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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 10, 2012 21:55:18 GMT -5
Watching as she left his room, Lucien could only wish that they could shared the bed for a bit longer as he sighed knowing that he could get a few more hours of rest before he would have to fetch his lady love before breakfast. He knew that he would try to find a way of asking for her hand in marriage, being that he was her guardian. It could look suspicious because of their close relationship. Never the less, he would think on it more in the coming days.
---
Trying to bat his hand away as she moaned quietly, Val did not want to get up just yet as she was pressed up against a warm body. Something that she had not felt in sometime since she had broken up with her exboyfriend before her trip to Paris. Well, there had been the one night stand but that had been forgotten... where this night... well, despite having to ask if he had condoms or something, which she had learnt were sheep's intestines. "Oh, do I have to get up..." She murmured to herself as she lifted up slightly and glanced at her lover for the evening with a little lazy smirk.
"You are grinning like the Cheshire Cat..." Valerie pointed out as she remembered that had not been written for another two hundred years. "I mean to say that you look satisfied, Jerome..." She said quietly as her hair hung in waves around her. She supposed that they were lovers which meant that this was not just a one night stand but it was not quite dating. Well, she supposed that people did not date in this time. "Good, looks like I did my job properly." She teased as she leaned in to taste his lips before drawing back the bed clothes so she could dress herself. Looking over her shoulder, Val was not shy as she was using this room to tidy herself up.
"Are you going to lounge here, Monsieur?" She asked him as she was pinning up her hair before giving her face a wash. Being a lady's maid, she was to wake up her mistress and help her dress among other things.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 14, 2012 12:57:00 GMT -5
"Why not?" Jerome teased. " After all, I got a morvelous display of arse and breasts. If I died now mon chere, I would die happy," he traced laughingly and then got up, slipping on some breeches and then walking around to her and kissing her neck and subtly ran his hands down her breasts and stopped t her hips. "Mmm...I will see you later today," he promised then let her go.
-----
"it's so good to see you out Margie," Arienne said some time later as they stood on the sands of the beach, looking over the channel that separated their country from Britain. She sighed and adjusted her skirts then looked at her sister who was sitting on a couch like piece of furniture that allowed her to recline and not sit straight but also kept her out of the sand. Arienne had forgone propriety for the sake of comfort and had her hair loose and was wearing a simple white dress with a single thin petticoat underneath. She looked more like a peasant rather than an actual lady. Her sister laughed softly
"I am just glad I get to do so," she said as she te some dried blue berries then sat up some. Watching the men of their family as well as Jerome and Lucien move along the beach. She sighed and looked at them glanced t Valerie and smiled before returning her gaze to her sister. "I see how, you have been looking at. Monsieur Lucien all of this morning," Margie teased causing Arienne to blush.
"What makes you think I have been staring at him?" he inquired as she took a seat by her, her gazebo used solely on her older sister. Wishing she had not given so much away, but then again, her sister knowing that she had a crush in Lucien wouldn't do any harm. Even though it was far more than a crush. Her sister smiled, having a small coughing fit before speaking.
"Everytime you look at him, you get to looking at him, you have this expression of forlorn lovesickness. I am curious, why he is here. Did the king appoint him as a guard?" she asked curiously. Ari sighed.
"Oui...for my safety. The king has a fondness for me I suppose. He is a good man.." and she was forsaking his goodness by sleeping with Lucien. However, she loved Lucien and hoped that they could marry upon return to Paris.
Margie smiled. "How long have you two been friends Valerie?" she asked, like her sister, forsaking propriety.
-----
Jacques looked to Lucien. "I want to thank you for looking after my sister Monsieur," he said. "Arienne is such a vulnerable country girl, that at least she has one man that is protecting her where myself and her other brothers have failed her..." he said then took a deep breath, looking at both of his sisters and that lady's maid. "Does the king treat her well?" he asked, seeing her laughing and smiling with her sister and lady's maid. No longer the little girl for she had lost her childlike innocence. It was replaced with reality.
