Chapter 29 - The Trial

Captain Laurent rode towards the manor de Barbarac followed by a royal carriage for the de Ghent ladies to return with him to the Château de Hautefort. As he rode, Laurent mused that his travels with Prince Henri had prevented him from seeing the lovely Lady Jacqueline, and he had missed her. And now, knowing what was about to happen to her family, he was worried that he had not been able to warn the sweet Jacqueline about the upcoming questioning to which the King intended to subject the baroness. What would happen to Lady Jacqueline? She had taken no part in the baroness' deception; on the contrary, she had alerted him when Danielle had been sold. She meant for him to tell Henri and prepare the rescue. Laurent knew one thing: he would do everything in his power to save her from the wrath of the King.

When the captain arrived at the manor, the baroness and her daughters were dining and having a lively conversation. Rodmilla discussed the activities for the upcoming week, reminding her daughters that her cousin Andre d'Alsace, Count of Flanders, would be returning within the next few days with some special guests from Spain whom they must be prepared to entertain. Then they talked about the failed wedding of Prince Henri and Princess Gabriela of Spain. Marguerite insisted on asking Jacqueline about her conversation with the prince, and Jacqueline continued with her evasive answers.

Captain Laurent rang the bell surprising the ladies and interrupting their conversation. Within moments the door opened and the three women appeared at the door.

In his most formal voice Laurent announced: "His Supreme Majesty King Francis requests an immediate audience with the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters."

"Oh! Is anything wrong?" Rodmilla asked with an innocent inflection in her voice, raising an eyebrow. She was convinced that the captain was not aware of her deceit.

"No, milady," Laurent responded in an equally innocent manner. "The King demanded that you arrive… in style."

"Hmm! In style we shall be," Rodmilla responded with great enthusiasm, while Marguerite squealed with excitement.

'My time has arrived,' the baroness thought. She had heard that the prince had recovered from his injuries and had returned to Court. So after all, the schemes of the usurper Duke Philippe protecting Danielle and hosting the prince in Montpensier had not been successful. The prince had returned and was now probably looking for a new bride. Despite the fact that she had been previously banned from Court, the baroness was convinced that the reason she was called to Court today was to discuss the possibilities of an engagement between the prince and her beautiful daughter Marguerite.

As Rodmilla and Marguerite ran inside to change into their most elegant dresses, Jacqueline lingered a few moments at the door. She and Laurent exchanged knowing glances, from which she understood that her mother's summons to Court was not for pleasant reasons. To allay Jacqueline's fears that she herself might be in trouble as well, Laurent smiled at her and gave her a nod.

The captain waited outside and when the ladies reappeared, he courteously opened the door of the carriage and they climbed into a most regal and comfortable travel setting. He ordered the footman to depart immediately, as the King intended for the ladies to arrive promptly after the business session of today's Court assembly. The King had a very important public questioning planned for them.

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The antechamber of the throne room was crowded with courtiers hoping to gain entrance, but the throne room was already filled to capacity. Everyone in town wanted to be present for today's Court assembly. They wanted to see their prince and were happy that he had recovered from the attack. They remembered how distraught the King had been; he had gone to Montpensier not knowing if his heir, the Dauphin, would live. Fear of losing the Dauphin paralyzed the whole kingdom, as King Francis was already old and had only one male son to inherit the throne, Prince Henri. The prince himself was not married or had descendants yet, so losing him would have meant the end of the Valois dynasty.

But now, not only the prince had survived, he had returned to Court amid rumors of a possible engagement. The rumors traveled as fast as a windstorm through the Court. Was the prince already engaged or was he looking for a bride? Was there a fortunate lady? Would that be announced today? It was also rumored that the Baroness de Ghent and her daughters had been summoned to Court. Could it be Marguerite, the baroness' beautiful daughter, the one chosen? No, that was impossible, the baroness had been banned from Court. But if not Marguerite, then who? Could it be, as reported by the local gossipers, a lady from Montpensier?

