Reflections - So Life Goes On

Chapter Eight

It was last night all over again. Jacqueline picked at another meal while Isabelle Richaud whispered horrible threats at her. "One word against Celeste and I and you'll wish that you were never born. Terrible things can happen to servants, even Royal servants."

Jacqueline tried to ignore the droning voice and watched events at the head table. The dinner was to farewell the Spanish Royal Family. Only the Spanish King and Queen and a handful of courtiers had attended. Just enough to save face while still managing to give a slight insult to the French King and Queen.

Prince Henry and Princess Danielle were seated at the head table. Both of them looked like it was the last place they'd like to be. Captain Laurent, on duty even now, stood slightly behind the young couple. Jacqueline's gaze met Laurent's and he looked away. He was still angry with her.

When she had returned to Hautefort Laurent had spoken to Lieutenant Vauvallon. The Captain took the news of the detour badly. Jacqueline had never seen him angry before and she had been a little afraid of him. It had only got worse when she'd tried to defend the Lieutenant. Marc had stared at her for a moment before excusing himself and walking away.

He hated her! She just knew it. She'd ruined everything.

Isabelle's voice continued to drone in her ear. Something snapped in Jacqueline. She had had enough of this woman. Jacqueline knew this was her last evening meal as a lady, she should be enjoying it. "If I am to be a servant, Madame, why shouldn't I take you with me?"

Shocked into silence, Isabelle quickly returned to eating her meal.

********

At the head table Queen Marie ate her meal and watched the courtiers. Marie relaxed and watched for the undercurrents in the room. The French and Spanish courtiers were being so very civil to each other that the atmosphere was like glue. Still, there were some intriguing events taking place. She would have to compare notes with the recently arrived Captain Comte LeRiche.

She wondered how LeRiche was faring in his questioning of the Page, Rodmilla and Marguerite. Marie had understood why LeRiche had not been impressed to hear of the Page's behaviour. The Comte firmly believed that the only spies that should be in Hautefort were his.

********

Marguerite sipped her third dish of tea. When she was told she was to be questioned she'd expected anything but tea, cakes and polite conversation. She looked over at the Comte seated opposite her. There was something almost cat-like about him.

They had been talking of her life at the Manor. Marguerite had chatted about the court and all her beautiful clothes. Speaking of her clothes reminded her that she'd lost them to Jacqueline and Marguerite pouted.

"So, tell me about your sister. It must have been hard for someone as beautiful and clever as yourself to have someone like her around?"

Marguerite's pout vanished and she smiled at him, he understood everything so well. "Yes, she's so ugly and stupid. Mother got so sick of her."

"Really?" The Comte smiled and poured Marguerite a little more tea.

"She's so stupidly honest. Mother came up with such a wonderful plan to catch the Prince for me and Jacqueline didn't like it." She giggled and sipped her tea, "As if she had any say in anything Mother did." Marguerite giggled again and drained the cup. "May I have some more tea?"

"I think you've have quite enough, my dear," the Comte smiled. "So, your Mother's plan must have been very clever. Did she have any help?"

"Only from that ugly Page."

"Sounds intriguing." The Comte's smile grew even more cat-like. He leant closer to her and said seductively, "Do tell."

Marguerite grinned saucily at him and began to tell him all about her Mother's pet Page.

********

The significance of Jacqueline's comments had hit Louise during the afternoon. She pondered the comments all evening. Finally, she confronted Maurice in their room that night, "You knew about Danielle before the Captain told you, didn't you!"

Maurice tried to find somewhere to escape to but the floor was stone and Louise was between him and the door. "Uhhh, yes, dear," he murmured as he climbed into the bed.

Louise looked at her husband, tears in her eyes, "Why didn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me?"

"The Prince ordered me not to speak. I couldn't. Truly. You know I'd never choose to lie to you."

After a moment Louise muttered, "I know you wouldn't" She removed her socks and climbed into bed.

"Argh! Your feet are cold," hissed Maurice. Louise stuck her feet onto the back of his legs. "Arrrggggggghhhhh! All right. The next time Danielle is saved by the Prince I'll tell you."

"Make sure you do." Louise stopped torturing her husband and settled down to sleep.

********

Marie smiled indulgently at her son and his bride as they fed each other morsels of breakfast pastry. They were such a sweet couple. She was becoming rather jealous of their loving relationship. Her own relationship with Francis was affectionate friendship at its best and wildly unstable at its worst. She had tried her best to improve it but there were so many old wounds to heal - some of them older than their marriage.

