My father smiled. ‘He would like you to return to England with him.’
I was silent.
He insisted: ‘That is what he wants, is it not?’
‘He has suggested it.’
‘And you, Lottie?’
‘I am going to stay here, of course.’
‘Is that what you want?’
‘Yes,’ I said determinedly.
‘He interests me, that man. I have never ceased to be grateful to him, you know. It was due to him that I found you and your mother. If your mother had not been so much afraid of him she would never have written to me and I should never have known of your existence. My feelings towards him are mixed. Your mother always disliked him and was a little afraid of him, I think. But I have to say that I have strong admiration for him. In spite of everything he might well be the man for you, Lottie.’
‘I should have to think a great deal about that!’
‘I have been thinking. You are too young to spend your life here like this. You should marry. You should have more children.’
‘Do you want to be rid of me?’
‘Heaven forbid! What I want is your happiness and if that takes you away from me, then … so be it.’
‘I should never be happy away from you.’
‘God bless you, Lottie,’ he said emotionally. ‘Bless you for the happiness you have brought into my life. I want you to promise me that if you should long to go with him—or to anyone—you will not let any feeling of duty, or whatever you feel towards me, stand in your way. I am old; you are young. Your life is before you. Mine is finished. Remember, that more than anything I want your happiness.’
‘And do you know,’ I said, ‘I want yours.’
He walked away from me for a moment. Then he said: ‘All will be well. This kingdom has stood firm in all the troubles which have beset it through the centuries. France will always be France. There has to be a future for our children. I won’t deny the fact that I want Charlot to inherit Aubigné. Of course, if by any chance Armand has children it would have to go to them first … but that is hardly likely. After Armand, it must be Charlot. I have drawn this up with the lawyers.’
‘I hate all this talk of wills,’ I said. ‘I want everything to stay as it is now. You have years ahead of you yet.’
‘Let us wait and see,’ he said.
At midday Léon Blanchard and the boys came back with their specimens which they had found in the woods and the countryside. My father was very amused by the conversation at the table, which was all about the amazing things which could be found in the forest and the meadows. They were going to spend the afternoon listing their specimens. On the days when Léon Blanchard was with them, they usually worked mornings and afternoons to make up for those days when he was with his other pupils—though he always left them work to do in his absence.
Dickon came back late in the afternoon. I saw him arrive and I watched while he left the stables and sauntered into the castle.
I was still thinking of him as I dressed for dinner.
Sophie was there. She was talking to Léon Blanchard when I came in; she was flushed and smiling, almost sparkling, as she did in his company. I decided to ask my father whether he would consider a match between them. I was sure he would give his approval for he was very impressed by Léon Blanchard, and as Lisette had said, he would be very relieved to find a husband for Sophie.
Armand had not appeared and my father asked Marie Louise if he were coming down. Marie Louise looked surprise as though it was remarkable that she should be asked about her husband’s whereabouts. She had no idea, she said. So my father sent up one of the servants to find out.
The servant came down with the news that the Vicomte was not in his rooms. His valet said that he had laid out his clothes, for he was expecting him back, but he had not returned.
No one was very surprised for Armand was never very precise in his movements. He had been known to go hunting and not come back until morning. Now that he was enthusiastic about his Band, he sometimes stayed a night with one of the members if he had what he called business to do.
So the meal progressed as usual and Léon Blanchard talked about the boys’ enthusiasm for botany and said he thought that it was an excellent subject for them to pursue. Sophie listened intently to him when he spoke. The change in her was growing more and more noticeable every day and I intended to speak to my father at the first opportunity.
Dickon was unusually quiet and after the meal he did not suggest we take a walk through the castle grounds or round the parapet.
I slept well that night to make up for the previous one and the next morning, when I was alone with my father, I broached the subject of Sophie and Léon Blanchard. We were sitting on the grass overlooking the moat when I said to him: ‘What a difference there is in Sophie nowadays.’
‘It is remarkable,’ he agreed.
‘You know why. She is in love.’
‘Yes … Léon Blanchard.’
‘Suppose he offered to marry her?’
My father was silent.
‘You have a high opinion of him,’ I said.
‘I would never have thought a tutor a suitable husband for my daughter.’
‘In the circumstances … ’
‘I agree, the circumstances make a difference.’
‘You could not wish for a more cultured man. He is connected with the Duc de Soissonson, I believe.’
‘Very remotely, apparently.’
I turned round. Sophie was standing very near to us. I flushed scarlet because it was Sophie.
‘Sophie,’ I cried scrambling up.
‘I was taking a walk,’ she said.
‘It’s a lovely day.’
Our father said: ‘Good morning, Sophie.’
She returned the greeting and started to walk away.
‘Won’t you … ’ I began, but she walked on.
I sat down again. ‘How strange that she should appear like that. So quietly … ’
‘We wouldn’t have heard the footsteps on the grass.’
‘I hope she didn’t hear that we were discussing her.’
‘She should have made herself known before.’
‘I think she was trying to escape notice altogether.’
‘We were saying that she has changed, but she doesn’t seem quite to have got over that ridiculous recluse attitude.’
‘Only when Léon Blanchard is there. If the matter were raised you would not withhold your consent, would you?’
‘I should be as pleased as you to see Sophie happily settled.’
‘I am so glad.’
Then we talked of other things.
When Armand did not appear at dinner that night we began to be uneasy. My father said if he was not back on the next day he would send a man to some of Armand’s friends to see if they had news of him.
It was rather an uneasy meal for we were all wondering about Armand. Léon Blanchard said he was sure he was with one of his friends because there had been a meeting on the day Armand had left the château. He himself had been too involved in the boys’ lessons to leave the château during the whole day, and from the first he had made it clear to Armand that his post with the boys came first with him.
The following day we heard the disquieting news that Armand had not arrived at the meeting which had taken place at the house of one of his friends. They could not understand why he did not come, as he had definitely arranged to be with them and had sent no message to say he could not come or why he had failed to turn up.
Now we were really alarmed.
‘There must have been an accident,’ said the Comte and began questioning the servants. Armand had left on horseback in the early afternoon, the groom told us, and he seemed in excellent spirits. He had gone alone.
There was no news of him all that day. Dickon went out with the men, scouring the countryside but it was the following day before anything was discovered. It was Dickon who found Armand’s horse. It was tethered to a bush close to the river. The animal was in a state of panic, not having been fed for so long; and by the river bank was a feathered hat which we identified as Armand’s.