The Devil on Horseback Page 3

  He smiled at me.

  “I shall see you later.”

  When he had gone my mother seized me in her arms and hugged me.

  “I willed it to happen,” she cried.

  “Your father always used to say that when I made up my mind I’d get what I wanted because I believed in it so firmly I just created it.”

  “I shan’t much care about parading in borrowed plumes.”

  “Nonsense. No one will know.”

  “Sybil and Maria will and Maria will take the first opportunity to remind me that I am there as a standin.”

  “As long as she does not remind anyone else that does not matter.”

  “Mama, why are you so excited’ ” It’s what I always hoped for. “

  “Did you ill-wish the Comtesse?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “So that your daughter could go to the ball!”

  “It’s not a ball!” she cried, aghast.

  “You would have to have a proper ball gown for that.”

  “I was speaking metaphorically.”

  “How right I was to educate you thoroughly. You will be as musically knowledgeable as any of them there. I think your hair should be piled high on your head. It shows off its colour that way.” I heard a cynical voice murmuring: “Like corn in August.”

  “Your hair is your best feature, my dear. We must make the most of it.

  I hope the dress will be blue because that brings out the colour of your eyes. That cornflower-blue is rather rare . as deep as yours, I mean. ” ” You are making a princess out of your budding schools mistress.

  Mama. ” ” Why shouldn’t a budding schoolmistress be as beautiful and charming as any lady in the land? “

  “Certainly she should be if she is your daughter.”

  “You must curb your tongue tonight, Minella. You always did say the first thing that came into your head.” ;

  “I shall have to be myself and if that does not suit .. They might not ask you again.” j “Why should they ask me again? Are you not attaching too much importance to this? I am asked because they need another guest. It is not the first time someone has been asked to be the fourteenth. If the fourteenth decided to come after all, I should politely be assured that my presence was no longer j necessary.” The fact was that my mind was as busy as my mother’s. Why had this summons (which was how I thought of it) followed so closely on my visit to the Manor? Who had’i prompted it? And was it not something of a coincidence that] it should be the Comte’s wife who was indisposed?

  Could it possibly be that he had suggested that I should fill the gap? What an extraordinary idea! Why? Because he wanted to meet me again? He had not reported my ill manners, after all. I remembered what he had said of my hair as he tugged it cares singly and then . those kisses. It was insulting. Was] he saying: “Bring the girl to the Manor.” That was how men such as he was behaved in their own world. There was some thing called the droit de seigneur which meant that when a girl was going to be married, the lord of the manor, if he liked the look of her, took her to his bed for a night-j more than one night if she proved satisfactory and then she was passed on to her bridegroom. If the lord was generous there was a present of some sort. I could well imagine this’ Comte exerting such a right.

  What was I thinking? I was no bride and Sir John would never permit such conduct on his estate. I was ashamed of myself for harbouring such thoughts. That interview with the Comte had had a deeper effect on me than I had imagined.

  My mother kept talking about Joel Derringham. I had to repeat what he had said to me. She was thinking romantic thoughts again. Oh, it was too foolish. She was telling herself that the indisposition was a myth and that as Joel had wished to make my further acquaintance, he had prevailed on his parents to ask me for the evening. Oh Mama, I thought, dear Mama, foolish only where her daughter was concerned. If she could see me satisfactorily settled she would die happily.

  But she did indulge in the most preposterous dreams.

  Margot came to the schoolhouse to see me. She was excited.

  “What fun!” she cried.

  “So you are coming tonight. My dear Minelle, Marie has found a dress for you, but I won’t have it. You are to have one of mine … straight from a couturiere of Paris. Blue for your eyes. Marie’s dress was brown. So ugly. I say: No. No. No. Not for Minelle, for if you are not exactly beautiful-as I am-you have something distinguished. Yes, you have, and I shall insist that you wear my dress.”

