After the ball time seemed to pass by quickly, and much had happened in the 2 months after the ball, Danielle's parents rekindled their romance, Jacqueline and Captain Laurent settled down in their new home, Henry and his father were getting along better than ever, the Christmas ball that was carefully planned by The Queen and Danielle went perfect, and they ended the year with a small celebration with family and friends
One chilly February afternoon Danielle stood in her room watching the snow fall to the garden that was already covered with a blanket of snow. She so badly wanted to go outside, but with in her condition Henry wouldn't allow it, but she wasn't going to let that stop her, she went into her dressing chamber and pulled a beautiful blue cloak out of a trunk, as she put it on she heard footsteps in her bedchamber, afraid it was Henry she snuck out through the secret passageway.
She walked through the many corridors of the passageway that led to the garden, she knew the way well, for she had used it many times before. As she stepped out into the winter blizzard she began to feel guilty and thought to herself as she walked through the snow covered garden. 'Maybe I shouldn't have just taken off like this, Henry is going to be worried when he can't find me." She reassured herself "I won't be long, I'll just take a short walk.'
She walked to the middle of the garden, and stood there with her head held up to the sky, catching snowflakes with her tongue. She stood there for awhile but she began to get cold and started to walk back. As she walked back, she followed her footprints back to the palace, but she stopped when she realized there was another set of footprints much larger than her own.
'These weren't here before.' She thought to herself as she looked around to see if anyone was around, she saw no one and began to get frightened, she continued to walk at a quicker pace. When she stepped into the Palace, she bumped into a guard, startled she fearfully gasped.
"Were you just out in the garden?" She asked breathlessly.
"No I wasn't your Highness." He replied
"Did you see anyone go out there?" She continued to question.
"No, I was just posted here."
"Oh" she said as she walked away confused.
Danielle had convinced herself her mind was playing tricks on her by the time she reached the last step of the staircase. As she passed by the nursery she peeked in and saw Henry playing with the toys that sat atop the window ledge.
"What are you doing?" She asked half laughing as she walked into the room.
Startled he pretended to arrange the toys on the ledge. Changing the subject he exclaimed "Look at all these gifts that arrived today."
As she glanced around the room, she saw boxes of all shapes and sizes scatted about.
"Where did they all come from?"
"Courtiers, mostly, I was waiting for you to come so we could open them together, I am dying to know what is in that big box right over there." He motioned to a large box that sat beside the crib.
They began to open the presents, In the large box was a beautiful carved toy chest. They opened all the boxes containing clothes, silver rattles, and blankets of every color imaginable.
"Is that all?" Henry asked impatiently.
Danielle looked around and pulled a box from a pile of blankets. She opened the box revealing yet another baby gown. Henry sighed and exclaimed "more clothes" He lost his interest in opening the gifts and went back to 'arranging' the toys. Danielle folded the small gown and put it atop the large pile of other gowns. As she put the top back on the box, she noticed a note in the bottom of the box, curiously she took the note from the box. She then read it to herself.
I Dearest Princess, You will bury your child in this gown, If we don't bury you first. You will never be far from harm, even your Prince won't be able to save you. /I
She gasped quietly, frightened she couldn't find the right words except for "Henry, Henry"
He mumbled "another gown?" as he turned to her, he saw the look of fear on her face and the tears welling up in her eyes.
"What is it?" He asked as he ran to her side. She handed him the note and as he read it a look of anger and sheer terror came upon his face. He crumbled the note in his fist as he walked toward the door, with Danielle trying to keep up with him, he stormed down the stairs to the throne room where The King was sitting with his advisors. He angrily pushed the doors open and barged in. The King looked up at his son and shouted " Henry, what is wrong with you; I am in the middle of a mee... Before he could finish Henry blurted out "Father, what ever you're doing cannot be so important as this, he nearly threw the note at his father. He read the note and looked up at Danielle who was tightly clung to Henry frightened as she had never been before.
"Where did this come from?" The King asked forcefully. "It was in one of the gifts we received today." Danielle spoke fearfully.
The King started to give orders-"You there, go and get the Captain and make sure every guard in this Palace is aware of this." He shouted to a page nearby.
"Danielle go in the library with Marie you will be safe there."
