The carriage ride to Monsieur Renaud’s home was longer than Aria could have imagined. He seemed to live on the edge of Paris, but she knew they were nowhere near the outskirts. If anything, they seemed to venture further into the city. Regardless, when the carriage stopped at the front of his home Aria’s jaw dropped and her mind struggled to comprehend.

“This…this is his home?” Aria said softly. “It’s a small castle!” Monsieur Renaud had been in the shipping business for a very long time and had this manor as his house. Aria looked to Pierre. “How big is your house?”

Pierre chuckled. “My home is not quite as extravagant, I promise. This is the product of a lifetime of family success and fortune, Ariadne. There is a reason he holds this soiree annually. Had he a wife, I’m sure he’d host more often.”

Aria moved by instinct and training, allowing Pierre to help her out of the carriage before her arm wrapped around his and they began walking up the pathway. Monsieur Renaud stood at the front doors, greeting each guest seemingly by name. But when he saw Aria and Pierre, his eyes lit up as if seeing his best friend.

“Ah, Monsieur Andreu,” they shook hands. “Mademoiselle Ariadne,” he kissed her hand and gave a small squeeze. “It is wonderful to see you again.”

“And you, Monsieur Renaud,” Aria said.

“I trust your trip was fruitful, Pierre?” Monsieur Renaud looked at her companion with the light of hope in his eyes.

Pierre nodded. “Very fruitful, Monsieur. We have come to an agreement for now with some appropriate sanctions ready should he try something I find to be less than helpful to my business.”

Monsieur Renaud laughed and nodded. “Good, good. He’s still a pup; he’ll learn a few good lessons from you, I’m sure.” His gaze moved behind them for a second before returning to the couple. “Well, please don’t let me keep you. Come in and enjoy yourselves. I have a few more guests to greet before I socialize, I’m afraid.”

“Thank you, Monsieur Renaud,” Aria said.

Pierre led Aria into Henri’s home. It was already filled with so many other couples mingling and laughing and drinking champagne. Aria was determined, at least for now, to just follow Pierre’s steps. When he reached for champagne, so did she, though she decided against drinking it. She simply brought the glass to her lips, tipped it and lowered it. The untrained eye might believe she was drinking small sips. For a moment she was grateful for Philip teaching her that; he’d used it playing cards with the other stagehands.

And then the moment passed and she thought of him no more.

“Pierre Andreu,” a man called nearly across the room as he and a woman waded through the crowds toward them. “It has been a long time, my friend!” The man embraced Pierre for a brief moment. He stood at least a head shorter than Pierre with a mustache a slightly darker shade of brown than the hair atop his head. Had the man been wearing a hat, Aria would not have noticed the bald patch of his scalp glistening in the light. He was lean, unlike the woman standing beside him. She was quite curvaceous. Had she been a cancan dancer, she would have been quite popular. Her strawberry blond ringlets were pinned back as best as could be done with the natural curls. Aria would have to spend half a day trying to achieve the same curls this woman was given freely.

“Thomas Wright, a pleasure to see you again,” Pierre said, “And of course your beautiful wife. Good evening, Elaine.” He kissed the back of her hand with a grin.

“Feels like ages since you’ve been outside socializing,” Elaine said. “Of course, with Giselle gone I’m sure it hasn’t quite been the same for you.”

Thomas looked down as if giving a moment of silence. “I am sorry she’s gone, but I’m so very glad you’re here.”

“Thank you both very much. But I assure you my days have grown brighter. Allow me to introduce my companion, the lovely and talented, Ariadne. Ariadne, this is Thomas and Elaine Wright, associates of mine and friends for ages.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Thomas kissed the back of her hand, and Elaine simply tipped her head.

“Where did you find this one, Pierre? She’s beautiful. Clearly too good for you.” Thomas laughed.

“Same place you found your wife, but I decided to pay full price.”

The couple fell silent. Aria took another fake sip of champagne debating whether she should start really drinking. And Pierre simply stood there with his congenial smile plastered on his face as if he said nothing wrong.

And then Thomas began to laugh boisterously, tipping his head back and holding his stomach. A moment later Elaine joined in with a cross between a horse whinny and a witch’s cackle.

“I have missed you, my friend,” Thomas said wiping his eyes. When he was fully under control once again, he shook hands with Pierre. “Don’t be a stranger, Pierre.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Thomas and Elaine Wright lingered a moment more before wading through the crowds to mingle.

“I apologize for them, Ariadne,” Pierre said. “They should never be invited to anything, but they always weasel themselves in.”

“It’s fine, Pierre. I’m sure they’re lovely people once one gets to know them.” Aria turned her attention to the room. It was difficult to understand how large this one room was, but it was enough for a crowd to comfortably fit and move around. In a way it reminded her of the shopping arcade without the stores. A staircase led to the second floor and doors on either side of the room would likely lead to things like sitting parlors, smoking rooms, the kitchen and dining room, things of that nature. “His home is so large. I could not imagine living here.”

“Big homes for big families. Though I don’t believe Henri ever married or had children. None that I’ve seen anyways.”

“Hm.” Aria nodded.

Pierre navigated Aria through the crowds, only stopping to make more acquaintances or greet other competitors. Eventually, Aria spotted Monsieur Renaud wading into the crowd, checking on his guests, having smartly dressed butlers serve more champagne, whatever he was needed for as host. It was Aria leading Pierre toward Monsieur Renaud this time, and he was content to follow for now. He knew she had a job to do and he’d let her try her best.

“Mademoiselle Ariadne,” Henri greeted her again when he saw her and closed the distance in a few short steps. “How are you enjoying the evening?”

“Oh, Monsieur Renaud, your home is simply wonderful! I don’t think I’ve seen a home quite like yours before.”

“Why thank you.”

“Please feel free to object, but might I get a tour of your lovely home? Pierre has so many friends and associates to see, I doubt he’d like to waste time on introductions for such short conversations.” Henri looked at Aria with her yearning to experience something grand and then to Pierre who, by all accounts, looked like he’d rather not explain who this new young woman was.

Henri sighed. “I would love to, Mademoiselle, but I believe this would be a poor time.”

Aria deflated slightly, offering a small sympathetic smile. “I understand completely. It’s not quite fair of me to ask now is it.”

“But if you’d like a more self-guided tour, I wouldn’t be opposed to letting you wander around while Monsieur Andreu is busy.” He stepped closer and leaned in to whisper, “And perhaps I may be able to slip away for a few short moments to show you around myself.” He smiled as he pulled away.

Aria smiled back beneath her lashes. “That sounds wonderful. I learned from a very young age one simply doesn’t wander without permission.”

“A good lesson to learn, indeed.” Pierre said. “Then enjoy your tour, Ariadne. Do try not to get lost, hm?”

“I will try my best.”

Pierre offered a small smile before turning his attention to their host as they walked away into the crowd again.