  “Oh Margot,” I said, you realty do want me to come! “

  “But of course. It will be fun. Maman will spend the evening in her room. She was crying this afternoon. It was my father again. Oh, he is wicked, but I suppose she loves him. Women do love him. I wonder why?”

  “Your mother is not really ill, is she?”

  Margot lifted her shoulders.

  “It is the vapours. That is what Le Diable calls it. There might have been a quarrel. Not that she would dare quarrel with him. He does the quarrelling. If she weeps he gets more angry than ever. He hates women who weep.”

  “And does she weep often?”

  “I don’t know. I expect so. After all, she is married to him.”

  “Margot, what a dreadful thing to say of your father!”

  “If you don’t want the truth …”

  “I do. But I can’t see how you can really know. Does she always shut herself away? Is it the same in your own home?”

  “I suppose so.”

  “But you must know.”

  I don’t see much of her, if that’s what you mean. NouNou guards her and I hear she is not to be disturbed. But why do we talk about the mi I’m so glad you are coming, Minelle. I think you’ll enjoy it. You liked visiting us for tea, didn’t you? “

  “Yes, it was fun.”

  “What were you doing on the staircase? You had been exploring.

  Confess. ” ” What were you doing, Margot? “p>

  She narrowed her eyes and laughed at me.

  “Come, tell me,” I insisted.

  “If I tell you, will you tell me what you were doing? Ah, but that is not fair exchange. You were just looking at the house.”

  “Margot, what are you talking about?”

  “Never mind.”

  I was glad to drop the subject, but I kept wondering about the Comte and Comtesse. She was afraid of him. That I could understand. She shut herself away and took refuge in her illness. I was sure it was to escape from him. It was very mysterious.

  Margot took me to her room in the Manor. It was beautifully furnished and reminded me of the Comte’s bedroom. The bed was a four-poster, though slightly less ornate. The curtains were rich blue velvet and one wall was covered in a fine tapestry of the same tone as the curtains which was the predominant colour throughout the room.

  The dress I was to wear was laid out on the bed.

  “I am a little plumper,” said Margot, ‘which is good because that makes it easy. You are a little taller, but see, there is a deep hem.

  I made the seamstress undo that at once. Now you will try it on and she shall come and make the alterations. I will send for her at once.

  “Margot,” I said, ‘you are a good friend to me. “

  “Ah yes,” she agreed.

  “You interest me. Sybil… Marie … Pouff!”

  She blew with her lips.

  “They are dull. I know what they will say before they say it. You are different. Besides, you are only the schoolmistress’s daughter.”

  “What has that to do with it?”

  She laughed again and would say no more. I put on the dress. It was certainly becoming. She rang the bell and the seamstress arrived with pins and needles. In less than an hour I had my dress.

  Maria and Sybil came to inspect me. Maria sniffed slightly.

  “Well?” demanded Margot.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s not really suitable,” commented Maria.

  “Why not?” cried Margot.

>   “The brown would have been better.”

  “Better for you? Are you afraid that she will look: more beautiful than you? Ah, that is it.”

  “What nonsense!” retorted Maria.

  Margot grinned at me. It is so,” she said.

  And Maria said no more about the unsuitability of the gown.

  Margot insisted on dressing my hair. She chatted as she did so. There, ma cherie. Is that not beautiful? Oh, yes, it is true, you have an air. You should not be condemned to spending your life teaching stupid children. ” She studied my reflection.

  “Corn-coloured hair,” she commented.

  “Cornflower-blue eyes and lips like the poppy.”

  I laughed at her.

  “You make me sound like a field of wheat.”

  “Teeth even and white,” she went on.

  “Nose a little … how do you say it? … aggressive? Lips firm … can smile, can be severe. I know what it is, Minelle my friend, that adds up to attractiveness. It is the contrast. The eyes are soft and yielding. Ah, but wait … look at that nose. Look at that mouth. Oh yes, they say, I am good-looking … I am passionate … but wait a bit. No nonsense, please.”

