“He told me it was a choice between a blow on the head or the wine,” she said slowly. “You’re not angry with him?”
“Why should I be? As I said, I’d have done the same thing in his place.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “It’s after three in the morning. That means Andreas is well out to sea.”
She nodded. “He left immediately after you fell asleep.”
“And Juliette?”
“I found a note in her chamber saying she was going with him.” She added hastily, “But I’m sure she didn’t know of his plan to drug you.”
“Perhaps not.” He smiled. “But I wager she wouldn’t be nearly as upset as you are that he decided on this method or place.”
“Perhaps not.” A smile suddenly lit her face. “But she’d no doubt lean more toward the blow on the head. She has little subtlety.” Her smile faded. “What are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “What can I do? Jean Marc has obviously won. By the time I journeyed to Spain, he would have found the Wind Dancer and hidden it away. And, if I confront him, he would say I must be quitemad and that he was in Spain on business. After all, I have no proof he went after the Wind Dancer. Though I see you don’t deny it.”
“Nor do I affirm it.”
“I’m not trying to coerce you into betraying him. I respect loyalty.” He cautiously got to his feet and stood upright but swaying. “And now I believe I’ll let you show me to that chamber you mentioned. I’m still so groggy I can think only of sleep.”
“Let me help you.” She picked up a silver candelabrum from the table beside her and moved quickly toward him. She handed him the candelabrum and placed his arm around her shoulder and her arm around his waist. “Lean on me. I’m quite strong.”
He stiffened and then looked down at her in amusement. “I see you are.”
She was helping him toward the door of the salon. “If you’re not going to go after them, what will you do?”
“Return to Paris.”
“You’re not leaning on me. That’s most foolish. We have all those stairs and you’ll never be able to make it by yourself.”
“I’m sorry.” He allowed her a bit of his weight as they crossed the foyer and started up the staircase. “I’m not accustomed to leaning.”
“That’s quite evident. You’re very wary, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” He took two more steps. “You smell of lilacs.”
“It’s a new perfume Monsieur Augustine’s creating. Michel says it needs more cinnamon.”
“Does it? I didn’t notice.”
They had reached the landing and Catherine helped him down the hall. “Will Danton be angry with you?”
“He won’t be pleased, but he’d rather Jean Marc have the Wind Dancer than Marat have it. At least the balance of power will remain the same.”
They stopped at the second door down the corridor and Catherine reached for the porcelain knob. “You must sleep all day and, if you’re not better, I’ll send for a physician from Grasse.”
“I’m not ill. I have a bad head, that’s all.”
“This injury was done you at Vasaro. I won’t let you leave here ill.” She opened the door and stepped aside. “Will you need the candles?”
“No.” He handed her the candelabrum. “Go to bed. You look exhausted.”
“I can’t go to bed. It will be dawn soon. The pickers will be going to the fields.”
He frowned. “You’re tired. You should rest.”
“I won’t work in the fields today. I’ll go to all the different fields and oversee the work.” She shook her head wearily. “There’s so much to do and I still don’t know enough.”
“Isn’t that Philippe’s responsibility? Let him do it.”
