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Post by anjelrocker on Dec 28, 2011 20:28:42 GMT -5
Pulling her chair out for the young lady, he did not like being called 'stern' as he frowned at the back of her head for a brief moment. "I am simply thinking about your safety, Mlle." He said to her simply as he sat himself down beside her on her right. "You do not know what types of people lurk in the palace, Milady." He glanced at her for a brief moment as he was being served a glass of wine by a pretty young servant. As the others had sat down for the dinner, it seemed that the King would not be joining the courtiers for that evening. He did see that the young lady in question that would want him to dance with her was looking at him with her bespelling green eyes. Lucien disliked Mlle Trouvelle as well as her fat little mother, he was sure that the young lady would look like her mother and act like the woman in a few years. She was pretty enough but he was not an idiot, he did not want the sort of wife who would nag him and was considerably high maintenance.
"Yes, she will be wanting to dance with me." He supposed as he sipped at his wine and looked to his charge. "I will entertain her but if her mother thinks that I will be asking for her hand then she will be sadly mistaken." He said quietly with a small smile as he nodded to the young lady a few seat down from her as if to humour her.
"I think that you are far too carefree perhaps, Mlle." He stated. "And that can be a dangerous thing..." Lucien warned her as the first course was being served.
---
She had been humming a tune from her own time. "Sometimes, I run... sometimes I hide..." She said softly to herself in English as she looked up startled as she looked up at Monsieur Jerome as if he had appeared out of thin air. "Where did you come from?" She whispered in French as she blinked a few times and stood up.
"I was told to wait here until Milady returns..." She said with a shrug. "Besides... I'm not really hun-" It was at that moment when her stomach grumbled and she laughed. "Ah, I suppose that I am a bit more hungry than I thought." Valerie looked at him for a moment with a smile. "If you are offering than I guess it's rude to say no." She stated as she took his offered arm.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Dec 29, 2011 19:41:45 GMT -5
She glanced at him. "Me carefree..." she said with feigned innocence and then smiled. "I worry more than you think Lucien," she promised but gave a smile and looked around the table. Lots of women were looking at her. Half of them were envious, the other half looking disgusted. She took a sip of her wine then gave them a soft smirk before looking back at Lucien. "Why haven't you married yet Monsieur..." she asked curiously as she gazed at him. "A man in his prime, as handsome as you are, I am sure there are plenty of women that would love the chance to wed you."
She thought for a moment, glancing around the room, then at her bowl of soup. Thankfully, the king had told her this afternoon that he would be sharing his wife's room tonight, leaving her to have a night's rest without him. Lucien might think she was carefree but it was just a facade. If he knew how often she cried herself to sleep, how much she hated being her father's pawn. He might think it was pity, but she had a right to feel a little sorry for herself. After all, she was not going to be a virgin bride to any man, and would be basically sold to any man that wanted to have her. The king's seconds. She didn't even feel like God could forgive her for the adultery she committed every time the king took her to his bed.
She ate some more of her soup then sighed, awaiting the answer to her question as she continued to eat.
-----
Jerome chuckled. "There's an excellent meal for the servants in their personal dining room. I'll be glad to escort you...and it would be rude," he agreed with a chuckle as he led her out the room. 'And as the nobles have an averageof six courses to the normal servants three, you'll be finished eating, long before she is finished. Besides, I thought we should talk. I admit I feel somewhat responsible for you. Do you get along well with Mlle. Renault?" he asked curiously as he led her down admiring her curves in the gown as well as her cleavage. He led her down the grand halls, taking his time. After all, he had finished his shift and could spend the night as he wished. and he wanted to spend some of it with her, as sad as that was to say.For someone that had never had more than a physical attraction with a woman, he admitted he was feeling more than mere lust. And that could present a problem, because nothing could come of it. He had a small house and one servant and was not of noble blood. hardly the catch of a woman who had so little herself.
