A tale spanning generations, the saga of the Bellefleur family chronicles their rise to fortune and infamy in the Lake Noir region of the United States. Beginning with the exiled Jean Pierre Bellefleur in the 1700s, the family's history intertwines with scandal, ambition, and a peculiar legacy. From brewing political storms to explosive finales, the Bellefleurs' story is one of relentless pursuit of power and the complex, often destructive dynamics within a family.

Jean Pierre's Legacy

Exiled by his father, a French duke, Jean Pierre Bellefleur arrives in Lake Noir in the mid-18th century and quickly becomes a formidable presence. Known for his proclivity for alcohol, gambling, and dubious dealings, he meets a scandalous end in his political career, being impeached from Congress during his second term. After his wife Hilda's departure, he shocks the community by inviting an Onondagan woman, Antoinette, to live with him.

The Next Generation

Jean Pierre's son, Louis, continues his father's legacy in both business and lawlessness. He marries a local woman, Germaine O’Hagan, and they have three children, all living under the same roof as Jean Pierre. Louis mirrors Jean Pierre's notorious disregard for legality in their family enterprises.

Jedediah's Mountain Years

Unlike his brother, Jedediah Bellefleur seeks solitude in the nearby mountains, driven by a spiritual quest to witness the divine. Initially intent on a year-long retreat, he becomes a recluse, staying away for many years. His isolation breeds paranoia about his family's intentions, but he is eventually coaxed back after a violent tragedy claims the lives of Jean Pierre, Louis, Antoinette, and Louis' children. Only Germaine survives the attack.

A New Beginning with Germaine

Returning to a shattered family estate, Jedediah marries the widowed Germaine to preserve the Bellefleur lineage. The couple has three children, among them Raphael, who is determined to restore the family's prominence. Raphael becomes a significant figure, attempting a political career, contributing to the local political landscape, and amassing wealth through a burgeoning hops industry.

Raphael's Ambitious Vision

In pursuit of grandeur, Raphael constructs Bellefleur Manor, a sprawling Gothic edifice that becomes a hub for elite gatherings. He boasts of hosting Abraham Lincoln and leaves a bizarre legacy—a drum made from his own skin, intended to mark daily events at the manor. However, the drum mostly serves as a source of mischief for the Bellefleur children.

The Troubled Descendants

The Bellefleur saga continues with Raphael's descendants, including the nefarious Jean Pierre II, the somnambulant Hiram, and the poet Vernon. But the most notable are Gideon and Leah Bellefleur, first cousins who wed and embody the family's trademark intensity. Gideon's need for speed and high-stakes races matches Leah's penchant for adopting the unwanted, whether animal or human.

Leah's Determination and Mysteries

Leah, armed with ambition, sets out to restore the Bellefleur wealth after a protracted pregnancy with her third child. Her belief in her daughter's mysterious gifts drives her business ventures, with young Germaine, marked by her unusual birth and subsequent surgery, seen as a talisman of sorts. Leah's frequent absences for business lead to tension with Gideon, whose infidelities mirror her own pragmatic liaisons.

The Collapse of a Dynasty

Their personal estrangement crescendos as Gideon spirals into obsession with aviation, ultimately culminating in a catastrophic act. He crashes a plane loaded with explosives into Bellefleur Manor, obliterating his family's legacy and all but a few of its members. Germaine, safely with an aunt, remains one of the last vestiges of the Bellefleur name, as those who had previously left the manor escape its fiery destruction.