Regency Belles & Beaux Page 21

  “Would you like to come with us, Miss Talbot?” Alice suggested, rather reluctantly, as she put on her bonnet and pelisse.

  “Even though Lady Kirkmore has dismissed me, I think I should stay here in case she changes her mind. If she is better this afternoon, I shall go for a walk but thank you for asking me.”

  “Did Miss Talbot realise I did not want her to come?” Alice asked Edward as they left the hotel.

  “She may. There was a certain note in your voice which I could hear, but perhaps she did not. Companions, however, have to be perceptive, if only to retain their position.”

  “Poor thing. I would like us to be on our own when we meet Victor.”

  “Do you wish me to stay with you when you talk to him?” Edward asked.

  “If you please. You know all my secrets and I would prefer you to be here to help me. He’s a stranger, after all, although we are so nearly related.”

  Their first call was at Victor’s lodgings. The concierge apologised as soon as he saw them.

  “Monsieur Debord was away from home last night. I didn’t see him until early this morning. I gave him your note and he read it. Then he told me to take his bags up to his rooms and he walked off.”

  “Do you know where he went?”

  “He didn’t tell me, but it is likely that he had to go to his place of work, at the silk merchant Moreau’s in the Rue de Richelieu.”

  “Thank you. We will seek him there.”

  A hackney took them to the Rue de Richelieu, a narrow street running up from the Louvre. Monsieur Moreau’s premises were in a set of ground floor rooms at number 10. Unfortunately, Victor was not there, having gone to visit a customer. Edward extracted a promise from the silk merchant to send him to their hotel as soon as he returned from his errand.

  “We had better go back there and wait for him,” Alice said.

  “What about your modiste?” Edward asked.

  “I’ll visit her at another time. Finding Philip is far more important. I wonder what Cousin Victor will be like?”

  Alice thought afterwards that she need not have been concerned. Victor Debord was a slight, unassuming man with excellent manners, who was delighted to make the acquaintance of another of his cousins.

  “And a much prettier one, if I my say so with your permission,” he said to Edward who smiled. “What brings you to Paris?”

  “Two things. My wife wants to purchase new dresses and we hoped to speak to her brother Philip whom you know, of course.”

  “Mais oui, certainement the ladies must have new dresses often and where better than Paris to buy them? As for mon cher Philip, or I should say Louis de Vezey, as he is known here, I have not seen him for several months, ever since the funeral.”

  “Funeral? Whose funeral? Not his?” Alice gasped.

  “No, no. He was quite healthy, although very unhappy, the last time I saw him. It was his lady, Celia, who died. Did he not tell you?”

  “No, he has not written to me which made me anxious. How did she die?”

  “She was ill and I believe took a turn for the worst from which she did not recover. Did you know her well, Cousin?”

  Alice frowned. “When we were growing up, her family, the Blackwoods, had an estate near to ours, but I have seen her only once since she married.” Alice’s thoughts whirled back to that desperate drive from Kew to London. She had held the half-fainting Celia tightly in her arms to keep her from falling out of the carriage. “How was my brother at her funeral?”

  “He took her death very badly. I called several times but he would not answer his door to me. Others had better luck, two in particular, who have given me news of him from time to time. He had a young girl to care for Celia when she was alive and she still looks after him, cleaning and cooking his meals. He works as a fencing master at a Salle des Armes run by an Italian named Marco Pezzi. I believe Monsieur Pezzi has managed to coax him back into teaching again. I am no swordsman, so I have never gone there, but it is in the Rue Vivienne and is quite popular among our English visitors. If he is not at the Salle, Monsieur Pezzi should certainly know where to find him.”

  “I’ll go tomorrow,” Edward said, “and I might indulge in some swordplay while I am there.” He glanced at Alice and then continued, “I can’t claim to be a master of the art but very few will be able to defeat me, don’t fret.”

  “Of course not,” Alice replied with a shake of her head, “I only wish I could learn fencing myself.”

  “Would you like me to teach you when we return home?” He offered. “The Salle, I am sure, is no place for ladies, or I would be happy to escort you there.”

  “If you please.”

  Victor wrote down Philip’s direction for them and also Agathe’s.

  “He may not live in the same apartment,” Victor warned. “He also spoke of going to visit my father but I haven’t heard that he has arrived there. Agathe will know or Marco. I would be grateful if you would tell me what has happened to him and give him my regards.”

  Chapter Five

  The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly, talking of family matters and what was happening in the capital. Victor proved to be an entertaining companion, as Philip had told Alice. Several times he provoked them to laughter. This was unwise, for they had forgotten that the Countess was nearby in her bedchamber and the sound carried. It was a shock when she suddenly appeared, looking rather white and leaning on Grace’s arm. Alice jumped to her feet,

  “Mama! How are you?”

  The lady’s lips thinned. “Well enough and who is this, pray?”

  “May I present Victor Debord. Victor is…”

  “I know who he is.”

  Alice shot an agonised glance at Victor who kissed the Countess’s hand, smiled and said,

  “I have always wanted to meet you Tante Julienne.”

  “How like my brother you are. A flatterer.” She nodded to him and sat down on the sofa. She waved towards Grace, making the introductions.

