"Aren't you up yet?" Laila demanded as she crossed the room and threw open the curtains. She turned to look at Florian, who was lying face down, half-hiding under one of the bed pillows. She let out a snort and yanked the blankets away, hoping she wouldn't see more than she wanted of the blond. Thankfully, he was in his nightclothes. "Come on, it's nearly one and the ladies will be here for tea soon."

Florian groaned and groped blindly for the blankets but Laila pulled them farther away, watching without pity as the blond twisted and finally turned onto his side. He blinked at her and lifted his head, his mind too bleary for him to be embarrassed at being caught in bed so late.

"What happened to you?" she demanded as Florian rolled onto his back and she got a better look at his face. She leaned closer to examine the large bruise darkening his right temple. She reached out to touch it but Florian flinched away, his eyes going wide with fear.

"I'm not going to hurt you." She lowered her voice and gave him a reassuring smile. Sitting on the edge of the bed beside him and keeping her movements slow, Laila reached out to run her fingers lightly along the bruised area. She could sense the blond struggling not to pull away from her touch. She hadn't seen him this skittish since Morocco.

"That's a nasty bruise. Did you fall?"

"N... no," Florian tried to speak normally but his voice caught in his throat and he had to clear it and try again. "I don't..." He frowned. "I'm not sure. I think..." he moved his right arm and shoulder cautiously, wincing. With unsteady hands he slid the fabric of his loose shirt down to reveal another bruise.

Standing, Laila took a few steps back, her manner businesslike. "You'd better take off your shirt so we can see if there are any more bruises."

Florian gave her a small, reluctant nod of agreement and moved off the bed. He wavered as he stood but caught himself, waving away her offer of assistance. He turned his back to her, blushing lightly, and removed his shirt. As he shifted to set the shirt down on the bed he heard Laila gasp. For a moment he thought of the lash marks and his blush deepened but then he felt her hand on his side above his hip.

"There's a bruise here too. Are you sure you didn't fall?"

"I'm not sure," Florian admitted, his voice quavering. He felt an overwhelming urge to flee but he didn't know why. He tried to calm himself enough to remember what had happened that morning but it all seemed distant and unreal.

"Turn around, let me see if there are any more bruises." Florian obeyed, fighting hard not to flinch as Laila stepped closer. "Lift your arms a little." She requested as she ran her hands over his body, assessing his injuries. Florian obeyed, then let out a small moan just as Ray walked into the room.

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded, throwing his hat down and storming over to the pair beside the bed. He was ready to rip into the both of them when Laila whirled around and put a hand on his chest to stop him.

"Stop!" It was said quietly but with enough force to stop Ray in his tracks. He glared at her but Laila ignored it. "Look at him."

Ray cast a glance at the blond, a biting remark already on his lips. It remained unspoken. Instead, he turned on Laila demanding, "What happened to him?"

It wasn't just the bruises. Florian's entire body was tense, almost vibrating, and his face was a mask with wide, unseeing eyes. He'd backed up against the wall beside the bed and was gripping the bedpost one-handed, as if trying to hold on.

"Damnit!" Ray pushed past Laila, tearing off his coat, then his vest and shirt. "Laila, run a bath - make it warm, not hot. We'll need more towels and see if you can get some clear broth and tea." Ray didn't waste time trying to talk Florian down. Instead, he grabbed the blond, pressing himself fully against the slender body for as much contact as he could manage. Florian struggled fiercely, then slowly calmed until he was almost limp against Ray.

"Water's ready," Laila reported. There was an odd note in her voice and Ray glanced over at her but she just shook her head. "Do you need help getting him in the tub?"

"No, but the towels..." Ray broke off in surprise as Florian gave him an urgent shove and broke free, racing for the bathroom where he was violently ill.

Making a face, Laila stepped away from the bathroom door, motioning for Ray to come nearer. The man was distracted by Florian's distress but she got his attention by holding up a small white oval and letting it catch the light.

"Is that?" Ray practically snatched it from her hand, but he looked towards the bathroom before examining the jewel.

"A white twin star sapphire, the right size and shape to be one of the sisters. I found it on the bathroom floor."

Ray was torn between the lure of the jewel and the needs of his lover. Florian won and Ray handed the sapphire back to Laila. He didn't have to tell her what to do next - he needed information and it was her job to get it.
XXXXX

"I'm fine," Florian insisted, doing his best to sound convincing with a raw throat. He sipped his tea slowly and ignored the broth; it was too salty for his taste. "Something I ate for breakfast didn't agree with me." The bath had calmed him considerably and now he couldn't even remember why he'd been so frightened.

