As Lamotte packed up his things, Ben milled around aimlessly and stopped to observe a moth under its dome. One of his father’s many victims and prized possessions. A dead thing encased in glass, a dark reminder that he would be seeing his father next.
“I’m off.” Lamotte tottered toward the door, an austere look on his face. “Do behave yourself with Madame Leone around.”
“Safe travels.” Ben said, feigning interest in the moth.
“And Ben,” Lamotte said, already halfway in the hall. “While he was my good friend, I will always disagree with his decision to send you away. It was sad to see you go, but I’m very glad that you are home.”
The door to the study closed softly, ending the conversation.
He would be on his own the rest of the day, forced to entertain and supply condolences to people he didn’t recognize or remember. But then, so would Remi. Both of them were forced to comply when either would prefer silence and solitude over chatter and empty tears.
We are stuck with each other.
His father’s will be done.
Moments later, a knock sounded at the study’s door. It creaked open lightly and Jacques peeked in. He looked vexed.
“What’s your face about?” Ben chuckled.
Jacques frowned. “You’ve been asked to join Madame’s family in the dining room.”
Ben felt the humor leave him. “I don’t think so.”
“She insists.”
“She?” Ben’s brows drew together in confusion, but then it struck him. He snickered. “I see you’ve met Beline then.”
Jacques’s eyes rolled emphatically as he crossed his arms.
“My employer,” said a second voice, “commanded it. She’d like to speak with you.”
“Who are you?” Ben asked as a young man entered the room.
“Guillaume.” The young man bowed, his curly brown hair falling forward. “Can’t say that I blame you if you’ve forgotten me. Elise and I were good friends, once upon a time. We used to play together as children.”
Oh yes, he thought, now I remember him.
If he recalled Elise as the bird, then her childhood friend turned footman was most certainly the worm she pecked at. Elise’s life was the gilded type, with the finest gowns and the most popular toys at her disposal. Meanwhile, Guillaume was a pauper, clothed in the scraps left over by such extravagance.
“So you’re still around?”
“I am.” Guillaume nodded.
“Traded rags for a uniform then? Hard to imagine that you’d stick around.” Ben crossed the room, one hand extended. “But then, you and Elise were always attached at the hip.”
Guillaume took his hand candidly and grinned. “I can’t seem to rid myself of her.”
Or her,you. Ben thought. He wondered how someone so vapid as Elise could hold the attention of one doting man for so long.
“It’s been a long time,” Ben said.
“Likewise.” Guillaume smiled. “It’s good to meet you again, despite the circumstances.”
“Yes. Very unfortunate.”
“My condolences to you and your family.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Ben glanced at Jacques, who made no move to excuse Guillaume from the room. Sagging slightly and unprepared to meet anyone before the wake, he relented his privacy. “Now then, I’m famished, and there’s food to be eaten. Madame Cuvilyé wants to meet with me, you said?”
“This way.” Guillaume led him down the hall and to the dining room. It was a short walk, and there were already a few guests milling about. It gave him a small measure of strength to see some surprised expressions, especially when the head of the Cuvilyé’s finally laid eyes on him.
Beline was a tight-lipped woman draped in a simple gown, somehow able to look down at him with her pointed nose despite his obvious height.
“Good morning,” Ben said, acknowledging her and Remi.
“Come and sit.” Beline waved her hand, gesturing toward an empty seat across from Remi. There was a covered plate waiting for him there. “I thought we could enjoy a quiet moment together before it’s time.”
Ben bowed his head and sat down, avoiding Remi’s eyes as they drifted toward him.
“How thoughtful of you,” Ben said plainly. “Though I was told differently. You wanted a word with me?”
“Yes, but business can wait.” Beline smiled, though it hardly reached her eyes.
“So then it is business?” He asked.
Beline ignored him. “It’s so good to see you. I speak for my entire family when I say that you’ve been missed.”
Ben bit his own tongue. Missed him? It was an absolute lie—Beline never liked him or his father. And her husband? Well, he made himself scarce whenever Ben was around. It made the mystery of Remi’s marriage that much more compelling.
