Chapter 7—Adventures of Danielle and Catherine!
After breakfast, Renée, Catherine, and Danielle went shopping. Renée was going to have the proprietor of a dress shop bring gowns, material and seamstresses to her quarters, but Catherine didn't want to wait and insisted on taking Danielle to some shops where the choices would not be so limited.
For several hours, they went to a number of shops where Danielle tried on gown after gown, shoes, moderately priced jewelry, and other items. Catherine enjoyed selecting clothes for Danielle, so Renée let the ecstatic Catherine make most of the choices. They selected a couple of gowns that already fit, and the others would be ready in a couple of days. Including new evening gowns for both Catherine and Danielle, Renée spent several times the amount of gold francs she received from the Queen but felt amply rewarded by the results and the true gratitude and excitement of Danielle.
It was almost noon when they completed their shopping, so Renée took Catherine and Danielle, dressed in a new gown and shoes, to an exclusive café for lunch. After lunch, Renée decided to let the Queen see the success of her efforts in turning the shabby commoner into a strikingly beautiful lady. Most courtiers would hesitate to see the Queen without an appointment but Renée de Vaudémont, duchesse de Lorraine et de Bar was no ordinary courtier.
As a page led Renée, Catherine, and Danielle to the royal gardens where Queen Marie had just finished tea with a couple of courtiers, Danielle asked Catherine, "Do I curtsy or bow to the Queen?"
"You should curtsy, just do what I do," she replied. Catherine enjoyed coaching Danielle in etiquette and decorum.
Making a slight curtsy, Renée said, "Your Majesty, may I present Mademoiselle Danielle de Barbarac, and of course you know my daughter Catherine?" Both Danielle and Catherine curtsied to the Queen.
"Please, have a seat and join me for tea."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but just for a few minutes. We really do need to be getting back. Catherine and Danielle have plans for this afternoon.
"How are you, Catherine?"
"I'm fine, Your Majesty."
"Danielle, you look lovely. I almost didn't recognize you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Renée, I knew I could depend on you but I believe you have outdone yourself. I am absolutely amazed at how much you have been able to improve Danielle's appearance."
"Oh! It's nothing, Your Majesty. I am glad I could help. Danielle just needed a new gown, and she has been an absolute delight. Also, she has been wonderful company for Catherine."
Realizing that teenage girls would have other interests, Queen Marie, after a few minutes, excused Danielle and Catherine. Then, wishing Renée's input regarding Rodmilla and Marguerite said, "Renée, if you don't mind staying a few minutes, I would like your opinion regarding a certain matter."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
After leaving the Queen, Catherine was anxious to introduce Danielle to her new friends at Hautefort. Catherine was used to being the center of attention, but with Danielle in tow the attention increased several fold. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to meet the girl at the masque.
At the urging of Catherine and due to the numerous questions by the teenagers, Danielle told about her experiences of the past week for nearly two hours. The teenagers, plus a few pre-teens, were thrilled with Danielle's stories about Prince Henry, especially the apples, the gypsies, and Amboise. They listened in near mute horror as Danielle described her experiences with le Pieu.
Raymon, a popular nineteen-year-old and the youngest son of le duc et la dame de Montaigne, was quite taken with Danielle. After Danielle described her trip across the forest and near escape from le Pieu, he said, "We hunt in that forest. There are wolves, wild boars and a few bears. They seem to avoid people, but still, I wouldn't want to walk across that forest alone at night."
"It is probably good that I didn't think about the wild animals. I was already scared out of my wits," Danielle replied.
"Danielle, on the eve of the Feast of Saint Raphael (Monday, October 23), my parents are giving a ball around 7:00 in our castle, and I want you to come. As the ball is in three days, I know Catherine and her mother have already received invitations so you might wish to come with them. But I will be happy to send a carriage if you need transportation," Raymon said.
"Danielle can ride with us," Catherine replied.
Jehane, already jealous of Raymon's attention to Danielle, asked Danielle if she knew one of the new and more complex dances. "No, I haven't had any lessons except for a few by my father years ago," she replied.
"Don't you think it would be better if you didn't go the ball? I wouldn't want you feel out of place," Jehane said.
"I can teach Danielle any of the dances she needs to know," Catherine replied, irritated at Jehane's suggestion. "And I know Raymon will help," she added, knowing how that would rile Jehane.
"It just doesn't seem appropriate for commoners to attend a ball," Jehane replied, still hoping to deflect Raymon's interest in Danielle.
Her eyes blazing, Catherine said, "Danielle is my friend and a guest of the Queen. Further, I am sure Raymon does not need you telling him whom he can and cannot invite. If you don't like the company, I suggest you don't attend."
