Jacqueline's Dilemma by Emma - Part Sixteen
Henry stared blankly at the walls of his office. For the first time in his life he was bored due to the lack of a useful task. Usually he would fill his time with trivial matters, which were of no importance to anybody. In the summer he would find some good for nothing noble to play tennis with, in winter he would practice his swordplay with Laurent in the great hall. Whatever the weather these moments of idleness were always good for formulating escape plans. Ever since Danielle had come into his life though, he had found something he thought was his enemy. Something that would force him to be serious. A purpose.
He had found though that he rather enjoyed having important things to do. Especially when, at the end of the day, he was able to return to his chambers and Danielle would be there. Being frivolous was much better with Danielle to share it with. He had experienced more good times with her, in their few months of marriage, than he ever had before. In his twenty years he had never felt anything which compared to being with her. The smallest touch of her lip was enough to make him forget everything.
When he thought like this, he couldn't help feeling a little guilty. Danielle was able to give him such pleasure by doing so little, yet Hélène had tried so hard to please him and he never felt anything like what he did with Danielle. It sometimes bothered him that he hadn't tried hard enough with Hélène. Perhaps he could have felt more had he been less selfish and thought of her needs and feeling sometimes. But had he done that he would never have met Danielle and he would be making Hélène as miserable as he would have felt himself. He had to think that she had a soul mate, if there was any justice in the world then she would not be left lonely.
He leaned over his desk and rifled through some of the papers. There were plans for the buildings of the university, invitations to scholars to come and teach and letters from people who were still congratulating him on his marriage. However there was nothing that could offer him a useful occupation. He had become so good at dealing efficiently with his affairs, since marrying Danielle, that there were rarely and loose ends that needed tying up. He stood up and wandered over to the window and looked out over the courtyard. There was the usual clutch of courtiers with nothing better to do than gossip and the guard were drilling. There was no sign of Danielle or his parents, or indeed anybody who he could walk with. Then suddenly there seemed to be some action.
A guardsman came hurtling into the courtyard on horseback at breakneck speed. He looked like he had some very important business. Henry could not make out who it was, but it seemed to be someone of high rank, judging by the way the men greeted him as he dismounted his steed. As
the little drama unfolded, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Henry said absently as he continued to watch the guardsman, trying to make out who it was.
"Your Highness," a female voice said from behind him. He spun round quickly as he heard Hélène speak. He had not really spoken to her since they had exchanged words in Bordeaux. He was not exactly sure what to expect from further discourse. Her face gave nothing away.
"Henry," was all he managed to say. The formality she thought was so necessary pained him still. He would never stop being her best friend. No matter what happened, or how many courtiers and guards came into his life she held that very special position in his past and would hold it for
the rest of his life. It was as the pendent had said, 'best friends forever'.
Hélène ignored his plea for casualness. "Your Highness, Princess Danielle has asked me to bring this." She held out a note. Henry took it, but he did not open it.
"I didn't want things to be like this," he said quietly. "I'm not sure if you realise just how much I would have given for all this to have been different."
"I'm sure you would have Highness, but it's a little late for that now. Things are as they are and there is nothing that can be done by either of us."
"But there are things we can do," he started to move towards her, but she stepped backwards into the door. It was as if she could not stand to be this close to him, as if he now repulsed her. "Please don't be like this Hélène. You and I still have a special bond no matter what happens. I will always be your best friend Henry and you will always be my best friend Hélène, no matter what names you may take on."
"No. I will always be something different to what I was, and you will always be Danielle's husband. Things have changed irrevocably. They have been changing for almost 3 years, but that's something that you will never need to know about." She then turned and left. Henry was puzzled by her last comment. Surely he knew everything that had happened. He and Hélène had lived in each other's pockets. How could she have kept secrets from him?
He sat down at his desk and looked at the back of Danielle's letter. She had simply written 'Darling' on the back, in her delicately feminine hand. He raised the piece of paper to his lips and gently kissed it before breaking the seal so as the read the contents.
My Dearest Husband,
I have a very special favour to ask you. Could you please ask Captain Laurent to dine with us this evening, in our quarters? I think he and Jacqueline have played this game long enough, and I intend to do something about it.
Your ever devoted wife,
Danielle.
