In the blink of an eye, three entire months had passed. I could hardly account for the time as it had passed by so quickly. As I had anticipated, when I entered the palace, I was not permitted to leave it again until I had been fully accepted into the queen's service. I had to earn my privileges, just like anyone else. I worked alongside the other ladies, but from the beginning it was difficult to fit in amongst them. Those of rank viewed me as a servant, and the servants saw me as a lady of rank. I was caught in between, and so for a long time, the only friend I had was Anne.
She kept me close to her, which indicated that I was her new favourite lady in waiting. The others took offence to this and would often ostracise me at first. This did not bother me at all, for it was not for their esteem I had come to the palace. I worked to earn my place, as well as their respect. It simply took me a little time to understand how best to earn it. At first, I was clearly the newcomer who lacked any form of personal wealth or social standing, evidenced by my servant's clothing. I was grateful that Ninon had rightly guessed that I would one day have need of finer things.
Perhaps she had known before she had left that I would eventually return to my proper rank and standing as a lady. It would not surprise me. She had always been insightful and forward thinking. I was merely glad that now I had a reason to wear her beautiful clothes, as well as the modest jewels she had gifted to me. Most importantly of all, I was relieved that I could wear the wren broach everyday without fear of either breaking or sullying it with dirty work. I wore it proudly, having adjusted a few of Ninon's gowns to fit my smaller frame to serve for the time being, but I desperately needed gowns fitted to my current size.
Such things would be expensive, however with the king's purse of gold, I endeavoured to properly attire myself as befitting a lady. The queen kindly called for her personal tailor upon my enquiring for a suitable seamstress and tailor. She summoned one at once and had me fitted for new gowns, dismissing all other maids so that it was only herself and the seamstress in the room. "I think a light blue will suit you well," Anne noted as she observed the seamstress taking my measurements, having me stand upon a box whilst she wrapped a length of measuring cloth around my waist. "It will complement your eyes."
"An excellent observation, your majesty. Might I also suggest a shade of green?" The seamstress offered and promptly rushed to provide numerous sample fabrics in the various colours she had available. "An olive green will suit the lady's fair skin…once it has been treated to remove the blemishes." Flushing slightly as I stepped down, I touched a hand to my face and wondered what blemishes she could be referring to. It had been so long since I had seen my reflection as I avoided it as much as possible, I had quite forgotten the condition of my features. "Oh, I meant no offence, my lady," the seamstress hastened to apologise upon seeing my expression. "Only it is clear you have not taken proper care of your skin and have worked out in the sun a great deal."
"Thank you, Madame Vallier," smoothly ordering the seamstress to be silent, Anne smiled to me gently. "Come Madeleine, if you are to be the one wearing the gowns then you should choose the fabrics. Are there any to your liking?" Approaching the table, I began to inspect each sample fabric in turn, feeling them and scrutinising their patterns. The embroidered ones held little appeal to me as they were not to my taste, so I chose plain fabrics with a mind to adorn them myself later.
"As your majesty kindly suggested, I am partial to this shade of blue here," delicately touching a sky blue fabric, I then also reached for a darker green, "as well as the green Madame Vallier specified, and I think…" scanning the others, my eyes settled upon a simple cream fabric. "I shall choose this one as my final fabric. Three dresses are enough to begin with, I think."
"Are you certain? If it is the cost which gives you hesitation, then you need not think of it. This is to be my gift to you," Anne informed me, making me look at her in shock. "You saved my life, and you are now in my service, it is the least I can do to see you properly dressed." Waving her hand, Madame Vallier immediately procured a piece of parchment and a graphite pencil to begin writing down the queen's order. "We shall have two dresses apiece in the selected fabrics, as well as petticoats, smallclothes, hosiers, collars, sleeves and lace…" the seamstress eagerly wrote down every item, marking each with their number before Anne was satisfied.
"Your majesty…I do not know what to say…"
"Think nothing of it. Now, we shall look at gown designs." It was a taxing business being a proper lady. Anne and I spent the entire day choosing gowns and designs, as well as ordering two new pairs of shoes with an elevated heel which added to my height, as well as selecting bottles of perfumes and scented oils. I had nothing of my own to speak of, and Anne seemed to have already thought of everything. The moment we were finished with one merchant, another took their place and the process would begin all over again. By the end of the day I was thoroughly exhausted, but oddly happy.
