If you’ve just discovered this free read, click Archived Free Read and start at the beginning!

La Belle Christiane

2011 Copyright Lyn Cote

All rights reserved

Chapter Twenty-One Scene 4

Two more days had passed and it was afternoon. Christiane and Evan strolled near the river. “No, I’m glad you came, Evan. So much has happened in the last few days. I need someone to talk to.”

The river was gray and rusty leaves were falling in abundance around the two of them. Some leaves floated in lazy spirals in the water. Eastham and the rest of the party had left that morning early. Her little girl had cried. Christiane pushed the image from her mind.

“What has happened? And why is it you can’t you talk to Martha?”

“You are very astute. I can’t talk to Mrs. Washington because she doesn’t want to hear what I have to say. Her mind is set.” Normally she would not have confided in Evan, but she needed someone she could trust to talk to. And in light of his proposal, she thought he should know about the major. She took a deep breath. “The Englishman that was here is Sarah’s father.”

“An Englishman, you say?” he replied calmly.

“Doesn’t anything shock you?”

“Very little. I’ve lived long and seen much. It does seem out of character for you though, I must admit.”

“In a way yes and in a way no.”

He lifted his eyebrow at her.

“Would it shock you if I told you that I was raised by my mother, a courtesan of the French Court?”

“Not in the slightest. It would explain much about you.”

She didn’t know if she liked this response. “Such as?”

“You are a natural beauty, but your carriage, your speech, even the way you position your hands. You had, I would suspect, a detailed training in the art of grace.”

“Yes, I did that.”  She paused to stir some leaves with her toe.

“Go on,” he prompted.

“Oh, it’s just too unbelievable. I never thought I would see him again. Never. I don’t really understand why he came. He said he wanted to find out why I had left him in Philadelphia–as if he hadn’t been able to guess!”

“Why did you leave him?”

“A better question would be why did I ever allow myself to become involved with him. I left because he promised me marriage and then I found out that he was already married.”

“Ah.” They walked in silence then.

A gust of wind tugged at their clothing. Then came another. Evan held onto his hat and Christiane wrapped her plaid wool shawl closer around her. “What did you mean about Martha setting her mind?”

“Well, he maintains that he is not married and has not been since his first and only wife died almost ten years ago.”

“And he wants to marry you?”

“That is what he says.”

“You don’t believe him?” he went on.

“Not a bit.”

“But Martha does?”

“Exactly.” She pursed her lips.

“That is interesting. Martha is a very perceptive person. Are you sure he is married?”

“Positive. I tried to explain to her that he is a consummate actor. That he completely deceived me. But she was taken in by the attention he lavished on Sarah. I do not wish to quarrel with her, so I have not.”

“A complex situation.”

“Very,” she agreed.

“How do you intend to expose him?”

“Fortunately the general wrote in his letter to Mrs. Washington that he was writing to his friend Will in London.”

“Ah, yes, Will Fairfax. Just the man to discover the confirmation of guilt or innocence.”

“I hope so. I resent the major’s coming back into my life. I can think of no other motive for doing so other than spite.”

“I don’t know. I would go, at least, as far as Yorktown to see you again,” he said with a trace of amusement.

She touched his arm. “Evan, I’m glad you said that. It brought something else to mind. Are you still going to Williamsburg next week?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I have received bad news, I’m afraid.”

“What is it?”

“A dear friend of mine, Matilda Main, was widowed at Yorktown.”

“Sad news indeed.”

“Yes, and I am afraid that she is in need. Would you take a few of my jewels and get a fair price for them?”

“Of course.”

“And would you tell me how to arrange a safe way to send funds to her?”

“Yes, of course. I will be seeing my banker and lawyer anyway. As for my jeweler…,” He stopped and took her hand. “May I ask him to design an engagement ring for you?”

She looked up at him and sighed. “Oh, Evan, what am I going to do with you?”

“Marry me.”

“My answer has not changed.” Her tone had softened and she saw that he had sensed it. “In any case,” she went on,” I cannot marry till this latest episode is concluded.”

“When will that be?”

“It could take as long as spring.”

“Then it will be a long winter indeed,” he answered, taking her hand up to kiss it.

It’s hard to remember in this day of instant messaging how long it would take to get news to and from England.  And just think how easy it is to google to find out whether someone is married or not? We take so much for granted. So is Lord John married or a widower?–Lyn

(BTW, there will be twenty-three chapters and an epilogue. We are really near the end! Hope you’ll tell your friends so they don’t miss THE END!)

Tweet