. “Half the coven was there. I called them when Henri wasn’t paying attention.”
“That’s the ticket,” he laughed.
He went back to Bleaker Street and told John what Angelique wanted from him. John listened to everything he said and then started to pace. He was no doubt thinking about Rochester. It wasn’t a big city but Bart would love to be that far away from Moonlight Bay.
“Well I don’t know if I want to work there,” John said. “But I’ll give it a shot. You can’t get upset with me if I decide I can’t stay there.”
“I wouldn’t hold it against you,” Bart said.
“Good,” he said. “So this is what Angelique wanted from you this morning? An answer?”
“She pitched the whole thing to me this morning,” he said. “She’s giving me stock in both Moreau Medical and Moreau Legal there in Rochester. I’d have a hand in them if I said yes so I said yes. Plus it gets me out of the bay and away from the family. Sure members of the family are going to be out there to help get both entities on their feet but none of them will want to stay there.”
“When you say it like that it sounds like a great idea,” John said. “Just not sure about all of those winters.”
“Well we’re going to have those winters at Harvard,” Bart reminded him.
“We sure are,” John said. “I guess I’ll get used to them.”
“That’s what I said,” laughed Bart.
“So after med school we’ll do our residence at Moreau Medical,” John said. “They have internal medicine divisions at Moreau Medical?”
“They have every division at Moreau Medical,” Bart said. “They’re all full service medical centers. You go to the Moreau Medical to see your primary doctor, your surgeon, your dermatologist, and so much more.”
“Sounds great,” said John. “And I’m sure I’d love to be a part of it.”
“Well then we know what comes after Harvard,” laughed Bart. “I’m going to buy a house in Rochester. Maybe I can get Lilly and Kim to come with me and work for me at this new house.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said John. “You’re going to live there full time so ask Lilly and Kim. They’ll probably go for it if you ask them in just the right way.”
“Well we’ll see,” said Bart. “You ready for dinner at Grand House today?”
“It’s Maria’s birthday,” John said.
“It sure is,” Bart said. “It means she’ll be at the grown up table instead of in the kitchen with her siblings.”
“They really do that?” John asked. “Make them eat in the kitchen?”
“They tried to move them to the grown up table when they turned thirteen but none of them really liked it,” Bart said. “They wanted to go back to eating with their siblings. The only one who didn’t was Maria, but Henri wouldn’t let her graduate to the grown up table for more than special occasions.”
“That’s sick,” John said. “The more I hear about the way Henri treats Maria the less I like Henri.”
“I hear you,” Bart said. “I love Henri because he’s my sister’s husband but I don’t like him much as a person.”
“That says a lot,” John said. “You love your family but you want away from them?”
“I want away from the testing and the backstabbing,” Bart said. “I don’t want to be kept up all night worrying about what Maria may be doing to Philippe and Lisette.”
“You were up thinking about that last night?” John asked.
“I had nightmares about it,” Bart said. “I don’t want to be dreaming about that kind of shit. I want away from the family but still connected if that makes sense.”
“It makes sense,” John said. “This way you’re away and still connected by business.”
“Yes, exactly,” Bart said. “It gives me everything I want.”
“Hey, what does the staff in these houses think of working for witches?” John asked, changing the subject.
“All of the staff are witches too,” Bart said. “The family looks down on people with no magic, John. Why would they employ people with no magic?”
“That really makes sense to me now that you say it that way,” he said. “So Lilly and Kim?”
“Witches,” Bart said. “We don’t have to hide things from the staff. They won’t talk because we all thrive on secrecy.”
“You didn’t do a very good job keeping the secret from me,” John pointed out.
“No I didn’t,” Bart said with a smile. “I got a little used to using my power to do things and you caught me. I had no other option but to come clean about all of it if I wanted to keep your friendship. You have no idea what it meant to me that you knew and didn’t look at me like I was a freak.”
“You aren’t a freak,” John said. “You’re cool man.”
“Thanks,” he said with a grin.
“So what is the dinner going to be like?” John asked.
“Probably just a dinner,” Bart said. “There may be a cake but I doubt it. Maria is too old for a cake and ice cream birthday.”
