Текст книги "Zipporah's Daughter"

Автор книги: Philippa Carr

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

‘I had to come,’ she said. ‘I had nowhere to go. I thought you would help me. I couldn’t face Tante Berthe.’

‘I’m glad you came. This is your little boy? I heard you had one.’

She laid her hand on the boy’s shoulder. He looked older than Charlot. ‘Louis Charles,’ she said, ‘take Madame’s hand as you know how.’

The boy took my hand and kissed it. I thought he was charming.

‘There is so much to tell you,’ said Lisette.

‘I long to hear it,’ I replied. ‘How have you travelled? Have you come far? Are you hungry?’

‘We came on horseback … Louis Charles riding with me. One of the men from my neighbour’s stables brought me here. I have left him in the stables. Perhaps they could give him a bed for the night. He will want to leave in the morning.’

‘Of course, of course,’ I said.

‘I have so much to tell you … but … could I wash first?’

‘Certainly, and eat too. I will tell them to prepare a room for you and your son.’

I called to the servants. Food must be prepared … a room and everything for her comfort; and the groom who had come with her must be lodged and fed.

I was delighted to have her back with me and could not wait to hear all her news as soon as she had washed and eaten and the boy was sleeping. I took her into one of the smaller rooms of the château where we could be quite alone while she told me her story.

Hers had not been a happy marriage. She had made a great mistake. When she and Tante Berthe had visited their relative she had been introduced to Farmer Dubois; he had fallen in love with her so completely that she had been quite flattered and in a mad moment had agreed to marry him.

‘It was a mistake,’ she said. ‘I could not be a farmer’s wife. It didn’t suit me at all. He adored me …but one gets a little tired of such devotion. I even played with the idea of running away. I thought I’d come to you and throw myself on your mercy.’

‘I wish you had,’ I said. ‘Oh, I have missed you so much, Lisette.’

‘But you are Madame de Tourville now. You have your beautiful château and your devoted husband.’

I lifted my shoulders and she studied me intently.

‘You are happy?’ she asked.

‘Oh yes … yes … quite happy.’

‘I am glad. I think the most awful thing a woman can suffer is an unhappy marriage.’

‘But at least your Monsieur Dubois adored you. Have you left him, Lisette?’

‘I am coming to that. He is dead. That is why I got away.’

‘Dead! Oh, Lisette.’

‘I know. He was a good man, but I was bored. I wanted to get away … though I didn’t want it to happen this way.’

‘Which way?’

‘Well, I was resigned. I had made my bed as they say, and I must lie on it. I tried to become a farmer’s wife. Lottie. I tried hard but I didn’t do it very well. Still, Jacques did not seem to mind and I had my little boy.’

‘He must have been a great consolation.’

‘He is indeed. I don’t think I should have had the courage to come here if it had not been for him.’

‘My dear Lisette, why? You know I should always be glad to see you.’

‘We had so many good times together, didn’t we? Remember the fortune-teller? That was where you first met your husband. I think he fell in love with you on sight. Poor Sophie, what a tragedy! But it made the way clear for you, didn’t it?’

‘I don’t see it like that. I often think of Sophie.’

‘She could have married him.’

‘I don’t think she would have been very happy if she had done so. I can only tell myself that it was her choice.’

‘At least you are happy.’

‘Yes, with the dearest little boy … And Lisette, I am to have another.’

‘Lottie! How wonderful. Is your husband pleased?’

‘Delighted—and so are my father and mother.’

‘That is good news. But I have to talk to you, Lottie. I have to talk very seriously … because I have nowhere to go.’

‘Nowhere to go! But you are here. You have come back. How can you say you have nowhere to go?’

‘Oh, you are good to me. I knew you would be. All the way here I’ve been telling myself that. But we are destitute … we have lost everything. It was those dreadful people. I don’t suppose here … in this peaceful place … you knew much about that dreadful war.’

