Chap.53 The summer of 1858, 1st part, my novel The Boutique Robillard, my Gone with the Wind fantic

Magnolias Mansion (Actually the Palmer House on The Battery, Charleston, South Carolina - source Instagram charlestonsc Photo by @mpeacockmedia)

Saturday, July 17, Magnolias' Mansion, 5 East Battery, Charleston

The "hospitality door” to the street was left wide open to welcome Duncan Vayton's guests.

Gladys Matisson was greeted by Barnabee in the large reception hall, having kept to the exact time indicated on the invitation card.

"Always so punctual, Glad!" John Paxton, who had also just arrived, placed a light kiss on her cheek.

Gladys barely had time to blush with pleasure when Rebecca's voice sounded behind her. Carelessly handing her shawl to the butler, she inspected Gladys from head to toe: "Interesting model..."

To polish the critical edge of his sister's remark, the faithful friend reassured her, "How do you always manage to combine distinction and freshness? That pattern of hazelnuts scattered among the delicate leaves of the hazelnut tree brings out the soft highlights in your hair, my Glad!"

Rebecca looked up at the ceiling in exasperation as she listened to her brother's platitude.

She did not have time to openly mock it, because Duncan Vayton's radiant voice reasoned, "My friends, what a joy it is to welcome the three of you!"

Magnolias Mansion entrance (actually: The Palmer House, the Battery, Charleston, South Carolina)

Taking the conversation on the fly, while kissing the wife of Petyr Matisson, he confirmed: "Your outfit breathes summer. It is lovely."

A rustle of silk beside him made him finally focus on Rebecca: "As for you..." His blue eyes pierced the azure blue taffeta dress, "I am shamelessly jealous of the talent of the tailor who designed this. Probably he had met you before creating it, because the silver embroidery enhances the shine of your eyes."

Delighted that the attention was finally turned toward her, she thanked him by making an elegant turn on herself.

After kissing her on the cheek, and patting his friend’s shoulder, he led them to the dining room.

"Netty has cooked a king's feast. Since she knew us all as children, she knows our guilty pleasures..." He repressed a mischievous smile: "Our gastronomic sins, needless to specify."

Everyone laughed heartily. It was going to be a beautiful evening.

The large dining room of the Gardenias' Mansion sparkled with a thousand lights fueled by the wall sconces and the chandelier, reverberating off the brushed silverware reflected in the mercury pier mirror.

However, to the pomp of the reception room, it was the intimate warmth of the flames, carried by the pair of heavy silver candelabras placed on each side of the table, which made the eyes of the guests flicker joyfully.

The words clashed, interspersed with bursts of laughter. They hardly interrupted when the cook and butler silently broke in to bring in new food, clear away empty dishes or refill glasses. In any case, the two employees were part of the "Vayton family”.

"You did not know that?"

Duncan shrugged helplessly, "To tell you the truth, I have been so overloaded with work and demands that when I am in Charleston, I have to barricade myself in my office to create in peace. Therefore, I must confess that I do not have much time to indulge in the socializing of Charleston's gentry. I regret it even more after hearing the juicy details you both reveal to me.” Looking kindly at Gladys, "You are the only one of us who refuses to see the darkness among our contemporaries. It will remain a mystery how you were able to maintain such innocence on contact with us."

If Gladys appreciated the compliment and blushed, John and his sister pretended to be offended before laughing.

"I shall take Mrs. Vayton as a witness to confirm that we were not bad devils in our youth," John dared to assure; "We missed your Mother and Melina tonight."

"They are invited to the Governor's wife's birthday party. Anyway, when we moved to Magnolias' Mansion, the three of us decided by mutual agreement that our living together would be established in independence. The house is huge, and each of us can have our friends over without either of us being required to attend. Anyway..."

"Anyway, when young Mrs. Vayton finally makes her appearance, you will need your ease."

Having no desire to respond to this last remark, the master of the house made a discreet sign to the butler: "Barnabee, see that a tray of sweet petit-fours is set up in the music room. Bring up a bottle and leave the others in the ice-house for later."

He stood up, immediately followed by his guests, "Dear Friends, let us have a drink upstairs."

All of them walked briskly up the spiral staircase.

Magnolias Mansion staircase (actually Palmer House, the Battery, Charleston, SC, Tates' Bridal Seccion at the Historic Palmer House)

At this late hour, the five-bay windows overlooking the Battery were wide open to enjoy the air that was becoming more breathable after the heat wave endured during the day.

"It was undoubtedly your artistic soul that guided you to select the Gardenias' Mansion. What an enchanting view! The moonlit sea foam miraculously follows the sinuous curves of this front wall... Unless it was more likely the architect who designed these serpentine windows like those of the waves lying on the sand. Together with that pale yellow on the walls glistening in the moonlight... My God! How beautiful!"

