Well thanks, "NorringtonLover and Too.Nice.1108" for being the only people who reviewed though this story is to be a work of art for me since I have to continually go back into my biography books on MA, search for facts and dates that actually occured and then write them, switch things around, add more descriptions, and pray that someone won't find a mistake...so I hope this lives up to your expectations and I may be demable of a review.
The moment she stepped out of the door, Caroline held her head high, her shoulders back, and began to glide across the floor as most young women had learned to age a young age. Women mingled with one another in the vast hallways, many of them Comtes and Comtesses. They all watched her move down the hallway and suddenly collide with Mesdames and Madame Adélaïde, the Dauphin's sisters. Instantly, as if from dark parts of the hallways, Louis's brother Comte de Provence appeared. They all glided down the hallway, each person bowing to them as they passed.
"How are you this morning, Duchess?"
Caroline looked to her left towards Mesdames, Victoire and Sophie, who patiently waited her answer. "Fine, as usual."
"So you had another bad night with the Duke then?"
They all broke into grins as they tapped down the large steps and towards their carriages. Comte de Provence and Louis, who had secretly joined the party from the shadows of his chamber, hoped into a dark carriage outlined in gold. Just before Louis entered the carriage he looked up towards Caroline. She smiled politely but he only bent his head back down. Mesdames and Caroline gathered into a brighter carriage and were soon off to Strasbourg.
"I hear she is flighty in her thoughts. She can't pay attention to anything!" Victoire gasped as she brought out her cards.
"I already have a nickname for her." Adélaïde giggled.
"And that would be?" Caroline sighed as she gathered the cards that had been dealt to her.
Adélaïde revealed an evil smile and whispered a name most daringly amusing. "l'Autrichienne."
Mesdames burst into laughs while Caroline sighed. "Good god, we haven't even met the poor woman and you have already given her a nickname!" Caroline threw down her card and won the hand but celebrated it only with a twinkle in her eyes. She grabbed the pile of francs that had been thrust into the center pile and shoved the money into her purse before dealing another hand of cards.
"Well, at least we know we will have many tarts and apple strudels to add to our menu of fine cuisines. Those Austrian's do like to eat…look at her mother!" They all burst into laughs while Caroline slammed another card down onto their small table, winning the hand again.
"Adélaïde, after fifteen kids what do you think your figure would look like?"
They all silenced themselves and delved into a different topic on whose wearing what and what was happening amongst the royals.
"Who's going to be at this newly built chateau? Anyone we know?" Caroline asked as she arranged her cards into a neatly organized fan.
"I believe all the highest society of Alsatian families and possibly a few of our own Versailles women. Your husband will be there as well, not to mention a few of his closest companions." Sophie mumbled as she pet her small dog that had accompanied them on their journey.
Caroline heaved another sigh as she lost her hand and a third of her winnings were thrust into the hands of Victoire who laughed wickedly as she shoved the francs into a small pouch that matched her blue gown.
Caroline placed her cards down and sat back to feel the soft cushions of the carriage. They all talked for a few hours more until they all drifted off to sleep.