Chapter 2

"I could have them send a tray," Ray offered as Florian frowned at his reflection and readjusted his collar. Nothing he tried managed to cover the mark Ray had left on his neck.

"I don't want to spend the entire trip in a sleeper car," Florian complained, fiddling with his suitcoat. "At the very least, you could mark me where others won't see."

"What would be the point in that?" Ray asked intending it as a tease but earning a scowl nonetheless. "You are mine. I want everyone to know it. Besides, we don't know anyone on this train. Why should we care what strangers think?"

"Because we're the source of enough rumors already. You may enjoy flirting with the police but I don't fancy the idea of ending up in a cell under a morals charge." Florian turned serious eyes on his lover. "That wouldn't be the worst of it and you know it."

"I know," Ray conceded, finally serious. He pulled Florian into his arms and held him, feeling how tense the man was. All those years of his mother's training had made Florian into the perfect aristocrat but had left him too sensitive for the realities of his changed circumstances. When Florian had sold himself to Ray in exchange for money to pay off the family debts, he hadn't fully comprehended what his new life would be like. Even now, almost three years later, he was still struggling, caught in an endless war between his upbringing and new life. The insular and judgmental world of Parisian society certainly didn't help, nor did his association with the notorious usurer Count Ray Balzac Courland. Even when they traveled, the rumors and speculation often followed them. Ray was used to it, and had been toughened by his childhood on the streets of Morocco. But Florian…

"There's nothing for it, I suppose," Florian sighed and dug through his travel case, extracting a small bandage. "It won't stop the rumors." He fastened the small square over the mark and stepped back to examine the effect in the mirror. "In fact, it might make the rumors worse, but it can't be helped." Giving Ray a smile that was half-grimace, he straightened, adopting his proper posture before following Ray out into the corridor.

Laila was waiting impatiently beside the door leading into the next car and Florian gave her a formal nod before opening the door for her. She swept past, the skirt of her new dress shifting awkwardly around her legs as she walked. She'd been wearing it around the house for days, trying to adjust to the stiff material and complaining all the while that she'd be much more comfortable in her usual outfit of loose trousers. Ray had been ready to give up on the whole venture, but Florian had flattered and cajoled her into trying the dress anyway and she'd finally given into his charm even though she resented it immensely.

"You look lovely," Florian told her as he opened the door leading into the dining car. They had assigned times to avoid crowding and a waiter met them promptly, escorting them to a table already laid out with the first course and glasses of white wine. Ray sniffed it cautiously, making a face before tasting it, but Laila drained her glass immediately and held it out impatiently while Florian took up the bottle and refilled her glass.

"I trust the food will be better than the wine," Ray said, making it clear he expected to he proven wrong. When Florian made a face at him, he grinned back making it clear he was putting on his insufferable aristocrat act just to get a reaction. It was one of the many games he played when he had too much time on his hands, and it made Florian crazy. Which, of course, was added incentive for Ray to play the game.

The soup was indeed delicious – savory but light enough not to lie heavily while traveling. Ray had pre-selected the lighter three-course meal option for their travels, knowing that the full seven-courses would be too heavy for all of them, especially Florian with his delicate stomach. Fewer courses had the added benefit of allowing them to finish eating fairly quickly and leave while many of the wealthy travelers still lingered over their meals. It spared them the endless rounds of greetings and other social niceties that drove Ray to distraction.

Waving away the waiter's offer of more wine, Ray rose and waited for his companions to precede him from the car. They were almost free when a high-pitched voice called his name.

"Count Courland, Oh, Count Courland." He turned slowly, fixing his expression into blank interest and came face to face with the dreaded Countess Kourey. The woman was a blinding array of jewels, gold and silk draped over a more than ample frame. She was waving her handkerchief at him as if he were a creature, or, he mused to himself, he were a bull, easily enraged by waving bits of white silk.

"Countess," He bowed, putting on his most charming smile. It was very possible her "missing" opals were providing the capital for this little venture after all. "I was not aware you were traveling to Brussels. I had heard you were in Spain this time of year."

"I usually am, my dear. But after last year, and the shock of having that dreadful Noir invade my home. Why my nerves just couldn't stand it. I practically collapsed from the worry of it all so my physician suggested a change. He thought Brussels would be more peaceful. You know I simply must recover quickly or I'll never have things ready in time for my annual gala. I couldn't bear to disappoint the many people who regard it as the event of the fall season, you understand, so I've had to forgo my beloved villa and go to Brussels instead." She leaned back, panting at the overwhelming emotion of it all and her traveling companion, a mousy little thing named Alais, poured a measure of brandy into a glass and handed it to her.