"Make sure there are two guards at every door that leads to the library" he ordered a guard.
"Henry and I are going to take care of this Danielle, don't worry." He comforted her.
Henry walked Danielle to the library and as they stood at the doorway, he kissed her forehead and whispered "everything will be alright, I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." He hugged her and whispered "I love you Danielle." As he walked away.
Marie who was waiting for Danielle in the library was on the edge of her seat watching the door frantically for it to open. When the door swung open, The Queen saw Danielle and let out a sigh of relief.
"Danielle, Oh poor thing I just heard about what happened, are you all right?"
"Yes Marie, I am fine... No I am not, I am so frightened and confused, and I don't know what is going on, why would someone want to hurt me and my child." Danielle blurted out as she sat next to Marie on the couch. Marie took Danielle in her arms and comforted her.
"Everything will be all right dear, you'll see."
"HENRY, there is no other way, we must get her away from Hautefort, as soon as possible, it is to risky for her to stay here."
"Where will we go?"
"Paris, she can stay at her mother's home."
"If you hadn't noticed father, my wife is nearly seven months pregnant, I will not have her traveling all the way to Paris, It is nearly a month's trip."
"Well, then the Royal Cottage on the coast it isn't nearly as long a trip, and it is a quite remarkable view." He paused for a minute and looked at his son "Agreed?"
"Yes, we must make arrangements immediately, the sooner we leave, the better."
"WE?"
"Yes Danielle and I, you didn't honestly think I was just going to let her go alone did you."
Henry, you have responsibilities here, the university can't just build it self."
"Father, the carpenters have just begun to build it, by the time I return, it will be built and I will finish it, but for the time being my main priority is my wife and unborn child, so if you'll excuse me I am going to tell my wife."
Henry quickly walked out of the throne room into the hallway leading to the library, as he neared he saw two guards standing at the doorway. One of them knocked on the door; Henry stood there impatiently waiting. When the guard in the room opened the door, Henry flew in, ran to Danielle and held her tightly. When he pulled away he exclaimed "we are going on a trip my dear." Danielle shocked at his change in mood replied "a trip? Where to?"
"Our summer cottage on the shore. We are leaving at midnight, you better get Jeanne to pack your things."
"Oh Henry, you can't be serious, with Danielle in this condition, she cannot travel." the Queen cried out.
"Mother, I have considered that, but it is a far greater danger for her to be here."
Marie not wanting to argue with her son put her hand over her mouth flustered As she thought "well then, I am going with you!" She exclaimed.
"Pierre, please inform my chambermaid that I am leaving and I will need my things packed immediately." She instructed a page nearby.
"Henry, how long will we be staying?" Danielle asked.
"Until after the baby is born."
"Oh but Henry, my mother... And father what of them? I cannot just leave them like this, and I wanted my mother to be here when the baby comes."
He thought for a moment "They can come to, but under the circumstances, this little trip must remain a secret, I will have Laurent go get your parents, and we will all meet in the throne room in an hour."
Just as Henry was leaving Danielle cried out "Henry, what about Jacqueline, I want her to come to."
He looked back at her and replied "Oh all right, I don't think Laurent would survive without her anyway!"
An hour later everyone was in the throne room, sitting around a large table near the fireplace.
"You'll have to realize that this trip is not just a leisurely vacation, the main thing is to get Danielle away from the Palace, doing that unnoticed is going to be difficult, so we will leave at midnight, once we are gone, Father will announce that we have gone to Paris on a shoppin expedition , but we will be headed the other way."
"Yes, very good son, those madmen will go to Paris, we will send guards there... I've got a better idea, we can send a decoy in posing as you and Danielle, we will catch them like blind fish." The King excitedly said as he slammed his fist on the table.
"Who will we find that look like Danielle and me?"
"Oh Henry, your cousin, Dominic of course, when you were children we could barely tell you apart," Marie retorted.
"And for Danielle?"
They all thought for a minute...
"That girl what's her name, Danielle's chambermaid, Jeanne, she doesn't look a bit like her, but her hair is just the same color as Danielle's and she is about the same height, she can stay inside all day, just as long as 'Henry' is seen around.