“She is?” John said. “You got me a cake with ice cream on my last birthday.”
“I’m saying it as if Henri would say,” Bart explained.
“That man,” John said, shaking his head. “Did you have breakfast with your sister?”
“I did,” Bart said. “She had a spread.”
“Sounds good, but I really enjoy the waffles that Lilly makes,” John said. “She made them again today.”
“Yes, I told her that you really like them,” Bart said.
“Well thank you,” John said.
They sat in the living room for a while not saying anything. By lunch time they’d said very little. Both were thinking what it would be like living in Rochester, New York. Bart would have his own house not connected to the Legacy. He had the money to buy one and live comfortably. His father had left all of his money to Bart because Angelique was at the time the heiress in waiting so she had a huge amount of money in her future. Of course Franklin Moreau didn’t have a huge fortune but it was enough to make Bart comfortable after buying a house. Plus he’d have stock in both Moreau Medical and Moreau Legal. There’d also be his paychecks for being a doctor. He was going to be fine.
For lunch Lilly made cheese steak sandwiches with peppers and onions. They had them with french fries and a small ice cream sundae. They ate that happily and then got ready for the dinner at Angelique’s. Of course they put on suits and dress shoes. Angelique would not accept any other clothes at dinner. She was peculiar that way.
They arrived at Angelique’s almost an hour before the time for dinner. Angelique would appreciate that. They could have a drink with her before dinner. Ida Mae let them in and they went straight to the living room.
“Brother, you are as ever in sync with me,” Angelique said with a smile. “I was just telling Henri that you will be the Moreau at Moreau Medical in Rochester.”
“Yes, that was decided this morning,” Bart said to Henri.
“Good man,” Henri said. “We’ll miss you with you being so far away.”
“I’ll miss everyone as well,” he said. “I’ve decided to buy a house there. No sense waiting until I absolutely need one. Do you think Lilly and Kim would consent to moving to Rochester and working for me?”
“I’m sure they would,” Angelique said. “Just ask them. They’ve been at the Bleaker Street house for many years. Perhaps they’d welcome a change in residence.”
“Will you be staying at the apartment in Boston when you go to Harvard?” Henri asked.
“I think I will,” Bart said. “That would make it easier as I had no desire to live in the dorms.”
“Well when you’re ready we’ll have the apartment opened for you,” said Angelique. “Will you be taking Lilly and Kim to Boston?”
“If they want to come that would be great,” Bart said.
“Just talk with them about it,” she said. “Have a drink?”
“Sure,” he said. “Brandy, please.”
“John?” Angelique asked.
“The same please,” John said.
Ida Mae poured the drinks and brought them to each of them. Then they sat and talked about the state of Moreau Medical and what plans they had for the newest locations. Angelique shocked him by telling him that Fort Keller had been abandoned by the Army. The post was now vacant and she was trying to buy it to add to Moonlight Bay.
“Just think of it,” she said with a smile. “A section of Moonlight Bay completely owned by the Legacy and controlled by the Moreau family.”
“That would be quite a feat,” Bart said, though he didn’t think she could pull this one off. He could be wrong though.
“I’ve made a preliminary offer to the government,” she said. “We’ve not heard back from them yet.”
“They’d have to remove a lot of equipment to make it ready for take over,” Henri said. “But it would be good to have that post as part of our town.”
“Yes, it would,” he said. “What are you going to do with the bigger buildings?”
“Why a school and a gathering center of course,” she said. “Our family is too big to keep having our get togethers at Family Fun Center.”
“Yes, I remember,” Bart said. “It would be nice to have a bigger building for gatherings.”
“Quite,” she said, smiling.
Then dinner was served and suddenly Maria was with them. She took one look at Bart and smiled widely. She came over and took his arm. He noticed that Angelique just shook her head. Maria was pressed so tightly against him that he had trouble making it to the table. He physically took her and moved her away from him. She looked hurt at first but then took her seat with one look at her from Henri.
Alice placed plates of lobster and steak in front of them. Angelique had gone all out for this dinner. They had scorched corn and bread rolls. It was a feast. There was little talking as they ate. He did notice that Maria only had eyes for him though. It made him uncomfortable.
