Guys this is my first fanfic and i really have no idea what im doing. I ask that you please review and give me as much constructive criticism as possible, but no flames. i would also really enjoy any ideas that you provide and maybe ill even add them to my story.
Disclaimer: I do not own this story, nor any of the characters. All credit goes to Victor Hugo. I only own Jacqueline and her family and other OCs.
Chapter One: A New Beginning
Her uncle's words still echoed in her mind; "You ought to die, you little wench, just like your republican of a father did." Those words were the final straw. She packed up what belongings she had and left her "home", is she could even call it that. Jacqueline Davigne moved into her uncle's castle with her mother when she was fifteen. Her father had died of one of the many cholera epidemics that swept the country. That was five years ago. Now at the age of twenty, she inherited her father's dowry and left for the city of Paris. She stared back at the retreating figure of Chateau de Bourbon. Her only regret is that she had to leave her mother behind. But there was no turning back now. As the fiacre sped towards the city of Paris, Jacqueline could only think of the murky future that was to come.
Meanwhile in Chateaux de Bourbon
Vivienne Davigne could now only see the dust that came from the fiacre that was taking her daughter away. She prayed that her beloved Christophe would watch over her and protect her. Just the sheer memory of her late husband still brought tears to her eyes. And now her dearest daughter was speeding away from her forever.
Her brother, Laurent de Bourbon, came into the drawing room where Vivienne was weeping. "Enough of this bawling, sister. You should be thankful that that foolish daughter of yours is no longer here to taint the name of our great family." Suddenly he guffawed. "The girl actually thinks she has a future in Paris. She'll be lucky to find factory work." He continued chortling as he left the room. "Well she won't get any sympathy from me." Little did he know that his sister was already one step ahead of him.
Two days ago in Paris, General Jean Maximillien Lamarque received a letter from a person he never expected to hear from again.
Dear Monsieur Lamarque,
This letter may come as a shock to you seeing as we haven't written in nearly five years, but as the good friend of my late husband, I had no one else to turn to. Ever since dear Christophe passed away, I have been holed up in my brother's home in Anjou. My darling Jacqueline could no longer stand her uncle's monarchist views and disparaging remarks about her father and plans leave to Paris after receiving her inheritance. She will arrive by coach on the 22nd of April at half-past-six. The law states that I am to remain with my brother and as you know, he will never let me leave here.
I must ask you to please watch over your goddaughter, as she has no one else. This may seem impossible but she has always dreamed of following her father's footsteps and studying the law. If you could use your political influence to grant my daughter a place at the university, I shall be forever thankful. I know that you and Jacqueline have not seen each other since the funeral; I pray that you will help her.
Your old friend,
Vivienne Davigne
Ten minutes after reading the letter, General Lamarque was on the steps of Sorbonne University. It was time that his old friends granted him a favor.
April 22nd, 1832
To say that Jacqueline was terrified would be an understatement. As the coach pulled into the staging area, she was beginning to regret leaving so hastily. She does not know where to find a suitable apartment, where to find a job, hell; she doesn't even how to leave the staging area. As she got off the coach with her two big valises, the panic had begun to set in. Where would she go now? Who should she talk to? She had half a mind to get back on that damned coach on the return trip to Anjou.
"Stop it Line, you know you can't go back to that life" she chastised herself. There was no turning back now. She knew that when she left that hell-hole. She only wished now that she had at least planned some housing arrangements beforehand. She grabbed hold of her valises and was about to walk away, when she heard the voice of a distant memory. "Jackie" it called out to her. "Great, now my mind is playing tricks on me". She continued to walk when someone grabbed her hand. She turned around ready to fight the offender, but instead she saw the face of an old friend.
"Godfather" she whispered in disbelief. "My darling Jackie" Lamarque cried out, "I thought I would never see you again." Jacqueline didn't realize that she was crying until her godfather lovingly wiped the tears away, just as he did when she was a child in his lap and her father was still alive. At that gesture, she tearfully embraced the man that brought her comfort during and after her father's deteriorating health.
"Look at you! You're the spitting image of your mother, you are" Lamarque told Jacqueline as they entered his carriage, "I can't believe how much you have grown. You are going to love my town house. And tomorrow I'll take you to see all the gra-". "Godfather how did you know that I was here?" she cut him off to ask.
"Your mother sent me letter telling me that you are coming. She asked me to look after you. Which is why you are coming to live with me." Jacqueline smiled sadly at her mother's kindness. "Thank you Godfather, but as much as I am relieved that I have you to turn to, I came to Paris to start my own life. I want to find my own place to live and work to make a living."
"A young girl living by herself in this city! Preposterous!" Lamarque cried out; "I won't allow it!" That hit a nerve in Jacqueline's head. "I can take care of myself Godfather! Don't think that I have been pampered and pandered to while in that dungeon of a castle! My uncle has been less than kind to me and my mother, but it taught me to fight to take care of myself!" She was on the verge of angry tears, but she was able to compose herself to say "I need to do this on my own Godfather."
At that, the General conceded. "Very well. But you will stay with me until I Find you a safe and suitable place to live. And you are to visit me every week for dinner. I want to hear all about your classes and-" "My classes? What are you talking about, Godfather?" Jacqueline asked. Lamarque looked at her with a twinkle of mirth in his eyes. "Your mother told about your wish to study law in her letter. The president of Sorbonne University and the head of the Law faculty were both friends of mine fighting in the Napoleonic wars. I saved their lives and so they granted you a place in their university. Just as a way of saying thank you" he winked at her.
Jacqueline started to cry at this. She could not believe it. She was actually going to go to a university, her father's university, and study law. Her! A woman! Lamarque just looked at her lovingly. It was the least he could do to make up for lost time. It was the least he could do for his best friend, Christophe.
As they drove on to Lamarque's town house, they passed the Sorbonne. Jacqueline looked out the window in awe, still in disbelief that she will soon be the first woman to go there. It was now seven in the evening, and the grounds were mostly empty. Jacqueline could only make out one figure coming down the library steps; young man in his early 20s; tall, blonde, and wearing a bright red coat.
well that is the first chapter. please r&r and let me know anything that i can improve for later chapters, i hope that the story didnt unfold too fast though, so let me know. thanks xoxoxo
