The French Encounter

Chapter 2

The vidame's estate was expansive, one of the biggest in which she had ever been, and she thoroughly valued all the comforts. It had been a long time since she had been treated so well. When Henry died, Catherine had left her with a skeleton staff and a small stipend for her needs. She had saved almost all of it, along with the hidden money she had from her father's safety deposit box, for her plan to flee England. She had spent the entirety of her pregnancy living like a pauper.

"So, how are you settling into Parintene? Do you approve of my home?"

Margaret took a sip of her wine and then replied, "Yes, Pierre, it is lovely."

The two of them had grown acquainted over the two weeks she had stayed at his home and started calling each other by their given names.

"I believe that we are friends again, like we were as children. Do you agree?"

Smiling, she nodded. "We are fast becoming that, I agree. I cannot thank you enough for taking us in like this. I have not felt this secure in almost a year's time."

"I am pleased you feel safe. I also hope you are enjoying the amenities."

"Most assuredly. Your home provides a myriad of activities. As you may have guessed, the stable is my preferred destination."

"I ascertained as much from my previous visit to your home. I remember you wearing that lovely riding habit and knew you would be partial. I am glad the stables are to your liking. I had them refurbished for your arrival, as well as purchased additional horses for your use."

Margaret was impressed by Pierre going to such a prodigious extent to make her stay agreeable. She found it soothing being in the stables, as she had always found comfort in riding horses.

"I appreciate your care in providing such lavish accommodations. Your stables are magnificent and the horses are wonderful. However, I miss my own horse, Charlie, terribly."

Charlotte's Pride—or Charlie, as Margaret called her—was the Arabian filly her family had been working towards preparing for show in England before everything went awry in her life. Margaret had spent countless hours in the stables making sure the trainers did everything right. As a woman, she was unable to do the work herself, but she had read comprehensively on the subject and participated as much as possible. Her father had allowed her to make most decisions in regard to their estate horses, and her late husband had given her the same latitude with the ones they owned. But when she had fled, she was unable to take most of her possessions with her, and a horse was out of the question. Giving up so much, Margaret wanted one day to be able to reclaim part of her hopes and dreams by producing her own line of purebred horses. She yearned to find the finances and land to do it, but all of that would have to wait until she found her brother, if in fact he was still alive. If she did, they could move away together, somewhere remote where no one would ever find them.

"I am sorry you were unable to bring her with you. I know how much you cared for her."

Margaret looked away and tried to hide her sadness at the thought of never seeing Charlie again. "Thank you. It has been difficult coping with the many losses."

Pierre had proven a faithful and devoted confidant, and she knew that keeping her past from him would not serve either of them well. He could not help protect her if he did not know from whom he was doing the protecting, so Margaret had explained her entire situation to him—at least, the broad strokes of it. She still could not bear to discuss the details with anyone. The pain and humiliation felt as fresh as it did the night the duke forced himself on her.

"I am glad that your father was friends with mine. If not, my son might be in the clutches of someone else by now."

He frowned. "You are sure that you do not want me to help you with your situation? I know many influential people who could take care of your problem for you. You would not have to worry any longer."

She shook her head. "This particular situation is something that will not just go away simply by contacting the right person."

Margaret watched as Pierre smirked and raised an eyebrow, as if amused. He then stated, with a hint of danger in his voice, "I would argue it depends upon the person you contact. There are many types of people in this world, and I know the right types that could make both of your problems disappear."

She realized immediately that he meant he could make the duke and Catherine "disappear." Though tempting, she could not be responsible for the death of another human being, even one as vile as Witherton or as hateful as Catherine. Her new relationship with God made her value all human life, and she truly believed in the idea that anyone could be saved. It was hard to accept that meant even the duke, but at the core of her beliefs, she truly believed everyone was salvageable. It was not her business to save them, but it also was not her place to remove the chance of redemption. She left justice for the Lord to exact one day and preferred to focus on her future.

Uncomfortable with the conversation, Margaret changed the topic. "There is something else with which you can help me. I am in need of hiring an investigator. Could you help me locate one?"

Pierre leaned back in consideration for a few moments before replying, "I have used one on occasion myself. The one I employ is exceptional, as well as quite discreet. I can set up an appointment with him whenever you wish. But I ask you, why is it that you need to hire one, Margaret?"

She stared at the wineglass and absentmindedly tapped the stem with her fingertips. After a few moments, she looked over at Pierre. "I need to find my brother."

He furrowed his brows together in confusion. "I do not understand what you mean. I was under the impression that you had no family left. I had been informed of your father's death, and I went to school with your brother Randall before he was killed."

"No, Pierre, I know Randall never died in that shipwreck. If he had, I would have felt it. We have a special bond as twins, and I just know that he is still alive." She glanced over at the window and continued as she stared out. "Randall is one of the main reasons I came to France. I have wanted to search for him for years but have never been able to leave England. You might think that I am on a fool's errand, and you might even be right, but I have to know for certain." She brought her focus back to Pierre. "Since I am here now, I need to try to find him. He is the only family I have left."

Pierre gestured to one of the servants, who immediately came to his side. He whispered something in the servant's ear and then turned his attention back to Margaret.

"I just sent word to Josef Mulchere. He will help you find your brother."

"Thank you again, Pierre."

"I understand your reason for coming here now, but I have to admit I had hoped, before your disclosure, that you chose to come to France because of me. You know I had been interested in pursuing a courtship with you before you married Henry. My feelings for you have not altered."

"You are a dear friend, Pierre, but I am not ready for a romantic relationship. I am still in mourning over Henry's death."

Pierre nodded. "I would expect nothing less, but when you are ready, I will be waiting."

Margaret's smile faded and a pang of sadness took hold in her. "You should not wait for me. I am in no condition to be with anyone. I fear I am broken beyond repair."

"You give entirely too much power to that man. The duke did not destroy you. The woman who sits before me is kinder, wiser, and stronger than the one I knew back in England."

"You have always seen the best in me, Pierre, even when we were children. When I see you, I think of happier times, when you and I, along with Randall and Henry, played in the family gardens. Life was so much easier back then. So much loss has occurred since those days."

"You have had more than your fair share of misfortunes. I do, indeed, hope you find your brother. I think it would do the both of us a world of good. When he was lost, it was one of the hardest times in my life, and I know it was for you as well."

"Randall's disappearance left a hole in all our lives."

"Agreed, but there is hope he can be returned to us. If he is alive, Monsieur Mulchere will find him."