Waking Pontmercy

So when the door went closed behind her, to her surprise, standing there, was an older, nice looking gentleman in a fine wool coat and a somewhat worn d’orsay hat. He may as well have been a ghost, for it gave Mme Codelle such a start! “Oh my dear Madam Codelle! He moved toward her a small step and put his hands together while bowing so slightly. “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to cause alarm. You see when I got out of my imperial and walked to your door, you were already opening it. And like an old fool, instead of staying back a few steps I kept on. And so there I was standing right in front of you when the door closed. Can you forgive me?” She leaned the broom against the wall near the door, plain to see for all that she was planning to return to finish her job. And then she took his hand, inviting him into the store with a firm, warm soft hand. There could be no delay in getting the two of them off the street and away from the eyes of neighbors and strangers. Grandfather removed his hat and held it in his right hand. “Dear Madam. I am here on a matter more of a personal nature. We are alone, save for my driver, yes? She nodded. “It involves my dear granddaughter in law, Cosette. You see she’s a very good candidate for a very unique garden project at the palace. It might be her big chance to show the world her plant husbandry and landscaping skills. I’m afraid we don’t live in the most enlightened years. Better yes, than it has been, such power does Queen Maria have over the affairs of the Court. Still, women and men are expected to do different things. And in this case the Court may take exception with a woman, but this time it was about Cosette, taking the project. I have no doubt that with her credentials that if she were a man this conversation would be completely redundant. Why who would say a man cannot be a landscaper and a gardener?” Codelle, smiled, knowing well the issue and the society they lived in. “How can I help?” Codelle was after all, in business of serving customers of fine clothing and they wouldn’t likely be fond of seeing two men in her store. She was going to get rid of him as fast as she could. “Could you, dear Madam, through your connections be able to identify discretely if the King has other motives. Or the Queen for that matter.” “Ok, so you know I have a few connections that can help. Surely don’t need this immediately. The honor of discretion is to find things out when they are provided, not in response to inquiry. We both know this.” Grandfather agreed. He replied, nodding “Indeed, would a week be long enough? I want to help Cosette that is my only goal. The last thing I want is for this lame duck LP to humiliate our Cosette. I don’t care if he makes a fool of himself. He does seem quite good at it!”