Summer, 1864; Cagnes-sur-mer, France.
"Bon nuit, papa. Bon nuit, maman." Raymond-Michel listened with satisfaction to the goodnight replies of his parents, knowing they would leave him be until the morning, assuming that he would be in his room.
Raymond-Michel gave a silent chuckle as he realized just how very foolish an assumption that could be.
He slipped his feet into his riding boots with well-practiced quiet, and arranged his dark cloak around his shoulders before slipping onto his balcony. The summer air was salty and heavy about him; he felt as though he was surrounded by a field of tears.
A perfect atmosphere for sneaking off to be with Lisette, he mused.
He hummed to himself as he swung into the branches of the tree that stood by his balcony and made his way down to the ground, dropping lightly for a few feet. The reality of his landing always sent pleasured tingles down his spine.
He jogged easily to the stables, petting his dark brown mare Belle and leading her out into the darkness. Raymond-Michel climbed onto her back and gave a quiet whistle, tossing a franc to the stable boy Alain, who grinned unnaturally widely as his fingers closed around the shining coin.
Belle and Raymond-Michel flew through the sand that lined the beach, sometimes riding through puddles that splashed his boots and dark pants. Silence surrounded them, and they moved quickly through the night.
Somewhere near, Lisette waited.
He would not disappoint her.
---
Lisette was sitting in front of her mirror, brushing her long hair and humming a soft song. Her window was open to her balcony, the silk curtains blowing in the breeze.
She sighed happily. A note had come earlier, secretly announcing that Rémy would come to see her. Happiness welled inside her, and she let her hair fall delicate and dark around her shoulders. Her white robe tickled her wrists, and she stared out the window as she rubbed her hands up her arms. Rémy was coming, and although he cared not a whit what she looked like besides her natural characteristics, she loved to look her best for him.
She heard a soft whistle from outside, and Lisette all but flew to the window, peeking out from between the curtains. Her cheeks blushed with joy as she saw Rémy, her Rémy, looking up at her. He smiled, blew a kiss, and climbed up to her. She slipped out of her window and they embraced on the balcony.
"Rémy," she breathed into his neck. She felt him smile against her hair.
"My own, sweet Lisette," he whispered. "How I wish the night were longer."
Lisette pulled back a little, pouting. His arms had worked their way around her waist, and she placed her hands against his chest inside his dark cloak. "And how I wish all our wishes would change the world. Do not be so sad, you know I hate it when you are sad." He smiled at her, and drew her closer. She tilted her head up. He leaned down, his lips almost brushing hers.
"When I am with you, I am only happy."
Their lips came together, and they kissed with youthful passion. Lisette's hands snaked around Rémy's neck, and she sighed with contentment. Rémy pulled away suddenly.
"Your eyes are so beautiful in this half-moonlight, I want to remember them." Lisette shook her head. "They are, Lisette. They are shining, and I am beyond happiness, knowing I can make your eyes so joyful." Lisette buried her face in his chest, blushing. He made her feel like a foolish little girl.
"Sweet little one," he said, stroking her hair. "How I wish we could run away together." Lisette trembled a little in his embrace, her speech muffled against his shirt. "I know, love. I wish that fate upon no one. I could never do it, nor could you. We are too kind to the others that we love."
"Oh, why are we so unfortunate as to have to suffer as we do?" Lisette cried softly. Her eyes brimmed, heavy and salty like the air. She closed her eyes, and Rémy kissed the tears away as they ran frantically down her cheeks.
"God sends us these obstacles to see how strong our love is. If we can persevere, I know we will be together." Rémy rocked her in his arms, turning on the spot as he improvised a waltz. He hummed; she felt his throat moving as he lay his head on hers. "Dance with me," he said.
She danced, unable to say no even as her sadness dampened her Rémy's clothes.
---
A knock at Lisette's door awoke her as she lay on her bed. She recalled Rémy picking her up and taking her into her bed; he had held her until she fell asleep. Now, she was alone, holding herself, and being rudely awoken.
"What is it?" she groaned. "Come in."
The door opened and one of the maids, Élodie, came in with a tray brimming with breakfast. Lisette frowned. "Did I sleep through breakfast again?"
"Oui, madamoiselle." Élodie gave a tiny, apologetic smile. "Your papa and aunt said it was best if you were allowed to sleep."
Lisette nodded, weariness still invading her eyes. She yawned and stretched her arms. She sat up in bed, blinking her heavy eyelids. "What is for breakfast today, Élodie?"
"There is hot chocolate, I know you like that. And two crèpes." Lisette smiled; her aunt's cook knew all her favorites. She stood, slipping her legs from under her covers, and went over to the small table by her window.
"Goodness!" Élodie suddenly raced to the window. "The window was open! Why, I was so sure I closed it yesterday," she said, distraught.
