Chapter 3
It was finally late that night when the three of us finally went to bed. Gustave assured Henry that he'd bandage me up and get me to bed. It hurt very much but just the sense of knowing Gustave cared for my safety, was all I needed.
I could tell in the way Gustave spoke to me that he eagerly wished to know what had happened, however he didn't want to ask. Even so I did not volunteer the information he wished and even if I were to, the truth wouldn't be the first thing between my lips… it ashamed me that my own mother would turn her back on her own daughters.
The next morning was terrible. My whole back was stiff and I could not feel my legs. Suddenly remembering the boyish voices I heard were not those of the everyday peasants that I regularly spent my days with; but those of Gustave and Henry, who I have not seen in 5 years.
In somewhat of a better mood than I was yesterday I rolled over to say good morning. But when it was their backs I saw, I grew very nervous. As if they knew something I did not.
"What has gotten into your heart?" I heard Henry ask.
"What do you mean?" Gustave snapped.
"You know very well."
"Well you're wrong."
"Am I? Gustave you've taken quite a liking to her suddenly." Henry said slyly.
"I think otherwise."
"Please, man. Don't you remember? When Rodmilla and Marguerite left 5 years past, you could not be happier. Now that Marguerite has returned you act as if it is your sworn duty to protect her."
"Henry please, can't a man feel bad for a women? Especially one in her condition?"
"I suppose so." Henry replied.
"Besides, when she's well and gone she'll continue to be forgotten." Gustave said and shrugged.
That was it. That was all I needed to get out of there. Rolling back onto my left side I grabbed my cloak. Silently standing as best as I could, I covered my shoulders and walked away.
How could I have thought I could be welcome? How could I have thought I could have the chance of starting life over? Doing the right things? How could I have thought Gustave would give me a second chance as Henry did? All lies…
Tears streaked my face as my blood shot eyes refused to look back. Unfortunately at the sound of Henry and Gustave at my back, my heart felt otherwise.
"Marguerite where are you going?" Henry demanded.
"Away." Is all I said.
"Stop Marguerite. You'll wear yourself out." Gustave Pleaded.
"No, and why do you care?" I spat. I heard Henry tell Gustave to keep going and he'd clean up camp while Gustave refused to slow his gaining pace.
"I've caused you enough delay. Henry must return to his castle and family while you Gustave have better things to do rather than to look after me."
"That's not true!" Gustave cried.
"All I do is work and paint. You know that."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"What do you care Gustave? I've been stripped of my title, my riches and glory taken away. You Gustave have Danielle and Jacqueline to return to. While I have…" Suddenly tears threatened my eyes and a sob broke out as I fell to my knees.
"While I have naught." I covered my face as Gustave kneeled in front of me.
"Oh Marguerite. I know that's not true. I mean look at you. Once you're beautiful, you'll always be beautiful. And you Marguerite have always been gorgeous." Gustave smiled at me as I revealed my face.
"Gustave please. I know you do not wish me here. I heard you. I heard everything. And I do not mind, I am used to it. So please let me go." I whispered trying to reassure him that I was not one to hate.
"Marguerite, I can't do that." Gustave sighed taking my hands. "Why not?" I asked devastated. "Because I want you to stay. I want you to come with us." He smiled.
"Gustave I am just a lonely peasant who everyone sees as a threat or a bother or a waist of time please…there is nothing for me at the end of your path. I am hated everywhere in France." I sighed looking into his eyes.
"That's not true." He mumbled.
"Prove it." I rolled my eyes. But when he did not answer right away I knew I was right.
Suddenly he touched my cheek and drew near. Hovering in front of my lips for a moment he tilted my chin up.
"You really do have a pretty chin. Lets work on keeping it up." He whispered.
I could feel my lip start to quiver, my heart was beating faster and my eyes were clinched shut. I was so afraid that if I opened them it'd all be a mere dream.
But when he finally enclosed his lips to mine, I knew if it were a dream, I'd force myself to sleep forever.
