Chapter 1
The King was injured and bleeding when Odétte next saw Louis. She had not seen him for a couple of days having been ordered to rest. She was helping the Doctor clean out the cut on the King's forehead. Odétte moved away from the Doctor so he could work.
"A cold lotion, sire," the Doctor said. "Made up of egg yolk, oil of roses and turpentine to permit drainage."
"Why not simply close the skin?" Louis asked. Odétte was going to ask the same thing.
"Permissible for battlefield injuries, sire, but I'm not a tailor," the Doctor said. "May I inquire as to the cause of the injury, sire?"
"A hunting accident," spoke up Bontemps. He looked down at the letter he was holding and read out loud. "We report with joy the success of the King's infantry against the troops of the Spanish. Siege is now laid to the town of Cambrai."
"At last, some good news," Louis gasping in pain from his wound said.
"Most remarkable of all heroes present in the King's name is His Majesty's own brother, Prince Phillipe, the Duke of Orléans, who has shown bravery on the battlefield."
"That's enough news for now," Louis saw Odétte's face. She had also been waiting for news from the war.
"A true and everlasting hero…" Bontemps continued reading.
"I said enough!" Louis interrupted.
Later when his cut was cleaned, he was able to visit the bodies of the murder Parthenay family. Odétte and Bontemps with him as support. As they stepped in the room where they were being kept, they saw the bodies covered in white sheets.
"Let me see Françoise," Louis commanded. The doctor uncovered her face. Her hair was still curled into fashionable ringlets and golden in colour. Her jewellery was still on her. This was odd. A highwayman would have taken things such as jewels. But she still had hers — a gunshot to her heart. Louis stopped the Doctor from covering her. He moved to the middle body. The Doctor uncovered it. It was the body of her husband.
"He bleed, yet she did not," Louis said.
"I believe he was shot with a pistol, sire," the doctor explained. "And she was shot with a musket, and those shot with muskets do not bleed so much."
"Why?" Louis asked angerly.
"Well, that is the way the wounds behave, sire," the doctor tried to explain. "The wounds themselves are large."
"Which should surely produce more blood, not less," Louis asked.
"Indeed, sire, but um, the, um…"
"What I believe my father is saying is that the musket shot tends to fragment," Claude took over for her father who was stuttering in his answer. "It makes channels twice as large, but also crushes the flesh around the entry wound, so it seals the blood where it sits, and it cannot flow," the doctor nodded.
"I see," Louis said quietly. "Thank you, Masson."
Masson, the doctor, uncovered the last body. The couple's son. But, one body was missing.
"And Charlotte?" Louis asked after his Goddaughter.
"Charlotte?" Masson asked.
"The Parthenays had two children, and Charlotte is my goddaughter," Louis explained. Before shouting out an order. "Find Fabian!"
"At once, sire," said Bontemps.
They left the room back to the carriage.
"They will find her, sire," Odétte said.
"I hope so," Louis whispered still angry.
Chapter 2
Fabian found Charlotte close to death in the forest. He held her close as she took her last breathe.
Back at Versailles the King was angry and upset. He had pulled Odétte out of the carriage and up to his bedchamber. She watched him sketch more of the palace. Bontemps and Colbert were with them.
"He only sketches when he is upset," Colbert mentioned to Bontemps.
Louis turned to speak to the men but toward back thinking again. He put his pencil down and taking Odétte's hand pulled her out of the room. Bontemps and Colbert followed behind them out into the council chambers
"Who else delays?" Louis sat down he was getting a headache. Odétte asked if some wine could be brought to the king.
"14 families in all," Colbert stated. "All wait for assurance of their safety before venturing on the road."
"So the nobles of the south stay quiet, the east remain cowards and the north…" Louis said.
"Uh, without Cassel, there will be no more cooperation from the north," Colbert said. "He's a man of great influence in the region."
"Perception of influence," Louis argued. "Nothing more."
"Just as dangerous," Colbert warned.
"Why is it that we are laying siege to Cambrai, and yet it is we who feel surrounded?" Louis demanded an answer.
The door opened.
"Monsieur Marchal is here, sire," Bontemps said. Odétte looked around to look at Marchal. He looked shaken but determined. The door banged shut.
Louis rose anger in his eyes. "You have failed me, Monsieur Marchal, just as you have failed my friends, the Parthenays. Had your patrols been on the road, they would have arrived safely. Instead, their deaths will send a message to the world that travelling to Versailles is not safe," Louis paused and then spit out. "Your continued presence in this court demands nothing less than absolution," calmer now he continued. "You will bring me the men responsible."
