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Chapter Twenty: Scandal
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Spalatro, French Croatia
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August 1821
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- I can't understand how you can smile while reading this…
Jane frowned at her before Maureen could find a word with enough ire in it to describe what she was feeling. Her eyes were looking at the little gang of teenagers who were busy building a huge castle complex with their Croatian friends.
They weren't listening but they could still hear a lot better than normal people. And, like most teens they weren't culturally against eavesdropping.
- Maureen, dear, please don't swear while there are innocent bystanders in the immediate vicinity.
Maureen followed Jane's eyes and looked at the bunch and couldn't help but smile back when Sean winked and smiled at her. Not seeing Gwen nor any of the other girls they had brought to the beach, her eyes immediately roamed the beech while sending a mind call.
The answer was instantly in her mind. With, as usual when her daughter was feeling under surveillance, a little pinch of irate sarcasm.
I'm with Lexi, Sarah and Joan at the Gelateria, mom, and Theresa and Gwinneth are with us at the back table in the courtyard, out of by passers eyes. We are not lost. How could we with half a regiment of body guards?
Maureen didn't try to hide her exasperation at her daughter's tone. Where had the kind and obedient little girl disappeared to?
Two are a far way from a regiment and you failed to inform me that you were leaving the beach. You know I like to know what you do and where you are!
Another mind encroached in her dialog with Gwen.
I informed you, that I was going downtown…said Lexi who had joined them a week ago after another lengthy roundtrip in France's Outer provinces.
You didn't say that Gwenn would be going with you… thought Maureen for both her daughters.
We followed her when she walked away, this whole castle building scheme was becoming boring.
Maureen forced herself to remain calm. She wouldn't win against Gwen who was even more headstrong than Lexi. And when they both were together… She'll never had the last word.
Good, be careful and bring us an assortment of sorbets when you come back…
Another burst of exasperation rushed her.
We were going to go back to the beach after the ice, mom, Lexi has booked a ship for when Alexandre arrives in an hour or two, no need to find an excuse to coax us back.
It's not only an excuse, protested Maureen. I do have a desire for Mango Lemon with Crème Chantilly…
I'll order the usual and Pepe will send Alberto to the beach. You'll have your ice while it is still cold. We will come back with Lexi, promise!
As usual the link was cut by their daughters.
Jane smiled at her sister and wife, guessing with ease what had just happened.
- Where are they?
- At Pepe's, I ordered Ice for us… answered Maureen.
- Ice will perhaps calm you down, she said while showing the book she was reading. I believe you are not really serene since this interesting book had been added to our shelves.
Since all the books all the printers and publishers of France and Grand Great Britain had printed were sent to the family in a more or less discreet attempt to stay on their good side there were quite a huge quantity of those added to their shelves here and abroad.
Way too many to be able to read them all.
But they had a staff paid to roam the books and label them with a color code.
And the one in Jane's hands was labeled "red" as in "family-related".
- I can't understand how you have been able to read more than ten pages of this…
Piece of shit, did she add with a mind sending.
Once more Jane's frown answered her.
You should have gone on reading, love, it is clearly about us even if it printed as a novel, but it is the best picture of what we really are I have ever seen.
Maureen could feel Jane's mirth tickling her.
And the love scenes between us are wonderfully romantic even if they are rather explicit in their depiction.
Jane's smile increased tenfold.
I think we should try the pose the author describes page one hundred twelve. It's the most erotically hot description I've ever read where no man is present. I'm very much suspecting the author to have sexual preferences going towards women.
She winked at her sister.
Do you believe she has fantasies with the both of us coming looking for her?
Maureen couldn't help but looking towards heaven.
How can you stay so calm when some people do take liberties with what is clearly our private life?
It's a novel, Maureen, and even if it is very easy to see that the heroines are looking a lot like us, it remains a historical fiction that takes place in some fabulous Antique Asian Mountain Kingdom where a fantastically good looking but bloodthirsty Khan is finally tamed by his extraordinarily beautiful exotic Celtic wives…
Who look a lot like us…
Indeed, the descriptions the author gives do tend to remind me of us. But to say the truth I love it to be called extraordinarily beautiful, love. And Judith –that should be me if we look at the description- has not only a fantastic figure and a stamina to damn a bull, but her mind is even more impressive. Weren't she a loving and compassionate woman ready to do everything for those she love, one could easily call her a scheming bitch, could one not?
She depicts me as a bloodthirsty bully…
Jane's smile was back with even more sparkles in her eyes.
