Reflections - So Life Goes On
Chapter Nine
Le Pieu waited until the room fell silent. He wanted to make the biggest impact possible. "Your Majesties. Until yesterday I knew little of Mademoiselle de Ghent. She never accompanied her mother and sister when they visited my home in search of funds."
"Never?" King Francis looked intently at the armourer.
Le Pieu smiled crookedly, the uneven stitches on his cheek pulling at his face muscles. "Never, Your Majesty. The Baroness - your pardon - the former Baroness did not trust this young lady," he pointed liquidly at Jacqueline. "She said the child was 'too honest for her own good'."
The courtiers murmured in agreement. This was undoubtedly true.
Le Pieu looked at the dais and avoided the piecing glares coming from both Prince Henry and Captain Laurent. The armourer fought the urge to smile. 'Soon my dear Prince I will clear this frumpy girl's name and her relatives, including you Henry, will owe me a debt of honour. A Debt that will not only restore my own honour but will also grant me entrance to the court. And then you, Sir, will have to speak to me. Pleasantly and often.'
Leonardo watched intently. He liked many of God's creatures but this man was someone he could not like. He was up to something. His sort always was.
The Royal Usher requested silence and le Pieu continued his statement. "The former Baroness borrowed a large sum from me, Your Majesties." Le Pieu paused dramatically before stating a figure large enough to buy a small carriage and four top quality horses. Ignoring the murmurs coming from the courtiers, le Pieu continued. "In exchange the former Baroness provided me with assorted goods from the Manor de Barbarac. After some time she renegotiated the agreement and exchanged all the goods for something I later discovered I did not have the - authority - to keep."
Francis didn't like the direction this statement was taking. "What has this got to do with Milady de Ghent?"
"A great deal, Your Majesty."
"Well, get on with it then." Francis shot a warning glare at Henry who was clenching his sword hand as though reading for a duel. Had the boy no sense? A fight with le Pieu would destroy Danielle not Jacqueline.
"He's going to ruin everything," whispered Isabelle to Celeste. Celeste elbowed her friend in the side and the smaller woman fell silent. They still had a chance to destroy Jacqueline.
"When the Throne rightly gave Mademoiselle de Ghent her mother's possessions," le Pieu paused for a moment as though lost for words, "the young lady felt it was correct that she give all the items her mother had purchased with my funds to me. The goods were well short of the funds I gave Rodmilla de Ghent. Regardless I cleared the debt against the young lady's name as, in all honesty, she had nothing to do with it."
Francis almost smiled. It was now obvious to him that le Pieu couldn't remember Jacqueline's first name. He looked at the young woman, "Is that true, Milady de Ghent?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Although I did keep one item, for sentimental reasons, but I replaced it with an item of greater value."
The King smiled. Yes, she was too honest. "That you Milady. And thank you Monsieur. Please remain in the court Monsieur. We may with to speak with you again."
Le Pieu bowed low and moved to stand beside Signore da Vinci. The artist wasn't impressed with the company and found himself regretting that he didn't have a pin to stick into the armourer - the man's ego needed some serious deflating.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?" The Queen asked. Both Signore da Vinci and Isabelle Richaud were about to step forward when the Royal Usher spoke. "Your Majesties. This letter," he held up a thick bundle of paper, "was handed to my assistant some minutes ago. I believe it may shed some light on this matter."
"Thank you, Royal Usher." Marie looked at Francis who nodded. "Please read it to the court."
"To Their Royal Majesties King Francis and Queen Marie. Your Majesties, I ask you to forgive me for not addressing you in person. I am a shy person and I believe that I could not speak this statement in front of the court.
"I must apprise you of a severe injustice. Mademoiselle Jacqueline de Ghent is guilty..."
The courtiers all began talking at once and a low "no" was heard from the direction of Captain Laurent. Princess Danielle buried her face in her husband's chest. Henry held her close. After a moment the Princess regained her composure and turned to face the courtiers.
"Silence," roared King Francis. He looked at Danielle, concern filling him at the look of terror in his daughter's eyes.
********
Comtess Celeste LeCordier wanted to laugh with joy. She watched with joy as the King commanded the Royal Usher to start reading again.
"Mademoiselle Jacqueline de Ghent is guilty of nothing more than having a wicked parent and spoilt, selfish sister."
The uproar started again. Leonardo abandoned all pretence of protocol. He quickly walked to Jacqueline's side and quietly spoke to her. No longer alone, the girl began to look more cheerful.
Danielle smiled in relief and leant against Henry.
The Usher resumed reading yet again. "Rodmilla de Ghent conspired with her daughter Marguerite to win the Throne. They intended that Marguerite would marry Prince Henry, regardless of His Highness' or Your Majesties' opinion of the match. To that end they acquired the services of Guy Renel.
"I have only just discovered, to my immense shame, that Renel had been supplying information to my own wife and her closest friend. My wife introduced Renel to Rodmilla de Ghent. Her mother had not trusted Jacqueline de Ghent for some time. This was because Mademoiselle Jacqueline publicly and privately expressed her unhappiness with her mother's behaviour. Because of that distrust, Rodmilla kept Mademoiselle Jacqueline away from all transactions with Renel and Rodmilla's financial backer, Pierre le Pieu."
The only sound in the court was the voice of the Usher. Everyone was listening to see what else would be revealed. Isabelle looked at the door and wondered if she could escape without the guards catching her. She doubted it.
"My wife and her friend are well aware that they could be ruined if Mademoiselle de Ghent denounced them to the court. To stop this they have, over the last two days, stooped to threatening the innocent lady with physical violence."
The Queen raised her hand and the Usher fell silent. "Is this true child?" Marie's voice betrayed her shock. "Were you threatened while you were here at Hautefort?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jacqueline's quiet, nervous voice echoed through the silent room. Signore da Vinci put a paternal arm around the girl's shoulders.
Queen Marie noticed the glare in her husband's eye. No one threatened a lady under Francis' protection. Someone was going to rue the day they were born.
Marie was sure she knew the identity of Jacqueline's tormentors. She recalled seeing a certain someone speaking at Jacqueline at dinner last night. Marie stared regally as Isabelle Richaud and was gratified to see the woman become as pale as milk.
"Enclosed are three letters I found in my wife's bureau. I ask Your Majesties not to read them aloud as the language used is not appropriate for the court. One is a letter from Rodmilla de Ghent to my wife asking for advice on how to send Mademoiselle Jacqueline to a convent against her will. This letter further supports Mademoiselle Jacqueline's innocence. The other two supply information that Your Majesties may use as you wish.
"Your devoted servant," the Royal Usher paused dramatically, "Comte Ercole LeCordier."
As one the courtiers backed away from Celeste and Isabelle. The women stared at the other courtiers. "He's insane. Been going that way for years," said Celeste. No one believed her.
The Royal Usher handed King Francis the letters. Francis read the note from Rodmilla and silently passed it and the other letter to Marie.
"Milady de Ghent, please step forward." King Francis smiled, "Milady, the Crown finds you innocent of all charges. Furthermore, it finds that you have acted honourably and properly throughout this entire debacle. Therefore, I decree that all charges against you be struck from the record. Also your good name as a Lady of France and this court is restored and any damage to it shall be forgotten."
Jacqueline curtsied rather shakily, "Thank you, Your Majesty." She was shocked. She hadn't expected to survive the charges. Now she had a life to live. Leonardo led her to one side of the room - the opposite side to the disconcerted and obviously ill at ease le Pieu.
Queen Marie squared her shoulders, "Guy Renel, step forward." The shaking Page did as he was told. He had hoped that in the last fifteen minutes the King and Queen had forgotten him. It wasn't to be. His heart almost stopped as Marie continued to speak.
Isabelle watched the sobbing Page as he was led from the room to await his execution.
On the dais Marie handed the second letter to Francis. "Comtess Celeste LeCordier and Isabelle Richaud step forward, now!" Bellowed the King.
********
Celeste and Isabelle stood before the Royal Family like a pair of haughty vultures before a pride of lions.
"Why did you keep those stupid letters?" hissed Isabelle to her friend.
"Be quiet you idiot!" Celeste snarled back.
"Silence!" Francis barked at them.
Isabelle sniffed melodramatically into her handkerchief while Celeste stared back at the King with the insulting look that had kept her husband under control for years.
Francis ignored her stare. He had stood up to bigger fish than Celeste. It would take more than a horse-faced crone wearing a bad hat to frighten the King of France. "You are accused of threatening violence to the person of a Lady of France and of this court in this very castle. A lady under the crown's protection in My home! Do you deny that?"
Neither woman spoke, although Comtess LeCordier's stare grew fiercer and Madame Richaud's sniff's grew louder.
"The crown takes your silence as an admission of your guilt," Marie's voice was calm and level.
"This piece of filth," the King held up the letter, "implicates both of you in treason. Namely a wish to, We quote, 'make that Royal red-headed Medusa eat her words and put her idiot Princeling child in his place'. There are more treasonous and libellous statements in this letter however, as the Comte LeCordier rightly said, they are not fit for the ears of the Ladies of the Court let alone the eyes of Her Majesty. Not only did you write this filth to each other but you also kept the letter. You," King Francis bellowed at them, his hands shaking in anger, "wrote these words about my family! Do you deny it?"
Neither woman said a word. Isabelle's sniffs had become sobs. Celeste was no longer staring at Francis but at Jacqueline. However, she was thwarted in her attempt to intimidate the girl when Leonardo stepped into Celeste's line of sight and stared unwaveringly back at her.
Queen Marie took hold of her husband's hand. "Your Majesty, you'll make yourself ill." Her formal tones were softened by the gentle look in her eyes. It was times like these that Francis showed her just how much he truly cared about her.
Francis nodded, squeezed Marie's hand with his and took a deep breath. "There is no place in France for treasonous, maleficent cats! You are hereby both stripped of your place in this court and you," he snapped at Celeste, "will be stripped of your title. You are both sentenced to immediate transportation to the Americas for life. Remove them!"
"Been wanting to get rid of those two for years but could never find the evidence," murmured Francis to Marie, whose eyes twinkled at him. "Then you'll like this," she said under her breath while she passed him the third letter with her free hand. Francis let go of her hand and began to read the letter.
They need not have whispered as everyone else in the room was watching Celeste struggling to remain in the Throne Room. Isabelle was leaving the room quietly as Celeste kicked at the shins of the young Guardsman escorting her. Two other Guardsmen sprang to his aid, each grabbing one of Celeste's arms.
When Celeste finally realised she couldn't escape she yelled, "You're a brainless old fool Valois. You always will be!"
"Stop!" commanded Queen Marie. The three Guardsmen looked at the dais, saw the tiny nod from King Francis and stopped. "Celeste LeCordier, as a former member of this court you were accorded leniency in your sentence. Now by your own words and actions you have signed your own death warrant." Marie looked at Francis, who nodded his approval, before she continued, "You shall accompany Guy Renel to the block. Take her away."
Danielle was watching her father-in-law as he read the letter. The King turned towards them, handed the letter to Henry and winked at Danielle. The Princess was at a loss. What was the correct protocol for being winked at by the King? Was she supposed to wink back? Or had the King winked at her to take her mind off what was going on? Should she even be having these silly thoughts when someone had just been ordered to their death? She smiled nervously at her new father and decided that she'd ask him later.
