Reflections - So Life Goes On
Chapter Two
The rap of the steel hitting stone echoed through the church when the Pikemen stood to attention. The courtiers stopped talking and arranged themselves in an appropriately courtly manner. Moments later the Royal Family walked through the open doorway.
If Jacqueline had been paying attention to Their Majesties and Prince Henry she would have noticed the tension that hung in the air between them. She also would have seen the unnaturally stiff posture of the Prince, which would have told her that he was a young man in deep emotional turmoil. However, Jacqueline wasn't pay a blind bit of notice to the Royal Family, she was looking for someone else.
Jacqueline curtsied when the Royal Family passed by her and looked up through her eyelashes. There he was. Walking behind Prince Henry. So close she could almost touch him. After he'd passed by Jacqueline sighed softly. Her mother shot her a glare of annoyance and Jacqueline quickly stared at the floor.
Leonardo was trailing after Laurent and noticed the movement and the sigh. After more than a week in the Prince's company he was used to seeing young maids staring hopefully at Henry but this young woman was either very short sighted or she wasn't looking at Henry. I wonder... He tried to remember where he'd seen the plump girl in the ill-fitting green dress before.
The Captain escorted the Royal Family to their seats and took his position on one side of the aisle. Leonardo strolled over to stand beside him. The artist earned a look of reproach from the priest who was impatient to begin the Mass. Leonardo acted as though he hadn't noticed and whispered, "Does she like green?" The priest cleared his throat and gave Leonardo another glare.
Laurent stared straight ahead. Leonardo had been harassing him about his 'little mare' for two days now. He knew it was his own fault for telling the painter but he hadn't realised how tenacious Leonardo could be. Laurent was determined not to give himself or Jacqueline away to Leonardo. The old meddler wouldn't find out from him! 'Anyway,' Laurent told himself, 'my interest in her is probably just a passing phase. I'll see her again and not think a thing of it. In fact I won't even bother looking for her.'
The Captain's resolve lasted for all of three minutes. Slowly he began to look around the room, attempting to give the appearance that he was scanning for intruders. He had scanned halfway down the aisle when he saw Jacqueline. As soon as his gaze locked with hers all thoughts of misleading Leonardo fled from the guardsman's mind. Laurent's heart skipped a beat and he felt more alive than he had in days. Under his gaze Jacqueline looked down at her hands, then up at him again and smiled.
Laurent swallowed. Woah! The Captain felt the same kick in the guts he'd felt when he saw her standing beside the buffet table. He stared at her for a moment more and then his training snapped back on and he continued his supposed scanning of the room.
The elderly artist had watched every move the hefty Captain made. Leonardo nodded very slightly toward the young lady who was staring adoringly at Laurent. She instantly blushed and began watching the priest intently. Leonardo chuckled under his breath. 'A shy little mare indeed.'
********
The rumbling and buffeting of the coach was lulling Jacqueline to sleep. Even the shrill voices of her mother and sister shrunk into the background as Jacqueline began to dream of the ever-so-dishy Captain Laurent.
The Captain was rescuing her from a fire-breathing dragon (that for some reason looked very like her mother but with scales and wings) when Jacqueline was rudely awakened. She rubbed the spot on her arm where her mother had slapped her.
"Wake up you lazy girl!" Rodmilla snapped. "You should be sympathising with your dear sister and I. Not ignoring us by sleeping."
Jacqueline sighed. It was going to be a long night.
She thought back to the Mass. Everything had been going so well until the priest read the banns for Prince Henry's wedding to Princess Gabriella. The Priest had announced that the wedding was to take place in two days time, the Spanish Royal Family was arriving that very afternoon and a parade of the Guard was to be held in their honour the next day.
The news was too much for usually composed courtiers. They had all begun talking and it was some minutes before the King roared at them to be quiet. The rest of the service had passed in silence.
After the announcement, Jacqueline could have sworn she could see the anger radiating off her mother like heat off a fire. As soon as the service was finished and the Royal Family had left the church, Rodmilla had stormed out of the building. She hadn't even stopped to acknowledge the priest who was farewelling the courtiers at the door.
In all the rush Jacqueline hadn't been able to catch Laurent's attention let alone talk to him. And now she had to listen to her mother and sister plotting, again. Scheming over ways they could somehow remove Princess Gabriella and land Prince Henry, as though he was one of the fish Maurice occasionally caught from the river. It was all so horrible.
