Chapter 10: The Old Ways
Clairmont House, London.
Diana was gradually growing accustomed to the grandeur of Matthew's London townhouse. The directives of her mother-in-law were more of a challenge.
Ysabeau claimed undisclosed knowledge was power, and Diana saw her point. But she was a historian, not a Machiavellian politician. Knowledge was meant to be shared. If everyone kept secrets, misunderstandings would be commonplace.
Jack was an excellent example of the problems that could arise. When Diana told Ysabeau about him, her only reaction was to say that she was glad Matthew finally knew about Andrew Hubbard. The obvious inference was that she'd kept her knowledge of the priest's connection to the de Clermonts a secret. How different would their present situation be if Matthew had been aware?
As for the disclosure about Jack, Ysabeau didn't appear surprised, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Diana was left with the inescapable conclusion that Ysabeau knew about him but was unwilling to discuss her history with him. Why was she so dismissive? In Diana's eyes, Jack was her son. What mother wouldn't want to learn as much as possible about her child?
This wasn't the moment to challenge centuries of vampire reticence, but it was coming.
Diana realized she needed to be careful. With so many conspiracies swirling around her, she ran the risk of seeing hidden plots where none existed. Peter Knox's secret agenda. Gerbert's machinations. Benjamin's crimes. Baldwin's threats. Those were all real and dangerous.
But what was the issue with Leonard?
For she was convinced something wasn't right. And more than likely, Ysabeau was in the thick of it.
Gallowglass had arranged for Jack's friend to drive them around. Andrew ran a car-for-hire business called Hubbards of Houndsditch, Ltd. Supposedly, Leonard was one of the drivers although how he managed to pass for someone old enough to have the necessary certification was a mystery. Leonard looked no older than Jack—barely twenty at a stretch. And for a vampire, he was unaccountably flustered.
During the drive from the airport, he hadn't said much. She wouldn't have expected him to. He wasn't sure how to address her, but who wouldn't? Her status as a de Clermont and future matriarch of the new scion made her already complicated position even more convoluted.
When she arrived at Clairmont House, she was stunned to find Ysabeau, Phoebe, and Ysabeau's faithful Marthe all waiting for her. Ysabeau immediately took charge, giving orders right and left.
In the flurry of greetings, Diana happened to glance at Leonard when he saw Ysabeau. She was sure he flashed her a welcoming smile as if she were an old friend. But the smile quickly vanished under the icy look she gave him.
Diana would have been fine with Leonard calling her by her first name, but Ysabeau insisted on him calling her Madame. That wasn't so bad, but calling Phoebe Miss Phoebe? Leonard took it well enough, but Phoebe winced at the order. If there was any doubt the old ways of vampire propriety were still very much alive, Ysabeau had just schooled them all.
Would Ysabeau treat Jack the same way? She hadn't revealed her opinion of Andrew, but Diana guessed it wasn't high. She remembered all too well how diffident Jack had been that first evening in New Haven. He'd been raised by a sire who wanted nothing to do with the de Clermonts and had been shut off from connecting with his clan for hundreds of years. Jack already had self-worth issues. Would Ysabeau exacerbate them?
Perhaps Ysabeau didn't accept that Jack was a de Clermont. That could be why she didn't comment about him.
The current situation made Diana relieved that Matthew and Jack hadn't arrived in London. She already had her hands full trying to find the missing page from the Book of Life. One challenge at a time.
But Ysabeau had the knack of introducing unforeseen complications.
Among the many treasures of Clairmont House was a double portrait of Philippe and Ysabeau. It hung in Matthew's study. The painting had been made sometime in the mid-eighteenth century. The artist had succeeded in capturing not only Philippe and Ysabeau's appearance but their personalities and above all else, their love for each other.
The painting took her breath away. It was as if Philippe had come to life and was standing next to her. Diana found herself returning to the room time and time again just to view it.
On one occasion, she was surprised to find Ysabeau suddenly standing beside her. "Philippe particularly admired this portrait of us," she said softly.
"I can understand why," Diana said. "Did Gainsborough paint it?"
"No, but a member of his atelier did." She hesitated for only a moment. "The artist was someone you know—Jack Blackfriars."
Diana stared at it, stunned. She'd no idea Jack was so talented. The significance slowly sank in. Jack had worked with Gainsborough. She knew he'd taken lessons from Hilliard. But most of his life was a complete blank. If Jack were like Ysabeau, she might never learn more about him.