The King turned back to the court and said quietly, "Monsieur Pierre le Pieu, please step forward."
********
"Do you have a four?"
"Go fish," said the very proper voice of the Usher's Assistant.
"I am at Comtess, you can't execute me!" cried a voice.
The Usher's Assistant got up from his seat to discover who was yelling. He opened the waiting room door in time to see the shouting Celeste LeCordier being dragged down the hallway by three large Guardsmen. He returned to his seat and picked up his playing cards. "It appears, Monsieur, that you may not be required to give evidence. Do you have a three?"
"That's a relief," Gustave smiled across the table, "I was dreading standing up in front of the King. Go fish."
The Usher's Assistant picked up a card, grinned and placed a pair of threes on the table.
"Lucky sod," muttered Gustave cheerfully.
"So, sir, do you have an eight?"
********
Pierre le Pieu stepped forward and smarmed his way across the room to stand in front of the Royal Dais.
Henry felt Danielle tense beside him. He thought it was due to le Pieu. He gave Danielle a glance of reassurance and then he realised that she had been reading the letter over his shoulder. Henry quickly shoved the letter into his jacket. He never wanted Danielle to read anything that horrible - he was astounded that his father had allowed his mother to read it.
The King's words erupted into Henry's thoughts.
"Monsieur le Pieu, did you know what Rodmilla de Ghent intended to do with the money you gave her?" Francis' voice was beginning to sound tired. The last hour had been emotionally trying on everyone and especially on the King who liked to imagine that his home was a safe place.
"Clothes, jewels and information, Your Majesty," purred the armourer.
"Did you know that at the time?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. A good businessman always knows where his money is going."
King Francis raised one eyebrow and smiled coldly at the man in front of him. "So, Monsieur le Pieu, you are telling me that you knowingly funded treason."
Le Pieu's eyes opened wide and his mouth fell open so that he resembled nothing so much as a rather startled frog "Uh, no. I didn't know it was treason." Le Pieu gulped, "Your Majesty."
"That's the biggest load of #@$%^&% I've heard today!"
"Your Majesty!" Marie looked at her husband. She whispered, "I agree but you shouldn't say it, dear."
"My apologies to the Ladies of the Court." The King sighed and said grumpily, "Le Pieu, I have a letter here which incriminates you. You may choose to contest it or you may accept the decision of the court."
Le Pieu looked up at the tiring Francis and the annoyingly complacent Prince Henry. "I will accept Your Majesty's decision."
"Very well. It is the decision of the Crown that you be stripped of the position of Royal Armourer and furthermore your are to be banished from this court and this province for a period of two years. If you wish to return to the court after that time you will have to prove to the court that your character is reformed and your honour restored.
"Guards, please escort Monsieur le Pieu to his horse and ensure he leaves the palace grounds immediately."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Le Pieu bowed knowing that although he'd escaped death or transportation that his future in the French Court was non-existent.
The King and Queen rose to their feet and left the room; the rest of the Royal Party, Signore da Vinci, Milady de Ghent and Captains LeRiche and Laurent followed in their wake.
Chapter Ten
"Oh botheration," said the concise, ladylike voice of Queen Marie of France. Marie shooed away the servant who had come to her aid and attacked the stain on her skirt with her napkin. She was annoyed with herself. Royal diners were not supposed to drop soup on their clothing.
At the other end of the dining table Francis bit his lip, now was not the time to say a word no matter how tempting it was. If there was one person in the world Francis was afraid of getting angry it was his wife; she knew exactly where and when to attack and she almost always won. The King sipped his soup and watched Henry address Jacqueline de Ghent.
"Speaking of clothes," Henry ignored his mother's glare and the muffled, soupy chuckle from his father. "Why did you give your dowry to that man? He certainly didn't deserve it."
"Yes, why?" added Danielle. "You should have kept it." She leant forward to take hold of her sister's hand across the table.
"I couldn't keep the clothes and jewellery because of how they were bought, Your Highness." Jacqueline stared at her stepsister's hand and wished that the King hadn't sent the Captains back to their duties. Marc's presence would have been reassuring right now. Although he had lost his temper when he'd discovered what she'd done. No, on second thought it was probably better that he wasn't here.
"And because the clothes didn't fit you?" Leonardo smiled.
"No, Signore, mother's clothes would have fitted with a little alteration." Jacqueline blushed slightly when the Queen shot her a Regal glare.
"Ladies do not discuss their figures at the dinner table. Nor," the Queen looked at Danielle, "do Princesses sit like that." Danielle quickly let go of Jacqueline's hand and sat up straight while the Queen said, "I expect better of you at the dining table, Signore. You are not a maiden in need of tutoring."
Leonardo apologised then said, "Madamoiselle, pardon me asking but what did you do with what was left of le Pieu's money?"
Everyone turned to look at Jacqueline. "Oh, I kept a little of it, Signore."
"And the rest, child?" Everyone jumped; until now the King hadn't said a word.
"My mother owed the servants a lot of wages, Your Majesty." Jacqueline hesitated. She was very embarrassed by all the attention she was receiving, especially from the men at the table. She hadn't sat at the same dining table as a man since her cousin's last visit three years ago and that didn't really count; Frederikus wasn't Royalty or a famous artist. "So I paid them five years wages, each."
"I am sure they were happy to receive it." Francis commented, "Although five years is a little too generous, child."
"I'm not so sure, father," Henry grinned. "They must be worth their weight in gold if they put up with that woman for ten years."
Danielle had grabbed hold of Jacqueline's hand again. "Thank you, Jacqueline." Danielle smiled, "I am sure they were very happy."
Jacqueline nodded and both young women giggled.
The Queen sighed, "Danielle and Jacqueline, tomorrow you will both come to my rooms after breakfast for a long discussion on deportment and table manners. Until then I give up."
"Sounds good to me," said Francis. The King picked up his soup bowl and drank his soup straight out of it with a loud slurp.
Henry laughed. He saw the look of horror on his mother's face and applied himself to eating his soup properly.
Signore da Vinci quickly changed the subject of the conversation to architecture.
********
"Glad to see the back of him."
Laurent followed the direction of Captain Arnaud's gaze and saw Captain Comte LeRiche's party leaving on the westbound road. Arnaud and LeRiche disliked each other so intensely that it was only their loyalty to King Francis and their honour that allowed them to work together. Their loathing for each other was so strong that King Francis deliberately kept them apart, even now when the Guard needed the extra help.
Laurent changed the subject, "Any news of the Duc de LeGrande?"
Arnaud looked up at him, "No, which I suppose is a good thing. We would have head if they needed assistance or if the Spanish had captured them." Arnaud returned to the morning inspection of the perimeter guards. Laurent walked with him. Neither man wanted to consider the possibility that the Duc could not contact the King and why that would be so.
"I hope they return soon. I need to get back into some serious training." Laurent smiled ruefully.
Arnaud nodded, "They had better make it very soon or you won't fit into your armour." Arnaud was disappointed when Laurent didn't take the bait. He was in the mood for a good argument.
"I'm not LeRiche," Laurent smiled at Arnaud's look of surprise. And I'm not your whipping boy, added Laurent silently. Arnaud glared at Laurent and marched off on his inspection. Laurent let him go; the man needed to burn off his anger.
As Laurent began making his way to the stables he pondered the current state of the Royal Guard. The Duc, the King's best military commander, had been gone for six months. That alone was worrying. The fact that he'd taken with him the two youngest Captains, two Lieutenants and thirty highly trained Guardsmen had left Hautefort's defences strained to say the least. Laurent was sure it was only de LeGrande's need to impress that had made him take so many officers, although Laurent wouldn't say that to the Duc's face.
Still there was a good side. If all four Captains had been in Hautefort then Henry would never have escaped once let alone five times. If Laurent hadn't been wounded eight months ago defending Henry, then he not only would he be fitter but also probably would have been with the Duc's party. And neither of them would have met the ladies in their lives.
Sometimes things did work out for the best.
********
Danielle and Jacqueline were sitting, sipping tea and recovering from a morning of deportment and manners and preparing themselves for an afternoon of dressmakers and cobblers. Danielle had dismissed the servants and the young women now had the tiny drawing room all to themselves.
"I'm so glad Henry's gone off on 'business' for the day. I love him dearly but we've been together so much the last two days that I feel like I need some time to catch my breath."
"Oh!" Jacqueline looked at her stepsister. "Do you want me to leave, Da- Your Highness?" She was surprised when Danielle leant forward and hugged her.
"Never, ever call me that in private. We are sisters. And no, I don't want you to go. Ever." Danielle smiled and returned to her tea. "So, tell me all about Captain Laurent."
Jacqueline smiled shyly, "He's nice."
"Just nice?"
Jacqueline giggled.
Danielle smiled, "Oh, he's that nice! Sounds like I'll have to ask him if he's intending to marry my sister."
"Please don't, Danielle." Jacqueline's voice was pensive. "We haven't spoken since yesterday and - "
"And?" Danielle prompted. She was stunned when Jacqueline burst into tears.
********
Louise sighed and looked around the room one more time. It was as clean as her old bones were going to get it. She picked up her brush and cloths and made her way downstairs.
She was halfway down the stairs when Maurice ran up to her.
"Come and see." Maurice took the tools from her hands and led her to the door. Paulette was standing to one side of the open door.
Coming up the drive was the Prince, his guard and three wagons. The wagons were full of servants, workmen and supplies.
Maurice and Louise hugged each other and laughed. The Manor was saved!
********
The three remaining servants of Manor de Barbarac bowed, "Your Highness."
"Good day to you all." Prince Henry greeted them cheerfully. "I have decided to do up the Manor and it's grounds. I have brought some help to do it."
Maurice almost fainted in shock when Henry dismounted from his horse and addressed him, "Maurice, isn't it?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Maurice was concerned. What would come next? There were a lot of fit, young men in the wagons. Would the Prince see the mess the Manor was in and ask him to leave?
"My wife," Henry smiled when Louise and Paulette sighed at the mention of Danielle, "tells me that you are the Manager of the Manor and you were the Manager during her father's time. Would you mind showing the foreman what needs fixing to bring it back to the state it was in when your Master was alive?"
Relief washed over Maurice. "It would be my pleasure, Your Highness." Maurice, his back straight with pride, walked over to the foreman and the ten labourers. Within moments they left to inspect the Manor's grounds.
Meanwhile, Henry quickly introduced Louise and Paulette to the Manor's new permanent residents: two young maids - one a scullery maid, the other a housemaid; a ten-year-old stableboy; and a groom. The young maids, both about fifteen years old and a little shy of the Louise and Paulette, mumbled their names and curtsied. The stableboy nodded a greeting and said something cheeky - earning himself a reprimand from the slow talking but quick witted middle-aged groom, who introduced himself with a small bow to the women.
Louise was relieved to hear from Henry that two of the labourers would be staying on to do the heavy work and the gardening, under Maurice's supervision.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Louise said quietly. "It will be so good to have regular help. But, Sire, how will we feed them all and where shall they sleep?"
Paulette watched Henry as he pointed out the large number of supplies, which included enough food for everyone for four days and bedding for the labourers' field camp. She could see what Danielle saw in the Prince. He certainly was very decorative and he had a nice manner. 'I wonder if he's got a sense of humour?'