Over the previous few days Jacqueline had discovered what nice people Maurice, Louise and Paulette were. Especially after they had calmed down after the loss of Danielle. They were so kind and sensible. Their kindness had opened Jacqueline's eyes and shown her how terrible her mother's behaviour could be.
Jacqueline looked over at the Baroness as she talked with Marguerite in the most ill bred fashion. I wonder what would happen if mother ever met her match in a fight? She imagined the Baroness cowering in a corner before a wicked dragon. No, that didn't seem right. Jacqueline suspected that her mother would snap the dragon's neck and order Louise to cook it for dinner. Whatever or whoever it was had to be a very strong opponent. Ah ha! Her Majesty in full attack. Oh, now that would be a sight!
********
"Captain, I have a bay you can borrow. You don't need to ride that!"
Laurent gave the younger guard his well practiced I-beg-your-pardon-soldier stare and turned back to face ahead in full correct parade fashion. He learnt forward slightly in the saddle to pat the neck of the ancient grey horse in apology for the other soldier's slight. "This horse is perfectly adequate thank you soldier."
"But Captain it's the wrong colour!"
Laurent's head snapped around to face the young man. "Lieutenant Vauvallon, if you do not wish to participate in the parade you only have to say so. I can assign you elsewhere if you so wish."
Edouard Vauvallon was taken aback. Captain Laurent was usually more open to reason. Edouard was tempted to try and change Laurent's mind one more time. However, he had an intense dislike of guarding the privy and Edouard suspected that would be his punishment if he spoke again.
In the young guard's opinion the day would be a disaster if Laurent rode the ancient scarred horse. His Majesty had requested a full parade of the mounted guards for the visiting King of Spain. To be able to show off their abilities and their horses to two Kings was a rare honour. A rare honour that Laurent seemed intent on destroying. Edouard thought it was unfortunate that Laurent's two parade-trained horses were unrideable but why on Earth did the man have to ride that old bag of wind.
********
Signore DaVinci was on his best behaviour today. Even someone with a much joy of life as Leonardo could not afford to be mischievous or disrespectful in the presence of two of the most powerful men in the known world.
The French and Spanish Kings were seated on their respective dais. Each man wrapped in his dignity and respect of his position like a child wrapped in swaddling clothes. Privately Leonardo was amused at the posturing of the two monarchs. Publicly Signore DaVinci was just as if not more respectful and silent on the subject as all the other courtiers present.
Speaking of courtiers, Leonardo had noted the large number of young ladies and their mothers who were missing today, including the Captain's young lady. Obviously Henry's engagement hadn't been appreciated by all the Court; including Henry himself.
********
The trumpets sounded for the start of the parade and the old horse moved beneath Laurent. "It's good to be back, eh?" Laurent spoke quietly to the great beast. Firebrand balanced himself on his big hooves and squared his shoulders.
"You'll do." At Laurent's words the ancient horse stood to perfect attention and Vauvallon's jaw dropped open in surprise. Laurent raised his flag arm in command and the guards moved forward.
Captain Laurent smiled to himself while he watched Lieutenant Vauvallon out of the corner of his eye. The younger man appeared to be battling with his conscience and his orders. Laurent was surprised to feel himself judging Edouard to be young and naive; the man was only two years younger than Laurent himself. Well, two years in age and many years in experience.
'When was I ever that young?' Laurent thought back through the years. He'd grown up the day he met King Francis. The day on the battlefield when Francis had accepted the masterless squire into his guard.
Even now the loss of the Duc was a painful memory for Laurent. He knew that it wasn't his fault. The old Duc had wanted one last rush at glory, one last Charge for God and King before he died. He'd got his wish and Laurent had watched the man who trained him and who'd treated him like a grandson die a valiant but strategically pointless death.
Knowing he couldn't just watch the battle, Laurent had marshalled the Duc's men together and joined the men defending the King.
********
Hautefort's Terrace had been transformed into a parade ground. Brightly dressed courtiers fringed it like wildflowers clustered on the banks of a forest pond. At the far end of the Terrace the two Kings sat - each on a separate dais with their families and attendants.