Selecting perfumes and gowns, shoes and jewels reminded my of my girlhood, when such things had been a delight to my mind. Every year upon my birthday I received such gifts from my brothers, outfitting me with all the necessary desires of a young noble lady. I had quite forgotten the simple joys of looking at pretty things and being able to buy them for oneself. Anne fulfilled her promise to purchase my newest wardrobe, and I spent the king's gold upon perfume, shoes and other necessities such as creams and lotions.
By the end of the week, my originally bare room was transformed. Ninon's books were all carefully stacked upon the bookshelves with my table arranged with my ribbons, threads and embroidery tools. The bed was covered in new drapes and coverlet, which I had purchased from Bonacieux in secret. As much as I detested the man, his fortune meant that Constance would live well, and until I was able to see her again, I wanted to do what I could for her from afar. That being the case, it was a good thing I now had coin of my own, as I was able to use it to hire Jacques the barrack's stableboy to keep an eye on her for me. The boy was willing to do anything with the promise of a gold coin once a month for his services.
Thus, I soon began to feel as much a lady as I was dressed as one. The gowns took time to be returned, about a month in all, but in the meantime Ninon's garments sufficed for my use. I hoped that eventually I might start to grow into my figure and they would not require so much alteration. At the very least, I was a passable lady for the time being, and when it became known that I was skilled with a needle and thread, many ladies asked me to make alterations or adjustments to their gowns. Embroidery had suddenly become a fashionable statement, and my evenings were often filled with the quite repetitiveness of my needle pushing through fabric and drawing thread into shapes and patterns.
Even Anne herself was enamoured with my skill, and was pleased when I gifted her a new cushion with embroidered flowers and a pair of doves. If the queen liked it, then of course all the ladies wanted one as well. I charged for the service, which at first was met with appalled gasps of disbelief, but eventually they all conceded. When someone desired something enough, they were always willing to pay the price for it. It was a small income to add to my wages as the queen's lady in waiting, but I ensured that I was particular in my commissions. My duty to Anne came first.
As such, when she asked me privately to accompany the distraught Charlotte Mellendorf, the daughter of the count accused of the queen's attempted assassination, I readily obeyed. "I know I can trust you," Anne whispered to me as she brought me to where Lady Charlotte was kept in residence whilst her father languished in the Bastille. "You know as well as I that the count is not responsible for the attempt, Captain Treville has assured me that it is quite impossible. I cannot do much for the count, but at least we may take good care of his daughter. Relations between France and Germany are strained enough at present. We must do all we can to maintain our truce."
"Of course, your majesty. You may leave Lady Charlotte to me." Nodding confidently to me, Anne led the way to Charlotte's residence, the east wing of the hunting lodge. There was a fierce guard presence which I noted as I followed the queen. Most likely to keep Lady Charlotte inside and under a careful watch. She greeted us distantly when we entered the parlour, her eyes were red from crying and her complexion suffered for it.
"Your majesty…I am honoured to receive you," she greeted politely, curtseying as was proper, but it was clear that she did not trust Anne. "For what reason have you come to visit? Is it my father? Is he alright?" Panic rose to the surface.
"Be at ease, Lady Charlotte, your father is still in good health," Anne assured her as she crossed the room and took the lady's hands. "I have come to offer you my apologies. We will uncover the truth behind the matter as soon as it can be found…but in the meantime, I have brought you one of my most trusted ladies to be your companion. I thought perhaps you might like the company." Turning with a light gesture of her hand, I stepped forwards to curtsey and introduce myself.
"Greetings, Lady Charlotte. I am Madeleine de la Fère. It is my honour to make your acquaintance." Looking upon me, I sensed the deep rooted distrust in the lady, but she graciously thanked the queen and accepted my companionship. Anne did not linger long as she had her own duties to attend to, but she promised to return when she was able. Then, it was only Lady Charlotte and I left standing in the room. For a moment there was silence, tense and a little uncomfortable as neither of us knew where to begin.
"I suppose you had better sit," flicking her hand to one of the many seats available, I moved towards the one next to her. "I know why you are here. You are here to spy on me." With a chuckle, I admired the young woman's candidness.
