CHAPTER 26 - Bad news

Mid February 1780

The last three and a half months had passed as one day. After the fire, there was so much work in the farm that Andre worked hard every day from the morning until dark. He personally supervised all construction works and did what he could himself. Several times before winter came, he had to leave for Havre to arrange new supplies of food for the mansion's residents and the animals. It was freezing cold before Christmas and there was even a little snowfall, so it was necessary to take a break for about three weeks. There was still a lot to do. Fortunately, thanks to the funds that came from General de Jarjayes, it was possible to hire a lot of people and buy all materials quickly, even at higher prices. Andre knew the money had come only through the intercession of Oscar, and he was immensely grateful to her for it. However, it didn't change his decision to stay away.

„At least for a while - he thought - Until I calm down a little. And I learn to control this obsession."

On those evenings, when he did not come back exhausted, he drowned his longing in wine. And he dreamed about her pretty much every night. She was his possession, a sweet disease from which he just had to cure himself. The memory of that little red stain on the sheets haunted him and made him feel deeply ashamed. He felt like a bastard. What was he even thinking?

Meeting Eugene in a previous week, didn't make things better either. Due to the enormity of a friend's obligations, they met for the first time since Andre returned from Paris.

- How's your Paris woman? - Eugene joked after they had talked about the current affairs.

- It's not at all funny, Eugene - Andre muttered exasperated - Oscar is not my woman, you know that.

The man laughed out loud.

- I didn't tell her name, my friend - he replied, teasing him - Maybe I meant little Rosalie.

Andre shot him an angry glance and pursed his lips without saying a word.

- I can see that things are developing - Eugene said seriously - Despite my warnings, you decided to go into it, didn't you?

- You know how I like and respect you - Andre replied coldly - But in this case, forgive me, it's not your business.

- Mine, as long as someone around your chosen one started asking me about you - replied the man sarcastically.

- What are you talking about? - Andre was surprised.

- I was in Versailles in early December. A good friend of your miss colonel did a little investigation and found me. He made the effort to question me personally.

- Who it was? - Andre asked startled.

- Handsome Count Fersen, of course! - Eugene laughed.

- I knew it was this slippery creature - Andre clenched his fists angrily.

- Oh, I can see you've met him already! - Baron de Valory laughed again.

- Yes, we met twice when I was in Paris. I don't think we'll became friends. And I think that Oscar is no longer someone close to him, since she rejected him - he smiled grimly.

- Oh, now you are telling me interesting things, Andre - baron's eyes flashed with interest - Are you implying that the queen's lover proposed to your beautiful lady and she said no?

- That's exactly what I'm talking about, Eugene. But please let this stay between us - Andre asked him.

- I will be silent like a grave! - promised his friend, raising his hand, as if to swear - I am not surprised now that the lord count was so furiously suspicious of you.. - he thought for a moment - I think he will not let go, Andre.. And if you stand in his way, he will get rid of you without thinking. So be careful what you do. It's good that you're home now and hope you never come back.

- It is possible that I will not come back - replied Andre - And if I do, not to meet Oscar anyway.

- It's something new for me - Eugene looked at his friend attentively - Are you cured of your blonde obsession already? - he asked, but seeing that Andre didn't answer, he added - I hope you didn't do anything stupid..

Andre pursed his lips even tighter. He was not going to tell anything.

However, Eugene had known his friend for a long time, and knew that such silence could not mean anything good. He was also silent for a moment when a terrible thought began to crystallize in his head. He ran his hand nervously over his forehead and blurted out his suspicion.

- You did it.. - he said in a grave voice - Despite all the warnings you received from me. Despite being a sensible man, you did it..

- Don't be too dramatic, Eugene - Andre growled.

- I am far from that - the friend replied peacefully after a moment of reflection - And you are right that it is none of my business. Actually.. I should even admire you. I don't know how you did it to drag that iceberg to your bed, but it looks like you have your ways - he laughed.

- Don't talk about her like that - Andre hissed angrily - You don't know anything about her!

- But you, my dear friend, on the contrary - the man patted him hard on the back - It turns out that you know almost everything about her - he chuckled - By the way, I saw her in Versailles in December.

Andre paused and looked closely at his friend.

- The iceberg.. I used this phrase on purpose - his friend continued - Inaccessible and cold. That's how I always saw her. But that time I looked at her and she was.. as if.. - he couldn't find the right word.

- What?! For God's sake, talk faster! - Andre gripped his arm tightly and shook him.

- She was.. sad, Andre, devastated - Eugene replied slowly, looking at him carefully.

The man released his arm and took a few steps away. He clenched his fists and tried to calm down.

- I'm not going to ask what happened between you two - Eugene said - But if you broke up, it's good for both of you. It is better that way. This whole situation..

Andre raised his hand to stop the next words and left immediately. In the evening he got madly drunk so as not to think about Oscar's sad face and his own guilt.

The conversation with his friend had taken place a week ago, but somehow he couldn't quite regain balance. It's good that he has a job tomorrow or he'd go crazy. When he heard a loud knock on the door, he almost jumped.

- A letter for you, Andre - said Bastien, one of stableworkers, handing him a piece of paper - From Paris.

The man took the letter with trembling hands and glanced at the sender. Grandmother. He thanked Bastien and when he left, he opened the letter and began reading. It contained only a few sentences, in the slanted handwriting of an old lady, clearly agitated. The content of the letter was as follows:

„Dear Andre,

Come here quickly! It's about Oscar. She had an accident and she's in bad condition. I'll tell you more when you arrive. Drive carefully.

I love you,

Grandma Marie"

- Oh my God.. - the man groaned, and the paper fell from his hands – Oscar.. - he whispered, feeling his heart breaking into pieces. There was no time to waste, he had to leave immediately. With trembling hands, he threw a few clothes into his travel bag and stormed out of the room.