Paulette smiled at the Prince, "Thank you for the buffet, Your Highness. It's a sight for these sore old eyes."
"You are welcome. Though the food is not a buffet it's..."
Henry realised that Laurent was smothering a laugh in a cough and the groom was grinning. Henry followed Paulette's gaze to the young men walking across the fields. The Prince gave the woman a quelling look before grinning broadly. "Oh, get to work unloading this lot will you."
"Yes, Your Highness." Paulette said primly and curtsied, very properly.
"Have you no shame," muttered Louise as she organised the puzzled young maids.
The Prince and Captain Laurent left the servants to unpack the supplies and took their horses and the impish stableboy to the stables. There, Henry said hello to his old friend, Auguste's stallion, while Laurent put the stableboy to work tending to their steeds.
********
Henry had decided to stay until he was sure that Maurice, Louise and Paulette were in control of the situation. He was pleasantly surprised when less than an hour later after their arrival the labourers had started work, the smell of cooking was wafting from the kitchen and the stables were bustling with activity.
With the labourers organised, Maurice returned and took Henry and Laurent on a special tour - The Danielle Tour. Maurice showed them where Danielle had worked and explained what she'd done to keep the Manor afloat. He even added the occasional comment about Jacqueline for the Captain's benefit, much to the officer's embarrassment.
"I want to show you this now, Your Highness, before the men clean it all up." The old man smiled at the Prince. "When she puts her mind to it, the Mistress can do anything." He pointed out the orchard, the vegetable garden and the well and told Henry about Danielle's workload. "It was common for the Mistress to carry eight or more buckets of water a day." The old man shook his head. "She should never have had to do what she did, Your Highness. I did try to stop it. I spoke out against it and the Baroness sold me to pay her taxes. Which gave the Mistress even more work." Maurice sighed, "The Baroness didn't need to sell me, there were more horses here than she needed."
"Horses don't talk back," Henry replied in a stunned tone. Desperate to lighten the situation he added, "Do they Laurent," and winked at his guardsman.
"No, they don't, Your Highness." Laurent waited until Maurice had walked a little away from him before saying, quietly. "Leonardo appears to have forgotten that joke, please don't remind him, Henry."
Laurent was wondering what Henry would say his silence was worth as Maurice led the men into the house. They followed the old man up the stairs to the attic room and the stark reality of Danielle's life.
The Captain looked at the holes in the ceiling and listened to the scrabbling birds on the roof. Even now in the middle of the day there was a strong draft. The draft would be freezing cold during the winter. Laurent could barely believe that the Princess Danielle had survived in these conditions for ten long years. Well, if the look of horror on Henry's face was any indication, she would never want for anything again, especially not warmth.
********
The Royal Wardrobe Mistress held up another gown for inspection. The Queen and the two of her ladies-in-waiting present shook their heads.
"No, thank you, Genevieve. There are already quite enough young ladies of the court wearing that style. Whatever possessed the seamstresses to make so many?"
Genevieve put the green dress with large gold buttons into the discard pile. "I believe, your Majesty, they were ordered for a wedding party. The bride changed her mind."
"About the gowns or the groom?" Danielle giggled; she was heady from the events going on around her.
"Both, Your Highness." Genevieve picked up another gown, this one a concoction of powder blue and creme satin. The Queen had no objection to this one or the next three.
"Well, that gives you two dozen to try on, Your Highness." Genevieve smiled at the Princess as two servants carried the last of the gowns into the dressing room. "I hope you will find enough gowns to make do until your own gowns can be completed."
"Two dozen! What will I do with so many gowns? I shall only try on a few."
Jacqueline watched the Queen as she skilfully quashed Danielle's objections with the suggestion that it would not hurt to try them all on. Some may not suit. Danielle was led into the changing room by one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. Jacqueline was about to follow when the Queen asked her to stay.
"Genevieve, please find some suitable gowns for Mademoiselle de Ghent. She only has the one and is in need of some variety." The Queen nodded regally to Jacqueline; "I expect my ward to be appropriately dressed for her station."
Queen Marie had not been surprised to find Jacqueline's in tears earlier in the day. The child was to all intents and purposes orphaned. Jacqueline was also tired, feeling a little sorry for herself and carrying a torch for a certain someone - a tearful combination. Marie hoped that a good night's sleep in new, quieter quarters, a few pretty dresses and Danielle's plans for this evening would heal Jacqueline's wounded nerves.
Marie turned to leave then stopped, "Genevieve, be sure to include any other garments that the Mademoiselle may require. I shall be with the Princess."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jacqueline stammered as the Queen and her remaining lady-in-waiting left room.
"So, my dear, let's see what's hiding under that terrible dress." Genevieve smiled and led Jacqueline to the changing screen.
********
"I shall, Your Majesty." Laurent bowed and left the Throne Room as Henry entered it.
"What was that about, father?" Henry was puzzled, immediately on their return Laurent had disappeared without a word into the Throne Room.
"This and that," replied King Francis. He pointed at a marker on the map, "Mostly that."
Henry studied the map. It appeared that the Duc was returning and was less than a week's travel away. He became engrossed in the map and the political implications of what he was seeing. If it worked it would ensure peace for possibly five years.
Henry and Francis began to discuss the situation and for the first time in a long time neither of them lost their tempers.
********
Jacqueline stood behind the screen and took a deep breath. It was a strange feeling. Usually she couldn't breathe in a court dress. She wasn't too sure about the dark blue gown. It showed a lot more of her shoulders, neck and waist than her old gown had.
"Is this all right?" Jacqueline stepped out from behind the screen.
The Wardrobe Mistress looked at the young woman. "Who are you? I thought Mademoiselle de Ghent was back there."
Jacqueline smiled. "Oh, please don't. Does it look all right?"
"It looks very nice indeed, Mademoiselle. As you do too - when you're not trussed up like a chicken for roasting." Genevieve had been scathing when she'd seen how tight Jacqueline's clothes were. She'd provided Jacqueline with a new cinch and chemise before instructing one of her assistants to dispose of the old cinch and dress. Jacqueline had heard the instruction and had become fiercely protective of the horrible green dress, insisting on keeping it for 'sentimental reasons'. Rather than argue with the girl, Genevieve had added it to the pile of clothes to be taken to Jacqueline's quarters.
Jacqueline looked very different in clothes that fitted and suited her. Genevieve had to admit that although the girl would never have the Princess's fragile beauty, she was very attractive.
The door to the dressing room opened and Danielle and Marie entered the room. Danielle was looking very flustered and very pretty in a deep red gown while the Queen exuded Regal Calm.
"All right, Mother. I shall take the eighteen gowns. But I don't know when I'll wear them." Danielle looked over at Jacqueline. "You look wonderful!" The Princess smiled and said, "Now that you are all dressed up, you shall have to dine with Henry and I tonight."
Chapter Eleven
Danielle hugged the elderly artist. "I'm so glad you could come, Leonardo."
"I could not miss your first dinner party, Your Highness." Leonardo smiled at the young woman who was ordering him to 'call me Danielle' during the dinner. The child was so full of life and happiness; Henry was going to have his work cut out keeping up with her.
"Is that quite appropriate, Your Hig - Danielle? I thought you wanted your friends to help you with your 'dining etiquette'?" Leonardo winked at Danielle and shot a glance at Jacqueline. He knew exactly what this dinner was in aid of. Judging by the look of bemused exasperation on her face, Jacqueline knew too.
"Well, yes, Signore, I do want help with my etiquette," Danielle said in a Regal voice, "But in semi-formal rather than formal situations." She giggled, "Do I sound like Her Majesty?"
"Very like," said a familiar voice. Danielle spun around and ran to Henry who was entering the room. The Prince caught her and laughed, "Rule number one, dearest. Princesses do not run in a dining room nor do they knock over their Princes like that."
Leonardo looked at the young man. Henry had changed so much in the two weeks since Leonardo had first met him on the road to Hautefort. And all for the better, it seemed.
Captain Laurent entered the room to the sound of laughter. Danielle was busy tickling Henry and so she missed seeing the stunned look on Laurent's face when he caught sight of Jacqueline. She also missed the momentary flash of pride in Jacqueline's eyes.
Leonardo watched the silent conversation that was taking place between the guardsman and his lady. They were very good at it. Within a few moments they had said hello, swapped compliments, confirmed that they we both still interested in each other, and expressed their exasperation at the heavy-handed approach of a certain Princess to their relationship. All without Henry and Danielle noticing a thing.
The elderly artist was considering how to best catch the silent conversation on canvas when Danielle and Henry decided it was time they behaved themselves.
"Rule two, Danielle, is never to tickle your husband in the dining room." Henry smiled, escorting his wife to her seat.
"At least not in front of the guests, Your Highness, and especially not on a Friday," Laurent said with a perfectly straight face.
The concern that washed across Danielle's face was banished by Henry's voice, "He's joking, Danielle. You'll get used to it, believe me." Henry winked and walked to his chair at the other end of the small, by Hautefort standards, dining table.
Laurent sat beside Jacqueline who turned three shades of pink and became engrossed in arranging her table-napkin on her lap. He smothered a smile, which threatened to escape when he met Leonardo's amused gaze. The elderly artist gave him a 'don't look at me for help, son' look and listened to Danielle who was talking about her experiences that day.
The Princess's voice trailed off when the food arrived and servants served the first cover in silence. Danielle wasn't sure of what to say and the others weren't going to help her. She needed to learn how to be a hostess.
The situation soon got the better of Henry's sense of humour.
"So, Marc, do you like the party so far?" asked Henry. If his wife was going to use a battering ram to get Laurent and Jacqueline together then he may as well go along with it.
"Henry," hissed Danielle.
"Reminds me of dinner at my sister's." Laurent grinned. "Nice food and a suitable young lady."
Jacqueline spoke for the first time since Leonardo had arrived, "That must be embarrassing, Captain." The girl pushed her piece of fish around on her plate. She was too nervous to be hungry.
"Oh, it was; the first ten or twelve times." Laurent grinned, "The pity is Claudette's got no idea of the sort of lady I like. She always picks brash, bossy, blonde girls. Like herself."
Leonardo smiled and busied himself with his food. That, he suspected, was as close as the Captain was going to get to a declaration tonight. He pretended that he didn't notice Laurent's right hand sneak over to squeeze Jacqueline's left hand, before the Captain too began to eat his food.
Danielle was determined to make the conversation work. So she grabbed hold of the only material she had. "Your sister lives near Hautefort, Captain?"
"My elder sister, Claudette, is in Paris at the moment, Your Highness. With her husband the Comte de Chantourelle."
"Oh. Is your family from near Paris, Marc?" Danielle hoped that using the Captain's first name would relax him. It didn't seem to work.
"No, Yo- Danielle. My father's family is from Normandy." Laurent returned to his food.
"You said your elder sister?" Danielle was getting used to this now. She knew how to speak with people. She just had to get the subject right. "Do you have other sisters and brothers."
"I had four sisters. There are two left now, Claudette and Adrienne. Four of my six brothers are still alive."
"Oh, how sad." Jacqueline said quietly. "To lose so many."
"Seven out of eleven's not bad, my lady," Laurent smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Besides, my -," the Captain paused and started counting to himself, "my eight nephews and nieces make up for it."
"Eleven children! Your mother must have been a busy lady, Captain." Leonardo smiled.
