A Dangerous Masquerade (22 page)

A feeling of peace came over her as she reached her decision.  She would take Jonathan’s ring and his watch back to his father.  It was the last thing she could do for him.

She must go in now and make the arrangements. An internment in the crypt at the church would be the best thing.  Jonathan’s father would find it easier to bring his coffin back that way.  It might be expensive but if she had to she would sell something of the comte’s.

She got to her feet and turned.  Pierre would need to fetch Doctor Frances before they did anything more.  As she started towards the house, she saw someone emerge from the back door and walk towards her and her throat caught.  She gave a glad cry and started to run.

‘Madeline,’ she cried.  ‘I am so glad to see you – so very glad.  I feared you were dead.  I must leave for England soon and I should have had to tell the lawyers but now you’re here – you’re back to claim all that is yours.’

Madeline stared at her in silence for a moment.  Her gown was soiled and her hair was straggling down her back in limp strands.

‘Are you telling me that you’re pleased to see me?  I’ve been hiding for weeks, not daring to come here.  I thought you had taken my identity…my clothes…I saw you wearing them and my jewels.’

‘Yes, I did because the comte died and I had to do something.  Everyone thought I was you and it seemed best to let them think it.  I was afraid that they would take what was yours.  The comte had a cousin and he came here hoping that he might persuade me that I needed his help but I sent him away.  I have waited for you to return.’

A little sob escaped Madeline.  She put a trembling hand to her face.  ‘I did not know what to do.  I should have come sooner…’

‘Yes, you should.  I was always your friend, my lady.  I have used your things but I’ve sold nothing that was yours, though it has been hard to manage.’

Madeline looked at her hand and saw Jonathan’s ring.  ‘You are married – is he your husband?  That man sitting there…’

‘Yes.  Jonathan is dead.  He was very ill and I left him to sit in the sun.  When I came back…’ She wiped her cheek.  ‘There is so much to tell you, Madeline, but I must send for the doctor.  Doctor Frances has been caring for him all these weeks.  I’m not sure how I shall pay him when I leave.’

‘My husband had gold hidden.  Have you found it?’

‘Fifty francs only, which I fear I have spent.’

Madeline laughed.  ‘Oh, he has much more, believe me.  Enough to cover your husband’s expenses, Constance – and anything else you may need.  I must thank you for your care of my inheritance.  Had you abandoned me, my husband’s cousin would have taken everything.’

‘I did not see why you should be cheated of what was yours.’

‘You know I ran away with a lover?’

‘I thought it might be so.  He is not with you?’

‘Look at me – can you not see I have been living rough for weeks?  Marc swore he loved me but he thought I would take my husband’s gold with me.  When he saw I had nothing, even my jewels, he was angry.  We quarrelled all the time and then he abandoned me.  I have lived by begging and selling what little I had.  If you had turned me away I should have had to sell myself.’

‘How could you think I would turn you from what was yours?’

‘I saw you with that man…an Englishman.  He was living here.  I thought you had taken everything for his sake.’

Constance shook her head.  ‘There is much to tell you – but it will keep.  Go to your old room, Constance.  Heloise will bring hot water and I shall come when everything is done here.’

‘I am sorry for your loss.  It must grieve you to lose your husband?’

‘Yes, but not in the way you might think.  I shall tell you later – for now I must think of him…’

Madeline sat before her dressing mirror while Constance brushed her long hair.  It had been washed and perfumed and the comtesse was now dressed in her own clothes, a single row of pearls about her white throat.

             
‘I have missed this,’ Madeline said, closing her eyes as Constance soothed over her hair.  ‘It makes me feel safe and cared for…it always did even when the comte…’ She shuddered.  ‘How did he die?’

             
‘He was ill for some weeks.  The physician would not say exactly but I think it was some foul disease he picked up from a brothel.  After you went, he took to frequenting them until he fell ill.’

             
‘And you nursed him?  Why did you not run away and leave him to rot?’

             
‘He was cruel to you but he was still a human being and he needed help.  None of the others would nurse him because of his temper and his incontinence – so I stayed.  After he died I wasn’t sure what to do but I knew that if I abandoned the house the comte’s cousin would take everything.’

             
‘He might not have found the gold.  My husband told no one where it was hidden, but I watched him and saw what he did.  I could have stolen it when I left but I was too afraid.  He had tried to kill me that night.’

             
‘Heloise was sure he had killed you.’

             
‘He almost did but then he drew back and I ran away.  I dare not take anything that he gave me lest he had me brought back as a thief.  A wife’s things are not her own while her husband lives.’  Madeline shuddered.  ‘I shall never marry again.  I shall sell everything in Paris and go away – will you come with me?’

             
‘I must go to England first, but perhaps I shall return.  You must tell me where to find you, but I have to find Jonathan’s father and tell him how brave his son was.’

             
‘Yes, of course.  Now that I know your story I understand.  I shall give you money, Constance.  I will give you enough to take your husband’s body with you on the ship, money to live on for a while and your fare back to France.  Come to me, my dear friend, and we shall live together.  What do we need with men?  They are ever the betrayers – do you not agree?’

             
‘Yes, perhaps.  Some men are not worthy of the name,’ Constance replied.  ‘I shall accept what you give me, because I must take Jonathan to his father and then…if I am not wanted I shall return to France and you.’

