CHAPTER 16 - First kiss

The next day, after breakfast, a letter for Mademoiselle Oscar came.

Andre didn't show up there until late afternoon. Although he wanted to be earlier, the enormity of his duties, which had been neglected for some time, overwhelmed him and he couldn't get away. As he rode into the courtyard, he was surprised by the commotion in the house. Servants crowded around, crates being prepared. The man had a bad feeling, very bad. He quickly went to the kitchen, where he found his grandmother.

- What's going on, Grandma? - he asked as soon as she finished giving orders to the cooks.

- We're leaving, Andre, first thing tomorrow morning - she replied, irritated that he was disturbing her - Mademoiselle got a letter from General de Jarjayes. I don't know exactly why, but she has to come back immediately.

The man sank heavily in a chair at the kitchen table. So fast.. He thought they had at least those two or three days left.

- Grandma, where is Oscar? - he asked weakly.

- For you she is „Mademoiselle Oscar", Andre! - the woman shouted angrily – What do you allow yourself?! I know what's going on here - she added in a lower voice so that no one else would hear her now - Do you think I'm old and I can't notice anything? She is in so much danger because of you. So it is very good that we are leaving. Good for her.

- What are you talking about, Grandma? - he looked at her with eyes open with surprise.

- Oh, don't try to trick me with your innocence! - the old lady chuckled - I hear what the servants say. Some horse rides, meetings, trysts. And who knows what more! - she threw her arms up - Calling each other by name. How did you even dare?! You're a servant here, Andre, have you forgotten that?

- I haven't forgotten about anything, Grandma! - he replied, rising abruptly and clenching his fists - I know perfectly well who I am! Every day the wounds on my hands and the pain in my back remind me of all this! As for the gossip - he added, his voice changed with anger - Maybe you should ask me first, before drawing any far-reaching conclusions. You don't have to worry about Oscar, she's fine! - he left, slamming the door hard.

He was furious. Like never ever. At his grandma who suggested terrible things. At those people who talked behind their backs. And at Oscar.. simply because she is leaving.

After calming down at last, he went and discreetly checked the stable. As he thought, Oscar's horse was not in the stall. He picked up Maxime and, without further deliberation, headed for the cliffs.

He found her almost immediately. She was sitting on the beach and angrily threw stones to the water. He rode slowly so as not to scare her, got off and tied Maxime next to Caesar. Then he sat down at her side. She smiled as she turned her face to him for a moment, then went back to throwing.

- So you're leaving tomorrow - Andre began, pretending to be looking at the sea too.

- I got a letter from my father. Troubles at Versailles - she replied and fell silent again.

- So this is our last evening.. - he said sadly.

- It looks like it - she said coldly, though her heart leapt at the word "our" he used.

- You said you might come.. next year. You will come, won't you? - he asked in a trembling voice.

- I don't know yet, Andre - she replied sadly - I don't know what will happen in a month. Even less in a year. During this time, so many things can happen. In my life. And in yours too. You probably won't even have time for me anymore, because a wife will be waiting for you at home. And maybe a child.. - her voice began to tremble

- Oscar.. - he started to talk, but he didn't know what he really should say. She was right - nobody knew what would happen. It hurt to think about the future with a wife who wasn't Oscar, but he couldn't admit it to her. He couldn't admit anything. And he also knew that, in fact, it would have be better for both of them if he got married. And she knew it very well also, now he was sure of it. But it was so hard to watch her suffer and do nothing. When the only thing he could think about now was to hug her and kiss her breathlessly.

- Let's go into the sea, Oscar - he said instead - But you'll have to take your shoes off or they'll be completely ruined.

Seeing her hesitating, he took off his own shoes first and rolled his trousers up to his knees. He got up and walked slowly into the sea. The water was warm and the stones tickled pleasantly on the feet. He turned to her and held out his hand.

- Come on, Oscar!

The woman looked at him again and laughed.

- You're crazy - she said, laughing all the time, but obediently took off her shoes and walked over to him. She grabbed his hand and let him lead her into deeper water.

They strolled along the seashore, holding hands and admiring the sun as it slowly began to golden the water on the horizon. At one point Andre stopped, put his hand in the water and pulled out a small stone, brighter than the others and rounder. He took Oscar's hand and placed a stone in her palm.

- They say that the ocean has shaped these stones for thousands of years - Andre whispered - That they lie at the very bottom and are a memory of water and sand. The oldest, roundest ones like this one rarely come to the surface. Take it in memory of our meeting, Oscar.

The woman looked at the stone and closed it in her hand. Then she looked up at him. A lock of hair escaped from the tape again and fell down the side of his face. Unable to help herself, she touched the strand, then placed it behind his ear. Before she could withdraw her hand, Andre took her hand and pressed it gently against his cheek. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the softness of her skin. Then, as if being pushed by some secret force, he bent down and placed a kiss on her cheek as light as a butterfly's wings. Then he moved a little away from her face and looked into her ocean-sapphire eyes. When he found no fear or disapproval in them, he moved closer once more and gently kissed the corner of her mouth, then moved his lips against hers. Oscar sighed and closed her eyes. His lips were soft and warm and she had never felt anything sweeter. She pressed her lips tighter against his and he replied, sinking his fingers in her hair. He pressed her head against him and deepened the kiss. Their tongues first met a little timidly, then intertwined in a wild, endless dance. Andre wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her to him. God, how much he wanted her! All sense was lost as he felt her slim body pressed against his. Never in his whole life had he felt such desire as kissing this extraordinary woman in the rays of the setting sun.

It seemed that this kiss would never end. When they finally broke apart, breathing hard, neither of them dared to open their eyes. He pulled her even tighter against him, pressing his forehead against hers.

- Don't forget me, Oscar, please - Andre said softly.

- Never - she whispered back.

They returned to the manor without saying a word. He led her all the way to the door of her room and kissed her again, very soft and sweet. Then he left. It was their goodbye. They both knew that the next morning they could only shake hands.