Part 11 (2/2)
”What about the father?
That was the question Angelique had been dreading. ”He is - gone,” she said truthfully. ”A - sailor I met in town. I do not think he will be returning.”
Natalie was thoughtful. ”You are not the sort of girl who listens to a man's pretty words and simply believes them. You must love him very much.”
”Yes. I do love him. As I said, it does not matter. I have lost the child -”
”Not yet. But the fall was a bad one. You are lucky to be alive yourself.”
”I almost wish I was not.”
”Do not say such things. Rest. I will go wait for the doctor.”
Late that evening, Angelique's second son was born, dead. The doctor a.s.sured her that she could have more children someday, then left her alone as she requested.
The tears she shed were for more than the death of a child. Her hope that Barnabas would marry her was also dead, she thought. But out of her sorrow, Angelique's determination to have Barnabas grew to obsessive proportions. She forced herself back to work - over the Countess' concerned objections.
”You are still too ill, Angelique. I will take another with me to Josette's wedding.”
”Oh, Countess, no. Unless - you are dismissing me? I could understand. I have been very foolish and stupid. I will not be again,” she promised her mistress - and herself.
”I have no intention of dismissing you, Angelique. I only thought you would need more time to recover -”
”Work is the best medicine for me at the moment. I would prefer to forget what happened. And I would so like to attend Ma'mselle Josette's wedding.”
”Very well. You may go with me.”
”Thank you, Countess. May I ask something else of my lady?”
”Of course.”28.
”I would prefer no one else know about... Especially Ma'mselle Josette. It would only upset her.”
”I understand. It will be between us. Now. There is much to be done before we leave for Collinsport. What an unimaginative name. I hope it is not an omen of what Barnabas' family is like.”
By the time the carriage was approaching Collinwood, Angelique was fully recovered. She was a bit thinner, but not noticeably so. ”These roads!” the Countess exclaimed as they were jolted by yet another b.u.mp. ”Pig sties would be better. If we do not reach Collinwood soon, I shall not survive the journey,” she said dramatically. She peered out the small window at the gloom. ”If it would only stop raining. Such a grey, colourless place. I cannot picture my Josette living in such a place. There are no flowers.”
”You are homesick, my lady.”
”Yes. I am.” The carriage jerked to a halt and lurched drunkenly to one side. ”What now?!” She straightened her hat, a huge feather and flower filled monstrosity.
Minutes pa.s.sed before the driver came to the door. ”Pardon, ma'am, but the carriage is stuck in the mud.”
”Sacreblu! How far is Collinwood?”
”Not far, ma'am. Just a short walk up the road -”
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