“When I bought this place I didn’t want the extra work a house meant, but now that’s not such a bad idea. I’ll be taking over the family business and moving into the main house someday but that won’t be for quite a while.” He said.
The reminder of who Remy was sobered Kendra for a minute. Some day he would be head of one of the largest shipping companies in Europe, it was his destiny. If she tied her life to his, she wouldn’t be able to avoid the notoriety that would accompany it.
Sensing her change in mood, he tipped her chin up and gave her a passionate kiss, then said, “Don’t worry too much about that, my dad is healthy and should be around for a long time. He’ll never give up running the business until he’s forced to.”
“I’m sorry, I guess it’s a little strange that I’m not thrilled that you’re wealthy.” She said.
“Well, that’s why I like you. You’re interested in me for who I am not what I can buy you. Most women would already be planning how to spend my money.” Remy said, shaking his head.
“But now that I think about it, you did just suggest I buy a house.” He said with a laugh.
Kendra gave him a shove, nearly knocking him off the bed. A short wrestling match ensued, which ended abruptly when Remy kissed Kendra into submission.
*****
The next few weeks flew by, Kendra spent every free minute with Remy, who had time to spare and was always waiting for her when she got off work. Paris in summer was a magical place and Remy showed Kendra all the sights. They visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and took a boat on the river. Kendra fell in love with the city and all its charms. Paris had much to offer especially when one was in love.
Kendra and Remy had fallen hard for one another, knowing instinctively that although they were different, they belonged together. Remy slowly introduced Kendra to his world, while she kept him grounded in the real world of working people. Together they made a perfect pair. The fact that they were a mixed race couple was much more accepted here in Europe, people seemed not to notice.
When it came time for Kendra to meet his family, she was very nervous. They had been accepted as a couple by her friends as well as his, but would his family feel the same way. No matter how you looked at it, she was African American and from a poor background. On top of that she had to work for a living. She assumed that the women in his family were mere ornamentation, did charity work, and went shopping. Especially, after what Greta had said about her family wanting her to make a good match for the benefit of the family.
That was not what she wanted to do with her life, she was a chef, it was in her blood and she wouldn’t ever give it up. Remy had accepted that fact, but she worried about what his family would think. She knew that their opinion would be important to Remy, he was deeply devoted to his family, one of the things she loved most about him.
Remy’s family had a big get together every summer, a sort of combination business meeting, family reunion. All the family was invited no matter how distant. Remy’s family had been in France since the early 1800’s and had branched out across not only France but Europe. Since much of the family had joint financial dealings, it had been a time for family business to be handled.
With all the family gathered it had also been a time when marriages, baptisms, and other life celebrations were held. For many it was the one time of the year that they were able to see their families. Travel was much more difficult then so the gathering might last weeks.
Today, it was simply a time for distant relatives to reconnect. Not everyone was able to attend every year, but everyone in the family knew that at least once a year many would be gathered to celebrate. It was the one time of the year that the house was full to bursting, and extra help would have to be brought in to handle all the work.
The grounds were extensive, with small forests and streams, like a small wilderness. In past times the grounds would have been filled with families camping out, today the campers were the young people of the family. Remy had explained that as time had passed and the families hadn’t needed to camp, the young people had taken over. They would spend the entire week out there, playing in the “wilderness”. It had become a rite of passage and the source of many fond memories over the last few generations.
On the last day the entire family would gather on the lawn for a huge dinner and fireworks. Standing tradition was that Remy’s family provided the main course, while the rest of the family brought side dishes and desserts. The meal would last for hours, plenty of time for Kendra to get to know his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kendra was glad she already knew Greta and that Margot would be attending with her.
On the day of the big event, Kendra dressed carefully in one of her new outfits. The white sundress was beautifully cut, hugged her curves, but was still dressy enough to be acceptable. It made her skin glow a lovely brown, the color of cappuccino. Remy was tempted to take it right back off, when he saw her, but decided that could wait for later tonight.
Remy’s family home was about an hour from his apartment, so they took his sports car. With the top down on the convertible, they enjoyed a beautiful drive through the countryside. Kendra tried to keep her nerves under control. She wanted Remy’s family to like her, and she wanted to like them. She was worried they wouldn’t think she was good enough for their son.
Sensing her nerves, Remy grabbed her hand and squeezed, “They’re going to love you just like I do. Don’t worry.”
“I hope you’re right.” She said.
“Just remember, I’ll have to meet your mother someday. Then I’ll be the one nervous and worried.”
The mention of Remy meeting her mother made her feel better somehow. Maybe because that meant that no matter what his family thought, he was still planning a future with her. Able to relax a little, Kendra asked Remy about his family’s history. But before he could answer they rounded a bend in the road and the house could be seen, perched on a hill in the distance.
