Forbidden by Susan Johnson (best feel good books txt) 📗

velvet; a gown of dark material relieved with touches of tulle, the edges richly trimmed in fur—over a smock and baggy trousers. His sons, Jean-Philippe, who many said was more talented than his father, and Gaston, the practical and austere business manager of the firm, were both dressed in understated tailored elegance.

They knew why he was here. Bourges had set up the appointment.

They had not yet agreed among themselves whether they could reveal what information they had without jeopardizing their business. At their firm, the Faubourg Saint Germain sat between kept women, and the world of officialdom met the Faubourg Saint Germain, a mingling of social classes, political parties, and marriage partners. At times, kept discreetly separated. As had been the case last summer when the Duc de Vec had come in with his newest amorata, Miss Daisy Black, at the same time his wife the Duchesse had been undergoing a fitting in one of the salons under the watchful eye of her latest young priest.

After greeting each other, the Worths took chairs, the assistant poured them tea, and after a glance from the elder Monsieur Worth, the assistant left.

"Bourges told you what I need," the Duc said immediately after the door clicked shut. "My wife has been here often, it seems, with one or another priest as escort."

"As do others at times, Monsieur le Duc," Gaston answered.

Etienne's brows rose slightly. "An interesting concept," hequietly said, putting the spoon he'd stirred his sugar with aside.

"But this particular variation on a theme interests me only so much as my wife is involved. Do you recall specific instances when she was here, in dishabille, as it were, with such an escort?"

"It's difficult to recall," Jean-Philippe lied, the panic of the near-encounter of the Duc and Duchesse de Vec only months ago very fresh in his memory.

"I not only require a witness," the Duc said, pressing, because they weren't going to volunteer the information, "but a witness who would be willing to testify in court if necessary. And I'm prepared to reimburse you for that information. An employee would be sufficient," he added. "I'm not suggesting any of you need appear."

"It could be very damaging for our business," the elder Worth bluntly said, his Manchester accent still strong after forty years in Paris, his French inadequate for conversation.

"Send a midinette to me. You could have let her go; she was discontent and willing to testify. Your firm would be clear of any mistrust from your customers as to confidentiality. No divorce cases can be publicly revealed, as you know. The risk would be minimal."

"Gossip travels fast in the insulated world our customers frequent. Divorce scandal particularly." Gaston was only pointing out the reality of the situation.

"How much does my wife spend here a year?"

The Duc's curt query brought all eyes to Gaston. The Duchesse was one of their best customers.

"I don't have an exact figure."

"An approximation will do. Be generous."

"A hundred thousand francs a month."

Good Lord, how could she possibly wear that many dresses? Having purchased his share of gowns at Worth, he did the arithmetic quickly in his head—two gowns a day, per month, each year. Certainly that should be worth a midinette or two in court.

"I'll pay you that sum each year. Bourges will draw up the papers. Now can we speak frankly?" He could see they were interested in his offer, but Gaston spoke first, as business manager more aware than his father and brother, who were the designers, that should news leak out of their disclosures, they could stand to lose much more than one hundred thousand francs a month.

"Allow us to confer with our attorneys before we decide."

"I need details, tell him that. We already know she was here many times with one priest or another. And I'd appreciate an expeditious reply."

His politeness was familiar to the Worths, the Duc de Vec's courtesy was legendary. So they were surprised when he said, just before he walked out the door, his voice cold as ice, "I intend to have that information, gentlemen, so you might as well prosper by it. Do we understand each other?"

His question was the kind that didn't require an answer.

Daisy's telegram was delivered to him as he sat in a meeting late that afternoon with Bourges and several of his attorneys, their discussion centering on the overture recently received from the Worth solicitors. The solicitors had suggested, in language couched in cautious legalese, that the Worths would be willing to Cooperate under certain conditions. Those conditions had brought the Duc's men together and were now causing considerable disagreement. Bourges was for subpoenaing the Worths if and when they went to court—thus saving the Duc a million two hundred thousand francs a year. Several of the more conservative of his legal advisors were interested in pursuing the Worth overtures, while others suggested a counteroffer to set off negotiations.

"Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen," Etienne said, taking the telegram from the salver held out to him by a footman. He had orders for Daisy's telegrams to be brought to him immediately. Tearing the envelope open, he read the message quickly, the buzz of conversation going on around him separate from his preoccupation.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, he read the words through again.

 

Your shaman gods must have planned the storm. I just wanted you to know. Come back to us soon. Love from Daisy and your child.

"More problems?" Bourges inquired, noting the Duc's unguarded reaction.

Etienne's head rose slowly as though he'd heard Bourges's voice from a great distance, his green eyes oddly lit.

"Problems?" Bourges repeated.

Silence had fitfully fallen since the telegram arrived, conversations coming to a halt as first one man and then another observed the Duc's strange response.

"On the contrary." Etienne's voice was hushed, his attention still not fully returned, the impact of Daisy's news distracting: pride, joy, wonder, discomposing and wildly tumultuous, pervading his mind. A child! The wonder of it took his breath away. His and Daisy's child. He carefully