Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (top rated books of all time txt) 📗

her words were powerfully felt by both members of heraudience.

"You are very sure of this, mademoiselle." The half question, halfstatement forestalled Linton as he was about to ask Danny if she wouldprefer to close the interview.

"I speak only of what I have heard and seen, sir. My own family weretypical of the worst of their kind and have already suffered the fatethat will overtake the rest if the States General achieves nothing.There are some members of the nobility who understand the dangers—theComte de Mirabeau and the Due d'Orleans, for instance. They, it isunderstood, will sit with the Commons and vote as representatives ofthe people and not of the nobility. The people's hopes rest with themand on the assumption that Louis XVI has their best interests at heart.He may well have, but his interpretation of their best interests is, Ifear, at variance with the peoples'." This last was said with asardonic cynicism that startled Linton although he realized that heshould have expected it. This quiet, controlled individual seemed tobear no resemblance to the impish brat he had reluctantly assumedresponsibility for. That brat had lived through and learned from aseries of horrendous experiences that would have broken a lesserspirit. The woman who was just beginning to emerge from this childishchrysalis would be special indeed. But Pitt was continuing.

"Mademoiselle, I understand and accept the need for discretion, but canyou tell me nothing of your own story?"

"I am quite willing, sir, to tell you the whole. It is Milord Lintonwho has the so delicate notions of propriety."

"Oh, infamous, Danielle!" Linton murmured, offering his snuff box tothe Earl of Chatham before himself taking a pinch.

"I can assure you of my absolute discretion, Linton." Chatham bowedcarelessly in his direction.

"I do not doubt it, sir. You may put up your veil, brat, and tell whatyou choose."

The small figure rose instantly, casting aside the heavy velvet cloakand removing the despised bonnet and veil with a gesture ofill-concealed relief.

"I was like to roast in those swaddling clothes," she announcedcheerfully, standing on tiptoe before the mirror above the mantel toadjust her disordered curls in a gesture so utterly feminine thatLinton was hard put to keep a straight face. "Now, sir, I will takethat refreshment, if I may?" She turned a dazzling smile on WilliamPitt, who bowed hastily and turned to the decanter. Whatever he hadbeen expecting under the layers of disguise, it was not this sparklingcreature in a gown of the first style of elegance.

"Would you perhaps prefer a glass of lemonade, mademoiselle, or perhapsratafia?" He hesitated, decanter in hand.

"Not at all. If that is port, I should like it of all things."

"It is an excellent port, Danny," Linton assured her gravely. "PerhapsI should perform formal introductions. May I present the Earl ofChatham to the Lady Danielle de St. Varennes?"

"My lord." Danielle sank gracefully into her curtsy, rising as Pitttook her hand with a low bow.

"

Enchante,

milady. You are, ofcourse, Louise Rockford's daughter," hecontinued with a smile. "There

is a strong resemblance, but the mouthand nose are pure de St. Varennes. Do you not agree, Linton?"

"Absolutely, Pitt."

Danielle took a sip of her port, frowned slightly, then gave a shortapproving nod. "It is indeed an excellent port, sir. Now, I will tellyou my story and you will understand perfectly, n'est-ce pas?"

William Pitt the younger was not at all sure that he would everunderstand anything perfectly again but

he merely bowed courteously.

"Do, pray, be seated, sir. I will remain standing as I find it easierto think if I walk around." Danny gave him that dazzling smile againand Linton wondered uneasily if she were being deliberately coquettish.Those petticoats seemed to have wrought the damndest changes in hisurchin.

She told her tale, however, with a quiet, articulate objectivity thatheld both men spellbound. The few questions that Pitt posed wereanswered pertinently with a deep frown of concentration as she soughtthe right words, using both English and French with the same ease.

"And then, sir, Milord Linton rescued me from a nasty baker who hadmost unpleasant designs upon my person and there the story ends."

"You have much courage, milady," Pitt said heavily, "but yourimpressions and information fill me with the deepest foreboding."

"That is only to be expected of a realistic mind, sir," she respondedsimply. "I do not know what is to be done, though."

"Your people will have many sympathizers in this country. Theirstruggles will be seen by some idealists as a great example."

"Fox, of course," Linton said thoughtfully.

"Of course, and Burke."

"

Mais, d'accord,

milord,"Danielle said briskly. "But will they supportthe vengeance?"

"You anticipate much blood, Danielle?" Only Linton seemed aware thatPitt had used her first name as if he had known her from the cradle.

"I have seen the power of the mob, sir," she reminded him gently.

At that Linton rose gracefully. "If you have no further questions,Chatham, I think it is time Danielle sought her bed. We have a longjourney ahead of us."

"Indeed." Pitt chewed his lip thoughtfully before turning to Danielle."Do you care to refresh yourself, Danielle, before you leave?"

"You are suggesting, I think, that I absent myself for a while, sir?" Aslight curtsy and those peeping dimples accompanied the soft statement."If you wish to be private with My Lord Linton you have only to say so."

"Oh, Danny," the earl sighed. "Such want of conduct, child!"

"I fail to see why the truth should be considered want of conduct," shedeclared stoutly. "If you will show me to your library, sir, I willendeavor to amuse myself."

When she had left, Pitt refilled both theirglasses. "You will call onme, Linton, should you require any assistance when Danielle takes herplace in Society?"

"I think it is Society who will require the assistance," Lintonresponded dryly.