Lisette lay a hand quickly on Élodie's arm. "Do not be distressed. I opened it, for it was warm in here." Élodie looked at her suspiciously, but sighed.
"Very well. Now, eat before it gets too cold."
Lisette dug into her breakfast.
---
Rémy lay on his bed in his pants and a white shirt, his bare feet catching whispers of the air blowing in from the balcony. Lisette had looked so peaceful when he had laid her on her bed, like a dark-haired angel. Rémy had kissed her even after she had fallen asleep, and only sense kept him from staying with her and holding her in his arms. What he wouldn't give to awaken beside her.
He sighed. He'd never imagined love to be so daunting a thing. Rémy felt twice his age with the knowledge of the wrong he was doing at night, and he was only twenty. How his parents would act, he did not want to know.
Once again, he found himself wishing he was not so dreadfully attached to his life, and she to hers. For either of them to leave their homes to marry would make them both miserable, and he could never stand it. He was used to his parents, needed them, and the freedom his wealth offered him. And she was Jewish, too religious to marry what she called a goy; and all this besides her four beloved brothers, and a father, and an aunt.
How could either of them hope to survive without the acceptance of those they held dear? Even deception, as they practiced now, was better than cowardly running away. No, they would face their troubles.
He wished she lived in Cagnes-sur-Mer. She only came in the summers; he only came when his parents wanted to. Which was mostly in the summers, truly, but still. Rémy would have been able to make them stay there, if there was a reason. Even if he could never tell them.
A knock at his door distracted him. "Come in." The door opened to reveal one of the older maids, an rather snippy, but kind, woman who all called Madame Rouge, due to her once-red hair that now fell gray about her lined face.
She carried breakfast, and to complete the image, an apron wrapped around her full stomach. "Bonjour, Raymond. Ça-va?"
Rémy snorted. "It's Raymond-Michel, Madame R, or Rémy. Not Raymond."
Madame Rouge snorted and put her hands on her hips. "Raymond-Michel is a mouthful, and Rémy's for a little boy. You're no petit garçon anymore." Her almost Spanish accent rang loudly in his room; her hometown just north of the Pyrenees made her speech much different from well-bred Rémy's. He gave a dramatic sigh.
"Well, I shall suffer."
"You'd better be eating, then, Raymond. Your father's got a man coming for talk about his money, and you know he likes you to listen and learn. At least you're dressed, if only a bit. I'll fetch your other bits of attire."
He groaned and sat up, scratching his scalp. He scarfed down his food, not caring for its taste. Lisette's taste still mingled in his senses. The tea, though, cut through her sweet taste, and he nearly spat it back up until he remembered to mix in some sugar. Madame Rouge came back directly.
"Here you are, Raymond. Be quick, won't you."
"Oui, Madame R. Thanks very much." She shut the door behind her on her way out, and Rémy heaved another sigh. "This is going to be a very long day." He tucked his shirt in more properly, and pulled on a dark green vest and black waistcoat. He smoothed his light brown hair behind his hears and over his forehead, scratching the back of his neck and fastening his gold cross around his neck.
He sat quickly at his desk, and pulled out a bit of stationary and began to write. After a few moments, he quickly folded the letter and put it in an envelope, which he addressed to Mlle L. Leblanc. He raced down the stairs and into the stables.
"Alain, man, come down from there!" he called into the hayloft. The stable boy came down the ladder with an easy, acquired grace and turned to Rémy.
"Oui?" His darkly tanned skin looked awkward next to his almost flaxen hair, but Alain had always been rather awkward, aside from his physical perfection. "Another letter?" Rémy glanced around, looking for the other stable workers. Alain picked up on this, and said, "Richard is out exercising the roan, and Patrick is out somewhere, doing something."
"You're lucky you've got good hearing, Alain," Rémy said almost sourly. "Yes, it's another letter. Get it to her as soon as Richard or Patrick gets back. Here." Rémy tossed him another franc.
"If I'm lucky I've got good hearing, you're pretty lucky your pockets are so big, eh?" Alain said with a good-natured grin. "You know I don't need the money. I owe you, you got me this job."
"Ha, don't give me that. You need every sou you can get to keep that mouth of yours shut."
Alain snorted and disappeared into the stall where Rémy's beloved mare Belle stood. He took a sugar cube from his pocket, and held out his hand. Belle snatched it up eagerly; Alain turned back to Rémy. "I just made her excited, so you'll have a good ride. Sugar has that effect on her."
"Merci," Rémy said, swinging into Belle's saddle. He needed a ride in the salty air to clear his head, and perhaps his eyes, of Lisette so he might (might!) pay attention to his father's financial meeting.
Even as the air on the beach stung his eyes, he knew he fought a losing battle.
