Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
The dining room displayed all the finery Ponce had to offer.
Dark wood floors connected to a white wainscot that bordered the room.
The upper walls were colored with a hint of lavender and carved back at intervals to hold imposing marble busts of the great men of Ponce.
A large fireplace sat at the far end of the room with violet vases atop it, while two thick white pillars rose at either side of the entrance and connected to intricately carved crown molding.
The high trompe-l’?il ceiling created the illusion of ascension while the crystal chandelier anchored it firmly at the center of the room.
The cherry wood table, large enough for eight but set for four, sat below the chandelier and gleamed with polish.
Philippe was shown his seat next to the Marquis who stood at the head of the table.
Emily took her spot across from the Marquis and Alex sat before Philippe.
The silver place settings twinkled in the candlelight, and the centerpiece boasted a bouquet of the same sweet-smelling poppies that could be found in the gardens.
It was all very elegant and fine, Philippe thought, but it was Alex who took his breath away.
This was only the second time he had seen her, as an adult, in woman’s clothes, and it was a lovely shock.
Her gown was a dark emerald green with black lace accents and a straight neckline.
Though it was cut in the style of the day, with an angled corset leading into a paneled skirt, Alex had rejected the volume that was popular in dresses, creating a more form-fitting silhouette.
Her hair was pulled back and her bangs swept to the side.
It highlighted her high cheekbones and bright eyes.
When she smiled at her hosts, Philippe had to restrain himself from leaping across the table to taste her plump raspberry lips.
The Marquis leaned back as a maid placed a napkin across his lap. “I’m sorry, Philippe,” he said. “I had hoped this to be more of a working dinner, but my wife insisted on something different.”
“We don’t get to entertain too often,” said Emily. In contrast to Alex, Emily’s indigo gown was so billowy, it puffed up around her in her seat.
“I’m very happy for the invitation,” said Philippe.
“Has your family been in Ponce long, Marquis?” Alex asked.
“We emigrated from Savoy when I was very young,” he said as another maid served croquettes.
He held up his fork daintily, looking at the little balls.
“We did not have much,” he said. “But it is only since I married the Marquise that I fight to get food onto my fork,” he said, stabbing at his plate.
“It’s a wonderful time for you to be here,” said Emily, ignoring her husband’s complaint.
“We are preparing to celebrate the Marquis’ birthday.
It will be the grandest event we have had all year.
” She turned to Alex. “Do say you’ll join us.
You must. I have already spread the word that the lady guide will be there and the chance to meet you has invigorated the town. ”
Alex hesitated. “As long as we are not engaged with our objectives,” she said.
“Oh, you’ll be done with that nonsense by then. Darling,” she turned to the Marquis. “You promised we would have the ball as planned.”
“Yes, ma poupette. I will do everything in my power to be sure the ball is not interrupted,” he replied, still angling his fork. “It is my birthday,” he said with a smile, “but I believe it is more important to my wife than it is to me.”
Satisfied, Emily turned to Philippe. “And you too must come. I will not miss the opportunity to have the son of the Duke at the ball. When else will we have the chance?” She fluttered her hands as she spoke.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said.
The maid served bread and soon another brought a fragrant tomato bisque.
Emily chatted again about old times in Chevalerie, avoiding any sensitive topics, and asked Alex question after question about being a mercenary.
Philippe watched and listened as he ate.
Emily was right where he always expected she would land.
Girls like her, flouncy and stylish and set on a title, always managed to find themselves a suitable husband.
It was true she had once pursued Philippe in that way, but he knew what she was after, so he never took her seriously.
And after the debacle with Alex years ago, he had backed away from Emily at a hundred miles per hour, eager to forget everything that could remind him of what he had done.
Now there the women sat, so friendly with one another.
The last time he had seen them together Alex had Emily in a chokehold that could strangle a troll.
They were just so different, and he couldn’t fathom the sudden friendship.
Emily was formal and haughty, while Alex was quiet and unassuming.
Even visually, they looked like they came from two different artists.
No one would say Emily wasn’t comely, but Alex, she needed no bows or ribbons or yards of lace to shine.
Whether she wore a gown or breeches, he thought, watching her lips as she spoke, Alex was a symphony.
He wondered what in the world Emily had said to her that afternoon.
He’d really thought he’d broken through to Alex the night before, when they had stood bared before each other.