Magnolias Mansion, Music parlor (actually The Palmer House, the Battery, Charleston, SC - source Marty Byrd, at Carriage Properties. JLJBackToClassic.com)

Rebecca chuckled, "Gladys, at what age will you stop being so romantic?"

John immediately came to her defense: "Glad is right. This house is a little paradise. No wonder you want to make it your nest!"

Duncan simply nodded in agreement, as he worked to uncork the bottle.

"Champagne! Is there a special event to celebrate? We noticed that you are glowing with happiness. Will you finally tell us the truth?"

Duncan looked at John innocently.

Rebecca backed up his remark: "It is true. So much so that you showed unusual leniency when it came to criticizing the appalling behavior of that gentleman crook Fillys earlier. None of our stories about Charleston's petty scandals shocked you, as if the mirage of bliss you display should absolve all our contemporaries of their sins!"

For once, Gladys agreed with Rebecca. "It is such a pleasure for us to see how happy you seem."

Serving each of his guests a drink, he conceded, "The reason is quite simple: it is because I am delighted to enjoy your presence. Cheers, my friends!"

The silence settled for a few seconds, the time to taste some sparkling and frozen bubbles.

"Let's go to the piazza. Breathing in the ocean spray is the surest complement to digestion after our gargantuan meal."

They stretched their legs along the seven columns of the balcony, admiring the park below them. Then they leaned against the balustrade, smelling the sweet scent of the magnolias lined up along the piazza, while sipping champagne.

Magnolias Mansion's piazza - (Actually The Palmer House's piazza, The Battery, Charleston, SC - source jljbacktoclassic com)

"A few minutes ago, you mentioned my new "nest". What about yours? Have you adjusted well to your new home - well, the left wing of your home?"

"Better than you can imagine." Rebecca answered for her brother. "Day after day, he manages to bring his things to my own home. So much so that he has given up his office and moved into mine."

"That is because...the light coming from Montagu Street is brighter than at the back of the building."

"Especially when you come to work there at night," the owner of the right wing of number 60 retorted ironically.

Embarrassed that his bad faith was so blatant, he conceded, "I promised our parents that I would look after you. So, this is in case eventually you need me..."

Duncan scoffed, "We all know that Rebecca is such a fearful young woman that she is afraid to be alone in her living room. What about your real office?"

"I use it for my business meetings. To put it bluntly, this house has so much space that you become lost and bored by yourself. Why then deprive me of my sister's cheerful presence?"  Saying this, he lightly pinched her cheek to tease her.

She sighed and called Duncan to witness: "I suspected, when I agreed to sell him half of the property that he would be quick to encroach on mine."

The owner of 5 East Battery Street looked at them in turn: "You will never change. Inseparable as in old time. But that's why we love them, isn't it, Gladys?"

Taken by surprise, she did not have the reflex to show her usual enthusiasm.

"How nice it is to see the four of us together again! I have missed our clan." His statement was so heartfelt that Duncan surprised himself.

"Yes! Especially since Gladys and I are finally without the presence of our cumbersome husbands. In a definitive way as far as I am concerned, anyway..." added Rebecca without complex. John gave her a complicit wink.

Satisfied to have her usual target at hand, Rebecca continued to torment Gladys, "Unfortunately for you, this is only temporary. How did you manage to come without him?"

The face that was usually so serene contracted: "He was committed to attending a business dinner. Otherwise, I assume he would have insisted on joining us..." Despite her legendary discretion, she could not suppress a sigh.

John ventured, "Be patient, Glad. Maybe one day... Fate helps us sometimes... Or we can push it. Rebecca and I eventually succeeded in gett…”

Duncan glanced at him, but did not comment.

Henry Mansfield's widow cut him off curtly. "Champagne makes you too talkative, John."

He pursed his lips, realizing that he had entered dangerous territory, and sought to soothe his sister by deflecting the conversation, "Oh, the joggling board! Do you remember it, Rebecca? Come sit next to me." He patted the long board with an engaging air.

Antique South Carolinan joggling-board

Rebecca sighed. "What a child you are, John! Don't you think we are past the age of playing these childish games?"

He laughed happily. "I don't think so at all. I remember we had a lot of fun on that bench at Soft South..."

But she refused to join him, so he found himself alone moving the vibrating board, like a lonely child without a playmate.

"Let's go back inside. Netty will be offended if we do not honor the little treats she lovingly cooked."

They settled into the armchairs except for Rebecca who opted for the meridian bench.

Barnabee had displayed the garnished trays on the two Empire-style pedestal tables near the chairs, along with dessert plates and delicately embroidered napkins.

"Hmm! These tiny pastry cream puffs and fruit mousse tarts are exquisite! They melt under your tongue!"

"Especially since one bite is enough to wolf them down," John added. Let’s see what will happen to them in a few minutes.”

Indeed, soon the elaborate tiered juxtaposition of miniaturized pastries melted like snow in the sun.