“So,” Henri said when they were done with their food. “You’ll be in Rochester after med school then?”
“Yes,” said Bart. “As I said I’m planning to buy a house there before I get out of school and need one.”
“That’s a sensible decision,” said Henri. “Perhaps you’ll find one as large as this house.”
“I’m sure I don’t need a house as large as this one,” Bart said. “But I’ll find a suitable house for a Moreau to live in.”
“I’m sure,” Henri said. He looked at John. “Will you be living in Rochester as well?”
“I’m going to try to do my residency there in Rochester but I don’t know that I’ll live there when it’s over,” John said. “I’m weighing my options.”
“Very good,” Henri said. “I see my brother in law is rubbing off on you.”
“Yes,” John said, though it was nothing of the sort. He seemed to have figured out that it was easier to just agree with Henri when he made these comments.
“It’s nice to know that you have a good head on your shoulders, Bartholomew,” Henri said to Bart.
“I am a Moreau,” Bart said, making Henri grin.
“You’ll no doubt want to fly out there and find a house soon then,” Henri said.
“I would, actually,” Bart said.
“I’ll fly you out there in my plane,” Henri said.
“You’ll not get me up in the air with Henri,” laughed Angelique.
Bart knew that if he didn’t agree Henri would be less than pleased. He nodded his head and smiled. Henri smiled back. That crisis was averted. Henri could be a bear when he didn’t get his way and though Bart could think of many people he’d rather have with him in Rochester he accepted that it would be Henri that flew him to Rochester.
They shocked him by serving a sliver of chocolate cake with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Maria smiled as this was placed before her. Then she went back to staring at Bart while she ate.
They ate their cake and ice cream and then adjourned to the living room for another round of drinks. This time Bart had coffee with a touch of brandy added. Maria was nowhere to be found so he breathed easier without her staring at him or pressing herself against him.
“How are you liking it a Bleaker Street, Bart?” Henri asked when they were all settled and had their drinks in hand.
“I like it just fine,” Bart said. “It’s a fine house.”
“Charles and Saraphine have expressed a desire to move in there with their daughter,” Henri said.
“Well we’ll only be there for the summer,” said Bart. He wondered if they really wanted to live there or if Henri was trying to stir trouble.
“That’s what I told them,” he said. “They can take up residence in the house when you and John vacate to go to school.”
“Sounds fine with me,” Bart said. “Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it,” Henri said. “They expressed the desire when Angelique called them to invite them to Lisette’s party.”
“I see,” said Bart. “So you’ve been planning the party?”
“I have to, don’t I?” Angelique said. “It’s less than a month away.”
“Yes, Sister, I apologize,” he said.
“Oh don’t be silly,” she said. “I’ve added you and John to the guest list.”
“Thank you, Sister,” Bart said with a smile.
They were quiet for a while. Then they started to talk about the party and all that she had planned. She’d hired a band to play at the party. This band would play classical music so they could dance in the hall.
The hall was large enough to be like a ballroom and Bart had danced in the hall at other parties that Angelique had thrown. This time they’d be dancing at Lisette’s party. He hoped that she could be the heiress in waiting. If not it would ruin her birthday.
When they got back to Bleaker Street they were a bit tipsy. They’d have too many drinks but Bart drove like he was sober. They both showered and changed into shorts and t-shirts. Bart left his feet bare and went down to the living room and had a cup of coffee. He talked with Lilly and asked her to bring Kim into the living room.
“I would like to talk to both of you about what is happening in the future,” he said. “I’m going to Boston to medical school and will be living in the apartment. I’d like for both of you to go with me and work for me. After medical school I’ll be in Rochester, New York doing my residency. I’m planning to live there after my residency. I’d like both of you to work for me there, too.”
“We will go,” Kim said. “You are good young man. We love having you here. We work for you now.”
“Thank you, Kim,” he said. “That means so much to me. I think of you both as family.”
“We think family too,” Kim said.
“Thank you,” he said. “I will be moving to Boston at the end of the summer. You have plenty of time to prepare for the move. I’m flying to Rochester with Henri to find a house to live in there.”
“Very good,” Kim said, nodding his head.
