Love and Splendor: The Coltrane Saga, Book 5 Read online

  “I never wanted it,” Dani reminded him quietly.

  “True. You said so at the time. But I also pointed out that when Alaina moved to France, she took what was left of value from the Barbeau estate in Kentucky. I figured the château represented all that was left of your mother and her family, and you had it coming to you.”

  Dani shook her head. “I still don’t want it. I never want to go there again. I certainly don’t intend to live there.”

  “That letter,” Travis said, “is from a lawyer in Toulon who says he has a buyer for the property. You will see that the amount offered is not that great, but it will add a nice sum to your bank account.”

  Dani laid the letter aside as Kitty walked onto the terrace. “Then sell it,” she said simply. “As I’ve said before, it only holds sad memories for me, and I never want to go back there.”

  Kitty bade them good morning, then Dani told her about the letter.

  “I’ll get a letter off to the lawyer before I leave and tell him you’ll accept the offer,” Travis said.

  Dani shrugged. “Fine. I’ll be glad to know it’s sold and gone.”

  Kitty had been listening thoughtfully. Then she said, “Dani, let’s go down there.”

  Dani shook her head. “Why on Earth would I want to, Kitty? To stir up old memories of what it was like having Aunt Alaina dictate my every thought, word, and deed…or how miserable it was to grow up with a lecherous little monster like Gavin? No, thank you. I’ve lost nothing in Monaco and have no reason to return.”

  “I disagree,” Travis declared.

  Dani turned to stare at him incredulously.

  He and Kitty exchanged understanding smiles, and then he turned to Dani and said, “I know why she thinks you should go, kitten. There are still some things in the house, things that might have belonged to your mother’s family that you might possibly like to keep. I don’t know what might be there since at Alaina’s death I instructed the attorney to seal up the château and to let us know if anyone was interested in buying it. You don’t know what’s stored there.”

  Dani really did not want to go, yet she knew they were probably right, that there might be some articles there of sentimental value, things no one else would want. Anything of any real worth had no doubt been sold by Alaina before her death.

  “Well?” Kitty prompted, a hopeful smile spreading across her lovely face. “Just say the word, and I’ll begin making arrangements for the trip. We’ll go by carriage so we can bring things back.”

  Dani was still not convinced it was the right thing to do. Still, a change would be nice. Maybe it would whet her appetite for taking Kitty’s advice and traveling.

  Just then Cletus, the butler, appeared in the doorway of the terrace.

  Kitty acknowledged his presence. “Yes, Cletus. What is it?’’

  He nodded to Dani. “Monsieur Perrine Ribaudt to see you, mademoiselle.”

  Dani felt the nerves in her jaw tighten, her spine stiffen. How dare he just come to the door, uninvited, so early in the day, especially after insulting her the night before?

  “Tell him I do not wish to see him,” she curtly directed Cletus.

  Then she looked first to her father, then to Kitty, and announced, “Maybe I do need to get away for a while. We’ll leave for Monaco as soon as we can be ready.”

  Kitty clapped her hands with delight.

  Travis grinned his approval.

  Dani, strangely enough, felt a warm elation starting to build within. She would face the memories and perhaps by so doing leave them permanently behind…and walk with head up, into the future…to make her own decisions, her own destiny.

  Chapter Three

  Dani and Kitty left Paris a week after Travis’s departure for Panama. He had insisted they go by train, for the road south was rugged, narrow, and wound precariously through the French Alps. By carriage, the arduous journey would require several days, as well as a coachman and guard.

  They had brought with them formal clothes, as Kitty had rushed a special message to a friend in Marseille, informing her that they would be passing through, and there would be time between trains for tea. The friend immediately responded with the insistent dispatch that they must spend at least two nights.

  Kitty consulted with Dani over the invitation, pointing out they were really in no hurry. It was best to enjoy the trip along the way to get the most out of the entire journey. “You will love Rabina Altonderry,” she had assured Dani. “I met her when she was in Paris shopping for the new home she and her husband built in Marseille. He is in counsel with the embassy, and the four of us were together at many socials.