‘The Guerre des Farines,’ I said. ‘Oh yes, I know very well how frightening that could be. I heard a man preaching … inciting the people to revolt. It was horrible.’

‘Horrible to be their victims … to be in the heart of it, Lottie.’ She covered her face with her hands. ‘I try to shut it out but you can’t shut out memories by shutting your eyes. You see, he was a farmer and he had grain and corn stored in his outhouses. They came …. They pillaged the storehouses … they dragged out the grain. I shall never forget that terrible night, Lottie. The darkness lighted by torches they carried. The shouting … the threats. Jacques ran out to see what they were doing. He tried to stop them. One of them knocked him down. I was at a window with Louis-Charles. I saw him go down and they all fell on him with sticks and rakes and all the implements they had brought with them as weapons. His own workers were doing that … and he had always been good to them. He was a good man, Jacques was. I know he bored me and I longed to escape from him … but he was a good man. They burned down the barns and all that good corn.’

‘They are criminals!’ I cried. ‘They are not interested in giving bread to the poor. They have destroyed the corn wherever they could. How can that help a bad harvest? My poor Lisette, what you have suffered!’

‘I ran away with Louis-Charles to a neighbour’s house, about half a mile away. I stood at one of their windows throughout that night and when dawn came I could still see the smoke rising from what had been my home. So you see, Lottie, I lost my husband and my home and now I have nothing … nothing at all. I was with my neighbour for a few weeks but I could not stay there. Then I thought of you. I thought, I will go to Lottie. I will throw myself on her mercy. I will ask her if she will give me a roof over my head. I could make myself useful with you. I could be a lady’s maid. I could do something … if only you will let me stay here with my little boy.’

There were tears in my eyes as I put my arms round her and held her against me.

‘Don’t say any more, Lisette. Of course you will stay here. I have tried to find you. Tante Berthe wouldn’t help me. But now you are here, there is nothing else to fear. You have come home.’

She was so grateful. She said: ‘I knew you would take me in … but there are others …. You have a new family here.’

‘They must welcome you as I do, Lisette.’

‘You say they must. Can you insist?’

‘I could. But it won’t be necessary. Charles is very easygoing. He asked about you once or twice. And my parents-in-law are very kind … kind and quiet. They never interfere. My father-in-law is an invalid and scarcely ever leaves his apartments now. I have a sister-in-law Amélie who will shortly be married. I think they will be ready to welcome you.’

‘And if they are not?’

‘Then they will see that they must. Don’t worry. It is wonderful that you have come back. We are going to be happy again. There is so much to talk about. It has been a little dull at times.’

‘What! With such a husband?’

‘He is away now and then. And I have missed you. It will be like the old days.’

‘Except that you have become a wife and I am a widow.’

‘And we have two dear little boys. I do hope they will be friends.’

Lisette and I were in the small chamber which led from the hall when Charles returned to the château. We were talking as we had been doing since her return, almost breathlessly chattering, stopping each other with reminders of something that had happened in the past, questioning each other about our lives since our parting.

Charles stood in the doorway. There were a few seconds of tense silence while he stared at Lisette. She looked at him a little defiantly. Poor Lisette, she is afraid of being turned away, I thought.

I cried: ‘What do you think has happened? Lisette has come.’

Lisette smiled hesitantly; ‘You don’t know me,’ she said.

‘But I do,’ he replied. ‘You were at the fortune-tellers.’

‘You remembered that. You rescued us both.’

‘Terrible things have happened to Lisette,’ I put in. ‘Her husband has been killed and her home burned down. It was the mob … the rioters who took his grain.’

‘How … shocking!’ said Charles.

He seemed to have recovered from his surprise and coming into the room sat down and, looking at Lisette, he said: ‘How did you get here?’

I answered for her. ‘On horseback. She came a long way with just one groom lent to her by her neighbours.’

Charles nodded. ‘The mob,’ he murmured. ‘The mindless mob. Those who have aroused them have a lot to answer for.’

