Beloved (80 page)

More than likely the money went to bribes. But this was not something he was willing to share with Monsieur Chagron.

“I’m sorry, Monsieur. I’m afraid I don’t know what he might have done with the money. He was terribly disturbed by the annulment and he didn’t seem interested in sharing his concerns with me.”

“I see. Well, whatever the case, there is a sizable debt attached to the business. Monsieur Jonvaux was not always prudent in his personal affairs, if you take my meaning?”

“Of course.” Stefano was still trying to comprehend this windfall. He never imagined that Guy had trusted him enough to make him his heir. “He’s had a very difficult time these last few years and the loss of his wife was very hard on him.”

“It was apparently very hard on her as well, Monsieur.” The man gave Stefano a meaningful look.

“Yes. But she’s safe now. That’s what’s important.”

“If I may make a suggestion, Monsieur
?
”

“Of course.”

“It might be worth applying to the Abbot. Have you met him?”

“Yes, we’ve met. He was very gracious to me. He was trying to decide if I might somehow be related—this resemblance—to his late brother.”

“Yes. So did he find a connection?”

“No, I’m afraid I have no claim to noble blood. Nonetheless, he was kind to me under very difficult circumstances. But what is your suggestion?”

“I think it might be worth applying to have those contracts renewed. Perhaps, now that Monsieur Jonvaux is no longer involved, things might be looked on differently.”

“That’s excellent advice. It can’t hurt to petition him.” Stefano sat unmoving, still trying to absorb what had happened. Then something occurred to him, “One more thing, Monsieur. I’ve felt badly that Madame Jonvaux—rather the Baroness—left under such difficult circumstances. Would it be permissible for me to see if there are any things she might want from the house? It was her home, afterall.”

“It’s all yours, Monsieur. You may do as you please.” Monsieur Chagron stood up. “I can see what a surprise this is. We should meet again next week and go over some of the accounts. Perhaps I might advise you?”

Stefano stood, offering him a bow. “Of course, Monsieur. I would be most grateful for any help you might be willing to give me.”

The midwife was the wife of one of the gardeners and she arrived soon after the mourners returned. She brought her daughter along to help and the house was thrown into a flurry of activity over the impending birth.

Robert was aware of the change in the household since they’d all come back to Beauvu. Beyond the grief on the part of those who had known Richard, it was easy to see how excited everyone was to have family in residence again. There was a great deal of happiness over Christina’s return, for so many of them had watched her grow up. Robert and Grégoire were pampered and fussed over. Robert also noticed the light in the eyes of those who took particular interest in Maryse's children. Despite the change of faces, Robert could tell that Beauvu was going to become a home again, something it hadn’t been for a long time.

Arabella was quite surprised by what had been set in motion by her labor. Apparently birth in a great house was be quite different than what she’d planned for her baby’s arrival at the cottage on Corsica.

“Don’t worry,” Maryse said when she noticed Arabella’s expression of bewilderment. “To be honest I think they’re thrilled to have something to do. You can imagine what it must be like for them when no one is living here.”

Arabella laughed.

“The only thing required is that you and the baby come through it safely,” Christina said, trying not to sound nervous.

Arabella took her hand. “You mustn’t worry. And don’t let it frighten you. Afterall, women all over the world do it every day. For all the difficulties, there’s no reward like the first time you hold your child.”

Arabella caught her breath as another contraction began. They were still several minutes apart and so she walked up and down the room with Christina on one side, Maryse on the other.

“Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?” Maryse asked.

“I have the feeling it’s a boy. I’ve thought that all along, but then a wisewoman on the island saw me with a son. One with musical talents, apparently.” She laughed.

Christina was intrigued. “You know, it’s strange, but I had a dream…well not really a dream…but I saw myself dancing with a little girl. And there was a little boy playing the harpsichord. He looked so much like Richard did when he was a child. Perhaps it was your son?”

Arabella couldn’t hide her surprise.

“What is it?” Maryse asked.