"Yes, she was. She was calmest lady I've ever met. I can only remember her angry once, when she was dying. She said that after bearing that many children it was undignified to die of such a stupid thing as The Gripe*."
Jacqueline gasped. Henry looked across the table at Danielle who was silent with shock.
"Rule three," said the Prince, "One does not discuss death at the dinner table."
"Sorry, Henry. I forgot." Laurent returned to eating his food.
Leonardo suspected the Captain had got the result he was after. Danielle stopped trying to be like 'Her Majesty' and began to talk with Jacqueline about the manor and her friends.
********
"That was very naughty of you, Marc." Jacqueline looked up at the Captain. He was escorting her to her quarters. The dinner party had been successful, even with Laurent's comments.
"I'm sorry, my love." The Captain didn't sound at all sorry. "It's just that Danielle was interrogating me the way that my sister does and, well, I just reacted how I would to Claudie."
"What did you call me?" Jacqueline had stopped and was looking up at him. Her eyes were full of shocked surprise, which Laurent misread as anger.
"I've done it again, haven't I." Marc looked down at her ruefully. "It must be that dress. It makes you look even more beautiful."
Jacqueline shook her head and blushed slightly. "You are a very naughty man."
"Do you think that a well behaved man would act like I did at the Masque?" Laurent looked at his blushing lady. "I don't suppose now would be a good time to ask if you would marry me?"
"Marc Laurent!" Jacqueline looked around to see if anyone was watching.
"That's me." The Captain grinned, not caring if the world saw them together. "So? Should I ask?"
********
The church bells were tolling for the start of the Mass. The Royal party were making their entrance between the rows of Pike Guards as they had so many Sundays before.
Leonardo watched Danielle's back as she squared her shoulders and walked into the church beside her Prince. She was so sweet. Like a little sparrow ready to fight for its territory and its place in the world. He hoped there wouldn't be too many hawks in her future.
The old artist was feeling tired. The last fortnight had been a whirlwind of activity. He would be glad when the Mass was over and he could go back to his room for a nice long nap. He may even have missed the service today if he hadn't suspected that Francis and Laurent were up to something.
He shot a glance at the Captain beside him. The man was composed and calm. Leonardo hadn't seen him that calm in the fortnight he'd known him. Not even the jokes Leonardo had fired at him outside the church had scratched that calm exterior. Was it due to the return of the Duc, the impending sale of Rodmilla and Marguerite de Ghent, or was it something else? The artist pondered the possibilities through the Mass.
The ceremony was coming to a close when Leonardo caught King Francis' gaze. The King winked at him. What in the world?
Leonardo was about to ask Laurent what was going on when the Priest read out the Banns for Marc and Jacqueline's wedding.
********
The Royal Coach rumbled its way through the town on its way back to the Castle. Queen Marie waited until they had left the crowd of courtiers and the church far behind before questioning Francis about the matter at hand.
"I thought she was My ward, Francis de Valois. Why did you not tell me?"
The King gave his wife a puzzled look, "Whom?" He loved baiting her like this.
"Oh really, Francis. Jacqueline de Ghent, of course," Marie tried to be stern with him, which was difficult when he was in such a cheerful mood. "Why didn't you tell me that Captain Chevalier Laurent had spoken to you?"
"He speaks to me every day, Marie. I don't have time to tell you everything every guardsman under my command tells me. I'd never get anything done." King Francis nodded regally at a group of merchants who were bowing to the Royal Coach as it passed. "Anyway, the girl didn't say a word to you or Henry and Danielle."
"Yes, it's most ungrateful of her, Your Majesty," said the Queen's lady-in-waiting, from where she sat opposite the Queen. "It must be her bad upbringing."
"Nonsense," Francis laughed. "I see Laurent's hand in this. Too much interfering from matchmakers makes a man secretive."
Marie looked at her husband and tried to think of a reasonable argument against his statement but it sounded right. It also sounded suspiciously like something Francis would encourage the Captain to do. Annoyed, Marie couldn't think of a clever comment and settled for a peevish, "Oh Francis, really!"
The King smiled, very slightly, at his win and continued nodding and waving to his subjects.
********
The dull, grey sky reflected Jacqueline's mood as she walked down the long corridor to the Royal Laundry. The servants she passed nodded respectfully at her. She suspected that a few days ago they would have ignored her. It was amazing what a nice dress and a large guardsman at one's side could do.
When they neared their destination, the Captain stepped level with Jacqueline and gave her a searching look. He knew from their long conversation the day before that she needed to do this but Laurent wasn't sure about it. He feared this would take more strength than she had.
Rodmilla and Marguerite were bored and unhappy. They had been ordered to wait in the airing room until they were taken to the auction yard. To pass the time, Marguerite was examining her work roughened, dye-stained hands and whining. Rodmilla was ignoring her daughter's mutterings and was trying to make her clothes look more presentable - she was failing abysmally.
The airing room opened and the person they'd both least expected or wanted to see walked into the room.
Rodmilla looked at her younger daughter. She was dressed in a gown that Rodmilla would have been proud to wear when she was a Baroness. There was a new confidence about Jacqueline that was disconcerting. Rodmilla wondered how much of it was due to the armed guardsman with her.
"Isn't the guard a bit excessive, Jacqueline. We can't harm you." Rodmilla smiled.
"Much," snapped Marguerite.
Captain Laurent glared at them, "Be quiet, servants. You will only address the lady when addressed and then in the proper manner." Rodmilla and Marguerite both glowered at the Captain. The Captain stared back at them and was rewarded by a flash of panic in the women's eyes.
Jacqueline looked at the woman who had borne, abandoned, reclaimed, raised and humiliated her and felt nothing but pity and sadness. She looked her mother in the eye and began to speak. "As you know you are both to be sold today and -"
"You're going to buy us? Make us you pets? Is that it?" Marguerite sneered at her sister.
"Silence!" roared the Captain in his best Parade Ground voice. Marguerite jumped and stepped back away from the soldier.
Jacqueline tried not to smile. Her terrible sister looked like a tiny mouse hiding from a big, bad cat. She turned to cat in question and said, "Thank you, Captain." Then she looked back at the women, "Mother. Marguerite. I came here simply to say that I forgive you for everything you did to me. I know you had your reasons for doing what you did. I wish everything had turned out better but it didn't."
Jacqueline took a deep breath and continued, "It is not my place to forgive you for the other things that you did but I am sure that once you have made your penance then you shall be forgiven by all the people you wronged."
"Thank you, milady," Rodmilla's calm voice hid her churning emotions. How dare this worthless child come in here and speak to her like that! Rodmilla stared coldly at Jacqueline. "But I would prefer not to receive your forgiveness. I only have one daughter and this," she waved at Marguerite, "is she."
Marguerite sniffed, "Who'd want forgiveness from a fat cow like you anyway?" She stiffened when the Captain, his face set with anger, took a step towards her. Marguerite was surprised when Jacqueline put her hand on the Captain's arm. He stopped, looked at her and then stepped back.
A week ago the insults would have worked. Now Jacqueline simply ignored them. She was not going to lower herself to their level. She had only wanted them to understand. But they were so bitter and unchanging. So determined that theirs was the only way.
Laurent watched proudly while Jacqueline looked Rodmilla in the eye and said, "Thank you for your time." She turned to him, "Shall we go, Marc?" He nodded and followed his lady out the door, leaving the speechless women behind.
********
Gustave and Leonardo were so engrossed in a conversation about the qualities of light that they didn't notice the carriage had stopped until Maurice opened the door and Jacqueline climbed down.
"Signore da Vinci, Monsieur Manon, welcome to the Manor de Barbarac." Maurice bowed to the artist and pretended that his wife and Paulette were not busy hugging Jacqueline behind him. They were making such a fuss over the girl that one would believe it was more than a week since they'd last seen her.
"Thank you, Maurice," Gustave said in a masterly tone which earned him a fatherly glare from Maurice.
Leonardo smiled indulgently at Gustave and stepped down from the carriage. Gustave followed the Signore - he carried the parcel Leonardo had entrusted to him as though it was the most precious and holy object in the world.
The Captain handed his stallion over to the groom and walked towards the rest of the party. "I hardly recognised the place, Maurice." The Captain smiled at the elderly man. "You have done an excellent job."
"Thank you, sir," Maurice bowed to the Captain. "Although the workmen the Prince loaned us did most of it before they left."
"It's just as I remember it was when Papa-Auguste was alive." Jacqueline's eyes were sparkling as she walked over to join Laurent and Maurice. Laurent was stunned again at how beautiful she looked, even clad in her old green dress. "Danielle will be so happy. This was what she always wanted."
"Well we've got things to do before they arrive." Leonardo hurried Gustave and the parcel into the house. "Hurry along. I need to find the best place to hang it."
Gradually the rest of the party followed them into the house. Both Louise and Maurice were determined that the Signore weren't going to make a mess of the walls. Paulette decided to keep an eye on Gustave who she knew was likely to be a little silly when he was overexcited. While Jacqueline and Marc took a tour of the house, stealing a kiss in every empty room they found.
Leonardo finally found the perfect location for the painting. It was already occupied by a mirror, which Maurice moved into the master bedroom. Leonardo ordered everyone out of the room until he had the picture hung just right. He did so with barely a moment to spare for Gustave had spotted Henry's horse galloping up the road.
********
Danielle was so happy that she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. When Henry had said that he had a wedding present for her she hadn't expected anything like this!
The fields, her father's orchard, the vegetable gardens were all neat and tidy. It would take a season to bring the trees and the fields back to their full glory but the manor was as she remembered it. Danielle felt the years of guilt she'd felt lift off her. Her father's home was as it should be. She knew that Papa would have been proud.
Henry was awed by the look of joy, happiness and contentment on his wife's face. He had no doubts that he had made the right decision in life and love.
********
"Oh Leonardo, it's wonderful!" Danielle hugged the elderly artist and looked again at her portrait. Did she really look like that? The face was so angelic.
Leonardo looked around the room and soaked in the sensations of this perfect moment. It was a sensation so indescribable that even an artist as skilled as Leonardo could not capture.
Everyone in the room felt the same. Maurice and Louise hugged each other - happy to see their Danielle so happy. Paulette clipped the cheeky Gustave over the back of the head as he scoffed at Danielle's title; which earned Gustave a few false punches from Danielle. Marc and Jacqueline held each other's hands and whispered to each other - the Captain telling his lady that it was just as well that Leonardo hadn't painted her portrait as he couldn't have done her justice. Marc received the quelling, loving look he was hoping for and held his lady a little closer.
Henry made a comment about the painting that earned him a scold from Danielle. Soon he and Danielle were sharing loving quips about living happily ever after.
Leonardo smiled and savoured the joy and happiness around him. "Treasure this moment, my dear friends." He added silently, 'The memory of it will keep you though all the good and bad times ahead.'
Maurice and Louise nodded their understanding to the artist.
"Do you feel it?" Maurice whispered to his wife.
"Yes," replied Louise, looking at Leonardo. "The Master's happy."
Maurice smiled. "Yes, he is." And for a moment Maurice was sure he could hear Auguste laughing.
THE END
* ( Archaic term for appendicitis.)