It was finally late that night when the three of us finally went to bed. Gustave assured Henry that he'd bandage me up and get me to bed. It hurt very much but just the sense of knowing Gustave cared for my safety, was all I needed.
I could tell in the way Gustave spoke to me that he eagerly wished to know what had happened, however he didn't want to ask. Even so I did not volunteer the information he wished and even if I were to, the truth wouldn't be the first thing between my lips… it ashamed me that my own mother would turn her back on her own daughters.
The next morning was terrible. My whole back was stiff and I could not feel my legs. Suddenly remembering the boyish voices I heard were not those of the everyday peasants that I regularly spent my days with; but those of Gustave and Henry, who I have not seen in 5 years.
In somewhat of a better mood than I was yesterday I rolled over to say good morning. But when it was their backs I saw, I grew very nervous. As if they knew something I did not.
"What has gotten into your heart?" I heard Henry ask.
"What do you mean?" Gustave snapped.
"You know very well."
"Well you're wrong."
"Am I? Gustave you've taken quite a liking to her suddenly." Henry said slyly.
"I think otherwise."
"Please, man. Don't you remember? When Rodmilla and Marguerite left 5 years past, you could not be happier. Now that Marguerite has returned you act as if it is your sworn duty to protect her."
"Henry please, can't a man feel bad for a women? Especially one in her condition?"
"I suppose so." Henry replied.
"Besides, when she's well and gone she'll continue to be forgotten." Gustave said and shrugged.
That was it. That was all I needed to get out of there. Rolling back onto my left side I grabbed my cloak. Silently standing as best as I could, I covered my shoulders and walked away.
How could I have thought I could be welcome? How could I have thought I could have the chance of starting life over? Doing the right things? How could I have thought Gustave would give me a second chance as Henry did? All lies…
Tears streaked my face as my blood shot eyes refused to look back. Unfortunately at the sound of Henry and Gustave at my back, my heart felt otherwise.
"Marguerite where are you going?" Henry demanded.
"Away." Is all I said.
"Stop Marguerite. You'll wear yourself out." Gustave Pleaded.
"No, and why do you care?" I spat. I heard Henry tell Gustave to keep going and he'd clean up camp while Gustave refused to slow his gaining pace.
"I've caused you enough delay. Henry must return to his castle and family while you Gustave have better things to do rather than to look after me."
"That's not true!" Gustave cried.
"All I do is work and paint. You know that."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"What do you care Gustave? I've been stripped of my title, my riches and glory taken away. You Gustave have Danielle and Jacqueline to return to. While I have…" Suddenly tears threatened my eyes and a sob broke out as I fell to my knees.
"While I have naught." I covered my face as Gustave kneeled in front of me.
"Oh Marguerite. I know that's not true. I mean look at you. Once you're beautiful, you'll always be beautiful. And you Marguerite have always been gorgeous." Gustave smiled at me as I revealed my face.
"Gustave please. I know you do not wish me here. I heard you. I heard everything. And I do not mind, I am used to it. So please let me go." I whispered trying to reassure him that I was not one to hate.
"Marguerite, I can't do that." Gustave sighed taking my hands. "Why not?" I asked devastated. "Because I want you to stay. I want you to come with us." He smiled.
"Gustave I am just a lonely peasant who everyone sees as a threat or a bother or a waist of time please…there is nothing for me at the end of your path. I am hated everywhere in France." I sighed looking into his eyes.
"That's not true." He mumbled.
"Prove it." I rolled my eyes. But when he did not answer right away I knew I was right.
Suddenly he touched my cheek and drew near. Hovering in front of my lips for a moment he tilted my chin up.
"You really do have a pretty chin. Lets work on keeping it up." He whispered.
I could feel my lip start to quiver, my heart was beating faster and my eyes were clinched shut. I was so afraid that if I opened them it'd all be a mere dream.
But when he finally enclosed his lips to mine, I knew if it were a dream, I'd force myself to sleep forever.