Amour: Historical Romance (Passion and Glory Book 1) by Samantha Kaye
Authors: Samantha Kaye
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opinions about the marquis and his family,” Madame de Talonge replied.
How could you keep such a thing secret from me, Agnès...or any secrets, for that matter? And to make alliance with the Marquis de Blaise! What words can I put to your actions other than those of treachery and betrayal? The comtesse seethed inwardly, though her face remained an unreadable mask.
“I agree entirely with your general sentiments, Madame, though with regard to the situation of the comte, I feel no aspersion may be cast upon him for the faults of his father. His mother was, after all, of noble and pure French blood. Neither she, God rest her soul, nor her son should suffer any ill opinion because of the father’s shameful and abominable cohabitation with that black concubine of his,” Madame Dupluie opined, her eyebrows raised in defiance against any other point of view.
The vicomte cleared his throat to indicate his displeasure. He was offended by the slight uttered against Madame de Blaise, a lady he held in some esteem. It was disgraceful to slander another in public, and in a manner in which the other could not defend themselves. Such an attack lacked any sense of honor and was even worse when delivered upon one lady by another. He took up the gauntlet of Madame Dupluie’s challenge at once.
“Might I point out, Madame, that Monsieur de Blaise did marry the woman you speak of—some time ago, in fact, and with His Majesty’s approval? As I was on the commission which reviewed the marriage petition, I do have some detailed knowledge of the circumstances. While it was not contested that the bloodlines of the marquise’s mother, Madame von Hardanger, were neither pure nor wholly French, it was impossible to say with surety what the marquise’s mother really was, despite the rumors which have long circulated based on appearance, of her having been the greater part Nègre. [ 1] What was known at the time, and has not since been further illuminated, was that Madame von Hardanger was freeborn and of indeterminate ancestry.”
Madame de Talonge beamed at Tollaincourt.
“How fascinating, my dear vicomte. I did not know you possessed such detailed knowledge of so obscure a matter. Please continue.”
The vicomte was elated at the encouragement from his desired. He gathered up the threads of his explanation with renewed vigor, hoping the comtesse might at last feel inclined to grant him favors more intimate and tender than just her delightful smile.
“The weight of the case was decided on the merits of Madame de Blaise’s paternal antecedents. Her father, a Monsieur Olaf Galtung von Hardanger, had a recognized patent of nobility from the court of Norway. He married a free woman of indeterminate origin, they had a daughter named Ouragon, and the patent of nobility by the customs of the court of Norway passed to her. Regardless of what one might think based on appearances alone, there was nothing in the law to prevent the marriage of this daughter to the Marquis de Blaise or to inhibit the title of marquise passing on to her as well through her husband. Had it been only a question of Salic law, which prevails in France, the progeny of Monsieur von Hardanger would have been declared noble by fact of the father’s blood. So as it was, both French and Norwegian customs and law appeared to agree that there was nothing to preclude the daughter of Monsieur von Hardanger from being recognized as a lady of quality.
“The court rightly felt, however, and most agreed, that the fact of the rumor itself, should preclude the marquis from even considering Mademoiselle von Hardanger as a potential bride. But, if Monsieur de Blaise was willing to live with the public censure he would subject himself to as a result of allying himself to such a woman, regardless of what the law might dictate, then so be it. It was made clear to the marquis at the time, that if he married the lady in question, he would no longer be welcomed at court.
“Given the
How could you keep such a thing secret from me, Agnès...or any secrets, for that matter? And to make alliance with the Marquis de Blaise! What words can I put to your actions other than those of treachery and betrayal? The comtesse seethed inwardly, though her face remained an unreadable mask.
“I agree entirely with your general sentiments, Madame, though with regard to the situation of the comte, I feel no aspersion may be cast upon him for the faults of his father. His mother was, after all, of noble and pure French blood. Neither she, God rest her soul, nor her son should suffer any ill opinion because of the father’s shameful and abominable cohabitation with that black concubine of his,” Madame Dupluie opined, her eyebrows raised in defiance against any other point of view.
The vicomte cleared his throat to indicate his displeasure. He was offended by the slight uttered against Madame de Blaise, a lady he held in some esteem. It was disgraceful to slander another in public, and in a manner in which the other could not defend themselves. Such an attack lacked any sense of honor and was even worse when delivered upon one lady by another. He took up the gauntlet of Madame Dupluie’s challenge at once.
“Might I point out, Madame, that Monsieur de Blaise did marry the woman you speak of—some time ago, in fact, and with His Majesty’s approval? As I was on the commission which reviewed the marriage petition, I do have some detailed knowledge of the circumstances. While it was not contested that the bloodlines of the marquise’s mother, Madame von Hardanger, were neither pure nor wholly French, it was impossible to say with surety what the marquise’s mother really was, despite the rumors which have long circulated based on appearance, of her having been the greater part Nègre. [ 1] What was known at the time, and has not since been further illuminated, was that Madame von Hardanger was freeborn and of indeterminate ancestry.”
Madame de Talonge beamed at Tollaincourt.
“How fascinating, my dear vicomte. I did not know you possessed such detailed knowledge of so obscure a matter. Please continue.”
The vicomte was elated at the encouragement from his desired. He gathered up the threads of his explanation with renewed vigor, hoping the comtesse might at last feel inclined to grant him favors more intimate and tender than just her delightful smile.
“The weight of the case was decided on the merits of Madame de Blaise’s paternal antecedents. Her father, a Monsieur Olaf Galtung von Hardanger, had a recognized patent of nobility from the court of Norway. He married a free woman of indeterminate origin, they had a daughter named Ouragon, and the patent of nobility by the customs of the court of Norway passed to her. Regardless of what one might think based on appearances alone, there was nothing in the law to prevent the marriage of this daughter to the Marquis de Blaise or to inhibit the title of marquise passing on to her as well through her husband. Had it been only a question of Salic law, which prevails in France, the progeny of Monsieur von Hardanger would have been declared noble by fact of the father’s blood. So as it was, both French and Norwegian customs and law appeared to agree that there was nothing to preclude the daughter of Monsieur von Hardanger from being recognized as a lady of quality.
“The court rightly felt, however, and most agreed, that the fact of the rumor itself, should preclude the marquis from even considering Mademoiselle von Hardanger as a potential bride. But, if Monsieur de Blaise was willing to live with the public censure he would subject himself to as a result of allying himself to such a woman, regardless of what the law might dictate, then so be it. It was made clear to the marquis at the time, that if he married the lady in question, he would no longer be welcomed at court.
“Given the
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