The Devil on Horseback (17 page)

He went on to talk about the contrast of life in the country and the great city and so passed the rest of the meal.

I had found the conversation unexpected and I know that my mother would have considered it extremely shocking-not the sort we should have heard at the Derringham table when ladies were present. But it had stimulated me.

After dinner we went to another of the salons and there the Comte drank brandy. He insisted on my trying it. It burned my throat and I was afraid to take more than a few sips, which I knew secretly amused him.

When the ormolu clock struck ten he said that he thought it was time Marguerite was in bed. We must not forget that she was suffering from an indisposition. He wanted her to regain her health as quickly as possible. So we said goo dight and Margot and I went to our rooms.

Margot said: “Minelle, I don’t know how I am going to bear it. You know what’s going to happen, don’t you? They are going to find a husband for me.”

“Not yet,” I soothed.

“You are too young.”

“Too young. At seventeen one is old enough.”

‘you have proved that, I suppose. “

“It was the way my father looked at me when he was talkng about the Queen and the King and how she was brought here to marry. It was a warning, I know.”

“I thought the conversation was a little unusual.”

“You mean risque. All that about the Pare aux Cerfs. It was done with a purpose, I think. My father was telling me that I was no longer an innocent virgin and he wanted no nonsense from me. I would have to do as I was told and it would be for my own good … like those girls in the Pare.”

“Is the conversation always like that when ladies are present?”

Margot was silent and my uneasiness increased.

“Come,” I said, ‘tell me what you are thinking. “

“My father has clearly taken a fancy to you, Minelle.”

“He certainly made a point of welcoming me … and he seems to call me Cousin with relish. But I thought it odd that he should have let the conversation go the way it did.”

“He did it purposely.”

“I wonder why.”

Margot shook her head and I felt a strong desire to be alone with my thoughts, so I said goodnight and went intoi my own room. | The candles had been lighted by the maid and it looker charming in their light. I had never known such luxury. ‘. kept thinking of those girls taken from the mean streets an transported to a place like this. How had they felt?

I sat down at the mirror and took the pins from my had;

so that it fell about my shoulders. Candlelight is notoriousl;

flattering and I looked almost beautiful. My eyes were brigl with excitement, which was the more intense because it we tinged with fear;

there was a faint flush under my skin.

I looked over my shoulder at the door. To my relief I sa’ that there was a key. I went to it at once in order to lock but before I could do so I heard the murmur of voices. S stood, my hand on the key ready to turn it. The footste passed my door, and I could not resist the temptation to opi it slightly and peep through. I saw the backs of Etienne and Leon.

Moreover I heard their words.

“But who is she?” Leon was saying.

“Cousin!” That was Etienne.

“That’s a new idea. She’s the new mistress, I suppose.”

“Somehow I fancy not yet.”

“But she will be … and that before long. It’s a new way … bringing them into the chateau.”

I shut the door and locked it with trembling fingers. Then I went and sat down at the mirror. I stared at my reflection in horror for some moments. Then I said aloud: “You must leave as soon as possible.”

I slept little that night. What I had overheard had shocked me so deeply that I was trying to convince myself that I had misconstrued the men’s meaning. But knowing what I did of the Comte I could see that their conclusions could be logical enough. What should I do? I had burned my boats, having sold the furniture of the schoolhouse and given it up. Quite clearly I should never have left England; I should have realized why the Comte was interested in me. I knew well enough the kind of man he was. Yet when he had suggested I go with Margot the proposition had seemed reasonable. Margot had needed someone to look after her and help her through her ordeal and I seemed to fall naturally into the part. I had believed that when I came to the chateau I should be a companion to her, living as I had heard companions and governesses did in their own quarters somewhere between those of the servants and those of their employers. I had imagined that in a year or so, after Margot married, I should have saved enough money and gained in poise and experience, to return to England, open a school and specialize in teaching French.

Perhaps by that time, I had thought, Joel Derringham would have made a suitable marriage and Sir John and Lady Derringham having realized that what they would think of as that ‘little bit of folly’ was over, would send me pupils.