“That’s what the woman told me. She saw the woman and the girl dancing.” Though she’d believed the Signora
,
she had not understood until this minute.

“That’s wonderful!” Christina said, encouraging her to keep walking. “That means we shall all be happy and healthy. Something to look forward to. I wonder if we’ll remember when that day comes?”

There was a knock on the door and a message came for Christina that Robert needed to see her. She left the women and went to join him in the library.

“I’m sorry to take you away Christina, but this can’t wait.” She sat down beside him on the sofa. “There are two decisions you need to make.”

“Now?”

“Well, one must be made before Arabella’s child is born. If Arabella’s child is a boy…”

“It will be,” Christina said with confidence.

Robert just looked at her

She laughed. “Women’s intuition, I suppose. Arabella and I both believe that, but the truth of it will come soon enough.”

“If the child is a boy, you must decide if he will be Baron.”

“Is that possible?”

“Richard has left acknowledgement for the child, but to be given at your discretion. I doubt he thought you and Arabella would be living together with the children at Beauvu. But I’m sure he would be very happy if that’s what you intend.”

Christina realized she hadn’t really thought much beyond the burial. She liked Arabella and enjoyed the time they’d shared, despite the difficult circumstances. She’d felt close to her as quickly as she’d felt she’d found a friend in Maryse. But the decision to remain at Beauvu was certainly Arabella’s to make.

“Do you think she might want to stay?”

“Is that what you want?”

“It would be wonderful. The idea of Richard’s children growing up together is not something I’d imagined, but I couldn’t ask for more. We haven’t discussed it. She’ll have to do as she sees fit.”

“Well, the question remains. If she does deliver a boy, will he be Baron? That would mean that if your own child is a boy as well, he would be in a younger son’s position.”

Deep in thought, Christina said, “Oh, my child will be a girl, so that’s not an issue.”

“Christina!” Robert wasn’t sure she should be quite so confident.

Christina laughed. She leaned over and gave Robert a quick kiss on the cheek, then stood up.

“This can wait, really, it can. Let me see how Arabella feels. It must be her decision, not mine.”

“Wait, there’s something else that concerns you. I’ve just had a letter from Monsieur Ferro.”

Christina felt a chill. She sat down again.

“Don’t worry. This is a business consideration.”

She waited for him to go on.

“After Richard’s arrest, it became obvious that Guy was somehow involved in both the arrest and the prosecution. Richard chose to cancel the shipping contracts that have existed between our families for many years. It has done serious damage to Guy’s business and, according to Monsieur Ferro, they have been unable to find another carrier. Now that Guy is dead, Ferro has written on the advice of his lawyer to ask if you might consider reopening the contracts.”

Before she could answer, Robert handed her a letter. “This came with the letter to me. Perhaps you should read it before you make the decision?”

Christina took the letter and looked at it. Then she looked at Robert. “May we wait on this? I want to be with Arabella.”

“Of course.”

Arabella had an uneventful delivery of a big healthy boy. Christina felt privileged to have been allowed to share the event with her, and secretly prayed that her own child’s birth would go as well.

She and Maryse left the little celebration that was taking place in Arabella’s room.

“I’d like to lie down for awhile, do you mind?” she asked Maryse.

“Of course, not. We’ll see each other at supper. And perhaps we can see Arabella and the baby again afterward.”

Alone in her room, Christina slipped off of her shoes and settled herself on the
chaise longue
, pulling Stefano’s letter from her pocket. Before she opened it she took a moment to remind herself that she was safe. Stefano would never be a part of her life again, unless by her own choice. Guy was dead and she no longer had anything to fear from him, either.

She opened the envelope.

Dear Christina,

I was shocked to learn that Guy has left his entire estate, including the silk business, to me. I was not privy to this information before he died and it has come as a surprise.

So now I want to know if there is anything from the house that you would like. It was your home for a number of years and it is my wish that you have any things you might want. You need only ask and I can have them delivered to the townhouse or to you at Beauvu.

