Love and Splendor: The Coltrane Saga, Book 5 (5 page)

Dani was glad to be here, to be traveling, and, she vowed firmly, she was going to be independent and travel alone in the future. She was not a little girl, and she did not care for the conventions and decorum of the day. Never again would she be influenced by ritual, tradition, or the like. The only hegemony she would allow was
her own.

All too soon, it seemed, Corine returned, immediately conveying more gossip. “It surely looks as though
Mademoiselle
Carista expects her
monsieur
from Russia to agree to the announcement of their betrothal tonight. I overheard her and her mother arguing because she is sending out special messengers with invitations for a champagne reception.” She shook her head in disgust. “It is not proper. No one, but
no one,
extends, or accepts, an invitation at such a late hour.

“But,” she went on with a resigned sigh, “the
mademoiselle
shall have her way, as always.”

Dani agreed, silently, that to invite people to a gala, only hours ahead of time, was unthinkable. It seemed to her, though once more she was not about to voice her opinion to Corine, that Carista Altonderry, whom she had not yet even met, was attempting to apply pressure to her Russian sweetheart.

A smile touched Dani’s lips. The evening just might be entertaining, after all. Certainly different. While she did not want her hostess embarrassed, it would be interesting to see who won the battle of wits, and
hearts.

When Dani left her suite, Kitty was just emerging from hers. She would have liked to have had time to tell her of the tense atmosphere that would surely be in evidence during the lunch hour but could not do so with Francine near, leading the way downstairs.

They went down a hallway on the first floor, which led to the rear of the house. Double doors of rainbow stained glass led to a sweeping terrace that overlooked the azure sea. On each side were thick banks of fragrant lilacs and white and yellow tuberoses. Large china pots overflowing with pansies and petunias had been placed beneath in a border.

The day was lovely, with a clear blue sky and a soft, sweet breeze blowing in from the waters.

Rabina Altonderry rose from an oblong glass-and-white-wrought-iron table to greet them. She was medium height, thin, and while her face was not beautiful, there was a quiet, warm charm about her. Thick-fringed eyes of a hazel color smiled out to Dani. Her dark hair was swept up into a chignon and fastened with a pearl clip, and she wore a simple yet lovely dress of light blue silk. The skirt was covered with a long, dainty apron of pure white lace.

She came forward to clasp hands with Kitty, bestowing a kiss on each cheek. “I am so happy that you accepted my invitation. It has been too long since we’ve seen each other.”

She turned to Dani, held out her hand, as Kitty made the introductions. “Welcome to my home, child. You are as beautiful as your father described you in his last letter.’’

Dani felt her cheeks warm, but not with embarrassment, for she was not flustered by compliments. The feeling was sired by the love she felt for her father, to think he would write of her in such a way.

Rabina invited them to be seated and, at once, wine was poured into their long-stemmed crystal glasses. She explained pleasantly, “I save this wine for special occasions, special friends. It is Burgundy, and comes from Beaune.”

Dani glanced at the two empty places at the table, but made no comment. Kitty, however, curiously inquired, “Are we to be joined by Laudlum and Carista later?”

Dani noticed that Rabina’s face shaded momentarily with perplexity. Her smile was slightly forced as she airily explained, “Oh, Laudlum has been in Barcelona for the past three weeks on business. I expect him home today, however, as Carista has a houseguest, and we’ve planned a little soirée for tonight.”

Soirée, indeed, Dani echoed silently, suppressing a grimace.

“She should be along soon. I suppose they are out riding, or something.” She turned the conversation to a query about the social scene in Paris.

Dani listened in polite silence, and they were almost through with their meal when a young woman suddenly stormed onto the terrace, then stopped abruptly to allow her insolent gaze to flick rudely over Kitty and Dani.

Rabina swallowed, cleared her throat. She was somewhat shaken by her daughter’s lack of manners. “Carista,” she managed to say, “do sit down. I want you to meet our guests,
Madame
Kitty Coltrane and her stepdaughter, Dani.”