They continued to discuss the plans for the trip throughout the afternoon, Danielle decided to take a nap before leaving, soon many of them followed suite, Marie went up to her room and made sure her things were all packed, Nicole and Auguste went back to the Manor to pack their things, and Laurent went to get Jacqueline from their home.
It was 11:55 and everyone was standing at the doorway of the back entrance of the palace, as they left they saw 5 carriages in a line, waiting there for them. The first carriage was for Henry, Danielle, Jacqueline and Captain Laurent. The second for Danielle's parents and The Queen and the last two contained their luggage and attendants. Surrounding them were the royal guards on horses. Danielle who had a nap before they began their trip was well rested but Henry who hadn't slept at all that day was slowly drifting off to sleep, and rested his head upon Danielle's shoulder, and soon Captain Laurent who had been running around all day also drifted off. So Danielle and Jacqueline were left to talk on their own, for hours they talked quietly so they didn't wake their husbands. In the other carriage, Marie, Nicole and Auguste talked of Henry and Danielle's childhood, times that seemed so far gone. They had been traveling all day so they stopped at an inn near Bordeaux to sleep for the night.
In the morning when everyone was well rested, they continued their journey to the coast. It had been quiet in the carriage until Danielle started up what turned out to be quite a conversation.
"Henry, tell me about this place, what's it called again?" Danielle asked curiously.
"Arcachon, oh its wonderful, there are sandy white beaches, and pine trees, there is a beautiful view from our cottage, its right on the beach, I used to spend most of my time there in the summer when I was growing up, the last time I was there I was 16... he stopped and as his eyes widened he looked at Captain Laurent as if he had seen a ghost and he returned the look.
Danielle looked at Henry, "what, what is it? You're never speechless."
Henry blurted out "Laurent; do you remember our last trip to the cottage?"
"All too well I'm afraid."
Danielle and Jacqueline were intrigued by the sudden look of guilt on their husband's faces, "why what happened?" They asked curiously.
Henry began to confess "well the autumn I turned 16, Laurent and I and a few of our friends were on our way to the cottage, but there was a storm so we stopped that night in Bordeaux, well the next morning as we continued we came across a few barrels of wine that were lying in the road, we took them with us, and well I'll just say we had quite a party."
"You were intoxicated?" Jacqueline looked at her husband surprised.
"Well yes, and I do believe we left the place quite a mess."
"It seems Laurent doesn't have such a strong stomach as one may think, but he is a very good dancer when he has had too much to drink." Henry teased.
"Ah yes well I wasn't the only one, If I remember correctly it was you that woke the next morning in a rowboat out in the ocean."
Danielle and Jacqueline cried out in laughter. "Yes well I didn't get there on my own, and I didn't drop the oars in the water either, I saw them hidden behind the curtains in the dining room."
"What are we going to do, no one has stayed at the Cottage since the last time we were there, it probably still looks the way we left it, this will be difficult to explain to mother." Henry said with a look of guilt.
Hours later they arrived in Arcachon. Henry was the first to get out of the carriage, as he helped Danielle out of the carriage he began to worry about the state of the cottage. Danielle looked up at him and whispered "don't worry Henry, it was years ago, your mother will not even notice..."as they walked in Danielle looked around and was speechless.
As everyone gathered in the entryway, they were shocked at the state of the cottage. As Marie walked in she gasped and exclaimed "my goodness, what has happened here? It is a wreck."
Henry squirmed with guilt, he cleared his throat and said "Mother, I do believe this is my doing, the last time I was here, there was..." Marie motioned him to stop with her hand "No need to explain Henry, what you've done in your past is exactly what it is the past no need to fret over it now, lets just get this place cleaned up shall we?"
Everyone helped clean up the wreck of a cottage, luckily when Henry had his little party everyone was to intoxicated to go upstairs so it was neat, all the beds were made ready to be slept in and all the bedchambers still smelled of lavender. It had took them awhile to clean up and as the sun began to go down, the last floor was swept and everyone was in the library resting for most of them were not used to cleaning.
"Henry, we have only two servants with us, plus our chambermaids, while they are capable of taking care of one person they have never cared for such a large group of people before, we may need to hire some more servants tomorrow." Marie pointed out.
"Yes mother tomorrow." He replied as he looked up from his book.
"Well what are we to do for dinner?"..."Anne what do we have?" The queen questioned.
