Helene Arrives at Blakeney Manor

They pulled up to what Helene supposed was Blakeney Manor in midmorning. It took her a moment to take it all in, to realize that this was where she was supposed to be. Yes, she had read about grand estates, even about places like Versailles...but never had she imagined...a place this large, belonging to one man? Even what she had seen of the aristocratic houses in Paris had been far smaller, pressed in by the confines of the city. And never had she actually visited one. This country mansion...the carefully manicured grounds stretched verdantly in all directions...liveried servants cheerfully at work...and the estate itself...To her eyes it was massive, grand. Even the stairs leading up to the front entranceway--it could not simply be called a door--seemed miles long. And the number of windows!

Taking a deep breath, Helene pulled herself together. Louise was looking up at her inquiringly, holding her hand. Helene reminded herself that such wealth must not be such a surprise for the little girl. The driver had taken the carriage around to the back, presumably to stable the horses. Helene was on her own. Gripping Louise's hand tightly in her own, the young Frenchwoman started up that seemingly massive staircase. Hours later she reached the top, and raised a timid hand to knock. Everything here seemed to remind her how different she was, from the behavior of the coachman to her own drab frock against the color and finery of the manor. Did Sir Percy even want her here, a poor French girl with nothing--it had been, after all, Marguerite's idea--Stop it! She shook herself mentally. What's gotten into you? You are just as much a person as anybody here, no matter what his money. You know this. You believe this. And you are qualified for this position. Gathering her confidence, she knocked.

A young maid with a round face, cheeks like apples, and a ready smile opened the door. "Miss Leroux?"

"Yes." Helene smiled back with more confidence than she felt.

"Come in, please, miss. You are expected." She led Helene and Louise into a room off the entrance hall--a sitting room? One of many? After all, what on earth did one *do* with so many rooms?--and invited them to sit. "I'm afraid Sir Percy is away on business right now, but Lady Blakeney will be glad to hear you have arrived. Please wait here, miss, and I will let her know you have come."

"Thank you," answered Helene graciously. The apple-cheeked girl curtsied and left.

A moment later, another servant entered and offered them food and drink. Helene refused politely, hiding how out of place she felt. She wondered how Marguerite and Armand had grown used to such an environment, so different from the poorer side of Paris.

Squeezing Louise's hand, she waited for Lady Blakeney.

When Candice met Marguerite in the hallway and told her Helene had arrived, she nearly knocked the poor girl over rushing down the hall to front sitting room where she was waiting. "Oh Helene, I should have known I've been sitting by the window since the carriage left. I got up and moved for just a few minutes and the you arrive." Marguerite hugged her friend and then looked down at little Louise, "and I'm so glad you could join us too Louise."

The ebullience of her friend's entrance sent most of Helene's uneasiness flying. Smiling just as warmly, she returned Marguerite's embrace. "I'm happy to have come. It's so good to see you, Marguerite."

Standing back up she caught her excited breath and explained Percy's absence. "I'm sorry Percy and Armand aren't here to greet you. Business has taken Percy away again and he took Armand with him." 'Though I'm sure Percy's not sorry,' Marguerite thought bitterly to herself.

"Oh, that's quite all right," Helene answered quickly and politely. Marguerite's smile had dimmed for a moment right there, doubtless she was annoyed at her husband for being away. Helene thought nothing of it; it was probably a normal irritation between husband and wife, and besides, it was none of her business.

"I'm sure you'd like to see your rooms, or are you hungry. I could ask that something be fixed up for you if you are."

"Oh, no, thank you, I am just fine. Are you hungry, Louise?" She looked down at the little girl, who shook her blond head with an adorable, "No, thank you." Helene smiled at Marguerite. "It would be wonderful if you could show us where we will be staying, though, so I could drop our bags off. Although most of it," she added with a laugh, "consists of the books Armand borrowed from your husband for me." She suddenly realized truly how little she had. Everything had been left behind in France. No--that wasn't true, she thought, looking at Marguerite. She still had friends, and that was what was important.

"Of course, of course, just wait here for a second." Marguerite left and found Robert, one of the valets, and asked him to help bring Helene's things to her apartment. Marguerite returned and grabbed Helene's hand and virtually dragged her up the stairs to her apartment. "You're suite is in the east wing of the house, among the guest quarters."

Helene could not help grinning as Marguerite took her hand and dragged her through the house. She tried to take it all in as she passed...the broad hallways...the beautiful tapestries...the expensive and elegant furnishings...the servants...Vaguely, she wondered how she would remember her way through this many corridors. She doubted she would be able to find her room again if she dared to leave it. "Good heavens," she commented breathlessly to Marguerite as her friend pulled her up a broad staircase, "It's such a big house; I'm afraid I am already lost in it!"

