Free Devil and the Deep Sea by Sara Craven Page B

gave a slight cough. 'If you will permit me,' he said
    austerely. He studied Samma unnervingly for a long moment. 'May
    I ask, madame, if you were acquainted with your belle-fille before
    the marriage took place?'
    She said huskily, 'No, I—I met her for the first time today.'
    'And did it go well—this meeting?'
    Samma met his gaze, and realised that he would detect any attempt
    at a cosy lie. She said, 'Actually, it was pretty much of a disaster.'
    'You see!' exclaimed Madame Augustin, and was hushed by her
    lawyer.
    'So,' Judge Lefevre said slowly, 'there is little chance of any
    immediate rapport between you?'
    'Within the near future, very little.' Samma was aware of Roche's
    restive, angry movement. 'But we're talking about a lifetime—the
    building of trust—of a stable relationship.' She took a deep breath.
    'Solange, frankly, doesn't want me in her life, or anyone else for that
    matter, but I intend to be there for her, just the same. She may never
    accept me, but that's a chance I'm prepared to take. Maybe I'm too
    young to be a—a conventional mother to her, but I can be her
    friend, and that's what I'm offering, now and in the future—to be
    there for her when—if she wants me.' She bit her lip. 'I've been a
    stepdaughter myself. I don't expect instant miracles.'
    'Words.' Madame Augustin dripped contempt into the thoughtful
    silence which followed Samma's little speech. 'We can offer la
    petite a secure, familiar home.'
    'Familiar?' Jean-Paul Giraud queried. He glanced at his papers. 'I
    understand there was little contact between yourselves and the late
    Marie-Christine Delacroix.'
    'My poor child.' Madame produced a handkerchief. 'Trapped in her
    tragic marriage to that—monster. Is it any wonder she lived like a
    recluse?'
    Roche's face looked as if it was carved out of stone.
    'Control yourself, madame .' The judge gave her a grim look.
    'How can I?' The woman gave a hysterical laugh. 'This marriage is a
    trick—a fabrication by this brute—this womaniser.' She turned the
    venom of her gaze on Samma. 'You may think you have done well
    for yourself, Madame Delacroix, but you will live to regret this day,
    as my poor Marie-Christine did. He used my child, and when he no
    longer wanted her, he cast her aside.'
    Maitre Felix took her arm, trying to hush her, but she shook him off.
    'He killed my girl—he shut her in that terrible house alone—and
    drove her to her death with his cruelty and neglect. And he will do
    the same with this new girl, once he has taken what he wants from
    her. Wife!' She uttered a snort, then burst into loud, dramatic sobs.
    'She will soon find out what it means to be Roche Delacroix's wife.
    Married to the incarnation of Le Diable!'
    'Babette -' Monsieur Augustin, his face sweating and ashen, tried to
    calm her, as the two lawyers exchanged discreetly appalled glances.
    Above the tumult, Judge Lefevre made himself heard. 'There will be
    silence.'
    Amazingly, there was. Then he spoke again slowly, his eyes fixed
    meditatively on Samma. 'I am not convinced the interests of the
    child Solange Delacroix would be best served at this juncture by
    placing her in the custody of her grandparents. Therefore, I shall
    adjourn this matter, sine die .' He removed his glasses, and inclined
    his head courteously. 'I wish you good fortune, Madame Delacroix.'
    And I'm going to need every scrap of it, thought Samma as Roche's
    hand closed with disconcerting firmness round her own, and he led
    her from the room.
    'You are very pale, madame.' Jean-Paul's voice was sharp with
    concern. 'May I fetch you something—some coffee, perhaps?'
    'Thank you.' Samma found herself in a kind of waiting-room,
    furnished with easy chairs, and sank into one of them gratefully.
    She accepted the coffee Jean-Paul brought her, then looked up at
    Roche. 'I don't understand. Did we win?'
    'You could say so,' Roche acknowledged. 'Judge Lefevre has
    postponed any further hearing indefinitely. The Augustins will