Amid the noise and frivolity, King Francis was bored. He tried to look interested in the events before him but even the threat of offending the Spanish King was not enough to inspire any interest in Francis. It was all so artificial and many of the guards, although enthusiastic, were parade soldiers.
"What in the world?" Prince Henry's voice broke his father's train of thought. For the first time in days Henry's voice was not filled with pain.
Francis looked up and saw a sight that took him back ten years. Stunned he stood and acknowledged the guard as they rode towards the dais. His boredom banished by the sight before him.
Captain Laurent saw the look on King Francis' face. He hadn't seen that same look since that day on battlefield ten years ago when His Majesty realised that the soldiers coming to aid him were led by a teenage squire on the old Duc's warhorse. The same horse that Laurent now rode.
King Francis nodded to Laurent and said to the Queen and Prince Henry, who now stood beside him, "This parade was an excellent idea." The Queen looked a little puzzled but gratefully accepted that something had happened to cheer up her husband.
Once the Spanish King had acknowledged the French Royal Guard they turned to leave.
King Francis and his family remained standing and as the guards moved away Henry could have sworn that the old horse and his father winked at each other.
One old warhorse to another.
********
'The girl should have been back with the flowers ages ago. Where has she got to?' Paulette had got used to having Jacqueline around and anyway if the girl didn't turn up soon even the Baroness would be on the hunt for her.
The servant looked out of the kitchen doorway and saw Jacqueline straight away. The girl was seated on the edge of the stone wall a bunch of wilted wildflowers hanging loosely from her hand. She looked so heartbroken.
'Oh dear, it's seemed that a bit of Aunty Paulette's magic is needed. I hope she's not pining for Prince Henry, like that fool mother and sister of hers,' or someone else close to Paulette's heart that she couldn't bear to think about at the moment.
Paulette picked her way through the long grass and sat down on the wall beside Jacqueline. The girl continued to stare at the flowers, tears making a slow track down her face.
"Louise told me that this was Mistress Nicole's favourite place in the garden." Paulette said chattily. She pretended to ignore the look of curiosity on Jacqueline's tearstained face.
"Louise told you? But I thought you worked for Madame de Barbarac?"
"No, I arrived her three days after the worst day of my life." Paulette smiled sadly, "And what a mess the place was - the mistress dead; the master so deep in mourning that it was an effort to get him to eat; little Danielle screaming the house down. Or so Louise tells me."
"Don't you remember?"
"Child, there are some things that are best forgotten." Paulette picked a stalk of grass and toyed with it between her hands. "I can remember Maurice coming to the church and asking for me. I remember agreeing to come here with him. I remember living here, eating, looking after Danielle. But nothing was clear until the day that I couldn't smell the smoke any more."
"Smell the smoke? I don't understand."
"I hope you never do, child." Paulette patted Jacqueline's hand. "I was married once. Luc was a kind husband. He was a blacksmith with a heart as big as his muscles."
"He must have had a big heart!" Jacqueline said, then blushed at her own forwardness.
Paulette chuckled, "Yes he did." Her voice softened as she entered the private world of her memories and the grass stalk fell, forgotten, from her hand. "His forge was in Hautefort town. Nothing grand. It was one of the minor forges used by the tradesmen, not one that the nobles used. We were very happy there - me, Luc and ...Jean."
"Jean?" Jacqueline had seen a wave of sadness pass over Paulette. Who was Jean?
Paulette lifted her hand to brush a stray lock of hair from Jacqueline's face and tuck it behind the girl's ear. Her hand stayed, resting on Jacqueline's cheek. "Jean was my son. The last time I saw him he was only four months old."
Jacqueline sat silently, waiting for Paulette to continue. The older woman sat back, clasping her hands in her lap.
"There was food to be bought and I left Jean with Luc. I often left Jean at the forge, in a warm corner away from the draft that always came under the door. I was gone no more that half an hour when I saw the smoke." Paulette's voice cracked and she sat staring out at the fields.
Jacqueline reached over and clasped Paulette's clenched hands. "You don't have to tell me this if you don't want to."
"It's alright. It was so long ago. I really shouldn't let it get to me like this." Paulette cleared her throat. "The fire had spread quickly. The walls were wood, you see. When the Watch found them Luc was holding Jean, protecting him from the falling beams. But he couldn't protect him from the smoke. The smoke killed them both."
