Louise wanted to refute, tell him not to worry. Yet she did not. She knew deep inside he was correct.
“I will be careful.”
He pulled her close again and kissed the top of her head. “I will return this afternoon after you have had time to rest.”
She nodded, her face buried in his chest. She could smell his manly, secure scent. More than any time in her life, she was where she belonged.
He pulled back, his hand caressing her chin. “Get some rest.”
She nodded, and he was gone.
Chapter Ten
Antoine entered the barracks, searching for the words to say, only to find his friend pacing the floor.
As if preparing to receive a blow, Albert faced Antoine. “Just tell me.”
“Pierre gave up the ghost this morning at dawn. Madame LeSuere was at his side. Her neighbors are with her now.” Antoine rubbed between his brows with the heel of his palm. “Her body will heal, but I do not believe her spirit ever will.”
He sat on the edge of his cot with his head heavy in his hands. Weary both in mind and spirit, Antoine did not think there was enough sleep in the world to fix that problem. “Where is Jean-Luc?”
Albert sat across from him. “I put him to bed in the other room. He came back and found a bottle to crawl into. I have not seen him drink this much in a long time—not since that night after we lost Gustave in the siege.”
“Does he not have duty soon?”
“Michel is taking the day for him. I wanted to wait for you. It will take the two of us to wake him and make him sober—or at least somewhat sober.” Albert rubbed his eyes.
Most people did not know what a tender heart resided in the big man. Most people did not, but Antoine knew. “He is taking this very hard.”
“He nearly refused to do his duty. It was that abhorrent to him. It is not in his nature to lay a hand on a woman unless he is trying to bring her pleasure. The big ape is so compassionate, his responsibility in this mess is destroying him. He pledged his allegiance, as we did, and he knows what we did was wrong. Yet, to refuse to carry out the order would have been to break his vow. So instead he feels like a coward for not standing up for what is right.”
Antoine knew to have disobeyed would have meant more than their jobs. It would have cost Albert and Jean-Luc their personal freedom, and brought torture, prison, and perhaps, death. “What else could you have done?”
There was a pause. Albert’s jaw worked with no voice. As if from the depths of his soul, Antoine’s friend and mentor dragged the words free. “I should have taken the punishment for her.”
“Jean-Luc is not the only one to suffer.”
They sat in silence, the what-might-have-been speaking loudly around them.
Jean-Luc snored.
Antoine looked at Albert and stood. He held out his hand. “Let us go minister to our friend before his noise rattles the roof on top of us.”
Albert made a small attempt at a smile and pulled himself up with Antoine’s assistance.
In the next room of cots, the sleeping giant droned on, his mouth slack, drool spilling from the corner. Still with his boots on, one leg hung down with the heel resting on the floor. His right forearm covered his eyes, and his left hand dangled an empty bottle.
Antoine shook his head. It was not a pretty sight. If any of Jean-Luc’s ladies could see him now, they would run and hide.
He met Albert’s gaze. The captain of the guard nodded. Simultaneously, they grabbed the side of the cot. With one terrific pull, they dumped the unconscious Jean-Luc on the cold, exposed barracks floor. The bottle crashed into a million pieces. Jean-Luc continued to snore as noisily as before.
Antoine nodded toward the corner.
Albert understood and smiled. Grabbing the bucket of water, he upturned it over the sleeping form.
Jean-Luc jumped to his feet, gasping and sputtering, and slipped, landing on his backside. Fortunately, the overturned cot covered the shattered bottle.
“Time to wake up, Monsieur Sleeping Beauty.”
“I am up, I am up.” Jean-Luc swiped his dripping hair from his face. “Why am I all wet?”
“We were just wondering that, were we not, Albert?”
“What have you been doing Jean-Luc? You have water everywhere in here, and you are on the floor. What is going on, my friend?”
“Enough. Just help me up.”
Albert and Antoine each took an arm and helped the bear-like Jean-Luc to his feet.
“Tell me how goes it for Pierre and his mother?”
Antoine paused. “I am sorry, my friend.”
The cry, animal and basic, tore at Antoine’s heart. Jean-Luc fell onto another cot, sitting with his hands grasping his hair and his face to the ceiling. When at last he looked back to Antoine, tears still glistened down his cheeks. A guttural whisper broke through. “Tell me.”
Antoine related all, even the part concerning Mimi staying in Louise’s room to keep from suspicion. “It is for the best.”
Albert and Jean-Luc nodded in agreement.
A finality descended like a blanket over the room. Antoine bent to right the cot. Albert returned the bucket to the corner. Jean-Luc grabbed a broom to sweep up the broken glass. Life would go on. However that was possible.
* * *
Louise tried resting once they got Mimi to sleep but, though her body was exhausted, her mind would not quiet.
Momo lay next to Mimi, and the twins slumbered in each other’s arms.
Pacing the floor, trying to find the sense of the last couple of days, did not work either. Agitated, Louise opened her writing kit. The words seemed to pour from her quill.
