The Devil on Horseback (15 page)

“I agree to your night’s shelter most certainly. How is it that these auras are built round nations? English sang-fro id It is notorious.

What a misrepresentation . unless, of course, you are not typical of your race. “

Margot clung to me crying: “Minelle, you are not going t( leave me. I won’t let you go. Papa, she must stay with me, She turned to me.

“We’ll go away together. We’ll find Chariot, Then she was back to her father, pulling at his sleeve.

“Yoi shall not rob me of my baby. I will not let him go.” He crying had turned to wild laughter and I was alarmed fo her.

Then suddenly he struck her across the face.

For a moment there was a tense silence. Time seemed to stand still in the red salon and even the plump half-nake< ladies who frolicked on the tapestry seemed to be waiting The Comte broke the silence.

“Cruel, you say,” he said looking at me.

“To strike my daughter! I believe it to be thi treatment for this sort of hysteria. See, it has quietened her Go now. Talk to her. Explain to her why it has to happel this way. I rely on you. Cousin Minelle. We shall have mud to say to each other in the next few weeks.”

There was a singing in my ears. He was cancelling ou conversation; he was ignoring my threat to leave.

But what I must think of now was Margot.

I took her arm and said: “Come, Margot, let us go. Sho me your room and mine.”

She was lying on her bed recovering from the scene. I was ii my room washing in the cool water which I found in what knew to be from my studies a ruelle . a sort of alcovi behind curtains where one could wash and dress away froe the bedroom.

My bedroom was as elegant as I was sure was every room ii the castle.

The curtains were of a deep blue, as were thi bed-hangings on the four-poster bed. An Aubusson carpe was on the floor. The furniture was delicate in the styl of the last century when Louis XIV had encouraged sucl elegance and the influence of this had appeared throughou France.

There was a beautiful dressing-table with gilded cupid on either side of a mirror, holding candles; and a stool witi a soft brocade seat pale blue with deep blue velvet stripes. could have revelled in such exquisite surroundings if I ha not felt so apprehensive, and my apprehension was entireli due to the lord of the castle. I had a growing conviction that he had some ulterior motive in bringing me here and ths

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it was dishonourable I had no doubt.

The French were realists. They were far more cynical than we were. In England, of course, men took their mistresses and there were scandals now and then, but these were deplored, or there was a pretence that they were. Hypocrisy in a way; and yet this very quality did produce a more moral society. The Kings of France had taken their mistresses openly and mattresse en litre, the title given to the chief of them, was considered honourable. In England that could never be acceptable.

The present King of France had no mistresses, not because it would be considered wrong for him to take them, but because he had no inclination to do so. Even his flighty and frivolous wife Marie Antoinette took no lovers openly. There were whispers, of course, but who could say whether these were founded on fact or mere rumour? But this was because the King and Queen were different from those who had gone before. Noblemen of France still took mistresses as naturally as wives and none thought the worse of them.

I was well aware that the Comte had a special interest in me and I could see only one reason for it.

How I wished my mother were here. I could imagine her eyes sparkling at the luxury of the chateau, but she would be horrified by the attitude of the Comte and I was sure would whisk me away with all possible speed. I could almost hear her voice coming back to me over the void of our separation: “You must leave, Minella. As soon as you can do so … without panic … leave.”

She is right, I thought. That is what I must do.

If only I could honestly say I was indifferent to him it would be a challenge. I should have enjoyed doing battle with him. But the alarming fact had been brought home to me that I was not. When he had kissed me on the forehead -a cousinly kiss-I had been aware of that excitement. No one else had aroused that in me. I thought of Joel Derringham, pleasant, charming Joel. I had enjoyed being with him;

his conversation had been intriguing; he was interested in so many subjects. But there was no excitement there. When he had meekly obeyed his father and gone away, I had not been by any means heartbroken, merely disappointed in him.

And now I was here.

I washed and changed into one of the gowns my mother had ordered from the dressmaker in the hope of making me look a suitable companion for Joel Derringham. It had seemed grand in the schoolhouse. It was scarcely adequate here.