The one blessing about being the King's mistress was that after he finished, the woman would be married off to some rich noble. If she caught the king's eye, he doubted anything would stop her from choosing a rich man over him. Not that he was thinking of marriage of course. That was a dangerous topic to his state of mind.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 3, 2012 10:18:26 GMT -5
"Ah, it is that very reason why I do not wish to get married." He glanced over to the side of him to his right to her before spooning the soup so that he could could give it a try. "I am a man that loves women." He shrugged. "I suppose I am not as terrible at my older brother, the man is notorious." Lucien watched at a servant poured a glass of wine for him as he was being served. "However, I suppose that despite being young and handsome, I do not hold property." This made him shrug. "Nor a title, I do have some money from my Father's estates but only a desperate young lady would want to wed the second son rather than the first."
Lucien explained this to her as he slowly savored this tomato bisque with flower shaped crackers and chicken cubes that he found to be delicious. "I do believe that I would make the perfect lover to a rich older widow." He laughed. "I am not one to break discretion."
Glancing at her for a moment, he noticed that she looked a little forlorn. "Do you not like the setting, milady?" He asked her noticing that she was getting a few dirty looks for some of the other ladies. Most were probably jealous that they did not have the King's favor since it was known that the King only picked the most lovely of the ladies in the court.
"Ignore them, they only wish to be in your position." He said simply.
---
"Oh, you do not have to feel responsible for me." Valerie said as she looked embarrassed for a moment. "I can not believe that they can eat a six course meal, I'm sure that you have to roll the nobles to their beds." She chuckled since she was use to eating a normal north American meals. Although, she had to admit that she had been enjoying the meals in Europe.
Perhaps a little too much since she had put on a few pounds because of all the wine and cheese with croissants. "Mlle. Renault has been nothing but kind to me. She is a sweet young lady. It is hard to believe that she is... Ah... one of the King's mistress." She did think that the woman was beautiful. "However, I do think that I am quite lucky to have been hired. I do have a lot to learn."
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 4, 2012 10:10:06 GMT -5
She looked at him and smiled. "I never did understand the dichotomy of women wanting to marry men of titles. It sounds so tedious. And much like an auction, sold to the highest bidder. Its why I never wanted marriage..." She shrugged then smirked at his comment of ignoring them. "Oh I am," she promised. At least for the most part. When the second course came, she was glad for it and started to eat it. The meal passed in quick succession and then everyone cleared the tables so they could dance in the hall next over. She walked into it, hearing the music begin and watching as everyone danced and she was left to her own devices as Lucien danced with the hot young woman who thought she would hook him into marriage.
Sipping at her wine, she watched the dancing then felt a presence beside her and turned her head to see a man who was much like Lucien in appearance but a little older and with gray at his temples. She took a sip of her wine, looking back at the dancing.
"Mlle. Renault,' the man greeted and she turned to him again and nodded.
"Oui." "I am Maximilien E'Toile, son to the Marquess la Charce...Your guardian's brother," he chuckled then smiled.
"He has spoken of you a time or two," she said calmly, going back to watching the dancing.
"Probably not in a good light..." he admitted with a chuckle. "He is just jealous of me, being as I have a title and his choices were hardly good ones. The church or being the King's lapdog." He smirked.
"Being a musketeer is hardly a terrible thing. It's a great honor to serve the king..." she said simply.
"It is also a great honor to be his mistress..." he said cooly. She turned and looked at him then huffed and turned away.
"If you are here to insult me Monsieur you can just leave," she said and he chuckled, leaning down to her ear.
"Were I so lucky to have a woman in my bed, I would not leave her alone for even a single night."
"Well you are not so lucky," she said to him then sighed and trying to untangle herself from his company. He rubbed her the wrong way.
-----
"Oh but I do, there is no shame in that,"{ he said as they walked and he led her down to the nearly empty dining room as most of them had already enjoyed their meal. He pulled a seat out for her then took a seat beside her. "Mlle. Renault is the King's mistress because the king wanted to have her...and I told you she would be good for you. Lucien, her little bodyguard finds such a hiring a pity hiring because the woman is of such a good heart but her brother is one of my best friends. I've known her since she was scarecly walking..." He chuckled, enjoying the soup without the fancy crackers. "I am glad i could help you out," he said and meant it.
