My Brother's Crown (43 page)

Estelle turned away from Basile, protecting the baby.

“Sorry,” Waltier muttered.

“Stay,” Catherine begged, positioning herself between Basile and Amelie, who sat up in the bed.

Basile shook his head at Catherine, and she sat down beside her cousin, completely blocking Basile's view.

“I ran into the guards from the convent today,” he said. “They told me about your escape.”

“It's none of your concern,” Catherine said.

“Oh, it is,” Basile replied. “The baby needs to be returned.”

Catherine sat tall. “
Non
. She was baptized into our church.”

Basile laughed. “Prove it.”

Catherine opened her mouth but then closed it. Pastor Berger probably had not recorded it, and even if he had, the records would have burned. “The baby belongs with her mother,” Catherine said.

“You are right, she does,” Basile said. “Under my protection. If Amelie marries me, the baby stays here. If not, I take her to the convent.”

Amelie groaned. Estelle yelped. Waltier's face turned ashen.

Basile was being ridiculous about marrying Amelie, but perhaps not about taking the baby. Catherine stood and stepped toward Basile. “When?”

“Immediately.”

Catherine's palms grew sweaty. Why was Grand-Mère not here to guide her? She faced Basile, shaking her head as she did. “Weddings
do not happen in a day. Give us two.” She needed to buy some time so she could get Valentina to Father Philippe.

As if on cue, the baby began to cry.

Basile backed away.

“Now go,” Catherine said, before he could reply. “You have upset her.”

“Two days,” he said as he left the room. “No excuses.”

Catherine and Amelie conversed long into the night, going back and forth about what should be done. Amelie wanted to wait for Grand-Mère to come home, but Catherine said they didn't have time. Finally, Amelie fell asleep. Just after daybreak, as soon as Catherine heard the dragoons leave, she hurried down to Jules's office, but he was not there.

She rushed to the kitchen, asking Cook if she had seen her brother.

“He left a half hour ago. He wanted to be on his way before the dragoons were up.”

Catherine sank down on a kitchen chair.

“What is the matter, Mademoiselle?”

Catherine sat up straight. She wouldn't have time to speak with Jules about her plan, and he probably would have just torn it apart anyway. “I need you to take Estelle and Valentina to mass with you and then put them in Father Philippe's care. Tell Monsieur Roen you need to go in the carriage.”

Cook didn't ask any questions but scurried out the back door. Catherine returned to the apartment, telling Amelie she planned to take Valentina and Estelle to Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Amelie had a minute with the baby while Estelle dressed. “What if Basile goes to the cathedral?”

“He cannot take the baby from Father Philippe. He won't allow it.”

Amelie rubbed her lips over her daughter's soft hair. “Go with them,” she said to Catherine.

“
Non
. I'm staying here with you.”

“I'll be fine. The dragoons have left, and you will be gone a short time.”

Catherine shook her head and glanced toward Estelle. “Valentina is in good hands.”

Tears filled Amelie's deep brown eyes. “But I need to hear from you that Father Philippe understands the situation and will protect her. Otherwise I will be terrified that someone else might turn her over to the dragoons.”

Catherine took a deep breath.

“That is far more important than me being left alone for a short time.”

Catherine hesitated and then said, “
Non
. I will have Monsieur Roen and Cook stay with you. I will take Estelle and the baby.”

Amelie frowned. “I would feel better if at least Monsieur Roen went with you.”

“
Non
,” Catherine said. “We will hurry.”

Getting out the door took longer than Catherine expected. Finally, they made it as far as the courtyard, only to have Estelle say she forgot something. She came back with a handkerchief that Catherine suspected Waltier had given her and the thin silk blanket Grand-Mère had bought the baby for the warmer weather.

By the time they had walked to the cathedral, Father Philippe had already started down the aisle. Estelle and Catherine scooted into the back row. A few people gave Catherine funny looks, but Estelle sat tall and stared them down. Catherine held the baby until she began to fuss, and then Estelle reached for her and the little one gave out a sigh as she settled against her nursemaid, the silk blanket wrapped around her.

From the pulpit, Father Philippe's eyes fell on Catherine for a brief moment. When the service was over, they waited until the parishioners filed out.

Father Philippe returned to their row and greeted the two women. Then he turned to Catherine. “What do you need of me?”

She explained the situation. “We are looking for sanctuary. For the baby, along with Estelle.”

“Of course,” Father Philippe said. “Tell Amelie she has my word.”

“
Merci
.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Go in peace,” the priest said.

Catherine thought of the verse her father used to quote, the one from Galatians,
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
She felt that with Father Philippe—neither Protestant nor Catholic, but one in Christ.

She hugged Estelle. “You have been God's gift to our family.”

Estelle hugged her back and then told her goodbye.

Catherine hurried home, racing as fast as she dared. Relief flooded her when she reached the courtyard—until she realized the coach was gone.

