CHAPTER 10 - Vacation in Normandy begins

July 1779

One week in Arras passed by very quickly, to Oscar's delight. During this week she had lots of meetings and activities so she wasn't bored at all. In her spare time, she galloped far away. She was also training a little with Jerome, who she brought to keep her company. Additionally, she took Sylvie as her personal maid.

Oscar felt a little bit guilty because of Rosalie. In fact, she should have taken her, not Sylvie. She knew Rosalie would like to go very much, she also knew the reason. Despite this, Oscar acted selfishly, as rarely ever in her life. Only the nanny was supposed to go with them, but directly to Normandy, so that she would not tire herself.

It was approximately 170 miles from Arras to Etretat, so the trip was to be spread over two days. On the first day they left Arras at eight in the morning and arrived in Amiens around 11am. They took an early lunch break and continued in the afternoon. They didn't reach Maucomble until 7pm, where they stayed for the night. In the morning of the next day, they gathered and continued their journey. They only had about five hours of driving left. They didn't reach the de Jarjayes Estate in Etretat until after 5 pm, because they stopped halfway for lunch. Jerome and Sylvie's carriage was a little faster than Oscar's horse, so they overtook her by about half an hour. But Oscar did not mind at all. She needed some time alone to try calming her racing heart. She was full of doubts. Would he be happy to see her? Or totally indifferent? Would she be able to spend time with him? What if he wouldn't want to.. A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind, causing real confusion.

With her heart beating strongly, she drove into the courtyard of the manor. The house was smaller than the one near Versailles, but it felt cozier. It had a high ground floor, one floor in the main part of the building, and also an extended conservatory that cut into a garden of lush vegetation. Huge windows with carved frames dominated everywhere. The whole house was actually very simple, but elegant at the same time.

Oscar dismounted and handed the bridle to the groom who had suddenly appeared next to her. Jerome and Sylvie were nowhere to be seen, but their carriage was nearby, completely unpacked, so they must have arrived a little earlier. Oscar stood for a few minutes, undecided what to do or where to go. Suddenly she heard the beat of horse's hooves behind her and she turned abruptly. She immediately recognized the dark brown horse and its owner, who at full gallop ran into the courtyard and stopped next to her. The man got off his horse with a neat movement and stood next to her. Oscar stared at him with fascination. He looked even better than six months ago. He was dressed in black pants and high riding boots. At the top he wore only a white shirt, the sleeves of which were rolled almost to the elbows, revealing muscular arms and strong hands. His hair was shorter now, but tied with a dark ribbon as usual, this time tied in a small bow. Strands of hair escaped, lovingly framing his handsome face and giving him a feisty look.

- Good afternoon, mademoiselle de Jarjayes! - he exclaimed with a broad smile, reaching out to her, and when she gave him her hand, he squeezed it vigorously- I am sorry that you had to wait for me again - he laughed.

- Indeed I was waiting, but not too long - Oscar smiled in response - Nice to see you, Monsieur Grandier!

She had to admit his good mood was genuinely contagious.

- I am very glad that you decided to come - he said after a moment, sending her a sweet smile - I will try to do my best not to get you bored.

- I take your word, Monsieur - she replied, enyoing his words.

„Oh my God, how beautiful he is when he smiles like that" - she thought, watching him surreptitiously.

- We were expecting you a little bit later - the man continued, not realizing he was the object of her observation - So when I got the news that your carriage had already arrived, I quit my job and arrived as soon as possible. Although, to be honest, I was surprised that you came in a carriage.

- I wasn't travelling in the carriage. I came horseback. It was my orderly and the maid which came in the carriage - she saw that he twitched slightly, which caused a little twinge in her heart. She was sure that Andre wouldn't be pleased with her choice.

- So everything is clear - he said in a cheerful voice, regaining his lost balance in a moment - So I was not mistaken about you, Mademoiselle.