Competing questions jostled for priority in her mind. Where had they posed for the portrait? How often had Ysabeau seen Jack? Who did she think he was?
"Did Philippe tell you about Jack?" Diana asked, picking the one she thought Ysabeau was most likely to answer.
"No, Gerbert did," she said serenely.
#
"Don't forget my offer," Marcus said as Jack stepped out of the limo. "Phoebe's counting on seeing both of you. It will give us a chance to become acquainted with Leonard."
"Thanks," Jack said. "I'm sure we'll take you up on it." They'd already dropped Matthew off at Clairmont House. Robin, a member of Father H's stable of vampire drivers, retrieved Jack's bags from the boot of the car. The cello and viol had ridden in the back of the vehicle with Jack during the ride from the airport.
Robin told him Leonard had substituted for another chauffeur that morning but that he'd be back within an hour. Jack was disappointed he wasn't at the airport but perhaps it was for the best. He'd rather have a private reunion before Matthew subjected Leonard to a possible interrogation.
A joyous barking from inside the bell tower roused him. Mop was happily assuming the role of welcome committee. The dog's reward was a tussle before unpacking with the result that Jack had barely put away his clothes when he smelled Leonard outside. His pulse racing, he sped down the stairs so quickly that he collided with Leonard midway on the spiral staircase.
After one heart-stopping moment, he threw himself into Leonard's arms. Father H was away at his public office, meaning that he and Leonard had the tower to themselves. Not something to be squandered.
#
Leonard propped himself up on an elbow to look at Jack. "No nightmarish visions?"
"None." Jack promptly pulled him back down on the bed. "But just to confirm it, let's go another round."
"Gladly ... only one question first." Leonard gave him a knowing look. "Have you slept since Benjamin tried to abduct you?"
"Stop worrying about me," Jack huffed. "I'm getting better every day and this is the best medicine you could give me. Tell me what's going on in London. You've been my only source of news since I left for New Haven."
His non-answer was telling but Leonard didn't push. Now that they were back together, he'd be able to monitor Jack's progress. "Didn't Matthew tell you about Diana's activities?" he asked, falling in line with Jack's desire to change the subject.
Jack shook his head. "He didn't talk with Diana the entire time we were in New Orleans because he didn't want to risk Benjamin intercepting his calls."
Leonard frowned. "He could have used a burner phone like us."
Jack exhaled as he stroked Leonard's chest. "Ever since Benjamin hacked his phone, Matthew worries he'll do it again. He doesn't trust burner phones." Jack made a face. "Matthew's very old school in much of his thinking."
"He's not the only one." Leonard paused over how much to disclose. So far, he hadn't discussed Ysabeau. But Jack needed to be prepared for the reception he might receive. "Ysabeau isn't as friendly as she used to be. The first time I saw her in London, she promptly schooled me on the appropriate forms of address for herself, Marcus, Phoebe, and Diana."
Jack sat upright to stare at him. "I wonder what caused the change. I'm sure you're not the issue. She knows we're a couple. Perhaps she's displeased that I'm a de Clermont."
"I can't understand why she'd feel that way, but I suppose it's possible. Ysabeau acts as if all the times we were together never happened. I've gone from being her musician to her chauffeur."
Leonard didn't mind that a little of his bitterness seeped through. Jack and he drank through each other's heart veins. There could be no secrets between them. Besides, he needed to know that the years of comfortable familiarity when they were on a first-name basis with Philippe were over.
"Perhaps she's waiting for Diana to hear about us," Jack suggested. "Ysabeau is like her son. They don't like to disclose any secrets. She could think that Diana would then wonder what the circumstances were when we were with her."
"Maybe." Leonard wasn't convinced but he didn't want to dispute it. "I'm sure she'll be much warmer with you."
"I doubt it, but it doesn't matter. Matthew knows about us. Now that he's reunited with Diana, he'll tell her. We'll take it from there."
"That sounds good," Leonard agreed.
Jack drew him close for a kiss. "In any case, their attitude won't change anything for us. My life is here with you, not with them. Tell me what Phoebe's like."
"She's a petite dynamo and utterly charming. It's easy to see why Marcus fell in love with her. I looked into her background. Her father's English. Her mother is from India. The family's wealthy. Her dad is a diplomat. Phoebe works for Sotheby's and is an expert on antiques."