"You didn't eat breakfast," Ray said pointedly. "The manager spent ten minutes telling me how you'd ordered room service but didn't answer the door when it was delivered."

"He must have me confused with someone else," Florian insisted. "I ordered eggs with sausage, but I didn't eat much because they had a funny taste. I did drink the tea, three cups of it."

"What happened after that?" Ray wanted to know. He was seated on the bed beside Florian with Laila in a comfortable chair nearby.

"I tried to answer some letters but I had a headache and the words were blurry so I put them away for later. I don't remember after that. I was in bed when Laila returned to the hotel just before one. I don't have any idea where or how I got the bruises."

"Or how one of the seven sisters ended up on the bathroom floor?" Ray held the stone in one hand, turning it this way and that to catch the light. It wasn't as striking as the bluish-red sapphire but it was still beautiful and very valuable. Not the kind of item you'd leave on a bathroom floor. He handed it to Florian and the blond studied it for a moment before handing it back.

"I've never seen that before, Ray. I have no idea how it got there. I still don't know how the other sapphire ended up in my pocket."

"There's something else." Ray slid out of bed and went to the wardrobe where Laila had hung his jacket. He pulled out the papers he'd gotten at the bank and selected the one showing Florian's holdings. Ray was glad that he'd had the foresight to make himself a joint owner of the account so he was able to get balance information.

"I don't understand." He looked up at Ray with tears glistening in his eyes. "This isn't possible. You know that I... you know the only money I have is what you've given me." The tears spilled over and Florian looked down in shame. He was a proud man from a fine aristocratic family. He'd been trained from birth to uphold the honor of his family, and, although he was content in his life with Ray, there were times when he felt as if he had failed his noble ancestors.

"I don't understand either, yet, but we will find out the truth. Laila's out gathering information now and I'll be entertaining your lady friends soon. I suspect they will have a great deal of useful information." Ray grimaced so comically that Florian had to laugh. The thought of Ray taking tea with Cora and Matilde was irresistible.

"I could accompany you," Florian offered, wiping away his tears. "You might need a chaperone - but I'm not sure who I'd be protecting - them or you."

"Most likely me, unfortunately. But you're not going anywhere. You're to stay here in this bed until I return and then I'm taking you out for a brief walk. Perhaps the air will revive you. It puts an end to our dinner plans, however. I suppose it's room service again." Florian made a face and Ray frowned at him. "What?"

"It's nothing. Perhaps it was just a touch of a cold that has had my stomach so upset this morning. That's why the breakfast didn't taste right."

"Are you sure you're not thinking of yesterday's breakfast? The manager insists that your breakfast order was never delivered." Ray was doing his best to believe Florian but it was clear that the blond wasn't thinking completely clearly. He claimed not to know how he'd gotten those bruises yet they were too big to pass off as a minor accident.

"Ray... about the money... and the sapphires." He looked directly into his lover's eyes, his own amethyst eyes filled with fear. "You believe me, don't you?"

"I believe you," Ray answered simply. Florian was too open and honest to lie, especially to someone as perceptive as Ray. No, Florian believed what he was saying. The only question that remained was whether what Florian believed was the truth. He pulled Florian close and held him for a long moment. He could feel the blond relax and smiled, glad that he could help his lover feel safe. Reluctantly he pulled away and stood up.

"Get a good rest now. You'll need your energy later if you're feeling better." Ray leaned in and planted a kiss on Florian's lips while he slid one hand down his chest. Florian shivered under his touch and reached up to hold him for a moment before reluctantly letting him go.

Ray straightened his coat and checked his reflection in the mirror before leaving the suite. He cast one last look at the figure in the bed, pushing aside the sliver of anxiety that lingered in his mind. He wondered how big a miracle he'd need to escape from this tea unscathed.
XXXXX

"That poor boy, of course we understand. We're quite happy to share tea with you in his place, Count Courland. Why I remember your cousin - Michel is it?" Matilde continued before Ray could answer. He was beginning to suspect his role in this afternoon's event would be that of listener. The good ladies seemed to have no end of conversation. It was fine with him, as long as he could find a way to steer the conversation towards topics that might yield clues to what was happening with Florian and the Seven Sisters.

"Yes, I believe it was Michel - lovely boy but a bit fond of himself if you don't mind my saying." Matilde gave Ray a smile that was probably meant to be charming.

