Chapter Summary: Monique and Christine begin their "girl's day out". Philippe expresses some concerns to Arthur. Tallis and Madame Giry are also planning a day out. And five men are planning something else entirely.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The small carriage moved easily through the countryside, the horse snorting and tossing her head in joy at the warm morning, her feet moving along at a gentle trot. The driver acknowledged passing farm carts and passing people with a nod and a smile. Familiar sights went by - green fields, waving wild flowers, small wild life poking heads out from bushes alongside the road. The driver listened to the sounds of twittering birds, rustling leaves and herding dogs barking in far-off fields. Joy felt at the spring morning welled up and came out as a song hummed between smiling lips. The beat of the melody kept pace with the beat of hooves against earth. The horse and carriage finally slowed as the road to Chagny came into view. The driver turned into the long lane, moving past birch trees whose waving leaves flashed silver in the gentle breeze. The carriage stopped at the bottom of the stone stairs, the driver getting out and placing the reins through the heavy ring of the hitching post. The driver patted the horse's neck and turned to climb the stairs to the front door, knocking once. The door opened and the driver swept in, nodding to the valet closed the door.
"The Vicomtess is expecting me," the driver said.
"Here I am," a voice called before the valet could reply.
"Christine," Monique said, her arms opening to embrace the younger woman. "I am so very glad to see you again." She accepted the warm hug from Christine before drawing back. "You must tell Philippe that he cannot hoard your company all to himself."
Christine sighed, shaking her head. "I shall tell him but I doubt he will listen. He and Raoul are finding far too much pleasure entertaining me each night with tales from their youth."
Monique touched her head, closing her eyes in pain. "Oh those awful men," she said softly before opening her eyes and taking Christine's hand. "Allow me to spirit you away from them for a few hours of shopping, dining and a walk in the park along the river."
"I thought I heard a familiar voice," Philippe said as he approached the two women from down the hall.
Christine watched something flash in Monique's eyes as Philippe approached and took her hand. But as quickly as it appeared, Monique quickly damped it down. The strong emotion she had witnessed was a surprise and Christine wondered at it. She knew that Philippe had been in love with someone he did not marry for he had told her as much before she married Raoul. Now Christine wondered if that someone could possibly have been the woman standing next to her and if Monique had ever loved Philippe. Then Christine wondered if she was simply putting others into her own life story. "Pardon?" Christine asked.
Philippe was looking at her curiously. "You have been drifting away from us lately," he said.
"It is no wonder," Monique chided him. "The poor child has been telling me how you and Raoul make her listen to your foolish tales night after night." She frowned playfully at him. "No wonder she allows her mind to wander. I believe I should be forced to do the same thing!"
Christine had the good sense to blush.
"Forgive me," Philippe nodded at her. "I was just wondering if you had seen my brother yet this morning."
"He went for a ride," Christine told him.
Philippe did not look pleased. "Alone and on his favorite trail, I presume."
Christine looked worried. "Is there something wrong?"
Philippe gave her a reassuring smile. "Nothing he cannot handle." He continued when Christine gave him a puzzled look. "There are always poachers on the land. Raoul has seen them before and he has never given them a difficult time. He has always said they were just looking to feed their families." Philippe shook his head. "I doubt any of them would bother Raoul."
Monique nodded. "They have known Raoul since he was a much younger." She took Christine's hand. "He will be fine."
"If you are sure ..." Christine's voice trailed off.
"Yes, we are," Philippe promised her, giving Christine a quick kiss on the cheek. "Go off, have a lovely day, spend much money and you have my permission to lecture your husband after dinner."
"I will have her back to you later this afternoon." Monique told Philippe as they exchanged kisses on each other's cheeks.
"I will be expecting you," Philippe told them as he watched them leave the house, closing the door behind them. He then turned on his heel and returned to his study.
"What is wrong?" Arthur wondered as he looked up from the papers he had been studying.
"My fool brother is out riding on that trail again." Philippe was obviously not pleased.
"Oh," Arthur said as he picked up a pen and returned to his work.
"What does that mean?" Philippe wondered.
"It means nothing."
"Speak plainly, Arthur," Philippe told him as he crossed the room and sat down across the table from his assistant and friend.
Arthur put down the pen he had just picked up, composing himself before he raised his head. "He is a grown man, Philippe; you can no longer control his actions. You lost control of him the day you gave your blessing to his marriage to Christine. Raoul will do what he pleases and ride where he pleases and the more you try to control him, the further he will slip from you." Arthur raised an eyebrow at the man frowning at him. "Did you truly think you could regain control by simply having him within your sphere of influence?"
Philippe was silent for a moment. "If this had been the middle ages, I could have your head for what you just told me."
"You could have," Arthur was amazingly calm, "but you would not have. You have never been a man who desired to have those about him merely agree with every syllable uttered from his lips. You have always wanted and demanded the plainly spoken truth. That is what I tell you and that is why I am still here with my head."
There was a long silence between them finally broken by the laugh that escaped Philippe's lips.
