My brow furrowed lightly, and my mind slipped away to Colette and her talks of the various aristocrats and their little liaisons that were supposed to be a secret.
Is that all I am to be, a little sexual affair?
He seemed to read my mind, shaking his head. “No, not like that. I…cannot stop thinking about you, Madeleine. Though, yes, there are physical attractions, I find you more beautiful on the inside. Which is quite bewildering, as you are extremely beautiful on the outside.”
I smiled, my skin blushing once again.
“Are you going to blush like that every time I give you a compliment?” he asked, smirking.
I brought my hands to my face, covering up the scarlet that now tinted my pale skin, laughing lightly. “I think so.”
He pulled my hands away from my face, as he looked me over, smiling at me. “I want privacy. I want to be able to know you intimately without the fear or interruptions, the constant banter about our choices. I believe you will agree with me that all these interruptions are quite an annoyance.”
I nodded. “I do. I most certainly do.”
“Then, you understand. I wish there to be no more hindrances.” With his last words, he leaned down to me. His face up close to mine, his eyes peering deeply and directly into my own as he held my hands in his up to his chest.
I swallowed hard as I nodded in agreement.
Did I really want all eyes upon me? Did I want the constant questions and Colette’s prying banter, like he said? No. All I wanted was Lucien, and I wanted him all for myself.
I nodded again, only lightly, my breathing picking up once again as my heart thudded in my ears. His lips slowly leaned into mine, time stood still as they pressed against them.
Chapter Ten
“Where were you off to while everyone was dancing?”
I looked to Colette rather alert. My head was still swimming, dizzily spinning, as Lucien’s cologne lingered on my gown. “I’m sorry?”
She sighed tiredly, taking off her slippers and rubbing her feet as the carriage rocked back and forth. “You disappeared while Armand was turning me around the dance floor. Did you feel ill, again?”
I nodded lightly, my skin flushing as I remembered Lucien’s lips against my own. I cleared my throat, “Armand. I am surprised you allowed him a dance.”
“Why is that?” she asked, sitting back lazily as she closed her eyes.
“Well, you seemed put off by Rose accompanying him.”
She rolled her eyes, “Oh please, Maddy. I could care less who he runs about with. In fact, I am planning on having Étienne over tomorrow. If I ever get out of bed, that is. I danced my feet off. I am going to be in a terrible mood in the morning. Did you see, though,” she smiled, “Lucien didn’t even look at Catalina or Yolande for the rest of the evening. You running out like that was the best possible end to that scenario. What did he say before we got there?”
I looked around the carriage, holding my breath as I thought as quickly as possible. “Ummm…he just was inquiring as to where I went off to and how long I had been feeling ill.”
“Hmmm, at least he was concerned. Did you see Stanzy’s face? She was positively vexed by the fact that Lucien ran to your aid, even more so by the fact that Lucien barely gave Yolande a second thought.”
I smiled lightly, tiredly; my excitement was wearing off, and the drive back to the manor seeming to be drawn out. I couldn’t wait to be in my own bed, safely tucked away and free to think and dream of Lucien without fear of blushing or being questioned. Even more so, I couldn’t wait to have a bath, though I would miss the scent of Lucien that was still present on my gown.
“Why don’t we invite Lucien over when Étienne comes to visit? We can thank him for the glorious evening, and you can work your charms on him,” she said while yawning. She then leaned against the side of the seat, pulled her feet up, and snuggled under her cloak.
“Yes, I will make sure to write him as soon as we rise.”
I looked out the window, and my eyes felt heavy as a thought sprang to mind. I turned to her, my mouth already forming the words, but stopping as I saw she was fast asleep, her slippers still in her hands.
I smiled lightly, casting the thought aside as I looked back out the window, watching as the Paris streets disappeared and led way to the large manors and bits of countryside. As we pulled into the path lined with trees, I felt a sigh of relief. My eyes sleepily went to Colette, who I gently woke. Her hands fumbled tiredly to pull her slippers on as we stopped in front of the house.