The king,as good a king as he was, was a man who was used to getting his own way. And he only hoped his sister did not fall for the cad.and that if and when she married, it would be for love. It was the least the king owed her.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 14, 2012 18:12:39 GMT -5
It was nice that they were being so informal with her as Valerie looked up with a smile, enjoying being there on the beach as she looked to the young lady with the coughing fits. She did look as if she was sick and it was that moment when she was happy that she received her TB shot as a child despite it having hurt like a son of a bitch. "Not too long, I have only been lady's maid to Mlle. Arienne since her arrival in court." She mentioned knowing the story that the older sister did not know a thing about her sister being the mistress to the King. "I was hired when M. Chevalier helped me require a job. I was a maid to the governer of New France." She mentioned as she was preparing lemonade for both of the sisters to feel refreshed on such a warm summer day.
Glancing towards the beach, she could see Jerome as she looked back down before the two of them could question her about that. It was not something that she wanted to discuss despite thinking that he was an excellent lover. "I enjoy working for your younger sister, although... I sometimes have to remember the customs of the French court as a hand maiden." Val laughed since there had been a few times that she had done or said things that could be questionable. "Since the rules of New France are different in some ways... Would you like some Lemonade?" She asked as she finished with the preparing, leaving some for their brothers as well as M. E'toile and Jerome.
It was then that she looked behind her and saw the English doctor coming towards them from the manor, Valerie looked to Margie. "Is that not the doctor?" She mentioned as she pointed to over her shoulders.
Robert had finished his work in the village and decided to come and check on one of his patients. "Good Afternoon..." He said before bowing to the two french ladies and their lady's maid.
---
If only the man knew just how well he had been taking care of his sister, then he would not be quite so thankful as Lucien nodded. "The King treats her quite well, she has been said to become a favorite of his." He said simply not letting on much more. "That is why she was allowed to visit her dear sister because he favours her." They were walking along the beach as he glanced to his charge as well as lover, she was looking quite beautiful in her simple attire. She did look like a simple country girl but he did not think she was quite so vulnerable as her older brother thought of her.
"You should give her more respect for the sort of position that she is in... the King is a fickle man and despite what you might think of her, she really is a remarkable young lady." Lucien said in her defence as he continued on.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 18, 2012 0:28:56 GMT -5
Arienne sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. The king had taken a new mistress and that left her worry free. She had stayed on longer than she had planned I the country but it had been for the best as her sister's health had improved greatly over her visit. She had even come to find herself pregnant by Lucien. And she had all intentions of doing so after dinner tonight. Of course, she had to speak to his brother. Maximilian had offered for her hand and she meant to decline the offer to him personally. She was just finishing getting ready when she heard her maid saying that Maximilian was there to speak with her. She sighed and kept the bedroom, entering the antechamber and curtseying to the man as he bowed.
"Mademoiselle Renault," he greeted calmly, staring a,most to the point of leering that it made her greatly uncomfortable.
"Monsieur E'Toile. I was going to speak with you...about your asking the king for my hand," she said. He smiled.
"Oui...he has expressed his permission," Max mused, "And glad I am for it...I have even come to give you an engagement present." as he reached for a velvet box, she stopped him.
"Please Monsieur, do not trouble yourself, I...Well as humbled as I am and honored at your request for marriage, I am afraid that I have to decline. I...wish to marry another, for the sake of love," she told him, trying to remain calm.
Slowly, he paused in his task and then sat the velvet box on the nearest table. She approached him slowly. "You are rejecting me?" he asked, his voice low and cold. She swallowed.
"Monsieur...I mean you know disrespect, I only wish to marry someone I love and though he is not so rich, I would be happy with him. I ask you desperately, to erase this connection between us so that I might-"
Before she could even finish, she found herself being slapped and shard, it flung her back onto the nearby settee. She gasped, looking at him horrified.