"I've been here a month and I still get lost in it. Just wander around until you find a servant if you do. The entire staff knows every hidden nock of this house, they're amazing."

Marguerite opened the door to the suite. "It has been especially set up for you and Louise." she said as she entered the first room. "This is a sitting room for the two of you. That door to the right leads to your bedroom and on the left hand side of the room is Louise's room."

Helene's mouth dropped open. *Three* rooms? Whatever did they need with three rooms? The surroundings were lush and elegant, far more luxurious than anywhere Helene had ever hoped to live. "Marguerite...why, thank you...it's all so elegant." She smiled at her friend rather sheepishly. "I admit your home is a lot to take in after having grown up in the streets of Paris. It's so beautiful here," she added, looking around the room and out the window onto the grounds.

Marguerite bent down to Louise's eye level, "I bet if you go in there right now, you'll find a little surprise on your bed."

Louise's eyes grew big. A hurried "thank you, madame" and she had scurried into her new room.

Helene grinned at Marguerite again. "That was so nice of you. What is it?" She looked after the little girl. "Louise is happy here already, it seems."

"It's a doll. I thought she would like one to play with. Little Sarah has one and she's very attached, perhaps they could play with them together. Now if you follow me to your room, I have a surprise for you as well." Marguerite said as she took Helene's hand and pulled her towards her room.

Helene's expression changed to half touched with delight at Marguerite's thoughtfulness and half mock indignation. "Marguerite, you are being too kind to us," she insisted as her friend tugged her toward the other room. "I am grateful enough just for your having offered this position." She shook her head and smiled at Marguerite's generosity, but inside, she was touched by her friend's kindness.

"Oh Helene, you make it sounds as though I had to move mountains to bring you here." 'Although with Percy, getting him to agree to even the tinist thing seemed harder then moving mountains' Marguerite thought to herself as she lifted a hand to cover Helene's eyes until they entered her bedroom.

This time Helene did not notice the shadow that crossed Marguerite's face as the other woman thought of her husband. She acquiesced, smiling, as her friend raised a hand to cover her eyes and led her presumably toward the other room.

A few days earlier Marguerite, without Percy, went into town to buy some things for Helene. Arranged neatly on the table were two sets of workbooks, some in English, some in French, for the girls, an atlas and a few volumes of history books for children, as well as a few books Marguerite thought Helene might enjoy for herself. "Ok, now you can look." Marguerite happily announced as she lowered her hand to let Helene see her room and gifts.

Helene blinked in the light pouring in the tall windows as Marguerite removed her hand. Her eyes fell almost immediately on the books spread out on the table. With a gasp, she stepped over, not even noticing the opulence of the room in her eagerness to lift the covers immediately and look through them. Better teaching materials than she had ever hoped to have when she had started tutoring Louise. And over here...Helene realized that Marguerite had never meant these for the children. She caressed the titles with her eyes, letting her fingers run along the gilt-edged pages. Speechless. One she had read before and had thoroughly enjoyed, another she had heard of but never had the chance to read, and the third was unknown to her, but certainly looked interesting...

Helene suddenly became aware that Marguerite still stood behind her, waiting for a response. She turned slowly, a little self-conscious in her enthusiasm, her eyes shining with happiness. "Oh, Marguerite..." What was there to say? What could she possibly say? Her financial status her whole life had taught her to treasure even one of these volumes. But more than that, she was overwhelmed with such kindness--that Marguerite would think of this and want to do it. "How can I ever thank you?"

"There's no need to thank me Helene. To teach the girls of course you would need books for them and I though you might like a little relief and some book of your own for afterwards. I hope you like the books I choose, if not we can go over to Percy's library later and find some others." Marguerite said, relieved and pleased that Helene appeared to like the gifts she bought.

A job she would love...and access to an entire library of books any time she wanted. It was more than she had dreamed for. "Oh, don't worry, Marguerite, you made wonderful selections." She smiled gratefully at her friend, but now a trifle hopefully, as well. "But while we're on the subject, could I see the library?" It was best if she could learn her way around the manor as soon as possible; she could relax in her rooms later. She hoped she was not being presumptuous in asking...Marguerite doubtless had other things to do. Perhaps she should suggest that a servant take her down...

"Of course, I can show you around the entire manor if you'd like, well, as much of it as I'm familar with anyway." Marguerite took Helene's hand and nearly dragged her out into the sitting room.

"I would love that, if you have the time," Helene replied. "And when are we to meet the little girl you've brought me here to teach?"

"Oh, what about little Louise, would she like to come, or perhaps she's tire and would like a rest."