"Oh, Paulette! What did you do?"
"Someone, a neighbour I think, took me to the church and that's where Maurice found me. With the mistress dead, Danielle needed someone to care for her. A woman to nurse her. I needed a home. Needed to get away from the smoke." Paulette smiled at the girl, "It took me three years but one day I didn't smell the smoke any more."
Jacqueline nodded her eyes brimming with tears.
"Don't cry for me, child. The story was supposed to cheer you up."
"Cheer me up?"
"Yes. I mean, whatever it is it can't be that bad."
"No. It's not that bad," Jacqueline looked down at the limp little flowers she'd dropped on the ground long ago and sighed deeply. "Oh Paulette, I did so want to go to the Parade."
"So, who is he? This man you're pining for. Handsome I hope?"
Jacqueline blushed.
"The Prince?" Paulette teased.
Jacqueline smothered a laugh, "No, not the Prince." The girl hesitated, she was moved that Paulette had told her of her family and Jacqueline did so much want to talk to someone. "If I tell you, you will not tell mother?"
"I swear. I won't tell your mother a thing." Paulette grinned, "Even if she tortures me."
"Really?"
Paulette nodded, "On Jean's grave."
Jacqueline paused and whispered, "Thank you," before she began her tale. "Well, on the night of the masque I was at the buffet table and I met ... a certain gentleman. He was walking beside the table and..."
Louise walked out of the kitchen doorway. What were those two up to? Paulette should know better than to sit around when the Baroness was in a bad mood.
"He did what with the carrot?" Paulette's voice screeched across the garden.
"Shhhh." Jacqueline looked up at her mother's window. "He," Jacqueline's voice trailed off as she saw Louise charging towards them. "I'll tell you later." She stood up and walked quickly towards the house.
"What were you two up to?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Paulette smiled, "Come on, let's get the old bat's lunch."
"Paulette, one of these day's she'll hear you and..."
"And she'll do nothing as she couldn't find anyone else who'd work for nothing." Paulette hugged her friend, "Almost nothing."
Louise smiled and followed her friend into the house.
To be continued
1
Chapter Two
The rap of the steel hitting stone echoed through the church when the Pikemen stood to attention. The courtiers stopped talking and arranged themselves in an appropriately courtly manner. Moments later the Royal Family walked through the open doorway.
If Jacqueline had been paying attention to Their Majesties and Prince Henry she would have noticed the tension that hung in the air between them. She also would have seen the unnaturally stiff posture of the Prince, which would have told her that he was a young man in deep emotional turmoil. However, Jacqueline wasn't pay a blind bit of notice to the Royal Family, she was looking for someone else.
Jacqueline curtsied when the Royal Family passed by her and looked up through her eyelashes. There he was. Walking behind Prince Henry. So close she could almost touch him. After he'd passed by Jacqueline sighed softly. Her mother shot her a glare of annoyance and Jacqueline quickly stared at the floor.
Leonardo was trailing after Laurent and noticed the movement and the sigh. After more than a week in the Prince's company he was used to seeing young maids staring hopefully at Henry but this young woman was either very short sighted or she wasn't looking at Henry. I wonder... He tried to remember where he'd seen the plump girl in the ill-fitting green dress before.
The Captain escorted the Royal Family to their seats and took his position on one side of the aisle. Leonardo strolled over to stand beside him. The artist earned a look of reproach from the priest who was impatient to begin the Mass. Leonardo acted as though he hadn't noticed and whispered, "Does she like green?" The priest cleared his throat and gave Leonardo another glare.
Laurent stared straight ahead. Leonardo had been harassing him about his 'little mare' for two days now. He knew it was his own fault for telling the painter but he hadn't realised how tenacious Leonardo could be. Laurent was determined not to give himself or Jacqueline away to Leonardo. The old meddler wouldn't find out from him! 'Anyway,' Laurent told himself, 'my interest in her is probably just a passing phase. I'll see her again and not think a thing of it. In fact I won't even bother looking for her.'
