Author's Note: This chapter does not have a lot of dialogue. Mostly it is narratives, so I leave it to the reader to imagine the conversations.
Chapter 4—Rodmilla Answers the Petition
Late that afternoon, after leaving the court, Danielle made a trip to the Manoir de Barbarac. Danielle was able get the attention of Paulette and motioned for Paulette to meet with her away from the house. Paulette told Danielle that Rodmilla wanted to go to Hautefort the next morning. Danielle thought that was advantageous to her plan. Danielle knew that little irritants upset Rodmilla and a series of little provocations would aggravate and exhaust Rodmilla more than something major. And, even before Rodmilla was served with the Petition and order, Danielle's plan was for Rodmilla to be so upset that she would be gnashing her teeth. As Leonardo explained, this would leave her with less energy to fight the Petition.
Paulette relayed the plans to Maurice and Louise. They would all stay at a local inn. Later, if needed, Signore de Vinci would help them obtained temporary employment.
The plan of Danielle's was, that after dinner, they would remove the dishes to the kitchen but not clean them. Afterwards, they would lead the horses to pasture and free the cows and pigs. Danielle did not wish to chance that Rodmilla and her daughters would not feed and water the animals. Then they would go to an inn after leaving a note written by Danielle. Rodmilla would not recognize the handwriting on the note and would assume it was written by one of the servant's. That way, in case the final resolution of the court did not free the servants, the note could not be used against them.
The next morning Rodmilla and her daughters got dressed and went downstairs expecting breakfast. When they discovered that breakfast wasn't being prepared and could not find the servants, Rodmilla hissed to Jacqueline to go look for them outside. It was thirty minutes later that Marguerite found the unsigned note on the mantle.
Rodmilla,
We are tired and overworked so we decided to rest and leave for a while. Of course we will expect full wages during our absence. While we are gone you and your daughters are to wash dishes and clean the kitchen, chop firewood, and haul water. We do not expect to return to a dirty kitchen or find other chores undone.
After reading the note Rodmilla was throwing the dishes furious. How dare they address her so familiarly and give her orders, she thinks to herself. The whole thing is bizarre. Hell could not be worse than living in the country with such insolent barbarians. Danielle is behind this… I can feel it.
"What about my breakfast?" Marguerite whined.
Rodmilla did not wish to hear it. The whole thing was giving her a headache. Danielle and the servants had taken the carriage to the inn so that Rodmilla would not leave. This would be a most unpleasant morning for the de Ghent's.
It was midmorning when Father de l'Orme, a representative of the court along with Danielle and Maurice arrived at the Manoir de Barbarac. Even in the presence of Father de l'Orme, Rodmilla was not completely able to mask her furry at the sight of Danielle and Maurice. However, Father de l'Orme was a no nonsense official of the court and he quickly let Rodmilla know that she would obey the court orders and not interfere or be arrested and held in contempt of court. In addition to the Petition and Orders, Danielle had used her remarkable memory to list the property of the Manoir de Barbarac and their locations.
Father de l'Orme asked Rodmilla to confirm the list as per the order. The order stated that she would be forbidden to dispose on any of the items on the list without first obtaining approval of the court. A book, Rodmilla had sold earlier that week, was crossed off the list. Should she need money, Rodmilla could sell some of her jewelry or other personal possessions.
Father de l'Orme had authority from the court to make an equitable division of personal property of Rodmilla's daughters and Danielle, and decided to do so. Danielle suggested that she only have an equal division of the property of Marguerite and herself, and ignore the property of Jacqueline. Danielle would divide the gowns, jewelry, etc. in two stacks and let Marguerite have her choice.
In the meantime, Maurice had gotten a horse and prepared the carriage, and gathered up the belongings of himself, Paulette, and Louise. As Danielle and Maurice removed the items to the carriage, Marguerite was in tears over loosing so much of her clothes and jewelry.
"That's my carriage!" Rodmilla exclaimed. "They can't take my carriage. I won't allow it."
Father de l'Orme had heard enough of Rodmilla's complaints. "Silence, the court will resolve these issues," Father de l'Orme stated firmly, "Until then, you, your daughters, and Danielle will have access to the manoir and its property. I suggest you agree to equitable arrangements. Now if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."
"I need the carriage to go to Hautefort," Rodmilla beseeched.
"I will be returning the carriage in a day or two and we have other horses," Danielle replied.
"The court cannot be involved in everyday household quarrels. I suggest you both learn to get alone," Father de l'Orme countered.
