A Golden Cage by Shelley Freydont Read Free Book Online

while Deanna and Laurette settled Amabelle in a slipper chair. Elspeth went into the dressing room to find her something to wear.
    She’d barely gone before there was a light tap at the door.
    For a tiny second no one moved, but since Elspeth was in the dressing room, Deanna answered it.
    Minerva stepped just inside. “Madame, you’re wanted downstairs. Miss Deanna, Madame said for you to call me when the young lady is ready to be shown to her chamber.”
    â€œThank you, Minerva. Please tell my mother I’ll be down shortly.” Laurette stood until Minerva reluctantly left the room.
    Deanna thought Minerva was showing just a bit too much attitude, but Laurette laughed. “Those two—you’d think Bonheur was their house instead of Lionel’s. Though I suppose we’re so infrequently here that it must feel that way.
    â€œWell, it seems I must go see to
la grande maman
,” Laurette said. “If you need anything more, just ask Deanna or Elspeth. And please feel free to stay as long as you like.”
    She smiled and left the room.
    Amabelle relaxed as soon as the door closed. And so did Deanna. She knew what Gran Gwen wanted her to do.
    â€œIs that old gorgon downstairs Mrs. Ballard’s mother or mother-in-law?”
    â€œMother,” Deanna said. “And she isn’t a gorgon, she’s just . . .” She searched for a word. “Majestic.”
    â€œWell, I’ll give you that.”
    Deanna was confused by this sudden change in Amabelle. One minute she was a terrified child depending on the mercy of a family she barely knew. Now she acted like an ordinary guest who belonged there.
    Which Deanna guessed she did. She came from a good family and was probably used to the opulence of her surroundings.
    Then she shuddered violently, and Deanna felt contrite. She was obviously just trying to put on a strong front.
    â€œAre you cold?”
    Amabelle shook her head, but she was clutching the tapestry around her shoulders as if expecting a storm. It was a mild night and the windows in Deanna’s room were open to let in the sea air.
    â€œI can close the windows.”
    â€œNo, please, leave them open. It’s so calming to hear the sea. It’s so beautiful here in Newport.”
    â€œYes, it is,” Deanna agreed.
    â€œI wish I could stay here forever.”
    â€œBut then you couldn’t be an actress.”
    Amabelle smiled a little sadly. “True.”
    â€œIt must be exciting to be an actress,” Deanna said.
    â€œI suppose, but it isn’t easy. You have to work every night. And days, we have to rehearse, you know. It’s long hours and you get tired.”
    â€œIt sounds hard, but exciting to have freedom. To be in charge of your own life.”
    â€œI guess.”
    Deanna thought people who were lucky enough to have adventures should at least appreciate them. “So why don’t you go home?”
    She hadn’t meant to speak so harshly, and when tears filled Amabelle’s eyes she rushed to make amends.
    â€œAmabelle, I didn’t mean it that way. Won’t they take you back? Mrs. Ballard said your mother asked her to make sure you were all right.”
    â€œI can’t go back.” She broke down into sobs. “I won’t go back.”
    â€œAmabelle,” Deanna said, alarmed.
    Amabelle said something, but her hands were covering her face, and Deanna couldn’t make out the words—word—it sounded like “hell.”
    â€œWhat?”
    Amabelle looked up. “Belle. Call me Belle.”
    Deanna pulled a footstool up and sat facing her. “Belle. Is there any way in which we—I—can help you?”
    Amabelle gave her a tentative smile. “I’m not sure anyone can help me.”
    â€œWell, we won’t be able to help if we don’t even know what’s bothering you.”
    From the corner of her eye, Deanna saw Elspeth, carrying one of