Chapter 4: Game
What mess had Jack gotten into now?
Among the very few regrets Bryn had in her life, introducing Jack to Aurora loomed as the biggest. He claimed he hadn't fallen in love with her, but there was no doubt in her mind he'd been wounded by Cupid's arrow. Who wouldn't feel attracted to the blonde vixen? When Bryn first met Aurora in Venice, she'd been similarly smitten. It was only by the good fortune that Aurora was solely interested in men that she hadn't been hurt as well.
Aurora greeted her warmly. Jack stood slightly behind her, a mute plea to be rescued on his face.
Bryn pasted a warm smile on her face. She'd need all her considerable acting skills to hide her revulsion. "This is a joyful reunion indeed! When did you arrive at the chateau?"
"A few days ago. I've appreciated the gracious welcome the court has given to Angélique de Carmaux." Aurora dropped her eyelids to gaze up at Bryn through her lashes. Jack had described her eyes as being periwinkle in color. God's Truth, she was as ravishing as ever.
Angélique, as she now called herself, clasped Bryn's hand and placed it on Jack's hand. "Jean was just telling me about you two. If I had to lose him to anyone, I'm so glad it was you." There was a trace of wickedness in that innocent smile. Was this a trap?
Jack looked at Bryn with soulful eyes. "I hope you don't mind that I told her about us." He turned to Aurora and added, "Few know about our relationship."
"Yes, I can see where that would be awkward. In your position, keeping yourself unattached provides unique opportunities."
What did Aurora mean by that? That Bryn and Jack were selling themselves to receive favors? Bryn tamped down her instinctive bristles. Luckily, they were interrupted by a couple of ladies who strolled into the corridor.
Aurora sailed off after kissing the air next to her cheeks and murmuring her hopes of reconnecting with both of them.
Bryn jerked her head in the opposite direction. "We're needed." And you have some explaining to do.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Bryn whispered, "Freyja wants to meet with us in the parterre. That gives you, mon amour, ample time to tell me about our whirlwind courtship."
Jack winced. "I chanced upon Aurora. When she made a play for me, giving every signal that she wished to resume our relationship, I needed to come up with an excuse. I hope you don't mind?" He gazed at her pleadingly. "It's just another acting assignment."
How much should she tease him about it? Bryn decided to take pity on him. "I'm happy to go along, but Aurora could suspect we're playing her. We'll need to be very convincing," she warned. All right, just a little teasing was surely warranted.
Jack swallowed. "What do you have in mind?"
"We'll start with a few kisses and then see where it takes us." She broke into a laugh and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
He snorted. "It's not me I'm worried about. What will Freyja think?"
She made a face. Good question. She and Freyja had never put pressure on each other. Would Freyja be jealous? The thought had some appeal.
When they arrived at the center of one of the flower gardens, she turned to Jack. "We're in plain view of the chateau. The area where Aurora is probably staying is on this side. She could be watching us right now. Kiss me like you mean it."
His eyes widened. "Others may see us as well."
"So?" She shrugged. "We're both performers. Everyone knows actors have no morals. And the ladies-in-waiting have regaled me with tales of artists and musicians ravishing them that would make even a wearh blush." She smiled as the inevitable color rose to his face. She dropped her voice to a seductive whisper. "Think of this as one of Will Shakespeare's plays such as we used to give in a market town. Kiss me, Jack."
He dropped his head and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "Even if you're not solicitous of your reputation, I am."
She sighed. Clearly bolder measures were needed. She grasped his doublet and pulled him close. "You can do much better than that."
He groaned. "I think of you as my sister."
"Don't. Right now, I'm picturing you as a girl. You were adorable when you wore a gown for Will's plays." And he was. Those soft brown eyes and blond hair were so very appealing.
Jack looked at her tenderly. "As my lady wishes." Their lips met and for a moment she lost herself. Who was Jack imagining she was? At the moment, she didn't care. She'd never been interested in men. Should she make an exception?
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Freya said from behind her.
Bryn had hastily pulled back when she smelled her but Jack's panicked look only served to make them look guiltier.
Freyja had the smile of a cat toying with mice. Bryn had wondered if she'd be jealous. Was this her answer? To Freyja, she was simply a plaything.