My dearest Matthew,
I hope this letter finds you happy and well. Tante Marie and I have had some exciting travels, but I long to just sit and talk with you. I miss your wise and comforting words. I have met several people while here at Versailles, some worth knowing and others I wish I had not met at all. Yesterday I realized how much I long to speak with you. I know you will think me silly, but I have even been having a strange dream. There are other things going on as well, and I wish I could hear what you have to say about all of this. You know you are more of a Father Confessor to me than anyone. I understand you cannot come to Versailles, but there is a glade just on the other side of the town to the northeast. I will be there alone on Saturday of next week, all afternoon. If it is possible, would you please come meet me there?
Ever your loving friend,
Louise
The written word still did not satisfy her. Louise looked over the letter. She missed him very much. What if he thought she was being infantile? Here she was a grown woman, and still she could not sort out her own thoughts and feelings.
Momo stirred. She must be getting up.
Louise folded the note and sealed it with wax.
Momo came and stood behind her. “You should be resting as well. Mimi said you were up all night with her.”
Louise shook her head. “I could not sleep. I needed to get something down on paper.”
“Oh.”
An idea came to Louise. “Perhaps you could help me. Do you know someone trustworthy who could deliver a letter for me?”
Momo’s gaze became guarded. “It is possible. Where does it need to be delivered?”
“To Alsais, to a Monsieur Matthew Maury. Do you know someone?”
“Oui, I know someone. It will cost you. That is almost two hundred miles from here.”
“I understand. How much?” Louise went to her white box and pulled the velvet bags. She lifted out a false bottom and removed some gold coins. “Will this be enough?”
Momo’s eyes gleamed a bit too much at the money.
Louise started to regret even asking.
“For now. I will let you know whether he has any expenses that may require more.”
“How soon can he leave?”
Momo glanced at her sleeping sister. “If you will stay with Mimi, I will take it now. I wi
ll be gone about an hour. Do not leave her.”
“You can trust me.”
Momo nodded and went out the door.
An uncomfortable niggling started at the nape of Louise’s neck. But could she trust Momo?
Chapter Eleven
Antoine got little sleep. Both Jean-Luc and Albert left, and he did not want to remain in the barracks alone. Or, more importantly, he did not want to be there when others came in.
Perhaps Louise would be up.
Wandering to the door of the barracks, he glanced out in the direction of the fountains, specifically toward that fountain where he and Louise had stood in the moonlight.
Could it be his imagination? No, there she sat on a garden bench.
She was not alone. Antoine could tell from the way they sat. The other person most likely was Mimi.
Drawn, as if by a magnet, he moved closer.
The scene looked too intimate to interrupt. He forced himself to stay back and observe from behind a statue.
How tenderly Louise cared for Mimi.
Antoine’s heart enlarged at her gentleness.
Mimi, he could tell, was in great pain and that, too, touched him. These two women, whatever else might be said of them, had good hearts.
He continued his silent vigil until he noticed they were ready to move on. Taking that as his cue, he headed in their direction, calling out to them. “Mesdemoiselles, what a treat to find such beauty among these blossoms. May I walk with you, ladies?”
Louise started to object, no doubt to protect Mimi. Not wanting to intrude, he would go on his way if that is what they wished. To his surprise, Mimi said, “Please do, Monsieur.”
She held out her hand, and he took it when he caught up to them. “Monsieur, I want to thank you for all you did. I know it was not the way you had hoped to spend your evening. You do not even know me, or my family, or—” She took a breath and squeezed her eyes tight for an instant. “Your help was very appreciated. I will light a candle for you that God blesses you for your goodness.”
Antoine did not know what to say. The silence grew awkward.
Louise timidly put her hand on his arm. “I wish to thank you as well, Antoine. I do not know what would have happened if you had not been there to help.”
“I am glad I could be of service.” Though he tried hard not to, he found himself looking more at Louise than Mimi. “Where shall we walk?”
Antoine held out an elbow for each woman. The women linked arms with him and they began to stroll the gardens once more.
It was not long before Mimi lagged slower.
“How fare you, Mademoiselle?”
“I believe I would like to return to the building.”
“Are you sure that that is what you want to do?” Louise looked concerned.
“Oui, I am ready to rest again. Please, might I lie on the petite coucher?” Mimi held up a hand at Louise’s mounting argument. “No, please. The bed belongs to you. I will see you when you return.”
Louise agreed.
Mimi paused. “And Mademoiselle?”
“Oui?”
“I thank you too.”
“You are most welcome. That is what friends are for—and I am your friend.” Louise pulled Mimi to her for a quick hug and whispered in her ear.
Mimi walked toward the chateau door. When there, she turned, gave a brief wave, and then went inside.
“Oh, she is hurting so badly, and I do not know what to do to help her, Antoine.” Louise leaned onto his arm.
How could his heart flip-flop like it did when so much sadness surrounded them?
He pulled his attention back to her question with much effort. “There is not much anyone can do. However, I believe that your being here and listening have given her a venue for her grief. It is just going to take time to learn to live with it.” He kicked a stone down the path. “My eldest sister lost her husband fighting the Spanish in Franche-Comté last month. They have five children and a sixth on the way. It has been very difficult for her.”