  “My nephew, Victor Debord, my companion, Miss Talbot.”

  Grace took her usual place, a little way removed from the company, as the Countess quizzed Victor about the changes in Paris. She also asked about her various friends and family members.

  “Why you must certainly make your bow to the king, Ma Tante. He is quick to take a slight if you don’t and is certain to receive you. A Frenchwoman who has spent so many years in England, as he was forced to do himself, will be doubly welcome.”

  “My late husband did not care for the man.”

  “A prince in exile acts very differently from a king who has come home and reclaimed his throne.”

  “We shall see.”

  Although they discussed the things that Victor had told them before the Countess had arrived, neither Alice nor Edward wanted to tell her about their own enquiries. They hoped to be able to give her firm news of Philip’s whereabouts rather than speculation. Therefore, they spoke encouragingly about the idea of the Countess seeking an audience with King Louis at his earliest convenience.

  “I expect both of you to accompany me,” the Countess ordered. “It is, after all, not at all the thing for people of our sort to ignore the ruler of a country we are visiting.” Alice bit her lip to repress a giggle. She had a vivid remembrance of her father’s strictures on the man but she said simply,

  “Edward is keen to visit one of the Salles des Armes that have become all the rage in Paris and I have an appointment with my dressmaker tomorrow. So, I pray you to hold us excused for now. We will come with you when you are actually to be presented, of course.” The Countess gave a disapproving sniff but did not argue further.

  The following morning, she went out with Grace to arrange for the presentation. The two left behind heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly departed from the hotel before she could return. There was time for them to make their own inquiries as well as to visit the dressmaker and the Salle.

  “I want to come with you to Philip’s apartment, Alice,” Edward said
, as they settled into the coach. “The concierge tells me that it is in a rather unsavoury part of the city. Although I realise you are itching to see where he lives, it might be more sensible to go later when his work is finished. If I do not track him down at the Salle, I will engage to drive you there this evening. Why not visit Mademoiselle Céleste, as you have told your mother you intend to do, while I find this Marco? With luck, if Philip is there, I may even be able to bring him back with me.”

  “Yes. That is a better plan than mine,” Alice agreed.

  Accordingly, she was soon entering Mademoiselle Céleste’s premises. The lady was small and dark. She wore an elegant outfit in a deep red silk which flowed around her as she walked, making it appear as if she was gliding.

  “Is this dress one of your own creations?” Alice asked her, admiringly, after they had greeted each other.

  “Indeed. How can I help you Madame?” the modiste asked.

  “Lady Whitehead recommended you to me. I believe she was here earlier in the year.”

  “Is she tall and fair with very pale blue eyes?”

  “That’s right. She was particularly pleased with the gowns you made for her.”

  “I’m glad. And you would like me to make some for you?”

  Alice nodded. “If you please. As you can see, I am in mourning. I need clothes to wear in the summer when I am no longer in black. Drab shades such as grey, mauve or white, I’m afraid.”

  “Perhaps we can contrive so the outfits are easily altered once you are able to wear other colours again. Please come this way and I will show you some of my designs.”

  By the end of the morning, Alice had been measured, chosen her materials and ordered a number of outfits, all of which could be altered when her mourning ceased. However, another practical suggestion made her blush furiously.

  “You have just told me, Madame, that you are newly married, so it is possible that you may soon be expecting an interesting event,” the dressmaker commented. “With your permission, I will include an extra seam allowance in certain areas, then the dresses may still be worn if you are increasing.”

  Alice found herself choking as she mumbled her agreement. It was something that had occurred to her, of course, but only as a hope for the future. It was possible, very possible, even likely. She wondered what it would be like to be a mother to Edward’s child. It would make her very happy, she decided.

  Alice arrived back at the Hotel Neuilly to find Edward waiting for her and a cold nuncheon set on the table.

  “Mama?” she asked cautiously.

  “Still out.”

  “Good then we can speak freely. Was he there?”

  “I’m afraid not, but he is in the city, Marco Pezzi assured me of that. He had gone to give tuition to a nobleman in his own home. Marco promised to hand him my note as soon as he returned.”

  Alice clapped her hands. “Oh, I am so glad. I can’t wait to see him.”

  “Well, you will very soon. Now tell me, my love, have you spent my entire fortune and reduced me to penury?”

  Alice smiled. “Didn’t you know I was saving my allowance specially to buy dresses in Paris?”

  “How frugal of you. I am certain I married the right person.” Alice laughed.

  The Countess returned with the news that the presentation was arranged for the following afternoon and the ladies were soon engaged in the always fascinating discussion of their outfits. Alice privately thought that they would look hideous in their black dresses whichever ones they chose, like a line of crows in a cornfield. She tried to persuade Grace to wear something more colourful to break the monotony but desisted when her mother called her to order. A glance at Grace’s face told her that her intervention was unwelcome. A little later, when the Countess left the room, Grace said,

  “You mean well, Lady Alice, but I can’t do as you suggest. A companion must always stay in the background and be discreet if she is to keep her position.”

  “Doesn’t it irk you to be different from other females?”