"Let's ask her," Helene suggested. "She may very well need a nap; she isn't used to getting up as early as we did today." They found the Louise sitting on her bed. The doll Marguerite had left for her was hugged in her arms so tightly that the fancy, shiny dress was crushed in wrinkles against Louise's own blue gown. The little girl was not actively playing or rocking the doll, just staring down at its porcelain face with her eyes wide. Her expression was not happy--painful was the way Helene would have described it. Or--starved was probably a better word. In her head, Helene said a prayer of thanks for Marguerite's thoughtfulness. She hadn't realized the depth of Louise's pain; the girl had kept it too skillfully hidden--her lonliness, her aching for her old life, for her parents, for the luxury that she was used to and that made her feel comfortable. Having a doll of her own represented something of that lost attachment, something she could call her own. "Louise?" Helene asked softly. "Would you like to come explore the manor with us?"

Louise did not look up. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Non, merci, Helene."

Marguerite sat down beside Louise and put one arm around her. She pulled closer a pillow for the girl in case she wanted to lay back. "Why don't you rest for a while, and tonight we'll have a nice dinner, and perhaps after that you can meet Sarah. How does that sound, a new friend for you?"

Louise's eyes finally rolled away from the doll that she still clutched protectively. "A friend?" Truth be told, Louise had never had a close friend--she knew other girls, but her life as an aristocratic youngster with a strict mother had not left much time for play. She was a little scared at the prospect, but excited nonetheless. All this she kept inside, however--polite breeding came forward automatically. "Merci beaucoup, Madame." One look in her eyes would show that her words were not just for a new friend and a doll.

Helene remained standing a little awkwardly as Marguerite comforted Louise affectionately. Why could she have not shown such care for the child? She had never cared much for nurturing children. Never been tender. She always felt awkward in such situations; instead, it had been her brother who knew what to do, what to say...silently she watched Marguerite, grateful for the attention that the other woman was giving Louise.

Marguerite smiled at the little girl. "Why don't you lay down here and rest for a bit until we come back, and then we'll see about getting something to eat if you're hungry. Does that seem alright with you?"

Louise nodded gratefully. "Oui, Madame. Merci." Her eyes rolled back toward the doll in her arms. Her grip on it had not loosened one whit; her posture was tense and almost unnaturally still.

"Ok then. We won't be long, I promise. If you need anything, and we're not here, you just going into the hallway and find someone, and tell them you want to see Helene and Marguerite."

Louise nodded without looking up. Servants. Shy as she was, she was used to servants, and thought little of them. After the two women left she sat still for a long time. Then she scooted back against the cushions on the bed, still clutching the doll as if it was her anchor to the real world. In a way, it felt like that to her, though she could not have explained why. Perhaps it was a symbol of stability in her so recently tumultous life after nine years of routine. She found herself drowsy and soon fell asleep, hands still tightly clasped around her doll.

Marguerite stood up carefully as Louise nodded her head and left the room with Helene, carefully closing the door to the girl's room behind them. "She seems quite shy doesn't she. I'm sure everything that has happened lately has been a bit of a shock for her."

Helene nodded a little tiredly. "I--worry about her. She is almost *too* quiet and polite. I don't think she handled it well. Not that what she has gone through would be easy for anyone, but..." She broke off and threw Marguerite an hopeless glance. "I don't know what to do for her. I fear I have never been good with children. I am hoping she will find some stability here."

"Once things settle down for her and she gets used to her surrounds I think things will be better. Right now we'll let her rest." Marguerite took a moment and realized just how little the two had with them. Of course they had to leave quickly and had little money once they got to England. "Come, I'll show you around the manor, and we'll discuss some other things. First of all, we will need to make arrangements for any additional things you need. You have books and supplies for the girls and yourself, though I'm sure you'd like some clothes, and for Louise as well. Let's see, what else do you think you will need?" she said as she led Helene into the hallway.

Helene took a deep breath. "Marguerite," she began, "I know I am your friend, but you must also think of me as an employee. I don't know what you have been planning to offer me as a salary--frankly, it doesn't much matter, as anything would be better than where I was working before, and room and board itself is a tremendous asset--but I do insist that anything I need aside from perhaps teaching materials be taken from what you are paying me. Please understand, Marguerite--anything else would dishonor me." She said this carefully, not looking at the other woman. Had she said it in a way that would not offend her friend? Mon dieu! She hated talking about money. It was so terribly awkward. "With that said...Louise and I left France with nothing; we barely got away with our lives." They hadn't even escaped with the clothes on their backs, she thought grimly. "We have nothing."

