‘I understand that you wish to protect this woman,’ she began and was surprised when Agathe put in gently, ‘She’s still a child, madame, little older than Hélène.’

‘I understand what you’re saying, madame,’ Rosalie continued briskly, ‘and I promise you I will consider what you’re asking of me. My mind is full of family affairs at present – my eldest daughter, Clarice, is getting married in less than a month and she is my priority just now. However’ – she held up a hand as she saw Agathe was about to speak – ‘I will give the situation serious thought and see if there is any way I can help you and the girl. Let me sleep on it. Come back and see me again tomorrow and I’ll give you my decision then.’ She got to her feet to indicate that the interview was now over. ‘I’d be grateful, madame, if this remained a private matter between us. It would distress me greatly if Hélène came to hear of the situation.’

‘Certainly, madame,’ Agathe agreed. ‘I would never speak of this matter to Hélène.’

Rosalie nodded. ‘Then, until tomorrow. Please call at the same time and I will instruct Didier to bring you straight to me.’

*

‘She didn’t say no,’ Agathe told Annette when she got back to the apartment. ‘She said she’d think it over and give me her answer tomorrow.’

‘That means she’ll say no,’ sighed Annette.

‘Not necessarily,’ said Agathe firmly. ‘It means she’s giving the idea consideration.’

Chapter 8

Rosalie St Clair was indeed giving the idea consideration, but so far she was coming down on the side of refusal. How could she introduce an expectant mother into the Belair household? At this moment of all times? Hélène would know that Annette was not Madame Sauze’s niece. The whole project would be built on lies and deception and would, inevitably, come out in the end. Perhaps it was not the girl’s fault that she found herself pregnant and unmarried, but few people would see it like that. Maybe she could be placed with one of the village families until the baby was born. It could be brought up there and Annette could get work elsewhere to provide for it. Well, that was a possibility, she supposed. One heard of such arrangements.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Hélène’s return to the room. ‘Maman,’ she cried, ‘Didier told me Madame Sauze has gone. What did she want? Why didn’t she stay and talk to me? I so wanted to hear how she is. And Annette.’

‘She had something she wanted to discuss with me,’ returned her mother easily. ‘It took longer than we thought and she had to go back to where she’s working now.’

‘But isn’t she still looking after the fathers at St Jacques?’

‘No. I believe she keeps house for her sister.’

‘For her sister? I didn’t know she had a sister.’

‘Really, Hélène, why should you? You actually know very little about her.’