"Well I…," Jehane said hesitantly. "Raymon, I didn't say you couldn't invite Danielle. I just don't want Danielle to be placed in a situation where she might make an embarrassing mistake," Jehane replied, after looking around and seeing that no one was going to give her any support.
"Jehane, I know you mean well. However, I am sure Danielle will be fine," Raymon said, striving to prevent even more sparks from flying.
"Oh, she is just jealous!" someone replied before Jehane walked off, mumbling something under her breath.
Danielle was relieved that Catherine and Raymon were willing to defend her and that she didn't have to fight that battle herself.
As soon as things simmered down, Raymon offered to teach Danielle some of the dances. For well over an hour Danielle watched demonstrations and received instruction in the simpler dances. Danielle was able to practice with a number of the young men who volunteered to be her partners.
Bondias, the seventeen year old son of Comte Francis de Sales, was quite taken with Catherine and suggested that they all meet tomorrow afternoon for more lessons. He offered to bring a small band so they could practice to music. After a little discussion, it was agreed that they would meet about 2:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, back at the Manoir de Barbarac, Jacqueline had spoken to a courtier who knew about Danielle's arrival at Hautefort, and who had even seen her in a dress shop with Renée and Catherine.
"Did you hear? Danielle was escorted to Hautefort by the royal guard," Jacqueline asked excitedly.
"What else did you hear," Rodmilla demanded.
"Just that she was in a dress shop this morning with Renée de Vaudémont and her daughter Catherine, and that Danielle was trying on a gown."
"I want to know what that meddling woman is doing with Danielle. She must have a hundred servants. Why would she want another one?" Rodmilla wondered out loud.
"Maybe Catherine wants a live doll to play with," Marguerite scoffed.
"That still doesn't explain why the Queen had wanted to see her or why le Pieu would have parted with her," Rodmilla stated. Then, fearing the worst, she asked, "Jacqueline, was there any mention of seeing Danielle with the Prince?"
"I didn't hear a word about the Prince," Jacqueline replied.
"I should have buried Danielle with her father," Rodmilla said with a snarl. "Marguerite, first thing tomorrow morning, you and I will go to Hautefort and find out just what is going on."
At Catherine's insistence, Danielle agreed to have dinner with Renée and Catherine and to sleep over. After dinner, Catherine led Danielle through some stretching and dance exercises and taught her some basic dance steps that when put together would make up many of the dances. Catherine, who had had ballet lessons since she was six, was an outstanding dancer and a good teacher.
During breakfast, Danielle told Renée and Catherine about her discussion with Queen Marie regarding her cataloging project for the library. Catherine, excited about working on such an important project, volunteered to help and Renée, seeing it as a valuable educational experience for her daughter, readily agreed.
After breakfast, Danielle took Catherine to visit Leonardo. Leonardo explained the concept of catalog cards and described a simple alphabetical system which could be used. He promised to draw a sketch for the catalog card cabinets and to meet them at the library Monday morning to direct their efforts. Both girls were very excited about having the responsibility for such an important project. Danielle wrote a letter to Queen Marie telling about her conversations with Leonardo, his planned sketch, and their planned meeting on Monday. In the letter Danielle explained that she hoped the Queen could have the cabinets made after Leonardo completed his sketch.
After giving the letter to a page for delivery to the Queen, Danielle and Catherine saw Henry at a distance. At Danielle's urging, they avoided the Prince by turning and going the opposite direction.
"Did you say, relieved of his duties?" a shocked Rodmilla asked.
"Yes, suspicion of crimes. There may be an investigation but no one seems to know any details, and apparently the page isn't talking about it," Celeste replied.
"What have you heard about Danielle?" Rodmilla asked.
"She is staying at the castle as a guest of the Queen."
"Isn't she one of Renée de Vaudémont's servants?"
"No, the Queen asked Renée to look after her and now, it seems, Danielle and Catherine are inseparable. This afternoon some of the young people are meeting to give her dance lessons."
Marguerite snorted. "Cinderella, dancing? With whom, the pigs?"
"Raymon invited her to the ball that le duc et la dame de Montaigne are giving Monday night," Celeste replied.
"A commoner, invited to the ball?" Rodmilla shook her head. "What is the world coming to? Frankly, I have a mind not to show up."
"Some of us are going just to watch her make a ghastly mistake and be an embarrassment to Renée." Celeste said, disparagingly.
"That will be a sight to see. I would like to see Renée taken down a notch or two. That woman acts likes she is better than the rest of us," Rodmilla replied with a scoff.
By bedtime, Danielle was very tired and found sore muscles she didn't know she had. In addition to the 3:00 pm dance lessons, after dinner Catherine again led Danielle in dance exercises and practice. Still, it was worth the effort, for Danielle had learned many of the dances. Sunday afternoon, after church and lunch, Catherine would lead Danielle through another session of dance exercises and practice.
