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“Tell me about your family, if that’s not too much to ask,” he said.
“What do you wish to know?”
“Are you related to all those people I saw downstairs?”
“Yes. My grandmother Fanny had nine children. Six boys and three girls. Most of the people you saw are my cousins.”
“So how are the people who were up here with us related?”
“Lacie and Renay are brother and sister. Aunt Eden is their mother. Aunt Vana is the mother of Emile and Alma. Beth is the daughter of one of my uncles.”
“Do you have siblings?”
“A younger sister. Avery. She and her husband and their two daughters are living in California.” And Raven missed them every moment of the day. “They moved there two years ago. What about you? Any siblings?”
“No. I’m an only child and my mother was an only child. My grandfather had family he left behind in England. I was very young the last time they visited, and with him and my grandmother and mother all deceased, I’ve no idea how to get in touch with them. My father had family, but they were all sold away during slavery, and he’s never been able to locate them.”
“That has to be difficult for him. So many people are still looking for family members.” She felt lucky in the sense that the Moreaux knew the whereabouts of most of their living relatives and the burial places of the ones who’d passed on. “What’s it like being an only child? I couldn’t imagine growing up without a housefull of cousins to play with, fish with, or fight over silly things with.”
“It’s much quieter.”
She chuckled. “Moreaux and the wordquietare never spoken in the same sentence. Were you lonely growing up?”
For a moment he didn’t respond, and she thought she saw sadness touch his eyes before it quickly vanished. “I suppose I was when looking at it from your point of view, but I had my books, my parents, grandparents, and a small group of friends, plus I had the pleasure of sailing all over the world.”
“What do you mean?”
“My grandfather owned a small fleet of merchant ships and fishing boats. I made my first voyage as his cabin boy at the age of eight. I’ve visited a good portion of the world.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
“So me calling you wealthy earlier was correct?”
He stilled and assessed her as if trying to decide how to respond.
“Sorry. That was a rude question even for me. I’m just trying to figure out who you are up there on your high horse.”
Another small smile curved his lips. “Understood. I suppose my family would be considered that. My parents and grandparents owned nice homes. I grew up with tutors, servants,and have never gone without. My mother didn’t have to work so she spent most of her days helping those in need, but we never flaunted our status. She called it quiet wealth.”
“I’ve never heard that phrase before. How old were you when she passed away?”
“Fifteen.”
“My condolences.”
“Thank you. What about your father?”
“He died of yellow fever when I was four and Avery was two. He and my mother never married though.” Yet another sin for him to judge her by, she supposed. “He was a Haitian seaman.” None of the Moreaux sisters had had permanent men in their lives. However, each had known love and been fiercely loved in return. “My mother’s never mentioned your father.”
“I knew nothing about their past, either, until Detective Welch showed up. Apparently he loved your mother very much.”
Raven was still wondering about their relationship, and hoped she’d have the chance to discuss it with her mother soon.
“Have you ever been in love?” he asked.
The question was unexpected, but she supposed it was a natural one considering the track of their conversation. In response, she thought back on her relationship with Tobias Kenny and its disastrous ending. “I thought I was, but it turned out badly, so...” Her words trailed off as if no others were needed. “How about you?”