"May I speak, Sire?" Marchal requested. "I believe a noble may be accountable for this act."
"How would you know such a thing?" Colbert asked. Odétte looked around the room. Fabian was right when she thought about what had happened. Two guns were used in the attack and murder maybe more. Only a noble would have the means to have more than a hunting gun or knife or simply sword.
"The musket shot that killed her was fired from horseback. The angle of the wound tells me that the horse was many hands high," Marchal explained. "almost impossible for the untrained rider. Only a nobleman, an equerry, perhaps, a cavalryman," Louis glanced over at Odétte as he listened to Marchal continues. "Could be capable of such a feat. But most of our men are at the front, which leaves suspicion firmly where I say it does, with a noble."
"Whoever it is, bring them to me," Louis ordered firmly. "I want to see their face."
Later when the ministers left the room when the council meeting ended. Odétte was left alone with Bontemps and Marchal as the king rested.
"Your plan was ill-conceived and badly executed," Marchal spoke up to Bontemps "A force os 200 would have secured the road."
"Drawn from where?" Bontemps asked. "Our soldiers are at the front."
"Well, there is your problem."
"My problem? It is a problem we all face, and a threat to the king," Bontemps countered.
"Or, indeed, it may be a solution," thought out loud.
"A solution?"
"I do not yet know, but one thing we can be sure of. These men will strike again," Marchal warned before leaving to continue the hunt for the murders.
Odétte searched Bontemps' face. He grimaced and silently beaconed her into the next room.
When the king was ready, he wanted to go for a walk around the palace. Bontemps and Odétte are were walking behind him, and the King's guard followed them. Louis needed to think. He was not looking when he almost walked into Madam Montespan as she was curtising she fell into a guard. Odétte did not like this woman but rushed to help her up. Louis turned hearing the clash of metal hit the floor.
"Forgive me, um… sire," she pulled away from Odétte and the guard. "It's no matter."
Louis stared at Montespan. "You are ill, perhaps?" he asked kindly.
"No, if I feel anything, I feel nervous about this war," she replied. Odétte rolled her eyes Louis saw this and smiled.
"The glory will soon be ours," Louis said.
"Well, you are already glorious, sire, if I may be so bold," Montespan said.
Odétte looked away from the scene in front of her. She screamed in her head that she wanted to leave. That a hole would appear underneath her. Was she jealous for Montespan? No, she was protecting the King, and Henriette she told herself.
She walked on in front of the King. He laughed at this as he passed her. "Are you jealous?" he asked in a whisper.
"Of course," Odétte whispered back in anger at both of them. Why could not take her advice? Mentally she was kicking herself.
Chapter 3
Odétte was happy to hear the King laughing as she was let into the King's chambers.
"How about this one?" Rohan looked at her as if she was a piece of meat.
"Not that one either," Louis warned
"Sire, you asked for me?" Odétte looked only at Louis past Rohan.
"Yes, Odétte," he turned to Rohan. "You will want to get ready for war."
Rohan nodded and left the chamber the door closing behind him.
"I do not trust that man, Sire," Odétte said out loud before she could stop herself.
"Why not?" Louis asked.
"I just have a feeling that he is not to be trusted," Odétte smiled. "You're up to something. I know you are. I can read you like a book."
"I am unsure what you mean," Louis teased her. "How is my sister-in-law?"
"Missing her husband and her brother-in-law," Odétte replied.
"I was thinking of you last night," Louis kissed her neck his hands on her shoulders running down her arms. He pulled her close to his body. "I want you now."
She pulled away. Louis looked at her in shock.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because you are the most beautiful woman I have ever set my eyes on," Louis pulled her close again.
"I could never be your mistress, Sire," Odétte whispered as he kissed her forcibly. "I am just a commoner, a servant," she looked at him again. "I am yours but please not yet."
He nodded.
"What do you think of Madam Montespan?" he asked as he kissed her collarbone.
"Very beautiful she has many men at court after her. She is somewhat friendly to those she wants to be too. I have not heard bad things from the maids about her. But there are rumours the surround her," Odétte said. "She has you in her sights I know it."
"And I her," Louis said looking to see annoyance on Odétte'face. "Would that worry you. If I was to make her my mistress?"
