Chapter Summary: Annalise and Katherine enjoy their time on the Paris social scene. And a family friend from school days is introduced.
CHAPTER FOUR
Late March took the spring winds and blew itself into April. April brought its showers and flowed into May bringing with it warm sun and a release from the heavy clothes of winter. May gaily danced its way into June with rainbows of color alighting everywhere from the bright plumage of returning birds to the bright plumage of the latest gowns from the fashion houses. It was a whirlwind of life as Paris and its citizens awoke from a cold winter to embrace each other and the city they loved. Restaurants and street cafes once again became places to see and to be seen. Salons were full of learned discussion and floating music. The sun smiled down upon Paris during the day and the city lights sparkled like fairies during the night.
It was into this fast paced, whirling lifestyle that Gustave and Annalise de Chagny introduced their friends, Andrew and Katherine Cameron. Annalise had declared herself to be Katherine's guardian angel - a term which gave the Comtesse pause - and had taken the shy American under her wing. Annalise had introduced Katherine to her favorite coiffeurs, the fashion houses she and her mother favored, the jewelers the family had patronized for long years and in the process had turned the retiring girl into a young woman on the edge of realizing her full potential. Chaperoned by their brothers and, occasionally, under the watchful eyes of parents the two young women set about to revel in the joy of being young and in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
"It is like having day and night walk into the same room together and not knowing which is brighter or more desirable," one fashionable young man said to another as Annalise and Katherine entered a crowded drawing room on a warm June evening. He looked appreciatively at Katherine who was dressed in a muted gold gown with a rich sapphire blue sash around her waist, sapphires dangling from her ears and nested in her blonde hair. "I think I should prefer to walk in the sunshine."
His companion raised an eyebrow and lifted one corner of his mouth in a not entirely pleasant smile. "I have always found the night to be far more exciting." His eyes traveled from the top of Annalise's dark curls, over the small diamond necklet that glittered at her throat, down the shimmering gray silk that hugged her young curves.
"You have a fine eye, Michaud," the young man told him. "Mademoiselle de Chagny is a turning into a great beauty but I would not cast my eye that way for an enjoyable dalliance. There are too many brothers in that family for my taste. Now," he said as he nodded his head toward Katherine, "that is Miss Cameron who is visiting from America. She is said to be in Paris till the late summer. Even though her brother is here and her cousin is the ambassador, one could still play without fear of any permanent consequences."
"I never count the consequences," Michaud said. "And I have not been gone from France or Paris that long that I would not recognize Mademoiselle de Chagny. She has grown and grown very well."
"You know her?"
"I was at school with her two eldest brothers. When I left for the Indies three years ago, she was a child applauding at our graduation." Michaud squared his shoulders, straightening his jacket. "I think I shall have to renew my acquaintance - if you will excuse me?"
"There are so many people tonight," Katherine whispered to Annalise.
Annalise twinkled back at her friend. "Is it not exciting? Madame Mercereaux is famed for her salon. I have longed to be old enough to be able to come here. We shall a lovely time as we listen to poetry and philosophy and meet new people. And there are so many handsome men!"
"And you promised to be on your best behavior," a familiar voice reminded her.
The two young women turned to see their brothers standing behind them. Gustave frowned at his sister, a sparkle in his eyes.
"Remember what you promised Father ..."
"Manners, manners, manners," the two finished together with a laugh.
Andrew held out his hand to his sister. "Come, Kitt, there is a discussion in one of the other rooms that might be interesting to hear. I think it is a professor or some such talking about something or other."
Katherine shrugged and tilted her head, "When in a Paris salon ..."
Annalise gave her hand a quick squeeze. "That is the spirit!"
"You are incorrigible," Gustave told his sister as Andrew led his own sister through the milling people.
"Can you introduce me to some of your friends?" Annalise asked as she bounced lightly on her toes.
"Madame Mercereaux has already promised Maman that she would introduce you to the right people. That is why I came to find you."
Annalise's face fell. "But ..."
"There are friends of mine to whom I would never introduce you," Gustave said with a look that silenced his sister. He immediately felt sorry for her and reached out to touch her cheek. "Ma petite, I promise I shall find friends to whom I can introduce you without risking the wrath of our parents. You like Andrew and Katherine, do you not?"
Annalise brightened. "I do. Very much." She was contrite. "I am sorry. I do not mean to cause trouble but it is just so much fun! And I do not want to miss anything."
"Monsieur de Chagny?"
Gustave and Annalise looked from each other to see a tall, young man with dark hair standing a respectful distance from them. He was dressed in the height of fashion, the formal, black clothing mirroring the black depths of his eyes. It took but a moment for the light of recognition to dawn in Gustave's eyes. He smiled and extended his hand. "Monsieur Deschene! I had not heard you were back in France."
"I arrived back but a week ago. I am only now able to find my way free to join society."
"Have you been to see Jean-Paul?"
"I have received a gracious note from his wife and I lunch at their home on Thursday next. I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with them both."
Annalise had been watching the exchange between the two men. A chord of memory was stirring in the back of her mind.
"My manners!" Gustave exclaimed. "Sir," he said taking Annalise by the hand, drawing her forward. "may I present my sister, Annalise." He smiled at Annalise as Michaud took her hand, bowing over it. "Annalise, Michaud Deschene. He was at school with Jean-Paul."