“That’s all I have for you tonight,” he said. “Thank you for accepting my offer. You have no idea how much I love you two.”
When he went to bed that night he was happy. He had a good night without nightmares about anyone. He woke up the next morning in a happy mood. He dressed for the day and went down to have breakfast with John. They would be flying today.
They had a light breakfast and then went to Angelique’s to link up with Henri. He drove them to the small air strip and filed his flight plan. They flew in his Piper Cherokee plane that he’d bought at the end of last year. He had them in their seats and seat belts for the take off.
The plane flew pretty smoothly. They landed for refuel in Illinois and then flew on to New York. He landed the plane twelve hours later on another small airstrip in Rochester, New York. They were stiff from sitting in the seats for so long. They were tired from the flight and checked into a hotel for the night.
The next day they contacted a realtor and were driven to a lot of mansions in the Rochester area. Bart chose one that he was told that the Historical Society wanted but could not yet afford it. He made an offer on the three-story, two wing house. It was dark brick with a brown shingled roof. There were tennis courts behind the house and it was right on the shore of Lake Erie.
They toured the house and found the rooms to be furnished. The realtor told them that all of the furnishings came with the house. Bart was sold on it. His offer was quickly accepted and he had a cashier’s check for the owner and that was that. They flew back to Moonlight Bay.
Bart felt he’d never recover from flying so much in two days. He slept for hours when they got back but was woken up by a call from Angelique congratulating him for buying the house. She was a little put off that he’d used his own money and the house would belong to him alone instead of the Legacy but he was firm about wanting to be his own man and not controlled by the Legacy. In the end she understood. She rang off with another congratulations.
He had pictures of the house inside and out to take to her. John told him it was quite a house. He didn’t understand why Bart would need such a big house. He told him that Angelique and Henri wouldn’t sit still for anything less for a Moreau of his standing. John just shook his head.
Bart went to Angelique’s to show her the pictures of the house. She loved everything she saw and congratulated him once again. She said he’d be comfortable there. He told her that Lilly and Kim were going to Boston with him and then on to Rochester when medical school was over.
She said that was a good thing and that Charles and Saraphine would be taking over the house and hiring their own staff when he left in September. He nodded at this and told her that he was ready for school already. She laughed at this.
“You’re so eager to start your life?” she asked.
“Something like that,” he said.
“You should be married soon, Bart,” she said.
“I don’t plan to marry or have children,” he said. “I just don’t see it in my future.”
“Forever the bachelor,” she laughed. “One day you’ll change your mind.”
In the days leading up to the party Bart and John rented tuxedos and got their masks. Bart’s was elaborate with feathers and black beads. John’s was plain and white. They had dinner at Angelique’s every Sunday and the house was mentioned more times than not. Maria seemed crestfallen when she found out that he would be all the way in New York living his life.
He did get a chance to sit with Marcel for an hour here and there. The boy was getting worse and Bart was sad that his life would be cut so short. He held his hand and talked to him about the house and the flight he’d taken with his father. Marcel had smiled and thanked him for sitting with him. Bart had hugged him and told him that he loved him. That was all there was for it. Marcel was too weak to get out of bed.
Then they were dressed in their tuxes and masks and at Grand House for Lisette’s party. Lisette herself was beautiful in her flowing white dress. She had a red, blue, and purple mask with feathers, beads, and ribbons. She glided across the floor to hug him when he arrived.
“Bart it’s good to see you,” she said. “Thank you for coming to my party. My guests won’t arrive until after the testing.”
“It’s good to be here for your party,” he said. “Good luck with the testing.”
“Thank you but I don’t care what happens,” she said with a smile. “I’m sixteen and Daddy said he’s going to buy me a car.”
“That’s exciting, your first car,” he said.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ve been looking at a pink BMW much like yours.”
“That’s the ticket,” he said with a smile.
They got ready for the testing in the living room. Angelique sat in her chair and took off the ruby necklace. Lisette knelt before her mother and Angelique put the necklace around her neck and clasped it. It sat there for a good five minutes and Angelique smiled and let out a breath. Lisette was the heiress in waiting.