And there is one thing more. I hesitate to share it with you and yet I feel you would prefer to know. The night before the execution Guy told me that he was responsible for your brother’s death. He said he had found the dagger in the barn when he was spying on the two of you and he intended to use it on Richard. That it became the instrument of your brother’s death was a accident.

Please believe that you have nothing to fear from me in the future. I love you. I promise you I will not trouble you, but remain at your disposal should you need anything from me. Ever.

I beg you to forgive me for not being able to do the one thing you wanted of me. I am a coward, Christina, and did not realize it until you asked. You will never know how much I regret the pain my refusal has caused you. I can only tell you that I have done for you the one thing I told you I felt capable of doing. While it was not what you wanted, I pray that it may bring you some comfort and security.

Yours,

Stefano

Christina and Maryse spent the evening with Arabella and the baby.

“Have you decided on a name?” Christina asked as she watched the baby nurse. Soon Arabella would be nursing her child as well. Christina was so pleased that she’d agreed to do it. It seemed so much better, family providing for her child rather than a stranger.

“I wanted you to help me,” Arabella said. “I don’t know Richard’s family, with the exception of Robert and Grégoire. And I would like to use my brother’s name, Giancarlo, we called him Giano—Jean—he died when he was a boy. So I was thinking Jean-Richard?”

Christina smiled and looked at Maryse. She was smiling, too.

“But what else?”

“Well, Richard’s father was Louis and we know how much Richard loved Robert,” Christina offered.

“Jean-Richard Robert Louis?”

“I like it,” said Maryse.

“So do I.”

After she nursed him, Arabella handed the baby to Christina. Christina looked down at the tiny bundle in her arms. She knew he was considered a big healthy boy, but he seemed so small as she held him.

“Welcome, Jean-Richard Robert Louis Magniet,” she said softly to the sleeping child. “You have no idea how many people already love you.”

And then, just as so many years ago the baby Christina had opened her eyes and looked at the five-year-old Richard, baby Jean-Richard opened his eyes and regarded Christina.

And she knew him for who he was.

Que votre réputation soit celle de la Gentillesse,

Votre héritage, celui de l’Amour.

—Lobrano

Let your reputation be Kindness, Your Legacy, Love.

Juin 1782

Arles

Annalisa and her brother strolled arm in arm down the Alyscamps, enjoying the bright summer afternoon. At last they reached the little tomb, a chapel in miniature in which the bodies of her mother and their father rested. They stood silently, admiring the climbing pink rose that was beginning to grow up one side of the doorway.

“Oh, Jeanri,” she said, using the nickname she’d given him when neither of them could pronounce the other’s full name. “I still don’t know how you managed this, but I’m so grateful you did. I’m so pleased they’re here together.” She leaned into her brother and he put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug.

“I am, too. You remember the story she used to tell us about them playing here together as children and her insisting she wanted to be buried here like a great lady?” He smiled, giving his sister another squeeze. “And she
was
a great lady.”

“I miss her.” The Baroness had been dead only three months and Annalissa treasured the close relationship they’d shared. She was happy her mother had lived long enough to see her betrothed, but regretted she would not be at the wedding. “And I wish we could have known him.”

“Oh, Annali,” he said, “I miss her, too. But I think we do know Father—through your mother and mine, through Uncle Grégré, Aunt Ciby and Uncle Lauro, through Aunt Maryse and all father’s good friends—I think we know him.”

“I know, “ she said, looking up at him. “You’re right. But I wish we could tell him how much we love him.”

“I think he must know that, too, don’t you?” Then he laughed. “And remember, everyone says I look exactly like him, so it’s easy for you to see what a devastatingly handsome man he was.” He put one hand to his chest and lifted his nose skyward in a pose of aristocratic elegance.

His sister laughed and slapped at him playfully. They stood a few minutes longer before the mausoleum and then turned back toward the city.

“So you and Albert are planning on a honeymoon at the cottage?” Their family had been spending summers on Corsica since they were small.