Raphael had created the Madonna of the Chair in the image of his beloved. The Virgin Mary in the painting looked serene and dignified, dressed in ordinary clothes, her expression and bearing giving an impression of gentleness and virtue.
Yet behind this widely acclaimed work lay a sad story. After Raphael died, he was buried with his fiancée—a cardinal's niece—while the baker's daughter from Siena was said to have later entered a convent.
Of course, that was only one legend. Raphael had another work, called Lady with a Veil. It was said that the woman in the painting was also one he had loved all his life. Dressed in exquisite formal attire and jewels, she looked every inch a young noblewoman.
Georgiana looked at herself in the mirror. Compared with staying indoors in silk, she actually wanted to go outside and have some fun. Even if it had snowed, France's winter was still far milder than Scotland's or Scandinavia's.
"Madam, look at this."
The Duchess of Leoncourt opened a jewelry box. Inside lay a Tahiti pearl necklace.
There was no need to guess that it was valuable. Not only did the pearls possess a high luster, but every one of them was plump and perfectly round.
"Who sent it?" Georgiana asked.
"Mr. Bougainville sent it in the name of the French Navy," said the Duchess of Leoncourt.
Georgiana mocked inwardly. Shouldn't the French have sent her a noose?
Still, she had heard Bougainville's name before. Like Captain Cook in Britain, he was a renowned French navigator.
"Should I accept it?" Georgiana asked the Duchess of Leoncourt.
She froze for a moment, then asked quietly, "You don't want to accept it?"
Of course she did not. Such an expensive gift surely came with demands. It would only bring trouble upon her.