and I her loyal servant.”
Philippe snorted.
“You don’t believe me? I paid no bribe to learn the secrets of the Queen’s bedchamber. It would have reaped me little benefit. However, I did find she’s written several extremely passionate letters and given very lavish gifts to the Princess de Lambelle, Yolande Polignac, and Celeste de Clement.”
“De Clement?” Philippe’s eyes widened as his gaze flew back to the painting. “Then that child is—”
“She’s Celeste de Clement’s daughter. I understand the marquise was the daughter of a wealthy Spanish merchant who became the second wife of an impoverished nobleman. His son and heir was less than well disposed toward the lovely Celeste and her offspring. When his father died, he gave his stepmother a carriage, a wardrobe of fine gowns, and bid her and her child a final adieu.”
“Do you think the little firebrand is being brought up to her mother’s persuasion?” Philippe asked idly. “I hear Sappho’s daughters delight in—”
“No!” The violence of Jean Marc’s rejection surprised him as much as it did Philippe. He felt as if Philippe had besmirched something peculiarly his own. He quickly brought his tone under control. “I didn’t say Celeste de Clement has unnatural tastes. She’s been the mistress of several wealthy and generous gentlemen of the court since she arrived there several years ago. I’d judge her passion is for acquisition and not the pleasures of the flesh.”
“Like Jean Marc Andreas?”
“The Marquise de Clement and I have a similar passion, but I don’t prostitute myself to pursue it. I prefer not to manipulate emotions, but circumstances.”
“Yet, you manipulate both if it suits you.”
“The legal agreements, Philippe.”
Philippe made a face and turned toward the door. “I’ll go get them. By the way, I caught sight of a deliciously robust servant girl as we came into the inn. I don’t suppose you’d object if I invited her to occupy my bed while I’m waiting here for you to recover?”
“Not as long as you use discretion and don’t offend Catherine. The woman’s name is Germaine.”
Philippe opened the door. “Have you tried her?”
“When I first came to the inn. Pleasant, eager, but boringly docile.” Jean Marc’s lips twisted ruefully. “Needless to say, I’ve not been tempted to repeat the experience in my present state of health.”
“I’ve no objection to docility.” Philippe grinned as he started to close the door. “And I enthusiastically embrace eagerness.”
Juliette closed the door of Catherine’s chamber and turned to face the upset girl. “Sit down over there.” She gestured to the chair across the room. She gazed at Catherine’s flushed face. “Your color is better.”
Catherine sat down in the chair. “I feel as if my face is on fire. I’m so ashamed.”
“Why?” Juliette plumped down on the bed. “Because you were idiot enough to let yourself be too tightly laced into your corset?”
“And because Jean Marc and Philippe must surely think ill of me.”
“It’s done now.” Juliette crossed her legs tailor-fashion and tilted her head critically. “You don’t bear any resemblance to either Jean Marc or Philippe Andreas.”
“We’re only distantly related.”
“You’re a handsome family. He’s quite beautiful. I’d like to paint him.”
“Philippe?” Catherine nodded eagerly. “Oh, yes, I’ve never seen such a handsome man. His hair is as golden as sunlight when it’s not powdered. And he’s very kind too, he’s never impatient and sharp with me as Jean Marc sometimes is. Philippe once brought me a lovely pair of scented gloves from Vasaro when he came to the Ile du Lion.”
Juliette shook her head. “Not Philippe. I was speaking of Jean Marc.”
“Jean Marc?” Catherine looked at her in disbelief. “But Philippe is much finer-looking. Why would you want to paint Jean Marc?”
Why would she not want to paint him? Jean Marcwas