Duncan took the opportunity to ring Barnabee to replenish their supply of sparkling wine, and iced tea at Gladys' cautious request, "After the delicious wine at dinner, and a glass of champagne, I am afraid my heart is racing."

She did not notice Rebecca raise her eyebrows to mock her lack of stamina.

John redoubled his efforts to find out why Duncan's blue eyes were shining with excitement. "I applaud your ability to find loopholes in my question. Since you have exhausted them all, would you finally tell us what is making you so perky?"

"Nothing extraordinary. Except that the day after tomorrow I am going to take a few days off. We are going to visit the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia."

"We?"

The two men were resuming their habit of extorting confidences by teasing each other.

He tried to keep his tone as indifferent as possible, but his bright eyes were saying otherwise, "We, that is, Miss Scarlett O'Hara!"

He had turned his sentence in a way to shock them. This he did perfectly when he noticed the stunned look of his three guests.

Gladys, as a rigorous defender of the conventions of upscale society, dared to say aloud what the other two were thinking. Her voice was insecure and her cheeks were burning: "Will you mind my expressing the doubt that it may not be proper to the reputation of a great Southern lady, as Scarlett is, to travel alone in the company of a gentleman?"

Pleased with the spark of the scandal, the heir to the Vayton empire laughed at finally being able to reveal the truth - at least part of the truth... "Alone... That is how it could be interpreted, if we omitted a few chaperones necessary for propriety: my Mother, Melina, and Wade and Ella, Scarlett's two children. Not to mention my mother’s chambermaid, and the children’s governess. Finally, to conclude this long list of members participating in our expedition inside the Vayton's varnish, I will add that my butler will be assisting me, in collaboration with the "George" of Pullman's Palace Car Company. No! Unfortunately for me, the term 'alone' is not really appropriate in this instance."

Gladys barely muted a sigh of relief. Rebecca looked up at the ceiling, as Scarlett was not her favorite topic of discussion.  

As for John, he let out an admiring whistle, "Why do I have the unreasonable impression that this is like a pre-marital trip?"

Although he was dying for a chance to tell the big news, it was out of the question. Duncan had pledged to keep quiet. It was time to shrewdness: "You are wrong. Mother and Melina have found Scarlett charming, and will be delighted to enjoy her company. Also, and most importantly, do not forget that Scarlett is the muse of La Mode Duncan Fashion and a dynamic businesswoman. Like me, she will be passionate about the hall of new textile techniques and will make prolific new business contacts."

John held up the palms of his hands: "So be it! I surrender to your explanation. For now... Although I still say that the Thunder of Georgia will make a perfect Mrs. Duncan Vayton..."

Rebecca said defiantly, "I am sure our circle of Charleston and South Carolina high-end society expects the adored heir of the American elite to marry the most distinguished of Southern Ladies; a perfect hostess who will tactfully supervise the staff; and a wife whose sole function will be to be exclusively devoted to her brilliant husband and their children. In short, The ideal portrait of the future Mrs. Vayton, virtuous, and devout, and whose charitable works will flood the South."

Her sarcastic statement was so unexpectedly outrageous that Duncan, John, and even Gladys burst out laughing.

"What an exciting horizon you promise me, Becca!" His smirk made her shudder; as it reminded her of the one he was used to giving her in private, a few months before.

Duncan Vayton (Actually french actor Michel Le Royer, in 1966 TV Corsaires et Flibustiers.

John was so misty-eyed from his sister's perverse mockery that he was delighted: "And you forgot to add the essential condition, wear a virginal white wedding dress!"

Duncan glared at him, "John!  The girls..."

"Sorry, my Glad! Although you are used to hearing much worse from us, by the way... But my sister shows such bad faith that she still surprises me! The Prince of Haute Couture, whom all the young married women, on both sides of the ocean, fantasize about being his one-night treat, marrying a paragon of virtue! I hope to live long enough to witness it!"

It was Rebecca's turn to flare her nostrils in annoyance. Of course, her brother had found out - somehow - about their intimate relationship.

His friend's tirade may have shocked the upright Gladys, so Duncan reassured her, "Do not believe a word of our childhood friend's nonsense, he is still a joker."

The latter had come to his senses: "This confirms me in the idea that Scarlett would be the perfect wife for you. Unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of enjoying her presence for long. Enough nevertheless to judge that her fiery character and her well-asserted personality would be in symbiosis with yours. Needless to say, her breathtaking beauty would chain you to her - and her bed - for eternity."

As soon as his friend mentioned his Atlanta belle, Duncan's heart beat faster. Of course, his fellow partygoer knew him, and knew how to gauge women. It was obvious that Scarlett's qualities were evident to him as well. Moreover, she had so many others that he had the opportunity to discover... Besides, what man would not be won over by Scarlett? Nevertheless, he could not say it openly, except to break his promise of discretion.

