CHAPTER 13 - Dance party

The trip to Goderville came at the perfect time. Andre really had to run away from Etretat, even just for a while. If the situation were different, he would have laughed at the absurdity of that statement. „How would I want to run away from what make me so joyful?" - he thought.

Unfortunately, the problem was that the source of this joy was a noble woman he shouldn't even look at. The principles he followed for the last ten years made it clear - if you don't want to get in trouble, stick with women of your own class. You can meet them freely, you can touch and kiss them if that's what you both want. You can make love with them if you feel something more to each other. With caution of course, which was never a problem for Andre.

But the noble was a completely different kind of woman. The rules said - „don't look, don't touch, don't even think". And so far it had been very easy to stick to these rules. Only in this case it was not some noblewoman in a dress with lace and a wig on her head. It wasn't a boring and empty woman with whom he didn't even have anything to talk about. Nor was she a person who, because of his birth, treated him with superiority or as a companion toy. This woman was different. She was just Oscar.

Andre was almost twenty-five years old. In fact it was time to find a wife and settle down. Until recently, he had thought that he would marry Rosalie, he really had wanted to. The girl was lovely and very cute, a little shy. Nice and resourceful. The perfect candidate for a wife. They met a long time ago and felt liking for each other. When he came to Paris last November, they had a little more time for themselves. They went for walks, they talked, Andre even kissed her. They were sweet kisses, and Rosalie indulged in them without hesitation. After parting, they often wrote to each other. When she came to Normandy now, he had tried to revive these feelings towards her, but he had failed. It was nice but with no emotion. He even kissed her again, but he felt nothing at all.

He knew immediately what was causing it, he wasn't stupid. Instead of Rosalie's pale blue eyes, he had other eyes in his mind now, sapphire like sea depths. Eyes in which he should never see a reflection of himself.

Maybe he should just marry Rosalie, or some other girl, no matter which. But it was also against his own rules. He once promised himself that he would only marry for love. Fortunately, there were no arranged marriages in his social class, although people sometimes married for convenience or even for money. But marriage for love was also just natural. And that's what he wanted for himself. He had an inner conviction that being next to someone you don't love made neither of you happy. Only now he was faced with a hopeless situation. And maybe the only solution was to run away.

After a day of meetings and errands, he decided not to go back home. He booked a room at the inn and went to the first tavern he found. He rarely got drunk, but this time he needed it like never before. He drank a few mugs of beer in a gloomy mood, then returned to the inn. Beer pleasantly fogged rationality, and he could now think about his new fascination without remorse. Lying on the bed just before falling asleep, he explained to himself that she would leave in a few days and would probably never see her again. Or at least not soon. She would leave and then it would all be over. He was sure it would save him from falling.

...

Andre returned to Etretat in the early afternoon and went straight to the manor. He found Oscar in the garden where she was practicing fencing with Jerome. Unnoticed, Andre stepped closer and sat down under a tree so that he could observe them discreetly. Oscar looked phenomenal as usual. She moved with lightness and grace, but her blows were strong and decisive. Golden hair danced around her focused face and her eyes shone with passion. Andre had never met a woman like this before. She was stunningly beautiful and the men clothes she wore only emphasized her beauty and femininity. She was tough and warm at the same time. Brave. And funny. He could never get bored with her. Andre thought what it would be to date a woman like that, and suddenly felt strangely hot. He should compose himself quickly, especially since at that moment the subject of his secret deliberations looked up at the tree.

- Andre! - she exclaimed happily and smiled broadly as she approached him quickly - You are finally here!

- Good morning, Oscar - he greeted, squeezing her outstretched hand.

Jerome stared at them a few paces away. He would have something to tell Sylvie when they met tonight.

- Do you wanna try? - the woman asked, nodding at the sword.

- I don't know if I have enough strength today, Oscar - he replied with a sigh, but when he saw that she was looking at him a little disappointed, he added - Just for a moment, okay?

She nodded and handed him the sword.

His initial moves were a bit hesitant because of the amount of alcohol he had drunk last evening, and mostly because of an opponent whom he had the courage to dream a little too boldly the previous night. But then he gained confidence and regained his concentration.

- Very good, Andre! - Oscar exclaimed with satisfaction - I'm sure if we trained every day you would soon be as good as Jerome!

- Thank you for those words, Oscar, but now I really need a break - he replied, gasping for breath.

They sat back down under the tree. After a moment, Andre choked out:

- Oscar.. I was thinking .. - he began hesitantly. The woman turned and looked at him curiously - There is a dancing party in the main square in Etretat tonight. No big deal, traditional mid-summer party. Maybe.. maybe you would like to go there.. with me - he finished in a lower voice.

- Andre.. - Oscar's voice was sadder now.