They’d go to Moreau Legal in Santa Barbara to confirm her on Monday. She hugged Lisette and congratulated her. Lisette beamed at everyone. Bart noticed that Maria looked furious. He hoped that she wouldn’t take her fury out on Lisette and Philippe.
The family guests that had come to the party early for the testing were Gayland and Sarah Beth, Bastien and Gloria Jean, Robert and Angellica, Douglas and Stella, and Charles and Saraphine with their daughter also named Angelique. She was Lisette’s favorite cousin.
Robert and Angellica were Angelique and Henri’s age both with the dark, almost black hair and icy blue eyes of a Moreau. They were dressed in their absolute best with elaborate masks. Douglas and Stella were Bart’s age with the same almost black hair and icy blue eyes. They were both dressed in black with very dark masks. Charles and Saraphine were Angelique and Henri’s age both with the almost black hair and icy eyes. They were both dressed in white with brilliantly white masks with feathers, beads, and ribbons.
Lisette’s guests began to arrive and there was a sea of plain white masks. One guest in particular seemed to only have eyes for Maria. His name was Walter Breckenridge and Lisette had invited him for Maria. That was a shock for Bart. Maria had eyes for a non magical boy here own age? That was a relief to him.
He danced with Maria and Lisette danced with a boy named Jason Wells, another non magical boy but she seemed so happy and Bart was happy for her. The ruby necklace was still around her neck. He was happy that she was the heiress in waiting. There was nothing to pull her down on her birthday.
They danced with the other guests. Bart found himself dancing with his sister for a dance. She laughed and let him spin her around the floor. John seemed shocked to find that Bart could dance so well. He stopped to watch him and Angelique on the floor. Several of the guests applauded when they bowed to each other and went their separate ways.
Than Lisette danced with him and he spun her around the floor for a song. The smile never left her face as he twirled her around. She kept saying that this was the best birthday ever. He kept laughing.
Then as he feared would happen he was dancing with Maria. However she kept a safe distance from him but he was sure that was for Walter’s benefit. She smiled as he spun her around the floor and she did a respectable waltz.
Then he was having a drink and sitting at one of the tables set up on the south end of the hall with John and talking about his dancing. He told John that he’d had lessons from the age of ten on. John found that sad for some reason. Bart told him that when you come from money they make sure that you can be presentable at parties. John shook his head.
The hall was done up with gossamer swags and purple and pink ribbons everywhere. There were pots of roses, freesia, and baby’s breath in several places around the hall. On the tables were jars of purple marbles with pink roses and baby’s breath in the center. These were Lisette’s favorite colors, pink and purple.
The party finally wound down around eleven. He hugged and kissed Lisette, wishing her a happy birthday. He hugged and kissed his sister, congratulating her on having an heiress in waiting. Then he and John made their way back to Bleaker Street and got out of those tuxes.
John went on an on about the difference in Lisette’s birthday and Maria’s. Bart told him what to expect but he had somehow believed that it wouldn’t be such an elaborate party. He was blown away by just how elaborate it had been right down to the classical musicians who played the music for the party.
“It was sickening when you think about it,” John said. “Not for Lisette but for Maria. At least she had one friend at the party.”
“Walter seems to me much more than a friend,” Bart said. “That’s to the good. Henri wouldn’t permit her to have a Moreau on her arm.”
“That’s awful,” John said. “What if one of them fall for her.”
“That’s not likely to happen,” Bart said. “If you hadn’t noticed she’s an evil mouthed girl when it comes to the family.”
“For everyone but you,” John said.
“Don’t remind me,” said Bart with a shudder.
Their happiness was short lived however when Marcel died from cancer later in the month of June. Angelique wore a black dress and Henri a black suit. Bart and John were in their black suits as they gathered in the mausoleum for the funeral. It was tastefully done, a High Priestess talked about the circle of life and how Marcel’s circle had closed. She talked about those that were left behind to celebrate the life of Marcel and mourn his passing. She called him a blessed spirit and bade him farewell.
The dinner afterward was at Grand House and everyone was somber and dressed in black. Bart shed a few tears for his nephew. He hugged his sister and Henri and expressed his condolences to both of them.
