Page 43 of Lord Appleby's Gorgeous Imposter
“One of ours.”
Tate was appreciative. “That artist might be able to learn more than we can. Madame Turban, here, sat for long enough that our artist caught her in her glory.”
“Discover what you can. Report to me. Ram will take over again in a few days, he tells me. But I must now warn you our days here in Paris are numbered. Take care of those in your house. Wrap up your work.”
“That, sadly, is easy. These days, the atmosphere from the Tuileries spoils whatever I try to accomplish. I can hardly secure appointments with bankers. As for my other occupation, the lady is stubborn. Her engagement ends the last week in June. Seven more weeks.” Tate had told Kane about Viv’s recent odd activities.
Kane crossed one long leg over another and brushed a hand down his thigh. “A woman with a mystery is a lady who brings a man more trouble than a morning hangover. Your day never improves.”
Tate shifted in his chair. “I hope she returns home with me before my hangover gets worse.”
“She should go home to England like the rest of us.” Kane turned sour. “I will be frank. In case you suddenly must leave and need a friend or two, I have suggestions.”
Tate frowned. “Go on.”
“Augustine is the niece of Countess Nugent. I assume you have heard of her?”
Tate certainly had. “I met the countess briefly when I was invited a few weeks ago to Julie Recamier’s house.” The countess was a Society leader of the highest caliber.
“She is English,” Kane continued, “but has lived in Paris for many years. Leading a remarkable life, she was the old Duc d’Orleans’s mistress. Both the countess and her adopted daughter, Madame St. Antoine, were in Carmes Prison together with Josephine Bonaparte.”
“That, I did not know.”
“The countess and madame owe their affection for Josephine to that terrible period. Inside, the women rallied around each other to survive.” Kane winced. “Madame St. Antoine is the lady whom you met in our box the first night we attended the theater together.”
“I remember her. Lovely woman. I also read her dossier before I came to Paris. Scarlett gave it to me. So I know she is English by birth, the adopted child of Countess Nugent, and the widow of a French vintner.”
“Madame St. Antoine also left Paris last spring fearing for her life when the deputy chief of police was after her.”
Tate had met that man at Montagne’s house. “Fouché’s assistant? Whatishis name? Vaillancourt. René Vaillancourt. Yes, I have not met him, but I hear he is a dignified creature. Dapper. Evil sort, I hear. Which proves that looks deceive, eh?”
“Indeed, they do. After madame disappeared, I assigned Ramsey to find her and protect her. He did. Madame becameRam’s very, very close friend. But they are now parted. She is here in Paris, in her own house.”
That explained Ram’s mercurial moods. “Does that mean Vaillancourt has no desire for her any longer?”
“Oh, but he does. Vaillancourt has made threats. I do not know them all. Neither does Ram.”
“No wonder he’s at wits’ end.”
“Exactly,” Kane went on. “But since she has returned to Paris, Madame St. Antoine has remained out of Society. I do not ask why. But I do want you to know that she has great influence. She, like my wife, is also friends with Josephine, Bonaparte’s family, and many in Society, including Julie Recamier.”
“Surprising.”
“Indeed.” Tate stared at him and said at last, “Most especially because madame works with us.”
Tate sucked in a breath. But this revelation of Madame St. Antoine’s role was unusual for Kane unless he had another reason. “So you tell me all of this so that I know about madame in case I need friends or…need to help a friend.”
“Yes. Countess Nugent is a mystery to me. But she is bold, honest. Madame St. Antoine, I expect, will remain in Paris. If you need help, either lady can be useful. My majordom falls into that category as well.”
Corsini?The Italian with the sunny disposition who kept order in Kane’s household like a wizard? “I see. Now all this is in preparation for your anticipated departure from Paris just in case things go foul?”
“If this treaty dissolves before our eyes, you know we British will be persona non grata at the bat of a lash.”
“I will be ready.”I must ensure Viv is ready too.“Passports. An escape route. Money.”
*
The first ofMay dawned bright and warm. Viv was more open in her conversations with Tate, but she put her mind to her plans and how she might change them. She had many problems, most of them ones of her own doing—or lack of it. Her promises to Charmaine were too many. Her sister had once been a harpy, but she had loved Diane and was outraged at her loss. But could Vivpoisonsomeone? She doubted it, had always doubted it. Perhaps that was why her failure to get arsenic at the apothecary shop had irritated her, but not destroyed her. She let that go and looked on the highwaymen’s theft of her reticule with the little vials inside as a good sign. Still, she forced herself to buy two new ones.
