"YOUNG BLADES"
"BEGINNING OF THE END"
PART 4
Author's Note: Some of this chapter deals with men's attitudes towards women
at that time in history (blame all the historical romance novels I've read)
in somewhat blunt terms.
Chapter Seven:
Jacqueline takes a deep breath, "Years ago--when I was only fourteen, my uncle approached my father about a man who'd seen me and wanted to marry me. My father left the decision up to me. He felt very strongly about forcing me into marriage, because he didn't believe in arranged marriages, and because of my age. Too, the man only wanted me for two things: 'bed sport' and my ability to have children. My uncle made some crude remarks about how he 'would take me' on our wedding night, by force, if I didn't allow him to do whatever he wished. Then, about six months before my father's death, he came in person to see him. The Comte' offered my father several thousand francs for my hand in marriage. But I promised my mother on her deathbed that I would be no man's broodmare or slave."
"That is not how I look at you."
"I know that. But there may be a problem with my father's younger brother."
"What about him?"
"He is my only living relative. And under French law, he is my guardian until I turn twenty-one."
"When will that be?"
"On April twenty-second, a week from today. If he discovers that I am alive, and now cleared of the murder charges, he will force me to marry the Comte'--for a large amount of money and his connections at Court. Even though he despises our current King, he desperately wants to be accepted at Court."
D'artagnan thoughtfully strokes his chin, his mind working, "I think we should simply wait to announce publicly that Jacqueline is alive. Until you turn twenty-one. And too, he would be foolish to bother the betrothed of one of the King's Musketeers. Until then, you will remain Jacque."
"Which brings me to another question: what about the Musketeers? And what will Sirroc and Ramón' say when they discover that Jacque is Jacqueline, a wanted murderess, who was hiding in open sight? Not to mention what Captain Duvall will say."
"Actually, they already know who you are."
Jacqueline can't conceal her shock and dismay, "What?"
"It was while you were ill. Sirroc was treating your wounds when he made the discovery. The three of us discussed your situation as we kept watch. They understood why Jacqueline became Jacque. Do not worry, Sirroc did not see any thing, as I am the one who bathed and held you when the fever rose."
"There is something else: I have no dowry. When my father was killed, I was left with no money. My uncle has taken over the farm, except for the house, which he leases to our neighbor. And he certainly will not give me money for a dowry."
"Personally, I have never believed in them myself. My father taught me that it is not important to a marriage. He actually refused my mother's. Instead, he put it into a trust for me. I am actually quite wealthy. Not in the same class as His Majesty, but enough for us to live very comfortably." D'artagnan lifts their intertwined hands to kiss hers gently, "I love you, Jacqueline Roget. I want to spend the rest of my life at your side.
Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes--yes I will. And I'm honored that you asked me."
"No, it is I who am honored. We will talk to the priest as soon as you turn twenty-one. We will set a date then. But I do not want to wait to long to make you my wife."
Jacqueline manages a small laugh, "You are afraid that I will change my mind?"
"No. I am afraid that someone will see how beautiful you are."
She looks up again, "There is something else you should know."
"What is it, My Love?"
Jacqueline can't resist raising an eyebrow, "'My Love'?"
"What else should I call you?"
"I suppose. But you should know--I have never been with a man. At least not in a literal sense."
"I do not see that as a problem. I promise that when we make love, we will take things very slowly. The word 'no' will always be respected. And with us, it will be making love, I do not see you as just a warm body or mother to my children." D'artagnan takes a deep breath, "There is something I should tell you as well. Two years ago, I was engaged. It ended shortly before you and I met."
"Would it be rude of me to ask what happened?"
"Not at all. I want you to know what happened. Her name was Serena, the daughter of a duke who was a close friend and advisor to the late King. She was beautiful: a tall, willowy girl with pale blonde hair and blue eyes. I first met her when I stopped a bandit from attempting to rob the carriage she was returning to Paris in. Her beauty and charm captivated me. But I now realize what I felt for her was nothing compared to what I feel for you. I was merely infatuated with her. Those feelings were nothing compared to the deep and abiding love I have for you."
"Why are you not married to her now?"
"I asked her father for her hand in marriage within three months of meeting her. I was positive that I had found the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I was willing to give up the life I love to be with her, accepting her father's offer to become his heir, as he had no sons of his own. Then, she told me she was with child."
"From what you just said, the child was not yours?"
"I had done nothing more than kiss her hand. But she begged me to marry her still, saying she would happily bear my children. She refused to tell me who the father of the child was. I later learned that the father was once one of my closest friends."
"Not Sirroc or Ramón'," Jacqueline is horrified at the thought of the men betraying one another in that way. They are far to close, more like brothers than friends.
"No. It was a man I had grown up with. When she refused to accept the fact that I would not marry her, I went to her father and explained why. Of course he did his best to convince me that it did not matter that she was carrying another man's child. That she would bear my own children. But I refuse to marry a woman who would not be as faithful to me as I am to her. Two weeks after I confronted her and her father, she married her lover at his estate in Cologne. The day that I received word, I went to a tavern and drank myself insensible for two days. Sirroc and Ramón' found me and dragged me back to the Barracks, then left me alone to sleep it off. They told Captain Duval what happened, so he left me alone for a few days. After that, I gave up on finding someone to share my life with. And two months later, you fell out of that tree."