The trio's breakfast was interrupted by the arrival of King Francis, Captain LeRiche, and Signore da Vinci.

"This is a breakfast table, Francis, not a war room," Queen Marie's terse manner instantly put the King offside.

"We have to sort out this mess with the Page before court this afternoon." King Francis sat in a chair and put his booted feet onto a footstool, a sure sign that his gout was playing havoc with his temper.

Queen Marie bit back on the comment she was going to make and gave Danielle a look of apology. The girl was still very nervous around Francis. Marie hoped that Danielle would eventually see the scarred man underneath the gruff manner. It had taken Marie a long time to find him.

"What do you need us to do?" Henry asked his father.

The King looked at his son in surprise and smiled, "Listen and think."

********

"That's very interesting," purred le Pieu. He leered at the man who had given him the gossip of the charges against the Page and the predicament of Jacqueline de Ghent. "I'm sure I can make good use of that."

Le Pieu sat back in his chair and chuckled, "Very good use."

********

The portrait gallery was nearly deserted when Laurent entered it. He strode purposefully toward the figure at the far end. It was now or never.

Jacqueline was examining a portrait of the King's great-grandfather. No longer concerned about her reputation, she had sent Elaine away for the morning.

Jacqueline turned to face Marc as he walked towards her. "Good morning, Captain Chevalier Laurent," she curtsied in formal greeting and smiled sweetly at him.

Marc hesitated. This wasn't going to be as easy as he'd hoped.

********

Jacqueline looked up at Marc through her lashes as he apologised for, as he put it, 'throwing a tantrum worthy of a three-year-old child'. She smiled a little at that and accepted his apology with a nod. Maybe she hadn't ruined everything. But now it was almost too late; the court would be in session in little more than an hour. There was so little time and so many things she wanted to say - and couldn't.

Marc looked Jacqueline. She was so tense. She had worked herself into such an emotional state that she was almost shaking. He knew that old trick well; all four of his sisters had become expert at it as children. He knew of only one reply to it - a frontal assault. With his sisters he had pulled their hair. In this case a different approach was called for. He'd just have to storm the battlements and blast the consequences.

Jacqueline was lost for words. He must think she was such an idiot. She was about to run away when she found herself being grabbed by the shoulders. She gave a tiny squeak as the Captain said, "Please excuse me but I have something to say to you." All conscious thought fled from Jacqueline's mind when Marc kissed her passionately.

Marc broke the kiss and smiled, "I believe you have something to say to me too." He kissed her again.

This time she kissed him back. Jacqueline's worries melted into the back of her mind. This was her chance to discover what she was about to lose. To see a glimpse of what it was that Henry and Danielle shared.

Marc smiled, "I like this conversation, milady." Jacqueline blushed and he kissed her again. She clung to him, her kiss full of desperation. The Captain staggered backwards under her attack.

"Whoa!" He grinned down at her. "That's done it. Three's the magic number. I'll have to court you properly now."

"No, Marc."

The Captain hadn't been expecting that reply. He thought desperately of something to say. "Please don't - don't give me an answer yet. Wait until the verdict."

Jacqueline looked at the floor. "If it's guilty, it would be best if you forget me," she said, rather mournfully.

"I'll do no such thing!" The Captain lifted her chin with his hand and wiped the single tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Falling on your sword is a silly waste, Jacqueline. Besides, unlike some people I could name, I stand by my lady when she's under attack."

Jacqueline gasped, shocked out of her attack of self-pity. "Marc you can't say that! What if he heard you?" She looked around as though at any moment Henry would step out of one of the portraits.

"What if who heard me?" Laurent winked. "Did I give you a name?"

Jacqueline shook her heard and smiled nervously. "No, but I know who you meant."

"After the verdict? Please?"

Jacqueline nodded. She knew the verdict would be guilty. Celeste and Isabelle would see to that. But if he wanted to pretend for a little longer then that's what she'd do - for him.

********

"Their Supreme Royal Majesties King Francis and Queen Marie and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Henry and Princess Danielle." The voice of the Royal Usher echoed through the Throne Room.

Leonardo glowed with pride as he watched Danielle enter the Throne Room with her new family. He knew she had spent the last half an hour practicing her entrance and the correct way to stand. It didn't show. She looked like she was born to Royalty. Leonardo smiled at Henry's expression; the Prince looked more nervous than his Princess did.

King Francis nodded to the Royal Usher. The Usher announced, "In light of the seriousness of the accusations made in front of this court two days ago, His Majesty has decreed that those accusations shall be the only order of business today."

