‘Monsieur le Comte, we are living in dangerous times. What seems like melodrama in one age is commonplace in another. Blanchard knew there was to be a meeting that day.’
‘Blanchard spent the whole day in the château. He could not have been involved in murder.’
‘Not in the act of carrying it out, but he could have given the information as to where Armand would be. My theory is that your son was set upon and killed, and his murderers made it appear an accident and that he had been drowned in the river and carried away by it.’
‘It is a fantastic story.’
‘Fantastic things are happening in this country now.’
‘I really cannot believe it,’ said my father.
‘Then,’ retorted Dickon, ‘you must disbelieve.’
‘If Blanchard comes back he will be able to refute this story.’
‘But he has not come back, has he?’
‘It might be that his mother is still very ill and he must stay with her.’
‘Where does he say he has gone to?’
‘A place I never heard of. What was it, Lottie? Paraville. It is a good many leagues south. I trust he comes back soon. I should like to hear from his own lips that this is just wild conjecture.’
‘How do you explain Soissonson’s lack of relatives with children?’
‘Soissonson is vague. It might have been some connection … not exactly related.’
‘He doesn’t appear to have anyone, and he is hand in glove with Orléans who is doing his best to bring this country to revolution.’
‘My dear young man,’ said the Comte, ‘you have worked so hard and I know it is for our good. You must forgive me if I tell you I find it hard to believe that Soissonson would have a hand in murdering the son of an old friend.’
‘When revolution comes old friends become new enemies.’
‘You are very kind to take such an interest in our affairs,’ said my father. ‘I trust you will be staying with us for some little time.’
‘Thank you, but no,’ answered Dickon. ‘I must return to England in a few days.’
He was really quite angry with my father. He had been so excited when he arrived with his news—which I had to admit, like my father, I did not believe—that he found the reception of it a somewhat bitter anticlimax.
He was quite subdued when he dined with us and afterwards when he suggested a walk on the ramparts, I readily agreed because I was sorry for the reception he had had.
He said: ‘The sooner you leave this place the better. People are half asleep. They cannot see what is going on around them and when it is thrust under their noses they turn away and call it melodrama. I tell you this, Lottie: these people deserve what is coming to them. Don’t be as foolish as they are. Come back with me … now. This is no place to be in, I do assure you.’
‘Dickon,’ I said, ‘how can you be sure?’
‘You should go to Paris. You should see the crowds every night at the Palais Royal. The gardens are full of them. They are preaching to the people … and who is behind all this? Orléans … men like Soissonson. Traitors to their own class … and therefore the most dangerous traitors. It is all as clear as crystal. Did it not strike you as fortuitous that Soissonson should arrive just at the time when you needed a tutor and provide one?’
‘But he was such a good
‘Of course he was. These people know what they are doing.
‘He did not want to at first. He had to be persuaded.’
‘Of course he had to be persuaded! He wouldn’t appear eager. His was a secret mission.’
‘It’s too wild.’
‘And what of Armand?’
I was silent and he went on: ‘Yes. Poor foolish Armand, he will never inherit his father’s estates now. I’ll warrant they’ll be for you.’
I looked at him quickly and he went on: ‘For the boy, of course. That would be how the Comte’s mind would work. After all, there are only you and that pathetic Sophie now. She was not considered for a moment.’
I looked at him coldly. ‘At such a time you concern yourself with such matters … ’
‘They are there, Lottie. You cannot ignore what is there.’
I wasn’t listening to him. I was thinking of Armand, going down to the river … a group of armed men springing out on him. But perhaps there was only one.
I felt sick and frightened.
I said: ‘I want to go in.’
‘Think about what I have said, Lottie. Marry me. I’ll take care of you.’
‘And the estate,’ I said, ‘and Chariot’s inheritance … ’
‘I’d take care of everything. You need me, Lottie, as much as I need you.’
‘I don’t feel that need,’ I said. ‘Good night, Dickon.’
He left the castle the next day. He was clearly very displeased with his reception.
Lisette wanted to know what had happened and as she knew something important had, I told her.
