The Price of Love

by Vicki Hopkins

  “I’m assuming then the family jewels were passed to you.” The duke eyed her necklace again.

  The comment sounded inappropriate for the moment but not unexpected. “Yes, I have your precious family heirlooms. From what I read in Dorcas’ diary, some of the pieces were sold when we first arrived in Austria but many remain. Your current duchess may have them,” she replied coldly. “They belong to your family, not mine.”

  Jolene reached behind her neck and unhooked the rubies. She walked toward her mother and handed them to her. Suzette did not respond and kept her gaze down toward the floor. The duke took them in his hand instead, eyeing the lost treasure.

  “My great grandmother once wore these,” he said. “They meant much to my own mother. She was heartbroken to discover them gone.”

  At that moment, Jolene staggered in her stance. The weight of the dramatic revelation had taken its toll upon her mind and body. The feeling of estrangement from her true parents weighed heavily upon her heart. Not one sat blameless in the room. They had all participated in how the course of her life had played out.

  Her birth identity had changed, but the person she had become remained Komtesse Jolene von Lamberg. How could she set her identity aside for a room of self-centered people who loved, cheated, fought, and abandoned all for the sake of their selfish pursuits? Clearly, she had formed judgments, whether right or wrong, that would not be easy to undo.

  “I will leave you now to your thoughts. Please do not attempt to be in my presence or speak with me until I approach you on my own accord.” She halted for a moment and placed her hand on her stomach fighting the nausea.

  Jolene turned and looked at Robert whose eyes held the empathy of a saint. “Thank you, dearest, for being here.”

  “My pleasure,” he whispered.

  Jolene gave him a peck on his right cheek. With that, she left the room leaving behind her own flesh and blood to deal with the disclosure on their own terms.

  Chapter 28

  The Aftermath of Truth

  “Well, now, that was a pleasant reunion,” Robert announced lightheartedly. He wandered over to an empty seat, plopped down, and settled in to witness the aftermath of the revelation.

  “Why didn’t you tell us?” Finally, his mother found her voice. She looked at him clearly peeved that he had kept the secret from her for so long.

  “Because it wasn’t my place,” he quickly responded.

  “And I thought you had come to visit me for other reasons.” Philippe sneered at him expressing his own discontent over the situation.

  His comment opened an assortment of problems. Robert glanced at his mother, who had been unaware of their visit. Instead of asking him about the encounter, she turned her attention to Philippe.

  “How did Robert find you?”

  “Ask your conniving husband,” he spat. “His fucking insatiable need to keep involved in my life never ends.”

  His mother turned her head, frowning in disapproval over what she had learned. “Robert, is that true?”

  “That’s not the point,” his father quickly dismissed the question.

  Saving his ass, Robert thought knowing he probably would pay for it later behind closed doors. Then he turned the attention back to his involvement.

  “How did you find out her identity?”

  “The day after uncle’s ball, I happened upon her sitting in a café. She sat reading the diary over a cup of coffee,” he said, pointing to it. “She had tried to hide it from me, but it accidentally fell to the floor. Like a gentleman, I bent over and picked it up. Afterward, I nearly choked on my tea having read Jacquelyn’s name inside.” Robert snickered and shook his head. “I confronted her about the book. One thing led to another, and eventually she blurted out the truth.” Robert smiled remembering his thoughts months ago. “Imagine my shock when a woman I’m attracted to physically, turns out to be my half sister. You have no idea how I felt.”

  After he thought that he had brought a touch of humor to the situation, Philippe suddenly rose to his feet in a fit of anger.

  “Damn all of you,” he growled. “Especially you, Suzette. If you hadn’t been unfaithful, none of this would have happened.”

  Robert could hear the lingering hurt in his voice. Suzette shot to her feet responding in a rage. Robert’s mouth gaped open at her sudden physical response to his railing about her behavior.

  “Blame me, will you? Angelique was right. If you hadn’t been so pig-headed and proud demanding retaliation, our daughter would not have been carried off to some godforsaken place by a woman out for revenge.”