The Captain's resolve lasted for all of three minutes. Slowly he began to look around the room, attempting to give the appearance that he was scanning for intruders. He had scanned halfway down the aisle when he saw Jacqueline. As soon as his gaze locked with hers all thoughts of misleading Leonardo fled from the guardsman's mind. Laurent's heart skipped a beat and he felt more alive than he had in days. Under his gaze Jacqueline looked down at her hands, then up at him again and smiled.
Laurent swallowed. Woah! The Captain felt the same kick in the guts he'd felt when he saw her standing beside the buffet table. He stared at her for a moment more and then his training snapped back on and he continued his supposed scanning of the room.
The elderly artist had watched every move the hefty Captain made. Leonardo nodded very slightly toward the young lady who was staring adoringly at Laurent. She instantly blushed and began watching the priest intently. Leonardo chuckled under his breath. 'A shy little mare indeed.'
********
The rumbling and buffeting of the coach was lulling Jacqueline to sleep. Even the shrill voices of her mother and sister shrunk into the background as Jacqueline began to dream of the ever-so-dishy Captain Laurent.
The Captain was rescuing her from a fire-breathing dragon (that for some reason looked very like her mother but with scales and wings) when Jacqueline was rudely awakened. She rubbed the spot on her arm where her mother had slapped her.
"Wake up you lazy girl!" Rodmilla snapped. "You should be sympathising with your dear sister and I. Not ignoring us by sleeping."
Jacqueline sighed. It was going to be a long night.
She thought back to the Mass. Everything had been going so well until the priest read the banns for Prince Henry's wedding to Princess Gabriella. The Priest had announced that the wedding was to take place in two days time, the Spanish Royal Family was arriving that very afternoon and a parade of the Guard was to be held in their honour the next day.
The news was too much for usually composed courtiers. They had all begun talking and it was some minutes before the King roared at them to be quiet. The rest of the service had passed in silence.
After the announcement, Jacqueline could have sworn she could see the anger radiating off her mother like heat off a fire. As soon as the service was finished and the Royal Family had left the church, Rodmilla had stormed out of the building. She hadn't even stopped to acknowledge the priest who was farewelling the courtiers at the door.
In all the rush Jacqueline hadn't been able to catch Laurent's attention let alone talk to him. And now she had to listen to her mother and sister plotting, again. Scheming over ways they could somehow remove Princess Gabriella and land Prince Henry, as though he was one of the fish Maurice occasionally caught from the river. It was all so horrible.
Over the previous few days Jacqueline had discovered what nice people Maurice, Louise and Paulette were. Especially after they had calmed down after the loss of Danielle. They were so kind and sensible. Their kindness had opened Jacqueline's eyes and shown her how terrible her mother's behaviour could be.
Jacqueline looked over at the Baroness as she talked with Marguerite in the most ill bred fashion. I wonder what would happen if mother ever met her match in a fight? She imagined the Baroness cowering in a corner before a wicked dragon. No, that didn't seem right. Jacqueline suspected that her mother would snap the dragon's neck and order Louise to cook it for dinner. Whatever or whoever it was had to be a very strong opponent. Ah ha! Her Majesty in full attack. Oh, now that would be a sight!
********
"Captain, I have a bay you can borrow. You don't need to ride that!"
Laurent gave the younger guard his well practiced I-beg-your-pardon-soldier stare and turned back to face ahead in full correct parade fashion. He learnt forward slightly in the saddle to pat the neck of the ancient grey horse in apology for the other soldier's slight. "This horse is perfectly adequate thank you soldier."
"But Captain it's the wrong colour!"
Laurent's head snapped around to face the young man. "Lieutenant Vauvallon, if you do not wish to participate in the parade you only have to say so. I can assign you elsewhere if you so wish."
Edouard Vauvallon was taken aback. Captain Laurent was usually more open to reason. Edouard was tempted to try and change Laurent's mind one more time. However, he had an intense dislike of guarding the privy and Edouard suspected that would be his punishment if he spoke again.
In the young guard's opinion the day would be a disaster if Laurent rode the ancient scarred horse. His Majesty had requested a full parade of the mounted guards for the visiting King of Spain. To be able to show off their abilities and their horses to two Kings was a rare honour. A rare honour that Laurent seemed intent on destroying. Edouard thought it was unfortunate that Laurent's two parade-trained horses were unrideable but why on Earth did the man have to ride that old bag of wind.
