Love Be Mine (The Louisiana Ladies Series, Book 3) by Shirlee Busbee Page B
Authors: Shirlee Busbee
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reflection on your part has allowed you to see the wisdom of selling out to us." Jean looked sheepish. "And as for your invitation here—I thought that perhaps in more, er, pleasant and relaxed surroundings we could more amiably discuss our proposition."
"We can discuss it," Hugh said equitably, "all you want, anywhere you want, but it will not change anything. My position remains the same—pending my stepfather's approval, I will sell you all my shares or none."
"You stubborn, stubborn Américain !" Jean cried angrily. "Why are you being so unreasonable? We are willing to pay you a fair price! I have explained to you that we can not afford to buy all your shares. There is only enough money to buy half."
"Then, as I said the last time we had this conversation—we are at an impasse," Hugh said quietly. He hesitated then added, "Unless you wish to sell me your shares?"
Jean could not have looked more affronted if Hugh had spit in his face. "Sacrebleu! Sell you the entire Dupree interest in the firm? You insult me, monsieur ! It is our company!"
Hugh sighed knowing there was no arguing with the other man. Jean was conveniently forgetting that from the very beginning John Lancaster had held the largest share of the business—fifty-five percent—and that the remainder had been split up between Christophe, Renault, and Jean. Originally, Christophe had owned twenty-five percent and Renault and Jean each ten percent. The Duprees in fact had owned the smallest share in the business when it began and upon Renault's death, his original ten percent and the additional ten percent he had received from Christophe when he had married Lisette was now split between Micaela and François, giving his two children each ten percent. Christophe's remaining share had been further reduced when he had lost two percent to Husson and three percent to Jasper; upon his death Christophe only retained ten percent—which was now owned by Lisette. It was all very confusing, but the fact remained that with Hugh owning forty-five percent and John ten percent, the Americans still controlled the largest block and the Creole faction the smallest. And there seemed no way out of the dilemma.
Unless, Hugh mused, he was insane enough to offer his shares for Micaela's hand. Shaken by how appealing he found that idea, he said in a harsher tone than he intended, "As I said, we seem to be at an impasse."
An ugly look on his face, Jean muttered, "I hope, monsieur, that you do not regret your stubbornness."
"Are you threatening me?"
Jean smiled tightly. "Non. Warning you, perhaps. You are, after all, my guest and it would be the height of incivility for me to threaten you while you are under my roof."
Hugh stared steadily at him. "Would you like for me to leave?"
His quick temper ebbing, Jean shook his head. "Non, monsieur. You are my guest, and if you were not so hardheaded and stubborn, I might even learn to like you."
Hugh smiled, "And I, you."
In something resembling cordiality, the two men left Jean's office, going their separate ways upon reaching the house. Hugh went in search of Jasper, who was also staying at the Dupree house. An inquiry to Lisette elicited the information that Jasper was at the stables taking another look at a mare which Jean was thinking of selling. The stables had been included in the tour, so Hugh knew which direction to take. The path to the stable was a pleasant one, winding along a bluff which overlooked the river, skirting a small white gazebo before dropping down and curving through a small woodland which concealed the stable area from the house and its grounds.
Hugh was concentrating so deeply on the conversation with Jean and trying to find a workable solution to their mutual problem that he was upon the gazebo before he realized it. His approach had been silent, and it was clear the two occupants of the gazebo were unaware of his presence. He would have continued on his way, or at least let the two people inside know
"We can discuss it," Hugh said equitably, "all you want, anywhere you want, but it will not change anything. My position remains the same—pending my stepfather's approval, I will sell you all my shares or none."
"You stubborn, stubborn Américain !" Jean cried angrily. "Why are you being so unreasonable? We are willing to pay you a fair price! I have explained to you that we can not afford to buy all your shares. There is only enough money to buy half."
"Then, as I said the last time we had this conversation—we are at an impasse," Hugh said quietly. He hesitated then added, "Unless you wish to sell me your shares?"
Jean could not have looked more affronted if Hugh had spit in his face. "Sacrebleu! Sell you the entire Dupree interest in the firm? You insult me, monsieur ! It is our company!"
Hugh sighed knowing there was no arguing with the other man. Jean was conveniently forgetting that from the very beginning John Lancaster had held the largest share of the business—fifty-five percent—and that the remainder had been split up between Christophe, Renault, and Jean. Originally, Christophe had owned twenty-five percent and Renault and Jean each ten percent. The Duprees in fact had owned the smallest share in the business when it began and upon Renault's death, his original ten percent and the additional ten percent he had received from Christophe when he had married Lisette was now split between Micaela and François, giving his two children each ten percent. Christophe's remaining share had been further reduced when he had lost two percent to Husson and three percent to Jasper; upon his death Christophe only retained ten percent—which was now owned by Lisette. It was all very confusing, but the fact remained that with Hugh owning forty-five percent and John ten percent, the Americans still controlled the largest block and the Creole faction the smallest. And there seemed no way out of the dilemma.
Unless, Hugh mused, he was insane enough to offer his shares for Micaela's hand. Shaken by how appealing he found that idea, he said in a harsher tone than he intended, "As I said, we seem to be at an impasse."
An ugly look on his face, Jean muttered, "I hope, monsieur, that you do not regret your stubbornness."
"Are you threatening me?"
Jean smiled tightly. "Non. Warning you, perhaps. You are, after all, my guest and it would be the height of incivility for me to threaten you while you are under my roof."
Hugh stared steadily at him. "Would you like for me to leave?"
His quick temper ebbing, Jean shook his head. "Non, monsieur. You are my guest, and if you were not so hardheaded and stubborn, I might even learn to like you."
Hugh smiled, "And I, you."
In something resembling cordiality, the two men left Jean's office, going their separate ways upon reaching the house. Hugh went in search of Jasper, who was also staying at the Dupree house. An inquiry to Lisette elicited the information that Jasper was at the stables taking another look at a mare which Jean was thinking of selling. The stables had been included in the tour, so Hugh knew which direction to take. The path to the stable was a pleasant one, winding along a bluff which overlooked the river, skirting a small white gazebo before dropping down and curving through a small woodland which concealed the stable area from the house and its grounds.
Hugh was concentrating so deeply on the conversation with Jean and trying to find a workable solution to their mutual problem that he was upon the gazebo before he realized it. His approach had been silent, and it was clear the two occupants of the gazebo were unaware of his presence. He would have continued on his way, or at least let the two people inside know
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