Dani offered a smile, which was not returned.

Carista grudgingly took her seat, shrugging away the servant who stepped up to graciously hold her chair.

Long tresses of honey gold hung loosely about her bare shoulders. She was wearing a tight-fitting satin blouse, the bodice cut low to display large breasts and much cleavage. The riding pants she wore were also tight, molded to long, curving legs and made of black suede. Knee-high boots jangled with dainty little silver spurs.

Her lips were painted bright red and were full, pouting. Her cheeks were flushed with tiny dots of anger, and her eyes were stormy.

Rabina’s hand trembled as she reached for her glass, taking a needed sip of wine before daring to inquire, “And where is our guest? Is he—”

“Why, right here, of course!” Carista sharply interrupted to gesture insolently toward Kitty and Dani. “Here are our guests, Mother. Everyone will be delighted to meet the Coltranes of Paris at our party tonight.”

Rabina shook her head in bewilderment.

Kitty and Dani exchanged puzzled looks. Only Dani felt she just might know the reason behind Carista Altonderry’s bizarre behavior.

Rabina leaned to touch her daughter’s hand gently. “We can talk later, dear. Let us enjoy a pleasant lunch.”

Carista, Dani thought, would be quite beautiful were it not for the pinched and unpleasant look to her face that was one of permanence, not birthed temporarily by her present mood. It seemed that nothing in Carista’s life was ever to her entire liking, and everyone with whom she came in contact should be on guard, lest they evoke her disfavor.

Tension was as thick as the vines of the vineyard on the western slope as Rabina and Kitty attempted normal conversation in the midst of Carista’s apparent brooding rage. Something was obviously wrong, but no one dared to inquire. Dani was curious but, after an unprovoked glare from Carista, decided she really did not care about the haughty girl’s problems. If her mysterious Russian had refused to be intimidated into a betrothal he did not want, then good for him, Dani declared to herself.

Suddenly, Carista leaped to her feet so quickly that her glass of wine tipped over. She threw down her napkin and turned hate-filled eyes upon her mother. “You can cancel the party tonight. Drakar has been called back to Paris. He won’t be here, and I won’t attend without him.”

Cautiously, Rabina said, “Darling, it’s unfortunate Drakar has to leave so suddenly, and I
know
how disappointed you must be, but I am sure you will agree that it would be improper not to go on with our plans. After all, Kitty and Dani are our guests, too, and we certainly want our friends to meet them.”

Rabina patted her hand. “Perhaps you would like to go and lie down for a while. You’ll feel better later.”

Carista jerked away from her touch and blistered her with a glare. “What do you know?” she screamed.

Rabina stood, her own ire rising. Clutching the table for support; she met her daughter’s defiant eyes. “You will apologize to our guests, and then you will leave us and go to your room.”

Carista screamed, “I owe no apology. I owe nothing to
bourgeoises!”

Rabina gasped.

Dani and Kitty stiffened.

Carista turned and ran from the terrace and disappeared inside.

Rabina sank back into her chair, took a deep breath, and then turned tearful eyes to Dani and Kitty. “I am so sorry. So dreadfully sorry. What can I say?”

Kitty attempted humor to help reduce the tension. “I might not like being called ‘middle class’, Rabina, but there are worse things in life.”

Dani said nothing.

Rabina shook her head, reached for the little silver bell beside her plate, and gave it a shake. At once, a maid appeared. Rabina gestured to the mess Carista had made and ordered it cleaned. Then she poured herself another glass of wine.

As she did so, Kitty offered, “We are a bit tired from the journey, Rabina, so perhaps we should go to our suites, and if you wish to cancel your plans for tonight, please do not consider us in your decision. It makes no difference to us, really.”

