The Devil on Horseback (21 page)

“Then will you please return to your seat and let me tell you of my feelings.”

“Your request is naturally granted.”

He sat down and I did the same. I felt I must, for my legs were trembling and I was fearful that he might notice how alarmed I was. I clasped my hands firmly and said: I am not of your circle. Monsieur Ie Comte. “

“Charles,” he reproved.

“I cannot call you naturally by your Christian name. You are the Comte to me and always will be. I have been brought up to accept a different code of behaviour, a different set of morals. My outlook is quite opposed to yours. You would find me excessively boring, I am sure.”

It delights me that we can never agree on anything. That is just an added charm. “

“You are suggesting that I become your mistress. I know that you have had many and that to you this is a natural way of life. Can you understand that it is something I could never accept, and for that reason I have decided to return to England? I had thought I would wait until Margot was settled but I see now that that is impossible. What you have implied has made it so. I wish to make preparations to leave immediately.”

“I am afraid I cannot agree to that. You have been engaged to look after my daughter and I expect you to honour your bond.”

“Bond! What bond?”

“What is it? A gentleman’s agreement? Only this time it is between two of the opposing sexes. You could not leave Marguerite now!”

“She would understand.”

“Would she? You saw that display the other night. But why are we talking of her? Let us talk of ourselves. You would overcome your prejudices. I would show you how. You should have an establishment of your own … anything you wished for should be yours.”

“Do you think you could tempt me with establishments?”

“Not with establishments, perhaps.”

I lowered my eyes before his bold and passionate gaze. I was afraid of him-or perhaps more truthfully of myself.

Tell me one thing,” he said.

“If I were in a position to offer you marriage, and did, would you accept?”

I hesitated just too long. Then I said: “Monsieur, I do not know you well enough …”

“And what you have heard, I’ll warrant, has not always been to my advantage.”

“I do not presume to judge.”

“Which is exactly what you are doing.”

“No, I am trying to say that our lives are far apart. I should go back.”

To what? “

“Does that matter?”

“It is going to matter a great deal to you. What will you do, tell me that? Will you go back to your schoolhouse? With Master Joel likely to come home at any time. Not likely.”

“I have a little money…”

“Not enough, my brave darling. I see I have been too rash. I have spoken too soon. You came and caught me off my guard. God knows, I have curbed myself long enough. What do you think I am made of, ice maiden? You were meant for me. I knew it from the moment you came into my bedchamber and when I saw the rose colour creep up from your neck to your forehead. I like to embarrass you, for then I put you at a disadvantage. I like to quarrel with you. I like our battles of words.

There should be a rich climax to our quarrels. I often think of that.

Since I have known you I have no fancy for anyone else. “

“I hope that has not inconvenienced your mistresses.”

“A little, as you can imagine,” he said with a smile.

Then it is time I went and equilibrium was restored. “

He burst into laughter.

“Dearest Minelle, I often think what a fool young Joel was. He could have offered you marriage. Would to God I could! If I could take your hand now and say: Be my wife, I should be the happiest man in France.”

“Meanwhile you congratulate yourself on your inability to do so and save yourself from an act of such folly.”

You and I together . what joy we’d have. I know it. I know women.

,”

“You do not have to assure me of that.”

“I sense those hidden depths. Oh Minelle, my love, we would have sons, you and I. You are made to bear sons. Come down from that pedestal and be happy. Let us take the next best thing.”

I cannot remain to listen to more of this. I find it offensive. Your invalid wife is under this very roof. “

“Much she cares. All she wants is to lie on her bed and complain of her countless ailments to her doting nurse who encourages her.”

“I see you are of a very sympathetic nature!”

“Minelle …”

I went to the door and he did not attempt to stop me. I was half glad, half sorry. I was terrified that he would take me firmly into his arms for when he did I could not but be aware of that potent attractiveness, and could almost imagine myself casting away the teachings of a lifetime. It was alarming. It was the real reason why I knew I must get away.

