I know this took awhile, but two job changes and school have kept me pretty busy.
TammyLynnSlark, thank you for the review!
Here's chapter nine. Read and Review!
Chapter Nine
Weeks later
Marguerite stood outside the chateau, hanging the linens out to dry. She enjoyed when her work was done outside.
In the few weeks that she had been at the chateau, she had become a hard worker and did her cleaning and cooking as fast and as best as she could. She had actually begun to realize what she and her mother had done to Danielle and what Esther had done to Meredith was wrong.
The only time, other than when she was asleep, when she didn't work was when the King's investigator came to speak to her. She spoke the truth to him about how Rodmilla had treated Danielle. She knew better now. She would never lie again in regards to Danielle. She hoped that soon, his majesty would properly punish Rodmilla for her treatment of Danielle and Esther for her treatment of Meredith.
Marguerite did her work methodically as she did her daily duties. So far the servants of the chateau had given her some of the simpler tasks and she quickly had learned how to get most of them done quickly. She was also learning how to cook in the kitchen during meal times as well as when the head cook had extra time to teach her.
"Marguerite," came Danielle's voice.
"Yes, my lady?" Marguerite asked as she turned toward her stepsister and curtsied.
"Grandfather wishes to speak with you. Finish your work and then go to the study where Grandfather is waiting for you," Danielle said.
"Of course. I should be done shortly," Marguerite said.
Danielle walked away without a word and Marguerite sighed. Her stepsister had changed a great deal in the past few weeks. She knew that her stepsister and stepcousin were happy to be with their grandparents, but Danielle was hurt by the Prince and her attitude showed that hurt.
Once she was done, Marguerite headed back into the chateau and to the study. She was shocked when she entered the study and saw Prince Henry with the Marquis.
"Your highness! What are you doing here?" Marguerite asked.
"I wish to hear the truth from your mouth, dear Marguerite. Please, I beseech you, tell me about Danielle," Henry said.
Marguerite nodded and sat before the Prince on a plain chair in the center of the room. She looked at Henry and began to explain. "I was but eight years old when my mother married Baron Auguste de Barbarac, Danielle's father. I met her a few days later when we came to live at their manoir. Mother was jealous of the attention Auguste gave Danielle. A fortnight later, he was leaving for Avignon when he fell from his horse. He had a heart attack. He died right there, giving his last words to Danielle. Within a week of his funeral, she made Danielle help with the work in the kitchen, making her do more as time went on. By Danielle's birthday, mother had made her a full-fledge servant, moving her to the attic and giving her room to me. I took it without question. Jacqueline constantly made it known that she did not like it. Mother always said that Danielle was not of noble blood, even though she was.
"By the time she met you, she had been a servant for ten years. My mother had squandered much of Danielle's inheritance on grooming me to become princess. The last straw for Danielle was when mother sold Maurice, the man who practically raised Danielle, to pay her taxes. Danielle was determined to bring him home. While Mother, Jacqueline and I were at the market, Danielle borrowed the gown from her artist friend Gustave, and got Maurice back, using the gold francs you had given her.
"The day she met you at Amboise, I had insulted her dead mother and she punched me. She had her mother's shoes in her hand as she chased me down the stairs and into the parlor, where I grabbed her book, Utopia, and held it over the fireplace. I told her to give me the shoes. Mother told her to make a choice, her book given to her by her father or her mother's shoes. She gave her the shoes, but I still threw the book into the fire. Danielle was held back from rescuing the book by mother, who then lashed her back numerous times before we went to meet your mother for tea. That was when we found out about Danielle's falsehood and were shocked about it. We returned to the manor and found that the gown, Danielle's mother's gown, was no longer in my room. She came home from meeting you and mother confronted Danielle about both the falsehood and the missing gown. Danielle said at that moment "I would rather die a thousand deaths them see my mother's dress on that spoiled selfish cow." She was referring to me, of course. Mother told her that could be arranged and locked her in the cellar. She remained there until the ball. And you know the rest, your highness," Marguerite said, finishing her explanation.
Henry nodded. He then rose from his chair and walked toward a window and looked out before speaking. "And you never once stopped your mother from treating Danielle improperly?"
"No, I did not. I knew better than to try and stop mother. Her rage literally knew no bounds if you interfered with her plans," Marguerite said.
Henry nodded again before turning back to Marguerite. "Your sister made her feelings known to your mother time and again about her treatment of Danielle, but you kept your mouth shut. Why did you not express your opinion?"
"The one time I did, I was severely punished by my mother. I nearly died from the beating she had ordered. From that point on, I wasn't about to express that it was wrong for Mother to treat Danielle the way she did," Marguerite said.
"Then I understand. But you still could've treated Danielle better than you did," Henry said.
"I tried, but mother always stopped my efforts. She did not want Danielle to have anything," Marguerite said. "If you are done asking questions, may I return to my work?"
"Go ahead. I do not mean to take time away from your punishment," Henry said.
Marguerite bowed and headed out of the room. She knew it was almost time for the nightly meal and she was supposed to help with the meal.
Henry turned back to the window and stared out of it, until the Marquis spoke. "Now, do you understand why my granddaughter did what she did?"
"Yes, Marquis, I do. She had been denied of a life that she was entitled to. Rodmilla de Ghent and Esther Deville denied the lives of both Meredith and Danielle for ten years. And I allowed it to continue by listening to Rodmilla the night of the masque," Henry said.
"Yes, they were, your highness. Danielle's father had asked Marina and I to bring her here and raise her after his death. Both fathers did. And we were denied by both women," the Marquis said.
Henry understood more about the woman he loved now. And he promised himself that he would find a way to earn her forgiveness. One way or another, he would regain her love.