by T E Elliott
“I hear that you truly mean it. That no more and no less, you find me lovely. And I appreciate that.”
Silence began to fill the room again, so Audric tried to quickly fill it, “Do you miss your family?” Then immediately regretted going to the one topic he had already decided was dangerous territory.
Her eyes moved to her lap, a frown forming on her face, “Yes. It has only been two days, though, so mostly I fear that they are worrying about me.”
“I’m sorry.” He knew it was on account of him that they would worry, and he wished there was something he could do. Communication with the outside world was one area that he couldn’t cross his mother in, but he hoped he could make her see reason and at least send some word to Léa’s family.
Léa looked up at the partition and searched it.
The dining room doors opened, diverting their attention. The servants brought in the first course, but nothing more. Two servants, one being Francine, stayed behind and took their positions against the wall, ready to attend them.
Audric took this opportunity to introduce a new topic, “Did you have a good day, Léa? Did you have everything you needed?”
“I was very comfortable, thank you. I did wonder though, your mother told me I was free to roam the grounds as I wish, with obvious restrictions of course, but I wasn’t sure if there was anything notable in the other rooms on my side of the house. A sitting room or library perhaps.” She didn’t want to sound impertinent, but as much as she loved her two books, she couldn’t imagine having only them to read day in and day out.
“There is a sitting room near the main entryway; Devereux can show you. The rooms on your floor are all guest rooms, I’m afraid, but you may use them as you wish. The library is in between the wings on the second floor.”
Drat, she thought, no chance there.
Audric thought about it, then realized why she was asking, “Do you not have enough to do? Of course. What are your interests, do you have any pastimes?”
“Well, I do like to read. I have two books with me.”
“Only two? My word, that’s not enough. What else? Do you enjoy art or drawing?”
“I’m afraid I haven’t done much since I was a child, but I remember enjoying it at the time.”
“What about music, do you play an instrument?”
“Mm, the harpsichord. I haven’t had the pleasure of playing one since we lived in Paris.”
He smiled at that, but wanted to continue the conversation before he said more.
“Hmm, surely there’s something else.”
“Please don’t go to too much trouble, I’m sure I’ll manage.”
Silence followed.
“Audric?”
“Hm, yes?”
“You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I’m not very good at letting things go once I’ve started thinking about them.”
Francine refilled her glass while the manservant went into the small room to do the same for Audric.
“What about your pastimes, Audric? I understand you enjoy the gardens a great deal.”
Audric was relieved to hear her ask that, Devereux’s words of advice hit their mark. “Yes, I’m very fond of nature and the philosophy of gardening. I’m also fond of reading, and study a great deal. I write as well.”
“What do you study, besides gardening? What sorts of things do you write?”
“I study everything,” he laughed, “mostly the work of the philosophes in the areas of mathematics, astronomy, and botany.” He paused. “I collect things I’ve worked on and information I want to remember by writing them down, but some of what I write about is personal.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“Oh, no, don’t apologize. No one reads what I write because there’s been no one I’ve had to share it with; no one that would care to hear the musings of my heart, anyway.” He chuckled.
“Did you have a tutor to teach you?” she asked as she took another bite.
“No, my father taught me much of what I know, having been educated himself as a nobleman, but he passed unexpectedly several years ago.”
“I’m sorry, that must have been difficult.”
“Indeed, he was more than a teacher, or even a father, he was a companion as well. I credit him with my love of learning. Were you educated, Léa?”
“Yes, Father was particular about educating his daughters as well as his sons, though I’m afraid I didn’t have the pleasure of studying the philosophes and sciences in depth. Perhaps you could teach me more?”
“Certainly, if you wish.”
The main course was eaten in silence. By the end of dessert, Audric cleared his throat, “Léa, before you go, I would like to speak to you about something of a personal nature.”
“Very well.” Léa was now as nervous to hear what this matter was as he was to ask about it.
“Édouard, Francine, you may go.”
“Yes, Monsieur.” They bowed and left the room.
“I…,” he began tentatively, “wish to discuss the details of…our wedding.” His mouth suddenly felt very dry and he quickly took a drink of water.
Léa held her breath, she’d hoped and feared that he would bring that up. Now that he had, her nerves were taking over.
“I just wanted to know,” he continued, “whether you thought it should take place right away, or if perhaps we should wait until…until you knew more about me.”
Searching the screen for a long moment, she finally said, “If you had asked me when I first arrived, I would have said right away, but now, I’m unsure. Won’t you at least tell me why you hide?”
Audric's heartbeat thundered in his ears. “I don’t think I can…not yet,” his words came out choked.
Léa thought of Madame Beaumont’s story about the young prince. She pushed up from her chair and approached the partition. Audric panicked and stumbled from his chair, causing it to clatter to the floor, and bumped the table in the process thereby knocking over the candle and extinguishing it. He pressed as far against the back wall as he could. Léa hesitated when she heard the clatter, then moved forward and placed a hand on the partition. All she could see was a vague shadow, the outline of a man.
