Page 16 of A Sham Betrothal
When she had asked why he had befriended her, he’d played the impulse off as a means to pass the time and evade boredom. The words had been almost cruel, though he’d had no intention to wound. He had left her in no doubt of his determination not to seek a relationship of a more serious nature. It was the proper, rational thing to do. And yet, was he being truthful with himself? It had indeed started as a game to pass the time, but her worry over her grandmother slipped past his defenses, and her dependence on the Englishman galled. Her well-being mattered to him as though she had indeed been a friend of long date.
He turned from the great cathedral and headed toward the English embassy on rue Jacob, where he knew Zoé would be. Charles Arlington had sent a few of the French families an invitation to drink tea, and as the ambassador was well-liked among the French, it had naturally been accepted. Basile had also received an invitation, although the gathering was not supposed to be a large one. It was more likely due to his friendship with Zoé than his title.
When he arrived, he found the drawing room packed with both English and French. Lord Stormont, the English ambassador, stood in conversation with M. and Madame Necker, and Basile went over to greet him before turning to look over the crowd. Zoé was standing beside Charles, and upon catching sight of him, she lifted her hand and waved him over.
“Good day, Charles. Zoé,” he added, making her amagnificent leg, which she tutted away without bothering to curtsy.
“Never mind that. Charles has informed me thatLe Ranelaghwill open at last on Monday, and he is invited to attend the opening ball.Enfin—rather it was Lord Stormont who was invited, but he was given extra tickets.” She paused for breath, adding, “You must come with me, of course. It is the highest honor to be seen there.”
Basile glanced at Charles, whose friendly greeting was dimmed by what he suspected was jealousy. Zoé was not going about her pursuit in the right way, but he was not going to refuse her proposal when it suited his own desires.
“I shall be delighted, but I won’t need one of your tickets. I have been offered an annual subscription and agreed to it, although I must be out of my mind. I do not plan to stay in Paris for as long.” He turned to address Charles. “Who is to be of the party?”
Zoé did not allow Charles to answer. “You have an annual subscription and did not think to tell me?”
He shrugged. “I did not think it worthy news.”
“Well,” she exclaimed, her blue eyes sparkling with pleasure. “It matters not that you will return to Verdelle, for you may continue to provide me with tickets even after you leave.”
Charles’s expression lightened and he offered Basile a smile. “To answer your question, we have not got up a party yet. The embassy was given ten tickets, and Mademoiselle Sainte-Croix and her parents and sister will use four of them. Lord Stormont and myself will take another two. If you will not need any, we will find a ready use for the other four tickets.”
“I will not. Charles, will you excuse me if I speak with Zoé for a moment in private?” Basile asked. Charles’sexpression grew closed again, but he nodded and stepped aside.
“What is it?” Zoé asked, full of curiosity when they were alone.
“I want you to accompany Sophie to Madame Beauchamp’s party tomorrow night. Will you do it?”
Zoé gave a pleased gasp. “Is her grandmother well then? I am so glad to hear it.”
“No, she is still unwell, but I have sent my old nurse to help care for her, and I think it would do Sophie good to escape from her worries for a while.” He was conscious of Zoé’s careful scrutiny, which he did not like and did his best to weather.
“Hm.” After a moment’s speculation, she promised that she would visit Sophie to offer escort and be sure she would be free to come. “And you will wish to invite her to the Ranelagh ball, of course,” she added. “I am sure she will not have seen anything like it. The decorations are said to be most extraordinary, and the ball is held outdoors.”
It had already occurred to Basile to invite Sophie to it, but he did not wish to be too eager. “We shall see. In the meantime, I thank you for your services in bringing Sophie tomorrow night.”
Basile was uncharacteristicallyearly to Madame Beauchamp’s party, and it was already crowded before Sophie arrived. When Basile at last caught her shy smile across a packed room, he went very still and found that his breath did not come as easily as it usually did. The sensation was so foreign it kept him rooted inplace.There is something there, he thought.This is no ordinary acquaintance I shall soon forget.
She was standing at Zoé’s side, and her hair powdered close to her natural color set her apart from the crowd. She wore a dark plum gown not unlike the blacks that the rest of the noble and genteel society were wearing. Her face had little of the powder and rouge that fashionable women wore, but it suited her. Her eyes had enough expression to equal the most vivid of colors. Still, he was curious to see what she would look like were she to dress in more of a French fashion with white-powdered hair, carefully placed patches on her cheek, and a gown in a more daring cut.
M. Cholmsley peeled himself away from a small circle and went over to her. His proprietary air was unmistakable, and Basile stepped forward to do something about it. He then came to an abrupt halt, realizing that Claudia Bordenave would spot him if he went in that direction. She had appeared at the last two evening soirées he had attended, and he began to think that someone was apprising her of his schedule. He could not seem to escape her no matter how hard he tried. She lost no opportunity to bring up their past engagement and list the reasons why they would still suit. It was extremely wearisome, and he had begun to feel hounded. Perhaps he could escape her this evening.
For some reason, her regard had settled on Sophie and the peacock and remained fixed there. She had always been a cunning woman, and he feared she had connected Sophie to himself and was looking to make trouble. Thankfully, Claudia moved away minutes later just as Zoé pulled Sophie from Mr. Cholmsley and engaged her in conversation he could have no part of since it was in French.
That was Basile’s cue. He approached Sophie at the moment Charles appeared at Zoé’s side. Once Charles hadgreeted Zoé, he had no eyes for anyone else, which left Basile and Sophie to a blessedly uninterrupted conversation.
“Enchanté, maSophie,” he said, bending down to kiss her proffered hand. “You have arrived.”
“YourSophie?” she repeated, blushing even as she smiled. However, she said nothing further regarding his endearment. “Thank you again for sending your dear nurse to help us. I would not have dared to leave my grandmother had I not had someone as competent as Jeannot to see to her needs. She has even managed to win Mary over, and they find ways to communicate without a shared language.”
“Jeannot needed no persuading to come, I assure you. She has been pestering me about providing her with an heir to dote upon, and without that, she must have something else to do.”
Sophie had no chance to respond, which was just as well since he had been speaking of heirs and himself in the same breath. Grégoire passed by them on his circuit of the room and made her an elegant bow. “Mademoiselle Twisden, I am delighted to see you are out in company again. Your grandmother, I trust, is much improved?”
“She is…better, but I fear it will be some time before she can rejoin society. I hope she may not spend her entire visit in Paris tied to her bed. She was so looking forward to seeing her friends again.”
“One must hope, indeed,” Grégoire said.
A movement in their direction caught Basile’s eye, and he groaned inwardly. La Bordenave had spotted him after all and as she approached, Cholmsley eyed her progress, glancing between the widow and Sophie. Basile quietly ground his teeth. Would he never be free of that woman?And must Sophie forever put up with that overbearing coxcomb? No! Something must be done.