  “At first it did but your mother is not a difficult mistress to serve,”

  “It would fret me to flinders!” Alice exclaimed honestly.

  “You’re her daughter and a married lady. I am neither and I must continue to earn my living.”

  “Thank heavens I have never been obliged to do so. I’m sure I shouldn’t manage it at all.”

  The girls glanced at each other and shared a smile as the Countess swept back into the room. Little did Alice know that, in her imagination, Grace was wearing an elegant gown of pale blue silk, lavishly laced with gold. She smoothed the skirt with one hand and fingered the ruby necklace around her neck. It had cost her lover a king’s ransom. Behind a bland expression which hid her disappointment, she had once again taken refuge in her thoughts.

  Although Alice realised that it would be some time before Philip could respond to her note, as the hours passed she became more and more restless. She found she could not read more than one line of a book and she paced up and down the room, deep in her thoughts.

  “What’s the matter with you, Alice?” her mother demanded at last. “Do sit down. You are wearing a hole in the carpet with your fidgeting.”

  “I’m sorry, Mama. I’m uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s the weather. I think it is going to rain.”

  Obediently she sank down on the sofa but a few moments later she was up again.

  “My dear, this will not do,” Edward eventually said to her. “Come out with me instead.”

  “Oh no, I want to stay here,” she exclaimed.

  “Nevertheless, if you must walk about, let us do so outside. We won’t go far, I promise you.”

  He held out his hand to her and when she reluctantly gave him hers, he led her out of the room. In the corridor, he turned to her and said,

  “My dear, calm yourself. Your mother is already becoming suspicious. Either we tell her what we are expecting or you have to act as if nothing is about to happen.”

  “I’m not that good an actress,” Alice admitted. “But I don’t want her to know, in case Philip does not come. Her disappointment would be more severe.”

  “Then put on your bonnet and pelisse. We’ll stroll up and down the street for a little while. We won’t go out of sight of the door of the hotel, so you are sure to see him when he arrives.”

  Accordingly, they walked around under the fascinated gaze of the doormen and several concierges from the nearby properties. Edward made a spirited attempt to give his wife’s thoughts a new direction, telling her stories and making jokes. Although she laughed dutifully, it was clear that her mind was elsewhere and her laughter was forced. Several carriages came along and one or two people went into the hotel but none of them were Philip.

  “Do you think I will find him changed?” Alice asked as they strolled along under some wizened trees.

  “If he cared for his Celia as much as you suggested, then the last few weeks can’t have been easy for him, so I would expect some alteration. He may be over the worst by now but it will be hard for him to forget her.”

  Alice nodded. “None of us ever can. I wish I had known her better, but she was older than me and we were not compatible in temperament.”

  “That I understand. You would have fought back against Staunton, wouldn’t you?”

  “Certainly at first, but for how long would I have managed to do so?” Alice shivered. “That one experience was enough for me. Thank goodness you were able to rescue me and I never fell into his power again.” The light was falling and it was beginning to get colder. Alice could not repress a shiver and immediately Edward said,

  “Philip won’t be here before dinner. His skills are in some demand at the Salle so, when he returns there, he is likely to be engaged with other clients. He will come soon; I am sure of it. This Marco Pezzi seems to be a reliable fellow so I expect him to give your brother the message and for Philip to act upon it. Are you chilled? I can feel you shivering. May we go back inside now? Are you ready to f
ace the others?

  “I don’t know what to do. How silly I am!”

  “I’d like to think one of my own sisters would act as you are doing if I were in Philip’s situation.”

  “Kitty would and Charles, even Lizzie although she is so young.” Alice loyally named her cousins and Kitty’s new husband, who had become a friend. They returned to the hotel and asked the doormen if Philip had arrived, but they confirmed that he had not.

  “Then we will dine as soon as we have changed our clothes,” Edward gave them the order.

  “What is happening?” The Countess asked as the couple entered the salon before dinner. Both she and Miss Talbot were ready and had obviously been sitting waiting for their return.

  “I don’t understand you, Mama.”

  “Don’t try to make a game with me, Alice; I know you too well. You may be married, but you act in the same way as you have always done. It is as if you are looking forward to some treat but are afraid someone is about to snatch it away from you. Tell me.”

  Alice shot an agonised glance at her husband and then drew a deep breath.

  “The truth of the matter is, Mama, that I am hoping that Philip will call upon us this evening.”

  The Countess’s eyes blazed. “You have found him and did not inform me? Have you seen him?”

  “No, ma’am,” Edward intervened. “I have spoken to one of his friends who offered to give him our direction. He promised to tell him that we would like to see him very much.”

  “Then why isn’t he here now?”

  “That I can’t tell you, ma’am.”

  “Why did you not inform me before?” the Countess demanded.

  “We didn’t want you to be disappointed, Mama.”

  “Do you think that I am such a weak creature that I cannot endure a disappointment? You should know me better than that. Let me tell you, Alice, that I am not at all pleased with your conduct during this whole affair.”

  “May I point out to you, ma’am, that it was your own idea to come with us to Paris,” Edward again intervened. “Had you kept to your original plans, it was our intention to bring Philip back to England as soon as we found him.”