All in all, this was a very bad day for Rodmilla and Marguerite.
The next day Rodmilla wanted to go to Hautefort. However, she was above walking or going by horseback. So all day she seethed while waiting for Danielle to return the carriage. However, it would be the following morning before Danielle returned with the carriage. In the meantime, Marguerite was gathering some eggs and had an encounter with an aggressive roster. While she was kicking at it, the roster spurred her in the leg, slightly breaking the skin. "I'll wring your neck," Marguerite screamed at it before chasing it away. From then on, Marguerite would keep a wary eye on the rosters. Without the servants to do the work, the family was getting on each other's nerves. Rodmilla ordered Jacqueline to assume some of the servants' duties and for even her precious Marguerite to help with the cooking.
Danielle knew that eventually she would have to face Rodmilla. With Gustave as a witness she approached the manoir. "Lord give me strength," she muttered before entering the house.
"Look who decided to grace us with her presence," Rodmilla sneered mockingly.
I have prepared a very generous offer to resolve our differences," Danielle stated handing Rodmilla the document.
We the undersigned agree to the following:
1. Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters, Jacqueline and Marguerite, may keep all the personal items currently in their possession, such as gowns and jewelry, excluding such items specifically and heretofore described in the list, as amended by Father de l'Orme, and which are property of the Manoir de Barbarac.
2. Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters, Jacqueline and Marguerite, agree to forgo any and all rights, claim or title to the Manoir de Barbarac, and agree to give Danielle de Barbarac a quit claim deed granting all title and rights to the Manoir de Barbarac, except as provided for in paragraph number 4 below.
3. Danielle de Barbarac will forgive all prior and existing debts against Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters, Jacqueline and Marguerite.
4. Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters, Jacqueline and Marguerite, separately and collectively, may live in the Manoir de Barbarac, under the supervision and authority of Danielle de Barbarac, for as long as they live except this right shall be, for each person, separately terminated by the marriage of Rodmilla de Ghent or her daughters, Jacqueline or Marguerite.
Rodmilla angerly rips it up. "You are nothing but a lying whore and for two days I have suffered through your lies, insults, and obsenities," she barks as she grabs hold of Danielle. "It is disgraceful, Danielle, and I will not stand for it."
Will all her strength, Danielle shoves Rodmilla back forcing Rodmilla to almost fall before she is able to right herself. "Rodmilla, I have made you a fair and generous offer and you are a foolish old woman to reject it," Danielle asserts. Now contain yourself and try to be civil."
For a moment, Rodmilla is pushed beyond her breaking point. "I am of noble blood," she shrieks. Advancing toward Danielle, Rodmilla attempts to slap her. However, Danielle raises her left arm to absorb the blow and, at the same time with her right hand, slaps Rodmilla hard causing Rodmilla to stagger backward with her head ringing and her face stinging in severe pain. "I will have you hanged for that," Rodmilla screams.
Gustave watched in amazement while Jacqueline and Marguerite cowered in a corner.
Danielle speaks to Gustave. "Please make note that I was attacked and defended myself and that Rodmilla is raving like a lunatic."
Rodmilla regained her composure as she reevaluates Danielle. She didn't get to where she is by being out of control. She glared at Danielle with pure hated in her eyes. Then with her voice dripping with venom she states, "I believe your business here is finished. I will see you in court."
After Danielle leaves, Rodmilla makes plans. Hopefully, the marriage between Prince Henry and Princess Gabriella will be annulled. Then, by far, the most important thing would be for Marguerite to be Princess so they could move into the castle and Princess Marguerite could have Danielle shipped to the Americas. Still, that is not certain so the matter of Danielle and the Manoir de Barbarac cannot be ignored.
Therefore, Rodmilla writes an answer to the petition:
A N S W E R
Comes now Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Respondent, and for her answer to the Petition filed by Danielle de Barbarac alleges and states to allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 9:
1. The Petitioner, the Lady Danielle de Barbarac, is freeborn, eighteen years old, and the only child of lawful marriage between Auguste de Barbarac and the Lady Nicole de Lancret. Both deceased. See Exhibit 1: Certificate of Marriage.
Respondent admits allegations contained in paragraph 1.
2. The prior owners of the Manoir de Barbarac are the Lady Nicole de Lancret who died giving birth to Petitioner eighteen years ago, and Auguste de Barbarac, father to petitioner who died ten years ago.
Respondent admits allegations contained in paragraph 2.