Author's Note - I hope you enjoyed this story. Apologies if it's a bit melodramatic but what's romance without a bit of melodrama. :)
Chapter Nine
Le Pieu waited until the room fell silent. He wanted to make the biggest impact possible. "Your Majesties. Until yesterday I knew little of Mademoiselle de Ghent. She never accompanied her mother and sister when they visited my home in search of funds."
"Never?" King Francis looked intently at the armourer.
Le Pieu smiled crookedly, the uneven stitches on his cheek pulling at his face muscles. "Never, Your Majesty. The Baroness - your pardon - the former Baroness did not trust this young lady," he pointed liquidly at Jacqueline. "She said the child was 'too honest for her own good'."
The courtiers murmured in agreement. This was undoubtedly true.
Le Pieu looked at the dais and avoided the piecing glares coming from both Prince Henry and Captain Laurent. The armourer fought the urge to smile. 'Soon my dear Prince I will clear this frumpy girl's name and her relatives, including you Henry, will owe me a debt of honour. A Debt that will not only restore my own honour but will also grant me entrance to the court. And then you, Sir, will have to speak to me. Pleasantly and often.'
Leonardo watched intently. He liked many of God's creatures but this man was someone he could not like. He was up to something. His sort always was.
The Royal Usher requested silence and le Pieu continued his statement. "The former Baroness borrowed a large sum from me, Your Majesties." Le Pieu paused dramatically before stating a figure large enough to buy a small carriage and four top quality horses. Ignoring the murmurs coming from the courtiers, le Pieu continued. "In exchange the former Baroness provided me with assorted goods from the Manor de Barbarac. After some time she renegotiated the agreement and exchanged all the goods for something I later discovered I did not have the - authority - to keep."
Francis didn't like the direction this statement was taking. "What has this got to do with Milady de Ghent?"
"A great deal, Your Majesty."
"Well, get on with it then." Francis shot a warning glare at Henry who was clenching his sword hand as though reading for a duel. Had the boy no sense? A fight with le Pieu would destroy Danielle not Jacqueline.
"He's going to ruin everything," whispered Isabelle to Celeste. Celeste elbowed her friend in the side and the smaller woman fell silent. They still had a chance to destroy Jacqueline.
"When the Throne rightly gave Mademoiselle de Ghent her mother's possessions," le Pieu paused for a moment as though lost for words, "the young lady felt it was correct that she give all the items her mother had purchased with my funds to me. The goods were well short of the funds I gave Rodmilla de Ghent. Regardless I cleared the debt against the young lady's name as, in all honesty, she had nothing to do with it."
Francis almost smiled. It was now obvious to him that le Pieu couldn't remember Jacqueline's first name. He looked at the young woman, "Is that true, Milady de Ghent?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Although I did keep one item, for sentimental reasons, but I replaced it with an item of greater value."
The King smiled. Yes, she was too honest. "That you Milady. And thank you Monsieur. Please remain in the court Monsieur. We may with to speak with you again."
Le Pieu bowed low and moved to stand beside Signore da Vinci. The artist wasn't impressed with the company and found himself regretting that he didn't have a pin to stick into the armourer - the man's ego needed some serious deflating.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?" The Queen asked. Both Signore da Vinci and Isabelle Richaud were about to step forward when the Royal Usher spoke. "Your Majesties. This letter," he held up a thick bundle of paper, "was handed to my assistant some minutes ago. I believe it may shed some light on this matter."
"Thank you, Royal Usher." Marie looked at Francis who nodded. "Please read it to the court."
"To Their Royal Majesties King Francis and Queen Marie. Your Majesties, I ask you to forgive me for not addressing you in person. I am a shy person and I believe that I could not speak this statement in front of the court.
"I must apprise you of a severe injustice. Mademoiselle Jacqueline de Ghent is guilty..."
The courtiers all began talking at once and a low "no" was heard from the direction of Captain Laurent. Princess Danielle buried her face in her husband's chest. Henry held her close. After a moment the Princess regained her composure and turned to face the courtiers.
"Silence," roared King Francis. He looked at Danielle, concern filling him at the look of terror in his daughter's eyes.
********
Comtess Celeste LeCordier wanted to laugh with joy. She watched with joy as the King commanded the Royal Usher to start reading again.
"Mademoiselle Jacqueline de Ghent is guilty of nothing more than having a wicked parent and spoilt, selfish sister."
The uproar started again. Leonardo abandoned all pretence of protocol. He quickly walked to Jacqueline's side and quietly spoke to her. No longer alone, the girl began to look more cheerful.
Danielle smiled in relief and leant against Henry.
The Usher resumed reading yet again. "Rodmilla de Ghent conspired with her daughter Marguerite to win the Throne. They intended that Marguerite would marry Prince Henry, regardless of His Highness' or Your Majesties' opinion of the match. To that end they acquired the services of Guy Renel.
"I have only just discovered, to my immense shame, that Renel had been supplying information to my own wife and her closest friend. My wife introduced Renel to Rodmilla de Ghent. Her mother had not trusted Jacqueline de Ghent for some time. This was because Mademoiselle Jacqueline publicly and privately expressed her unhappiness with her mother's behaviour. Because of that distrust, Rodmilla kept Mademoiselle Jacqueline away from all transactions with Renel and Rodmilla's financial backer, Pierre le Pieu."
The only sound in the court was the voice of the Usher. Everyone was listening to see what else would be revealed. Isabelle looked at the door and wondered if she could escape without the guards catching her. She doubted it.
"My wife and her friend are well aware that they could be ruined if Mademoiselle de Ghent denounced them to the court. To stop this they have, over the last two days, stooped to threatening the innocent lady with physical violence."
The Queen raised her hand and the Usher fell silent. "Is this true child?" Marie's voice betrayed her shock. "Were you threatened while you were here at Hautefort?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jacqueline's quiet, nervous voice echoed through the silent room. Signore da Vinci put a paternal arm around the girl's shoulders.
Queen Marie noticed the glare in her husband's eye. No one threatened a lady under Francis' protection. Someone was going to rue the day they were born.
Marie was sure she knew the identity of Jacqueline's tormentors. She recalled seeing a certain someone speaking at Jacqueline at dinner last night. Marie stared regally as Isabelle Richaud and was gratified to see the woman become as pale as milk.
"Enclosed are three letters I found in my wife's bureau. I ask Your Majesties not to read them aloud as the language used is not appropriate for the court. One is a letter from Rodmilla de Ghent to my wife asking for advice on how to send Mademoiselle Jacqueline to a convent against her will. This letter further supports Mademoiselle Jacqueline's innocence. The other two supply information that Your Majesties may use as you wish.
"Your devoted servant," the Royal Usher paused dramatically, "Comte Ercole LeCordier."
As one the courtiers backed away from Celeste and Isabelle. The women stared at the other courtiers. "He's insane. Been going that way for years," said Celeste. No one believed her.
The Royal Usher handed King Francis the letters. Francis read the note from Rodmilla and silently passed it and the other letter to Marie.
"Milady de Ghent, please step forward." King Francis smiled, "Milady, the Crown finds you innocent of all charges. Furthermore, it finds that you have acted honourably and properly throughout this entire debacle. Therefore, I decree that all charges against you be struck from the record. Also your good name as a Lady of France and this court is restored and any damage to it shall be forgotten."
Jacqueline curtsied rather shakily, "Thank you, Your Majesty." She was shocked. She hadn't expected to survive the charges. Now she had a life to live. Leonardo led her to one side of the room - the opposite side to the disconcerted and obviously ill at ease le Pieu.
Queen Marie squared her shoulders, "Guy Renel, step forward." The shaking Page did as he was told. He had hoped that in the last fifteen minutes the King and Queen had forgotten him. It wasn't to be. His heart almost stopped as Marie continued to speak.
Isabelle watched the sobbing Page as he was led from the room to await his execution.
On the dais Marie handed the second letter to Francis. "Comtess Celeste LeCordier and Isabelle Richaud step forward, now!" Bellowed the King.
********
Celeste and Isabelle stood before the Royal Family like a pair of haughty vultures before a pride of lions.
"Why did you keep those stupid letters?" hissed Isabelle to her friend.
"Be quiet you idiot!" Celeste snarled back.
"Silence!" Francis barked at them.
Isabelle sniffed melodramatically into her handkerchief while Celeste stared back at the King with the insulting look that had kept her husband under control for years.
Francis ignored her stare. He had stood up to bigger fish than Celeste. It would take more than a horse-faced crone wearing a bad hat to frighten the King of France. "You are accused of threatening violence to the person of a Lady of France and of this court in this very castle. A lady under the crown's protection in My home! Do you deny that?"
Neither woman spoke, although Comtess LeCordier's stare grew fiercer and Madame Richaud's sniff's grew louder.
"The crown takes your silence as an admission of your guilt," Marie's voice was calm and level.
"This piece of filth," the King held up the letter, "implicates both of you in treason. Namely a wish to, We quote, 'make that Royal red-headed Medusa eat her words and put her idiot Princeling child in his place'. There are more treasonous and libellous statements in this letter however, as the Comte LeCordier rightly said, they are not fit for the ears of the Ladies of the Court let alone the eyes of Her Majesty. Not only did you write this filth to each other but you also kept the letter. You," King Francis bellowed at them, his hands shaking in anger, "wrote these words about my family! Do you deny it?"
Neither woman said a word. Isabelle's sniffs had become sobs. Celeste was no longer staring at Francis but at Jacqueline. However, she was thwarted in her attempt to intimidate the girl when Leonardo stepped into Celeste's line of sight and stared unwaveringly back at her.
Queen Marie took hold of her husband's hand. "Your Majesty, you'll make yourself ill." Her formal tones were softened by the gentle look in her eyes. It was times like these that Francis showed her just how much he truly cared about her.
Francis nodded, squeezed Marie's hand with his and took a deep breath. "There is no place in France for treasonous, maleficent cats! You are hereby both stripped of your place in this court and you," he snapped at Celeste, "will be stripped of your title. You are both sentenced to immediate transportation to the Americas for life. Remove them!"
"Been wanting to get rid of those two for years but could never find the evidence," murmured Francis to Marie, whose eyes twinkled at him. "Then you'll like this," she said under her breath while she passed him the third letter with her free hand. Francis let go of her hand and began to read the letter.
They need not have whispered as everyone else in the room was watching Celeste struggling to remain in the Throne Room. Isabelle was leaving the room quietly as Celeste kicked at the shins of the young Guardsman escorting her. Two other Guardsmen sprang to his aid, each grabbing one of Celeste's arms.
When Celeste finally realised she couldn't escape she yelled, "You're a brainless old fool Valois. You always will be!"
"Stop!" commanded Queen Marie. The three Guardsmen looked at the dais, saw the tiny nod from King Francis and stopped. "Celeste LeCordier, as a former member of this court you were accorded leniency in your sentence. Now by your own words and actions you have signed your own death warrant." Marie looked at Francis, who nodded his approval, before she continued, "You shall accompany Guy Renel to the block. Take her away."
Danielle was watching her father-in-law as he read the letter. The King turned towards them, handed the letter to Henry and winked at Danielle. The Princess was at a loss. What was the correct protocol for being winked at by the King? Was she supposed to wink back? Or had the King winked at her to take her mind off what was going on? Should she even be having these silly thoughts when someone had just been ordered to their death? She smiled nervously at her new father and decided that she'd ask him later.
