Whenever the Head of Hufflepuff saw Ron Weasley wolfing down food, she felt a sense of accomplishment.
Now, seated in the hostess's place and watching those "gentlemen" sit on opposite sides as if in negotiations, dining with rigid etiquette, she found the delicious steak far less appetizing.
She had made two cherry pies. One of them had been sent away by Lannes on a fast horse to Malmaison. It was actually rather rude to Josephine—what her husband ate in her house should naturally have been her decision—but both Lucien and Lannes thought it ought to be done.
The thought that she might one day end up like Josephine forced her mind to clear. Napoleon had already laid down his bottom line. If Britain continued to covet freedom of trade beyond tobacco, it would be going too far. But greed, like appetite, was difficult to control. Besides, while tobacco could create wealth, it could not solve unemployment. If factory goods could not be sold, the factories would still close. With so many people supported by poor relief taxes, a large population would cease to be an asset or a labor force and become a burden.
Ufral was a gifted conversationalist. Even faced with silent, stiff British men, he could always find something to discuss. He happened to be speaking of the Church permitting marriages between Protestants and Catholics, as well as the Prince of Wales's wedding ceremony with a Catholic widow.
One "wealthy gentleman" had happened to attend it. He had also personally witnessed how the Prince of Wales got himself drunk at his wedding to his cousin Caroline. His tone was full of sympathy.
"They separated after Princess Charlotte was born. The Princess of Wales now spends most of her time in Italy," the wealthy gentleman said, then fell silent,