Chapter 2—Danielle Makes Plans for Her Future
After Monsieur le Pieu had handed Danielle the key to her freedom, she departed from the Château Beynac. Danielle's thoughts for the last few days had been on escaping. She had not planned ahead beyond that. Now that she is free, Danielle must make plans. Where am I going to go and what am I going to do? She asked herself. She decided to visit Gustave and make plans from there.
While walking to Gustave's home, Danielle recalls the words of the maid (Joan of Arc) during her trial a hundred years earlier. Speak boldly. The maid would speak boldly and take charge and, although she was only a peasant, by boldly taking charge she raised the siege of Orleans and crowned a king.
Thinking back, Danielle realizes that people earn respect more by actions than rank and position. There is no reason not to do right but people take advantage of those that allow it. That is human nature. In the past, Danielle recalls she was given the respect she demanded and earned by her words and actions.
First, she obtained the release and freedom of Maurice by speaking boldly and with determination. Second, although surrounded by a band of gypsies, Danielle obtained the release of herself and Prince Henry by speaking boldly, by being brave, and by demonstrating outstanding courage and resourcefulness. Considering that she was in her undergarments, had she been submissive and shown fear, the likely outcome is that Henry would have been killed, or captured and held for ransom, and she may even have been raped. Finally, Danielle obtained her freedom from Monsieur le Pieu by speaking boldly, taking charge, and demanding her freedom with a very real threat on his life.
Conversely, at the Masque Ball, she did not speak boldly; nor did her actions and words demand respect. Her words and actions were that of a docile servant and that is how she was treated.
Instead, Danielle reasons, when Prince Henry said, "Tell these women who you are," she should have boldly replied, "I am the only child, born in lawful marriage, to Auguste de Barbarac and Comtesse Nicole de Lancret (after so many years, Danielle knows that the title of Nicole would not be challenged). As their heir, I am the mistress and owner of the Manoir de Barbarac. For a number of years, through my generosity, I have allowed Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters to live in my home."
Then speaking angrily, she should have addressed Rodmilla and said, "But madam de Ghent, you are trying my patience with your lies to the Crown about my position. You will apologize or tomorrow, I will evict you and you can return to Belgium or whatever boorish place you came from. Furthermore, madam if you insist on continuing you lies to the Crown, a crime that is punishable by death, than I will demand that you be arrested and charged."
Then she should have looked Henry in the eyes and boldly said, "Your Highness, you will recall a few moments earlier I said, Henry, there is something I must tell you, now, before another word is spoken. I am sorry that much of what I intended to tell you had to be revealed in this unfortunate manner." Then she should have firmly pulled on his hand to lead him away from the crowd and said, "However, come with me, now, and I will tell you the rest of the story."
Danielle realizes that, in order to try to earn the love of Rodmilla, she has always been submissive to her and never stood up for herself. That will change. Danielle knows that in a physical battle, it would be no contest. Danielle is eighteen years old and has developed strength through hard labor; while Rodmilla is about forty and has been pampered. Even in a battle of the intellect, Danielle can hold her own. Danielle is determined to never again trust Rodmilla because Rodmilla is a master at treachery and deceit.
It was mid afternoon when Danielle arrived at Gustave's. Danielle told Gustave about being sold to le Pieu and how she won her freedom. Gustave told her that this very day Prince Henry was marrying Princess Gabriella and following the wedding, the banquet and celebrations will last until late into the night.
Danielle decided that she wanted to discuss her options with Signore Leonardo da Vinci and that would require getting into Hautefort. Since the Baroness and her daughters would be at banquet until late, Danielle made a trip to the Manoir de Barbarac. She told Paulette and Louise her story about Monsieur le Pieu.
Paulette clutched Danielle's arm and led her to the carved desk, "After Monsieur le Pieu left, I was dusting the desk and found this hidden drawer." The face of the drawer had been designed to be camouflaged by the carvings and was almost undetectable. Transporting the desk to or from the Château Beynac had jarred it open slightly allowing Paulette to find it.
The carved desk had originally belonged to Danielle's mother, Nicole. The hidden drawer had two compartments. In the front and larger compartment were love letters Nicole had received from Auguste and the Certificate of Marriage between Auguste and Nicole. In the back compartment was a leather pouch containing seventy-two gold francs. Danielle took the letters and initially offered to split the gold francs with Maurice, Paulette, and Louise, but they refused to accept such a large sum. So, finally Danielle gave each of them each six gold francs, several months' wages.