"Dear lady," Florian stepped in smoothly, smiling gently. "We've upset you and disturbed your meal. Please forgive us. It must have been terrible for you, and now you must rest and restore your health. Please, don't let us detain you any longer. I'm sure we will meet again soon and, of course, we look forward most anxiously to your lovely gala." Florian took the lady's hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles, causing her to giggle and blush like a teenager rather than a woman of fifty. Florian gave a smaller bow to Alais and stepped back, motioning to Ray and Laila to proceed. Florian bowed one more time then turned and walked smoothly towards the exit, the Countess Kourey's giggles, and the whispers of other patrons who'd watched the spectacle with interest, filling his ears.

"Dear Lady," Ray sang in soft falsetto once they were safely in the passenger car with the blinds drawn. "We're so anxious for your lovely gala." He dropped gracelessly onto the seat beside Laila and the two of them laughed until tears tracked down their faces. Florian just stood patiently beside the door waiting for the lunatics to settle before he took his seat with dignity, crossing his arms with the manner of one who often endured hardships.

"Are you quite through or do you plan on laughing like hyenas for the rest of the evening?" Ray and Laila exchanged looks then straightened, pulling serious faces and taking on stiff, formal postures.

Florian shook his head at the two of them and sighed. "I should just go read a book."

XXXXX

"So much for reading a book," Ray commented when he returned to the sleeping car nearly two hours after Florian had left only to find the blond fast asleep, a book splayed across his chest. Lifting the thin volume up carefully, Ray frowned at the title. Another children's book. It amazed him the lengths that Florian went to in caring for their temporary ward, Noel. Florian read every book that the boy was assigned, even his textbooks, so that he could help the boy with his homework. Sometimes it felt as if Florian was closer to the child than to his lover.

Ray smiled and shook his head ruefully. Of course sometimes Florian acted as if he was closer to Noel's age too. It made Ray wonder sometimes, what the blond's childhood had been like, raised in a declining household with a domineering mother and a bedridden father.

Pushing those thoughts away, Ray undressed and slid into bed, thankful for Florian's comforting warmth. It was foolish, perhaps, to sleep together when they traveled, but it brought them both peace of mind – a hard won luxury after their misadventure in Morocco. Ray tried not to dwell on the memories of that dark time, when his dearest childhood friend betrayed him and did far worse to Florian. The blond had lost his innocence and nearly lost his sanity and his life. It was only the luck that favored fools that had saved him, but afterwards, Ray vowed to keep Florian safe. His wealth and position, as well as Florian's, provided some safety in these matters. Ray's reputation added a bit more, and, of course, Ray had long since drafted a letter, kept in his safe, that detailed his ownership of Florian and would prove the blond was a victim of coercion. If it ever came to that, Ray would at least have the comfort of knowing he'd kept his promise to ensure Florian's safety.

Shifting restlessly, he drew Florian close, taking in the scent of his still-damp hair and soap-perfumed skin. It calmed him and helped him settle into sleep. A sleep that remained deep and restful until someone pounded on the door.

Motioning for the wild-eyed Florian to take the connecting door through to his own car, Ray scanned the room quickly for evidence of the blond's presence. Seeing nothing incriminating, he shrugged into his dressing gown as he shouted for the person to have patience.

"What?" he demanded as he unlocked the door and opened it, nearly causing the woman on the other side to fall. He caught her by the arms and steadied her while making a quick assessment. "What's wrong, Alais?"

"I'm so sorry Count Courland, disturbing you like this. It's the Countess. She's beside herself and the staff are no help at all, but she's … I don't… I mean…"

"Calm down, Alais. Is the Countess ill? Is she injured?" Ray half turned to glance at Florian who emerged, neatly dressed and groomed from the next room. "Something's wrong with the Countess," he told the late arrival.

Alais shook her head and started to weep, turning into the arms that Florian offered. Ray frowned but quickly schooled his expression and motioned for Florian to lead the woman into the room. Florian shook his head firmly and patted Alais' arm.

"Take us to her, Alais. We'll do what we can to help." He gently turned the woman and took her arm, leading her in the direction of the Countess' room. He kept talking reassuringly to the woman, calming her with his soothing voice and manners. She had regained her control by the time they arrived at the correct door.

"Madame?" she called, tapping lightly before opening the door and stepping inside. "I've brought Count Courland and Duke de Rochefort. Will you see them?" The answer was muffled but Alais soon returned and held open the door for them, motioning for them to enter. "Please forgive the mess."

