‘I don’t know why Madame has engaged you,’ she said. ‘Of course, another maid is always helpful’ – she gave a sniff – ‘despite the state she finds herself in.’

‘A widow with a baby on the way,’ Agathe said, wilfully misunderstanding her and nodding. ‘Very difficult for the poor girl, I do agree.’

‘But you?’ Madame Choux looked at Agathe through mistrustful eyes. ‘You’re too old. What use will you be to me?’

Agathe, remembering her own warning to Annette, bit back a retort at such rudeness, simply saying, ‘Madame St Clair knows how much extra work there will be preparing for Miss Clarice’s wedding. I think she thought you might welcome another pair of hands to lighten the load.’

Madame Choux looked at her suspiciously. ‘Did she now? She must know I’m well able to prepare the house for both the wedding and the house guests who will be staying over.’

‘She certainly does,’ Agathe agreed quietly, ‘and of course it’s you she’s relying on, but she suggested that you might have a use for me with so much happening just now.’ When Madame Choux didn’t answer, Agathe said, ‘I am at your bidding, madame.’

Reluctantly the housekeeper told her she was to sort and check through the linen cupboard, looking for anything that might need laundering or mending before it could be used in the guests’ bedchambers. It was a job she had been putting off. It had been a long time since she had performed this particular task, one she disliked, and she was afraid there might be much in need of repair; the part-time seamstress they normally used for such work was ill and would not be able to take on the job. ‘I assume you are able with your needle.’

‘Indeed, madame,’ replied Agathe.

‘But first,’ the housekeeper said with an exaggerated sigh, ‘you had better have your midday meal.’ And with that she led the way back into the kitchen and sat down at the table, waving Agathe to a vacant chair beside Annette. At once Lizette leaped to her feet and served them each with a bowl of broth.

It was extremely good, and as Agathe ate she looked round the well-ordered kitchen and thought, Well, we’re here, though unwelcome, and despite Fleur being so cross with me for leaving, Annette and I are well out of Paris, and thanks to Madame St Clair we both have the chance of a new life.

Chapter 10

Rosalie and the girls returned from Paris amid a flurry of excitement. The final purchases had been made; the wedding dress that had been packed in tissue paper and boxed for the journey was now hanging in the wardrobe in Clarice’s bedroom. Rosalie sighed when Didier, who had returned with them, came quietly into her parlour to tell her that Madame Barrineau had called and was asking the favour of a few moments’ conversation with her. Suzanne Barrineau was the last person she wanted to see just now but, as Clarice’s future mother-in-law, she was due every courtesy, and when Suzanne was announced, as always she stood to greet her visitor with a smile and ordered some refreshment.