The Devil in Love (Bantam Series No. 24) by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland [Solitar, Susie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

Larisa walked into the School-Room having changed for dinner.

She found Nurse there and the two women looked at each other in an understanding manner.

“They have been talking together all afternoon,” Nurse said in a low voice and there was no mistaking of whom she spoke.

There was a question in Larisa’s eyes and Nurse continued:

“I think the situation has improved a little. Bernard told me just now that Monsieur Raoul asked his father for a case of the Valmont wine, and Monsieur le Comte said he could have one of the 1874 vintage, which is kept for very special occasions.”

Larisa knew that Bernard was Monsieur le Comte’s man-servant who was closely in his confidence.

Everything that went on in the Chateau was replayed to its owner by Bernard, and if he thought things were going better than they had done before, then there must indeed be an improvement.

“I hope you are right,” Larisa said.

She wondered as she spoke whether Monsieur le Comte would in fact give in and agree to purchase the vineyard.

It seemed somehow unlikely in view of the manner in which he had behaved at luncheon.

At the same time she was certain that Comte Raoul could be very persuasive.

“If only we could all live in peace,” Nurse said almost beneath her breath.

Then as she wiped her eyes she added:

“When Monsieur Raoul came to see me today he said: ‘I wish I was young again, ma Bonne, the same age as Jean-Pierre and have you making all the decisions for me. How easy it would be!’ ”

As if the memory of what Comte Raoul had said was too much for her, Nurse went from the School Room and Larisa knew it was to hide her tears.

Larisa ate little of the delicious dishes that the Chef had sent up for her supper.

She did not feel hungry and felt somehow emotionally involved in the drama that was taking place in the household.

Even though she told herself that it was none of her business and she was outside everything that happened, she could not help feeling concerned.

There was also at the back of her mind, although she tried not to think of it, the knowledge that sooner or later Monsieur le Comte would have to know about Jean-Pierre.

It opened up the question as to whether it would make him kinder to or more vehement against his only son.

When Larisa had finished her supper and Suzanne had taken away the tray she picked up a book, intending to read. But she found it impossible to concentrate and she must have sat for a long time deep in her thoughts, the book open on her lap.

There came a knock at the door.

“Entrez!”

A footman stood there.

“Monsieur wishes to speak to you in the Blue Cabinet, M’mselle.”

“I will come downstairs in a moment,” Larisa answered.

She went to her bed-room to see that her hair was tidy and to pick up a handkerchief.

She was wearing a thin muslin gown she had made herself, which had a pattern of small, blue flowers on it and a sash of the same colour which matched her eyes.

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