I ran to my room, shut the door and sat down at the mirror. I hardly recognized myself. My cheeks were flaming red and my hair dishevelled.

I could almost see my mother’s disapproving look and hear her admonition: “I should start packing right away. You are in acute danger. You cannot leave this house too soon.”

She was right, of course. By her standards I had been insulted. The Comte Fontaine Delibes was suggesting that I became his mistress. I would never have believed such a thing possible. Nor could I have believed I should feel this wild temptation. It was that which told me I must get away.

I started to take out my clothes and fold them.

“Where will you go?” asked my practical self.

“I don’t know. I’ll get a home somewhere. I’ll take a post. I have a little money. Perhaps I could go back to Derringham and try to open a school, and start again. I am more experienced of life now. I might make a success of it.”

Then I sat down and covered my face with my hands. It was as though desolation was closing in around me.

There was a tap on my door. Before I could answer, Margot burst in, her face distorted in horror as she flung herself at me.

“Minelle, we’ve got to run away. I won’t stay here. I can’t do it. I won’t.”

What do you mean? What has happened? “

“My father has just told me.”

I looked at her in amazement. He must have sent for her as soon as I had left him.

“The Vicomte de Grasseville has asked for my hand. He is a family equal to our own, and Papa has accepted him for me. At this ball we shall be affianced and married within a month. I won’t have it. I am so miserable, Minelle. The only thing that consoles me is that you are here.”

“I shall not be staying here long.”

“No. You will come with me. You will, won’t you? It’s the only way I would consider it.”

“Margot, I have to tell you. I am planning to leave.”

“What, leave here! Why?”

“Because I feel I must get back.”

“You mean you would leave me }’ ” It’s better for me to go, Margot.

”

“Oh!” She let out a long wail and started to weep. Her sobs shook her and she made no effort to restrain them.

“I’m so unhappy, Minelle. If you’re here I can bear it. We can laugh together. You can’t go. I won’t let you.” She looked at me appealingly.

“We’re going to get Chariot back together. We’re going to think of a plan. You promised . you promised. Everything can’t go wrong. If I’ve got to marry this Grasseville, then you’ll be with me.” She started to laugh and that always frightened me; the mingling of tears and laughter could be terrifying.

“Stop it, Margot,” I cried.

“Stop it.”

“I can’t help it. It’s funny… funny …”

I took her by the shoulders and shook her Tragically funny,” she said, but she was quieter. She leaned against me and went on: ” You won’t go yet, Minelle. Promise me, oh promise me not yet. “

To soothe her I said not yet. Then I was committed to stay for a little while.

I wondered then whether he had broken the news to her because he knew what her reception of it would be. He was diabolically clever, I knew, and adept at getting his own way. That was what frightened me, and yet in an odd way-of which neither I nor my mother could approve it exhilarated me.

The dressmaker came but I refused to accept the blue material and said that I would not have it made up. Margot was frantic.

“You must come to the ball,” she cried.

“How can you fail me? I shall be forced to accept this Robert de Grasseville and I know I shall hate him. What shall I do? I can only bear it if you come.”

“I have not a suitable gown,” I said firmly, ‘and I am determined not to accept such a gift from your father. “

She paced up and down, talking of her yearning for Chariot, telling me that life was cruel.
was cruel. I knew how wretched she was and I wouldn’t help her.p>

I assured her that I would do anything to help her.

“Anything?” she demanded dramatically.

“Anything that is honourably possible.”

She bad an idea. As 1 was so proud she would sell me one of her gowns.

We could have it changed and add to it. I could buy some ribbons and laces and make a new gown of it and have the satisfaction of paying for it.

She was immediately gay contemplating it.

“Imagine Papa’s face when he sees you. Oh, Minelle, we’ll do it. It’ll be such fun!”

