These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

So Léonie and her escort left them to their devices, and sped away in the light coach to Versailles. The drive provoked in Léonie a reminiscent mood. She sat beside Lady Fanny, whose skirts billowed about her, and addressed herself to the Duke, opposite.

‘Monseigneur, do you remember that when we went to Versailles before you gave me this chain?’ She touched the sapphires that lay across her white breast.

‘I do, infant. I also remember that on our return you went to sleep, and would not wake up.’

‘Yes, that is true,’ she nodded. ‘It seems very strange to be going to Court again, like this!’ She indicated her petticoats, and spread out her fan. ‘M. le Prince was at Madame de Cacheron’s party last night, Monseigneur.’

‘So I have heard,’ said Avon, who had not been present.

‘And danced twice with the chit!’ said my lady. ‘’Twas positively unseemly!’

‘Ay, so it was,’ agreed Rupert. ‘If you were to ask me, I should say he came to see Léonie and none other.’

‘Yes, he did,’ said Léonie ingenuously. ‘He told me so. I like him.’

Rupert looked at her severely.

‘Well, you ought not to sit with him talking of God knows what,’ he said magisterially. ‘When I wanted to lead you out you were nowhere to be found.’

Léonie pulled a face at him.

‘You are talking like that because you have all your best clothes on,’ she told him. ‘They make you feel grand, and very important. I know!’

Rupert burst out laughing.

‘Faith, that’s good! But I’ll not deny this is a devilish fine coat.’ He regarded his rich claret-coloured sleeve with some affection.

‘It is not so – so distingué as Monseigneur’s grey and pink,’ said Léonie. ‘Monseigneur, whom shall I see to-night?’

‘Why, child, I thought you had a dozen assignations made!’ remarked her ladyship.

‘Yes, madame, but I meant new people.’

‘Oh, she’s insatiable!’ murmured Rupert. ‘She’ll boast a wonderful collection of hearts before the month’s out, mark my words!’

‘You will see the King, infant, and the Queen, and possibly the Dauphin,’ said his Grace.

‘And Madame de Pompadour. I want to see her, because I have heard that she is very beautiful.’

‘Very,’ said his Grace. ‘You will also see her favourite, de Stainville, and Monsieur, and the Comte d’Eu.’

‘Tiens! ’ said Léonie.

When they had come to Versailles she went presently up the marble stairway, in Lady Fanny’s wake, to the Galerie des Glaces, and looking about her, drew a deep breath.

‘How I remember!’ she said.

‘For goodness’ sake, child, never say so!’ begged Fanny. ‘You have never been here before. Let me hear no more of your recollections!’

‘No, madame,’ said Léonie, abashed. ‘Oh, there is M. de la Valaye!’

La Valaye came to talk to them, and stole a curious glance at Léonie’s unpowdered head. Rupert slipped away into the crowd, in search of a kindred spirit, and was seen no more for some time.

Many people were turning to look at Léonie.

‘Dis donc,’ said de Stainville, ‘who is this beautiful little red-head? I do not recognise her.’

His friend, de Sally, took snuff.