The Autumn Palace Read Free Page A

and the dramatic Lake Obski, where sunlight glittered on towers of crystalline rocks. 14 As the sun headed for the hills, they arrived in the northern borough of Bellreeve, where the air smelled like wet leaves. Judging by the puddles on the road, it had been raining. Judging by the dark clouds above, it would rain again soon. There were rows upon rows ofbuildings, but none of them over two storeys high. It looked like the kind of place that called itself a city, but was barely more than a town. Aunt Col waved a fan of banknotes at the porters to have their cases brought to the palechia.
    Ondine wondered how Col had so much money. First-class travel and flashing the cash to get help had never entered Ondine’s mind. Not that her parents were poor, but with three children and a business to run, Ma and Da kept a firm hand on finances. Apparently her great aunt had no such problems. Old Col must have pillows of gold. 15
    â€˜It’s not far, we shall walk from here,’ Old Col said in her best schoolmarmish tone.
    With no bags to carry, Ondine slipped her hand into Hamish’s. In return, Hamish gave her a smile that made her knees go squishy. They walked through thequiet streets as shop owners packed up and closed their businesses for the day.
    â€˜I cannae wait fer our adventures tae begin,’ he said.
    Ondine squeezed his hand. Apprehension niggled at her as she silently hoped she could stay with Hamish and not be sent home.
    Old Col led them up a tree-lined road that climbed a hill.
    â€˜Well, here we are.’ Aunt Col stopped at the top, where the landscape opened out before them. Ahead stood the centuries-old gatehouse with its cobblestone path.
    Ondine sighed as she took in the velvety green meadows, sprinkled with tiny white flowers. Towering trees dropped their yellow and orange leaves like confetti on the ground. In the middle of the loveliness sat an enormous mansion fit for a . . . well, a duke. Three storeys high and forty-five huge windows across, it dominated the estate. 16 It had a soft yellow facadeand manicured creepers wound around white columns.
    â€˜It’s beautiful,’ Ondine said with a breathy sigh. On impulse, she leant towards Hamish and rested her head on his shoulder.
    â€˜Aw, nawt this, Col, ye goiven!’ 17 Hamish said.
    â€˜What?’ Ondine couldn’t believe her ears. How could someone gaze upon such a pretty scene and not feel at peace with the world?
    When Col turned back to look at them, her face was all innocence. ‘You don’t like it?’
    Hamish glared at Old Col and said, ‘Out of all the places in Brugel, ye had tae bring me here, din’t ye?’
    With a sinking feeling Ondine looked from Hamish to her great aunt and then back again. ‘What is this place?’
    â€˜It’s the Duke’s autumn palace.’ Col laughed and winked. The woman was having far too much fun at Hamish and Ondine’s expense.
    â€˜You’ve been here before,’ Ondine said, ‘both of you.’
    Old Col shrugged. ‘Why, you’re right! We
have
been here, many years ago.’ Then she turned and set off towards the gatehouse.
    â€˜A great many,’ Hamish said, shaking his head. ‘Only it wasnae called Bellreeve then. If I’d known, I wouldnae hae come.’ 18
    Figuratively, the twig snapped. 19 Ondine rolled her eyes. ‘This is where the debutante ball took place, isn’t it?’
    â€˜Aye. You’re a smart lass.’ He gave her a smile but it looked tight and strained and his nostrils were flared.
    â€˜I didn’t realise it was here. I guess I never thought about where it happened,’ Ondine said. Taking slower steps to create distance between themselves and Old Col, who walked towards the imposing building,giggling to herself. Ondine whispered to Hamish, ‘Do you think she knew all along?’
    â€˜Aye, I do.’
    Ondine didn’t ask more, because she knew it would upset