“Cook!” she called out, running into the kitchen. She was nowhere in sight. Catherine guessed she had sent Monsieur Roen on an errand while she attended to Amelie. Catherine ran down the hall, past Jules's office, and to the corridor, hurrying on to Grand-Mère's apartment. The door was wide open. The sitting room was vacant. So was the bedchamber.

Amelie was gone.

C
HAPTER
T
WENTY
-F
OUR

Catherine

C
atherine searched every room of the house, certain Amelie must have been frightened and hidden herself somewhere. But she was nowhere to be found.

Consumed by despair, Catherine slid down the wall in the hallway outside of Jules's office to the floor and put her head in her hands. Basile must have discovered her plan to save the baby and taken Amelie for spite. Or perhaps he had dragged her off to force her to marry him. Not to Father Philippe but to some other willing priest.

Catherine stood—she would go from church to church until she found her cousin. She rushed to the back door, but before she reached it Basile came crashing into the kitchen, followed by Waltier.

“I am not waiting any longer,” Basile said.

“What have you done with her?” Catherine backed up to the table in the middle of the room.

“Done with her?” Basile held his firearm high. “Nothing, yet.”

“She isn't here. I… I went out, and when I came back she was gone.”

“Do not try to fool me!” Basile shouted as he stormed by Catherine. “It is only right I get something out of this assignment.”

Catherine did not bother to follow him. Waltier waited in the doorway.

“She really is gone,” she said.

“I believe you.”

“And I have no idea where.” She swiped at a tear. “I thought Basile had taken her.”

Waltier raised his eyebrows. “What about Estelle?”

“Gone too.”

“But you have an idea where she is,
oui
?”

Catherine inhaled sharply and then nodded.

“I will not ask anymore.”

“
Merci
,” Catherine murmured, stepping to the other side of the table so she would have a good view of Basile when he returned. It didn't take him long.

“Where have you hidden her?” He stormed around the table and grabbed Catherine by the arm, yanking her as he continued to clutch his firearm in the other hand.

Catherine tried to jerk away from him. “Nowhere!”

“Basile,” Waltier said, his voice as harsh as Catherine had ever heard it.

“Shut up,” Basile sneered.

If only
he
would shut his mouth—and go away.

Catherine tried to wrench free. She needed to get to her horse. But where would she go?

Basile tightened his grip and pulled her closer. His breath reeked of wine. “One cousin is the same as another to me,” he said, his nose nearly touching hers. “As long as the house comes with the bargain.”

A voice came through the open door. “What is going on here?” It was Eriq.

Basile tightened his grip. “Official business of the king.”

“Release her,” Eriq demanded. “A friend of His Majesty's is here to visit me, and I have brought him to see Catherine.”

She yanked her arm away just as Basile let her go. She stumbled back toward the fireplace.

“Catherine?” Anton, dressed as if he were in Versailles with his
ruffled blouse and gold jacket, stood behind Eriq in the doorway. “Are you all right,
chérie
?”

“
Oui
,” Catherine answered, surprised at the strength of her voice. Her heart beat in terror.

“Show me your papers,” Basile demanded, stepping to the doorway.

“Don't be ridiculous,” Anton said. “I am the brother of le Duc de la Rochefauld. I have been residing at Versailles with the king for the last several months.”

Catherine couldn't help but note the exaggeration. He had been staying in an apartment in Versailles, but that was hardly the same as residing with Louis XIV. Perhaps that finer point would be lost on Basile. And Anton definitely exuded a confidence of being in command.

“Monsieur Talbot and I are on official business. We're inspecting properties, including this one.”

Basile squared his shoulders and raised his firearm. “The owners are heretics of the faith and traitors of His Majesty.” His voice grew louder. “Unless there is a marriage—” certainly he did not still think he could force Amelie to marry him, “—or a conversion, this property is being confiscated. Tomorrow.”

“Nonsense,” Anton said. “How can it be confiscated when I am buying it? I have just left my deposit with the owner's solicitor. And while I am here I will be looking at the estate west of town too.”

Catherine gasped. All along she thought Jules should sell the home, but now that it was a possibility she felt sick. And to Anton?

Basile lowered his firearm and looked at Waltier, who said, “We should consult with the captain.”

“
Oui
,” Basile said. “We will return with the captain.”

“Will you be all right?” Waltier asked Catherine.

“
Oui
,” she answered, wanting to laugh. She would be fine as soon as Basile was gone. Once they were out the door, she said, “I am leaving too. Amelie is gone.”

“Gone?” Eriq stepped closer to the table.

“I ran an errand this morning, and when I came back she had disappeared.”

“Who was with her?”

“Cook,” Catherine said. “She is missing too, and so is Monsieur Roen.”

“What about the nursemaid and the baby?”

“They are at the cathedral with Father Philippe. Basile was going to force Amelie to marry him.”

“That is ludicrous.” Eriq crossed his arms.