The Price of Love

by Vicki Hopkins

  “Yes, he’s an intelligent, young man.”

  “Of course, there is much more to see of England besides London.” The haughty Lord Chambers spoke in a deep voice. “You have not visited Windsor Castle.”

  Again, they presented the invitation to visit like a tempting piece of cake. Clearly, they could care less about her visiting the castle. They were intent on bringing her into their home to be near Geoffrey. It would provide him intimate opportunities to draw closer to her.

  “Frankly, I would like to remain in England and tour more of your country. Actually, I would love to see Canterbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, and visit Bath.” Her mind swirled with possibilities. “But alas, I am called to Paris on business.”

  Finally, Robert, who had been silent as the footman behind him, spoke up. “I’m sure that the komtesse will one day return. She ardently expressed her interest to me in touring more of England.”

  Jolene flashed a grateful smile in his direction for saving her from the pressure to visit the Chambers country manor. Suddenly, out of the blue, her mother entered the conversation.

  “What type of business takes you to Paris? I hope that it will not consume too much of your time, for surely you will want to tour all that la ville lumière has to offer.”

  How uncanny that she should be the one to inquire about the purpose of her visit. Deliberately, she avoided looking at Robert for fear they would wonder why they exchanged glances over the subject. Jolene froze. The answer caught in her throat. Instead of being able to respond, she looked blankly at her mother taking far too long to compose her thoughts.

  The duke interjected with a smile saving her the embarrassment. “My wife occasionally forgets that she speaks in French without a second thought. She meant to say all that the city of light has to offer.”

  “Oh, forgive me,” she burst forth with a giggle. “Your wife caught me off guard. For some reason, my poor brain jumped from German to English to French before I realized what she had said.”

  “That’s quite all right,” he replied. The duke looked at his wife with a loving gaze. “I think she wanted to say la ville de l’amour.”

  Once again, he expressed his uninhibited love for her mother. Though Jolene struggled earlier in the day over their shameless adultery years ago, she acknowledged they were an extraordinary couple. His Grace possessed the uncanny ability of articulating his sentiments through the tone of his voice and the twinkle in his eye when he addressed the duchess. He did not need to make an overtly public display of affection to make his point. He’s a romantic, Jolene thought, admiring him for that quality. In return, her mother responded with a silent gaze of respect and admiration.

  “The city of love,” Jolene sighed. “I do remember those words.” She glanced at Lord and Lady Chambers, who remained straight-faced and unimpressed. By their own body language, it appeared to Jolene that they did not share the same sentiments of romantic love toward one another. Jolene’s judgment of her hosts vanished as the butler intruded upon her thoughts.

  “Dinner is served.”

  Lord Chambers rose from his chair and offered Jolene his right arm as was customary in such a situation. Geoffrey escorted his mother. The duke and duchess walked together while Robert woefully followed behind. Jolene could not help but wonder if he missed the company of Grace. She made a mental note to tell her later in the evening how he appeared so miserable without her by his side.

  After being led to her seat, Geoffrey insisted on helping her sit down. He then took his place next to her on the right. Robert sat across the table from Geoffrey, next to his parents.

  The footmen went into action and placed the first course in front of the hungry guests. Jolene picked up her spoon and made a mental note not to drop her utensils during dinner.

  “Marguerite, when do you and Edmund plan on returning to your country manor?” The duke glanced at his sister and spoke with informality. Rather than giving her an opportunity to respond, her husband interjected.

  “As soon as the season ends or close to it, I must take another trip to the West Indies for the last time.”

  “Oh, why’s that?” The duke sounded keenly interested.

  Lord Chambers procrastinated in his answer by taking a sip of soup. After he dabbed his lips with his linen napkin, he lifted his head and looked straight into the duke’s eyes.

  “I’m selling the plantation.”

  The entire Holland family looked at him in disbelief. The duke appeared extremely shocked as his mouth gaped open and his head jerked back.

  “But it’s been in your family for centuries. What precipitated this decision?”

  Stirring the soup in his bowl, Lord Chambers replied. “Monetary reasons.” As he lifted a spoon-full of broth, he spoke in a low voice. “I’m sure you understand.”

  The duke nodded his head as if it were perfectly understandable. Jolene noticed Robert and Geoffrey staring across the table at one another. Robert’s eyes darted toward her and then back at Geoffrey. His non-verbal gesture spoke volumes as Robert tried to convey what he perceived to be Geoffrey’s motives.

  “Be careful with potential suitors, who may look at you as a means for riches.” She heard her solicitor’s voice in her head warn once more.

  Jolene pondered the situation of the aristocratic men sitting at the table with their wives in fashionable clothing and their well-dressed sons. Their homes, décor, multiple staff, and cars all spoke of bank accounts engorged with English pounds. Had it all been for sheer appearances? She knew that the Hollands were struggling financially, but the Chambers too? Perhaps the rumors that had been floating about Vienna that the aristocracy in England teetered on bankruptcy had a ring of truth after all.

  Robert, true to his affable personality, interrupted the gloom. “Well, that does it,” he said, putting his napkin down. “I’ll just have to find an American heiress. I hear a few young men in society have done remarkably well marrying the wealthy daughters of businessmen from the States. Buccaneers with new money.”

  “What did you call them?” Jolene scrunched her face over his outrageous characterization of wealthy women.

  As usual, Robert laughed, throwing his head back enjoying her naive foreign mind. “Buccaneers. The women across the Atlantic seek titles and stately homes. It is becoming quite popular for young aristocratic men to marry them and bring new money into their families.”

  He looked directly at Geoffrey, as if to shine a light on his insincere motives. Robert continued. “It seems a rational solution to our English financial dilemma, don’t you agree Cousin?”

  The atmosphere in the room changed. Then, to her utter surprise, her mother entered the conversation. Jolene nearly dropped her spoon.

  “I think it is a shame that women lower their standards and marry for titles. And shame on the men who marry them for their money,” she added, glowering at Geoffrey. “They are nothing but scavengers of the worse sort.”

  Her mother’s face actually appeared distraught over the thought. Jolene could not help but wonder if she were attempting to protect her in some motherly way.

  “Certainly, many of these marriages are not based on love, but selfish motives of gain and convenience,” she concluded.

  “Ah, the subject of love returns,” His Grace said teasingly to his wife.

  Her mother rolled her eyes and gave him a discreet nudge with her elbow. Jolene could not help but smile over their affectionate bantering.

  “Well, I suppose a buccaneer is an apt description,” Lady Chambers added. “After all, they are like pirates raiding England for their choice houses and titles.”

  “I wouldn’t mind being raided,” Geoffrey said, finally entering the conversation. Obviously, he decided on expressing his sentiments and motives exactly as they were without shame.

  The footman retrieved the soup bowls and set the second course down. In the interim, Jolene rested her hand on her lap. To her shock, Geoffrey inched his way over and placed his hand on top of hers. She tu
rned and looked at him wide-eyed as if to say, do you mind? He quickly retreated, picked up his fork, and began attacking the meat on his plate.

  Afterward she felt guilty. Ever since he had stolen a kiss, she had avoided his influence upon her life. She was not sure if she could trust her heart with Geoffrey. If she became emotionally involved, her entire focus upon discovering the whole truth about her family would dissolve into thin air. No, she could not risk it, she decided once again.

  She glanced over at the duke who had spoken something in her mother’s ear that she could not hear. Glancing over at Robert, he looked anxious as if he wanted to say something. She could see in his eyes they needed a moment to talk. It appeared impossible to pull him away from everyone else to get a moment alone.

  The dinner progressed, and small, trifling conversation dominated the table. After a few more minutes, Lady Chambers seemed intent on bringing up Windsor for a second time.

  “You will tell us should you postpone your trip to Paris.” Lady Chambers grinned with a hopeful glint in her eye.

  “Yes, I course, but as I said, I have urgent matters in Paris that I must attend to.”

  Suddenly, Jolene remembered the duke’s comment at the Chambers’ ball. He had mentioned that he thought it was time to take his wife to Paris. Nearly jumping up from her chair, Jolene experienced a lightning bolt of an idea.

  For the last week, she had been agonizing how to bring Robert with her to Paris without making it look terribly indecent or questionable. She needed him to help her find Philippe. Like a writer plotting her next scene, she made a bold decision to twist the plot.

  “My aunt provided an introduction to a family in Paris, the Sauvageaus,” she announced nonchalantly. “I am supposed to lodge with them.” She thoughtfully dabbed her lips with her napkin and turned her attention directly to the duke and her mother.

  “I thought that I might look for a rental of my own since I anticipate staying for some time. I’m sure that I could find a residence large enough to accommodate all of us.” She smiled and shifted her gaze directly into the duke’s eyes. “Did I not hear you distinctly say at the ball that it was time to take your wife to Paris?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother’s shocked expression. Immediately, the duke dismissed the idea.

  “No, that’s all right, Lady von Lamberg. We would never think of intruding upon your private affairs.” He reached over and touched his wife’s hand as if to soothe her disappointment.

  Unaffected by his refusal, she turned to her brother. With a quick nod of her head, she encouraged him to join the conversation hoping that he realized the reason behind her maneuver.

  “Why not, Father?” He leaned forward and looked past his mother at the duke’s somber face. “A trip for mother is long overdue. I think it would be rude not to accept Lady von Lamberg’s generous offer to our family.”

  “Well, I don’t know,” his father replied. He shook his head and fiddled with the fork by his plate.

  Stubborn, embarrassed, and proud, Jolene noted in her character account of faults. She addressed her mother.

  “And what about you, duchess? You told me that you missed Paris and the opportunity to visit your parents’ graves.” She softened her voice pleading to her emotions. “Please, I implore you to convince your kind husband to accept my offer.”

  It did not take long for the duchess to make her heartfelt plea. “Oh, Robert, can we go?”

  He remained silent.

  “I shall not impose my presence upon you,” Jolene added. “I will rent a large townhome where we can all enjoy our time in Paris. While you are there, you may pursue your delights, and I shall pursue my business.”

  “Why don’t you take her offer, Robert?” Lady Chambers gave a surprising affirmative voice of encouragement.

  “Well, I shall be in the steaming jungles of the West Indies. Paris is not for me,” Lord Chambers said. “I agree go. Give your wife a holiday.”

  “Well, I shall not go,” Marguerite said glumly. “I have no desire to return to the city at this time. All I wish for is my quiet country manor.”

  “What about me?” Geoffrey made a disgruntled face like an ignored little boy. He glanced around the table. “Has it occurred to anyone here that I might enjoy a trip to Paris?”

  “I don’t believe you’ve been invited,” his mother replied glibly.

  Jolene wanted to roll her eyes over their pathetic whining and cry for attention.

  “Then go,” his father said, waving his hand. “Take enough money and get yourself a room at the Louvre Hotel and enjoy the pleasure the city offers while you are young, if you know what I mean.”

  In a movement that Jolene found rather odd, Lord Chambers glanced at the duke. In response, he scowled. Her mother blushed. Clearly, some knowledge between the three of them had been expressed. Their peculiar behavior baffled Jolene.

  Heaving a sigh that the conversation had not progressed as she hoped, Jolene turned her attention to her mother. “Duchess, you have yet to answer my question. Shall I prepare a room for you and your husband?”

  Her mother squeezed the duke’s forearm, and in a sweet and pleading voice spoke. “What harm could there be, my love, in accepting her offer?”

  He looked into her eyes that had welled with tears. Surely, he would not deny her request, thought Jolene. If he did, she would start to cry.