He had to content himself with affirming: “Do not forget that being the Head of the Vayton Empire and the Haute Couture is the best guarantee for my freedom. No moral pressure will influence my choice of the future Mrs. Vayton. As for Scarlett, she is an exceptionally talented and dynamic young woman, whose intelligence equals her great beauty. Whoever gets her hand in marriage will be blessed by the gods."

He was surprised to hear sweet Gladys contradict them: "Scarlett is a remarkable and incredibly attractive young woman. However, since we are only here to discuss hypotheses and suppositions, I confess that I always imagined that you would marry an artist like yourself, fond of fashion, literature, art and culture. But I was probably wrong..."

Duncan did not know how to respond. To get off the subject of marriage, he suggested, "What if we inaugurate the presence of the grand piano at Gardenias' Mansion? We shall take turns playing a piece. That way we can judge who has the rustiest fingers. The honor is yours, Gladys, since you are the most virtuosic among us."

Rebecca, offended, mastered a grimace.

"What a great idea! Good thing you did not abandon it at Soft South, rendered mute under a sheet when it was our musical companion through our teens years!"  

The four friends gathered around the familiar piano.

ooooOOoooo

"What if we went back to the repertoire of our twenties?"

"The first Stephen Foster song we knew was Oh Susannah! (*1) At once, John sang the tune with gusto, following the lively rhythm played by Gladys.

Oh Susanna», 1848, lyrics and music from Stephen Foster

They took turns demonstrating on the keyboard, bursting out laughing when a wrong note was heard.   

When it was John's turn, he grumbled that he would rather skip it. The organizer of the improvised concert shook his shoulder: "Come on! A little energy! Let us see if the expensive piano lessons your parents so inconsistently paid for will have done you any good... Even though, as I recall, their money was poured into the Danaid's barrel!"

They laughed, including John, who accepted that he was a little "behind" artistically, compared to the other three.

"Duncan, you are not being fair to John! He is playing perfectly well!"

Very happy that his natural ally praised his merits again, he thanked her: "My Glad, only you have the musical ear. Come to place you in front of the piano. I am going to interpret, for you alone, the song you loved."

Gladys' cheeks flushed as she heard the first notes of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair. (*2)

Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair, lyrics and music from Stephen Foster, 1854

She lowered her eyes to hide her confusion, as a carefully suppressed memory surfaced, that of her dear friend humming "Oh! I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair, Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air," as he never took his eyes off her. The symbol of her first love. The only ones that counted...

The lyrics of the songs that followed were played with varying degrees of success as the years passed. Gladys was unanimously acclaimed when she interpreted Aura Lee (*3).

Aura Lea», 1861, lyrics W. W. Fosdick, music from George R. Poulton

Rebecca gained the same success with Beautiful Dreamer (*4).

Duncan's mind immediately drifted back to the magical moment when he and Scarlett had danced to that tune, their bodies entwined on the dance floor at dusk. Oh, how he longed to breathe in her perfume, to kiss her where her mother-of-pearl skin was so tender...He pulled himself together: this reception was dedicated to his childhood friends.

Beautiful Dreamer», 1864, Stephen Foster (04/07/1826 1826 –13/01/1864) – published after his death in march 1864

John began to sing When Johnny Comes Marching Home emphatically.

When Johnny Comes Marching Home, 1863,lyrics from Patrick Gilmore

The two brothers-in-arms then reviewed the Confederate songs that had spurred them on in the heat of battle, from To Arms in Dixie to the symbolic Bonnie Blue Flag. They put so much warrior energy into it that they almost shouted themselves hoarse, under the amused look of their two female spectators. (*5 to *7)

To Arms in Dixie», 1861, lyrics from Albert Pike

Bonnie Blue Flag”, 1861, lyrics from Harry McCarthy, music from the Irish air “The Irish Jauting Car”

When they reached the peak of their vocal power for the anthem I Wish I Was In Dixie Land, Rebecca and Gladys followed the tradition of singing the chorus with as much glee as their fellow partygoers. (*8)

Dixie“ or “I wish I was in Dixie’s Land”, 1859, lyrics from Daniel Decatur Emmett – music from W. L. Hobbs

Their loud voices and laughter drifted in from the wide-open windows. Duncan was aware of this, but no one could be bothered by their nightly racket. On the right side, the entire block belonged to the Vayton Residence, with its park that stretched to East Street, the perpendicular street well away from the property and any potential noise pollution. The boulevard was empty of walkers at this late hour of the night. Only, from far and wide, a horse-drawn carriage was driving up the Battery to take a night owl home. In front of them flowed the ocean, whose crashing waves beaching on the seawall competed with their songs.

On the left side, there was only one house nearby. That of the Butlers.

He forced himself not to wince at the mention of his neighbor. He must have returned long ago from his short expedition to Washington with Scarlett. What an opportunist! Thank God it had only been a short round trip. He had full confidence in her for having succeeded in keeping at a safe distance the one who had committed the sacrilege of divorcing her after having made her suffer so much. When I think that he dared to show off with her and her children, at the Centennial party, as if he was still the head of the family!