“I am so sorry. I did not know.” Her eyes shone with sympathy.
“It has been frustrating. I can do nothing to take her pain away. I want to make it right for her and the children, but it is not in my power.” Antoine’s jaw tensed as visions of the loving sister who had raised him danced in his memory.
Louise moved her delicate fingers over his arm and his tension eased.
They walked on toward Le Vau’s garden façade where they stopped to rest again.
Louise’s stomach growled.
Antoine chucked.
She blushed, admitting she had not eaten for a while. “I believe our feast in the glade was my last meal.”
“It sounds as though your stomach is in need of attention, my lady.”
“My stomach does not rule over me. I will eat later. For the moment, I am content to sit here.”
He should argue and make her take nourishment. Yet, she looked as content as she stated. “As you wish.” Antoine selfishly enjoyed her company. A remembrance floated to his consciousness. “Perhaps you are ready to share about the difficult conversation that bothered you yesterday.”
She paused.
He became concerned she might to say something about the fact that he did not rule over her either. “Not that you have to, but I am here, and look, two ears.”
She smiled. Bon.
Folding her hands neatly in her lap, she took a deep breath. “It does not seem as important today, after last night.” Louise cleared her throat. “I was summoned to the suite of the Marquise de Montespan after we returned yesterday. She wore her crocodile smile and warned me not to fawn my attentions on the king.”
“Pardon?”
“It seems she is jealous of me because I had a late meal with His Majesty in the Royal Suite. I do not think she could believe it was a chance meeting or that we only had something to eat.”
“I do not understand. She thinks you were in the Royal Suite? When was this?”
“My first night here. You brought me back, and I went to bed. However, I had a nightmare. I woke up unable to return to sleep. So, I went for a walk. His Majesty was also up and about. He invited me back to his suite where he had already arranged for a meal. He offered to share it with me. His valet walked me back no more than half an hour or so later.”
An ugly green snake wrapped itself around his heart, and his breath grew warm on his tongue. “You were alone with His Majesty? In his suite?”
Louise stood.
He stood as well.
“Antoine, what is this? He is my cousin, family. He invited me to have a bit of food and wine. I hope you are not accusing me of anything improper.”
His head told him she could be lying. It would not be the first time His Majesty had a liaison with one of his cousins. However, his heart did not want to believe that of Louise. “No, no, my apologies. I had no right to ask.”
“Are you sure you believe me?”
Antoine paused long enough to make sure he told her the truth. “Oui, I believe you.” He led her back to the bench and sat after she did. “Yet I can see how the Marquise would be upset. She is zealous in her attachment to the king.”
“I do not want a battle. My preference is to stay clear of her. It was not a good choice, but I never once thought something improper might occur. Now, what bothers me most is that someone might view things as she did and, with how gossip can travel, I would not have the best of reputations.”
Antoine’s heart tightened again, but not due to a jealous monster. “Oh.” He needed to make this right.
“As long as you believe me.” Her eyes clouded with worry.
“Oh, I do. It is just that…”
“Is there something you want to say?”
“No, it is nothing.” It was the first lie he had told her, and he hated himself for it. “Let us talk of something else.”
“As you wish.” Louise looked confused by Antoine’s behavior but spoke agreeably nonetheless. “Oh, I kno
w. Whatever did you use for an excuse for our missing dinner with His Majesty last night? I wondered about that before I dosed off this morning. It must have been sound for even Tante Marie has not questioned me.”
Antoine’s face burned and knew the time had come. “Ah, well . . .”
Concern radiated from Louise’s face. “What is the problem, Antoine? Have I said something wrong?”
He shook his head. “No, no. In fact, it may be that I am the one who has said something wrong. I am very sorry.”
“What do you mean?”
Antoine stood and began to pace. “I needed to think of something that would not be questioned or challenged, and I did not have a lot of time to do it. You know, His Majesty is trying to play matchmaker with the two of us. Did you know that?”
“No, I did not know that for sure, but are you not changing the subject?” Her gaze followed his pacing.
“Not exactly. You see, I thought others would not bother us or question things if they believed we were…” He cleared his throat.
“Were what?”
“Ah, detained elsewhere.”
“Detained elsewhere?” Louise shook her head. “Where would that be?” She did not understand, and he did not like explaining.
“Well, I led them to believe I was taking you for a romantic drive under the stars.”
“Romantic drive.”
“One that might end in a, well, you know.”
“A…?”
Antoine knew the exact moment when it fully dawned on her.
“You did what?”
“Louise, I am so sorry. Please, it is not as bad as you are making it out to be.” Yet he did not believe that himself.
She stood. The brief thought that she might attack flitted through his mind. “Oh, it is not? I am worried about my reputation being ruined by a vindictive witch when I should have been concerned about the chivalrous escort my family hired to keep me company.”
“Louise, that is not fair. It was not like that.” Though it was like that. Exactly like that. “Anyway, here at Versailles, no one would think a thing about it. There are many people sharing other beds here. They would think you were just…” He could not say it.
The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection Page 9