But the attitude of the Comte and the comments I had overheard, made it very clear that I must get away.

When I heard the house stirring I arose and unlocked my door, and in due course a servant appeared with hot water.

I washed and dressed in the ruelle and then went to Margot’ room.

She looked refreshed and much calmer and because of thi I thought it better to come straight to the point.

“Margot,” I said, “I think my position here is somewha anomalous.”

What? ” she cried.

“I mean it is irregular.”

“What do you mean? What is your position here?”

“That is what I must ascertain. I thought I was comin here to take a position. I am being paid to be your companiol and help you through this difficult time and teach you English But I find myself a cousin and treated like a guest.”

“Well, there had to be this. cousin fiction, and I would always treat you as a friend, you know that.”

“But the rest of the household …”

“You mean my father. Oh, he is known to be eccentric It amuses him at the moment to make you a cousin. Tornoi row he might decide you are his daughter’s companion an treat you as such.”

“But I am not prepared to be taken up and set down i this way. You must realize, Margot, that I am not equippe to appear in this sort of society.”

“You’re thinking of clothes. We’ll soon settle that. You ca have some of mine … or new ones. We’ll go to Paris sooi I dare say, and there we’ll buy materials.”

“I lack the means to do this.”

They will be charged to the account. That’s how it’s done “For you, yes … and Etienne and Leon perhaps. You ai part of the family. I am not. I must go back to England an I want you to understand why.”

Her eyes had grown black with fear.

“MineUe, please, I b( of you don’t leave me. If you go, I’m alone … Can’t yo see?”

“I can’t stay here in this position, Margot. It’s degrading ” I don’t understand you. Explain. “

But I could not bring myself to say: “Your father is plai ning to make me his mistress.” It sounded so dramatic an absurd, and I might have misconstrued the situation. Thi the two young men had been discussing me was obvious, bi they could have been entirely wrong.

Margot had seized my hands. I was afraid she was going to have another of those hysterical bouts. They frightened me for she really looked wild when they took possession of her.

“Minelle, promise me … promise me … I can’t lose you and Chariot. Besides, we’re going to find him. I never could do without you. Promise me. I won’t let you go until you do.”

“I won’t go without telling you, certainly.” I added weakly:

“I’ll wait a bit. I’ll see what happens.”

She was satisfied.

“Leon is going to show me the castle,” I said. I glanced at the clock.

“He will soon be waiting for me in the library.”

“It is close to the salon where we dined last night.”

“Margot,” I said, ‘what do you think of Etienne and Leon? “

“What do I think of them I Well, as brothers, I suppose. They have always been around.”

“You are fond of them, I dare say.”

“Yes … in a way. Leon was always a dreadful tease and Etienne had such a high opinion of himself. Etienne is jealous of anyone Papa takes notice of. Leon simply does not care. That amuses Papa in a way.

Once when he was angry with Leon he shouted, “You can go back to your peasant’s hovel!” And Leon prepared to go. That was when he was about fifteen. I remember it well. There was a terrible scene. My father beat him and locked him in his room. But I think he admired Leon for it. You see, when he killed Leon’s twin brother he swore he would give Leon a good education and treat him like a member of his family and if Leon went back. Papa would not have carried out his vow. So Leon had to stay. “

“But he wanted to, of course.”

“Of course he did. He would hate to go back to poverty. In fact he takes food and money to his family and they depend on him a good deal.”

“I’m glad he hasn’t turned his back on them.”

“He never would. Of course Etienne is quite different. He is delighted to be here and have Papa recognize him as his son. The only thing that irks him is his illegitimacy. I think Papa regrets that too. Etienne is always hoping that he will be legitimized.”

“Is that possible?”