Ray smiled back and couldn't resist prompting a little. "Michel was invited to the Countess Kourey's ball. If he's not away on business, I'm sure he'll want to attend. Will we see you ladies there?"

"Of course. We wouldn't miss it," Cora enthused. "And I've got the perfect necklace." She lowered her voice and glanced around nervously. "Oh dear, I keep forgetting how dangerous things are these days. With that dreadful Noir here in this very city. It makes me afraid to even mention my stunning new necklace."

"You're so right, Cora. What a dreadful matter that was, and so brazen! Two robberies in one night. And that only two nights after the big robbery in Paris! Stealing from an American visiting Paris for the first time. I read that the poor woman was overcome and had to be hospitalized from the shock. To see Noir right there in her bedroom. Why he was close enough to touch her! She screamed so loudly she woke everyone in the hotel!"

"She's fortunate that she woke when she did. Imagine what that horrid thief might have done if she hadn't woken right then." Cora fanned herself as if the mere thought was too much for her.

"Do you know what was stolen?" Ray asked the question quickly in the melodramatic pause. The ladies turned to look at him as if they'd forgotten he was there.

"That was the curious part. He emptied the jewelry box right next to her on the bed and left everything but an old necklace she'd inherited. She didn't even like the thing but it had sentimental value. Or so she said..." And the ladies were off again, relating yet another story of scandal. Ray listened with half an ear while he pondered this new bit of information. Two nights ago while he was here in Brussels, someone disguised as Noir stole an old necklace in Paris in a manner similar to the robbery of Countess Kourey on the train. He was willing to bet that the second of the two robberies in Brussels last night was similar as well.

"Forgive me for intruding, Ladies, Sir, but there is a messenger for the Count. He insists on hand-delivering the message."

"Of course." Ray rose smoothly and gave the ladies a half-bow before following the hotel manager out to the lobby where a young messenger boy was waiting, looking rather uncomfortable. As soon as he saw the men he hurried over and held out the envelope. Ray accepted it and reached into his pocket for some change to tip the boy, but he shook his head insisting he'd already received a tip. Ray watched the boy hurry from the lobby before he scanned the envelope. It was a heavy envelope, hand-addressed to him. The wax seal had an ornate letter K pressed into it.

Noticing the intense interest of the manager, Ray simply thanked him and put the envelope into the inside pocket of his coat. He would open it in his room, away from prying eyes and gossips. As he walked back to the sunroom where he'd been having tea with the ladies, he checked his pocket watch. He'd spent longer than he intended and was wondering how he might convince the ladies to leave when they met him at the doorway with their purses in hand.

"Forgive us for being rude, Count, but we quite lost track of time. We've got to hurry home but it would be lovely to meet again when His Grace is feeling better."

"And we'll see you at the Countess Kourey's ball. We'll reserve our dance now, with you and His Grace, before the other ladies claim you." Cora leaned in conspiratorially and added, "I'd keep dear Florian away from the Countess' assistant, sir. I hear the Countess has her eyes on a match for the two of them and she can be quite stubborn once she's set her mind to a thing."

Ray forced a smile and thanked the ladies, escorting them out of the hotel and insisting that they take a cab at his expense since he'd kept them later than they'd planned. They protested rather weakly and nearly tripped over each other in their eagerness to be first into the carriage.

Once the ladies were safely away, Ray returned to his suite, crossing the lobby as quickly as possible to avoid the manager. The man's overeager manner and watchful eyes were irritating and Ray wasn't in the mood to be polite.

He entered the suite quietly and peeked into the bedroom where Florian appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Ray lingered for a moment watching him before he settled into a comfortable chair in the main sitting room and extracted the envelope from his pocket.

Breaking the wax seal he unfolded the envelope to reveal a gilt-edged invitation as well as a personal note. The Countess thanked him again for his help while on the train and requested that he, Florian and Laila join her for dinner two nights from now at The Rose, a ridiculously expensive restaurant favored by the upper class. It promised an evening of excess - too much food, too much wine and far too much conversation. Ray made a mental note to reply to the Countess and ask that Florian's wine be watered until his health was restored.

With a start Ray realized that Florian might not want to be seen outdoors with that bruise on his face. It was darkest high on the temple and extended downwards towards his cheekbone. Perhaps Laila had something among her ointments and potions that would help it heal more quickly, or at least make it less noticeable. With Florian's fair skin that would be a challenge.

