Ben considered her, as though surprised.
She fidgeted but pressed on. “Of course, I will do the same.”
“That’s rather courteous of you.”
“I only want you to feel,” she paused, searching for the right words, “...at home again.”
He pressed his lips together, his expression hardening. It felt right to say it, yet Remi regretted her words instantly. She’d never seen someone shut down so completely.
“Remi!” Elise called from behind.
Just in time, she thought. “I’ll leave you to your bath then.”
Quickly, Remi gave a polite nod and hurried down to the opposite hall. Elise did not take her eyes off Ben until Remi was pulling her along. It was hard enough to speak so plainly with Ben but harder still to get her cousin to stop ogling him.
“I don’t know what you said to him,” Elise said once they were safely in Remi’s room, “but he couldn’t take his eyes off of you.”
Remi shook the blanket off and ran both hands over her tired eyes. Whatever Elise meant to imply, it was just the opposite.
“Just get me out of this dress, please.”
Supper would be an insufferable affair.
REMI
“I wonder if he missed us,” Elise said as she fixed Remi’s damp hair.
Remi frowned. She was dry now, dressed in a fresh ensemble, but the chill of the rain clung to her skin, and she shivered. “I’m not so sure he did.”
“We could ask him?”
“I very much doubt he wants to reminisce on memories long since past,” Remi said.
Elise finished Remi’s hair and slunk back towards the bed, sinking into its cushioned duvet. The look on her face was distant, almost sympathetic.
“I miss those days.”
“You do?” Remi chuckled. “I find that hard to believe. You only ever complained.”
If it wasn’t about the dust or her ruined hemlines, it was something or someone else entirely. She would have a fit if Ben and Remi went off on their own, especially if Guillaume was not around to assuage her temper. Remi smiled to herself. She missed those days as well.
“I wasn’t the best of companions, I know that. But I can’t help but yearn for those early afternoons playing hide and seek.” Elise crossed her arms, forlorn as she looked longingly toward the past. “Being here as a grown woman is an entirely different experience.”
Remi nodded. “I know.”
“That’s why I wonder,” she started, “if he missed this, too.”
“What are you trying to get at, Elise?”
Her cousin looked up, sullen and small. “It won’t ever be like it was then. The two of us will be in different places in a few short months.”
“What do you mean? You’ll be across town, not the ocean!” Remi laughed, but Elise did not. Her expression sunk further into desolace.
“Hugo means to move us overseas.”
“What?” Remi asked. Their island was just off the coast, and though it was inconvenient at times, travel to the mainland wasn’t hard to do. “Where to?”
“Somewhere far,” Elise said. “He’s mentioned the Americas, New York. I’ve argued the point, but he’s reluctant to stay.”
“I’ll visit,” Remi offered weakly.
Elise forced a smile. “I know you will—when you can.”
Grieving a spouse lasted a long time. It would be months before Remi could travel outside her home again, let alone wear anything other than black. Her stomach plummeted then, subdued by the thought of ever leaving to visit Elise. As fanciful a thought it was, she knew deep down that she would never be allowed to leave the Isle.
“Madame!” A voice called from the other side of the door.
Remi and Elise turned as it opened.
“Madame! Monsieur Lamotte has arrived.” Sylvie announced. She was red in the face, small hairs peeking out from under her cap. “He’s waiting in the parlor to greet you.”
“Thank you, Sylvie.” Remi stood from her stool beside the vanity and smoothed her skirt. “Would you let Monsieur Leone know that we’ll be having an early supper?”
Sylvie nodded. “He’s already with Monsieur Lamotte, Madame.”
Remi groaned internally. “Of course he is.”
“Why don’t Sylvie and I check on supper?” Elise offered casually. “You go on ahead.”
