Blood Royal Page 11

  A girl’s home lay in ashes: a blackened ruin smoked where an aged castle had lifted its lovely head. That a man who could approve, if not order, so harsh a wickedness should not only go unpunished but actually profit thereby was not to be borne.

  I was powerless and a stranger. Unless he played into my hands, Duke Johann of Riechtenburg had no more to fear from me than from the trout that lay in the mountain streams. It was as likely that he would play into my hands as that those mountain trout would rise at a rubber doll: yet, if he could have known how the deed would move me, I think he would have spared Anger – by no means for love of me, but because one does not sow the seed of sheer hatred, however barren the soil.

  Rowley was standing by himself on the farther side of the street, and, as soon as he saw that I saw him, he led the way to the Rolls.

  After a moment’s reflection I bade them drive me back to the flat. There I gave them their orders and changed my clothes: as luck would have it, Rowley’s peaked cap and greatcoat fitted me fairly well. Whilst I was changing, Bell put up a small bundle and a little hamper of food; then we went out to the car and I took the driver’s seat.

  I turned to Rowley, who was wearing my coat and hat.

  “Wait for Mr Hanbury,” I said, “at the door of the house. He will be looking for you. Never let him out of your sight until we return. And don’t let her Highness see you as she comes out.”

  “Very good, sir,” said Rowley.

  I turned to Bell.

  “Her Highness will ask you for my answer to the note which she sent. The answer is ‘Yes’. Stand between her and me as much as you can. She is to think it is Rowley driving the car.”

  We took in fuel at a garage, and I drove to where the Rolls had been standing when I had come out of the house. And there I sat by myself for an hour and a half, with Bell patrolling a corner twenty-five paces away.

  I think I shall remember that street, its depth and its breadth and its shadows, until I die. Its silence and emptiness faithfully reflected the inaction to which I was miserably condemned, than which I would have suffered more gladly the most gruelling toil. I could not sleep for thinking: and, when I would have thought to some purpose, my fancies raged together, as the heathen, and I imagined vain things. I have seldom found time so slow, so heavy-laden and so unprofitable, and when at length other cars began to arrive and Bell advised me to approach the opera-house, the fever of rage had left me and I was sick at heart.

  Johann might play his cards badly, and the Grand Duchess play hers well: but, play she never so wisely, she could not win, for the cards themselves were against her and she had nothing to play.

  Bell lifted his hand again, and the police made room for me to bring the car to the steps…

  All was now bustle and excitement.

  So far as the traffic was concerned, the police maintained no order, and cars were approaching the building from every side. As may be believed, the confusion was very soon shocking, but at last, to my great relief, I saw a way being cleared for the royal car. This at a cost of convenience which I cannot compute, for the vehicles were massed together, and, if one was to move, then twenty or more must first move to give it place. To make matters worse, the police essayed at this juncture to take control, but, since they did not act in concert, they only aggravated the disorder which had to be seen to be believed. Indeed, I heard later that many of the audience walked home and that others awaited their cars for more than two hours.

  When I first arrived, the steps were alive with officials, but no one else: almost at once, however, a crowd began to collect, and within a few moments people were standing ten deep to see the Grand Duchess go by.

  I dared not look, but I saw the press sway and scramble and Bell’s hand go up to his hat.

  As I uncovered—

  “Where’s Johann?” cried a voice.

  “Gone to his kennel,” laughed someone, and the cheering broke out.

  “Leonie! Leonie!” bawled the crowd, and one or two shouted “Paul!”

  The goodwill towards the Grand Duchess was manifest, but, had he appeared without her, I think the Duke’s welcome would have been very cold. Indeed, as they entered the car—

  “Every couple’s not a pair,” said a man two paces away.

  The door was slammed, and Bell took his seat by my side. As I let in the clutch—

  “Leonie!” roared the crowd. “Leonie!”

  And somebody cried “When’s the wedding?” and two or three women “Sleep well.”