Monday morning, Danielle, Catherine, and Anne, age seventeen, met Leonardo at the library. Catherine had invited Anne, the intelligent, good-looking daughter of Comte de Tende, to help. Leonardo had just started to spread his sketches on a table when Queen Marie showed up.
Leonardo showed the Queen and girls the sketches, and explained that they would need separate card cabinets to list the books by title, author and subject. Leonardo then pulled out a listing that showed how the books should be numbered.
Queen Marie, satisfied with Leonardo's ideas, handed the sketches to a page and said, "Take these to the carpentry shop. Tell them to make six cabinets and see if they can make and deliver them to the library by Wednesday morning. Let me know if it is going to take longer."
After the Queen left, Leonardo spent the next couple of hours teaching the girls how to label the books and fill out catalog cards. Satisfied the girls understood, Leonardo said, "I think that is enough until the cabinets have been delivered. If the cabinets are finished by then, I will come by Wednesday morning and check on your progress."
It was almost noon when Danielle and Catherine returned. The new gowns Renée had purchased three days ago had been delivered during their absence.
It was after 8:00 pm when Renée, Catherine, and Danielle arrived at the ball. Renée would have waited longer before leaving, but Danielle was anxious to leave. Except for her short-lived debut at the masque, this was Danielle's first ball, and she was bubbling with excitement.
As soon as Renée, Catherine and Danielle were announced, Raymon and Bondias made a beeline for the girls. Soon, all four were on the dance floor.
At first Marguerite watched Danielle, hoping to see her make some slip-up. Then, to the growing irritation of both Rodmilla and Marguerite, it was obvious that Danielle was popular with the men at the ball. With so much feigned boredom displayed by most of the ladies, the men found Danielle's excitement and interest in what they had to say enchanting. Even the way Danielle blushed with embarrassment when she made a minor social error and a couple of dance step miscues was charming, and the men were thrilled to give her pointers and extra instruction.
In between dances, Catherine pointed out a young Spanish lieutenant and whispered in Danielle's ear, "He's so handsome and such a good dancer. I hope he asks me to dance."
Thirty minutes later the lieutenant and Catherine still had not, and Danielle noticed that the lieutenant was temporarily unoccupied except for talking to the Spanish Ambassador. Thinking someone needed to initiate the meeting between Catherine and the lieutenant, Danielle grabbed Catherine by the hand, walked up to the two men, and said, "Gentlemen, are you going to ask us to dance?" Seeing their shocked expressions, Danielle blushed crimson and said, "Did I say something wrong?"
Grinning from ear to ear, the ambassador said, "Absolutely not, we would be delighted to dance with such enchanting and beautiful young ladies. Wouldn't we lieutenant?"
"Yes sir," Lieutenant Magelhaes replied and, turning toward Catherine, said, "Mademoiselle, may I have this dance?"
As soon as they had exchanged names and were on the dance floor, a grinning but still slightly embarrassed Catherine said, "Lieutenant, I had no idea Danielle was going to say that!"
"Mademoiselle, I so glad she did. All night, I have been looking for an opportunity to meet you but you were always surrounded by so many other young men, I never had chance."
"Danielle, have you been to many balls?" the ambassador asked.
"This is my first one, Your Excellency, except a brief appearance at the masque." Danielle replied.
"Well I must say, Mademoiselle, you seem to being enjoying it."
"Very much, Your Excellency. I never knew that dancing would be so much fun."
"You dance well mademoiselle."
"Thank you, Your Excellency. I just learned. For the last three days Catherine de Vaudémont, the girl with the lieutenant, and some other teenagers, have been teaching me to dance. But I must say that dancing here at the ball is so much enjoyable then the lessons."
Compared to most of the prim French courtiers, the Spanish ambassador found Danielle's enthusiasm and attention to what he told her about Spain a breath of fresh air. After the dance he introduced Danielle to a group of Spanish officers and their wives. Then, speaking to his aid, he said, "Be sure that Mademoiselle de Barbarac receives an invitation to our Embassy ball."
When the band started playing music for an extraordinary animated and difficult dance, only three couples, including Catherine and Lieutenant Magelhaes, continued dancing. "Who is the girl that is dancing with Lieutenant Magelhaes?" Damita, the wife ofMajor del Cano, asked.
"Catherine de Vaudémont—the daughter of duchesse de Lorraine et de Bar." Danielle replied.
"Well Lieutenant Magelhaes is the most talented dancer at the embassy and she is every bit as good."
As soon as the music stopped, a beaming Lieutenant Magelhaes led the jubilant and out-of-breath Catherine to the group. "Lieutenant Magelhaes, where did you meet this beautiful young lady?" Damita asked.