Then they were back at Bleaker Street to change and sit in the living room. John said he was so sorry about Marcel’s death and Bart thanked him for his condolence. John said it was wrong for one to be cut down at eighteen. Bart was of a mind to agree with him. He went to bed early that night and dreamed of Marcel in better times.
The next day he spent most of the day with his sister. She was an emotional mess. Henri hadn’t come out of the office where he was apparently drinking his sorrow. Angelique kept hugging Bart and talking about what she’d last said to Marcel. He told her that the last thing he’d said to him was that he loved him. She said that was sweet. She hugged him again.
“I’m sorry I keep hugging you but I just can’t believe it,” she said. “I guess I thought in some way he’d get better and we wouldn’t have to deal with this. The only one in the house that can get Henri to respond right now is Philippe but he’s so distraught over the death of his brother than he rarely tries. I’m lost, Bart.”
“I’m here for you,” he said, and hugged her again. “I know I can’t make it better or bring him back but I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Brother,” she said. “But my husband should be here for me right now and he’s too busy sucking down a bottle of scotch to pay attention to his grieving wife.”
“Now let’s not be mean,” Bart said. “He’s mourning too.”
“Yes I know he’s mourning,” she said. “He hasn’t stopped crying since it happened. You’d think he was the only one going through this.”
“Now, Angelique stop,” he said. “He’s just taking it hard.”
“I’m taking it hard,” she said, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “But you don’t see me drinking brandy straight from the bottle now do you?”
“Well no,” he said. “But Henri will come around.”
“Oh he’ll come around all right,” she said, and got up. Before Bart could stop her she was out of the room. He got up to follow.
“What are you doing?” he asked but she ignored him.
“Henri you come out of that office right now,” she screamed at the closed door. “We lost our son and you will not leave me to be bereft on my own. Come out this instant!”
“Angelique,” he said as he opened the door. “Can’t you let me mourn my son in peace?”
“What am I supposed to do?” she demanded. “I’m alone out here.”
“You’re not alone,” he snapped. “Your brother is here.”
“Oh for the love of all that’s holy,” she breathed. “Come out of that office and comfort me. I’m your wife damn it.”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re my wife. You didn’t think about that when you were busy sleeping with that singer now did you?”
“Henri Moreau you will not throw that in my face every time I turn around,” she said. “Do I throw Stella Moreau at you? Believe me I know all about your stolen moments together. Who should feel scorned now?”
“You shut your mouth about Stella,” he said. “She’s a married woman now.”
“She wasn’t married when you were giving it to her on your boat now was she?” Angelique screamed.
Bart hadn’t known a thing about Henri and Stella. It wasn’t as if he was shocked. He’d have been shocked if Henri never had a woman on the side. But Stella? She was his third cousin.
“Stella Moreau is none of your concern,” he breathed.
“Well then my dalliance with the singer can finally be forgotten or I’ll tell your precious children what a faithful husband you really are,” she threatened.
“Fine,” he said and slammed the door.
“Merciful Goddess that man tries my patience,” she sighed. “Would you go and tell Maria to get down here?”
“Yes,” he said though he’d rather had not.
He went up the stairs to Maria’s room and knocked on the door. She didn’t answer so he opened it and found Maria in the arms of Walter Breckenridge. He stood there in shock as he looked at them.
“Bart?” she queried. “What are you doing in my room?”
“I knocked but you didn’t answer,” he said. “Your mother wants you downstairs. Now she’s pretty distraught about your brother’s death so I won’t mention this incursion to her but if I see it again I’ll tell her what you’re up to. As for you, Walter I suggest you shimmy out that window I’m quite certain you’ve done it before.”
He turned and shut the door only to hear the sounds of the two of them rapidly getting out of bed and trying to dress. He couldn’t believe that Maria had done this. In one way he was proud of her but in another he was mortified that she’d do this the day after her brother’s funeral.
He went back downstairs and told Angelique that Maria would be a minute. She just nodded. She’d probably forgotten that she’d sent him up to retrieve her. Lisette and Philippe came into the dining room and sat at the table. Josette and Lorette followed behind them.
“Is Daddy in the office again?” Lorette asked.
“Yes,” Angelique said. “He’s drinking his scotch.”
