by Ford, TA
Her only answer was the pleading in her eyes. After a moment, he gave a nod of consent and she exhaled a sigh of relief.
“I must go to my room and freshen up,” she said. “I can’t let Papa see me this way.”
Without another word, he escorted her to her room and saw her inside. She sensed him waiting outside and then realized why he was waiting. She turned the key in her lock, and then she heard him walk away.
EF Gérard gave a welcoming bow, and then accepted the guest’s hat and cloak. “Everyone is in the parlor room to your left, Sir,” he said.
Bertrand Bouchard nodded and walked down the hall, pulling off his gloves. As soon as he turned the corner, he heard his baby, Marianne, squeal “Papa!” She came running into his arms, as beautiful and adorable as always. He hugged her heartily and kissed her soft cheek. Looking into her clear green eyes, he saw the jewel in her that warmed his heart.
“How is my sweet Chérie? ”
“I missed you so much, Papa!”
Bouchard nodded and looked across the room. His wife
sat near the fireplace, but he saw neither his host nor his beloved Zoé.
“Where is your sister? ” he asked Marianne.
Madame Bouchard rose to her feet and smoothed her
dress. “She was just up the hall—”
“Here I am, Papa,” said Zoé from behind him. Turning, he saw her in the doorway and beamed. She was as radiant as ever. Letting go of Marianne, he opened his arms for Zoé. She rushed into his arms and held onto him tightly.
Bertrand was puzzled by the intensity in her embrace as she clung to him. She had always desperately needed his love, the feeling of being in his arms. Normally, he attributed it to her mother’s death and her feeling of insecurity about her place in the household, if not the world, in general. But now, he sensed something more.
Stroking her silky curls, he looked over at his wife, slightly confused.
Madame smiled, walking over to them. “She’s been sick since we arrived.”
Marianne nodded. “Oui, Papa. She’s not been right since we arrived.”
Zoé lifted her head and glared at her sister.
Bouchard touched her forehead. “Are you better now? ”
She looked up at him, smiling. “Of course, I am so much better now that you are here.”
Bertrand extended his arm and took Marianne into his embrace as well. Madame rolled her eyes, strolled back to the sofa and sat down.
“Monsieur Bouchard, welcome,” said La Roque as he entered the room.
Bertrand released the girls and bowing, shook La Roque’s hand. “Mon seigneur, it is a great pleasure to see you again.”
“I trust that you had a pleasant journey? ”
“I did, and I trust that my family hasn’t caused you any trouble? ”
“They have been an extreme delight.”
Bertrand smiled, turning to look at his girls again. “They are my jewels,” he said proudly.
Sheridan came into the parlor. His lip was cut and his eyes blackened. Marianne gasped at the sight of him; Zoé stared in shock and Madame put her hand to her breast. He ignored them and walked up to the newcomer.
La Roque grimaced, then hid his reluctance and performed the job that was expected of him.
“Monsieur Bertrand Bouchard, may I present my friend Flynn Sheridan, from the States.”
“Greetings, sir. I had to come down and meet you,” said Flynn, extending his hand. Bertrand shook Sheridan’s hand, but couldn’t help wondering at the man’s obvious injuries.
It was Madame who blurted out the obvious question, “Monsieur Sheridan, whatever happened to you? ”
He touched his blackened eye gingerly. “Oh, I got kicked in the face by a jackass—excuse me, ladies—by a mule in the stables. I was contemplating a ride on a wild buck, but things didn’t go as well as I had anticipated.”
Zoé flushed and La Roque gave him a look of fury. With a grim smile, the count put a hand on Sheridan’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“Serves you right,” La Roque said. “Next time, ask before riding anything in my home.”
Sheridan fumed but remained silent. Witnessing the exchange, Bertrand’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two men. He glanced at his wife, but saw no answer there. La Roque turned back to his guest and Bouchard put on a smile.
“Would you like some brandy? ” asked the count.
“No, thank you. However, I would like to speak with you now, if that’s acceptable to you.”
