Velvet Shadows Read Free Page B

husband of the birth of Victorine. After a number of years her relationship with her protector was severed, and she disappeared soon after. Victorine meanwhile was left in the care of a kinswoman from the West Indies, a woman about whom there was also scandalous talk.
    “About a year ago this woman died, leaving Victorine without a home, and she appealed to the brother she had never seen. Unfortunately while her French guardian was living she met a connection of her foster mother, a most unsuitable man from the West Indies. That this man hopedto use Victorine to force money from the Sauvages was Mr. Sauvage’s discovery.
    “He went to France, took her from the vicinity of that fortune hunter, and from the very unhealthy atmosphere in which she had grown up. He hopes a complete change of scene will be beneficial since his sister is so young.
    “But there is reason to think that the young man in question will not easily relinquish his proposed victim. Therefore Mr. Sauvage needs a companion to watch over his sister. To place a lady of mature years in this position would defeat his purpose. He hopes to win the confidence of his sister, rather than let her believe herself a prisoner in his house. A discreet young person near Victorine’s age, a young lady who speaks her native tongue, yet one well aware of the dangers of unwise acquaintances, is what he needs. And in that I concur. You would not be set in authority over Miss Sauvage; rather you shall be there to supply wholesome companionship, to introduce her to another life.”
    She paused and I dared to voice my greatest objection:
    “And to report upon her to her brother!”
    “Naturally you shrink from such an idea,” Madam Ashley agreed. “But that is not what Mr. Sauvage wants. He wishes no report on his sister, but only knowledge of any stranger who attempts to meet her in a surreptitious manner. Your main duty would be to make life so pleasant and attractive as to persuade Victorine her brother wishes her well, with a bright and happy future before her. Does this allay the doubts raised by your natural scruples?”
    “You advise me, then, to accept this position?”
    “I believe it to be an opportunity such as one seldom is offered. But the decision must be entirely yours.”
    Perhaps I had meant to say “yes” all the time, retreating behind my common sense because of a timidity which was not natural to me. Perhaps the wanderer’s blood bequeathed me by my father stirred now as I answered, reversing myself.
    “I will say yes then—” It was excitement rising in me now, rather than fear, though it would have been far better had I allowed my first prudence full rein at that moment.

CHAPTER TWO
    Friday morning Madam herself escorted me to the station. Now that there was no turning back I shivered, the palms of my hands damp within my gloves.
    The Sauvage car was the last of the train, painted a dark green and with a brass-railed observation platform to the back. I could see passengers in the ordinary coaches ahead looking curiously for the passenger. Then Mr. Sauvage himself came to aid me.
    I made my goodbyes in a flurry. The stares of the coach passengers were disconcerting. A lady, as had long been drilled into me, was never conspicuous. And my discomfort continued even as I went into the stateroom assigned me. But with the strangers’ eyes now gone, I looked around with interest, to realize how unlike the usual train this car was.
    My private quarters was one of four small rooms, with a divan to open out into a bed, a small table (fastened securely against the sway of the floor), a wardrobe, and, within a curtained cubby, a lavatory. I removed my hat and jacket, glanced into the mirror above the table to make sure I looked tidy, and then went in search of my fellow passengers.
    Since the train was in motion now I felt unsteady walking the narrow carpeted corridor. It had been too many years since I had enjoyed the freedom of my father’s ship, known