It was rumored that the King had first opposed and then accepted an engagement between the prince and a mysterious lady from Montpensier. And since it all happened in Montpensier, one of the seats of the Bourbons, there was speculation that she must be a member of the famous Bourbon family, a family with claims to the throne and related to former kings. Everyone had seen the Duc de Châtellerault and his family arrive earlier yesterday morning with two young ladies among them. The prince had been most familiar with one of them. The courtiers knew that the duke's sister, the Duchesse Louise de Bourbon, had a daughter of marriageable age who had long been away from Court; maybe she was the prince's chosen lady. So the expectation today was for the lady in question to be presented and to find out if it was true that the prince had gotten engaged or if it was just gossip.

The trumpet fanfare announced the arrival of King Francis and Queen Marie. As the doors opened and the chamberlain announced the Royals, the chatter in the room came to a halt and the crowd parted creating an aisle for the monarchs to walk through. The King and Queen walked in and sat in their respective thrones. A moment later the chamberlain announced His Royal Highness Prince Henri and the crowd cheered at the sight of him. He smiled and nodded in acknowledgment as he walked to the dais where he stood on the right hand side of the King. Next up the aisle and to the dais came Princess Marguerite de Valois. She went to stand next to the Queen. The Royals were now present.

King Francis opened the session calling the Court to order and then proceeded with the regular business of the day, giving audiences and settling land matters and property disputes. Once the regular business concluded, he stood up for an announcement that astonished the Court.

"Ladies and gentlemen...honored members of the Court. It gives us great pleasure on this occasion to celebrate the good health of Prince Henri with a most joyous announcement. It is my great privilege to announce that our son, Prince Henri, married this morning the lovely Comtesse de Clermont and new Duchesse de Bourbon Danielle de Barbarac, now also Duchesse de Bretagne and d'Orléans. It is my pleasure to present to you, Her Royal Highness Princess Danielle, our new Dauphine."

Henri beamed with pride as Danielle walked regally towards the dais followed by her newly appointed dames d'honneur: her cousin, Lady Suzanne de La Roche-sur-Yon, and Lady Claire de Cervole, who was appointed by the Queen for having previously attended Danielle when she had fallen ill. Danielle had changed into a new velvet and silk gown in the Royal colors of deep red and gold. Seeing Danielle so elegantly attired, wearing her Dauphine crown and a ruby pendant the Queen had giving her made Henri's heart skip a beat. He was amazed at the effect that she had on him. Just seeing her smile warmed his whole body. Every day his love for her increased, and right now he loved her more than this morning when they said their vows in the small chapel, and this morning he felt he loved her more than the day before. He considered himself the luckiest man alive, as he was convinced that no prince or King in the world would be so lucky as to marry and be loved by a woman so beautiful and intelligent as Danielle, the love of his life. His heart was bursting with joy.

Danielle approached the dais and curtsied to the King and Queen, while her ladies went to stand with the audience of courtiers. Henri then came forward and took her hand to raised her from the curtsy. They turned to face the crowd.

A collective gasp was heard in the room after the King's announcement. One by one all the courtiers bowed and curtsied to Danielle, and as they rose they recognized that this new princess was… she was the girl of the masque! Wasn't she the Baroness de Ghent's servant, the one who had addressed the prince inappropriately and whom the prince had humiliated? The courtiers looked around, their eyes searching for the baroness. But then it was remembered that Rodmilla de Ghent had been banned from Court. There was something strange and unsettling about all of this.

At that moment Henri turned to Danielle and in a regal gesture extended his hand to her. She placed her gloved hand on top of his, and they walked together out of the room, crossing the long isle flanked by the courtiers. As Henri guided Danielle to a small side waiting room, he whispered to her: "Don't dismay. It is almost over. They are already here." Then he kissed her lightly and returned to the Throne Room, taking his place on the right side of the King.

King Francis continued his speech. "There are imperative reasons why this wedding was conducted in the most private of manners. However, you are all invited to the public Royal wedding that will be celebrated in a fortnight, in the city of Marseille, with all the splendor and magnificence appropriate to the Royal wedding of France's Dauphin."