It was bigger than Kendra could have ever imagined. She had seen pictures of houses like this in books and on television, but never had she dreamed she would be a guest at one. The house sat on an impressive piece of land, with quaint guest cottages that had once been the outbuildings when it had been a working estate. She could see the tents in the woods, and inviting curls of puffy smoke rising from the camp fires.
As they turned up the drive to the house, Kendra tamped down her nerves and tried to slow her heart rate to normal. This would be fun, a chance to meet Remy’s family and eat some wonderful food.
Chapter 5
They had arrived a bit early, but since so many of the family were staying at the house, the gathering was in full swing. Kendra saw Greta and Margot seated across the yard under some big trees. They had cups of tea and were entertaining a group of older women. They waved them over, but before Remy and Kendra could move in their direction, a beautiful woman dressed in a peach colored sundress called Remy’s name.
There was no doubt but that this was Remy’s mother, he had clearly gotten his good looks from her. Extending her hand, she shook Kendra’s warmly, then gave her the customary French greeting. Taking Kendra by the arm she led her away to meet some of the family.
Remy watched them go with a look of amusement on his face. He should have warned Kendra about his mother and the fact that he had never brought a woman to a family gathering before. He and Bridget hadn’t been together long enough. Deciding that Kendra could handle his mother, he wandered off to find his father, who was most likely out by the tennis courts where he would be over seeing the roasting of some huge piece of meat. He knew it would be several hours before he would be able to reclaim Kendra, he might as well spend some time with his father.
Kendra followed Remy’s mother around the yard, as she kept up a steady stream of chatter relating family history as she went. They stopped by group after group of people, each related to the family in some way. As the morning progressed, Kendra began to notice that there were a lot of dark faces in
the crowd. Many had been introduced as one cousin or another. There were many mixed race couples, more than Kendra had ever seen before in one place. She was curious but decided it might be a question for Remy.
She enjoyed the time she spent with Remy’s mother, she was down to earth, nothing like Kendra had imagined. Although the matriarch of the family, she had a career of her own, working as a victims advocate at a local woman’s shelter. She also loved to cook and invited Kendra and Remy to dinner some night to show off her talents.
By the end of the morning Remy’s mother, who had insisted on being called Barbra, had wormed her way into Kendra’s affections. She missed her mother and it was nice to be around another mother figure. She was confused about everything Greta had said about marriage as a business and all that, the night they met.
Barbra had given Kendra every indication that she expected her children to have normal lives, a career of their choosing, a happy marriage, and children if they wished. She spoke of Margot as if she was one of the family. Deciding that she should just ask, she gathered her courage.
“Greta told me that you expect her to marry for connections.” She paused, clearly uncomfortable. “I wouldn’t normally be so forward but it just....”
“Oh, dear. Has Greta been spinning that story again? “Barbra interrupted. “ The truth is I just want her to be happy and clearly Margot makes her happy. But she so enjoys playing the long suffering daughter. It's one of the games she plays. When she came out we were nothing but supportive, in this family we are very open minded and accepting. You’ll see.” Barbra explained, putting her arm around Kendra and leading her to the tables where the food was set up.
To say that there was a lot of food would have been an understatement. If Kendra wanted to taste just a bit of everything it would take her more than a week. She spotted Remy coming up the lawn toward them, smiling broadly, he was helping carry the largest platter she had ever seen. Following them was a procession of men, each carrying their own platter.
They set the platters right in the center of the long tables filled with food. The old dinner gong, which had been brought to the porch, was sounded and people began to line up for the food. Remy’s dad, who Kendra hadn’t met yet, made a brief speech then people began filling their plates.
Remy and Kendra started heading to the line, but his mother and father stopped them.
“Let me fill some plates for you guys, Kendra you haven’t met Remy’s father yet.” She said.
“I’m Martin. It’s nice to finally meet the woman who has so captivated Remy.” He said extending his hand.
“Thank you, it’s nice to meet you too.” Kendra said, blushing, remembering just how captivated Remy had been just that morning.
“I hear you are one of the best chefs to come out of America in quite a few years.” He said, putting his arm around her and steering her toward a table.
“Thank you, cooking has been a part of my life since I was little. I grew up cooking for my family and it just naturally became my career.” She said. Her mother had taught her that it was impolite to brag about your accomplishments.
“I hope I will have an opportunity to sample your work. I’d visit your restaurant but I can’t seem to get a reservation.” He said, laughing.
As they seated themselves, Barbra came by with their plates, piled high with food. Dropping the plates off, she was off again to get food for some of the elderly who couldn’t get their own. She was followed by a group of young people, obviously her helpers.
Kendra had no idea where to start on the huge plate of food but picked up her fork and began to eat. Everything on her plate was filled with a burst of flavor, real French cooking created by hand from the kitchens of Remy’s family was better than she could ever have imagined. Content to sit quietly and eat, she listened as Remy and his father discussed the family.
Kendra noticed that each time Remy brought up the family shipping business, his father quickly changed the subject. Remy kept pushing the matter until his father turned to Kendra and asked if she had heard about their unusual family history.
