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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 6, 2012 17:11:46 GMT -5
She thought of Monsieur Jerome for a moment thinking that she was lucky that he had found her and remembering pepper spraying that man who had grabbed her. And pepper spraying herself in the eyes, she must have looked a mess that night a little over a month ago. She had not seen him too much since he was always on guard duty but when she did go to visit Helene sometimes, she did say hello. She found it strange how men and women lived such different lives in this age. Nothing like the shitty romance novels in the grocery store that she tended to read sometimes. "He found some of my stories amusing, I suppose they could be but... then, they were not at the time." She shrugged her shoulders.
"You have a crush on Monsieur Lucien?" She asked thinking of the stern bodyguard who seemed to glare at her when she was around. "He always seems so... stern and rigid." She admitted preferring her men to be funny and to make her laugh. "He is handsome... but serious..." Her mistress did speak to him more often so she supposed that she knew him more than she did. "How was it to dance with a gentleman... I have not gone to a ball before but tonight when we were dressing you up. You looked so beautiful..." Valerie smiled. "I do not think that it is a crime to lust after another despite being the King's mistress. Although, his Majesty would be upset if you acted on such impulse..." Then, she was a bit impulse... if it had been Val, she would have kissed the guy she liked. Then, this was a different age... and women had no rights.
Taking the other woman's hand, Valerie patted it thinking she was being comforting. "You are a good sister to do that for your older sister... does she know?" She asked wondering if the sickly sister knew what Mlle. Renault was doing for her. She doubted anyone but her father knew...
---
Manon sipped at the wine enjoying the taste of it as she thought of this man getting married. He said that she was his true love but she was not so sure since the man could be so fickle at times. "Ah, so... you will be getting married to the former mistress to the King." She said quietly as she leaned against the pillows careful not to spill her wine. "And you think that she will not mind that I am still your mistress?" She tilted her head. "Max... I think that you are being foolish here to think that she will simply allow you to have me." And she did... apart of her wished to be his wife and yet, she did not want to give up her singer career but she was nearing her third decade and she was not a spring chicken anymore. She was still beautiful and she made enough to live off of comfortably until she was in her fifties.
Yes, Manon de Ciel was a successful courtsean as well as a singer... having sang for the King himself... she had been his mistress for a short time in her early twenties until the man that she was with now had asked her to be his mistress. "Am I really your true love... or are you just saying that?" She teased.
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He thought of Mlle. Renault in another light and yet, he knew that it was wrong to think so. She was beautiful as well as intelligent, but the king had trusted him to be her guardian. To think of her as an object of his affection... well, it was plain foolish as he was finishing his guard duty and came across Chevalier. He was probably waiting for Arienne's new maid that he had had asked her to hire, the woman apparently lived in his household... something that could be considered scandalous but Lucien did not judge. "Waiting for your mistress?" He asked... perhaps he did judge.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 6, 2012 19:21:43 GMT -5
Smiling, she nodded and hugged her. "Thank you," she said gratefully then drew away. "I'm going to bed. You have a good night Valerie," she smiled then stood and walked to her bedchamber, shutting the door gently behind her. She sighed, closing her eyes, gently taking off her robe and then waling to the bed and sinking down. She gave a silent prayer to God and then curled up in bed. she was thankful the king was with his wife tonight because she would probably fall apart if he tried to touch her. She laid down on the bed and curled under the covers and sighed, praying that God deliver her soul for what she had done and would continue to do until the king tired of her.
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Max looked at her, sipping at his wine then placing the half empty glass on the table. "Of course I think you my true love. I've never had a mistress for longer than two months, and I have had you for two years," he mused then kissed her, drawing the wine away. "And it doesn't matter what she wants, once I marry her. Her duties will be to give me sons. And that's all she'll be good for. She looks agreeable and she has experience. Could you imagine me dealing with some crying virgin in bed. I'll take my chances with a woman of good breeding that comes from good family. I would marry you my dear, but, society deems I take a lady to wife...not a singer...A shame," he mused seductively as he drew her closer. "I could understand if you want to stop our affair, but I do not, regardless of what duty deems of me..." he mused as he drew her under him and kissed her.
