That wasn’t how her husband had explained it. “According to Rene, they loved each other, but they weren’t very demonstrative.”

Her mother nodded. “I would certainly say they were restrained. That’s the funny thing. A marriage can look one way on the outside and be different behind closed doors. I would hate to have you in that position.”

“I assure you he didn’t marry me for money.”

“No, but he did marry you for the company’s sake,” her mother said.

She’d started to doubt that. Not that he hadn’t taken advantage of the situation, but that he’d truly only married her to save his position. “He claims this has been his plan for a while. Oh, and also, Dre knows he’s wanted to explore this relationship with me since I was in college. I’m having a talk with big brother if he ever comes home.”

The surprised look on her mother’s face let Sylvie know her brother hadn’t been talking. “Yes, I have some questions for that boy, too. But I want you to think about what I’m saying. Sometimes we fall into habits we learned as children. Rene learned to distance, and you learned to never give up on something you want. That’s what I’m worried about. I’ll keep your secret. And Delphine and I will talk about how to handle Charles. Boy needs a spanking from fate. That’s the best kind, and it’s been coming for him for a long time. I’m going to get some of his hair next time I see him. You know the best spells have some DNA in them.”

Her mom started up the stairs, and Sylvie shook her head and followed. She walked into the big entryway, and Rene, Cricket, Delphine, and Louis were all in the front parlor. There was a tray of coffee someone had placed on the sideboard, the smell of chicory calling to her.

“Louis was telling us all how he went out to look for us this morning.” Rene stood at the sideboard. “He took his boat out earlier, but he didn’t see hide nor hair of us.”

“I made him go out as soon as it was safe to do it. I was terribly worried. I cried all night.” Cricket was still in her clothes from yesterday, her eyes tired, but she smiled as she opened her arms. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re all right. I couldn’t rest thinking about the worst things that could happen to you.”

“I told her that you two would be perfectly fine,” Delphine announced. “It helped that Louis knew where you had gone. The two of you grew up here. You wouldn’t let a little storm take you out.”