Chapter Two

                They were all quiet as Nicole decided on how she should start the explanation that Danielle was owed.  She needed to know why her mother hadn't been with her and why she had found out, August had told her that she was dead.

                "Well, Danielle, I guess I'd better begin 18 years ago about five months before you were born.  August had gone to Calais, for business he had said.  Well, I found out that it wasn't for that, it was to spend some time with his beautiful young mistress and," she could barely continue, but took a deep breath and continued," their children.  He had five children with her!  I couldn't stand the thought of him having children with another woman or his being unfaithful to me.  He was committing adultery!  When he arrived back home, I told him I knew the truth about his trips to Calais."

                She took another deep breath.  "He didn't even try to deny it.  Then he told me he had more than one mistress.  Between the two women in Calais, he had twelve children, all of them unable to claim any of his wealth.  I told him he could no longer have contact with them and he refused.  I told him he would regret it.  And I meant it with every fibre of my being."

                She took another deep breath.  "Two days later, I went to see Father Andrews and he helped me get started on an annulment.  The bishop and the pope approved it and annulled my marriage to August.  I was told by them to take my children with me, but you were only two months old when I was preparing to leave and August wouldn't let me take you with me until you were a little older, but I was never able to come and claim you because your father refused to let me claim you and when he died and Rodmilla took over, you literally disappeared, so I never knew where you were," Nicole said in conclusion.

                "Oh, mother.  If I had know that father had lied to me, I would have come to be with you long ago," Danielle said empathetically.

                "Oh, Danielle.  You are not at fault for this.  Your father and Rodmilla are the cause of it all.  I'm just happy that we finally found you and brought you home," Nicole said.

                "There is more, my dear sister.  You are so much more than that witch and her daughter are," Michael said to her.

                "He's right, Danielle.  Our family had a grand tradition of hading down the female's title from mother to daughter, grandmother to granddaughter, and many times from great-grandmother to great-granddaughter," Nicole said.

                "What kind of tradition?" Danielle asked.

                "The tradition of handing down the title of the women who came before them.  Arielle, being the eldest, had my old title of Marquise as her true title.  Your true title is Marquise as well, since your grandmother was a Marquise as well," Nicole explained to her daughter.

                "Wow!  I am much higher in station than Marguerite will ever be!  She will never rise above her station as far as I'm concerned," Danielle said with conviction.

                "Don't worry.  I think Rodmilla ruined it for her daughter last night when she exposed you," Ariella said.  "I saw the Prince walk off in disgust after you ran out."

                "Well, then, he will probably be marrying Princess Gabriella of Spain instead.  If that ends up being true, then I suspect we will be able to get our revenge on them after the wedding," Nicole said.

                "Of course.  That is the best time for our revenge on Rodmilla and her horrible daughters," Anthony said with conviction.

                "Just Rodmilla and Marguerite, not Jacqueline.  She was always nice to me and never treated me the way her mother and sister did.  And plus, they always mistreated her.  Jacqueline was never doted on like Marguerite was," Danielle explained to them.

                "I agree.  Leave you Jacqueline alone.  Let our revenge solely be on Marguerite and Rodmilla," Nicole said.

                "Agreed.  Jacqueline was one of the many disappointed last night after Rodmilla filled everyone in on her version of the truth about Danielle," Ariella said.

                Michael nodded in agreement with his mother and sisters.  "I agree.  Leave Jacqueline de Ghent alone.  Let her rule the manor after our revenge on her mother and sister has taken place."

                "I see your point.  We will not seek revenge on Jacqueline.  Rodmilla and Marguerite are the ones who must pay for mistreating Danielle," Anthony said.

                "We all agree.  Once the wedding has taken place, if it does, of course, we will alert Francis and Marie about what those two have done and then they will pay," Nicole said.

                They all nodded.  "Now, I believe we have a royal wedding to prepare for.  A seamstress will be here this afternoon.  She will be making the gowns for the woman as well as making Danielle a new wardrobe fitting her title," Anthony said.  "Us men will also meet with the tailor to prepare our wedding wear."

                "Agreed.  We will prepare for the wedding and then we will make Rodmilla pay for her crimes against our family," Nicole said with conviction.

                A servant comes into the room at that moment.  "Mistress, Madame Aurico is here to prepare your gowns for his majesty's wedding."

                "Thank you, Megara.  Girls, into the state room," Nicole says, motioning to one of the chambers in the manor.  The three of them head for the chamber she had pointed to.