  Robert had never heard his mother raise her voice to such a pitch in his entire life. His father grabbed her hand and pulled her back into her seat. “Sit down, Suzette.” She looked angrily at him but complied.

  Philippe stood his ground with a blatant unforgiving temper. Robert had to intervene before he said something else to stir up the pot.

  “Godforsaken, Mother?” Robert countered the ridiculous statement. “She is one of the richest women in all of Austria. She bears the title of komtesse, as well as being beautiful, intelligent, and well bred.” Even his buried emotions had come to a head over his family. Their behavior irked him. “Frankly, I think she did quite well by the former duchess and the count.”

  “I cannot believe that you would say such a thing in my presence,” Philippe said, looking at Robert in disillusionment. “Do you think that I would not have given her a decent life? Some strange man in Vienna lived the years that were owed to me. She was and is by all rights my daughter,” he snapped.

  “And you would have taken her from me,” his mother said, gritting her teeth. “I have no doubt in my mind that you would have denied me the pleasure of watching her grow into womanhood.”

  “And why shouldn’t I have kept her from you? The courts would have granted me custody. You were an unfit mother, an adulterous…”

  “Enough!” His father jumped to his feet and took a step toward Philippe.

  Oh shit, Robert thought. Swiftly, he rose in response and blocked his father’s path, holding him at bay by placing his hand on his chest. Then he turned his head and spoke to his stepfather instead.

  “I think you should leave, Philippe. If this turns into another duel to defend your honor, Angelique may not forgive you.” Robert sternly urged him.

  Philippe’s nostrils flared as he eyed his father displaying his regret that he had not succeeded in killing him eighteen years ago.

  The gathering turned into the volatile situation just as Robert feared. He knew with one spark an explosive situation would ensue between two men that he would not be able to stop.

  “I’ll take my leave,” Philippe finally relented. “Frankly, I’ve had enough of all of you.”

  Philippe headed toward the door, but Robert followed and halted him briefly before he exited. In a low voice, undetectable to his parents, he spoke. “Angelique will contact you directly, Philippe. Give her a few days. My sense is that her heart is softer toward you than it is with my parents. After all, as estranged as the four of us are, we are the only family she has except for an elderly step aunt who lives in Berlin. Vienna holds nothing for her, except an empty house and no companionship.”

  Robert saw the wrath dissipate in his eyes. His voice softened. “Tell her that I look forward to seeing her again.” Philippe glanced at Robert and Suzette once more. After another disapproving scowl, he briskly exited the room.

  Robert looked over at his father, who had retreated to his mother’s side. The two of them appeared despondent over what had transpired. Nevertheless, as he watched his father caress his mother in comfort, he could not deny their love for one another. He wondered if such love had been truly worth it, or if he would ever experience such devoted passion. With a heavy heart, he walked toward his parents and stood before them.

  “You know, I did confess to Angelique my jealous rage of flipping over her bassinet at the age of five,” he said, looking at his mother. “She
found that easier to forgive, I’m afraid, than the disappointment she holds in her family. Perhaps one day she’ll come to love you.” He stepped away, distraught over the grief-stricken look upon his mother’s face.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to tend to my sister.”

  He left them behind and strode toward the library where Jolene had indicated she would retreat after the revelation. God, he needed a breath of fresh air. The last hour had affected him as well, and he worried how Jolene fared. As he approached the door, it was obvious because he heard her sniffling on the other side.

  Robert gave the door a light rap and then opened it. He stuck his head around the corner and found her huddled in a chair.

  “May I come in?”

  He didn’t wait for an answer. Her hands covered her face. Pulling his handkerchief out of his pocket, he offered it to her in the absence of her own.

  “Here, take this,” he said, holding the white linen. “You have my permission to blow your nose in it.”

  A second later, she snatched it from his hand and did just that. When she did, her nostrils made a snorting sound, and they both laughed.

  “You’re not getting this back,” she said, blowing once more.

