The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection

by Jennifer Lynn Cary

  Though Antoine’s ears had taken in each word, he could not believe anything less than angelic of Mademoiselle de Saix. Her graceful form, her lovely countenance, her innocent demeanor bloomed in his mind.

  Ah, but her eyes. Oh, they held a mystery, all right. Was it as dark as espionage? He hoped not. It would be a shame to see that pretty neck stretched.

  However, Antoine had pledged his allegiance to his king. “I will do my best, Your Majesty.”

  Chapter Two

  The young maid led Louise down one hall and then another. When she had just about given up hope of ever arriving at her room, they stopped before a chamber. The maid opened the door.

  Louise’s jaw dropped. Her sheltered upbringing had not prepared her. This was her room? A gilded mirror over the marble fireplace, embellished on each side by twin sconces of gold, reflected the sunlight streaming in between heavy velvet drapes of deep lavender. The canopy over the massive bed, of the same hue but made of silk, draped elegantly from the head and foot. Two chairs and a petite coucher, upholstered in a darker-violet brocade silk, stood near the fireplace, and a large armoire and vanity took up the other side of the room. To think the place was under construction. What would it look like when finished?

  “Excusez-moi.” The maid slipped in past.

  Entering the room, Louise stopped at the bed and let her hand trail over the silk brocade bed cover.

  The maid busied herself with putting clothes into the armoire.

  How thoughtful. “Merci.” Louise’s voice sounded more like a croak.

  The maid bobbed a curtsey and continued with her work.

  Louise leaned against the bed. “What do I call you?”

  “I am called Michele, Mademoiselle.” The girl continued unpacking, keeping her eyes averted downward. Then she glanced up with a tentative smile. “To my sisters, though, I am Mimi.” The young woman blinked and looked down, returning to her work.

  Sisters. “It must be nice to have sisters.” Louise realized she spoke aloud and clapped her hand over her mouth.

  Mimi smiled a little bigger and lowered her eyes. “Would Mademoiselle like to rest before dinner? I will come back and wake you to prepare for the evening.”

  Louise ran her fingers over the spread one more time. “Oui, I would like that very much.” She started to sit on the edge when she stood to her feet. “Oh, do you know what room is for Tante Marie? I should look in on her before retiring.”

  “Do not worry, Mademoiselle.” The maid gently guided Louise to a chair, indicating she should sit. “Her room is next door to the right, and I already know she is resting. My sister sees to her needs. I will leave word for your aunt that you are here and resting as well.” Mimi knelt and began to remove Louise’s shoes. “Would you like a bath poured before you retire?”

  The idea tempted. “Oui, please.” Who was this puny, compliant woman? Only two more weeks and she would be returning home. Two weeks. She wearied just counting the days.

  Mimi arranged the bath, and Louise was soon clean and quite comfortable between silk sheets.

  * * *

  The cloud invited, soft and fluffy. Louise rolled herself up in it, cozy and warm. Birds winged by with iridescent plumage soaring high over green islands of treetops. She stretched and rolled to look over the other side.

  Far below there was a sparkling blue mirror and ahead . . . what was that? Shiny and bright, the brilliance nearly blinded her.

  Something did not feel as it should. Could it have to do with what was up ahead? The cloud seemed to drift toward whatever it was.

  Then, on her right, a most wonderful sight appeared. A winged horse! Sparkling white with silver mane and pearlescent wings, it flew ever closer.

  She saw a rider. Also dressed in white, he flew nearer still.

  It seemed the rider motioned to her, beckoning her. He drew closer now to her cloud and held out his hand. “Louise.”

  “Mademoiselle.” A hand shook her shoulder.

  Where was the cloud, the rider? Where was she?

  Louise opened her eyes and remembered. Versailles. “Oui. I am awake.” She sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear away the vestiges of the dream.

  The shy maid who had helped her get settled waited at the side of the bed. What was her name? “Mimi. Merci for waking me.” She tried to stifle a yawn.

