“More than you can ever know,” she replied in a similar tone. Her voice turned brisk. “But now we must resume our journey because we must reach Brussels before we run out of cheese!”
Simon laughed and helped her onto her horse with little Leo on her lap. Not long after their lunch stop, they intersected the Charleroi-to-Brussels road and their pace increased. It was a long day’s ride, but for Suzanne, they reached Brussels too soon, and her perfect day with Simon was over.
At least they had made it to Brussels before the cheese ran out.
Barely.
When Simon, Suzanne, and Leo entered the house, weary and travel stained, the inhabitants immediately started gathering. Maurice and Jackson arrived first. “We’ll take care of the horses, but first, what news, sir?” Maurice asked.
“Bonaparte is certainly mobilizing, but it’s not clear when or where he’ll aim his armies,” Simon said succinctly. “It may well be Belgium, though.”
Philippe and Marie emerged from the drawing room at the front of the house. He was using a cane for balance, but looked much stronger and was walking well. Marie was beside him, and her gaze went to Suzanne. “Suzanne, did you know you have a cat on your shoulder?”
“So I do,” Suzanne said amiably. She reached up to scratch his head. “His name is Leo. He’s a country cat who has decided to move to the city.”
Simon said, “Philippe, I need to talk to you and Marie. Not bad news at all. Give us time to bathe and change and we can discuss what we learned over a late supper.”
Jenny appeared, looking rather appalled. “Madam, your clothing!” she exclaimed, staring at Suzanne’s oversized and travel-stained men’s garments.
“We had to travel quickly.” Suzanne made a face. “Suffice it to say that it was easier to get into France than it was to leave. But as you see, we’re fine. I hope you like cats, Jenny!”
“Indeed I do. Young and skinny as this fellow is, I imagine he’ll want to go to the kitchen for a meal.” Jenny scratched Leo’s head, then expertly removed him from Suzanne’s shoulder without his claws inflicting further damage.
“I must arrange a bath and help you to change,” Jenny continued. “Madame Maurice, do you like cats?” On receiving a positive response, Jenny handed Leo over to the older woman.
Madame Maurice cuddled Leo to her ample bosom and cooed feline noises at him. “I’ll fix you that supper after I feed this young rascal.”
As the cook headed off to the kitchen, Simon predicted that Leo was going to live very well in this house. Then he followed his wife up the stairs to wash up and change into proper clothing. The day was far from over.
* * *
Madame Maurice’s dinner was tasty and invigorating, a fine stew of beef and vegetables braised in beer, with bread and more of the same beer to wash it down. Simon told himself he must remember to thank Kirkland again for this amazing house filled with comfort, good food, and experienced spies.
Philippe was twitching with nerves, so Simon put him out of his misery as soon as he’d eaten enough to mitigate his ravenous appetite. “The news is mostly good, starting with the fact that Château Chambron is yours, and your father very specifically left it to his ‘beloved son.’ ”
Philippe swallowed hard, and Simon guessed that that acknowledgment meant almost as much as inheriting the property, at least for tonight. Later it would be the estate that mattered.
“The estate, but not the title,” Philippe said in a low voice. “My birth was not legitimate, was it?”
“No,” Suzanne said gently. “The title must go to Simon. But you were Jean-Louis’s only child. He loved you and provided very handsomely for your future.”
Privately Simon thought Jean-Louis could have done a much better and fairer job of raising Philippe, but for a man who was selfish by nature, this was a good effort. Monsieur Morel’s generous guiding hand was surely visible here.
Simon passed Philippe his copy of the will. “In more good news, there is also a substantial monetary inheritance. It’s rather inconveniently located in London now, but when the political situation stabilizes, you can move the funds here if you like. I strongly suggest that you continue using Monsieur Morel for estate and financial matters. He and his family have served the Duvals for generations, and it was his intelligence and honesty that preserved your inheritance.”
He handed over a bank statement. Philippe looked at the column of numbers and gave a breathless whistle. Marie looked over his shoulder and gasped. “It’s a fortune!”
“It’s not enough to live as grandly as Jean-Louis did,” Suzanne said. “And really, there is no need to live that grandly. But used well it should be enough to get the estate back on its feet.”
“I strongly suggest that you abandon the château,” Simon said. “Repairing it could easily cost your whole inheritance.”
“The Château Chambron has been the home of the Comtes de Chambron for centuries,” Philippe said unhappily.
Marie laid her hand on his. “It’s just a house,mon chéri. And it was very uncomfortable living in the ruins! A more modest home for us and money for planting are much more important.” She smiled at her husband. “All I need is a house that contains you and is clean, comfortable, and well provisioned. That will be infinitely better than a burned-out palace.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right.” With visible regret, Philippe mentally abandoned the family home he’d once yearned for. He raised his gaze to Simon. “Can I transfer the money I’ll need for a spring planting before it’s too late?”
Simon shook his head. “That will take time and planting won’t wait. Since I have already established a banking relationship here in Brussels, I can advance you enough to get started immediately. You can repay me once you have access to your own funds.”