"Your Majesty, we have wine, cheese, bread and vegetables that we brought, but I am not sure if that will make a meal." The shy servant replied.
"Marie, I canmake dinner, I can make vegetable stew, its been so long since I've been in a kitchen, I do miss it so" Danielle exclaimed.
"Oh Darling you've done so much today, we don't want you to wear yourself out on your first day here."
"I am not dying, I am capable of cooking even in my condition, but if you are worried about me, then maybe you, mother and Jacqueline will help me out?"
She looked over at Danielle's mother and Jacqueline and they both nodded. "I'll show you were the kitchen is." She said as she walked towards the door.
While the women were in the kitchen making a wonderful dinner, Henry and Auguste were wrapped up in a discussion of horses.
Meanwhile...
Rodmilla walked up to her daughter's room, where Marguerite sat in an ivory satin wedding gown.
"Marguerite, what you have done is the best for the both of us, I just came up to tell you that I am incredibly proud of you, for once one of my daughters has made me proud, and by that smirk on your face I can tell you have no regrets, now I know tonight is going to be hard for you but doing things you don't want to is a part of life, and maybe it won't be so bad, I mean Evrard is quite a handsome catch, even if he is clumsily stupid, there were many girls starring jealously at you at your wedding."
"Were there? Really? I didn't notice."
"Oh yes, especially that Catherine, I thought she was going to break down in tears...Oh yes, I heard that Jacqueline has also gotten married, apparently to that Guard, whatever his name was."
"Jacqueline married? I would have never thought."
"Yes well I guess anything is possible, now lets get you freshened up, there are many people waiting for you downstairs in that ballroom."
After they had enjoyed their dinner, everyone was tired so they all decided to go to bed early. In the morning Danielle woke before anyone else and crept downstairs to the balcony to watch the sunrise. She sat there quietly deep in thought when her father came from behind her and startled her.
"Dani, what are you doing out here? Its awfully cold and you shouldn't be out here alone" he said as he took a seat beside her.
"Oh I know, but I just needed some fresh air, and it's not that cold, I can bear it." She replied. Not wanting to argue with his daughter he nodded his head and mumbled "Oh all right."
"Father... I've been thinking, you never truly explained to me what happened the day you left, I just don't understand it."
He looked down and then turned to his daughter and quietly spoke " I know darling, it's really not an easy thing to understand so I'll start from the beginning. On the day I brought Rodmilla back to the manor, we stopped at the market, Rodmilla wanted to get something, well I wondered around the market and while I was there someone, a man drug me into a dark room, he threw me down on a chair and simply told me that if I didn't fake my own death and leave the manor and my family forever, that my entire family would be dead in the morning. I didn't understand why he was doing it at the time, I was frightened for your sake. I struggled with him and tried to ask him why he was doing this but he wouldn't tell me anything. It was the hardest decision I had ever made, but I knew what I had to do, so I did it, I thought of you everyday, If I knew what Rodmilla put you through, I would of came and got you the minute that Allard died, but I didn't know Danielle, I am so sorry, I know there is nothing that I can ever do to make up for it but I am going to try."
"I don't blame you father, if I was put in the same situation I would do the same, I do forgive you and there is something you can do..."
"What?"
"Be my father." She said softly.
He held his daughter as the sun rose high into the sky, and as he walked toward the door he exclaimed "Its a new day, lets start it off right, with a cup of tea." With Danielle following behind him.
Later that day, Henry and Auguste found themselves fishing on the shore.
"Honestly, I think there is not one fish in the entire ocean." Henry said frustrated.
"It takes time, fish aren't stupid, they don't want to be caught, while I was in the Americas I came along the strangest people, Indians they are called, they fish with spears, never have I seen anything like it."
"Well I wish one of them were here right now, because at this rate we are going to starve."
Just then Danielle came walking towards them shouting. "Don't worry about fishing, we found some at the market, we also found a wonderful cook." She shouted to them.
They both looked at each other with the same frustrated look, as they stood up Henry mumbled "we have been here for hours, apparently this fisherman at the market is fishing somewhere else because there are no fish in this ocean."
"Oh Henry, you've only been here 20 minutes, Captain Laurent told me."
