Katerina's Secret (15 page)

‘You're going to tell me I must never go out again, aren't you?' she said.

‘You were close to death, and you've been watched by someone with a telescope? That's what you're saying?'

‘Someone with a telescope – that's what Edward has said.'

‘Then I'm going to tell you, because I must,' said Dr Kandor, ‘that we can stay here no longer. Another place, another country, must be found.'

Katerina paled.

‘No! No!'

‘Someone has discovered us, Katerina Pyotrovna.'

‘You can't know that,' she said in distress. ‘This afternoon it may have only been some crazy madman, and all kinds of people use telescopes for all kinds of reasons.'

‘Do you believe that?' he asked in his grave way.

‘Yes. Yes.'

‘No, it's what you wish to believe,' he said.

‘Boris Sergeyovich,' she said desperately, ‘we aren't going to run again, we aren't.'

‘We must.'

‘No!'

He sighed.

‘I've made certain promises and accepted certain responsibilities,' he said. ‘I've done so willingly, out of loyalty and love. In keeping my promises and discharging my responsibilities, I have to discount your emotions, and you know I must. You too must pursue a path of obedience, for the sake of all. Undoubtedly,
we've been discovered, and therefore we must go, taking Anna and Sandro with us, as soon as I've decided where we shall go and when.'

‘Oh, Boris Sergeyovich, you're breaking my heart,' she said.

‘One day, perhaps, when the world is less cruel and more forgiving, you may all be together again. Edward Somers is only a part of one more episode in your long journey towards that day.'

‘I'm to give up Celeste and Edward, the only real friends I've had in many years?'

‘Yes, Katerina Pyotrovna,' he said.

‘But I'm a nobody,' she said, ‘I'll never be a somebody again. It's an absurdly romantic notion to imagine we can know high station again. Might I not be allowed to live as a nobody, to have friends, to have a – a – '

‘A lover? A husband?'

‘Yes, Boris Sergeyovich, yes. Soon I'll be too old.'

‘There are people who'll never recognize you as a nobody,' said the doctor. ‘I think you've just had an encounter with one of them. So, I must make plans.'

‘In making plans,' she said palely, ‘you will reduce me to misery.'

‘I think not,' he said, ‘you aren't the kind
to yield to self-pity. You are the best of them, Katerina Pyotrovna, the bravest. Meanwhile, we've acquired a dog. We have no bodyguards, because bodyguards attract long noses and curiosity. But because lately we've suffered an intruder, I've bought a dog which will prevent anyone getting in. Come, I'll show you.'

He took her through to the rear of the villa, and there introduced her to a large Alsatian. The animal, deep-chested, its pointed ears stiff and erect, bristled as the doctor brought Katerina close.

‘Oh, I once had a dog, sweet and affectionate,' she said, ‘and this creature is ten times its size.'

But she was unafraid and stooped to the animal. The doctor caressed its nose. It sniffed in suspicion at Katerina.

‘This is your mistress,' said the doctor, and Katerina laid a hand on its head, between its ears.

‘Oh, you are magnificent,' she said.

‘He's met Anna and Sandro, and now you,' said Dr Kandor.

‘He must also meet Celeste and Edward,' said Katerina, ‘and I shall call him Prince. That's a proud name for a proud dog. Boris, while we're still here, I may continue to see my
friends? I've invited Edward to call tomorrow afternoon.'

‘While we're still here, I've no objection to this,' said the doctor, ‘and Edward Somers has proved himself a courageous friend. But you must say nothing about going.'

‘I must tell him.'

‘You must not. There will be too many questions. We shall simply disappear, Anna and Sandro one day, you and I next, at night. I will arrange it.'

‘How long will you give me before you break my heart?' she said sadly.

‘It will have to be as short a time as possible,' he said. ‘But your heart will mend. You have the pride and resilience of an empress. You were born to be an empress.'

Katerina walked slowly away. Prince, the Alsatian, followed her, tail wagging.

Edward, fresh from a bath, sat wondering why a beautiful woman with a weak heart had not had an attack at a moment that had been horrifying. He penned the note she had asked for.

Dear Katerina,

I'd like, if I may, to accept your invitation to see you tomorrow. The pain of being on a hiding to nothing at croquet will be indistinguishable from pleasure. I hope very much you're suffering no delayed shock from this afternoon's unpleasantness. No one could have been calmer or braver. I salute you.

