Free The Ruby Talisman by Belinda Murrell

snatching it back.
    ‘Très bien. It is about our impending marriage, mademoiselle,’ continued the Chevalier. ‘With your aunt and uncle gone, I feel it is my duty to protect you and formalise our union as soon as possible. In short, ma chérie, I would like our wedding to be conducted in the chapel here at Versailles before the end of the week. We will then retire to my country estate for our honeymoon.’
    Amelie and Tilly stared at each other in horror. Amelie found her handkerchief and covered her eyes, feigning tears to buy herself some time.
    ‘My cousin is overwhelmed,’ confided Tilly. ‘The death of her uncle and aunt has been a great shock. Perhaps we shouldn’t talk about this now, monsieur.’
    The Chevalier looked disappointed but bowed gallantly, one leg stretched before the other, as though he were an aged ballet dancer.
    ‘I will withdraw, ma chérie, to make arrangements with the priest. I will call on you later this afternoon to give you news of when the ceremony will take place. Sadly, we will not have time to prepare the proper wedding garments that I would wish for my beautiful bride but, in the current situation, I believe time is of the essence.’
    After yet another elaborate bow, the Chevalier kissing his fingertips to Amelie, he was gone, mincing away on his high heels and fluttering his lace handkerchief. Amelie peeked over her own handkerchief.
    ‘Mon Dieu, is he gone?’
    ‘Yes – thank goodness.’ Tilly pulled a face and started to laugh. ‘Oh, Amelie, how could you even consider for one moment marrying that ridiculous man?’
    Amelie smiled, then gurgled a laugh. The two girls laughed and laughed until their cheeks ached and tears glimmered in their eyes. When the last chuckle had escaped, they looked at each other.
    ‘Well, what shall we do then?’ asked Amelie, still smiling.
    ‘Flee,’ replied Tilly. ‘Flee to England.’
    ‘Non. England is too far,’ retorted Amelie. ‘It is nearly three hundred and twenty-five kilometres to the north coast. We should go to the Chateau de Montjoyeuse. We will be safe there with Henri.’
    ‘Amelie...’ began Tilly, ready to argue. Then she held her tongue. At least Amelie was agreeing to go, which was a start. She would have to work on getting to England later.
    Tilly raided the breakfast leftovers, wrapping up some bread, cheese and fruit in a serviette. Now that the decision had been made to go, they wasted no time. They returned to the apartment, where Amelie changed into her green riding habit and riding boots. She found a spare riding cloak for Tilly.
    Amelie packed two portmanteaus, with her ball gowns, fans, shawls, day dresses, linen and her rose satin slippers. Finally, she opened a drawer in her writing bureau. Right at the back was a secret compartment where she had hidden a few coins and the small package of jewels lent to her by Tante Beatrice – the pearl bracelets, diamond buckles and hairpins. She stowed the precious items, along with the note she had discovered from her mother, in a pouch tied around her waist and hidden under her skirt.
    The girls searched the apartment looking for more money, without success. Everything of value seemed to have been removed.
    Tilly did however find a small, thin sword that had been left in the corner of Henri’s chamber. It was heavier than the épée she used for fencing lessons, but she decided it might just come in handy. She buckled the belt around her waist and hid the sword under her riding cloak.
    Mimi climbed onto Amelie’s shoulder and they set off, each carrying a portmanteau.
    All was confusion down in the stables – they were not the only people planning their escape. Grooms ran hither and thither, saddling horses and harnessing carriages. Servants piled belongings up into carriages and carts.
    The girls hurried their steps. The row of stalls where the Comte’s horses had been kept was empty. Amelie ran towards Angelique’s stall. One of the Comte’s horses – a