Toinon nodded. “I inherited it from my mother. I’m not sure how she came to have it. But... I know family members have taken things from the château through the years. It was abandoned for a very long time.”
Cady inspected the figure and found the telltale Bayol plaque affixed to its saddle; most of the original paint seemed intact.
“Do you think other family members might have parts of the carousel?”
“They might. I will ask. And if Fabrice truly allows you to restore the carousel, of course I would like to bring this one back, to take its original place.”
Cady badeau revoirto Toinon, watching as the fairy-tale cottage receded in her rearview mirror.Fabrice must be insane not to want to be part of it all.What wouldn’t Cady give to have such familiarity, the sense of belonging to a world like that?
Now she just had to figure out how to get any other pilfered animals back without causing more upset among the Clement clan. She had the distinct impression that not all the relations were going to be as open and helpful as Toinon and Élodie.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
1900
CHÂTEAU CLEMENT
Maëlle
Maëlle and Josephine had quickly fallen into the habit of sharing a glass in the evenings. After they finished thechouchenn, Maëlle tasted cognac for the first time, and tried some local bitters and sherries. They shared confidences, Josephine telling Maëlle that the local Provençal people didn’t trust her or like her much—they thought Bretons were sneaky and secretive, and drank too much. Also, she feared Château Clement’s finances were in worse condition than her husband would admit—he had the soul of an artist, not a businessman, and his brother Thierry was putting pressure on him to give up the château entirely.
Maëlle told Josephine that she had turned down two marriage proposals from men in her village, and that her mother had cried at night both times. And after her mother got sick, she vowed to accept the next proposal, but her mother’s condition worsened rapidly and she died too quickly for Maëlle to fulfill her promise. And Maëlle gave Josephine the little wooden animals she had made; Josephine had cooed in delight, and declared she would give them pride of place on the mantel in the nursery.
But now... Maëlle manages to avoid her patroness for two days. Finally, Josephine comes out to the carousel building.
The clanking and sawing stops immediately as the men stand respectfully. Maëlle does the same, putting down her paints—but swearing under her breath.
“Oh, it is lovely!” Josephine says breathlessly. “I didn’t want to see it until it was finished, but I simply could not wait any longer. It is astounding!”
Josephine pauses, then says, “Maëlle, could I speak to you a moment?”
“Of course, madame.”
“Outside?” Josephine leads the way to the courtyard, where a warm, strong summer breeze caresses their cheeks. She turns to Maëlle, searching her face. “Is everything all right, Maëlle?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I thought... We had such a nice time in the evenings, but I haven’t seen you lately.”
“I’ve been busy, and very tired at the end of the day, that’s all.”
“I understand that Léon Morice has not been showing up to work consistently,” Josephine says. “Is that true?”
“Who told you that?”
“One of my ‘informants,’” she replies with a little laugh. “Believe me, Maëlle, there aren’t many secrets kept on an estate like this one. Gossip is rampant. So don’t try to deny it. I know he has abandoned you.”
Maëlle meets Josephine’s eyes, wanting desperately to confide in her friend. But then she reminds herself: Josephine probably knows all this, since she herself has been with him.
“Oh dear, you have such a bleak expression in your eyes!” exclaims Josephine. “But of course you do. You are trying to do everything now, aren’t you? You’re running things here, a whole crew of men. You really are the most astonishing young woman.”
“Thank you, but I have to get back to work.”
“I—of course,” Josephine says. “I’m sorry to have kept you. Sillyme, with nothing to do but flutter about, whilst you must do the job of two men. I understand now. Just know that I have enjoyed our talks, and would love to see you this evening, even for a short time, if you aren’t too tired.”
Maëlle nods, fighting tears.
• • •