  “Yes, please,” I retorted, ‘no more of this nonsense. And when I want an analysis of my looks and character I’ll ask for it. “

  “You never would, because that’s another thing about you, Minelle, you think you know that little bit more than anyone else and can answer all the questions so much more correctly. Oh, I know you used to beat me in class … as you did us all … and that is right and fitting for the daughter of the schoolmistress, and now you teach us and tell us when we are right and wrong. But let me tell you this, my clever Minelle, you have much to learn.”

  I looked at her dark laughing face with the fine almost black sparkling eyes, so like her father’s, the heavy brows, the thick dark hair. She was very attractive and there was some thing secretive about her. I thought of her joining me on thel spiral staircase. Where had she been? ? “Something you have already learned?” I asked. “Some of us are born with this kind of knowledge,” she said, I “And you are one of those so endowed?” I I am. ” The music was playing in the gallery where a small orchestra had been installed. Lady Derringham, gracious in pale mauve silk, pressed my ? hand when she saw me and murmured: ” It was good of you to’s help us out, Minella. ” A remark which, although spoken kindly, reminded me immediately of the reason why I was” here.

  As soon as the Comte appeared I suspected he was responsible for my being here. He looked about the music room until his eyes alighted on me. He bowed from across the room, and I could see he was taking in every detail of my appearance in a way which I reminded myself was insulting. I returned his gaze haughtily, which seemed to amuse him.

  Lady Derringham had arranged that I should sit with her daughters and Margot as though to remind the company that although we were present we had not yet been formally launched into society. We were not quite children and could be allowed to attend the soiree and supper afterwards, but we should be dismissed as soon as that was over.

  I found it a tremendously exciting occasion. I loved music, in particular the works of the composer Mozart which figured largely in the concert. As I listened I felt transported and I thought how I should enjoy living graciously as many of my pupils did. It seemed unfair of fate to have set me outside it and yet not far enough away not to be able to glimpse it and realize what I was missing.

  During the interval in the concert people moved about the gallery greeting old friends. Joel came over to me.

  “I’m glad you came. Miss Maddox,” he said.

  “Do you really think it would have been noticed if I had not? Would people really count and imagine doom was overtaking them because of unlucky thirteen?”

  “We can’t know as the situation was avoided … most agreeably, if I may say so. I hope it will be the first of many occasions when you will visit us.”

  “You can’t expect a fourteenth guest to default at the last minute merely to accommodate me.”

  “I think you attach too much importance to this reason.”

  I have to because but for it I shouldn’t be here. “

  “Let’s forget that and be glad you are. What did you think of the concert?”

  “Superb.”

  “You are fond of music?”

  “Extremely.”

  “We often have concerts like this. You must come again.”

  “You are very kind.”

  This one is for the Comte. He is particularly partial to Mozart. “

  “Did I hear my name?” asked the Comte.

  He took the chair beside me and I was aware of his studying me intently.

  “I was telling Miss Maddox, Comte, that you enjoy Mozart and that the concert was being given in your honour. May I present Miss Maddox.”

  The Comte stood up and bowed.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you. Mademoiselle. ” He turned to Joel.

  “Mademoiselle Maddox and I have met before.”

  I felt the blood rushing to my face. He was going to expose me. He was going to tell Joel how I had peeped into his bedchamber when I was supposed to be upstairs and imply how unwise it was to bring people of my station into a higher sphere. What a moment to choose! And typical of him, I was sure.

  He was regarding me sardonically, reading my thoughts.

  “Is that so?” said Joel, surprised.

  “By the schoolhouse,” said the Comte.

  “I was passing and I saw Mademoiselle Maddox. I thought: That is the excellent Mademoiselle who has done so much good to my daughter. I am glad to have an opportunity of expressing my gratitude.”

