She shrugged. “I don’t know, nor do I care.”
“Oh? Back to that, again?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
“Back to what, again? My feelings are completely passive when it comes to the Vicomte,” she snapped, her tone getting extremely defensive.
“All right. What of Étienne?”
She seemed intrigued by the thought of him in a romantic capacity. Shrugging her shoulders once again, she said, “I don’t know. As I said before, he has all of Vachel’s good points, and he certainly can kiss with the best of them.”
I looked to her, surprised. “You two have kissed?”
She smiled, satisfied with my reaction. “What of it?”
“I thought he did not want to anger the Chevalier?”
“He does not, so we have done nothing else. Oh please, Maddy. Think me a little more decent than that.” She stood up, walking toward the window and looking out at the rain. “Besides, he is annoying me lately. Not only with his lack of details about Vachel, but the way he speaks of him. It is like we are going to get back on track any day, now. That everything is fine, that Vachel is still that same, amazing person.”
He was amazing at some point? He was always slimy in my eyes, but perhaps that is my problem. I cannot see Vachel the same way as she did. Just like she will never see Lucien the same way I do.
“Still,” she said as she turned to me, sighing lightly, “it does not matter. He only entertains me when I am bored, anyway. He is always so busy with his studies, so it does not matter. Such is life.” She waved her hand.
That was always her answer for things. I frowned as she turned back toward the table, sat down, and pulled the Gazette out from under one of the silver trays.
We sat in the salon for the better part of the morning. We decided to take lunch up in the parlor, but not before we took a turn around the manor, getting our exercise in for the day.
I only took my leave of Colette once, to read my letters—one from my father and the other from Lucien. He noted that the rain would stop him from visiting me during the day, but not from coming to see me in the evening.
We sat in the parlor, playing Piquet until the servants served our supper later in the evening. The rain tapered off, but the heat seemed to get worse. I barely touched my meal, as it was so hot. All I wanted to do was sit in bed in my nightgown. At least it was light and airy, and it would help me cope with the heat.
We made our way back to the parlor. Colette sat at the table, doing the puzzles at the back of the Gazette. The sun had been set for a while now, and the clock ached slowly toward eleven o’clock. I mainly wanted Lucien to be in my room, because I wouldn’t have any clothes on—no heavy silk plastered to my body. It made me anxious, bouncing my knee as I fanned myself.
I looked up from the sofa. One of the male servants walked up to me with a silver tray and a single letter sitting on it.
“Oh, someone is popular, today,” Colette’s voice rang out, looking toward me only for a moment.
I frowned as I took the letter, thanking the servant as he bowed to me. He then turned and dashed out of the room. Looking over the letter, I saw the large “B” with flowers around it. I tried to contain myself at the sight of one of Lucien’s secret letters.
I opened it and read it over quickly, but I couldn’t help the bright smile that crossed me, seeing Lucien’s pseudonym, Monsieur B, at the bottom of the letter.
Mademoiselle,
Make your way through the Labyrinth to the heart. That is where you will find me.
Monsieur B.
“Who is it from?” Colette asked, barely looking up from her puzzle.
I looked up to her. “Oh, my father.”
“Again? Twice in one day seems quite excessive. Shit! They make these things near impossible!”
I folded the letter up. “I suppose he was worried that the first would not reach me. You know how difficult it is for him to make sure I get his letters safely. Are you retiring, now?” I asked as I stood, the letter clutched tightly in my hand. I looked back to the clock, which had just reached eleven. Thank God.
“Hmmm?” She looked up at me for only a moment before she went back to the puzzle. “Oh, no. Not yet. I need to figure this out, or I will never get any sleep. You go on. I shall see you in the morning.”
I nodded, taking my leave and walking out into the hall. I looked behind me to make sure that not only had Colette not followed me, but the way was clear of servants as well.
I ran and fetched my cloak in my room, fastening it quickly as I made my way down the staircase and looking about to make sure I was not seen. I ran out the servant’s passage to the hedge maze, with the warm, night air swirling around me. I could already feel my anticipation and desire stir within me, filling my head. The thought of Lucien in this heat made me dizzy.
I found my way through the maze easily, pulling my hood up on my cloak. The breeze was actually quite cool, despite the heat of the day and the summer, which was far from over. I rounded the last corner that led to the middle of the large labyrinth, expecting to see Lucien awaiting me. Nothing but darkness, save for light from a few torches, filled the area.
I looked around confused, twisting and coming face-to-face with him as he came out from behind one of the hedges, smirking at me.
“Ah, there you are.” I smiled.
He stayed in his spot with his hands behind his back. He wore his Roquelaure cloak around his broad shoulders and a red suit beneath it. “There you are, as pretty as can be. An angel in the night.”
I smiled at him again, my heart speeding up. “You flatter, Monsieur.”
He walked up to me, taking my hands in his. “I speak the truth. Am I not the luckiest man that I have such a woman holding me in her affection?”
“Some would say not, I am afraid.” I sighed, my hand leaving his to stroke his cheek. “Though, you are right. I love you. I love you more than anything, but I wonder sometimes if you have lost your marbles to love me in return.”