In other words, she'd fit right in with the de Clermonts ... Leonard was glad he didn't voice that thought out loud. Perhaps that explained Ysabeau's attitude. Now that she knew Jack was a de Clermont, she could think Leonard was beneath them. Bryn had ended a long relationship with Philippe's daughter Freyja because she didn't think she'd ever be accepted.
Did Jack realize how insecure Leonard felt? Like for the first time in his life? It was different back when he and Jack were musicians at court. Sure, no one paid attention to them but that worked to their advantage, whether they were spying for Philippe or just out to have a good time.
Freyja had always treated them well, and their friendship with Philippe was unique. Since no one knew about the blood relationship, they enjoyed a rare informality. No need for titles with Philippe. Leonard missed Ysabeau's earlier warmth. But in fairness, they hadn't seen her since the war. She'd lost her mate. A certain amount of change in her personality was inevitable.
"Hey, don't pay Ysabeau any mind," Jack said, reading his mood far too easily. "Wait till you meet Marcus. He'll adopt you as another brother."
"I want to thank him for all he's done for you." Leonard cast aside his brief moment of wallowing. He had Jack back. Nothing else mattered.
"About that ... Marcus wants us to move in with him and Phoebe for a week or so. His house is at Pickering Place. He'd like to get to know you. He also said it would give me the chance to get acquainted with Phoebe. What do you think?"
Jack watched him anxiously. Leonard could tell how much he wanted to. Staying there would be yet another sign that Jack was a recognized member of the family. And possibly it would ease Leonard's entrance. But the main reason he wanted to was so that Jack could continue his therapy. During their phone conversations, it was apparent how much he was improving. And after seeing how much better he was in person ... God's truth, Leonard would gladly do whatever Marcus asked of him.
They decided to divide their time. Mop would continue to live at the bell tower and they wanted to spend most evenings with Father H. That would also give Marcus and Phoebe time to themselves.
#
"Leonard is Jack's mate?" Diana repeated numbly, staring at Matthew in surprise.
He'd waited till after they'd celebrated their reunion in a highly satisfactory manner to drop that bombshell on her.
She stumbled to find the right words. "They're too young!" she blurted.
Matthew smiled as he sat down next to her on the loveseat in their bedchamber. "That was my initial reaction too. How can the little boy we knew as an eight-year-old be in a romantic relationship? But Jack's experienced life for over four hundred years."
"You're right. We can't expect him to have somehow remained in suspended animation all the time we were out of his life. This is a blatant reminder of how little we know about him and Leonard." She winced as she thought of her dismissal of Leonard as just being one of Andrew's lost boys.
"What's wrong?" Matthew asked.
"You know your mother. She's been giving Leonard orders as if he were Pierre's underservant. He's taken it well although I thought I caught a momentary look of dismay at the way she greeted him the first day. Do you think Ysabeau knows?"
"I'm not sure," Matthew admitted. "But if she does, it would be very like her to conceal her knowledge. At the time, you didn't know about their relationship. Ysabeau wouldn't have felt it proper for her to disclose the details. It's Jack and Leonard's story to tell."
Diana huffed her frustration. "This is yet another example of how wrong-headed vampire secrecy is. Ysabeau has been lecturing me about the need to remain tight-lipped. I agree with the necessity for confidential matters, but within a family or close friends, how often do we ignore the principle?"
"I'm guilty of the same mindset. Marcus has been prodding me to reach out to Jack, but the old ways keep pulling me back. I know little about his life after Tom Harriot passed away, and Leonard is a virtual blank."
"A case in point is that portrait of Philippe and Ysabeau in your study," Diana said. "Do you know who painted it?"
"The work is unsigned ..." Matthew stared at her. "Jack?"
"That's right, our son. Ysabeau told me. You've seen the painting for hundreds of years but didn't know."
He took a slow breath. "I'm still coming to terms with how Jack has lived on the fringe of my life for centuries."
She nodded. "He resembled a ghost you couldn't connect with. We now have a chance to make things right. Let's not blow it ... with him or with Leonard."
#
"I hope you know something about wine," Marcus told Jack and Leonard. "Matthew keeps the wine cellar at Pickering Place well-supplied, but I tend to just grab whichever bottle is handiest."
He was relieved when Jack called to say they were coming over. Phoebe insisted on pulling out all the stops. Her embarrassment over not knowing about Leonard being Jack's mate was quickly smoothed over by the effusive greeting she gave them.
