Chapter Two
The carriage carrying Danielle and Meredith pulled up outside of the beautiful Chateau du Loncret an hour later. The trip had given both girls time to catch up with each other before they did the same thing with Marina.
The coachman hopped down from his spot and opened the door and helped both young women out of the carriage. The door of the chateau opened and Marina walked out. "My beloved girls, welcome home."
"Marina!" both girls exclaimed as they ran forward. Marina lovingly embraced both girls before leading them inside the chateau and closing the door behind them.
Two young women were waiting at the foot of the grand staircase for them. "Danielle, Meredith, these two young women are your maid-servants Anne and Lily. They will take you upstairs to your suites and get you cleaned up. We will not discuss what has happened until your grandfather arrives with your things because I know you will not feel like repeating what has happened in your lives." Marina was about to nod to the servants when she noticed the gown that Danielle was wearing. "Danielle, is that your mother's wedding dress?"
"Yes, Marina, it is. I wore it to the masque tonight, but everything went totally wrong," Danielle said, tears beginning to stream down her face once again.
Marina gazed sympathetically at her step-granddaughter. "You can explain it to your grandfather and I later. Right now, I think a lavishing bath would do you some good." Marina nodded to the servants and both girls were escorted up the grand staircase. Danielle and Anne went to the left, while Meredith and Lily went to the right.
Marina went and walked back into the parlor to await her beloved husband. She had barely sat down when another carriage pulled up outside of the chateau.
Marina rose and went to greet her guests. She opened the door and gazed upon the faces of the youngest of the du Loncret children, twins Armand and Livia du Loncret.
"Armand, Livia, thank you for coming tonight. I know the two of you were busy with Alexandre, but this is an important night," Marina said to her children.
"Mother, I understand. Danielle and Meredith are finally coming home. Or are home, as it could be, right?" Livia asked.
"Yes, Livia, my darling. Danielle and Meredith are already home. Your father is still on his way, so the girls are getting cleaned up," Marina told them.
"It's wonderful that they are finally home, mother. We haven't seen them in so long," Armand said with a smile.
Armand Alexandre du Loncret and Livia Danielle du Loncret were born just three years before their nieces. They had gone with their parents to attend the funerals of their elder half-sisters and had gotten to meet their nieces.
At 21, both Armand and Livia were headed towards marriage. Livia was to marry Alexandre Maurice Bond, the son of a German Marquis(Marquess). Armand was to marry a swiss born comtess by the name of Natalie Alexandria Sanborn. They both had been at Alexandre's estate, preparing for the upcoming wedding when the call had come for them to come home. Their nieces were on their way.
Marina, Armand, and Livia walked into the chateau and into the parlor and sat down to await Andrew's arrival.
Danielle lazed in a sea of bubbles as Anne washed her hair. She sighed and tilted her head back to allow Anne to be able to rinse her hair. Danielle hadn't been treated like this since her father had died.
Danielle shifted in the tub as Anne finished rinsing her hair. Anne then moved to help Danielle wash herself. The soft cloths moved across Danielle's skin, washing the reminders of what happened that night.
Once she was clean, Anne helped Danielle out of the tub and wrapped her in a soft towel and towel dried her hair before moving to dress Danielle in a simple yellow dress with lace ruffles on the sleeves. Then they moved to the vanity where Anne began to run a brush through Danielle's hair. Danielle sighed with each brush stroke.
After they had finished with her preparations, Anne guided Danielle out of the suite.
Danielle met Meredith at the stairs. Meredith was wearing a simple blue dress with lace ruffles and she looked as contented as her cousin.
The girls glided down the stairs together, smiling the entire time. Then they both turned and went into the parlor where Marina, Armand, and Livia were waiting for them.
"Uncle Armand! Aunt Livia!" both Danielle and Meredith exclaimed when they noticed their aunt and uncle.
"Danielle, Meredith, welcome home," Livia said as she stood up and embraced her nieces. Armand quickly followed suit. Then they all sat down, Danielle and Meredith sharing a small sofa near one of the windows.
A few minutes later, Andrew arrived at the chateau, directing the servants immediately as where they should take Danielle and Meredith's things.
Andrew walked into the parlor and noticed that even his youngest children were there.
Before Andrew could ask any questions, Marina rose and explained, "I sent for them and told them that Danielle and Meredith were on their way home."
Andrew nodded. His wife had thought of everything. He turned and smiled at the portraits on the mantel, concentrating on the center one. A portrait of his first wife, Marquise Marianna du Loncret, Nicole and Anna's mother, who had died giving birth to Anna.
Andrew walked further into the parlor and took his seat in his usual chair. It was time for a few explanations to take place.