That bit of pertness earned her a snapping scold from Jean-François. “That is quite enough, Céleste.”
She stepped back from the brother and sister-in-law she actually liked, not daring to risk what she had managed to secure for them. “I let my excitement get the better of me,” she said to Jean-François. “It will not happen again.”
Settling her eldest brother’s concerns, however, brought a look of confused concern to the face of her beloved brother. If Henri suspected even half of what had been happening in this house, he would rush to Céleste’s defense and, in so doing, make things infinitely worse for both of them. That meant hiding her misery while not abandoning her ruse of failing health.
Heavens, this was going to be exhausting.
“We ought to look in on Adèle,” she suggested, knowing it would offer an excuse to escape the parlor for a time. “She will be overjoyed to see you.”
“If she remembers us.” Henri clearly thought that unlikely. It broke Céleste’s heart. She knew how much he loved his niece.
“Let us go see for ourselves,” she said.
Marguerite placed herself among the group of new arrivals. “You will, of course, not be dragged to the nursery. Please, sit. Rest. Tell us how long you will be in France.”
Jean-François motioned for them to do as his wife requested. “We have room enough for everyone if you’d like to stay here.”
“We are attending a soiree this evening,” Marguerite said. “It will be quite the gathering. You simply must come as well. All of you.”
Lady Lampton sat gracefully. “We would be willing to do so, under one condition.”
“What is that?” Jean-François asked.
“That Céleste be permitted to take Henri and Nicolette to the nursery.” Lady Lampton managed to make the request sound like a favor, though Céleste could hear the hint of steel underlying it. “Your lovely little girl is so beloved by her aunts and uncle. I believe we can all agree that a nursery visit ought not be delayed.”
Lord Lampton agreed quite adamantly.
Céleste’s attention shifted to Lord Aldric. He cared too much for Henri not to advocate for his happiness even if he’d shown himself uninterested in her happiness. Heavens, she’d nursed such atendrefor him, only to have his taciturn indifference ruin it all two years earlier.
“Go visit the nursery,” Lord Aldric said, though to which of the three of them was not clear. “We’ll make a list of the Paris diversions we are to participate in and share it with you when you return.”
Taking the unexpected opening, Céleste began walking from the room. But as was typical, Jean-François stopped her.
“Céleste.” He filled her name with enough reprimand for her not to have to guess what he expected next.
She turned back to face him. “I am leaving the parlor and going directly to the nursery. From there, I will likely go to my bedchamber and lie down in anticipation of tonight’s excursion and in deference to my growing weariness.”
He watched her silently, making her wait. That was his way when he thought she wasn’t deferent enough. At last, he gave a single nod. “Do not stray from that. I will know if you do.”
Yes, he would.
Céleste hooked an arm through one of Henri’s and the other through Nicolette’s. She pulled them quickly from the room, knowing from experiencethat Jean-François sometimes changed his mind about things at the most inopportune moments. “Adèle will be so delighted to see you both.”
They quickly reached the grand staircase, Céleste setting a swift pace. But Henri slowed their progress as they climbed.
“What is happening in this house, Céleste?”
“What do you mean?”
Nicolette jumped in. “Do you always have to tell Jean-François how you intend to spend your time, even what room you will be in?”
“His declaration that he will know if you stray from your plan sounded worryingly like a threat,” Henri added.
She could not risk setting either of them on a march to warfare. “He is becoming more and more like our father.” That proved sufficient explanation. Understanding dawned in both their eyes. Before that understanding turned militant, she pressed on. “He will be dictatorial to you as well, Henri. While I would love to have you here in the house while you are in Paris, you will be far happier if you secure accommodations elsewhere.”
“Do you need accommodations elsewhere, Céleste?” Nicolette asked.
“I would do best to remain here.” That seemed her safest answer.
