"You start with preparing the gravy," she began, and went through the ingredients. Just listening to her talk about the recipe made my mouth water. How lucky we were to have a cook with so much experience, I thought.
Mrs. Swann was clanking dishes and pans as she spoke and walked around the kitchen, so I didn't hear the door chimes and was surprised when Aubrey arrived to tell me there were two gentlemen at the door.
"And there's a policeman, too," he added.
"What? Policeman?"
"Yes, madame."
My chest felt hot and heavy as I rose.
"Where's Pearl?" I asked quickly.
"She's in her nursery with Mrs. Ferrier, madame. They just went upstairs."
"And Monsieur Andreas?"
"I think he's still upstairs, madame."
"Please fetch him for me, Aubrey. Quickly," I said.
"Very well, madame," he said, and hurried out. I looked at Mrs. Swann, who stared at me with curious eyes.
"Troubles?" she asked.
"I don't know. I don't know," I mumbled, and let my feet carry me slowly toward the foyer. Beau appeared on the stairway just as I arrived in the foyer and saw the attorney Martin Bell and another man at the door.
"What's this?" Beau cried, hurrying down the remaining steps.
"Monsieur and Madame Andreas?" the taller of the two men in suits inquired. Beau stepped forward rapidly so he would be at the door before me. I saw the nurse who had come the day before standing behind them and my heart sunk.
"Yes?"
"I'm William Rogers, senior partner of Rogers, Bell and Stanley, As you know from Mr. Bell's previous visit, we represent Monsieur and Madame Octavious Tate of Terrebonne Parish. We're here under court order to take the infant Pearl Tate back to her grandparents," he said, and handed Beau a document. "It's been signed by the judge and must be carried out."
"Beau," I said. He waved me off for a moment while he read.
"This is not true," he said, looking up and attempting to hand the document back. "Madame Tate is not the child's grandmere."
"I'm afraid that's for a court to decide, sir. In the interim this court action," he said, nodding at the document, "will be enforced. She has primary legal rights to custody."
"But we're not the uncle and aunt. We're the mother and father," Beau said.
"The court understands otherwise. The child's parents are both deceased and the grandparents are the primary legal guardians, therefore," Mr. Rogers insisted. "I hope this doesn't become unpleasant," he added. "For the child's sake."
As soon as he said that, the policeman moved up beside him. Beau gazed from one face to the other and then looked at me.
"Ruby. . ."
"No!" I screamed, backing away. "They can't take her. They can't!"
"They have a court order, but it will only be temporary," Beau said. "I promise. I'll call our attorneys right now. We have the best, highest-paid attorneys in New Orleans."
"This court action will be conducted in Terrebonne Parish," William Rogers said. "The child's legal residence. But if you have the highest-paid, best attorneys, they would know that anyway," he added, enjoying his sarcasm.
"Beau," I said, my lips trembling, my face crumpling. He started toward me to embrace me, but I backed farther away. "No," I said, shaking my head. "No."
"Madame, I assure you," Mr. Rogers said, "this court order will be carried out. If you truly have any concern for the child, you'd better adhere to the order smoothly."