  He was smiling at me, noting, of course, my flush and he would know that I was thinking of those kisses and my undignified exit.

  “My father is constantly singing the praises of Mrs. Maddox’s school,” said kind Joel.

  “It has saved our employing governesses

  “Governesses can be tiresome,” said the Comte, sitting down beside me.

  “They are not of us and yet they do not belong with ;

  the servants. It is irksome to have people floating in limbo. Not for us. For them. They become so conscious of their status. Class is something to be ignored. Do you agree, Joel? Miss Maddox? When our late King Louis XV was reminded by one of his friends, a duke, that his mistress was the daughter of a cook, he replied: “Is that so? I did not notice. The fact is that you are all so far beneath me that I cannot tell the difference between a duke and a cook.” Joel laughed and I could not stop myself retorting: “Is that so with you. Monsieur Ie Comte? Could you not tell the difference between a cook and a duke? “

  “I am not so high as the King, Mademoiselle, but I am high nevertheless and I could not tell the difference between the daughters of Sir John and those of the schoolmistress.”

  “Then it seems that I am not entirely unacceptable.”

  His eyes seemed to burn into mine.

  “Mademoiselle, you are very acceptable, I do assure you.” Joel looked uncomfortable. He found this conversation in bad taste, I was sure, but I could see that the Comte, like myself, could not resist the temptation to indulge in it.

  “I think,” said Joel, ‘that the interval is almost over and that we should return to our seats. “

  The girls were coming back. Margot looked amused; Maria a little sour and Sybil noncommittal.

  “You are attracting attention, Minelle,” whispered Margot.

  “Two of the most handsome men in attendance at the same time. You are a siren.”

  “I did not ask them.”

  “Sirens never do. They just send out their subtle fascination.”

  During the rest of the concert I thought of the Comte. I attracted him in some way. I knew which way. He liked women, and although I was immature, I was fast becoming one. That his intentions were strictly dishonourable could be nothing but obvious. But what was so horrifying was that instead of being angry I
was fascinated.

  As we were about to descend into the dining hall where cold supper had been laid out, one of the footmen-splendid in the Derringham livery-came into the dining-room, sought the eye of Sir John and discreetly went to him. I saw him whisper a few words.

  Sir John nodded and went to the Comte who, I noticed, not without a little chagrin, was talking animatedly to Lady Eggleston, the flighty young wife of a gouty, more-than middle-aged husband. She was simpering a little and I could imagine the course of their conversation.

  Sir John spoke to the Comte and after a while they went out of the room together.

  Joel was at my side.

  “Come to the buffet,” he said. There you can choose what you would like. After that we’ll find a small table. “

  I was grateful to him. There was such kindliness in him. He believed that I, who knew no one here, might need a protector.

  There was fish of all description and a variety of cold meats. I took little. I was not in the least hungry.

  We found a table somewhat sheltered by plants, and Joel said to me: T dare say you found the Comte a little unusual. “

  “Well… he is not English.”

  “I thought you seemed a little put out by him.”

  “I think he is a man who is accustomed to getting his own way.”

  “Undoubtedly. You saw him leave with my father. One of his servants has arrived from France with a message for him. It seems as though it may be important.”

  It must be for the servant to travel so far. “

  “But not entirely unexpected. You will know that affairs in France have been uneasy for some time. I do hope this is nothing disastrous.”

  “The situation in that country is certainly grim,” I said.

  “One wonders where it will end.”

  I visited the Comte two years ago with my father and even then there was a sense of uneasiness throughout the country. They did not seem to be as much aware of it as I was. Living close to something perhaps makes it less obvious.

  “I have heard of the extravagance of the Queen.”

  She is very unpopular. The French do not like foreigners, and of course she is one. “

  “But a charming and beautiful woman, I believe.”

  “Oh yes. We were presented by the Comte. She danced exquisitely, I remember, and was most beautifully gowned. I think the Comte is a little more uneasy than he admits.”