********
Signore DaVinci was on his best behaviour today. Even someone with a much joy of life as Leonardo could not afford to be mischievous or disrespectful in the presence of two of the most powerful men in the known world.
The French and Spanish Kings were seated on their respective dais. Each man wrapped in his dignity and respect of his position like a child wrapped in swaddling clothes. Privately Leonardo was amused at the posturing of the two monarchs. Publicly Signore DaVinci was just as if not more respectful and silent on the subject as all the other courtiers present.
Speaking of courtiers, Leonardo had noted the large number of young ladies and their mothers who were missing today, including the Captain's young lady. Obviously Henry's engagement hadn't been appreciated by all the Court; including Henry himself.
********
The trumpets sounded for the start of the parade and the old horse moved beneath Laurent. "It's good to be back, eh?" Laurent spoke quietly to the great beast. Firebrand balanced himself on his big hooves and squared his shoulders.
"You'll do." At Laurent's words the ancient horse stood to perfect attention and Vauvallon's jaw dropped open in surprise. Laurent raised his flag arm in command and the guards moved forward.
Captain Laurent smiled to himself while he watched Lieutenant Vauvallon out of the corner of his eye. The younger man appeared to be battling with his conscience and his orders. Laurent was surprised to feel himself judging Edouard to be young and naive; the man was only two years younger than Laurent himself. Well, two years in age and many years in experience.
'When was I ever that young?' Laurent thought back through the years. He'd grown up the day he met King Francis. The day on the battlefield when Francis had accepted the masterless squire into his guard.
Even now the loss of the Duc was a painful memory for Laurent. He knew that it wasn't his fault. The old Duc had wanted one last rush at glory, one last Charge for God and King before he died. He'd got his wish and Laurent had watched the man who trained him and who'd treated him like a grandson die a valiant but strategically pointless death.
Knowing he couldn't just watch the battle, Laurent had marshalled the Duc's men together and joined the men defending the King.
********
Hautefort's Terrace had been transformed into a parade ground. Brightly dressed courtiers fringed it like wildflowers clustered on the banks of a forest pond. At the far end of the Terrace the two Kings sat - each on a separate dais with their families and attendants.
Amid the noise and frivolity, King Francis was bored. He tried to look interested in the events before him but even the threat of offending the Spanish King was not enough to inspire any interest in Francis. It was all so artificial and many of the guards, although enthusiastic, were parade soldiers.
"What in the world?" Prince Henry's voice broke his father's train of thought. For the first time in days Henry's voice was not filled with pain.
Francis looked up and saw a sight that took him back ten years. Stunned he stood and acknowledged the guard as they rode towards the dais. His boredom banished by the sight before him.
Captain Laurent saw the look on King Francis' face. He hadn't seen that same look since that day on battlefield ten years ago when His Majesty realised that the soldiers coming to aid him were led by a teenage squire on the old Duc's warhorse. The same horse that Laurent now rode.
King Francis nodded to Laurent and said to the Queen and Prince Henry, who now stood beside him, "This parade was an excellent idea." The Queen looked a little puzzled but gratefully accepted that something had happened to cheer up her husband.
Once the Spanish King had acknowledged the French Royal Guard they turned to leave.
King Francis and his family remained standing and as the guards moved away Henry could have sworn that the old horse and his father winked at each other.
One old warhorse to another.
********
'The girl should have been back with the flowers ages ago. Where has she got to?' Paulette had got used to having Jacqueline around and anyway if the girl didn't turn up soon even the Baroness would be on the hunt for her.
The servant looked out of the kitchen doorway and saw Jacqueline straight away. The girl was seated on the edge of the stone wall a bunch of wilted wildflowers hanging loosely from her hand. She looked so heartbroken.
'Oh dear, it's seemed that a bit of Aunty Paulette's magic is needed. I hope she's not pining for Prince Henry, like that fool mother and sister of hers,' or someone else close to Paulette's heart that she couldn't bear to think about at the moment.
Paulette picked her way through the long grass and sat down on the wall beside Jacqueline. The girl continued to stare at the flowers, tears making a slow track down her face.
"Louise told me that this was Mistress Nicole's favourite place in the garden." Paulette said chattily. She pretended to ignore the look of curiosity on Jacqueline's tearstained face.
"Louise told you? But I thought you worked for Madame de Barbarac?"