"I do value your honesty and friendship," Philippe told Arthur. "Your honesty is what keeps me honest." He picked a pen up from the table and twirled it between his fingers. "I am worried about Raoul, though; there are new poachers here who have never seen him, who do not know him. He is too trusting for his own good, Arthur." Philippe bit his lip, lost in thought. "I think I shall make him take a pistol if he is going to insist on riding alone."
"That is not an entirely bad idea," Arthur agreed.
Philippe studied him. "Ah," he breathed. "I knew there was an agreeable man under that fastidious exterior."
It took but a moment for the two men to break into laughter.
Their laughter inside the paneled walls of Philippe's study was echoed by the laughter coming from the dark-haired woman who stood outside the walls of Chagny.
"I have surprised you!" Monique was delighted and could not contain her laughter.
"You have," Christine told her. "Completely."
"Did you think a woman could not drive a carriage?" Monique asked as she took Christine's arm and they walked down the steep stairs to the horse and carriage that waited below.
"I have seen it on occasion," Christine admitted, "but it still amazes me."
They reached the bottom of the stairs, Monique taking the reins from the hitching post, she and Christine climbing easily into the small carriage. Monique clicked her tongue at the mare, lightly tapping the reins against the horses back. There was a small lurch as the carriage began to move forward, down the long lane and out into the road that led to the village.
"Where did you learn to drive a carriage?" Christine wanted to know.
Monique glanced over at the young woman sitting next to her before returning her attention to the road. "Xavier and Philippe taught me years ago. I believe at the time it was just a gentleman's wager between them that I would never be able to learn to drive a carriage. The wager deteriorated into who would be the first one to teach me. I had so much attention!" She shook her head and smiled. "It was such fun to manipulate them both!"
"You did not!" Christine was amazed.
"But, of course, I did," Monique told her. "My husband and his best friend are quite easy to manipulate for they are always in a friendly competition." She sighed. "I have not done such a thing for many years for I find comfort in the companionship we share now that we are older and wiser. But - oh - the fun I had with them when I was a young woman!"
Christine put a hand to her lips to hide her smile.
They rode in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the beauty of the scenery that went past. It was Christine who finally broke the silence.
"May I ask you a favor?" she wondered. Christine turned her head so that she was not looking at the woman seated next to her. "I have been feeling a bit nervous lately and Raoul would like me to see a doctor."
Monique nodded in understanding. "He means Senor Gallardo."
Who?" Christine was a bit surprised.
"Senor Gallardo," Monique repeated. "Philippe's father brought him to this village years ago. He had been studying medicine in Paris and the old Comte was a great patron of the university where Senor Gallardo studied. The doctor in the village at the time was old and wanted to stop practicing. Philippe's father gave Senor Gallardo a home and apprenticed him to the old doctor. Juan Antonio never quite made it back to Spain and he has been the village doctor ever since." She turned for a moment to nod at Christine. "He will make the time to see you and I am glad for I knew you were not feeling well the other evening. You must take care of yourself; your husband loves you, after all."
"I know," Christine said softly.
Monique nodded to herself. "We shall make Senor Gallardo our very first stop in the village."
"Thank you," Christine replied as she turned her gaze back to the countryside that was moving past. The beautiful, bucolic countryside radiated harmony, a feeling that Christine tried to absorb by inhaling deeply, letting the warm, scented air fill her being, seek out her soul and enfold her in its peace.
Tallis was doing the same thing as Christine at the exact same moment. She stood in the front lawn of the house she shared with Madame Giry, eyes closed, arms held open, inhaling deeply of the same spring air. A shawl draped over her arms, fluttered gently in the breeze. Tallis had her head raised to the sky, a smile crossing her lips as she felt the sun warm her skin. It was almost like being back in the world of her youth, out in the open fields, running, feeling as if she could fly, sharing the joy with the brothers and sister she loved.
"It must be a pleasant dream," Madame Giry said.
Tallis lowered her head, drawing her arms about herself. "I was thinking of my childhood. It was days like this that my brothers, sister and I would run through the fields, playing silly games. Eventually my sister and I would lag behind our brothers. We would then sit in the fields, making wild flower wreaths and chatting till we heard our mother ring the bell for mealtime."
Madame Giry raised her head for a moment before looking at her companion. "It was days like this that I found most difficult when I was a teacher. My students did not have the heart to pay attention to the basic, repetitive mechanics of dance when there was a bright world outside beckoning to them." She drew her shawl close. "I did my best to put the fear of God - and me - into them."
"Surely you relented?" Tallis asked and drew back at the look from Madame Giry. "At least a little?"
"I not an ogre, my dear," Madame Giry replied. "My students received many reprieves from their studies." She laughed softly. "I remember what it was like to be young. How could I deny their youth to the students who studied so hard? We had many outings in Paris. We went to the museums and to the parks, we strolled along the Seine and visited cafes." She smiled at the memories. "They were good and happy times for us all."