  When we were clear of the cars, Bell told me which way to take, and five minutes later we came to the fine, old mansion in which the Duke was lodged.

  As we stopped, the house door was opened, and I saw the servants within…

  The Grand Duchess was speaking in English…

  “Please say ‘Good night’ and go.”

  “I’m damned if I will,” said the Duke. “You’ve had your show and this is where I come in. Why shouldn’t you sup with me?”

  “Think it over,” said the Grand Duchess.

  “But, damn it, we’re engaged,” snarled the Duke.

  “What of that?”

  “Oh, don’t be so sticky,” said the Duke. “I’m sick of this play-acting business. Let’s be ourselves.”

  “I’m not play-acting,” said the girl. “I never play-act with you except on parade.”

  “Oh, put it away,” said the Duke. “As my fiancée you get a hell of a show. If I liked, I could get in your way. But I don’t – I let you have it. Look at tonight. Well, now it’s my turn. I’ve a right to ask you to supper—”

  “And I’ve a right to refuse. Please say ‘Good night’ and go.”

  “Not so fast,” said the Duke.

  “I’m tired,” said the Grand Duchess.

  I heard the Duke suck in his breath.

  “If I were you,” he said, “I should mind your step. I know you’ve a supper-party, and I know who’s going to be there.”

  He got to his feet and descended heavily.

  Then he addressed himself to Bell.

  “You can tell your employers that her Highness has no further use for their car.”

  “Paul,” said the Grand Duchess quickly.

  I heard the fellow turn.

  “Don’t be foolish, Paul. We can’t sup together alone, as you very well know. And, indeed, I haven’t a party. You can come, if you like, and see.”

  There was a little silence.

  The Grand Duchess had risen and was standing behind me by the open door of the Rolls.

  “Why couldn’t they lend me the car?” said the Duke sullenly.

  “Well, you weren’t very civil, Paul. I know you were very worried, but—”

  “I don’t know what the hell they expect – I’m not their class. Any way I’m getting tired. Fed up, Leonie. I’m sick of the sight of the house and I’m sick of parades. You have the — car, you have the show – I let you, and—”

  “If you’re patient, it’ll soon be your show. I won’t interfere – then.”

  “Good night,” said the Duke suddenly.

  She gave him her fingers to kiss, and he jerked her out of the car and into his arms.

  I heard him kiss her soundly, but she made no noise.

  Suddenly she was back in the Rolls, and its door was shut.

  As the car slid forward, I heard the Duke’s horse laughter offending the night.

  With Bell for guide, I drove at once to the house at which Hanbury and I had dined three nights before.

  As the Grand Duchess alighted—

  “My note,” she said tremulously. “What is the reply to my note?”

  “The answer is ‘Yes’, my lady,” said Bell.

  I heard her stifle a sob.

  “It is far,” she said. “How – how soon will you be ready to leave?”

  “We are ready now, my lady.”

  She did not speak again, but turned to the steps, and I heard a door opened and the voice of Madame Dresden b
egin to utter a greeting and come to a sudden stop.

  When I ventured to turn my head, the Countess’ arms were about her, and she was weeping like a child.

  For the next thirty minutes I sat as though turned to stone, and Bell, beside me on the pavement, never once moved.

  I do not wish to labour the matter or to give the Duke’s behaviour a colour it does not deserve. As her affianced husband, the man had a right to demand that, when they met or parted, the Grand Duchess should give him her lips. I think he was afraid to do so. Be that as it may, he did not. Had he asked and she objected, vile as he was, he could not, I think, have been blamed for insisting upon his right. But he did not ask. He preferred to commit a vulgar, common assault upon the peerless creature who was fighting to save his throne. And there I will leave the business, for even at this distance of time I cannot recall it with composure and, indeed, I think her tears and his laughter are commentary enough.

  So I sat, still as an image, staring through the windscreen, with the sweat drying salt upon my face.

