Jacqueline's Dilemma by Emma - Part Five

Jacqueline looked nervously to the gate while she fidgeted with the large cuffs of her sleeves. She expected a royal carriage to enter through those gates at any minute. The source of her anxiety was not simply meeting the Queen, she had done this before. She was no longer nervous about this, as the Queen was always very nice to her. Her apprehension stemmed for the fact that this was the first time she would be receiving Her Majesty in her home.

Danielle looked over at her sister. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on hers. "The manor looks perfect," She whispered. "I don't remember it ever looking as well as it has in these past few days." Jacqueline smiled, but this did nothing to dispel her nerves. That fact was she was unsure if her hostess skills were up to this challenge. Receiving Danielle was one thing, she was family and, more importantly, a good friend. The Queen was quite different.

Finally the gilded carriage came through the gates towards the house. It was surrounded by horse guards and followed by several smaller carriages. It was reminiscent of the day Jacqueline herself had first arrived at the manor. The welcoming party all made the final re-arrangements to their clothes and hair. As well as Jacqueline and Danielle, Hélène, Steven, Juliette, Louise, Paulette, Maurice and Antoine had all turned out to meet her.

As the carriage stopped and a guard helped the Queen down, Danielle stepped forward to be the first to greet her. The Queen was fast to embrace her daughter-in-law. "Danielle my dear, how are you? We have been quite desolate without you at the palace."

"How are things at the palace. It seems I have been away for weeks rather than days. How is the King."

"Oh still shouting at every aide who passes him in the corridors." Now she turned to Jacqueline. "And how are you my dear?" She asked brightly. "I haven't seen you since we returned from Bordeaux. You really ought to come to the palace more often."

"Thank you Your Majesty," she replied curtseying. "I should be very pleased to visit more often." Behind this party, people were beginning to take boxes and chests from the other carriages.

"Where shall I have these put my dear?" the Queen asked Jacqueline.

"I think one of the guest chambers might be best. Paulette can you show them where to go please."

"Yes milady." Paulette, Louise and Maurice usually just call her Jacqueline, but in such company a degree of formality was necessary.

"Shall we go inside?" Jacqueline said. She motioned for the Queen to enter ahead of her, as was the proper etiquette, but instead the Queen linked arms with her and they went into the house together.

Jacqueline lead the party through to the sitting room, where refreshments had been laid out. It had been decided that just the ladies would remain and that the men would get on with business elsewhere.

The chat that ensued was all very pleasant, but it was not what Danielle had invited the Queen for. She was getting restless to start having Jacqueline try on gowns. "I think perhaps we should make a start," Danielle said.

"Yes, I think you are right," the Queen replied, standing up. The party made there way to the room that had been set up for them. A seamstress had unpacked the chests and every surface was now covered with gowns and gloves and shoes for every occasion. This all seemed a little suspicious to Jacqueline. Surely this visit was just to decide on a gown for the ball.

Hélène walked around the room, inspecting some of the garments. "These are exquisite Madame," she said. She was famous at court for having a well trained eye for a good gown. Therefore this made the compliment worth more.

"Maybe we should start with Jacqueline?" Danielle suggested. Everyone seemed to approve. Jacqueline could tell she was being set up.

So for the next three hours Jacqueline spent her time being helped in and out of a vast assortment of gowns. There were dresses for riding, dresses for walking, for dinner, for travelling, for small parties, for large parties, for court. If there was an occasion that Jacqueline would ever have to attend, she had tried on a gown for it.

They were still all working under the guise that they were choosing a gown for the ball, but none were quite right. The fact that every time she tried a gown that looked well on her, the Queen suggested that she keep it, after all, she was unlikely to wear it, was begining to make Jacqueline suspicious. Jacqueline did have to admit that she liked all of this luxury she was being surrounded with.

Eventually she had an entire new wardrobe, and they were only just coming onto the ball gowns. She was dressed so well, she could rival even the most high born and elegant courtier. These gowns were nothing like the ones her mother had forced her to wear. They were far better than even anything that Marguerite had ever worn.

