Chapter 12—The Spanish Ball
Three weeks after the fashion show and three weeks before the Spanish ball, Dolorita invited Felipe to watch the practice performance and to suggest appropriate dresses for the performers. Felipe was extremely impressed by Catherine and Lieutenant Magelhaes's Fandango courtship dance. An outstanding dancer, Lieutenant Magelhaes excelled at presenting Catherine such that she was the center of attention. Catherine, a natural performer with a knack for dramatic presentations, shone under the spotlight.
There would be a lot of high-ranking Spanish nobility attending the ball, including the staff of the Spanish Embassy and the Spanish Royal Family. Felipe knew that how the performers looked and dressed could further enhance his good standing with the nobles. So with the approval of Danielle, after the performances, Felipe let it be known that the only charge for the performers' costumes would be the cost of material and labor of the seamstresses. Without including the cost of overhead, this would be less than forty percent of the normal price.
Felipe had sketches for most of what was available. However, when he spoke to Catherine, he suggested that in addition to her full-length gown for the ball, she have two costumes for the performances; he wanted to design an original for the Fandango dance and in a week or so, he would have a couple of sketches to show her.
It was twelve days later when Felipe had Danielle bring Catherine to the shop to see the original gown he had designed. He already had Catherine's measurements since Catherine, with Renée's approval, had already selected and ordered her other gowns. The gown was only stitched together because the way it was made necessitated a perfect fit, which would require a couple more fittings and adjustments. The gown was very advanced for the time and Catherine thought it was the most stylish gown she had ever seen. The gown was almost shockingly risqué. It would be appropriate only because it was a performance and Catherine was a young and beautiful girl with a slender dancer's body. In fact, the dress would be considered sexy even in modern times. The gown was fiery red with black silk lace. The top was very tight. One of Catherine's arms and shoulders would be bare, the other covered with the black silk lace, and the black silk lace would practically expose the skin on her back and sides. The shorter than normal length full skirt would show all of her legs during rapid turns.
Catherine was practically ecstatic to have such a gown in which to perform. However, she told Felipe, Danielle, and Jacqueline not to tell her mother or aunt about the garment, telling them she wanted it to be a surprise. Catherine did show the gown to Dolorita and Lieutenant Magelhaes. Thereafter, Catherine and the Lieutenant practiced extra long and hard to perfect a few of the more difficult steps, which Dolorita would otherwise have excluded. With that gown they wanted the dance to be perfect.
The Spanish royal family and entourage arrived on the Feast day of St. Macarius of Jerusalem (Saturday, March 10). They settled in at the castle, and King Francis gave a banquet that evening in their honor. Danielle and Catherine met the Spanish Royal Family, and Princess Gabriella insisted that both Danielle and Catherine sit and visit her during the banquet. Danielle, especially, made a hit with Gabriella and all three girls agreed to meet Monday morning at the Spanish Embassy. Sunday, both Royal Families attended church presided over by a Cardinal.
Monday morning at the agreed upon time the three girls met at the Embassy. Gabriella already was acquainted with the Ambassador, and Catherine introduced her to Lieutenant Magelhaes. Sofia, never one to be left out of the excitement, joined the group. Soon, Princess Gabriella, Danielle, Catherine, Sofia, Lieutenant Magelhaes and three other Spanish officers began a tour. First, Catherine wanted to show Gabriella her original gown, which was still at the dress shop. Naturally, the Spanish officers talked Catherine into modeling it. Catherine just loved their admiring restrained whistles as she gave a couple of pirouettes. While Catherine was changing back into her normal dress, Felipe offered to provide Princess Gabriella with a beautiful gown for the ball. However, she already had the gown she was planning to wear and, perhaps after seeing Catherine's gown, was a little concerned that it might be too risqué, so Felipe gave her a piece of jewelry instead.
The princess and Danielle had already agreed that lunch would be at the Manoir de Barbarac. From the Embassy, Danielle sent a messenger that eight would be arriving for lunch. Danielle made a point to introduce the princess to the servants, who were thrilled that the Princess of Spain would visit their mistress. After lunch, Princess Gabriella was given a tour of the Manoir de Barbarac and Danielle pointed out the recent improvements. Danielle told the princess her plans for some orphaned children. Catherine had not heard that idea before and filed it away as one more piece of exciting news about Danielle. For the rest of the afternoon, Princess Gabriella and the group were given a tour of the countryside, including a view of the river and the Franciscan monastery.
For almost two months, Danielle had not been able to look after the Manoir de Barbarac. However, with Maurice in charge, work at the manoir had progressed nicely. Some buildings and cabins were restored and work started on two of the six new cabins.
