Velvet Shadows Read Free Page A

clear to you that in no way will you be considered a governess. You will be a guest in our house, accompanying Victorine into society as if you were—say—a cousin. A sum will be banked quarterly for you to draw on as you please.”
    “And how long”—I was glad my voice sounded businesslike, for my thoughts were troubled by the decision I must make in so short a time (and also because I found my employer a disturbing puzzle I did not understand; I was far too aware of him, of his strong personality)—“will this continue?”

    “For at least a year.” He surprised me with the surety of that prompt reply. “Perhaps even longer. At the end of your duties I shall see that you do not lose by coming to our aid. You may then return east or a suitable place can be found for you in California. Ladies of culture are not too common there.”
    At least he was not so blunt about my chances for an establishment as Madam Ashley had been. He was indeed a mixture of qualities—frank on some points to brusqueness, and fastidious on others. But I must have time to think.
    “Be sure, sir”—I arose—“I shall give your offer a most serious consideration, and you will hear from me before Friday.”
    When I was no longer in Alain Sauvage’s disturbing presence (for I readily admitted that he had troubled from the first my carefully cultivated serenity of mind) calm good sense returned. Of course I could not in three days prepare to tear up my life by the roots and go to live with total strangers for a year.
    And I was thoroughly sure of that decision when I was once more closeted with Madam Ashley on my return.
    “You have made up your mind?”
    “Yes.” I was unsure but I would not let anyone know that. “I do not believe I am the person best suited for Mr. Sauvage’s purposes.”
    “Why?” Her question was so blunt I was astounded. She sounded disappointed.
    I explained that a quick departure into the unknown was unreasonable, that the situation between Miss Sauvage and her brother was an unhappy one, into which one as young as I should not be drawn. An older and more mature companion would be better able to handle family discord. As I talked I noted she had a letter spread on the desk at her hand. Now and then she glanced from me to that closely written page.
    “Prudent and reasonable to be sure,” she commented. “However, after your departure, Miss Penfold, I received this letter from Mr. Sauvage. In it he stated that he mightnot be able to talk privately as he wished to any extent; therefore he asked me to be his intermediary. The situation is indeed a strange one, and I think he is right in believing he needs a young lady of proven discretion to handle it.
    “First let me say that if you were not a seasoned traveler, having accompanied your father on his many voyages until the war broke out, I would agree that the short time of preparation would be a factor to consider. But the Sauvage party will be traveling in the greatest comfort and luxury. These private cars are like miniature fine hotels mounted on wheels. You will experience none of the fatigue and difficulties of an ordinary traveler, no need to change, no worry concerning tickets and the like, a full safety of luggage.
    “Now as to your objection concerning the family situation. No one wants to act as a warden over another person. But in this case there is great need for an alert companion for Miss Sauvage. I must now enter into some distasteful facts necessary for you to know, which Mr. Sauvage could not reveal to a member of the opposite sex.
    “Victorine, as you know, is not Mr. Sauvage’s full sister. There is a disparity of nearly twelve years in their ages, and very little family feeling. The second Madame Sauvage”—she hesitated—“was, shall I say, indiscreet. She would not accompany her husband to this country. In bald fact she accepted the protection of another man, one highly placed in French society.
    “Nor did she inform her