He smiled. "So...what are the things you are having the most issue with. Helene told me you came to her a few times with some problems. Almost in tears," he teased her, taking a bite of the roasted chicken. Since everything was just out for their pleasure.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 4, 2012 18:49:12 GMT -5
He had just finished dancing with Mlle. Trouvelle and would only be dancing with her once that night with her. This was because he did not want her getting the wrong message that he was interested in the little chit, she was after all a bore and lacked of common sense. "It was lovely to dance with you, Mlle." He heard himself saying as he bowed wanting to get himself a refreshment before her mother came running over to them to speak.
Glancing over to the woman that he was to guard, his eyes narrowed seeing the pompous ass of a brother speaking to her. "If you will excuse me..." He said to the young lady that he had just danced with as he went towards the King's mistress and his older brother. He was the exact sort of man that he was suppose to keep her away from as he made a line to her side and smiled politely despite his eyes telling a different story. "Good Evening, Maximilien." He said to his brother giving a bow. "Mlle. Renault... perhaps you would like something to refresh yourself?" He asked her knowing that his brother was not to be near her.
He did not trust the man since he was known for taking the King's disgarded mistresses as his own. "Shall we?" He asked her escorting her away from his brother who did not look pleased. Not that he could give a damn what his brother wanted.
Once out of eyeshot, he said. "I do apologize for that ass that I regret to call my family." Lucien mentioned with a scowl.
---
Valerie looked embarassed since she had not known how to iron clothing, well... she did because she had had to iron a uniform for work but there were plugs and walls and settings. This iron was a huge block of mental that would easily ruin a gown. And she had, a gorgous green one that her mistress had looked upset before smiling and saying that it was quite alright. However, Valerie was unsure if it was.
"I told Helene not to tell you..." She said quietly as she frowned down at her meal for a moment. It was delicious but she was feeling like a failure. "I am slowly learning... and some of the other maids are helping me out." She said with positive outlook to this strange 'old timey' world that she was set in. "I suppose it is a bit of a pity hire... I lied to you, Sir Jerome." She confessed looking ashamed of herself.
"You will probably never believe me again but, I was no maid to the governer in New France." She bit her lip. "I was a daughter of a wealthy furtrader until the natives attacked." Valerie stated not really lying since her ancestors had been furtraders according to her mother. "I was lucky to survive..." She bit her lip as she said. "I do want to continue this job and learn. I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for not telling you the truth."
Then, she was still lying.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 4, 2012 20:47:36 GMT -5
"Don't apologize. He was not to terribly unseemly, but, I admit, now I know why you do not like him," she said softly then rsn her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath. She walked with him to the refreshment table and took a glass od wine, taking a sip. All of the women were avoiding her like the plague and it was a lonely thing. She had always been a bit of a wall flower regardless but a little socialization would be nice. Her gaze went to Lucien.
"Thank you Lucien," she said gratefully. "I can't believe he had the nerve to call you the king's lapdog. It was utterly disrespectful. I think he is just angry you are so high in his majesty's favor," she mused as I'd to justify an elder brother's jealousy for his younger brother. She got a chill just thinking sout the bastard being in such close proximity to her. She sighed, taking another sip of the small glass of wine.
"It is a shame that he is the only one to approach me though," she mused with a sigh, sinking back against the wall for support.
-----
Jerome looked at her, smiling gently. "She didn't tell me about the iron. Told me of a few other mishaps. Like nearly singhing Mmlle. renault's hair," he said teasingly then ate some more of the roasted chicken, sipping at his wine. "But it's alright that you lied to me. I was a complete stranger, and I guess that you did not want to be living under the same roof as one. Especially unmarried." he thought for a moment.
"Were you married before?" he asked curiously. Taking another bite of his meat and licking his lips. He sighed and laid back in his chair, observing her casually. He was dressed without the wig and hat for the moment but was still wearing the musketeers blue uniform, and his hair was drawn back with a leather thong.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 5, 2012 11:45:29 GMT -5
"He has called me worse before, Milady." He informed the young woman as he walked once around the dance floor with her to bring her to the refreshment table since there was some punch and other drinks set out for the guests. "Being called the king's lap dog is not something that I take offence to since I have been trained to be one of the best." He informed her. "My brother is not as handy with a sword nor a musket. Not that he will need to know since he would have no use in battle."