"Mess" was an accurate description for the disarray in the room. There was clothing scattered everywhere, some of it in tatters. Makeup, shoes and other personal effects seemed as if they had been thrown with force in every direction. But the most surprising was the glittering pile of jewelry laying neatly on one of the bedpillows.

"I was sleeping. Right here." The Countess intoned dramatically, her voice a bit hoarse as if from shouting. "He was close enough to touch me. He could have done anything to me. I was helpless, you understand? Helpless. I could have been ravaged in my sleep!" The Countess heaved herself up off the bed at last, her nightwear revealing far more than either man ever cared to see of her sizable form. Thankfully Alais hurried over with a dressing gown and helped her into it.

"It was that thief, I tell you. Noir they call him. I'll see him hanged for this, you can be sure of it."

"What makes you think it was Noir, Madame?" Florian asked soothingly, moving forward to offer the woman a hand towards the nearest chair while Ray found the liquor supply and poured her a brandy. He handed the glass to Alais for the Countess, before pouring a smaller quantity for Alais herself, insisting that she drink it to settle her nerves.

"It was Noir," the Countess insisted, emptying the glass and handing it back for a refill. "Who else would be so bold as to come into the room of a helpless woman while she was sleeping and empty her jewel box on the pillow right beside her head? He didn't take it all, just to mock me, the devil."

"So something was taken?" Florian asked solicitously, sitting beside the woman and patting her hand.

"My sapphire," she whimpered, "The one I just bought. I knew I shouldn't have brought it along like this but Paris isn't safe at all, and I so wanted to wear it to the new opera next week. Lady Haversham would be absolutely green when she saw it. But now…" She looked into Florian's sympathetic eyes and burst into tears, demanding, "Whatever shall I wear?"

"Madame," Florian said in his most sincere tone, "No jewel could match your natural elegance. Indeed, no matter how rare this jewel, it surely could not shine as brightly as your smile."

"Monsieur," the Countess Kourey, a worldly woman of fifty actually blushed and looked away from Florian's wide amethyst eyes, letting out a nervous little giggle. Ray found the entire spectacle quite revolting and was glad he hadn't eaten recently.

"If you could give us a description of this sapphire, Countess," Ray prompted, trying not to sound impatient. "We would be certain to keep alert to any information that might lead to its return. And I would strongly recommend that you secure the rest of your valuables with the steward until we arrive in Brussels."

"Yes, and you must report this, Countess, so that the staff can offer you more protection. You would not want to be disturbed like this again."

"Of course, you're correct, Florian. Such a dear boy. You are a credit to your parents' memories, poor lamb." Now the woman was petting Florian, but even as she offered her words of comfort, her eyes were darting between Florian and Alais, as if weighing the possibilities. She was a widow, after all, and childless too. Alais had become her pet project and, what with Florian's unfortunate circumstances, and all the dreadful rumors… Yes, she would have to give this some serious thought.

"Madame?" Ray prompted again barely hiding his impatience. "What did the sapphire look like?"

"Oh? Yes, yes of course, I'm so unsettled I can barely think. Let's see… it wasn't a large stone, but it was quite unusual – a rather odd bluish-green color, not at all like a typical sapphire – and it had a pattern in it – like two stars. A lovely little piece. I'm afraid I quite overpaid the man, but he was so charming. Said it had been his great-great-grandmother's but he'd fallen on hard times and had to sell it. Such a pity. It's the same story everywhere." She glanced at Florian.

"It was quite kind of you, Lady," Florian assured her patting her hand again as Alais dashed into the bathroom and returned with a dampened cloth. "You should rest if you can. Ray and I will alert the staff to be on watch and you should certainly have a talk with them in the morning to make a formal report of your loss. The next stop isn't until tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps they will be able to find the missing jewel by then."

"You are quite the optimist, Florian, but I shall take your advice. Yes, I believe a rest would be best for now. Thank you." As Florian stood to leave she called him back, reaching for him as if it cost her great effort. "You must join me for dinner tomorrow so I may thank you properly. I won't hear anything but yes."

"Then of course we will join you," Ray answered smoothly, pasting on a smile as he gave her a half-bow before practically shoving Florian out of the room. He half-dragged the blond back to their car, muttering darkly under his breath. "No sense in both of us being worn out tomorrow. Go back to sleep while I speak to the steward."

Florian knew better than to object when Ray wore that expression so he nodded meekly and let his hand linger a moment on Ray's face before he turned towards the bed. He'd straighten the covers and plump the pillows at least and perhaps he'd be able to think of a way to get Ray back to sleep when he returned.

Yes, there was definitely a thing or two he could try that should do the trick nicely.

XXXXX

end chapter 2