Marguerite nearly laughed. "Oh Helene, I should have known you would have trouble accepting such things. Alright then, as a proud daughter of France I consider it my duty to assist my fellow country women in times of need. Being that Louise can not provide for herself, I will see to it that anything such as proper clothing is taken care of as. As for you, considering that Sir Percy has the reputation as the best dressed man in England, I doubt that he would allow anyone at all to roam these halls without out appropriate, if not fashionable, attire, regardless of their position, and after all, everyone else employed to work inside the manor has uniforms provided by Percy. So, we will make sure that you have a few, just a few adequate sets of clothing until you have enough to purchase your own."

Helene nodded. "Thank you, Marguerite." The two women began walking through the manor, presumably on a tour of the large house. "Speaking of your husband, you said he was away?" A thought suddenly struck her. "And where is Armand hiding?" She was only attempting to make small talk, not knowing how painful this particular subject was for her friend.

Marguerite bit her lip to keep from lashing out at the thought of her husband. "Percy's business has forced him away, again. Apparently a new wife is not enough for him to stay home for even a few days. Armand went with him."

Helene was surprised at the bitterness in her friend's voice. Marguerite was obviously angry at her husband for leaving. Should she ask if the other woman wanted to discuss things? After a minute she decided not to get involved. It was really none of her business...but she *was* concerned. Instead, she tried changing the subject. "I see. So, what are all these rooms for along here?" The hallway was lined with heavy wooden doors. Helene suspected they might all be spare rooms, but it seemed unbelievable. She wondered when Percy and Armand would be back, but didn't want to ask.

Marguerite was brought away from angry thoughts of her husband by Helene's innocent question. Helene had no idea that Marguerite, true to her word, had slept the last two nights alone in Percy's bed, nor would she know that Marguerite had not eaten since those few forced bits at the dinner Percy had missed. "Most of these are more guest suites, we can look through some if you'd like, although I assure I specified that the nicest be selected for you and Louise."

Helene did not know quite what to say to that. "Thank you," she murmured. After a moment, she continued, "So tell me a little about what my responsibilities will be. You said I'd be tutoring a little girl here?"

"Oh, of course," Marguerite said as she led Helene back down the main stairway. "The main reason we needed a tutor is for Sarah. Sarah is about nine, sweetest little thing too. Her sister was hired as one of my ladies before I arrived here. Unfortunately, the girls have no parents, in a way they remind me of myself and Armand when we were younger. Emma, Sarah's sister, said that she knows how to read and has been teaching Sarah, although I'm not sure how well either of them can read or write. I hope you don't mind but Emma may like some tutoring as well to improve her skills."

"Of course." Helene smiled. "I'd love to. Since at least Emma is also employed here, is there a specific schedule we should stick to for lessons?" The two women had continued walking and were now traversing a wide landing before heading down a broad staircase. Helene tried to keep in mind where they were going while conversing at the same time; she needed to learn her way around. She hoped Marguerite would show her her own room and Armand's in addition to the library and, presumably, rooms like where she would be dining and teaching.

"oh no Helene, you're free to design your own schedule for teaching the girls, whatever you feel will work best for them." Marguerite said as they neared the grand foyer. "Come, I'll show you some of the main rooms in the house, including the dinning and kitchen areas and the library."

Helene noted the dining rooms and kitchens with interest, but it was the library she truly looked forward to seeing. Books were so--well, she knew it sounded odd, especially from someone as logical as she usually was, but books were so *comforting.* So safe. Marguerite led her down different corridors, pointing out various rooms as she went. Watching her friend, Helene's mind began to wonder about things she had thought about before, and at the next break in the conversation she spoke. "Marguerite, it's been so long. It's wonderful to see you again. But so much has happened...last I knew you, you and Armand were at the front of the Revolutionary banner, and now you're happily married in England--" briefly Helene wondered if it had been wise to mention Marguerite's husband, but it could not be helped now-- "to an aristocrat, no less. Don't get me wrong; I certainly mean no offense. But we just have so much to catch up on. What has happened in your life since we last met, my friend?" She smiled curiously at Marguerite, truly interested in the recent developments in the other woman's life.

Marguerite's heart sank when Helene once again mentioned Percy. She wasn't so much angry with him now, but she was missing him terribly. "Of course, but the next room is the one you've been wanting to see. We can go into the library and talk." Marguerite said, pushing the subject off for a moment. She led the way to the next door and opened it to reveal Percy's main library.

As Helene turned away from Marguerite to see the room they were entering, her expression turned from one of polite interest to awestruck blissfulness. Books...so many books! She had only been inside of a library twice before, as she had not had easy access to them, and although she had visited bookstores on many occasions, they were usually small, narrow, disorganized affairs with dusty shelves and decrepit products. Percy's library consisted of gleaming leather-bound rows of well-maintained volumes, gilt-edged pages gleaming softly in the light.

