Reflections - So Life Goes On

Chapter Four

"He's not coming back," Marguerite whined yet again. "Why won't he come back?"

Jacqueline watched her mother turn from her gossip session with her friends and stare impatiently at Marguerite. "Dearest, gentlemen must be allowed to heal their pride and the Prince has a particularly large wound to heal."

"You could say it's a wound the size of Spain!" Isabelle cackled.

Her friend, Comtess Celeste, snorted and said, "Yes, a right royal pain!" Rodmilla joined in the laughter and Jacqueline looked away, embarrassed by the older women's unladylike behaviour.

Although she'd tried, Jacqueline couldn't like her mother's court confidants. There was something very false about their friendship with anyone other than each other. Jacqueline especially disliked Celeste's behaviour. The woman often said cruel and insulting things about her husband and what a disappointment he was, even to his face on the rare times he was present.

The conversation was slipping to an even lower level when a royal carriage came up the road. The women watched while the road was cleared of onlookers by the mounted guards accompanying the carriage.

"Is it Henry?" squealed Marguerite very loudly. She was quickly silenced by an angry glare from the Baroness. Celeste and Isabelle gave Marguerite the kind of belittling look that they usually gave to young children that got in their way.

The carriage came level with them and there was a sigh of disappointment from all the women except Jacqueline.

"It's only that boring old Signore da Vinci," whined Marguerite.

"I wonder where he's going? And why is he using the King's second best carriage?" Isabelle asked the group.

"Maybe old Francis' has got sick of having him underfoot." Celeste sniped.

Jacqueline was shocked and hurriedly said, "Madame, please do not speak so of His Majesty. Someone may hear you."

"Really, Rodmilla!" spat Celeste viciously, "If you can't make your younger daughter behave properly you should leave her at home."

Isabelle nodded, "Yes, disgusting. To even imply that Celeste would do such a thing is unforgivable!"

"Get into the coach immediately, Jacqueline," commanded the Baroness. "I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour."

Jacqueline was stunned by her mother's words. She was being banished to the coach and after all the improper things Marguerite had said. It was unbelievable and so unfair.

"Now, Jacqueline," Rodmilla pointed across the roadway to the coach.

As she crossed the road Maurice gave her a tiny, sympathetic smile. The little act of kindness made Jacqueline feel so much better. Inside the coach she was alone for the first time since speaking to Henry and Laurent. The thoughts that filled her mind while she sat in the coach made her feel even better still. Henry was rescuing Danielle! How wonderful it would be to see her again.

The gossip session continued for a short time but it appeared that her outburst had spoiled the women's enjoyment. Jacqueline watched Celeste and Isabelle make their farewells.

"That was a gauche and stupid thing to say, Jacqueline," her mother said as soon as she got to the coach. "However, I'm in such a good mood today that I'll overlook your appalling behaviour if you keep quite all the way home."

"Yes, mother."

"I said quiet. That means not one word."

Jacqueline nodded. She sat silently in the corner of the coach and imagined the look on her mother's face when she discovered Danielle was free.

********

"Henry, I think we should take a break," Laurent nodded at Danielle, "Before your lady falls off the horse." The effect of the food had begun to wear off and Danielle was looking very tired.

Henry stopped his horse and dismounted. Laurent watched as the Prince caught Danielle as she slid into his arms.

"I am all right, Henry," Danielle said quietly. The slight wobble in her walk made the Prince hold her tightly and fuss over her.

"Captain, sir," one of the guards pointed down the road. A royal carriage and ten guardsmen were approaching. As the carriage drew near Laurent could see Leonardo waving from the window.

The carriage came to stop and Leonardo opened the door, "Good afternoon, Your Highness. I've been sent with some suitable transportation for your lady."

Laurent watched as Danielle ran forward to hug Leonardo.

"It's so good to see you Leonardo," the girl hugged him.

"It is good to see you too my dear." He looked at her. "What ever are you wearing?"

Danielle blushed. Henry laughed and said, "It's the latest in thing in maiden-in-distress fashion."

"Henry!" Danielle's laugh turned to a cry of surprise as Leonardo retrieved a beautiful cape from the carriage.

The artist put the cape over Danielle's shoulders and arranged the hood. "Much better. Now I have orders to take you straight to Hautefort. And your highness you've been asked to ride across country so you can get there first and explain."

Henry nodded, "Mother's been very thorough."

Leonardo grinned, "Actually, no, I was sent by someone else. Oh and there is another part to the message. The exact words were - tell that son of mine that if he's finally made up his mind about his marriage then he'd better get his backside back here as soon as possible. Tell him that I'm not going to wait around all day while he dashes all over the countryside like a lovesick tomcat."

