Chapter 14 #2
“Did he say it was of use?”
“Yes.”
“Then you may trust it is so. Speaking of Nathaniel, how did it go between you two?”
“We did well together, I would say.” She had a sudden searing recollection of the hours in his bed and resisted the urge to fan herself.
Amélie raised an eyebrow.
She took a sip of coffee, determined to move the conversation forward.
“When Nathaniel first explained Le Repaire’s existence and its purpose, he said it was a place he would prefer not taking me.
He did not say he would not, just that he would prefer not.
From what little he said this morning, he has reconsidered. ”
“Oui, you are correct in this. One of many little notes this morning was from him. But of course the ultimate choice will be yours.” Amélie sat back. “What do you think of this, ma chère? For it is wholly up to you whether you will go. I will not attempt to influence you either way.”
She strove for a resolute tone. “If I may be of help, I will go. I am determined”—she almost used the word desperate—“to do whatever I can, whatever I must, that may gain me some knowledge of Lucy’s whereabouts.
I could not live with myself if I had reason to doubt myself or question if I had done everything conceivable to locate her.
And if I cannot find her . . . Regardless, I want to know I’ve done all possible to aid Nathaniel in bringing down the man or men responsible for whatever has befallen her.
And I am as certain as I can be that Compton is directly involved.
” She ran out of words abruptly, drawing a deep breath.
She’d winded herself with her impassioned speech.
“I know already that you have for this the heart,” Amélie said gently. “But you have not led the sort of life that has before taken you such places. It may be shocking to you, some of what you see. I do not say this to discourage you, but you must be prepared in your mind.”
“So Nathaniel has warned me. I will make every effort to conceal surprise.”
“Non, you need not conceal your surprise. We shall cast you in the role of someone new to such a place, as in truth you are. Some degree of surprise will be expected. Charmante, even. You must only appear as though you are there by choice. These two conditions, they are not far at all from the truth. It is best to hug the truth wherever possible.”
Nathaniel had said something similar. And she was no longer merely acting the part of his lover, so there was that to be said for it. She nearly laughed, although it was more from slightly sick nerves and a well-developed sense of irony as opposed to genuine amusement.
Amélie’s gaze was shrewd. “Going to this place, it requires your absolute trust in Nathaniel to keep you safe, no matter what occurs. Does he have this trust?”
Did she trust him that absolutely? If she did, was it foolish? Or clouded by pleasure? She’d known him less than a week. He had confronted her in quartier des Marchés on Sunday evening; today was only Thursday, however long the days had felt.
But yes, to answer Amélie. May God help her if it was misplaced, but yes, he had her trust. And it had only a very little to do with what passed between them in his rooms last night. She’d suggested that in large part because she did trust him; she’d already put her faith in his integrity.
She’d settled on a dangerous, solitary course well before she left London. Nathaniel had access to places she couldn’t enter alone—like Le Repaire.
“Yes.” Reservations did her no good at this point. This time her voice was strong without conscious effort. “I trust him in that.”
“Bien. Then we will begin our work as he does his. And I will compose first a note to be delivered to someone, one who works at Le Repaire but does not work for Dubois, if you understand my meaning. I tell you now, you may assuredly trust in her if need arises. She will watch for you and for Nathaniel. Him, she will already recognize. She has met once before with him.”
Discomfort spiked in her stomach, picturing Nathaniel meeting with a woman in Le Repaire. Certainly she had no claim on his affections, and he had said it was not for pleasure. She did not wish to examine too closely why it nonetheless made her uncomfortable.
“Her name is Chrysanthème,” Amélie continued, unaware of her distraction. “You will not miss her. She has hair of a copper color and green eyes.” She paused. “Nathaniel has met her for information only, you understand.”
Not unaware after all. Despite her elegant appearance and kind demeanor, Amélie was more formidable even than Nathaniel and every bit as dangerous to enemies. More so, even.
She was profoundly glad that she was not counted one of Amélie’s opponents. Focus on what matters. “It is none of my business.” Truly it wasn’t, objectively, but it was difficult to feel entirely objective this morning. “How may I find . . . Chrysanthème is her name?”
“There is a trick useful to this situation. We will set loosely the stitches on one seam of your gown, and you may inconspicuously with great ease tear it if need arises. If you then insist upon its repair, it is most likely M. Dubois will send for her. But she will otherwise watch for you and will certainly have knowledge of M. Dubois’s activities.
” Amélie rose and pulled the rope to summon Louise.
“One of my girls is nearly your size and has a gown that will be most appropriate for tonight, if she is willing to lend you this dress. If it becomes necessary to rip it, I will replace it for her.”
The gown had a narrow, fitted underdress of damson-colored silk georgette with an overdress of sheer white.
The bodice was low, fitted perfectly to her after some careful stitching in the back.
At the same time the other alterations were made, a seam on the bodice was picked out and restitched loosely enough that she could rip it if needed.
She had never worn a gown half so revealing, but it little mattered.
Isobel Graham as she’d known herself had ceased to exist. The woman in the mirror was someone new.
Chasing a criminal to Paris, involving herself in a clandestine investigation, taking a dangerous man as lover .
. . None of it matched the comparatively simple life she’d once had.
She would wear this gown proudly as Isobel Blanchet and would not think beyond each moment, only to whatever must come next.