| Subject: The New World - Part #30 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 05:33:46 06/15/03 Sun
PART #30
Catherine wondered what she was going to tell Bowregard when she returned home. Should she try to contact him prior to returning home? What would she say? She hoped the written report from Dr. Paul and the sheriff would give the explanation that Bowregard would want. He could read it for himself. She wondered if Bow realized that his cousin was a gambler.
Catherine could not understand why Bowregard hadn’t told her he loved her. Was that true, or was that another of Joshua’s lies? She was going to have to work with Bowregard to decide what to do with Joshua’s ashes. She dreaded having to tell him that she and Joshua had been married. She had decided she would go back to England after she returned to Lake Charles, and disposed of Joshua’s ashes. There had been nothing but grief for her in the Americas.
Seeing the satchel on the table made Catherine wonder how much money was inside. She opened it, and gasped. She could not believe what she saw. There was more money there then she had ever seen all at once. This time she wouldn’t be so stupid. She would pay the doctor and the undertaker; and then she would go to the bank, and have a bank draft made up before she traveled back to Lake Charles.
Catherine put the money in her pillowcase, turned the pillow over, took some of the laudanum and went to bed. Shortly thereafter, she fell asleep.
When Catherine awakened, she realized she had slept for several hours. She heard tapping on her door, and she got up to see who was there. Standing at the door was Laetitia. She said, “Catherine, I have made up some soup; and decided I would bring some over to you. You need something to eat.” Catherine thanked her, and invited her into the room. She placed a tray on the table. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a paper that had the figure written down that Catherine owed Dr. Paul for treating Joshua. Catherine thanked her, and said she would bring the money over when she came to get the written report to take back to Lake Charles.
Laetitia asked if she could do anything for Catherine. Catherine said, “I do appreciate you bringing me some food. Also, it is good to be able to talk to a woman. I haven’t been in this country long; and with no family here, I do feel quite alone.” Laetitia asked, “What will you do now? Will you return to Lake Charles to live?” Catherine said, “Oh no, I will be returning to England.” “Surely you won’t be able to go very soon, will you?” asked Laetitia. “Why do you ask that,” questioned Catherine. “My dear, since you are Joshua’s wife, you will have to settle his estate. That does take some time.”
Catherine gasped; and said, “Oh my, I had not even given that a thought. We were only married for a few hours.” Laetitia said, “That may be true Catherine, but in the eyes of the law, you are Joshua’s wife. That means everything Joshua had now belongs to you.” Catherine said, “I know absolutely nothing about Joshua’s business or plantation there at Lake Charles.” Laetitia said, “Well, you can learn, Catherine. You are a bright woman; I have a feeling you will do fine. Give yourself time to get used to this country, you may find you will grow to love it.” Catherine said, “No offense Laetitia, but I haven’t seen much here in the Americas that would lead me to believe that.”
Laetitia asked, “Does Joshua have family in Lake Charles?”Catherine answered, “As far as I know he has one cousin. I know of no other family.” “Thankfully, he does have the cousin to help you work through the legal work,” said Laetitia. Catherine thought, “Oh, if she only knew.” She doubted that Bowregard had ever done anything legal in his life.” She could hardly bear to think of having to go back and deal with him, but she would have no choice in the matter. She wished she could get on a ship immediately, and sail away from all that awaited her in Lake Charles.
To be continued...
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