  Johann and his works I had forgotten. I could only remember the shortcomings of Duke Paul. When I asked myself why the Grand Duchess was striving in his behalf, I felt as though I were dreaming some monstrous dream.

  At last a maid came with a dressing-case, and a moment later the Grand Duchess entered the car.

  The night was clear and cool, the ways were empty and the mountain air refreshed both body and soul. Once clear of Vigil, we went like the wind and in less than forty minutes we had come to the frontier bridge.

  Bell showed a pass to the sentries, arms were presented and we rolled on to Austrian soil.

  Five minutes later—

  “Stop, please,” said the Grand Duchess. “I wish to sit in front.”

  In silence the change was made, while I furtively hunched my shoulders and sunk my chin on my chest.

  We had covered a mile in silence before the Grand Duchess spoke.

  “Thank you for coming,” she said.

  6: The Orchard at Littai

  Drive as I would, the dawn was at Anger before us, and the sun was touching the mountains as we entered the three-mile gorge at the head of which the castle had stood.

  We had made the journey in silence, and the Grand Duchess sat so still that more than once I thought that she was asleep: but, if ever I turned to make sure, I found that her eyes were open, and these would greet my movement to show that she was awake.

  The gorge made a lovely passage at any hour, but at break of day it was, I suppose, at its best, and I shall ever remember how sweet the foliage smelled and how grateful was the sound of the torrent by which we sped. Movement through air so cool was most refreshing, and when I uncovered my head to make the most of it, I noticed that the Grand Duchess had done the same.

  If she was weary, she showed no sign of it: if she was apprehensive, none would have guessed the truth. Her great grey eyes were steady, her head was high, and a quiet, resolute look sat on her face. I cannot compare her beauty, for I have not the words, but I think that a poet would have sung of the wind in her blue-black hair and the quiver of her delicate nostrils and the curve of her exquisite mouth.

  I had passed through the gorge four times, and I knew my way. There was a beechwood that marked the end of it and masked the natural circus from such as came up by the water, much as a screen in a theatre may mask the wings. Once a man rounded this wood, circus, meadows and castle lay full in his view, but, until he did so, there was nothing to indicate that the gorge did not run before him for another three miles.

  When we came to the beechwood I brought the Rolls to rest.

  As I stepped into the road—

  “Will you wait here,” I said, “until I come back?”

  Before I had finished the Grand Duchess was out of the car.

  “No,” she said quietly. “If it were Maintenance—”

  “I wish to God it were,” I said warmly, and meant what I said.

  My fervour brought a smile to her lips, of which I was very glad.

  “I will go on,” she said gently. “Follow me in five minutes, if you like: but not before.”

  With that, she was gone down the road, and a moment later the beechwood hid her from view.

  I threw off my coats, made my way to the torrent and bathed my head and hands in a lively pool. Bell had a towel ready and, ere the five minutes were past, I had made a rude enough toilet, but one that refreshed my senses and did my heart good. Then I bade Bell be ready to serve what breakfast he could in half an hour and left him sponging the windscreen which was littered with insect dead.

  I have several times seen the waste which fire has committed and twice the horrid ruin it has made of a country house: but the havoc wrought at Anger was of another kind. I had read of the ravages of earthquakes and wars and storms, but I had never so much as conceived a destruction so absolute by any element and I cannot believe that Carthage was ever so blotted out.

  Not a wall was standing more than ten feet from the ground, and the island which the castle had occupied was now a black mound of refuse, walled for the most part, like a dunghill, and smoking leisurely. At one point a wall had fallen outwards, and a mass of stones and rubble was damming the stream; and the trees around were horribly disfigured, for such as had not been burned had had their foliage scorched, and the broad belt of dead black branches and shrivelled leaves stood out very sharp and ugly against the living green.

  For the rest, next to nothing was changed.

