Chapter 27
The next few days could only be described as harmonious. Catherine, who was getting more and more outgoing and docile towards him, was dominating Stephane's way of thinking. Whether he was awake or asleep.
Meanwhile she accepted his efforts to court her and each night he made sweet love to her with a devotion that surprised even himself.
He was not foolish enough to try to buy her love with expensive gifts although he was quite willing to indulge her every whim. But he knew that the way back in Catherine de' Medici's heart was not through his money bag, but over a tiny little plant called trust that was beginning to flourish once again and would hopefully grow into a magnificent and indestructible tree of love.
He had to learn to contain his impatience. Learn how to be close without restricting her and always finding ways to surprise this incredibly detached woman.
Stephane brought her flowers and made sure that there was always a nice selection of finest chocolate waiting for her in their chambers. He also sent for her favorite tailor after she complained about her lack of comfortable riding habits.
Stephane especially enjoyed the time they spent with John that showed him another, much gentler Catherine and her loving interaction with the little boy opened his heart even further for his wife.
One evening, Catherine was peacefully sitting in the wing chair in the salon with the child on her lap while she was reading to him, Narcisse suddenly realized that from now on the little one would see her as a mother figure which brought him the title of a father. An idea he actually liked. Because this child, even if it was physically not theirs, connected them in a new and very intimate way.
He had always been a possessive man, but with Catherine these sentiments reached unimaginable dimensions. The thought allone of being able to call her his wife in public made him feel elated.
What he did not like was when one of the stable boys tried to help her get on Liberté for example. And his brother's efforts to correct his first, rather bad impression, were a thorn in his side.
But he did not make the mistake of making his discomfort visible to Catherine or even voice his claim of possession loudly. He knew her well enough to realize that his Medici wife only tolerated one claim alone - and that was her very own.
So he tried to prevent other men's support by beeing present most of the times, especially since Catherine simply accepted his help with a radiant smile most of the times. A rather nice improvement for a chance.
Stephane's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the nanny to get John ready for bed. Silently he watched Catherine placing a motherly kiss on the boy's forehead before handing the sleepy child over to his nanny. John's arms reached for Catherine who hugged him once more and whispered something in his ear whereupon John nodded his little head and beamed at her.
"But first you have to sleep, okay Darling?! And tomorrow we go see the pony. I promise. Good night, my little prince."
The Lord Chancellor rose and placed a kiss on the boy's crown before the nanny took him upstairs.
As he was standing anyway, Stephane walked over to his wife and stroked her neck tenderly. Then he squeezed himself next to her on the chair and pulled her towards him.
"There are half a dozen seats, Stephane. Why do you have to choose mine?", she chided him mildly.
"Quite simply because you're sitting here," Narcisse explained and stole a loving kiss from her. That's how he liked to spend his evenings. Just the two of them, relaxed, joking and at least one of them was head over heels in love. "I should have married you sooner," he mused, taking one of her small hands.
"Yeah right, why bother with Lola's or Henry's very existence? What were the names of wife one, two and three again?" She replied ironically, but obviously she decided to let him continue playing with her fingers.
"Only hypothetical, Catherine. I would have wished you being the mother of my children. Maybe some things would have turned out diffrently."
While hearing this announcement she turned her head and stared at him perplexed.
"That would have been a direful choice. Unless of course you are looking for a mother your sons could hate with utmost fervor. Then you're asking the right woman," she mocked, but Stephane did not allow this kind of self-mortification.
"Nonsense. You are a devoted mother who loves her children with all her heart. No one can and will ever doubt that."
"Of course. How about Claude, Leeza, Charles, Francis ... just to make a start. Henry, Margot and Hercule are too young to hold such deep grudge against me. Yet. I'll give them a few more years." She could not hide the bitterness of her words.
"They don't hate you. Maybe they do not always agree with the way you show them your love, but they certainly don't hate you. And don't forget about John. He adores you," Stephane reminded her and pulled Catherine in a loving embrace whereupon she rested her head against his shoulder.
