The French House by Helen Fripp (ebook reader with highlight function TXT) 📕

talk of the town. And even you can’t believe that your rogue salesman Louis is ever coming back. It’s been several years now since he disappeared with most of your stock, I believe?’

‘I’m a habitual provider of entertainment for this town, why stop now? I have enough planned to get the gossips through the whole winter.’

He let go of the handshake. ‘That’s where you and I part company. I hate to add to your worries, but a person’s reputation is all, and yours is seriously in question. I’m telling you as a friend.’

‘Everyone has had their ups and downs these past difficult years, it’s part of the business. Why is my reputation particularly at stake? I hope you’re not going to bore me with your “man’s world” argument again?’

‘There’s a delicate matter that perhaps isn’t right for a busy square, so I encourage you to step into my office.’

‘Not now, Jean-Rémy, I’m meeting Xavier at the press in half an hour.’

‘You’ll understand the urgency if I mention a certain Doctor Moreau?’

Her legs buckled and her heart slammed in her ears. Monsieur Moët ushered her into his office in a blur.

‘Sit there, my dear. I hate to bring up difficult memories, but you must face up to it.’

‘What do you want from me?’ Nicole asked quietly.

‘Unwanted pregnancies, sexual diseases… suicide, nothing is beneath our learned Doctor Moreau. If there’s enough money involved, he’ll cover anything up, isn’t that so?’

‘All doctors work for money,’ she stalled, afraid of where this was going.

‘But this one has a reputation he can’t shake off, a bit like you.’

‘Just come out and say what you want from me.’

‘Nothing at all. It’s more about what I can do for you. I’m sorry to tell you that Doctor Moreau is in jail for falsifying death certificates. The investigative bodies are doing a very good job of uncovering his misdemeanours – so many defenceless families have been exposed. The list is endless… unfortunate young ladies who thought they’d got away with concealing bastard children; whole families whose reputations have been ruined by the selfish actions of a loved one who saw fit to illegally take his own life. The truth will always out. The investigators are asking for all the death certificates he signed in Reims in 1805. My apologies for any distress this may cause you.’

‘Apart from that being the year that François died, I have nothing whatsoever to be distressed about.’ She thought about the rat poison. She’d take that secret with her to the grave. Even she could never know the real truth of how he died.

‘Think about poor little Clémentine. No one would ever marry her. Bad blood. This town talks more than you think. We both know Doctor Moreau covered up François’ suicide.’

He couldn’t possibly know, she told herself. It’s just the rumour mill that he’s exploiting.

‘It was typhoid, everyone knows that. The rest is just malicious gossip.’

‘Does truth matter? Gossip is truth in small towns and it will only be fuelled by Doctor Moreau’s arrest – and his name is on that death certificate. I can protect you. All you have to do is give up your foolish vineyard venture and then you can live a life of luxury. You can’t see it, but I really am acting in your own interests, if a little forcefully.’

‘By blackening the Clicquot name? Don’t dress this up as help.’

‘You will be ruined without me.’

‘I’m ruined anyway.’

‘Consider it. I know you don’t want to sell, but let me step in where Monsieur Clicquot has failed as a business partner. I will run the business and grow it. You could retain some part in it, add the Clicquot name to mine, and your dear husband’s name will live on. As part of the deal, I will protect you, including using my position within the mairie to access and destroy Doctor Moreau’s death certificate and finally put the rumours to rest.’

‘Instead of fanning the flames if I refuse?’

‘They say his body should have been staked at a crossroads to release his ghost, not buried in consecrated ground. They say his ghost haunts you and ruins all your associations with men. That is why your deal with Philippe Clicquot has expired and Louis has disappeared. Is your failing hobby worth it? You should do it for François and his poor father.’

She put her head in her hands. No wonder he owned this town.

‘When are the investigators arriving?’ she asked.

Monsieur Moët checked his pocket watch and tapped it. ‘I’m afraid I can’t give you much time. The notary came today to inform me that they’re arriving tomorrow at two p.m. sharp.’

‘Then you will have my answer tomorrow morning.’

‘The papers will be ready.’

‘I don’t doubt you already have them prepared. Good afternoon.’

As soon as she was safely inside the press at Bouzy with Xavier, Nicole collapsed.

‘What the fuck happened to you? I haven’t seen you like this since François…’

‘It’s like he’s died all over again. Xavier, can I be frank with you? You found us the day François died and you’re the only one I can tell.’

She told him everything, about the typhoid and the rat poison, about Moët’s threats. It was such a relief. He let her speak, didn’t say a word, or show any emotion, and she was grateful for that, too. She needed a cool head when hers was exploding.

‘The worst thing is that Moët knows he’s right,’ she continued. ‘Doctor Moreau’s name on François’ death certificate will ruin the Ponsardin-Clicquot family name. Mentine’s school friends will shun her, and everyone in Champagne who ever wanted to stop me has been handed the perfect gift.’

‘You’re running this place, I just follow orders. But if you want my advice, take your lead from the vines. Buy yourself some time and pray for a miracle.’

‘If only it was that simple.’

‘You’ve got it all wrong with a sore like Moët. He likes to swagger about like he’s in charge. Underneath all that smarm, he’s no different from a prize bull. All this