Sincerely, Edward.

He was in the hotel garden a little later, regarding the flushed evening sky and the onset of twilight. Anxiety beset him. He knew
himself totally committed to Katerina's well-being, and he was certain other people weren't. He himself could not have been the target of that murder attempt. It had to be Katerina. Mystery encompassed her existence.

The evening was autumnal. Celeste arrived. He had ordered a Pernod.

‘M'sieur – Edward? I've served your aperitif in the lounge. It's too cold for you out here.'

‘Is it?'

‘It will be, in just a few minutes,' she said. ‘What has happened to your car? Jacques said it was damaged, so I looked. Such a mess. I'm worried that you had an accident while you were out with Madame.'

‘I brushed a wall. Another car took up too much of the road. But it's only the fender. I'll take it into Nice tomorrow to get it fixed. If your kind mama will allow, would you like to come with me? We'll leave after breakfast and be back by lunchtime.'

‘A ride to Nice?' Celeste's eyes sparkled. ‘Oh, how good you are to me. I'm enchanted.'

‘If your mama can spare you, be enchanted,' said Edward.

‘To Mama,' said Celeste proudly, ‘you're as irresistible as you are to me.'

‘I don't think that can be strictly true.
By the way, I've a note.' He handed it to her. ‘Can you get Jacques to deliver it this evening?'

‘Oh, but yes,' said Celeste, seeing to whom it was addressed. ‘Heavens, the profusion of billets-doux – I'm overwhelmed.'

‘Do try, my little chicken, not to be overwhelmed to the point of expiring,' said Edward. ‘I must go and find my Pernod. I think I need it, Celeste. Did you, incidentally, mention to anyone that I was taking the countess for a drive this afternoon?'

‘Certainly not,' said Celeste, ‘I'd never disclose details of your trysts with Madame.'

‘Let's go in,' said Edward.

Rosamund and Colonel Brecht came out to meet them as they approached the French windows of the lounge.

‘You're so often together, you two,' smiled Rosamund.

‘Oh, we are devoted, madame,' said Celeste with her air of ingenuousness. ‘Tomorrow morning we are driving into Nice.'

‘Nice? How tantalizing,' said Rosamund.

‘Ah – would you like a visit to Nice some time, Rosamund?' asked Colonel Brecht in his diffident way.

‘Join us tomorrow morning,' said Edward,
‘and I'll drop you both at the shops and pick you up later.'

‘You really are a dear man,' said Rosamund, ‘thank you. Did you enjoy your outing today? Franz and I are both curious to know what your mysterious countess is like.'

‘Oh, you scattered the news around that I was taking her for a drive, did you?' said Edward lightly.

‘I mentioned it to Franz, since it was rather an event,' said Rosamund. ‘Do tell, Edward, what is she like? You and Celeste seem to be the only people who have met her.'

‘She's very good at croquet,' said Edward.

‘Croquet? Croquet?' Rosamund arched her eyebrows.

‘She is charming, madame,' said Celeste, ‘and very beautiful.'

‘Charming, beautiful and also mysterious?' said Rosamund. ‘Then you must have had an exciting outing, Edward.'

‘Momentous,' said Edward.

They entered the lounge, the meeting place of guests who liked to enjoy an aperitif or two before dinner. Celeste closed the French windows and drew the velvet curtains.

‘M'sieur,' she said to Edward, ‘there is your Pernod, on the corner table.'

‘Celeste, may I have a dry vermouth, please?' said Rosamund.

‘Ah, yes, and for me,' said Colonel Brecht.

Celeste departed. Rosamund looked around. There were three other guests present, the silver-haired couple and Dr Bush, the American.

‘Where's the voluble Mademoiselle Dupont?' asked Rosamund.

‘My information,' said Colonel Brecht, ‘was that she had gone into hiding to escape Monsieur Valery.'

‘Such is life,' said Rosamund, ‘and such are its perversities, that a woman who can't do without the company of men finds herself pursued by the one man she has no interest in. I shall recommend to Monsieur Valery that he continues his pursuit. Doggedness and persistence may yet bring him victory.'

‘I have a feeling that too close a pursuit is more likely to bring him a thick ear and a black eye,' said Edward.

