“Do you think Guy could have had anything to do with the end of communication between Father and Delphine? You said he lost track of them shortly after Marcel’s death.”
“It’s possible. Guy’s capable of it. But I can’t imagine him having any motive. I’m sure he didn’t know anything except that my father was providing an income for his sister-in-law. And Father said the money is still being picked up, but not by Delphine.”
“Well, this is certainly an unexpected development.”
“And one I’m not going to spend any time thinking about until we’re safely settled on Corsica.”
That night after supper, Grégoire arrived from Rome. It was a happy reunion for the family. Finally, Cybelle and Lauro retired, leaving Robert, Christina, Richard, and Grégré in the salon, sharing some brandy in front of the fire.
“Richard, I came via Bonifacio. I thought you might want me to check on the cottage.”
Richard looked at Grégoire sharply, and he got the message. Richard wanted him to be careful what he said in front of Christina.
“I saw your housekeeper and her husband, Alfredo. They seem to be very happy and are looking forward to you joining them soon.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the news.” He took Christina’s hand as she stood up. “I think it’s time for us to say goodnight.”
Robert and Grégré stood up as well.
“Oh, your housekeeper sent this along. Just the usual household business. I think she’d like to know what special arrangements she can make for the two of you.” Grégré handed Richard an envelope.
“Thank you.”
“Richard, I’m sending you and Christina and Denis back to the abbey tomorrow. Grégré and I will stay on here until the end of the week.” Then Robert turned to Christina. “Goodnight, my dear.”
Christina kissed both Robert and Grégré and went up the stairs with Richard.
Grégoire and Robert took their chairs again to enjoy what was left of their brandy.
“How did you find Arabella?” Robert asked.
“Pregnant,” Grégré said dryly.
Robert chuckled. “It seems Alfredo’s not as old as we think he is.”
“I’m afraid he is and he’s not in good health, either. The baby is due in March.”
It didn’t take long for Robert to make the appropriate calculation.
“Oh Lord,” Robert said sadly. “Do you think that’s what’s in the letter?”
“No. In fact she asked me not to say anything. She doesn’t want anything to prevent Richard from feeling comfortable about returning to Bonifacio with Christina. That’s why she’s married Alfredo.”
Robert shook his head. While Christina might not have any reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary, what on earth would Richard do when he returned to find Arabella pregnant with a child that must surely be his?
“She’s a remarkable woman,” Robert said quietly.
“She is indeed,” Grégoire agreed.
Denis had not yet returned from his family’s quarters and Christina would be a little while getting ready for bed. Richard opened the letter. He was anxious to see what Arabella had written .
14 Janvier, 1760
Dear Richard,
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet your brother, Grégoire, not only because he’s a fine man, but also because it enabled me to get this letter into your hands without any chance of putting you in danger.
Dearest, please come back to Bonifacio, at least for the time being. I realize you and Christina may well wish to live elsewhere, eventually, but please, I beg you, don’t allow your concern for my feelings to prevent you from returning to your home.
As you know by now, I’ve married Alfredo. I did it for you, dearest, so that you won’t have to give Christina any unnecessary explanations. She should be content to know that your housekeeper is married to your caretaker, nothing more. And please don’t think me unhappy in this situation. Alfredo is a good man and I’m happy to have a chance to make his last years as comfortable as possible.
Richard, I know you never loved me. I know how hard you tried, but it was always Christina who held your heart. Please don’t think knowing this has hurt me. You were good to me—kind—always. You saved me when I lost the children, and you’ve filled my life with caring and security I never would have known without you. And dearest, remember that I never would have had those precious years with my children but for you. Please don’t have any regrets, Richard. I don’t.
Know in your heart that I treasure the time we’ve spent together, but I expect nothing more. You could not have been kinder and I’m grateful for the unimaginable happiness you’ve given me.
Come home to Bonifacio with no regrets, my love,
Bella
Richard read the letter twice and then sat, staring into the flames.
“Master?” Denis said cautiously as he entered the room. “Would you rather be alone?” he asked softly, seeing the tears on Richard’s cheeks.