 With vengeful pleasure, he hoped that their mirth would disturb him. It was but the faintest harbinger of the ecstatic state he would die to display before him when it came time to announce his engagement to Scarlett, the former Mrs. Butler....

Having spent their energy stock, they decided to choose a calmer repertoire. But so much more melancholic!

For, under Rebecca's pianist’s fingers, the first notes of When This Cruel War Is Over rose, and throats tightened.

When This Cruel War Is Over” (South) or “Weeping Sad and Lonely” (Noth) 1861, solo feminine voice, like Rebecca sang it. : A Civil War Ballad from Opus 1861

They instinctively moved closer together around her, as if their proximity was a source of comfort.

Duncan's critical mind, always on the lookout even when he seemed to be in complete harmony with the others, wondered if, underneath the happiness the four of them displayed in living in 1876, financially comfortable and without worrying about tomorrow, the tragedy of the war was not latent. Perhaps their harmonious life was only a facade, to better hide their pain?

Only Rebecca was singing, but her fingers began to imperceptibly slow down the pace. She was moved. He understood. He understood her. Oh yes, he did! How heartbroken she was to be separated from her brother and fear for his life!

This one, perceiving physically the mood of his sister, put himself behind her and kissed her hair tenderly. What put an end to the song.

To break the melancholy that had invaded the room, Duncan decided to close the evocation of the war by taking to the piano to interpret Carolina, so dear to their South Carolina. And which had become the glorious symbol of his fashion show and the magical appearance of his Thunder of Georgia... (*10)

Carolina, music from Armand Edward Blackmar

"Let us try to sing a canon like in the good old days."

Gladys, so eager to bring perfection to any action, observed, "But it won't have the same effect as when there were six of us shifting our voices, Duncan!"

He became annoyed, "Always the perfectionist, Gladys!"

And that put an end to their choir. In any case, the palates had dried up from the exaggerated vocalizing.

ooooOOoooo

Ringing Barnabee again - the perfect employee had realized that it would be a long night for him too - he asked him to prepare a fruit platter, as well as two champagne buckets filled with ice, and iced tea, so that he would not have to bother him too often.

"And lemonade, please!" This time, Rebecca judged that it was more reasonable for her to give up the euphoric elixir; otherwise, she would be too demonstratively intoxicated.

Therefore, the two men took advantage of the last drops of the bottle.

Perhaps it was the late hour? Or the number of bottles already emptied? Or because there were only four of them, and this intimacy was taking them back to their childhood and teen years?

For all of these, the four friends allowed themselves to release their posture.

And to bring back the old times when none of them were obliged to "hold their rank" and respect the conventions of 19th century society, which demanded a strict rigorism, especially in high society.

At the time when life was smiling to these four privileged young people.

At a time when only their immediate pleasure mattered.

Whatever it was, this unusual situation drove away their inhibitions and transported them to a bright past.

"I do not know if it is the barometer that has not moved a degree or the champagne and singing that is giving us the vapors, but the heat is overwhelming. Let us get comfortable my friends!"

The two men rolled up the sleeves of their shirts and got rid of the shackles of their ties.  Gladys dared to free timidly - oh! so timidly -, some millimeters of her wrists covered with fine muslin and settled comfortably in the armchair.

As for Rebecca, her outfit, already summery, lightened up by discreetly loosening the bow of the ribbon surrounding her lace bustier, slightly accentuating the generous cleavage. The change was discreet, but it was enough for her to find herself even more desirable, surrounded by her two favorite men. Why should not benefit of the day bed? She folded elegantly her legs, hidden under meters of silk, along the rich padded upholstering.

To make it clear that it was no longer time for postures, John sat down on the floor. Not surprisingly, at the foot of the meridian bed. Duncan also found the Oriental rug more relaxing than a seat, and propped his back against the legs of an armchair.

Thus made, they were reproducing, without realizing it, their poses in the winter garden.

They took advantage of the restored silence for a moment to enjoy their drinks, the alcoholic ones of the two men starting to make their heads spin.

"This evening is a treat. How long has it been since the four of us have been together?"

"Oh Ages!"

"Yes," John added. “I can even tell you exactly the year and month: August 58!"

"Ah yes! The summer of 1858..."

"How entertaining our games were in those days!" Gladys did not realize that her exclamation made her three friends look up.

Duncan could barely keep a teasing tone out of his voice, "Our games? What games, Gladys dear? The ones we used to play when we were ten years old, learning to recognize the flowers in the winter garden? At thirteen, when we went too deep into the undergrowth for hide-and-seek?”

John offered, "Or the games we were initiating at 17 when..."

Rebecca interrupted him, "Our walks around the lake were my favorite. Especially when the storm was threatening..." Her strong allusion was exclusively reserved for one person. Between them flew images of feverish kisses under the flooded shed.

