In the Eye of a Storm Read Online Free PDF Page A

panes. Although Christmas had been peaceful this year it still
remained very quiet. Fewer guests now visited the chateau, as people preferred
to stay safely at home. Laneve’s concerts with Viotti had almost ceased yet
they still managed an occasional performance in the fine estates nearby.
    Stories of the food shortages in Paris were never ending and thankfully
their root cellars were stocked with produce from the chateau’s garden,
providing them with a good supply of fruit and vegetables. All the chickens and
geese were safe in a warm barn, so eggs and poultry were available for everyone
at the chateau.
    Malande entered the room where Laneve had drawn up a table and two
chairs. She carried two bowls of steaming soup on a tray.
    ‘Laneve, I have a surprise. Cook has sent us some tasty potato soup.’
    ‘This is wonderful, so much better than a hot cup of tea.’
    ‘And I’ve also brought you a letter. A young courier just rode up with
it.’
    Laneve opened the letter as she exclaimed aloud, ‘Oh, how wonderful.
It’s from Marie. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen her. How quickly
time passes as Marie’s child must now be nearly four years old. I’ll read it
aloud so you can hear it too, Malande.’
     

Laneve, ma cherie ,
     
    So much time has passed since we were together and I miss you very much.
I am once again carrying a child, our second. It is due in five months. Giles
and I have made the decision to leave Paris and journey to Normandy before our
baby is born. His aunt has a large home near the Norman coast and if this
present terrible situation reaches us there, we all plan to make our way to
London. As you know Giles’ father was an architect working for the King, as was
my father, so suspicion has fallen on all of us.
    The other day someone on the street yelled out at Giles, ‘There goes
another royalist.’ A crowd began to gather, with some of them holding sticks
and clubs. Thankfully an empty coach passed by just then and collected him. As
soon as he returned home, we began to pack. When you read this letter we should
be well on our way to the safety of Normandy.
    I have also received a letter from Dussek, who has established
himself in London. He urged us all to leave France. He sends his fondest wishes
on to you, Laneve and to Rene.
    I miss you so much my dear friend. Please take care of yourselves
and do plan to leave France if events get worse. Stories of the arrests and
executions have even reached England now.
    I hold you in my arms and kiss both your cheeks.
    Love from your dear friend,
    Marie
     
    Laneve burst into tears as Malande rose to comfort her. ‘I will miss
Marie so much now that she too has left. Thank heaven I have you close to me,
Malande. You have become much more to me than a companion. You are a true
friend and now, a sister of my heart.’
    ‘Laneve, you know that I will always be here for you whenever you need
me.’
    ‘I want you to know that if Rene and I should leave our home here, you
will come with us. You are part of our family now.’
    Time passed quickly as all went about the business of maintaining a
large country estate. Then on a beautiful day in the late summer of 1792 Rene
summoned Laneve with news she had hoped never to hear. ‘I must tell you that
once again an angry mob of people invaded the prison in the Tuilleries. The
royal family has now been moved to the Temple prison under tight security.
Outside the prison, a mob continuously calls for their deaths.’
    Rene looked into her eyes as he addressed her. ‘Together with a small
group of diplomats, I have been ordered to travel to Italy immediately. There
we will visit the Holy See in Rome, in the hope of persuading the pope himself
to intervene. As France is a loyal Catholic country he may be able to save
Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis from the guillotine. I will leave
tomorrow but I will return as soon as this mission is completed.’
    ‘Oh no, Rene, do you have to undertake