Chapter 11 #2
De Poix nodded and Rafe continued. “I respect the efforts of your government to protect itself against its enemies and quite understand the civic zeal of young Captain Doret. However, our hurry last night was to meet a packet in Calais that is loaded with fabrics for the English market.”
Drawing an additional packet of papers from his jacket he said, “Perhaps these receipts will put your mind at rest that our interest in your country is purely commercial. Should you have any further questions, may I suggest you contact the British embassy in Paris? You will find that I am well-known to His Lordship.”
De Poix perused the additional papers. “I don’t think it will be necessary to trouble the ambassador. These seem to be in order... but,” he added, fixing his eyes on Rafe, “I believe the gentleman is not telling us the whole truth.”
“Indeed, citizen?” Rafe inquired, raising a brow.
The mayor gave a wheeze of laughter and waved a hand toward Alix. “Surely she is not a purely commercial interest?”
Rafe smiled. “Indeed not, though I might protest that if anyone were guilty of a crime it would be she, for stealing away my heart.”
Alix threw a furious glance at Rafe before dropping her lashes and wishing desperately that she could kick him in the shins. Did the man take nothing seriously?
De Poix gave another puff of laughter. “Spoken like a newlywed.” He turned in explanation to his seated family.
“It appears the Englishman took some time out from his espionage to get married yesterday.” He gestured around the table.
“Allow me to introduce my family.” Nodding proudly at the fair-haired young man he said, “This is my son, Victor, a representative of the National Assembly, who to our good fortune is passing through on business today; my wife, Citizeness de Poix; and my daughter Henriette.”
Waving his napkin at Doret, he said, “A fine job young sir, but I think the nation will be safe in letting them pass.”
De Poix’s son spoke for the first time. “I do agree father, though it will be a shame for France to lose such a lovely maid.”
“Too late for your flattery young buck, she’s taken.” Then, encompassing the meal with a sweep of his plump hand, De Poix said, “Come, join us for breakfast, I doubt they fed you well in the stables.”
Victor de Poix rose and drew out a chair to his left, smiling at Alix. Rafe guided his wife to a seat next to Henriette and took the proffered chair.
The mayor chuckled, then motioned to Doret.
“Captain, why don’t you take Citizen Harcrest’s man around to the kitchen and see if you can find him something to eat?
” As the slightly flustered-looking Doret led Jervis away, de Poix said, “I would apologize for the inconvenience Citizen Harcrest, but in these troubled times, one cannot fault the guardsmen for being too careful.”
Rafe inclined his head. “I fully understand.”
The men fell to discussing politics as a servant brought round extra plates of food.
Before Alix could put a bite of eggs into her mouth, Henriette began to ply her with questions.
“So tell me,” she said, her curls bobbing and her blue eyes sparkling, “is it true that in Paris the women have abandoned their stays? Are they really wearing gauze dresses you can see right through? Parading half-naked in the Tuileries? Have you been to the Tuilieries and the Place Royale? You must tell me all.”
Alix tried to respond, all the while straining to catch bits and pieces of the men’s conversation. They seemed to be discussing proposed legislation to change the inheritance status of émigrés.
“It’s disgraceful,” she heard Victor say. “Those damned aristocrats robbed the people blind for centuries and now they think they can leave the country and take their stolen wealth with them. We’ll put a stop to that, you see if we don’t.”
Alix tilted her head toward the conversation.
“Indeed,” de Poix said, motioning a servant to bring him more eggs, “what is the Assembly planning?”
Victor leaned forward. “They’re talking about confiscating the land of those émigrés who refuse to return to France by the first of next year.”
Alix unconsciously put a hand to her chest, thinking of the titles now hidden in Rafe’s trunks. If she left the country they would become worthless.
Henriette abruptly ceased questioning Alix about which shapes of hat she favored.
Dropping her voice, she whispered conspiratorially.
“You must really be in love with your husband.” Alix threw the young girl a startled look and Henriette giggled.
“You haven’t taken your eyes off him throughout this entire conversation.
Not that I blame you; he’s really quite handsome. ”
Out of the corner of her eye, Alix noticed the corner of Rafe’s mouth twitch; he was eavesdropping. She ignored the question and the comment.
“How long have you been married?” Harriet persisted.
“Since yesterday.”
Henriette gasped. “And you spent your wedding night in our stables? How terrible.”
Alix saw Rafe turn his head ever so slightly toward their conversation. Raising her voice so that she was sure he could hear, she said, “Rest assured, citizeness, I have put all thought of it right out of my head.”