Danielle decided that she needed some of Marguerite's clothes and jewelry so she could visit Hautefort. Danielle selected three gowns, undergarments, shoes, and items of inexpensive jewelry that Marguerite had discarded or seldom wore.
Danielle and Gustave returned to his home. Danielle read the love letters Auguste had written to Nicole. One letter written six weeks before Danielle's birth said:
Dearest Nicole,
While traveling, earlier today, I was accosted by bandits. However, I was never in any real danger. I drew my swords and charged one the bandits. I could see fear in his eyes before he moved out of my way. My stallion and I, quickly left them far behind.
Still, no matter how small the risk, sometimes things do happen and it is good to plan ahead. Therefore, in the event of my demise, for as long as you shall live, I leave to you and our unborn child, my entire estate, including the Manoir de Barbarac and all its possessions. Further, upon my demise, for as long as you shall live, I give you all my rights and authority to the Manoir de Barbarac and all its possessions with the understanding that, upon your death, our unborn child shall inherit the Manoir de Barbarac and possessions.
It has always been my belief that servants that are willing, and not forced, are the most productive. Therefore, it has always been my policy that any servant upon marriage or obtaining the age of twenty-five shall thereafter be free to leave the Manoir de Barbarac and be granted freeborn status. I know that you will always honor that policy.
I shall be returning home within ten days. Until then, take care of yourself and our unborn child.
With all my love,
Auguste
Early the next morning Danielle, dressed as a lady, went to Hautefort to visit Signore Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo was still working on her portrait when Danielle arrived.
"Leonardo, may I speak with you?" Danielle asked.
"Danielle! Of course, please find a place to sit down," Leonardo replied as he covered her portrait. "I haven't seen you for a week or so. How have you been doing?"
"Last week has not been a good week. In fact, it has been a very bad week and now I need to make some plans for my future. That is what I need to talk to you about," Danielle replied.
"Tell me about it," Leonardo said with concern in his voice.
"The morning after the masque, my stepmother sold me to Monsieur le Pieu. So for the last week, until yesterday when I escaped, le Pieu had me in chains at the Château Beynac."
"Were you harmed in any way and how did you escape?" Leonardo wanted to know.
"Fortunately, I wasn't harmed and nothing really happened. He chained my legs so I could not run. However, when I was cleaning his swords, I hid a knife behind my skirt. I grabbed it and cut his face. Then I grabbed a sword and said, 'My father was an expert swordsman, monsieur. He taught me well. Now hand me that key, or I swear on his grave, I will slit you from navel to nose.' After he freed me from my chains, I locked him in the chains and hid the key."
"Danielle, you were freeborn and you are over fifteen. Your stepmother has no right to sell you so you may have an action against her if you are so inclined."
"Rodmilla has been a trespasser on the Manoir de Barbarac for far too long. What I would really like is to gain ownership as the only heir of my parents and I hope this letter will give support to that endeavor," she stated as she handed Leonardo Auguste's letter.
Prince Henry finally woke up with a terrible hangover. He had gotten drunk at the banquet and just fell asleep in his bed. Princess Gabriella was already up and dressed. The little talking that had occurred between the Prince and Princess was limited to Latin. Like all high ranking nobles, both she and Henry were taught Latin; however, they were not very proficient. She did not mind that the marriage was not consummated. As far as she was concerned, never would be soon enough. Gabriella was not happy to be forced into a marriage with this boorish drunk. In a couple of days, she would be acquiring her own quarters and, except for official and public functions, the less contact she has with Henry the better.
Even with his splitting headache, Henry is able to focus his eyes on the older woman with a sour expression and he realizes just how right his mother was when she said, "Any choice is better than Spain." Last night, Henry recalls, he made several attempts to live up to his specific obligations by showing affection to his new wife and each time she would stiffen up with her do not touch me attitude. So he proceeded to get royally drunk.
Oh well, look on the bright side, Henry thinks to himself. Surely things between us can only get better. I don't see how they could get any worse.
For more than an hour, Danielle and Leonardo talked and made plans for a number of actions.