“No!” Rabina’s retort was sharp, final. “We will go ahead with the party. I tried to tell Carista she was rushing things, but…” Her voice trailed off, and her eyes widened ever so slightly with the realization that there was no need to confide shameful family gossip to friends as important and influential as the Coltranes.

Quickly, she countered with a forced smile. “You know how impetuous young girls can be, wanting to show off their beaux. Carista will be fine, and I promise you that Laudlum will see that she apologizes for her despicable behavior.”

Later, when they were alone, Dani related to Kitty what Corine had told her earlier.

“Well, I’m not surprised,” Kitty said. “Had I known Drakar was involved, I would have expected this.”

Dani blinked in surprise. “You know this Russian?”

Kitty nodded, laughing softly. “I know him. He has quite a reputation where the ladies are concerned. Oh, I can easily see why they chase after him the way they do. He’s handsome, charming, well educated—speaks five languages fluently, I’ve heard. He reminds me of your father in a way, except that your father was not wealthy when I met him. Drakar is said to be very rich.

“I met him at several gallery opening parties,” she continued, eyes narrowing in thoughtful remembrance. “He was always quite pleasant, but there was just this aura about him, mysterious, somehow, as though he were not quite what he seemed.”

Suddenly, Kitty shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I feel sorry for Carista, but she should have known better. She doesn’t seem to be a likable sort of girl, anyway.”

Dani shared her feelings about Carista, and she really couldn’t care less about this Drakar, whoever he was. The whole situation merely reaffirmed her stand where men, in general, were concerned—let them get a hold on a woman’s heart and next they would control her mind and spirit.

Carista was a fool.

Dani would never allow such a thing to happen to her.

She owned her heart, and her mind, and her spirit…and by God; it was going to stay that way!

Chapter Four

Rabina’s party had been successful, considering that Carista had locked herself in her suite and refused to come out. Even her father’s incessant pounding on her door, with threats of every violence imaginable, short of absolute mayhem, had not dissuaded her from self-imposed exile. Explanations of sudden illness were made to the guests, and if there was gossip and speculation due to the mysterious absence of Carista’s houseguest, it was not apparent.

Dani and Kitty had a delightful evening, despite mild feelings of discomfort due to the tension in the household. They met many new people, danced the night away, and enjoyed so many glasses of sparkling champagne that they were light-headed and giggling before night’s end.

They decided to leave on the morning train for Monaco, rather than stay over to the next day as was originally planned. Their presence, they feared, would only add to Rabina’s discomfort over Carista’s abhorrent behavior.

They spent the night at a small hotel in Monaco, and the next morning they made arrangements for two horses so they could ride to the château. Dani thought it would be nice after the long train ride to stretch their bodies a bit rather than take another carriage. Their luggage would follow.

The wind snapped hungrily at their faces as they rounded a curve in the road, and then both reined their mounts to a sudden, silent halt. Ahead, nestled beneath jutting rocks, sat the stark deBonnett château. Its walls of gray stone seemed to blend with the misty morning, the clouds of fog parting now and then, making the structure appear to sway, and move…and live.

Kitty gasped. “What a cheerless place! Why, I’m surprised anyone would want to buy it, much less pay the price you’ll be getting.”

Dani had to admit she had also been surprised when she had learned of the selling price. “Maybe the land is worth something. They might be planning to just tear it down.”

The grape arbor to one side was thick and overgrown with weeds amid the runaway vines. The entire yard was one chaotic display of overgrown grass and nondescript vegetation.

Dani shook her head dolefully. “It doesn’t take a place long to fall apart when no one cares, does it?” She nodded to the gate, hanging by its hinges.

Kitty agreed, staring up at the yellowed, dirt-crusted windows.

They walked their horses the rest of the way, then dismounted at the gate. Kitty wanted to explore the yard, but there was nothing to see, for the little gardens Alaina had preened through the years were lost amid the weeds.

Dani attempted to show her around. Pointing to a small stone cottage on a nearby rise, she told her that that had been the caretaker’s cottage where Briana had lived.