By all rights, with Parliament in such turmoil, this was no time for sculpture. But this sculptor named Antonio Canova had come from Rome, and Caprara had personally brought him to the Grand Trianon, so Georgiana had to meet him.
"You like Michelangelo, don't you? This is the Michelangelo of our age." Caprara introduced him to Georgiana as if joking.
Georgiana looked curiously at the middle-aged man before her. He had shaved his beard, revealing features that were not particularly captivating but were still rather handsome. His black hair was neatly combed back.
As Georgiana studied him, Canova was studying her as well, his gaze seeming to assess how he ought to sculpt her.
"Good morning." She spoke softly in French. "I heard Napoleoni mention you."
"The First Consul invited me to France to sculpt him." Canova bowed to Georgiana. "And now, of course, you must be added as well."
"Sit." Georgiana found a seat in the drawing room. "At least this room has finally found a use."
"I heard from the people at the sculpture academy that the First Consul wishes to have a statue of you made as the goddess of abundance," Canova said.
"That's right." Georgiana said awkwardly. "Am I supposed to hold grapes?"
"I heard that the First Consul wanted Rome's Pietà because of your influence," Canova said.
"I only wanted a copy. It is a masterpiece." Georgiana explained helplessly. "I never wanted the original."
"Did you truly see the Virgin smiling?" Canova asked.
Georgiana nodded. "Because she had a brave son, she chose to smile when most mothers would have wept inconsolably."
"If it were you, would you smile?" Canova asked.
Georgiana's smile vanished. What kind of question was that?
"The Virgin smiled because she knew her son had accomplished a great cause, and she