CHAPTER 21 - Stay away from her

- You'll get in the carriage with me! - grandmother ordered, and seeing that he was trying to protest, she added - I don't want to hear any excuses, Andre! Jules can drive on his own, and I need to talk to you.

The man decided not to argue anymore and obediently got in after the older woman, although he did not like the prospect of talking at all. He was convinced that it would only be reproaches. Initially, however, it was a nice chat. Grandma asked him about his uncle and how they were doing together. About his work. What he has been doing for the last three months. She also told him about everything around.

They did a lot of shopping at a market in central Paris. Once a month, local artisans and farmers came to the city to exhibit their original products - excellent honeys and liqueurs, cheeses, exotic fruits and vegetables, as well as various handicrafts. While shopping, Marie watched with admiration as her grandson turned out to be a great helper. He made friends easily and had no problems bargaining. In no time among the maze of goods he would find the best ones of excellent quality. Grandma did not miss the looks and smiles that the passing women gave him. Her grandson was a truly special man.

- You're doing fine! - she praised him as they got into the carriage that was about to take them back.

- This is nothing new to me, Grandma - he replied modestly - Every day I deal with supplies for the breeding farm and the manors. My uncle has been teaching me this for a long time.

- That's great - she said – Andre.. - she began after a moment, wishing not to spoil their mood.

- Yes? - he looked away from the view outside the window to Grandma, who was staring at her nervously intertwined fingers. After a long silence, the woman raised her face and looked at him attentively.

- Do you think it's okay to deal with them in such a way? - she spat out in one breath.

- Pardon? - Andre was sincerely surprised - What are you talking about, Grandma?

- Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about, Andre! I mean Rosalie. And.. and also Oscar - she started twisting her fingers again - Rosalie is a good girl, and she likes you a lot. She doesn't show it, but I know she's suffering to see how you treat her now. Why are you doing this? Can you explain it to me? When we were in Normandy, I thought.. I thought there was some intimacy between you. And I was glad. Because of you and her. I'd like to see you married, Andre. Maybe I would even have time to hug my great-grandson - she smiled slightly at the thought – But now.. I'm starting to worry.. If you figured out that Rosalie wasn't the right girl, that's okay. Surely there are plenty of young women in Etretat to choose from. I watched you and I am convinced that you will have no problem with it - she added, casting a significant look at him. He didn't see it. He was staring at the passing images, seemingly absent.

- You don't have to worry about me, Grandma - he replied after a while, in a tone that was supposed to be reassuring but sounded bitter.

- And yet I'm still worried, child - she said with concern in her voice - Andre.. Listen to me.. Oscar and you. It has no future. You must forget about her as soon as possible.

The man immediately turned to her, a gleam of irritation in his eyes.

- I have no idea what you are talking about!

Marie sighed and leaned back against the couch.

- I'm not gonna ask you anything. You're an adult and you know what you are doing. I hope so, at least. But remember, you both have a lot to lose. But she has more, Andre, think about it! If you care about her, leave her alone. Oscar has a life difficult enough to make it even more complicated.

- Why don't you ask her what she wants first? - he replied irritated, ceasing to pretend he didn't understand.

- I don't have to, Andre - pouted his grandmother - If she responds to your attentions it's because she really wants to. Oscar is an honest person, genuine. But she is also very inexperienced. Do you know that until the age of thirteen she thought she was a boy? And neither of us had led her out of this catastrophic mistake. And now.. He's an excellent commander, a wonderful soldier. But she doesn't know what it means to be a woman. Underneath the shell in which she has locked herself, she is delicate and brittle. And I'm scared, Andre.. I'm afraid she's really easy to hurt..

- I won't hurt her, Grandma - he said, his voice trembling.

- Honey, I know you would not hurt her - the woman sat down next to him and took his hands in hers - I know you. But the world around you is different. People are ruthless. If anyone started to suspect something, they would destroy her and you.. Please, Andre.. be reasonable.. Leave as soon as possible and don't come back here anymore.

