Several days later Marguerite returned from London and as she entered the house, she addressed the butler, "As soon as you see any family member, send them to my room. I'm going up to change."
Seated at her dressing table, Marguerite was freshening up when she heard a knock at the door. Isabelle entered with a bright smile.
"Mother, you're back!" She approached to embrace her and they exchanged kisses. "How was London?"
"Lovely. I visited some wonderful shops and saw a few old friends."
Isabelle leaned back against the dresser and looked at her mother with a mischievous smile.
Marguerite noticed the cheeky expression on her face.
"Don't you look like a cat that swallowed the canary? Spill it, what's been going on since I've been gone?"
Isabelle took a seat on a chair next to her.
"I don't even know where to start. First, this wild horse appeared, and Juliette, of course, went completely mad for it. She was pestering Daddy to keep it, but we didn't know who it belonged to, so the next day, Lord Ashford showed up with his granddaughter Priscilla. He was very keen to get rid of the horse, but not really because of the horse. He actually came to find out why Granny has been ignoring him. He thought by sorting out the horse situation, he could get back in her good graces. Then Priscilla kind of ambushed William, and he's been smitten ever since. I played with her, too, and she's really lovely. She only talks about boys and lipsticks."
Marguerite shook her head in mild disbelief.
"Oh, dear. I leave you all for a few days, and it seems all hell breaks loose."
"You should leave us more often then. I love it when things get chaotic. " Isabelle said, causing Marguerite to raise an eyebrow slightly in mock disapproval.
"Where is your father?"
"Outside with Juliette. They are messing around with that horse."
"Alright. Let me finish getting changed, and then we'll go find them."
Marguerite quickly changed into comfortable trousers and a soft, cozy shirt, suitable for a casual stroll around the estate. The air was fresh and the estate grounds spread out before them. Marguerite took a deep breath, enjoying the feel of the sun and the gentle breeze.
They found their family behind the stable, in a fenced area used for training. Juliette had climbed up on the fence, standing with her feet on the lower rail and holding onto the upper one for balance.
Isabelle, filled with youthful energy, dashed over to join her sister. Meanwhile, John noticed Marguerite and walked over to greet his wife.
They exchanged a quick kiss. John slipped his arm around Marguerite's waist, and she draped hers over his shoulder. Together, they walked towards their daughters.
"I missed you." John said. "A few days without you feels like an eternity."
Marguerite smiled. "I missed you, too. And I see I've missed quite a bit around here as well."
As they reached the fence, Marguerite gently brushed hair away from Juliette's face, making room for a tender kiss.
"Isn't he beautiful?" Juliette asked, her eyes fixed on the horse as it moved gracefully within the enclosure. "Look at him go."
Inside the fence, Peter, the stable master, was training the horse, guiding it through various paces and maneuvers.
"He truly is magnificent," Marguerite agreed, "It's no wonder you're so taken with him. What's his name?"
"Lord Ashford named him Princeton. I call him Prince Charming."
"Prince Charming, indeed," Marguerite remarked. "Quite a fitting name for such a noble steed."
John looked at her daughter. "Princess, shall we show your mother what we've practiced?"
Marguerite's eyes widened with concern. "She's not going to climb onto that horse, is she?"
John reassured her with a confident smile, "Don't worry. I was against it at first, but then, I've never seen such a natural connection before. She was meant to have him."
The horse calmed noticeably when Juliette approached, as if her presence soothed its very soul. She mounted with ease and smoothly guided him into a steady gallop, making perfect circles within the enclosure. Then, with great agility, she steered the horse towards the fence. Together, they jumped over it and galloped off into the distance.
Marguerite gasped and gripped John's arm tightly, her fingers clenching his sleeve.
After a few more strides Juliette returned just as easily. She dismounted the horse while John, Isabelle, and Peter applauded her skill.
Peter turned to Marguerite and said, "My lady, the horse cleared over six feet. That's a steeplechase leap."