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Jerome looked at him and frowned. "Madame LeRoque is not my mistress, only a friend. I can't have female friends?" he asked as he stood waiting. It was morning and he was off of his night shift at the guardhouse. He was still good for a breakfast and he intended to spend it with Valerie. "Come now E'Toile...you must know me better than that. I never make mistress with friends." He smiled and then looked toward the door as it opened and out came Valerie and Airenne, both of them dressed and ready for the day.
"Ah Monsieur. Right on schedule," Arienne said with a smile in Lucien's direction then she looked at Jerome and curtseid. "And Monsieur Jerome," she greeted. "Take good care of my friend...I'll see you this afternoon Valerie," she promised then took Lucien's arm to go with him to breakfast.
"So Lucien," she began as they walked. "I was hoping we could go out for a ride...it has been ages since I went out and it would be nice to see the streets of Paris for I have not been out of the palace walls in near on a month," she said hopefully. "And I'm sure you are tired of seeing the inside of the palace," she smiled brightly. "Can we? Please Lucien. I am feeling the walls closing in on me. I need a day out and not just a walk through perfectly cultivated gardens..."
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Jerome looked at Valerie. "How about you and I spend the morning together?" he suggested, offering his arm. "Breakfast, perhaps a game of cards, since Lucien has seen to the care of your lady for this morning. Sound good?" he asked hopefully
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 6, 2012 20:34:34 GMT -5
He did not know how safe the streets of Paris would be for a lady of her breeding but thought that it should not be a problem if they went to one of the parks and upscale neighbours by carriage or even horseback. Knowing this feisty young woman, she would want to ride bare back with her hair loose. However, the sun was warm and it was a rather lovely day. "I suppose that there will be no harm if you are feeling like a caged bird in the palace." He said with a light tease, something that he found that he only did with this young lady.
He did get to see outside the palace on the days that he was not guarding the King's mistress. "Shall we go by carriage or horseback, Milady?" He asked knowing that they would have to get two horses from the King's stables. He was surprised that the King had yet to give her a prized mare since he did give most of his mistresses these sorts of gifts.
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An hour later, they were riding down one of the main streets towards the 'Place du Carrousel' where there was a large public square. He thought to show her the appropriate areas in Paris... and perhaps Notre Dame as well. "Do be careful, Milady." He said to her, his hand was on his sword as they continued down the way. He did know that there was some sort of public festival because of the summer for the next week. Dropping down from his horse, he said to Mlle. Renault. "Shall we put the horses in a stable and see what they have to offer, Milady?" He said seriously hoping that she would atleast have some fun. There was a number of others from the nobility there as well mixed with the common folk. Of course, one had to watch out for gypsies and theives in such a setting.
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"Are you asking me out on a date, Monsieur?" Valerie laughed as she said this thinking that it would be a good idea to have breakfast with the musketeer as she took his arm. Of course, she did not realize that the term 'date' had not really been used before. There was courtly love but she did not know anything about that. "You are not too tired because of your late night?" She asked him curiously as she felt her stomach grumble a little but not loud enough for him to hear.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 6, 2012 20:52:16 GMT -5
Having never truly seen the city of Paris except out of a carriage window, the horseback ride proved interesting. Smiled, slipping off her horse with his help into the crowd and by his side. "Oh I would greatly enjoy to sight see." she looked at him beaming, raking his arm and letting him lead herbs bout.bit was magnificent. Warned about thieves, she had taken her money, placing bit in a leather pouch that was attached to cord that was around her neck. A precaution to keep from being ribbed. As they walked, her eyes were filled with the look of different shops, bakeries, tailors and other things. Her small country town was definitely not quite so grand as this. As they walked, she soon saw Notre Dame and eagerly, she walked with him to the majestic and baroque building with it's gargoyle statues and a monument to the virgin sitting in the front. She slowly approached it and sighed. "It is truly a beautiful building," she said thoughtfully then turned er attention back to Lucien. "Rhank you for taking me out this morning," she said gratefully.
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Jerome smirked. "I did not rise until five yesterday evening. I am hardly tired," he said, guessing it was only eight or nine I. The morning, he wasn't sure. He led he down to breakfast and started to enjoy his meal. "I do wish we could spend more time together. I do enjoy your company. Perhaps more than any other woman I have met. You sometimes spout strange phrases, but I admit they intrigue me. Tell me...what exactly is a date, besides a fruit?" he asked her curiously.