So, you did read the whole of it! And I beg to differ with you, love, Maewa is not a bully, she's Judith's guardian angel and as such she shows very few scruples when it comes to protecting her sister, friend and co-wife. This reminds me quite a lot of that green-eyed and red-haired guardian angel God sent me to save my life by sacrificing hers.
Jane was about to sit back and read another chapter when the bell of Alberto's ice cart signaled its arrival. Normally the beach was –for obvious security reasons- closed for sellers and other vendors but the cart was necessary to deliver the usual family order. And once on the beach Alberto had no problems to sell the rest of his merchandize within the following hour.
- Let's have some ice, love, said Jane putting her book on her seat. I'm quite sure you still need it to calm down.
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Spalatro, Great Hall, Weekly Press Conference
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August 1821
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- Are you sure, Miss Nichols that this is your question? I'm not sure your readers are really interested about my opinion over a very controversial book.
Diana Nichols, the latest and youngest, reporter of "Light and Famous" who had been sent to cover the family could only vehemently nod.
- Yes, Your Grace, I'm sure! Our readers really are interested in you and your family. And this book makes you immediately think about you and your sisters in marriage. It is perhaps not your story –for that we have already quite a lot of different books, but you can't deny that it points heavily in your family's direction.
Jane who had spoken with Maureen and Geoff about the book wasn't surprised that L&F reporters would believe that their readers would want to have her opinion.
- Well, I've read the book and I have, indeed, found quite a few analogies with me and my marriage within its pages, Miss Nichols. But as I have already said in the past, when we speak about a novel, especially when it is well written, like this time, I refuse to call for legal steps against what can be considered as inspirational liberties even if it's rather easy to see that some members of the family did probably serve as the author's inspiration.
Diana Nichols couldn't help but show her surprise.
- But some call "High & Hot" the first d'Arcy bio-pornography… Won't your family react against what has been quoted many times as scandalous slander?
Jane's smile never left her lips and her eyes did not deny her mirth.
- Let's not forget that it is only a novel and even if a lot of the book's circumstances can be looked at as very similar to what we, the d'Arcy spouses, live, it is clearly only an inspiration.
For a second her smile disappeared.
- But I will refute the term pornography. It is a –perhaps very- hot Romance, I cannot disagree with that, but it is also very beautifully written. Thanks to a fast-moving and thrilling storyline I consider it as a page-turner of supreme quality. I still prefer Miss Austen's subtle wittiness and humor but I must admit that I have taken great pleasure in reading this one and I confess that I will read all following books from this author as soon as they are delivered on my office table. Concerning the Sapphic love-making descriptions between the two main heroines in the book, I won't let you use them as a pretext to comment here what I have always refused to answer when questions turning around the family's sex life have arisen. Let's just say that I liked that the vivid descriptions were always used to demonstrate the profound feelings the protagonists have for each other.
Miss Nichols had some difficulties to adjust her questions since she was clearly of the opinion that 'High and Hot' was not a book that should stay on the market.
- But is there nothing that you find unpalatable in those pages?
Jane did frown for a second.
- I will admit that I don't like the novel's Title! It's rude and crude and is a liability for the author's credibility. Knowing the world of publishers and editors, I guess I kinow who's responsible for this major faute de gout. 'High and Hot' has, in my opinion, the reek of Goldman's boorish book editor Klemens Hagen who has the taste of an anosmian Pitbull hound and who relishes in believing that the world is the same pit of sins as his soul. The author should insist that the next reprint has another title. Everybody will know that it is the same book but at least it will no longer have 'bad pornography' as a sub-title.
A male journalist asked for the floor, judging from his accent he was a true Londoner.
- Gerald O'Bannion, London Star, ma'am. If I dare, Madame d'Arcy, isn't Goldman one of the Company's book publishers?
- Indeed, it is, but the fate of Klemens Hagen is not worth even a second of Charles or Uncle Gardiner's time. In my opinion bad workers and bad people always end up where they deserve, no need to waste precious time getting after them. I have heard that Goldman's board considers Hagen as a good editor. It could be true because it has happened that bad people were still able to do good work. And he has accepted to print 'High and Hot', hasn't he? Bad taste in 'titling' a good book is not yet a sin, there is still hope, I suppose…
- So, you have looked into the genesis of this book, ma'am?
Jane, who hated being 'ma'amed' shot a very unfriendly glance towards O'Bannion.