"I would be fine with that, Sire," Odétte kissed him. "But I fear she would not like to share you with the Queen, Louise, Henriette or myself."
Louis laughed. "She would have to get used to."
"Lady Louise is in pain, sire," Odétte whispered.
"In pain?"
"Yes, she and Henriette fear that they are going to lose you. Please hear out her ladyship when you see her tonight," Odétte asked.
Louis nodded Odétte smiled.
Chapter 4
Odétte awoke early the next morning to find Henriette up and ready of the day. Henriette saw Odétte and waved her forward.
"His Majesty came to me last night," Henriette said in a whisper pain in her voice. "He will never again."
"Oh," Odétte gushed. "Was he mean about it?"
"Yes and no. I have thought it was going to happen," Henriette was hurt Odétte could feel it.
"I know who his next victim is going to be," Odétte whispered.
"Victim?" Henriette asked.
"Yes, all of those who fall for the King I class in some a victim," Odétte said. "But, we are also survivors and warriors in dresses."
"I agree," Henriette agreed. "So who as his next?"
"Madam Montespan," Odétte gossiped. "I have seen her and him."
Henriette laughed.
"Please do not be too angry with his majesty," Henriette said.
"I am not," Odétte said. "We all have to stay together."
"Have you seen Mademoiselle Louise today?" Henriette asked.
"Not today My Lady," Odétte replied. "I had asked his Majesty to hear her out. But I fear he did not. There must be a way to help her."
"Maybe the Queen would be able to help?"
"I will ask her," Odétte smiled curtsied and left Henriette to her ladies.
Odétte was let through to the Queen's chambers. She curtsied sincerely waiting for the queen to notice her.
"Ah, Odétte, does Henriette or his majesty need me? Normally he would have Bontemps come," Marie-Thérèse said.
"Not his majesty, my queen, Henriette asks for your help," Odétte said clearly in Spanish. Marie-Thérèse looked up at the young maid.
"I see that you have been practising," Marie-Thérèse was surprised.
"Yes your majesty," Odétte replied again in Spanish.
"Well what is it that my dear sister wants?" the queen asked.
"There is a lady at court," Odétte paused. "Madamoislle de La Vallière."
"My husband's mistress? What does she want?" she asked.
"She wants to leave the court and be at peace with her lord," Odétte stated.
Marie-Thérèse understood that the only way to leave the royal court was with the King's permission. She must have asked but was delined by the King.
"I will help," Marie-Thérèse said shortly. She nodded for some paper to be given to her and some ink and quickly wrote a short message to Mademoiselle de La Vallière. "Please give her the note," Marie-Thérèse handed to note to Odétte who left the room. The queen looked at her head lady in waiting and said. "That girl is too kind to everyone and rushed off her feet half the time. She really must rest," the lady nodded but said nothing.
Odétte found Louise seat on a bench in a small ladies salon. Louise smiled as Odétte approached her.
"I have a message from her majesty," Odétte handed her the short note. Louise scanned it and rose.
"Will you come with me?" Louise asked in a small voice.
"Of course, my lady," Odétte said.
They were again waved into the Queen's apartments where Marie-Thérèse had sat down on her sofa. Two of her ladies were either side of her.
"You received my message," the Queen did not look up at Louise. Louise bowed her head low.
"I've been praying for your lost child every day, Majesty," Louise was speaking the truth. "You are constantly in my thoughts."
"You are kind to say such a thing," Marie-Thérèse said still not looking at Louise she threw her fan down and commanded one of the ladies. "Bring a chair," Louise looked nervous. Marie-Thérèse finally looked at her. "For the child inside you."
Louise looked down and then at Odétte who just smiled. A stool chair was placed in front of the queen and Louise seat down.
"It is warm. Take off your shawl," order the queen. "Take it off," she ordered off the ladies forward. The Lady saw Louise's scars but said nothing. Odétte remembered the night she had helped the Madamsoille. Marie-Thérèse rose and walked around Louise. "My words to you were not kind. I said them in a moment clouded by my own failings. I would like us to be friends. Not because I do not still resent every stolen moment you have taken away from my husband and me, but because I sense something in your soul," Marie-Thérèse saw the scars. "I can feel the pain you hold."
"Yes," Louise whispered.
"My concern is not as such for you, you understand? But the innocent life inside you can feel this pain."
"I will join a community of prayer, Majesty, when the time permits."
"Do you love the king? The queen asked.
