Becoming Josephine: A Novel by Webb Heather

Author:Webb, Heather [Webb, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2013-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

Theresia and I became inseparable. We waltzed evenings away at the dance halls or attended art exhibitions. When spring arrived, we played games in the country and rode horses with friends, relishing the fraîcheur, the smell of grass and sunshine. Nature had never appeared so divine—a gift—as it had in those months after our incarceration. I marveled at its eternal renewal, and threw myself into the celebration of life I had taken for granted.

Most evenings we languished at La Chaumière. My circle of influential friends expanded and I borrowed from powerful bankers who liked pretty women. Theresia’s admirers abounded and soon, so did mine, though I remained in her shadow. I worked to preserve my youth with creams I concocted, facial masks, and expensive rouge, though it felt all for show. But a show is what I must give them.

Ten years my junior, Theresia was a blooming beauty, but my thirty-one years threatened my position among our beautiful friends.

Theresia laughed at my concern.

“You’re graceful and lovely. Men flock to you. Haven’t you noticed?” she teased one afternoon as we lay under an oak in the garden. Tallien fed her grapes.

So easy for her to dismiss my concern when her own youth stretched before her. I fingered the silver ribbon on my new hat. It complemented my purple dress perfectly. Both had cost far more than I could afford, but I had to reinvent myself once more, else I might find myself destitute. I shifted in the grass. The thought made me ill at ease.

“My dear friend”—I stole a grape from the dish—“they flock to you and merely tolerate me.”

Tallien laughed. “Really, Rose. That’s absurd.” He popped a grape into his mouth.

“I have a favor to ask of you,” I said. “I’ve dreaded this moment because you have already been so kind, but my conscience won’t let it rest.”

“Ask away.”

“I have a few friends still at Les Carmes.” I looked down at my hands. Guilt pooled in the pit of my stomach. Here I sat with friends, enjoying fine food—freedom—while they wasted away unjustly in prison. I had to do what I could for them.

Tallien noticed my change in humor. “I will see to their release. Give me their information and I’ll look into it first thing in the morning.”

I sighed in relief. “They’re good people. It sickens me that they are incarcerated without cause. How will I ever repay you?”

He sat for a moment, lost in thought. “Perhaps you could amuse Citizen Belfour. He arrives tonight from Bern and will be in want of company.”

I grasped his meaning. It would not be the first time I had entertained men in exchange for someone’s life. It was a small price to pay and sometimes it was amusing.

I nodded. “Of course.”

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