Looking ahead, Danielle could see that with the arrival of spring, crops would need to be planted. Also, Danielle decided that the profits she was making from the dress shop would be adequate to pay most, if not all, of the cost of construction of the other four cabins. Therefore, she gave Maurice the go ahead to start. As the future would show, construction and furnishing the six new cabins would cost 480 gold francs, which was a little less than Danielle's share of the profits from the dress shop.
There still would remain repair work and the construction of new fences as well as, in time, the construction of the schoolhouse. Danielle realized that each farmer would need a couple of horses, a plow, and other minor farm equipment. She decided that the blacksmith would make the plows and that the horses could either be purchased or leased. Maurice was told to meet with the farmers and purchase the seed they would need for planting.
Danielle already owed the bankers almost 980 gold francs. There was a chance she needed to borrow another 200 to 400 gold francs. However, with the manoir restored, the crops planted and soon to be purchased, and calves in the pasture, the manoir would start making a profit. The manoir would become even more profitable when the vineyards were productive. In two or three years the manoir would have a profit of five hundred to a thousand gold francs per year, so she figured that paying off the loan would not be a problem.
After returning, Princess Gabriella invited Danielle and Catherine to again meet with her parents. Since her parents didn't have anything special planned for that evening, Gabriella asked if it would be okay if they stayed for supper. The King and Queen agreed so the five had supper and talked.
Gabriella told her parents about the gown Catherine was going to wear for the Fandango courtship dance. She said, "Felipe designed it just for Catherine and it is absolutely stunning. It is definitely Spanish, but I have never seen anything like it. Catherine modeled it for us and I could tell that Lieutenant Magelhaes, her partner in the dance, and three other Spanish officers thought Catherine looked terrific in it."
"That is what I like about Spanish officers," Catherine replied. "They are always so complimentary."
King Charles V was very impressed at how well Danielle spoke Spanish. During the evening, he warmed up toward Danielle. Earlier, he had felt slighted by the oftentimes gruff nature of King Francis. He asked Danielle about her trip to Navarra, Spain.
"I just loved it, Your Majesty," Danielle replied. "I stayed with the family of Arcadia, the wife of Major Nino. They were so gracious and made me feel right at home. I also was able to get out and meet some of your people. They were so warm, friendly, and caring. The Spanish are perhaps without equal in expressing generosity and hospitality to strangers."
King Charles V and his wife appreciated Danielle's responses, which went a long way in soothing hurt feelings and lingering animosities between the two kings.
The two Kings decided to have the signing ceremony at 1:00 PM on the same day as the Spanish ball. That evening, when the fanfare announced the arrival of the Royal Families, more than 250 people were in attendance, making the ball a huge success. Due to the presence of the Spanish royal family, the gaiety associated with the Spanish music and the high spirits of ladies in their colorful gowns, the courtiers were unusually enthusiastic. Even before the arrival of the royal families, who by protocol always arrived late, the ball was unusually animated and, unlike many balls, no one was bored to tears. The novelty of the Spanish music and all the courtiers wishing to put their Spanish dance lessons to good use would keep the dance floor crowded and everyone excited.
Soon after the royal families were seated at their respective daises, it was announced that the performances would begin. First, members of the French ballet performed a delightful abbreviated Spanish ballet. Next was the modified Sarabanda with Catherine, Danielle, Sofia, and a couple of members of the French ballet. Danielle and Sofia, with support from a couple of members of the French ballet, performed a brief routine using castanets and graceful movement of the feet. Then Catherine took center stage. Although the members of the French ballet were technically more skilled, Catherine had that special star quality that made her stand out. Like at the Spanish Embassy, with twirls, high steps, flirtations and massive hip movements, Catherine was sensual, wild and exotic. She dazzled the crowd and received the loudest applause.
During a brief intermission, Catherine changed into her gown for the final Fandango courtship dance. When Catherine, wearing her shockingly risqué gown, and Lieutenant Magelhaes took their positions for the start of the music, it became very quiet. Seeing Catherine in her gown, the normally unflappable Renée de Vaudémont was momentarily rendered speechless. Still, when the music and dance started, the courtiers, following the lead of the Spanish king, gave the performers repeated applause, especially when Catherine's full skirt rose above her legs with a combination of rapid turns and almost violent hip movements. Lieutenant Magelhaes did his part such that the crowd's attention was primarily on Catherine.