That evening they had a marvelous dinner and afterwards everyone went into the Library. Danielle had her nose in a book, Henry and Auguste were playing chess, Nicole was working on embroidering, and Marie was busy writing a letter to King Francis.
It was a lovely spring morning and everyone was outside enjoying the day. They had been in Arcachon for nearly a month now and it was now march. The fields nearby were now covered with wildflowers and the smell of saltwater and pine filled the air. Danielle who was nearly a month away from having her own child watched Henry running around playing with a servant's son Thomas. They ran around, Thomas hiding in the tall weeds, Henry running around frantically looking for him, Danielle laughed as she watched the little boy duck and hide behind the tall weeds and bushes. She was startled by Laurent who came running to Danielle, he didn't see Henry who was now hiding behind a bush, "Princess Danielle, where is Henry?" He questioned.
She pointed toward Henry and said "He is over there playing with Thomas."
Captain Laurent rolled his eyes as he looked toward Henry hiding behind a bush like a little kid. He quickly ran to him and exclaimed "your highness, a letter from your father has arrived, he says they have caught the leader of the succédez ."
"The who?" Henry replied in confusion.
"The group of men who are trying to take over France, the ones that...
"Oh yes, that is Very Good Laurent, now if you don't mind your giving away my hiding spot."
Later that evening, Henry and Danielle sat outside after dinner.
"Henry, If something should happen to me when I have this baby, please make sure you find a good mother for him...
He interrupted her "nothing is going to happen to you my love, I won't allow it." He kissed her tummy and then her forehead and went into the house.
The next day the doctor came to check up on Danielle.
"Is everything all right?" Danielle asked as she saw the look of confusion on the doctor's face.
"Oh yes everything is fine, its just there are two heart beats, there may be a chance you may have twins your highness."
"Twins?"
"Yes, I don't know how I missed it before, This will make the delivery harder, so you will need extra rest, I want you to go to bed early, and take a nap during the day, and don't do anything you don't have to...no more cooking or cleaning."
"Do I really need to take so many naps, is it really necessary?"
As the doctor walked toward the door, he turned and said "yes, it is. Your a strong young woman Danielle, but your having your first child, many women have trouble the first time, I don't mean to worry you but Its a reality, now just listen to me, get extra rest, you'll be fine."
"Can you believe the nerve of that girl, once again she has proven to me that she is in every way like Marguerite, I do not know what Gustave sees in her...not at all." Danielle exclaimed to Jacqueline who still stood there in shock.
"Oh Danielle I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have told you, I didn't want to upset you so." Jacqueline replied flustered at the thought of upsetting Danielle in her condition.
"No, no Jacqueline, It is me who should be sorry, Once again that insufferable woman has gotten to me."
"Well maybe I heard her wrong, It could just all be a misunderstanding."
Henry had overheard Jacqueline as he entered the room; he walked over to Danielle and gently kissed her forehead and turned to Jacqueline and asked curiously "what's a misunderstanding?"
"Oh well this morning after Gustave arrived with his fiancé, I overheard her talking and she said something awful about Danielle."
"Something awful? Should we have her banished from France?" Henry said Jokingly.
"Oh Henry, It's not that funny, she called me a royal cow, and she said I deserved to be as big as a barn."
"Well then we will ship her off to the Americas." He continued to joke.
"Its not that easy, Gustave is in love with her, for whatever reason, I could not do that to my oldest and dearest friend, and you cannot just send people to the Americas just because they are speaking badly about..." before Danielle could finish her statement, her mother came in and exclaimed "Dear god that woman is driving me mad! She has been following me around nearly begging me to make her wedding gown."
Everyone knew who she was talking about and all at once they asked "Helene?"
"Yes" she said as she put her hand on her forehead.
"Are you going to?" Danielle asked curiously.
"Well I told her that my wedding gowns weren't cheap, and I didn't just make them for just anyone, that of course offended her, and she said 'now I know where your daughter gets her snobbery' well then I explained to her that I simply would not have time to make a wedding gown as grand a one as she wanted, seeing as their wedding is in May, and none of my assistants are here, it would be nearly impossible."
Marguerite and her new husband had spent the last few months traveling around France, and they were now headed to one of his family's summer cottages in Arcachon.