"Ah, the lake in the summer..." Duncan closed his eyes to better recall other visions. "The heat, your waves of laughter... We used to set up big blankets under the trees so you, girls, could enjoy the fresh air, while being protected from the sun. You had better been careful not to get any sand on your lovely summer dresses, or your four Mammies would scold you. You were watching John and me from afar while we were doing speed swimming competitions."

"You forget about Bert. He even used to beat you sometimes."

Duncan swiped his hand violently across his face, as if trying to swat away an unwanted fly. His voice hissed like a whip, "That thick brute only had the age and the extra three years to argue with me about anything..."

"You are exaggerating! He had many other qualities, aesthetic ones... "

This time, the two men gave her an angry look of disapproval.

Gladys, deaf to the start of a dispute, continued to remember: "My favorite game was the words game we played in the conservatory. Do you remember that? We would pick an ending at random and it was who could find the most consonants."

"You were unbeatable in this exercise, Glad. At least when it came to English vocabulary. Until we discovered the French rhyming dictionary."

 "Let us be frank. The summer of 1858 brought us gigantic progress in French, far more than West Point ever did."

Sarcastically, Rebecca scoffed at her brother's assertion, "I doubt you would have had an opportunity to place in the West Point lecture hall that type of vocabulary!"

He laughed, and pulled Duncan along with him:

"You are right. What precious words we learned that year... The most palatable words in the French language. Do you remember? Our favorites ended with the rhyme 'age'."

Gladys thought for a moment before proudly announcing in French: "Papotage" (Chatting) and “Bavardage”. (Gossiping)

John nodded his head. "Well done on your memory, Gladys."

"Persiflage!" (Mocking)

The three friends congratulated Rebecca with a smirk because the word fit her like a glove.

"Try again. There were more choices."

"Oh! “Mariage” (Wedding) Gladys blushed retrospectively so much this word had made her dream.

This time, the three accomplices did not hide their mischievousness anymore in front of the wife - but still innocent - of Petyr Matisson.

John, aware of his power over the romantic young woman, used diplomacy: "Indeed, Marriage was on our list. But the words I am thinking of are not necessarily listed in that order, after marriage. They do, however, evoke attractive things..."

Their silent reflection was disturbed by Duncan's tinkling laughter.

"A word is on my lips. By the way, don't you think we make a pretty picture, tuned to the Aubusson tapestry of the armchairs, with its gallant figures of the French eighteenth century, the gorgeous Rebecca languishing on the broken duchess, and us slouching on the floor? Especially you, John, with your head against your sister's frilly skirt!"

She did not even react. They were so used, "in the old days", to hold each other in the intimacy of their "clan".

Having understood the allusion, her brother approved by giving him a wink: "If I dared, I would add that it has a perfume of end-of-regime decadence - that of the French king Louis XV, of course."

The deceptively innocent gray eyes looked at the two masters of the game in turn, and she said victoriously, "I think I have got it!"

"That does not surprise me about you, my dear Sister." He leaned a little more against her skirt. "Let us see if Duncan remembers."

"There is no challenge. The answer is childish - though, in this case, not child-friendly. The three 'images' you refer to were familiar to me at least four years before the summer of '58."

"Um... Didn't happen to learn them from the Smith Library dictionary, did you?" With a sidelong glance, a wink, and an intonation laden with innuendo, it was obvious that the two friends of over thirty years had regained their full complicity.

Duncan turned a deaf ear: "Libertinage" (Libertine) and "Dévergondage" (Debauchery). All the richness of the 18^th-century French language to describe outrageously decadent situations in our puritanical social circle. Bravo! It would have been doubtful if you had forgotten them after having practiced them so much in France!"

The two men tried to contain their licentious allusions, especially in front of Gladys, but it was all the more difficult as they had to start another bottle of champagne.

Rebecca was at the show. How good it was to be able to relax, in an atmosphere of delicious eroticism!

As for Gladys, who had never been fooled by her friends' amusements, she was not really outraged by their language.  What horrified her, however, was to see that once again the tender John was at the feet of that minx Rebecca. And that she was distractedly caressing his hair - as she would do it with a pet.

"You forgot the third one. And yet, it is as familiar to you as it is to me. Let us see... Oh, I remember it. It began with the letter d.” Rebecca's brother was hilarious. He looked at the three of them, and was about to say the first syllable: “Depuc.." (Deflow..) (*11)

Duncan regained some of his composure: "John! Watch your mouth. The Girls..."

"Of course, Gladys...and her chaste ears"...he added with a knowing wink to her. "My Glad who knows us perfectly since we were teens, without judging us. Perfect Glad!"

This one blushed. For the familiar wink or for what could have been interpreted as a declaration. If only...

John had had the reflex to rise and to thank his faithful supporter by a kiss on the cheek, but the tentacular fingers of his sister started exploring with more insistence his hair. Plenty satisfied, he preferred to remain coiled comfortably against the silky folds of her skirt.