  Now alert, she remembered. “Oh, Tante Marie! I must go to her.”

  “Mademoiselle, do not be bothered.” Mimi handed her a cup of water. “My sister, Danielle, is waking her now. Didi will help her while I help you. When you are ready, I will take you to her.”

  Louise put the cup on the stand and swung her legs over the side of the bed, dangling them. “I need to see her now.”

  “You will, but Monsieur is coming. You must stay here until I have dressed you.” Mimi took her by the hand, assisting her from the bed. “Didi, your aunt’s maid, will be getting her ready so she can go with you and Monsieur to dinner. It is all arranged. Would you like to wash your face before I help you into your gown?”

  “Oui, I suppose so, merci.” Louise fumbled with her chemise, trying to accept this arrangement.

  Mimi poured water from a delicate porcelain pitcher into a matching bowl. Louise’s gaze caught the bouquet of lilacs painted on the bottom. A smaller version of the same spray was duplicated on both sides of the pitcher. Louise registered this barely an instant before the water hit her face.

  The maid handed her a towel before opening the wardrobe in the corner to reveal the dresses Louise had brought with her. Most of them new and unworn.

  “What do you choose to wear this evening, Mademoiselle?”

  Louise stared at her new dresses while a nervous flutter teased her stomach. “I have never dined at court. I do not know what to expect.” She turned to Mimi. “What do you think would be most appropriate?”

  “Oh, Mademoiselle,” Mimi flustered, “I, ah…”

  “Please, Mimi, you are here. You know. I do not want to stand out like the rustic boor that I am. What would you choose?” Deciding then and there to trust the girl, Louise ran her fingertip over a pink silk skirt. “I have been very nervous about this trip. Tante Marie says I have been too sheltered. She took me shopping for these new clothes at a very exclusive dressmaker’s shop in Paris. Never had I seen anything like it, and I cannot remember a thing the dressmaker told me about when to wear what. I want to look nice and not want to embarrass my aunt, but I do not want a lot of attention. Please, please help me.”

  Mimi nodded. “I will do my best, Mademoiselle.” She sorted through a few frocks.

  Louise released a sigh of relief. “I just want to get through this trip and go home where everything is familiar and I know what to do. I must sound ungrateful.”

  “Oh, no, Mademoiselle, not in the least.” Mimi held out a sky-blue satin-and-velvet creation with a boned, brocaded bodice. “Possibly this one?” The selection had delicate white-lace trim at the modest neckline, and the three-quartered sleeves were fringed with ribbons.

  Louise relaxed. It would flatter, but not be over-revealing. “A good choice. What shall I do about my hair?” She slipped into the gown Mimi held.

  “It is far too beautiful to be covered up.” Mimi tapped her chin. “Do you have any pearls or matching ribbons?”

  Louise pointed to a white enameled box sitting on the bed stand. “In there.”

  The box held delicate carvings on each corner that worked into feet. There was no handle on the lid, only matching carvings in an oval surrounding a pink enameled rosebud. Mimi lifted the lid, searched, and then returned to the vanity with a white velvet bag. A long strand of small, perfectly matched pearls dangled from her hand.

  “They were my mother’s.” Even after all these years, a hoarseness thickened Louise’s voice just speaking of the woman who had given her birth and then left her to grow up alone.

  “They are beautiful, and I know just what to do. If you please, Mademoiselle, sit here.” Mimi indicated the chair
at the vanity table, and Louise sat. The maid pulled the brush though Louise’s thick hair that tumbled down to her waist. Then she began an intricate set of braids, working in the pearls and finishing off with small clusters of curls on each side over her ears. The effect was soft, feminine, and not overly showy. A velvet ribbon choker tied at the neck completed the look.

  “What do you think?”

  Louise gazed in the mirror. What did she in all honesty see? True, the hair and clothes were pleasant to the eye. Perhaps, she might even be inoffensive to look at. No matter. What did people see when they looked at her?

  “I do not know,” she murmured aloud.