First, Danielle will file a complaint against Rodmilla with the sheriff that she was illegally sold. Probably the sheriff will not take any action against a noble in favor of a commoner, without intervention by a member of the royal family, but it would be good to have the complaint on record.
Second, to prevent Monsieur le Pieu from making any attempt to recapture Danielle and/or hold her against her will, she will file with the court affidavits from herself, Maurice, Paulette, and Louise that the Lady Danielle de Barbarac is freeborn, without any debts. Therefore, she could not rightfully be sold. Later the affidavits would be attached to the Petition as Exhibits. Along, with the filing of the affidavits, Danielle will seek a temporary emergency injunction from the court to be served on Monsieur le Pieu that he take no action to harass, possess or hold the Lady Danielle de Barbarac against her will unless there is first a court hearing establishing his right to do so.
Danielle was also concerned that le Pieu might attempt the reclaim the items he had returned so it was decided to seek an additional temporary emergency injunction that le Pieu be forbidden from removing personal property from the manoir without first obtaining approval of the court. Leonardo would argue to the court that le Pieu would not be harmed by the temporary emergency injunctions that would continue only until after the filing of the Petition.
Third, Danielle will file a petition in the ecclesiastical court to grant her the sole ownership of the Manoir de Barbarac. Danielle would also seek a court order, to be served on Rodmilla along with a copy of the petition, that no servant or property of the Manoir de Barbarac is to be sold or disposed of, without authorization of the court, until a final resolution of the case. Furthermore, Danielle would seek a court order making permanent the injunctions against Monsieur le Pieu.
Fourth, Leonardo knows that Queen Marie has a strong sense of justice and a word from her would greatly influence the decision of any court. Further, at the masque, Henry said to Danielle, "My mother said you were getting married." Danielle reasons, and Leonardo concurs, that since Rodmilla and Marguerite had visited the queen, it is likely that Rodmilla and Marguerite had lied to the queen. Therefore, Danielle will write a letter to Queen Marie informing her of the complaint she filed with the sheriff against Rodmilla and reminding her of Henry's statement.
Fifth, since the ecclesiastical courts have never been as interested in justice as in the perception of justice, and because the decisions are greatly influenced by public opinion, Danielle will frequently visit Hautefort and the market place, and mingle with the citizens to tell her side of the story. Since, Rodmilla will certainly do likewise, Danielle should be able to counteract Rodmilla's spin.
Leonardo explained to Danielle that, in view of the rights of a widow to inherit her husband's land and authority, winning her case would be very difficult. Leonardo recommended and intended to present Danielle's case for the Manoir de Barbarac both in law and in equity. "In law," Leonardo told Danielle, "Auguste's letter is your strongest position. However, it is not written as a legal document and is weak because it can be interpreted in a number of ways. In equity," Leonardo went on to say, "your best hope is the mistreatment and inequities you experienced at the hands of Baroness de Ghent."
Upon leaving Leonardo's quarters, Danielle filed her complaint against Rodmilla at the office of the sheriff. As expected, the bored clerk logged it in with the time and date and added it to a stack of un-acted upon complaints. As Leonardo had explained, the fact that she filed a complaint, which would be noted in the letter to the queen and in the petition, would help influence the queen and court in Danielle's behalf.
Danielle then returned to Gustave's and asked him to go with her to get the affidavits signed by Maurice, Paulette, and Louise. Gustave would also sign each affidavit as a witness. Danielle decided, until they were served, that it was best that neither le Pieu nor Rodmilla know her whereabouts or plans. She and Gustave found Maurice in the stables. While, Gustave keep watch, Danielle explained her plans to Maurice and asked Maurice to get Paulette and Louise to also sign an affidavit. Each affidavit simply stated:
I, the undersigned, do hereby swear that the Lady Danielle de Barbarac, is freeborn, without any debts, and is the daughter and only child of the lawful marriage between Auguste de Barbarac and the Lady Nicole de Lancret. Until his death, Auguste de Barbarac was the sole owner of the Manoir de Barbarac and, as such, the Lady Danielle de Barbarac is the only living heir and rightful owner of the Manoir de Barbarac. Furthermore, by his actions, and his expressed and written words, Auguste de Barbarac intended that the Lady Danielle de Barbarac inherit the Manoir de Barbarac.
After she and Gustave returned to his home with the affidavits, Danielle wrote the following letter to Queen Marie.