"You dare deny me. You are nothing but the king's whore. Most men would not dare get a wife who has already been so thoroughly soiled. This is about Lucien isn't it? That bastard has no title and little fortune yet you seek him as your husband...?" he growled, causing her to shirk back.
"Monsieur..I meant no disrespect to you but I love him and I wish to be with him.." she said, gasping when he took her by the shoulders, shaking her till her teeth rattled.
"You bitch...I swear I will cut his throat. You are my bride intended, and if you ever so much as think you will marry him over me, you are sadly mistaken. You will tell him that you are marrying me whore or I will see to it that he is cut from naval to nose. That the king ha gs him for touching you, the King will believe me if I say that you spread your legs for him while still pleasuring the king. It is treason. I have the power to kill him and I will if you do not consent to marrying me. Do you understand?" he growled.
Arienne was sobbing at this point but slowly looked at him. Knowing he was speaking the truth. "Yes," she whispered.
"You tell him tonight...understood?" he growled.
"Y-yes," she said brokenly, righting herself as he stepped away and then tossed the jewels in her lap. She covered her dace slowly, sobbing as he stormed from the room.
-----
"Valerie..." Arienne whispered softly as her friend and lady's maid slowly worked on concealing the forming bruise on her cheek. "What am I going to do. I don't want Lucien dead...even if I went to the king...he would be angry with Lucien for having my love...and there would be a question of his loyalty, and...oh god Val...I am with Lucien's child. And I cannot tell him. Maximilian would kill him...and if he ever learns I am carrying his brother's child, he will probably kill the babe before it has time to draw breath after it's birth. I am in such mess..." she whispered, tears in her eyes.
-----
Jerome looked at Lucien. "A ring. You intend to ask her for her hand in marriage?" he asked as he finished dressing for the evening. He had already considered asking Valerie but it would wait. The two had been having a liaison for near on two months now. One of the longest relationships he had ever had, and yet he craved her more with each coupling, wanted her far more, dreamt of her...
He sighed. "Once he saved up more money, he did intend to ask for Valerie's hand in marriage, with the hope that she would accept him.
-----
Margie sighed happily as she walked with Dr. Blackwell outside. She was able to breathe easier, and could walk around the house for at least three hours a day all together, with small breaks and limited activity of course. Her cough was not near so terrible, and she was happy. Completely, and totally happy. "I must thank you Monsieur. I am nearly back to perfect health thanks to your care. You are a miracle worker. Just two months ago, I was at death's door, and now I am outside walking...I do so love it out here," she said gladly.
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 18, 2012 17:58:20 GMT -5
Using the make up that did not put sores on the face because of the lead, Valerie was looking very concerned since she had been in the other room when the Nobleman had slapped her so brutally. "That man... he's a bastard." She said seriously deciding not to hold anything back as she told her friend. "You need to tell Lucien the truth... you need to tell him about your child. He will figure something out, as well as the King... will he not have sympathy for this situation if you correct it by saying that although you fell in love with him during the time that you were his mistress, you did not do anything until after you were dismissed?" She asked. "It could not hurt..." Taking her friend and mistress' hand, she patted it before sighing.
"You need to do this for your child... perhaps, you can elope and go to Switzerland or Perhaps Italy?" Valerie did not like seeing the young lady crying after all of the things that she had been through. She should be able to have some happiness in her life do to the fact that she had to be dutiful before. Lifting the sponge to Arienne's cheek with a gentle touch, she spread the cream onto her face to cover the bruise. Her skills as a lady's maid had improved and she was doing so well that other's commented on her lady's lovely appearance.
She thought about telling her lover to ask for his advice since he was close to the family but she wondered if he would say anything to her lady's love since they worked together and were apparently rivals. Not that Jerome minded but it seemed that it was more one sided on Monsieur Lucien's side. "After all, it is his child... he should know of it. Please... for your happiness and his... do not bend to the idiot nobleman's will. You were be so unhappy."