The King turned back to the court and said quietly, "Monsieur Pierre le Pieu, please step forward."
********
"Do you have a four?"
"Go fish," said the very proper voice of the Usher's Assistant.
"I am at Comtess, you can't execute me!" cried a voice.
The Usher's Assistant got up from his seat to discover who was yelling. He opened the waiting room door in time to see the shouting Celeste LeCordier being dragged down the hallway by three large Guardsmen. He returned to his seat and picked up his playing cards. "It appears, Monsieur, that you may not be required to give evidence. Do you have a three?"
"That's a relief," Gustave smiled across the table, "I was dreading standing up in front of the King. Go fish."
The Usher's Assistant picked up a card, grinned and placed a pair of threes on the table.
"Lucky sod," muttered Gustave cheerfully.
"So, sir, do you have an eight?"
********
Pierre le Pieu stepped forward and smarmed his way across the room to stand in front of the Royal Dais.
Henry felt Danielle tense beside him. He thought it was due to le Pieu. He gave Danielle a glance of reassurance and then he realised that she had been reading the letter over his shoulder. Henry quickly shoved the letter into his jacket. He never wanted Danielle to read anything that horrible - he was astounded that his father had allowed his mother to read it.
The King's words erupted into Henry's thoughts.
"Monsieur le Pieu, did you know what Rodmilla de Ghent intended to do with the money you gave her?" Francis' voice was beginning to sound tired. The last hour had been emotionally trying on everyone and especially on the King who liked to imagine that his home was a safe place.
"Clothes, jewels and information, Your Majesty," purred the armourer.
"Did you know that at the time?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. A good businessman always knows where his money is going."
King Francis raised one eyebrow and smiled coldly at the man in front of him. "So, Monsieur le Pieu, you are telling me that you knowingly funded treason."
Le Pieu's eyes opened wide and his mouth fell open so that he resembled nothing so much as a rather startled frog "Uh, no. I didn't know it was treason." Le Pieu gulped, "Your Majesty."
"That's the biggest load of #@$%^&% I've heard today!"
"Your Majesty!" Marie looked at her husband. She whispered, "I agree but you shouldn't say it, dear."
"My apologies to the Ladies of the Court." The King sighed and said grumpily, "Le Pieu, I have a letter here which incriminates you. You may choose to contest it or you may accept the decision of the court."
Le Pieu looked up at the tiring Francis and the annoyingly complacent Prince Henry. "I will accept Your Majesty's decision."
"Very well. It is the decision of the Crown that you be stripped of the position of Royal Armourer and furthermore your are to be banished from this court and this province for a period of two years. If you wish to return to the court after that time you will have to prove to the court that your character is reformed and your honour restored.
"Guards, please escort Monsieur le Pieu to his horse and ensure he leaves the palace grounds immediately."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Le Pieu bowed knowing that although he'd escaped death or transportation that his future in the French Court was non-existent.
The King and Queen rose to their feet and left the room; the rest of the Royal Party, Signore da Vinci, Milady de Ghent and Captains LeRiche and Laurent followed in their wake.
Chapter Ten
"Oh botheration," said the concise, ladylike voice of Queen Marie of France. Marie shooed away the servant who had come to her aid and attacked the stain on her skirt with her napkin. She was annoyed with herself. Royal diners were not supposed to drop soup on their clothing.
At the other end of the dining table Francis bit his lip, now was not the time to say a word no matter how tempting it was. If there was one person in the world Francis was afraid of getting angry it was his wife; she knew exactly where and when to attack and she almost always won. The King sipped his soup and watched Henry address Jacqueline de Ghent.
"Speaking of clothes," Henry ignored his mother's glare and the muffled, soupy chuckle from his father. "Why did you give your dowry to that man? He certainly didn't deserve it."
"Yes, why?" added Danielle. "You should have kept it." She leant forward to take hold of her sister's hand across the table.
"I couldn't keep the clothes and jewellery because of how they were bought, Your Highness." Jacqueline stared at her stepsister's hand and wished that the King hadn't sent the Captains back to their duties. Marc's presence would have been reassuring right now. Although he had lost his temper when he'd discovered what she'd done. No, on second thought it was probably better that he wasn't here.
"And because the clothes didn't fit you?" Leonardo smiled.
"No, Signore, mother's clothes would have fitted with a little alteration." Jacqueline blushed slightly when the Queen shot her a Regal glare.
"Ladies do not discuss their figures at the dinner table. Nor," the Queen looked at Danielle, "do Princesses sit like that." Danielle quickly let go of Jacqueline's hand and sat up straight while the Queen said, "I expect better of you at the dining table, Signore. You are not a maiden in need of tutoring."
Leonardo apologised then said, "Madamoiselle, pardon me asking but what did you do with what was left of le Pieu's money?"
Everyone turned to look at Jacqueline. "Oh, I kept a little of it, Signore."
"And the rest, child?" Everyone jumped; until now the King hadn't said a word.
"My mother owed the servants a lot of wages, Your Majesty." Jacqueline hesitated. She was very embarrassed by all the attention she was receiving, especially from the men at the table. She hadn't sat at the same dining table as a man since her cousin's last visit three years ago and that didn't really count; Frederikus wasn't Royalty or a famous artist. "So I paid them five years wages, each."
"I am sure they were happy to receive it." Francis commented, "Although five years is a little too generous, child."
"I'm not so sure, father," Henry grinned. "They must be worth their weight in gold if they put up with that woman for ten years."
Danielle had grabbed hold of Jacqueline's hand again. "Thank you, Jacqueline." Danielle smiled, "I am sure they were very happy."
Jacqueline nodded and both young women giggled.
The Queen sighed, "Danielle and Jacqueline, tomorrow you will both come to my rooms after breakfast for a long discussion on deportment and table manners. Until then I give up."
"Sounds good to me," said Francis. The King picked up his soup bowl and drank his soup straight out of it with a loud slurp.
Henry laughed. He saw the look of horror on his mother's face and applied himself to eating his soup properly.
Signore da Vinci quickly changed the subject of the conversation to architecture.
********
"Glad to see the back of him."
Laurent followed the direction of Captain Arnaud's gaze and saw Captain Comte LeRiche's party leaving on the westbound road. Arnaud and LeRiche disliked each other so intensely that it was only their loyalty to King Francis and their honour that allowed them to work together. Their loathing for each other was so strong that King Francis deliberately kept them apart, even now when the Guard needed the extra help.
Laurent changed the subject, "Any news of the Duc de LeGrande?"
Arnaud looked up at him, "No, which I suppose is a good thing. We would have head if they needed assistance or if the Spanish had captured them." Arnaud returned to the morning inspection of the perimeter guards. Laurent walked with him. Neither man wanted to consider the possibility that the Duc could not contact the King and why that would be so.
"I hope they return soon. I need to get back into some serious training." Laurent smiled ruefully.
Arnaud nodded, "They had better make it very soon or you won't fit into your armour." Arnaud was disappointed when Laurent didn't take the bait. He was in the mood for a good argument.
"I'm not LeRiche," Laurent smiled at Arnaud's look of surprise. And I'm not your whipping boy, added Laurent silently. Arnaud glared at Laurent and marched off on his inspection. Laurent let him go; the man needed to burn off his anger.
As Laurent began making his way to the stables he pondered the current state of the Royal Guard. The Duc, the King's best military commander, had been gone for six months. That alone was worrying. The fact that he'd taken with him the two youngest Captains, two Lieutenants and thirty highly trained Guardsmen had left Hautefort's defences strained to say the least. Laurent was sure it was only de LeGrande's need to impress that had made him take so many officers, although Laurent wouldn't say that to the Duc's face.
Still there was a good side. If all four Captains had been in Hautefort then Henry would never have escaped once let alone five times. If Laurent hadn't been wounded eight months ago defending Henry, then he not only would he be fitter but also probably would have been with the Duc's party. And neither of them would have met the ladies in their lives.
Sometimes things did work out for the best.
********
Danielle and Jacqueline were sitting, sipping tea and recovering from a morning of deportment and manners and preparing themselves for an afternoon of dressmakers and cobblers. Danielle had dismissed the servants and the young women now had the tiny drawing room all to themselves.
"I'm so glad Henry's gone off on 'business' for the day. I love him dearly but we've been together so much the last two days that I feel like I need some time to catch my breath."
"Oh!" Jacqueline looked at her stepsister. "Do you want me to leave, Da- Your Highness?" She was surprised when Danielle leant forward and hugged her.
"Never, ever call me that in private. We are sisters. And no, I don't want you to go. Ever." Danielle smiled and returned to her tea. "So, tell me all about Captain Laurent."
Jacqueline smiled shyly, "He's nice."
"Just nice?"
Jacqueline giggled.
Danielle smiled, "Oh, he's that nice! Sounds like I'll have to ask him if he's intending to marry my sister."
"Please don't, Danielle." Jacqueline's voice was pensive. "We haven't spoken since yesterday and - "
"And?" Danielle prompted. She was stunned when Jacqueline burst into tears.
********
Louise sighed and looked around the room one more time. It was as clean as her old bones were going to get it. She picked up her brush and cloths and made her way downstairs.
She was halfway down the stairs when Maurice ran up to her.
"Come and see." Maurice took the tools from her hands and led her to the door. Paulette was standing to one side of the open door.
Coming up the drive was the Prince, his guard and three wagons. The wagons were full of servants, workmen and supplies.
Maurice and Louise hugged each other and laughed. The Manor was saved!
********
The three remaining servants of Manor de Barbarac bowed, "Your Highness."
"Good day to you all." Prince Henry greeted them cheerfully. "I have decided to do up the Manor and it's grounds. I have brought some help to do it."
Maurice almost fainted in shock when Henry dismounted from his horse and addressed him, "Maurice, isn't it?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Maurice was concerned. What would come next? There were a lot of fit, young men in the wagons. Would the Prince see the mess the Manor was in and ask him to leave?
"My wife," Henry smiled when Louise and Paulette sighed at the mention of Danielle, "tells me that you are the Manager of the Manor and you were the Manager during her father's time. Would you mind showing the foreman what needs fixing to bring it back to the state it was in when your Master was alive?"
Relief washed over Maurice. "It would be my pleasure, Your Highness." Maurice, his back straight with pride, walked over to the foreman and the ten labourers. Within moments they left to inspect the Manor's grounds.
Meanwhile, Henry quickly introduced Louise and Paulette to the Manor's new permanent residents: two young maids - one a scullery maid, the other a housemaid; a ten-year-old stableboy; and a groom. The young maids, both about fifteen years old and a little shy of the Louise and Paulette, mumbled their names and curtsied. The stableboy nodded a greeting and said something cheeky - earning himself a reprimand from the slow talking but quick witted middle-aged groom, who introduced himself with a small bow to the women.
Louise was relieved to hear from Henry that two of the labourers would be staying on to do the heavy work and the gardening, under Maurice's supervision.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Louise said quietly. "It will be so good to have regular help. But, Sire, how will we feed them all and where shall they sleep?"
Paulette watched Henry as he pointed out the large number of supplies, which included enough food for everyone for four days and bedding for the labourers' field camp. She could see what Danielle saw in the Prince. He certainly was very decorative and he had a nice manner. 'I wonder if he's got a sense of humour?'
