The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection

by Jennifer Lynn Cary

  The door flung open behind her.

  Mimi jumped.

  Momo let the door slam. “Is she here?”

  “Of course not. You could have known that without scaring the wits out of me.” Mimi’s heartbeat returned to a normal pace.

  Momo paced the room like a caged tiger.

  “What is amiss?”

  “Nothing.” Momo lied.

  Mimi knew she lied and that Momo knew her twin knew.

  Momo stopped her walking back and forth. “Claude was due back today, and I am anxious to see him.”

  Mimi accepted this for the moment but only because Mademoiselle concerned her more. Perhaps she enjoyed an extended ride with Monsieur de Crocketagné or a deep discussion with her newfound cousin. The hunting party had returned some time ago.

  Momo left.

  Evening shadows deepened and though Mimi tried not to worry, she gave way to fear. The worst was not knowing whom to trust for help. Something must be terribly wrong. Most in authority would laugh at her fear. Who would be able to help?

  Servants were to be in their quarters by eight o’clock, according to the prescribed rules set forth by the Prince de Condé. Still she would have to take a chance. Rules, there were so many empty rules—no dueling, dicing, playing cards, visiting the theatre or swearing in the servant housing. Yet they could be enforced at the whim of a noble.

  Of course, there were exceptions to the rules, but that usually meant that one was on a special assignment. Mimi was on no such special assignment and, though dueling, dicing, cards, the theatre or swearing were not likely to be a part of the evening, it was after eight o’clock now.

  Mimi shivered.

  Throwing a dark shawl about her shoulders, she slipped out and headed for the barracks. She hid in the shadows as best she could and knocked at the door.

  It was opened by Monsieur de Grillet. “Mademoiselle, what has happened?”

  “Is Monsieur de Crocketagné here?” She glanced past him into the sparse hall. It was a sign of nobility to do your duty and serve your king with the least amount of luxury.

  Monsieur de Grillet stepped outside with her, closing the door behind him. He guided her to the shadows. “No, he is not. Might I be of service?”

  Mimi made a decision. She must trust the man. “I am concerned for Mademoiselle de Saix. She left at midday for a ride but has not yet returned. I am hoping Monsieur de Crocketagné accompanies her, but I feel something is wrong.”

  “Have you inquired at the stables?” Monsieur did not laugh at her fear.

  “No, I thought to come here first.”

  “I will help you search. Come.” He took her by the arm and guided to the stables. His presence bolstered her nerve.

  At the stables they found Antoine’s black stallion missing as well as Louise’s favorite, Étoile. Monsieur called for a stable hand. A sleepy-eyed Daniel answered.

  Monsieur de Grillet stood, feet apart and arms crossed at his chest. “Do you know where Monsieur de Crocketagné and Mademoiselle de Saix have gone?”

  Daniel’s face filled with fear, but he answered straight away. “No, monsieur. I first saddled Étoile for mademoiselle. She was not pleased to ride the sidesaddle, but today I had no other for her. After she left, monsieur asked for her. I told him the same thing, and he had me saddle Vent for him.”

  “They have not returned?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I have not seen them since. They did leave in that direction.” He pointed toward the town.

  Monsieur de Grillet leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear. “Do you ride?”

  Mimi shook her head.

  “Do not worry.” Monsieur turned to Daniel. “Saddle my horse.”

  Daniel did as requested and had Albert’s white mount ready faster than Mimi would have imagined possible.

  Albert settled into his saddle and held a hand down to Mimi.

  She hesitated. The moment their fingers touched, she filled with courage. Taking his hand, she swung aboard behind him and wrapped her arms about his waist.

  He spoke over his shoulder. “Hold tight.”

  She did.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Albert sped out the same way Daniel had indicated, galloping straight for the village. True, either Antoine or Mademoiselle might had taken any of the side roads between the chateau and the village, but he and Mademoiselle Mimi could work their search back from there.

