Free Christina Hollis by Lady Rascal Page B

on the road...’
    She faltered, and Madeleine waited for a lecture on discreet behaviour in strange bedrooms. In reality it was much more embarrassing than that.
    ‘Look, dear—you work for me now. You eat and drink with us as an equal...regular meals, each and every day. What we have, we share. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?’
    Madeleine had no idea. Mistress Constance dabbed her round pink cheeks with her handkerchief and whispered even more confidentially, ‘You have obviously suffered since losing your parents, Madeleine, and I’m not totally unfeeling towards your position.’ Her small black eyes flickered nervously. ‘And...well, in the case that contains your nightwear—I’ve taken the liberty of putting in a few extra things...’
    The words trailed away and she looked at Madeleine warily to see if offence had been taken. The totally blank look on Madeleine’s face told her that more plain speaking was required. She drew herself up to her full height and flushed deeply.
    ‘If you must hide food, dear, make sure it’s well wrapped up in future!’
    Sweeping out of the room in a flurry of embarrassment, Mistress Constance left Madeleine alone with her shame. Why was it so wrong? Everyone she knew had a little put by against hard times. It was everybody for themselves on the streets when it came to food.
    Madeleine wondered what would happen if the Adamsons ever got short of food. Would she really be able to trust them when things got tight?
    At one o’clock the Adamsons’ two coaches were drawn up outside the villa. Madeleine was amazed to learn that the place had only been rented, as her own humble lodging had been.
    When the landlord arrived to check things and collect the keys, there was a surprise nice enough to bring a smile to Adamson’s face.
    ‘Only a few francs deducted for damages. You can have your deposit back virtually in full, Mother. And I have the benefit of most of a week’s rent refunded, in which case dinner this evening will be my treat.’
    ‘That isn’t the only way in which you can repay me, Philip. How about helping me with Madeleine’s English lessons? That would be of more immediate use!’
    They all laughed together. Philip Adamson seemed to have forgotten the ill-tempered shame he had shown over breakfast and was happy to oblige.
    He proved an excellent teacher. Patient with Madeleine’s mistakes, he almost managed a flicker of pleasure at her quick progress.
    They had only been travelling for a short time when their carriage was brought to a standstill. At once both Madeleine and Adamson looked out of their respective windows. What they saw filled Madeleine with dread.
    The city wall of Paris was pocked with Customs posts at every exit, and they had been stopped. A moon-faced Parisian was barring the way, waving a gun with one hand and a slab of bread and dripping in the other.
    Nervous as a kitten, Madeleine clutched at Mistress Constance, fearing what, she didn’t know.
    Two more men appeared from the nearest Customs post. With mounting horror Madeleine recognised one as a regular in the bars of the Rue Mouffetard. He was sure to give her little game away.
    In desperation Madeleine put a hand to her brow as she had seen delicate young ladies do at the subscription concert.
    ‘Oh...but it’s so hot... I should have kept a fan with me...’
    ‘Borrow mine.’ Mistress Constance unlooped velvet ribbons from her wrist and handed Madeleine a pierced ivory fan.
    Spreading it wide open, Madeleine shrank back into the corner and tried to hide behind its fluttering disguise. The Customs men might be satisfied with a search of the baggage only, and not the passengers. She could but hope.
    The first Parisian stood on the wheel-rim of their carriage and hung on to the door for support. He made short work of the bread and yellow dripping while watching the others about their searches. After licking his fingers and smacking his lips, the Customs man wiped one sleeve