---
Lisette sighed as Élodie laced her corset. "I can't imagine what this must be for you, Élodie, having to tie all these strings. And just to make me look unnaturally thin."
"Come, now, Lisette, you would look very out of the mode without one. You'll never make a good catch that way."
"Élodie, you sound just like the imitations of matchmakers Aba and Aunt Élise make." Élodie laughed. "You do, though."
"If you say so. Here, wear this blue dress today, it matches the sea."
Lisette looked at the aqua dress and frowned. It was very feminine, more feminine than usual. "Why, whatever is going on today?" she asked. "That's not a dress for everyday wear."
"Oh, no, but the comte de Provence and his son are coming to tea today and your Papa wants everyone to look very nice. We don't often have comtes coming to tea with us, you know."
Lisette had heard nothing after 'and his son'. Rémy would be there, at her house, in less than twelve hours! Lord, nothing could be more frightening.
She struggled to maintain her composure. "Yes, well, that dress will be very nice. I shall wear my silver, shall I?"
"Indeed, an excellent idea."
Lisette put on the dress, trembling a little. She brushed her hair carefully and had Élodie put it into a fancy set of small braids entwined on the back of her head, which took the better part of an hour.
But Élodie could not help exclaiming in praise of how lovely Lisette surely looked, in her well-made hair. Lisette smiled, and in turn praised Élodie for her masterful handiwork.
Then, Élodie snapped her fingers. "That's right," she said. "Your mother wants to see you before they arrive. You should go, that is if you plan to practice on the pianoforte before they come, so you might play something for them."
"Heavens above, Élodie, you know I cannot play the piano if my life depended on it. But I will practice, just so you can hear how awful it is to the ears." Élodie laughed, and Lisette smiled. "I will go to my mother now, oui? Oui."
Lisette and dress flounced out of the rom, leaving a chortling Élodie to clean up the breakfast tray.
---
Rémy sat in the carriage, hands slightly damp. He wiped them on his pants, the soft creases seeming ugly and harsh.
"Raymond-Michel, you seem nervous as a babe. Pray don't look so awkward while we are talking with the Leblancs. They are holders of a great fortune. It would be most helpful to make an alliance with them." Rémy's father inspected his fingernails, then smiled at his son. "I have heard he has four sons, and one especially lovely daughter."
Rémy blanched.
His mother gave a laugh. "My dear Rémy! How white you are. Do not be so ashamed, I have seen Madamoiselle Leblanc and she is indeed a heavenly creature. I would not be ill at ease at all if you were to tell me you found yourself taken by her."
"Nor would I, but we must learn a little about these people, Marie," his father said. Marie de Provence sighed. "But Raymond-Michel, do behave. If you do not, I shall sell your mare."
"Under that threat, papa, I shall surely behave."
The carriage rolled to a halt, and Rémy stepped out of the carriage, staring at the mansion's facade. He decided it was much more beautiful in the day.
Rémy's father strolled with Marie on his arm; Rémy trailed behind. His father pulled the bell, and a butler opened the door.
"Monsieur le comte," the butler said, and bowed. He had a very straight part, and salt-colored hair. "Comtess," he added. To Rémy, he gave a respectful nod. Rémy nodded back. "Do follow me, s'il vous plaît."
The butler led them into the house. Rémy paused when he heard music wafting out from behind a partially open door. The butler turned, and smiled slightly. Rémy was surprised he could smile; his butler's expression was always stoic.
"That is Madamoiselle Leblanc playing. She is a lovely musician." The butler knocked slightly on the door, and the playing slowed.
"Come in," came Lisette's voice. Rémy's knees were weak as the butler opened the door, and Lisette appeared sitting at the piano, wearing a beautiful aqua dress and an amazing style in her hair. The piano resumed, an almost lively song that made Rémy tap his toe inside his shoe.
When the song was done, Rémy applauded automatically, as did his parents. The butler had disappeared, and Lisette spun in the seat quickly. She stood and curtseyed. "Bonjour," she said. "Bienvenue."
The butler came back, and in came Lisette's father and aunt. "Monsieur le comte," the woman said warmly, coming forward. Rémy and Lisette stared at each other for a long moment. "I am so happy you could come."
"It is our pleasure," Rémy's father said, kissing his hostess's hand. "Madame Vogenberg." Marie came forward as well, smiling warmly. "This is my wife, Marie, and my son, Raymond-Michel."
"Enchantée. I am Élise Vogenberg," she said, smiling. "And I see you have already encountered my niece, Lisette Leblanc." They all turned back to Lisette, who curtseyed. The comte came and kissed her hand, and Lisette smiled and bowed her head to the comtess. Rémy came over last, and kissed her hand.
If she had not been leaning her knee against the piano bench, Lisette knew she would have fallen straight into his arms.
His kiss burned her skin, and she drowned in his eyes.
