Note: Once again, I don't take french, if anything is spelled wrong from this point forward, then I am terribly sorry!!! And yes, I do appreciate the French language, I just didn't take it in high school, but spanish instead.
Chapter 1
The
carriage jerked and bounced around as it traveled down the semi-worn
path. The girl inside tried to maintain her posture, but it was
impossible. The carriage ride was just to bumpy. She silently cursed
as her head hit the top of the carriage. Then suddenly, the carriage
stopped. The door swung open, letting fresh air into the
musty-
smelling carriage. The girl took a deep whiff of the sweet
smelling air and scooted close to the door. She stood up and ducked
her head. Taking the coachman's hand, she was helped down out of
the carriage and straightened her back. Four hours in a carriage was
way to long travel for her now. She glanced up at the beautiful house
that stood in front of her. Nerves took control of her again for the
second time in the past couple of months, and she took a deep breath
and slowly exhaled it. Then climbing up the marble stone steps, she
walked as confidently as she could towards the large oak doors.
Taking the metal knocker into her hand she struck it against the
door. The sound resounded and echoed through the large mansion as the
girl waited patiently for a butler or someone to answer. No sooner
did the thoughts cross her mind, then the door swung open to revel a
grizzled old butler, with pure white hair sticking at odd ends.
"May I help you, Mademoiselle?" the butler wheezed out.
"Is Madame Reynaldo home?" the girl asked.
"Oui, she is. May I ask who is enquiring?" the butler questioned her.
"Could you please tell Madame Reynaldo that her niece, Mademoiselle Ana Knoll is here and she is in need of a family." the pretty young girl named Ana said.
No sooner had the butler went to tell Marishka Reynaldo that her niece, Ana Knoll was standing at the door, then the older women showed up to see her niece for herself. She hadn't seen young Ana since Ana was a young babe. Marishka's younger sister, Jeanne had married a rich young man named Arthur Knoll. Then, when Ana was just a wee babe, no older than two years old, they decided to move to the Continent. Apparently Arthur had found out about the great money business that the Continent had to offer. Since Arthur was fifth in line for earldom, he knew there was no chance of receiving the earldom. So, he decided to move elsewhere. Now, here was Ana, a young woman, standing on her doorstep.
"Ana! Good heaven's my dear, what are you doing here? Where is your mother and father?" Marishka questioned her, sweeping her favorite niece up into a hug.
"I came here Auntie because...because Mama and Papa are dead. They, they died more than four months back. They were coming home from a party on a rainy night, the horses got frightened and went off the cliff. I was informed of their death the next day. I had enough money to get here by boat. I left New York the day after their funeral and traveled by boat to France. From there, I hired a carriage to bring me here. It was a long ride, but here I am." Ana said, finally bearing her sad tale to another family member. Tears brimmed her eyes and one slowly made it's silent descent down her cheek.
"You poor dear. No wonder I haven't received a letter from your Mama for a long time. I was getting worried. But not to worry, your Uncle Joseph and I shall help you. Now, come inside. Pierre, please get Mademoiselle Knoll's bags please. Take them to the Rose Room. Come, my dear, I was just about to have some tea." Marishka shooed Ana into the room and down the hall to the tea room.
The two recounted everything that had passed in Ana's lifetime. Ana was the only child born to her mother and father and Marishka commented on how the way Paris was moving along with the times of change.
"Now Ana, I have a question for you. How would you feel up to attending a show tonight? There is a play called Don Giovanni being showed tonight. It's at the Opera Populaire. Joseph would be going with me but he is currently working on something for the court. What it is, I don't know, but I have an extra seat. Would you like to go?" Marishka questioned her, putting her tea cup down on the saucer that was sitting on the table in front of her.
"Oh Auntie, I'd love to! Mama always commented on how wonderful the Opera Populaire was. But, I have no beautiful dresses to wear, I left them all in America." She said, her voice brighter than it had been.
"Oh, my beautiful niece, you should have no worries, we'll go shopping right this instant!" Marishka stood up, her raven black hair with its tight curls springing with life, and clapped her hands.
Two hours later, with six bags filled with beautiful dresses, hats, and other clothing assortments, the two women returned back to the house. Marishka took off her traveling bonnet and handed it to Pierre.
"My dear, you must head directly upstairs to get ready. Marie, your maid, would have already drawn up some bath water. Take your bags upstairs, pick out a dress, and come back down here in an hour's time. Then, we'll leave for the Opera Populaire." Ana's aunt said as she handed Ana the bags and led her towards the staircase.
An hour later, Ana descended the stairs. She was in a pale turquoise gown that had a sheen to it. The neck line dipped just a little to reveal just the top of Ana's breasts. Around her neck was a tear-dropped shaped diamond, and diamonds hung from her ears as well. Ana's hair was piled on top of her head, with baby's breath scattered throughout. Marishka clapped her hands in joy and pronounced her as beautiful and the spitting image of her mother. Ana began to blush for she knew that she was the image of her mother. Her mother was as tall as her and they both carried the Decanque family traits. Both had ebony black hair that was wavy, the pale skin complexion that remained no matter how long they stood in the sun, and the pale icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce everyone with warmth instead of coldness.
"Thank you Auntie. Shall we be going?" Ana asked her equally beautiful aunt.
"Yes, the carriage is waiting. Come along my dear." her aunt said, taking a hold of Ana's arm and the two walked towards the carriage. The footmen helped the ladies in and soon off they went to the Opera Populaire.