‘Thank Heaven they have quietened down now,’ I said. I added: ‘Lisette has a little boy. He is charming. Such beautiful manners. I am sure Charlot will be pleased when he meets him.’

Charles repeated: ‘A little boy …’

‘He was worn out by the journey,’ I said. ‘He is fast asleep now.’

Charles talked with us for a while, then he said: ‘I will leave you two to continue. You will have much to tell each other. I will see you later.’ He laid his hand on my arm and pressed it and bowed to Lisette.

When we were alone Lisette burst out: ‘I don’t think he will want me to stay here.’

‘Why ever not?’

‘He was remembering that I was the housekeeper’s niece.’

‘Charles wouldn’t care about that.’

She was earnest for a moment and looked angry; her mouth looked square as though she could not control it. ‘Oh yes,’ she said quietly. ‘They care very much.’

‘No, Lisette, you are mistaken. I never thought of it for a moment. Nor did Sophie … in the old days.’

She was smiling now, all bitterness gone. ‘I always knew I had a good friend in you, Lottie,’ she said.

We went on talking, but she was changed, wary. Charles’s coming had alarmed her. I thought she was exhausted and should retire early so I took her to her room just as I would an honoured guest. I wanted to make her happy, make her forget all she had gone through. I wanted to see her merry as she had been in the old days.

I kissed her tenderly when I said goodnight.

‘Dear Lisette,’ I said. ‘I want you to understand that you have come home.’ Then I went to the small bed which had been put up temporarily in her room and in which her son was sleeping.

I gazed at him and said: ‘I am longing to see Charlot’s face when he meets Louis-Charles. That is for tomorrow.’

Then I went to the room I shared with Charles.

He was already there and in a thoughtful mood. He was seated in an armchair and as I entered he said: ‘Lottie, come here.’

I went to him and he seized me and pulled me down until I was sitting across his knees.

‘So,’ he said, ‘your partner in crime has turned up, it seems.’

‘Crime?’ I cried. ‘What crime?’

‘The crime of naughty little girls who disobey orders and sneak out of their homes away from their guardians to visit evil procuresses.’

‘Haven’t you forgotten that?’

‘Forgotten the first moment I saw my love?’

‘Charles,’ I said, ‘I believe you are annoyed.’

‘About what?’

‘Lisette’s being here.’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘What will she do? Will you give her some post? I think she would make a good lady’s maid. She would know the latest fashions, and if not, where to discover them.’

‘I don’t want her to feel like a servant here, Charles.’

‘She is the niece of one.’

‘A very superior one. I don’t think Tante Berthe would relish being called a servant.’

‘Well, isn’t she the femme de charge at Aubigné?’

‘Yes, but she is in a very special position. She is Queen of the Nether Regions and there is strict protocol, I do assure you. People almost have to make appointments to see her. I think that Lisette was always conscious of being not one of us … like Sophie and myself, I mean … while at the same time she was educated with us.’

‘That was a mistake. Education gives people ideas.’

I laughed at him. ‘That is surely what it is meant to do.’

He was silent and I put my arms round his neck. ‘Tell me what is on your mind,’ I said.

‘I wonder,’ he replied. ‘I think she might be a bit of a schemer.’

‘A schemer! What do you mean?’

‘She seems to have bewitched you.’

‘Charles, that’s nonsense. She is my friend. She has been through a terrible ordeal. She has seen her husband murdered before her own eyes.’

‘Don’t get excited,’ he said. ‘Of course she will have to stay here until something is found for her.’

‘Found for her? What do you mean?’

‘Some post perhaps … someone’s lady’s maid, as you don’t want her in that capacity yourself.’

‘Why don’t you like her?’

‘I neither like nor dislike her.’

‘You talk as though you don’t want her here.’

‘My dear Lottie, we are not a hostel for waifs and strays.’

‘Have you some reason for disliking her?’

He drew away from me. ‘Why should I have?’ he said sharply.

