Jacqueline's Dilemma by Emma - Part Nineteen
"Well, at least he's perked up a bit," Paulette said as she watched Antoine ride away from the manor in the direction of the palace.
"That was another sudden change," Louise said. "You don't think he's, you know." Paulette looked at her, bemused. "A bit daft in the head."
"Don't talk such nonsense. He's as sane as you or me." Louise gave her a sarcastic look. "Well as sane as I am I suppose. But he wouldn't be a captain if he weren't all there would he?"
"I suppose, but I want to know what's going on with him."
"Well that's his business and none of ours," Maurice said, trying to quieten his wife on this subject. This seeming protection of Captain Polignac made Louise suspicious.
"Do you know something we don't husband?"
"No, not at all," Maurice said, hoping that his wife's eagle eye would not see straight through the lie he had just told. The truth was, he did know something.
Since Antoine's return the previous day, he had been staring at something in his hand almost constantly. All Paulette's attempts to find out what it was had failed miserably, but Maurice had seen it. It was a lady's pearl earring, one that he was sure he recognised. Nearly ten years ago he had helped a young Jacqueline hide a small box from her mother. A few months ago he had helped her retrieve it. This time she had shown him what was inside. He had little doubt now as to how part of its contents had come to be in Captain Polignac's possession.
This was a private matter though, it had nothing to do with Louise or Paulette or even himself. When Jacqueline wanted people to know she would let them know.
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Antoine rode into the courtyard with far less haste than he had the previous day. He had no reason to rush now. He had everything he wanted and it wasn't going anywhere.
"Here again Polignac?" Captain Lacroix said, approaching him. "Not enough action at the manor for you eh?" Lacroix winked at him in a fashion that disgusted him. Maybe a month ago he would have laughed, but now he had found love. He was an engaged man and this sort of thing was beneath him now.
"I have business with Mademoiselle de Ghent, the mistress at the manor."
"Well, I never thought you'd be taking responsibility this seriously. You never used to come here for such dull reasons." Antoine wanted to tell him that his reasons for being at Hautefort were far from dull, but that would give away the surprise when it all came out.
"Tell me Lacroix, have you seen Ja...Mademoiselle de Ghent?"
"She was with Laurent and his family earlier, I think she was showing them some of the gardens." The thought of her being with Laurent made a wave of jealousy surge within him. However he knew that Jacqueline would never betray him. She was too perfect.
"I think we're going to lose another bachelor from the ranks."
"Hmm probably," Antoine replied. "I have to go." He had spotted a familiar flash of raven hair and perfect ivory skin. She must have seen him enter the courtyard and now she was walking straight towards him. He walked as sedately as he could given the fact that he was faced with her.
As they met she politely curtseyed and he bowed. "Captain, what a surprise," Jacqueline said, just in case somebody happened to be listening in. "Shall we walk?"
"That would be very agreeable milady." She walked a little in front of him towards the maze. They would be alone in there. Nobody ever ventured into the maze at that time of year.
When Antoine was sure that they were totally alone he grabbed Jacqueline around her waist and spun her round to face him. She giggled as he did this. For a second she just looked into his beautiful dark brown eyes. He was magnificent. Then he did what he had been aching to do since he left her side a day earlier. He pressed his lips against hers and she accepted his kiss willingly.
"I've missed you so much," he whispered. "I didn't think I'd last the night without you."
"I felt the same way my love," she replied. "I hardly slept a wink."
"I did not sleep at all. I would not have been able to bear it if I had woken to find this a dream, please assure me this is real." She kissed him once again and ran a hand through his hair.
"It feels real to me."
"If it is a dream then it is one which I never wish to wake up from." Suddenly, as he leaned in for another kiss, they heard a loud cough behind them. It was Prince Henry.
"Sire!" Antoine said bowing. He had hoped his visit to the palace would go largely unnoticed. He did not want his commanders knowing that he was abandoning his past so often.
"I'm very sorry to interrupt but my wife has sent me to fetch Jacqueline. Court is about to begin."
"Of course Jacqueline said," hardly attempting to mask her disappointment.
"And I believe there is something you will wish to tell her, before we announce it to the court."
"I suppose there is," Jacqueline said, breaking into a nervous smile.
"Jacqueline might I escort you back to the palace? I realise that you want to be with Captain Polignac, but we don't want to ruin any surprises I might be announcing at court."
"Certainly not Henry. shall I see you in court Captain?" she said taking Henry's arm.
"I think that can be arranged milady," he kissed her hand and strode on ahead of her.
"What do you think Danielle will make of my choice?" Jacqueline asked, once Antoine was out of earshot.
"Once she sees how happy you are, she will think your choice the best you could have made."
"I hope so, I know she had other plans for me."
"She will realise that your plans for yourself are more important than hers. Remember this is your life. You love Antoine and Danielle will respect that."
"I'm sure she will." They walked the rest of the way in silence. Jacqueline was wondering just how she was going to tell Danielle. It was going to be a real shock for her. She wanted to put it off but before she knew it Henry was leading her into one of the pre-court chambers where the rest of the royal family were waiting for them.
"Where have you been?" Danielle said. "Court is about to begin."
"I had somebody I need to meet," Jacqueline said shyly.
"Well we'd better hurry," the King barked. "You know what the vultures get like when they don't get their daily fill of gossip."
"Just a minute father," Henry said. "There is a small announcement to be made first." He opened the door and called somebody in. Everyone was puzzled when they saw Captain Polignac enter.
"Henry my love," Danielle said. "What is going on?" Jacqueline felt that now was the time for her to jump in. She walked over to Antoine and linked her arm with his.
