Chapter 5 chapter Five

My interest in the Earl and his affairs added some spice to my life, and I woke up each morning with a sense of hope, telling myself that this was the day I might know something new, to know him better, Or find enough clues to tell me he was a murderer or the victim of a rumor. Then, without warning, he went to Paris, and I heard he would be back before Christmas, when there would be guests at the Château.I thought: I'll find myself on the outer edge of these things, looking from the outside in. I carried out my new duties enthusiastically and was very pleased to find that Genevieve was no longer angry with me and was eager to learn English instead.The admissions scenario is frightening, but it's far from being a real threat in the distant future.She would ask me questions about Britain when we were out riding, and we even found some fun in English conversation.She went to lessons alone, and though she had no one to study with her, she often saw the Bastedt children on the road, and I believe it was good for her to be in the company of the other children.

Philip came in one morning when I was in the gallery.When the count was away from the castle, he seemed to occupy a new place.Now he looked like a pale shadow of his cousin.But after getting to know the earl's masculinity more and more, I was shocked again by Philip's almost feminine frailty. But when he asked about the progress of the work, his smile was friendly. "You're very skilled," he commented when I showed him. "Care is as important as skill." "And the insight of an expert." He stood in front of my restored drawing. "A man can feel that he can reach out and touch these emeralds," he said.

"It is the painter who is skilled, not the restorer." He continued to gaze longingly at the painting, and once again I felt his deep love for the castle and everything about it.That's how I feel too, I seem to be part of the family too. He turned around suddenly and found me watching him. He was vaguely embarrassed, as if wondering if he should speak his mind.Then he said quickly: "Miss Lawson, are you happy here?" "Happy? I find this job very satisfying." "Work, yes, I know how you feel. I was thinking," he gestured with his hand, "the vibe here...the home."

I watched in amazement as he continued, "Unfortunate incident about the clothes." "It's all in the past." I wonder if my face glows with joy when I think of the green dress. "A mansion like this..." He paused as if he didn't know how to proceed, "If you find it unbearable..." He continued hastily, "If you expect to leave..." "Leave?" "I mean if things get tough, maybe my cousin...er..." He gave up, but I knew what he was thinking, and I was thinking the same thing, the green velvet dress, and the earl The fact that sent it to me.He saw the importance of it, but it was obviously too dangerous to discuss it.How he was afraid of his cousin!He smiled cheerfully: "A friend of mine has a fine painting, and some of it needs restoration. No doubt, they will keep you busy for a while."

"It will take a long time before I finish my work here." "My friend, Mr. Tyra Monell, needs his paintings restored immediately. I think if you're unhappy here...or you think you want to go..." "I have no intention of leaving this job." He seemed alarmed, afraid he'd said too much. "It's just a suggestion." "It's really kind of you to care so much." His smile is charming, "I feel responsible, I can let you go at the first meeting." "But you didn't, and I appreciate that." "Maybe that's better."

"Oh man, I find the work here fascinating." "It's a wonderful old place," he said almost eagerly, "but it's not a happy house, and looking back on what happened here... the death of my cousin's wife, you know, in a very mysterious way in the case of." "I heard about it." "My cousin can be merciless to get his way. I shouldn't say that, he's been great to me. I live here...it's my home now...thanks to him. I just feel like I'm okay You have a duty, and I want you to know that if you need my help . . . , Miss Lawson, I hope you won't mention it to my cousin."

"I understand, I won't mention it." "But please bear in mind that if my cousin... if you think you must go, please come to me." He goes up to a painting and asks some questions, but I don't think he listens to the answers. When his eyes met mine, they were shy, unsure, but warm.He is anxious for my good, and I understand that he is warning me of the Count. I feel like I have a good friend in the old castle.
With Christmas just around the corner, Genevieve and I ride horses every day, and her English has improved significantly.I told her about our Christmas in England, how we brought in holly and squirrels; how we kissed under squirrels; Taste what a big day it is.What a moment when we each eat a spoonful, as tasting is a great indicator of how the whole Christmas pudding will turn out.

"My grandmother was alive then," I said. "She was my mother's mother, who was French and had to learn all our customs, but she learned very quickly and never wanted to give up on any of them." "Tell me more, miss," Genevieve begged. So I told her how I used to sit on the high stool next to my mother and help with pitting raisins and skinning almonds. "I'll eat some whenever I can." That made Genevieve happy, "Oh miss, imagine you were a little girl once." I told her to wake up on Christmas morning and find my stockings full. "We put our shoes by the fireplace ... at least some people do, we don't."

