The Runaway Royals - Part Seven
Jacqueline looked out of the carriage up at the imposing structure of Hautefort. She was a little nervous of returning. She had not been to the Palace since her mother had received her second sentence, since she realised just how little she had meant to her mother. She had even stayed away from Danielle's reception. But now she couldn't avoid it any longer. She had wallowed enough, and besides, how does one turn down an invitation directly from the Queen?
She had been reading in the library when a Royal page arrived with a message from the Queen, asking Jacqueline to lunch. She was reluctant, but couldn't say no. They had even gone to the trouble of sending a Royal carriage. The question buzzing around her head was why did the Queen want to see her? Perhaps Danielle had asked her to make the invitation. Jacqueline felt a little sad that she had not seen her sister in several weeks.
The carriage came to a stop in the main courtyard. A guardsman opened the door and took Jacqueline's hand so that she could step out. The Queen's lady in waiting, the Comtesse d'Avignon was waiting for her. "Mademoiselle de Ghent," she said as she stepped towards the carriage. "The Queen is waiting for you in her living quarters." She was the led into the palace and to the same room as she had first met the Queen during the Spanish crisis.
The Comtesse entered first and announced Jacqueline's arrival. The Queen stood. "Jacqueline my dear, I am so pleased that you could come." Jacqueline was a little startled at being so warmly welcomed. "Thank you Your Majesty," she replied while curtseying. "It was a great honour to receive the invitation."
"No it is my pleasure to have you here. I had noticed that you haven't been at court recently. Danielle has missed you." Jacqueline felt guilty over this. She knew that she had been selfish. "I have arranged for lunch on the veranda." the Queen began to walk
towards a set of doors and motioned for Jacqueline to follow her.
Outside was a glorious August day. Had she been back at the manor she would have liked to have taken a walk. She had spent to much time locked up in the manor and she was getting rather embarrassed at having to turn visitors away, not that she had many. If she was out she wouldn't be there to turn them away. She just hadn't felt like seeing people.
The two ladies sat at the table, which was covered in autumn flowers. Even for a simple lunch, the Queen could not bear to do it in a plain fashion. Jacqueline noticed that several of her favourite foods were laid out before her. Danielle must have sent the orders to the kitchen. "I was so pleased when I heard that you would come today," the Queen said. "I have become accustomed to a female companion for lunch since Danielle has been here."
"Has she gone away?" The Queen just looked at her with a look of incredulity.
"I thought that Captain Laurent had visited you this morning to tell you." "I was unable to receive him. I was busy and he was in a hurry."
"Oh. Well he was supposed to tell you that Danielle and Henry have disappeared." Jacqueline looked at her questioningly. "It seems that they were more eager to go on their honeymoon than we thought. Francis was quite livid. He has sent Captain Laurent and Lord Grey after them."
"I'm sorry I didn't realise." She wasn't really surprised. Prince Henry was famous for his escapes and Danielle was never one for being kept inside. She needed the freedom to fly. She suddenly realised that she had given up the chance to see Laurent that morning. He wasn't going to be around for a while, and she hadn't any inclination to see him. Had her self pity sunk to these depths?
Jacqueline noticed that the Queen had begun to eat so she began to the same. "I do hope you like it dear," the Queen said. "I did recall Danielle saying that you liked this." Jacqueline was surprised that the Queen would remember this, especially as it concerned somebody as insignificant as herself. "I think it is always best to cater for your guest's tastes, then they are sure to come back if only for the food." This last comment instantly brought back memories of her mother. It was all she could do not to start crying.
In an attempt to change the subject Jacqueline complimented the Queen on her gardens, of which she had a perfect view from the terrace. They were beautifully laid out and the flowers were exquisite. They spent the rest of the meal talking happily of the future of the Palace, now that there was a young couple inhabiting it once again. Jacqueline was happy that the Queen spoke so openly to her, as if she was a dear friend or relative, rather than somebody she had met just a few times before. She even asked her advice. She felt closer to the Queen than she ever had to her own mother.
"Would you care to join me for a walk?" The Queen asked towards the end of the meal. "I would like to show you my gardens. I spend so much time in them I feel like they are my home and not the Palace."
"I should very much like to see them."
"If the Comtesse should return, tell her that Mademoiselle de Ghent and are taking a turn about the grounds," she told one of her attendants. She then stood and she and Jacqueline made their way outdoors. The grounds were every bit as enchanting as Danielle had described in her letters.
"I was thinking of changing this garden," the Queen said leading Jacqueline into a spacious, walled in plot. Jacqueline gasped, it was beautiful. "With Henry married I don't think it will be long before we have some little children around the Palace again. I was thinking of making this a children's garden. Leonardo has some wonderful ideas for outdoor toys."
"I'm sure whatever you do it would look wonderful Your Majesty. I think any child would love this garden as it is, but with playthings they wouldn't be able to resist."
"You will have to bring your children here." Jacqueline was a little startled at this statement. "From what I hear it shan't be long before you too are married. Danielle has informed me of your relationship with a certain Captain." Jacqueline blushed. She was embarrassed that the Queen knew of her regard for Marc, and she was ashamed that she had treat him so badly.
"Well I would not really call it a relationship Your Majesty. We have just happened to meet sometimes. It is unavoidable really, he being the guard to my sister's husband. If I do ever marry I don't think it will be soon."
"Oh nonsense child. You are far too sweet and pretty to remain unmarried much past your eighteenth birthday. When is that by the way? I should like to be involved in the celebrations."
"It is in February Your Majesty, but please do not go to any trouble for me, I should hate to think that you have gone out of your way."
"Do not attempt to dissuade my wife from organising things my dear," a voice from behind them said. Jacqueline turned to see the King walking towards them. She stood and curtseyed to him. "She likes nothing better than having glamorous events to plan, isn't that right my dear?" The Queen nodded.
"Francis, do you not agree that Jacqueline is far too agreeable to remain single for long. I know of none so pleasant who have stayed single past their teens. Well except for Hélène de Lyons. I really cannot understand that." The King and Jacqueline looked at each other. They both knew the exact reason for Hélène's being unmarried.
"If a lady as well bred and pretty as Hélène is still unmarried at twenty then there is little hope for me," Jacqueline said. She said it in a joking fashion, but the Queen could tell that the poor girl actually believed herself. Rodmilla de Ghent had a lot to answer for. She had taken this attractive, bright young woman and turned her into a bashful, self denying girl. The Queen was very concerned about her. If it was possible, she was even more demure now than she had been when she had come to see her about her cousin's treachery. She had barely eaten anything at lunch and she was determined not to accept any compliment about herself. In a very short time she had grown fond of this girl and she was determined not to be allowed to carry on like this.
At that point a guard entered the garden. He bowed to the two Royals and nodded in acknowledgement to Jacqueline. Jacqueline recognised him as the same guard who had helped her out of her carriage "Yes Captain Polignac," the King said.
"Your Majesty, we have more news of the band of thieves camped on the road to La Rochelle. Our spies tell us that they have moved from the main road and onto the back road. It seems that some wealthy looking travellers have been spotted taking that route, and they intend to target them. We are too far away to prevent it, but we can send some men to apprehend them. With any luck these travellers will not have much and will be spared."