“I’m afraid so, my lady.”
Both broke into howls of crying, this attracted all the servants who tried to console the ladies, but no amount of consolation was possible, and the ladies were lead off to their bedrooms. When Nicholas returned home, his first order of business was to write the ladies a letter explaining the situation, and offering his heartfelt sorrow for what had happened. He was just a newcomer to his inheritance and already he had made enemies. He had been thrown into a state of total remorse. The next day, he and Henri packed their luggage and made off for Paris.
Chapter Four.
He did the rounds of Paris, renewing old acquaintances. It was at one such event that he ran into the beautiful Duchess Anne Marie d’Orleans who was still single and still mad about him. In fact, she was harbouring the delusion he had come back to propose marriage. They spent several months together, the duchess convinced that at any moment Nicholas would pop the question, being led on like a donkey with the proverbial carrot. Then he had to make a quick exit out of Paris when her parents started to sue him for breach of marriage. At this turn of events, the two aficionados landed in Berlin, where he hoped he was free of his Parisian tormentors. It was like a cloak and dagger play. He was always looking over his shoulder. It was in one such store in a very fashionable part of the city, he was purchasing some items of clothing when he felt a hand on his shoulder and a voice whispered, “Haven’t we meet before?”
Nicholas almost dropped dead. He turned around to find his two German friends from university. Count Carl Maria von Weber and his sister Countess Dagmar. The count was one of the greatest swordsmen in Europe.
“Nicholas, what a surprise. I thought you were dead. Your exploits in Paris have legs,” laughed Carl.
“I’m not that lucky. It’s only the good who die young. I’ll live forever,” replied Nicholas.
Why don’t you come to our castle, dear man? Mutti will be delighted to have you,” Carl cajoled.
Nicholas smiled. “I’d be delighted.”
He went to stay for a few days and ended up staying for six months. By this time he was getting homesick and the countess’ parents were beginning to look on Nicholas as a very good catch for their daughter. That was the cue for Nicholas to bid Germany auf wiedersehen. There were too many jaundiced eyes coveting his body. And so the two aficionados were homeward bound, this time by sea, as they couldn’t take the chance of travelling through Paris with a price on their heads. When they returned home, the head servant told Nicholas that a few months ago, a gentleman with a French accent was inquiring as to his whereabouts. The servant had to step forward to support Nicholas as he was sure he would fall to the floor. The next few months were a busy time, as Nicholas had to attend to his estates both in London and Cambridge. News of his return soon filled the gossiping circuits of Cambridge.
One day, as he sat relaxing in his study Henri knocked and walked in. “Sir, a letter has been delivered for you.”