‘You seem so … hostile.’

‘My dear Lottie, it matters not to me. I shall not have to see her, shall I? Do you propose to treat her like an honoured guest?’

‘Charles, are you telling me that you don’t want her in your house? Because if you don’t … ’

‘You will take off with her. I know. You will go back to Aubigné … the two of you adventuring together. Lottie, my lovely Lottie, mother of my son and the one who will be with us ere long, I want you to be happy. I want to show you in every way that I love you. Whatever I was before I met you, whatever I am now … Lottie, I am yours.’

‘What a charming speech!’ I kissed him lightly. ‘What on Earth provoked it?’

‘You, my beautiful and fruitful wife. You satisfy me completely.’

‘You are indeed a devoted husband tonight. And what has all this to do with Lisette?’

‘It is quite apart. But what I was trying to say about her was this: Is it wise to have her here?’

‘I can’t see why not, and I want her to feel happy here. I am going to insist that she stays and is made welcome by everybody in this house.’

He drew me towards him and kissed my neck.

‘So be it,’ he said. ‘Madame has spoken.’

I could not sleep that night. Nor, I was sure, could Charles. He was very tender and more than once assured me that he loved me. I think he was trying to make up for his rather cold reception of Lisette, of whom he knew I was very fond. We lay side by side, hands entwined, but silent.

When I awoke he was gone. It was quite early and my first thought was for Lisette. I was happy that she had come back, although in such sad circumstances, and I was flattered that in her need she had thought of me first. Then I wondered about the groom who had come with her and it occurred to me that he might like to stay for a day before undertaking the long journey back.

As soon as I was dressed I went down to the stables. As I approached I saw a man just about to go in. I saw the back of him only but it was enough to show me that he was not one of our men.

I called out: ‘Just a moment … ’

He disappeared into the stables and had apparently not heard me. I guessed he was Lisette’s groom and about to saddle his horse and be off. I wanted him to be given some food to take with him and was going to suggest he went to the kitchens to get it.

I glanced inside the stables but I could not see him anywhere, and just at that moment I heard someone walking across the yard. It was the chief groom, Leroux. I went to meet him.

‘Good morning, Leroux,’ I said. ‘Did you look after the groom who escorted the lady who came yesterday?’

‘Oh yes, Madame,’ was the answer. ‘He had a good bed for the night and his supper.’

‘I believe he plans to go today. I saw him go into the stables but when I looked in I couldn’t see him. I thought he might like something to take with him to eat on the journey … some meat pie or something. And also perhaps he would like to rest here a day before starting out. He has a long way to go.’

‘He seemed set on going early, Madame.’

‘I dare say he has his reasons. But I do think we ought to give him some food to take with him. He must be somewhere in the stables. I saw him go in.’

‘I’ll find him, Madame, and tell him what you say.’

Just at that moment we heard the clatter of hoofs and a rider came out of the stables.

‘Ho there!’ called Leroux.

But the rider took no notice and went on.

‘He didn’t see us,’ said Leroux.

‘He didn’t appear to hear you call to him either.’

‘Hard of hearing perhaps, Madame.’

‘He certainly behaved rather oddly.’

‘Well, he’s on his way now, Madame. Too late to stop him and offer him anything.’

‘I’m surprised he didn’t see us here and make some acknowledgement.’

Leroux scratched his head and walked into the stables. I went straight up to Lisette’s rooms. She was still in bed, looking very pretty with her fair curls tousled and the sleep in her eyes.

‘You were very tired,’ I said.

‘Exhausted,’ she answered. ‘Oh, I can’t tell you how good it is to be here … in a place like this … with you … ’

‘You have had a terrible time.’

‘Poor Jacques! I can’t forget the sight of him … falling down with all those dreadful people attacking him. And yet … I might still be there … ’

‘You’ve got to forget that,’ I said. ‘It will do you no good to go on remembering. By the way, that’s rather an odd groom you brought with you. I spoke to him and he didn’t answer. Is he deaf?’

