Page 71 of Ghost

For the very first time, Mr.Trudeau smiled.“Yes, dear.We all knew what you thought about that.”He winked at Mason, his eyes sparkling.Mason had no doubt at that point that indeed there were some things going on there that Mrs.Trudeau would not have approved of.

“I can feel you smirking back there, Gerald, and it is most unattractive.”Mrs.Trudeau actually rolled her eyes, not looking at her late husband.

“At any rate, we were able to save the property, even though it cost more money to maintain than it made back then.Now it is self-sustaining, but not profitable,” Mrs.Trudeau continued.“The weddings that are held there make up most of the income.”

“Can it not be made profitable?”Mason asked.

“Oh no, dear boy.”Mr.Trudeau looked at his wife.Mason could see that he loved his wife dearly.

“After the war, the War between the States, it was barely able to get rice crops planted and harvested without slave labor.Francis’ father was able to keep it all together for a long time, well past what the other rice plantations could do.You see, he treated his slaves well, and after the war, he was able to give them a wage, built a school and most of them stayed and were happy to not have to deal with the carpetbaggers, who were actually worse than most of the slave owners.”Mrs.Trudeau had a wistful look about her.

“But like most good things, that too came to an end,” Mr.Trudeau said.

Mrs.Trudeau sighed.“Francis had a plan to save the place, but Imogene wanted him to sell it so she could continue living high on the hog here in Savannah.”

“What was his plan?”Mason asked as Sharon brought in the main course of shrimp and grits, one of Mason’s all-time favorites.

“I never found out,” answered Mrs.Trudeau.“I wish I had.”

“Maybe then, it wouldn’t be sitting there costing money,” Mr.Trudeau said, the sour face back.

“Gerald, you know as well as I do that it isn’t costing any money now, so just hush up about it.We’ve been over this a thousand times.”Mrs.Trudeau looked concerned.“I didn’t think to even ask, Mr.Montgomery, but I hope you like seafood.”

Mason nodded enthusiastically, his mouth full.Once he’d swallowed, he said, “This is one of my favorite dishes.Do you think that I could go and see the plantation?”

Mrs.Trudeau smiled.“Of course, dear.I’ve not been up there in a few years.If you don’t mind, I’d like to go with you.”

Mason looked down at his bowl.“There’s something that I’d like to talk to you about: I’d like to make sure that Francis has a decent burial.I don’t know how to go about it, though.I have no real right to the remains.I don’t even know where to bury him.”

Mrs.Trudeau reached across the table, wanting Mason’s hand.Mason reached out and let her take it.“Mason, if I may call you by your Christian name, that is very sweet of you.We, meaning you and I, will take care of it.There is a family cemetery at Hobonny.”

“Hobonny?”

Mrs.Trudeau smiled again.“Yes.The name of the plantation.I cannot wait to show you the place.There is a wonderful portrait of Francis’ father there.I also have quite a surprise for you, my dear.I think we are going to be great friends.”

Mason smiled.He also thought they could be good friends.He wanted to ask a lot more questions about seeing ghosts too.