Marguerite couldn't help but to smile as she watched Helene look around in amazement at Percy's massive library. Like herslef, Helene found pleasse in simple, yet sometimes hard to come by things.

Helene suddenly realized how stupid she must look, gawking at the shelves, and turned a trifle self-consciously to Marguerite. "I'm sorry. I guess--I suppose one of my weak points is my passion for reading."

"It's quite alright Helene." Marguerite said as she followed Helene into hte room, "my reaction was much the same when I first saw the room."

"It's just so amazing," Helene agreed. "This whole...place. The enormity of it, and out in the country. Servants, and all the rooms...it must have been a lot for you to get used to." Helene hoped she was not being offensive, and did not think she was. She was merely trying to be a friend. She knew Marguerite's financial circumstances had been similar to her own growing up--even more trying, since the other girl had had no father or older brother to look after her. Instead, she had been both mother and older sister to Armand. Though Helene was closer in age to Marguerite than to Armand, it was Armand she knew better from their childhood, as Marguerite had been out working or taking care of household affairs most of the time.

"It still is a lot to get used to. I still get lost in the manor, and have no idea how far away Percy's lands stretch. The servants still make me very nervous. My ladies, they always seem so anxious to help, but I'm so used to doing everything on my own, I don't need the help, but at the same time I feel bad about sending them off sometimes. They try and help with everything from pouring baths, cooking food, even getting dressed and doing my hair." Marguerite said as she moved to a small set of armchairs and sat down. "Sometimes I wake up and look around and still can't believe I live here."

Helene joined her friend in the armchairs. "When exactly did you and Armand leave France? Jacques and I heard things, and we were able to discover your new address--partly because of your fame in France, and partly because your husband is well-known in England. But we didn't hear much more than that you were marrying an English aristocrat and that you were moving from France. We were in hiding, you understand, or we would have sent our congratulations."

"Of course I understand, everything happened so quickly anyway. Percy and I have only meet five weeks before he proposed to me." Marguerite said, giving a slight blush, "We've only been here in England about a month."

Helene was surprised at the short courtship, but covered it. Really, it was none of her business. "I imagine the Comedie was sorry to lose you."

"There were so protests from the management, of course. If plans had already been made, perhaps Percy and I would have put off getting married, but he proposed about a week before then end of my run and the management had planned for me to going into a period of resting, and had no immediate plans for me afterwards." Marguerite said. "In the end I told them just to be glad they didn't lose me to another theatre."

Helene laughed. Marguerite was not only considered to have the best wit in France, but she was also either the most famous actress or close to it. "So you've been in England a month," Helene mused, resuming the thread of the conversation. "And Armand came with you?" $"Yes, Armand came to Richmond ahead of Percy and I, we honeymooned on the shore for a week." Marguerite said. "He'll stay for the summer at least. I've paid ahead the rent for our flat in Paris. I'm not sure what he'll do once the fall comes. He still has one more year at the Academy."

Helene frowned involuntarily. "But wouldn't it be dangerous for him to return? He has already confessed to me that he is completely against the Revolution now." Not to mention that he had been part of a highly secretive operation to rescue her from prison. But she could not mention that. "Marguerite, so many people in France are craving the opportunity to come to England. Why should Armand go back?"

"I know, I know, I worry about him as well Helene." Marguerite said, "I plan to speak to Percy see if there is another school here in England where he might finish his education."

"There must be," Helene murmured, more to herself than to her friend. She didn't know if Armand was too far along in his studies for her to instruct him, but that might be uncomfortable for him anyway. She looked up at the other Frenchwoman. "Marguerite, does Armand *want* to go back?"

"I don't know. He doesn't seem so homesick, and I don't remembering him even mentioning going back. He seems to have grown rather attached to Percy, and now he has found himself a sweetheart, I imagine he would be just as happy if we found a school in England to attend so that he would be closer to Richmond." Marguerite said. "I'm sure there are a number of good schools here in England where he would be able to finish his education."

"I'm sure there are," Helene answered reassuringly. No matter what they talked about, the conversation always seemed to return to Marguerite's husband, and that was not a subject Helene was eager to broach given her friend's current state of mind toward him. She tried to steer the conversation away from Percy. "It's good that he's adjusted well; I'm sure it must have been difficult for both of you."