---
"I do..." Lucien said simply as he was dressed and ready for his patrol. He would be able to drop by to see the love of his life as he looked down at the ring that he had used with the allowance and amount that he had been given by his father before the man had died. It had not been much money and so, he would have to continue working as a musketeer but with the plot of land and this ring, he knew that he would make Arienne the happiest woman. It was rare but, he was not bitter or upset. Others had even noticed his more chipper outlook on life.
In a strange way, it was as if life was just beginning for him. Or rather, a better life... that would include Arienne.
---
The good doctor was walking with his patient as he was quite happy to see that she was improving with the medicine that he had been giving her. Of course, she was not telling her brothers of some of the pills that he got her to swallow sometimes but that was because in a sense... it was a miracle to people in this time. The miracle of modern medicine. "There is no thanks needed, Mlle. I am happy to see that you are doing so well... and we will need to continue on this path to recovery but you will need to take care of yourself." He said quite seriously since she did have a weak immune system but there were ways of boosting it.
"The sunlight and the breeze of the ocean is refreshing to anyone, to keep someone in a house with nowhere to go. That makes people depressed and so, they will not recover as well." Robert said thinking that Margie was looking beautiful and healthy. She had even put on a little weight which he was happy to see since she looked chipper and pink cheeked.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 18, 2012 18:38:15 GMT -5
Arienne shook her head. "You don't understand Val. It's different here than what it is in New France I suppose. A rumor is almost akin to the truth if it is spread to wide. It would be a betrayal to the king if I so much as thought of another man while sharing a bed with him and then what would happen but that I would be jailed because I was pregnant, and Lucien sent to the gallows. And after my child was born I would be hung as well..." she trailed off and swallowed hard then took a deep breath. "If Monsieur E'Toile goes to the king, his voice will be heard over Lucien's. Only because Lucien's brother is now a Duke and high in the king's favor, and Lucien is only a musketeer and second son...The hierarchy deems that the advantage goes to Lucien's brother. I have...no choice Valerie..." she said then looked at her with tears in her eyes, trying hard to blink them away.
"Happiness does not matter. And I am set to marry him anyway. Not by my consent of course, but because he requires a wife and the king favors him. So of course I will go to the highest bidder in terms of husbands. Love hardly ever plays a part in the marriages of the elite. It's useless Valerie...there is no way out...if only I had a choice in all this, but I don't. And as good as the king is, he won't be taking my side in this. We women have no say in our futures. It is only ever ruled by men. My father ruled me first, the king second and now he is putting me under the rulings of a man so awful I can't bear the thought of taking him as my husband. But if I do not, then Lucien dies or get's hurt. I'd rather suffer and live with him then see him hurt..." she murmured then swallowed and looked down.
"I have to break his heart to keep him safe from his brother," she murmured softly. "And the king is going to announce the engagement tonight. I doubt I could get an audience with him before evening meal..." she said simply then stood and shoo her head, running her fingers through her loose hair. "I have no choice...but...Valerie...I will definitely need a friend marrying that foul man. Will you come with me and stay on with me?" she asked taking the older woman's hands and looking at her pleadingly.
-----
Jerome smiled. "I am sure she will be pleased," he mused thoughtfully. "She has had nothing but eyes for you...ever since we all went to the country," he mused with a chuckle then clapped the man on the shoulder. "I am quite certain, that she will say yes Lucien," he said with a smirk.
----
Margie smiled softly. "I do take care of myself," she said primly. "I've been eating more vegetables and fruits than meats, and I'm resting often..." She sighed. "And I love being outside, it does make me so very happy. If I had any sort of money and land I would gift it to you Doctor for making me feel so well. I have not felt so free for as long as I can remember..." she admitted then smiled. "Are you going to be leaving once I'm back to full health?" she asked with a sigh. "i would miss your company so very much..."