"Is that is? Oh it's absolutely spectacular." Marguerite screeched.
"No, that is the Royal Cottage, ours is next door."
"Oh... The Royal cottage?"
"Yes, it belongs to the Royal family, it looks like they are there now, they haven't been there in years, and they usually come near the end of summer." He replied as he looked out of the carriage and saw smoke coming from the chimney of the Royal Cottage. Marguerite grinned at the thought of seeing Henry again, even if he was with Danielle.
"But Henry! It's just a walk, and Jacqueline and your mother, and my mother as well will be with me!" Danielle pleaded.
"I know Danielle but it is too dangerous, I will not have it!"
"Well then come with me..."
"I would love to, but I have obligations, In a half hour I have a meeting with the guards, with the news of the capture of that madman father has requested that I send half the guards back to Hautefort, and you are in no condition to be walking anywhere."
"Okay, okay, I guess I'll just have tea on the terrace then."
Danielle sat outside by herself, this had been the first time she had been alone in ages, she took a drink of her tea... 'This doesn't taste like tea, its awful.' she began feeling sick and as she walked toward the cottage a wave of panic hit her, something was wrong, frightened she yelled "Henry...Mother..." Before she collapsed to the floor. Helene who had been sitting for a painting was sitting on the beach when she heard Danielle, quickly she ran to the cottage and saw Danielle collapsed on the ground, just then Gustave came around the corner and saw Helene standing there with Danielle at her feet.
"What has happened?" Gustave asked fearfully.
"I don't know, I was sitting on the beach waiting for you when I heard her and before I got here she collapsed to the ground."
"I've got to get Henry." He shouted as he ran into the cottage, leaving Helene with Danielle.
He ran about looking for someone anyone, he nearly ran into Henry as he came out of the library.
"Oh god Henry there you are, something has happened...to Danielle, come quickly." He exclaimed, and ran toward the terrace.
Henry ran after him and he looked out the window and saw Danielle laying on the ground, he burst though the door and as he approached Danielle he fell to his knees, he shouted "Go get the doctor NOW!"
Minutes later Henry carried Danielle up to their room, as she lay there limp and unconscious Henry paced the floor looking out the window every two seconds to see if the doctor arrived yet. Marie, Nicole, Auguste and Jacqueline stood against one wall, all with the same worried look on their faces. The doctor came rushing in and Henry stopped pacing and stood at the end of the bed as the doctor examined her.
"What has she eaten today?" The doctor asked as he checked her heartbeat.
Henry struck with panic mumbled out "she had tea, she was going to have tea on the terrace." "Can you get someone to bring me this tea, please" the doctor replied.
A servant brought up the tea from the terrace, the doctor looked at it carefully and then smelled it, finally he took a sip and smelled it and thought for a moment ,he then exclaimed "this is not tea, Its nutmeg...and Henbane."
"What does that mean?" Henry asked impatiently.
"It means that someone was trying to make her have a miscarriage, large amounts of nutmeg can cause miscarriages, and Henbane is highly toxic."
Henry bombarded him with questions "Is she going to be okay?... Are the babies going to be okay?... Can you help them?... Please help them!"
"There's not much I can do, if the Henbane reaches the babies they could die, I may have no choice but to deliver the babies myself."
Henry was utterly distraught, he sat on the bed and put his head in his hands, he then looked up at the doctor and said "do what you have to, I'm going to find out how this happened." He quickly stood and walked out of the room.
"I swear milord, I have never even seen that kettle before, and I used the same tea as always." The frightened maid exclaimed.
"Well then how can you explain what happened?" Henry shouted angrily.
Just then Captain Laurent entered the kitchen and announced "Sire, we found the kettle she claimed to have used, it was thrown into a bush, surrounded by a puddle of tea." He handed the kettle to Henry and he looked it over and then asked the maid "Is this the kettle you used?"
"Yes your highness, It is Princess Danielle's favorite, she likes the forest decoration on it." She said as she pointed out the forest scene engraved on the kettle.
Henry compared the two kettles that sat in front of him, "Well this is still a complete mystery, how did they get switched, and who did it."
succédez is french for take over. Nutmeg and Henbane are Herbs, and really are harmful to Pregnant woman, and can cause miscarriages.