Luisa: The Orphan Tale

Part XVIII: Home

Everyone spent a few more days in La Rochelle than intended as to allow for Dubois' convalescence. He soon recovered, much to the elation and relief of Luisa, he may be old but she wants him around a few more years yet.

They then set off towards Brest once Dubois indicated he felt healthy enough to. Frederic joined Dubois' carriage as those two couldn't seem to get enough of each other. They always talked and recalled stories and laughed, as they drank the trip away with wine and brandy.

Finally they arrived home in Brest and they pulled up in front of Dubois Manor. With much excitement she made Chloe and Elise poke their heads out of the carriage and gaze upon her dwelling, it was now theirs too.

"Ta da! I present Dubois Manor!" She said with grandeur.

"Oh Luisa! It's grander than I'd imagined!" Elise remarked in wonder.

"You'd think M. Dubois was a Duke or a Count with a house this large!" Chloe commented.

"Banking can be just a lucrative as nobility." Luisa said with a wry grin.

Luisa hopped out of the carriage and took her two lovers' hands and helped them gently down.

Frederic, Dubois and Genevieve had just exited their carriage as well.

"Well, Frederic?" Luisa asked. "What do you think, my man?"

"Big!" He said simply as his eyes widened at the sight.

"Well we can stand and gawk or we can go inside out of the cold!" Dubois said and he was right as that evening was gray and cold enough to see your breath upon the air.

They all entered and Dubois sent a servant to fetch the luggage and send it to the appropriate room.

"I don't mean to offend if I do but, Frederic I assume you'd prefer a ground floor room?" Dubois asked cautiously.

Frederic lightly smiled and chuckled. "That would be wonderful. Stairs are manageable but tiring." He said.

"Ah so another thing on which we can agree!" Dubois laughed. "Though I have bad joints to blame for my aversion to staircases." He giggled.

"Pish! Your joints are fine, you're just lazy!" Luisa teased.

"Maybe." Dubois said averting his eyes from his daughter's glare that was known to turn rather icy at times. "Anyway. Chloe, Elise. I'll have the tailor sent for in about two weeks, I think she's free then, to come and measure you and she'll make the finest dresses in all of Brest, if not France, for you." He said smiling under his gray and black beard.

"Oh! That's unnecessary." Chloe said humbly. "Our dresses are fine enough."

"Nonsense! You need to match the look of your girl there!" He said pointing at Luisa with his cane.

"If you insist." Chloe said nodding her head, relenting out of politeness.

"Excellent! She will be here in the morning probably, in about two weeks time." He smiled. "If you all don't mind, it's already late and I tire so. Dinner will be skipped tonight so feel free to fetch anything you fancy from the pantry." He said. "I'll be off to bed now." He said as he bowed and everyone bowed back respectfully and he waddled off towards his room past the staircase.

"I'll head off too. Luisa, show them around and then be off to bed yourself. You've all a busy morning." She said as she excused herself.

Luisa did just as she said and showed everyone around the grounds of Dubois Manor, which was mainly just inside and the modest garden out back.

Chloe and Elise were in absolute awe, ohhs and ahhs left their lips as they traveled around the ornate old house, whereas Frederic remained in a state of quiet admiration, a faint smile perpetual across his lips.