Chapter Three
She dropped her hand and Henry nodded, confusion written on his face.
"That day in court, you asked me whether we have met before. We had, earlier that morning, in fact. I was the servant who threw apples at you. In court, I was just trying to get my friend, Maurice, back. He is the closet thing I had to a parent since my father died, and I couldn't bear to watch his wife suffer without him. Then when we met at the river, it was an accident. I was, well, my stepmother had been invited to the masque and I caught her and Marguerite with my mother's dress. They said that I could wear it to the ball, since I am family. I was filthy, so I went for a swim.
"In the fields, I was hiding behind a haystack while you talked to my friend. I quickly rushed home so I could meet you. I had never meant to keep on seeing you, but soon I feel in love with our meeting as much as you did. And last night I feel in love with you. God, I can't believe I let it get this far,"
She wondered over to the other side of the alcove, crying into her hands.
"The apple was you? And- Marguerite? Who is Marguerite? Surly not…"
Danielle nodded, removing her hands, "Marguerite De Ghent is my stepsister,"
"There was another servant at the market. It was you who threw the chicken!" he said accusingly. "That makes your stepmother the Baroness, but then why are you a servant, Nicole?"
Danielle shook her head. "My mother was Nicole De Lencret. But she was no countess. Just the wife of a wealthy merchant and landowner. My name is Danielle De Barbarac,"
"Danielle? But still you should be no servant. Why?"
"My father married the Baroness a week before he died. We were both there when he died and I feel she grew jealous when he only spoke to me, and left her with no words. She quickly put me to work as a servant, saying that I had to work to stay at the manor. I didn't want to leave. It was my father's home,"
Henry grabbed Danielle's arm and made her face him.
"This
morning I would have given anything to hear that you loved me. But
then you told be about all the lies, the secrecy. Like you said, I
felt there was no way I could forgive you. But then you told me that
you did love me, and it still felt right. I should love you and you me!
We
should be together, but with no secrecy. After everything you have
just said I still want to tell the world of my love. But now there's
just more to do. I must fix your world. How dare that woman make you
a servant in your own home! Please, if you'll still have me, I
forgive you and still want to be with you,"
Danielle stared unbelieving at his face. "You still want me?"
"Yes, Danielle," Henry said, his voice filled with emotion. "I will always want you,"
Danielle threw her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arm around her back and once again she screamed and pushed away from him.
"What is it?" He asked, "Tell me,"
Danielle looked up into his face.
"I overslept this morning, and the Baroness woke me up. I was quite rude to her. Later I walked in on them trying my mother's dress on Marguerite. I was so angry, that I hit Marguerite and threatened her. She grabbed my book and told me I had to choose between Utopia and my mother's shoes. I handed over the shoes, but she still burnt the book. The Baroness had me whipped,"
Henry's eyes filled with rage.
"Turn around," She protested but he fixed her with a look. He loosened the strings on the back of her dress and saw the crisscrossed cuts that littered her back. He drew in a breath and leant his head on her shoulder. He retied the gown carefully and spun her around.
"Nobody does this to my future bride," He said darkly. He took her chin and brought her in for a gentle kiss. "We will go to the palace, once the rain lets up. This matter will be sorted with before the masque, I swear to you, Danielle,"
Danielle smiled through her tears.
"Please, say it again,"
"No one will ever hurt you,"
She shook her head. "No, the part where you my name,"
He smiled back at her, "Danielle," He drew her in for another kiss, making sure to be careful where he put his hands.