Hotel du Barry by Lesley Truffle Read Free Book Online

music but on many an occasion I caught Maurie weeping in the dark at concerts. Beethoven’s Ninth always had that effect on him. In parting I should also tell you – that he loved you very, very much but was incapable of expressing his emotions.’
    Mildred closed her eyes.
    However two minutes later she sat bolt upright in bed and stated imperiously, ‘Danny, Maurie just asked me to give you a message. He said, “Divorce that ghastly woman. She is Armageddon in silk stockings and will be the death of you.”’
    Mildred fell backwards onto her feather pillows, sighed heavily and left to meet her maker. Right on time.
    *
    The years sped past and Cat’s third birthday was celebrated both in the labyrinth and upstairs on the ninth floor. The staff unanimously agreed that the Hotel du Barry Baby was turning out just fine. Cat’s sweet, loving nature and good manners meant that even the most hardened scullery maid was prepared to spend time answering the same endless questions children always ask adults. And it didn’t hurt that the child resembled a Lucie Attwell illustration with her cheeky grin, chubby cheeks, long eyelashes and unruly blonde hair. Her eye colour had deepened to an stunning violet shade and even strangers in the street surreptitiously admired Cat. So it came as no surprise to Edwina that society women were all over Cat like a rash. ‘Mrs du Barry, your daughter is quite lovely. And those eyes! I’ve never seen such an exquisite colour.’
    Edwina shrugged off their admiration but deep down she was chuffed. Jim surreptitiously studied Cat’s physiognomy in the hope of spotting a resemblance to the young women frequenting the hotel but came up with nothing. Three years on and he still had no leads. Her strange violet eyes set her apart. There was no doubt about it, Cat du Barry was unique.
    Sustained by his relationship with Michael, Daniel was able to cope with Edwina’s moodiness. The two men shared the same sporting interests: boating, tennis, swimming and fencing. They were also regularly spotted at the opera and theatre. Meanwhile Eddie spent most weekends in the countryside at Gloria von Trocken’s estate. She ingratiated herself and was soon on easy terms with assorted louche gentlemen, titled folk and royalty. Edwina and Daniel were a fixture in Tatler ’s high-society pages, even though it was rumoured in the upper echelons that they had a lavender marriage and lived separate lives. Nobody really gave a damn. Historically Britishupper-crust matrimony had always been based on pedigree rather than passion or true love.
    Mary and Edwina managed to establish an uneasy alliance, a sort of detente whereby they both knocked themselves out to be civil in public for the sake of Daniel and Cat. Thus the illusion of a successful marriage was maintained. And so it goes.
    Bertha Brown closed her accounts book with a sigh. The Hotel du Barry was docking for the night and her daytime staff had just clocked off. Down in the labyrinth the maids’ kitchen had gone quiet, so quiet that Bertha could hear the kitchen cats going about their evening business in the pantry. Nigel could be heard fossicking between the flour bins for fresh rodents.
    Light footsteps on the stairs. ‘Mrs Brown, oh Mrs Brown!’
    â€˜Good lord, what on earth is the matter, Lizzie?’
    â€˜Mr du Barry asked me to deliver a message to ya. He said it was real important and to get it to ya right away.’
    Bertha took off her reading glasses. ‘Calm down, dear. Just tell me what he said.’
    â€˜He goes, “Please ask Mrs Brown if she is available to see me in her office. Now would be a good time if it suits.” Gawd. But I didn’t know youse had an office, so I’ve been looking for ya everywhere.’
    Bertha unlocked a drawer in the kitchen dresser and put the accounts journal away. ‘Mr du Barry likes to have a bit of a joke. He probably