A zest of irony to the lips, Rebecca said to herself that the two men had taken care to protect the modesty of this saintly hypocrite all the evening, and that John had not quoted her while falsely apologizing for his excesses of language. In the state of daze where alcohol, laughter, and nostalgic memories plunged them, they were more and more uninhibited, and her brother particularly.

Nevertheless, she did not hold it against him to not pretend. The invitation to her former lover's house was a breath of freedom that all three of them - without the gullible Gladys, of course - had the luxury of breathing, for once, in their lives regulated by moral conventions and social status.

If the gallant atmosphere, which exhilarated them this night, was a unique occasion that would not reproduce anymore, at least they had to benefit from it greedily because they had deserved it well. She addressed silently to the man kneeling in front of her: Especially you who damned yourself to be able to eliminate the other, the one who had made the fatal error of wanting to separate us.

Tomorrow, when they met Duncan or Gladys again, they would instinctively reproduce the rules of respectability, deportment, and propriety in which they had been raised, and in which they were comfortably content.

 But in this aphrodisiac-scented night, when the ghosts of their libertarian youth took possession of them again, they had decided to lower their guard. It was the intimate meeting of accomplices who, in turn, had been the confidants of the secret of the other, protected it, or presumed other dissimulations by crosschecking clues, indiscretions... Even the prudish Gladys... If her ridiculous inclination for John was only a harmless hiding, what did she know about them, what did she suspect?

Her brother's voice put an end to her conjectures: "To conclude this lexicographical conversation, we must admit that the summer of ‘58 allowed us to become masters of French pronunciation - At least, of its most pungent terms!"

Duncan admitted, almost regretfully, "It is true that, for all of us, those words found a different flavor that summer."

After this etymological exchange of arms, they fell silent to better project themselves almost twenty years back.

ooooOOoooo

Rebecca on Empire meridienne (Madame Juliette painted by Jacques-Louis David 1800)

"How nice to have the four of us together again, just like we used to be at Soft South," Rebecca said. She languidly stretched her arms along the back of the meridian bed.

Gladys, happy to finally contradict her, corrected, "You seem to forget that there were six of us in those days."

Rebecca shrugged and took on an annoyed look. "Seven to be precise, and only for a short time of the year."

Duncan, who had been silent during the women's exchange, imperceptibly straightened his back against the chair legs.

"That is true. Dear Soft South, an authentic bastion of South Carolina, was settled every summer by the French! Well, by three families, but how waging they were!" John, pleased with his choice of words, waited for their reaction.

When they did not give him the pleasure of commenting, he continued, "One in particular. Um... What was her name again?"

Duncan sighed lazily to indicate that he was not interested in the subject.

The other insisted malignantly "Remember! She had long black hair..."

Duncan nodded, sweeping his hand away with a bored expression, which elicited a mocking grin from his friend.

"Didn’t it sound like the title of our song?"

Gladys helped him, "Lorraine, similar to one of the provinces of France."

"Ah yes! The laughing Lorraine! Like Lorena! As sparkling as that champagne!"

Duncan clicked his tongue in annoyance to end his insistence, "Indeed, I remember now."

This earned him a well-punished mockery: "You have shown yourself to be a better comedian at those times..."

Rebecca snapped, "You two are such hypocrites! Lorraine Smith spent as many summers at her family estate on the banks of the Stono River as the four of us. Do not pretend you have put her out of your mind. The summer of '58 almost ended in a fistfight between the two of you, and it took a long time to make up. That was because of that cheeky girl, wasn't it?"

The two men looked at each other intensely to see who would be the most discreet.

Rebecca pouted disgustedly, "You remember it perfectly. And for good reason. The three of you “played' together enough."

John turned amused by her unexpected jealousy. He winked at his friend, "As the old proverb that Bert taught us, "Hand games, naughty games!"

"Bert..." The Gardenias Mansion’s master held back from pitting the name spoken with contempt on the floor.

His three childhood friends decided it was time to taste the delicious fruit diced by the cook so that it could be grabbed with a fork.

It was best to let the feisty Duncan Vayton release the nervousness that had gripped him at the mention of Bert.

Anyway, it would be a long night, and they still had interesting memories to talk about together.

ooooOOOoooo

Author : Arlette Dambron.

#gone with the wind, #gone with the wind fanfiction, #palmer house Charleston, #Charleston, #stephen foster, #confederate songs, weeping sad and lonely, Carolina, #when this cruel war is over, #historical novel, #lorena, #music 1860s, #confederate music

Chap. 54. Summer of 1858, 2nd part. My novel The Boutique Robillard, my fantic of Gone with the Wind - Mémoire de nos Anciens

Saturday, July 17, Magnolias' Mansion, 5 East Battery, Charleston The four friends pecked greedily at the diced peaches and the strawberries that were soaked in juice. "Hmm... This reminds me of the

https://alarecherchedutempsperdu.over-blog.com/2023/05/chap.54.summer-of-1858-2nd-part.my-novel-the-boutique-robillard-my-fantic-of-gone-with-the-wind.html

Weeping Sad and Lonely - Elizabeth Foster

Note on Chapter 53.