"How about this one for Saturday?" Danielle said, holding up a midnight blue gown with gold brocade and embroidery. She held it up to Jacqueline. "I think the colour suits her." The Queen and Hélène nodded their agreement. The seamstress and Hélène helped Jacqueline change into it. Everyone was right, it did suit her, very well.

"I think we need a male opinion," the Queen said.

"I know just the person," Hélène said and she moved over to the door to call on Steven who was sitting just outside. "Lord Grey, we need your opinion on something."

"All right." He didn't sound too convinced that he would be the best person for this task. When he saw Jacqueline standing in the middle of the room in a ball gown, he knew that they had the wrong man.

"How do you think this gown befits Mademoiselle de Ghent?" Hélène asked. She knew that he was uncomfortable, but she liked seeing him squirm. It was a part of the little mind games they liked to play on each other.

"Well I... erm... It's very...nice."

"Nice!" Danielle almost shouted. "Is that all you can come up with?" Hélène concealed a laugh.

"Well...it's a lovely...shade." He was looking to Hélène for help, but he could tell by the grin on her face that she was enjoying this too much so he was unlikely to get it.

"Did your mother's instruction not run to dress appreciation," Hélène slyly said to him. He just looked at her with an equally sly grin.

"You were right Hélène," Danielle said. "Men have no idea when it comes to fashion. I expect you found that with Henry, like I have." Hélène swallowed hard. Henry had bought many gowns for her during their friendship, so this was an awkward subject for her.

"I don't think this is His Grace's field of expertise," Juliette said, sensing he was not at ease. He smiled at her in appreciation. This made her blush furiously.

"Perhaps Captain Polignac would be better," Hélène suggested. Jacqueline looked at her. Hélène knew what she was doing. She was just interested in gauging her reaction. Danielle walked over to the window and flung it open. Down in the courtyard the Captain was walking a horse.

"Captain Polignac, would you be so good as to give us some assistance up here?" she called down to him.

"Of course Your Highness," he replied. "I shall be right in." He handed the pregnant mare over to one of the grooms and walked inside. He was intrigued as to what they would want him for. He had thought that the ladies were trying on gowns. That did not really seem the sort of activity for which they would need a guard's help. But it might give him a moment to have a few words with Jacqueline. He had missed her conversation that morning. She had been too busy overseeing work in the house to take their ride.

As the ladies waited for him to arrive, they fussed over Jacqueline, wondering which jewels she should wear and how her hair should be. Jacqueline, however was oblivious to all of this. She was in a world of her own thinking about what Antoine would think. It bothered her that this sort of thing mattered so much to her.

Eventually, after what seemed like an age to Jacqueline, there was a knock on the door and Danielle admitted Antoine.

"We were wondering if you could offer an opinion on this gown. We felt we needed a man's view." Danielle motioned towards Jacqueline.

For a moment he was speechless. She looked stunning. She was a naturally beautiful woman, but he had never thought her to be striking, like many of the ladies of his acquaintance were.

"I think it suits you Mademoiselle," he eventually managed to blurt out. "The dark blue is very becoming for your complexion as is the embroidery."

"What a very useful man to have around the house Jacqueline," the Queen said. "I think the King made the right choice for manor duty." At first the Queen had been very apprehensive about a man such as Antoine de Polignac being alone at the manor with Jacqueline, but he seemed to be behaving himself.

"Seeing as though you know so much about gowns, perhaps you could advise on hair too," Hélène said.

"I'm not sure if I can help you there," he said, smiling. He knew that she was mocking him, but he did not mind.

"I think you should have it swept back away from your face," the Queen said.

"I would have to agree with that," Antoine added. "There are few truly beautiful faces in this world, it would be a shame to conceal yours." Only Hélène noticed the genuine significance of this comment.

"I think that settles that then," Danielle said. "A certain Captain we all know will die when he sees you dressed in this."

Everybody in the room but Hélène was looking at Jacqueline at this point, so missed the look of jealously and hurt that materialised on the captain's face. He bowed to the royalty and left the room, before Jacqueline caught sight of him and he gave himself away.