Free Remember by Barbara Taylor Bradford Page B

Floating over the table was a rustic black-iron chandelier, and running down the center of the table was a collection of brass candlesticks holding thick white candles. Huge bowls of flowers in the center of the table and on the sideboard brought touches of vivid color to the rather simply furnished room.
    Hurrying forward, Amelie had next shown her out into the main hall and opened a door into a small downstairs sitting room.
    Highly polished cream-colored flagstones gleamed on the floor, the walls were painted a soft butter-yellow, and two sofas covered in cream linen faced each other in front of a small fireplace. Occasional wooden tables were scattered around, and two tall pottery lamps with cream shades stood on antique chests on either side of the chimney. A table under the window held all the latest magazines from around the world, copies of Life and Paris Match being much in evidence, as well as Time and Newsweek.
    “Now we shall go upstairs,” Amelie had said to her, swinging around and guiding her back to the front hall. Nicky had dutifully followed her up a white stone staircase, broad and curved, which stopped on a square landing. On either side of this were the library and the main living room. Both were painted white, had soaring fireplaces, pale wood floors and flat rugs from Morocco.
    The living room was decorated with French country furniture in the Provencal style, and the sofas and chairs were upholstered in cream, cafe all kit and caramel-colored fabrics. Again, masses of flowers introduced vivid color everywhere, and Nicky had an instant impression of air and light and spaciousness, and the most marvelous sense of tranquillity.
    Across the landing, the library was lined with books and furnished with two overstuffed sofas covered in melon-colored cotton. Clee had created an audio-visual center in one corner, using the most up-to-date equipment, a large-screen television, video player, tape deck, compact disc player. Stereo speakers were positioned high on the bookshelves.
    “This is Monsieur Clee’s room, he likes it the best, I think,” Amelie had informed her, nodding her head fondly. Then pointing her finger at the ceiling, she had announced, “One more flight, mademoiselle.
    Alms!”
    The two of them had gone out onto the large landing and climbed up a narrower flight of white stone steps to the bedroom floor.
    Nicky had discovered that she had her own suite under the eaves, and it was composed of a bathroom, a bedroom and a sitting room, which were charmingly decorated, again with lots of white, cream and caramel, the basic colors in the house. Several good wooden pieces were set against the walls of the sitting room and an antique armoire and a chest graced the bedroom, even a cursory glance had told her that a great deal of care had been taken and every comfort provided.
     
    “I will bring up your cases,” Amelie had said after opening the armoire doors and sliding out drawers in the chest. “And please, Mademoiselle Nicky, you must tell me if there is anything else you need. Monsieur Clee will be angry if I do not look after you properly.
    ” “Thank you very much, Amelie,” Nicky had answered, smiling. “I’m sure I have everything. And thank you for the grand tour.”
    “Ah, it is a pleasure, mademoiselle,” Amelie had answered with a smile before disappearing down the stairs.
    This conversation had taken place only four days ago, but already Nicky was feeling rested. The farmhouse and the surrounding grounds had had a soothing effect on her, and she was more tranquil than she had been for a long time. She had slept better than she usually did, and had relaxed completely in this peaceful environment.
    Her days were slow, lazy, without pressure, and she had done nothing more complicated than walk around the grounds and the woods close by, and swim in the pool. The fresh air and exercise, plus Amelie’s delicious cooking, were restorative. In the evenings she had read, listened to