Marcus was pleased to see how relaxed Jack was. Any stress he felt about Benjamin was buried deep. Leonard was even more lighthearted. Marcus had gotten the idea from Phoebe that Leonard was overwhelmed by the splendor of Clairmont House. Instead, it quickly became apparent that Leonard had simply conveyed the image required of him to placate their formidable grand-mère. In a sense, Jack and Leonard were more familiar with grand surroundings than the rest of them since they'd spent so much of their lives at various courts.
When Marcus found out that Leonard was as much a wine connoisseur as Philippe, he put Leonard to work at selecting bottles. Helped along by the excellent vintages, conversation flowed.
Marcus and Phoebe had already decided to share more about themselves and their backgrounds than they normally did in an effort to make Jack and Leonard feel more at ease. They also didn't want the pair to feel like they were constantly being grilled. But Phoebe had a hard time restraining herself, especially when she heard that Leonard had been a close friend of Inigo Jones. From the way Leonard described him, Marcus suspected it was more than a friendship but he didn't pry.
"Marcus is the Grand Master of the Knights of Lazarus now," Jack told Leonard.
"Are you familiar with the organization?" Marcus asked.
Leonard nodded. "A little. Philippe mentioned them a few times. One of the Renards Gris was a knight."
"Who are the Renards Gris?" Phoebe asked.
"The group was formed to help Huguenots escape France," Jack explained. "Leonard and I were members during the French Revolution. We assisted anyone who was trying to flee the threat of the guillotine but focused on witches and daemons."
Phoebe smiled at them. "Like the Scarlet Pimpernel?"
Leonard winked at her. "The idea for that book came from a daemon member of our club."
"Leonard, I hope you'll join us as a Knight of Lazarus," Marcus said. "We work to ensure the survival of vampires and defend those in need of protection. You've already been doing that work. Now you'll get the recognition." And the standing that accompanied it. Since Marcus had reluctantly accepted the position, he'd greatly expanded the ranks. Leonard would be an excellent fit, and the appointment would also raise his status with the de Clermonts.
Leonard agreed readily, helped along by Jack's enthusiasm. Phoebe liked to tease Marcus about his democratization efforts with the family. Jack and Leonard would help speed up the process.
As they lingered over dessert and drinks, they had an unexpected guest. Ysabeau's arrival was a shock.
Jack and Leonard immediately stood up, giving low bows that would have been appropriate at the French court. Their action was a reminder that they were all too familiar with the old ways of the ancien regime—a time when they were considered the inferiors of nobility.
Ysabeau offered them a gracious smile in response. "A family gathering and you didn't invite me? I haven't had a chance to welcome Jack and Leonard into the family. I'm counting on you both to liven us up."
She took a seat at the table and scanned their faces. "What have I missed?"
"Leonard's accepted Marcus's invitation to be a Knight of Lazarus," Phoebe said.
Ysabeau turned to him. "I hope that doesn't mean you'll have less time to write. I've become quite fond of your novels. In the future, I'll expect advance copies."
"It will be my pleasure, Madame Ysabeau." He grinned mischievously. "Especially since you were the inspiration behind some of the characters."
"Hmm. I don't think I want to know which ones." Her expression grew serious. "I want you both to know how proud I am to have you as my grandchildren. After the twins are born, we shall all return to Sept-Tours."
Jack's face turned ashen. "Thank you for the invitation, Madame Ysabeau—"
"—Grand-mère," she corrected.
"Grand-mère," he repeated quickly. "But my presence isn't a good idea. You may not have heard but Sieur Baldwin ordered Matthew to kill me. I wouldn't be welcome."
"Baldwin is in Venice now. In any case, this isn't the first foolish order he's given. He'll soon appreciate the mistake he made." Her eyes glinted with more than a hint of ferocity. "Leave Baldwin to me. If he gives you any trouble, you'll find out how wicked your grand-mère can be."
Notes: The joint portrait of Philippe and Ysabeau in the Gainsborough style was first mentioned in Jagged Shoals and is based on a portrait described in The Book of Life. Although Deborah Harkness doesn't mention the name of the artist, it easily could have been Jack.
In my next story, Harm's Repair, we'll join the newly expanded family at Sept-Tours. I'll post Harm's Repair on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2023. More about the story is in my "Harm's Repair" blog post.