Chapter 20

Natalie paled and then bracing herself opened the door. The pale face of what she believed; was her daughter was visible on the bed. Natalie remembered the last time she was in this room with Josette and her heart broke.

She could not take much more pain if she lost her daughter. Nicolai had expressed an interest in her and after her period of mourning was going to ask to court her. Philippe would not like or appreciate his attention but Natalie had to look out for her daughter's future.

Natalie moved to the bed and was appalled at the amount of blood she had on her clothing and neck. "Philippe, go find some water and a cloth, I want to clean her up before the doctor arrives." Natalie was now in charge bustling about the room, going to find a nightgown and matching lace bed jacket to go with the gown.

"Moi poor bebe, Mamma is here now to take care of you my sweet chere'." Natalie studied her daughter's pale features and was suddenly struck by how much she looked like Josette and that marriage had made her more lovely than she remembered.

Her luxurious long dark hair was disheveled and tangled with briars, the high collared dress was ripped and her neck was covered in dried blood. She looked thinner than usual and there appeared to be bruising and scratches on her neck and shoulder.

Using care, she eased her dress off and then her under garments and bathed her face neck and arms with the water Philippe had given her. Looking at the two puncture marks on Josephine's neck gave her pause. They were very similar to what she had seen on Josette's neck before she had thrown herself off widows hill. Placing the back of her hand over her mouth she gasped.

"No, no it is not possible. It is a scratch as the others said." She spoke to herself dressing her daughter in the gown and bed jacket that once was Josette's bridal trousseau. "I am just imagining what is happening." Natalie reassured herself by voicing her thoughts out loud. A soft knock on the door and Natalie turned to the door. "Oui, come."

The door opened and Philippe followed by a tall thin man dressed in black jacket and white shirt entered the room carrying a bag with him. "Hello, Countess, I understand your daughter was injured in an accident?"

Natalie instantly recognized the family doctor of the Collins family. "Oui Doctor Lynch, she was injured in an accident. Her coach overturned."

Dr. Lynch nodded and then ushered everyone out of the room so he could examine his patient. Natalie and Philippe moved down to the drawing room to wait. From the outside, the sound of pounding horse hooves could be heard. Then the door to the entryway opened and Prince Nicolai entered the foyer.

"Countess?" He called with a hint of concern in his voice. Philippe had curled his hand into a fist hearing his voice and turned his back to the doorway. Natalie frowned seeing Philippe's reaction and called out. "In here Highness."

Nicolai rounded the corner and entered the foyer and stopped short seeing Natalie with blood on her gown. 'Is she . . .?"

Natalie moved forward and placed a calming hand on his gloved hand. "She is with the doctor and has suffered some scratches and bruising. We will know more when the doctor is done with his exam."

Nicolai held Natalie's hand in his and smiled tightly. "Do we know what caused the accident?" Philippe having schooled his features sighed and turned to face the Prince. Noting how dapper and sporting every bit the royalty he had claimed. He knew his daughter's opinion of the Prince having referred to him as randy and wild.

She had not been at all Impressed with the influence he had over Andre and knew that the association between them would eventually end in Andre's demise. Her premonition had been true. Andre had been with Nicolai when an attempt was made on the Prince's life.

They had been out partying and whoring when a jealous lover raised a gun to shoot the Prince. Andre had stepped in front of the gunfire and took the bullet for the Prince thereby forfeiting his life. The news had devastated Josephine. She had confessed to her father that she knew she lacked in beauty what he sought from other women but she had been a virtuous and faithful wife.

Philippe had not thought his daughter a beauty such as Josette. He did view her with the eyes of a loving father. However, when she had come home from Spain to Martinique, Philippe had noted how her marriage had refined his daughter and if it was possible she was prettier than he had remembered.

She did not have the delicate beauty that Josette had gotten from her mother Jeanette, what Josephine had been a quiet dignified beauty that was tender, sweet and nurturing. Philippe had become the doting father trying to fill the gap that Natalie had left when she focused so much attention on Josette.

Philippe and Josephine took a back seat to the needs of Josette after Jeanette's death. Natalie felt an obligation to her sister's only child. Josephine adored Josette and so they were raised as sisters under Andre's auspicious gaze.

Andre' and Philippe had been twins and had married the sisters for a matter of convenience more than love. Andre however fell in love with his bride and was crushed at the death of his wife shortly after the birth of their daughter. Andre and Philippe had a cane plantation on Martinique and had several indenture servants to help with the plantation.

