Danse de la Folie Read Online Free PDF Page B

the
gilt-edged frames dusted. It had only been the state bedchambers that had been
left to molder; Clarissa wondered if they had been shut up for at least a
generation.
    They passed an enormous staircase large enough to drive a
coach-and-six up, and entered the westmost wing. Here the light was more
subdued. “In summer, it is wonderful,” Kitty said, opening the door to her
sitting room, which was hung with peach-colored paper, beautiful arabesque and
acanthi moldings under the ceiling. The cabriole-legged chairs in green and
peach striped satin showed signs of careful repair.
    In the winter light the room looked shabby, but Clarissa
tried to imagine it filled with summer light, with greenery outside the four
windows, for this was a corner room. When she observed her hostess’s expectant
air, she pronounced herself comfortable.
    “Alice will bring us something warm,” Kitty said. “But I
wanted to say, lest you blame my elder brother, Carlisle was very much against
my coming. It was Ned who was determined on it, that is, determined to carry on
with the smuggling trade as my father had established it, for he is a favorite
with the older men of the house, all of them devoted to my father. Ned heard
their stories—for they talked only of success—and he was very proud of himself,
hitting on something that would help the estate.”
    Clarissa remembered the grizzled oldsters, some of whom had
sounded like sailors.
    “It would be an adventure, as we cannot afford to buy him a
commission, and anyway, everyone says that peace is being declared with France
at this very moment. They say that General Bonaparte will surely become the
First Consul, if he does not declare himself the new king of France. If there
are no more wars, I confess I am glad. I should not like to think of Ned in
one.”
    Clarissa hesitated, not wanting to ask if the elder brother
had no influence with the younger. But Kitty, who had been watching carefully,
hastened to say, “Carlisle would not suffer Ned to risk danger without he must
be there as well, and as he was made lieutenant before Papa died and he had to
come home, he knows better than any how to command a sea vessel. So I have gone
out twice, to handle the helm while the others worked the cutter or loaded. And
I enjoyed it, being among our own people, and how free one feels...” She
frowned. “You do not look at all the thing, and here I am, my tongue on wheels,
as Papa used to say. Please go and lie down! We dine at five in winter, but you
may sleep as long as you like, and command a meal when you wish.”
    Clarissa thanked Kitty gratefully, and retired.

FOUR
    The prelude to the danse is nearly complete. Our heroines have met. It remains only for them to meet
their partners, and the quadrille can begin.
    When Clarissa woke at half-past four, she felt somewhat
recovered. The side of her head remained tender to the touch, but the ache
within had lessened to such an extent that she was determined to regard it as
negligible.
    Rosina had her traveling gown laid out. As Clarissa changed,
Rosina set a very old-fashioned curling iron on the hearth. “Alice found this
for me, Miss Clarissa,” she said.
    “Pray do not trouble with it, Rosina,” Clarissa said. “I
shall be ridiculous anyway, sitting down to dinner in a traveling gown, but I
believe that Lady Catherine cares nothing for the modes. So my hair can be
arranged as it is for home.”
    Rosina pursed her lips, thinking that Lady Kitty would care
very much for the modes, if she could, but she kept that to herself. She
thought Lady Kitty, as everyone in the household called her, quite the most
beautiful thing she’d ever seen—at least as beautiful as the Golden Guineas, as
Lady Clarissa’s sisters were known in the neighborhood around Oakwood.
    Clarissa mourned the beautiful India-shawls now no doubt at
the bottom of the ocean, but there was no help for it. At least Rosina had made
her look presentable, she thought as she walked through