Then I went into Margot’s room.

She was still tying on her bed staring blankly up at the ornate ceiling on which cupids sported.

Oh, Minelle,” she cried, ‘how am I going to bear it?”

“It will grow better as time passes,” I assured her.

“He is so cruel…”

I defended him.

“He is thinking of your future.”

“You know what they will try to do, don’t you? Marry me off to someone. It will be a terrible secret. He will not be told about Chariot.”

“Cheer up, Margot. I am sure that when you have other children you will be reconciled.”

“You talk exactly as they do, Minelle.”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Minelle, don’t go away.”

You heard what your father said. He doesn’t approve of me. “

“I think he quite likes you.”

“But you heard what he said.”

“Yes, but you mustn’t go. Think of me here without you. I wouldn’t stay. Minelle, don’t go. We’ll make plans.”

“What plans?”

“For finding Chariot. We’ll retrace our journey. We’ll search everywhere … until we find him.”

I did not speak. I could see that she needed to indulge in one of her fantasies. For the time being that would provide a crutch for her to lean on . or a rope to drag her out of the slough of misery. Poor Margot 1 | So I bathed her face and helped her to dress while wA made plans to go off in search of Chariot-plans which I fe| certain would never materialize. |

A servant conducted me to the apartments of Madame li Comtesse who had expressed a wish to see me. I found ha lying on a chaise-longue, and I was immediately reminded o the first and only time I had seen her in the same positioj at Derringham Manor.

Here were the same exquisite furnishings of the previous century with especially delicate colours as though to fit in with the Comtesse’s frail state of health.

She was very pale and very slim; in fact she resembled a china doll and looked as though she might break if roughly handled. Her gown was of clinging chiffon in pale lavender;

her dark hair hung in loose curls about her shoulders and her dark eyes were large and long-lashed. Beside her couch was a table laden with bottles and a glass or two.

As I entered the room, a big woman dressed entirely in black came hurrying towards me. Nou-Nou, I thought. She certainly looked formidable; her amber-coloured eyes reminded me of those of a lioness, and indeed, she gave the impression of one defending her cub-if one could apply such a term to the delicate piece of china on the chaise longue Nou-Nou’s skin was sallow, her lips tight; I learned later that they could soften in tenderness to the Comtesse and to her only.

You’ll be Mademoiselle Maddox,” she said to me.

“The Comtesse wished to see you. Don’t tire her. She tires easily.” She went to her mistress.

“Here is the young lady,” she said.

A frail hand was held out to me. I took it and bowed over it as seemed to be the custom.

“Bring a chair for my cousin,” she said.

Nou-Nou did so and whispered to me: “Don’t forget. She tires easily.”

“You can leave us now, Nouny dear,” said the Comtesse.

“I was going to. I’ve got things to do, remember.”

She went out, bristling a little, I fancied. I imagined she resented anyone’s taking the attention of her beloved mistress.

“The Comte has told me about the part you have played,” she said.

“I

wanted to thank you. He has said you are to be our cousin. “

“Yes,” I answered.

“I was desolate when I heard what had happened to Marguerite.”

“It was a sad affair,” I agreed. , “But it is settled now .. , most satisfactorily, I believe.”

“Not so satisfactory to your daughter. She has lost her child.”

“Poor Marguerite. It was rather wicked of her. I fear’s inherits her father’s nature. I trust she will have no more su adventures. I believe you are here to look after her, I am call you Cousin Minelle and I am to be Cousin Ursule you.”

“Cousin Ursule,” I repeated. It was the first time I had hea her name.

“It will be difficult at first,” she said, ‘but a slip or two w not be important. I am in my room most of the time. Yi need not worry about Nou-Nou’s hearing. She knows ever thing that happens in the family.

She always has. She di approves of this. ” The Comtesse’s lips curved moment ari in a smile.

“She would have liked to have a baby here. No Nou loves babies. She would have liked me to have a dozei ” Nurses are like that, I believe.