Henry laughed, what mischief was she planning? He hoped that she wouldn't suggest bundling. His sister Madeleine, Queen of Scotland had told him all about this peculiar Scottish custom where prospective marriage partners are wrapped tightly in blankets so that they could not move and then just leaving them together all night. He could not imagine Laurent staying still long enough for him to be able to wrap him up in blankets. He wasn't entirely sure if Jacqueline would welcome this interference either. Of course she would never show anything but the utmost gratitude to Danielle, but she may not feel the same way.
He had become quite worried about Jacqueline, since his conversation with her. Every time he thought about it he became more convinced that her heart was not with Marc and he could not bear the thought that either one of them would get hurt. Marc was too good a friend and Jacqueline had been through so much already. She was very much like Danielle in that she was good at hiding just how much she was hurting and Henry was averse to anything that would add to that silent suffering she seemed to be engaged in. He was definitely not sure whether he should try and force this marriage as Danielle seemed to think he should.
However, he could not ignore his wife's wishes. He would have to invite Marc to dinner, but he would have to try and suggest that Danielle not be too forceful. He knew exactly what she could be like when something caught her interest. In the midst of all that passion she sometimes forgot what tact was and allowed her mouth to run away with her.
He stood up and placed the letter in his desk. However little he liked the task he was pleased to have a useful duty and so may as well do it straight away. He began to walk over to the door, but before he could open in there was a knock. He walked back to his desk and called to his caller
to enter. He had expected it to be one of his assistants, so the sight of Antoine de Polignac rushing into the room, was a surprise. He did not look his usual cool self. He looked agitated and flustered, a far cry from the noted swordsman, drinker and all round womaniser who Henry was acquainted with.
"I beg you pardon You Highness, for interrupting you like this," Antoine said quickly as he realised how unseemly his entrance had been. "But I have urgent matters to discuss with you that will not wait."
"Do not apologise Captain," Henry replied. He was very intrigued and not a little worried about what tidings the duke brought. "Has something happened at the manor?" he asked, wanted to prepare himself if he would have to break bad news to Danielle.
"No Your Highness, this is a more personal matter which I must speak about as soon as possible." Now Henry was extremely interested to know what was going on. The Duke de Polignac was famous for being a cool man, who never let things get to him. What personal matters could bring him to a prince for counsel?
"By all means sit down," Henry said indicating to a chair in front of the desk. Antoine did not do this. He was too agitated to be able to sit still, he had to get this over with.
"Sire. I am come to ask your permission, as commander of the Royal Guard, to marry." To say that Henry was shocked at this request was an understatement. he was absolutely amazed. Surely this man in front of him was not Antoine de Polignac.
"I do not understand Captain. I was unaware that you had any connection with any lady in particular. Your acquaintances have never seemed to be so intimate as to suggest marriage."
"I realise, sire, that my request may seem strange given my past, but I assure you that I intend to act with the utmost integrity towards the lady I have chosen. I am in love, most sincerely and I will never intentionally hurt her as I have so often to the women in my past."
"Well with a declaration such as that, I can do nothing but give my permission and my blessing to your union, but might I enquire about the bride? I am intrigued about this remarkable woman who has captured a heart as cold as yours."
"Certainly Sire. I wish to make your sister-in-law, Jacqueline de Ghent, my bride." With this, Henry almost fell off his chair. He was not sure if this was real or a very fanciful dream. Surely it couldn't be true that Antoine de Polignac wanted to marry Jacqueline. But as he thought more about it he realised that it made more sense than most people would think. Jacqueline was a very accomplished woman, she would make a perfect Duchess.
"Have you asked Jacqueline yet?"
"No Your Highness. I felt that as my commander I must ask your permission first. I had intended to ask Jacqueline as soon as I gained your blessing. Now I have that I ask for your permission to withdraw so that I might go and find her?"
"Certainly." With that Antoine bowed and quickly exited the room on his quest to find Jacqueline. Seconds later Danielle entered the room, finding a very bemused Henry sitting behind his desk.
"Henry my love, what is happening? Why was Captain Polignac here? There is nothing wrong at the manor is there?"
"No my dear," he said quietly. "He needed to speak to me on personal business." Danielle did not question this, but quickly proceeded to ask Henry if he had asked Marc to dinner yet.
"I do not think it a good idea for tonight my love. Marc has been very busy today I believe he will need rest."
"Well ask him for tomorrow night. I am quite determined that Jacqueline will be single no longer. It must be absolutely heartbreaking for her to be so close to something so great, yet not be able to grasp it. I intend to help her."
"I think it is Laurent who will be heartbroken," Henry muttered under his breath. "He is the one we should be helping now."