He drank some fresh buttermilk, cutting into some fresh sausage and buttered bread, looking at her with a curious expression.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 6, 2012 23:40:01 GMT -5
"You are welcome, Milady." Lucien said as they were in the old cathedral that had been completed over three hundred years before. It was a beautiful building as he looked to the stain glass windows depicting the stories of the bible. He was not a religious man but he could respect the beauty and the work that went behind all of this. "Perhaps, we can go and get a fresh roll from the bakery?" He suggested not looking quite as stern as he usually did when he was going about. Glancing at her, he saw the look of wonder in her eyes at all that she was seeing. He could not help but grin as she was asking like a simple country girl.
"A month at court and yet, you do not act like the other ladies when they see something new and exciting." He said to her thinking of the other ladies of the court and how they would act so proper. Naturally, they would tease Mlle. Renault for her childlike ways but he found it rather charming as he led her out of the large building to the sun outside. "Do you have a shade... do not want to be freckled..." Lucien said.
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"Ah, a date..." Valerie said as she looked to the amount of breakfast food for the servants and thought. "Well, it is not a fruit. In New France, I suppose it is a way of courtship... but not so serious." She frowned to herself not wanting to assume anything since it was silly to do so. "It is going to a place like, to the park with someone that you find interesting to talk to them." The young woman smiled knowing she was going to have to keep her guard up with some of the things that she said to anyone and everyone.
She smiled at him as she ate some bread with butter and some fruit for her breakfast since her bodice was feeling tight these days. The food was so rich sometimes. "I do enjoy your company as well, Monsieur... I am curious about what part of France you are from... Mlle. Renault said that you have been friends with her family for a number of years... Did you live close?"
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 7, 2012 14:34:43 GMT -5
"I grew up playing stick fighting with my brothers and never worried about freckling then. I'll be completely fine without it," she promised then gave him a smile before walking with him to a baker's shop to get a sweet roll. She glanced back at the medieval church and then took his arm and walked with him. They got a sweet roll from the nearest Bakery and she walked with him slowly down the cobblestone street, admiring the sites as they walked.
"And you're right. A month at court and I act just as I always have. It's to stuffy for me. I like my space. I was born and raised in a country setting. I rode a horse every day, I didn't worry about what spoon to use when I got my soup, All I worried about, was my sister Margie..." She sighed and thought of her sister who was so ill. She wanted to return home and was close to asking her king if she could visit. She swallowed and looked down. "I received a letter last night from my brother...Armande. She is not doing so well. I am going to ask the King if I can leave court in order to go see her. Even though she is older by two years, it's always been me that really and truly took care of her and protected her....She has always been sickly. I hope his majesty will do so for the sake of my sanity. I plan to ask him when next I see him. Tonight I am thinking..." she said simply, glancing at Lucien.
"If I go, will you leave court and go with me, as a guardian?" she asked him as they walked and she turned, eating a little bit of her sweet roll slowly.
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"Interesting," he said though he only mildly followed. He ignored it and thought for a moment of his home town. "Le Havre..." he mused thoughtfully. "It is where Mlle. Renault's father is Duke. it is right on the coast, at the channel that you can cross to Britain. A week of travel from here. I lived only three miles from the Duke's home. My father was a minor lord. Nothing of consequence. I met Jacques and Henri, and we were friends from ten onward. She was a small thing when I first met her. She is only eighteen now. Her sister was always curled up in the house and that was where she spent most of her time. it was only in the late afternoon that she ventured out and enjoyed herself like a little tomboy. Her father was always to busy drinking..." he shook his head. "I dont like her being the king's mistress either. She would of never agreed to it. Her father did something for her to accept her lot. This was a girl who once upon a time wanted to be a nun," he chuckled then sighed.
"What about you? Tell me more about you. Formerly married, from New France...what do you like to do in your spare time? Perhaps the theater? Or do they not have theater in the New France?" he teased her.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 7, 2012 16:08:57 GMT -5
"If you are asking the King so that you may go see your sister, I do not see why I would not go being that I am your guardian." He said to her as he could see the worry in her eyes. "Do not fear, I am sure that your sister is quite alright." He smiled trying to comfort her as he was eating his own sweet roll. The bakery really did make some of the best that he had had in quite some time as he walked with her. "His Majesty should not have a problem since this is a serious matter." And she was his mistress, the King was kind to the ladies who shared his bed and apparently, she was pleasing for him.
