“And we are to stay here for the night?”
“You will stay here. I am far too old for the goings on of the château, and, without Richard, it is not the same. And you will enjoy yourself better without my company.”
Mildred stared at Lady Katherine with eyes agog. “You are not staying?”
“Worry not. The guests are most discreet, and Marguerite—Madame Follet, that is—will watch over you. I will speak with her.”
“But where will you stay?”
“I’ve an old friend who lives not far, and I mean to pay her a visit. I will return the morrow to fetch you.”
Mildred felt the luster of her prior elation diminish. “I am to be alone at the château?”
“My dear, you are a woman after my own heart. I promise you will have a fine adventure at Château Follet.”
“But I know no one. What am I to do?”
“Anything you wish. Madame Follet will acquaint you with all you need know.”
“But where shall you stay?”
“An old acquaintance of mine keeps an inn not far from here. I shall pay her and her husband a visit.”
Still astonished and now discomfited, Mildred felt her mind in an unsteady whirl. Her ladyship placed a reassuring hand over hers.
“Do not fear, my child. Château Follet is wondrous. If you are to marry that Haversham fellow, you ought to grant yourself one last adventure before you are shackled to the tedium of marriage. Trust me, without Château Follet, as much as I loved your uncle, I wonder that our marriage would have lasted as well.”
Mildred did trust Lady Katherine. She admired her ladyship’s unabashed honesty of carnal matters and her knowledge of the libidinous. The venereal was the aspect of marriage she most dreaded with Haversham. The man fumbled to kiss her hand and had a painful propensity for planting his foot atop hers whether strolling, dancing or even sitting. How could he possibly fulfill her deepest, darkest cravings?
The opportunity presented to her in Château Follet was rare and special. She pressed Lady Katherine’s hand in gratitude.
“I had recommended Château Follet to another before,” her ladyship said. “It did not disappoint. I think you will have a most memorable stay. Be free. Be bold. Be wanton.”
Mildred glanced out the window and saw that they were about to draw up to Château Follet. It was a little petrifying, but she felt her excitement return. Even greater than before.
* * * * *
With equal parts apprehension and anticipation, Mildred followed Madame Follet through the Château. Madame Follet, though several years older, possessed a youthful vibrancy. Mildred had taken to her in an instant and felt she would have done so even if Lady Katherine had not extolled her friendship with the woman. Madame was one of those fortunate women whose beauty did not fade easily with youth. She was much what Mildred was not: stylish in her turban and Turkish shawl, fair in countenance and hair, and slender everywhere from her neck to her fingers. In contrast, Mildred had dark locks, almost as black as the d'Aubigne tresses, and a cherubic face.
“I have the perfect room for you here in the west wing,” said Madame as they continued down the corridor. “Some guests are staying in the east wing, but as you are new here, I would confine myself to this portion of the Château. The east wing is for the more experienced participants.”
Mildred wondered how Madame defined “experienced.” They passed by a room with an open door, and Mildred thought she saw a couple, both only partially dressed, upon the bed kissing.
Noticing the look of surprise, Madame smiled. “Some guests do not mind if others watch and observe.”
“Truly?”
This was beyond anything Mildred had considered. It was…provocative.
“Would you like to watch?”
Her breath caught. “Pardon?”
“Being a voyeur can be quite titillating.”
Mildred hesitated. She had not been here above an hour and had not thought to be thrown into the activities already. She had thought she would have more time to adjust to her surroundings, though she knew not how one would prepare for a place like the Château Follet. For certain, watching another couple in congress was extremely naughty. But her response came far more easily than she expected.
“Yes.”