"Well, I think he's having a bit better of a time of it then I am. Percy being gone so much has left me here and I miss him terribly. He usually takes Armand with him, so that's even less company, but in a way I'm thankful for that." Marguerite sighed. "When I first told Armand I was getting married to an Englishman, and an aristocrat at that, he nearly lost his own head, not literally, but you know what I mean. He nearly went mad at the thought so I thought at most I could hope that they could come to be at least civil with each other. I certainly never expected this."

Well, Helene thought, Sir Percy is not like most aristocrats. But she didn't say it aloud for fear of Marguerite asking how she knew. She didn't know quite what to say to Marguerite's confession of her difficult adjustment. "Well, I'm glad they're getting along," she said finally, "but it must be hard on you if Sir Percy's business is that demanding." Guilt suddenly washed over her. One of those absences had been because of her. But wait. Her thought from earlier...her conclusion that she had not been the first nor the last condemned prisoner rescued by Percy Blakeney from a squalid Parisian prison... No. Not just one of the absences. Perhaps some were legitimate business, but could it be that Marguerite's husband had a secret life, a double life, in which he was a blessed rescuer of the condemned? And Marguerite didn't know...mon dieu... wait...and she had said *Armand* had been going with him! Could it be? Could it be that her rescue was not the only time her old friend had faced the dangers of Paris to rescue someone? That he was part of some band formed by Sir Percy and the other Englishman she had met? The thought was exhilarating and frightening at the same time.

Lost in thought, she suddenly realized that Marguerite was speaking. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"It's alright. I just said it is difficult with Percy away so much. And it seems once he comes home lately things have always been tense. I just miss him and I haven't adjusted well, being sick and such. I just hope he comes home and settles down soon."

"I'm so sorry," Helene told her friend, and she meant it. "You're *sick,* too?" Now that Marguerite mentioned it, Helene noticed how drawn and pale her skin was, the loss of weight and the dark circles under her eyes. And things were tense? Something was definitely going on here that she knew nothing about. She laid a sympathetic hand on Marguerite's arm. She could be comforting, at least. "I'm sure he will. He wouldn't leave you ill, like this, especially if he knew how much you missed him." Fervently she hoped she was correct. Had her reading of Sir Percy been wrong? Would he go off to rescue people he didn't know while his own wife wasted away back in England?

Marguerite sighed. Percy hadn't even noticed she was ill as far as she knew. At first she had suffered small headaches and backaches, and had trouble sleeping. Small annoyances, as far as she was concerned. But then problems grew. She had lost weight, a noticeable amount of it. The truth was she never felt much like eating when Percy wasn't around, a symptom of loneliness, her hungry strike would make little difference on the amount of food she actually consumed, only the amount of food the staff prepared for her. She was always tired, but rarely slept. "I hope so, all I want is for him to come home and stay, even if it's just for a few days, a few peaceful days here with Percy."

"I'm sure that isn't too much to ask," Helene responded sympathetically. "When are he and Armand due to return from--well, from wherever it is they are?" She had almost said, "from France." What a foolish slip that would have been, but she was absolutely certain it wasn't noticeable that she had been thinking something else before she caught herself. She didn't even know if they were in France, anyway. She paused, letting her brow furrow in puzzlement. "Wherever did they go anyway?"

"Percy didn't say, but I think Frank said he was going to Scotland. I expect him back in two days, at least I hope in two day." Marguerite said, with a bit of sadness in her voice.

"Well, at least he isn't gone for long," Helene answered consolingly. "Do you think you need a doctor?" Two days, she thought, two days until I can talk to Armand.

"No, no," Marguerite lied, "I'll be fine." The truth was she had been claiming to everyone and even to herself that she wasn't feeling well for a number of reasons; she had headaches because of the climate, she wasn't used to the new bed causing her backaches, because she was lonely and missing Percy she had no stomach for food. And now both Helene and Armand had asked about a doctor, but Marguerite refused, even though she began to wonder about her own health.

"All right." The look on Helene's face showed that she didn't quite know if she believed her friend's quick denial, but she was willing to let it go for now. Just then the library door opened to reveal a servant girl in the manor livery. She curtsied prettily. "Lady Blakeney, Miss Leroo, I apologize for interrupting. But supper is ready, and the kitchen staff would like to know whether you would dine now, or wait." Helene realized that the sky was growing dark outside the windows; she and Marguerite had been talking for a long time.

Marguerite smiled and nodded at the girl, "Thank you Mary. Well Helene, are you hungry now, or would you prefer to wait for a bit before eating?"

"Supper sounds wonderful," Helene answered graciously. She was actually very hungry, though out of politeness she didn't express that to her hostess. "I wonder if Louise has woken up yet."

"She's probably still resting. Would you like me to get her? I can have Mary show you the dinning hall, and point out any other rooms in the house." Marguerite said with a bit of a giggle.

