Page 64 of Lord Appleby's Gorgeous Imposter
At that moment, the majordom appeared, carrying a large silver tray filled with small dishes of eggsau gratin. Behind him marched a footman in stark livery of blue and gold trim. That man carried another tray with an urn for hot chocolate. A third appeared with pastries and small tarts the size of Viv’s thumb.
“One of each of those?” The countess’s green eyes glowed over that idea.
“But of course.” Viv would not refuse her hostess.
When they were sated on a few delicacies, the countess began. “I’ve wished to meet with you from the very start of your visit here in Paris. I have not had my usual number of soirées lately. Challenges with family, you see.”
Viv was reminded of what she had read in the gossip sheets about the return of Amber St. Antoine to Paris, that lady’s affair with Tate’s friend Lord Ramsey, and St. Antoine’s apparent secrecy since her return. She merely nodded, silent.
“However, I was eager to have you here with me and my friends,” the countess said. “But after the first consul invited you to his bedroom suite, Madame Bonaparte could not in goodgrace receive you, and she always attends my parties. Hence, I could not invite you here.”
“Please you need not apologize for that. I do understand.”
“I hated the gossip about that incident with Monsieur Bonaparte, but I am proud of you for standing up to him.”
Viv demurred. “Actually, madame, I stood up to his valet, Monsieur Constant!”
They both gave little laughs over that.
Viv had to add a few titillating details. “The first consul kept me waiting so long, I lost patience. But you must know that I did not wish to be his newest conquest. So I took the opportunity to leave him. I gave the excuse of my work. I am often exhausted by a performance and need my sleep to recover.”Plus, I was frightened to death.
The countess grinned. “Madame Bonaparte adored the story.”
Viv cast her a leery glance. “I am certain her husband did not.”
The countess grew stern. “In fact, he was very unkind.”
“To stretch the truth to say I was in his bedroom? Yes. So I heard it sung in a few vaudeville songs in the streets. But I was never in Bonaparte’s bedroom, madame. I was in his secretary Bourrienne’s!”
They had another small chuckle over that.
Viv could not contain her anger of the incident with Bonaparte. “In truth, I was very pleased to escape.”
“You come from a noble and ancient family. No one should abuse you, my dear.”
“Thank you.”
“But I have brought you here today to tell you about a few who have abused those you have loved and lost. I am grateful for your friend Lord Appleby’s letter explaining to me your desire to learn more about my time in Carmes.”
Viv put her china and her serviette to the table before her.
The countess checked Viv’s appearance, clearly looking for any indication of distress at the subject. Viv had girded herself for this, and she prayed she did not dissolve in tears.
The countess inhaled. “The world changes yet again now that France and England go to war once more. This conflict will be long, and time is of the essence for me to right a few wrongs, and save those I love and others for whom I care. You see, I loved your mother. She was a woman who loved well, regardless of Society.”
Viv forced herself not to react to the lady’s words. Truly, it seemed as if the countess spoke of her mother, Madeleine. Yet how could she? Viv was here as Charmaine…unless the countess perceived she was the half-sister. Tate would not have revealed that to her. Viv was truly bewildered, but could only continue her ruse here as Charmaine.
“I had great affinity with your mother in many things. What would she say about your attempt to learn the fate of Diane, hmmm?”
She would say that I have the right to know what happened to Diane. But no business doing Charmaine’s work of revenge for it. “She would want to learn what you may know.”
“So then, it is only you and your young half-sister left of your family. What was her name?”
The sister who is more than half? The one everyone forgets suffered as well as the others. Viv bit her cheek.“Vivienne.”
“Oui.That was her name. Little Vivacious! Does she wish to know what happened to Diane?”
“She does.”