             
‘Then go with my blessing,’ Madeline said.  ‘When you return I may not be in Paris – but I shall leave word with the priest.’

             
‘Then I shall find you.’

             
‘One thing…I should like to take Heloise with me.  I know you had decided to take her with you, but I need someone I can trust and she has agreed.  Pierre will take you to the ship and see you safe aboard, but he is my servant and I need him to help me.’

             
‘Yes, if it is your wish…’ Constance felt oddly alone for she had expected to undertake her journey with friends and it would be harder without them, but Madeline needed them too.  Heloise had always been her servant.  Pierre had come with Constance to the comtesse’s house but after that he had worked for her until she ran away.  His loyalty must be split between them, but she was perfectly capable of managing alone now that Renard was dead.  ‘They will do better with you now that you are back.’

             
‘Yes,’ Madeline ran her fingers over the rich velvet gown.  ‘I am back and we shall dine in the parlour, as always.  I hope Heloise has prepared a good dinner. You know that I am partial to fish in wine sauce, especially crayfish and lobster.’

             
Constance sighed inwardly.  She had hesitated to spend the comte’s money but Madeline intended to enjoy every last franc of it now that it was hers.  Of course she had the right, but there was something a little unseemly in her pleasure, especially as she knew that Constance was in mourning.

             
Constance had promised to return but she was not certain of the future.  If she could find a place for herself she might remain in England.  She had Jonathan’s will, though she was reluctant to use it.  He had been her husband for such a short time and she felt it would be wrong to take money for caring for him while he was ill.

             
No, she would tell his family the truth and then let them decide what should be done.  If they cast her out she would make her own way…

Chapter Eleven

‘Your father would have wanted me to protect you,’ Pierre said as he waited to see her on board her ship in Calais.  ‘The comtesse commands me to her – but I could ignore her orders and come to England.’

             
‘I had planned to take both you and Heloise,’ Constance said.  ‘But I may not be able to pay you, Pierre…’ She saw his impatient shake of the head and smiled.  ‘I know you would serve me for nothing, as you have for months, but that is not fair to you.  Please go to Sister Helene and tell her you saw me safe to the ship.  I know she will worry.’

             
‘Sister Helene is grateful for all you did, which is more than the other one.  Had it not been for you she would have had nothing, yet now she has it all and gives you but a few coins for your journey.’

             
‘Hush, Pierre.  I could not have expected more.  Madeline is the comtesse.  Her husband’s fortune belongs to her, not me.  I shall return to England and then…’ She sighed for she did not know what she would do with the rest of her life.

             
‘If his family will do nothing for you, you should seek out your father’s family and ask them for help.’

             
‘My father has no family.’

             
‘He had a brother.  His brother is Sir Peter Hatherstone and he lives in Kent.  They quarrelled over a woman and never spoke again, but I know Sir Peter still lives.’

             
‘Even if he does I doubt he would wish to see me on his doorstep,’ Constance said.  ‘I shall make my own way if I can.’

             
‘Heloise asked me to tell you she was sorry.’

             
‘Why should she be sorry?  She is French and has always worked for the comtesse’s family.  I did not expect her to accompany me once Madeline returned.’

             
‘I think she meant something else.  She said something about having destroyed papers that belonged to you…papers in the room that Englishman used when he stayed with you – not your husband, the marquis.’

             
‘In Moraven’s room?’  Heloise took papers and destroyed them?  Constance shook her head.  ‘I do not know if there was a letter – but he had given me a draft on his bank for ten thousand pounds.  When I looked for it, it had gone.  I thought he must have changed his mind and taken it back.’

             
‘That stupid woman.  She cannot read and knew not what she did – she had no right to touch your things.’

             
‘Heloise thought I was well rid of him.  It does not matter.  I would have taken a few guineas had he left them – but it was too much.  Tell her not to fret.  She did not know what the bank draft was – but was there more than one paper?’

             
‘I think there was also a letter.’

             
Constance closed her eyes briefly.  ‘I wish she had not destroyed it.  I should have liked to know what it said – but it is done.  I must forget it and move on.’

             
The bell had sounded for passengers to go aboard.  Constance touched her servant’s hand.  ‘Take care of yourself, Pierre.  I shall not forget you.'

             
‘If you are friendless in England return to France and I will take care of you.’

             
‘Thank you, my friend.  I must go.’

             
Constance left him and joined the other ladies and gentlemen boarding the ship.  Some of the ladies looked at her oddly, but since she was dressed modestly they took her for a servant and ignored her.  Had she worn her better clothes they would have thought her shameless to travel alone.  It was better to be thought a servant than a fast hussy.

             
Standing on deck, Constance waved to her servant.  He stood watching her as the ship weighed anchor and began to move out towards the sea.  Constance waited for a while before going below to the tiny cabin she would share with another young woman, who was probably a maidservant.  As they gained high water, she saw another ship pass them on its way into the harbour.  A man stood on the deck looking toward the shore.  Something about him seemed familiar and for a moment her heart beat rapidly.  Could it be Moraven?  Had he returned to France to find her?

             
The wild hope was gone in a moment.  He’d left her more than a month since and sent no word.  Why should he return for her?  He had advised her to marry Jonathan and he’d left her without a word…and yet perhaps he had left a message for her in the letter Heloise had stolen?