Josephine had been born after a difficult birth to Natalie and was two at the time of the birth of Josette. Natalie offered to come to Martinique and help raise Josette with her daughter Josephine. So, the families were close and when Andre Cristobel had offered for Josephine's hand, they were married. Natalie gave a sigh of relief because Josette was always the one that received the most attention. She had feared that her daughter would be a spinster and go without a husband. So, when Barnabas offered for Josette and Andre had already offered for Josephine, Natalie gave a sigh of relief.

Nicolai watched Natalie's face speaking of how Josephine appeared before she took care of her appearance before the doctor went up to examine her. Nicolai politely listened but could not help but notice Philippe keeping a distance and avoiding eye contact with him.

When Natalie took a breath, Nicolai released her hand and moved to Philippe, "Monsieur, did you travel well from Martinique?" Nicolai was forcing a conversation that Philippe did not feel he was ready or willing to be a participant.

"It was tolerably well, except for a few storm squalls at this time of the year one expects. We did have to lay over in Bermuda for a couple of days until the seas calmed."

Nicolai offered his hand to Philippe and Philippe hesitated before taking it. Philippe had heard that the reason Nicolai had been so successful in his campaigns against his enemies was he had delved in the black arts and made a pack with the devil himself.

This was not anyone that Philippe wanted for his daughter. He knew she would be miserable. The sound of a door closing announced the doctor was done with his exam. All turned to watch the doctor come down the stairs. "Countess, Mr. duPres and... I am afraid I have not had the pleasure?" Dr. Lynch extended his hand to Nicolai.

"Prince Nicolai Romanov of Monrovia how is Countess Cristobel?"

Nicolai gave Peter Lynch a hardy handshake and asked outright what all were waiting to hear. "Well she is undernourished, which is not uncommon for someone that has been in mourning. She is scratched and bruised and has a nasty bump on her head. For the most part she is going to be fine with lots of rest and a bit of food."

Natalie gave a sigh of relief. Thankful for the information Natalie excused herself to go up the stairs to be with he daughter.

Philippe and Nicolai escorted the doctor out of the door and Nicolai took his leave with the doctor. Philippe felt the chill of the night air and stopped feeling uneasy he glanced around the area and noticed that the woods appeared even more ominous in the evening night.

Philippe could not shake the feeling he was being watched. Pausing he turned full circle around on the front steps and looked around for a sign of someone. Not seeing anyone, Philippe moved slowly back up the steps and then closed the door securing it behind him. Perhaps it had been being in close contact with a snake like Nicolai. Philippe went to the fireplace and warmed himself as he heard a knock on the door.

Moving to the door he opened it and a wide-eyed servant stood panting hard. "Sir, Mr. Collins sent me to help. Please let me in, someone was following me in the woods and I sure be scared."

Philippe stepped aside, "Please child come in, Countess duPres is upstairs with Countess Cristobel." The young maid caught her breath and let it out slowly. "Thankee sir, I be very appreciate it."

She slipped in and Philippe noted she was barely a child or a young 16-17 year old girl. "They are upstairs in Josette's room." Millie the maid went up the stairs out of site.

Philippe secured the door and moved inside the house. Moving about he began to light more lamps and candles dispelling the cold unwelcoming feeling of the house. Natalie came down the stairs and paused looking at her husband. "She is sleeping, I am going to ask Millie to prepare our rooms for us and we can get some rests. This has simply drained me. Did you make arrangements for your luggage to be brought here?"

Philippe seated himself on the chair and shook his head. "I think Joshua said he would take care of seeing that our luggage will be sent. He was I believe having his men right the carriage and the horses were caught and put in his stable."

Natalie sat on the edge of his chair and laid her head on his shoulder. "Not a very warm welcome for you or Moi Cheri'?"

She rubbed his shoulder and smiled for him laying a light kiss on her brow. "All is better now my dear. Now we are here and not on that blasted ship. I must admit I am tired."

Natalie smiled and stood up offering him her hand. "Then come my love and I will prepare our rooms for us. No need to wait for Millie she is sitting with Josephine."

Vicki opened her eyes and immediately felt a familiarity with the room. She could smell Josette and she sat up and said softly. "Josette?"

Confused she looked around at the lovely softly lit room. "No Miss, you are in her room. I be Millie your maid. Countess Natalie says you are to lay still and rest."

Vicki politely smiled then grimaced finding a new bruise, then noticed her maid was a young pretty girl. "Millie what time is it?"

Millie looked at the small clock on the mantel and then over to Vicki, "It be chiming before you work up and I don't know my numbers." Vicki smiled and asked her to bring the little clock to her.