Atleast Lucien had the discipline of a man who was in a guard, he could not imagine being one of these pompous heirs to titles and fortunes without acquiring other skills needed in life. He knew the reason that his brother approached her and he did not like it. King's mistress or not, she was still a lady of the court and would not be treated any other way. He could also tell that she was more than gowns and shoes... that she was there for whatever reasons.
Atleast, Lucien hoped that it was for a noble cause... "No one has asked you to dance, Milady?" He asked her as he poured a glass of the punch into a cup and handed it to her before receiving his own. "Perhaps, as your guardian... I will take you for a spin around the dance floor, no?" Then perhaps others would be more inclined to dance with her since she was not here by choice but rather, duty.
But, one could only assume.
---
"You should not tease me like that... I feel terrible for what I did, if Katrina. The other maid had not stopped me then Milady's hair would have been ruined." Valerie said as she picked at the roast chicken not feeling very hungry but never the less slowly eating. It took her a moment for her to decide if he had been married. The truth was that she had not been married but she had dated a man... well, more like a boy for three years before they broke up.
It was why she needed this vacation... because she wanted to get away from Montreal and Pierre. A married lady or even a widowed woman had more freedom in this day, did they not? "I was married but... he passed on." She said simply as she thought of Pierre who she had thought that she loved but in truth, he had been too immature of a man for her.
It had not helped that he had cheated on her... He was an arrogant frog from a francophone family that would pretend they did not know English to get away with things. Valerie did not even know why she had loved him. "He was a furtrader as well in New France. That is why I came overseas because he died and my father and mother had passed on the winter before."
"
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 5, 2012 21:43:22 GMT -5
"Really?" Arienne said then beamed. "oh thank you Lucien. I would love to do so," she said gladly, walking out with him as the set began for an allemande. It was a new type of dance and allowed for hand holding where most others did not. She sat her wine down, taking a position in the ballroom then turned to face him and bowing, bending her knees as he bowed as a man would. When the dance began, she took his hand, smiling gently. She would not tell him that he was the first man to ever dance with her. Though it did please her greatly to finally start being able to put all her practice to good use. "Thank you Lucien," she said gratefully. Giving him a bright smile.
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"Well you have definitely seen the worded end of luck Madame. But I am glad things are turning around for you. Your husband was a lucky man," he mused. He knew the likelihood of him marrying was close to null. Firstly, he loved women. Short, fat, tall, skinny, buxom and flat, young and old but never past forty in that respect. He was a lover more often than a fighter. Then there was the fact that he had little money and only one servant, a house that was in need of more repair than he had time to deal with. He was in no way, a catch to the women he associated with.
He smiled at her. "I am glad things are working out for you," he said to her then smirked. "And I can only hope you stay as charming as you are now. Court has a tendency of bringing out the worst of a character sometimes." he sighed, finishing his meal and then standing. "I am already late for ,y post. I shall see you soon," he swore then bowed in a courtly manner, winked and then kissed her knuckles before disappearing out the dining hall.
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Arienne sighed, sitting before the fire, reading her correspondence with a heavy heart. Marguerite was sick again and her father was back to drinking far more than he ought. It as not the kind of news she wished tom hear from Henri but it was typical of both her father's behavior and of Margie's health. Folding the letter slowly, she gazed into the fire then glanced at her new lady's maid Valerie and smirked as she tried desperately to mend one of her shifts.
Sitting the note down, she walked over to her and sank down beside her, slowly taking the fabric and smiling."I used to have the same trouble. My governess would always hit my fingers with a switch if I did not get the stitching right and precise. Tedious thing, but I did learn," she said gently. Then she looked at Valerie. "I want to thank you. For being my lady's maid. You are the only one I get a kinship with. Not to mention you are the only one at court who treats me like a human being rather than an object or the king's playthings. Well, you and m. Lucien. Is it so different in New France," she asked curiously as she put the sewing aside and turned her full attention to Valerie. Se was the one that stayed in her chambers at night while the others went home or to thwart ants quarters. Arienne was always glad for the company.