- Mr. O'Bannion, I am only my husband's first wife and, even if late King George has bestowed me with the fancy but prestigious title of Duchess of Aquitania, I'm not what you would call a working woman! I do have leisure time and I like using said leisure time to be acquainted with more interesting people. So, yes, when I discover an interesting new author, I look him or her up and I do what's necessary to understand how he or she works. Especially when said author has the good taste to mold her heroines and heroes on persons I know and appreciate. And for the record, a polite young man, even with an honorable military past like yours, when he speaks with me, doesn't 'ma'am' me but uses madame, madam or your Grace… His choice.
Everybody in the Great Hall could hear the silent '…if he wants to have a future here…' quite distinctly and it surprised quite a lot of the present journalists because such a public admonition had, until now, only very rarely happened.
- Of course, ma'dam, sorry your Grace!
- You are welcome, Mr. O'Bannion.
Miss Nichols having clearly not finished with her questions about H&H, did insist to ask another question.
- Not yet satisfied with my answers Miss Nichols?
- How could I not Your Grace, but I must admit that I'm surprised about the family's reaction, or should I say about the absence of reaction?
Jane's smile was back, and she did allow herself to laugh.
- It is a novel, remember. A lot of what is described in the book could point at me and Geoffrey and our extraordinary marriage. But when all is said and told, it is just a fictional story about four people living together and loving each other. It's just the number of people –adult people- that is atypical and similar to what I'm currently living.
- The physical description of the King and his first two wives are rather stunningly similar to you, your sister and your husband, Your Grace. That cannot be a coincidence.
- You are right, it's probably a tribute we must pay for having our picture published several times a week. We are public persons and –when considering our Anglican or Catholic upbringing- we are living a rather extraordinary life. I won't say that it is normal that people do fantasize about us, but we clearly had it coming.
- So, no bad mood anywhere within the family?
- You'll have to ask the other members of the family should you encounter them, but for me, this book is not going to disturb any of us. It is only a historical story with a pleasant romance and with perhaps a few more graphic descriptions than is usual in English literature. But all in all I like the story and the graphic descriptions and if people imagine me, Geoff and Maureen when they read the book, I can only admit that being compared with people who clearly love and respect each other is an image I like and that I consider with pleasure.
She shook her head a last time.
- So, no bad mood, believe me.
She looked around and a few more fingers shot to the ceiling.
- Your turn, monsieur Satrape, what can I do for you? You remember my comment from last week? I'm not my husband's spokesman.
- I remember very well, Votre Grace! My question is about the foreign reactions your comments about the Serbian refugees have triggered. It is said that quite a lot of Russian officials have protested last week's statement about the Serbian Question. It seems that, even if you are clearly not your husband's spokesman, a lot of Russians believe your word to be of importance.
Jane snickered discreetly.
- Nicely done, indeed, Monsieur Satrape. And let me insist that, whatever else is said anywhere, I have no official role and my words are only my private opinion.
Monsieur Satrape bowed in acknowledgment.
- To come back to your question, I will dodge it cowardly. Let's just say that as long as Alexander does not protest, let's consider the rest as background noise we can pretend not having heard, shall we? My opinion on the Serbian question is the same as last week. It's clearly the Russians' fault if the situation there has tumbled into an awful killing spray. If there is each week a new bloodbath in the Balkans it's clearly because the Russians Cossacks and their Leaders are bloodthirsty morons. I still am unable to understand how the Russians could treat people who have everything to be their brothers in such a way that they are as we speak murdering each other frantically. From time to time I despair in Mankind's wisdom when I see what certain persons are capable of.
Satrape bowed once more and sat down.
The same hands shot up.
- Mr. Randolph, back from Washington, I see.
- Indeed, Madam, I'm back and I'd like to ask you what are the British Government's intentions regarding the procedures the Native Nations have presented before the House of Lords.
Jane's smile didn't come back this time.
The Native Nations –initially Talleyrand's idea- had been Napoleon's pet project in order to take over the Prussian's United Nations Council Project. The Prussians had, from the beginning fought for the one Nation, one vote concept. Grand Great Britain's counterproposition –one citizen, one vote- had scared off almost every little country in the world. And both sides had entered the fight with gusto.
Then Napoleon had put his own proposition on the table. Playing with the word Nation he had proposed that all people who had a specific and original language and cultural background when compared to the country's mainstream population should be granted the title of a Nation. With France having incorporated Africa, a part of America and half of Western Europe, it was clearly a greatly beneficial position. The Prussians were still fighting against it, but it was a losing battle since quite a lot of people all around the world and in Prussia itself had found the idea a lot more palatable than Grand Great Britain's demands about proportionality. William was currently making a census to have a clear idea of the number of different Nations the Federation was hosting but, officially he still was very adamant that one vote one Nation was unacceptable! His official position was that Grand Great Britain would never accept to adhere to a Council where a country with only few hundred thousand people could outvote the Federation.