But today she seemed distant again. He wasn’t so dense that he didn’t realize part of his fervor came from the fact that he never had to work very hard to bed a woman.
But he didn’t just want to bed her. He wanted…
what did he want? His turmoil over her was so profound it was affecting this mission.
Even now, as he sat with the Marquis, when he should have been focused on the task at hand, he couldn’t help imagining what it would feel like to trace the skin just above the neckline of her dress with his tongue.
Alex, came the only answer to his question. He wanted Alex.
He stifled a sigh and looked down at his soup.
After the first course, tortured as it was for Philippe, the Marquis directed the conversation back to the pressing issue.
“Philippe,” he said, “I thank you for indulging my darling wife in this gossip of her hometown, but we have more important matters to discuss. Now that your guide is at your side, will you detail your plan to rid us of these problems with the raids?”
Philippe realized he had slouched down insolently into his chair.
He sat up straight as he responded to the Marquis’ question, relieved for the invitation to get out of his own head.
“Well, as I’ve told you, we believe these agitators to be hiding in the caves west of here.
Alex has personal knowledge of the area and we plan to use it to trap them, or at least the faction of them who are hiding.
If they have discovered our intentions and they scatter, we will cut them off from their base and stall the attacks long enough to uncover their objective. Though I hope that’s not the case.”
“How will you trap them?” the Marquis asked.
“There is a third entrance,” Alex jumped in, “tucked into rocks and vegetation. There is no reason to believe they would know the third entrance. Or, if they have discovered it, they shouldn’t suspect that we also know of its existence.”
“We’ll have men stationed at each outlet,” Philippe said. “We plan to make use of your guards.”
“The caves,” the Marquis said. “I never even considered…” he trailed off. He took a slow sip of champagne and swished it in his mouth. Then he spoke to Alex, “I am embarrassed to say you know my territory in a way that I don’t.”
“There is no reason to know these caves, My Lord,” said Alex. “Unless you are hiding or running.”
“And you?” Philippe asked her impulsively. “How did you learn them so well?”
“Perhaps I was doing both,” she said, looking at him with an impish smile.
The Marquis flicked his eyes from Philippe to Alex and then back to Philippe. “And what of these men?” asked the Marquis. “What will you do once they are caught? I should like to have them to myself.”
Philippe flushed with sudden embarrassment.
It was unprofessional to inquire about his guide’s experience, and the Marquis hadn’t missed it.
Philippe continued back on topic, he wouldn’t let this misstep challenge his authority.
“I understand,” he said to the Marquis. “But we will take them to Chevalerie for trial. My father also wishes to avenge you and the people who have suffered.”
“How does he wish to avenge me?” the Marquis responded, agitation growing in his voice.
“Does he know the extent of the terrorism? Does he wish to pay the reparations to my people? It is my responsibility to support those who cannot support themselves, and I cannot do it alone. You may see finery before you,” he waved to the room at large, “but it comes from a finite amount, and I can only stretch it so far. The region is in debt. Terrible debt.”
“We do not mean to dismiss your challenges,” Philippe said, his own voice becoming terse. “But the attacks are not confined solely to your territory,” he said.
“You and I both know the majority of the damage has been done above the Canyon de Cuivre and that has traditionally fallen under my authority, jeune homme.”
“And you, in turn, are under the authority of the Duke,” Philippe said, not missing the jab at his youth. “I assure you, your strife will not be overlooked.”
The two men eyed each other, nothing to be heard in the room.
The Marquis was the first to continue, his voice a tidal wave.
“Ponce is not a city to be forgotten. We are the gateway to the North. We regulate commerce for all of Provence and, dare I say, France. The Duke has long concentrated resources in the southern part of the region and look what it has caused.” His brows were turned down and his eyes fierce.
“I will not be disregarded.” He pounded his fist against the table, causing the dishes to rattle and the silverware to jump.
“Etienne,” Emily said, calling her husband by name with surprising sharpness.
The Marquis looked at her, and he drew in an audible breath.
Philippe wiped his mouth with the napkin. “I assure you, Monsieur,” he said evenly. “You and your territory shall be vindicated.”
The Marquis took a breath, needing a moment to return to normal.
“I trust your intentions, Philippe.” He glanced to Alex and cleared his throat.
“I just hope this is not a problem the Duke should have seen to himself.” Then he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
“Please let me know if you require any additional resources while you are here,” he said.
“Indeed,” said Philippe. “We shall see what we are up against tomorrow.”