nudged Sable faster, to leave all behind. “Onward!”
That evening, I wore rose-colored velvet with gold embroidery and cream satin ribbons. The dress had cost a fortune, but Claire insisted on helping me pay for it. We descended the stairs to wait for Fanny’s coach. She would escort Claire and me tonight. When the coach stopped in front of the house, its door flew open.
“Get in! We’re almost late,” Fanny called.
I bumped my head on the doorframe as we jerked forward. “Ouch!” I blotted my forehead, trying not to touch my hair. It had taken me more than an hour to get it right. Curls sprang from a pink flower pin, the perfect complement to such an elegant gown.
“You’re perfect, darling. Not to worry,” Claire said. She was ravishing, herself, in yellow silk and diamonds.
“Why are we in a hurry?” I asked.
“I’m meeting friends to discuss reform.” Fanny folded her hands in her lap.
“Reform? What sort?” Claire asked, her head swaying side to side to the rhythm of the moving carriage.
“The royal treasury is bankrupt. We’ll see another increase in taxes soon.”
“I’ve heard the King will no longer host court in Fontainebleau when this season concludes. How dull everything will become,” Claire complained.
“An increase in taxes?” I asked anxiously. “As it is, I have borrowed to survive these last months.”
“Times are unstable. We don’t want to be associated with the wrong side. Be prudent with your opinions,” Fanny warned. “Many fear revolt.”
We nodded in silent agreement. The thought of a revolt turned my stomach.
Fanny had no need to be discreet. Everyone debated reform.
“The King should fire the Minister of Finance. His support dwindles,” a gentleman said.
“King Louis is an arrogant fool. Too busy hunting and letting the Queen spend the national treasury on frippery,” another said.
Remaining neutral was my natural inclination; both sides had their points and dividing my friends concerned me. I thought it ludicrous to lose a friendship over opinions about the King. He would be King for posterity.
I searched for the duke throughout dinner, but did not see him in the sea of faces. As the wine flowed, the guests’ discussions became more animated and the ambience darkened. I excused myself to seek fresh air; a headache brewed.
On my final turn through the rambling halls, I spotted a door leading to the main gardens. The chilly air bit at my nose and ears. Stars sparkled against a black velvet sky. Torches lit the mansion’s rows of hardy flowers, which thrived in spite of the autumn frost. I descended a staircase leading to a terrace of topiaries and fountains.
“Madame, are you cold?” A voice startled me. “You are shivering.”
I squinted at a form in the darkness. “Who’s there?”
“Please, take my coat. I am quite warm.” The figure stepped into a halo of light from a nearby torch, revealing a familiar chiseled face. The duke.
I smiled. “Thank you, monsieur. That’s very kind of you.” He slid his coat off and wrapped it around my shoulders.
“You are very beautiful tonight, madame.” He leaned forward, taking my gloved hand in his and grazing it with his lips. A tingling spread up my arm. “It’s a lovely night, but a bit brisk. I’m surprised to find a woman out of doors.”
“The heavy talk was depressing my mood.” I smiled. “It appears I made the right choice.”
“May I?” He offered me his arm.
“Please.” I held his muscled forearm as he led me on a promenade through the garden.
“Times are changing,” he said. “We all feel the strain. But we need not dwell on serious talk on such a perfect night.”
“
Merci.
I’ve had enough for one evening.”
“And did the riding agree with you this afternoon?”
“Very much. Such a rush of freedom and danger. It feels like flying,” I breathed.
He eyed my heaving chest.
“I enjoy it as well. But I enjoy the company of a beautiful woman more.” His
That evening, I wore rose-colored velvet with gold embroidery and cream satin ribbons. The dress had cost a fortune, but Claire insisted on helping me pay for it. We descended the stairs to wait for Fanny’s coach. She would escort Claire and me tonight. When the coach stopped in front of the house, its door flew open.
“Get in! We’re almost late,” Fanny called.
I bumped my head on the doorframe as we jerked forward. “Ouch!” I blotted my forehead, trying not to touch my hair. It had taken me more than an hour to get it right. Curls sprang from a pink flower pin, the perfect complement to such an elegant gown.
“You’re perfect, darling. Not to worry,” Claire said. She was ravishing, herself, in yellow silk and diamonds.
“Why are we in a hurry?” I asked.
“I’m meeting friends to discuss reform.” Fanny folded her hands in her lap.
“Reform? What sort?” Claire asked, her head swaying side to side to the rhythm of the moving carriage.
“The royal treasury is bankrupt. We’ll see another increase in taxes soon.”
“I’ve heard the King will no longer host court in Fontainebleau when this season concludes. How dull everything will become,” Claire complained.
“An increase in taxes?” I asked anxiously. “As it is, I have borrowed to survive these last months.”
“Times are unstable. We don’t want to be associated with the wrong side. Be prudent with your opinions,” Fanny warned. “Many fear revolt.”
We nodded in silent agreement. The thought of a revolt turned my stomach.
Fanny had no need to be discreet. Everyone debated reform.
“The King should fire the Minister of Finance. His support dwindles,” a gentleman said.
“King Louis is an arrogant fool. Too busy hunting and letting the Queen spend the national treasury on frippery,” another said.
Remaining neutral was my natural inclination; both sides had their points and dividing my friends concerned me. I thought it ludicrous to lose a friendship over opinions about the King. He would be King for posterity.
I searched for the duke throughout dinner, but did not see him in the sea of faces. As the wine flowed, the guests’ discussions became more animated and the ambience darkened. I excused myself to seek fresh air; a headache brewed.
On my final turn through the rambling halls, I spotted a door leading to the main gardens. The chilly air bit at my nose and ears. Stars sparkled against a black velvet sky. Torches lit the mansion’s rows of hardy flowers, which thrived in spite of the autumn frost. I descended a staircase leading to a terrace of topiaries and fountains.
“Madame, are you cold?” A voice startled me. “You are shivering.”
I squinted at a form in the darkness. “Who’s there?”
“Please, take my coat. I am quite warm.” The figure stepped into a halo of light from a nearby torch, revealing a familiar chiseled face. The duke.
I smiled. “Thank you, monsieur. That’s very kind of you.” He slid his coat off and wrapped it around my shoulders.
“You are very beautiful tonight, madame.” He leaned forward, taking my gloved hand in his and grazing it with his lips. A tingling spread up my arm. “It’s a lovely night, but a bit brisk. I’m surprised to find a woman out of doors.”
“The heavy talk was depressing my mood.” I smiled. “It appears I made the right choice.”
“May I?” He offered me his arm.
“Please.” I held his muscled forearm as he led me on a promenade through the garden.
“Times are changing,” he said. “We all feel the strain. But we need not dwell on serious talk on such a perfect night.”
“
Merci.
I’ve had enough for one evening.”
“And did the riding agree with you this afternoon?”
“Very much. Such a rush of freedom and danger. It feels like flying,” I breathed.
He eyed my heaving chest.
“I enjoy it as well. But I enjoy the company of a beautiful woman more.” His
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