Виктория Холт - It began in Vauxhall Gardens

Melisande's present partner was a pleasant enough young man, but his position was hardly secure. He was a Peelite in the government, and Peel was going to fall over the Corn Laws. Fenella must not delay. The serpent—such a handsome, charming serpent—had entered Eden.

The young Peelite was talking earnest politics now. "Of course Sir Robert was right. Of course he'll come back. I know that his action has split the Party but ..."

"How charming you look," Fermor whispered to Melisande. "What luck ... finding you here!"

"Did Madam Cardingly invite you? She must have known ..."

"No, she did not invite me. I discovered where you were and, as soon as I made the discovery, that was where I had to be. I did not wait to be invited. I came, I saw Madam Fenella, and do you know, I believe my charm has conquered her. Or perhaps it is my obvious devotion. Who was it said, 'All the world loves a lover' ? Shakespeare, I believe. He usually knew what he was talking about. Well, here I am."

She ignored him and answered the man who had been her escort before Fermor had arrived. "I don't think he can come back. The Tories will never allow that."

"A man such as Sir Robert can do the seemingly impossible."

"Where there's a will, there's a way,

So they say ... so they say ..." sang Genevra.

"You combine wisdom with charm," said Fermor, eyeing Genevra with an appreciation which set Teddy's moustache bristling.

"Perhaps," said Genevra, "it is better to be born wise than beautiful. Beauty needs such wise handling if it is to flourish."

"It flourishes in the richest soil," said Teddy, "just as flowers do."

"You see how wise Teddy is!" said Genevra.

The politician was growing peevish. Melisande said: "How will you be affected when Lord Russell takes over?"

"Sir Robert will soon be back in his old position," insisted the young man.

"Mademoiselle St. Martin," said Fermor, "may I take you in to supper?"

"It is not yet supper time."

"Then may I have a few words with you ... alone? I bring important news. It is the sole reason for my being here."

She lifted her eyes to his face and he smiled boldly.

Genevra said: "Come along. We will disperse. Important news should not be allowed to wait. Come along, everyone. We will join you later when the important news has been imparted. I hope it's good news; is it?"

"I think so," said Fermor. "And I thank you for your tact which is almost as great as your wisdom and beauty."

Genevra made a mock curtsey and slipped her arm through that of Teddy who was clearly glad to be moving away from the arrogant man with the startlingly blue eyes. Lucie and Francis went with them; and the earnest politician had no help for it but to do likewise.

"Very clever, was it not?" said Fermor when they were alone.

"It is what I would have expected of you."

"I am glad you have such a high opinion of my cleverness."

"I suppose there is no news?"

"Why should you suppose that?"

"Because I have also learned to have a high sense of your duplicity."

"You have learned to speak English more fluently."

"I have learned a lot of things."

"I can see it. Soon your wisdom will equal that of the charming Genevra. Your beauty and charm already excel hers."

"Please ... I am not young any more."

"Have you grown so old?"

"One grows old Ipy experience ... not by years."

"You've hardened."

"That is good. Do you not think so? I am like a fish who has grown a shell; I am like a hedgehog with his prickles."

"I never saw anyone less like a shellfish or a hedgehog."

"It is a metaphor ... or is it a simile?"

"I can think of more attractive ones to fit you."

"Please, what is it that you have to tell me?"

"That I love you."

"You said you had important news."

"What could be more important than that?"

"To you? Your marriage perhaps."

He flicked his fingers impatiently. "Is there somewhere where we can talk in private?"

"There is nowhere."

"What about the conservatory?"

"It is not for us."

"Why not?"

"You must understand I work here. I show dresses. This dress I wear does not belong to me. I wear it so that it shall be admired and ladies of wealth wish for one like it. I do not entertain my friends in the conservatory."

"Not if they are exalted guests of your employer?"

"I have no instructions regarding you."

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"To work ... to earn my living, of course."

"Work! You call this work. What are all these girls? Don't you know? Do you think I don't know?"

"We show dresses. Some work in the showrooms."

He laughed. "I thought you had grown up."

"Sir Charles sent me here," she said.

"Indeed! That you might follow in your mother's footsteps?"

She flushed hotly and turned away. He caught her arm.

"You must forgive me," he said. "Remember you love me for my frankness ... among other things."

"I lave you! "

"Of course. I'm not a saint. I explained that. I don't offer you marriage; nor do I murder little boys for their fortunes."

"Be silent!" she said in a low voice. "And go away. Don't come here again to torment me."

"Not to torment, but to please you ... to make you happy. Do you really not know what this place is?"

She looked at him in silence.

"What innocence!" he exclaimed. "Is it real or is it feigned?"

"I do not understand what you are talking about. What do you mean ... about this place?"

"It is not a convent where holy nuns congregate, is it? How do the girls spend their time? On their knees asking for grace? Their methods are not those of nuns. You must know that. Oh, I am coarse and crude ... but I know you will forgive me."

"You upset everything. I was happy here. I believe I could have been happy at Trevenning ... but for you."

"You might have married your murderer. Would you have been happy, do you think? Like a sheep in a field ... shut in ... knowing no other world but that bounded by four hedges? And then he might have decided to murder you ... having acquired the taste for murder. But you were not in love with him. If you were, why did you not wait for his return ? Why did you not give him a chance to explain ? Shall I tell you? It is because you do not love him. It is because you know there is only one man for you, and I am that man."

"What a pity there is not only one woman for you—and that woman your wife!"

"That would make life so simple, wouldn't it? But can we expect it to be so simple as that?"

"I believe Caroline does."

"Yes, you have grown up. You get angrier. You have a temper, Melisande, my pretty one. Guard it. Tempers are dangerous things. Do you remember when you leaped from your horse and snatched the branch from the boy who was torturing the madwoman? That was temper ... righteous anger. You nearly had the mob on you then. But you didn't stop to consider. Or perhaps you knew that I was there to protect you. What would have happened if I had not been there to snatch you from the mob? I'll always be there, Melisande, when you need me. With a fiery temper like yours, that blazes into fury, you need a protector. Once more I offer myself."

"The offer is not accepted. It is supper time now. Goodbye."

"I am taking you in to supper."

"I am not here as a guest, you know."

"You should not be here at all. You should let me rescue you from the indignity of your position."

"To place me in a position of greater indignity! I see no indignity in my present position."

"That is because you are so innocent."

"I don't think Madam Cardingly knows what sort of man you are, or she would not allow you to come here."

"It is precisely because she knows the sort of man I am that she welcomes me here. Come, let us go in to supper."