He smiled, pulling my hands up and kissing each one in turn. “Ah, but I do. That you already know. I am sure you are inquiring as to why I have dragged you out here in the night.”
I looked up at him, eyeing him. “I am indeed.”
“I think you will agree we have a certain amount of privacy out here,” he said, grabbing hold of my waist and pulling me into him.
I laughed lightly. “You cannot be serious, Lucien. Out here? Any one of the equerries or grounds men could happen upon us. What would people say if they heard our passionate cries and happened upon the sight of us making love in the middle of the hedge maze?”
He kept his arms around me, raising his chin. “Do you object to the setting or just to the fact that someone could happen upon us?”
“I thought it was quite clear that I wish no one to find us. I thought that was the point of our secrecy.” I countered.
“Ah, answer the question, Madeleine. Is it the setting, being reduced to literally rolling around on the ground, or is it because someone could find us?” He teased. His eyes were alight with delight, as usual.
I sighed heavily, trying not to smile. “You really want to make love out in the wilderness?”
“Ha,” he scoffed. “You call the Marquis’s hedge maze the wilderness?”
I leaned up to him, kissing him softly, which silenced him and brought his attention to me. Just as it had before, many times. I tried to make a mental note that it was an effective tool, and I would have to remember it for the future. I pulled away from him, stroking his cheek as I grabbed hold of his hand and made my way to exit the area. “We need to get inside.”
He smiled. “You did not answer my question, Mademoiselle.”
I smiled at him coyly as I pulled on his hand, dragging him along with me.
We stopped at the top of the staircase. My eyes looked around carefully as I pulled Lucien along behind me, over to my bedchamber. My heart calmed as I saw the door, and safety, inching closer to us.
“Maddy?”
I quickly pushed Lucien in through the door, closing it as Colette walked out of the parlor. She walked over to me, unsure of what I was up to.
“Yes?” I tried to say casually, my arm resting against the door frame as my heart beat frantically.
“Where are you going?” she asked, looking my cloak over.
I looked down, pursing my lips nervously. “Ummm…I went to walk out around the fountain. I felt rather sick because of the heat, and I didn’t want to disturb you or the whole house, so I just…quickly strolled about. I feel much better and rather tired, now.”
Her brow creased inward as she crossed her arms, looking me over once again. “I really think the heat is getting to you, Maddy.”
“Yes, perhaps,” I said, rubbing my forehead. Feigning illness is only going to work for so long.
“Well, I’m going to retire, now. I will see you in the morning.” She turned to make her way back to her room before she turned back to point at me. “Make sure rain is in your prayers for tomorrow.”
I nodded as she disappeared into her bedchamber. Two maids stood in the doorway, awaiting her.
Brielle walked up behind me and did not seem to notice my attire. She just pleasantly smiled as she asked me, “Are you ready to make your couchér, Mademoiselle?”
We walked into the room. Lucien was obviously hiding behind the closed drapes of my bed. Brielle helped me change into my nightgown and opened the window in my room halfway, to let in the cool night air. The wind started to blow quite mildly.
“There is talk of rain tomorrow as well, Mademoiselle. There is a chance you will be rained in, again.”
“Oh.” I frowned. “That of course means it is possible that the heat will break.”
She nodded and smiled. “Is there anything else I can get for you, Mademoiselle? I have left a pitcher of water for your leisure, in case you find yourself parched in the night.”
“Oh, thank you.” I looked over to my bedside table, the pitcher sitting there.
She curtsied prettily before she turned and left the room.
I put my hand over my heart as I turned. Lucien pulled back the drapes on the bed and sat on the side of it, sighing heavily. He was down to his blouse and breeches. “It was stifling in there.”
My brow furrowed. “I bet. Ugh, that was close. Colette was two seconds away from seeing you and I prowling up to my bedchamber.”
The corner of his mouth turned down as he nodded, pushing his hair that had come loose behind his ear. “A lot of questions.”
“Yes.” I sighed, walking over to him and sitting on his lap. “Do you think…do you think we should tell everyone?”
He looked up at me, resting his head on my chest. “Do you want to?”
I nodded. “I think I do…but I am scared to.”
“Why is that?” He smirked.
“The things people will say…it scares me. I do not like the thought of that much attention.”
“Well,” he said, his left arm resting around my waist, “that attention is not very escapable, now or later.”
“All right,” I turned to him on his lap, facing him. “We will continue as we are, in secret until after my birthday fête. I will be going home a week or so after that, anyway, so…then, we could start from scratch, making public appearances. You will be able to meet my father.”
“Sounds admirable,” he nodded, smirking. “Will your father approve of me?”
I raised my eyebrows, looking around the room, “A Comte? I think he will be quite shocked to say the least.”
“Would he be more approving of a merchant like himself?”
“I don’t think he wants me to marry someone who is going to leave me for months on end. I have that enough as it is. If I marry a Comte,” I looked down at him, pointing at him playfully. “I will be in Paris all the time, spoiled and corrupted by its evil.”
“So, he would prefer, say, an architect?” he asked, looking into my eyes.
I frowned. “I wish you hadn’t said that.”
“I am sorry. That animal again, it seems.” He rested his head against me.
