Chapter Ten: A little help from the Servants
It started out with the simplest of things. Some sloppy serving skills, a few well placed mumbles, things of that nature. And by all accounts the Baroness kept her cool quite well. Even when Maurice addressed the Queen by her first name, there were no explosions. The Baroness simply gave him a stern glare and tapped her nails against the table nervously. But Maurice was satisfied. He knew the old broad was cracking; it was simply a matter of time.
As for Marie, she shot her son an annoyed glance, but Henry managed to tell her with his eyes that the servants were on their side, and meant her no disrespects. She had suspected this much, but enjoyed the fact that the Baroness reddened softly, and became uncomfortable.
In between the minor disruptions dinner went well. The conversation rolled from one topic to the next, and everyone involved, at least to the untrained eye, appeared jovial. But this wasn't the case by any means. The Baroness, although sure that her ticket to the place was bought and paid for, was tired of being so uncharacteristically understanding and sweet. She kept reminding herself that it in a few days, a week tops, Marguerite would be married, and she would be rid of this pathetic farm and the worthless servants would surly be shipped to the America's.
Marguerite, a natural born actress, was finding that all of Henry's attention was making her uncomfortable. She found herself squirming in her seat, and her voice shook at times. This whole thing would be so much easier if her mother wasn't there, watching her. Sure to critique her every last motion and syllable.
Henry was certain he was going to throw up before the nights end. Each minute seemed to take and hour, and as the food slowly disappeared off the table, it became clearer and clearer, that his brilliant plan had been foiled. His stomach rolled at the thought, and the fact that he was running out of nice things to say to Marguerite wasn't helping at all.
As Francis nibbled his chicken he began to plan and write a speech in his head. Surly there must be someway to explain this to the court. And if worse came to worse, he could always feign a brief streak of stress related madness. Madness yes, that'll work, right? He did, after all help plan and execute this travesty of an idea. He was mad, no feigning needed.
The Queen was more heartbroken then anything. She figured if Henry hadn't made a breakthrough this late in the evening all hope was lost. It would take a miracle now. She gazed across the table at her boy for a moment. She had always thought it was sad that she and Francis had but one child, and now she found it almost unbearable. The Queen shifted focused when she realized that a servant was lifting the empty plate that was in front of her.
Paulette scanned the people at the table carefully, searching for any signs of success. When she got to the Prince she immediately recognized the despair on the poor boys face. She felt her heart sink. Maybe the Baroness really was too smart for them. They'd tried all night long, but nothing. And yet she knew all too well that at the end of the night, when the Royals were safely on their way home, far out of earshot, Louise, Maurice and herself were on their way too the Americas. She had to stifle a tear as she picked up the last plate. All that hard work and planning for nothing. They'd worked so hard to break the Baroness, but it wasn't good enough. It seemed Rodmilla was drawing strength from something much more powerful then bitterness, Greed.
As she walked back to the kitchen with her hands full of plates, she pictured poor Danielle alone and afraid in a strange place. And then she realized it was now or never. Something big had to happen in the next few moments or Danielle was in for a long hard life. No!! That couldn't happen! She couldn't let that happen!! She absolutely refused to fail Danielle again!!
The air of anger and determination radiated off of Paulette as she stormed into the kitchen. Jacqueline, and Louise were obviously caught off guard. "It's now or never ladies! We must pull out all the stops. I don't give a damn what you have to do, just by god, do something!" Louise thought for a moment and then smiled suddenly, as if hit with a burst of inspiration.
"I've got just the thing!!" She responded happily. And with that being said, she picked up the large, juicy apple pie they had prepared for dessert.
Louise walked into the kitchen slowly, her pulse beating a bit faster, and her upper lip was coated with sweat. She knew that Henry was on their side, and yet she couldn't help but wonder if he'd behead her for what she was about to do anyway. As she neared the table she purposefully scuffed her feat across the stone floor. Just as she hoped the toes of her right foot tangled with the heel of her left foot and soon she was falling forward. Her arms flew in front of her to cradle her fall, and the pie flew too. It landed square in the middle of the Prince of France's lap.
The King and Queen worked quickly to stifle their laughter. Henry's face scrunched up in disgust. For a few moments he sat there wondering how on earth that had just happened. Then it hit him. The poor woman who was desperately trying to stand upright had done him a favor. This was a golden opportunity. Henry immediately switched to acting mode.
He rose for his seat slowly, taking his time to glare at his host and her daughter. The Baroness pursed her lips tightly, and Henry thought sure she was shaking. Marguerite was nearly in tears. He spun to look at Louise, and his heart saddened to think that she might have been hurt in the fall. After a long dramatic pause, he turned back to the Baroness.
"Baroness De Ghent, I should like an explanation, and I want it NOW!!" Henry commanded. The King, happy to see some progress, and willing to make a last ditch effort to break even picked up on the game easily.
"Now Henry… " He began to protest.
"Do not address me like I am a child, FATHER! Did you see!? Did you see what that woman did!"
"Your Highness, I can assure you…" The Baroness was just a bit too slow because Henry quickly cut her off.
