“Drunk,” Ben stated, suddenly pulling back from Remi. Every inch he put between them felt like a chasm. “I sought him out, but it was a fruitless endeavor.”
“I’m afraid Lamotte has never been quite helpful, especially when the mood doesn’t suit him.” Remi sighed as she leaned against the stiff back of the chair. “I’ve no idea how he managed anything. It’s beyond me.”
Ben was silent for a moment as he contemplated. She hoped it was her imagination, but he appeared to grow more distant with the subject.
“Is something the matter?” she finally asked.
Ben crossed and uncrossed his arms, sighing in frustration as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He opened his mouth to speak, but Remi’s name echoed throughout the manor. They stared at each other, confused. Footsteps sounded shortly after, pounding hard against the wood floor outside the parlor. The doors opened as the intruder called Remi’s name again.
“Elise?”
A bedraggled brunette in a rumpled gown burst in, breathing heavily as tears rolled down her reddened face.
Remi jumped up from the chair and ran to her cousin, forgetting in the moment what had happened. “Are you unwell? What happened?” Remi took Elise’s hand to lead her to the chair she’d been sitting in, but Elise brushed her away.
“Leith,” she sobbed. “He’s dead!”
All sound left the room, drowned out by a horrid ringing in Remi’s ears.
Elise glanced back at Ben, whose face was white; Remi’s sunspot suddenly gone. She flicked her eyes to him and saw the conflict still lingering—guilt was written in his expression.
Did he already know?Was that what was bothering him?
“Elise? Did you find her?” Hugo barreled into the room a tick later.
“I don’t feel well,” Remi mumbled. The floor seemed to spiral underfoot.
Before Ben could move, Hugo had Remi’s arm looped around his, and both he and Elise supported her.
“He’s dead?” She could hardly believe it. She’d just seen Leith the other day. How could he be gone? The memory of his sweet smile and silly laughter came to her on a wave of sadness. She felt stranded, and though Elise and Hugo held her, she was numb to them.
Ben’s eyes...his face...how close he’d been before…
“Shall I escort them upstairs, Monsieur? Madame Leone looks faint.” Jacques knocked as he entered the parlor.
“Take her to my room,” he said.
“I should think not! She has her own room,” Hugo snapped, to Remi’s surprise.
“What’s all this noise then?”
Remi shot Elise a questioning look as Arnaud slipped past Ben and Jacques. If Beline was close behind, she would surely feel worse than she already did.
“She didn’t know yet, Papa,” Elise said.
Arnaud’s eyes widened slightly. “But I was sure Monsieur Leone would have told you.”
Ben scowled. “There were other, more important matters at hand.”
Surely he meant to tell me about Leith after addressing the letters? He made no mention of them or the locket, for which she was grateful. They were, for the moment, still a secret. Remi felt Ben’s discomfort growing and found strength in her legs. She stepped in between him and Hugo, addressing the latter. “Thank you for coming to my aid.”
“Of course.” Hugo appeared reluctant but spared her a smile regardless.
“I would like to lie down.” Remi felt she could only wear a brave face for so long.
“Madame?” Jacques offered his arm. Remi gave her uncle a quick peck on the cheek and took it.
She looked to Ben. “We’ll finish this later, yes?”
He nodded.
“I’ll be joining her,” Elise said, following not far behind. “I want to be sure that she rests.”
“Where to?” Jacques asked in a low voice intended for Remi’s ears alone.
“Ben’s room, if you please.”
Jacques nodded, leading the way. It was a heavy journey to Ben’s bedroom. Remi could feel Elise’s eyes boring into her. They were silent, but if she listened hard enough, she could hear every thought and question passing through her cousin’s mind. They were the same kind of questions Remi would ask if given the chance, and once they were safely deposited, Elise would not hold back.
BEN
Ben left Hugo and Arnaud in the parlor with Sylvie, who brought the tea back in at his request. They could have their drinks and play at the farce of concerned relatives for as long as the tea and shortbread lasted.
His teeth gnashed angrily in his head, making his skull buzz with irritation. He did not like Hugo, and he hardly knew Arnaud. Not even as a child could he recall sparing more than a greeting or two with him. He was a shadow in the background, a lurking creature whose family outshined him in every aspect. To Ben, he was perfectly forgettable. However, given the circumstances, Ben had to keep an eye on him. And Hugo.
Father was up to something, he reminded himself as he intercepted Jacques on the second-floor landing. And they’re involved somehow.
“This way.” Ben jerked his chin upward.