La Roque glanced at Zoé and then smiled at her father. “Naturellement.” To the others, he said, “You will please adjourn to the drawing room while Monsieur Bouchard and I have a little chat.”
Marianne curtsied and walked out, followed by Madame Bouchard. Zoé hesitated, however. Her father turned and looked at her. “Go ahead. I shall join you soon.”
She kissed his cheek. “I am so glad you are here.”
Bertrand smiled at her but felt a deeper stirring of unease. Watching her as she turned to leave, he saw how Sheridan smirked at her, and heard how La Roque told him, “I would ask that you leave as well.”
Sheridan ignored La Roque. He turned to Bertrand. “I have had the divine pleasure of entertaining your lovely daughters. At the conclusion of your business with Comte La Roque, may we have a chat as well? ”
Bertrand narrowed his eyes, less than charmed by Sheridan’s bruised grin. “You say you are from America, Monsieur? May I ask what part? ”
“Why, from Carolina, to be exact.”
Bertrand’s demeanor turned cold. He had ugly runins with Southern ‘gentlemen’ where his girls were concerned, especially Zoé. He wouldn’t entertain any offers this man had to make, but he found it wise to play along. Something was going on in this house and he had a terrible sense that this man, as distasteful as he was, could help him learn the truth.
“We shall speak,” he replied.
“Your home is grand.”
“Thank you Monsieur. I’m glad you were well received.”
Bertrand cleared his throat. “My wife...”
“With all due respect, your wife has been brazenly out of line since she arrived. She has on several occasions tried to speak on your behalf.” La Roque observed the flushed, embarrassed way Bertrand averted his eyes.
“She did? ”
“Indeed. I am only speaking to you on this matter because I respect you as a gentleman. I wanted you to know how far out of line she was.”
“So this summons is not your idea? ”
“Non, quite to the contrary. I am absolutely taken with both of your daughters.”
“Both?”
“Yes, they are exceptional.”
“I was told that you wanted to speak about Marianne.”
La Roque read the suspicion in Bertrand’s now pointed stare.
EF
La Roque walked over to a chair and sat down, with Bertrand seated across from him. “ Oui, Marianne. I offer my hand in marriage,” he finally heard himself say.
He could see Bertrand’s elation, and further realized how much he would wrong this family.
“Marianne is a sweet girl and very trusting. She will make a good wife. I would ask, however, that you be patient with her. She has been very sheltered and is not experienced in worldly matters.”
“And Zoé? ” La Roque asked, looking into Bertrand’s eyes.
The smile faded quickly from Bertrand’s lips and La Roque saw the same suspicion return. He imagined that Bertrand had to have turned away many a gentleman suitor with ill intentions toward young Zoé. It was probably why he was so defensive at the mere mention of her name from any man’s lips.
“My daughter has a suitor at home,” he said proudly, announcing that Zoé was just as much a prize as Marianne was.
La Roque blinked, then recovered. “She does? Is she aware? ”
“It’s my surprise for her,” Bertrand nodded.
La Roque had to digest the news. The
re was no point to this farce any longer. Set to inform Bertrand of the truth, he opened his mouth to speak. Yet he held back. Zoé would never agree to the marriage. To do so could defraud and ruin her father. In the meantime, as she said, he could have the best of both worlds. Though he was growing increasingly aware that the only world he preferred would be one with her in it.
He saw Bertrand growing puzzled over his hesitation and gave him a polite nod. “About Marianne’s dowry—”
“I know that you own land in our village, and wish to acquire the estate in her dowry. I have a proposition for you as well. Investment within my business.”
La Roque barely heard him. He could only process how far he had gone over his desire to possess Zoé. “Whatever your company needs, you shall have. Think nothing of it. Keep the land as well.”
“Well… that’s too generous, mon seigneur,” Bertrand stammered.
“I said, think nothing of it!” La Roque’s voice sharpened, breaking his control.
“Have I offended you? ”
La Roque stroked the silken hairs on his chin. “No. I am just not at my best today. Forgive me.”
