These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

‘Very obscure, Hugh. I flatter myself that I do know – full well.’

‘I am not so certain.’ Hugh sat down again. ‘Ay, you’ve amazed me. What now? Does Léon know that you have discovered his – her – fiend seize it, I am becoming involved again! – sex?’

‘She does not.’

Hugh was silent for a few moments.

‘Perhaps she will not wish to remain with you when you tell her,’ he said at last.

‘It is possible, but she is mine, and she must do as I bid her.’

Suddenly Hugh rose again, and went to the window.

‘Justin, I don’t like it.’

‘May I ask why you do not like it?’

‘She – she is too fond of you.’

‘Well?’

‘Would it not be kinder to make some arrangement – send her away?’

‘Whither, my conscientious one?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘How helpful! As I do not know either, I think we may safely banish that notion.’

Hugh turned, and came back to the table.

‘Very well. I trust no harm will come of this, Justin. When shall you – put an end to her boyhood?’

‘When we arrive in England. You see, I am deferring that moment as long as may be.’

‘Why?’

‘One reason, my dear, is that she might feel shy of me in her boy’s raiment when once I knew the secret. The other – the other –’ He paused, and studied his fan, frowning. ‘Well, let us be honest. I have grown fond of Léon, and I do not want to exchange him for Léonie.’

‘I thought so,’ Hugh nodded. ‘Be kind to Léonie, Justin.’

‘It is my intention,’ bowed the Duke.

Nine

Léon and Léonie

Early in the next week Davenant left Paris for Lyons. On the same day Avon summoned his maître d’hôtel, Walker, to his presence, and informed him that he was leaving France on the morrow. Well accustomed to his master’s sudden decisions, Walker felt no surprise. He was a discreet personage with an unyielding countenance. For many years he had been in the Avon employ, and as he had proved himself to be scrupulously honest and trustworthy, the Duke had placed him in charge of his Paris establishment. As his Grace owned another establishment in St James’s Square, London, and kept both open and staffed with servants, this post was one of considerable importance. It was Walker’s duty to keep the Hôtel Avon in such strictness and order that it should always be ready for the Duke or for his brother.

When Walker left the library he went below-stairs to inform Gaston, the valet, Meekin, the groom, and Léon, the page, that they must hold themselves in readiness to depart from Paris to-morrow morning. He found Léon seated on the table in the housekeeper’s room, swinging his legs and munching a slice of cake. Madame Dubois was sitting in a large chair before the fire, dolefully regarding him. She welcomed Walker with a coy smile, for she was a comely woman, but Léon, having cast one glance towards the prim figure in the doorway, tilted his head a little, and went on eating.

‘Eh bien, m’sieur! ’ Madame smoothed her gown, smiling upon the maître d’hôtel.

‘I crave pardon thus to have disturbed you, madame.’ Walker bowed. ‘I came but to find Léon.’

Léon wriggled round to face him.

‘You perceive me, Walker,’ he said.