These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

‘Always, always! Voyons, Monseigneur, I am going round and round in all this gaiety that comes to me and for a little while I like it. But always I want to run away to you. Then I am safe, and – and things do not bewilder me. You see?’

‘Perfectly,’ said his Grace. ‘I shall not fail you, infant.’

‘No, Monseigneur,’ She nestled her hand in his, and gave a tiny sigh. ‘Why do you do all this for me?’

‘I have many reasons, infant. You will not bother your head with them.’

‘No, Monseigneur,’ she said again, obediently. ‘It is very far away now, that time with Jean and Charlotte.’

‘I desire you will forget it, ma mie. It was an evil dream – no more.’

‘Bien, Monseigneur.’ She rested her head against his arm, and stayed so a long time.

That very evening Davenant arrived and was told that the Duke was at dinner. He gave his great-coat and hat to a lackey and waving the man aside went alone to the dining-room, whence a babble of talk came.

The long room was lit by candles that stood in gold clusters on the table. Silver winked, and cut glass, and the mellow light was thrown over all. At the foot of the table my lady Fanny sat, with Marling on her right, hot in argument with Rupert, opposite. Beside Marling was Léonie, dressed in dull yellow gold, and old lace. She was saying something to his Grace, at the head of the table, as Davenant came in, but she looked up at the sound of the opening door and suddenly clapped her hands.

‘Tiens, it is M. Davenant! He is come, then! See, Monseigneur!’

His Grace rose, and put down his napkin.

‘My dear Hugh! You come most opportunely. Jacques, lay for monsieur.’

Davenant clasped his hand a moment, nodding to Rupert, and to Marling.

‘I could not resist your invitation – or was it a summons?’ he said. He bowed low to Fanny. ‘My lady?’

She gave him her hand, in high good-humour.

‘I declare I am prodigious glad to see you, Hugh! I vow ’tis an age since I met you last!’

‘As beautiful as ever,’ he said, kissing her hand. But his eyes were on Léonie.

‘Oh!’ Lady Fanny pouted. ‘I

am put in the shade, Hugh, yes, positively I am put in the shade – by this chit! It is so mortifying!’ She smiled at Léonie, and beckoned.

Léonie came forward in her best manner, and swept a curtsy. A wicked little smile hovered about her mouth; she fixed Davenant with wide, innocent eyes.

‘Is it possible?’ he said, and bent over her fingers.

‘You are dazzled, in fact?’ His Grace came to stand beside his ward.

‘Completely! I would not have believed it could be! You are to be congratulated, Alastair.’

‘Why, so I think,’ said the Duke.

Léonie made a quaint little bow.

‘Sometimes, m’sieur, I am still Léon.’

‘Ay, that is Léon,’ Hugh smiled. ‘Do you like being Léonie?’

‘At first it did not please me at all,’ she answered. ‘But now I think it is very agreeable. You have pretty things if you are a girl, and go to balls. There is to be a ball here next week, m’sieur.’

‘So I hear,’ he said. ‘Who comes to it?’

They sat down again at the table, Davenant opposite Léonie. It was Fanny who answered.