"Why not?" "Lano will be the only one who remembers, and you don't just have one pair of shoes, you want a bunch, or it's not fun." "You tell me." "Well, when you come back from Christmas Eve midnight mass, you put your shoes around the fire and go to bed. In the morning, the little presents are in the shoes, and the big presents are by the shoes. When my mother was alive, That's what we do." "And then it stopped." She nodded. "It's good custom." "Your mother died," she said, "how did she die?"

"She was ill for a long time and I nursed her." "Did you grow up then?" "Yes, I suppose you could say that." "Oh, miss, I believe you have always been grown up." We visited Bastedt's house on the way back to the castle, and I encouraged her to do so because I thought she should get to know people outside the castle, especially children.Although Ivan and Margot were younger than him and Gabriel was older, they were at least closer to her age than anyone she knew. There is excitement in the house because Christmas is coming, and whispers in the corner hint at secrets.

Ivan and Margaux were busy making the nativity, and while I was talking to Mrs. Bastille, Genevieve watched amusedly and went over to join them. "The kids are so excited," said Mrs. Busted. "Margaux always tells us how many hours we have left until Christmas every morning." We watched as they processed the brown paper into rocks, and Ivan pulled out his drawing tools and painted moss on it.Margaux began to paint the manger, and on the ground lay the lamb they had made themselves, to be placed beside the rocks.I looked at Genevieve and she was fascinated. She looked into the cradle. "It's empty," she said, very contemptuously. "Of course it's empty, Jesus hasn't been born yet!" Ivan retorted. "It's a miracle," Margaux told her, "we went to bed on Christmas Eve..." "After we put the shoes by the fire..." Ivan joined. "Yes, we did, and the cradle was empty. Then, when we woke up on Christmas morning to look, Baby Jesus was lying in it." Genevieve was silent. After a while, she said, "Can I do something?" "Yes," Ivan replied, "we want more shepherd's cranks, do you know how?" "I don't know." She said modestly. "Margaux will teach you." I looked at these two little kids, their heads leaning on each other.I told myself this was what she needed. Mrs. Bastedt, gazing after me, said: "Do you think Monsieur the Earl will allow this? Do you think he will allow our boy and his daughter's friendship?" I said, "I've never seen her so... relaxed, so unaware of herself." "Oh, but Mr. Earl doesn't want his daughter to be carefree. He wants her to be a noble lady in the castle." "This kind of companion is what she needs. You have invited me to join the Christmas activities. Can I bring her along? She once mentioned Christmas very eagerly." "Do you think this will be allowed?" "We can try." I said. "But Monsieur Count...?" "I'll tell him." I replied boldly.
A few days before Christmas, the count returned to the castle.I expected him to come to me and discuss the progress of his daughter or his drawings, but he didn't.Perhaps it was because he was thinking about the guests who were about to arrive. I heard from Lano that there would be fifteen people, not as many as usual, but the entertainment was complicated by the lack of a hostess in the house. On Christmas Eve, Genevieve and I were out riding when we met a party of knights from the old castle.The count rode ahead, and beside him was a beautiful woman.She wore a gray black knight hat and a gray scarf around her throat, and the masculine riding suit brought out her feminine beauty, and I immediately noticed how shiny her hair was and how detailed her appearance was. .She was like a piece of china I'd seen once or twice in the blue drawing room, the kind of woman who always made me feel taller and more ordinary than I really was. "This is my daughter," said the count, greeting us almost intimately. The four of us stopped, and the others were some distance behind. "And her governess?" asked the pretty thing. "Of course not. This is Miss Lawson from England, restoring our pictures." I saw the cold critical expression in the blue eyes. "Genevieve, I met Miss Tara Monell." "Yes, Pa," she said, "good day, miss." "Miss Lawson, Miss Tara Monell." We greet each other. "The pictures must be very charming," she said. Then I knew that was the last name of the man Philip had mentioned had paintings to be restored. "Miss Lawson thinks so." Then asked us softly, to end the meeting, "Are you going back?" We said yes, and rode on. "Would you say she's beautiful?" asked Genevieve. "what?" "You're not listening," Genevieve accused, repeating the question. "I think most people would say yes." "I mean you, miss, do you think so?" "She has a good looks that most people appreciate." "Well, I don't like her." "I hope you don't go into her room with your scissors, because if you do any of that kind of thing it's going to cause trouble... not just for you but for others. You