Paulette smiled at the Prince, "Thank you for the buffet, Your Highness. It's a sight for these sore old eyes."
"You are welcome. Though the food is not a buffet it's..."
Henry realised that Laurent was smothering a laugh in a cough and the groom was grinning. Henry followed Paulette's gaze to the young men walking across the fields. The Prince gave the woman a quelling look before grinning broadly. "Oh, get to work unloading this lot will you."
"Yes, Your Highness." Paulette said primly and curtsied, very properly.
"Have you no shame," muttered Louise as she organised the puzzled young maids.
The Prince and Captain Laurent left the servants to unpack the supplies and took their horses and the impish stableboy to the stables. There, Henry said hello to his old friend, Auguste's stallion, while Laurent put the stableboy to work tending to their steeds.
********
Henry had decided to stay until he was sure that Maurice, Louise and Paulette were in control of the situation. He was pleasantly surprised when less than an hour later after their arrival the labourers had started work, the smell of cooking was wafting from the kitchen and the stables were bustling with activity.
With the labourers organised, Maurice returned and took Henry and Laurent on a special tour - The Danielle Tour. Maurice showed them where Danielle had worked and explained what she'd done to keep the Manor afloat. He even added the occasional comment about Jacqueline for the Captain's benefit, much to the officer's embarrassment.
"I want to show you this now, Your Highness, before the men clean it all up." The old man smiled at the Prince. "When she puts her mind to it, the Mistress can do anything." He pointed out the orchard, the vegetable garden and the well and told Henry about Danielle's workload. "It was common for the Mistress to carry eight or more buckets of water a day." The old man shook his head. "She should never have had to do what she did, Your Highness. I did try to stop it. I spoke out against it and the Baroness sold me to pay her taxes. Which gave the Mistress even more work." Maurice sighed, "The Baroness didn't need to sell me, there were more horses here than she needed."
"Horses don't talk back," Henry replied in a stunned tone. Desperate to lighten the situation he added, "Do they Laurent," and winked at his guardsman.
"No, they don't, Your Highness." Laurent waited until Maurice had walked a little away from him before saying, quietly. "Leonardo appears to have forgotten that joke, please don't remind him, Henry."
Laurent was wondering what Henry would say his silence was worth as Maurice led the men into the house. They followed the old man up the stairs to the attic room and the stark reality of Danielle's life.
The Captain looked at the holes in the ceiling and listened to the scrabbling birds on the roof. Even now in the middle of the day there was a strong draft. The draft would be freezing cold during the winter. Laurent could barely believe that the Princess Danielle had survived in these conditions for ten long years. Well, if the look of horror on Henry's face was any indication, she would never want for anything again, especially not warmth.
********
The Royal Wardrobe Mistress held up another gown for inspection. The Queen and the two of her ladies-in-waiting present shook their heads.
"No, thank you, Genevieve. There are already quite enough young ladies of the court wearing that style. Whatever possessed the seamstresses to make so many?"
Genevieve put the green dress with large gold buttons into the discard pile. "I believe, your Majesty, they were ordered for a wedding party. The bride changed her mind."
"About the gowns or the groom?" Danielle giggled; she was heady from the events going on around her.
"Both, Your Highness." Genevieve picked up another gown, this one a concoction of powder blue and creme satin. The Queen had no objection to this one or the next three.
"Well, that gives you two dozen to try on, Your Highness." Genevieve smiled at the Princess as two servants carried the last of the gowns into the dressing room. "I hope you will find enough gowns to make do until your own gowns can be completed."
"Two dozen! What will I do with so many gowns? I shall only try on a few."
Jacqueline watched the Queen as she skilfully quashed Danielle's objections with the suggestion that it would not hurt to try them all on. Some may not suit. Danielle was led into the changing room by one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. Jacqueline was about to follow when the Queen asked her to stay.
"Genevieve, please find some suitable gowns for Mademoiselle de Ghent. She only has the one and is in need of some variety." The Queen nodded regally to Jacqueline; "I expect my ward to be appropriately dressed for her station."
Queen Marie had not been surprised to find Jacqueline's in tears earlier in the day. The child was to all intents and purposes orphaned. Jacqueline was also tired, feeling a little sorry for herself and carrying a torch for a certain someone - a tearful combination. Marie hoped that a good night's sleep in new, quieter quarters, a few pretty dresses and Danielle's plans for this evening would heal Jacqueline's wounded nerves.
Marie turned to leave then stopped, "Genevieve, be sure to include any other garments that the Mademoiselle may require. I shall be with the Princess."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jacqueline stammered as the Queen and her remaining lady-in-waiting left room.
"So, my dear, let's see what's hiding under that terrible dress." Genevieve smiled and led Jacqueline to the changing screen.
********
"I shall, Your Majesty." Laurent bowed and left the Throne Room as Henry entered it.
"What was that about, father?" Henry was puzzled, immediately on their return Laurent had disappeared without a word into the Throne Room.
"This and that," replied King Francis. He pointed at a marker on the map, "Mostly that."
Henry studied the map. It appeared that the Duc was returning and was less than a week's travel away. He became engrossed in the map and the political implications of what he was seeing. If it worked it would ensure peace for possibly five years.
Henry and Francis began to discuss the situation and for the first time in a long time neither of them lost their tempers.
********
Jacqueline stood behind the screen and took a deep breath. It was a strange feeling. Usually she couldn't breathe in a court dress. She wasn't too sure about the dark blue gown. It showed a lot more of her shoulders, neck and waist than her old gown had.
"Is this all right?" Jacqueline stepped out from behind the screen.
The Wardrobe Mistress looked at the young woman. "Who are you? I thought Mademoiselle de Ghent was back there."
Jacqueline smiled. "Oh, please don't. Does it look all right?"
"It looks very nice indeed, Mademoiselle. As you do too - when you're not trussed up like a chicken for roasting." Genevieve had been scathing when she'd seen how tight Jacqueline's clothes were. She'd provided Jacqueline with a new cinch and chemise before instructing one of her assistants to dispose of the old cinch and dress. Jacqueline had heard the instruction and had become fiercely protective of the horrible green dress, insisting on keeping it for 'sentimental reasons'. Rather than argue with the girl, Genevieve had added it to the pile of clothes to be taken to Jacqueline's quarters.
Jacqueline looked very different in clothes that fitted and suited her. Genevieve had to admit that although the girl would never have the Princess's fragile beauty, she was very attractive.
The door to the dressing room opened and Danielle and Marie entered the room. Danielle was looking very flustered and very pretty in a deep red gown while the Queen exuded Regal Calm.
"All right, Mother. I shall take the eighteen gowns. But I don't know when I'll wear them." Danielle looked over at Jacqueline. "You look wonderful!" The Princess smiled and said, "Now that you are all dressed up, you shall have to dine with Henry and I tonight."
Chapter Eleven
Danielle hugged the elderly artist. "I'm so glad you could come, Leonardo."
"I could not miss your first dinner party, Your Highness." Leonardo smiled at the young woman who was ordering him to 'call me Danielle' during the dinner. The child was so full of life and happiness; Henry was going to have his work cut out keeping up with her.
"Is that quite appropriate, Your Hig - Danielle? I thought you wanted your friends to help you with your 'dining etiquette'?" Leonardo winked at Danielle and shot a glance at Jacqueline. He knew exactly what this dinner was in aid of. Judging by the look of bemused exasperation on her face, Jacqueline knew too.
"Well, yes, Signore, I do want help with my etiquette," Danielle said in a Regal voice, "But in semi-formal rather than formal situations." She giggled, "Do I sound like Her Majesty?"
"Very like," said a familiar voice. Danielle spun around and ran to Henry who was entering the room. The Prince caught her and laughed, "Rule number one, dearest. Princesses do not run in a dining room nor do they knock over their Princes like that."
Leonardo looked at the young man. Henry had changed so much in the two weeks since Leonardo had first met him on the road to Hautefort. And all for the better, it seemed.
Captain Laurent entered the room to the sound of laughter. Danielle was busy tickling Henry and so she missed seeing the stunned look on Laurent's face when he caught sight of Jacqueline. She also missed the momentary flash of pride in Jacqueline's eyes.
Leonardo watched the silent conversation that was taking place between the guardsman and his lady. They were very good at it. Within a few moments they had said hello, swapped compliments, confirmed that they we both still interested in each other, and expressed their exasperation at the heavy-handed approach of a certain Princess to their relationship. All without Henry and Danielle noticing a thing.
The elderly artist was considering how to best catch the silent conversation on canvas when Danielle and Henry decided it was time they behaved themselves.
"Rule two, Danielle, is never to tickle your husband in the dining room." Henry smiled, escorting his wife to her seat.
"At least not in front of the guests, Your Highness, and especially not on a Friday," Laurent said with a perfectly straight face.
The concern that washed across Danielle's face was banished by Henry's voice, "He's joking, Danielle. You'll get used to it, believe me." Henry winked and walked to his chair at the other end of the small, by Hautefort standards, dining table.
Laurent sat beside Jacqueline who turned three shades of pink and became engrossed in arranging her table-napkin on her lap. He smothered a smile, which threatened to escape when he met Leonardo's amused gaze. The elderly artist gave him a 'don't look at me for help, son' look and listened to Danielle who was talking about her experiences that day.
The Princess's voice trailed off when the food arrived and servants served the first cover in silence. Danielle wasn't sure of what to say and the others weren't going to help her. She needed to learn how to be a hostess.
The situation soon got the better of Henry's sense of humour.
"So, Marc, do you like the party so far?" asked Henry. If his wife was going to use a battering ram to get Laurent and Jacqueline together then he may as well go along with it.
"Henry," hissed Danielle.
"Reminds me of dinner at my sister's." Laurent grinned. "Nice food and a suitable young lady."
Jacqueline spoke for the first time since Leonardo had arrived, "That must be embarrassing, Captain." The girl pushed her piece of fish around on her plate. She was too nervous to be hungry.
"Oh, it was; the first ten or twelve times." Laurent grinned, "The pity is Claudette's got no idea of the sort of lady I like. She always picks brash, bossy, blonde girls. Like herself."
Leonardo smiled and busied himself with his food. That, he suspected, was as close as the Captain was going to get to a declaration tonight. He pretended that he didn't notice Laurent's right hand sneak over to squeeze Jacqueline's left hand, before the Captain too began to eat his food.
Danielle was determined to make the conversation work. So she grabbed hold of the only material she had. "Your sister lives near Hautefort, Captain?"
"My elder sister, Claudette, is in Paris at the moment, Your Highness. With her husband the Comte de Chantourelle."
"Oh. Is your family from near Paris, Marc?" Danielle hoped that using the Captain's first name would relax him. It didn't seem to work.
"No, Yo- Danielle. My father's family is from Normandy." Laurent returned to his food.
"You said your elder sister?" Danielle was getting used to this now. She knew how to speak with people. She just had to get the subject right. "Do you have other sisters and brothers."
"I had four sisters. There are two left now, Claudette and Adrienne. Four of my six brothers are still alive."
"Oh, how sad." Jacqueline said quietly. "To lose so many."
"Seven out of eleven's not bad, my lady," Laurent smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Besides, my -," the Captain paused and started counting to himself, "my eight nephews and nieces make up for it."
"Eleven children! Your mother must have been a busy lady, Captain." Leonardo smiled.