"John does not count. Little children always love their grandparents. Oh God, Stephane, I'm a grandmother!"
He couldn't help but laugh at her statement and the shocked expression on her face.
"I can assure you, he sees you more like a mother, not a grandmother. Just look at the positive side of it, ma Belle. A little boy to whom you mean the world, that you can love and raise without having to endure the pain of giving birth."
"I've done so much damage while raising my children," the Queen Mother went on, ignoring his placating words. "I've only ever wanted their best, that might be true, but that's also what keeps me from growing away from them. They do not understand what it takes to raise a King's child safely, keeping them out of harms way. They have no idea what it's like to live in constant fear. Not fear for my own pathetic life, I wouldn't even hesitate for a second to give it for any of my children. But the fear of losing my own flesh and blood, Stephane! When parents die, it's the past that dies, but when children die, the future dies with them."
The heaviness of her words hung in the air and the moment Stephane turned his head, he felt moisture on his neck. Was Catherine crying?
With a gentle movement he ran his hand over her back.
"You have always done everything in your power to protect your family and it's never too late to right what's done wrong in one case or another. Look at Charles. He send you a letter, telling you how much he enjoys his time in the monastery and didn't he thank you for taking him there? Besides I'm pretty sure he'll want his mother back at his side once he returns to court," the Lord Chancellor said, trying to lift her spirits.
"And on the other hand there is Claude, Stephane. Not only did I break the promise I made when you married her off without her consent. Instead of preventing it, I am responsible for the beating she had to endure! That's the kind of mother I am. One that allows her child to be harmed, no matter how well my plan to free her may have been. And in addition I betrayed her brother, our King."
"Me as well, ma Belle. But I understand what you're trying to say," Stephane answered.
"If you really understand me, then make sure that I do not have to break my promise to Claude," Catherine demanded, looking up at her husband under long eyelashes.
"She is a princess. And you must not forget that our treasury is frighteningly empty. We simply can not afford to turn down important alliances with powerful allies for Claude's and Margot's hand," he answered, causing her to rise and drawing herself up in front of him.
"With wealthy allies, you mean," she corrected him angrily.
"Please, Catherine. I do not want to argue with you."
"Then please don't consider my daughters as a kind of royal breeding cattle." Her words were harsh and bitter.
"Don't be silly. That's not how I see them and neither you if that's the direction you want to take next. I just do not want to subject such an important and perhaps strategic decision to the whims of a fickle young woman known for..."
"Careful what you say!", Catherine interrupted him harshly but Narcisse ignored her protest and continued unimpressed.
"...having an equally fickle heart. Listen to me, my dear, I promise you that I will not do anything about this matter without consulting you first. Let's see if this love between Claude and her young fellow is even lasting. In case the two separate, she may even be happy for a union far away from court. Maybe she comes to her senses and you will be released from your unfortunate pledge."
"The very idea that they could actually be in love with each other did not even cross your mind, did it?" She asked angrily.
"Catherine, I do not know what's going on between the two, but you're right. In fact I do not expect it to last longer than a year. Let's stop this conversation right there, can we?"
The look Catherine gave him revealed that this conversation wasn't finished for her. But when she didn't grace him with a sassy answer he knew that he would get his peace right now but definitely no sex.
Stephane knew that any attempt at calming the waves that evening would be in vain. So he made no effort in this regard and gave Catherine some space.
However watching her getting ready for the night was something he still enjoyed even thought she was sending angry glares his way. He would never fathom the secrets of female cosmetic rituals but he did enjoy watching his wife remove her make-up and apply various creams and tinctures.
He didn't make love her that night but embraced her body as soon as she drifted of to sleep. Falling asleep with his wife in his arms was something he has gotten used to, as well to her closeness and her unique and beguiling fragrance. Stephane deliberately ignored his arising manhood that responded immediately to her soft form pressed against his own body.
Too much harmony is a real nightmare for a drama-queen. But I take it that you're still on board for some rough swell?
I don't have enough words to thank all of your for your ongoing feedback, your wonderfull and encouraging words. You rock my world!
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