“She’s only a baby,” I said, numb with the implications this might have for her. “And Jack—”
“I forbid it.” Matthew’s voice was low, but there was no mistaking the warning in it.
“Not on my watch, Baldwin.” Marcus crossed his arms. “The Knights of Lazarus won’t allow it.”
“Here we go again.” Baldwin jumped to his feet. “The Knights of Lazarus are nothing—nothing—without the support of the de Clermont family.”
“Do you want to test that theory?” Marcus’s question was quietly challenging.
Doubt flickered in Baldwin’s eyes.
“You could, of course, say the same about the de Clermonts: They would be nothing without the brotherhood,” Marcus continued.
“You cannot raise a vampire without discipline and structure,” Baldwin said.
“The way we were raised won’t work for Rebecca or Philip.” Matthew, in the unlikely role of peacemaker, stood between his son and his brother. “It’s a different world now, Baldwin.”
“Have you forgotten how modern methods of child rearing failed Marcus?” Baldwin said, striking back. “I cannot believe you would want them to suffer as Marcus did in New Orleans. When young vampires determine the course of their own lives, they leave death and chaos in their wake.”
“I was wondering when you’d bring up New Orleans,” Marcus said.
“Philippe would not have allowed you to compromise Rebecca’s future—nor will I,” Baldwin continued, his attention focused on Matthew.
“You’re no Philippe, Baldwin,” Marcus said softly. “Not by a long shot.”
Every creature in the room held their breath. Baldwin’s only reaction was to twist his lips into a smile that promised retribution. Philippe’s son had not survived the Roman army, the Crusades, two world wars, and the ups and downs on Wall Street by being hasty when it came to revenge.
“I’m going back to Berlin. You have two weeks to run the tests, Matthew. If you don’t, I’m going to hold Diana to her promise,” Baldwin said. “Sort your family out—or I will.”
* * *
—
“WHY ON EARTH DID PHILIPPE choose him for a son?” Sarah asked when Baldwin was gone.
“I’ve never understood the attraction,” Ysabeau admitted. Marthe gave her a sympathetic smile.
“What will you do, Matthew?” Fernando asked quietly. Tabitha sat in his lap, purring like a motorboat while he scratched her ears.
“I’m not sure,” Matthew said. “I wish Philippe were here. He would know how to manage Baldwin—and Rebecca.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Marcus exclaimed. “When is this family going to stop holding Philippe up as the perfect father?”
Sarah gasped. I, too, was surprised by the outburst. It was difficult to think of Philippe as anything but a hero.
“Marcus.” Matthew looked at his son in warning, then slid his eyes in Ysabeau’s direction. But Marcus would not be silenced.
“If Philippe were here, he would have determined the course of Becca’s entire future by now, and to hell with what you, or Diana, or even his own granddaughter might have wanted,” Marcus said. “And he would be doing the same with Phoebe, interfering in every decision we made and managing every aspect of her life.”
Philippe materialized in the corner, his outlines hazy. He was substantive enough, however, that I could see the proud expression on his face, and the respect with which he regarded his grandson.
He always was unfailingly honest, Philippe said, giving Marcus an approving nod.
“Philippe was a meddling old busybody who tried to control everything and everyone,” Marcus continued, his voice rising along with his anger. “The hidden hand. Isn’t that what Rousseau called it? Lord, Grandfather loved Emile. He would quote passages from it all day if you let him.”
“Your grandfather was the same way when it came to Musonius Rufus’s notions of how to raise virtuous children,” Fernando said, taking a sip of his wine. “All you had to do was mention the fellow’s name, and Hugh would groan and leave the room.”
“I thought I was trading a life of powerlessness for one of freedom when I became a vampire,” Marcus continued. “But I was wrong. I simply exchanged one patriarch for another.”
25
Depend
JANUARY 1782
“Swords at the ready!” Master Arrigo stepped away from Marcus and Fanny. “En garde!”