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

that her long-sought interview had been granted. Even Adelaide had been surprised yesterday when message of her appointment arrived. She hadn't expected Daisy's request to be approved without influence of some kind being exerted.

"Maybe the Comte finally recognized the futility of continuing to block me," Daisy reasonably said, her persistence generally successful. "My perseverance was effective."

"Perhaps," Adelaide had murmured, her tone unconvinced. She'd known Charles since childhood. He was a martinet influenced by power and political brokering, but never simply by persistence unaccompanied by advantageous force. Her cynical thoughts, however, she'd kept to herself; in many ways Daisy was fresh and naive about the Byzantine machinations of French politics. She'd said instead, "Do wear your teal blue, Daisy. Charles is partial to blue."

Daisy wasn't kept waiting in the Minister's anteroom as she'd been warned might happen, but was shown directly in by a young man with impeccable manners who disappeared as she entered the Minister's office.

The room was enormous, built by the Sun King with his usual eye for magnificence. Floor to ceiling windows framed in pale blue satin faced the Place Vendome, the coffered ceiling was gilded in gold leaf, the parquet floor cushioned by priceless Aubusson rugs, the upholstered furniture in shades of green and (Adelaide was right) teal blue was oversized to match the proportions of the space.

The Minister walked across the expanse of garlanded and medallioned carpet to greet her at the door as she was shown in. "Good morning, Mademoiselle Black. What a pleasure to meet you at last. My apologies for not responding sooner to your inquiries. My secretary is new, I'm afraid." His brows rose quickly in reproach before he resumed his smile. "And not as efficient as I'd wish." Not a tall man, when he took her hand to bow over it briefly, they were of a height. "An honor, Mademoiselle Black, to meet a female attorney," he affably said.

"Thank you, sir," Daisy responded with equal courtesy, concealing her surprise at the cordiality of the greeting. Not only had she been warned of the possibility of a long wait, she'd also heard that Monsieur le Comte was not an advocate of feminine rights. "I appreciate you taking the time to see me."

"Now tell me," he went on, escorting her toward a seating area near the windows, "what I can do for you. I understand you're sister-in-law to the lovely Empress, Comtesse de Jordan."

Four high-backed chairs, Renaissance in style, flanked a round table set for tea. The Minister's smile was still in place; he'd arranged for tea for her. How obliging, Daisy thought, dismissing all exasperation she'd previously felt toward him.

"I'm here, as you may know, to see that Empress's new daughter is included in her estate trust. A matter of routine," she added with a small smile, "but anything you could do to expedite the process would be appreciated. The bureaucratic complexities are occasionally obstructive." She diplomatically neglected to mention he had been one of the major obstructions.

"No problem, Mademoiselle. Absolutely no problem," he assured her in a tone very near sycophantic. "Consider it done."

His words astonished her, for the Minister had a reputation for procrastination and delay and he'd just promised her everything she'd been trying to accomplish for weeks.

"Would you like tea?" he asked, indicating the table arranged with a silver tea service and assorted sweets.

"Yes, thank you. How kind," Daisy graciously replied.

"You've met my brother-in-law, I believe," Monsieur le Minister said in the next cordial breath as they moved toward their chairs.

And the Duc de Vec rose from the green damask chair that had until that moment hidden him from view. "Good morning, Mademoiselle Black," he said very quietly. "You look enchanting." His eyes traveled slowly over her severely tailored blue silk gown before coming to rest on her startled face.

Daisy barely managed to stifle her gasp, immediately realized why the Minister was so solicitous, and replied with what she hoped was a casualness equal to the Duc's. "Good morning, Monsieur le Duc. I enjoyed the King's birthday yesterday."

"You were there then."

"Briefly."

"It's always a dreary crush."

"But enlightening."

Watching his two guests with the keen observant gaze of a career diplomat, the Comte de Montigny found the exchange fascinating. Etienne was actually heated beneath his blas� comments and the Mademoiselle was even less experienced at deception. They were angry at each other or perhaps at themselves—that subtlety escaped him—but he would surely help the lady in any way he could. Etienne was interested in her—apparently more than interested. An unusual posture for his world-weary brother-in-law. And since he owed Etienne numerous favors, how pleasant to be able to pay him back in this delightful manner.

"Please sit down," he said, waving them to their chairs. He began pouring tea. "Now tell me, Mademoiselle," he pleasantly said, handing Daisy a translucent porcelain cup in lapis and gold, "exactly what you want me to do."

She should have been pleased everything was going to be so easy, the entire procedure handed to her on a silver platter, like the pastries he was offering her now. All she had to do was casually say, I want this and this and this… all the cumbersome legalities brushed aside in one easy stroke by the Duc's command.

They discussed them in a businesslike manner, the Minister's secretary brought in to see to the exact sequence and particu-lars: who would have to be seen, what seals were required, what judges' decisions were necessary, and in less than an hour the Minister was bowing them out with a cheerful smile and hearty assurance all would be taken care of immediately.

"Thank you, Charles," the Duc mildly declared in parting, his participation in the discussion, infrequent, restricted to suggestions of amenable judges. "We'll have to go fishing soon. My gamekeeper tells me the salmon are in good form."

"I'd be delighted," his brother-in-law replied, the Duc's hospitality at his hunting lodge in Scotland legendary. Turning to Daisy, the Minister said, "It was a pleasure to have met you, Mademoiselle. If I can be