The Sheik's Son(65)

The only other lady in the house was Jean Pierre’s mother, Eugenie.

Alain rubbed his hands together in delight. He deduced that in all probability the elusive Jean Inconnu was either Sophie or Eugenie Gauvreau as he doubted very much it was the maid. This brought about an interesting turn of events. A well-bred lady was writing against the monarchy and inciting the people. He had his own reasons for wanting the writer to be Sophie. He was an ambitious man and she might be the key to his success.

The commissioner had given the order to have the writer taken into custody and interrogated. He would wait and see. Once the writer’s identity was known for certain, he had his own plans of how to handle Sophie Gauvreau.

***

Etienne had done as his friend asked and made a quiet investigation into the background of Inspector Alain Vennard. He was in his late 30s and had no wife or children. There had been a devastating fire years ago in which his mother and father had perished. Though a bit of a drinker, his father had been a well-regarded mason.

He had a younger brother but they were not on speaking terms and he lived in the country. Vennard seemed very dedicated to his position as inspector and was willing to do whatever was required. He wasn’t known to visit brothels or keep a mistress.

Sebastian nodded as Etienne verbally relayed what had been discovered.

“There’s something not quite right here. Do you not see it, my friend?” Sebastian asked him quietly.

“Well, many men don’t visit brothels or keep a mistress, Sebastian,” Etienne replied.

“No. It’s not just that. Many men do not. You are correct. No, I am concerned about his lack of relationships with anyone. He is overly fond of his work. Does this work include torture?”

“It could.” Etienne nodded.

“With women?”

Etienne shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“So we have a man with no ties to any loved ones, who has power and enjoys a job in which abuse and force could exist and be sanctioned.” Sebastian looked out over the street. He sighed. “Do you know what kind of man that is, Etienne?” He turned to meet his friend’s eyes.

Etienne frowned. “No.”

“A dangerous man, mon ami.”

***

Sophie’s gown for the evening lay across her bed. The cream-colored silk with its intricate brown swirled embroidery along the scooped neckline, sleeves and hem was exquisite. Madame Darbonne had truly outdone herself and the gown would be the talk of the ball.

The gown set off Sophie’s auburn hair and she would wear her diamond drop earrings and necklace. Her grandmother had already agreed the ensemble would be perfection.

Eugenie had decided upon a sage-colored dress with tassels along the hem and lace along the neckline and sleeves. Her father had chosen a red silk coat and waistcoat with brown breeches.

Sophie dressed with care that evening and Marie gave special attention to her hair. The maid pulled up the heavy auburn hair and secured it back. Sophie applied rouge to her cheeks but left her eyes bare, only darkening her eyebrows. She used a red pomade to enhance her lush lips.

Marie smiled at her young mistress in the mirror. “Joli.” She declared Sophie lovely.

Sophie smiled back. Everything would be fine, she told herself.

***

Eugenie and Jean Pierre personally greeted everyone as the carriages deposited the guests on their doorstep. The foyer glittered from the soft candlelight chandelier and the floral smell of bouquets was heavy in the air.

Sophie came downstairs just as Sebastian and Leila arrived. Leila looked charming in a pale pink gown dotted with roses and lace while her brother looked handsome in a deep royal blue coat and breeches with a cream waistcoat. There was silver embroidery along the cuffs and pockets and he was most elegantly attired.

“Mademoiselle,” Sebastian said quietly, “you are a vision.”

He and Leila greeted their hosts and thanked them for the invite. Upon entering the home they found several footman carrying silver trays of champagne. In the smaller salon, tables were filled with platters of meat, cheese, fruit and bread, from which guests could help themselves.

The ballroom situated at the back of the house had been prepared for the evening with an orchestra and a floor polished to a high shine. Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 in D Major began as guests continued to pour in.

Etienne arrived not long after Sebastian and he greeted Sophie warmly. Eugenie smiled at the young man and Jean Pierre thanked him for coming. Madame Necker and her husband arrived but apologized that Germaine could not attend as she was ill.

Eugenie embraced Luc and his grandmother, her dear friend, while Inspector Vennard came into the foyer alone.

Jean Pierre nodded at the inspector who was dressed as a somber colonial in severe black and white. The inspector immediately watched as the guests entered the Gauvreau home and made a mental note of anyone he recognized.