thought it would happen to poor Mademoiselle Dubuis What's the matter?" "She's a stupid old woman." "There's no reason to be mean to her." She smiled very slyly, "Well, that turned out well, didn't it? The clothes my father gave you were lovely, I don't think you've ever had clothes like this in your life, so look, I It really did a good job for you." "I disagree, it's an awkward situation for all of us." "Poor bastard! That's not really fair, she doesn't want to go, and neither do you." "No, I don't want to, I'm very interested in my work." "And to us." "Of course I would like to see your English improve more than in the past," and I said compassionately, "No, I don't want to leave you, Genevieve." She laughed, but almost at the same time, a wicked look came to her face, "And my father," she said, "but I don't think he pays much attention to you now, miss, do you see the way he looks at her? " "To her?" "You know who I mean, Miss Tara Monell, she's beautiful." She continued to ride, and looked back at me, smiling. I touch Bahonni's side and gallop forward, Genevieve beside me. I couldn't get Miss Tara Monell's pretty face out of my mind. Genevieve and I were silent on the way back to the castle. When I went to the gallery the next morning and met the Earl head-on, I thought he was undoubtedly preoccupied with his guests and would just say hello and leave, but he stopped. "How is my daughter's English progress?" "Very well, I think you will be pleased." "I know you are an excellent teacher." Am I really that much of a governess?I doubt it. "It helps a lot that she's interested. She's happier now." "Happier?" "Yes, didn't you notice?" He shook his head, "But I accept your words." "Young people have a reason for breaking things for no reason, do you agree?" "I'm sure you're right." "I think she deeply felt the loss of her mother and missed the fun that most kids have." He didn't flinch from the mention of his dead wife. "Fun, Miss Lawson?" he repeated. "She once told me that they used to put the shoes in front of the fire on Christmas Eve... I think she was very eager." "Is she too big for this kind of game?" "I don't think one can ever be too big." "You surprised me," "It's a pleasant custom," I insisted, "and we've decided to observe it this Christmas. . . . You may be surprised, I reckon, but . . . " "You don't scare me anymore." "I think you could put the gift with someone else's and that would make her happy." "You think looking for presents in shoes instead of on the table as we say makes my daughter less likely to be playing childish tricks?" I sighed, "Mr. Earl, I understand, I overestimated, I'm sorry." I walked away quickly, and he made no attempt to stop me. I walked into the gallery and couldn't work.I find it so disturbing that I have two images in my mind: a haughty and innocent man who presents a haughty face to the world, and...a numb murderer. Which one is real?If only I knew!But what does that have to do with me?It's the picture that concerns me, not the man.
We all went to midnight mass at Gaillard Old Church on Christmas Eve, and the Earl sat in the front row of seats reserved for the Castle family, with Genevieve next to him and the guests in the next row. Row, and a little behind me and Rano, for the servants have come, and all the family-reserved seats are full. I saw the Bustedes in their best clothes, the mistress in black and Gabriela in gray, looking very pretty.The man who accompanied her I saw him from time to time in the vineyard, his name was Jacques, he was with Amon Bastedt when the accident happened, I recognized him because of the scar on his right cheek. Ivan and Margo could hardly keep quiet, and there was no doubt that Margo was now counting minutes instead of hours. I saw Genevieve looking at them, and I guessed she wanted to go to the Bastille's house instead of going back to the castle, to join in the fun that only children can bring to Christmas. I am so happy that I have announced that I am going to put the shoes in front of the classroom fire and advised her to do the same.It was a very small party compared to the light-hearted laughter in front of the fireside at Basted's on Christmas morning, but it was still better than nothing, and I was already taken aback by Genevieve's enthusiasm.After all, she never had a large family, and when her mother was alive, there must have been only three of them—Genevieve, Francois, Rano, and perhaps the governess at the time.What about the Earl?Of course, he also joined this Christmas custom when his wife was still alive and his daughter was still young. The nursery, not far from my room, is composed of four adjoining rooms, and its high arched flower newspapers and blasthole-style stone windows with benches and seats are a feature of the castle.There was a huge fireplace in the room, as Rano said, big enough to roast an ox, and at the other end of the fireplace stood a huge tin pot in which firewood was often stored.This room followed three others—one for