  Mimi’s face, reflected over Louise’s shoulder in the mirror, seemed to crumble before her eyes.

  “Oh, Mimi, I am so sorry. My mind was elsewhere.” Louise spun around. “You did a wonderful job. You have been so helpful. I am glad you knew what to do. It is only that I am far more comfortable with a needle and thread or a good book in a quiet corner.” Louise stood, the words tumbling out. “Please forgive me if I gave you the notion I was not pleased. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You have performed wonders. I am so grateful.” Louise put her arm around the girl.

  Mimi’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Oh, Mimi, do not cry. I am so sorry. Oh, please . . .”

  “It is not that, Mademoiselle.” Mimi wiped her face with her sleeve. “It is just that I have worked for Her Majesty for two years, helping guests all the while. You are the first to touch me in kindness. I will always remember.”

  The comment embarrassed Louise. She could not say why, so she stood in silence next to the maid.

  Mimi cleared her throat and smoothed her attire. “Shall I escort you to your aunt?”

  Louise nodded and mutely followed the young woman out into the hall, stopping at the first door to the right. Mimi knocked. The door opened. A young girl, who shared the same chestnut-brown hair and fawn-colored eyes, as well as the liberal sprinkling of freckles across a pixie nose as Mimi waited. She could see the relation.

  “Didi, Mimi, that will be all.” Tante Marie took charge. The girls curtsied and moved to the other side of the room where several dresses lay strewn about the bed and floor. “Didi and Mimi and would you believe there are more of them? Their father thought it the grand joke to give all his girls nicknames. All seven of them.”

  Louise eyes grew wide. “Seven girls? Mimi has six sisters?” To an only child, it was unimaginable.

  “Oui. And each one has some pet name or other. I cannot keep them straight in my mind, but much more time with Didi and I will know their entire family history. My but that child can talk.” Her aunt waved her fan to and fro, creating a small wind.

  “Tante Marie, people find you easy to talk to. It is just the way you are.”

  “Why merci beaucoup, child. And I must say, the way you look this evening is lovely.” She closed her fan and circled Louise as if judging a horse. “Quite lovely.”

  Louise’s cheeks grew warm. “Merci.”

  “Now, Louise, you must relax while we are here. Didi, or one of her sisters, will take good care of me. You are to enjoy yourself. Investigate the horses, take walks in those breath-taking gardens, get out and do. Take advantage of that escort your king so kindly provided for you. What was his name again?”

  “Antoine.” The whisper caught in her throat. If her aunt wanted her to relax, this was not the way to encourage her to do so.

  “Ah, oui. Antoine,” Marie repeated. “I understand he is one of the king’s favorites.”

  “Oh.” Louise hoped her aunt was not fishing for a more elaborate answer. Her stomach wanted to tie itself into knots, and there was nowhere to bolt.

  * * *

  Antoine, dressed in his best justaucorps, carried two long-stemmed roses—one red and one pink. The whole way down the hall, he rehearsed what he might say. This cousin of the king certainly looked nothing like a spy. However, should she be involved with Huguenot espionage, he did not want to be deceived by her innocent demeanor.

  Arriving at the room without a full strategic plan, he at last decided to provide a good ear. Perhaps then the lady would trust him and share her secrets. That would have to be enough of a plan for now. He cleared his throat before knocking.

  The maid opened the door, allowing him entrance. The older woman, presumably the aunt, offered her hand.

  Antoine bowed and presented the red rose to His Majesty’s older cousin, Madame Marie du Sine. “Madame, my name is Antoine de Crocketagné. I am here for you and Mademoiselle de Saix. Would you allow me the privilege of escorting you to dinner?”

  About that time, the vision from earlier in the day moved away from the window, turning to face him. Antoine’s vocabulary evaporated. He realized he stared, slack-jawed and stupid, yet he could do nothing else. Grinning like a fool, he thrust the pink rose toward Mademoiselle de Saix.

  “For you, Mademoiselle. A rose for a rose.” A rose for a rose? Where did that come from? She must think him an idiot.