When she just looked at him, puzzled. He quickly launched into the story of how his family had arrived in Paris in the early 1800’s. According to family legend, the patriarch of the family had left America to return to France in 1809. Mathew had sold his plantation, packed up his belongings and the woman he loved and fled to Paris.
As the oldest son of a plantation owner, his life had been planned out for him. Marriage to a local girl from one of the other plantation families. She would be of good breeding and bring money and land with her as her bride price. He would manage the plantation and the slaves, spending his life just as his father had.
But when he had been 17, a new slave was added to the household staff. Her name was Margaretta, she was the daughter of a slave belonging to the plantation of his betrothed. His soon to be mother in law, wanted her out of the house. She was much too beautiful, and the woman feared her husband would be tempted with her around.
He had been known to mess with the slaves and she only allowed the most homely of slaves to serve in the house. Margaretta had been lucky, most rejected house slaves ended up in the fields. But with the recent marriage contract, she had been given to Mathew’s mother as a gift from his fiancé.
She had been trained as a ladies’ maid, but Mathew’s mother already had her own so she gave her to Sarah, Mathew’s younger sister. They were very close since her rooms were across the hall from his own. It was only natural that he would be one of the first in the house to come in contact with their beautiful new slave.
From the moment he saw her, he was infatuated. Besides being beautiful, she had been taught to speak perfect English with only a slight trace of an accent. That she had only recently been captured and sold into slavery was apparent in her bearing and posture. He had heard of former queens and princesses begin captured and he was convinced she had befallen such a fate.
Margaretta too had felt that tangible thread of attraction when she saw Mathew, but quickly pushed it aside. She was no fool, a slave did not fall in love with her master and this man was her master. She had no idea that Mathew was not the normal slave holder of the time.
Mathew was opposed to slavery, he had grown up with the practice, giving it little thought. However, over the last few years his father had been introducing him to the management of the plantation, including the slaves. He discovered that he found the practice of slavery distasteful.
Like most plantations, the white children played with the slave children until the slaves took their places in the fields or house. Mathew found that many of the children he had played with as a young child had been working the fields for years. He hadn’t really noticed their move to the fields because at that same time he had gone to boarding school.
Now they were beat down, tired, and over worked. Many of the girls were already mothers once or twice over. He was shocked at the way they lived and even more shocked to learn that his father treated his slaves better than most. With the typical passion of youth, he had promised right then and there to free all the slaves when he became master of the plantation.
Mathew managed to spend a great deal of time with his sister, who loved him and was willing to overlook his odd beliefs about the slaves. Thus it was not uncommon to find the three of them locked up in his sister’s sitting room, reading books and discussing current events. It was unheard of to include a slave in these discussions but Margaretta offered a unique point of view and Mathew was always willing to listen to what she had to say.
His sister was either unwilling or unexperienced enough to recognize the budding relationship between her ladies’ maid and her brother so it was easy for them to spend time together without anyone being the wiser. Eventually, the relationship progressed to the point that Margaretta and Mathew began sneaking off together.
When the inevitable happened and they got caught, Mathew was horrified to realize that his father was not even upset, and in f
act was proud of his son’s prowess. Mathew declared his love for Margaretta, his father only laughed and told him to keep it out of the main house. He even offered to build a small house for Margaretta so when he married they would have a place to meet.
Mathew had been so wrapped up in his new found love that he hadn’t given any thought to the future. They would never be able to be together in America, not even in the North. They must go somewhere that was more open and accepting of their union.
He finally found the perfect solution when he attended a secret meeting of abolitionists in the city during one of his visits. It was said that in Europe the stigma of mixed race marriages was nothing like in America, and if you were wealthy, these marriages were even embraced.
From that day forward it became Mathew’s goal to take Margaretta and move to Paris where they could be openly married and live together and raise a family. He found it fitting that his family had come from Paris via the Caribbean several generations ago.
Sadly, his opportunity would only come a few years later when his father passed away. Becoming the heir to the plantation gave him the money he needed to make the move but he would miss his father. Finding a buyer for the plantation had proven easy, his older sister’s husband was willing to pay a fair price for the property, more than enough for a fresh start in France.
He took what he wanted from the house, packed it up along with a few slaves, including Margaretta and sailed for France, he never looked back. When they reached France, the slaves he had brought became free and some of his best employees. Margaretta too became free once they reached France. They were married in a simple ceremony in the first church they could find and the rest was history.
Remy’s father finished the story with a two handed gesture intended to encompass the house, grounds, and family. Kendra was speechless, the reason there were so many dark faces in the crowd was due to the mixed race marriage that had founded this entire empire. It was no wonder that Barbra had been so accepting of her, the bones of this family were based on open-mindedness and tolerance.
Je t'aime: A Billionaire BWWM French Man Marriage Romance Page 5
