The Painted Face by Jean Stubbs

Author:Jean Stubbs [Stubbs, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781912786589
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2019-02-18T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Carradine had chosen a table for four, at Chez la Mère Catherine in Place du Tertre, instead of taking his chance with the benches along the wall. This was for Lintott’s sake. He placed Natalie and Claire opposite because, as he explained, they could see and talk to them better in that position. The Inspector, doing his best to avoid gaping at the ladies’ décolleté, wished himself back in Richmond, and stared suspiciously at the menu.

Natalie, magnificent in flaming velvet and diamonds, had insisted on Claire appearing in ivory silk and pearls. The diamonds were real. Furthermore, since Carradine and Claire must be given every opportunity to court each other, she took upon herself the doughty challenge of Inspector Lintott. He replied, when he had to, in gruff monosyllables.

‘This is not like your English food, no? You must try the langoustine. It is very good. This is not like your English restaurants, no? I have dined at your Claridge’s. It is very dull.’

‘Claridge’s is not comparable to Maison Catherine, Natalie,’ said Carradine. ‘It is a highly reputable hotel for very respectable people. We have others, I assure you.’

She laughed in a way Lintott considered too robust for a lady. The jewels shivered and quickened against a neck that was now voluptuous and would be fat. Then she returned to the fray.

‘You do not have lovers in English restaurants like this, no?’ And she indicated an elderly man talking fondly to a young girl, who hung upon him like a borrowed medal.

‘We do in some places,’ said Lintott, disapproving.

‘You are not so — honest — as us, no?’

‘About what?’ said Lintott sharply.

Her eyes widened. She was enjoying herself.

‘Look there, m’sieu. Do you see the gross gentleman with two ladies?’

Rubicund, good-natured, his napkin tucked into his collar, the man was inspecting all three plates and discoursing on their contents earnestly. He cut off a sliver of his chicken and offered it to the younger, more fashionable woman. He sopped a bit of bread in his sauce and offered it to the older, quieter woman. Both were eating tranquilly, hugely. He beckoned the waiter, tasted the wine, urged them to drink. He beamed upon their appetites, feeding them.

‘What are they, m’sieu? You are a — detection. Tell me of them.’

‘Bachelor gentleman taking his sisters out to dinner,’ Lintott guessed.

Natalie clapped her hands together and laughed even more robustly.

‘How English you are! The dull one is his wife, the pretty one is his mistress.’

‘We have no proof of that, Inspector,’ said Carradine keeping a straight face, ‘but from long observation of the French I would agree with Madame Picard.’

‘Don’t the wife suspect?’ asked Lintott, astounded.

‘But she knows!’ cried Natalie, enchanted. ‘Pff! What matter? She has his name, his home, his protection, his children perhaps. When he dies she has his money, all but a little gift to the mistress. If he wishes to make love with another woman, what of that? They are all content. They accept. They are honest. They enjoy their dinner with good appetite.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.