Chris had left the moment his father had ordered, he always did as his father commanded, Father scared him. He would visit Laurel later and make sure she was all right. He would have his revenge on the English, he would destroy what Blakeney treasured most, the pet. Just like his love had suffered, Blakeney would see pet brought low. He rode home and informed a servant to tell Mother that Father was coming home. He then went to his room and plotted a bit, ripping a piece of paper into small pieces.
After leaving Laurel in her mother's care, Lovell climbed back into his coach and instructed the driver to take him home. Once there, Lovell went straight to his study to put his papers in order. If anyone needed him, they could come to him and he was most disinterested in another lecture from his wife.
Chris finally left his room and decided to do something productive with his anger. He went to his father's study and knocked. "Father, is Laurel all right? Does she need anything? I plan to go visit her" he asked.
Lovell looked up from his paperwork and studied his son's _expression, Cristof was genuinely concerned for the girl. Something that didn't happen often. "Mlle. DeClaireville has suffered through a most terrible experience, Cristof, it will take some time before she has fully recovered from the experience. She is safe with her mother as we speak, who I'm sure will take care of her. I do not advise you going to see the young lady, she appeared most unresponsive to anyone last I saw her. It is unlikely that she will acknowledge your presence. Leave her to her mother. I will check on them in the morning myself." He noted a most curious _expression on his son's face. "But perhaps you can aid me by describing what has happened over the past two weeks. It is not often I come home to find such a spectacle."
Chris bowed his head. "Of course, Father. A few days ago, I was walking around the forest and I saw some scraps of clothing on the ground, they seemed bloody. I was curious so I walked a few feet more in that direction and found a girl lying beaten on the floor, her clothes torn. She was barely awake but she had a high class accent and she was wearing a necklace, this one. So I immediately stopped to help her. I carried her home and asked the servants to tend to her. When she awoke, she told me her name and I took her home to her brother in law, that horrible monster Blakeney. I visited her twice to see how she was doing. Yesterday, another girl was found beaten by Laurel on the road. She found me and asked me for help but when we got there, she was gone so I took Laurel to work. That is about all I can provide you with, Father" he said, censoring all sensitive information.
Lovell sat and listened silently, "I gather that this second girl was the other English girl. Most curious... and distressing... I would be curious to speak with this Andre. Planchette seems most convinced that the boy is innocent and I trust Planchette's instincts." He paused a moment. "I think it best you stay away from those people, Cristof. That Englishman has a most unpleasant side that I don't want you to experience."
Chris jerked up. "I haven't seen Andre myself since he left the Blakeney home. I know it's dangerous, Blakeney is a tempest with a vengeance! What should I do though, father? The love of my life was just brutalized, I can't just stand here and feel sorry for myself. Father, I love her. I can't stop thinking it's also my fault because I couldn't protect her. I'll think of someway to help her. I suppose Mother will have a nervous fit over this. Anyway we might hide this from her?" he asked.
"Are you asking a great deal, Cristof," Lovell said solemnly. "I am sure you well know by now that your mother is dead set against any kind of union between you and Mlle. DeClaireville. There is no need for me to speak to her of this, however the Comptess does pay visits to Calais and it would be very difficult to stem the flow of gossip even in this household. Any efforts to stop it would it would be postponing the inevitable... However, if she does discover the truth before I return to Paris, then I shall ask her to come with me, perhaps by the time we return the gossip will have died down." Lovell cast a glance at the image of his wife in the large family portrait hanging on his wall, even that face seemed to express the futility of Lovell's proposal. He doubted the Comptess would have a nervous fit over the news, no doubt she would be overjoyed by the excuse to put another wedge between Cristof and his plans to marry this girl. He cleared his throat and returned his gaze on his son. "Cristof, I know that you are rather attached to Mlle. DeClaireville, however perhaps it is time to take a more practical perspective. Forget your mother's objections, forget the fact that it would be regarded unfavorably by your peers, I ask you has she at any time expressed signs of requiting your love?"
Chris nodded his head. "Yes, she has. She kissed my hand yesterday and said she was very grateful for my help. It just takes time, Father. Surely, you understand that love is not easily won but I will do it. Especially now, she needs someone to take care of her" he murmured. A thought struck him. Now that Father was home, he'd best see that nothing could be traced back to him. "I think I shall go and bring flowers to that poor English girl who was attacked, Lady Emilie's friend. It would be the proper thing to do" he said softly. He'd visit all three ladies today and plan out his next action. First Michelle then Pet, then his Laurel. "I shall be back later" he said as he walked out.