3. In a letter and will, Auguste de Barbarac granted, upon his death, his complete estate, including the Manoir de Barbarac, to the Lady Nicole de Lancret and her unborn child, the Petitioner. Further, in the same letter, said Auguste granted any and all servants, if married or upon the age of twenty-five, the right to leave and join the rank of freeborn. See Exhibit 2: Letter and Will and Exhibits 3, 4, 5 and 6: Affidavits from Petitioner and servants Maurice, Paulette, and Louise.
Respondent admits allegations contained in paragraph 3 as to the statements contained in the letter but denies that the document was anything more than a letter to a wife and specifically denies that it was a will or that it an understandable and enforceable legal document.
4. Two weeks prior to the death of Auguste de Barbarac, Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters Jacqueline and Marguerite arrived at the Manoir de Barbarac, a few days after her marriage to Auguste de Barbarac. Upon the death of Auguste de Barbarac, Rodmilla de Ghent, did wrongfully claim and assumed ownership of the Manoir de Barbarac. At the time, Petitioner was only eight years old and, due to her age, was unable to speak for and protect her rights.
Respondent denies allegations contained in paragraph 4 except to admit that Respondent, the wife of Auguste de Barbarac, and her daughters arrived at the manor two week prior to his death; and that at the time of her father's death, Petitioner was eight years old.
5. At the time of the death of Auguste de Barbarac, the Manoir de Barbarac was very prosperous with fifteen servants, considerable livestock, and large amount of land under cultivation, gold and silver. Rodmilla de Ghent, for her lavish lifestyle, has spent, allowed to deteriorate, and used up all of the gold and silver, and most of the servants, livestock, and land under cultivation. During this time, Petitioner, and rightful heir, did not share in any of the wealth of the Manoir de Barbarac. Further, Petitioner was wrongfully forced to be an unpaid servant of Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters Jacqueline and Marguerite. Even without the will of Auguste de Barbarac, equity demands that a wife of a few days would not have superior rights over a man's children. And, equity would certainly demand that Petitioner share in the estate. However, most of the estate has already be spent and used up for the benefit of Rodmilla de Ghent in supporting her lavish lifestyle. And, since Petitioner was forced to be an unpaid servant, Rodmilla de Ghent owes Petitioner unpaid wages for the past ten years. Furthermore, even without the will of Auguste de Barbarac, equity demands that, with the debts she owes to Petitioner and the fact that Rodmilla de Ghent has already spent most of the wealth of the Manoir de Barbarac, she has used up any and all rights she might have had to the Manoir de Barbarac. Therefore, equity would demand that the Manoir de Barbarac, with its small remaining value, be the sole and undisputable property of Danielle de Barbarac.
Respondent denies allegations contained in paragraph 5 except to admit that at the time of Auguste de Barbarac's death the manor had fifteen servants. Further, it is preposterous to claim that a child should be paid wages. It is a mother's duty to discipline and train children and stepchildren. Petitioner was a disobedient and unruly child and I would have been negligent in my duty as a mother if, as part of her training, I did not assign her reasonable duties. Furthermore, as part of the discipline and training, I would reward good behavior with extra gifts as is the proper domain of a mother. Any additional discrepancy between the properties of the children can be explained because Petitioner would destroy and fail to take proper care of her belongings.
6. On the day of Saint Jude, Rodmilla de Ghent committed a criminal action against Petitioner by selling Petitioner to Monsieur le Pieu of the Château Beynac. Since Petitioner is freeborn and without debts, Rodmilla de Ghent wrongfully and with malice of forethought sold Petitioner to said le Pieu. This is a clear and undisputable crime against Petitioner. Petitioner has filed with the Sheriff a criminal complaint for that criminal action by Rodmilla de Ghent. Furthermore, in a clearly undisputable wrongful action against Petitioner, Rodmilla de Ghent, on the night of the Masque ball, in front of the Royal Family and many courtiers did falsely state that Petitioner was her servant instead of a stepdaughter.
Respondent denies allegations contained in paragraph 6. Even if true, Respondent has no knowledge of the alleged complaint. The transfer of Petitioner to Monsieur le Pieu was simply a marriage arrangement. It is long established that parents can arrange marriages of their children and receive gifts and property in exchange. Furthermore, while the term servant may have been unfortunate, Petitioner has been a difficult and disobedient child. Prior to the Masque Ball, I told Petitioner that I wanted her to attend the masque provided she would do minimial and reasonable tasks. However, after she refused to help my other daughters with breakfast, as reasonable punishment, I forbade her to attend the masque. As a result of her disobedience, my use of the term servant was simply to shock her into the realization that bad and disobedient behavior will be punished and not rewarded.