In response to the announcement, there was a ripple of conversation amongst the many courtiers present. Most of the courtiers who had missed the first de Ghent trial had made sure to be present for this one.

The King glared at the talking courtiers. Silence fell across the room and King Francis nodded again. The rear door opened to admit a small scruffy figure. The Royal Usher announced, "Guy Renel, Page to the Royal Household."

The door opened again, "Jacqueline de Ghent, Ward of Her Majesty Queen Marie of France." Leonardo noticed that Jacqueline looked surprised at the title.

Leonardo noticed that Renel seemed to be very wary of Captains Laurent and LeRiche. The officers were standing on either side of the Royal Family like the Knights at the start of game of chess. The artist watched as King Francis began to spin the web designed by his spymaster.

This was going to be a difficult case. Marguerite's evidence had not only been coerced by the use of LeRiche's herbal tea but she was also a servant with an axe to grind. Although the statement could clear Jacqueline of the charge it wouldn't reinstate her good name. It would take a good deal more to do that.

Jacqueline swallowed nervously and, on the King's command, restated her case. Signore da Vinci had visited her while she was waiting to be called into the Court. He had encouraged her to answer the King's questions simply and completely truthfully. He also told her only to answer the exact questions. No more and no less. She now did exactly that in her soft voice.

Next the Page restated his case. He added, with a leering smile, "She's willing to do anything, Your Majesties, even lie to you to get a place in the Court."

Francis glared regally at the Page. "If that statement is proven to be false We shall add defaming a noble lady's character to your list of charges."

Queen Marie rested her hand on her husband, she knew Francis only used the Royal We when he was very, very annoyed. "Do either of you have any proof to refute or support the charges?" she said.

"Only my word, Your Majesty," said the Page immediately. The Courtiers gasped.

"Renel, in Our Court ladies are always given the utmost courtesy and therefore speak first when addressed." Francis voice was dripping with sarcasm and menace.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Renel earned another glare for speaking without permission. He swallowed and stared at the floor.

That little pawn is quickly losing ground, thought Leonardo. So far, so good.

Jacqueline answered the King's question, "Only this, Your Majesty." She held out a folded table napkin, which bore the Queen's coat of arms. "It was in my mother's, now my, possessions."

"I see." Francis signalled to a Page who collected the scrap of cloth and gave it to the Queen.

"She could have got that anywhere, Your Majesty. She's been in the palace for two days." The Page's voice cracked as Francis glared at him again.

The King glared at Renel, again. "We have numerous statements from members of the Royal Court, members of the Royal Guard, Palace Servants, and other persons describing a number of your meetings with the former Baroness de Ghent." Another Page stepped forward with a large bundle of statements collected by Captain Comte LeRich and Laurent's men. "Those that recount seeing your assignation at the cathedral describe a white cloth changing hands. We know that you provided information. Why should We not believe that you stole Her Majesty's pendant?"

Get out of that one, thought Leonardo.

Revel was in a corner. Well, if he was going to fall then so was his accuser. "The Baroness had a handkerchief." He pointed at Jacqueline, "She's just making it look like it was that table napkin, Your Majesty. She's evil."

No, no, no. Leonardo was almost jumping up and down in frustration. It was all going wrong.

Jacqueline was about to speak but held her silence when she saw the look in King Francis' eyes; it commanded her silence.

"Is anyone willing to speak for either of you?" The Queen's voice cut clearly through the room.

This was Signore da Vinci's cue. He was about to step forward when the Usher approached the Royal Dais, "Your Majesty, there is someone outside who wishes to speak for Mademoiselle de Ghent."

The King waved the Usher forward and the man whispered in the King's ear. Francis' eyebrows rose in surprise. "Very well, admit him."

The Usher nodded and returned to his place. The door opened and the Royal Usher announced. "Monsieur Pierre le Pieu, Royal Armourer."

Leonardo watched le Pieu smarm his way into the room. He could see the female Courtiers shudder as the Armourer walked past them.

If looks could kill then le Pieu's would be dead. His killers would have been Marie, Henry, Danielle, Laurent and Leonardo himself.

"Your Majesties. I have come to speak on Mademoiselle de Ghent's behalf." Le Pieu bowed low to the King and Queen. He stepped back when Henry began to walk toward him.

King Francis grabbed Henry's arm as the Prince stepped past the King's throne. Henry stood still for a moment and glared at le Pieu. Then he stepped back to stand beside his worried Princess.

To be continued