We slowly climbed the large staircase. Colette waved off the bath that was drawn for her, but I readily accepted mine. I could not get out of my gown fast enough, as I was already on my way over to the steaming water as my stays and panniers were taken off. I slipped into the tub, my bathing gown clinging to my body as I let my head fall back, and Brielle removed the flowers and pins from my hair.
I closed my eyes as the deep water came up to my chin. The warmth swirled around me and surprisingly, Lucien’s cologne still lingering in my nose. I smiled, content at the thought of his kisses making my skin blush warmly and my body shudder. Suddenly, a pang twitched deep within my stomach.
What is this feeling? Is it just simply lust? What does Lucien feel?
I could only think of him and what I could possibly say to him the next time I saw him. What does one say when such little words were exchanged, and raw, hot passion is in its place? Even thinking of speaking to him made me blush. I lost my words even while trying to prepare them, hours in advance!
I awoke promptly and early, even before Brielle and her fellow maids entered the room. I sat at the secrétaire, a quill in hand, as I stared at the blank piece of parchment and thought about what few words I could. I dipped the nib into the inkwell several times before I decided what I was going to scribble down.
Sunday, 10 of June 1770
Bonjour Monsieur le Comte,
In accordance with etiquette, I am hoping you will be able to accept this invitation to visit upon us ladies here at the Du Lorme estate. A simple way of thanking you for the invitation to the ball last evening.
If you would like to stay for dinner, or perhaps just for some pastries and music, we would be very happy to arrange it.
I have the pleasure to be your humble and gracious servant,
Madeleine Dumont.
My eyes swept over the letter, nodding in assurance as I lightly blew on the paper to dry the ink. Brielle and her ladies walked in as I was folding it up.
“Ah! Good morning, Mademoiselle. We hope we did not keep you waiting.” She curtsied, and the other two ladies did the same.
I shook my head. “No, no. I rose early to write a letter. I was wondering if you could see it to the courier and have it delivered quickly to Monsieur le Comte Lucien de Laurent? It is of great importance.”
Brielle nodded, curtseying once again as she took the letter, before turning and dashing out the door.
The other two ladies dressed me just the same, as if she was there. My hair was pulled up with a glittering, jeweled barrette set at the crown of my head, matching earrings placed in my ears, and a bracelet on my wrist. I was startled slightly as Brielle pulled my chemise over my head. “Oh.”
“Your letter is out with the valet, Mademoiselle. I caught him just as he was leaving with the Marquis’s errands. He assured me he would see it to the courier swiftly.” She curtsied once more as she was handed my stays, fastening them tightly and pulling my breasts into my chest.
“Thank you,” I said, holding onto the bodice of the stays as I adjusted my breathing to the tight fitting fashion accessory. A white gown with pink blossoms and diamond shaped vines in both green and blue patterned on it was the order for the day. Embroidery of blue designs on pleats on the sacque back stood out prettily, with two parallel sets of ruffles covering the seams from the stomacher. The sleeves were frilly and lacy, frothy big things that made it almost impossible to have my arms at my sides.
I made my way down the hall to see Colette’s door wide open. She sat with a copy of the Gazette in her one hand and a cup of coffee in the other as her maids pinned her hair.
I walked inside, smiling. “I am quite surprised to see you rising so early.”
She looked to me tiredly, placing the paper on her vanity before her. “Ugh, do not get me started. You know how I am. I dislike going to bed early and despise sleeping in late. I want to get every second out of the day that I can possibly get my hands on.” She looked over the gown that her maid held before her, nodding lightly. The light green fabric shimmered in the light.
“A change in color, Colette?” I asked, sauntering over to her.
She took a sip of her coffee. “I get bored easily. I have had enough of orange, but green is still favorable, as is yellow. I believe I took a sufficient break—a few days of normal colors.”
I nodded, looking into the mirror. My gown only had one of those colors on it.
What need do I have to follow fashion if we are not leaving the house?
No one would see me, except perhaps Étienne and hopefully Lucien, though they would never comment or even notice my faux pas.