  “I don’t want it back,” he grinned, “not after what you’ve done to it.”

  After she composed herself, he placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I thought you presented yourself remarkably well, with poise and grace. It wasn’t easy, though, was it?”

  Jolene raised her head. “Robert, I’m so angry at them. Why do I feel such resentment rather than joy that they now know the truth?”

  He sat down next to her. “Perhaps it’s the shock. After all, for eighteen years of your life, you believed in a different heritage that you proudly bore. Then when it’s finally stripped away, it’s replaced by a broken family filled with animosity.” Robert’s lip pulled upward in a knowing smile. “Truthfully, I can understand why you cling to the count as the foundation of your life. You are a product of his upbringing and not of your real parents.”

  “I wish that I could yell at them all and be done with it,” she huffed.

  “If it’s any consolation,” Robert interjected. “You’re not the only one who has to deal with this shock. My mother will probably be an emotional wreck filled with remorse for weeks. As far as Philippe, I had to step in between him and my father who were about to have another duel. He finally left without throwing down the gauntlet, thank God.”

  Robert’s levity is what Jolene needed. She giggled and shook her head. “My God, that must have been quite the sight—two grown men dueling over your mother.”

  “Yes, it would have been something to watch.”

  “Well, thank God neither of them died.” Jolene shook her head in disgust.

  “So, what is your plan now?” Robert sat in a chair across from Jolene. “Are you going back to Austria?”

  “I don’t know what I will do.” She took his handkerchief and dried the remaining tears on her cheeks.

  “Why don’t you stay here in Paris and at least spend time with them? I’m sure my mother would like it, and I dare say Philippe will be overwhelmed with joy.”

  “Perhaps once my anger subsides.” Jolene cast him a look of sisterly love. “I’m glad we have made our peace, Robert.”

  “I think in time, you’ll make peace with all of them. Just give your heart the opportunity to heal and the opportunity for them to adjust.”

  “I don’t understand mother, do you?”

  “It’s hard to understand either of them, when we actually have no idea about their lives when they were youths. Did you find out much when you went to the cemetery with her?”

  “Only that her father died when she was eighteen and her mother when she was much younger.”

  “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter,” he concluded, brushing it aside. “They are what they’ve become, like us.”

  Jolene’s shoulders slumped in exhaustion, and she brought her hand to her chest. “I’m so tired,” she confessed. “Too much emotion in one short hour. I’m going to retire.”

  Robert rose to his feet and offered her his hand. “Let me escort you upstairs to your room.” After giving her an affectionate hug, he returned downstairs to check on his parents and have a stiff drink.

  Chapter 29

  Intentional Harm

  Jolene retreated into her suite. The room was stuffy, so she walked over to the balcony and pushed open the double doors to step outside for a breath of fresh air.

  The small balcony hung from the side of the townhome, giving her a viewpoint of the city. Darkness had covered the landscape, shrouding the buildings with shadows. Flickering gas streetlights sparkled like fireflies as far as she could see. A warm evening breeze swirled through her hair cooling her heated body. The rustling leaves of the tree below where she stood calmed her anxiety. The moment was quiet and surreal.

  Soon there would be nothing to keep her in Paris. She had accomplished her purpose, finished the puzzle, and revealed her identity to those who lost her eighteen years ago. Vienna would beckon her home to assume her responsibilities as komtesse of the von Lamberg family. Everybody’s life had changed in a blink of an eye, and at that moment, she felt utterly alone.

  Finally, with Maria’s help, she prepared for bed. Jolene tossed and turned for hours. She glanced at the clock ticking on the fireplace mantel and noted the time. It was two in the morning, and she barely had stolen a half an hour of sleep. Her mind whirled from the day and all that happened hours earlier.

  In a huff of frustration, she got out of bed and thrust her arms through her robe, tying the sash around her waist. Thinking that a warm glass of milk might help her sleep, she wandered downstairs to the kitchen. The entire household lay quiet behind closed doors. She felt jealous that they apparently had found rest when she could not.