- I know that it's nothing compared to the balls you attend at Versailles - he said quickly - but you could see simple people having fun. For a change..

- Andre - the woman said once more, placing her hand gently on his shoulder - I wouldn't fit there. Dances, dresses, it's not for me. At Versailles, I always have my uniform, I'm on duty. This is something completely different.

- Oscar, I'm not asking you to put on a gown, or be someone you are not - he smiled - You can even put on your uniform if you want to feel better. Let's just go. Even for a moment.

The woman thought for a long time and replied in the end:

- I agree, but I'm not going to dance.

- You have my word, Oscar - Andre laughed with relief.

...

Oscar hadn't even thought about wearing a dress. However, she went into choosing her outfit more than usual. From the closet, she took her most feminine shirt and ornate habit. She brushed her hair a thousand times. She was nervous. In fact, she already wished she hadn't agreed. What was she thinking at all? On the other hand, she was also curious about this new experience. And she wanted to spend some time with Andre. There is so little left..

He was waiting for her in the courtyard, looking very elegant, but not in the way she saw in Versailles every day. He did not need lace, jewelry and powder, which were willingly used by almost all nobles. His beautiful hair was tied neatly in a navy blue ribbon that was actually the only ornament. Still, Oscar couldn't take her eyes off him.

The town was decorated with colorful ribbons and flowers. People were walking in the streets, standing in pairs or groups and chatting lively. On a small square there was a platform on which the orchestra was seated. Tables full of a variety of food, cakes and drinks were set along one of the walls. Next to it were smaller tables where one could sit.

They left their horses in the designated area and walked towards the square. On the way, Andre greeted the locals, introduced them to Mademoiselle de Jaryajes as well. Everyone was very kind to her, though perhaps a bit surprised by her appearance.

Oscar felt being watched and it made her more nervous although of course she had expected that. At Versailles, she was looked upon as a freak for a long time, until everyone got used to her presence. After all, here in Etretat she felt no hostility, rather a keen interest. For sure, Andre's presence helped, because everyone seemed to appreciate and like him.

- Would you like something to drink? - Andre asked, and she nodded. They went towards the tables and poured themselves full glasses of wine. Oscar felt much better, feeling the familiar taste of wine tickling her throat. She needed it. Exactly that moment the musicians started to play and right away, next to Andre, beautiful, young girls appeared, asking him to dance.

- Oscar, would you mind if I ..? - he asked with a hesitant.

- Andre! - she interrupted him quickly - You don't have to ask me for permission. Go dancing and don't worry about me, I can handle it - she said reassuringly, even though she didn't feel that way. But he didn't need to know about it. She stood against the wall, glass in hand, and watched him spin in one dance, another, and then a third dance.

Everything was different from balls in Versailles. There was no artificiality, no unnecessary glamour, but only joy and fun. Even the dances were different. Couples held hands and their bodies swayed close together in a slow dance. When more lively music was played, people shifted vigorously and hit hard with their heels so that the whole earth vibrated. Oscar kept her eyes on Andre, who was a very talented and charming dancer. This opinion was certainly shared by his partners, who laughed and gave him seductive looks. Oscar poured herself another glass of wine and sat down heavily in her chair. She wasn't going to get drunk, but she felt worse and worse. Really out of place among these radiant girls in modest but cute dresses. As if that were not enough, at the far end of the square she saw Rosalie, Sylvie, and Jerome just walking in. Rosalie was beautiful as always, in a light blue dress slightly revealing her shoulders. Her hair was tied up high, all covered with tiny flowers.

At that moment the music stopped and the dancers began to diverge. Andre, flushed, dropped into the chair next to her.

- I'm exhausted! - he sighed and gulped down a glass of wine. He grinned at her broadly, but grew serious when he saw her uncertain look - Are you okay, Oscar? - he asked, leaning to her. Suddenly he realized where they were and straightened up abruptly. She saw it right away and felt even worse.

- I think I'll go back to the manor, Andre - she said quietly.

- Are you sure? - he looked at her attentively, but saw her gaze and added - I'll go with you.

- You should stay, I'll be fine - she said stiffly, standing up.

- I know you can do it, Oscar. I just want to go with you.

She met his eyes for a moment, then quickly moved her gaze to the person who had just appeared behind his back.

- Good evening, Mademoiselle - Rosalie greeted, bowing.

- Rosalie - Oscar replied with a forced smile.

- Andre - said the newly arrived girl - could we talk for a while?

The man didn't answer right away, he was clearly hesitating.

- Okay - he said finally with a sigh, and gestured her way - Wait for me, please - he whispered pleadingly to Oscar as they left.

But she wasn't going to wait. She crossed the square briskly, mounted her horse and galloped home. She didn't want anyone to see the tears that started to appear in the corners of her eyes.