She hesitated for a moment and then said: ‘Yes … I think he is, but he won’t admit it.’

‘I called to him and he didn’t answer. I was sure he went into the stables and when I looked in I couldn’t see him.’

‘Did you go right in?’

‘Oh no … ’

‘I expect he was bending down examining his horse’s shoe or something. He thinks a lot of his horses. And he has gone, has he?’

‘Yes. He didn’t look round when he came out of the stables. Leroux called to him but he just rode straight on.’

‘He was in a hurry to get back. They wanted him to return as soon as possible. It was good of them to let him come with me when they couldn’t really spare him.’

I was thinking of the man and something suddenly struck me.

‘Do you know,’ I said, ‘I think I’ve seen him somewhere before.’

‘Where could you have seen him?’

‘I don’t know. It’s just a hazy sort of idea.’

‘We all have doubles somewhere on earth, they say. I’d love to meet mine, wouldn’t you?’

She was laughing, looking so much like the girl I had known and been fond of.

I said with heartfelt fervour: ‘Oh, Lisette, I am so glad you have come here.’

It was a great joy to have Lisette with me. She changed my days. She herself dispersed any awkwardness which might have arisen through her presence in the house by installing herself as my lady’s maid.

‘A lady in your position should certainly have one,’ she said, ‘and who could perform those necessary tasks better than I.’

She herself refused to take meals with us, which was what I had wanted although I had guessed there might be protests from Charles about this. I knew that he did not greatly like the idea of Lisette’s being treated as a member of the family, which was what I really wanted; I knew, too, that Lisette was very conscious of her position as she always had been at Aubigné and that it had rankled with her that she was not on the same footing as Sophie and I had been. I wanted to treat her as one of us but she would not have it.

She and Louis-Charles had their meals in a small room adjoining her apartment and she would go to the kitchens and take it up with her so that none of the servants waited on her.

I said this was a lot of nonsense at first, but I did realize that even in an easy-going household like that of the Tourvilles there would have been resentments and attitudes perhaps among some of the higher servants.

Lisette was tactful; she was reserved with members of the family and it was only when she and I were alone together that she became her old vivacious self.

It was an ideal arrangement for Louis-Charles, who had no inhibitions such as those which plagued his mother, and he shared Charlot’s nursery, being an excellent companion for him, and the two boys played and fought happily together.

There was no objection from my parents-in-law. Charles’s father spent most of his time in his apartments and his mother was with him a good deal; she had always been very affable to me and although they seemed rather colourless, I was grateful to be left to my own devices and to be given a free hand in the household. Amélie was immediately attracted to Lisette, who did her hair for her in such a manner as delighted her, and they spent a great deal of time discussing the trousseau together. With Amélie’s coming wedding the main concern of the household, Lisette’s arrival passed off without too much attention being called to it and Lisette settled in comfortably and easily. I told her she looked like a pretty kitten when she lay in her bed stretching herself in a rather feline way, which was a habit of hers.

‘Purring away now that I have a comfortable home and am sure of my dish of cream every day,’ she said, laughing at me.

She changed my life completely. The tedious days of pregnancy had become full of laughter. We talked of the past most of the time and the only occasions when I was sad were when I remembered Sophie.

There was a great deal of talk at that time about the American colonists who were in conflict with the English government over taxes which were, some said, being unfairly imposed. Charles said it was clear that there would soon be war between England and her colonists if the English did not come to their senses.

He took a delight in denigrating the English, which I knew was partly in fun, but I refused to take part in these discussions. In any case my thoughts were with my child who would soon be making an appearance.

The winter was passing and we were in February when my confinement began.

Lisette was constantly with me. She had no particular flair for nursing but her high spirits did me more good than anything.

And in due course my child was born. I was delighted this time to have a girl and Charles was overjoyed. We discussed her name and finally decided that she should be called Claudine.