Richard looked up, realizing he hadn’t heard Denis come in. He rubbed his face and stood up, taking a deep breath as he refolded Arabella’s letter.
“No, it’s all right. I didn’t realize how late it was.” He turned to the desk and slipped the letter into one of the drawers.
“You’re sure? I could…”
“No. Thank you. I could use some sleep myself.” Richard looked at the young man and smiled. He was a fine boy. “Tell me, Denis, how is it with you?”
“I’m fine, Master.”
“And your family?”
“They’re all fine. My sister, Lydie, just had a baby girl. Her third. They’re still celebrating.”
“Well, you’re an uncle again, then. Congratulations. And my best to your sister and her husband.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“Tell me, Denis, are you happy at Montmajour?”
Denis was taken aback. “What?”
“Are you happy at the abbey?”
“Of course. My Lord Abbot has been wonderful. I couldn’t hope for a better home.”
“I’m sure. But do you have a true vocation?”
Denis looked at the floor a moment before answering. “I don’t know. I mean.…I never really thought about joining the Church. I’d always hoped… I mean…”
“What?”
“Well, I always hoped I could be your body servant. I mean, Bernard seemed so old to me then. I hoped he’d retire and…and you might choose me. But then you left…Well, the Abbot, has taken me under his wing and I’m truly grateful. I’m getting a wonderful education, more than I could have ever hoped for. He’s very good to me and I do my best to please him.”
“I’m sure you do.” Richard hadn’t realized that the boy had been so fond of him. He’d been so young when Richard left Beauvu.
“I want to thank you, Denis,” Richard said sincerely, putting his hand on the young man’s shoulder, “for everything you’ve done for Madame Jonvaux, and for me. I just want you to know how much we appreciate you.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Denis beamed. He idolized his master and adored Christina.
“Sir, there is one thing…” Denis said, tentatively.
“Yes?”
“Well, I was wondering…I mean my father asked…”
“What is it, Denis?”
“Well, since the Baron is so ill and since my Lord Abbot says he may not recover…”
“I’m afraid he’s probably right.” What was troubling him?
“Sir, what will become of my family? I mean if the Baron dies, and you’re not here…”
Richard could see how worried he was. It was probably the same with all the servants and their families, and no doubt the tenants as well. He would have to remember to tell Robert to have a word with them before he left.
“Denis, please, tell your family they have nothing to worry about. Things will continue as usual after my father dies, whether I’m here or not. Please have them pass the word so our people can feel secure. And I want you to know that if you should ever want to leave the Church, you can have a position here with Étienne. He’s going to have to retire one of these days and someone will have to take over.”
“Master!”
Majordomo of Beauvu?
It was beyond his wildest dreams.
“It’s up to you, Denis. Think about it.”
“Oh, yes, Sir. I will.”
“Goodnight, Denis.”
“Goodnight, Master.”
Early the next morning Richard saw his father for the last time. Louis seemed even weaker than the day before, and Richard knew he wouldn’t have the strength to cling to life much longer.
“Papa? I have to leave now,” Richard said softly. “I just came to say goodbye.” He leaned over and kissed his father’s cheek. When he did, Louis opened his eyes.
“Ah, Richard,” he whispered as he did his best to smile. “The ring.”
“What?”
“The ring. Take the ring.” Louis tried to lift his hand, but couldn’t.
“Papa, I can’t.”
“You can. You must. Take it.”
Reluctantly, Richard slid the heavy gold baronial seal from his father’s shrunken finger. It slipped off easily.
“You’re the Baron of Beauvu now, son.”
“No, Papa. Not yet.”
“Well, soon enough.” Louis smiled. “You know something?”
“What, Papa?”
“I hope those Greeks were right.”
“So do I, Papa. So do I.”
Louis Gustave François Magniet, the Baron of Beauvu for sixty-two years, died later that morning, less than an hour after his youngest son left to return to Montmajour.
Guy read the letter again.
Christina pregnant? Is it possible?