She didn't know why she was upset. She was so far below Freyja's status, she couldn't expect anything more.
#
"It's not what you think," Jean blurted, the color draining from his already pale face.
"How do you know what I think?" Freyja challenged, her amusement growing. Not for an instant did she believe he was having an affair with Bryn. She would have smelled him on her. Under normal circumstances, she'd enjoy teasing him about it, but the circumstances must have been serious for them to make such a flagrant display of affection. "Come stroll with me—one on each side, please—while your passions cool."
Bryn rolled her eyes. "They were never hot. Aurora Dandolo is here. Jean chanced upon her and improvised our relationship to keep her at bay."
Freyja glanced at Jean to check his reaction, surprised that he knew Gerbert's daughter. Far had mentioned Jean was never to be around the d'Aurillacs, but she didn't realize her young charge had already met at least one of them.
"She and I have a history," Jean said, looking miserable. "Do you know who she is?"
"Gerbert's daughter. I met her in Venice over forty years ago but haven't seen her since."
"That's about the time I met her," Jean said. "She was staying with friends in London."
"To my everlasting regret, I was the one who introduced them," Bryn added. "I didn't realize who her sire was." She stopped, looking flustered. "Not that I knew that her being a d'Aurillac was an issue." She made a face. "Jean, you better explain."
He nodded, looking as nervous as the first time Freyja gave him a fencing lesson. When Freyja learned about Aurora in Venice, she'd told Far, but he'd never discussed what he did with the information. That was in the 1620s, around the time Jean said he met her. By the sound of it, Philippe passed the information on to Jean, providing further confirmation, as if she needed it, that he and Jean were in contact at least for at least that long. How much further back did their acquaintanceship go?
Now her sire had commissioned her to sniff out Gerbert's scheme, but he'd failed to provide what could be vital information. She had a brief pang of sympathy for what Baldwin felt. Bon, two could play this game, and she was ready to deal herself in.
She nodded toward a grove of orange trees. "No one's sitting on those benches. We can hold a private conversation there."
When they reached the grove, Freyja settled onto the bench, directing them to sit on either side of her. "In light of Aurora's presence at court, we need to be honest with one another. Jean—or Jack as I believe you're called in England—before you speak, allow me to tell you what I've learned." His breaths quickened at the use of his name, but he didn't dispute it.
"Bryn befriended you when you were a small child in London," Freyja continued. "You've maintained that friendship ever since. Father has known about you for forty years, perhaps longer?" She framed it as a question and was pleased to see him swallow—a tacit acknowledgment she was correct.
Freyja turned to Bryn. "I assume you've also known about my father's interest in Jean."
Freyja didn't blame either one of them for not talking about it. Such was the secretive nature of manjasangs. Freyja wouldn't reveal her suspicions about Jack's connection to Matthew, especially not with Bryn present. It wasn't relevant to the present situation, but eventually she'd confirm the truth about that as well.
She turned to Jean. "If we're to match wits with Aurora, you need to fill me in on everything you know about her."
"None of this will be news to Bryn," he said. "Aurora and I were briefly intimate before I found out about her relationship to Gerbert. Philippe ordered me to stay away from her. He warned me that she might use me to harm friends of mine in London, specifically the local coven of witches. I don't know how familiar you are with Andrew Hubbard?"
"I've never met him, but I'm aware of the domain he's created. Both of you are members of his flock, I assume?"
Bryn nodded. "As is Leonard, and we all count witches as our friends." Her jaw hardened defiantly as if she expected Freyja to chastise them, an understandable reaction under the circumstances. They'd heard Baldwin tear into witches and probably expected her to do the same. But this was just one more way she and Baldwin were worlds apart in their thinking.
"Some of my friends are also witches," Freyja said calmly. At her words, the relief was apparent on both their faces. "Baldwin had good reason to exaggerate his distrust of witches but my views are more tolerant." Why had Far helped Hubbard and Jack? Was Hubbard Jack's sire? Philippe had often been vocal about his disapproval of Hubbard, but for as yet an unknown reason he'd decided to aid Jack. Did that assistance now extend to the priest as well?