  “We share an admiration for the work of Van Gogh,” Kitty continued. “Rabina was fortunate enough to find a lovely work of his known as ‘Le Père Tanguy’, and that was before he died. Can you imagine what it must be worth now?”

  They reached Marseille in the morning after a comfortable night in the spacious compartment they had reserved. Dani had been awake since first light to sit and stare out in wonder at the breathtaking scenery that rolled by the window. She had always thought it lovely, the countryside so lush with exotic vegetation—orange, eucalyptus, lemon, olive, and pink laurel filling the air with their perfume. Palms and cactus lent a tropical atmosphere.

  Marseille, Darn knew, was one of France’s largest seaports. She had never seen the calanques, the cobalt-blue miniature fjords of Cassis but heard they offered magnificent views. She longed, also, to see the Château d’If, from which Dumas’s legendary Count of Monte Cristo made his escape, as well as the tiny, jewellike crescent beaches of nearby Cavalaire, Le Lavandou, and Pampelone, with their stretches of clean, white, sparkling sand.

  They stepped from the train, the warm summer sun kissing their faces in greeting, and were met by a coachman, resplendent in a purple satin coat with white lapels, tight white riding pants, and knee-high boots of glistening black leather. He removed his jaunty white cap with an immaculate white-gloved hand and bowed in gracious greeting. “Madame and Mademoiselle Coltrane. I am Alphonse, coachman for Madame Altonderry, and as soon as I have loaded your trunks, I shall take you to Derryateau. Come with me now to the carriage, please.”

  When he turned away, Dani and Kitty exchanged amused glances, and Kitty giggled and whispered, “Derryateau, indeed! Although I know from all Rabina told me, and what I’ve heard in Paris circles, that they built one of the most splendorous estates in all of Europe, I still find the name amusing.”

  Dani whispered back, “It sounds like a dairy.”

  They were still laughing when they reached the waiting carriage but then fell silent…awed by what awaited. The carriage was painted purple, the wheels, gold. The seats inside were covered in purple and gold velvet.

  There were six magnificent white horses to lead the way, each decorated with purple and gold harnesses. Each was covered elegantly in a gold-and-purple brocade blanket.

  Dani blinked. “The lady likes purple, and I had to wear a red dress today, of all things. I’ll look like a riding nightmare.”

  “And my yellow doesn’t look too appetizing next to all the gold,” Kitty murmured. “But you must admit it is elegant.”

  “There is,” Dani said, with a mock-haughty air, “a very fine line between elegance…and ostentation.”

  Again, they laughed together, and it was a good feeling, Dani silently acknowledged. Yet, once more, she was struck with a twinge of painful remorse to think how much she had missed during all those precious growing-up years. Life with Kitty for a stepmother would have been a blessing each and every day. There would have been good times…happy times…and lots of wonderful memories.

  She shook away the shadows. No need, she reminded herself, to become locked in the grayness. There was far too much sunshine ahead.

  At last, Alphonse returned with a porter pulling a trunk cart. They were loaded and ready to leave, and Dani was almost trembling with excitement. To Kitty, she confided gleefully, “Oh, I am so glad you want
ed to accept the invitation. I think it’s going to be such fun.”

  Kitty agreed that they were in for a delightful stay, then said, “I neglected to tell you about Carista, Rabina’s daughter. She’s about your age, I think. I only met her once, when she was visiting on a holiday from school in Switzerland.”

  “A new friend,” Dani acknowledged. “That’s nice.”

  Kitty’s brow knitted in a touch of doubt. “I hope it will be nice. My first, and only, impression of Carista was that she is a very spoiled, snobbish girl. A pity, because otherwise she would be a real beauty.”

  Dani was disappointed to hear that. Kitty was not the sort to criticize without cause…and rarely did so, anyway. Well, Dani decided, surely she could stand the company of anyone for just two days.

  All other thoughts but the sight before her vanished from Dani’s mind as the carriage approached Derryateau.

