JADE STAR by Catherine Coulter

‘No longer just a mother, thank God,’ Delaney said, a satisfied grin on his lips. ‘You take it easy, Del, you hear? Little

Alexandra is only three months old. You give Chauncey all the rest she needs.’

Delaney Saxton raised a sardonic eyebrow. ‘I? You know very well that my wife’s insatiable, Saint. I have nothing to say in the matter.’ He bumped his fist against his forehead and shook his head. ‘Good Lord, what a man will tell his doctor! You’re worse than a damned priest!’

Saint laughed, a rumbling sound deep in his massive chest. ‘Come on, boy, let’s have some lunch. You’re looking peaked!’

‘Boy? I’m the same age as you, old man.’ Del spoke briefly to his partner, Dan Brewer, then the two men strolled onto Montgomery Street.

There was a light blanket of fog, typical for June in San Francisco, and it was chilly enough to appreciate vests under coats. They wove their way through the masses of humanity to Saint’s favorite restaurant, Pierre’s Culinary Establishment.

They both drank beers while waiting for Pierre’s bouillabaisse. ‘I wonder how Byrony and Brent are doing,’ Saint said after a moment.

‘Knowing Brent, he won’t write. He’ll just show up in a couple of months, richer than he was when he left. Fact is, he should, of course-, what with his father’s plantation to deal with. In Natchez, isn’t it?’

‘That’s what Byrony told me. Named Wakehurst. I wonder how the two of them will deal with all the slaves. I can’t imagine Byrony liking the fact that people are actually owned. And Brent’s been away from that kind of life for a long time.’

‘Well, I just hope he and Byrony mend their fences while they’re gone. I’d sure like to see them united when they get back.’ Del paused a moment, shaking his head. ‘Ira and his dear half-sister, Irene, are still behaving with a bit of nastiness.’

‘You believe in divine justice, Del?’ Saint asked.

‘Not particularly. Why?’

Saint shrugged. ‘I think the Butlers are a bit overdue for it. It still upsets me to think of Byrony married to Ira and considered the mother of his half-sister’s child.’

‘Incest,’ Del said with distaste, ‘is something I simply don’t understand.’

Saint didn’t reply, his eyes on the huge serving of bouillabaisse Jacques had set in front of him.

Del said in an aggrieved voice, ‘I got about half as much as you, Saint.’

‘Well, you’re about half my size, and besides – ‘

‘I know. Pierre owes you favors.’

‘Yeah. Remember when he burned himself real bad a couple of months ago? I accepted payment in food. My housekeeper’s cooking just can’t compete with Pierre’s.’

Delaney laughed and spooned down a bite of the delicious fish stew. They spoke of their mutual acquaintances and compared impressions of new arrivals in San Francisco.

‘More and more families, thank heaven,’ Saint said. ‘In a couple of years maybe we’ll be rid of our rough reputation. Never seen so many horny men as in this city.-‘

‘Nor so many happy prostitutes. This is also a town where women can make their fortunes.’

Saint grunted something that Del didn’t understand, but he didn’t ask for enlightenment. Saint didn’t approve of prostitution.

‘You want to come over for dinner tomorrow night?’ Del asked after a moment. ‘Chauncey would like to see you, and Alexandra, of course.’

‘Sorry, but I’m kind of committed.’ ‘Ah, the widow Branigan.’

‘Jane’s a good sort,’ Saint said calmly. ‘Besides, one of her boys has a bit of a cold.’

‘Are you going to marry her, Saint?’

‘You shackled men,’ Saint said with mock disgust, a twinkle in his hazel eyes. ‘None of you is happy unless all us carefree bachelors join you.’

‘Well, if you had a wife, you wouldn’t have to take favors in food.’

‘Just because a woman has different parts, Del, doesn’t mean she can cook.’

21

Delaney laughed, and toasted Saint with the rest of his beer.

‘Looks like you’re a healthy young horse again, Joe,’ Saint said, ruffling the towheaded little boy’s hair. ‘Not to worry, Jane,’ he said to Joe’s mother, who was hovering behind him. ‘The lad’s just fine now.’