Both grinning, they looked at each other and then at the blushing Danielle. "You might say that Mademoiselle de Barbarac and I bumped into each other tonight and she introduced me to Catherine," Lieutenant Magelhaes replied with a wink to a grateful Danielle. "And Mademoiselle de Barbarac, I must say I really appreciate the introduction because I don't remember when I ever had this much fun."
At 11:30 pm, a fanfare announced the arrival of the royal family. After the royal family was seated, Marguerite battled a dozen other courtiers for a privileged location near the Prince.
Wednesday morning, Danielle, Catherine and Anne met and went to the library. The catalog card cabinets were already delivered and in place so the girls went to work. As he had promised, Leonardo came by to check on the girls' work and to answer any questions. Satisfied, he left after a few minutes.
With three pretty teenage girls as a magnet, the library soon became a teenage hangout with almost a dozen teenagers volunteering to review books for subject and to fill out catalog cards. Upon hearing that Queen Marie had made a couple of visits to the library to check on the girls and their progress, many of courtiers decided that helping with the library was the in-thing. By early-afternoon, over two dozen teens and courtiers were helping with the project so work progressed very quickly. Quite a few of the nobles had decided to donate books.
When le Pieu heard that Danielle was the guest of the Queen and attended the ball given by le duc et la dame de Montaigne with Renée de Vaudémont and Catherine, he realized that the Queen had not invited Danielle to Hautefort to be Henry's mistress. He knew that Renée would not allow her daughter to socialize with anyone's mistress. Nevertheless, le Pieu did make a trip to the castle and let Comte de Bayard, the King's senior advisor, know that he had purchased Danielle from the Baroness.
"Are you asking for compensation?" Comte de Bayard asked disapprovingly in a tone that let le Pieu know that that would not be wise.
"Oh no! You misunderstood me. The amount is only a trifle. I am just pleased to learn Danielle is doing well," le Pieu replied. He realized that it would be imprudent to suggest that Danielle was a basis for the King to grant any exclusive trading privilege.
By midmorning on Saturday, the work was mostly complete except for a table of about forty books that had not been categorized due to the difficulty. After a widow, comtesse de Bermond, assumed responsibility for the remaining books, Danielle suggested that everyone return at 3:00 pm for a wine and cheese party to celebrate the completion of the library cataloging and that the King and Queen and Signore da Vinci be invited.
"I believe that is a wonderful idea. I am certain the King and Queen would be pleased," comtesse de Bermond replied. "Now, who wants help furnish the refreshments? She added.
"By 3:30 pm, after the King and queen arrived, Leonardo showed the King and Queen the newly labeled books and demonstrated how, by using the catalog system, one could quickly find a book by either title, author, or subject. Then, after refreshments and mingling with the volunteers, the King made an announcement.
"Signore da Vinci, Mademoiselle de Barbarac, friends and volunteers, it gives me great pleasure to announce that I have decided to mount a plaque at the entrance to the library with the names of each of the contributors and volunteers for this splendid catalog system. The plaque will show Signor da Vinci and Mademoiselle de Barbarac as co-designers. Signor da Vinci for his catalog cabinet sketches and the design of the catalog system, and Mademoiselle de Barbarac for the original idea and for the initiating and seeing the work to its completion. Each of you who have volunteered to work on the catalog system will be listed as contributors."
The next afternoon, Le Pieu took his men and a few carts to pay a visit to Baroness de Ghent. Since the King would not be granting him an exclusive trading privilege, he knew that his payment for Danielle would be a matter to settle between him and the Baroness.
"Baroness, I have come for my merchandise that you obtained through false representation. It appears you did not have the right to sell Danielle," le Pieu stated forcefully.
"You are the one who gave her up—not I," Rodmilla replied.
"Yes, but that was only the result of information that you or someone in your household gave to the Queen's chancellor. Now, stand aside while my men recover my property," le Pieu stated firmly.
Rodmilla knew she could not bluff le Pieu. Plus, with the memory of her lies still fresh in the Queen's mind, now would not be a good time bring the issue before the King. With false sweetness she said, "I need these items for when the King comes to visit. Surely, you can allow me to borrow them for a while. After Marguerite is queen, I will remember your generosity."
Le Pieu knew Rodmilla would do no such thing. Still, he did not mind making accommodations to the mother of a possible future queen provided he took the proper precautions. "Baroness," he replied. "Why don't I lend you the merchandise for two or three months until the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany (Saturday, January 6)? But so there is no misunderstanding, I am sure you will agree that we need to put our agreement in writing."
"If you insist but I am sure it is not necessary," Rodmilla replied, hoping le Pieu would not insist that she be constrained with legalities.
"I certainly wouldn't question your integrity but I am sure you understand this is just business," le Pieu replied in a tone that let Rodmilla know that he would settle for nothing less.