# Ralestone Luck — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Ralestone Luck by Andre Norton.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/dedication.md): The author dedicates the book to D. B. N., acknowledging their diligent reading of proofs over many miles.
- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph presents a poetic call-and-response about holding Lorne, referencing the oak leaf, sea wave, and broadsword, ultimately affirming that the Luck is what now holds Lorne.
- [Ralestone Luck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/ralestone-luck.md): The Ralestone family, having lost their fortune, arrives at their ancestral home, Pirate's Haven, in Louisiana. They are greeted by the eccentric caretaker, Jeems, and his family. The chapter introduces the main characte
- [The Ralestones Come Home](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/i-the-ralestones-come-home.md): Val, Ricky, and Rupert Ralestone arrive at their ancestral Louisiana home, Pirate's Haven, after financial ruin. They explore the house, reflect on their family's legacy, and discuss the lost Luck of Lorne, a family tali
- [The Luck of the Lords of Lorne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/ii-the-luck-of-the-lords-of-lorne.md): The Ralestones settle into Pirate's Haven, naming a stray cat Satan, and Rupert recounts the family history: the legendary Luck of Lorne, a sword forged from tomb blades under an Arab astrologer's direction, which brough
- [III: The Ralestones Entertain an Unobtrusive Visitor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/iii-the-ralestones-entertain-an-unobtrusive-visitor.md): Val wakes from a nightmare to find Satan the cat on his chest. He explores Pirate's Haven, encountering a hostile boy in the garden who claims equal right to the land. Sam, the Ralestones' farmer, arrives and identifies 
- [Pistols for Two—Coffee for One](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/iv-pistols-for-two-coffee-for-one.md): Val and Ricky meet with lawyer René LeFleur in his New Orleans office to deliver family papers. LeFleur reveals that a man claiming to be a descendant of the missing Roderick Ralestone has appeared, demanding a share of 
- [Their Tenant Discovers the Ralestones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/v-their-tenant-discovers-the-ralestones.md): Val and Ricky explore the overgrown grounds of Pirate's Haven, discovering the old slave quarters and bake oven. They meet their tenant, Charity Biglow, a Boston artist renting the overseer's house. She tells them about 
- [VI: Satan Goes A-Hunting and Finds Work for Idle Hands](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/vi-satan-goes-a-hunting-and-finds-work-for-idle-hands.md): Ricky and Val discover a hidden room behind a sliding panel in the Jackson room, led by the cat Satan. They find old furniture, a Bible box, and a portfolio of Audubon sketches, sparking excitement and tension with Ruper
- [VII: By Our Luck!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/vii-by-our-luck.md): The Ralestones uncover a hidden cache of family heirlooms, including the Bride of the Luck's wedding ring, Confederate money, and silverware possibly looted by the pirate Black Dick. They discuss the legend of the Luck a
- [VIII: Great-Uncle Rick Walks the Hall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/viii-great-uncle-rick-walks-the-hall.md): Val, bored with Louisiana, rides Sam's horse along the swamp and encounters a strange prospecting engine. Later, the rival Ralestone visits with his lawyer, threatening legal action, but Rupert stands firm. Ricky refuses
- [IX: Portrait of a Lady and a Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/ix-portrait-of-a-lady-and-a-gentleman.md): Val is troubled by the apparition he saw in the Long Hall and suspects it may be connected to the rival's threat. At breakfast, Lucy exerts her authority over the household. Charity arrives to paint a portrait using Val 
- [Into the Swamp](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/x-into-the-swamp.md): Val and Ricky Ralestone continue their stay in New Orleans with Holmes and Creighton lingering nearby. Charity struggles with her painting and expresses a desire to use Jeems as a model, but Jeems avoids Creighton. Ricky
- [XI: Ralestones to the Rescue!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xi-ralestones-to-the-rescue.md): Val follows Ricky into the swamp to a hidden cabin, where they overhear two men—Red and the Boss—plotting to extract information from Jeems about a secret way into Pirate's Haven. The Ralestones decide to stay hidden and
- [The Ralestones Bring Home a Reluctant Guest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xii-the-ralestones-bring-home-a-reluctant-guest.md): Val and Ricky rescue Jeems after he is knocked unconscious by assailants. They bring him back to Pirate's Haven, where Jeems confesses to being the faceless ghost but refuses to stay. Rupert takes charge, calls Dr. LeFro
- [On Such a Night as This—](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xiii-on-such-a-night-as-this.md): Val and Ricky navigate a tense evening at Pirate's Haven as Rupert reports strangers camping on their land. Val is drawn into Jeems' urgent plea to retrieve a chest from his cabin before rising floodwaters destroy it. Me
- [XIV: Pirate Ways Are Hidden Ways](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xiv-pirate-ways-are-hidden-ways.md): During a violent storm and rising flood, Val retrieves a chest from Jeems' cabin, narrowly escaping the rising waters. He rescues a raccoon during his return. Ricky meets him at the landing, revealing that four men from 
- [XV: Pieces of Eight—Ralestones’ Fate!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xv-pieces-of-eight-ralestones-fate.md): Val and Ricky are trapped underground after a cave-in. Val is pinned and injured, but Ricky stays with him. They discover a bundle containing pieces of eight, recalling the old saying 'Pieces of eight—Ralestones’ fate.' 
- [XVI: Ralestones Stand Together](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xvi-ralestones-stand-together.md): Val, recovering from injuries, is visited by family and friends. A black notebook of Val's drawings is discovered, leading to revelations about Rupert's secret writing. The group plans a trip to town, leaving Val with Je
- [XVII: The Return of Rick Ralestone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xvii-the-return-of-rick-ralestone.md): The chapter reveals the true identity of Jeems as Roderick St. Jean Ralestone, the only living descendant of the pirate Roderick Ralestone, through documents and a family seal. The rival claimant and his gang are defeate
- [Rupert Brings Home His Marchioness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/xviii-rupert-brings-home-his-marchioness.md): The Ralestones prepare for their first party at Pirate's Haven. Ricky, Val, and Rod discuss party details and future plans. Holmes visits to return Val's notebook and offer an opportunity in animation. Rupert returns wit

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