The India Fan by Victoria Holt Page A

One of the mistresses would take us in the wagon, which would hold about twelve of us, and the wagon would be left in the square while we wandered round. It was a lovely little town with a river running through it, over which was a small but attractive bridge. There were shops, including a cafe where delicious cakes were sold, and in the hot weather we would sit under the gaily coloured sunshades and watch the people pass by. On Fridays there was a market in the square and so there was always a number who wanted to go on that day. One could buy clothes at the stalls, or shoes, sweets, cakes, eggs, vegetables and cheeses. The place always seemed to be permeated by the smell of hot crusty bread, which the boulanger used to rake out of his cave-like oven to sell to the waiting customers.
    What we liked best was to go into the patisserie, choose our cake and then bring it out and sit at one of the little tables under the coloured sunshade, and drink a cup of coffee and watch the people go by.
    We became acquainted with many of the tradespeople and market-stall holders and we were known throughout the town as les jeunes filles du chateau.
    Life formed itself into patterns: language classes, which were more or less optional; dancing and music, which were essential, as were deportment and conversation. There was a the dansant once a week, at which Madame herself presided.
    Time was passing. We had arrived at Lamason in September and it was not until the beginning of the following July that we returned to England for the summer holidays, escorted by Miss Ellmore. We were to return in September for another year and then we should be ready to take our place in the highest society.
    I was rather shocked by the sight of my father. He looked rather wan and had aged more than a year warranted.
    Mrs. Janson told me that he had been ailing during the winter, and there was talk of getting a curate to help him.
    e had some funny turns,she said. haven liked the look of him at times.
    I talked to my father. He assured me that all was well. I said that perhaps I should not go too far away, but he would not hear of that. He was pleased about the languages and music, but he thought some medieval French history might have been included in the curriculum.
    Lady Harriet was delighted by the change she saw in Lavinia. I was sent for and took tea with her and Lavinia. Fabian was at home, but he did not join us. Lady Harriet asked me a number of questions about the school and she sat listening with obvious approval. I was glad, for I should have hated it if she had decided that we were not to return.
    I learned through Mrs. Janson that Miss Lucille was madder than ever. She was more or less shut up now in her part of her house. Some of the staff had seen her wandering around looking like a ghost. They said she had lost all sense of time and was often heard calling for her lover.
    I also resumed my acquaintance with Dougal Carruthers, who was very affable when he saw me. I was now seventeen years of agedult, one might saynd I was learning what a difference that made to one relationships. Dougal attitude towards me had changed subtly. I quite enjoyed the change.
    He came to see my father and talked a great deal about Norman architecture, Norman customs and so on. My father was delighted to have met a kindred spirit and was more animated than he had been for a long time.
    Fabian, too, had changed towards me. He took more notice of me and asked questions about the chateau.
    The four of us went riding together and I could see that Lavinia was annoyed because Dougal talked more to me than to her. It was the first time any young man had shown interest in me, and that rankled with Lavinia.
    e only being polite,she said. When we rode out she would endeavour to get beside him, which left me with Fabian. I always felt that he was a little embarrassed with me because of that long-ago time when he kidnapped mend he was a little ashamed of it.
    I was glad to have a