Your Majesty,
I am the Lady Danielle de Barbarac, freeborn and the only child of lawful marriage between Auguste de Barbarac and the Lady and, I believe, Comtesse Nicole de Lancret. I have never met my mother. She died giving birth to me. The three remaining servants at the Manoir de Barbarac tell me I look very much like my mother. It was her wedding gown and shoes that I was wearing at the masque.
My parents, especially my father, were the sole owners of the Manoir de Barbarac and I am their only heir. During my first eight years and until my father died, I lived a life of privilege. Two weeks before my father died Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters, Marguerite and Jacqueline moved into the Manoir de Barbarac. Therefore, my father Auguste de Barbarac and Rodmilla de Ghent were married for only a very short time.
That was ten years ago. Upon the death of my father Rodmilla de Ghent moved me out of my room, gave my prized possessions to her daughters and turned me into her servant. Ten years ago, the Manoir de Barbarac was very prosperous with fifteen servants. During this time Rodmilla de Ghent has used up most of the wealth of the manoir for her extravagant lifestyle.
The day following the Masque Ball, Rodmilla de Ghent compounded her crimes against me by unlawfully selling me to Monsieur le Pieu who held me against my will and kept me in chains until yesterday when I escaped. Today, I have filed with the office of the sheriff a complaint against Rodmilla de Ghent for this crime.
In part based upon a letter and will of my father granting me the Manoir de Barbarac, within the next couple of days I will petition the court to regain my rightful position as sole owner of the Manoir de Barbarac. As the evidence and testimony will show, it was my father's intention that I, and not Rodmilla de Ghent, inherit the Manoir de Barbarac. Nevertheless, upon the death of my father, Rodmilla de Ghent assumed the ownership of the Manoir de Barbarac. However, what could I do? I was only eight years old.
Now I wish to address my short-term relationship with your son Prince Henry. But first I wish to congratulate Your Majesties and his Highness on his marriage to Princess Gabriella. I wish them all the happiness in the world plus, I know, the marriage will improve relations between France and Spain.
I first met Prince Henry one morning, about two weeks ago, after he had taken one of our horses. He gave me twenty gold francs. Rodmilla de Ghent had sold Maurice, a servant, to pay her taxes and he was to be shipped to the Americas. Maurice had been employed at the Manoir de Barbarac since before I was born. He is like family to me.
Of necessity, I dressed above my station so I could enter Hautefort and use the twenty gold francs to purchase Maurice's freedom. And again, by chance, your son arrived and assisted me in the matter. Having obtained Maurice's freedom, I just wanted to leave. However, Prince Henry followed across the court yard asking for a name—any name. So I gave him the name of my mother. I did not see any harm as I never expected to see him again. However, our paths seemed to keep crossing and, after that, to reveal the truth would have been awkward. Plus, Prince Henry is very charming and like most young ladies I welcomed and enjoyed his company so I hope you and Prince Henry can forgive my youthful indiscretion and accept my apology for deceiving the Prince. I did come to the Masque Ball to tell him the truth. In fact, almost the first words out of my mouth was, "Henry, there is something I must tell you, now, before another word is spoken." However, he didn't give me a chance before that awful scene with Rodmilla de Ghent.
The one thing Prince Henry did tell me before that awful scene is, "My mother said you were getting married." Now very few people even remember my mother so the only person that would have had any reason to say that I and/or my alias, Comtesse Nicole de Lancret, was getting married would have been Rodmilla de Ghent since she considered me competition in her efforts to get Prince Henry to marry Marguerite. I do know while the Prince and I were meeting at the ruins at Amboise, you were meeting with Rodmilla and Marguerite. You might wish to consider, after reading this letter, if they told you the truth or if they told you a lie.
Your loyal and faithful servant,
Danielle de Barbarac
It was mid afternoon that Danielle returned to Leonardo's quarters. Leonardo added the following note to the Queen.
Your Majesty,
I am enclosing a letter from the Lady Danielle de Barbarac. Please be assured that she states her position accuracy and I will be assisting her in her petition to gain her rightful ownership of the Manoir de Barbarac. I find her to be a young lady of exceptional intelligence and integrity. I personally encouraged her to attend the Masque Ball and to reveal her true identity to Prince Henry. I assured her that the Prince would understand.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Your humble servant,
Leonardo
Leonardo handed the letters to a page and instructed him to immediately deliver them to the queen. There was still time in the day for an emergency meeting with the court. And of course since few if any courts would deny someone of Leonardo's statue an emergency hearing, the court agreed to see Leonardo and Danielle.
