Praying that his brother would understand, he said, "Ever since Marie-Blanche died, I have been thinking of Sun Woman. After five years of life together, I left her and our little son. Lately I have been seeing her and my son, Gray Cloud, in dreams. I know God wants me to make amends to them."
Pierre felt sweat break out on his forehead and upper lip. Why must Raoul stir up such turmoil with his hatred? Couldn't Raoul understand that not all red people were like the ones he had encountered? Pierre saw Sun Woman in his mind, so strong and wise, holding the hand of their grave, brown-eyed boy. How beautiful they were.
Elysée said, "I do not believe that Le Bon Dieu announces his intentions in dreams, Pierre."
Always the cynic. Papa had read too much Voltaire.
Elysée turned to Raoul. "But, Raoul, it does seem simple justice, what Pierre wants to do."
"What about justice for me?" Raoul came back. "Isn't this my home as much as Pierre's?"
Stung by Raoul's bluster, Pierre said, "Raoul, you live more at your trading post than you do in this home."
To Pierre's surprise, Raoul's face reddened, making Pierre wonder what, exactly, Raoul was doing at the trading post. It had seemed natural that he would spend most of his time there, since Papa had given him the Illinois Fur Company when he divided his property between the two of them. But perhaps it was not only work that kept Raoul at the trading post night after night. A woman? Pierre found himself hoping it might be. A woman could be good for Raoul, civilize him a bit.
He had slept there last night. How, then, could he have learned about Pierre's plans for Sun Woman and Gray Cloud?
Is someone in our household spying on me?