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 18, 2012 19:29:40 GMT -5
There was that moment when she thought of her other life and those who she cared about there and yet, she cared for those in this strange new life that she had built with some help over the last three months before slowly nodding. "Of course, Arienne..." Valerie said softly feeling terrible that such a man would be allowed to do this to such a good person. Her child, would she pass it on as the Duke's when he wed her. "Of course, I will... I just wish that I could do so much more..." She said softly as she squeezed her friend's hands. All she could really do was give a sympathic smile because once again, this young lady was giving up her own happiness for someone else and Valerie thought that it was quite a noble thing to do.
She thought that it was a terrible state of affairs when that foul man could blackmail her into becoming his wife so that both herself and her lover would be able to go on. "You will have to break his heart and not tell him of the child..." She said softly as she pulled Ari into a hug. "I am so sorry but I will stay on as your lady's maid, milady..." Speaking with sincerity as she looked up as wiped one of the tears from her own eyes.
---
Lucien smiled looking quite proud of myself as he nodded. "I think that she will as well, my friend." Clapping Jerome on the shoulder, he left to go visit with his lover and soon to be wife. The ring was in his pocket as he whistled a merry little tune. Arriving at her chambers, he was to escort her for the evening's events. His gloved hand knocked on the door as he could hear the scrambling of skirts and he grinned hoping that they could have a little time alone after he asked and gave the ring to her. The idea of nibbling on her sweet neck and kiss her pink lips...
The door opened to reveal her lady's maid and the woman that he was certain that Jerome was sleeping with but the man was far too secretive to be telling Lucien of such things. "Evening, is Lady Arienne available?" He asked as Valerie nodded before curtising. She left the room so that he could be alone with Arienne as he went over to where she was sitting. "Ah, you are looking quite beautiful this evening..." He said as he reached to pull her to him and yet, she pushed him away. This confused him as an eyebrow rose... "What is it, Arienne?" He asked.
---
The Doctor would miss her company as well but he was an Englishman in another time in which he did not belong and she was a very beautiful daughter of a Duke. Despite her being ill with a weak immune system, if she cared for herself then she could live a long life and perhaps even have children. "You do not have to give me anything, milady." He said with a smile, her brothers had paid him quite well for his services in bringing their sister to a place where she was healthy.
"I suppose that I will need to leave to go where I am needed." Robert said to her as he patted her arms, which was through his own. "After all, I am sure there are other beautiful young ladies as well as children, women and men who are in need of a quack of a doctor." He said with a smile teasing her. "And it is my duty to help them..."
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 18, 2012 20:17:31 GMT -5
Arienne was glad she had at least one friend. Because what she had to do would kill her inside. At least, she would have a small part of her love. And she would pass this child in her belly off as her soon to be husbands. Because it was all she could do.
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She was already dressed well and ready for the night when she heard the door and took a deep breath before pushing him away then standing slowly. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat and then looked at him, trying to look as cold as she could. Though it was hard.
"Lucien...I...I am ending our affair...I don't love you...and...the whole lovers thing, the crying at my father's home, it was all a ploy to see how far I could take it. A bet between your brother, and myself...I don't love you Lucien. I never have. I was just using you. After all, I needed someone to fill my bed while I was absent of the king," she said, her words coming off so coldly, she was surprised she could do so well acting. She wanted so badly to cry and collapse but she had to think of his safety. That was all that mattered. And if it meant making him hate her, then she would do it.
She had shared the king's bed to save her sister, and now she would marry a man she loathed to save the man she loved. Even if it killed her inside.
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She sighed and paused, looking at him. "I wish I could travel with you. I've never left this place...I wanted to go to court, but Arienne got to experience it. I've always had to live vicariously through others..." She sighed and looked at him, lifting her hand and stroking his cheek, looking at him longingly. "Whatever woman takes your heart, Doctor, I shall be jealous of her," she whispered softly then blushed and looked down. "And you are one who will do well to help those that need it. Though part of me selfishly wants to ask you to stay with me." She sighed and looked down.