“Oh.” She turned to me, her toile draped around her shoulders. “Did you send word to the Comte?”
I nodded. A maid handed her the coned mask, and she held it over her face as the women sprayed the powder over her hair. I covered my nose and closed my eyes tightly, nearly choking on it as it filled the room. The sound of heels clicked over to the window as the crank sounded and it was opened wide.
“I shall meet you down in the salon for breakfast,” I said, turning as they removed the toile from her shoulders and pulled her chemise out for her.
I walked down the steps and turned into the dining room, walking through to the salon and stopping in the doorway, the breath knocked out of me. Lucien stood in the middle of the room. He turned to me, smiling and looking exceptionally dashing in his silk faded, informal blue justaucorps, matching waistcoat, and breeches.
I looked behind me, making sure Colette was not on her way, but my breath still caught in my chest.
“I hope you don’t mind. I caught your message just as I was leaving for here. In fact, it was just as I was planning on sending you my own letter, requesting to be in your company,” he said, walking toward me.
I backed up, putting my hand to my chest, again increasingly aware of how low my neckline was. “Ummm, there is no need for an apology. I just…”
He put out his hand to me and slowly stepped forward, as if I was a timid animal. “Are you all right? Do you need to sit down?”
I shook my head as he finally closed the distance between us. My heart beat frantically with every movement he made.
He reached out and took my hands in his, holding onto them as he looked me over. “You look beautiful, as always, and perhaps even more radiant than when I last saw you.”
My skin blushed as I looked down to our hands, licking my lips as I patted my cheek to stop the heat from it. “Oh, thank you. I just…it’s, thank you.”
“I make you a nervous mess, don’t I?” He laughed.
I laughed a little, clearing my throat. “I cannot explain it, and I apologize. It makes me look like a fool.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think that at all.” He leaned into me, his lips mere inches away from my own as I heard Colette’s heels click off each step as she made her way down the staircase.
I pushed Lucien away from me, nearly running across the room. “Colette is coming. Stand over there!”
He did as I asked, standing about six feet away from me just as Colette walked through the door. She stopped, looking to Lucien in surprise.
“Comte…Well, it seems Maddy’s letter reached you speedily.”
She sauntered over to me, linking her arm through my own.
I smiled and nodded before looking to Lucien. His smile faded, and he nodded along with me. “Yes, I was actually sending Madeleine a reply when I realized, I had an invitation. Why not reply in person?”
Colette smiled, leading me over to the table. The yellow ruffles on her bodice accented the light green of her gown, as well as making the neckline and sleeves stand out. The white lace stuck out just as grandly as my own, and a big, pink bow was set in the middle of her neckline. “Well, you can join us for breakfast!”
Lucien smiled as his eyes met my own. All of us sat down at the round table. Lucien across from me, and Colette to my left.
The male servants came in carrying their plates, setting out the various croissants, brioche, cheeses, and fruit. I could barely bring myself to eat anything. I pulled a croissant onto my plate and picked at it as Colette made conversation.
“So, Comte. The ball last night was quite the success. I am sorry we did not get to wish your grandmother well on her birthday,” she said while slathering butter on her brioche.
He nodded, only motioning for a cup of coffee as he sat back in his seat. “Yes, she is getting quite old. She cannot be as merry as she once was, though she was appreciative to all who stopped by.” His eyes came to mine, and his little smirk played about his mouth. A little smile tried to escape my careful composure in response.
Colette nodded as she tore her brioche apart, putting a piece in her mouth.
Brielle suddenly stood at the doorway, curtseying. “Mademoiselle, Monsieur Galland is here to see you.”
Colette smiled, standing up, “Étienne!”
Both Lucien and I stood as she dashed out of the room. Lucien grabbed my hands as he walked over to me, his bewildering blue eyes looking me over. “Am I ever going to get a moment alone with you?”
I heard Colette laugh in the hall, and I looked to the dining room and back to Lucien. “I will…show you the stateroom. Colette can’t stand the painting of her grandfather and would never subject Étienne to it.”