"Your Majesties, Danielle. There is something that I must tell you. Antoine and I are to be married." The look on Danielle's face was priceless. Jacqueline had never seen anybody look so shocked. She was right in thinking that this was a great surprise.
"I don't understand," Danielle said. "When?"
"Yesterday. It was the reason why Antoine was here at the palace."
For a minute or so there was total silence. Nobody could quite take in what was happening and everyone had their reservations. Even Henry who had accepted the engagement, was preparing himself for something bad to happen.
"Jacqueline my dear that's wonderful," the Queen said, realising just how uncomfortable the silence had been. She stepped forward and embraced Jacqueline. Danielle quickly followed suit. She could not deny Jacqueline her congratulations, no matter how surprising the news was.
"I am so happy for you," she said. "I wish you as much joy in marriage as I have experienced myself. Henry and I have been through hard times but our love is just as strong now as it has ever been."
"Thank you Danielle. Your blessing is the most important thing for this marriage. It would not be so special without it."
"If this is true love then I am sure that it will be special no matter what."
"Where are you going to have the ceremony?" the Queen said, taking Jacqueline's other arm."
"We do not know Your Majesty," Antoine said. "There is a chapel at the Chateau de Polignac, but I think Jacqueline would like to be married here, near her home."
"Well the answer is simple," King Francis said, speaking for the first time since the announcement. "It must take place in the cathedral as all royal weddings should."
"Oh yes, it will be absolutely charming," the Queen said. "Danielle and I will make all of the arrangements, you needn't worry about that my dear."
"And of course the crown will pay," Francis added.
"Thank you Your Majesty," Jacqueline said.
"Well is it not tradition for the bride's family to arrange and pay for a wedding?" Now Jacqueline could not help herself kissing the King on the cheek. He smiled and hugged her lightly.
"I think the court is beckoning, Henry said, peering through a crack in the door."
"Yes, yes, mustn't keep the wolves waiting." As the royal party left the room, Henry stopped to say something to Antoine.
"You know how lucky you are to have her and that we have all given our consent," he said quietly so that only Antoine could hear. "If you treat her like you have treat other women I will personally see to it that you never show your face in France again."
"I intend to treat her like a Queen Your Highness. If anything I ever do hurts her than I will deserve to die in the most painful and hideous way." Henry could see the sincerity behind his eyes as he made this statement. He was satisfied that he would never intentionally do anything that might cause her hurt.
The four members of the royal family made there way into the throne room with all of the pomp and ceremony that the Royal court demanded. Jacqueline and Antoine quietly slipped into their places unnoticed.
The court session was the same as usual. Criminals were sentenced to be shipped to the Americas, servants, much to Danielle's displeasure, were put in the stocks and nobles fought out their petty squabbles. There was nothing to gossip about and it seemed that the courtiers would once again be disappointed. This was until prince Henry stepped forward to make an unexpected announcement.
"Before the court is adjourned," he said looking at a smiling Jacqueline. "I would like to make and announcement. It is my great pleasure to be able to announce the engagement of my sister Jacqueline de Ghent, to his grace the Duc de Polignac, captain of the royal guard."
There was a great whisper around the court. This was news to everybody. Antoine de Polignac was one of the most resolute bachelors in France and surely Jacqueline de Ghent was to be married to Marc Laurent or maybe even a foreign prince.
The King quickly called the session to an end to allow the nobles to go and discuss this piece of gossip elsewhere. Most dashed off straight away so that they might spread the news to friends who weren't in attendance as quickly as possible. However a good few remained behind to offer their congratulations to the newly engaged couple. The first one to approach was Leonardo.
"Congratulations my dear," he said as he embraced Jacqueline. "I only hope he deserves you."
"I can't think of anyone I would rather be with Signore. He is a man without fault."
"I hope so Jacqueline, for your sake I hope so." Jacqueline found this sentiment a little strange, but she quickly forgot it when a whole host of people came up to congratulate her. No doubt they were looking to impress the onlooking Royal family, namely Crown Princess Danielle. Some of these people were welcomed by Jacqueline and some were not, but none were so displeasing to her as Sabine de Bruge. This was a woman who Jacqueline had never liked or trusted and she was instantly suspicious of her motives for wanting to speak to her.
"Jacqueline, this is indeed most wonderful news," Sabine said, clasping Jacqueline's hand. "I wish you a very happy life together and a long lasting one. Well longer lasting than your time with Marguerite eh Antoine?"
"What do you mean?" Jacqueline said, bewildered, What on Earth could her sister have to do with this?
"I must say Jacqueline it did surprise me that you would choose one of your sister's cast offs. Actually though it was you who broke off the relationship was it not Antoine? When you decided that you preferred Adele la Martine or was it the Comtesse de Lille?" The court was now silent. Jacqueline was close to tears, her perfect vision of the future was crumbling fast.
"You and Marguerite!" Jacqueline whispered, raising her head so that her tear filled eyes were staring straight at Antoine. "Please tell me that it isn't true. Tell me that you never..."
Antoine's face was now a deathly pale. He hadn't wanted her to find out this way, but it was out now. "Jacqueline, I cannot lie to you, what she says is the truth."
Jacqueline suddenly felt light headed and nauseous. This was more than she could bear. A tear rolled down her cheek and she began to walk away from Antoine, towards the door.
"Jacqueline please, let me explain," he stepped forward and put a hand on her arm."
"Take your hands off me," she cried. "Do not touch me, you make me sick." With that she turned on her heel and ran as fast as she could out of the throne room, leaving somebody heartbroken, somebody smug and a lot of people who were very shocked indeed.