Henry glared at Leonardo, Laurent and the guards who were grinning and trying hard not to laugh. Danielle was trying to keep the smile from reaching her face. But everyone, including Henry, collapsed in giggles when a 'meow' came from somewhere in ranks of the guards.

********

Maurice guided the coach to the side of the road to make way for the Royal carriage that was travelling quickly towards him. That was strange, it looked exactly like the carriage that old Italian gentleman had left Hautefort in but it seemed to have more guards now than before. He tried to see who was inside but the window blinds were down.

Maurice sighed, encouraged the horses to walk on and returned to wondering how Danielle was faring and where she was.

Inside the carriage Danielle was telling Leonardo of her adventures of the last week. The old artist was just what Danielle needed, a kind listener would listen to not only her story but the pain behind it. She was telling him of her first attempt to escape from le Pieu's home when she suddenly stopped talking.

"Child, is something wrong?"

Danielle looked into Leonardo's kind eyes. "I just got the strangest feeling that someone else was nearby and thinking of me." Danielle smiled, "Silly, really."

********

The hour had passed in a whirlwind of activity. On their return to the castle Henry and Laurent had been greeted by a brusque command to attend the King. They had found His Majesty prowling around the throne room like a caged tiger.

"Father, I am here as you requested," Henry began. Laurent simply bowed in greeting and stepped back out of the conversation.

"Ah, yes Henry, so you are." Francis looked at his son and turned to Laurent, "Don't you try and escape Captain Laurent, I've a word or ten to say to you about leaving here without the horse-guards."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Laurent stood to attention a look of panic in his eyes.

Francis bit back on the smile that was threatening to become a very unregal laugh and turned back to his son. "So, Henry, now that the Princess of Spain has disgraced her family in a most satisfying manner you want to do something similar. I understand you now want to marry the young woman you were going to marry the night of the ball but decided not to?"

"Yes, Father, but Danielle won't disgrace the family," Henry's voice was laced with defiance.

"Uh huh. And this is the girl that the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent told you was a servant in her house?"

"Yes, but she wasn't a servant father. She's the Baroness's step-daughter."

"I see." Francis wandered over to the table and rearranged some of the maps there. After a minute or so, when he judged Henry had just about had enough of waiting, Francis looked intently at his son, "And where has this girl been this last week? Why wasn't she throwing herself at your feet in the church today? Hmmm? She too proud to do that?"

"No Father. She couldn't get there. The Baroness sold her to le Pieu."

"Sold her, Henry?"

Laurent gulped, he recognised that overly calm voice. The storm that was Francis' temper was on the horizon.

"Yes Father. She worked as a servant for him."

Francis walked over to his son and placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "Nothing more, boy?"

"She's handy with a dagger, sir." Henry grinned. "le Pieu's face shows the evidence of that."

King Francis laughed and his simmering temper cooled. "So, let me see if I've got this all straight. You want me to allow you to marry a French woman who had been illegally sold as a servant to the court armourer by a member of the court who lied to the court about the girl's true identity?"

"Yes, Father." Henry smiled nervously.

Francis laughed, "Well, I hope the young lady doesn't mind much notice. There's a wedding feast to be eaten tonight."

Henry stood stunned for all of three seconds then a huge grin spread across his face. "Thank you Father!" Henry strode forward hugged Francis.

The King looked embarrassed for a moment then patted the young man's back. "Typical. Wait until you're getting married before you show me any respect," he said in an affectionate tone.

Henry laughed and stepped back. He was about to leave when Francis said, "Not so fast, I want to speak to you about something your mother mentioned."

"What was that, sir?"

"Something about a Belgian."

********

The Royal carriage came to a stop and the door opened. Leonardo watched Danielle's eyes widen when Queen Marie stepped into view.

Danielle's eyes filled with tears when the Queen smiled and said, "Welcome to your new home, my dear."

********

"We must not let this marvellous turn of events get away, ladies," Rodmilla commanded her daughters as they filed into the house. "One cannot be too complaisant."

Paulette and Louise were very curious. What had happened to make the Baroness so happy?

Paulette watched as the de Ghent women climbed the stairs and went to their various rooms. She'd have to find a way to talk to Jacqueline and discover what had gone on. She turned to say so to Louise only to discover that her friend had gone to the carriage. Louise had cornered her husband and was interrogating him.

"What are they so happy about?"

"Uh, the wedding." Maurice was nervous. He was a terrible liar and even worse at hiding something from his wife. Perhaps if he didn't talk about the Prince then Louise wouldn't see that he was keeping secrets. "The Spanish Princess didn't want the Prince."