  Kitty nodded in quiet acknowledgment of all the fabled reports of the showplace. “Twenty acres, one hundred twenty rooms overlooking the Mediterranean. Within those walls are Hispano-Moorish tiles from Spain, frescoes from Florence, a gold-relief ceiling fashioned after Venice’s Accademia and reinterpreted in a sunburst design, and a one-hundred-foot castle tower for an unimpeded panorama of sea and sky.” She drew a long breath and let it out slowly, reverently. “A real fantasy come to life.”

  Dani was momentarily awed, and it was a full minute before she could swallow and then ask, “Where did the money come from? I never knew such a palace existed outside the royal families.”

  “I understand that both Rabina and Laudlum come from old European money. Laudlum owns several Greek ships. Rabina has interests in several diamond minds in Africa.”

  The carriage turned from a narrow road onto a wide, sweeping driveway that was neatly packed in cobbled stones. To each side, there lay a carefully manicured border of flowering hibiscus shrubs. The lawn was a sweeping sea of green velvet, dotted here and there with stone-lined squares of rose, lilac, and gardenia gardens.

  The drive was circular, surrounding a towering fountain fashioned of fat cherubs entwined together amid a cascade of sparkling waters flowing from the top.

  The carriage slowed to a stop and immediately a servant wearing a uniform of purple and gold appeared to help them alight.

  Hovering to one side was a young woman wearing a simple dress of white cotton. The neckline was high; the long sleeves slightly puffed at the shoulders, tapering to points at her wrists. An apron of purple poplin protected the long, straight skirt. Her dark hair was brushed back from her face and secured in a severe bun. A tiny cap of white cotton and lace was perched on top of her head.

  She came forward to introduce herself as Francine, their hostess for the southeast wing of the second floor, which would be their quarters during their stay. She informed them that Madame Altonderry would expect them to join her for lunch at half past noon. Meanwhile, they were to be shown to their suites so they might freshen themselves.

  High, arched double doors of cypress, adorned with hand-carved, high-relief gilded cherubs, were opened by uniformed butlers.

  They entered the entrance hall, blinking against the glimmer of the gold-inlaid ceiling above and six giant crystal chandeliers vying for attention amid the glitter and sheen. A handwoven rug of red, blue, and purple velvet lay in the middle of the foyer. Bronze sculptures were displayed against the tiled walls.

  Dani would have liked to have seen the salon completely but only caught a glimpse of the lofty sunburst ceiling as they turned toward the wide, winding stairway and its impressive hand-rubbed mahogany banisters. The steps were covered in a stitched brocade of white roses amid a background of green.

  On the second floor, Francine beckoned them to follow her to the left. Here, Dani decided, it looked like a separate house entirely, for the way to the southeast wing was marked by a miniature version of the double, cherub-adorned doors downstairs.

  As if by invisible signal, a butler appeared seemingly from out of nowhere to open the doors for their entrance. The marble hallway was illumined by miniature crystal chandeliers along the way, and the walls were covered in rare silk needlework Venetian panels.

  Midway down the hall, Francine stopped before yet more double doors set on each side. She gestured to the left for Dani; the right, for Kitty. Then she proceeded to explain that there would be a butler, two chambermaids, a housekeeper, and a coiffeuse on call at all times. Should they desire anything, from a hot tub of water to food, at any hour, they had only to pull the gold velvet bell cord in their quarters, and service would be immediate.

  Francine curtsied, smiled. “Welcome to Derryateau. I hope your stay will be pleasant. Your trunks will be brought to your suites shortly.”

  Dani walked through her quarters as she waited for her luggage to be delivered and was quite impressed. There was a parlor, a dining nook overlooking a sweeping view of the glimmering sea, and two enormous bedrooms, each with a room containing bath and toilette, and spacious dressing area.

  She selected the bedroom with the widest windows, the view magnificent from the little marble table where she would take her morning tea.

  Her trunks arrived, and so did her personal chambermaid, Corine, who was young, extremely talkative, and, Dani soon discovered, somewhat impertinent concerning her employers.

