Christof Lovell, Vicompte strolled through Calais like a crowned king. Why shouldn't he, his family owned most of the town? Ordinarily he would have his lads about him, but he felt the need for some time to think without the wonderful but distracting sounds of their worship. Mother as usual did not want him to leave her side but after a sad look, he was given a full purse and Carte Blange. "I think I shall see pretty Laurel" he said to himself, smoothing his black hair over his pale narrow face, walking into Planchette's shop, noticing Laurel working. "Hello, my beauty. How sad that you are engaged in the low profession of actually working. A rose such as yourself should be sitting at a table with servants, not behaving as one. You could, of course reconsider my offer" he said as he inclined his head.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Andre rode hell for leather to deliver the packages that Planchette entrusted to him and returned to Calais, he returned in time to see Cristof Lovell approaching the shop. That was someone Andre wished to avoid, but the encounter was inevitable. He entered on the heels on the heels of Cristof in time to heard the tail end of a line that was uniquely characteristic of Cristof Lovell a young woman that looked remarkably like Laurel from behind.
The woman spun around to reveal a face that was nearly scarlet with embarrassment, but clearly not Laurel's, "Pardon, M. le vicompte, but I don't know what "offer you mean!"
Henri behind the counter replied, "M. le vicompte, if you're looking for Laurel she is not in." Cristof fixed Henri with a look of pure hatred, making the latter's blood run cold, while the offended lady beat a hasty retreat. Andre decided to come to the rescue, "M. le Vicompte Lovell, your lordship graces this shop with your presence. Laurel is running an errand for M. Planchette."
Chris blushed with embarrassment. "Perdon" he said to the woman as he turned on his heel and walked out. "Well, that did not go well" he thought to himself, laughing a little. He decided to have a bit to eat before going home.
"I thought he was going to make trouble again," Henri said.
"I have no worries about M. le Vicompte," Andre laughed. "Is our beloved employer still with a customer?"
"He is indeed. The two of them are carrying on something fierce."
"Aw well," Andre scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, informing his employer of the things that transpired, folded it up, and slipped it to Henri. "Now Laurel must go home." With this Andre left.
A few minutes later Laurel left the shop with the work intended for her mother and started on the long journey home.
As Cristof left the shop and entered his carriage, he noticed the real Laurel walking home. "Excellent, fortune smiles on me" he thought to himself as he motioned to follow her. A moment later the carriage had past her. He "Hello, mon cherie Laurel, how goes your day?" he called out as the carriage stopped. "Would you care for a ride home? A lady should always be in the care of a gentleman of good birth, such as I. In fact, if you would just say the word, I could make sure you lack for nothing. I have the power to do that, you know. Anyway, how many times does a handsome noble come riding along and offer you assistance?"
Laurel smiled and thought to herself, "More often than you know." She really didn't care for Cristof, he was arrogant and rude and very much the bully (even though he tried to hide it when he thought she was around).
"I thank you for your kind offer, gracious Vicompte, but I fear I would make poor company, I have learned that my mother is ill and I wouldn't desire to burden you," she told him, for she didn't want him to know the truth of the matter. "Besides, I don't believe a humble girl such as myself is worth of the attentions of one so noble as yourself."
Cristof frowned a bit. He could tell when someone was being impertinent to him and here was a clear case of it. "My dear girl, I would love to be of service and your beauty is company enough" he tried again. He wondered why women had to be so complex, all they were good for was as chattal. He wondered why he loved this girl so much. It annoyed him to no end, he could have any girl but her. "Well, just come in, it's getting cold, I'd rather not you caught cold" he said, offering again.
Laurel thought a moment, it would be faster and she was worried about Percy. "Thank you for your kindness, I will accept your offer if it's not an inconvenient to you."
Cristof smiled. "No trouble at all" as he helped her. "So, mon cherie, you seem to have some problems. I am at always at your service" he said as the coach speed along. "Laurel, life is hard for you but it need not be. I do think you are beautiful and would love to take care of you and your mother. It would be perfect, you and I see the world together, your mother would have the best care money could buy. All that sewing won't pay for the type of care she most likely needs. I shall change the subject, m'dear, but just think on it" he said and then stared out the window. "I have a book for you, it's very good. It's called Le Morte de Arthur" by Malory. I can lend it to you and then we can discuss it" he said, handing a leatherbound book.
