Chapter 32 Madeleine
Jade sat on her heels with her head resting on her knees and listened to the slow beat of her heart. Surrounding her was a rusty powder of crushed leaves that she had danced upon minutes ago. Languidly, she gazed at the flecks of color intermingled with the earth.
Suddenly, an impish puff of wind swirled across the ground and threw the powder into her eyes.
Blinking, she stood up and shook the dust from her hair, and then roughly brushed off the splatter of earth and leaf fragments from her skirt. The bushes snagged her clothes and she tugged them free as she stepped out of the woods.
She looked up at the morning sun, which was now over the horizon, and thought of the people who would be up and gathering for breakfast.
The woods had been black when she had entered them an hour ago, shortly after awakening. A new melody was in her head, which had triggered a surge of sensations. She had awoken with her body humming and her breasts warm with sweat. And after lying in bed for a few minutes, the feelings intensified. The thought of sitting at the breakfast table with her hot skin and throbbing pulse while trying to make light conversation with Pierre's mother was intolerable. So she had hustled to the patch of woods before she could be seen. If she didn't dance out that internal storm she would have to spend the day avoiding people.
Birds flitted across her path, as they greedily stuffed themselves with insects. Their quick movements were interesting, so she sat on a rock, and watched them alight on the bushes around her. Shutting her eyes, Jade listened to their bright and varied calls. After a few minutes, her mind turned to last night.
Erik had come to her, and pulled her away from the peace of her bed. Then he had taken her to a field, and held her close while he protected her from the cold.
Hours from Paris, and Erik had still found her! Appearing out of nowhere, he had once again put himself into the middle of her life.
She should have been unnerved by his behavior, but instead, it had felt like another adventure. The night ride with him behind her, the quiet countryside, the soft sound of his breath coupled with the gentle rise and fall of his chest, she remembered every moment. He had held her gently and she had fallen asleep beside him.
Jade shook her head at Erik's tactics. He knew her too well.
If he had reached for her under her blankets, she would have resisted. So instead, he had snuck up upon her in her dreams, and used secret longings to catch her. His insistent presence as he firmly held her close to him had roused her need for closeness.
Lying next to him in silence, she had felt an intimacy, which had returned her to her childhood, and the need for her mother's touch.
How could he have known that she still needed that?
She opened her eyes and watched a sparrow hop along the path as it searched for a juicy tidbit in the ground.
Sometimes she couldn't remember her dreams, but last night's were still huddled around her: intense fragments of longing and touching. And Erik had been in them all, nearly as real as he had been when he carried her to the field.
Jade shivered and goose bumps covered her as she remembered him.
She glanced back to the woods and wondered where he was at that moment. He could be anywhere, she mulled.
Rising from her seat, she shook off her dreams, and looked towards the stone house. Chimney smoke was heavy in the air. With a growling stomach she made her way to breakfast.
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Jade ate ravenously. Pierre's mother was an excellent cook, and the fresh country food was delicious. Her hunger had seemed to grow exponentially since yesterday.
Claire watched her, and smiled with satisfaction. Picking up a large, blue ceramic bowl filled with fresh, steaming mushrooms she handed them across the table to Therese. "My dear, see that Jade gets some of these." Then she said, "Jade, I don't think you'll easily find these in the markets of Paris. Pierre saves the best of his patch for our family."
Smiling back at the silvery haired woman, Jade nearly sighed with contentment. For once in her life, she was enjoying the attention. Pierre was seated across the table from her and smiling his warm smile. The rest of the family was treating her as a favored guest. Her normal reserve had begun to melt away as she felt welcomed into their home.
Today, Pierre would return to his house and his orchards. And she would walk the fields until her trip to the village with Therese and Marie. But first, there were letters to write.
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Shortly after the noon hour, Marie handled the reins of the small carriage that bumped over the dusty road. The autumn sun warmed their faces as the horse pulled them along at a leisurely trot.
Arriving in the village, the three women immediately went to the dressmaker's shop where Marie's gown was being made. After they entered, Jade stood back, and watched her companions with disinterest as they talked with the shopkeeper. Few things bored her more than discussing the details of women's fashion. This afternoon would probably be the most tedious aspect of her holiday. But she had been invited along, and had no choice but to follow.
Then there will be the chat that will come later at the café, where I'm to 'share' with them my knowledge about Parisian fashion. The thought of describing in detail the silly styles of Parisian dress made her inwardly grimace, and almost wish that she were back in the opera house working in the stables or visiting with Erik.
Erik.
