Georgiana did not go inventory the "state-owned assets" as the "great man" had said. Instead, she went to the Church of Our Lady of Victory, not far from the Louvre Museum.
Though the Directory had turned this place into an exchange, she still had sweet memories here. She had kissed a military academy boy here, and had been foolish enough to believe that wherever he took her, she would follow.
Boys would grow up, and princes would one day ascend the throne and become kings.
To be kind to yourself, do not wear that Crown of Thorns.
That was what she should have said then, but she had been too frightened to say it.
The Duke of Orleans was a blood relative of the Bourbon royal family. When Louis XVI had needed his help most, he had stood before the regent's throne and failed to disperse the crowds preventing Louis XVI from returning to Paris.
Such blood relatives were worse than strangers.
The Bonaparte family members did not get along, yet when they had been poor, they had remained united. It was only after material wealth became abundant that they had drifted farther and farther apart.
In chess, the queen was a stronger piece than the king. Yet Georgiana saw herself as a follower rather than a guide, and she was not especially keen on power.
The Duke of Orleans in "history" had indeed later become King of France. If he was also among the Royalists, then Britain's continued protection of him would indeed make it difficult to preserve the draw.
Her mind was in turmoil when someone suddenly appeared beside her.
"We want peace talks too," Granet said in English. "Do you know how much gold and silver have appreciated in our country now?"
"Do I look like someone