Of course, there was some jealousy in thinking that his King was with this young woman. Perhaps, he knew as Lucien did how charming Mlle. Renault was. He had gotten to know her being her guardian and he could see a sadness in her that she did not belong in court. He could see it as she spoke about it. She had been a tomboy with brothers, being with the snobs of the French court simply did not suit her. "Do you fear that he will deny your honest request?" He asked her as they stopped to see the people in costumes and the gypsies dancing for copper coins. He did not trust gypsies having been robbed once before.
"Is there other things that you wish to see, Milady?" He asked as he walked with the pretty young lady.
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It seemed that she was going to go about weaving tall tales about her life in New France as she thought of her history classes from Grade seven and eight. This was before the fighting on the Plains of Abraham. "Not really, they have not quite established those. There are private performances in small communities but nothing as rich as the theatres in France, I am sure." She smiled. "I can not help but think that you are teasing me, Monsieur." Valerie tilted her head slightly as she was watching him. "Apparently, I take to the bottle as well. Although, I can tell you that I have not been intoxicated at all in the last month."
Val was teasing right back knowing how to play this game. "She thought of what she did in her spare time knowing that driving in her car, traveling, going to college and most of the things in modern society could not be talked about. "Well, I suppose I like to have an air of mystery around me, Monsieur." She said as she continued to eat. "What made you become a musketeer?"
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 7, 2012 16:54:44 GMT -5
"Nothing really..." she admitted. "It's just nice to be out here and walking," she mused thoughtfully. Looking at the passing buildings and people, she paused for a moment to watch the gypsie's dancing then reached in her pocket for the change from the bakery and tossed it in the hat of the woman sitting by it and smiled before walking with him, away from the dancing and into the crowd. "I'll speak with his majesty tonight on the subject and hope for the best," she mused thoughtfully and smiled, giving his arm a squeeze.
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"I suppose it was the fact that when my father died, we had no money to speak of, and with only a little bit of property, I had to make my way somehow. So I came to Paris, trained, and soon found myself as a part of the famous guard. I've risen high in the ranks. I'm nearly a captain with all of my prestige." He chuckled. "But it's a life I'm good with. One day, I would like a wife and children, but I can't have them...not with my income..." he mused then shrugged. "Come...let's go to the gardens for a bit, before I fall asleep on my feet." He grinned.
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It was not to far into the evening. Dinner was over, and Arienne had once again, found herself sharing her bed with the King. She sighed as sat up. Running her fingers through her hair. Around her neck was a new necklace. He had wanted her to wear it while he had made love to her. He was an expert lover. She gave him. that. He sometimes coaxed the passion out of her but it was by no means a measure of incredibility. Sighing, she ran her fingers through her hair, letting it fall down her back, feeling the hands of her king on her naked back. She glanced at him and then looked away.
"Your majesty," she began. "I was wondering if I could be allowed to leave court. My older sister has fallen ill again, and I need to go and see her. I might be gone for a long while...at least a month there, and it is a week's travel. She is my only sister...and from what my brother has written, she is rather ill..." She trailed off. "I know it would be hard to part with me majesty, but I must see her..." She trailed off and looked at the man who was her lover. She respected him greatly. There was no mistake about that. He was a good man, but he did have a tendency to be spoilt and get what he wanted. She was proof enough of that. Hopefully, if he allowed her to leave, he would set his sights on another woman more willing and more experienced. As the adage went, out of sight meant out of mind.
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Lucien was off for the night and had once again, sought out the woman he was coming to enjoy as more than a friend. He was walking with her through an empty corridor,and with no shift tonight, he was free to do as he pleased. He glanced at her. "I have to ask you something Madame...did you love your husband?" he asked curiously. Admiring her beauty. Knowing that her lady had spoken to her about possibly leaving and that she would be going away. A month and a half at the least. He couldn't stand the idea of being away from her that long. He was considering asking to act as a second guard so that he might go with Valerie and Arienne to the place of his birth. He had not taken leave in a while and imagined his captain would allow him to take a leave of absence.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 7, 2012 17:28:28 GMT -5
Having been the King to France since he was but a child, Louis tended to get almost everything that he wished as he had finished loving his newest and prettiest mistress for the time. Glancing up at her as she was playing with her long blonde hair, he could not help but smile at her. She was much more slim then his wife was... he did adore his Queen but once she had gained weight... he did not find her as beautiful as she had once been in their first year of marriage. "Ah, you wish to leave the court..." He said in a playful teasing way as he reached to touch her long hair, adoring the colour of honey as he lifted himself up to pour them a glass of the best aged wine. Handing her the glass, he knew that his mistress would be gone for sometime. "Your sister has always been quite sickly as I have heard. You must be close to her." He mentioned having one sibling of his own. A younger brother with whom he had grown up with.