  Clopping down the cobbled streets, he scanned the roadsides, looking for any sign. He was nearly upon them when he spotted two black horses. Antoine’s stallion, Vent, stood tethered with the white-faced mare. He stopped and helped Mimi down before dismounting himself. By the time his feet hit the ground, she was already flying through the front door.

  A woman he recognized as Mimi’s mother stood in the doorway, her arms about her daughter. “Sh-sh, all is well. Mademoiselle is upstairs.”

  The women moved into the house.

  Albert decided to follow.

  A man stopped him at the door. “Monsieur, you brought our Mimi to us?”

  Albert removed his hat and bowed. “Oui. Albert de Grillet, at your service, monsieur.”

  “Robert Roché. Welcome to our home.” The man stepped aside allowing Albert to enter.

  Antoine appeared disheveled from the back of the house, his face bruised, his eyes wide. “Louise. Is there a problem? How does she fare?”

  Several girls of varying ages, all looking very much like Mademoiselle Mimi, rushed into the room.

  Madame Roché put her hand on Antoine’s shoulder. “She is well and rests. Our Mimi arrived with your friend. We will let you talk in peace.” She turned to her girls. “Come, let us go to the other room. Mimi, you may go upstairs. Mademoiselle is resting. Bibi will tell you more.” The family disappeared so quickly Albert had no time to object.

  Antoine motioned to the table.

  Albert took a seat, put his elbow on the table and leaned his chin onto his fist.

  Antoine sat opposite him. “A man attempted to take Louise today at the glade. She fell when he grabbed at her reins.” Combing his fingers over his crown, Antoine paused before continuing. “I chased him into the woods, and we fought. He fell on his knife and died. This was the closest place for help.” Antoine spread his hands on the table.

  Albert stared at his friend. They had known each other too long not to hear the unspoken. What did Antoine not say?

  “You left Mademoiselle de Saix on the ground alone, injured, while you chased the fugitive? You did not go to her first?”

  Antoine did not meet his gaze.

  Something was amiss. He knew the man who sat across from him—knew him better than a brother. This was not like him. “My friend, is that all of it?”

  Raising his head, Antoine looked him in the eye. “It is all that I can say for now.”

  Albert accepted the statement. This was not the time nor place for more. “How does she fare?”

  “She will be sore for a while, badly bruised. Nothing seems broken. Madame Roché believes rest is the best thing for today. On the morrow, we can help her try to move around so she will not become stiff.”

  “What would you have me to do?”

  Antoine shook his head. “I do not know. At this moment, I do not even know what I can do.”

  Silence lingered. Antoine opened his mouth to speak and closed it again, lowering his head.

  Albert waited. The words would have to come from Antoine. He could not supply what he did not know.

  Looking back up, Antoine rubbed his chin. “Would you go back to Versailles and get word to Monsieur Colbert and to the king as well, about what happened? Tell them Louise is recovering. She cannot be moved at this time.”

  “That will start an investigation. You know that.”

  “I know. The priest identified the assailant as Claude Bealieu. He buried Bealieu in the plot of the pauper. There was a price on his head.”

  “That may be enough.” Albert stood. “I will
leave Mademoiselle Mimi here with you and take word back to the household that the royal cousin is alive and will quickly recover. Will that do?”

  “Oui.” Antoine looked relieved. “And, Albert? Merci.”

  Antoine stood and offered his forearm.

  Albert grasped it. The thanks, Albert knew, was not only for what he said he would do but also for what he did not say. He clapped Antoine on the back and strode out the front door. Albert had no idea what Antoine had gotten himself into, but the man was more brother than friend. He swung aboard his horse and left to keep his word.

  * * *

  Louise wanted to toss and turn throughout the night. She wanted to but could not. After lying still for so many hours, the parts of her body that had not been injured in the fall now screamed at her.

  Though they did not scream as loudly as her conscience. Or was it her heart, broken into a million pieces. Her heart and soul bore bruises as well as her body.