A few cheers followed by a wave of gossipy chatter filled the room. The courtiers still could not believe that the prince had married this morning, and in private. And he married an unknown noble girl, supposedly 'a comtesse' who was given a duchess title by the Bourbon family! Or perhaps the King bought this duchesse title from the Bourbons and gave it to this girl so that the prince could marry her? It had to be, as that title belonged to the late wife of the former Constable, Charles de Bourbon. Scandalous! However high the girl's lineage, a Countess was not worthy of a Crown Prince! The courtiers were shocked. But they were relieved to know that at least a proper Royal wedding was being planned, although they were not pleased that they would have to travel to Marseille for the celebration. Still, this was good news. France needed a magnificent Royal wedding to demonstrate that this was the most splendid and influential kingdom in the world.

But, what were those 'imperatives' the King mentioned as reasons to hold a private wedding? Had the prince done something inappropriate? The sound of chatter rose up, reaching a crescendo that became a cacophony of voices interrupted only by the thunderous sound of the King's voice.

"Silence, please," the King ordered. "Today's session has not concluded. There is an important hearing that needs to take place in the presence of the Court."

The King made a signal and a moment later the chamberlain announced the arrival of the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters.

Followed by her two daughters and dressed in her most elegant green and gold velvet gown, a gold crucifix, emerald earrings and an elaborate headpiece, Rodmilla de Ghent floated forward up the aisle, with a bright smile on her face. The courtiers parted to allow their pass. The three women reached the dais and curtsied deeply.

The King wasted no time.

"Baroness de Ghent, did you, or did you not, lied to Her Majesty the Queen of France?" King Francis demanded.

Rodmilla looked confused for a moment. Her eyes were wide open and panic showed in her face.

"Choose your words wisely, Madame, for they may be your last." The Queen remarked.

The baroness spoke in a hesitant tone. "A woman would do practically anything for the love of her daughter, Your Majesties. Perhaps I did get a little carried away..." she said nervously as she realized that her hopes of joining the royal family had evaporated. She knew that her life was in danger.

Standing behind her mother, Jacqueline and Marguerite de Ghent felt the world collapsing around them. But while Jacqueline felt embarrassed at her mother's affected performance, Marguerite decided she would play victim and save herself. She came forward and addressed Rodmilla with disgust. "Mother, what have you done?" And looking at the King she added, "Your Majesty, like you, I am just a victim here. She has lied to us both and I am ashamed to call her family." Her whining resonated through the room as Jacqueline rolled her eyes.

The baroness reacted pushing Marguerite aside. "How dare you turn on me, you ingrate!" She yelled at her daughter.

"You see what I have to put up with!" Marguerite pleaded with the King, but King Francis had had enough of this distasteful scene.

"Silence, both of you! Good Lord!" Then he turned to Jacqueline who could not hide her exhaustive shame at her embarrassing family. "Are they always like this? The King huffed at her.

"Worse, Your Majesty," Jacqueline responded, showing a mix of shame and mirth. Marguerite gave her sister a look intended to silence her. She could not believe her little sister was acting against her in public.

Rodmilla bent towards Jacqueline, speaking angrily through clenched teeth. "Jacqueline, darling, I'd hate to think you had anything to do with this."

"Of course not, mother. I'm only here for the food." Jacqueline's ironic tone resonated in the room.

Laughter was heard in the room and Captain Laurent gave an approving nod to Jacqueline. Standing next to the Captain, Leonardo winked at the brave girl.

The Queen's voice cut through the amusement.

"Baroness de Ghent," she spoke in an uncharacteristically severe voice. "You are forthwith stripped of your title. You and your horrible daughter are to be shipped to the Americas on the first boat. Unless, by some miracle, someone here will speak for you."

The baroness scanned the room in panic, searching for a friendly face, while Marguerite looked desperately at her mother. The courtiers however, avoided eye contact completely or gave her a look of disgust. The baroness had always treated them as if she were superior, telling everyone that her daughter will be a princess and she will be part of the royal family. Now she was pleading for her life, tried by the same family she had hoped to join, and the irony didn't escape anyone.