Of course, the Native Nations still embedded in what had been the United States of America had been informed and were now petitioning to see the British Government who was officially the US Government's successor grant the Natives what had been promised in quite a lot of different treaties.
- Mr. Randolph, as I have already stated I'm not the person who will be able to answer political questions. As you know my son hasn't yet been able to visit in Spalatro while we were here. So, I have had no occasion to speak with him about the British policy in America –my favorite subject of course when my son comes to visit- and so I have no official answer for you.
She took a long breath and went on.
- My private opinion is of course that a Nation should always respect its word and enforce the treaties signed by its rulers. If the US government has signed treaties with the Native Nations, I really hope that Grand Great Britain, as the Successor-State, will enforce everything signed. The fact that the former rulers had no intention to respect their word would not and should not be considered.
- People, honest people, will lose their livelihood!
- Honest people don't own their livelihood by trespassing and misappropriating other people's lands, Mr. Randolph. And should they have bought said lands from thieves or other US officials, I'm sure that Grand Great Britain, as the Successor-State, will find ways to compensate for the lost properties and punish those who have clearly abused the rules and sold or given away stolen property.
- It won't further British popularity in America, madam!
- British Popularity is at his zenith everywhere in the world but certain parts of our old American Colonies. And even in said old American Colonies, most people –women and former slaves especially- do like the changes Grand Great Britain, as the Successor-State, has been able to grant them. I wonder if the reluctance some minor parts demonstrate is because they were so accustomed to being ruled by crooks and liars that being led by honest men seems so unnatural and unpleasant.
She let a condescending smile show.
- Don't worry, Mr. Randolph, it should disappear within one or two generations. The new schools' curriculum does insist on honesty and respect. And with luck your now educated women will be able to handle a greater part of your political agenda. You'll see, women in politics…
She winked at the mainly womanly audience.
- …and journalism do change things rather radically. Be prepared for an astounding future.
She changed her focus and looked at the only Muslim woman sitting in the back row.
- Assalam Allahicum, Sayydeti Mishin, kahifa youmek kenani moussahadatka? (Greating Mrs. Mishin, what can I do for you?)
Yasmina had been a patient but tireless teacher and everybody in the family –at least in Geoff's family- was nowadays totally fluent in classical Arabic and the children used it most of the time when they wanted to say things discreetly. Jane preferred Persian –it was easier for the larynx- but Arabic was an official language in France, not Persian so she had used that language.
Khalifa Mishin was the first female journalist coming out of Cairo's schools and she was present but rarely asked questions.
- I'd like to know how it is possible for a Muslim to accept that his children stray from the rightful faith…
Jane's smile didn't disappear but, for a second, she couldn't hide a hint of anger. The question had already been asked –more or less discreetly- within the Muslim community but no one had ever dared the frontal attack. It was bothersome that it was a fellow woman who would lead the charge.
Luckily Yasmina had been a great help in preparing them should the question arise.
- The Holy Book says that a man's only obligation in regard to his children is to explain them what he believes and why he has chosen to follow the faith he chose. It had been done within our family and once adults, it will be our children's concern to choose between the different paths that God had chosen to propose us to bring a soul to Him. God only asked us to join Him, he didn't designate which path is the most suitable and he didn't accept that a Human being could be forced into joining the Faith against his will.
She took a book from under the pulpit and opened it.
- The Fifth Sura say: "If God willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to God; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ."
She turned a few more pages.
- And the tenth Sura adds: " And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together. So, will you then compel mankind, until they become believers?"
Jane looked the Muslim woman straight in the eyes.
- Geoffrey's children have been raised, as the Holy Book prescribes, in accordance to the rules of the One God and they have chosen or will chose which path they believe the best for them to join God. We gave them the knowledge and the role models they needed. It's up to them now as it is for every other soul, He has sent on Earth to do His deeds.
Once she had said those words, her smile disappeared totally.