Freyja knew Far appreciated her contacts with witches. As to his own views, he seldom expressed them. His mate Ysabeau was adamant in her dislike of witches, and Freyja had never heard him attempt to temper her opinion.
As Jean explained how Aurora had spearheaded attacks against witches during the Civil War, his anger rose to the surface. Freyja's thoughts kept returning to the English witch Matthew had been rumored to associate with. She suspected Jack was connected to her. Did Leonard and Bryn know her too?
"The rumors the king heard about poisoning are starting to make sense if Aurora is involved," Bryn said. "Her duplicity reminds me of Lucrezia Borgia."
Jean frowned as he shook his head. "I can't see her trying to poison the king."
"Nor can I," Bryn agreed. "She'd be much more devious. What Louise heard about Françoise-Athénais is true. She's positioning herself to usurp Louise's position. One of the ladies told me of another who's also trying to gain the king's favor. Her name is Madeleine de Rignac. She's a sultry, dark-haired beauty with many of the qualities the king admires in Françoise-Athénais." Bryn added in an even softer murmur, "I followed Madeleine this morning and spotted her talking with Aurora. My friend confided that Madeleine has been ingratiating herself with Françoise-Athénais. The two were overheard chattering about love potions."
"Rignac is a village in Gerbert's domain," Freyja murmured back. "Madeleine could be acting on Aurora's orders. If Madeleine became the king's mistress, Gerbert could use her to influence His Majesty."
Bryn nodded knowingly. "Louise and Françoise-Athénais could both be targeted."
"You think Aurora will poison them?" Jean asked, horrified.
"Don't look so shocked," Bryn said. "Eliminating rivals by poison is common in both Spain and Italy." She shrugged. "Or so I've heard. Where do you think Will got his ideas for Romeo and Juliet?"
"Both of you are to stay away from Aurora," Freyja ordered. "Leave her to me. Does she know who Leonard is?"
Jean shook his head. "To my knowledge, they've never met."
"Good," Freyja said as a strategy started to emerge. "Where is Leonard now?"
"Rehearsing for tonight's performance," Jean said. "That's where I should be as well. Lully excused me to play for Louise, but I can't stay away for much longer."
"I shouldn't either," Bryn added.
"I'll walk with you part way," Freyja offered. "You'll need to fill Leonard in. Aurora's playing a game, and I know how we'll outfox her."
#
Leonard slapped Jack on the back. "Congratulations! Have you set a date for the wedding?"
Jack winced. Luckily, Bryn was on stage, rehearsing with the other actors. Otherwise, she would have piled on, and Leonard's jokes were painful enough. "We believe in long engagements," Jack said firmly. "Preferably for several centuries."
Leonard snorted. "How did Freyja take it?"
"Much more calmly than you." The musicians were on a break while the actors rehearsed. Jack grabbed Leonard before Lully could lead him off. Even so, every once in a while, Leonard tossed the conductor a flirtatious smile. "How do you manage it?" Jack added.
"Manage what?"
Jack shrugged. "Whatever it is you have with Lully."
"It's just a game. It's not that different from playing cards. Occasionally you need to bluff." He paused, his face growing serious. "You didn't really fall for Bryn, did you?"
"Of course not," Jack said miserably, angry at himself for not handling it better. It wasn't like he had any chance with Leonard.
Leonard grabbed his elbow and steered him into an empty alcove. "What's going on with you?"
Jack shoved a hand through his hair. "Nothing . . . it's just"—he exhaled, trying to make sense of his emotions—"Louise was pushing me to court Bryn. She thinks we're perfect for each other. When Aurora started pressing me to pick up where we'd left off, Bryn seemed like a good choice." He doubted that sounded any better.
"You need to stop wearing your heart on your sleeve," Leonard said, giving him a knowing look. "Love will come someday, I promise you, but you can't force it. It's understandable why you find Bryn appealing, and it isn't just her beauty or personality. She's safe. She knows your secrets."
Was that why he felt so attracted to Leonard? "I envy how you're able to float around," Jack said, pushing himself to acknowledge that Leonard wasn't interested in him and never would be.
"Without getting twisted into knots?" Leonard gave him a nudge. "Maybe you've been painting too many of them. You know it's really not necessary to turn your life into such a tangle."
"How do you avoid it?"
