Secrets of the Blue House (6)
If you are starting here, please read the story thus far (if you haven’t already) before continuing.
While they were talking, Gervais had finished his cigarette and he stopped pacing long enough to get another one. “I hope you don’t mind me asking: why did you answer my letter? For someone who barely believed his mother’s family existed, you seemed quite interested in following this lead.”
“It’s not that I thought my mother had no family, it’s that I didn’t know who they were. When someone claiming to be your rich relative says that you are the probable owner of a large house, it’s natural to want to investigate.”
Gervais cracked a smile, which seemed extremely uncharacteristic. “Then, I am sorry to inform you that you don’t actually own the house, yet.” He remained standing and slowly smoked the new cigarette, taking in Nick’s appearance so long that it took all Nick had not to squirm.
“It’s interesting,” Gervais finally said after what felt like a long while, “you look nothing like your mother.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint.”
“No, no. It’s not a disappointment. It’s just…interesting.” Gervais continued smoking his cigarette and staring before he finally said, “Luckily for you, I believe you are who you say you are.”
He put the cigarette out in a glass ashtray sitting on the nearest coffee table and walked over to the door to the hallway. Pressing a well camouflaged button, he said, presumably to an intercom, “please bring the copy of the family tree, Edna.”
Within a few moments, the round lady who answered the door entered the parlor carrying a sheet of paper. Gervais thanked her and set it down on the table between Nick’s and his chairs. Gervais sat down again and gazed at the paper as if it were an old friend.
“I copied this out for you earlier today in an effort to help explain the situation. This is just a portion of the tree, but I started here at your great grandfather, Nicolas Fontaine, who happens to be my great uncle. You can see how the line splits here and how your mother and I are second cousins.
“Traditionally, all of my money would go to my son as he is my eldest and only heir. But I do not want to give him everything and have decided to give you a little something for your still being a relation.
“This house was designed to be an almost exact replica of the guest suite in the east wing of the Chateau de Fontaine in France. It is my way of connecting to the family castle that I love so much. My son, however, prefers to live in France and, having no need for a house in America, has made it clear that he wants to destroy the house and sell the property. I am much to attached to this estate, so I am willing to give the house—and just the house—to you. Everything else in it belongs to my son along with any money I still have at my death.
“I’m not sure about your intentions regarding staying here in this region. I thought since you were not directly involved with Fontaine affairs you might feel better about staying here with the house. But, on that same note, there is nothing here that is particularly sentimental to you. So, I will give you a week to decide whether or not you want this house and its property.
“Until then, perhaps you would like a tour of this house and the grounds?”
Nick stood up and Gervais followed his lead. “That sounds good to me.”
Author’s comments on post 394: Part 2 of the section I wrote on Saturday. This is just a little break in the story for more description, this time of the house and grounds. I am actually very excited to get to this part since it is a chance for me to be most creative. I know that this might not be the most interesting part of the story, but I will try to make it entertaining and really, there isn’t much action in the tale as a whole. Hopefully you’ll all enjoy it.
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