He had just taken up the pen to write his note when a noise stopped him. Setting the pen down, Ray moved cautiously into the bedroom, not wanting to wake the blond if he was merely making noises in his sleep. For a reserved and proper young man, Florian could be rather noisy.

The covers were tangled and Ray moved to straighten them and almost got knocked flat when Florian kicked out, twisting his body and letting out a whimpering cry. He cried out again when Ray touched him and then curled in on himself, pulling his body into a ball and covering his head with his hands.

"Florian," Ray spoke soothingly, his voice soft and reassuring. "You're safe. There's nothing to fear." Florian whimpered and pulled himself tighter but Ray kept talking and eventually, when Ray placed his hand lightly on Florian's shoulder, the man didn't lash out. Instead, he lifted his head a little and blinked, as if he couldn't focus.

"You're safe," Ray assured him. "No one will hurt you." Florian flinched again and his eyes squeezed shut, but Ray rubbed his back soothingly and finally, with agonizing slowness, Florian uncurled. Ray kept talking and rubbing Florian's back and finally the man settled back into a restful sleep. Ray watched him for several long minutes, then rose and left the room. He was just finishing his message to the Countess when Laila returned. Her cheeks were flushed from the wind, or hurrying, or a combination of the two, based on how rapidly she was breathing. Ray waited long enough for her to take off her coat and drape it on a chair before he demanded, "Well?"

"Well is right," she almost crowed as she clapped he notebook down onto the desk where he'd been writing. He picked it up immediately and flipped to the page she'd marked. It was the conversation she'd overheard in the cafИ earlier in the day. After that were copies of the newspaper articles on the two robberies in Brussels as well as the brief mention of the recent one in Paris. Following them was the most interesting note of all: Noir had staged a daring robbery that very morning and rumor had it that he'd been injured while escaping.

Laila watched Ray, gauging his reaction to the information she'd gathered. There was more work to be done, of course, but first she needed something to eat, and she couldn't wait to take off her shoes.

"How do women wear these?" she asked as she unfastened the "proper" shoes Ray had bought her for the trip. She rubbed at her stockinged feet and wondered if she could convince Ray to let her wear her usual more comfortable clothing. She suspected he was hoping she'd blend in better in the Parisian garments, but she wasn't so sure it really worked. She couldn't hide her dark skin among people as fair as Florian.

"How is he?" she asked casually with a glance towards the bedroom. She picked up the room service menu and pretended to be more interested in it than Ray's answer but she wasn't really fooling anyone.

"Restless. He's been having a lot of nightmares." Ray regarded her with serious eyes. "I don't know what to do. I'm tempted to take him home and try for the rest of the Sisters later. We've already got two more than we expected."

"But that's exactly why we have to stay. Nothing that's happening makes sense and going back to Paris won't change that. Florian was fine on the train. It was only after we arrived here in Brussels that he started having nightmares. He's been nervous and frightened. At the museum he was almost spellbound by this horrible painting of a butcher's stall. And then..." Laila sat up straighter, suddenly excited. "The park. When that man knocked him down. Maybe he did something to him, like a drugged needle or something."

"I thought of that," Ray admitted, "But I didn't find any puncture wounds."

"But if the needle was small enough, you wouldn't necessarily think it was a puncture mark." Laila reached over and grabbed her notebook, scanning the portion from the conversation at the cafe. "Here it is." She turned the book around and handed it to Ray. "The part where they talk about the attack in the park. That's got to be Florian. And that part about the name card - the jeweler must have told them the name on the card and it triggered their memory when they heard it again. Rochefort isn't that common a name and most people have heard it at some point. Florian's family tree - and I guess yours - is huge, and very widespread."

"The only way to verify this is to talk to the police, but I'd rather not do that. If it was really Florian's name card, I'm surprised they haven't come to us."

"Maybe they will." She glanced around the suite out of habit. She knew Ray was meticulous about concealing Noir's activities, and his prizes, but she couldn't help herself. "But not tonight I hope. I really am hungry." She reached for the menu again but Ray stopped her.

"We should get something from one of the restaurants nearby. Florian's been complaining about the food."

"Alright, but the food here tastes fine to me. Do you want me to have the manager make arrangements?"

"I suppose it can't be helped. I don't want to leave Florian alone. Get him something light and make sure there's soup - nothing with cream. I'll have whatever the specialty is, and see if they have any shortbread."

Laila sighed, making a mental list of Ray's order while she shoved her feet back into her shoes.

:end part 9: