THE NETHERLANDS, 1852
Baron Josef von Tieiler’s fingers twitched as he
suppressed an urge to pull his timepiece from
his pocket for one more look. An exaggerated
pretense of adjusting the vest girdling his
girth quieted their restlessness. In truth, he
need not see the hour to know the time had
passed for any young lady mindful of her
reputation to be home among family and friends. |
| He paced. Hours ago darkness had draped
shadows on the empty settee across the room. The
housemother, endorsed by Dusseldorf Prepatory
Academie for Girls, sat reading in a
straight-backed chair, effectively avoiding his
glares. She dared not glance in the direction of
the vacant seat. |
| A sudden draft chilled his neck, not
unsurprisingly accompanied by a feminine wail.
“Josef, you arrived a day early. Would you not
allow a fiancée time to prepare herself for her
promised?" The scent of roses floated with the
sweep of petticoats and skirt. “Ah, my Josef,
you have become more handsome than the last
visit.” Beyond the sitting room doors, footsteps
could be heard ascending the stairs. |
| At least she adhered to essential propriety
and did not go out alone. Josef peered down at a
doll-sized creature of unnatural beauty whose
platinum curls swirled into a design that would
shame a fancy bonnet. Startling sapphire eyes
twinkled in welcome above lips rivaling a rose
petal. |
“Have you waited long?” Her face softened
with sincerity and a need to be forgiven. “I am
sorry.”
Josef’s body itched with a longing so ardent he
could not remain angry. “I have been waiting
some time, my Louise. You were not at your
studies. Your house companions seemed at lose to
explain your absence.” |
A wisp of concern veiled her eyes for only
an instant.
“I suppose your unseemly absence has to do with
that French boy in your letters?”
“Darling Josef, you know me so well. Yes, that
is where I have been.” She paused. “Did you
consider my entreaty?”
“I did. More as a threat than a plea.” Her
avoidance of any explanation peeved Josef.
“Oh, drat and dumplings! You know very well I
only hinted at calling off our engagement to
force your hand. How else does a young woman of
respectability win the indulgence of her
betrothed?” Mischief backed by confidence
sparked the darkened blue eyes.
Josef waited, choosing not to answer. |
Louise pursed her lips in a pout, then rose
on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I am thankful
you came.” Her lips widened in a beguiling
smile. “Now, tell me your plan to save
François.”
“I came, as you asked. I promise nothing.” He
dared not let her know how easily she could
manipulate him.
“Josef, he is quite bereft. The French are too
terrified to offer any aid while negotiating
peace with the Austrians. The new German
Confederacy will not help him. Our own Holland
denies him entry through our borders. What are
we to do?” |
“We? I hear tell the boy stole funds
intended to buy arms for the French crown and
then was accused of quite unspeakable acts with
a number of ladies under his protection.”
“Rubbish, François told me the truth. The royals
concocted that history to buy his safe passage
when the revolutionaries put a price on his
head. Would we not do the same to protect one of
our own secretly defending the royalty?” |
“No circumstances exist where I would elect
to become involved with a mongrel of such
ill-repute.” Josef lowered his voice, striving
to sound grave with authority. “And, I advise
you to extract yourself from this alliance.
Now.”
Louise’s eyes stormed to a blue-violet as
ominous as any thundercloud. Her fingers first
clutched then twirled a heraldic ring circling
her finger. |
Josef sought to temper her storm. “By now,
this, this scoundrel must believe you fight for
him out of affection rather than dedication to
our nobles’ cause?”
“You cannot be jealous, Josef, so unbecoming for
a man of your influence. François is but a
child. Well, perhaps more an innocent youth,
pursuing noble dreams of saving a kingdom lost
to revolution.” The cloak slid from her
shoulders, revealing skin as flawless and
luminous as a pearl. ”We must help him.” |
Mindful of the head mistress dozing across
the room, Josef lowered his voice. “Perhaps if
he were to invest those stolen funds with the
Bank?” Josef nodded toward the door leading
outside.
“Oh, he would be forever grateful.” Louise
retied her cloak. “He has the gold you speak of,
but without us he has no one trustworthy to turn
to. He received word the French nobility
disclaimed him today.” |
Josef scowled. “You see, it is as I warned.
Even his own country steps away from him.”
Louise narrowed her eyes. “If you cannot, or
will not… I will undertake his plight myself.”
The tempered whisper carried the weight of
promise. |
François ducLaFevre. Josef’s heavy sigh
collapsed into an inflexible stance. The
lascivious dragoon will circle Louise like a
wolf after a lamb during my absence. Even now he
ruins my chances to woo her.
“The Bank must approve any steps before I
involve myself,” Josef said. “The boy must
produce proof of his innocence. At minimum,
provide creditable witness of his loyalty to the
House of Orange.” |
Louise smiled and clasped her hands. “I saw
letters signed by the French cabinet, orders to
act as their agent.”
“I cannot act on your good word alone. Be
practical, my love. Documents must be inspected,
authenticated. These efforts take months, years,
and I must leave for America within a fortnight.
Too little time remains." Josef leaned into her,
mindful of respectability their shoulders barely
touched. “Am I too brash to consider a walk in
the garden? Leave thoughts of treachery this
side of the door? Two weeks, then I am gone for
a year. I dislike spending my last visit
discussing another’s misadventures.” |
“Come.” Louise slipped her hand into his,
moved toward the veranda door, then stopped.
“One last plea. Allow me to take you to
François?”
Josef nodded his acceptance with obvious
reluctance. He needed to assess the young man,
face to face. One must know the enemy.
Louise stepped out the door. “You will become as
convinced as I of his innocence. If you care for
me at all, you must free him. Accept his word,
if that is all he can give.”
Louise’s plea troubled Josef. |
Her interest blazed too brightly. Even after
his complaint, she talked of the fugitive. Josef
stroked his chin, his anger hidden in the
darkness, his jealousy building.
“I have a proposal, Louise. A civil ceremony
here, marry me tomorrow. We will have two days,
then return home together.” Josef held up his
hand, halting his fiancée’s interruption. “Your
partisan may accompany us, and I promise to find
him safe haven before I sail. By the time I
return, he will have retrieved his gold and be
prepared to come to America with us.” |
Louise’s visible disheartenment aggravated
Josef. The situation had progressed further than
he suspected. He had best press her decision. “I
suggest your French patriot might enjoy serving
as our witness, instead of hanging.”
Louise looked up, eyes bright with tears. “If
that is the price you demand, so be it.”
From across the street François ducLaFevre could
not see Louise’s face, but she had stiffened,
obviously upset. One year until the dour banker
returns. Time enough for me to see that she
learns to find pleasure in living. She will
forget this severe Dutchman. |
When the couple disappeared, François
started back. He loathed the shabby hovel where
he hid. Reeked of cabbage and mutton. Children
papered the walls; the imps irked him.
Louise will want offspring. No sons to compete
with for her affection. I will choose a
daughter, the likeness of her mother. Yes. But,
I will teach the girl to laugh and dance and be
a pebble in the shoe of pious tyrants the likes
of banker Taylor. |