"Yes, she was. She was calmest lady I've ever met. I can only remember her angry once, when she was dying. She said that after bearing that many children it was undignified to die of such a stupid thing as The Gripe*."
Jacqueline gasped. Henry looked across the table at Danielle who was silent with shock.
"Rule three," said the Prince, "One does not discuss death at the dinner table."
"Sorry, Henry. I forgot." Laurent returned to eating his food.
Leonardo suspected the Captain had got the result he was after. Danielle stopped trying to be like 'Her Majesty' and began to talk with Jacqueline about the manor and her friends.
********
"That was very naughty of you, Marc." Jacqueline looked up at the Captain. He was escorting her to her quarters. The dinner party had been successful, even with Laurent's comments.
"I'm sorry, my love." The Captain didn't sound at all sorry. "It's just that Danielle was interrogating me the way that my sister does and, well, I just reacted how I would to Claudie."
"What did you call me?" Jacqueline had stopped and was looking up at him. Her eyes were full of shocked surprise, which Laurent misread as anger.
"I've done it again, haven't I." Marc looked down at her ruefully. "It must be that dress. It makes you look even more beautiful."
Jacqueline shook her head and blushed slightly. "You are a very naughty man."
"Do you think that a well behaved man would act like I did at the Masque?" Laurent looked at his blushing lady. "I don't suppose now would be a good time to ask if you would marry me?"
"Marc Laurent!" Jacqueline looked around to see if anyone was watching.
"That's me." The Captain grinned, not caring if the world saw them together. "So? Should I ask?"
********
The church bells were tolling for the start of the Mass. The Royal party were making their entrance between the rows of Pike Guards as they had so many Sundays before.
Leonardo watched Danielle's back as she squared her shoulders and walked into the church beside her Prince. She was so sweet. Like a little sparrow ready to fight for its territory and its place in the world. He hoped there wouldn't be too many hawks in her future.
The old artist was feeling tired. The last fortnight had been a whirlwind of activity. He would be glad when the Mass was over and he could go back to his room for a nice long nap. He may even have missed the service today if he hadn't suspected that Francis and Laurent were up to something.
He shot a glance at the Captain beside him. The man was composed and calm. Leonardo hadn't seen him that calm in the fortnight he'd known him. Not even the jokes Leonardo had fired at him outside the church had scratched that calm exterior. Was it due to the return of the Duc, the impending sale of Rodmilla and Marguerite de Ghent, or was it something else? The artist pondered the possibilities through the Mass.
The ceremony was coming to a close when Leonardo caught King Francis' gaze. The King winked at him. What in the world?
Leonardo was about to ask Laurent what was going on when the Priest read out the Banns for Marc and Jacqueline's wedding.
********
The Royal Coach rumbled its way through the town on its way back to the Castle. Queen Marie waited until they had left the crowd of courtiers and the church far behind before questioning Francis about the matter at hand.
"I thought she was My ward, Francis de Valois. Why did you not tell me?"
The King gave his wife a puzzled look, "Whom?" He loved baiting her like this.
"Oh really, Francis. Jacqueline de Ghent, of course," Marie tried to be stern with him, which was difficult when he was in such a cheerful mood. "Why didn't you tell me that Captain Chevalier Laurent had spoken to you?"
"He speaks to me every day, Marie. I don't have time to tell you everything every guardsman under my command tells me. I'd never get anything done." King Francis nodded regally at a group of merchants who were bowing to the Royal Coach as it passed. "Anyway, the girl didn't say a word to you or Henry and Danielle."
"Yes, it's most ungrateful of her, Your Majesty," said the Queen's lady-in-waiting, from where she sat opposite the Queen. "It must be her bad upbringing."
"Nonsense," Francis laughed. "I see Laurent's hand in this. Too much interfering from matchmakers makes a man secretive."
Marie looked at her husband and tried to think of a reasonable argument against his statement but it sounded right. It also sounded suspiciously like something Francis would encourage the Captain to do. Annoyed, Marie couldn't think of a clever comment and settled for a peevish, "Oh Francis, really!"
The King smiled, very slightly, at his win and continued nodding and waving to his subjects.
********
The dull, grey sky reflected Jacqueline's mood as she walked down the long corridor to the Royal Laundry. The servants she passed nodded respectfully at her. She suspected that a few days ago they would have ignored her. It was amazing what a nice dress and a large guardsman at one's side could do.
When they neared their destination, the Captain stepped level with Jacqueline and gave her a searching look. He knew from their long conversation the day before that she needed to do this but Laurent wasn't sure about it. He feared this would take more strength than she had.
Rodmilla and Marguerite were bored and unhappy. They had been ordered to wait in the airing room until they were taken to the auction yard. To pass the time, Marguerite was examining her work roughened, dye-stained hands and whining. Rodmilla was ignoring her daughter's mutterings and was trying to make her clothes look more presentable - she was failing abysmally.
The airing room opened and the person they'd both least expected or wanted to see walked into the room.
Rodmilla looked at her younger daughter. She was dressed in a gown that Rodmilla would have been proud to wear when she was a Baroness. There was a new confidence about Jacqueline that was disconcerting. Rodmilla wondered how much of it was due to the armed guardsman with her.
"Isn't the guard a bit excessive, Jacqueline. We can't harm you." Rodmilla smiled.
"Much," snapped Marguerite.
Captain Laurent glared at them, "Be quiet, servants. You will only address the lady when addressed and then in the proper manner." Rodmilla and Marguerite both glowered at the Captain. The Captain stared back at them and was rewarded by a flash of panic in the women's eyes.
Jacqueline looked at the woman who had borne, abandoned, reclaimed, raised and humiliated her and felt nothing but pity and sadness. She looked her mother in the eye and began to speak. "As you know you are both to be sold today and -"
"You're going to buy us? Make us you pets? Is that it?" Marguerite sneered at her sister.
"Silence!" roared the Captain in his best Parade Ground voice. Marguerite jumped and stepped back away from the soldier.
Jacqueline tried not to smile. Her terrible sister looked like a tiny mouse hiding from a big, bad cat. She turned to cat in question and said, "Thank you, Captain." Then she looked back at the women, "Mother. Marguerite. I came here simply to say that I forgive you for everything you did to me. I know you had your reasons for doing what you did. I wish everything had turned out better but it didn't."
Jacqueline took a deep breath and continued, "It is not my place to forgive you for the other things that you did but I am sure that once you have made your penance then you shall be forgiven by all the people you wronged."
"Thank you, milady," Rodmilla's calm voice hid her churning emotions. How dare this worthless child come in here and speak to her like that! Rodmilla stared coldly at Jacqueline. "But I would prefer not to receive your forgiveness. I only have one daughter and this," she waved at Marguerite, "is she."
Marguerite sniffed, "Who'd want forgiveness from a fat cow like you anyway?" She stiffened when the Captain, his face set with anger, took a step towards her. Marguerite was surprised when Jacqueline put her hand on the Captain's arm. He stopped, looked at her and then stepped back.
A week ago the insults would have worked. Now Jacqueline simply ignored them. She was not going to lower herself to their level. She had only wanted them to understand. But they were so bitter and unchanging. So determined that theirs was the only way.
Laurent watched proudly while Jacqueline looked Rodmilla in the eye and said, "Thank you for your time." She turned to him, "Shall we go, Marc?" He nodded and followed his lady out the door, leaving the speechless women behind.
********
Gustave and Leonardo were so engrossed in a conversation about the qualities of light that they didn't notice the carriage had stopped until Maurice opened the door and Jacqueline climbed down.
"Signore da Vinci, Monsieur Manon, welcome to the Manor de Barbarac." Maurice bowed to the artist and pretended that his wife and Paulette were not busy hugging Jacqueline behind him. They were making such a fuss over the girl that one would believe it was more than a week since they'd last seen her.
"Thank you, Maurice," Gustave said in a masterly tone which earned him a fatherly glare from Maurice.
Leonardo smiled indulgently at Gustave and stepped down from the carriage. Gustave followed the Signore - he carried the parcel Leonardo had entrusted to him as though it was the most precious and holy object in the world.
The Captain handed his stallion over to the groom and walked towards the rest of the party. "I hardly recognised the place, Maurice." The Captain smiled at the elderly man. "You have done an excellent job."
"Thank you, sir," Maurice bowed to the Captain. "Although the workmen the Prince loaned us did most of it before they left."
"It's just as I remember it was when Papa-Auguste was alive." Jacqueline's eyes were sparkling as she walked over to join Laurent and Maurice. Laurent was stunned again at how beautiful she looked, even clad in her old green dress. "Danielle will be so happy. This was what she always wanted."
"Well we've got things to do before they arrive." Leonardo hurried Gustave and the parcel into the house. "Hurry along. I need to find the best place to hang it."
Gradually the rest of the party followed them into the house. Both Louise and Maurice were determined that the Signore weren't going to make a mess of the walls. Paulette decided to keep an eye on Gustave who she knew was likely to be a little silly when he was overexcited. While Jacqueline and Marc took a tour of the house, stealing a kiss in every empty room they found.
Leonardo finally found the perfect location for the painting. It was already occupied by a mirror, which Maurice moved into the master bedroom. Leonardo ordered everyone out of the room until he had the picture hung just right. He did so with barely a moment to spare for Gustave had spotted Henry's horse galloping up the road.
********
Danielle was so happy that she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. When Henry had said that he had a wedding present for her she hadn't expected anything like this!
The fields, her father's orchard, the vegetable gardens were all neat and tidy. It would take a season to bring the trees and the fields back to their full glory but the manor was as she remembered it. Danielle felt the years of guilt she'd felt lift off her. Her father's home was as it should be. She knew that Papa would have been proud.
Henry was awed by the look of joy, happiness and contentment on his wife's face. He had no doubts that he had made the right decision in life and love.
********
"Oh Leonardo, it's wonderful!" Danielle hugged the elderly artist and looked again at her portrait. Did she really look like that? The face was so angelic.
Leonardo looked around the room and soaked in the sensations of this perfect moment. It was a sensation so indescribable that even an artist as skilled as Leonardo could not capture.
Everyone in the room felt the same. Maurice and Louise hugged each other - happy to see their Danielle so happy. Paulette clipped the cheeky Gustave over the back of the head as he scoffed at Danielle's title; which earned Gustave a few false punches from Danielle. Marc and Jacqueline held each other's hands and whispered to each other - the Captain telling his lady that it was just as well that Leonardo hadn't painted her portrait as he couldn't have done her justice. Marc received the quelling, loving look he was hoping for and held his lady a little closer.
Henry made a comment about the painting that earned him a scold from Danielle. Soon he and Danielle were sharing loving quips about living happily ever after.
Leonardo smiled and savoured the joy and happiness around him. "Treasure this moment, my dear friends." He added silently, 'The memory of it will keep you though all the good and bad times ahead.'
Maurice and Louise nodded their understanding to the artist.
"Do you feel it?" Maurice whispered to his wife.
"Yes," replied Louise, looking at Leonardo. "The Master's happy."
Maurice smiled. "Yes, he is." And for a moment Maurice was sure he could hear Auguste laughing.
THE END
* ( Archaic term for appendicitis.)
Author's Note - I hope you enjoyed this story. Apologies if it's a bit melodramatic but what's romance without a bit of melodrama. :)