  Madame Roché and Mimi helped Louise eat some porridge and then washed her face and hands.

  “That is all the pampering for now.” Madame Roché stood and kissed the top of her head. “You will have to get up and move around or you will be too stiff to recover.”

  Louise did not argue. She did not like being cooped up in bed all day.

  Mimi pulled the bedclothes back and her mother guided Louise to a sitting position. Louise inched her feet over the side of the bed and, with the two women each supporting an arm, she rose to stand.

  It felt good.

  It hurt a great deal.

  Standing there in her chemise, Louise took in a breath and tried to straighten her spine a bit. That helped. She motioned for the women to step back. “I want to try on my own.” Louise took one shaky step and looked up with a grin. Progress. She took one more and heard the door below slam.

  Hurried feet stomped up the stairs.

  Louise took her third step, her confidence growing.

  The bedroom door burst open. Momo exploded into the room. She lunged for Louise, knocking her to the floor.

  Louise’s head banged against the floorboards.

  Falling on top of her, Momo pounded with fury.

  Dazed, Louise tried to put her hands over her face and ward off the attack. Then she was free. Glancing up, she saw Momo held back by her mother and twin.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Madame Roché shook the girl.

  “No! I have lost Claude!” Momo pointed at Louise. “He is dead, and she is to blame! She killed him!”

  Louise scooted against the wall, wishing it would swallow her up.

  “Momo, she did not kill him.” Mimi reasoned. “He tried to kill her. He was caught and fell on his own knife.”

  “No, she should be the one that is dead, her and that holier-than-thou attitude. Why are you not dead?” Momo struggled toward Louise.

  Louise pulled herself into a tighter ball, her heart beating a hole in her chest.

  Annette ushered her distraught daughter out of the room and closed the door. Mimi remained with Louise. “Mademoiselle, let me help you to the chair.”

  The shaking began in earnest. Louise had never beheld such fury. “Why? Why did she do that? What did I do to her?”

  Mimi sat next to her. “Nothing, Mademoiselle, you did nothing to Momo.” She stroked Louise’s hair. “Momo has always been envious of those with title and money. Please understand, I love my sister very much, but I am not blind to her ways. Versailles is a two-edged sword to her. She loves to be among all the opulence, but she wants to be the one being served. She finds no satisfaction in doing a job well and would prefer a shortcut to riches. I think that is why she and Claude were so attracted to each other.”

  Louise looked at Mimi. She shook so much she did not think she could ask but needed to know. “Who is Claude?”

  “Claude Bealieu is the man who attacked you in the glade. No one had mentioned his name, and so I had no idea it was he, but I am not surprised. My family has never approved of Claude, so Momo had not told anyone but me that they were planning to be married as soon as he had enough money. Only it was never enough. He must have hoped to get a great deal of money for you so they could marry.” Mimi folded her hands in her lap. “Apparently, word has gotten back to the chateau that he died trying to hurt you in some way.”

  The shaking subsided a little. Louise tried, but could not make sense of what Mimi explained. “Why does she hate me so?”

  “Because you are doing all that she has wanted to do but cannot. It is not you, personally, although she thinks it is. That is her way of justifying her greed.”

  “But she blames me for . . . Claude?” Was that his name?

  Mimi nodded.

  “She blames me for Claude’s death. It is my fault. I never should have been out there.” Louise leaned her head onto her knees.

  “No, you must not blame yourself. Claude was a bad one and bound to come to trouble.” Mimi put a tentative arm about Louise’s shoulders. “I hurt for Momo, though, because I know how it feels. Whether he was good or bad is not the point when it comes to her feelings for him. She loved him, and now he is gone.”

  Louise fell over onto Mimi’s lap. “So, what will happen now?”

  “I do not know, Mademoiselle.” Mimi stroked Louise’s hair. Soft, gentle soothing stokes. “Only God knows.”

  Louise grabbed onto the phrase and held it tight in her memory. Only God knew. It would have to be enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Monsieur, I need to speak with you a moment?”