  Dani was smoothing out the skirt of the pale blue chintz she planned to wear for lunch when Corine squealed with delight as she withdrew an emerald velvet gown from the trunk. “Oh, you should wear this tonight. Look at the bodice. Why, it is encrusted with pearls and rubies. It is exquisite. Of course”—she sniffed in disdain—“Mademoiselle Carista would be as green as this dress.”

  Dani took the garment from her with loving care. She’d had it made expressly to go with her father’s Christmas present—a necklace of emeralds and diamonds with matching earrings. Prudently ignoring the chambermaid’s sarcastic reference to her mistress, she inquired, “Is there a special occasion tonight other than a formal dinner?”

  Corine was only too eager to share the gossip with her. “Oh, yes. It was planned before you and Madame Coltrane sent word of your visit. You see”—she lowered her voice to an excited whisper—“Mademoiselle Carista is hoping to announce her engagement. The man she wants to marry is visiting from Paris, and has been for almost a month now.”

  Dani wanted to dismiss such a personal subject. “Well, I hope her wishes come true then.” She laid the dress aside. If this was to be Carista Altonderry’s special night, she would certainly not try to be the belle of the ball and steal her rightful attention.

  Corine continued to gossip as they unpacked what Dani felt would be needed during their brief stay. Dani listened, not really caring.

  “He is from Russia,” Corine said of the man Carista Altonderry hoped to marry. “And quite handsome. Every woman he meets falls madly in love with him, but so far, no one has captured his heart. Of course, Mademoiselle Carista is just conceited and arrogant enough to think she will be the chosen one.”

  “Well,” Dani interjected, “perhaps she will be. If he has been here almost a month, there must be more than casual interest on his part.”

  Corine’s laugh was derisive. “Ha! Then where does he go when he leaves here every morning? He tells no one of his comings and goings. There is a rumor that he sees other women.”

  Dani shrugged. “Then that would appear to be Mademoiselle Carista’s error in judgment for offering him the hospitality of her home.” What she did not say, for she felt it would be an impropriety to converse in such a manner with a servant, was that it sounded as though perhaps her Russian suitor was a fortune hunter, seeking out the wealthiest young woman available before choosing a wife. She had not met him, already disliked him, and for the first time thought they should have just continued on their way to Monaco without visiting people who were strangers to her. Then she instantly admonished herself for the selfish thought. Kitty was entitled to visit her friends, and she would just bide h
er own time and be as pleasant as possible during their brief visit.

  Corine rattled on while she finished unpacking, then Dani dismissed her, asking that she return one hour prior to lunch to draw her bath.

  She settled in front of the window to enjoy the view and savor the precious moments of solitude.

  Dani was glad to be here, to be traveling, and, she vowed firmly, she was going to be independent and travel alone in the future. She was not a little girl, and she did not care for the conventions and decorum of the day. Never again would she be influenced by ritual, tradition, or the like. The only hegemony she would allow was her own.

  All too soon, it seemed, Corine returned, immediately conveying more gossip. “It surely looks as though Mademoiselle Carista expects her monsieur from Russia to agree to the announcement of their betrothal tonight. I overheard her and her mother arguing because she is sending out special messengers with invitations for a champagne reception.” She shook her head in disgust. “It is not proper. No one, but no one, extends, or accepts, an invitation at such a late hour.

  “But,” she went on with a resigned sigh, “the mademoiselle shall have her way, as always.”

  Dani agreed, silently, that to invite people to a gala, only hours ahead of time, was unthinkable. It seemed to her, though once more she was not about to voice her opinion to Corine, that Carista Altonderry, whom she had not yet even met, was attempting to apply pressure to her Russian sweetheart.

  A smile touched Dani’s lips. The evening just might be entertaining, after all. Certainly different. While she did not want her hostess embarrassed, it would be interesting to see who won the battle of wits, and hearts.

  When Dani left her suite, Kitty was just emerging from hers. She would have liked to have had time to tell her of the tense atmosphere that would surely be in evidence during the lunch hour but could not do so with Francine near, leading the way downstairs.