White Horses. Joan Wolf

a noncircus man. We will have to find something for you to do so you don’t look too odd.”

      “I can help with the horses,” Leo said.

      Albert cast him a dubious look. “We’ll see,” he said.

      Leo was insulted. Evidently this slight boy didn’t think he was fit to be trusted with circus horses. “I assure you that I am capable of looking after a horse,” he said coldly. “I have been riding since I was four years old.”

      Albert said carefully, “You see, our horses are different from the horses you rode, Leo.” By “different” it was clear that he meant “better.”

      “And somehow I don’t see you carrying manure, which is what helping out with the horses entails.”

      Leo hid his surprise. He hadn’t envisioned himself carrying manure, either, but he was certainly capable of doing so, if necessary. He said grimly, “If you need me to carry manure, then I can do it.”

      “Let’s see what Gabrielle says,” Albert said. “She’s the one who doles out the jobs.”

      They had reached the first wagon. “This is ours.”

      The wagon was painted white, with the words Robichon Cirque Equestre written on its side in red letters. There was a picture of two horses’ heads painted under it.

      Leo stopped to look at the picture. “The Lipizzaners?” he asked.

      Albert nodded. “The one on the left is Sandi and the other one is Noble.”

      The two pictures were clearly painted by one who knew horses.

      “It’s a very good painting,” Leo said slowly, leaning in for a closer look. “Who did it?”

      “I did,” Albert said.

      Leo looked at him. “You have talent.”

      A faint flush stained Albert’s cheeks. “I love to paint and draw,” he said.

      “Do you have other pictures?” Leo asked.

      “Yes. I have pictures of some of the places that we’ve visited. And I have done many pictures of the circus and its horses.”

      “I’d like to see them,” Leo said.

      The boy’s flush deepened. “I would be happy to show you.”

      They had come to the back of the wagon, which had two doors that opened outward. Albert opened the doors and climbed in, followed by Leo.

      The wagon was lined with trunks. “Extra costumes and props,” Albert explained. The center of the wagon was empty save for an old upholstered sofa and some large pillows. The floor was bare wooden boards. “Here,” Albert said. He went to the front of the sofa and dropped to his hands and knees. “See, this board is loose.” He took a knife out of his pocket, fitted it between the boards and pulled it up. “They were designed to fit together very tightly, but once you pry this one up, the rest of them can be lifted out.” He removed a few more boards. “Come and see,” he said.

      Leo got down on his own knees and peered into the space that was revealed below the floorboards. “It’s too dark to see anything,” he said.

      “Here, I’ll get a candle.” Albert rummaged through one of the trunks and took out a candle and a strike-alight. He lit the candle and brought it back to Leo, who used it to illuminate the shallow space below.

      He saw a brown canvas bag. He lifted it out and pulled it open. Inside was a large pile of gold napoléon d’or coins. He nodded with satisfaction. “Excellent,” he said.

      “Monsieur Rothschild had both our wagons fitted out like this. It is very clever, I think. The boards fit so closely together that they don’t have to be nailed.”

      “Yes, it is clever,” Leo agreed slowly.

      “Are you satisfied?” Albert asked.

      Leo replaced the moneybag. “I’d like to see the other wagon,” he said.

      Albert frowned. “It’s just like this one.”

      “Nevertheless, I must verify that the gold is there.”

      “As you wish,” Albert said stiffly, and led the way to the second wagon, which bore a picture of three horses all rearing in unison.

      They both climbed into the wagon, which was loaded with saddles and bridles and more trunks. They repeated the same inspection that Leo had made of the other wagon, then replaced the floorboards and started back to the house.

      “I take it your sister’s husband was a circus man,” Leo said easily as they walked side by side.

      Albert looked up at him. “Oh, yes. André was a very great horseman. I have seen him jump two horses over four feet while he was standing on their backs.”

      “Good God,” Leo said.

      “Yes. Luc Balzac, who traveled with us last year, is a good equestrian, but he is not as good as André was.”

      “What a pity that he should die so young.”

      “It was terrible,” Albert confided. “Gabrielle was distraught. They had only been married a few months.”

      “How sad,” Leo said gravely.

      “Yes. Gabrielle was sad for a long time. But over the winter she seemed to become happy again. Emma says that she has gotten over it.”

      They had reached the house and Leo did not reply. Albert opened the kitchen door and peered in. Leo heard Emma say, “Get yourself down to the barn, Albert. They need you to help harness the horses.”

      “All right, Emma,” Albert said. He turned to Leo. “You can wait here with Emma and we’ll call you when we’re ready to go.”

      “I’ll go down to the barn with you,” Leo said. He looked down at the old building where Mathieu was putting a harness on two hefty-looking draft horses. “Perhaps I can help by holding a horse or two.”

      They arrived at the barn just as Gabrielle came out leading two more horses. “Albert,” she called when she saw them. “Harness up Jacques and Tonton. Leo, you can help by leading the harnessed horses out to the wagons and hitching them up.”

      By eight o’clock they were ready to go. Gabrielle said to Leo, “Come with me and I will introduce you around before we leave.”

      She walked next to him as they approached three people standing beside a wagon. Gabrielle smiled at them nervously. “I have come to introduce my new husband. Leo, this is Henri and Carlotta Martin and Henri’s brother, Franz, our rope dancers.” Both men had black hair and the woman was blond, wearing a cotton dress with a large blue shawl draped over her shoulders.

      “I am pleased to meet you,” Leo said as genially as he could.

      “A new husband?” Carlotta remarked. She arched a plucked brow. “And so handsome, Gabrielle.”

      “I have high standards,” Gabrielle replied serenely.

      Henri asked, “What do you do, Leo? You’re awfully big to be an equestrian.”

      “I’m afraid I’m not a circus person,” Leo said. “But I will be happy to pitch in and help in any way I can.”

      “Not a circus person?” Franz said. He could not have looked more shocked if Leo had announced he was a vampire.

      Everyone looked at Gabrielle. “Where did you meet?” Carlotta asked.

      “In Brussels,” Gabrielle said easily. “It was quite a whirlwind romance, and here we are.”

      Carlotta gave Leo an arch smile. “Well, I can see why Gabrielle fell in love with you, Leo.”

      Leo did not smile back. “Thank you, madame,” he said in an expressionless tone.