Jade stared at a bolt of cloth, and thought about the letter she had left for him in her room on Sunday night. Had he even seen it? He must have followed them immediately after they had left the opera house. He probably hadn't had time to go to her room and read her explanation about why she needed to go.
It must have bothered him that she had suddenly left without at least telling him why.
She thought of his only words to her last night: 'When you are finished here, come back to my opera house.'
Why did he think she wouldn't come back? The Opera Populaire was her home now. And nearly everybody that she loved was there. Except for Pierre.
Then it hit her. He may have meant, come back to him! Is Erik jealous of Pierre?
She stopped staring at the swath of rose petal fabric, and nearly dropped the letters she was holding. Suddenly, the stuffy room felt hot, and she needed fresh air.
Taking her leave from her companions, Jade stepped outside, and blankly faced the street while she examined the sudden revelation. She retraced her visits with Erik in the last month, and searched for clues of a deeper affection. Last night had been different from the rest.
The moonless field and horseback ride came rushing back to her. What was he trying to do? Seduce me?
It was a strange way to seduce someone: taking her out in the middle of the night until she was nearly freezing and then keeping her in a hay field under his cloak. More than likely he was playing another game or again trying to manipulate her for some unknown purpose.
No, she thought. It's the beautiful diva he loves, the one with the angelic voice.
Inside of her a nagging voice whispered, the diva is gone and now it's you who are there.
She shook her head 'no', and walked up the street a short ways. Then she turned and walked back. Pacing the street, Jade tried to puzzle out his behavior. The whole thing was too complicated and confusing, and so very like Erik.
Why can't things be simpler with him? she thought with pointed frustration.
And to make matters worse, now she had these intense dreams about his hands moving over her.
Jade glanced at a passing matronly woman who had several packages in her arms. Her calm face spoke plainly of day-to-day existence and a normal, unexciting life. Stopping in front of a shop window, she looked at her own unremarkable countenance that dully shone back at her.
So what if he stared at my lips and breasts for a few seconds on opening night! she thought with a sudden irritation. That doesn't mean he's in love with me. Don't be a fool! I couldn't outshine his opera singer even if I tried. At best, I'm a passing diversion.
She took several deep breaths to calm herself, and then lifting her chin, she headed for the store that handled the mail.
The dimly lit shop had only one customer besides her, and she quietly waited her turn. Looking over her letters, she estimated that they would precede her return to Paris by at least a day. The letter to DuChant said that she'd be at work on Friday. The one to Jean and Manette explained her absence and Pierre's recovery. And the last to the Verdis begged an apology for missing their dinner.
The door opened behind her, and in stepped a woman.
"Good day Mme. Mourat," said the woman behind the counter. "I'll be with you in a moment."
The tall woman acknowledged Jade with a smile, and glided past her.
Mme. Mourat appeared to be one of the local aristocrats. The cloth of her gown was expensive, and her posture impeccable. She held her head high with dignity and grace, but not too high to be judged as being haughty. Her silk skirts rustled softly as she slowly moved about the room.
But her most striking feature was her beauty.
Jade wasn't normally swayed by physical attributes of beauty or ugliness. But the woman before her was absolutely stunning. Her black hair and porcelain skin matched her flawless features. She was as perfect as a goddess of legends past.
When the shopkeeper was finished with her customer, she ignored Jade, and turned to the other woman. "What can I do for you today, Madame?" she asked.
Mme. Mourat nodded to the woman, and then turning to Jade said, "I believe you were here before me." Then she gave the shopkeeper a meaningful look.
A little cowed, the woman turned to Jade and brusquely asked, "What do you need today, Mademoiselle?"
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Moments later, Jade joined her companions, and they walked to the local café.
Therese chose an outside table at the café for the three women. The small patio behind the decorative fence had two tables that were flooded by the bright sunlight. It was a relatively warm day for November, and the countrywomen sat down with pleasant anticipation. It was a lark to sit in the village at midday and while away an hour with gossip and conversation. They ordered a light lunch, and proceeded to pester Jade about news of Paris.
It was clear to her that neither Marie or Therese were interested in horses, opera, or architecture. But they did enjoy hearing about the costumes worn by the cast, and a description of the theater part of the opera house. They asked her questions about the local shops, and were bored when she described the bookstore that she loved. She was relieved when the two women fell into a discussion about local relationships and recent births, so that she could have some time to herself.
Jade watched as a closed carriage that was lavishly outfitted approached them from the other side of the village. It stopped outside the shop where Jade had mailed her letters. A moment later, Mme. Mourat exited the shop and stepped into the carriage.
Therese glanced up and upon seeing the woman, quickly turned to Marie. "Look Marie! There's Madeleine."