He’d treated her badly after she recovered her senses. He was angry at her for spoiling his travel plans. Their sexual encounters had been punishment and not lovemaking, and he had humiliated her in every way he could think of, frequently making her take Stefano’s place in his violent fantasies. That she could have conceived under such circumstances was hard for him to imagine. But he had often been drunk and it was possible that opportunity had presented itself more times than he could remember.
Still, after so many years…
And yet, it could change everything. If Christina was as willing to commit herself to their marriage and their child, as she had been with her first pregnancy, the life he’d dreamed of might yet be his. And Stefano could be a part of it, too.
This time there would be no question of who the child’s father was
. It was what he’d always wanted.
“What do you think?” Stefano said brightly as he turned from the mirror to face Guy, the scissors still in his hand. His dressing gown was tied loosely and consequently fell open in a calculated effort to shift Guy’s attention from whatever it was that he was reading.
“You know I don’t care for the beard,” Guy said, slightly annoyed. Having never seen Richard with a beard, he felt the illusion diminished by Stefano’s facial hair.
“I know. But I had to prove to myself that the resemblance to that Bonelli person was as strong as I suspected.”
“And?”
“And, it is. I still hope to have the chance to prove it to you one day.”
But Guy’s attention had shifted to the fire. This irritated Stefano. He approached Guy and slowly removed his robe.
“What is it? Has the beard suddenly made me unattractive?” he said softly, as he reached out to touch Guy’s hair.
Guy looked up and smiled. He lifted his hand and ran his fingers carelessly over the hard muscles of Stefano’s belly.
“No, of course not. I was thinking of something else.”
“What is it?”
“I think it’s about time that we return to Arles.”
Stefano was careful to control his expression. He still intended to see Christina and find out the truth about what had happened to his child. Though he’d been content to stay with Guy, Christina remained his objective. He hadn’t expected to see her again until the beginning of summer.
“Really? Is anything wrong?”
“I think I need to see Christina. We have something to discuss.”
He waited for Guy to continue, though his nearness was finally having the desired effect.
“When will we be leaving?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry about your father, My Lord,” Dom Louis said solicitously, as he welcomed Robert back to the abbey.
“Thank you,” Robert replied, other things on his mind.
“Might I inquire, My Lord, if your brother was able to return for the funeral?”
Robert stopped in his tracks. He turned to face Dom Louis.
“Grégoire returned from Rome and was able to see Father before he died.”
Why does he ask?
“He’s taking care of some things at Beauvu. I expect him to join us in about a week.”
“Of course. But I meant your other brother, My Lord.” Dom Louis looked at the floor even as he asked the question. He didn’t wish to seem too concerned with the answer.
“My other brother is on Corsica, as you well know, Brother. He is newly married and did not return for our father’s funeral,” Robert said carefully. “May I ask why you wish to know?”
“Oh, no particular reason, My Lord,” Dom Louis said smiling at his Abbot. “At such a sad time it’s nice if a family can be together. That’s all.”
“Would you please send Dom Genelli to my office and then see if you can help your Brothers take the trunks up to the tower library?”
“Of course, My Lord.” Dom Louis bowed and turned back toward the yard where the carriage was being unloaded.
“Richard, we need to talk,” Robert said, when his brother arrived. “I think you and Christina had best leave as soon as possible.”
“Why? What is it?”
“There were policemen at the funeral, even at the house while Father’s casket was on view. The servants were questioned, and some of the tenants.”
“About what?”
“About you. Someone told them that you might return for the funeral.”
Richard frowned. “I suppose it’s not unreasonable to think I might have been there.”
“No. But they specifically said that someone had told them.”
“Do you have any idea who it might be?”
“No, I don’t. The two people most interested in seeing Marco’s murderer brought to justice should be Christina and Antonio. Antonio is dead and Christina knows you’re innocent.”
Robert was puzzled. “What about Guy?”
“It’s possible of course. But how could he know Father had died, much less get a message back here to the police so quickly?”
“Do you think there’s a chance he’s not in Venice? Could he have returned without us knowing?”