Laurel laugh that warm endearing laugh of hers, "Your generosity and kindness warms my heart M. le Vicompte. But, as I've told you before, I would be a poor wife for you. You deserve a lady who will love and adore you as much as you love and adore her. Perhaps it is because I am young and have little experience of the world yet, but I don't have such passionate feeling yet. I pray you do forgive me."
Cristof was overjoyed to find that Laurel was enjoying his presence. "I would give all the time in the world, if it were in my power. But I am sure you will change your mind, till then, I can still be your protector " he said sweetly as they reached the old house. Immediately Cristof noticed an expensive horse tethered outside, one he knew Laurel's family could not afford. "Cher, is someone in your house?" he asked nervously. "I must ask that you let me to make sure no one is in there that is unsafe"
"I thank you for your offer, M. le Vicompte," Laurel said, trying to think of some excuse for the horse. "But Andre must have returned with the doctor to check on my mother's well-being."
Cristof was not convinced. "That horse is not one a simple doctor would have. It's a expensive breed, found mostly in England. I better investigate" he said half to himself.
"That's quite alright," Laurel said. "The doctor has been spending a lot of time caring for the mother of an English family that is staying in the Provindence. He probably was granted their leave to take it. I am certain that mother is not up for too much excitement." One way or another Laurel could not allow him to find Emily or Percy, if only there was a way of signaling them.
Emilie heard a noise and stuck her head outside, praying it was not his Lordship. She saw a pretty girl talking to a rather coldly beautiful boy. "You must be Laurel, and is that your brother?" she called. "I'll be down in a moment" she called.
Laurel stared at the Emilie, here was very little that she do or say now. If she did it was possible that the other girl would say something quite to the contrary and make Cristof suspicious. She thought that Emilie would see the splendor of the carriage and avoid being seen for fear of being caught. But she would have to wait to see what Emilie would do or say then work from there. She tried to convey the danger they were both in through her eyes, but was not sure she would understand.
Emilie ran down and saw Laurel standing with that boy. A look in Laurel's eyes told her this was dangerous and by the way the boy was dressed, she knew him to be a noble. "How could I be so silly" she scolded herself. She thought quickly but before she could say anything, Cristof spoke to her. "Who might you be, peasant" he said in a harsh voice. "I'm the friend of Andre. He said I could stay here" she said softly, too scared to reveal her true name. "Oh God, if he finds out I am Emilie Spencer..." she said, shivering at the thought of being found out. If only she had hid when she saw the carriage. This girl must think she was a fool. She shot an apologetic and pleading look at Laurel. "Why are you dressed like a boy, peasant" Cristof demanded of the girl. "My clothes got dirty, this is all I had to wear" she said, trying to hide her accented French and then got an idea. "You see, my family are all sick" she said, coughing loudly in his direction. Cristof looked panicked and looked at Laurel. "I shall come visit later" he said, the fear clearly written on his face. He seemed to study Emilie for a moment and smiled coldly as he mounted his carriage. A moment later, he and his carriage were out of sight. "I am so sorry" Emilie sobbed as she turned to Laurel.
"There's no need to apologize, dear girl," Laurel replied cheerfully, but glanced in the direction that Cristof was leaving in. She didn't like that smile, he had something unpleasant in mind. "It was an honest mistake. Let's get inside. I have a dress if you want to change." With a kind but firm hand Laurel led Emilie into the house. She would worry about Cristof later.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
As Cristof sped away from fair Laurel's house, he smirked. The girl who pretended to be an ill peasant had a decidedly high class British accent and even the male garb she wore was very well made. He had also seen a lot of jealousy in the girl's pretty blue eyes. Something was afoot and he planned to have a bit of fun. What clinched it was a crest on a necklace around her pretty neck. He could not see the inscription but it was not something lower people had. That girl was running and he would find out where. Maybe a marriage she did not like? "Little English Girl, we shall meet again and all your secrets will be mine" he said as he speed home. He motioned to a valet. "Albert, please spend a few days here and spy on my pretty Laurel and her mysterious beauty of a guest. Wait one week at most, and then report back to me when you have information"
"As you wish, my lord!" Albert said with a menacing twinkle in his eye.
Cristof nodded. "If you can, try and get the little guest to me. Don't risk anything but if she is alone, I'd like her brought to me. She would be interesting to talk to. I know I could count on you" he said as he went home.
"As you wish, my lord," Albert replied. Once he had taken Cristof to his destination, Albert walked back to Laurel's home with some provision, found a hiding spot and waited.
