Stone That the Builder Refused - Madison Smartt Bell [117]
Captain-General Leclerc himself was there beneath the canopy, and in consequence Pauline’s entourage of admirers was somewhat reduced, though Cyprien was waiting in a corner; Daspir exchanged a covert nod with him. The lady herself looked bored and petulant, but she practically sprang to her feet when she saw Isabelle come in.
“Oh,” she said, “what have you there?”
Leclerc cleared his throat, a little cross at the interruption. Pauline ignored him, and Isabelle followed suit.
“The merest token,” she said. “We do not know if it can be schooled to sing . . .” She opened the cage door and coaxed the bird onto her finger. The parakeet gave Pauline the benefit of both its profiles.
“Comme tu es belle,” it said.
“. . . but as you see, it has some power of discernment,” Isabelle concluded.
“I love it,” Pauline said decidedly, stretching out her hands. “Give it me.”
Isabelle transferred the parakeet to Pauline’s forefinger, while Cigny, with an unaccustomed courtliness, bowed to lay the fruit basket at her feet. Leclerc was tapping the toe of his boot meanwhile. As Pauline did not notice him, he turned to Daspir.
“Sir, where have you been all the day? Out hunting birds?”
Daspir lowered his eyes. “Mon général, the wish of Madame Leclerc was my command.”
Leclerc’s lips tightened, then relaxed. “So be it then,” he said and stroked his long blond sidewhiskers with his thumb. “But now I shall return you to your charges.” He gestured toward the corner where Cyprien lurked, and now for the first time Daspir remarked that Placide and Isaac sat in the shadows, immobile in their stiff new uniforms, with Monsieur Coisnon, near invisible in the black robe of his office.
“The sons of Toussaint Louverture,” Leclerc said, raising his voice considerably. “I would send them to parley with their father. But one is not certain where he may be found. There is a rumor he has stopped on a plantation on the road from Haut du Cap . . .”
At that, Isabelle nudged the doctor, and when he found nothing to say, she glared at Arnaud.
“That would be Habitation Héricourt,” Arnaud said hurriedly. “Toussaint holds it in fermage from the Comte de Noé.”
“Ah,” said Leclerc. “You are familiar with the place.”
“Entirely,” Isabelle cut in. “And we might happily guide your people there, if you have need.”
Leclerc considered her, stroking his sidewhiskers down toward the jutting tip of his collar. Isabelle gave Arnaud a surreptitious poke.
“If Toussaint is not at Héricourt,” Arnaud blurted, “he has another substantial holding near Ennery—we could convey you there as easily, though the distance is greater.”
“Supposing the way to Ennery is safe,” the doctor said.
“Have no fear for your security,” Leclerc said. “The French army has the situation well in hand. But tell me, how great are these distances?”
“One might still reach Héricourt before nightfall—it is not far,” the doctor said. “Ennery is a matter of another day’s travel.”
“Assuming there is no impediment on the road,” Cigny said.
“You will be provided with sufficient force to sweep away any impediment,” Leclerc said. “So help me, I am grateful for your offer.”
“But do you mean to leave me?” Pauline said plaintively from the divan where she now posed with her bird. “Who shall come to amuse me then?”
Isabelle crossed the room and knelt down at her side. “I’m sure you will not want for company. And we will return as soon as may be. Why, I will surely take you on a tour of the countryside, if you wish it, as soon as things are . . . calm.”
Pauline stretched up to kiss her cheek, then returned her attention to the parakeet. Isabelle rose and took a step toward Isaac and Placide.
“I met you both when you were boys,” she said. “Though you will not remember.”
Placide got up to meet her. “Who could forget Madame Cigny?” He lowered his head over the hand she offered.
“You are men now,” Isabelle said. “Your father will be proud to see you so.”
“Let us hope