“It seemed best, at the moment.” He nodded. “I took great pains to turn the key quietly, so they may not, as yet, be aware I have locked the door. I suggest you speak to them before they discover that.” He paused. “It might be upsetting to them.”

“ ‘Upsetting’?” She snorted. “That’s something of an understatement.” At least she had a moment to compose herself, even if she had no idea how to handle this new turn of events. “All things considered, you handled this quite admirably, Fortesque.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“And the brandy was an excellent idea as well.”

“I thought so.”

“There’s nothing to be done about it, then, is there?”

“It does not appear so.”

“Very well.” She tossed back the rest of the brandy, handed him the glass and squared her shoulders. “You may unlock the door. As quietly as possible, if you will. No use adding fuel to the inevitable fire.”

“As you wish.” He turned the key with the quiet stealth of a master burglar, then stepped back. “And may I say, my lady, I wish you the very best of luck.”

“Thank you, Fortesque, I shall need it.” She summoned her strength, adopted her brightest smile, opened the doors and stepped into the parlor. “Good evening, Mother.”

Sixteen

Sixteen

“Darling!” The smile on her mother’s face belied the considering look in her eye. Delilah stood a few feet away, arms folded over her chest, tapping her foot. One would think she was the oldest daughter instead of the youngest. “Come and greet me properly.”

Camille closed the door behind her and hurried to her mother, kissing her on both cheeks. “You are supposed to be in Paris. What are you doing here?”

“Don’t you mean ‘welcome home’? ‘Happy Christmas’? ‘Felicitations of the season’?” Mother said, a bright note in her voice. “Unless things have changed dramatically since I left—oh, I don’t know, revolution, anarchy and the like—this is still my home. Isn’t it?”

“Of course it is, Mother,” Camille said. “Don’t be absurd.”

“What is going on here?” Delilah said. “Why did that butler say the family was at dinner? What family? And why is there a new butler? What have you done with Clement?”

Camille drew her brows together. “Why does everyone immediately think I have done away with Clement?”

Delilah sniffed. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”