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“I’m not a fool,” Catherine said with dignity. “I know I should have told Jean Marc the corset was too tight.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

Bright scarlet flowed once again under Catherine’s fair skin. “Philippe…”

Juliette started to laugh. “You’re besotted with that handsome peacock.”

Catherine rounded on her fiercely. “He’s not a peacock. He’s kind and manly and—”

Juliette held up her hand to stop the passionate flow. “I meant no disrespect. It’s just my way. Tell me, have you lain with him yet?”

Catherine frowned in puzzlement. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Juliette gestured impatiently. “Has he tried to bed you?”

Catherine stiffened in shock. “Do you mean fornication?”

She was truly horrified, Juliette realized. “He’s not attempted you, then?”

“No, of course not. He’d never…” She swallowed hard before she could continue. “He’s a gentleman, and gentlemen do not do those things. Even if I were a woman grown, he would not—”

“You jest.”

Catherine shook her head emphatically and then asked curiously, “Have you ever—” She stopped, obviously shocked at the question she had been about to broach. “Of course, you haven’t.”

Juliette nodded. “You’re right. I’ve never fornicated with any man. Nor shall I.” She smiled fiercely. “The Duc de Gramont slipped beneath the covers of my bed and tried to caress me one night a few months ago, but I kicked him in his private parts and then ran away and hid in the garden.”

“Perhaps he was just being affectionate.”

Juliette gazed at her incredulously. “All the court knows he’s fond of young girls.”

“Well, there you are,” Catherine said triumphantly. “He was merely being kind.”

“You don’t understand. He has a taste for…” Juliette smiled in genuine amusement even as she felt a surge of pity that the girl was so ignorant.

“If you were frightened, you should have called your nurse and she would have explained there was nothing to fear.”

“Marguerite wouldn’t have come.”

“Why not?”

“Because the duke is one of my mother’s protectors and she wouldn’t dare offend him.”

“Your mother’s protector?”

“Her lover,” Juliette said in exasperation. “She lets him fornicate with her and then he gives her jewels and money. Don’t you know anything?”

Catherine straightened, her chin rising. “I think you must be mistaken. People of honor do not behave in that fashion, and I’m sure noblemen and ladies would not. You’re very lucky to have a mother alive and well and you shouldn’t malign her.”

“Malign her? My mother sent His Grace to my bed. He told me so.”

“Then I was correct. His Grace was merely being—”

“Kindly?” Juliette finished, gazing dazedly at Catherine’s stubbornly set lips and stern frown. Then she began to chuckle. “I like you.”

Catherine appeared surprised at the abrupt change of subject. “You do?”

Juliette nodded. “You may be blind, but you’re not stupid and you don’t back down.”

“Thank you,” Catherine said doubtfully. “I find you very interesting also.”

“But you don’t like me.” Juliette made a face. “I’m used to that. I know I’m not a likable person.” She glanced away. “I suppose you have a great many friends on the Ile du Lion?”

“Claire won’t let me consort with the servants’ children and there’s no one else.”

“I have no friends at the palace either. Not that I care. They’re all very stupid.” Juliette turned to look at Catherine. “Will you be staying at Versailles long?”

Catherine shook her head. “We leave for Jean Marc’s house in Paris directly after he has his audience with Her Majesty.”

Juliette tried to ignore the sharp thrust of disappointment she felt.

She had no need for friends as long as she had her painting, she told herself.

And she certainly had no need for a friend who couldn’t see the ugly truths behind the veil of feigned honor and pretended virtue.

She would no doubt be constantly arguing with the ninny if she stayed around.

“Do you know Her Majesty?” Catherine asked. “Is she as beautiful as everyone says?”

“She’s not unattractive and she has a lovely laugh.”

“You have affection for her?”

Juliette’s expression softened. “Yes, she gave me my paints and had me taught by a fine teacher. She even hung one of my paintings of the lake in the billiard room at Petit Trianon.”

Catherine was impressed. “You must be pleased. That’s a great honor.”

“Not really. It wasn’t a particularly good painting. I painted the lake at sundown and it looked…” Juliette grimaced as she finished. “Pretty.”

Catherine giggled. “You don’t like pretty things?”

“Pretty is…it has no depth. Beauty has meaning, even ugliness has meaning, but pretty is…” She scowled. “Why are you laughing?”

Catherine sobered. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I find you a trifle peculiar. You’re so serious about everything.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Not like you. I’m not at all like you. I like pretty things and I hate ugly ones.”

“You’re wrong. You shouldn’t hate ugliness.

It can be very interesting if you look at it the right way.

For instance, I once painted an old, fat count who had a face as ugly as a frog, but every line told a story of its own.

I tried to—” She broke off as she heard the sound of footsteps in the hall.

“The servants must be bringing your trunks. I’ll see.

” She frowned as she got off the bed and moved toward the door.

“I suppose you’ll wish me to leave you to rest? ”

Catherine shook her head. “I’m not tired.”

Juliette’s expression brightened. “Then perhaps you’d like to go for a walk with me before it gets dark and I could show you what I mean.

There’s a sway-backed horse in the field beyond the inn that’s as ugly as sin itself but he’s far more interesting than the more handsome ones.

” She opened the door. “Change your gown and meet me in the common room as soon as you can.” She looked back over her shoulder, suddenly uncertain. “If you want to come with me?”

A radiant smile lit Catherine’s face as she rose to her feet. “Oh, yes, please. I do want to come with you.”