7. In addition to item 6, additional proof of the extent of the lies and deceit by Rodmilla de Ghent is demonstrated by Rodmilla de Ghent first selling to Monsieur le Pieu, candlesticks, the painting in the upstairs hall, and a gilded mirror, and then wrongfully claiming the items were pilfered and withholding from servants Maurice, Paulette, and Louise wages for the value of the items.
Respondent denies allegations contained in paragraph 7.
8. Even assuming that Rodmilla de Ghent was lawfully in possession of the Manoir de Barbarac, equity demands that Danielle de Barbarac, Rodmilla de Ghent's stepdaughter, should share equally with Rodmilla de Ghent's daughters, Jacqueline and Marguerite. Further, even ignoring past inequities, at the very least, Danielle de Barbarac should have an equal share of current personal possessions, including clothes and jewelry, with said daughters Jacqueline and Marguerite and that the court should assign a priest or other representative of the court to oversee an equitable division of said possessions.
Respondent denies allegations contained in paragraph 8. Further, Respondent prays that this Honorable Court, after hearing all the facts, orders Petitioner to return the gowns and jewelry taken from my daughter, Marguerite.
Respondent expressly states that she is the widow of the lawful marriage between herself and Auguste de Barbarac. Further, it is well established in law that widows inherit her husband's land and authority.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Respondent, Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, prays that the Petition be dismissed, and for such other relief to which she may be entitled.
"Come along ladies," Rodmilla said to Jacqueline and Marguerite. We are going to Hautefort. Jacqueline get a horse and the carriage. You will drive us."
Jacqueline stamped her foot. "Why do I have to do everything?" she whined.
"The prince mustn't see Marguerite driving a carriage. What Marguerite does is for all of us, darling," Rodmilla said soothingly. "I am counting on you to help."
"Lovely, Jacqueline grumbled. "Next thing you know I shall be working in the fields."
After filing her Answer, Rodmilla met with Celeste and Isabelle. "I just knew nothing good could come from a marriage between Prince Henry and Princess Gabriella," Rodmilla said. "Why the whole affair made me ill."
"Well, I hear that Princess Gabriella still has not learned to speak French," Isabelle announced. "Perhaps she thinks the French should all speak Spanish."
"I am not surprised the marriage has not been consummated with the prince and princess sleeping is separate quarters and hardly speaking," Celeste finished.
"What are we going to do about the addlebrained prince seeing Danielle—a commoner? Just the idea of it makes me nauseous," Rodmilla retorted. "If the marriage should be annulled and the Prince was to marry Danielle, the servants would be running the country. Why, only this morning, that hussy had the audacity to suggest that my daughters and I should live in our home under her supervision."
"We will just have to make certain that the King and Queen sees her for the covetous, devious shrew that she is," Celeste exclaimed.
"Marguerite would make a wonderful queen. I am counting on you ladies to help make sure Henry sees her as much as possible instead of that grasping pretender," Rodmilla said.
"You can count on it," Isabelle replied.
Before returning to the Manoir de Barbarac, Rodmilla hired Raymond, a young man of seventeen, to drive the carriage, take care of the animals, carry water and chop firewood. Rodmilla, also, hired Marie, a woman in her early thirties, to be a maid and cook. Having freeborn status, they demanded higher wages, would not do as much work, nor would they put up with as much abuse from Rodmilla as did Maurice, Paulette, and Louise.
After Danielle was served with Rodmilla's Answer, she and Signore da Vinci filed a motion with the court to set a trial date. The court set the trial date to start five weeks following the date that Rodmilla filed her Answer. Leonardo explained again to Danielle that the decisions of the court would be influenced and even won by public opinion; therefore, until Rodmilla returned, Danielle, Gustave, Maurice, Paulette, Louise, and other servants at the time would be speaking on Danielle's behalf in the court of public opinion.
Danielle posted in the public square, the Petition and Answer, plus the following comments:
To Whom It May Concern:
Does any reasonable person really give any credence to Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent's self-serving statements to wit?
1. That my (unlawful) sale to Monsieur le Pieu was simply a marriage agreement in which I was exchanged for a few gifts. There was no marriage. If there was, I would ask, who married us and where did the marriage take place. Everyone knows the reputation of le Pieu and the kind of man he is. He is a man that kept me locked in chains until, by chance, I was able to escape. Is it even conceivable that any loving parent would give a daughter to that man? Further, it has not been established that it is the right of parents to enforce marriage on their children. I only need to point out that almost 100 years ago the maid's (Joan of Arc) parents arraigned for her marriage and the maid was sued for breach of promise. You will recall the court described the maid as that marvelous child and the maid won her case and she was not forced into an unwanted marriage.
