Why thank you!
Mercury Gray… I would never want to have Porthos steal either Athos or Aramis thunder in this case. I thought you (and Angoliel) would like La Roux.
Angoliel… Your character is Daphne too? Does this qualify as great minds thinking alike?
Utsuri… You're right. Daily updates won't happen forever. I have to go back to work tomorrow, so enjoy this one. May be a few days before I can get another one done.
Evenstar Elanor… You like Jacques! Yay! I told you there would be a nice guy in this story for you to like. A good quality for Luc? I've added an observation that will come up in a later chapter, but you may have to make due with that. Thanks for the your/you're mistake flag. Bad me!
Sweet A.K… Hmmm. What will Porthos do? You'll have to keep reading to see! (Terrible, aren't I?)
Chapter 16: Summer Peaches
"Papa? I wonder if I may… Oh!" Natalie dropped into a curtsy when she realized that her father was speaking to the King and D'Artagnan. "My pardon, your Majesty. I didn't realize you were here."
"Please," said Louis kindly, "I've taken no offense. What is it you wished to ask your father?" He smiled; Natalie was so refreshing compared to some of the jaded ladies of the court.
"It is really rather silly," said Natalie, suddenly struck shy.
"Natalie?" asked Athos.
"While we were at the croquet tournament, Christine and I were talking, and we were told that the first of the peaches have ripened in the orchard. Back at home, you always let me pick the first ones…"
"And this is the first season you have been away." Athos smiled at his daughter.
"Ah, for such simple desires," said D'Artagnan. He smiled at Natalie but it was not unkind.
"Yes, simple desires…" said Louis. "And this enchanting desire has struck me. It is a beautiful day and a few moments of peace in the orchard would be magnificent. May I accompany you, Mademoiselle Natalie?"
The King had asked her permission? She was awed by his courtesy. "Oh! Of course, your Majesty," said Natalie with a dip of her head.
Louis looked at Athos and marked the momentary look of surprise on his face. "Certainly, I presume your father does not object? D'Artagnan will, of course, accompany us for propriety's sake…"
"As you will, Sire," said Athos with a bow.
"And," continued the King, "we shall bring Christine as well so that you are not too bored with my company."
"Oh, Sire! No one could be bored by your company!" answered Natalie.
A short time later they arrived at the orchard and the peach trees were heavy with fruit. Louis had commanded everyone to remain behind, save for D'Artagnan and Christine. The two women walked through the start of the orchard with small woven baskets, selecting some of the ripest peaches. Louis watched them as he took a peach of his own from the tree. It was sweet and juicy, and the temptation to devour the whole thing was nearly overwhelming. It was wonderfully quiet in the orchard, and all that could be heard were wind and birds, and in the distance the laughter of Natalie and Christine.
After the two women returned, D'Artagnan took Christine aside. They strolled next to each other and kept the King and Natalie within sight, but stayed far enough away to allow the King some privacy. Nonetheless, D'Artagnan watched him carefully.
"The solitude here in the orchard is refreshing," said Louis.
"How so, your Majesty?" asked Natalie politely.
"There are so many people at court; it is often like a bee hive. There is always a droning buzz. But out here? There is naught but breeze and birds." He took a deep breath.
"The court does bustle, Sire."
"Are you content at Versailles, Natalie?" he asked.
"Content? Yes. I do miss my home, but my father is here. And I have made good friends with Christine… But I see that often people in the court are interested only in their own gain, and that I do not like."
Louis smiled and took a more familiar hold on Natalie's hand. She glanced up at him quickly, startled.
"As I find the orchard refreshing, so too, do I find your candor a cool breeze. But I have another question, Natalie. Do you think true love can grow amid the intrigue and ambition that infuses my court?"
"I am not so wise in the ways of love," said Natalie, "but I must believe that it could. What I would fear is that trust would wither in the face of gossip, and without trust can there truly be love?"
"Could love grow in your heart?" asked Louis. Natalie smiled,
"Love has grown in my heart," she replied, not quite grasping the unspoken true question just below the surface of his words.
Louis realized her misunderstanding and smiled slightly. "Let me speak more plainly, then. In your heart, Natalie, could a love grow for me?"
Natalie stopped instantly, shocked, and for a moment she could not speak.
"Your Majesty… I… I… forgive my witless stammering. I never thought… My father has been seeking to find me a husband, but I never imagined…"
"Hush! I did not mean to alarm you. I have not spoken to your father, Natalie. I wished to speak to you first. But I would ask for your answer." He did not mean to push, but his conversations with Aramis had weighed on his mind. Must he marry for France? Could he marry for love? Did he even love Natalie, or did her honesty and charm merely beguile him? He thought back to a time, before he took the throne, when the charm of a young farm maid had awed him. She'd given him an apple and a gracious smile. Did he still seek that simplicity?
"I do not think I am worthy of you, Sire," Natalie finally answered. "I know you respect my father greatly, but I think your courtiers would be greatly offended. But you are the King, and the world turns upon your whims." She curtsied to Louis. "And if it is your wish that I be your wife, then I will endeavor to be a most excellent wife to you…"
"But will you love me?"
"I will… learn… to love you." Natalie kept her eyes downcast, for she knew they would betray her. How can I learn to love Louis if I already love Aramis? Yet, he is the King. I cannot refuse him.
Louis, however, heard her hesitation. And he understood it all too well. He was the King and Natalie would comply with whatever he wanted, for she could not refuse without dishonoring herself and her father. How I had hoped that her face would light at the thought of me, but it did not. I will never be able to make her heart sing; I can hear in her voice that her heart is the instrument of another.
Louis sighed and his countenance grew somber. He thought back to some of the tales he'd heard about his brother. Tales like the real Louis' pursuit of Christine. He'd been so set on wooing and bedding Christine that he hadn't cared that she was betrothed to Athos' son, Raoul. Raoul was nothing but an impediment to be removed so Louis had ordered him back to the army and placed him on the vanguard of an attack. Cannon-fire killed Raoul and Louis claimed Christine as his own. The loss of her true love had nearly destroyed Christine.
And just as Christine submitted to my brother, so Natalie would submit to me even though she loves another. I am the King, how could she refuse? Yet, if I did that, I would be no better than my brother. I would be as vile and base as he was. That thought turned the King's stomach.
"Your Majesty?" Natalie was worried by the King's protracted silence. "I have displeased you… Tell me, and I will do whatever you wish to make amends."
"No," said Louis, "you have not displeased me. No, quite the contrary. You've told me the truth, Natalie, and that is something I cherish. Being King, often people tell me what they think I want to hear… or what they think will ingratiate them into my favor. Have no fear, Natalie. I am not angry, nor shall we speak of this again, for I would not wish to cause you discomfort."
"Thank you, your Majesty," said Natalie humbly.
"Come," said the King. "We should return to the palace. Even with D'Artagnan's discreet company, we will soon be missed."
They began to walk back to D'Artagnan and Christine, and after a moment, Louis said in a soft voice, "I hope the man who has captured your heart knows how fortunate he is, Natalie."
He looked over and was surprised to see a quick sheen of tears veil Natalie's eyes.
Well, what do you think? I unfortunately think my run of posting every day is over because my mini-vacation is over and it is back to work tomorrow for me. Bummer! As always, please read/review! I appreciate the feedback.
Disclaimer: The only things I can truly claim as my own are Natalie and Luc (and a few minor supporting characters). Everything else is borrowed with much respect and admiration for Dumas and the people who created various movie versions of the Musketeers.