  La Mademoiselle took the flower, burying her nose in it, and curtsied. “Merci, Monsieur.” Those incredible eyes glanced up at him before she turned and walked over to one of the maids. “Mimi, would you please put this in my room?” With one last sniff, she handed the rose to the girl.

  The little maid nodded and slipped past him into the corridor.

  “I believe we are ready, Monsieur.” Madame du Sine smiled as she took his left arm.

  He offered his right to the mademoiselle, and the three of them started down the halls to dinner.

  Antoine hoped neither the young woman nor her aunt could feel how the mere touch of this quiet girl electrified him so. Twenty-four hours earlier, he had no clue of her existence. Now she filled his thoughts.

  Jean-Luc always had his ladies, perpetually in love but not constant in his affection toward anyone except himself. That was not Antoine’s way. He was no stranger to feminine wiles, but Antoine chose his service to the Crown as the more important.

  When had he lost control? This was not the first beautiful woman he had met and yet, without so much as a by your leave, she overtook his senses. This was ludicrous!

  Irritated, he stiffened and forced himself to shore up his reserve. Thus began a maddening cycle. The more he thought, the more irritated he became; the more irritated he became, the more he tensed.

  The hand of the mademoiselle quivered and slipped from the crook of his arm.

  He wanted to reach for it but hesitated. How did this girl bring about such feelings? He had seen his share of battle, even faced an enemy far more terrifying yet stood his ground. How had she gotten past his defenses?

  Madame du Sine, oblivious to all this, chatted merrily on to the hall. Then suddenly, twenty feet from the doors she stopped and turned, her eyes flashing out a warning.

  “I do not know what has gotten into the two of you, but for heaven’s sake, smile.” Her urgent whisper penetrated Antoine’s whirling thoughts. “We are here to have an enjoyable time. Relax, laugh. For if you do not improve your behavior, His Majesty will think something is wrong and will end up in an ill humor. You can then well imagine the rest of our evening.”

  Antoine’s face burned. “Forgive me, Madame, Mademoiselle. I do not know what came over me or where my manners flew. Please forgive a silly daydreamer. I promise to be a gregarious companion for the rest of your stay.” He gave the most sweeping bow he knew to do before peeking up with a big grin at the ladies.

  Marie beamed back. The smile of Mademoiselle seemed tremulous at best.

  Antoine reached for her hand, kissing it before tucking her smooth fingers back on the crook of his arm. Her smile grew stronger and Antoine knew, at that precise moment, he wanted to get to know this gentle woman. She was so unlike the other women who populated his circle. As a rule, they were social climbers, only caring about themselves and preening like peacocks to get the most attention from anyone with status.

  When Mademoiselle de Saix a
t last relaxed, he wanted to sigh with relief.

  Once again, he smiled to the women before opening the door to the terrace for them. As he ushered them through, Antoine could not help but watch His Majesty’s young cousin as she exited. The view from the back was also quite nice. He hoped the mademoiselle held no guile.

  Antoine’s heart skipped a beat. He was not cut out for this type of duty.

  Chapter Three

  Such a large and noisy gathering caused Louise’s stomach to flutter again. Or was it merely the very masculine arm she noted beneath her escort’s sleeve? She stood among thousands of other guests at the allée royale waiting for His Majesty to appear. The late afternoon sun did nothing for the chills of anxiety. Nor did the realization that so many in attendance could not stay at the chateau. Why had she, among so few, been allowed lodging?

  The massive doors pulled apart, and His Majesty arrived with his court. Tante Marie leaned in front of Antoine to whisper. “The Dauphine is being allowed to attend for a short time. He is looking more like his father every day. His Majesty is so proud of him. He has already begun training the child to be the next monarch. Oh, and look who else has decided to join the festivities.”

  Louise glanced where her aunt nodded. A stately lady with sad eyes walked near the king. A few of the many nobles Louise could put a name to, but the majority were complete strangers. She turned back to her aunt and mouthed, “Who?”