With that, Colette and Étienne entered the room, both smiling wide. He stopped and looked to both of us, bowing to us.
“Étienne Galland, this is Monsieur le Comte Lucien de Laurent,” Colette announced, almost proudly, pointing to Lucien.
“I have heard about you, Comte. It seems Colette has friends in very high places.” Étienne smiled.
Lucien smiled distractedly to him, nodding. “Yes.”
I looked to Lucien before looking back to Colette. My voice shakily escaped me. “Ummm…I was going to show the Comte the stateroom and the Petit Galerie des Glaces, Colette—”
“Ugh, that dreadful thing? Prepare yourself to be bored to tears, Comte,” she said, turning to Étienne flirtatiously. “Why don’t we sit out on the terrace? It is such a lovely, tame day.”
Étienne nodded, liking the thought of being alone with Colette as I turned to Lucien, motioning for us to leave through the dining room. “We will take the short way around.”
We walked through the dining room and into the foyer, turning to our right into the stateroom, where I lightly closed the door.
Lucien looked around the room, his hand on his hip. “This is quite the room. We have one of our own back on the estate.”
I smiled. “Yes, it is the Marquis’s favorite room, besides his office. Though, he is most proud of his fountain out back. I would be careful in speaking to him about it, or else the story that will follow will make you want to hang yourself.”
He laughed lightly, turning to me and suddenly walking up to me. He grabbed my hands once again, something I was almost starting to hope for. “Madeleine, I…realize this must seem strange to you, wanting to hide something like this.”
“On the contrary,” I said, shaking my head lightly. My hands fell reluctantly from his. “I understand completely, and I agree for my own reasons. I still made myself really think about it, and I came back to the same conclusion. It is hard enough as it is to be in a relationship with someone, but when you have the whole world watching and criticizing…it makes it almost unbearable. I understand.”
“Yes,” he almost sighed in relief,
“you certainly do. I just want to know you as Madeleine, not as the woman that the Comte de Laurent is courting. I just want to do this properly, as ridiculous as that sounds.”
I smiled faintly. “It doesn’t sound ridiculous at all.”
He took my hand once again, leaning into me slowly as he caressed my cheek. His lips touched mine and made my heart start to beat frantically, sweat gathering on my forehead. I whimpered as he gently pushed me up against the mantle, and a sudden thought ripped through the moment of Colette’s grandfather’s portrait glaring at us! I pulled away from Lucien, putting my fingers over my mouth.
“What…what’s wrong?”
I shook my head, fighting a smile. “I’m sorry, I just…I realize the moment is right, but the location is a little inappropriate.”
“How do you mean?” He smiled, and his brow furrowed.
I put my hand on his shoulder, shaking my head. “Never mind. Let us go to the parlor and continue this…conversation.”
“What do you mean?” He pulled on my hand as I tried to walk away from him. “Come now. Tell me.”
“I just,” I pointed to the portrait while laughing, “I cannot behave as such with all of Colette’s relatives staring at me!”
He looked to the walls, nodding as he let out a laugh. “All right. I see your point, but at least these people cannot speak about it once we leave the room.”
I looked to them, frowning, “How do you know what they do when we leave the room?”
“Ha,” he scoffed. “Speaking of witchcraft, are we?”
I shook my head. “Of course not,” I stopped and looked at the portrait. I remembered the old women from the fête —the little performance we were invited to because of Lucien. “Why is it that you are known as ‘the Recluse’?”
He took a deep breath, stepping away from me. “Oh boy. Well, I think it is quite obvious. You have heard why, or else you would not have called me such.”
“I didn’t mean to offend.” I looked to my hands, suddenly ashamed of myself.
He turned to me. “No, no. I just…I dislike the formalities. Well, that’s not true. I…I dislike all those eyes on me. I could care less what they think of me. I just wish they would stop watching. No one is greedier for gossip and scandal than my fellow courtiers, especially at Versailles. I dislike it. I stay away from the limelight and keep to myself. As much as possible, that is.”
Affaire de Coeur Page 13