“Is everyone coming down with something here? ”
La Roque saw the older gentleman look around, puzzled, and he knew his father’s intuition had him sensing the secrets within his château.
He rose. “It is that time of year…”
Bertrand nodded up at him. “I need to speak to my girls.”
“I shall fetch them for you,” La Roque offered, ready for the escape. Never had he gambled so much for the small sum of one, one woman who had him now hopelessly ensnared. Bertrand rose and bowed slightly as La Roque left the room. And La Roque felt the man’s eyes on him and didn’t dare look back. He contemplated removing them all from his home in order to regain his sanity.
Zoé, waiting in the salon with Marianne and Madame, hurried quickly to the parlor to meet with her father. She was desperate for the protective cover that his love for her always brought. Once inside, she stopped to see him smoking his pipe, staring up at La Roque’s portrait. Marianne caught up and breezed right in.
“Papa!”
Zoé smiled and followed.
“Sit down, girls,” Bertrand said, gesturing to the chaise longue in front of him.
They did so obediently and Zoé relaxed under her father’s warm stare. She watched as he then looked to her younger sister with just as much love. “How do you feel about Comte La Roque? ”
“I like him, but I don’t think he likes me…”
Zoé tensed.
“You don’t? ” Bertrand asked.
Clearing her throat, Zoé found her voice and immediately spoke up. “Marianne isn’t aware of how taken he is with her. Just the other day, he took us for a ride, and although we shared a horse, he peppered me with questions about her.”
Marianne frowned. “He did? ”
Zoé smiled. “Oui… he did.”
“I thought–”
Zoé grabbed her hand. “Trust me. He has fallen for you.”
“Really? I thought I noticed how he looked at me at breakfast today. He is so handsome, Papa. I really do like him.”
Zoé looked up into her father’s eyes and saw he was not as easily fooled by her performance. She put on her sweetest smile for him, hoping to not draw further suspicion.
“Zoé, are you saying that you believe his intentions are honorable? ” Bertrand asked.
Zoé nodded. “Oui, Papa. He’s a good man from what I can see. I think he will make a good husband for Marianne.”
“Then it’s settled. You are to be married.”
Marianne squealed with delight and hugged Zoé tightly. Zoé held her close, allowing the finality of her actions to sink in. “I am so happy for you,” Zoé said, kissing her cheek.
Zoé opened her eyes to see her father wearing a smile he’d reserved for the Christmas morning when he unveiled the grandest of surprises for his girls. Curious, she let go of her sister and stared at her father.
“I have a surprise for you, Zoé.”
“A surprise? ” Zoé asked.
“Do you remember Claude Chafer? ”
Zoé smiled. “Yes. He has always been so nice to us when we visit your docks.”
“Well, he has asked for your hand in marriage.”
Marianne squealed and Zoé went numb. Her sister’s hugging her and her father’s grin did nothing to ease the shock and dread that gripped her in that moment. Her father, soon recognizing that the elation wasn’t shared, looked into her eyes with concern.
“What is it? ”
“I can’t marry him, Papa,” she said, pushing her way out of her sister’s arms.
“What? ” her father asked.
“I can’t marry him!” Zoé said again, her eyes welling with tears.
“Of course you can!” Marianne interjected.
Zoé rose, nervously twisting her hands. “Chérie, please leave. Papa and I need to speak.”
She saw the surprise in their faces and chose to ignore it.
“What’s wrong? ” Marianne asked in a small voice.
“Chérie, please join Madame so that I can speak with Papa!” Zoé snapped, losing all patience. When Marianne rose and sulked out, Zoé regretted her tone. Silently she vowed to apologize later. For the moment, she had more pressing concerns. Taking a seat next to her father, she dropped her head.
“What is going on around here? Truth, Zoé!”
“It’s Marianne, Father.”
“What about Marianne? ”
“Look at her, Father. She’s so trusting and naïve. She has no idea of the ways of the world.”
“And you do? ” he scoffed.