"I will allow you to go to your home to see this sister of yours in hopes that she is doing well, ma cherie." He touched her face as he kissed her. "However, I wish you to return to Paris for I shall miss you." He did have a few things in common with this mistress. Both of them had a love for horses amongst a few other things. "I shall send your guardian as well as a few of the guards to accompany you so that you may return safely to court within a month or so, no?" He asked as he sipped at his wine, his fingers ringing around her soft blonde curls.
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She did not know how she was going to get back home if she was to go with her mistress to the country as she was waiting since milady was currently with the King himself. As for Monsieur Jerome, as handsome and dashing as he was, he seemed to ask a number of questions about her. Well, she found that she liked his company because he was so kind to her but, she wondered if he was watching her because he did not trust her? As she was walking with him, she glanced at him with surprise as she knew that she had not loved Pierre. Well, she had thought that she had but they had broken up for a reason.
"I thought that I had..." She spoken with sincerity as she frowned. "However, I found that he was being unfaithful to me and then his passing... well, I was not as heartbroken as a widow might have been." Valerie liked when she spoke the truth as she chewed on her bottom lip. "The land of New France is quite wild, and the natives some of them are friendly with the furtraders but others are not quite as friendly." She stopped in the hallway as she looked up at one of the paintings remembering that she had see the same one in the Lourve some four hundred years before.
Looking back at him, she wondered what it would be like if she suddenly pushed him against the wall and kissed him. Something that would be stupid for a 'lady' to do in this time as she smiled more to herself as he was watching her with a curious look. "There are so many rules in court... is there not?" She asked.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 8, 2012 12:00:37 GMT -5
She took a sip of her wine and smiled. "Thank you your majesty," she said gratefully, then kissed him gently before drawing back, taking another sip of her wine. She smiled then laid down and sat the wine back on the table. "I was worried about asking you," she admitted. "Thank you...your majesty," she said again then laid down and sighed, turning onto her side. At least she would be getting away from court for a while. All she could do, was hope that all went well and that she did not have to worry about being his mistress when she returned.
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"Many," he agreed then paused. He couldn't help himself, he had to taste her. Pressing her against the nearest wall, he kissed her slowly. Savoring the taste of her lips, the feel of her pressed against him. After a moment, he drew away. "Your husband, was an idiot," he told her then smiled brightly.
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The house came into view a week later and she doubted she was ever so glad to see it. Arienne came out of the carriage when they arrived, ignoring her guards and then rushing up to her sister's room, finding Margie looking so pale and fragile. She was a beautiful woman of twenty, never married, and had rarely ever left the confines of her room given her health. Arienne paused and slowly shut the door, approaching her sister and gingerly sinking onto the edge of the bed.
She took her sister's hand and smiled, kissing her knuckles. "Hello my sister..." she whispered to her, watching her put her book down. "I came as soon as I could. Armande said you were feeling better today," she said, squeezing her sister's hand.
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Jerome was glad to be through with travel. The Duke was away in another house and his eldest Armande was over the house here. Henri and Jacques were also in residence. Apparently, the oldest sister's health came second to whatever agenda they had. He glanced at Lucien, helping Valerie from the carriage then watching as Armande showed Arienne's guard to their quarters.
Jacques came from the house. Like his sister Arienne, he had the same blonde hair as their father and blue eyes. He was twenty two, closest to both of his sisters than his older brothers and their surrogate protector.
He took a deep breath and smiled as Jacques approached and gave him a hug before drawing back. "Good to see you Jerome. Wearing the blue and red I see," he said and chuckled.
"Of course...how is Margie doing?" he asked.
"Better. But the doctors are saying this bout of sickness is unlike the rest...it isn't looking good..." He sighed. Turning to Lucien. "Her personal guard?" he asked, having met Lucien a time or two before but they were only acquaintences.
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