I lifted his chin with my hand, running my fingers along his jaw and cheek. “He will be thrilled that a man as respectable and amazing as you wants to make his daughter happy.”
He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he looked into my eyes. He just stared at me for a moment before he nodded and leaned into me, kissing me lightly.
“What is it with everyone and this architect business?” I asked, looking into his dizzying eyes. “Why are you pressing it?”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head, his eyes casting to the floor. “Giving you a chance to break my heart now, rather than later?”
My face scrunched in pain and confusion. “Now or later?”
He nodded. “Yes. Perhaps give you a chance to get out, now. Pick the easier choice.”
“Lucien,” I said, raising his chin once again, “who said that picking an architect or merchant would be any easier? No matter who we fall in love with, there will always be complications. It will never be easy.”
He let his head lean against my chest again, holding me close. “Some are easier than others. You even said that you were scared.”
“Yes, scared.” I stood up and knelt down in front of him, “Fear is quite easily overcome. Especially when we are going to face it, together. Right?”
“Yes, of course, but—”
I put my fingers over his mouth, stopping him, “No buts. That is all there is to it. Also, there will be no more talk of Cleante or anyone else, because there is no one else.”
He nodded, again. A look of recognition crossed his handsome countenance that I was indeed right.
“Now, the plan will be to go about as we have been until after my twentieth birthday in a month’s time. Then, we will finally reveal that the mysterious woman who has captured your heart is in fact me. Fair?”
He leaned into me, kissing me on the forehead. “Fair.”
I stood up and nodded once, satisfied.
“Oh.” He smiled, looking up at me. “My grandmother has sent me word, hearing about my new lady. She wishes to know who has tamed me and why we have not come out publicly.”
My lip curled, and my face scrunched up, almost wincing. “Oh? What did you say?”
“I wrote her back that as it is, I was getting enough of an audience in my life. I didn’t need any more of an attendance with my love life. Have you told your father anything at all, that you are even involved with someone?”
I shook my head, biting at my thumb. “No, he hasn’t asked. He wouldn’t ask. He would never assume or ask a question even to do with that. He just thinks that I am tending Colette.”
“Which you are,” he added, standing. “I have really had enough of this subject. We have made our decision. Let us not worry about it or even think about it until the time comes.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist, leaning into my shoulder and holding me close.
“I missed you terribly all day,” he mumbled, buried in my hair.
I smiled, bringing my hand up and stroking his hair. “What happened to being seductive?”
He stood up straight, his head falling back as he looked down to me. “I find being adorable seems to work just as well. Especially when just the sight of you and holding you makes me realize how much I missed you all day.”
I let out a little laugh, grabbed his hands, and led him over to the bed. I pushed him down on it and closed the side of the drapes facing the door.
Chapter Twenty-One
Friday, 6 of July, 1770
Mademoiselle,
I believe last evening you questioned me quite a bit on hunting. Do you remember our late night conversation? —Or was it the early morning?
I would like you to be ready upon rising for a hunting excursion.
I have the pleasure to be your most humble servant.
Monsieur B.
I smiled a
s I folded the letter up. Walking over to my trunk in the corner of the room and opening it, I unlocked the little compartment at the bottom of it. I picked up the stack of other letters from Lucien that I had received, which were wrapped in a pink ribbon. I placed the new letter with them, re-wrapping the ribbon and tying it prettily in a bow.
I knew no one would find the letters, but I still liked them to being neatly tied together. I placed them back in the compartment and closed it, locking it back up and slipping the key in the top drawer of my secrétaire.
Brielle walked into the room, curtseying to me. “Shall we ready you for the day, Mademoiselle?”
I smiled and turned toward her. My peignoir shifted around me, and my hair bounced about my back. I walked to the center of the room as the two other maids rushed in and filled my tub.
I sat in the water, looking toward the window. The clouds overhead in the sky got thicker and darker as they slowly crawled toward me.
“Brielle?”
She turned to me, stopping her chore of making my bed. “Yes, Mademoiselle?”
“What does one wear when they go hunting?” I asked, picking up my washcloth and looking it over.
“It depends on if one is riding or not, Mademoiselle,” she replied, folding her hands in front of her. “A caraco or riding habit is appropriate.”
“I don’t believe we will be riding. So, perhaps a caraco?” I looked over my shoulder toward her.
She nodded. “Unless you wish to wear something else.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think I would be able to even hold one of those muskets anyway, so a caraco. Let us not tempt fate, shall we?”
She smiled lightly as she nodded.
“I think I am ready to get out, now,” I said, standing. The water ran off me quickly and back into the tub. The entire room smelled of vanilla and lavender—my usual scents I chose to bathe in.
After my hair was dried and set, I was dressed in a light blue caraco. The small, pleated skirt flared out over my panniers. It was edged with white fur, even on the long three-quarter length, tight sleeves. I chose a darker blue petticoat with light blue bouquets of flowers scattered around the hem as a mate. Brielle helped me with my fichu, which is a shear material that fell over my shoulders and was pinned at the front of my bodice. I chose my pink mitts with blue trim, hoping that my fashion choices weren’t going to leave me sweating to death.
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