- Ooh! - Oscar was sincerely surprised. - And what do you think about me, Monsieur? - she asked, unconsciously placing her hands on her hips.

- I think you're stubborn. And brave. And maybe even a little crazy. You must be to command an army of men! - he replied, laughing.

„He's as impudent as I thought"- crossed her mind before she laughed as well.

The man gave the horse to the groom and led her inside the building. Through a glass door they entered a small vestibule from which several corridors led to different parts of the house; on the right there was a spiral staircase leading to the first floor. The master's rooms were upstairs, the servants' downstairs. Oscar's quarters were a spacious, bright bedroom with windows overlooking the garden, a separate lounge with a large terrace with a wonderful view of the sea, and a tastefully decorated bathroom with a large bathtub. After handing over the room, Andre said goodbye quickly, promising to send a maid with hot water for washing. Dinner was planned to be in an hour of time. The maid arrived within five minutes, and Oscar was able to refresh herself after the long journey in a pleasant, aromatic bath. In a while, dinner was served in the large dining room downstairs.

Andre did not show up, which made Oscar sad, but she told herself that he was no ordinary servant here and that he certainly had a lot of other responsibilities than accompanying her to meals. Even so, she felt lonely. This was not what she had imagined when she made the decision to come. Before going to bed, she asked for wine and drank two glasses. Quickly. Maybe she wasn't dealing with it as well as she thought..

...

Andre arrived the next day after breakfast and proposed a tour of the property. It was obvious to him that the heiress wanted to see it, especially since she had never been here before. They made a quick tour of the house which turned out to be nicely decorated and well kept. Then they looked into the garden for a moment, but didn't stay there long, because Oscar decided there would be enough time for that later. But she really wanted to see the horse breeding.

Although the house was not large, the entire property was quite extensive, with many buildings and adjoining areas. They had to get to the breeding on horseback, but it took less than ten minutes. When they got there, Oscar saw an elongated stable building and several additional buildings. Andre showed her around, explaining everything.

The horses were really beautiful. They all had a regular build, strong legs and shiny coats. It was evident that they were healthy and tidy. The horses were of various colors, mainly chestnut and bay, like Andre's horse, but some were also black, like the stallion her father had received, or gray, like her Ceasar.

Oscar was walking along the stalls of the stables to admire the lovely animals. Andre was walking beside her, pausing every now and then to caress a horse or check something. He also introduced her to every servant and groom they met on the way. Apparently he thought she should know the people who work here, and Oscar found that very wise.

In the meantime, they had a quick lunch in the stewards' building, still immersed in conversation about horses, breeding, and managing the estate. Oscar also met Andre's uncle, Monsieur Etienne, who was already an old man and had mobility problems. His mind, however, did not lose any of its clarity, and he also had a very lively disposition. He must have been a very handsome man in his youth, even now his green eyes shone with their old glow, and his hair was still a chocolate shade, though it was already heavily streaked with gray. Andre was strikingly similar to his uncle. The color of the eyes and hair appeared to be characteristic of the men of this family.

In the afternoon they returned to the manor house for dinner, but also this time she ate it alone. After the dinner she trained with Jerome for a while, because it turned out that in the park in front of the house was a perfect place for training.

She had also spent the whole evening alone. When she was sitting in the lounge with a glass of wine, she was wondering why Andre wouldn't want to accompany her. They had a wonderful day together. And it's mainly thanks to him. He turned out to be very intelligent and funny. He had the power to make her laugh to tears. Sometimes to provoke. But he also kept a distance.. She thought about it a little and suddenly opened her eyes in astonishment. Wasn't it obvious?! Why hadn't she thought about it before? Andre just knew his place. He was a servant. A plebeian. He could not come and sit at the table with her without an invitation. With his ladyship. Heiress. Noblewoman. Oscar's fingers tightened on the glass. Damn, absurd class differences. It was totally unbearable.. But she knew it wasn't something to fight against. The world was just like that. And she could only stand aside and watch..