Page 49 of A Sky Painted Gold

“Will Lucky’s band be available to play, do you think?” Laurie asks.

“Oh, yes,” I say, turning my face away from Robert. Lucky’s band haven’t played here since that first party, but I still remember how wonderful they sounded. I think I could get on board with the party if I knew that they were playing.

Caitlin’s smile remains, but it seems to dim, just a fraction, as it has occasionally in the past when she thought no one was watching. Perhaps it’s my imagination. No one else seems to notice, but I feel my pulse quicken.

“I don’t know,” she says, and she fidgets with the bangles on her wrist. “They’re pretty booked up these days.”

“It’s your own fault for bringing them into fashion,” Laurie drawls.

“You really shot yourself in the foot there,” Charlie puts in cheerily.

“Hmm.” Caitlin is non-committal, still focused on her bracelets. She won’t meet my eye, and I wonder what I would find there if she did.

“Well, perhaps Elodie could be persuaded…” Charlie begins, but he is interrupted by a light knock at the door, and Laurie surges to her feet. The movement is graceful, but the speed is out of character. Her face lights up, eager.

“Speak of the devil!” Charlie exclaims.

I turn questioningly to Caitlin, who opens her mouth to explain, but before she can do so Laurie pulls the door open.

Standing on the other side is a remarkable-looking woman. The vibrant red of her dress highlights the deep bronze of her skin, and her soft, dark hair is coiled on top of her head. She is not exactly beautiful, but extremely striking. She’s slight, small, even, but she radiates a self-assurance that seems to occupy a lot of space. A smile curls upon her lips as she looks around the room.

Laurie appears at her side and takes her hand. “The only person you haven’t met is Lou,” Laurie says, and she gives Elodie a little push forward. “Lou, this is one of my dearest friends, Elodie Marchant. She arrived this afternoon, but she’s been resting.” Laurie’s eyes glow. “Elodie is visiting for a little while, from Paris.”

Elodie leans towards me and places her hands at the top of my arms before delivering the two kisses on each cheek like a blessing. She smells like heavy, dark red roses.

“Lou,” she says, and her voice is deeper than I expected. “It is so good to meet you, finally. Laurie has talked about you in her letters.”

“I can’t imagine Laurie taking the time to write letters to anyone,” I say without thinking, and Elodie hoots with laughter. It’s true, though, Laurie is kind and generous, but she’s also catlike – elegant and languid, more likely to throw a comment into someone else’s letter than to make the effort to write one herself.

“Bien sûr,” she says. “Laurie said you were a sharp one.”

Lively chatter fills the air, as Caitlin and Charlie catch up on Elodie’s news. In the shuffling of seats Robert has ended up sitting next to me.

“Caitlin and I have met Elodie a few times,” he says in a low voice. “I think you’ll like her. She’s a terrific musician.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Caitlin asks, and I jump as though I have been caught doing something I shouldn’t.

“Robert was just telling me that Elodie is a musician,” I blurt.

Elodie nods. “Yes, indeed.” Her hands flutter by her side, and she straightens the hem of her dress. “I am a singer.”

“She’s wonderful.” Charlie’s voice is full of admiration.

“They call her Alouette,” Laurie puts in. “It means Lark. She’s a perfect little songbird.”

“You must sing at Lou’s party!” Caitlin sits forward and claps her hands. “I see now that is what Charlie was going to suggest before you arrived, Elodie!”

“But of course,” Elodie agrees graciously, with a dip of her head. “I would love to.”

“It’s Lou’s birthday next week,” Laurie explains. “Caitlin is going to host a masquerade.”

Elodie’s eyes light up. “Perfect,” she breathes. “A masquerade is always so exciting, no?”

“So I keep hearing,” I reply warily, as the others dissolve into laughter.

The subject changes and Elodie and Caitlin begin discussing the newest French fashions.

“That reminds me,” Laurie interrupts here, “what are we going to do about clothes for the party?” She pauses thoughtfully. “You know, I have something amazing on order in London that would be just perfect. Perhaps I can send the driver for it?”