Genevieve's bedroom, one for Rano's, and one reserved for the governess. We entered the classroom solemnly after returning from church, and we lined up our shoes in front of the dying fire. After Genevieve went to bed, and after we guessed she was asleep, Rano and I put the gift in the shoe.I gave Genevieve a crimson silk scarf, which I thought would serve as a neckerchief, to suit her dark skin, and to wear while riding.For Lano, Mrs. Ladier of the pastry shop promised her favorite sweet, a rum and cream morsel in a very charming box.Rano and I pretended not to have seen our own presents, and went to our rooms after saying goodnight. The next day I was woken up early by Genevieve. "Look, miss, look," she cried. I sat up, surprised, and realized it was Christmas morning. "The silk scarf is lovely, thank you, miss." She draped it over her dressing gown, "and the handkerchief that Lano gave me... all beautifully embroidered with flowers. There's also... oh miss, I haven't had any yet." Open it, it's from Dad, it says so, read this." I sat on the bed as excited as she was. "It's with my other presents next to my shoes, miss." "Oh," I exclaimed, "that's great!" "He hasn't done it in years, I guess why this year..." "Don't take it to heart, let's see what it is." It is a pearl pendant attached to a slender gold chain. "Oh, it's so cute." I cried. "It's incredible," she said, "that he put it there." "Do you like it?" Unable to speak, she nodded. "Put it on," I said and helped her secure it. She went to the full-length mirror to look at herself, then she went back to the bed, picked up the silk scarf she had taken off for the chain, and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Merry Christmas!" she said happily. I think it fits the name. She insisted that I go to the classroom, "Lano isn't up yet, she can see her later. Now, miss, look at yours!" I picked up Genevieve's package, which was originally about ancient Fort and neighboring areas.She looked at me happily as I opened the book. "How I love this," I exclaimed, "so you know how obsessed I am." "Yes, you show it, miss. And you really, really like old houses, don't you? But you mustn't read it now." "Oh, Genevieve, thank you, it's so kind of you to think of me." She said, "Look, you got a tablecloth from Lano, I know who made it, my mother! Lano has a big basket." Those handkerchiefs and tablecloths...they were all by Franks, I wondered how Lano had parted them. "Here is one more thing for you, miss." I have seen that package, a crazy idea appeared in my mind, very crazy, very exciting, I dare not pick up the package, because I am afraid to face A disappointing ending is almost certain. "Open! Open," Genevieve ordered, which I did, and found a beautiful little pearl-encrusted portrait of a lady holding a spaniel, the dog's head just showing through the woman's hair Judging by the style, it was painted one hundred and fifty years ago. "Do you like it?" Genevieve demanded, "Who sent it?" "It's beautiful, but too expensive..." Genevieve picked up the note that had fallen from the package, and it read: "You can recognize this lady as the one you cleaned professionally, and she probably appreciates you as much as I do, so it might be a good idea to send you this. Thought on the day I thought of giving it to you at the time of the thought, but it was in your shoe because you liked our old customs. Russell Terratel." "It's Dad!" Genevieve exclaimed excitedly. "Yes, he enjoyed my drawing work, that's his thanks." "Oh...but in your shoes! Who would have thought..." "Well, he must have thought of it when he put your pendant in the shoe, and put it in mine by the way." Genevieve couldn't help laughing. I said, "This is the lady with the emerald in the portrait, that's why he sent me this." "You like it, miss? Do you really like it?" "Well, it's a very beautiful little portrait." I hold it cherished and gaze at the beautiful colors and lovely arrangement of pearls, I have never owned anything so beautiful. Lano appeared. "That was loud," she said. "It woke me up. Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas, Lano!" "Look what Papa gave me, Lano, and it's in my shoe." "In your shoe?" "Oh, wake up, Lano, you're half asleep, it's Christmas morning, look at your presents. If you don't open them, I'll open mine first." Genevieve bought her a primrose apron, Lano claimed it was exactly what she wanted, and then she liked my candy, and the Earl didn't forget her, it was a dark blue fluffy wool shawl. Lano was confused, "Mr. Earl sent it...but why?" "Doesn't he usually remember Christmas?" I asked. "Oh, yes, he remembered. Vineyard workers had chickens, and house servants had gift money from the steward, as was the custom." "Show her what you've got, miss." I took out the little portrait. "Oh!" Lano said, and for a moment she looked at me blankly, and then I saw the thought in her eyes.Lano was thinking, I'm responsible for these gift giving, I know, and I'm happy. But Rano was uneasy.