"You were but a child when I last I saw you," Michaud said fixing his gaze upon Annalise. "And now I find you a charming young woman. I hope I shall see more of you and your family." He let go of Annalise's hand and turned to Gustave. "I will not take any more of your time. Please extend my greetings to your esteemed parents." Michaud gave a final smile to Annalise before moving away, blending into the crowd.
"He's very handsome," Annalise told her brother.
"He does cut a figure," her brother had to admit.
It was a figure that cut its way through Paris society. Michaud Deschene, tall, dark and handsome, drew the sighs and longing looks of the young girls and the whispers and caresses of the older women. He knew just the right words to say, the right gestures. He was immensely polite and considerate. He was dashing and romantic with a layer of intensity just beneath the surface that so many found so attractive. Michaud did not play with anyone, leaving no broken hearts in his wake and that gave many an anxious parent pause for there was just no knowing what his intentions were. Paris thought it was because he had spent those long years in the hot sun of the Indies, fleeing there after the tragic fire that had claimed the lives of his parents. Paris thought his unending grief would not allow him to love again.
"Paris can think what it likes," Andrew told Gustave one afternoon as they walked through a park, their sisters a few steps ahead of them. "There is just something about that fellow that I mistrust. I don't wish to be rude because I know he is a friend of your family but I cannot rid myself of the notion that this Deschene fellow could be dangerous if crossed." The girls' laughter echoed back to them. "I know I will never allow Kitt to sit alone with him. And dancing, well, that will happen over my dead body."
"How very American of you," Gustave said. "Oh, do not look like a shocked prude! Dancing and sitting have never led to anyone being disgraced. It is the ritual of courtship. It is how we are allowed to meet members of the opposite sex until we find the one whom we are destined to marry. Surely you do these things in America or are you still suffering from Puritan tendencies?"
"I never said I did not approve of dancing or courtship!" Andrew exclaimed. "I have done my share of enjoying myself these last weeks, I'll admit that. I also have no problem with Kitt enjoying herself. Annalise has done so much to bring my sister out of her shell and I think that is wonderful. But there is just something about that guy that sets my nerves on edge."
Gustave had not been blind over the few months that he and Andrew had been chaperoning their sisters. He had seen how Andrew's eyes had changed when they looked at Annalise, now there was a deeper warmth there, more than just the warmth of friendship. And he could not help but to bring it up. "Is it the way that he looks at my sister that so grates on your nerves?"
"Perhaps," Andrew admitted grudgingly.
"What are they talking about?" Katherine asked as she glanced back over her shoulder. "Andrew looks like is going to stamp his foot!"
The girls giggled.
"I thought we were the only ones who stamped our feet when we did not get out way," Annalise replied. "I did not know boys could be so silly."
"I think it is just brothers," Katherine said. "Andrew has been so protective of late. First he wants me to stop being so shy and when I do finally try to be more open and friendly, he gets all agitated and won't let me out of his sight." She sighed. "I just don't understand him at times."
"Try having three brothers all attempting to keep you in their sight! I can never have a quiet conversation with a young man without one of them being near. How am I ever supposed to meet anyone and fall in love?"
Katherine lowered her eyes. "What about my brother?"
Annalise fixed her friend with a curious gaze. "I never thought about that." She glanced back over her shoulder. "He is certainly handsome."
"He likes you."
"And I like him." Annalise frowned. "Are you playing matchmaker?"
Katherine just smiled.
But once her friend had planted the thought, it was something that would not leave Annalise's mind. She found herself watching Andrew when he did not know. He was handsome and popular with both the young ladies and their mothers but did not seem to be aware of it. He was always polite to everyone, never refusing a request, never saying a harsh word. He always followed the proprieties as laid out by society. And when Andrew was with her, there was a gentleness in his eyes that Annalise knew he showed to no one else. It was all so very confusing. How could she know what to feel for him when so many other men were also clamoring for moment of her attention.
"I am too young," Annalise said out loud.
"Too young for what, my dear?" Raoul asked as he came into the library of their home to find his daughter resting her forehead against the fireplace mantle.
"Everything. Nothing." She shrugged. "I do not know."
Raoul walked over, placing his hands on his daughter's shoulders, turning her around to face him. "I think you have had, perhaps, a bit too much entertainment."
"Maybe," Annalise had to admit. "I am a bit tired, Father."
In his hands, Raoul held a note. "Would you care to spend a few weeks in the country with your great aunt, Adele? This is a letter from your aunt. It seems she has been a trifle unwell and while she is feeling better," Raoul held the note up. "She feels that she could do with some company to cheer her up. She would like you to come." He handed the note to his daughter.
Annalise studied the spidery writing for a moment before looking up. "I would like that very much."
Raoul took his daughter's hand. "Then it shall be done. A week or two of rest in the country will put the glow back your cheeks." Annalise blushed and dropped her head as her father chuckled. "You must be tired when you blush at a compliment from your own father. Come, let us go and gently break the news of your impending visit to your mother."
Annalise allowed her father to guide her out of the library, feeling a sense of relief begin to wash over her at the prospect of time away from the hectic whirl of Paris life. She needed quiet time to think.
Just some time to think.