“At this hour?” Lorette asked. “Why are you letting him do it?”
“I tried to stop him, Lorette,” she said. “He told me to get out of his way and let him grieve.”
“I’ll go talk to him,” Lorette said, getting up and leaving the room.
“He’s just going to yell at her,” Angelique said and then started crying again.
“Good morning, Lisette, Josette, and Philippe,” Bart said.
“Good morning, Uncle Bart,” Josette said. “What are you doing here this morning?”
“I’m sitting with your mother today,” he said.
“Thank you, Bart,” said Lisette. She never called him uncle.
“Where else should I be?” he asked rhetorically.
“Children thank you for coming to the table when I asked you to,” Angelique said. “Your sister is trying my patience. If she’s not down here in five minutes I’m dragging her down here by her hair.”
Just then Maria came into the dining room and sat down at the table. She shot Bart a look and then looked at he table. Angelique gave her a dirty look which she didn’t see and then called for Alice.
Alice came through from the kitchen with plates of waffles and sausage. She looked as if she’d been crying as well and Bart thought that she probably had. She’d taken care of these kids since they were babies.
They ate in silence. Then Lorette came in followed by Henri. Bart was shocked. Apparently so was Angelique. She smirked at him as he sat down. Alice brought him a plate and he began to shovel the food into his mouth.
“Where’s John this morning?” Lisette asked.
“He’s at the Bleaker Street house with Lilly and Kim,” Bart said, smiling at her.
“You left him alone in the house?” Maria asked, giving him a look.
“Of course I did,” he said, giving her a look back. “I can trust him.”
“Okay,” she said and went back to eating.
“Maria leave him alone,” snapped Angelique.
“Yes, Mother,” she said without looking up.
They were silent again for a while. Bart got all of his food ate before anyone said anything else. He counted himself lucky that Maria had gone back to looking at her plate. Maybe she was sufficiently embarrassed that he’d found her in bed with her boyfriend.
“Daddy can we still go out on the boat?” Philippe asked.
“Sure, Buddy,” he said. “Just not today.”
“I should say not,” Angelique said.
“I said not today,” he said coldly to his wife.
“I heard you,” she said just as coldly.
They were silent again as Alice came and took the plates away. She poured more coffee and juice before she took her cart back to the kitchen. Bart couldn’t believe the way Angelique and Henri were talking to each other in front of the children. He was of half a mind to say something about it. However he realized that it was grief and frustration talking and let it go.
He left the house after breakfast and went back to Bleaker Street. John was reading a newspaper when he came in so Bart let him read in silence. He just couldn’t stop thinking about the cold way that his sister and her husband were talking to each other. But at the same time at least they were talking to each other. That was an improvement. He supposed that he couldn’t fault them for their tones.
“You’re back,” John said, folding the newspaper and placing it on the table.
“Yes, it’s not a great scene over at my sister’s this morning,” he sighed.
“I would say not,” John said. “They just lost a son.”
“Yes and if you heard how coldly they addressed each other you’d see what I’m talking about,” Bart said.
“Ah, they’re fighting?” he asked.
“Biting is more like it,” Bart said. “Lorette was the only one that Henri would come out of the office for. And I walked in on Maria in bed with her boyfriend this morning. That was a thin slice of hell.”
“Oh my God,” John said. “You did?”
“Angelique sent me to tell her to get downstairs,” he said. “She didn’t answer the knock, thinking she was probably still asleep I went in. Boy was I shocked.”
“I’d say,” he said. “Did you tell your sister?”
“Goddess no,” he said. “She’s already upset why upset her further.”
“I guess,” he said. “At least she wasn’t going all cow-eyed over you.”
“No she glared at me,” Bart said with a smile. “It was a real improvement.”
“That’s not funny,” John said. “I just can’t imagine what your sister and brother in law are going through.”
“I can’t either,” Bart said. “But then I don’t ever plan to have children so I’ll never know.”
“You don’t want children?” he asked, shocked.
“Why would I want to bring new witches into the world?” Bart asked. “I have trouble being around the ones I know.”
“When you put it that way,” John said, shaking his head.