The two countrywomen's eyes followed the carriage as it briskly traveled back in the direction it came from.
Looking pointedly at Marie, Therese asked, "Will you be contacting her to tell her about Pierre's illness?"
Marie glanced at Jade and then quietly answered, "Yes. I will send her a letter in the next day or so." Then she quickly changed the subject to the upcoming holiday gatherings that would be held at nearby homes next month.
The mention of Mme. Mourat and Pierre in the same breath aroused Jade's interest, and she waited for Therese to steer the conversation back to that subject. But with the exception of one brief, intense look that Therese gave Jade, the matter appeared to be finished.
On the carriage ride back, little was said. Therese seemed very interested in the empty, brown fields of the countryside and Marie focused on handling the horse. Giant clouds had gathered in the sky but there was still no indication of rain. Jade wondered if she'd be lucky enough to have dry and clear weather for the remainder of her visit so she could continue to walk the fields and roads. These last two days of exercise in the fresh air had felt wonderful. The only thing missing was a horse to ride.
On arriving at the house, the women carried their packages to their rooms. Marie would be leaving for Pierre's in about an hour and Jade was to accompany her. In the meantime, Jade sat near the fireplace and read one of the few books that she had found, the family bible.
Inside its heavy cover was a limited chart of the family's genealogy. Following the trail of begetting, she noted the names of Pierre's near ancestors. When she arrived at the place on the page that listed the family's sons and daughters, she saw Lucien and Therese's names neatly penned in with their children's. Marie's stood alone, and waited for her future husband's name. Next to Pierre's was a smudged mark, as if there had been an entry that someone had tried to erase.
Looking at it closely, she could still make out the letter M, which was blurred but recognizable.
As she studied the remnants of the name, quick steps rang in the hall and a moment later, Therese walked into the room. Jade shut the book.
Smiling at her, Therese spoke. "Jade, would you please come with me? There's something I'd like to talk with you about."
Jade followed Therese's slender figure up the staircase to a spacious bedroom. A large, carved, wooden bed was a few feet from the window, and was covered with warm sunlight that poured through the panes. Jade turned at the sound of the door being quietly shut behind them.
Placing two chairs close to each other for a tête-à-tête, Therese gestured for Jade to sit. Her face was calm except for her eyes, which had a sharp glint.
"Jade, did you notice the genealogy page in the front of our family's bible?"
Nodding 'yes', Jade watched the woman closely. Her sudden secrecy suggested intrigue.
"The name that was erased was Madeleine's, the woman that we saw in the village today." She held Jade's gaze for a moment and then continued.
"Pierre entered her name next to his when he was a boy. They were childhood sweethearts and spent a great deal of time together." She smiled slightly, and then added, "He and his family assumed that they would someday marry."
Therese paused and looked expectantly at Jade.
"What happened?" Jade asked quietly.
Sighing, Therese stared out the window for a few seconds before speaking.
"Madeleine's father became very ill when she was seventeen and Pierre was nineteen. The family's savings soon dwindled and her father was unable to work. Pierre would have married her but he only had a small income, which was not enough to support her and her family."
Therese looked past Jade at a patch of sunlight that illuminated the faded designs of the wallpaper. Then she looked back at Jade. He eyes shone with intensity.
"Madeleine was then, as she is now, the most beautiful woman in these parts. I dare say she could rival any woman in Paris."
"There was a rich man, a Monsieur Mourat, who lived some miles away from our village and had taken an interest in Madeleine several years before. When he heard of the family's poverty, he approached her parents and offered to marry her. In return, he would support the family and send the father to a hospital in Paris where he would receive excellent care."
"The story was that her father refused the man's offer. Monsieur Mourat was considerably older than his daughter and Madeleine's father had always doted upon her. They were very close. I believe he too had expected that she would some day marry Pierre who she was very much in love with."
"However, in the end, Madeleine did agree to marry the man. She adored her father and wanted him to have the best possible treatment in Paris."
Therese smiled sadly. "Pierre was heartbroken, and he never recovered from the loss."
The two women sat in silence for few moments and then Therese spoke again with a soothing voice. "I'm very glad he met you, my dear." She turned away from Jade and spoke almost as an afterthought. "Once Pierre loves, it is forever."
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An hour later, Marie and Jade rode in the carriage to Pierre's house, which was two miles away.
The clouds gathered around the sun and Jade followed their unhurried drift. She was thinking about Pierre and Madeleine and their sad history. Now she had something else in common with her dear friend: a childhood romance that had never come to fruition. How long had his heart ached for his lost love?