Catherine knew she was the center of attention and loved every second of it. She had a flair in adding something special, something that could not be taught—her eyes, her expressions, her remarkable energy, and such brazen flirtatiousness—she sizzled. Yet, throughout the dance, Catherine maintained that sexy untamed innocence that often marks the difference between an excellent performer and a star.
At the end of the dance, the applause was tremendous. Catherine and Lieutenant Magelhaes almost brought the house down. No additional performance was planned, so as she was leaving, Catherine just pirouetted and gave a couple of flirty hip movements to the numerous calls for encore, generating even more applause.
"Renée, that gown Catherine is wearing is exceptionally eye-catching. I don't recall seeing anything like it," comtesse d'Auvergne said. "I would trade half my estate to have the figure to wear a gown like that. Where did you and Catherine get it?"
"I didn't even know about it until just now, so you can imagine how surprised I was. I suspect that Danielle may somehow be involved. Between Danielle and Catherine, there is never a dull moment."
"I always knew Catherine could dance, but tonight she was exceptional. And she was gorgeous in that exquisite gown. You must be very proud of her," one of Renée's cousins observed.
"Thank you, that is very thoughtful of you," Renée replied. She could not help being proud of Catherine; still, she thought she might need to have a talk with Catherine about selecting such revealing gowns without first consulting her.
The performances were the highlight of the ball and helped erased any lasting tension between the two kings. King Charles V said the French performers had looked like they had been born and raised in Spain and, of course, the performers were asked to appear before the royal families. Before meeting with the royal families, Catherine changed into her regular evening gown.
When Catherine appeared before her, the Spanish Queen said, "Catherine, you are an outstanding dancer. I have never seen the Fandango performed better. I would be delighted to offer you an invitation to honor the Spanish people by giving a performance in our castle."
"It would be a great honor, Your Majesty. After Danielle returned from Navarra, she and I talked about traveling to Spain and how much we would enjoy seeing the sights and getting to know the Spanish people."
As soon as all the performers had met the royal families, Prince Henry asked Catherine to dance. As the music began and Henry led Catherine onto the dance floor, Henry said, "Catherine, I am almost disappointed that you changed from the fantastic gown you were wearing. It really showed what an exceptionally beautiful lady you are."
"No doubt it revealed much, Your Highness. However, Felipe designed it just for the dance and, while I think it was perfect for the dance, I am not certain it would be an appropriate evening gown."
"This is the sixteenth century and I think it completely proper for lovely ladies to wear such pretty gowns. And the name is Henry, if you don't mind."
"Thank you, Henry. Now, don't get me wrong, for I would love to wear the gown. However, I fear I may already be in enough trouble with my mother. I had better not push it."
"What could you possibly have done to get in trouble?" Henry asked.
"Mother and I had already selected a couple of gowns before Felipe volunteered to design another. I didn't tell mother as I wasn't sure she would approve."
"Well, I certainly approve. It is a beautiful gown for a gorgeous lady," and then whispering in her ear Henry added, "and it was so sexy."
"Thank you Henry," Catherine smiled. "A lady always can appreciate a compliment."
"Catherine, let me show you the royal stables and the magnificent Spanish stallion King Charles has given us."
"Henry, I would be delighted to see him. My aunt, comtesse d'Auvergne, has a great love of horses and I am certain she would also love to see the stallion. Just make arrangements with her for a time that the two of us can meet you at the stables."
A chaperone was not what Henry had in mind. Catherine, on the other hand, was a very pretty and popular teenage girl with very high self esteem and, while she loved attention, she was not ready for any lasting involvement, let alone short interludes, not even from a prince. When the dance was over, Henry did not object to Catherine dancing with one of her many admirers. Almost every man wanted to dance with Catherine so, for the rest of the evening, she danced almost every dance.
While talking with some of the Spanish nobility, Danielle was introduced to Duchess Violante Fernández. As described, she was a beautiful and high spirited, redheaded lady.
Violante, who knew about the Ambassador's letter, said to Danielle, "So you are the reason the Ambassador suggested that Prince Henry marry me instead of Princess Gabriella."
"I don't understand," Danielle replied.
"Four or five months ago, I believe, after you broke your engagement to Prince Henry at a Masque Ball, the Ambassador suggested to King Francis that the Prince should marry me, rather than Princess Gabriella."
"I didn't know that. What happened?" Danielle asked.
"It was decided that the treaty didn't require a marriage contract. But, I was wondering, what is Prince Henry like?"
"Well of course, he is handsome and he can be very charming. He is also arrogant and like most men he can be pigheaded." Violante laughed. "Would you like to meet him?" Danielle asked.
