Traitor's Vengeance -Part Sixteen
Danielle was sitting in the manor parlour watching the whole household fly by her, preparing for her return to the palace. Lord Grey had insisted that they return to the palace as quickly as possible. Now that somebody had found the manor she was no longer safe. Who knows who else might be coming to abduct her?
She was so bored just sitting there waiting until they could leave, but Lord Grey was quite insistent that she stay there under his guard. All she could do was watched as everybody pack up her things. She would much rather be helping them. She was beginning to find that an idle lifestyle did not suit her.
She didn't even have anybody to talk to. The servants were all avoiding talking to her as they were still unsure of how to address her. Hélène had been closed up in the dressing room for over an hour, packing up Danielle's cumbersome gowns with the due care that was needed to preserve such fine garments. She found talking to Lord Grey difficult. He seemed distant, unapproachable.
Sitting opposite her it was Steven's turn to have his conscience pulled apart through guilt. What was Prince Henry going to say when he heard of somebody trying to kidnap his wife? He had given Steven a position of great honour and trust, and Steven had failed on the first day. The Princess could have been killed because he was not at his post.
Maybe he had been holed up in his chateau for too long. Had he done as he had always feared and lost touch with the world. Maybe he wasn't up to this exalted position, his combat skills were rusty, and his judgement was clearly not good enough. Perhaps the Prince could find somebody else? Steven was beginning to doubt his qualifications. After today's debacle however he might not have to ask to be released from his promised.
As he contemplated what the Prince would do when he heard of the events of the day, Mademoiselle de Ghent entered the parlour followed closely by an unfamiliar man. Steven was about to jump up and demand that he identify himself, but the Princess beat him to it. She jumped up and ran to embrace him so it was clearly somebody she knew well.
"Gustave!" She called as she threw her arms around him. "How did you know that I was home?"
"I didn't know, Comtesse de Lancret." The two of them giggled. It was obviously a private joke between them. "I actually came to see Paulette to ask if she knew how you were. But it looks like I don't have to ask her now."
Danielle was so exited to see her old and very best friend. Things had been so hectic she had been unable to see him, and she had so much to tell him about the rescue and the wedding.
The wedding. Gustave was not there. How could she possibly have forgotten such an old and trusted friend? What must he be thinking of her?
Danielle sat back down and motioned for Gustave to join her. But before he would he stepped back and gave her a long, deep bow. She playfully leaned forward and punched him on the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" He asked, faking his pain.
"That was for being saucy with your Princess." He laughed and sat down beside her. "I am so sorry that I have been unable to see you Gustave."
"Don't be I could hardly expect to be receiving Princess Danielle the day after her wedding could I?" He then sat beside her and took her hand
"Oh and the wedding, I am so sorry you weren't there. I feel so wretched at having left you out. After all you are one of the only friends I have ever had. Please can you forgive me?"
"Well..." Now Danielle punched him again, knowing that he was teasing. "But Danielle, I cannot joke with you until I tell you this. Your being happy is beyond a doubt the most important thing in the world to me to me. I have seen you endure torment I never thought possible at the hands of the Baroness and now to see you happy and settled brings me such joy as I never thought I would experience."
Danielle once again hugged him. His speech had moved her to the point of tears but she couldn't let him see that. No matter how poignant his words were she could not show any signs of weakness to him. He had to know that no matter what she could still whip him.
"And besides, it will help to have friends in high places." Now they began to giggle and playfully punch each other as they had always done.
As Steven sat watching this display of friendly affection he began to think about what he had missed over these three years. Had he been too hasty in leaving England? Maybe this whole situation could have been sorted if he had just tried. But then again, maybe not. King Henry had never been known for his leniency.
As Steven watched the Princess he was astounded by the maturity she possessed. He had never known a woman who at just the age of eighteen could hide all of her troubles for the sake of others. This Gustave was obviously a very good friend.
Just then Hélène entered the room. Steven stood up. If there was one thing he hadn't forgotten that was to stand when a lady enters the room. Especially when that lady was so well bred as Hélène obviously was. "Your Highness," she said.
Gustave scrambled to his feet at the sound of her voice. He looked at her just once and then looked down. He was obviously a little intimidated by her beauty. Most men would be, she was an exquisite creature. Even Steven, with all of his worldly knowledge could see this.
"Yes Hélène?" Danielle replied. She was now getting used to acting the Princess.
"May I suggest that you change your gown if you are to be travelling on horseback? I would hate for the satin to be ruined."
"Yes of course." She stood up and walked over to the door.
"You are leaving the manor now, at this hour!" Gustave said.
"Yes we must. I have to return to the palace tonight. Jacqueline, will you tell him what is happening?" Jacqueline, who had been quietly sitting with them nodded.
"Danielle," Gustave said as she was about to leave. He walked over to her. "I did not intend to stay long and I must leave soon, my master wants me back at the studio, but I did want to give you this." He handed her a small parcel wrapped in cloth. "This is my wedding present to you. I had intended to give it to Paulette to send on, but it would seem that I do not have to now."
Danielle unfolded the piece of cloth to reveal a small, gold locket. It had a beautifully crafted bird on it, with a ruby in place of an eye. "It was given to me by a generous patron whose portrait I painted some years ago when I was just into my apprenticeship. I had always thought of you but did not know how to give it to you." He was beginning to blush.
"Oh Gustave, it's wonderful." She embraced her friend again. As she did this she undid the clasp and opened it. Inside was a tiny portrait of herself, dressed in her mothers gown, fully adorned with Leonardo's wings as she had been at the Masque. How had he remembered every detail like this?
Now Danielle had no option but to cry. She did not care how weak it made her seem. "Gustave I must go, but please wait till I return, I will not rest until you realise just how thankful I am for this." Then she left with her attendant and her guard.
"How lucky she is to have someone like you," Jacqueline said when Danielle was gone. "I sometimes wonder if she would have survived these years if it weren't for you." Gustave was not listening, he still had Danielle's words of thanks buzzing around his head. Then he suddenly turned to Jacqueline.
"Why is she leaving now?"
"You know of the marriage contract with Spain and the proposed marriage to Princess Gabriella?" Gustave nodded. "Well the Spanish do not accept that Henry had the right to marry another when she left the altar. They have demanded that the marriage is annulled, or they will declare war."
"Poor Danielle. How can she be so bright when this is happening to her?"
"She does it for the sake of everyone else. It would break their hearts to see her as miserable as she really is. I know that she is unhappy though, and I think I know the cause. Gustave, you must promise to tell no-one of this, but I believe that my Mother and Marguerite have something to do with this."
"But how? I thought that they were now servants in the palace."
"You must not forget that we are a noble family. Her influence will still be strong, even in the place where she is now, and having heard some news of Danielle's visitors today I would say that she already has the outside help she needs."