"She obviously did not have much character, to have betrayed the man she was betrothed to," Jacqueline observes.
"No, she did not. And it turned out that he was not the first man she had been intimate with. He was the only one to get her with child. I recently saw him and he told me that I had a lucky escape--that she is a regular little hellion."
"I give you my word that I will always be faithful to you."
"I know. And I give you the same vow."
"My mother's health was always very frail. Giving birth to Gerard almost killed her. And she never fully recovered from loosing my baby sister in late pregnancy. But my father was always faithful to her. Even after her death, he never looked at another woman. Even though my uncle constantly urged him to find a woman to occupy his bed and help to raise Gerard and I. He tended her grave faithfully until he was murdered. Fortunately, my neighbor has been tending both graves. I have given him money several times."
"I wish I could have met your father. Since I liked his son and like his daughter, I believe I would have liked him.
"He would have liked you as well. Especially if he knew I could beat you in a sword fight," Jacqueline laughs warmly.
D'artagnan relaxes. If she's laughing, she's feeling better, "He is the one who taught you to fight?"
She smiles at the memories, "He was a firm believer in a woman being able to defend herself. He also taught me to ride. One of our other neighbors has a granddaughter who is also a good rider. She and I would gallop our horses over the countryside, taking jumps as they came. How will your father feel about our marrying--especially since you'll be marrying a poor farm girl with no breeding or background?"
"He will be absolutely delighted. He has wanted me to marry for quite some time. Sirroc and Ramón' will be as well. And if we do have to leave the Musketeers in order to be together, I have a small town home that I inherited from my mother's family.
We will even have servants to do all those things you do not like to do."
"My uncle is going to be furious since I will not be marrying the Comte', who would abuse me."
"No. Instead you will be marrying a man who absolutely loves and adores you. Do not get me wrong, I do want to make love to you and am looking forward to our wedding night. But there are things far more important than the physical aspects of our marriage--such as love, trust, and friendship. Those will be the cornerstones of what I pray will be a happy marriage."
"At least you will not be the typical demanding husband I have always heard so much about."
"Unlike many marriages, ours will not be one of merely convenience. One where we come together merely to conceive children and I seek my physical pleasures outside of the marriage bed. That is what the late King had with Her Majesty. It was arranged for political reasons, and his need for an heir. The result was that they were both very unhappy. She wanted and needed his love, but he needed only his many mistresses. He wanted more than one legitimate child, to secure the family line, but by that time, she was unable to bear his touch--knowing about the other women he had been with. Sirroc has heard the rumor that he contracted the disease that he died of from one of his mistresses.
When he died, it was a relief to the Queen.
"One of her ladies'-in-waiting told my father that on their wedding night, he took her with no preparation--seeking only his release and to get his heir. He kept going to her room until she was carrying His Majesty. Once she was, he left her alone until sometime after the birth."
"How do you feel about a man having a mistress?"
"I do not like it. Or believe in it. I know it is common, but I do not like it. If a man truly loves the woman he is married to, he will not forsake her for another. Too,
the King often selected women who felt as if they had no choice in the matter, as they were from the lower classes. That is often the result of marriages of convenience. The men often father children with the women they have affairs with, then do not support them. The children grow up with the stigma of being born out of wedlock, and are often insanely jealous of the legitimate children."
"And if I am unable to have children? What will you do then? Will you take a mistress to father a child, then expect me to raise it as my own?"
"Do you truly believe that I would do that to you?"
Jacqueline shakes her head, but decides to be very blunt with him, giving him an out of his proposal if he needs it, "No, of course not. But I am being realistic now. Men need a male child to carry on their family name. My monthly flow has always been, shall I say, irregular. And especially in the last two years, it has been very unpredictable. There is a possibility that I may not be able to have a child."
D'artagnan's voice is gentle, as are his eyes, "That is not even an issue. If you are unable to have a child, we can always go to the orphanage and adopt one. And if you only have a girl, she will be just as loved as her mother is." Standing, he pulls Jacqueline to her feet and into his arms, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder, his voice low and gentle as he strokes her silky hair, "I love you so much."
Jacqueline buries her face in his chest, allowing him to hold her. After a moment, she looks up into a pair of concerned brown eyes, finding that they hold the love that she's been searching for all of her life, "I love you too."
Putting a gentle hand on her chin, D'artagnan tilts her head up so that he can look deep into her dark blue eyes. Without a second thought, he lowers his lips to hers, gently coaxing her to open her mouth. His tongue plunges in as he bends her back against his strong arm as she melts against him. After a long silent moment, he lifts up and looks back into her eyes, "Was that all right? Or too much too soon? I've wanted to do that for two years."
"No--it's perfect, just like I have always imagined you would kiss me: gentle and tender, yet demanding that I respond. I just was not expecting it." Taking the initiative, Jacqueline stands on her toes to kiss him back. This time, she wraps her arms around his neck as time stands still.