however, requires persuasion. Jeanne Gaudet was not someone I knew. She lived as far up the Annapolis River as one could sail by boat. If I was to make an impression on her, I would have to use all the resources I could muster. It was necessary for me to seek the counsel of someone who was acquainted with her. Then I had to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
All those participating in Grandmama’s celebration seemed to evaporate by noon the following day. One of my cousins who had been seated beside Jeanne the previous evening told me her name and the name of her parents.
I solicited Benjamin’s help, hoping he might assist me in tracking her down. It was far easier than I could have hoped for.
“I know her father, Bernard Gaudet, very well,” Benjamin volunteered. “He and his brother Denys are managing the timber construction on my father’s new house in the lower town. I work with them daily.”
You could imagine my excitement at that moment. I saw this as an unexpected opportunity. The first steps in my plan to court Monsieur Gaudet’s daughter would be to acquaint myself with her father and then to garner his favour.
“The Gaudet brothers are masters of timber construction, which we call la charpente bois,” Benjamin continued. “My father knew of their expertise and hired them to construct the timber frame for the roof of the new house. I am responsible for the stonemasonry below. Their uncle, Pierre Gaudet, did the charpente bois construction on the fort. Bernard and Denys were his apprentices.”
“Could you use an assistant mason?” I asked with a wry smile on my face. “I learned some lessons in masonry from Uncle Pierre and your father at Grand Pré.”
Benjamin understood my intentions immediately. “I would enjoy your company and, of course, I would appreciate your assistance.” He then proceeded to laugh uncontrollably.
Chapter 8
Overnight I became a mason’s assistant. I joined my brother Charles and Benjamin the following morning and sailed into the harbour at Annapolis to begin my quest. Charles proceeded to the shipyard while Benjamin and I walked to René’s building site in the lower town. When we arrived, Bernard Gaudet and his brother were already directing the workers where to place the large pieces of timber. Benjamin hesitated to interrupt them, but the Gaudets were vigilant enough to note the presence of a new worker on the site. Before we could utter a word, Bernard Gaudet spoke.
“Bonjour, Benjamin. It is a perfect day for laying stones. I see you have a new assistant. Young Pierre Belliveau, I believe.”
I could barely contain my surprise. I stood there motionless.
“You made quite an impression the other evening. Your grandmother was much pleased with your gift of song and, I would say, exceedingly proud. Allow me to introduce myself and my brother. I am Bernard Gaudet and this is Denys.”
We shook hands, and he continued, “I knew your father very well when we were young boys. He was a very courageous man who ended his short life a hero. You look very much like him.”
The only response I could muster was, “I appreciate your kind words, monsieur.”
That being said, we proceeded to do our work.
As the day progressed, I realized I had the situation and the goal but not the plan. How was I going to manage an introduction to Jeanne Gaudet? When we finally completed our work for the day, I took the opportunity to question Gaudet about his family.
“Monsieur Gaudet, did your family accompany you to my grandmother’s celebration or did they remain in Gaudet Village? It is quite a distance to travel.” My tone was intentionally one of casual interest.
I noticed a quizzical look come across his face, perhaps in response to a question that appeared to come right out of nowhere. But his response was congenial.
“Indeed, my wife and children all sailed downriver for the occasion. Living so far away, we do not often have the opportunity to attend large community gatherings. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and now have returned home. You may have noticed them and not known who they were.”
Benjamin smiled but remained silent. Gaudet began to sense something from the conversation, and he certainly noticed my cousin’s knowing look.
“Perhaps you caught sight of my three beautiful daughters.” He paused to study my reaction. “Isabelle is the most beautiful by any standard. Perhaps, if you are unmarried, you might be able to wait a few years and court her.”
The unfamiliar name left me speechless. I began to feel uncomfortable.
“In twelve years you will be how old? Thirty, perhaps? Isabelle is only seven years old. For certain every girl grows to be a woman. Are you in any particular hurry to find a bride, young man?”
At that point, I was aware that I was being trifled with, but with a playful spirit. This fed my courage. I thought at this point it probably would be the best policy to be honest about my intent. That should be evidence of my good character and honourable motives.
“I must be perfectly honest, monsieur, that it was your older daughter, Jeanne, who caught my eye. She appeared to have such a sense of mystery about her. At the party, she was conspicuous by her reserve and calm.”
Gaudet seemed stunned by my honesty. And for the first time that day, he was the one who was speechless.
Sensing his sudden lack of ease, I continued without restraint. “I realize you must find my manner and words extremely forthright, even a bit impertinent. But I have always been afflicted with bold speech. It has more than once gotten me into trouble but it is not something I find easy to contain. In my family, speaking your mind is encouraged. My grandmother insists on it.”
Gaudet looked at his brother, then Benjamin. He suddenly burst into a laughter that could be heard as far away as the fort.
“Your grandmother insists on it, does she?” He continued to laugh so uproariously that I thought he might collapse from apoplexy.
Benjamin and I returned home that day, not having resolved the dilemma I had found myself in. But there would be another day. Bernard Gaudet was without a doubt aware that I had put a stake in the ground where his daughter was concerned.
Chapter 9
Days passed with mere pleasantries at the work site. But ominous murmurs from the fort changed all that. Lieutenant-Governor Armstrong was on a sacred mission to have the entire colony take the unqualified oath. Mangeant’s willingness to take the oath of allegiance without qualification only encouraged Armstrong in his quest. The royal favourite, as he was called by those at the garrison, was getting under everyone’s skin. It was then that Bernard Gaudet began to rant.
“I don’t know why I did not relocate to Île Royale years ago. Denys and I had the opportunity to move to Louisbourg. We could have had a good life there. At least we would have been saved from this continuous oath business. And that demon Armstrong, he could unsettle the patience of a saint, mon Dieu!”
“Hold your tongue, brother!” Denys cautioned. “We do not need trouble. The walls of the buildings in this town have ears. You made your choice to return to Annapolis years ago. Remember, we still have the advantage of distance from the fort. Gaudet Village is our refuge. Life is wonderful there. Continue to work and keep your opinions to yourself!”