  As Antoine returned from caring for the horses, Madame Roché met him at the door. Her face foretold she had something serious on her mind.

  He nodded, and she led the way outside.

  “I need your help, Monsieur, for my daughter.”

  “But of course.”

  She held up her hand. “This is very difficult, Monsieur, and I need to know you will do all you can to protect her.”

  “You have my word, Madame. I do not know what I would have done without your help yestereen. Anything I can do, I will. Tell me, what is the problem?”

  “I know who was behind the attempt on Mademoiselle.”

  “What? Who?”

  She put a hand on his arm.

  With great effort he pulled his focus back to her.

  “My daughter, Momo—Monique, she is Mimi’s twin…”

  He nodded at her questioning look.

  “Momo was caught at the chateau and blackmailed into helping to protect us all. Claude was her . . . suffice it to say they were a lot closer than either Robert or I knew. Claude was a bad one, but I doubt he would have come up with something like this on his own.” Madame Annette sighed. “I have learned the Marquise de Montespan hired him.”

  Could His Majesty sanction such a thing? No, this had to be from the Marquise without his knowledge.

  “The Marquise has held a grudge against Mademoiselle for some time now. She wanted Claude to get rid of her. I am sorry to tell you this, but I thought you should know. Momo has no proof but for the money she was given. The Marquise could always say she stole the money. Can you help us?”

  Antoine shook his head. He knew the Marquise did not like Louise. She was well known for her volatile temperament, but he had no idea she would take things to such extremes. He put his hand on Annette’s shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. “I will do all I can. In fact, I will leave for St. Germaine to see the authorities now. Please tell Mademoiselle, that I… tell her I will be back as soon as I can.”

  A look of relief lit up Madame Annette’s face. “I will tell her, Monsieur. God’s speed.” She returned to the house.

  Antoine saddled his horse. Then he realized before he could carry out his plan, he must make a detour. He spurred Vent on and rode hard for Versailles.

  At the barracks, he inquired for Albert and learned he was training a new recruit.

  “You are back. How fares Mademoiselle?”

  “She improves.” Antoin
e stood for a moment and caught his breath, looking from Albert to the stranger being trained. “I have news. It appears a special favorite of His Majesty is behind the incident.” Antoine knew to choose his words with caution and even now feared he had said too much.

  “You know this how?”

  “An accomplice confessed.”

  Albert stared back at Antoine, his cocked eyebrow saying more than words.

  Antoine framed his next sentence with care. “If it becomes known about this accomplice, it could be very bad for others.”

  “I have already spoken with Monsieur Colbert and His Majesty. They know about the incident and want to know more.”

  Antoine nodded. “Perhaps I need to take this to the Office of the Marshall of France?”

  “One moment.” Albert motioned for another guard to come. “Take Tobin to the armory and show him the weapons.” He waited until the others had gone and turned back to Antoine. “What would you say?”

  “I will think of something.”

  Albert grinned. “This I will need to see.” He followed Antoine back to the stables.

  The horses were saddled in record time.

  Albert mounted. “Are you ready, my friend?”

  “As ready as I will ever be.” Antoine pressed his heels, and Vent responded. Man and horse flew as one over the eight miles to the palace of St. Germaine.

  The Marquis agreed to see the men without appointment. Antoine explained what had happened, leaving out Maury and Momo’s parts, but naming the Marquise de Montespan as the one behind the attempt.

  Albert summed up. “We realize this is a very delicate situation, monsieur, but we felt you should know. The abductor is dead, and Mademoiselle is recovering. She would prefer to not have to think about this business any more than necessary. As she is scheduled to go home as soon as those on the excursion to Vichy return, she respectfully asks that we not prosecute the offender.”

  “You have been the escort of the lady, no? Is this your understanding on the matter?” The Marquis squinted directed at Antoine, making him want the retreat. Give him an enemy with weapons and he could be fierce. But someone of power who could destroy with the scratch of his quill?