Léonie chuckled.
‘He will die, Monseigneur. I know it.’
‘As you observe,’ remarked his Grace to Marling, ‘death and disaster are a source of never-failing amusement to my infant.’
Marling laid his hand on Léonie’s head.
‘She is a rogue, Avon, is she not? But a pretty rogue.’
Léonie opened wide her eyes.
‘Vraiment? Am I pretty, Monseigneur? Do you think so?’
‘Passable, my infant, passable.’
Her face fell.
‘I was afraid you would not think so, Monseigneur.’
Avon pinched her chin.
‘Child, do I not call you “ma belle”?’
Léonie caught his hand to her lips.
‘Merci, Monseigneur! You make me very happy, enfin !’
Marling looked suddenly at his wife. She smiled, and cast down her eyes. Marling turned to Rupert.
‘I think I’ll take your excellent – though ill-timed – advice, my boy.’
Rupert grinned.
‘What, the ham? Ay, ’twas good advice, stap me it was! But I’ll not deny ’twas said to enrage you, Edward.’
‘It succeeded in doing so, scamp. Avon, I’ll not ask you to send Gaston back to England. I can return there myself, and join you in Paris next week.’
‘My dear Edward, it is good for Gaston to bestir himself. He grows fat and lazy. He shall meet us in Paris.’
‘You are very good,’ Marling bowed.
‘That is not my reputation,?
?? said his Grace, and rang the bell.
On the following morning the whole party set out for Paris. Lady Fanny was flustered, Marling amused, Rupert flippant, Léonie excited and the Duke leisurely and placid as ever. The entire population of Le Dennier turned out to see the passing of this cavalcade, and marvelled at the chaise piled high with baggage, at the great berline with his Grace’s arms blazoned on the door, and at the two smaller coaches that followed it.
The Marlings occupied one of these, while Avon, Léonie and Rupert travelled in the berline. Rupert was propped up with cushions to alleviate the discomfort of the jolting, and whiled away the time by playing cards with Léonie. His Grace lay back in his corner and watched them in some amusement.
Twenty-four
Hugh Davenant is Agreeably Surprised
They rested at Rouen over the week-end, and came to Paris on Tuesday. Walker awaited them in the hall of the Hôtel Avon, and not by the flicker of an eyelid did he betray that he recognised Léonie. All was in order for his Grace’s coming, and Lady Fanny immediately took charge of the establishment. Having seen to the unpacking of her trunks, and scattered her orders broadcast, she repaired to his Grace in the library, what time Léonie went to see Madame Dubois the housekeeper.
‘Well, Justin, what now?’ said my lady, sitting down opposite him at his desk. ‘Are we to make some noise?’
‘Decidedly, Fanny. As much noise as possible. I await your suggestions.’