Marie hadn't said a thing since they'd left the house. Suddenly, her clear voice interrupted Jade's meditation.
"Did Therese tell you about Pierre and Madeleine?"
Jade turned to her, and hid her surprise as she nodded 'yes'. Everyone seems to have Madeleine on their minds today, she thought.
The brown haired woman hesitated, and after brushing a strand of hair off her forehead with the back of her hand, she finally spoke.
"You know Jade, Therese was interested in my brother Pierre before she became involved with my brother Lucien. But he didn't return her affection and she married Lucien instead."
The carriage hit a bump and both women held on to the seat until the carriage settled.
Marie continued. "I love Therese like a sister. She is a good woman. But, I think she is a little jealous of you. If I were you, I'd take any advice she might give about dealing with Pierre with a grain of salt."
"What sort of advice?" Jade asked slowly. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
Snapping the reins, Marie sped up the plodding horse, and waited a moment before answering. "Any advice she might give in regards to Pierre still being in love with Madeleine."
The clouds covered the sun and the warmth disappeared.
Jade looked at the landscape and considered Marie's words. She felt like a chess piece that had been maneuvered once too often across the board.
Marie waited, and then continued. "Pierre has never married, and frankly, our family had given up hope years ago that he would. He seemed content to stay a bachelor. However, since he started his extra trip to Paris each week, he has repeatedly talked about you. Before we met you the other day, we felt that we already knew you."
No, Jade thought. You do not.
Jade stared into the soft brown eyes a moment longer, and then looked back to the clouds.
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Pierre's house was smaller than the family home, with only three bedrooms. The kitchen was good sized, with a large window looking over the garden and orchards. Inside it were an abundance of utensils, plates, pots and pans. It looked well used, and appeared to be the heart of his home, just as it would be if Pierre had a wife.
Marie and Jade immediately set about preparing supper.
By the time the three men arrived, the kitchen was warm and full of the good smells of their cooking.
Pierre and his nephews sat at the table as Marie passed the large plates of food from the stove. The men loaded their plates and enthusiastically complimented the cooks while they ate heartily.
As they ate, Jade studied Pierre, and was happy to see that he looked as fit as ever. All the men had the good looks of their family, and their healthy tans enhanced their appeal. The thought of Erik's pale face and hands flashed before her, and she briefly wondered if he ever longed to be out in the sun with the rest of humanity.
Michel opened the conversation by asking about the women's trip to the village.
After glancing at Jade, Marie described her new gown and their pleasant lunch. She neglected to mention seeing Madeleine.
When dinner was finished, they sat around the fireplace, and talked about the orchards and the upcoming winter. Pierre had seen indications that it would probably be a harsh one.
While the men talked about their day's work, Jade's mind wandered to the opera house and the cold quarters of the children's dormitory. Manette had brought in extra blankets for the children and Jade hoped that it would be enough for them. She wondered if it might be possible to bring Gillian to her room during the winter. Of course, that would mean she wouldn't be able to see Erik there at night. But perhaps she could arrange to meet him somewhere else.
The thought of him not being able to visit her as she sat in her bed caused a momentarily empty feeling in her breast. She had come to enjoy the way he slipped into her room and stayed there until she was ready to sleep. It was a comforting ritual.
Looking up, she saw that Pierre was watching her with an unusually intense gaze. A second later, he smiled warmly and then looked away.
When it was time to go, Marie, Jade, and Michel took the carriage back to the family home. Without another woman staying in the house, it would be improper for Jade to spend the night there. Michel had offered to ride back with them.
Once back at the house, Jade immediately went to her room. It had been a long day and she was feeling quite tired.
Before going to bed, she cracked the window to let in fresh air and allow Erik to enter if he wished. It was colder tonight than it had been the night before. If he came, she would insist that they visit in her room. If they spoke quietly, no one in the house need know that he was there. Looking about the room, she spied a chair that would suit her purpose. Sliding it to the door, she propped it under the handle so as to prevent any intrusions.
Lying in the soft bed with the blankets pulled to her chin, she watched the shadows waver on the ceiling. In the house below, there was the occasional faint sound of a raised male voice. They're probably discussing the vineyard again, she thought. She had promised Pierre that she would discuss Erik's solutions with Lucien tomorrow after supper.
Pierre had looked happy tonight as they sat around the fire after supper. She considered for a moment his intense gaze that she had interrupted. Then she remembered Therese's words: 'Once Pierre loves, it is forever'.
He deserves all the happiness that life can give. He is a good man with a true heart, she pondered.
Turning towards the window, she stared at the dark sky and knew that the time had come for her to speak with him.