"I think I'm destined to a life of spinsterhood. I'm already old in the eyes of the court. And no man will have a sickly wife...one who has more than once gotten so ill that she has had last rites. Perhaps if you write me, I can live vicariously through you Dr. Blackwell..."
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Post by anjelrocker on Jan 18, 2012 21:20:10 GMT -5
Disgusted by her, Lucien took a step away from her as he stared with a look of utter and complete disbelief. She was ending their affair on the night that he had planned on asking for her hand in marriage. Shaking his head, he said. "You can not be serious..." However, the cold dark look in her eyes was like nothing that he had ever seen before as his eyes narrowed. "You are completely serious..." And he was a fool for having believed her, that she could possibly have been in love with him and yet, she was simply an actress who wanted nothing more than to climb the social ladder. It had seemed that court had tainted the woman that he had thought he was in love with as his heart seemed to turn to ice and he looked away. "Who knew that you were nothing but a whore..."
His voice was low and his eyes were hooded as he wanted to hurt her as much as she was hurting him with her cruel words. "A disgusting whore who is no better than the ones on the streets, except instead of surviving, you sell yourself for power and wealth." He shook his head as he took the ring that he would have given her when he asked for her to be his wife as he tossed it at her. "Here, have it... I have no use for it anymore. I hope you enjoy being on your knees and showing off your wide open cunt." He was deeply saddened and so, he was being nasty and spiteful, saying things that only five minutes before that he would never dream of saying.
And yet, his heart was crushed. He would volunteer himself for the front, if he died then he died... and if he did not then he would live. However, for now... apart of his soul had died as he turned from her storming from the room. He did not want to see her or think of her. For once in his life, he had been happy and now that feeling was dead like his love for her.
---
Opening the door, Valerie looked in as she looked concerned after hearing it all and seeing Monsieur E'toile leave the room, slamming the door shut as she was frowning. "Milady?" She saw that Arienne was on the bed crying as she went over and gently touched her shoulder knowing that she would need a friend for that moment. Closing her eyes, she patted her back.
---
It did not help that the wedding between his brother and former lover had been announced which made Lucien drink and drink until he was passed out drunk. He had volunteered himself to the Dutch front and he would go fight in the War.
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"I am sorry that I am late..." Val said as she went towards Jerome with a sad look on her face knowing that she could not tell him of what had happened. Most likely, he had some idea since it was known and obvious that Lucien and Arienne had been lovers. "I missed you..." She smiled as she leaned up to kiss him, however... she would have to end their relationship since she had promised to stay with Lady Arienne. She thought that they could write each other but she did not know how far that would go.
---
He had known that the young lady had had a crush on him, it was in the way that she spoke to him and the way that she looked at him as he watched her blushing. It would be so easy to gently pull her to him and kiss her and yet, he thought of his other life. His wife and child that there beyond the period of time as he touched Margie's hand. "I wish that I could take you with me but, a beautiful woman as yourself deserves more than just a Doctor... As well, I doubt that your brothers will approve."
Sighing, he leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips since no one was around to see them.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Jan 18, 2012 22:42:01 GMT -5
Jerome smiled. "I missed you too," he whispered and then kissed her deeply. "Marry me," he murmured. "I have little to offer you my dear, but I want you and I'll do whatever it takes, to be with you," he swore.
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She kissed him back then looked at him. "My brothers would be happy with me having anyone..." she mused then smiled and kissing him deeply before drawing away. "Then I will hope you write me Doctor Blackwell," she whispered softly. "To at least let me experience what you see through words on a page..." she said then looked at him and kissed him again. "And I hope you can take this kiss with you and remember me by it..." she murmured then kissed him again.
-----
Seven Years Later....
Arienne glanced at her husband's or rather dead husband's solicitor before looking out the window. For seven years, she had been married to a man who had beaten her, raped her, who had flaunted a mistress before her and fired her best friend so that she had had no allies. A man who had seen to it that she was made miserable, and who's mistress had more say than she did in running a household. And she had been the duchess of it. She had two children. Lucia, whom had been Lucien's daughter and who had taken Max as her father, though the sorry bastard had never done anything to bond with her and had in the past year had kept her in a convent far from home. She was just glad that she had her daughter back with her now that he was dead.