  “Come on, Father, surrender,” Robert balked. “You love her, so take her to la ville de l'amour and have a good time of it. After all, it’s where you met your sweet mademoiselle.”

  Her mother cringed in embarrassment. “Robert, don’t tease your father.” She winked at him as if to thank him for his help.

  The duke, apparently outnumbered at the table, raised his head and looked at Jolene. She flashed him a warm and welcoming smile.

  “Fine then, Paris it is.”

  “Yes,” Robert exclaimed.

  Elated, Jolene could not contain herself. “Then it is settled,” she announced loudly. “I shall seek out a property landlord and find a rental as soon as possible.” Then the thought struck her, what if she could not? “Do you think there will be rentals?”

  “Oh, yes,” Lord Chambers assured her. “The English are selling their property left and right in Paris. It’s ripe for the picking.”

  Jolene leaned back in her chair and relaxed her tense body. Everything would work out as planned. Geoffrey lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

  “Shall I stay at a hotel, or shall I expect an invitation to the townhome?”

  She had suspected that he would ask. After hearing his father’s suggestion to lodge at a hotel, she agreed it did not make much sense. If she found a residence large enough, they all could stay together. With the entire Holland family at her side, she did not feel threatened by Geoffrey’s presence. After all, it would be selfish of her not to offer accommodations.

  Relenting, she turned and looked into his hopeful gaze. “You may come,” she began, “but I have conditions.”

  “Fair enough,” he replied, clearly pleased about her answer.

  Jolene replied in a low voice for his ears only. “You must promise me that you shall not attempt to test my weakness, Geoffrey. It is imperative that I stay focused upon my business affairs while in Paris.”

  He reached over and touched her hand on the table. “I promise, you have my word as a gentleman.”

  Jolene turned and looked at Lord and Lady Chambers. “Would you have an objection if I extended the invitation to your son so that he might accompany us on the trip?”

  “Of course not. I’m sure his uncle will keep a keen eye upon the boy,” Lord Chambers replied. His wife’s face beamed from ear to ear over the news.

  The duke looked slightly surprised but did not object. “Of course, I’ll keep the boy in his place and make sure he doesn’t wander around and get in trouble.”

  Lord Chambers smiled. Marguerite Chambers appeared as if she were about to rise to her feet and clap for joy. “
My son is most trustworthy,” she said.

  Robert slumped in his chair, disgruntled over the extra baggage that would accompany them, but kept his mouth shut.

  “Marvelous. When I find suitable housing, we shall choose a date to travel and be done with it.”

  Jolene caught the gaze of her mother. Her eyes brimmed with thankfulness. It caught Jolene off guard. If she only knew, she thought to herself.

  The meal continued with everyone at the table unaware of her plot. Even Robert had not yet been privy to all of her strategies. Her detailed plan to bring everyone together began to unfold. She would return them to the city where it all began—Paris. There she would make them face the price they had paid for love. The cleverly orchestrated reunion would explode into untold emotions. Whether they would feel shame, grief, regret or joy in that shocking moment of revelation, Jolene could only speculate. All she knew is that she alone held the power to change everyone’s life in a blink of an eye. However, the success of her plan hitched on one point.

  Dear God, let my father be alive, she prayed. I need him to complete the circle or else this will all be for naught.

  Chapter 16

  Brandy, Cigars and Secrets

  After dinner, Lady Chambers made the nod, and the ladies rose from their chairs. His aunt took Jolene by the arm and led her to the sitting room for coffee. His mother followed closely behind, excluded from the conversation. As usual, the lady of the house ignored his mother when more influential people were present. Her lack of respect irked Robert, and he disapprovingly glared at her as she exited.

  As he watched Jolene leave, he felt a stir of pride on how well she had done during dinner. She remained calm and reserved in the midst of his parents. There were moments he wanted to blurt out what he knew. But alas, he had sworn a brotherly oath that he intended to keep. His younger sister had succeeded in wrapping him around her little figure early on in their relationship.