Shadows in the Night

  * * *

  ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’

  Julia shivered as she stood with Lenore in the morning room while that lady stared around the room.

  Lenore’s eyes glanced at the brandy decanter on the side table.

  ‘It is, as you say, a trifle chilly. Perhaps something more warming?’

  Julia involuntarily shivered again.

  ‘Please, help yourself. Will you excuse me? I really must change. I will only be a moment.’

  Lenore nonchalantly waved her hand as she headed over to the brandy.

  ‘Take your time, ma chère.’ She gave a mischievous smile and added, ‘The cognac in this part of your country is always very good.’

  Julia left the room and almost collided with a disapproving Mrs Knight in the hallway. Changing quickly into an oyster taffeta afternoon dress with Smithers’ assistance, she rejoined her guest who was lounging on the couch, a glass of brandy beside her, a fashion periodical in her hands.

  ‘Ah!’ Her eyes took in every detail of Julia’s appearance. ‘Très élégant! It was said in the village that you were, how do you say, cette femme sans attraits ‘a l’air provincial …plain! But no, you do have a certain something. You certainly do not dress like an Englishwoman. No, you have excellent taste.’

  Julia felt rather embarrassed by the personal remarks and also rather pleased. Going over to the side table, she poured herself a small glass of brandy and then went to sit opposite the Frenchwoman.

  ‘I don’t believe we have been formally introduced.’

  Even as she said it, Julia was aware how silly it sounded in view of the circumstances. She couldn’t suppress a smile. ‘I am Julia Farraday.’

  ‘I know who you are. The heiress niece of the old man who lived here. I assure you, everyone in the district knows who you are.’

  ‘Well, you certainly have the advantage. May I enquire who you are?’

  There was a tinkling laugh as Lenore took a sip of her brandy.

  ‘Why, I am Madame Lenore Fouquet.’

  Julia lifted her eyebrows, as, with a rueful smile Madame Fouquet added. ‘My late husband was one of the Emperor’s officers. He did not return from Russia, and like many others, I am just another poor widow.’

  ‘I am sorry, Madame Fouquet.’

  ‘No, no, not Madame. Please call me Lenore and I will call you Julie. So much softer than Julia, do you not think?’

  The Frenchwoman gave a wicked grin and sipped her brandy while Julia watched intently.

  ‘As you wish Madam…Lenore.’

  They both eyed one another and then Julia decided to ask the questions she longed to have answered.

  ‘You are staying as a guest of Mr Hamilton?’

  Lenore’s smile was a thing of great beauty. ‘Staying, yes. As a guest?’

  Again the tinkling laugh. Leaning forward with an air of intimacy she said, ‘I am a poor widow, not a rich heiress. Mr Hamilton is a very busy man who needs some, what do you say, companionship. I am pleased to make him so happy. Who knows, I might decide to become Madame Hamilton. What do you think of that?’ she added triumphantly.

  Despite herself, Julia felt her heart grow cold, yet looking at the beautiful Lenore, could understand how irresistible she would be to any man.

  ‘I am sure that is something only Mr Hamilton could have an opinion on,’ Julia said stiffly.

  Lenore laughed again. ‘You English are so formal, so unromantic, do you not think?’

  ‘I’m sure I wouldn’t know, Madame, I mean, Lenore. I have never visited your country.’

  ‘Ah, but Julie, how you would love Paris. It is magnifique. And the fashions!’

  She tossed the periodical aside contemptuously. ‘Here they have no idea.’

  Julia could only defer to the other’s superior judgement on this subject.

  Suddenly, Lenore asked, ‘Did you enjoy your rides with Gerald every afternoon?’

  Julia felt her face flush but looked her rival in the eye.

  ‘Yes, I did. I had not ridden for some years and it was kind of him to assist me.’

  ‘Bah. I hate horses. Only good for pulling the carriage. Besides, all this riding is so bad for the complexion.’

  There was a moments pause, then Lenore, in a silky voice asked, ‘Are you interested in Gerald as a possible husband, Julie chère?’

  “Julie dear” gulped. ‘Why, I…I...’

  Lenore laughed loudly. ‘Oh, he is so charming, my Gerald. And wicked too. So attractive to a woman, do you not agree? He would certainly like to help you with your inheritance, let me assure you.’

  ‘Are you insinuating, Madame, that Mr Hamilton is interested in my fortune?’

  Lenore walked over to the brandy decanter, poured herself another glass, and with a bewitching smile asked, ‘But, Julie, ma chère, what else would he be interested in?’

  Julia clenched her fingers around her glass and forced her most winning smile on the Frenchwoman.

  ‘Of course, Lenore, how foolish of me to think otherwise.’

  Lenore’s eyes narrowed, but she gracefully turned and draped herself back on the couch.

  ‘You do realise of course, that Gerald’s fortune is not what it was.’

  ‘I know nothing of Gerald’s means.’

  ‘So you do not know that since the revenue men have managed to stamp out the smuggling here, Gerald’s income has dropped dramatically.’

  With raised eyebrows , Lenore continued. ‘I would have thought, Julie, with your old uncle’s involvement, you would have been aware?’

  Julia looked towards the door instinctively and raised her finger to her mouth.

  ‘Bah,’ sniffed Lenore. ‘Everyone in the district knows what is going on.’

  ‘I have known nothing. I have only been here a short time and have known nothing, nothing at all, of what has happened here.’

  In her agitation, Julia got up and roamed around the room, twisting the ring she wore, in frustration.

  ‘Ah, so it is true. You really have never been told of the smuggling that operates here?’

  ‘I know only what I have been able to find out. And that is very little.’

  Lenore sipped her brandy reflectively. ‘Well, it’s just about all finished now, though there may be one more run fairly soon, as I understand it.’

  Julia looked hard at the other woman. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes, Julie chère.’

  ‘Is Gerald involved in this run?’

  Eyebrows raised again, Lenore smiled condescendingly as if to a simple child.

  ‘Ma chère Julie, everyone will be involved. It is to be, how do you say, important cargo.’

  Draining her glass and arising gracefully, Lenore extended her hand to Julia.

  ‘Au revoir, Julie. I think if I marry Gerald, I will simply have to have you come and dance at my wedding. You would like, yes?’

  With her most captivating smile, Julia answered, ‘If Mr Hamilton ever marries you, I would be delighted to attend your nuptials, Lenore chère.’

  Together the two ladies walked to the front door where a severe-looking Ridges waited. He opened the door and Julia could see that the rain had stopped. Lenore impulsively kissed a startled Julia, French fashion, on both cheeks, and sauntered elegantly to her carriage. As she stepped into the carriage she turned and saluted her hostess with a broad wink.