"Didn't want him? Really?" Louise wasn't sure about this. Over thirty years of marriage had taught her to read Maurice like the books Danielle loved so much. He was hiding something. She could feel it.

"Really. Madamoselle Jacqueline said that the Princess loved someone else and chose him over the Prince." Maurice was beginning to feel a little more confident now, he might just get away with this. "She, Madamoselle Jacqueline, said that the Prince appeared happy not to marry the Princess but the Spanish King and Queen were very angry."

"Serves him right for not marrying Danielle," muttered Paulette who had walked over to join the conversation.

Louise nodded, agreeing with Paulette comments, while she watched her husband. She was sure he was hiding something. What was it? "Is that all?"

Maurice swallowed. Uh oh, Louise wasn't going to back down. He was trying to think of something to say, other than screaming 'the Prince is going to save our Danielle', when the Baroness leant out of her window.

"What are you doing down there? I don't pay you to stand around!" She glared at Maurice, "You, put those horses away at once. And you," she stared at the women, "come up here and help us change."

"Yes, milady," Maurice climbed onto the coach box as quickly as his old bones would allow, for once in his life grateful to the Baroness' abrupt manner.

"Come on, you heard her," Paulette dragged Louise into the house.

Louise followed, her mind full of the questions she would ask Maurice this evening.

********

The irony of the situation was not lost on Leonardo. The church was filled with disgruntled courtiers and a happy French Royal family. Whereas a mere five hours ago it had been filled with disgruntled Royals and happy courtiers.

From where he stood by the door, Leonardo could see Prince Henry. The young man was so happy that he was almost bouncing on the balls of his feet. Henry looked like a bubbly schoolboy who'd just won a prize. Leonardo chuckled as he walked out of the church. "Any moment he'll start singing 'I've got her and you don't, nah, nah!'"

"I beg your pardon, Signore?"

Leonardo turned and grinned at Captain Laurent who stood to one side of the door. "Oh, nothing Captain." Leonardo smiled mischievously at Danielle, who was clinging nervously to the soldier's arm. "I'll tell you later, my young lady."

"You'll keep," muttered Laurent. The trumpets sounded for the start of the ceremony. Laurent turned to turned to Danielle, "I must leave you in Signore da Vinci's care, milady. I am sure you will have a wonderful wedding."

"Thank you, Captain," Danielle let go of his arm and grabbed Leonardo's hand.

Laurent grinned, "And remember not to break his hands, milady. They're the only part of him that's worth anything."

"Huh," Leonardo quipped at the Captain's retreating back, "You're just glad to go because soldiers aren't supposed to cry at weddings."

Danielle grinned at their banter and didn't feel nearly as nervous as before. They moved to stand in the open doorway.

"Henry looks so confident," Danielle whispered to Leonardo.

"Of course he does," the artist whispered back. "Not only is he getting you but he also had a practice at standing there this morning."

Danielle smiled at the comment. She looked up the aisle and her gaze met Henry's. Suddenly she wasn't nervous any more. This was the right place at the right time and he was most definitely the right man for her.

********

Laurent waited patiently while the grooms and coachmen finished harnessing the horses to the coach. He would have liked to attend Henry's wedding but the King had ordered he collect the de Ghent's before word of the wedding could reach them. Laurent grinned, pretty as Danielle was if it was a choice between watching her getting married or speaking to Jacqueline - well, Danielle would lose out every time.

The Captain sighed. He was just starting to be honest with himself about his feelings for Jacqueline. He hadn't even held her hand and he was mad about her. He had been ever since she'd hidden behind him in the market. He'd even justified bribing the mask-maker to discover what masks the Baroness had bought under the argument that he was doing it for Henry. After all Henry couldn't wear the same mask as Marguerite de Ghent. That'd be just too much encouragement for the Baroness.

Huh, Danielle and Marguerite. What was it with Henry and skinny girls anyway?

********

A huge cheer filled the church when the Bishop introduced the newly married couple to the congregation. Queen Marie ignored all concerns of decorum and security to rush up to the couple and kiss them. The King followed his wife at a more sedate pace but his fatherly hug stunned the courtiers who had never seen the gruff man behave so openly.

The King turned to Leonardo. "You, Signore, are a scene stealer!"

Leonardo grinned, "No, your majesty, simply truthful."

Francis shook his head. When the artist had handed Danielle over to Henry. The Bishop had asked him if he gave this woman to be wed. Leonardo had replied, "No, your grace, she is given in marriage by Auguste de Barbarac. I am simply acting on his behalf."

Francis had felt the emotion ripple through the room. He had watched Danielle turn to Leonardo. Her face held the most beautiful, serene smile as she quietly said, "Thank you," before she turned back to face the bishop.

It seemed that Henry had chosen very well.

To be continued