Helene agreed and followed the girl out of the library, giving a last lingering look at the rows of books as she left. She marked the library's location carefully in her mind so she would know how to return.

Mary kept up a comfortable chatter on the way to the dining hall, introducing Helene to the other staff members and pointing out different rooms as they went along. The servant seated Helene at the long table and curtsied before leaving her alone in the large room. The Frenchwoman, lost in thought, stared off into space with a pensive expression as she waited for Marguerite to return with Louise.

Marguerite quietly went upstairs to Helene and Louise's suite of rooms. She entered to find the main room empty, so she went to the door to Louise's room softly knocking as she opened it, hoping not to disturbed or frighten the little girl.

Louise was still sound asleep where the two women had left her, curled up in a ball with her new doll clutched tightly to her. Even in sleep, her little face was tight as if she were anxious, rather than relaxed in slumber as it should have been.

Marguerite peered in to see Louise tightly curled up on the bed. She couldn't help but to smile as she slept. Carefully Marguerite crossed the room and sat down next to Louise. She gently brushed the hair back off of the girl's face and shook her arm just slightly to stir her.

Louise's eyes blinked open. "Mme Blakeney?" she murmured softly as she sat up, blinking sleep from her eyes.

Marguerite smiled at the little girl. "Good evening Louise. Do you feel better now that you've had a nap?"

"Bon soir, Madame. Et oui, I do feel better, merci," Louise answered. She sat still on the bed, yellow curls slightly tousled from her nap.

Marguerite smiled and with her hand softly brushed some of the girl's hair back off her face. "Well, I'm glad you're feeling better. I trust the bed was nice and comfortable. Now would you like to join us for some supper?"

"Oui, s'il vous plait, Mme." Louise began to rise, but suddenly became aware of her wrinkled clothes and tangled hair from her nap. "A moment, please, Mme. I need to--clean up a little." She trundled across the room and looked in their still packed bags for a comb, trying to smooth out the creases in her gown with her hands. Her upbringing told her that it simply wouldn't be right to go to supper looking as she did.

Marguerite sat on the bed and watched as Louise looked fro a comb until she remember the little table Marguerite had set for her. A small vanity like table which contained a small comb and brush set. Marguerite took the comb and stepped closer to Louise, "Here Louise, I'll comb your hair for you, such lovely little curls you have." she said as she put the brush once through the girl's hair.

"Merci, Mme." Louise stood still and felt Marguerite's gentle hands softly untangling her hair.

"How would you like it if we went into town and got a few new dresses for you Louise?"

New dresses! "Really?" Her eyes grew big and her small hands clasped each other. She felt as if this were a dream, a wonderful dream. Marguerite's ministrations were so gentle, and her words so kind... For the first time since all this had started, Louise began to cry. She made no noise, but the tears quietly gathered in her dark eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

Marguerite noticed a few tears drop down the little girl's face. With a gentle touch she brushed them away. "There there now, there's no need for tears. We'll take you into town sometime in the next few days and get you a few outfits to wear." Marguerite finished brushing out the girl's soft hair, taking a moment to pin some of it back and off her face. "Now, shall we go meet Helene for dinner?"

Louise nodded, unable to speak. She managed a tiny "merci" as she timidly put her small hand in Marguerite's, and the two went down for dinner.

Marguerite led the way with little Louise following, "Now if you can, try to remember the way back to your room, but if you get lost, just walk around until you find someone and they will take you back." Marguerite said as the went down the main stairway.

They walked along until they reached the main dinning hall, where Helene was waiting, "Well Helene, we hope we haven't kept you too long."

Helene looked up and smiled. Lost in her own train of thought, the time certainly had not seemed too long. "Not at all." As if on cue, servants began emerging from the kitchens with supper as Marguerite and Louise sat. "Did you have a good rest, Louise?"

The little girl nodded, customarily silent.

Helene turned to Marguerite. "So, after supper do we get to meet Emma and Sarah?" She was making conversation, but she *was* eager to meet the two sisters.

"Oh yes, I assume they're around and about. Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't seen little Sarah lately. She often can be found causing some sort of joyful ruckus somewhere in the house." Marguerite sad with a laugh. "Well, I'm sure you to are hungry, I wasn't sure if either of you had any particular favorites, so I just told the kitchen staff to make something special, little more then the ordinary."

"It looks wonderful!" Helene exclaimed as the servants began placing platters before them. The vast majority of the dishes she had never tried before, but she planned to sample as much as she could tonight. "As for what I like to eat, Marguerite...I don't think I could put a name to half of these foods, but I'm sure I'll like it." She flashed her friend a quick smile and pulled the first course toward her, waiting for her hostess to begin before digging in.

