The Runaway Royals - Part Twelve
Jacqueline smiled as she drew away from Hautefort in a Royal carriage. For the first time in years she had been able to spend some time not worrying about what would come next. What scheme would her mother have come up with now? Will Marguerite throw another tantrum today? Would she still be allowed to live in the manor tomorrow? Her day at Hautefort had helped to relax her.
After their walk in the gardens, the Queen had insisted on her being given a tour of the Palace. They were escorted once again by Captain Polignac. Jacqueline had been a member of the royal court for many years, but she had always avoided actually going. She felt that her appearance was simply not fashionable enough. Rodmilla had never minded though. She no doubt felt her youngest daughter would hinder her progress in securing the royal hand for Marguerite.
Then when the tour was over the Queen was meeting with some of the ladies of the court. Again Jacqueline accompanied her. Jacqueline got the feeling that she was a little lonely. She rattled around in the Palace, followed by a string of people who, whilst being company, were not the intimate female company that she craved.
After the gossip fuelled chat, Jacqueline was invited to join the King and Queen for dinner. She had very much enjoyed the company of the Queen and the King seemed to be doing his utmost not to appear too irritable.
As the end of the day approached she was preparing to make her excuses and return to the manor, but it was insisted that she stay the night as the Queen's guest. The King said he would nor hear of her travelling so late at night. Therefore attendants were sent for and she was installed in one of Hautefort's most luxurious state rooms. She did not like to admit it, but she enjoyed being treat like she was important. Had she been allowed to enjoy it, the life of a courtier would have been very agreeable to her.
That night, for the first time in over a month, she had not dreamt of her mother. Instead she had dreamt that she was in the Queen's garden with Henry and Danielle. She was watching a little girl on a swing, her daughter. In the dream she had a wonderful sense of well being. Just before she had awoken a man had entered the garden, her husband. In his guards uniform he looked magnificent. He bent over to kiss her just as she woke up. It was the best night's sleep she had experienced in years.
When she had arrived for breakfast she was feeling good. It was amazing how in less than a day she had gone from feeling totally wretched to feeling wonderful. Even the Queen commented on how well she looked.
Now she was travelling back to the manor in a Royal carriage with a member of the guard who would now be permanently posted at the manor. The King was concerned for the security of the manor's inhabitants with so few people there for protection. He had told Jacqueline that as Danielle's sister she was now a member of the family too. It had warmed her heart to hear this. The King was not the cold, obstinate man she had been led to believe he was.
In another carriage following there was a whole host of goodies courtesy of the Royal household. Jars of honey, bottles of wine, venison, truffles, bricks of Spanish chocolate (which were still being sent despite recent problems); fruits from the estate of the Duchess and Savoy; fish from the lake; a brace of pheasants from the royal forest and baskets of the queens flowers. To follow in a few days would be some more horses and dogs and grooms to take care of them. Once again the manor would be as it was in the day of Monsieur de Barbarac.
Jacqueline sighed contentedly. She could finally do what Danielle had wanted to do for years. She could turn the manor around. No longer would it be the pathetic, impoverished little farm her mother had turned it into. It would be a thriving business and the servants would once again be proud to be a part of it. She could become her own woman, and stop being Rodmilla's biggest mistake.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Queen Marie watched the royal carriage leave the courtyard with a heavy heart. She was so sad to see Jacqueline leave. She was a wonderful companion, such a gentle and intelligent girl. How on Earth did Rodmilla de Ghent raise a child that was so amiable? This question just did not stop entering her head.
She had been so pleased when Francis had ordered that Captain Polignac to escort her home and then stay at the manor. She felt so much better knowing that Jacqueline and the staff had some protection. The thought of them out in the middle of nowhere had worried her somewhat. She was a little concerned with the choice of guard however. Antoine de Polignac was well known in court for his pursuit of beautiful women. That was the reason he had joined the guard rather than ran his estates. As Duke he had an obligation to stay, but he left it to his staff. He had always been the wildest of men, wanting action and romance rather than responsibility. That is why Marie had always kept Henry away from him. But he should know better than to try an seduce the Prince's sister in law. This gave Marie some comfort.
She turned and headed back to the palace with her guard and the Comtesse d'Avignon. She was a little tired, she had not slept well. All night she had been thinking of Henry and Danielle. they were alone, roaming the countryside without protection and totally vulnerable to thief gangs and gypsies. There had been no word from the recovery team. It worried her that Hélène was out there too. She may have been an excellent swordswoman but she had never had to put her skills to the test against a determined assailant.