"No, I arrived her three days after the worst day of my life." Paulette smiled sadly, "And what a mess the place was - the mistress dead; the master so deep in mourning that it was an effort to get him to eat; little Danielle screaming the house down. Or so Louise tells me."
"Don't you remember?"
"Child, there are some things that are best forgotten." Paulette picked a stalk of grass and toyed with it between her hands. "I can remember Maurice coming to the church and asking for me. I remember agreeing to come here with him. I remember living here, eating, looking after Danielle. But nothing was clear until the day that I couldn't smell the smoke any more."
"Smell the smoke? I don't understand."
"I hope you never do, child." Paulette patted Jacqueline's hand. "I was married once. Luc was a kind husband. He was a blacksmith with a heart as big as his muscles."
"He must have had a big heart!" Jacqueline said, then blushed at her own forwardness.
Paulette chuckled, "Yes he did." Her voice softened as she entered the private world of her memories and the grass stalk fell, forgotten, from her hand. "His forge was in Hautefort town. Nothing grand. It was one of the minor forges used by the tradesmen, not one that the nobles used. We were very happy there - me, Luc and ...Jean."
"Jean?" Jacqueline had seen a wave of sadness pass over Paulette. Who was Jean?
Paulette lifted her hand to brush a stray lock of hair from Jacqueline's face and tuck it behind the girl's ear. Her hand stayed, resting on Jacqueline's cheek. "Jean was my son. The last time I saw him he was only four months old."
Jacqueline sat silently, waiting for Paulette to continue. The older woman sat back, clasping her hands in her lap.
"There was food to be bought and I left Jean with Luc. I often left Jean at the forge, in a warm corner away from the draft that always came under the door. I was gone no more that half an hour when I saw the smoke." Paulette's voice cracked and she sat staring out at the fields.
Jacqueline reached over and clasped Paulette's clenched hands. "You don't have to tell me this if you don't want to."
"It's alright. It was so long ago. I really shouldn't let it get to me like this." Paulette cleared her throat. "The fire had spread quickly. The walls were wood, you see. When the Watch found them Luc was holding Jean, protecting him from the falling beams. But he couldn't protect him from the smoke. The smoke killed them both."
"Oh, Paulette! What did you do?"
"Someone, a neighbour I think, took me to the church and that's where Maurice found me. With the mistress dead, Danielle needed someone to care for her. A woman to nurse her. I needed a home. Needed to get away from the smoke." Paulette smiled at the girl, "It took me three years but one day I didn't smell the smoke any more."
Jacqueline nodded her eyes brimming with tears.
"Don't cry for me, child. The story was supposed to cheer you up."
"Cheer me up?"
"Yes. I mean, whatever it is it can't be that bad."
"No. It's not that bad," Jacqueline looked down at the limp little flowers she'd dropped on the ground long ago and sighed deeply. "Oh Paulette, I did so want to go to the Parade."
"So, who is he? This man you're pining for. Handsome I hope?"
Jacqueline blushed.
"The Prince?" Paulette teased.
Jacqueline smothered a laugh, "No, not the Prince." The girl hesitated, she was moved that Paulette had told her of her family and Jacqueline did so much want to talk to someone. "If I tell you, you will not tell mother?"
"I swear. I won't tell your mother a thing." Paulette grinned, "Even if she tortures me."
"Really?"
Paulette nodded, "On Jean's grave."
Jacqueline paused and whispered, "Thank you," before she began her tale. "Well, on the night of the masque I was at the buffet table and I met ... a certain gentleman. He was walking beside the table and..."
Louise walked out of the kitchen doorway. What were those two up to? Paulette should know better than to sit around when the Baroness was in a bad mood.
"He did what with the carrot?" Paulette's voice screeched across the garden.
"Shhhh." Jacqueline looked up at her mother's window. "He," Jacqueline's voice trailed off as she saw Louise charging towards them. "I'll tell you later." She stood up and walked quickly towards the house.
"What were you two up to?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Paulette smiled, "Come on, let's get the old bat's lunch."
"Paulette, one of these day's she'll hear you and..."
"And she'll do nothing as she couldn't find anyone else who'd work for nothing." Paulette hugged her friend, "Almost nothing."
Louise smiled and followed her friend into the house.
To be continued
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