Follow a Stranger

to talk to you, to listen. And I am very fond of you.”

Kate flushed. “Thank you, madame. I ... I am fond of you,

too.” She stood up. “You look tired. Shall I call Sophia for

you?”

“No, no, I shall sleep later. But run along, by all means,

and enjoy your last days here, child. By the way, did Marc

tell you—we have decided to take Pallas away from

Cheddall?”

Kate was stunned. She halted, freezing on the spot. “No,”

she stammered. “No, I hadn’t heard. You ... you’re not

happy with the school? I thought ...”

“We are very happy with the school, but Marc has

decided that Pallas should study music in Paris. He feels

she would prefer the Paris Conservatoire to a London

school. She is to have special tuition until she is eighteen.”

Kate nodded. “I think that is an excellent idea. Pallas

will be delighted. Does she know yet? She’s said nothing to

me.”

Mrs. Lillitos shook her head. “No, we have not told her.

You can do that if you like. She will take the news better

from you. She is very fond of you, too, and I think she will

miss you.”

“I’ll certainly miss her,” Kate admitted.

Mrs. Lillitos smiled at her. “But perhaps, who knows, we

will be able to see something of you from time to time?” She

leaned back, closing her eyes. “Au revoir, Cherie.”

Kate went downstairs, feeling stunned. If Pallas left

Cheddall she would certainly never see Marc again. Had he

decided on this change of plan to spite her for refusing to let

him come to her room the night he left for Athens?