"Oh, I couldn't," Violante replied although not convincingly.
"Nonsense, come with me," Danielle replied as she grabbed Violante's hand and practically dragged her to where Prince Henry was standing.
As they approached Prince Henry, Violante and she gave slight curtsies as Danielle said, "Good evening, Your Highness. Here is someone I want you to meet."
"Danielle, it is nice to see you again. And who is this lovely lady with you?"
"Your Highness, I don't believe you have met Duchess Violante Fernández. Violante only knows a little French, but she does speak Latin. Also, she is an excellent dancer."
Speaking in Latin, Henry says, "I have heard a lot about you. Would you care to dance?"
"Merci, Henry de Prince. Je voudrais danser." (Thank you, Prince Henry, I would like to.)
Speaking in Spanish, Danielle said with a wink, "Don't be taken in by his charm, and if the Prince gets out of line, swat him."
Violante just laughed and nodded.
"What did Danielle just say?" Henry asked.
"She was just telling me how charming you are."
With a combination of both French and Latin, Henry and Violante were able to communicate. However, although Violante was very pretty, the chemistry between them just wasn't there, so after the dance Henry returned her to her group.
Danielle had kept an eye on Henry and, when he returned Violante, Danielle was laughing and let Henry hear her say Antonio as she lightly swatted the handsome young Spanish noble on the arm.
Danielle's actions had the desired effect as an envious Henry tapped Danielle on the shoulder and asked, "May I have this dance?"
"I would be honored, Your Highness," Danielle replied. Then, speaking to Antonio in Spanish, she said, "Antonio you still owe me a dance."
Although, he could not understand what Danielle said, Henry did not fail to notice that Danielle called him by name and that the young noble nodded and smiled in reply. "Who was that?" Henry asked.
"Oh! That's Antonio, the Duke of Berwick. He was just telling me about his castle in Spain," Danielle replied.
In Henry's mind, Danielle was being far too familiar with the Spanish noble. Changing the subject, Henry asked, "Are you enjoying the ball?"
"I just love it, Your Highness. The gowns are so colorful, the Spanish music is delightful, and the Spanish dances are really fun. Also, it was such an honor to be one of the performers. This is a night I will remember as long as I live."
"I understand you spent some time with Princess Gabriella. What was she like?" Henry was naturally curious to know more about the lady he was almost forced to marry.
"Catherine and I spent most of the day with her. We had lunch at the Manoir de Barbarac and dinner with Gabriella and her parents. Gabriella is reserved as opposed to pretentious like many high ranking nobles. I found her to be warm and passionate about life and the people she cared about. Certainly, she was a lot of fun to be around. Even Marguerite seemed to like her."
"How is Marguerite?" Henry asked.
"What can I say? I believe Marguerite will always be a little self-centered. At least as long as she has her good looks. However, now that she is not under the influence of Rodmilla, she is learning to be a lot nicer, and her tongue is not so sharp. In the past, her remarks could be very unkind. While I don't believe she will ever be as kind and warm- hearted as Jacqueline, I do believe she is basically a good person."
Henry observed Marguerite dancing very close with a Spanish Captain and said, "I see that Marguerite seems to be hitting it off with that Spanish Officer. Could that be a budding romance?"
"It might be. I too have observed that they seemed to have paired off," Danielle replied. "For that matter, it seems that Jacqueline and Captain Laurent have gotten reacquainted. Have you noticed that they seem inseparable?"
"I do remember that a couple of times in the past his eyes would light up when their paths crossed. Has Jacqueline said anything about Laurent to you?"
"Only every chance she gets," Danielle replied as the dance ended.
Henry kept Danielle on the dance floor for the next dance. However, the dance was very animated, so they couldn't talk much. When the dance was over, Danielle politely excused herself, telling Henry that she had promised to dance with Antonio.
Immediately, Danielle reminded Antonio that he owed her a dance and, noticing that Henry kept glancing her way, she allowed Antonio to hold her very close. Danielle correctly surmised that, like most men, Henry wanted what he couldn't have; especially, if another man could.
The next morning at breakfast with the King and queen, Prince Henry complained about how Danielle was interested in some Spanish Duke.
"Henry, Danielle's in love with you." Queen Marie replied.
"She has a funny way of showing it. She hardly showed me any attention at the ball."
"Henry, you just don't understand women." Queen Marie replied.
"Well, neither do I," King Francis said, "neither do I."
"Henry, you hurt Danielle very much at masque." Queen Marie said.
"Well what about me? Didn't you see how she embarrassed me?"