And then there was her two year old daughter Christine, who was just now starting to talk and share her opinion. Again, Max had wanted nothing to do with her. A daughter to him, was useless. He needed sons. And he had not gotten any. She was just glad he had died of consumption. For near on six months she had lived a life of peacefulness. Not worrying about him coming to her room, or beating her. He had been to sick. And now he was no longer, her problem.
"The King has written, expressing his condolences for your loss Madame," the man, Monsieur Durant was saying as he went through his papers and legal documents. "And also, has written to inform you that because you are now the dowager, with no male heirs, the title of Duke goes automatically to Lucien E'Toile...as you know, he has recently returned from the front...a captain of the guard...I believe...he was detained on the front at the time of his brother's death."
She swallowed at the name. Something about him coming here made her so scared, but at the same time, she expected it. After all, he was the Duke now. Ad he would probably toss her and both of her children onto the street. He had ever right to do so. And she could hardly blame him. For she had ripped his heart out and stomped on it. If only to keep him safe. Not that it had mattered of course. He had went to the front and from what she had told, barely skipped death by mere chance on several occasions on and off the battlefield.
"He has also asked the pope's permission to grant a dispensation which has been granted and so has arranged for you to marry the new Duke."
Arienne turned. "Beg pardon?" she asked, coming out of her stupor. and looking at him. He handed her the letter and she took it, reading over the words and swallowing hard, sinking down on the settee.
"The king feels uprooting you would be a bad decision and as you have prior companionship with His Grace, such a move is a great political move and also one to ensure the stability of your daughters and yourself," the man said and she felt the paper fall from her hands.
"When-when....is he arriving Monsieur Durant?" she asked.
"By tomorrow if all goes well. Mayhap even this evening," he said. She swallowed and nodded then took a deep breath.
"Merci Monsieur Durant...I think...I need to excuse myself," she said then handed him the letters. "See to it that all is in order...I have to prepare for His Grace's arrival," she said then glanced out the window, seeing the carriage pulling up. It was to late.
-----
Lucia sighed as she sat on the front steps of the house kicking her little feet and then looking up to see the carriage. She had her mother's features except her eyes.. Eyes her mother said she got from her father but she didn't think so. Her father's eyes had always been cruel and scary looking. She watched the carriage pulling up into the courtyard then watched as a tall man that looked much like her father exited it. She glanced at her and her sister Chrissy's nurse and then bit her bottom lip before looking back at the man and slowly stood up, boldly approaching him.
"Are you the new Duke?" she asked curiously, looking at him then hearing her mother's voice. She turned and smiled, running to her mother and hugged her skirts as she paused. Looking up, Lucia saw her mother was looking pale, and frightened. Just as she had when her father had approached her.
"Your Grace," she said and Lucia looked back at the stranger who looked so very much like her father.
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Jerome sighed as he looked at his wife and then at their son as he slept peacefully in his bed. Ever since the Duke had fired her, she had found work with an innkeeper and spent most days playing hostess and kept the money. A man's job but she was so good with numbers the clerk job had been a godsend. He was no longer a musketeer but rather worked as a smithie, and did a rather not job molding steel and making fine swords for the soldiers and musketeers of France. He had a better income now then he ever did as a musketeer and they kept a nice house in Roen.
The problem was, the oldest of their two was sick and stricken to bed most times, and it had caused their marriage to not be as loving and strong as it had been. He sighed, kissing his six year old son on his brow then turned and walked from the room and down to the kitchen where Helene was laying out food. He kissed her cheek.
"I take it Val has not returned yet," he sighed Helene shook his head. "Nay...not yet," she said simply as he took his bowl and wine and took a seat at the kitchen table and began to eat slowly.
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