Read Online Christina Hollis by Lady Rascal - Free Book Online Page B

have been shopping, Madeleine. What have you been buying?’
    ‘Extravagances, I’m afraid, madame.’ Madeleine had the sense to look coy as she blushed. ‘Lemons, fresh ginger, peppercorns—’
    ‘Oh, my word!’ Fright forgotten, Mistress Constance began to giggle. ‘We must have baskets of all those things in the kitchen!’
    Madeleine was utterly astonished. ‘Really?’
    ‘Of course, dear child! It isn’t only you French who know how to live. And if we need anything—why, it’s delivered, of course!’
    ‘You don’t ever go to the market?’
    ‘Good heavens, no! What on earth would I want to do that for?’
    Bewildered at amusing Mistress Constance, Madeleine escaped to the kitchen and started unintentionally amusing the staff.
    While they watched she rolled the warm lemons and squeezed their juice into a cup. To this she added grated ginger root, crushed peppercorns, and a suspicion of salt. Leaving the English staff intrigued, she went off to present it to their master.
    This morning his bedroom was hot, shadowy and quiet. Adamson was sprawled in a tangle of sheets and pillows. He didn’t stir when Madeleine sat down beside him and only grunted indistinctly when she spoke his name.
    ‘Come on. It’s past eight o’clock.’
    ‘Oh, my God...’ he managed after a moment’s thought. The tone was horror-stricken enough to tell Madeleine that she would be quite safe this morning.
    Slowly a pillow moved, a sheet slid back and Adamson was partly revealed. His eyes were still tightly closed.
    ‘What did you tell Mother?’
    ‘Nothing.’
    At this he opened his eyes, but shut them again quickly with a grimace.
    ‘Then go away and leave me alone.’
    ‘Certainly not, Master Philip. Indeed, if you don’t sit up and start taking notice right now—I shall shake you!’
    He opened his eyes again at this astonishing remark and winced at sunlight filtering through the shutters.
    ‘Things are happening in the city. I really think you should accompany your mother back to England, Master Philip. As soon as possible. Paris is no longer a place for gentle folk, be they French or foreign—or refugees.’
    Adamson groaned, rolled over on to his stomach and put both hands to his throbbing head.
    ‘What time is it?’
    ‘I’ve just told you—well past eight. Drink this.’ She put the cup down on his bedside table.
    ‘I am so thirsty...’
    ‘You’ll need to be.’ Madeleine pushed the cup out of his reach so that he would have to sit up. ‘It’s disgusting stuff, but guaranteed to get you on your feet in no time.’
    She took his final mutter as being an acceptance and left him alone with his misery.
    Mistress Constance was on the landing outside, wringing her hands.
    ‘How is he?’
    ‘Surviving, although I doubt it feels much like that to him!’
    ‘Oh, my! This is all that talk of going home! Setting him thinking again...’
    ‘Then we must give him something else to think about, madame. I’ve already arranged a few things in that direction! Now—your man Higgins will have to hurry if Master Philip is not to miss his breakfast.’
    ‘I thought perhaps Philip could have a tray in his room...always supposing that he feels strong enough to take anything...’Mistress Constance began faintly.
    Madeleine decided that it was time for some plain speaking.
    ‘Madame, I’ve seen artists go into a decline and fade away, but never an Englishman. Make him buck his ideas up, and attend breakfast with you.’
    Mistress Constance fluttered and flustered. Master Philip had to be treated carefully—his work on the farm was invaluable and she couldn’t afford to lose another son. Philip was far, far too sensitive to put up with any rough treatment...
    Madeleine thought of the night before and smiled to herself. She made sympathetic noises but led her employer firmly back to her own room.
    Then she went to find Higgins.
    At two minutes to nine, Philip Adamson joined his mother and Madeleine in the oak-panelled