Celeste brought the drinks, mixed by Jacques. There was no bar in the Corniche. Hotel bars were an innovation, imported from America, and known only to the grander establishments so far. Madame Michel saw to it, however, that drinks were always available to her guests.

Edward sat quietly thinking.

‘Shall we – ah – take dinner together for once, Rosamund?' suggested Colonel Brecht, no doubt encouraged by the fact that yesterday they had shared a table for lunch.

‘For once – ah – I'm agreeable,' said Rosamund gravely, ‘but it must be understood, as is the way at this charming place, that the custom of individual tables shall remain generally inviolate.'

‘No, it would not do to find oneself taking breakfast every morning with a talkative person,' said the colonel.

‘I don't consider myself talkative,' said Rosamund, ‘especially at breakfast.'

‘I wasn't thinking of you, no, no,' said the colonel. ‘You are entertaining, not talkative.'

‘I've a soft spot for men who are quick to make amends,' said Rosamund.

Edward smiled. Rosamund and Franz Brecht had achieved rapport.

The night was still. The moon, fading but still huge, cast its silvery light. The dog's pointed nose lifted, its ears pricked. It came to its feet. It did not bark, but trotted silently around the side of the villa from its kennel. It padded over the lawn. It stopped, hackles rising. It moved
again, fast, bounding towards the little gate in the high wall.

It barked ferociously as it hurled itself at the gate.

On the other side of the wall, feet retreated in haste. The ground, strewn with pine needles, whispered as someone began to run fast.

Katerina awoke.

So did Dr Kandor. He put on a dressing gown and went out to quieten the dog, and to stand and listen.

He heard nothing. But he knew someone had been there.

Nice was always at its best in autumn. The heat of summer could sometimes be trying. The warmth of a friendly autumn could be mellow, and that, combined with the sea air, provided perfect conditions for anyone with affected lungs. Edward could never be persuaded, however, that Nice was preferable to La Roche.

He put Rosamund and Colonel Brecht down in the Promenade des Anglais at a little after ten o'clock, and promised to pick them up at noon. Rosamund looked distinctly picturesque in a powder-blue costume and blue cloche hat. The colonel looked handsome in a light grey suit and panama hat. Rosamund intended to
take him round the shops, and the colonel appeared uneasy, as if he thought he would be expected to gaze at window displays of French lingerie. It was quite possible that Rosamund meant to ensure he would do precisely that.

Indeed, he soon found himself sharing her observation of an exquisite French corset, black and trimmed with lace.

‘Enchanting,' said Rosamund, ‘and so kind to one's figure.'

‘My dear lady, I am of the ignorance total about such things.'

‘Then it's time you were educated, Franz.'

‘We aren't going in?' he said a little hoarsely.

‘You don't care to?' Rosamund regarded him thoughtfully. ‘The assistants, you know, are always so much more interested when a lady is accompanied by a gentleman. You're expected, when in France, to do as Frenchmen do – give your advice and opinions on a prospective purchase.'

‘I'd almost prefer to find myself accidentally locked up with Mademoiselle Dupont.'

‘I'm sure you would,' said Rosamund sweetly. ‘She has such a good figure and such ravishing ways.'

‘
Himmel
,' breathed the colonel.

‘I'm only teasing,' said Rosamund.

‘I am relieved.'

‘Good gracious!' exclaimed Rosamund as they turned to walk on.

‘You've forgotten something?' said the colonel.

‘I've just seen something,' said Rosamund. ‘On the other side of the street. Look.'

The colonel looked. On the opposite side of the wide boulevard Mademoiselle Dupont was sauntering and window-gazing. In a white dress patterned with black polka dots and a white hat, she was attractively symbolic of the graciousness of Nice.

‘One can't fault her appearance,' said Colonel Brecht, ‘or complain about her being here.'

‘No, I don't mean that,' said Rosamund. ‘Look there.'

He followed her eyes. Coming along the pavement was Monsieur Valery, his slight figure nattily clad in a cream suit and a brown trilby hat on his head. His walk was brisk, his air perky and inquisitive, as if he was looking for someone. He saw Mademoiselle Dupont and darted quickly up to her. She turned. Distinctly, her reaction at seeing him was cold. He spoke to her. She drew herself up and made an angry gesture. She walked away. He
followed her, catching her up and persisting with his importunities.