Looking at the clock she noted it was 7:45. "Is it day or night?" Millie pulled back the curtains and Vicki could see it was daylight; the morning must have been overcast because the sun was not strong. Feeling her muscles stiffen, she move to stand and felt a bit dizzy. "Oh dear. The doctor did say I bumped my head."

Millie went to steady her and help her with a day dress of soft pale blue and dressed her hair up with ribbons and pearl pins. "These are not mine, where . . . "

Millie pinned the last curl in place and smiled. "They used to be Miss Josette's, your mother said she would not have minded you using them."

Vicki glanced at her pale features in the tiny mirror and noted a slight bruise on her forehead. "Josette's? I thought she had moved to Collinwood after Mr. Jeremiah's death?"

Millie nodded and Vicki noted how well she dressed her hair and how pretty she made it. "She did and poor ting she then jumped off Widows Hill. It was a sad day for all when she did. It took the sunshine out of all of us."

Vicki nodded and sighed. "I suppose it would, she was so full of love and life and she was totally devoted to Mr. Barnabas. What happened?" Millie grew quiet and then began to make the bed.

"Miss Josette eloped with Mr. Jeremiah. Some say it was the witch that made them do it. It broke Mr. Barnabas' heart but he married Angelique. Then they must have divorced and he went to England. This was after Miss Josette's death."

Vicki nodded and then turned to peer at the picture of Josette over the fireplace. "That was 'oncle' André's wedding gift for Barnabas and Josette." Rising she could feel the heavy fall of the morning gown made of silk and trimmed with pearls and satin ribbons. Millie was struck by how lovely this woman was and smiled feeling her sweet nature was almost equal to Josette's.

"I wish to know this house as I am going to be here for a few months. Would you mind showing me around?"

Millie smiled at her mistress and bob a curtsey. "I be pleasured, I started here in this house and when the family moved to the big house, I missed this house."

Vicki followed her out of the door and down a hallway to the top of the stairs. Moving along the hallway, Millie explained the hallways that intersected and another set of stairs that led up to servant's quarters and a back stairs to the kitchen. She led her down to the main drawing room and then down a hallway behind the main drawing room to a sitting room that must have been Naomi's knitting or embroidery room.

Vicki saw the kitchen and the back garden area and the patio with a lovely rose garden. Moving about the house to the dining room and the day room. There she found a spinet or clavichord. Vicki sat down at the keys and Millie excused herself, she could hear what must be a cook in the kitchen and was moving to see who had been hired to work in the old house. Vicki moved her fingers over the keys and began to play the minuet from Josette's music box. It was a haunting melody that was stuck in her mind.

Sitting with her back to the door and caught up in her music, she did not hear the arrival of Prince Nicolai he stood admiring the slender back and perfectly coiffed head sitting on the slender neck line.

If the face matched the body he would be a lucky man. It would be worth the sacrifice he felt he should make to take care of his good friend's widow. He watched her slender arms and long delicate fingers found each key and played a romantic tune.

Natalie heard the spinet and moved towards the music and started to speak when Nicolai stopped her from speaking, he watched the young woman in the pretty dress she was totally absorbing herself into the music she was playing, ending her piece she folded her hands in her lap and felt proud of accomplishing that piece of music.

She had been humming it in her mind. From behind she heard clapping and a flush of soft pink filled her cheeks giving her a pretty color she rose suddenly and turned to see the dashing young Prince Nicolai in his riding clothing standing with her mother.

"Darling wherever did you hear that piece?" Natalie moved forward followed by Nicolai.

"I am nor sure Mamma, it was something that has haunted me for sometime. Perhaps I heard it while I was in Paris or Spain."

Natalie smiled, "It sounds like the tune that is played on Josette's music box Barnabas gave her."

"I did not know Mamma. I just wanted to play it. Hello, I am Josephine Cristobel and you are?"

She waited for an introduction of the young Prince and Natalie looked at her surprised.

"Josephine you do not know your husband's best friend Prince Nicolai Romanov?"

Natalie had scolded her and again Nicolai smiled watching the lovely color come to her cheeks. Immediately, she fell into a deep curtsy, her voice soft saying, "My pardon your Highness." Nicolai extended his hand and tipped her chin up to peer into incredible eyes that hid nothing from his gaze. Eyes that did give him the mirror to her soul and what a pure soul it was. Oh how his master would love to corrupt her and bend her to his will.

From all that Andre had told him, she was milk toast and unimaginative. He was curious how anyone could think that if they had not heard her play. She played with passion, he was sure she could enflame the most cold hearted. Andre had spent a lot of time whoring and fathering several illegitimate children to his knowledge 5 at last count.