I gave way to please her. No, that’s not true. To please myself. I too, should like to see his face. He thought he had won a temporary victory, but I should show him that he had not. I would take nothing from him; I was determined to show him that his suggestion was repulsive to me and that I deeply resented it. He must know that I was only staying on Margot’s account. As soon as she was married to her Vicomte I should go.

I did want to attend the ball, though. I knew that it would be more grand than anything I had ever conceived. I wanted to see the Comte among his guests. He would probably not deign to notice me in spite of his protestations. I wondered whether Gabrielle LeG rand would be present.

I entered into the conspiracy of the dress, I must admit, with enthusiasm. At least it kept Margot happy. While she was laughing over the matter and going through her wardrobe making me try on this and that and laughing at the effect of some, she was not thinking of her future.

We found a simple blue silk.

“Just your colour,” she said. The under gown was a gauze dotted with gold and silver knots which gave it a starry look. It was low cut and diaphanous.

“It never suited me,” declared Margot. T fancy that with a little refurbishing it could just get by. It’ll be a little simple for a ball dress. Let’s call in Annette and see what she can do. “

Annette came in, studied me in the dress and knelt on the floor, her mouth full of pins. She shook her head.

“Too large in the waist, too short in the length …” was her verdict.

“You can do it, Annette. You can do it,” cried Margot, clasping her hands together.

Annette shook her head.

“I do not think it is possible.”

“Annette-Pas-Possible!” shouted Margot.

“That’s what we always called her. She always says it’s not possible and goes on to make it gloriously possible.”

“But this. Mademoiselle …” Annette’s face was full of woe.

Take it off the shoulders, Annette,” commanded Margot.

“Mademoiselle Maddox has good shoulders … they slope nicely. So feminine. We must show them. And can you get some more of this starry stuff? We could do with yards and yards more of that.”

T do not think that would be possible,” said Annette.

“Nonsense. I’ll swear you have some of the very stuff tucked away somewhere. You know you always kept the remnants.”

And so it went on, with Annette growing more and more lugubrious and Margot more certain that the dress would be a success.

And it was. I was amazed when it was ready a froth of gauze and blue silk, expertly pressed and adorned with delicate lace. I had a ball dress, and if it was proved-which I knew it would be-very simple in comparison with others, at least it was adequate and would enable me to go to the ball at very little cost to my purse and none to my pride.

The ball was to be held in the ancient hall and the Comte would receive his guests at the top of the great marble staircase. It would be grand even by castle standards, as it was to announce and celebrate the betrothal of his daughter.

I was sorry for Margot. The idea of being presented with a man for the first time and told: “This is your future husband!” If this was the way of aristocrats, I was glad I was not one of them.

The day before that of the ball there was a disturbance in the night.

It must have been early morning when I heard voices on the stairs. I opened my door and looked out.

The noise was coming from the Comtesse’s apartments. I heard the Comte’s voice, rather weary, I thought: “My dear Nou-Nou, we have had this before. You know it is only her nerves.”

“Not so. Monsieur Ie Comte. Not so. She has been in pain. I soothed her with a draught, but it cannot last. This is real pain and I want the doctors to see her.”

“You know you have only to send for them.”

“Then I shall do so without delay.”

“Nou-Nou, you upset yourself unnecessarily. You know you do. And to awaken me at this hour …”

“I know my girl. If others upset themselves a little more now and then it might be better.”

There is no reason why the entire household should share in this crise de nerfs. “

“It is more than that.”

“Now, Nou-Nou. You know that my daughter’s ball takes place the day after tomorrow. So does her mother. She wants to call attention to herself.”

“You are a hard man. Monsieur Ie Comte.”

‘hi the circumstances I have to be. If you showed a little more firmness on these occasions perhaps there would not be the need for them. “

“I shall send for the doctors, then.”

“Do so by all means.”

I realized that 1 was eavesdropping and went back into my room somewhat ashamed.

Poor Comtesse! She was neglected and sad and perhaps sought to call attention to herself through her delicate constitution. She was using the wrong tactics if she hoped to attract her husband. She should show some spirit . as I had done.