Just as she was thinking about this Francis emerged from the Palace. She was shocked. He was nearly never seen out of the war room at this time of the morning. The day after their marriage he was to be found in there with his father moving his troops to Norway while Marie was wandering the grounds with her new mother-in-law. Thirty two years on and nothing had changed.
"Francis!" Marie said. "Is everything all right?"
"My son and daughter-in-law have disappeared, I have gangs of thieves roaming the countryside and
Spain are still threatening war, but other than that I'm just fine." Marie rolled her eyes. Her husband was seldom sarcastic, but his infrequent comments were always withering.
"I've finished my business for the day, I was wondering if you would take a turn about the grounds with me? I feel like a walk."
Yes I think I will join you." She turned to her lady-in-waiting. "Avis could you go and make the arrangements for those things we discussed to be sent to the manor?" The Comtesse curtseyed and left to follow out her orders. The King likewise dismissed his army of followers, he wished for some privacy in which to speak with his wife. Their marriage may have been arranged but Francis respected her opinion a great deal.
Once they were out of earshot of their entourage, Francis began to speak. "I've been thinking about
Henry. I thought that marriage would make him calm down and accept his responsibilities to the people, but I see no evidence of this happening."
"You must give him time, my dear. Rome wasn't built in a day and Henry's way of life will not change over night. If you give Danielle enough time she will work her magic on him."
"Yes, yes I realise that, but I was thinking I might start giving him more responsibility. After all I am getting old and cannot take care of the whole business of administration myself. He needs to learn how to be a King and I need to slow down before I really do have a stroke. I was thinking I might hand over the commandership of the guard to him. I will continue to command our armies, but the guard will take their orders from him."
"I think that is a wonderful idea." Francis took his wife's hand and pressed his lips to it.
"Thank-you my dear. I knew you would know if it was the right thing to do." he linked his arm with hers.
"Well now we have Henry sorted, I just wish we could do more for dear Jacqueline. She is such a lovely girl Francis."
"Very pleasant. Just the sort of girl I would have pushed for to be a daughter-in-law a few years ago. Somebody ladylike who knows her place but could certainly handle Henry should he step out of line. She has an unquestionable air of nobility surrounding her. It is a shame she has no title. We could offer her positions at court were she titled."
"Could we not confer the title of Baroness on her?"
"Rodmilla was only the dowager baroness. Her husband's death would have meant that the title went to his closest male relative."
"Oh I suppose we will think of something." Just then Francis noticed a man coming towards them.
"Well there's a sight I haven't seen in over ten years," Francis said, staring intently at the man's tunic.
"What is it?"
"The crest of the Duke de Bordeaux." It had been a sad day for all at court when the duke followed his wife back to their castle and did not return. He had been a source of good advice and diverting jest.
"Your Majesties," the man said bowing a he came near them. "My master charged me with the task of delivering this message to you. I was only told that it was very urgent."
"Thank-you," Marie said as Francis took the paper from him. For a moment he allowed his fingers to linger on the cold wax seal. It was so long since his old friend had contacted him he wanted to savour the moment. It didn't take long to get over that though and he cracked to seal.
Your Majesty,
I bring good and bad news with this letter. Firstly Lady Hélène and I have found Their Royal Highnesses Prince Henry and Princess Danielle. We are currently staying with the Duke de Bordeaux in his chateau. However I do not bring good news of the Princess's condition. She was involved in a riding accident along the back road to La Rochelle and rendered unconscious. At the time of writing this letter she has not yet woken up. His Royal Highness wishes for yourself and her Majesty the Queen, along with the Princess's sister, Mademoiselle de Ghent to attend them at the Chateau de Bordeaux. The Duke Expects your arrival.
Yours Respectfully,
Lord Steven Grey, Duke of Winchester.
As he read this, Francis visibly paled. He had known Danielle for but a month but he was extremely fond of her. It had not taken him long to start thinking of her as a daughter.
"What is it my dear?" The Queen asked. Francis handed her the letter. Her reaction was much more emotional. As Marie broke down in floods of tears Francis exploded and stormed off towards thePalace. His aides were still milling around outside.
"Have a carriage arranged and send for Mademoiselle de Ghent!" he shouted. "The Queen and I are going to Bordeaux." The men just looked at him. "Well don't just stand there. And fetch Her Majesty's attendant." As he walked away he could still hear the sound of his wife's sobs ringing in his ears. He had seen her hold back the tears so many times after Henry had done something, but she had always been able to stop herself. Now he had not only risked himself, he had harmed Danielle. If that wasn't bad enough he had finally sent his mother over the edge. Francis had to do something about him. Enough was enough.