"Henry, Danielle may have hurt your pride, but you broke her heart. There is simply no comparison. Son, when Danielle came to the masque she had decided to believe in you and trust you with the truth. But you didn't listen. Then in that awful scene with Rodmilla de Ghent, you almost ripped her heart in two when you allowed her to be humiliated without giving her a chance to explain the situation at hand.
"Danielle wants to believe she can trust you. I am sure she would love to give you another chance to prove that she can trust you. But she is afraid that if she gives you her heart you may hurt her again, and that would devastate her. Henry, if you want to win Danielle, you must first win her trust. You have to make her believe that she can put her trust in you again."
After thinking about it for a day or two, Prince Henry remembered Signore Leonardo da Vinci's suggestion about the glass slipper. The slipper would give him an excuse to see Danielle, so early one morning Henry rode to the Manoir de Barbarac. Danielle was in a servant's gown and had just finished feeding the animals.
Prince Henry saw Danielle. "Hello."
Danielle turns around, asking "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you."
"Me! Why would you want to see me?"
"I was hoping that you would be so kind to help me find the owner of this rather remarkable shoe."
"Where did you find that?" Danielle gasped.
Henry stared at her with deep, intense eyes and says, "She is my match in every way. Please tell me I haven't lost her."
Danielle sat down on the stump of a sawed off tree. "It belonged to a mademoiselle, Your Highness, who only pretended to be a comtesse to save a man's life."
"Yes, I know … and the name's Henry, if you don't mind," he said gently.
Her heart felt as if someone were squeezing it as he dropped to his knee. "I kneel before you not as a Prince but as a man in love. But I would feel like a King if you, Danielle de Barbarac, would be my wife."
As if it were a dream, Danielle watched as he slipped the shoe onto her foot. Of course it fit perfectly. Danielle burst into tears and, standing up, threw her arms around Henry's neck.
"Yes, yes, yes, she murmured happily into Henry's ear, kissing his hair, his neck, and then his tender lips. "Oh yes."
Epilogue
Finally, Prince Henry acquired his match. He realized that Danielle was more than beautiful; she was blessed with that rare combination of compassion and superior intelligence that would make her a great Queen.
After the engagement was announced, Catherine was beside herself with excitement. Renée reminisced about when she first met Danielle and was pleased to think she had a part in turning that scruffy girl into a princess. Queen Marie was happy that Henry had found someone to love who would inspire him to become a great King. The commoners were overjoyed that one of their own would be their future Queen.
The King of Spain and the Embassy staff were delighted to have a friend and someone who understood and appreciated the Spanish culture as a princess and future Queen of France. Jacqueline and the servants at the Manoir de Barbarac were ecstatic. However, when Danielle put on a servant's dress to do some work, they would not allow it. They told Danielle that they would not permit their future Queen to dress as a servant and to do common labor. They would, if necessary, lock her in her room. Maurice told Danielle that she was welcome to visit for as long and as often as she wished but, thank you very much, the manoir would do quite well without her labor.
On the eve of the wedding, Queen Marie decided to have a heart-to-heart chat with Danielle. The Queen told Danielle that when they were alone there would be no need to refer to her as Your Majesty. Continuing, the Queen said, "I have always wanted a daughter and would like it very much if you would call me mother."
When the Queen indicated that she would be receptive to an embrace, Danielle, with tears forming in her eyes, hugged the Queen like she never wanted to let go. "Thank you …thank you, mother."
The Queen, seeing a tear run down Danielle's cheek, asked, "Child, is anything the matter?"
"No, it's wonderful. You are wonderful." And with tears streaming down her face from years of pent-up emotions, Danielle explained, "All my life I have wanted a mother to take care of me and love me like my father did. He even loved me when I was bad. For ten years I did everything Rodmilla asked to get her to love me, but, even after that, when I asked her if she ever loved me at all, she replied, 'How can anyone love a pebble in their shoe.' So mother, and I love calling you that, you have just given me the greatest gift I could ever hope for."
Queen Marie was truly touched. Feeling very much like a mother, the Queen kissed Danielle on the forehead, gently wiping her tears with her handkerchief, and said to her tenderly, "My goodness, child, you will have to stop this before you have me in sniffles. Now go wash your face; we don't want you looking a fright in front of Francis and Henry. And don't you cry anymore, you are my daughter now, I am so proud of you, and I love you very much."
The End
Acknowledgement
I wish to express my appreciation to Christine Zhang, a college student, for volunteering to take time from her busy schedule to be my proofreader. Her corrections of grammar, style, spelling, and numerous other suggestions have been very beneficial in improving the story.