‘Madame,’ she said at last, ‘I’m overwhelmed with your generosity. But I am concerned about the lies and deceit necessary for it to be successful. Your husband, what will he think?’

‘I have of course discussed the idea with my husband,’ Rosalie told her, ‘but,’ she admitted, ‘I told him the story of your niece and the loss of her husband, and he left the matter entirely with me. The decision is mine.’

‘Then, madame, with great gratitude, I accept your offer for both of us.’

‘Good,’ said Rosalie briskly and got to her feet. ‘I will send a message down to Belair and tell them to expect you both the day after tomorrow. You can take the train. Once you arrive, you will find the household very busy and you will take up your duties immediately… working under Madame Choux’s direction, of course.’

Agathe also stood up. ‘Certainly, madame. I quite understand.’ There had been no mention of wages, but Agathe knew that whatever Rosalie decided would be fair. In this she was immediately confirmed as Rosalie went to her desk drawer and drew out a purse. Handing Agathe some money, she said, ‘For your train fare, madame. I’ll see you next week, when we shall be returning to St Etienne ourselves.’ Surprising Agathe, she held out her hand. ‘I’m trusting you, both of you, to keep your side of the bargain,’ she said.

Agathe took the proffered hand and said, ‘I promise you, madame, your trust is not misplaced.’

When Agathe Sauze had left the house, Rosalie sat down at her desk and, having written a brief note to her housekeeper, summoned Pierre the coachman.

‘I need you to return to Belair,’ she told him. ‘You will take the train tomorrow and give this letter to Madame Choux. Then the next day you’re to meet the Paris train to collect two new servants I’ve employed to help over the wedding, a Madame Sauze and her niece, Annette Dubois. Take them to Belair and introduce them to Madame Choux.’

‘Yes, madame,’ said Pierre. ‘And shall I then return here? In case Monsieur needs me?’

‘No,’ Rosalie replied. ‘Stay and help at Belair. We shall all be coming back after the weekend. There is much to do before the wedding.’

Chapter 9

When Agathe got back to the apartment, she found Annette sitting on the landing outside the front door.

‘Annette? What on earth are you doing?’

‘She threw me out, your sister. Told me to get lost.’

‘Did she now? And how did she know you were there?’

‘She came to your room. She knew you weren’t there and she simply walked in. At first she didn’t see me, I was lying on the bed, but she went straight to the wardrobe and opened it. She was peering inside when she caught sight of me in the mirror.’ Annette gave a throaty laugh. ‘Gave her a shock, it did, seeing me tucked up in your bed. She shrieked! I said it was all right because I was a friend of yours but she didn’t believe me. At least she said she didn’t. She accused me of being a burglar and then was furious because I laughed and said “What burglar goes to bed in the house he’s robbing?” She didn’t laugh.’