2. Does it not strike you as odd that up until the day my father, Auguste de Barbarac, died; I was a good and happy child and that, within the next few days, according to Rodmilla de Ghent, I was an unruly and disobedient child. Those of you that have met me in the market place during the last ten years know how unbelievable that statement by Rodmilla de Ghent's is.
3. Until Father de l'Orme made an equitable division of property between myself and Marguerite de Ghent, my total belongings, except for a box containing my mother's dowry, consisted of three servants dresses while Marguerite de Ghent, owned more than twenty expensive gowns plus jewelry and other valuable items. Furthermore, I was forced to serve Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughters and I was not even allowed to eat at the same table. Is it believable that such huge discrepancies can be explained away as parental prerogatives?
4. Also, can anyone, that was at the Masque Ball, believe that Rodmilla de Ghent's statement that, "for the last ten years she (i.e., I) was a servant…," was just an unfortunate use of the word, servant, and that it was not a true description of the position she had placed me in during that time? But what could I do to defend my rights against such a contemptible woman? I was only eight years old.
5. Furthermore, at the Masque Ball, Rodmilla de Ghent used the following words in her description of me: Imposter, grasping, devious, pretender, covetous, and hoax. That is a clear example of her lies and, vicious and contemptible actions. I simply accepted an invitation to the ball that said, "To the baroness de Ghent and the ladies of the house." I arrived and said and did nothing except stating to Prince Henry that I was not engaged. Clearly there is no excuse for Rodmilla de Ghent's vicious and slanderous statements.
6. Finally, ask yourself, how could a wife treat her husband's daughter so bad? Did Rodmilla de Ghent have anything to do with the death of my father? He was not sickly. What other explanation was there for his sudden death only two weeks after her arrival?
In fact, as the evidence shows, Rodmilla de Ghent is a vicious, selfish, and heartless, woman that will lie and bend the truth to achieve her goals to the detriment of anyone else.
Danielle de Barbarac
By posting the documents in the public square, the citizens would read the documents, discuss the case, and form opinions and their opinions would influence the Church and the Ecclesiastical Court. Further, until the trial, Danielle, Gustave, and the servants would be talking to the citizens to further influence their opinions in her behalf. Once people formed opinions, they would not be nearly as receptive to Rodmilla's spin.
To the consternation of Rodmilla, twice a week, Danielle, with Gustave as a witness, would visit the Manoir de Barbarac. Danielle knew that before long, Rodmilla would need money to support her lavish spending and, instead of selling her jewelry, she would ignore the court order and sell personal property of the Manoir de Barbarac.
On her first visit, Danielle told Raymond and Marie that Rodmilla had a habit of withholding from and not paying servants' wages. As a result Raymond demanded to be paid weekly instead of monthly. After Rodmilla refused, the next morning he took a hog and left. Rodmilla was livid when she discovered Raymond gone and the hog missing. However, she realized that Marie could not do all the work so she insisted that Jacqueline help. Jacqueline did not like being placed in the role of a servant but, except for complaining, she did much as Rodmilla asked.
A week later, during her visit to the manoir, Danielle discovered an expensive book and a silver serving tray missing. Celeste had invited Rodmilla and her daughters to a formal affair and Rodmilla needed money for new gowns for herself and Marguerite plus a necklace for Marguerite. Rodmilla simply could not be bothered with a silly court order forbidding her to sell the items.
After discovering the items missing, Danielle filed a motion for the court to hold Rodmilla in contempt and as punishment that she be forbidden to live at the Manoir de Barbarac until after a resolution of the case. At the hearing, Rodmilla first tried to blame Danielle for the missing items. However, Gustave was always at Danielle's side during her twice weekly visits and testified that Danielle did not take the items. Rodmilla then tried to place the blame on Marie. However, during the investigation Father de l'Orme had questioned Danielle, Jacqueline, Marie, and even Paulette, and Louise. He had learned about how Rodmilla had taken the candlesticks and upstairs painting and blamed it on the servants so the court didn't believe Rodmilla.
As a result, the court severely lectured and warned Rodmilla, and threatened her with jail and fines. However, in the end, they just took Danielle's suggestion and ordered her out of the manoir until the resolution of the case.