”

“Nou-Nou is. She came with me when I married.” Her fai puckered a little as though she were remembering somethh unpleasant.

“That was many years ago. I have been ill aimo ever since.”

The little animation there had been in her face had di appeared. She looked at the table beside her.

“I’ll take a litt of the cordial. Will you pour it for me? It tires me ev( to lift my arm.”

I went to the table and selected the bottle she indicated. Sl was watching me closely and it occurred to me that she hs asked me to pour the cordial that I might come closer to hi and give her a chance to study me.

“Just a little, please,” she said.

“Nou-Nou makes it. She very clever with her concoctions. They are all made froi herbs which she grows.

This one contains angelica. It’s goc for headaches. I am tortured by headaches . I am a mart;

to them. Do you know any good medicines. Cousin Minel . any cures?

”

“Absolutely none. I have fortunately never had the need ( them.”

“Nou-Nou has studied them since I became so ill. That was about seventeen years ago …”

She paused and I knew she was referring to the birth ( Margot which had robbed her of her good health and strengti “Nou-Nou shows me the plants she uses. I always remeU her angelica.

The old doctors used to call it the Root of t(

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Holy Ghost because it has such healing properties. Do you find that interesting Mademoiselle . Cousin Minelle? “

“Yes. I find all information interesting.”

She nodded.

“Basil is good for headaches. Nou-Nou uses that too. When I need soothing she gives me a dose of it. It has a wonderful effect.

She has a little still-room close by where she uses her herbs. She cooks for me too. ” The Comtesse looked a little furtive as she glanced over her shoulder.

“NouNou will not allow anyone but herself to prepare my meals.”

I wondered what that meant, and for a moment I thought she was hinting that the Comte was trying to be rid of her. Is this conversation meant to convey some warning? I asked myself.

“She is clearly devoted to you,” I said.

“It is good to have someone who is devoted,” she answered. Then she seemed to draw her attention away from her ailments with some difficulty. She said: “You have seen the Comte since you arrived?”

I told her I had.

“Has he mentioned Marguerite’s marriage to you?”

No,” I replied with some alarm.

“He will give her a little time to recover. It will be a good match.

The bridegroom comes from one of the highest families in France. He will have titles and estates one day. “

“Is Marguerite to be told?”

“Not yet. Will you try to reconcile her to it? The Comte says you have influence with her. He will insist on obedience but it would be more comfortable if she could be persuaded that it is for the best.”

“Madame, she has just had a child and has lost him.”

“You must call me Cousin Ursule, by the way. But hasn’t the Comte told you that the matter is to be treated as though it never took place?”

“Yes, Cousin Ursule, but…”

“I think we should remember it. The Comte does not like his wishes to be ignored. Margot must be brought round to this … gradually perhaps but not too gradually. The Comte can be very impatient and he particularly wants to see Marguerite married before long.”

“I do not think it would be wise to broach the subject at this stage.”

She shrugged her shoulders and half closed her eyes. I f< faint,” she said.

“Call NouNou.”

Nou-Nou came immediately. I fancied she had been b far off, listening to our conversation.

She clucked impatiently and looked towards me.

“You’ tired her. There, mignon ne Nouny’s here. I’ll give you little Water of the Queen of Hungary, eh? That never fa to put you right. I made it this morning and it’s beautiful fresh.”

I went back to my room, considering the Comtesse ai her devoted Nou-Nou and wondering what other st ran people I should find in this household.

By the evening Margot had recovered a little and she car to my room while I was doing my hair.

“We shall be supping in one of the small dining-roor tonight,” she said. There is only the family. My father w anxious for it to be so tonight. “

“I am very glad of that. You know, Margot, I am n equipped for life on such a scale. When I agreed to con here, I thought it was as comnanion to you. I did not knc I was to be raised to the rank of cousin and mingle.”

“Forget it. We shall get some clothes for you in time. Wh you are wearing is all right for tonight.”

All right! It was the grandest gown I possessed. My moth had been right after all when she had thought I should nei some fine garments.