“So, I was thinking... ,” said Emma.
“You see? I knew she had something up her sleeve,” said Blondine. “She thinks because she is rich she can do whatever she likes.”
Emma just smiled, Cheshire cat–like, and continued addressingRosalyn. “You said you didn’t want to work for me, and I respect that. But you’re looking for small champagne producers, right? Jérôme Comtois mostly grows grapes for others, but he has started to make his own champagne—a small vintage, but I hear it’s quite good. What if you went to talk to him about representing his champagne in the United States?”
Rosalyn blinked. “I sort of met Comtois already, though he wasn’t what I’d call overly friendly. And I got the feeling from the folks at the store today that he doesn’t care for Americans.”
“They were gossiping about him at Dominique’s?” Emma asked. “It figures. There’s no café or bar in the village, so the store’s gossip central.”
“You forgot about the auto repair shop,” mentioned Rosalyn.
“Monsieur Bonnet does not allow gossip at his shop,” said Blondine, her tone grave. “He was a victim of it himself.”
“Comtois might not like Americans,” said Emma, “but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t likesellinghis champagne to Americans. Business is business.”
Blondine stuck out her chin. “This is not a bad idea. Everyone likes the idea of being represented in the American market. Americans can be strange, but they are good customers.”
“But...” Rosalyn couldn’t think of a reason to object, except that she still cringed at the thought of what had happened at the gas station. On the other hand, it would provide the perfect opportunity to pay him the money she owed him. “I really do have other work to do.”
“Like what?” Emma asked. “Martin is out of town, and according to Blondine, he’s a real pain in the ass anyway.”
“Never did I say this,” Blondine denied, in English.
“You didn’t have to; everyone knows it’s true,” said Emma. “Anyway, Rosalyn, what could it hurt? You’ve got time, and Comtois is around. He was sighted at the co-op outside Reims last night.”
“How is it you know so much?” Rosalyn asked. “You just arrived in town.”
“She’s rich,” quipped Blondine in a dismissive tone.
“I have an inquiring mind,” Emma said. “And a lot of friends. So, it’s a plan, then: Rosalyn will go talk to Comtois about representing his wine, and then cleverly work the conversation around to his collection.”
Rosalyn raised an eyebrow. “Sure, that’s a natural segue—from asking about his wine crop to inquiring as to the whereabouts of a century-old bundle of your aunt’s letters.”
“You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out.”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“Because everyone here knows her,” said Blondine. “She is not popular.”
“Now you’re hurting my feelings.” Emma’s chuckle belied her words. “TheChampenoisdon’t particularly like foreigners and they don’t like interlopers, and I fear I have a reputation as both. But I like to think I’m exceedingly popular, all things considered, for a foreign interloper.”
“That reminds me,” said Rosalyn. “I should ask: Isyourchampagne represented in the U.S.?”
“Of course. For years now. How do you think I got so rich?”
“Oh, good for you, then,” Rosalyn said as she carried their dirty plates into the kitchen sink to wash them. “Thank you for the omelet, Blondine. That was delicious.”
“De rien.It is nothing.”
“One more thing, Emma,” said Rosalyn. “Let me give you back your letter, before I forget.”
Emma seemed to sense her reluctance, her hawk eyes never leaving Rosalyn’s face.
“I have a better idea. You’re not doing much at the moment,right? Whereas I am involved in a wholebordel.” Emma waved a big hand in the air. “Really, it’s not worth going into, but suffice it to say that it’s a real pain in my ass. Anyway, since you’ve got all the time in the world—”
“Emma, I already told you: I’m not looking for a job.”
“I get that. But you enjoyed reading the letters, didn’t you? What if you start reading through the rest of them, put them in order for me, maybe continue to translate them or at least make a few notes as you read? You did such a good job on the one you e-mailed me about.”
