The Chateau on the Lake Read Online Free PDF

upon a signal, men stationed all around the gardens set them alight.’
    ‘It’s as bright as day!’ says Mama.
    ‘So are you pleased you came, after all?’ asks Papa.
    ‘How could I not be? Although,’ she gestures to the young men, now becoming boisterous as they call for more wine, ‘I suspect it may not be a good idea to stay too late.’
    ‘But we must remain long enough to join in the dancing after supper,’ protests Mr Jephcott.
    The orchestra strikes up again, this time playing a jolly rendition of ‘The Lass of Richmond Hill’, and many of the diners sing along, all very merry. The festive atmosphere is infectious and I breathe out a sigh of contentment. Mama and Papa are in earnest conversation with Mr and Mrs Jephcott. I’m beginning to like the couple and am not at all opposed to their breathing new life into the Academy.
    ‘It’s very close, isn’t it?’ Lydia pushes away her empty plate and fans her face.
    ‘I shouldn’t wonder if there’s a thunderstorm later,’ says her mother.
    ‘May Madeleine and I take a little walk?’
    ‘Not now, Lydia. I wish to continue my conversation with Mr and Mrs Moreau so I can’t accompany you.’
    ‘But we won’t go far!’ she wheedles.
    ‘Perhaps if the girls stay in the Grove, in the light where we can keep an eye on them, it wouldn’t do any harm,’ says Mr Jephcott. ‘What do you think, Moreau?’
    Papa glances at Mama. ‘I believe the young ladies are too sensible to stray far away.’
    ‘Thank you, Papa.’ All at once the supper box is too stifling to endure another minute and I cannot wait to walk outside in the breeze. Besides, I want to mingle with the crowd.
    Lydia links her arm through mine and we stroll around the Grove, lost in the excitement of it all. There’s a full moon to add to the golden glow of the lamps. Everywhere we look there are amusing sights: a nun walking with an imp of Satan, Caesar laughing with Columbine, and two sailors and a host of nymphs shrieking with laughter at the sight of a pope juggling oranges. I cannot remember when I was last so entertained.
    Two highwaymen fall into step beside us, both masked and with pistols tucked into their belts.
    ‘Evenin’, ladies,’ says the tallest one. ‘Mind if we walk with you a while?’
    ‘Can’t stop you,’ says Lydia, pertly.
    Somehow the highwaymen are now one on either side of us, with arms linked through ours. Two Greek goddesses run past, screeching in delight as Harlequin and a pirate chase after them.
    I glance back at the supper box but Mama and Papa are deep in conversation with Lydia’s parents. I wonder whether I should give our new companions a sharp set down but really they aren’t doing any harm. The conversation is light-hearted and flirtatious. I find myself enjoying it.
    ‘If we’re going to walk with you, we must know your names,’ says Lydia.
    ‘Our names?’ says the taller of the men, gripping my arm. ‘Well now, that’s against the rules of a masquerade, isn’t it? Our identities must remain a secret. Let’s just say I’m Dick and this gentleman here is Tom.’
    Tom bows low and Dick kisses my hand. I feel the moistness of his lips against the back of my hand and I’m not sure that I like it. ‘And who might you be?’ he asks.
    ‘Antoinette,’ I say, ‘and my friend is Aphrodite.’
    Lydia giggles.
    Tom takes a bottle of wine out of his coat pocket and pulls out the cork with his teeth, never letting go of Lydia’s arm. ‘Here you are, Aphrodite,’ he says.
    After Lydia has sipped from the bottle she hands it to me. I hesitate briefly then drink some too. It’s vinegary, not at all like the pleasant wine we had with our supper.
    There’s a peculiar stillness to the overheated air and I see that Dick’s forehead under his highwayman’s hat is beaded with sweat.
    ‘Let’s take a turn down here, shall we?’ says Tom, swinging us around to walk into one of the avenues.
    We have walked a little way before I realise