“This why I request your company,” the princess said, pausing for a moment to catch her breath. “You do not mind such exercise. I must gain strength.”
“I am very happy to provide you with company, and I do indeed enjoy walking.” Amy paused, then decided to take a risk. “If it is not too presumptuous, I did wonder why you chose to honor me with an invitation to tea. I am hardly someone who is worthy of it.”
The manservant behind them pointed to a large rock with an opening covered by a wooden door, saying something in French. The princess called for her children to return and waited for them before explaining something in Russian.
When the children hurried off again, the princess resumed her ascent, saying, “That isglacière.Ice from mountain stays cold until end August.”
While Amy was interested in theglacière, she now feared her earlier question had been impertinent since the princess hadnot answered it. She decided to be more careful and stick to the princess’s line of conversation.
“I have enjoyed the sorbets at the Hôtel de Lorraine. It is interesting to see where the ice is stored that gives us this delicacy.”
“I not wish spend time with people always noble,” the princess said, in what seemed to be a nonsensical reply until Amy realized she had circled back to her question and was answering it now. “I prefer simple, intelligent conversation. People who not seek court ...intrigue”—this she said with a French accent—“or look higher position in society.”
“And you gathered all this about me, ma’am?” Amy smiled shyly. “I am honored by your confidence.”
“I understand character very good.” She used her cane to navigate around a small boulder before continuing to climb the path. “You kind to Pavel and Anastasia.”
Amy did not know quite how to respond and murmured, “Of course.” It was not long before the princess wished to rest, and Amy was able to remove and drape her cloak over one arm, for it had grown warm. The children flitted around the area where they rested before darting off again on the path.
Each time they paused for the princess to recover her breath, she spoke to Amy about the things she had thus far learned and seen in Spa. She regaled her with the stories of beggars she had spoken to, whose plight interested her very much. She told Amy about whichmarchandesold the best fruits and vegetables. And in stilted English, she recounted how the welcoming committee used to set off artillery each time a carriage brought newcomers and how the sound boomed off the hills. That was put to an end once the more influential residents complained of the noise. She was clearly a curious woman, for she was very well-informed.
Amy contributed little to the conversation other than to show interest and ask what she hoped were intelligent questions. There were certain things that would be too encroaching to inquire about, such as why the princess had come to Spa and when shehad lost her husband. Given how many times she was forced to pause in the walk, Amy feared she was not in the best of health. That would explain her drinking the waters so diligently. The only reason Amy continued to do so was to watch over her father and make sure he came to no harm.
The servant pointed to a clearing ahead, and Amy gleaned from his French that they had reached the end of their climb.
“There is other reason I invite you walk with me,” the princess said, now appearing almost shy. “I need improve English tongue. I invite you read with me mornings, for I go London after I leave Spa.” She met Amy’s gaze. “You agree?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Amy replied, touched by the request and by the knowledge that she might prove useful to the princess. She was useful to her family, of course, but this was different. Her family expected it of her and were so accustomed to it, they couldn’t possibly value her for it. The princess, however, appeared as though she might.
“We begin tomorrow, then.” They left the wooded path and entered a grass-filled plateau, where they had a glimpse of the famous cottage. The sun showed itself in timid bursts from the clouds as Pavel ran into the field with Anastasia following more sedately. She was still a girl but would soon enter the cusp of womanhood.
“C’est par là.” The servant pointed to the road where the carriages would arrive.
On one side, large rocks jutted out from the hillside, and beyond it they had a partial view of the cottage with an open stable attached. A man in homespun trousers and a broadcloth shirt appeared when they approached. He called to his wife, who came forward in an apron covering a russet skirt. It was the famed Lubin and Annette, Amy learned, and they made their reverence to both the princess and to her, making no distinction between them.
The princess asked in French how many they were expectingand received the answer that sixteen in all would be dining there that day.
“Number does not include children, I think,” she told Amy.
The sound of an arriving carriage came seconds before it appeared on the dirt path, and it was followed by two more. Amy recognized the first as her own but did not know the other two. As her family’s carriage came to a stop, Amy heard voices from the woods behind them and turned to catch sight of others exiting from the path. Apparently, they were not the only ones who had walked. She did not realize how great her hopes of seeing James were until her heart sank with disappointment as she identified Mr. Lambert and Mr. MacFirbis.
Although spending time with the princess had chased thoughts of James out of her head, he was never far from her mind. After meeting him again at Waux-Hall, it was beginning to seem as though she should always meet him when out. The society was intimate enough that such a thing was not unreasonable.
A third gentleman, who was not James either, exited from the woods into the clearing, and she took herself to task.When will I stop looking for him?
She excused herself to the princess and went over to assist her father out of the carriage. Rebecca alighted next and looked over at the carriage behind theirs. She emitted a little “oh” as a faint blush lit her cheeks.
Amy followed her gaze and now understood. Mr. Moreau was awkwardly climbing out of the second carriage. Although they had not spoken of it, Amy’s suspicion that Rebecca had an interest in that direction was strengthened. Rounding the carriage from the back were its other occupants. James—and Miss Prexley.
Oh. She was to have her wish to see James after all. But such a selfish wish could not go unpunished, for he was there with his betrothed. It would serve her right to watch Miss Prexley flirt with James right under her nose. Perhaps then she would stop hoping for something that could never be.
Chapter 15
James had already visited the celebrated farm of Annette and Lubin once—the ones whose folklore increased after author Marmontel wrote a moral tale about them. Thepique-niquelast autumn had been less idyllic than the famed description had promised, but James had been ready to be charmed and was. He gladly accepted Morry’s suggestion to go and was gratified when his friend extended the invitation to Isabel. He was looking forward to the chance for his friend and future wife to grow their acquaintance.
Now that the day had arrived, there was none of the lightness he had hoped for because of the interview he had just had. This had brought more than a sense of anger; it had brought unexpected pain.
That morning, Annette—not the celebrated Annette of the farm, but the humble Annette of the laundering services—returned his freshly laundered clothes and surprised him by handing him a letter and explaining in French, “Please forgive me, monsieur, for I don’t mean to be stepping above my station. I discovered this letter in the pocket of Mademoiselle Prexley’s gown when I laundered it this week, and her maid has not returned to settle the bill. I feared it might be urgent. May I give it into your care?” Annette had been solicitous of him since hehad treated her elbow, although she was careful not to overstep. The subject of his upcoming marriage was not unknown to her.