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Maximilian slid his fingers through his hair, staring up at the ceiling as he lay with his current mistress in his Parisian townhouse. It as late, and he could not sleep. Instead he was thinking about that ravishing little debutante who just happened to be the king's whore. He knew she would be we'd off to some nobleman after the king finished with her, and as he was in need of a bride, who better than a girl with a large dowry and a girl who was no simpering little virgin.
He sighed in thought then looked to the woman laying at his side. "I think, I am going to get married," he mused thoughtfully, taking a sip of his wine.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 6, 2012 1:12:41 GMT -5
Looking up from her own sewing after stabbing herself with a needle for the hundredth time, Valerie was looking curious as she thought for a moment. "Well, it is a little different." She said with a smile. "I think it is because of less people and small communities but then, everyone tends to know everyone's business." Val knew that she did not really judge because she had slept with four men in her life due to dating and the one night stand she had had once. "I think that other ladies tend to judge based on the views of society..." She did not know if she was allowed to speak so freely but slowly, she was learning the rules of this society despite thinking it silly at times. And yet, she was interested because she was living in history.
"I do not judge you, Milady..." She said softly knowing that the young woman went to bed some nights upset and crying. Valerie was sure that it was because she felt lonely because she missed her family. Something that Valerie felt some nights as she thought of her own world wondering if time stood still in the future for her. "I miss my family too sometimes..." She said gently as she watched the flames of the fireplace wearing a cap on her head since she was dressed in the maid's garb. "As for being the King's plaything or not... you are still a young lady and a human. I do not see why anyone would treat you as less than one?"
Frowning at the clothing she had tried to mend, Valerie looked up. "I am sorry that I am not a very good lady's maid... atleast it is obvious. Some of the other maids wonder how I could have gotten this job." She would have to thank Monsieur Jerome for his help since she was quite lucky to not be on the streets or working in a brothel. "I will need to thank M. Jerome for his help, he is kind to me... although, he teases me when I tell him of my faults." She chuckled thinking it rather funny at times.
---
"Oh?" She looked up beneath long eyelashes. "Is this your way of ending our little liasions?" Manon asked in a low seductive voice as she slowly rose from her spot beside him. She had been a mistress to this man for almost two years... far longer than any other... men came and went but this was her job to look for a patron for her singing talents. She was sought after by many and yet, she had been only his mistress for this long. Not that she thought that he would wed her, she was no fool and yet... she had not wanted it to end. Her long dark red hair fell down her back as she moved to the edge of the bed so she could pour herself a glass of wine before offering him one as well.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 6, 2012 12:31:16 GMT -5
Smiling, Arienne nodded. "Trust me...I know," she laughed softly. "He is friends with my brothers Henri and Jacques. Sometimes he came to our house in the summer. He has always been. Tease," she mused thoughtfully. Slowly, she sighed. "I am going to confess something to you Valerie. Over the past couple of weeks, I have come to think of you as a good friend. And now that I am the king's mistress I do not have many if any..." she sighed. "I never wanted to be his mistress. The reason I am is because of my sister....the king wanted me to be his mistress. I would of never accepted, if not for my father threatening that my much prettier but sickly sister Marguerite took my place...I could not allow it. I was the younger but I was her protector. So I did as I was told. The king, he is not a terrible man. In fact he does, try, but...I hate being his mistress..." she sighed.
"And...I feel more for M. Lucien E'Toile than I should...we danced tonight...and there was this moment, where I wanted to kiss him. It was so strong...stronger than anything I ever felt...I am a right mess..."
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Max chuckled. "Ending it. Good god no. I am not ending anything. I am thirty years old now, I am without a wife and father is annoying me about the need for an heir. I am going to ask the king's permission to take Mlle. Renault as my bride. The king's whore. You know I could not fathom some simpering virgin. She is pretty and can give me the sons I need. But you, my dear, will always be my true love," he swore as he took the wine, admiring her form. "She will not balk at my keeping you...or she shouldn't," he mused, taking a sip and running his fingers over her flesh then moving the red hair he adored so greatly.
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