- And to conclude my message, let it be known to those who whispered these words into your ear that we won't let anyone slander us without reacting. We are peace loving and respectful people who do their absolute best to follow the One God's precepts and teachings. But life has taught us a long time ago that if God gives us the chance to see our enemies' moves, it is because He wants us to act quickly. Experience has shown us that the best way to get rid of enemies is to deal with them directly. We have heard you utter your question and we thank you for the warning it gave us. Don't doubt that we will strive to discover whose lips whispered in your ears and we will deal with those lips as God wants His followers to deal with His enemies.
She stood up immediately after.
- Sorry to stop here, but I'm feeling very angry just right now and it is an emotion I'm not used to. Nor am I very used to have to utter threats and I feel that I need some solitude to get back my inner peace and my usual fortitude.
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Spalatro, Sisters' boudoir
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August 1821
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- That's one journalist we'll never see again, hissed Fitzwilliam while looking at the newspaper's front page where Jane threats were printed in very large. I'll give you my word…
- I do fear the same, said Jane. But it has nothing to do with removing her authorization, I fear Geoffrey will take it personally.
Fitzwilliam turned around and threw the paper on the floor.
- I take it personally, Jane! How could these cowards dare to attack you?
- I'm sorry I lost my temper, whispered Jane. I should have stopped after the Koran quotations. The threats were unnecessary.
Lizzie crouched at her sister's side and took her in the arms.
- In forty years, you've lost your temper only twice and I do really understand why you would be angry. What these people allow themselves is unbelievable. Who do they think they are?
- They think they are Allah's voice, said Fitzwilliam. And that they are protected by him. We'll show them that it isn…
- You won't do anything of the sort, said Jane. And please let Napoleon know that we wish to avoid any police measure that could be considered as the beginning of a repression. Yasmina had warned us years ago that it would happen, and we are not unprepared.
Lizzie frowned at her elder sister.
- I remember you speaking about your fears. So, what do you really mean with: "you are not unprepared"?
Jane let a small smile light up her face.
- Yasmina was aware that Geoffrey's conversion would, sooner or later, serve some fanatics as a pretext to begin a smear campaign against me. Not because they really have doubts about the reality of Geoff's conversion but in order to push Napoleon and him into taking measures against members of the Muslim Universities where these attacks would have been launched. They hope that by counterattacking we will target indiscriminately all the wise men of the Muslim Faiths. And doing so stir up malcontents to become opponents.
Fitzwilliam frowned in her direction even if it was not at her.
- And you never thought about informing me?
Jane shook her head.
- I informed Lizzie that it would probably come and that we were thinking about preventive measures. It could have been that nothing was going to happen.
Jane sighed.
- We always had hope. And you had enough on your plate with the Regency without having to deal with the problems our multi confessional marriage could trigger.
Fitzwilliam came nearer and took Jane's hands in his.
- So, what is about to happen?
Jane shook her head.
- I only know that Yasmina and Geoff had worked on a contingency plan for just such a situation since immediately after our return from Baghdad. I don't know the details. I have already informed Yasmina and she says she's ready and about to show all of them that they should have chosen their enemies with more care. We should soon see.
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Cairo, Al-Azhar University
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25 Dhu I-Qada 1236 (24th August 1821)
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They had all been surprised to find the others in the common meeting room.
Twenty-two men, twenty-two old men, twenty-two so-called wise men, summoned in the middle of the night because a message they were no longer waiting for had raised them.
They all knew each other for decades. In fact, most of them hated each other since times immemorial.
Still they were there aware that they had no choice that their past mistakes had brought them here at the service of someone they had never seen but who had proven that he knew way too much for their ongoing safety.
Hussein Ibn Huwalidi, the oldest of them all, grunted once before sitting down at the place his seniority granted him.
He made a small head bow and they all went to form a circle. Twenty-two old men who were renowned for their knowledge of the Scripture and famed for their wisdom.
When all were seated Ibn Huwalidi spoke.
- You all know why we are here?
They all nodded. They all had received months or years ago everything they needed to convince them that not obeying would be a mistake and very clear instructions about what they would be asked for.
For most of them it had needed at least one strong reminder that not complying with orders would bring an unwanted and precocious end to their good name and career. Some had been happy to take advantage of the given opportunity. So even if compelled they had done what was asked and had gradually altered their teachings and advices to shift the Faith towards a more lenient background.
- We are here because we all believe that the Faith needs to be adapted to our new world where God's demands are taking new unprecedented directions. The Noble Koran and the Sunna will of course have to be our main sources, but it seems evident that everything written since the death of our beloved Prophet Mohammed…
- May he be blessed…
- …Must be reanalyzed and adapted to this new reality.
- Let's begin, then, we have a lot of work and not much time.
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