Leonard leaned against the stone wall. "The way I figure it, there's family and then there's everyone else. Family, that's the constant. You, me, Bryn, Father H, we're family. We look after each other. As for romance . . ." His words trailed off as he gazed with unseeing eyes at a tapestry on the wall. "A few lucky ones find mates, but most of us don't. Relationships with warmbloods don't last. They're like a festival that's glorious while you participate in it. Like for instance, you and Hannah."
"Or you and Inigo?"
Leonard nodded, his expression going wistful for a moment. "Lully, on the other hand." He chuckled. "He's definitely one of those fetes the king is so fond of having. Lully's married. He has a stable of lovers. I'm told he's also kind and caring. If anything were to develop, both of us realize that it wouldn't last, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying it."
"I wish I could adopt your philosophy," Jack admitted. "Lately I've felt more like a spectator than a participant, waiting in the wings till my time's called." He caught himself before saying anything more. When Leonard had touched his cheek in Freyja's townhouse, for just a moment Jack dared hope Leonard could be attracted to him. He really did need to stop spinning fantasies.
"You'll learn. It's been less than a hundred years since you were reborn." Leonard studied him for a moment. "Your problem is you've lived too long in France, away from your friends, away from your family."
Was he right? Leonard didn't realize that Jack was a de Clermont. No one did except Philippe and Father H. Freyja was his aunt, but she'd remain unaware till a far distant future that might never come. As for Philippe, Jack hadn't seen him in over a decade. "That's probably it," Jack agreed, going along with yet another lie.
"Why don't you come back with me to London? Lully mentioned that after this series there aren't any more concerts on tap till late October." Leonard shrugged. "By then, I may want to come back with you. You haven't shown me all your secret hiding places in the Tuileries Palace, and don't tell me you haven't found any."
Jack grinned, already feeling better. "Just a few. I'd love to go back with you to London and see Father H."
"Then it's settled. Freyja owes us after the last mission."
"I hope she agrees. Don't pay any mind to what I said earlier. I'm just in a strange mood." He should feel grateful for everything Philippe and Freyja had done for him. Was that the issue? They were a constant reminder that he couldn't reveal anything about himself or how he felt about Master and Mistress Roydon. Time away would help restore his equilibrium.
"I think Louise may be affecting you more than you realize," Leonard said thoughtfully. "Her situation is difficult. She's living a transparent lie. Her relationship with the king goes against her beliefs. What she wants she can't have. And she doesn't have any family to give her support."
"But she has us, whether she knows it or not. We need to put a stop to whatever scheme Aurora has planned."
"I wager the temptress has enlisted an assistant," Leonard said. "Someone who'd be a handy scapegoat if her schemes misfires."
"Any likely candidates?" Jack asked.
"Here's one possibility. During a card game last night, Bertrand had a run of bad luck. He piled up a depressingly large amount of debt. I commiserated with him afterward. He claimed paying off the debt wouldn't be an issue. He said something about how tomorrow night would be his golden hen."
Bertrand Turenne played oboe in Lully's orchestra. He'd spent several years in Venice. Had he met Aurora there? Would she pick a musician as an easy tool for her scheme just like she'd planned to use Jack?
"Aurora hasn't met me. I'll become Bertrand's shadow," Leonard said and winked. "I wager there's many a secret whispered in these corridors."
"And concealed in boudoirs," Jack added. "I wish I could sneak into Aurora's suite with you."
"I do too, but you know you can't. Aurora doesn't know my scent. She won't know who was in her apartment. She'll likely think a servant was there. She'd recognize your rosemary and fig scent straight off. If she believes you're spying on her, your usefulness as a spy will be over."
And with that my worth to the de Clermonts. Jack knew the score, as did Leonard and Bryn. They were all players in the dramas and schemes of others. "Have you heard of the poison Freyja mentioned?"
"Aqua Tofana? Aye, it's well known in Italy. To warmbloods, it's tasteless and colorless, but we can smell the belladonna that is part of the recipe. You should warn Louise to only drink wine which is uncorked in her presence."
"I don't need to," Jack said. "She told me all the ladies-in-waiting are being careful." With the rumor so rampant, it was no wonder it had reached the king's ear.