  The water ran as clear and as stoutly, and a gay cascade was seething over the new-made dam: except for a black spot or so, the sward was as fresh and as blowing as when I had seen it before; and the bridge held up by leopards was there to usher who would venture to the ghastly holocaust that had been the Grand Duchess’ home.

  At the verge of the meadows stood two ponies, fastened to pegs in the ground, and two oxen were couched beside them, regarding the world about them with comfortable eyes. By these my lady was standing, listening to the speech of a man who was clad as a groom, and surveying the desolation, with a hand to her throat.

  I made my way over the turf to where she stood.

  As I came up, she turned.

  “The servants escaped, and the horses. Mercifully my great-aunt was not there. Karl says that petrol was pumped right over the battlements – literally pumped, through a hose. One of the drums they used is still in the bed of the stream. But they fired the stables first, and by the time he and Jacob had got the horses away whoever did it was gone. Jameson, the English butler, got out the maids. In less than two hours from the outbreak, it was as you see it now. Of course it was full of oak and there were beams in the walls. He says it was an absolute furnace: if it hadn’t begun to rain while the fire was raging, he thinks the woods would be black for half a mile.”

  It was easy to picture the scene.

  Six servants asleep in the castle, and only three of these men: the roar of the great waterfall, and the ceaseless fret of the torrent to smother irregular sounds: a malefactor up on the ramparts, which the trees overhung, and petrol pouring into the gallery and making its way down the stairs…

  “Where are the horses?” I said.

  “They are at Littai, a village four miles away. The servants are with them, and Karl will join them today. Perhaps you will take me there presently – now, if you’re not too tired. I mean, I’ve seen what I came to see, and it’s – well, it’s no good my staying here.”

  The half-laugh, half-sob with which she said this would have bruised the hardest heart, and for the life of me I could not answer, but only nodded my head.

  We passed across the meadows without a word.

  As we came to the beechwood, she turned, to stand very still. And I stood still behind her, with my eyes on the ground.

  I do not know how I knew it, but, as though she had told me, I knew that she was looking on the circus for the very last time and that, once she had rounded the beechwood, she would never come
back…

  Two minutes later we came into view of the car.

  “Will you breakfast first?” I asked her. “I’m afraid we have nothing hot, but—”

  “I am only thirsty,” she said. “And, if you will wait, I will bathe my face and hands.”

  I carried her case to the water and set a cushion on the edge of the little pool. Then I sent Bell off in the Rolls, to turn her about, and mixed some brandy and soda against my lady’s return.

  This she was loth to drink, but, after a little entreaty, she did as I asked.

  I put on Rowley’s greatcoat and picked up his cap.

  “Don’t wear those things,” she said quietly.

  I hesitated, cap in hand.

  “I think perhaps it’s better,” I said.

  “I will not have you wear them,” she cried, stamping her foot.

  I gave the garments to Bell and entered the car.

  There was at Littai a farm which the Grand Duchess owned, and, though it was tenanted, the farmer was her faithful servant and glad to offer his mistress the best that he had. Her hunters stood deep in his straw and ate his corn, her servants fed at his table and lay beneath his roof. A pleasant parlour had been set aside for her coming, and Jameson had appeared in the doorway as we drove up. The place might have been her home. But it was not. Leonie, Grand Duchess of Riechtenburg, was homeless. Anger had not been insured, and there was not left of it one stone upon another.

  And there I will leave the business, for there, in that humble homestead, she left it herself.

  “Anger is dead,” she said quietly, within the hour. “Six hundred years ago they cut down the woods to build it, and now the woods will return and take it back. Nature is very forgiving. Nobody else would tend his enemy’s grave… And now I’m going to try and put it out of my mind. It’s rather like losing a dog – an old, faithful fellow that was so – so glad to see you whenever you’d been away.” Her voice had begun to tremble, but she shook the tears from her eyes and started up. “This is the way of folly. I will not speak of it again.”

  Nor did she, that I know of. But her voice was big with weeping, and I left her to take her rest with a heavy heart.