“Don’t be afraid, Audric, I cannot see you. I just want you to know that whatever you are—whatever you look like,” she corrected, “that I hope you will come to see I’m not like those in the village who tell stories about you. I will not hurt or fear you.” She slowly lowered her hand. “I’ve given my word to marry you, so whether it is now or later, I will leave the decision to you.” She listened for a moment, then added, “Goodnight, Audric.”
As the dining room door closed behind her, Audric opened the door to the makeshift room and stared after her, hoping against hope that her words were true.
Chapter 9
The next morning as Léa sat in bed enjoying the sumptuous breakfast that Marguerite had brought to her, she heard a thump outside her door. Setting down her croissant, she stepped out of bed and opened the door a crack. In front of her door was a small trunk. She bent down and pulled it into her room, took a quick glance down the hall, and, not seeing anyone, closed her door again. Kneeling down in front of the trunk, she carefully lifted the lid. On the very top was a vibrant pink rose and a note that read, Just a few things to pass the time. She examined the contents and found paper, drawing pencils, ink and pen, several books, embroidery supplies, and a small wooden box. She picked up the intricately etched, red mahogany box. As she opened it, a delightful melody began as a tiny man and woman went around in a figure eight then came together to dance before doing it all again. It was a music box! Her father used to bring ones like it home to her and her sisters. She giggled girlishly remembering how delighted she had been by them, and still was, then tucked the box back into the trunk.
The stack of books was next as she scooped them up and plopped back into bed to look them over. Included were Perrault’s book of
fairy tales, a notebook of intricate pencil drawings, a book of prayers and psalms, Tristan of Thomas d’Angleterre, the Chanson de Roland, and a book of flowers and their meanings. She immediately picked up the book of flowers and flipped through until she found the pink rose, and read, “The pink rose indicates grace and gentleness; an appreciation for the company of another; innocent affection that has not fully bloomed.” She smiled. The rose was still by the trunk, so she stepped out of bed again, picked it up and placed it in the glass of water that sat by her bed.
Lambert and Villeneuve rumbled down the road in a wagon loaded with several chests. The Duchesse had kept her word to compensate Léa’s family, encouraged by her son to be generous. Audric had asked Villeneuve to ride along to let the family know that Léa was well. Apparently he thought it would sound more convincing coming from a woman, rather than the austere Lambert.
As they arrived at the humble cottage, they found that no one was home except the two sisters. The younger of the two ushered Villeneuve into the sitting room while Lambert waited with the cart. The girl stood leaning against the wall staring daggers at her. The older sister came back with a cup of tea that tasted stale, like it had been reheated from the day before. Villeneuve took another sip to be polite, then set it down.
“Will your father be back soon, do you think?” she asked the younger girl.
Marie shrugged, “He’s gone to collect firewood.”
“Hm, it’s important I speak to him; does he usually stray far into the woods?”
“Not anymore,” she sniffed.
“Yes, I see. It’s been ages since I had a walk through the forest, perhaps I’ll just go search for him.”
“Suit yourself.”
Villeneuve went out to Lambert to explain, then ventured into the nearby woods. It wasn’t long before she saw several bundles of firewood and kindling wrapped in twine and sitting in a pile.
“Monsieur Du Bois? Are you nearby?” she called out.
A startled Du Bois dropped his armload of branches and stepped from behind the tree that hid him from her view.
“May I help you, Madame?”
“Bonjour, Monsieur Du Bois, my name is Madame Villeneuve, I am housekeeper to the Rousseau family.”
He stepped forward anxiously, “How is my daughter? Why have you come?”
She was quick to reassure him, “She is well, you need not fear. Monsieur Rousseau requested that I come personally to assure you of her welfare and to deliver the promised compensation.”
“Compensation? Well,” he looked around not sure how to proceed, then continued, “why don’t I fetch my sons and you can tell us all together how Beauty does. Have my daughters received you?”
“Yes, they have, but I’m afraid we cannot tarry, so I thought it would be best to come find you.”
“Ah, very good. Well, if you will be so kind as to wait at the house, I will be sure to return quickly.”
“Thank you, Monsieur,” she bowed her head then returned the way she had come.
Du Bois moved as quickly as possible to the fields to find the boys. Thankfully, he found all three there today and hurried them back to the house. The woman was found in the sitting room as promised. The boys were sweaty and dirty from labor. They didn’t sit but surrounded the small sitting area. If Villeneuve hadn’t known Lambert was outside waiting, she might have been rather intimidated. Du Bois’ movements were nervous and uncertain until he finally decided to sit in the chair across from the housekeeper.
“I apologize for the state of my sons, they have been laboring in the fields today,” he explained.
“No need to apologize, Monsieur Du Bois, I understand.” Her steady voice seemed to calm the uncertainty that hung in the air.
“Please, tell us about Beauty.” He wanted to get straight to the point.
Villeneuve hadn’t known about Léa’s nickname, but she quickly caught on. “She has settled in quickly and is in good health. The staff all love her already and she seems to be fond of them. We have found her to be a kind and gracious young lady, as I’m sure you know. I cannot speak to her emotional well-being, but from outward appearances, she is holding up remarkably well.”
