Виктория Холт - The Devil on Horseback

“You can’t expect a fourteenth guest to default at the last minute merely to accommodate me.”

“I think you attach too much importance to this reason.”

I have to because but for it I shouldn’t be here. “

“Let’s forget that and be glad you are. What did you think of the concert?”

“Superb.”

“You are fond of music?”

“Extremely.”

“We often have concerts like this. You must come again.”

“You are very kind.”

This one is for the Comte. He is particularly partial to Mozart. “

“Did I hear my name?” asked the Comte.

He took the chair beside me and I was aware of his studying me intently.

“I was telling Miss Maddox, Comte, that you enjoy Mozart and that the concert was being given in your honour. May I present Miss Maddox.”

The Comte stood up and bowed.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. Mademoiselle. ” He turned to Joel.

“Mademoiselle Maddox and I have met before.”

I felt the blood rushing to my face. He was going to expose me. He was going to tell Joel how I had peeped into his bedchamber when I was supposed to be upstairs and imply how unwise it was to bring people of my station into a higher sphere. What a moment to choose! And typical of him, I was sure.

He was regarding me sardonically, reading my thoughts.

“Is that so?” said Joel, surprised.

“By the schoolhouse,” said the Comte.

“I was passing and I saw Mademoiselle Maddox. I thought: That is the excellent Mademoiselle who has done so much good to my daughter. I am glad to have an opportunity of expressing my gratitude.”

He was smiling at me, noting, of course, my flush and he would know that I was thinking of those kisses and my undignified exit.

“My father is constantly singing the praises of Mrs. Maddox’s school,” said kind Joel.

“It has saved our employing governesses

“Governesses can be tiresome,” said the Comte, sitting down beside me.

“They are not of us and yet they do not belong with ;

the servants. It is irksome to have people floating in limbo. Not for us. For them. They become so conscious of their status. Class is something to be ignored. Do you agree, Joel? Miss Maddox? When our late King Louis XV was reminded by one of his friends, a duke, that his mistress was the daughter of a cook, he replied: “Is that so? I did not notice. The fact is that you are all so far beneath me that I cannot tell the difference between a duke and a cook.” Joel laughed and I could not stop myself retorting: “Is that so with you. Monsieur Ie Comte? Could you not tell the difference between a cook and a duke? “

“I am not so high as the King, Mademoiselle, but I am high nevertheless and I could not tell the difference between the daughters of Sir John and those of the schoolmistress.”

“Then it seems that I am not entirely unacceptable.”

His eyes seemed to burn into mine.

“Mademoiselle, you are very acceptable, I do assure you.” Joel looked uncomfortable. He found this conversation in bad taste, I was sure, but I could see that the Comte, like myself, could not resist the temptation to indulge in it.

“I think,” said Joel, ‘that the interval is almost over and that we should return to our seats. “

The girls were coming back. Margot looked amused; Maria a little sour and Sybil noncommittal.

“You are attracting attention, Minelle,” whispered Margot.

“Two of the most handsome men in attendance at the same time. You are a siren.”

“I did not ask them.”

“Sirens never do. They just send out their subtle fascination.”

During the rest of the concert I thought of the Comte. I attracted him in some way. I knew which way. He liked women, and although I was immature, I was fast becoming one. That his intentions were strictly dishonourable could be nothing but obvious. But what was so horrifying was that instead of being angry I was fascinated.

As we were about to descend into the dining hall where cold supper had been laid out, one of the footmen-splendid in the Derringham livery-came into the dining-room, sought the eye of Sir John and discreetly went to him. I saw him whisper a few words.

Sir John nodded and went to the Comte who, I noticed, not without a little chagrin, was talking animatedly to Lady Eggleston, the flighty young wife of a gouty, more-than middle-aged husband. She was simpering a little and I could imagine the course of their conversation.

Sir John spoke to the Comte and after a while they went out of the room together.

Joel was at my side.

“Come to the buffet,” he said. There you can choose what you would like. After that we’ll find a small table. “

I was grateful to him. There was such kindliness in him. He believed that I, who knew no one here, might need a protector.

There was fish of all description and a variety of cold meats. I took little. I was not in the least hungry.

We found a table somewhat sheltered by plants, and Joel said to me: T dare say you found the Comte a little unusual. “

“Well… he is not English.”

“I thought you seemed a little put out by him.”

“I think he is a man who is accustomed to getting his own way.”

“Undoubtedly. You saw him leave with my father. One of his servants has arrived from France with a message for him. It seems as though it may be important.”

It must be for the servant to travel so far. “

“But not entirely unexpected. You will know that affairs in France have been uneasy for some time. I do hope this is nothing disastrous.”

“The situation in that country is certainly grim,” I said.

“One wonders where it will end.”

I visited the Comte two years ago with my father and even then there was a sense of uneasiness throughout the country. They did not seem to be as much aware of it as I was. Living close to something perhaps makes it less obvious.

“I have heard of the extravagance of the Queen.”

She is very unpopular. The French do not like foreigners, and of course she is one. “

“But a charming and beautiful woman, I believe.”

“Oh yes. We were presented by the Comte. She danced exquisitely, I remember, and was most beautifully gowned. I think the Comte is a little more uneasy than he admits.”

“He does not appear to be in the least so … But perhaps ;

I speak rashly. I scarcely know him. “

“He is not a man to betray his feelings. If there should be trouble he would have a great deal to lose. Among other property he owns the Chateau Silvaine about forty miles due south of Paris, and the Hotel Delibes, a mansion in the capital. His is a very ancient family, connected with the Capets. He is very much a man, of the Court.”

“I see. A most important gentleman.”

“Indeed yes. It is obvious from his demeanour, don’t you think?”

“He seems determined that everyone shall be aware of it. I am sure he would be very put out if they were not.”

“You must not judge him too harshly. Miss Maddox. He is a French aristocrat, and aristocracy is a state of being which is emphasized more definitely in France than here.”

“Certainly I must not presume to judge. After all, as I said, I know nothing of him.”

“I am sure he is uneasy. Only last night when he was talking to my father he mentioned the riots which had taken place a few years ago when the markets were raided and boats on the Oise which were bringing grain to Paris were boarded and the sacks of grain seized and thrown into the river. He said something which impressed my father deeply. He said it was a ” rehearsal for a revolution”. But I am boring you with this dreary conversation.”

“Indeed not. My mother has always insisted that we keep up to date with modem history as well as that of the past. We have the French papers which we read in class. In fact we keep them and read them again and again. So I have heard of that alarming period. The trouble was averted, however.”