"Not at all, Lady Charlotte. The queen was genuine in her concern that you might be feeling lonely. We both believe in your father's innocence, and thus your innocence also. There is no need to spy on someone who has done nothing wrong," blinking, Charlotte stared at me openly. "Now, do you care for card games at all, my lady?" It took a little time, but gradually I began to win Lady Charlotte over simply by being friendly and courteous. Charlotte had not stepped foot outside of her residence since her father had been imprisoned. Initially, she too had been taken to the Bastille, but she was permitted to leave on account that her involvement seemed to only be superficial in regard to the assassination attempt. The king had been kind to her, but this was of little comfort to a woman who could do little else other than fear for her father's life. I entertained her as best I could, but I found the thing that truly rallied Lady Charlotte's spirits was horseback riding.
Upon learning this, I immediately invited her to ride with me. When I had suggested it, she had looked to me in amazement. "You are able to ride a horse, Lady Madeleine? I thought it was not common for French ladies to ride."
"Not common, but I like to think myself as an exception to the rules. Come, my lady. A ride will be invigorating for the both of us." Drawing upon her arm, I helped Lady Charlotte change her clothes into suitable riding attire and quickly changed myself, sending word to have two horses saddled and ready for us within the hour. For the first time, I saw a bloom of warmth in Charlotte as I escorted her to the stables which were conveniently located near to her residence, only for the guards to stand in our way. The cardinal's men.
"The lady is not permitted to leave, you must return inside." Immediately I sensed Charlotte wilt, but I was not about to concede defeat so easily.
"By whose order?"
"The cardinal's, obviously." I did not much care for their improper tone, or their rudeness. Drawing myself up to my full height, which admittedly was nothing impressive, I did however muster a magnificent glare which made both guards swallow nervously. I saw their Adam's apple bob disconcertingly.
"I am Lady Madeleine de la Fère, Lady in Waiting to her majesty Queen Anne of France, and it is by the queen's command I am to see to Lady Charlotte's every need and comfort. Lady Charlotte wishes to ride in the fresh air, and by the queen's command I am obligated to fulfil her wish. Do you dare disobey the queen's will? Are you inferring that the cardinal's order supersedes that of her majesty the Queen's?" They gaped at me like brainless fish, staring dumbly as they were unable to think of a single reply. I had them fairly cornered. "Then, I bid good day to you gentlemen. My lady? It is time we were away." Taking Charlotte by the hand I escorted her outside, where she immediately drew in a deep, cleansing breath.
"It has been too long since I have basked in the sun."
"Then we shall take a walk everyday, Lady Charlotte, so that you may enjoy it. Our horses will be ready for us by now. I hope you have the energy for a brisk ride, for I do not care much for an ambling pace." For the first time since our acquaintance, I saw a glittering brightness in Charlotte's eyes. She could not rush to the stables swiftly enough, eagerly mounting her horse and drawing up the reins. Together we raced into the grounds to fly upon the powerful steeds who carried us with the fullness of their power.
Their manes flickered as their necks stretched with every stride, and Charlotte cast her voice into a carefree laugh as we galloped. Eventually we slowed to allow the horses time to catch their breath, and by then Charlotte was giggling and smiling until her mouth must have ached. "Ah! I have missed this! Thank you, Lady Madeleine, I am indebted to you." Looking to her warmly, I assured her that it was my pleasure. As I promised, we either walked or rode every day until her spirits were bolstered, and I was able to return a little of her previous vitality back to her. Upon her request and with the queen's permission, I even went to see her father in the Bastille. I brought him wine and food, items to see to his comforts such as books and shaving tools, all bequeathed to him in the name of his daughter and the Queen. He looked a wretched man, one who was suffering immeasurably from this injustice, and so I did what I could for him, even treating the ailments the incarceration had imparted upon him such as sores and gout.
Count Mellendorf thanked me kindly, and petitioned me to take word back to his daughter, even to lie to her and say that he was in excellent condition, all so that she would not worry for him. I was glad to do so. Considering I was relatively powerless, I was more than willing to do these small things for the count and his daughter. I acted as the queen's agent, moving when her hands were tied and speaking on her behalf at her behest, doing everything I possibly could to further stabilise her authority which she had began to consolidate for herself more readily. I was proud to serve her, for it gave me a sense of purpose, one which I had been unknowingly searching for my entire life until now.