All the children glanced at each other, some were relieved and some cynical.
“That is good to hear, Madame, thank you for relaying such hopeful information,” Du Bois was positive, eager to believe his daughter wasn’t suffering.
“And how is she treated by Monsieur Rousseau?” Marie spoke with a distinct flavor of bitterness in her voice.
Villeneuve considered the girl and smiled on her with sympathy and understanding. “I have never known my master to be unkind to anyone, and I can assure you he regards your sister with a great deal of respect.” She turned her attention back to Du Bois, “Now, I have been commissioned to deliver to you the promised compensation that my mistress spoke to you about. If you’ll step outside with me, Lambert will help you bring it inside.”
Their eyes widened with questioning and curiosity, they didn’t know what to expect from someone as cold and harsh as Duchesse d'Aramitz. As they made their way outside, they noted the trunks in the cart. Lambert wasted no time in pulling one off the back of the wagon and taking it inside. Then Pierre, François, and Jacques snapped to attention and each grabbed a trunk as well. They were heavy, and they wondered what on earth was in them. Two more trips were needed to bring the bounty in, overfilling the sitting room with untold treasure.
Lambert helped Villeneuve back into the wagon before jumping up into his own seat. Villeneuve leaned over to speak to Du Bois below. “Shall I bring a message back to your daughter, Monsieur?”
“Just tell her we think of her every day and are happy to hear she is settling into her new home with ease. Oh, and tell her I’ve decided rabbit hunting isn’t for me and have instead turned to collecting firewood to sell.”
“I will relay the message, Monsieur, though I have a suspicion you will have another change of profession soon.” She gave him a knowing smile and Lambert snapped the reigns, turning the wagon around and riding down the road they came from.
The family watched them go for a moment then everyone moved at once, stumbling over each other to get inside and discover what was in those chests. Each one claimed a trunk to open. To their awe and delight, several were filled with gold coins. Gazing at each other in astonishment, they rushed to open the others as well. Some had fine cloth for dresses in them, others had fine teas and other delicacies.
“There’s enough merchandise here I could buy a cart and become a traveling merchant!” Du Bois leaned against the wall and slid heavily onto the floor, putting a hand to his forehead.
Juliette held up a gilded hand mirror, “Oh, Father, is that all you think about? We’re not selling all of it, I’m keeping this. Oh, and that cloth! We’re rich again, we’re rich again!” she squealed and bounced on her heels in excitement.
Even Marie’s face softened and a small smile quirked one side of her mouth. Pierre looked hopeful and François looked greedy. Jacques sat in awe and said a silent prayer, hoping that the housekeeper had been honest with them and that Beauty was as happy as they were in this moment.
Marguerite led Léa up the stairs to the Duchesse’s sitting room, where the lady sat tall doing needlepoint. Upon Léa’s entrance she set it down and motioned for her to be seated.
“I brought you here to inform you that I have kept my word, amply so I may add, by delivering your family’s compensation. I’m sure you will be happy to know that they should do well for many years to come if they are wise with it.”
Léa started to express her gratitude, when the Duchesse lifted her hand to stop her.
“You have my son to thank for the generosity of the gift, you may thank him.”
“I will be sure to do so, Madame.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. No matter what else happened at this point, she was happy to know her family was well provided for.
“You’re dismissed,” the Duch
esse said abruptly as she picked her frame back up and continued stitching.
Léa could barely contain her happiness as she practically skipped down the stairs. Madame Villeneuve met her halfway down.
“Hello, Léa, you look to be in good spirits,” she noticed.
“Oh, Madame,” she grasped the woman’s forearms, “it’s my family, they won’t have to struggle any longer, Monsieur has taken care of them.”
Villeneuve smiled, “I have just come from them. Shall we go to the sitting room downstairs so I can tell you all about it?”
“Yes,” she beamed, “I would love to.”
Villeneuve rang for tea, she needed a good cup after the drivel she’d been served earlier. After giving her instructions to the kitchen maid, she turned to Léa as they both settled on the settee. Léa lifted her brows in expectation.
“Your family by all accounts seemed to be doing well, though I’m sure they were doing much better a few moments after Lambert and I made our exit,” she laughed. Hers was a delightful, motherly laugh. “Your father told me to tell you that they think of you every day. I told them that you appeared to be well in body and spirit, and he was happy to hear it, I believe it relieved his mind a great deal to know.”
“Thank you, Madame,” she took her hand in her own, “I can’t tell you what it means to me to know that they will be taken care of, but also that they know that I am not suffering. I’m sure they were worried for me.”
“I’m happy to have delivered the message. If you don’t mind my saying so, I believe someone else was worried for you as well. Monsieur asked me to accompany Lambert for the sole purpose that I would give your family a report of how you do.”
Léa grew contemplative, turning her head to stare at the fireplace. Villeneuve put a finger to Léa’s chin and drew her face toward her again. “And how are you, truly, my dear? I knew you were well in body, but I couldn’t say with certainty that you were equally well in spirit.”