"Assure me of what Baroness? That you sustain absolutely no control of your servants?! LOOK AT ME!! There is a pie in my lap!" Marie could say nothing. If she opened her mouth no doubt she'd start laughing and never stop. So instead she sat back and enjoyed the show. Henry certainly was quite the thespian.
"I can see that Henry… " The King replied, knowing full well that Henry would cut him off. Which he did.
"Then did you also see that servant girl at the masque? HER servant girl? Dressed up all fancy like she was something to be proud of. And the Baroness let it happen!" Henry pointed an accusatory finger at the Baroness. Inside his heart raced at the thought of Danielle in that beautiful dress. He hoped she'd forgive him for this, "obviously the woman allows these filthy house people to play make believe and pretend they are important."
"I did no such thing your highness," the Baroness spoke up puffing out her chest, "I had no knowledge of her charade." The King inwardly rejoiced. Now it was getting interesting.
"And yet when I asked you about the Countess De Lencret, you said that she was engaged." Marie said sternly, suddenly finding her voice. "That strikes me as funny Baroness. If you had no knowledge of this, why did you know instantly whom I was talking about, and then lie to make sure that my son would lose interest?"
"This is insane!!" The Baroness blurted rising from her seat. Her eyes were the size of the plates that they had eaten dinner on. She was noticeably pale and shaken. "This is absolutely outrageous!!"
Henry took a few steps closer. His face was solid his voice low and his eyes were stone. The Baroness obviously new that it was over. It was time to lay out all the cards. "You want to hear about outrageous?" he asked her, staring hard into her eyes. "I will tell what is outrageous. Outrageous is taking a poor, scared child who's just lost her father and making her a servant in her own home. Outrageous is telling your daughters that their sister is diseased so that they will steer clear of her. Insuring that she feels isolated and alone. Outrageous is wanting what you can never have so badly that you would do anything for it, including but not limited to lying, sabotage, and theft!! But you know what's most outrageous of all?" He paused when he saw she might respond. Her voice was low almost a whisper.
"And what, your Highness would that be?"
"The most outrageous part of this whole thing is that you've dedicated you're entire life to desperately trying to convince Danielle that's she weak and stupid. And yet in the end Danielle winds up with everything you ever wanted, and you, madam, end up with exactly what you've given her. Nothing." The Baroness' face twisted in surprise and concern.
"What are you saying, Sire?"
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out? Did you really think that if you lied enough, then sold her to cover those lies that I would just forget!"
"I didn't think…"
"No!! You didn't think did you!! Well that, my dear is a mistake you shall soon regret! GUARDS!!"
The front door of the manor burst open and twelve Royal Guardsmen quickly had the dinner party surrounded. Henry could hear Marguerite gasp and for a moment he felt sorry for her. For a moment. The King and Queen were quickly ushered out of the house but Henry stayed long enough to watch the guards seize Marguerite and the Baroness. Both of whom were screaming, and flailing their limbs wildly in protest.
Soon the Royal Family was standing outside the manor next to their carriage, and a large cage like cart that Marguerite and her mother would soon be occupying. Henry watched with joy as the Guards led the ladies, each bound in irons, to the cart and shoved them inside. He noticed that Marguerite was crying, and again he felt sorry for her. He shoved that feeling aside and walked towards Laurent who appeared to be proud of the accomplishment.
"I shall take it from here, Laurent." The Guardsman simply bowed and walked away, his eyes excited. "Ladies," the Prince said, turning to address the prisoners, "I hope these accommodations are suitable." He flashed the women a cocky grin before continuing, "This is a transportation cage. It will be used to transfer you to the palace. Once at the palace, you shall be led to your prison cells. You shall remain in your cells until your trail, and conviction, at which time a punishment will be rendered."
"What is the point of granting us a trail if our conviction is certain?" Marguerite asked sarcastically. Even in her most dire hour she could still find the time to be a snob. Henry decided he longer felt sorry for her.
"Just a technicality." He replied smugly. His voice regained its regal tone, "the good news is, that I've decided to wave the rest of the debt against your title. You owe the government no monies. The bad news is, your title, your land, and any monies earned from either from this day forward now belong to Danielle, to distribute and use, as she may like."
"Wait, wait, wait!" The Baroness sneered. Henry saw one of the Guardsmen raise a club to strike her, he quickly called an end to that. As much as he hated the Baroness he could not bare to think he permitted his men to hit a lady.
"Yes Baroness?" he replied sweetly, much to the annoyance of the prisoners.
"What of my other daughter Jacqueline?"
"Ah Jacqueline, dear sweet Jacqueline. Jacqueline is free to live on the farm and move about as she pleases. I do believe however that congratulations are in order," Henry turned and winked to Laurent, who turned a merry shade of pink, "you're daughter is getting married." This time is was the Baroness who gasped sharply. Henry addressed Laurent again, "I'm finished with them, take them away."
And with that Four of the Guardsmen boarded the cart that contained the defeated De Ghent's and with a snap of the whip the horses pulled away from the manor. Louise, Paulette, Maurice, and Jacqueline watched from the doorway as the cart disappeared into the distance. Each of them cried merrily. Finally it was over.