“Something can be done, I believe. Etienne would love to be the future Comte and inherit everything. I think Papa would make him his heir but at the back of his mind is the;

thought that if Maman died he’d marry again. He’s not too? old. He was married to my mother when he was seventeen. ;

I’m sure he’s hoping to get a legitimate son one day. ” ‘< ” How awful for your mother. ” j ” She hates him and he despises her. I think she would be, afraid if it wasn’t for Nou-Nou. Nou-Nou distrusts my father,” She always has.

Naturally she wouldn’t think anyone was’ good enough for her mignon ne Ursule. Nou-Nou was her| nurse when she was a baby and you know how doting nursesj get. She was my nurse too, but my mother was always the one for her, and when my mother became an invalid she didn’t really want anything to interfere with her care of her. It’s rather embarrassing for my father, for NouNou insists on cooking everything my mother eats. “

“What a dreadful implication! I wonder he doesn’t tell he to go.”

“He’s amused and he always seems to respect people wh amuse him and stand up to him.”

“I wonder you don’t all do that, then.”

“We mean to, but somehow when you face him and him angry, looking like the Devil himself, your courage faifl you. Mine does. So does Etienne’s. I’m not sure of Leon’sj He’s stood up to him once or twice.

Nou-Nou is determine to defend my mother and she’d die doing it if necessary. “

“But this implies that he is plotting murder.”

“He killed Leon’s brother.”

“That was an accident.”

“Yes, but he killed him nevertheless.”

I shivered. I felt more strongly than ever that Iou to go home.

It was time for me to go to the library to meet Leon so| went down. It was disconcerting to find the Comte there. was seated in an armchair reading a book.

The library was impressive with its great chandelier’s the book-lined walls, the painted ceiling, the long window with their velvet drapes.

But in that moment I was aware nothing but the Comte.

“Good morning. Cousin,” he said, rising. He came to and, taking my hand, kissed it.

“You look as fresh as the morning and as beautiful. I trust you slept well.”

I hesitated.

“As well as can be expected in a strange bed, thank you.”

“Ah. I have slept in so many strange beds that such a thing would never affect me.”

“I have come to meet Leon who is showing me the castle.”

“I dismissed him and told him I would take his place.”

“Oh!” I was startled.

“I trust you are not displeased. I thought I should be the one to show you my castle. I’m rather proud of it, you know.”

“Naturally you must be.”

“It has been in my family for Ave hundred years. That is a long time, eh. Cousin?”

“A very long time. Do you think it necessary to continue this farce of cousin ship when we are alone?”

“To tell the truth I rather like to think of you as my cousin. Do you share my feelings?”

“As a matter of fact, I think the relationship is so absurd that I never consider it seriously. It was in order while Margot and I were .

”

He raised a hand.

“Remember I have forbidden that matter to be mentioned.”

“It is absurd not to when it is the very reason for my being here.”

“It is merely a beginning … an opening gambit. Do you play chess.

Cousin? I am sure you do. If not, I shall teach you. “

I said that my mother and I had played together. She had learned from my father but I was sure my game would not match up to his.

“I am sure it will. I look forward to evenings when we pit our wits over the board. But let us start our tour of exploration. We will go and mount the great staircase. Then we shall enter the really ancient part of the castle.”

“I should like that,” I said.

I shall be a better guide than Leon. After all, it has not been in his family for centuries, has it? And although his present affluence appears to sit lightly in him, he never forgets where it came from.

Etienne is the same. There are things in life which should be forgotten and those which should be remembered.

It is a wise man who can sort out which, for then he will be happy, and is not happiness the goal of us all? The wisest man is the happiest man. Do you agree, Cousin? “

“Yes, I think I do.”

“How delighted I am. At last we have found a matter on which we can agree. I hope it won’t happen too often, though. I shall enjoy crossing swords with you.”

We had come to a great courtyard where, he told me, as Margot already had, that the jousts and tilting used to be held.

“Look at these steps. They are impressive, are they not? See how the stones have worn away with the tread of thousands of feet over the centuries. Guests of the household used to promenade up and down the staircase. It was a way of taking the air and when the tournaments were in progress they would use the steps as seats to watch the show.