Chapter 17

When Catherine awoke in the morning, her husband had already left the room. She still felt exhaused and the thought that discussions like the one they had last night would be an inherent part of her life from now on made her even more tired.
She called for her maid to get ready for the last part of their journey and to clear away the cobwebs.

A tasty breakfast was already awaiting the Queen Mother in the parlour. As well as little John and his Nanny. But there was no trace of Narcisse. But she didn't bother worrying about his whereabouts and started eating. Just as she had put the last bite of her breakfast into her mouth, Stephane's lapdog Fabrice Darntelle rushed towards her.

"We can leave once you've finished. Your husband did already ride ahead." Catherine let her spoon sink and stared at the dark haired man in disbelief. So Stephane did not even bother waiting for her to arise? Annoyance and grievance burned a painful feeling into her stomach.
But then she remembered how violent their last quarrel had escalated and she was suddenly glad for the chance to avoid his intrusive presence for the next few hours.
"Fine. So what are we waiting for?" She asked sharply while rousing her maid and the nanny with a single movement of her hand. She gently lifted up her grandson who had silently been playing on the floor next to her and meanwhile pulled himself up at her skirts. Ignoring Fabrice, Cathrine stalked out to the waiting carriage that arrived three hours later at their final destination.

In the meantime heavy clouds had darkend this bright autumn day and a low rumbling was already to be made out in the distance.
"Marvellous, even the weather adapts to my mood," Catherine muttered and stepped out of her carriage whilst looking skeptically into the sky that already opened its water gates. To her displeasure there were only two young maids awaiting the arrival of their new mistress who clumsily curtseyed. As well as a pockmarked young man who choose to ignore her but took the reins of the horses instead to look after the animals.
"Well, get moving and get the babe and our luggage inside", she bellowed as the first raindrops started to fall.

She grabbed her skirts in annoyance and ran towards the chateau as fast as her uncomfortable shoes would allow it. Nonetheless her bright silver dress was complely soaked by the time she reached the main entrance. On the threshold of the doorway a servant rushed towards her, holding out an open umbrella. Catherine growled at him with a murderous frown only to bump against her husband's broad chest who hurried through the hall with long strides. Stephane was wearing weatherproof riding cloth and a grim facial expression.
Catherine couldn't imagine a more unfavorable moment for a reunion with her husband. Dripping wet with ruined hair and obviously out of breath.

"There you are. Don't wait for me with lunch. I will inspect my new lands and won't be back before sunset," he informed her with a neutral tone in his voice.
"But it's raining cats and dogs," she pointed out confused. Narcisse only waved off her objection.
And before Catherine knew it she was standing alone in the big entrance hall. Outside another thunder broke the silence. Apparently her husband even preferred a thunderstorm over his wife's presence. How could things have come so far?

Snorting, she ordered the valet to show her the lordy chambers to get out of her wet dress. After she had changed her clothes, Catherine started exploring the amply Chateau that would be her home for the next few weeks. Then she supervised her servants while they unpacked their belongings and redecorated the rooms. After a short visit to the kitchen and instructing all attendants about her expectations about how this house should be kept during her stay, she ordered a light lunch.

As it stopped raining in the early afternoon, Catherine strolled around the abudant gardens. After a while she slowly turned around to look indecisively at the imposing chateau from a distance.

When was the last time she indulged in idleness? There have always been crises, demanding subjects or family complications eating up her days. So most of the time she even lacked the energy to pursue the one thing she really loved before going to bed - reading. But here, far away from court and the exhausing duties and problems brought with it, she felt completely idle all of a sudden. What did other women do the whole blessed day? Women who did not have to run the fate of France behind the back of their husbands or sons. Women who didn't have to prevent conspiracys or hatch plots against enemies of the crown. Not to forget learning the fine arts of poisoning.

She had always loathed tedious girly stuff as she had no patience for dull needlework. So she had taken delight in her time spend with her children instead. She had enjoyed playing with them, reading books to them or watching them frolic around the royal gardens. But they had grown out of these carefree years where they had showered their mother with blind and unconditional love. The only child left in her care was little John, her grandson, whom she loved as if he were her own babe but the boy was just taking his midday nap.

And she had enjoyed going for a ride where she felt the wind toying with her loose hair, arousing a sense of freedom and levity. The tought alone mad her miss running her fingers through silky warm fur and feeling the powerful movements of a horse under her saddle. But these bithe times were gone. For a long time. Because queens weren't supposed to go for a ride – with riding pants, deranged hair and all on her own. But the idea of riding out with a small troop of guards had been so unappealing that she dismissed it right away.

Engrossed in her thought, she hadn't noticed that she was standing in front of the stables now. The unmistakable smell of horses, fresh hay and dung that reached her nostrils evoked some further memories. A quiet snort brought her to enter the stables curiously. In the first box she spotted Demon, Stephan's magnificent stallion.

The horse looked at her, cocking his ears. So she walked over to him and gently petted the soft nose he stuck towards her trustingly. Next to the stallion stood a petite chestnut mare whose ears were lying flat in alert as soon as Catherine approached her. The animal eyed her suspiciously and did not let herself be lured closer by Catherine's gentle words. So the Queen Mother took a handful of oats and offered them to the timid animal. The mare approached her only hesitantly with a strung out neck but then she took a chance with prospect of a nice treat.

"Brave girl," she praised the animal but did not make any further move to touch the horse, merely offering the food in her palm. Slowly the mare took the corn with pointed lips. It was not until the last grain had been swallowed and the chestnut horse didn't retreat, when Catherine carefully stroked her neck. The feeling of the soft hair between her fingers suddenly aroused the overwhelming desire to ride the mare.
She intended to ask the equerry to saddle her for a ride in the next few days. If she was stranded here in Normandy, she could as well advance her riding skills.

"What do you think of a nice little ride, precious? Just you and I," she whispered in a cheerful mood and was promptly nudged by the mare. Swaying slightly she laughed: "I'll take that as your approval."

After Catherine had returned to her chambers, she wondered what she was going to wear while riding. Unfortunately she had neglected to pack a fitting riding dress so first and foremost she would have to improvise and then sent for her favorite dressmaker as soon as possible.

What a week! Due to work and other stress I didn't have much time for a new translation until now. No hotness - yet. But please be assured there are 3 steaming scenes that still await translation... ;o)

at callmecordelia1: She's not amused by his behaviour, that's for sure. And Narcisse also doesn't know what came over him. Neither does the author - sometimes. ;-)

at D: Oh dear, some hotness will follow soon, but first they both have to get their acts togehter.

at G: sounds like you are also waiting for them to get naked and naughty. hihi. So I have to hurry with the translation - I see.

I'll do my best, Dears. Thanks for your reviews!