The conversation about the horse continued over dinner.
Juliette said, "Peter and I are planning to train him for the Grand National."
"The Grand National?" Marguerite repeated. "That's a big dream for a little girl."
Juliette simply nodded. "Mhm. We just need to find the right jockey."
"If there was any justice in this world, you'd be the jockey." Isabelle commented.
"I hope this horse won't disrupt my plans for the summer in the south of France," Marguerite said, half-jokingly. "I was really looking forward to catching some sun and enjoying the seaside before the Malones arrive."
Just a decade ago, the French Riviera would close down in the summer because the aristocratic families didn't holiday then. Now, everyone seemed to be embracing the concept of summer vacations.
"If it comes to that, I'll take just you." John said. "It could be a romantic getaway for the two of us."
Marguerite's eyes lit up at the suggestion, "I would love that."
Isabelle quickly added, "Don't think you can get away without me. I want to go to France, too."
The whole family laughed together at Isabelle's enthusiastic declaration.
Marguerite then turned her attention to William, who was pushing food around the plate, but he wasn't eating.
"You're awfully quiet tonight. What's on your mind?"
"That's easy - Priscilla." Isabelle blurted out before William could respond.
Marguerite shot her a look. "Did I ask you?"
"No, but I knew the answer." Isabelle replied proudly.
William said, "Actually, if you really must know, I was thinking about Quantum Entanglement."
"Really?" Marguerite asked. "And what's that?"
"Oh, I've got this one, too!" Isabelle exclaimed. "It's a phenomenon where particles become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle is dependent on the state of another, regardless of the distance between them."
Everyone at the table turned to look at her with puzzled expressions.
Amused by their reactions, she said, "Clearly, I pay attention when William speaks, unlike the rest of you, who only pretend to listen."
Marguerite smiled and said. "In any case, it sounds like a beautiful metaphor for love."
Marguerite was in bed, skillfully braiding her hair as she waited for John, who was getting ready in the other room. She smiled to herself, thinking about their spirited children and the lively discussions they always seemed to spark.
There was a knock at the door, and Juliette peeked in.
"May I come in?"
"Of course. Come here." Marguerite responded warmly, shifting the light quilt to make room for her daughter on the bed.
Juliette snuggled up next to her and said, "I couldn't sleep."
Marguerite wrapped an arm around her. "You're too excited about the horse, aren't you? I hope this doesn't last forever. It's not good to be so lighted up."
"It's not that. It's just… I feel incredibly happy for this horse, but then I remember Daisy, and I feel incredibly sad."
"Joy and grief can exist together, and it doesn't mean you loved Daisy any less. It's okay to embrace this new happiness while remembering Daisy with fondness."
Juliette looked up at her with hopeful eyes. "Will you ride with me tomorrow? We can go to the standing stones."
"Let's make a day of it, just the two of us," Marguerite agreed.
Juliette nestled closer and the gentle rhythm of her breathing soon told Marguerite that the excitement of the day had given way to the peaceful embrace of sleep.
John entered the room, ready to retire for the evening and saw the peaceful scene.
"It seems the bed is fully occupied." He said with a gentle smile. "How's our girl?"
"Asleep with dreams of galloping across fields, I imagine," Marguerite responded, her voice soft as she looked down at Juliette's serene face.
"I'll leave the ladies to their dreams then," he said, giving Marguerite a tender look before retreating to the other room to give them space.
Marguerite reflected on her own childhood, which was very different from the one she and John were providing for their children. William, Isabelle and Juliette were growing up cherished and protected, surrounded by love and the beauty of their home. By giving her children the childhood she never had, Marguerite was healing her own wounds. They were her redemption, her way of rewriting her history.
Marguerite gently kissed Juliette's cheek, the soft touch barely stirring the sleeping girl. She then turned off the night lamp, casting the room into a comforting dark, before she herself nestled into the bed, enveloped by the peacefulness of the quiet night.