  After warming milk in a pan, she poured it into a large mug. The heat of the cup soothed her cold fingers. Not wanting to return to her room, she shuffled down the hallway in her slippers and entered the parlor. To her surprise, Dorcas’ diary lay on the table untouched. It bothered her that neither the duke nor her mother cared to read its contents. Perhaps they didn’t wish to know the mind of Jacquelyn and all that had happened after she left. Jolene felt far more acquainted with her dead spirit than she did with the live one belonging to her real mother.

  She found a chair and settled into it, then started to sip the warm liquid. It traveled to her throat warming her empty stomach. No one ate dinner that evening after she had made her announcement. It destroyed her appetite and probably everyone else in the room.

  A few minutes later, she heard the front door open and slam shut with a bang. The sound startled her, and she sat up from her slumped position in a fright. When she heard footsteps approach, Jolene rose to her feet. Geoffrey staggered to the doorframe and leaned against it for support. Even though she felt thankful it wasn’t a burglar, she had no words of welcome for the insolent Mr. Chambers.

  He took one look at her and smiled crookedly. “Well, if it isn’t her ladyship” he slurred like a drunk. He eyed her up and down in her silk robe and grinned at her bare toes poking out from the ends of her slippers. Raising his eyebrow in an approving fashion, he stepped forward and stopped a few feet away.

  “And what, might I ask, are you doing up all by yourself at two o’clock in the morning?”

  Jolene wrinkled her nose over the foul alcohol and cigar-smoke breath he blew in her face. She turned her head to the right in protest. “I almost forgot all about you, Geoffrey Chambers. Since I haven’t seen you in days, I had hoped you left for London.”

  He snickered over her statement. “Don’t you wish,” he said. “No, I haven’t left. There are too many pleasures to be had in Paris like gambling, cancan dancers raising their skirts, and prostitutes parting their legs.”

  Jolene shut her eyes envisioning the scenes. He was such a disagreeable man that it tu
rned the milk in her stomach sour. “My goodness, Geoffrey, could you be any more tactless in front of a lady?” She shook her head and blushed.

  Suddenly his demeanor softened. “Oh, I apologize. Those were visions no man should speak in front of a lady.” He wielded his repentant charm at her and plopped like a drunken fool into a nearby chair.

  Jolene relented, giving him the benefit of the doubt since his apology sounded somewhat sincere. The milk cooled, so she took a few sips hoping it wouldn’t make her sick.

  “You didn’t say why you are up at this hour?” He looked at her curiously.

  She lowered her eyes and released a puff of air. “I couldn’t sleep. It’s been a stressful day.” Her comment brightened the stupor on his face, and suddenly he became interested.

  “Did something happen?”

  Jolene looked at Geoffrey and cringed. Dear God, I’m related to this scoundrel, she thought. To think that she had fallen for his disingenuous charm made her sorry that she didn’t take Grace and Robert’s advice to heart. Just the thought of how physically attracted to him she had been when he touched her sent a chill down her spine that no cup of warm milk would cure. Frankly, Geoffrey Chambers had been nothing more than a jagged piece to the puzzle and part of the dysfunctional family she had recently joined.

  Taking another sip of milk, she kept her eyes upon him and decided the best way to sober him up would be to tell him the news. “You shouldn’t be eyeing your distant cousin in such a sinful fashion, Geoffrey.” Jolene sounded smug, and she knew it. “I don’t think my half brother, Robert, would appreciate it very much.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” He gawked at her with his bloodshot eyes.

  It couldn’t be helped, but a teasing smile spread across her face. “My real name is Angelique Moreau. I am Robert’s half sister, which I think makes you a relation to me as my half cousin or something of that nature—if there is such a thing.”

  Geoffrey said nothing. He stared at her blankly as if his mind were trying to process the news. Then without warning, he rose to his feet and hovered above her body. His stealthy move stripped away her sense of security. She set her empty cup on the side table and readied herself defensively.