The honorable court listened to Danielle's story and looked at the affidavits. Then after Leonardo said that he had met the signers of the affidavits and could vouch for their honesty, the court issued a temporary emergency injunction that would be served the next morning on Monsieur le Pieu. Danielle paid the fee to have the injunction served on le Pieu. The temporary injunction forbid le Pieu from taking any action to harass, possess, or hold against her will the Lady Danielle de Barbarac. Also, the injunction included the stipulation that no non-perishable items of personal property be removed from the Manoir de Barbarac by le Pieu without first obtaining permission of the court.
Upon leaving the court, Leonardo said, "With that taken care of, we can concentrate on your petition. There is still a minor risk that le Pieu may find you before he receives the injunction so I will find a place in my studio that you can sleep tonight."
The relationship between Henry and Gabriella had not improved. At a luncheon with the families and dignitaries, they smiled and put forth a good front. However, as soon as it was over, Princess Gabriella visited her mother, the Queen of Spain, and complained how Henry ignored her and was a drunk. Meanwhile, Henry visited with Captain Laurent. While drinking ale, Henry complained that Gabriella must eat lemons by the basket to have such a sour disposition and hearing Henry's description, she was getting uglier by the hour.
"My God," Henry said. "If I am going to have a son and heir to the crown, I am going to need to get drunk first."
Afterwards at dinner, Queen Marie said, "I received letters today from Leonardo and Danielle de Barbarac."
"What did they want?" Henry asked.
"Danielle, apologized for deceiving you, congratulated you on your marriage, and wishes you and Gabriella all the happiness in the world. And Leonardo is going to assist Danielle in her petition to gain ownership of the Manoir de Barbarac."
"That sounds odd. I know Leonardo thinks well of Danielle but why would he think a servant could own the Manoir de Barbarac?" Henry asked.
"She was the only child of Auguste de Barbarac and his wife Nicole, the prior owners of the manoir. It seems that when Auguste died ten years ago, the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, her stepmother, assumed possession of the manoir and turned the eight year old Danielle into a servant."
"Is she the girl that was at the Masque Ball?" King Francis asked.
"Yes," the queen replied.
"Well, the girl shouldn't have been turned into a servant but widowhood does give women their husband's lands and authority," King Francis stated.
"It may not be that simple. There are mitigating circumstances that may favor Danielle. According to Danielle, Auguste de Barbarac died shortly after the marriage and that that has written a letter or will leaving the Manoir de Barbarac to Danielle. Also, Danielle claims that the manoir has greatly deteriorated under Rodmilla's stewardship. Furthermore, in addition to turning Danielle into a servant and denying her any share of the manoir, after the masque, Rodmilla sold Danielle to Monsieur le Pieu. Certainly, if she was freeborn, Rodmilla did not have that right. Danielle claims that she was held against her will and in chains for a week before escaping yesterday.
"If all this is true, why did she deceive me?" Henry asked.
"In her letter she called it a youthful indiscretion," Marie replied. "In any event, you are married now with specific obligations so past relationships with young ladies are best forgotten." Queen Marie was aware of the tension between Henry and Gabriella so she did not wish for Henry to dwell on Danielle and even worse to attempt to renew their relationship.
That evening, in their quarters, Gabriella did make some attempt to be more friendly with Henry. Although, her mother had listened to her sympathetically, she impressed upon Gabriella her duties as a wife and her specific obligations as a princess of both France and Spain. However, Gabriella was more passive than flirty and Henry, after previous rebuffs, was not in the mood to initiate any overtures. Theirs is a marriage that could take weeks or months to be consummated.
After breakfast le Pieu was gathering up some of his men to go retrieve Danielle. He assumed she would return to the Manoir de Barbarac. He was very angry over her actions and, after they picked her up, he planned to severely punish her. He was prevented from pursuing her yesterday due to pressing business.
Monsieur le Pieu and his men were about to leave when he was served with the temporary injunction. After reading the injunction, le Pieu was enraged. He has paid a large price for Danielle and either he was going to recover Danielle or his property. However, le Pieu knew that the matter would best be handled by his lawyer.