The Throne Room was now very quiet. Recognizing the severity of her new condition the baroness tried to be pleasant. She needed to gain time, think of something that could help her. "There seems to be quite a few people out of town..." It was the only thing that occurred to her.

The King gave her a stern look and was about to pronounce a sentence when the voice of Princess Danielle echoed throughout the room. "I will speak for her. She is, after all, my stepmother," she said as she stood calmly at the entrance of the room.

At the sight of the princess, all courtiers bowed and curtsied, to the surprise of an incredulous Marguerite de Ghent, who looked at her stepsister, astonished. Danielle advanced slowly towards Rodmilla who turned to find herself in front of her stepdaughter, dressed in the most elegant gown, with a ruby pendant she recognized as the one Page Pepin has given her weeks before. Most alarmingly, Danielle was wearing...the Dauphine Crown?

Fear ran through the baroness' body as she realized Danielle had somehow joined the royal family. How did this happen? As Danielle got closer, Rodmilla was forced to acknowledge her and lowering her eyes, she addressed Danielle as a royal. "Your Highness," she said as she curtsied.

Henri could not help but smile at his beautiful wife. And now that he could call her his wife, he decided to brag about it.

"Marguerite," Henri looked at the baroness' daughter with a mischievous smile on his face. "I don't believe you've met… my wife."

Marguerite lowered her eyes, trying to suppress her disgust. All she could think of was that her mother had failed her. She had promised her she would make her a princess, and now...oh, how she hated Danielle!

While Rodmilla remained in her low curtsy, Danielle spoke to her with her new found confidence. "I want you to know that I will forget you after this moment and never think of you again. But you, I am quite certain, will think about me every single day for the rest of your life."

"How long might that be? Rodmilla's tone was demure.

Danielle turned to address the King and Queen. "All I ask, Your Majesties, is that you show her the same courtesy that she has bestowed upon me."

As she pronounced these words the King nodded and signaled for the guards: "Please take them away. They will be assigned to work in the castle's laundry. They must begin their sentence immediately."

Danielle then spoke for Jacqueline who was standing by herself in the middle of the room. She approached the dais and curtsied before the King and the Queen, then made her request.

"I would like for Jacqueline de Ghent to stay in Court as one of my ladies, Your Majesties. She has been a dear stepsister and I trust her."

"As you wish, dear," the Queen smiled at Danielle.

Danielle stood in the center of the room watching as part of her former family was taken away. A strange feeling of loss and sadness took hold of her and she struggled to hold her tears. Henri saw Danielle's turmoil and came to her side.

"Don't be sad, my love," he whispered. "You knew this would happen. At least they won't be sent to the Americas and Jacqueline could visit them."

"I know," Danielle lowered her head, still choked up with emotion.

The King then turned to the courtiers and pronounced: "Court dismissed!"

Henri and Danielle walked down the central aisle and left the Throne Room followed by the King and Queen. Princess Marguerite followed them. As the courtiers exited the room, Jacqueline was escorted to her new chambers. She would be allowed to go to the manor in the afternoon to gather her things.

A few minutes later, the rest of the royal family, the Bourbons and a few distinguished members of the Court gathered in the main dining hall to celebrate the union of the new couple.

The archbishop had blessed their union, but the King wanted the marriage to be blessed by the Cardinal de Lorraine and the Pope in a grand public Royal wedding. Grand Master Montmorency was immediately dispatched to Marseille to arrange the details. The Royals and the rest of the Court would depart in a week. The wedding would be a grand affair attended by kings, queens, princes, nobles and ambassadors from all parts of Europe. The church ceremony needed to be grandiose, and the public celebrations would last several days and will be worthy of a Crown Prince and Princess. Until then, Duke Philippe will guard Danielle in her guest suite, and Henri will stay in his apartment. The marriage would not be consummated until the royal wedding in Marseille, where it would be done properly.

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