"I love God," Louise simply but passionately replied.
"That is not an answer," Marie-Thérèse stated.
"I also love the king, but the price is too much," Lousie was close to tears.
"What have you done to yourself?" Marie-Thérèse asked in shock. Odétte searched both the ladies faces and was shocked too. Louise started to cry.
"Do you think God will forgive me?" Louise sobbed. Marie-Thérèse just stared. Odétte hugged the crying lady. Louise had done something that have killed her. An ancient secret that all women knew in private and never spoke of in public. Everyone knew someone with the knowledge of how to perform such a task.
Chapter 4
Odétte found the King in his council chamber looking at maps. She curtsied and walked to him. She was followed into the room by the ministers.
"We are surrounded by conspirators, by criticism," Louis paused. "By wilderness and danger," Louis turned to face the man. He handed Bontemps a plan of the gardens. "Defense is no longer our option. We must break the siege. We must attack. Arrange a force for the roads."
"They're assembled, sire," Bontemps said.
"Make their clothing uniform, make their presence felt, to deter and reassure, as we now do in Paris," Louis ordered. "Purge the road and police it."
"Sire," Bontemps said.
"And contact every noble who defied me. I wish to understand their concerns, and they, in turn, shall be informed of our intent. Their King is going to war," and with that Louis left the room pulling Odétte with him.
The next morning, Odétte followed behind Louis and Henriette and slightly behind Bontemps down the steps in front of the palace. Many of the high born were lined up bowing, and curtising to the royal party as they passed. Odétte managed to catch Louise's eye and mouthed the word soon to her. Louise nodded back.
Odétte climbed into the carriage helped by the King behind Henriette. Bontemps shut the door once Louis was inside. She did not hear the quiet painful conversation Louise was having with Montespan. Henriette waved and was waved back to by the nobles and people of court. Cheers for farewell were shouted.
Inside the carriage, Henriette and Louis sat side by side Odétte sat opposite them. She looked out the window.
"Do you miss England?" Louis asked Henriette.
"I miss you," Henriette replied.
"The summer of our lived has been full of blossom, but the nights are drawing in," Louis said. Odétte looked at him and Henriette. "And in the growing darkness, we must remind ourselves that…" He paused. "Life is more than love.." he took a breath and continued. "And marriage more than duty."
Henriette moved her hand away from Louis'. The carriage was quiet. Both looked out of the windows. Henriette turned to face Odétte who was looking down at her shoes. She noticed Henriette looking at her and smiled. She looked up and mouthed "You are strong, you are brave, and you are a princess," Henriette nodded and looked away from her heartbreaking. Odétte kicked the King in the shin.
"Ouch," Louis said in pain.
"I am sorry your majesty my leg twitched," Odétte said with a smile on her face too sweetly. Henriette laughed at the pair. Louis looked at both ladies knowing that being King was not going to protect him.
They arrived at Philippe's encampment. Louis was first to jump down out of the carriage, followed by Henriette who he helped down and then Odétte who was last. They walked through the line of the tents. Odétte could see Philippe in the far distance. The party marched lend by Louis and Henriette holding hands as they walked.
"The King," the cry went out.
"Brother! Wonderful news," Philippe welcomed them.
"Indeed! The war is over," Louis stated. "Negotiations for a ceasefire will begin this day at Tournoi."
"But we have battled hard for this moment," Philippe was angry. "Many men have died to attain it."
"We will maintain our line, but no more," Louis argued. "In a day, perhaps two, hostilities will cease."
Philippe looked at Odétte and then back to his brother. "For what?" he asked. "We can win, brother. Here, today."
"The odds are not with us," Louis stated.
"We have lost too much to stop now!"
"I would speak with my brother," Louise said. Both went into the command tent. "Alone."
Odétte and Henriette stood outside they listened to the brother's argue inside of the tent.
"Henriette!" Shouted Philippe. "Where is my wife?" The two women heard him shout. The two brother's continued to argue.
Henriette stood in front of the opening and watched the brothers. Odétte behind her.
"They mean to seek you, kill you," Louis said.
"Well, then…" Philippe moved away from Louis and towards Henriette. He removed the feather her head. "I'd better wear something fun, or they might not know who I am," and forcibly kissed Henriette on the lips and then Odétte lips. "I have missed you, my dear Odétte. Now I am going to give my brother what he wants," he left calling for his horse.
Odétte watched him go.
.