Why would a man want to find passion in the arms of another woman when he had the perfect woman in front of him? "Please my dears please do not stand on formalities here." He helped her to stand and again noted her modesty was as pure as her soul. His intense scrutiny made her flushed again.

"No Mamma, Andre spent his time away from home and I was never allowed to visit him in Monrovia."

He even liked the sound of her voice, which was soft, well modulated and sweet. "Much to my displeasure, I can assure you. Had we not always been at war, I would have insisted he bring you to my country. It's a very beautiful place, spring is so full of color and the summers are best spent in the mountains, winters are cold but that makes for closer contact with your loved ones."

Natalie was impressed, Josephine not so much. She had always been wary of him since the night Andre had gotten drunk and was abusive to her, forcing her to his will and laughing at her little girl ideas and abilities to please him.

Then he had bragged at how he found passion in the arms of many whores and had even tried a black arts rite. He even suggested she experience the love of another woman with him. This boast had physically turned her stomach and she had waited for him to pass out and then left the house and rode her horse all night to the country house arriving at the early morning hours.

She was not going to let him subject her to his sick and perverse ways of living. She would reside happily back in Martinique with her father and 'oncle' Andre'. So, she immediately made haste to get a letter off to her Father and Mother.

She spent little time packing and getting her a room booked on the first ship heading to the Caribbean Isle of Martinique. She made sure that there was nothing of her left behind for Andre to find and use against her. She had even used an assume name to book her passage on the Golden Gull. She was done with Andre and his hurtful ways.

So, she escaped to Martinique. She lived there very comfortably and happy to help, up to Josette's departure for Collinsport in the Americas. She was so happy for Josette and Barnabas and had promised to stand up with her at her wedding. Life had been simple and happy until Andre had tracked her down on her father's plantation. A day she would remember and would wonder about for years thereafter.

The soft wind was making a promise of a rainy fall and the chance for big winds to blow over the plantation. A rider was seen coming up the long drive and Josephine had ordered cold libation for the rider. She readied her welcome until she recognized the set of the shoulders, the uniform and the steely-eyed look.

Dismounting he approached her, grabbed her by the arm and drug her across the veranda to the double doors kicking them in, he drug her to their bedroom and threw her across the bed. Josephine knew what was coming watching him pull his coat off and then pinned her down on their bed. She closed her eyes to the moment and she waited out his anger, frustration and use of her.

Finishing he got dressed; he spoke sharply and to the point. "You can do as you wish, but remember you belong to me, you are my wife. I am off to Monrovia, when I come back we will discuss us." She had laid with the blankets covering her body and trembled at his words and his touch. To remind her of his ownership he had leaned over and spoke softly. "YOU belong to me, never forget that cow. YOU are mine!" He had pushed her away from him and moved out of the door slamming it behind him.

She continued to lay listening to him mount his horse and ride off at a fast past and could hear the whip hit the horse's side with each angry shout of "Haaa! Haaa!" Later bathing she was glad he was gone and she only had to tolerate his touch for a short period of time. She could always hope one of the whores or battle would kill him.

That was the last she saw him, and then the rider came with news he had died. It was during the time she was getting ready to join Josette in Maine. She felt a month of mourning was all he deserved as she prepared to leave. Then word arrived that Josette had eloped, was widowed, and then had died by her own hand. This prompted Philippe to join his daughter on the month long trip to Americas and was delayed by 2 weeks due to storms at sea.

Josephine had always been a good sailor until this trip and she thought perhaps her constant nausea was due to the feelings she was having over loosing Josette, not so much her husband but the woman that had been as close to her as her sister.

Josephine had been sick almost every morning of the beginning of the cruise. The seas had been very rough at the beginning of the trip and had not eased to the very end. So, when they made landfall in Bermuda, she sought out some medication from the local island doctor.

During her visit he had placed the germ of an idea in her that she might be enceinte which she thought would be ridiculous because nothing indicated she was with child. When the voyage ended so did her being sick, so she just thought it was nothing more than the rough seas and her being upset over the death of her dearest Josette.

Josephine was brought back to the moment when Nicolai kissed her hand and smiled at her. Josephine was not use to the sophistication of such a man. She had limited contact with the higher achy of the royal families.

She had inherited the title Countess when she married Andre. She had avoided his friends for as long as she could. When he finally asked her to hostess a party for some friends she managed to keep to the background and allow the others to shine and enjoy the company of each other.

She had accidentally over heard some of the wives of the other nobles talking and they were laughing at her and her awkwardness and how would she react if she knew what a randy womanizer Andrea had become. This was something she chose to ignore and live in denial when her life with Andre began to take on a surrealistic style of him living in Monrovia and she in Spain.