These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

Meanwhile Lady Fanny swept through the town with Léonie, and saw to it that her social activities this season should not easily be forgotten. Léonie enjoyed herself very much, and Paris enjoyed her even more. In the mornings she rode out with Avon, and two factions sprang up thereafter amongst her admirers. One faction held that the divine Léonie was seen at her best in the saddle; the other faction was firm that in the ballroom she was incomparable. One excitable young gentleman challenged another on this score, but Hugh Davenant was present, and he took both young hotheads severely to task for bandying Léonie’s name about over their cups, and the affair came to naught.

Others tried to make love to Léonie, whereat she was angry, and turned a cold shoulder on their enthusiasms. She could be dignified when she chose, and her admirers were speedily abashed. Learning of their discomfiture one evening when she was helping Léonie to dress, Lady Fanny forgot herself, and excl

aimed:

‘Oh, splendidly done, my love! What a duchess you will make, to be sure!’

‘A duchess, madame?’ Léonie said. ‘How could I be that?’

Lady Fanny looked at her, and then at a new bracelet that lay on the table.

‘Don’t tell me you don’t know, puss!’

Léonie was trembling now.

‘Madame –’

‘Oh, my dear, he’s head over ears in love with you, as all the world must know! I have watched it grow, and – my dearest life, there is no one I would sooner have for my sister than you, I do assure you!’

‘Madame, you – you must be mistaken!’

‘Mistaken? I? Trust me to read the signs, my love! I have known Justin many years, and never have I seen him as he is now. Silly child, why does he give you all these jewels?’

‘I – I am his ward, madame.’

‘Pooh!’ My lady snapped her fingers. ‘A fig for that! Tell me why he made you his ward?’

‘I – I do not know, madame. I – did not think.’

My lady kissed her again.

‘You will be a duchess before the year is out, never fear!’

Léonie pushed her away.

‘It’s not true! You shall not say these things!’

‘Why, here’s a heat! Is there ever a man you have liked as you liked “Monseigneur”?’

‘Madame –’ Léonie pressed her hands together. ‘I am very ignorant, but I know – I have heard what people say when such as Monseigneur wed – wed ladies of no birth. I am only a tavern-keeper’s sister. Monseigneur could not marry me. I – I had not thought of it.’

‘’Tis I who am a fool to have put the idea into your head!’ said Fanny remorsefully.

‘Madame, I beg you will not say it to anyone.’

‘Not I, child, but everyone knows that you have Avon in your toils.’

‘I have not! I hate you when you talk like that!’

‘Oh, my dear, we are but two women! What matter? Justin will count no cost, believe me. You may be born as low as you please, but will he care once he looks into your eyes?’

Léonie shook her head stubbornly.

‘I know I am not a fool, madame. It would be a disgrace for him to marry me. One must be born.’

‘Fiddle, child! If Paris accepts you without question shall not Avon too?’

‘Madame, Monseigneur has no love for those who are lowborn. Many, many times I have heard him say so.’