The Heiress by Evelyn Anthony Page B

‘Stop her before some of your audience break into snores.’ Anne gave the signal and led the applause. The harpist came up to them and curtsied.
    â€˜A wonderul performance, Madame,’ Anne thanked her. ‘We have been enchanted. There will be dancing in the Long Salon. Be kind enough to join us.’
    â€˜You keep late hours for the country,’ Charles said. ‘Hunting half the day, eating and drinking for hours on end. No wonder all your neighbours look so gross. Will we have to go through this again on the wedding night? I’m afraid I may have to retire early if we do.…’
    â€˜When a de Bernard marries, certain things are expected,’ Anne said quietly. ‘I’m sure in your own country you had obligations to your neighbours. Ah, Monsieur le Vicomte de Bre—may I present my future husband, Monsieur Macdonald!’
    Charles noticed the young man’s fair face flush a deep red as he kissed Anne’s hand. They bowed to each other and he saw the hostility in the younger man’s eyes.
    â€˜My felicitations, Monsieur,’ the Vicomte said stiffly. ‘You are the most fortunate man in the world.’
    â€˜So I hear on all sides,’ Charles answered. ‘I only fear that my good fortune is ill fortune for others. Anne, my dear, I’m sure Monsieur de Bre wishes to claim you for a dance. I relinquish her to you, Monsieur.’
    He watched them move away, and the old Comte de Bernard came up to him.
    â€˜This is a sad night for that young man,’ he remarked. ‘He’s been Anne’s suitor for years.’
    â€˜So I guessed,’ Charles said. ‘I wonder she refused him.’
    â€˜She took my advice,’ the old man smiled. ‘I told her to wait for a better. There was not much hesitation about you after you arrived. You’ve made her very happy, my dear boy.’
    â€˜I’m glad to hear it.’ Charles bowed. ‘I’m sure she deserves all the happiness I can give her.’
    Anne danced the figures of the minuet, smiling mechanically into the face of her partner, watching for Charles whenever they turned.
    â€˜I wish you happiness,’ de Bre said to her quietly. ‘You know I would give anything in the world to be in his place, but I wish you all possible joy.’
    â€˜I know you do,’ she said gently. ‘And you will have that joy yourself one day. I pray that you’ll find it quickly. Excuse me, my dear Michel, but I think my fiancé is looking for me.…’
    She left him as soon as the dance ended. Charles was drinking wine in a corner, making conversation with an elderly lady who claimed to have known his parents when both were visiting France before their marriage.
    â€˜How little your mother has changed,’ she was saying. ‘Still as beautiful as ever. I’m surprised you don’t resemble either of them more.’
    Charles gave her a disarming smile.
    â€˜I’m told I take after my Uncle Hugh,’ he said. ‘I beg your indulgence, Madame; I see my delightful fiancée approaching.’
    He bowed low over the old lady’s hand and kissed it. He came up to Anne and he was frowning; he took her arm and led her towards the door.
    â€˜I’m intolerably bored,’ he said. ‘You must excuse me.’
    A lackey sprang to the door and opened it wide for them, bowing low as they passed through.
    Anne began to walk up the staircase with him; at the entrance to his suite of rooms she touched his arm.
    â€˜I must speak to you, just for a moment.’
    â€˜Everyone wants to speak to me just for a moment,’ he sneered. ‘My dear sister came bursting in upon me, just to speak for a moment. Now it’s you … What do you want? Do me the favour of being brief. I’m bone weary.’
    â€˜I don’t know what Jeanne said to you, but I can guess. What I have to say is brief indeed. We began this engagement in the worst