Sapphire Blue Page #3

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you'd never get past my mum, aunt and grandmother unnoticed.

Good evening.

Is it possible you lured me here with empty promises?

Okay.

Any unusual occurrences?

No.

How about you? Everything alright with the inner circle?

- Who drives the fanciest car?

- William de Villiers, I suppose.

William de Villiers? Yet another uncle?

Yes. He lives in Singapore and manages the Lodge's ties to the global financial market.

He's one of the wealthiest people in the world and my godfather.

Since my father's death he sends me money,

but hasn't shown up here before.

Your family is odd.

Yeah.

My mother moved to France when I was twelve.

She lives with my brother and her new beau.

And I stayed here with Falk.

Your mother left you when you were twelve?

With the Lodge? Weren't you lonely?

Sometimes.

Do you pity me now?

The Lodge is my family.

- They know me best.

- Don't say that.

I know you better.

And you're not getting rid of me.

I can promise you that.

Gwen, what's going on here?

Mum!

You could have knocked.

The lack of privacy in this house...

Always a pleasure to see you.

- I'll be off. Bye.

- Bye.

Hey! I was your age once. I know how it feels.

Gwendolyn. I just don't want you

to trust him more than yourself.

The Diamond so cold.

The Ruby so shiny.

A lion follows her...

deep down...

His eyes are green.

Gwendolyn!

Aunt Maddie!

Aunt Maddie, what are you doing here?

A Ruby heart ...

a lion gives it a push with his paw, it falls...

- What?

- It smashes into hundreds of tiny pieces.

Yet they aren't pieces but drops of blood!

- What does it mean?

- My dear child! Protect your heart.

It is in danger.

Come down with me to the kitchen?

I have a sudden craving for chocolate cake.

If you ask me that was clearly

a warning about Gideon.

According to the Lodge's animal symbolism, he is the lion,

and your heart ...

- Won't shatter into pieces.

Did it finally happen?

It'd be easier to find a time and place if we weren't both time travellers.

Charlotte Montrose, my dear!

The Lodge needs you more than ever.

If only Gwen wasn't so unprepared and unsuitable.

We're at an impass with "The Green Rider".

There was a book, but it's out of print.

Gideon de Villiers.

After recent events, utmost secrecy is required.

- What happened?

- The Florentine Alliance.

They attacked the Count and stole his memoir.

Important secret documents fell into the hands of our enemies.

My dear descendant, for centuries I've tried to rid myself of

the blinded and misguided,

but they keep crawling out of their dark churches.

I'm a good fighter.

Don't worry, son. We've got things under control.

- Why are you here?

- There is always the question...

What is the Ruby's role?

Why do the prophecies predict her death?

The Lodge is confused. Gwendolyn is concerned.

There's no reason.

The Ruby is destined to serve me and our cause.

Like all the gene carriers before her.

What surprises me is that this girl holds you in thralldom.

You should have many paramours, seek adventure.

Romance surely is a female weakness

to use for your purposes.

An attractive young man like you

should have no problem winning the girl's heart.

The manipulation of feelings is a fine art.

Next time you both come to visit.

There's a soire at Lord Brompton's.

If I may, Gwen is not adequate to the task.

She'd attract attention, cause scandal...

This wasn't a request but an order.

Women love soires.

Show the world to our little Ruby. Turn her head.

Flatter her, and she'll be putty in our hands.

Woah.

And? Do you trust me?

Ready when you are.

A soire in the best circles

of London's aristocracy.

You'll meet the Count

who will give you new orders.

In 1783 several attempts were made on the Count's life.

If the Florentine Alliance becomes suspicious, your lives are in danger.

Perhaps Gwendolyn should not come.

She'll be thoroughly prepared for this mission.

There's no risk as long as she is obedient to us and our cause.

Then she is so very glad.

Amazing, right?

They asked me to support your education.

"Charlotte," they said. "Charlotte,

Gwendolyn cannot do without you."

Are you ready for your first lesson?

Etiquette, conversation,

historical context and style of address.

- Exciting, yes?

- Let's start with something simple.

For example, what is a reticule?

A reticule?

Well, a reticule is... you know...

something like...

Xemerius?

Is this your answer?

Pardon? No!

A reticule is...

Some kind of bag.

... a small handbag.

A bag with some kind of drawstring...

Stuffed with women's necessities.

Handkerchiefs and smelling salts.

Often filled with smelling salts.

I adore reticules.

So much for:
The Most Honourable,

The Right Honourable and The Much Honoured.

As rightfully honoured as I feel, may we take a short recess?

Very funny, Gwen.

It's not just your own life you're risking,

but Gideon's also. So I must...

- Must do what? Why do you care?

- We're friends, Gwendolyn.

There's a deep emotional attachment.

We share the same values and fight for the same cause.

I don't expect you to understand.

Cappuccino, jogging, helicopter, heart transplant,

anti-aging cream, mobile phone, trolley bus, zip fastener.

What do these words have in common?

These things did not exist in the 18th century.

Hence, you must cut them from your active vocabulary.

Just like "Oi!, Gosh!, Totes!, Okay!" or...

Lobotomy?

Seven, eight...

and don't forget 'tour de main'.

Left hand but turn right.

Gwen! Come on. Where is right?

More elegance, please.

Don't forget to smile.

Head lifted.

Hands at chest level and gracefully ...

Graceful like a windmill.

Miss Shepherd, I see you're competing with a traffic cone.

A dancing traffic cone, Mr. de Villiers.

Please Charlotte, come!

Let's show our little traffic cone what we've been taught.

Yes, she knows what she's doing.

It looks so easy when they do it.

Quelle lgance! Magnifique!

Look, little windmill. This is graceful harmony.

Oh well, I'm truly sorry I cannot observe

Mr. and Mrs. Perfect Harmony any longer

but I have a date with the past.

Till later then.

Why doesn't Gideon have to elapsicate?

Gideon already spent three hours in the 18th century

this morning, visiting our venerable master.

- He saw the Count?

- Don't worry about it, Gwendolyn.

Just take care that I won't have

to fail you in class tomorrow.

Mademoiselle, m'accorderiez-vous

de vous prendre dans mes bras?

- What are you doing here?

- You asked for a date in the past.

I convinced Mr. Whitman that

you could learn a lot from me.

French, propriety,

dancing.

Why didn't you tell me you went to see him?

- What were you talking about? Me?

- Please Gwendolyn, come!

It wasn't important.

You don't have to know everything.

You know, I'm sick of all the secrecy.

- I must be able to trust you.

- Well, then just do it instead of snapping at me.

May I ask for this dance?

Hasn't my cousin Charlotte

satisfied your need for dancing?

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