(*1) "Oh Susanna", 1848, words and music by Stephen Foster - Youtube, Oh Susanna, Original 1848 Lyrics - sung by Tom Roush - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSIj17xbAyk&list=LL&index=30

(*2) Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair, words and music by Stephen Foster, 1854 - youtube, Tom Roush, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWEWGc2b5Vw&list=LL&index=21

(*3) "Aura Lea", 1861, lyrics W. W. Fosdick, music George R. Poulton - Youtube, "Aura Lea", Tom Roush - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrzSRqOgCuA&list=LL&index=21

(*4) "Beautiful Dreamer", 1864, Stephen Foster (04/07/1826 1826 -13/01/1864) - song published posthumously in March 1864.  Youtube, "Beautiful dreamer, sung by Bing Crosby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtgklHQ52WE

(*5) "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", 1863, lyrics by Patrick Gilmore, Youtube, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, performed by the 2nd South Carolina String Band,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WidYqC6SMd8

(*6) "To arms in Dixie", 1861, lyrics by Albert Pike: version adapted for the Confederate military. Youtube, "To arms in Dixie"- Video from "Gods and Generals" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd1oA47Ti0I

(*7) "Bonnie Blue Flag", 1861, lyrics by Harry McCarthy, music based on the song "The Irish Jauting Car". Youtube, "Bonnie Blue Flag", from the movie "Gods and Generals", 2nd South Carolina String Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJREcH4Y4tE

(*8) "Dixie" or "I wish I was in Dixie's Land", 1859, lyrics by Daniel Decatur Emmett - music by W. L. Hobbs -. Youtube, "Dixie", 2ndSouthCarolinaBand - Live performance by the 2nd South Carolina String Band at the 2010 re-enactment of Cedar Creek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQX12S9YI&list=LL&index=44

(*9) "When This Cruel War Is Over" (South) or "Weeping Sad and Lonely" (North) 1861, version performed by a woman, like Rebecca : A Civil War Ballad from Opus 1861 - : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4wpaB01e_I She's Folks!

(*10)Carolina, music by Armand Edward Blackmar.  - Youtube, Carolina, Tom Roush, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbwjARzTqAA&list=LL&index=19

(*11) the word that John does not dare to pronounce in full: “Deflowering”.

Chap. 54. Summer of 1858, 2nd part. My novel The Boutique Robillard, my fantic of Gone with the Wind - Raconteuse d'histoires, Historical Romance

Saturday, July 17, Magnolias' Mansion, 5 East Battery, Charleston The four friends pecked greedily at the diced peaches and the strawberries that were soaked in juice. "Hmm... This reminds me of the

https://alarecherchedutempsperdu.over-blog.com/2023/05/chap.54.summer-of-1858-2nd-part.my-novel-the-boutique-robillard-my-fantic-of-gone-with-the-wind.html

Reviews from readers of fanfiction.net and archiveofourown.org, on chapter 53 of The Boutique Robillard:

Car. Chapter 53. 19 Jun 2023 : Hand down best Gone with the wind fanfic!!! So well written and researched. Please don’t stop!

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Guest chapter 53 . May 14/ Oh la la! Apologies no accents. It seems Duncan will not be the only one in for a surprise. Duncan has no idea that Rhett Butler’s cast off is a ‘Good Catholic Girl’ at heart. Thank you for your continued efforts, they are still greatly appreciated.

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Win. chapter 53 . May 13: This was a really interesting window in their past

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Kle. chapter 53. May 13: It's strange to see Duncan after the New York chapters. He's no longer essential, and it's clearer that he's too different from Scarlett. They already have their own lives, separately, and it's almost impossible to reconcile them.

Jen. chapter 53 . May 11: Another great chapter. Thank you!

Reviews of Readers of my Gone with the fanfiction The Robillard Boutique - Mémoire de nos Anciens

Hereunder are the reviews of the readers of my historic novel "The Boutique Robillard, updated on April 16 2023, which has been edited online since March 18, 2021, on two famous fan fiction ...

https://alarecherchedutempsperdu.over-blog.com/2022/02/reviews-of-readers-of-my-gwtw-fanfiction-the-robillard-boutique.html

Chapter 1. The Divorce, The Boutique Robillard, my Gone with The Wind fanfiction - Raconteuse d'histoires, Historical Romance

Rhett Butler to Scarlett 0'Hara : "Franky, my dear, I don't give a damn!" (picture from the movie Gone with the Wind) Atlanta, September 1873 "I don't give a damn." This harsh sentence, pronounced ...

https://alarecherchedutempsperdu.over-blog.com/2021/04/chapter-2.divorce.html