Amour: Historical Romance (Passion and Glory Book 1) by Samantha Kaye Page A
Authors: Samantha Kaye
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intrigues of the times, some even suspected that the King was happy to oblige the marquis precisely as a means of removing him from Versailles and curbing the marquis’ influence without His Majesty having to resort to the heavy-handed mechanism of the lettre de cachet . The court was much divided about the affair, some choosing to applaud the marquis’ courage, others condemning him and his new wife in the most strident terms.
“In the end, the marquis took his bride and left the court, but all these events occurred more than fifteen years ago. Surely such passions have long since cooled,” Tollaincourt concluded, with perhaps more hope in his last assertion than he himself even felt.
“Regardless of what the law might say, I know with my own eyes what she is and what her mother was. She is a Nègre and therefore so is her son, and to keep society with them while pretending they are our equals is to risk the position of all of us. Furthermore, to accept half-breeds into decent company also encourages and rewards the loose morals and debauches the lesser races are prone to, which stain the honor of our men and make mockery of the virtues of true French womanhood,” Madame Dupluie said with surety.
What an absolute bore , Tollaincourt thought, rolling his eyes, although Dupluie was right about one thing. The pretty Black and Creole girls of all hues and delights were part of the reason many Frenchmen chose to remain in the colonies and away from France. Who would wish to spend his time in the company of such homely fare as Madame Dupluie and her daughter, when there was an endless supply of delectable island women for the taking, and more arriving each day in the slave markets of Cap Français and Porte-au-Prince? Besides, the idea of an impoverished gasbag like Madame Dupluie, whose family was on the lowest rungs of the nobility, ever moving in the same social circles as the Marquis de Blaise was simply preposterous. The marquis’ family was older than old. Their coat of arms was well known and studied in the courts of Europe, as was the livery of their house. The lesser-born could say what they would of him, but the marquis’ blood was bluer than the depths of the ocean, and his wealth the stuff of legend. All of which makes the marriage with Salvagnac entirely more curious, Tollaincourt thought. It is impossible to believe the marquis actually needs Salvagnac’s money. What, then, is the marquis really after?
“If there is an alliance between the marquis and Salvagnac, it will benefit the baron without question, but what of the marquis? What can he hope to gain?” Tollaincourt asked of no one in particular.
“Perhaps he grows tired of his long exile and wishes to find a way back to court. And the baron has an abundance of the one thing which seems to matter most these days,” Madame de Talonge suggested.
The comtesse thought it through. Of course, money has to be at the root of it. The marquis’ fortune is large enough in its own right, but he might have to forfeit the greater part of it to buy his way back into the good graces of the court. Or perhaps he has some greater purpose in mind? But whom will he buy, and to what purpose? He must know the risks to himself and his family, should he seek to return to France. Could this be what that worm Ginestas wishes to discuss? the comtesse mused.
“Perhaps you are right, Madame, but Monsieur de Blaise’s thoughts may also be turning toward his youngest son, the Chevalier d’Argentolle. The boy is approaching the age where considerations of his future will begin to be of increasing import,” Tollaincourt reminded her.
The comtesse regarded Tollaincourt with unconcealed admiration.
“What a subtle and penetrating mind you possess, dear Tollaincourt.”
The Vicomte de Tollaincourt bowed with grace, unable to resist a grin of delight as he contemplated what it would be like to kiss the pretty little mouth of Madame de Talonge and penetrate her with more
“In the end, the marquis took his bride and left the court, but all these events occurred more than fifteen years ago. Surely such passions have long since cooled,” Tollaincourt concluded, with perhaps more hope in his last assertion than he himself even felt.
“Regardless of what the law might say, I know with my own eyes what she is and what her mother was. She is a Nègre and therefore so is her son, and to keep society with them while pretending they are our equals is to risk the position of all of us. Furthermore, to accept half-breeds into decent company also encourages and rewards the loose morals and debauches the lesser races are prone to, which stain the honor of our men and make mockery of the virtues of true French womanhood,” Madame Dupluie said with surety.
What an absolute bore , Tollaincourt thought, rolling his eyes, although Dupluie was right about one thing. The pretty Black and Creole girls of all hues and delights were part of the reason many Frenchmen chose to remain in the colonies and away from France. Who would wish to spend his time in the company of such homely fare as Madame Dupluie and her daughter, when there was an endless supply of delectable island women for the taking, and more arriving each day in the slave markets of Cap Français and Porte-au-Prince? Besides, the idea of an impoverished gasbag like Madame Dupluie, whose family was on the lowest rungs of the nobility, ever moving in the same social circles as the Marquis de Blaise was simply preposterous. The marquis’ family was older than old. Their coat of arms was well known and studied in the courts of Europe, as was the livery of their house. The lesser-born could say what they would of him, but the marquis’ blood was bluer than the depths of the ocean, and his wealth the stuff of legend. All of which makes the marriage with Salvagnac entirely more curious, Tollaincourt thought. It is impossible to believe the marquis actually needs Salvagnac’s money. What, then, is the marquis really after?
“If there is an alliance between the marquis and Salvagnac, it will benefit the baron without question, but what of the marquis? What can he hope to gain?” Tollaincourt asked of no one in particular.
“Perhaps he grows tired of his long exile and wishes to find a way back to court. And the baron has an abundance of the one thing which seems to matter most these days,” Madame de Talonge suggested.
The comtesse thought it through. Of course, money has to be at the root of it. The marquis’ fortune is large enough in its own right, but he might have to forfeit the greater part of it to buy his way back into the good graces of the court. Or perhaps he has some greater purpose in mind? But whom will he buy, and to what purpose? He must know the risks to himself and his family, should he seek to return to France. Could this be what that worm Ginestas wishes to discuss? the comtesse mused.
“Perhaps you are right, Madame, but Monsieur de Blaise’s thoughts may also be turning toward his youngest son, the Chevalier d’Argentolle. The boy is approaching the age where considerations of his future will begin to be of increasing import,” Tollaincourt reminded her.
The comtesse regarded Tollaincourt with unconcealed admiration.
“What a subtle and penetrating mind you possess, dear Tollaincourt.”
The Vicomte de Tollaincourt bowed with grace, unable to resist a grin of delight as he contemplated what it would be like to kiss the pretty little mouth of Madame de Talonge and penetrate her with more
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