“I hold all the power here. You need to remember that. I am more powerful than the both of you. Combined. Stay in line, or I will be forced to demonstrate that strength.”
Even Henri looked sickly now. His hand trembled slightly before he seemed to regain his composure. I wondered what power Montoni held over Henri’s head. His power over Blanche was obvious.
“It’s not my aunt’s fault that you married her for her money,” I said, tempting the count’s wrath.
Montoni snorted. “I hardly married Madame Cheron for her money. I love the sweet creature. I am merely disappointed.”
My aunt smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“But what does this mean, Uncle?” Henri asked. “Is there enough money to satisfy creditors for now?”
“No. There is not.” Montoni sighed. “I am going to lease Château le Blanc for a time. My creditors have agreed to use the rent money to pay off my debt. It will likely take a year or so.”
“What do we do in the meantime?” Blanche asked, looking genuinely frightened.
“I will also be renting La Vallée for additional income,” my aunt said. “And should Emile come into his inheritance, I assume he will continue the lease, and perhaps share a portion of his fortune to pay off the debt faster.” She met my eyes. I blinked. She could have very well had me thrown into an institution and claimed my inheritance for herself immediately. The fact that she spoke as if the inheritance was a sure thing gave me hope. It also made me believe that she was protecting me from Montoni.
I wasn’t sure why that would be the case, given our history, unless she perceived the nature of Montoni more astutely than I gave her credit for. She couldn’t have been happy that he would immediately need her financial support to pay for his gambling habit. It had to make one feel used.
“But where will we go, if we cannot stay here?” Blanche wanted to know.
Count Montoni smiled grimly. “Udolpho, of course.”
Henri shuddered visibly, and I felt my spirits sink. How ironic that the safe haven I had looked to these past weeks ended up being the very place I would be forced to in this trying time.
“Udolpho?” my aunt asked.
Count Montoni turned to her with a smile. “Of course, my dear. You didn’t think this was my only property, did you? I have a castle in Italy, just waiting for us to inhabit it.”
“A castle.” My aunt’s eyes sparkled.
I met Henri’s gaze, and while he seemed resigned, he offered me a weak smile.
Montoni took a sip of his wine. “I was planning on spending our honeymoon at Udolpho. The countryside in Italy is stunning. Picturesque. This setback we are experiencing will extend our stay, but it need not be an unpleasant time for us.”
Aunt Cheron, for I couldn’t quite think of her as Aunt Montoni just yet, beamed. “Oh, it sounds like a grand adventure. Don’t you think so, Emile?”
“An adventure,” I echoed with false enthusiasm.
“When do we depart?” Henri asked.
“In two days. At dawn,” Montoni replied.
“Two days!” Blanche straightened. “That hardly gives us time to put our affairs in order.”
“Yes, best get to writing to friends and suitors at once. I’m sure you can manage that. Your lady’s maid will do your packing for you.” Montoni sniffed. “Of course, the staff will stay on to assist with the leasers. We will take Annette, who will also see to the comfort of Madame Montoni, as well as my own valet, Cavigni. I was thinking that perhaps we would bring Ludovico to split valet duties between Henri and Emile. Does that sound fair?”
We all nodded, although my mind was racing with thoughts of preparation and the journey ahead. With everything going on, I likely wouldn’t have a chance to speak to Annette until we arrived at the castle.
“Why must we leave so soon?” Blanche asked. “Can we not wait a few more days, at least?”
“We are already cutting it close,” Montoni said. “Our medicine will need to be administered in a week’s time. Father Schedoni, of course, will accompany us, and will remain with us to see to our health.”
I shuddered at the thought of having Schedoni on hand for the foreseeable future. And then I realized with a start that this would mean I would be leaving Bram behind. And if we left in two days, how would I get word to him? The servants would likely be too busy with arranging for the journey to be able to run into town for me.
When we were dismissed, I walked with Henri toward our bedrooms. Orhisbedroom, rather. “You’re quiet,” he observed.
“It’s a lot to absorb.” I tried to put him at ease with a smile, but it was feeble. “I’m also worried.”