Andre felt a cold breaking into his heart at his grandmother's words. Though his whole being rebelled against what she asked him to do, he also knew the old lady was right.

- I'll think about it, Grandma, okay? - he replied, trying to keep his voice calm.

She looked at him in anguish and nodded. By the end of the trip, they didn't exchange a single word.

...

Oscar's daily routine was going quite normal. Training of soldiers in the morning, then controlling the hall and chambers, then that pointless concert. One of the many unnecessary events. Sometimes she wondered how it was possible that the Queen and all the rest of the nobility were not bored with the regular parties and concerts. Personally she was wearied and tormented by them. And it was also such an unnecessary expense when poverty was growing all around and people were starving. But Oscar wouldn't dare say a word out loud. Her job was to protect, not to be someone's conscience. Moreover there was a kind of female friendship between her and Marie Antoinette. They had known each other for many years, trusted each other and cared for themselves as best as they could. Perhaps that was why Oscar was so indulgent about her Queen's all whims. And for a sinful bond with Fersen..

It was late afternoon when she got home. The sun hadn't completely set yet, but the sky was already turning red and it was a little colder. Oscar was tired, but the prospect of spending time with Andre made her feel good. She entered the stable, lost in thought, and almost collided with the one she was thinking about so much. He had returned from a horse ride a dozen minutes earlier and was about to leave.

- I'm sorry! - Oscar said with a smile - It looks like I have to bump into you at least once a year - she joked.

- Good afternoon, Oscar - he replied, a little too stiffly and formally, so the woman looked at him suspiciously.

Without a word, he took her horse's reins and led it to the stall.

- What's going on, Andre? - she asked anxiously.

- It's okay, don't worry - he replied impassively and gave her a forced smile without meeting her eyes.

The woman felt the first signs of irritation. She really didn't know what had hit him, but he should tell her rather than act like he was offended.

- Come here now, Andre! - she ordered, trying to contain her anger.

The man sighed heavily, but obediently walked over and faced her. It was so hard. How was he supposed to stay away from her?

- Oscar.. - he began pleading, but she would not let him finish.

She approached him and grabbed him by the collar. She hit him hard against the wall and kissed him furiously. Andre was lost. All the promises he had made to himself burst like a soap bubble. The fury of her lips turned gradually to delicate sweetness. Her hands pressed against his back and he squeezed her hips, lifting her up a little and pressing her against him. But Oscar wanted more. With a sharp movement she pulled his shirt from his pants and touched his hot skin. Andre groaned and opened his eyes in amazement. He looked at her flushed face and found in her gaze the same desire that had burned him.

- Andre! - suddenly they heard a girl calling behind the stable door.

They broke apart immediately. Oscar adjusted her hair and clothes quickly and ran towards the door. She gave him a mischievous smile and whispered:

- In an hour, on the back stairs. Don't be late, Grandier! - she opened the door to the stable and went out.

A few steps from the stables, she met Rosalie, who was clearly heading that way, and it was she who called. When the girl saw her mistress, she bowed and greeted her politely, although there was surprise in her eyes. Then she walked over to the stables door, opened it, and entered. Andre was at that moment trying to deal with stuffing his shirt back into his pants. His hands were shaking so it was not easy. That's how Rosalie found him. She stood petrified and stared at him in confusion. After a while, however, she choked out:

- What's going on, Andre? - she said suspiciously - What have you been doing here with Mademoiselle Oscar?

The man didn't really know what to say. Rosalie wasn't stupid and telling her fairy tales would only make things worse.

- Nothing happened between us! - he replied a little too honestly.

The girl looked him over from head to toe. Her gaze darkened, and her lips tightened angrily.

- Watch out, Andre! - she snapped furiously - If you put your hands on her, the General will kill you.

She turned and started to leave.

- Nothing happened, Rosalie! - Andre plunged, but she wouldn't listen. She slammed the door hard and was gone.

The man ran his hand over his forehead. This day was getting constantly harder. And he still had a confrontation with Oscar later..