"It sounds lovely," Tallis said. "Even the studies."
"And your studies?" Madame Giry wondered.
Tallis lowered her eyes. "I am very grateful for them."
Madame Giry was just a bit worried. "Do you enjoy them?"
"I do, I do," Tallis assured her as she raised her eyes. "I love being here. I love that you take the time to teach me what you know. I love how you treat me as more than a mere hired companion."
"You are my companion." Madame Giry laid a hand on the young woman's arm. "You are my friend and I shall forever be grateful to my new son for insisting that I needed someone to share my home."
Tallis sighed. "Sometimes it is very hard for me, you understand. There are moments when I feel as if I am still the little girl in the tree, watching all the beautiful men and women going into the Baron's home, dreaming that I would be one of them." A crooked smile crossed her face. "I am afraid that I may wake up and find this is all a dream."
"Nonsense," Madame Giry replied, pursing her lips. "You are merely suffering from too much of this bright morning." She linked her arm through Tallis'. "The perfect cure for this is to walk me into town."
I am a country girl," Tallis playfully warned, seeing the twinkle in Madame's eyes despite her rather gruff words. "I know how to walk."
"I am a trained dancer and not all that old," Madame told her. "We shall see who tires first."
They began to walk.
"What shall the prize be at the end of our walk?" Tallis wondered.
"Luncheon at the Hotel Germain," Madame Giry replied.
Tallis gave a little skip. "They have the most wonderful dessert cart!"
Madame Giry laughed softly. "My dear, your excitement at life is quite contagious!" She looked down at the feet skipping next to her. "But I fear you shall have to slow down, unless you wish to carry me into town!"
Tallis smiled. "Slow down, slow down," she repeated softly.
"Slow down, slow down," one of the men seated around the table in the darkened corner said between clenched teeth. He looked around at the others seated with him. Three of them were dressed in a manner similar to his own - simple clothing, clean but worn. The man he had addressed, seated across from him, wore clothes of a more fashionable cut, neatly pressed and expensive.
"What have I said that is difficult to understand?" the well-dressed man wished to know. "What I desire is so simple that even men such as you," he looked those about him up and down, "should be able to handle it with little to no difficulty or mistakes," he finished as he leaned back in his chair.
One of the other men about the table looked at the first speaker. "I do not take kindly to such things, Louis," he said, beginning to get to his feet. "I leave you to it."
A hand quickly flashed across the table, grabbing the speaker by his shirt, forcing him back to his seat. "You do not move till I give you leave to move," the voice attached to the hand warned.
Louis looked at the man in the shadows as he drew his hand back. "You had best remember who you are speaking to," he said, his eyes narrowing. "If you want this done, you had best show some respect. You will never find a better group of men to put your plan into action than the ones seated here. And we do not take kindly to insults. We know our jobs and we will do them but you will respect us." He slammed his ale mug down on the table for emphasis.
"As you state," the shadowed man said through clenched teeth. "I should have more respect for the men who I employ to carry out my wishes." He turned toward the man he had forced back into his chair. "My apologies, Edouard."
Edouard just growled beneath his breath, raising his mug to his lips.
The shadowed man returned his attention to Louis. "You understand what you must do?"
Louis shrugged. "It is not that difficult. We must sit and wait for the right moment."
Francois, the fourth man at the table, broke his silence. "I am not happy about having to camp in the woods."
"You will have all the comfort you need," the shadowed man told him, eyes narrowing dangerously, "plus you are being paid well for your services."
The last man at the table leaned forward, his lip curling in a decidedly evil manner. "Do not worry," Nico said, "It shall be done as you desire. I look forward to this game of cat and mouse."
Louis turned to snarl at Nico. "Do not forget who is charge," he warned.
"Gentleman," the shadowed man said in a soft tone of voice that commanded attention. "I beg you not to bicker amongst yourselves and to keep in mind what we are trying to accomplish." He turned to Louis. "You must take your men and set up camp in the wooded area I showed you previously." He turned to Edouard and Francois. "It will be hard to wait but I am counting on the powers of observance I have seen you use previously. You know for what you are watching and I trust you will know the correct moment." He finally turned to Nico. "Do not lose control," he warned. "There will be enough time for your particular talents after we accomplish our goal." A smirk crossed his face. "That I can promise."
Nico tossed his head back. "I can wait," he said softly.
The shadowed man handed a packet to Louis. "Now, go to the woods and wait for your moment."
"Oui," Louis agreed as he took the proffered packet, opening it and seeing the money inside. He raised his eyes. "How will you know?"
The shadowed man raised an eyebrow. "I always know," he replied. "Now, I am going to stand and join the others in the main room. All of you will exit quietly out the back door, drawing no attention to yourselves." He stood quietly. "Bon chance, my friends," he finished before leaving them, moving toward the brighter area of the country inn.
"Let us go and prepare," Louis said as he stood, his companions joining him.
"The game begins," Nico said to himself, the gleam in his eyes reminiscent of a predator lusting after a tasty morsel.