They were quiet for a few minutes after that. Bart was thinking about how awful it would be to bring more witches into the world to misuse their powers and back stab their family. He just couldn’t do it knowingly. He’d whipped up a potion to make sure every time he’d had sex with a woman.
“What do you want to do today?” he asked John as the silence grew.
“I had assumed you’d be in no mood to do anything,” John replied. “So I have no suggestions.”
“It’s probably for the best,” sighed Bart. “I’m not in the right frame of mind to enjoy anything today.”
“So I assumed,” John said. “We can just hang out here all day if you like. I’ll find things in the library to amuse myself today.”
“Sounds good,” Bart said as Lilly came in. “Hello Lilly.”
“How sister?” she asked.
“Not well today,” he said. She nodded.
“I understand we lost son years ago,” she said.
“I didn’t know you’d had a son, Lilly,” he said intrigued.
“His name Kim as well,” she said. “He live twelve years. He die of flu.”
“The flu killed him?” Bart asked appalled.
“Yes,” she said. “He get sick not get better just worse. Then he die. I was sad long time.”
“I bet you were,” he said. “I’m sorry to hear this Lilly.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I go now.”
“All right,” he said.
He was full up on dead sons today. He wanted to just go back to bed but that wasn’t going to happen. He went into the library with John and found a book to read. He was half way through it when the doorbell rang. Lilly appeared a few minutes later with Philippe and Lisette.
“What’s up guys?” he asked.
“It’s very sad at our house so we came over here,” Philippe said.
“Well you’re welcome here any time as long as I’m here,” he said. “Come on in here and sit down.”
“I get drinks,” Lilly said and walked out.
“You’re taking them with you when you leave for school aren’t you?” Lisette asked of Lilly and Kim.
“Yes,” he said. “They’ve agreed to work for me.”
“At least you’ll have people who know you where you go,” she said.
“John knows me and he’ll be at school with me,” he said.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she said, turning to John. “Hello, John.”
“Hi there, Lisette,” he said with a smile. “Hi there, Philippe.”
“Hello, John,” Philippe said.
“So it’s not good at home?” Bart asked them.
“Daddy went back to the office after breakfast and Mother is in the living room cursing him for it,” Philippe said.
“That is when she’s not crying,” Lisette said.
“Well that’s understandable,” Bart said. “Your daddy shouldn’t be holed up in the office either.”
“We know that,” said Philippe. “He just won’t come out.”
“He will eventually,” said Lisette.
“When he’s good and drunk,” Philippe countered.
“Well I wasn’t going to say that, Philippe,” she said, giving him a look.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“So what are you two up to today?” John asked them.
“Nothing much,” Lisette said. “Mother is in a mood so we came over here. Maria is acting weird and Lorette is looking after Josette.”
“Well your mother being in a mood is understandable,” said John. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks,” Philippe said.
“Were you and your brother close?” John asked.
“We’re all close,” Lisette said. “Just not Maria.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately,” said John, eyeing Philippe.
“She’s mean to us most of the time,” Lisette said. “Daddy gets on her for it but she doesn’t stop. When he gets on her she gets worse. She slapped me yesterday.”
“She slapped you?” Bart asked. “Why didn’t you tell your mother?”
“Because she was in her room crying at the time,” she said. “I was going to tell Daddy but he was in the office.”
“So this holing up in the office wasn’t just today?” Bart asked.
“No, he’s been in there since Marcel died,” she said. “Lorette got him out this morning but he’s been sleeping in there. He stinks.”
“I’m sure he does,” said Bart, trying hard not to laugh. “Maybe I should have a talk with him.”
“If he’ll let you,” Philippe said.
“Yes, if he’ll let me,” Bart replied.
“It’s so much nicer over here,” Lisette said.
“No one is crying,” Philippe said.
“And Maria isn’t here,” added Lisette.
“Yes, that’s a good thing,” sighed Philippe.
“She’s nasty to you all of the time?” John asked.
“Not all of the time,” Lisette said. “Sometimes she just ignores us completely.”
“Well that’s probably better, right?” asked John.
“It’s always better when she’s ignoring us,” Philippe said. “We try to stay out of her way. But she’s had Walter over every night this week and she snaps at us if we go in the living room.”
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