“More than she does. If she is to be married, then she will need me, at least in the beginning. I need to help her.”
“Help her? Help her how? You are making no sense.”
“Papa. I want to stay with her… to assist her.” Zoé chose her words with care.
“Absolutely not! You are no one’s servant. I forbid it! I didn’t raise you for this!” Bertrand stood quickly, infuriated that his daughter would even suggest such a thing.
Zoé swallowed at the rare sight of her father losing his temper. She was losing this battle, and didn’t know what to do.
“This is Madame’s doing! Isn’t it? She convinced you to stay and become a servant to your own sister!! Answer me, girl!”
Zoé could not contain the lies that escaped her. She couldn’t face her father’s anger without revealing her shame. Keeping her head bowed, she spoke in a low, resolute tone. “No, Papa. I am telling the truth. This is what I want.”
“You will be married to Claude Chafer. Your dowry is being prepared.”
Zoé’s head rose and her eyes widened with awe. He had a dowry for her? His love for her knew no bounds, and it broke her heart. It was because of that love she’d sacrifice anything to protect him. He must never know her sins. Rising, she faced him.
“Papa, what if I could postpone marrying for just one year? Just until Marianne is settled in her marriage. She needs me. You have to see that.”
His hand went to her cheek, and he gave her the look she assumed he once gave her mother. The one of undying commitment to their child’s well-being. He’d told her that the day they placed her in his arms, he vowed she would have a better life. Zoé was beginning to realize the unyielding force of that vow.
“I can’t allow you to sacrifice your chance at happiness for anyone, ma fille.”
“This is not a sacrifice. It is an act of love,” she said, wrapping her arms around him. She hugged him tightly. Lifting her eyes, she saw they were being spied upon. La Roque held his pipe, watching her closely. Closing her eyes, she sighed.
“Trust me, Papa. I know what I am doing.”
EF Madame sat in her room wringing her hands as she waited for her husband. She knew that Zoé must be telling him now, and knowing Bertrand, he wasn’t going to take the news well.
; She stood and began to pace. She was doing a horrible thing to a girl who was as close to her as her own blood. But damn it, Zoé had brought this on herself. She was the one foolish enough to bed Julien La Roque. Madame had paid her debt back to Capucine for the horrible things she’d done to her. She had given Zoé every advantage, yet the girl still acted impulsively. Sighing, she thought about her husband’s health. She wouldn’t allow the truth to destroy him.
Besides, Marianne was the one that was to have a proper wedding. It wasn’t her fault that society placed such constraints upon them. She was doing what any mother in her position would do.
Madame told herself these things and more, but the truth was seared in her memory. She had wronged Capucine all those many years ago, and had stolen the life that she should have had. That guilt would forever haunt her.
The door opened and her husband walked in. He didn’t see her at first. Coming further inside, he looked up, and the scowl on his face confirmed her fears.
“What have you done? ” he asked in a low, angry tone. “I—”
He slammed the door and glared at her. “Why is Zoé
asking to remain here and wait on Marianne? ”
“She loves Marianne. You know that.”
“I want the truth! Why is Zoé asking to be a servant to
her own damn sister? ” Madame jumped. She’d never seen him so angry. She stared at him with fear in her eyes. “Listen to me. Please, calm down. You can’t be upset.”
She was a fairly decent wife, and he felt that she had given his daughters the upbringing they deserved. But he saw her jealousy of his Zoé. He saw her constant desire for him to love Marianne more than Zoé, and it infuriated him.
He’d known that she would pull something, but never this. No matter how much she wanted Zoé to be considered second-class, she had no influence over his daughter. Zoé had stood up to her tyranny for years, confident that he would protect her. What could have happened to make her succumb to Madame’s demands now?
“I mean it. What’s going on? ” Bertrand said through clenched teeth.
“We arrived here and Marianne was terrified. Zoé had to hold her hand through most of the courtship. Zoé came to me and said that she was fearful of just passing her sister off. You know how naïve Marianne is. She just wants to help her transition into the marriage.”