Helen Dickson Read Free Page B

secret of how Sir Edward had been easily manipulated into agreeing to his betrothal to Miss Monkton. It was a matter of great amusement to him. I feel under an obligation to protect Sir Edward’s daughter and I have made it my duty to try to stop her marrying Colonel Winston when the time comes. Will she have any objections to leaving France?’
    ‘Not at all,’ the Countess answered crisply. ‘All Maria talks about is going home and marrying the Colonel.’
    ‘She has not seen him for six years. She will find him much changed.’
    ‘As he will Maria. She is no longer a child.’
    ‘And you, Countess? Will you and your daughter not accompany us to England?’
    The Countess studied him for a moment in silence, contemplating his question and curious as to what had prompted him to ask. ‘Ah,’ she said, narrowing her eyes on him. ‘Would I be correct in assuming you are about to try to persuade me to leave my France?’
    Charles’s firm lips curved in a slight smile. ‘You are, Countess. I sincerely hope I will succeed. I would be happy to escort you and your daughter, along with Miss Monkton, to England. France is in great turmoil and every day things get worse. There is no organisation in the country, only chaos everywhere. I believe you are in mortal danger, and that you are at risk of your life—I would not like to be a noble in France now. Very soon you will find yourself alone and friendless, and prey to all kinds of dangers.’
    The Countess smiled thinly. ‘I think you exaggerate. I hear rumours—most of it nonsense, of course. My husband was of the opinion that the fear is spread to provoke disorder so that it will bring about anarchy. Rumours of conspiracy and crime, reports of disaster, spring up everywhere, both by word of mouth and by writing. It is the panic mongers you have to fear.’
    Charles’s expression tightened. ‘I shall hope very much to be proved wrong, but it seems—unlikely. I am staying at a local tavern and I hear things—that some of your own servants have run off and joined the people. The peasants are in such a state of revolt that they are ready to commit any crime. Indeed, in this very parish, they talk openly about setting fire to the chateau. I urge you, if you do not think of yourself, then think of your daughter.’
    The Countess raised her head imperiously and gave him a hard look. ‘Constance will remain here with me.’
    ‘Being English will not save you, Countess. English law cannot reach you here. You were the Count’s wife. The mob will not see beyond that.’
    ‘Are you saying that we should all leave immediately, that you think I need saving?’
    He nodded. ‘You must leave quickly. I took the liberty of having false travelling papers drawn up for that eventuality.’
    The Countess’s brows rose with surprise. ‘You did? How did you manage that?’
    Charles’s face remained closed. ‘I know the right people.’
    ‘I see. Well, I will not pry into the whys and wherefores, sir, of how these things are done, but I must tell youthat you have wasted your time. But is it safe to travel? If there is danger, would it not be safer to stay here?’
    ‘There is no safety anywhere, least of all in the chateaus of France.’
    ‘No one would dare attack the chateau. I know the people hereabouts. They have always looked to us for their livelihood and they will continue to do so.’
    God give me strength, prayed Charles, setting his teeth. It was no use. She did not even now realise the magnitude of this terror that was overtaking them. He was tempted to ask—what livelihood would that be? The people you speak of are starving because of the likes of you and your exorbitant taxes, but instead he said calmly, as though reasoning with a fractious child, ‘Because of who you are, I urge you to flee the country.’
    ‘This is my home. I feel perfectly safe. I have no intention of—fleeing. If things do get worse then of course I shall consider leaving, but I am confident