Chapter Twelve: Bread Alone

"So then Lady Cleveland said Mr. Culpepper and I obviously have feelings for each other, so we need some time apart." Catherine was feeling very dramatic. She illustrated the situation by suddenly spreading her arms far apart, which unfortunately caused most of the red wine to slosh out of her glass.

"Oh dear me," rumbled fat and merry and red-faced Sir Humphrey Burrington. His blue eyes twinkled as he poured more wine for the two of them. "So you've been packed off to France, eh? What are your plans when we dock in Deauville later tonight?"

"I suppose I'll be a good girl, and go to bed early. Lady Cleveland wants to drag me to the girl's school, and the cathedral!" Catherine hiccuped loudly. "I'm sure to spend all my time studying ancient relics in dusty old museums and art galleries!"

"We can do better than that," Sir Humphrey told her. He leaned a bit closer, whispering something in her ear. Catherine giggled as his big hand squeezed her knee. "After we dock, tell your friend Lady Cleveland that you're tired and want to turn in early. There are plenty of sights to see in Deauville, just take it from me!"

Catherine had the most horrendous headache the next morning. Now that they were safe on dry land, she wanted to stay in bed. But Lady Cleveland pulled back the curtains and shook her awake, telling her that the headache was entirely her own fault. After drinking all that wine aboard ship last night, Catherine had nearly missed her chance to visit the famous cathedral in Lisieux!

"It's all very well to enjoy yourself at sea, darling. Fashionable people always do that. But now that we're back on dry land I expect you to behave a bit more sensibly." Unlike Catherine, Lady Cleveland had actually gone to bed early after the ship docked in Deauville. Her shrewd ebony eyes gleamed with knowing amusement as she gazed at her sleepy-eyed young companion.

"I'm perfectly fine!" Catherine was tired and cross from her headache. But Lady Cleveland had big plans for the day. They hired a smart horse-drawn cab to take them to the train station, and the next thing Catherine knew the alert, dark-eyed older woman was helping her climb aboard a luxury railway carriage. As soon as they were safe in their compartment, Catherine sagged against the cushions. She needed to rest for a moment or two, that was all.

Sneaking out with Sir Humphrey had been incredibly exciting! Deauville was so different by night. The sleepy seaport was full of English visitors, and in the daytime it all seemed very respectable. But at night the antique shops and cozy boutiques shut down, and the dance halls and waterfront taverns throbbed with excitement.

Everybody can, can, can, do the can-can, the can-can . . .

Watching the high-kicking line of naughty ladies dancing across the stage, Catherine had clapped and cheered right along with the boisterous mob of rough and tattooed sailors that filled the hall. Dreaming of it now, she remembered the excitement. Only now Catherine saw herself taking part in the dance. She was up on stage, kicking higher than the rest, revealing sheer black stockings beneath her frilly white skirt. And the men in the crowd adored her. They clapped and cheered and called for her to dance back across the stage once more, and to kick even higher! They all wanted more . . . and more . . . and more . . .

"Ah, here we are!" said a soft and cultivated female voice. Someone was laughing and at the same time shaking her gently. "Catherine, dearest, do wake up. We've arrived at the famous Cathedral of Lisieux. The nuns are all very anxious to meet you!"

"Will they give us anything to eat or drink?" Catherine croaked. Her throat felt rough and scratchy. She still had a nasty headache, but now that she was awake she realized she was also hungry. And she was absolutely parched with thirst.

"Ah! Catherine dear, man does not live by bread alone." Lady Cleveland laughed as though she had said something very clever.

"Huh?" What on earth did bread alone have to do with anything? Catherine knew she was in France to learn how to be a good girl. It all had something to do with Mr. Culpepper. He was always expecting more from her. But all she could think about was sneaking off with Sir Humphrey again, and having more adventures and more excitement!