Marguerite smiled as she watched Helene survey the food on the table. "Well, no doubt you'll find something you'll like. Go on now, try something." marguerite turned to little Louise, "Do you need any help getting anything Louise?"

Louise had just taken a bite when Marguerite addressed her, and she blushed as she took a minute to swallow before answering. "Non, merci. I'm fine, Mme."

Silence reigned for a few minutes as Helene and Louise enjoyed their meal. Helene had not eaten for almost twenty-four hours, and, famished, she forced herself to eat slowly and politely.

Sarah walked into the room, she had been wanting to meet Helene and Louise earlier, but Emma told her she had to finish the dress for her doll first. "Lady Blakeney," she said with a quick curtsy.

Marguerite eyes lit up as little Sarah entered the room. "Oh Sarah, come in come in." she said as she stood up. Marguerite went over to the little girl and took her hand as she led her into the room. "Helene, Louise, I'd like for you to meet Sarah. Sarah this is Louise and your new tutor, Mlle. Leroux."

"I'm very pleased to meet you, Sarah," Helene said to the little girl, bending to be at eye level with her. "As Lady Blakeney said, I'm to be your tutor. If you like, please just call me Helene." She had debated with herself before over whether to tell the little girl to waive the form of address--it might instill discipline. But Louise was already in the habit of calling her Helene, so it would have been awkward not to have Sarah do the same. In addition, "Leroux" was a hard name to pronounce correctly without a knowledge of French.

Helene grasped Louise's hand from behind her and pulled the little girl forward. "As Lady Blakeney said, this is Louise, and she'll be staying here at the Manor with me. She does not speak much English yet, but she is learning quickly." Helene smiled at Sarah, hoping she would be patient with her new friend. "Maybe she can help you learn some French. Would you like to go and play together a little before bed so you can get to know each other?"

Beside her, Helene heard Louise murmur, "Please to meet you," in English. The Frenchwoman squeezed the child's hand encouragingly.

"Hello Mlle. Leroux, Hello Louise. I hope you like it here." Sarah hoped Louise would. It did get dull here at times with no one her age to play with. Sarah smiled "Would you like for me to show you one of my favorite places to play?" Sarah hoped Louise knew what she said.

Helene smiled down at Louise. The confusion on the girl's face showed how hard she was struggling with the language. "She wants to play with you, cherie. Go ahead." She gave Louise a slight nudge forward. "Just be patient and speak slowly," she told Sarah in English with a smile. "I am sure you will be great friends in no time."

"Follow me." Sarah said as she took the girls hand and started to walk toward the door.

Louise trotted along with Sarah out of the room, wondering where they were going. She was eager to begin this new friendship, though a little shy with her stilted English.

Back in the room the girls had just left, Helene turned to Marguerite. "Well, they seem ready to be friends. I'm so glad Louise will have someone to play with. Will Sarah be patient with her English, do you think?"

"I believe she will. Sarah seems a very friendly girl and will no doubt help Louise learn her English." Marguerite said as she retook her seat, pushing the plate of food left at her spot away from her.

Concern for her friend grew as Helene watched the other woman push back her food, virtually untouched. It was obvious Marguerite wasn't well, but if she refused to see a doctor...? Helene resolved to find some way to at least raise her friend's spirits; come to think of it, poorly hidden depression seemed to be half of what was ailing the other woman. But from what cause? Did she miss France? Worry for her brother? Could it have to do with her husband?

Helene realized suddenly that sleep was starting to fog her thoughts. Barely stifling a yawn, she decided that this new dilemma could wait for her to get at least a few hours' sleep....

Blinking the somnolence out of her eyes, Helene tried to think of a tactful way to end the evening before she fell to sleep at the table. She hadn't realized just how tired she was.

Marguerite gave Helene a sweet smile as she tried to hide a short yawn. "Are you done with your meal Helene, you look a bit tired. I'm sure you're looking forward to a lighter schedule hear at the manor, which, trust me, will include a full night of rest every night."

Helene smiled. Leave it to Marguerite to not only notice her exhaustion, but to reach out like this--in spite of any of the other woman's own physical discomfort from illness.

"I'm sorry, Marguerite," she apologized regretfully, "I find I *am* quite tired. Perhaps we could continue our discussion tomorrow?" They would have plenty of time to talk over the course of the following weeks, Helene was sure. Now that she had admitted her fatigue, it seemed all she could do not to lurch over onto the table, dead with exhaustion.

"Of course, of course," Marguerite said, standing up and approaching Helene. "I will see you back to your room and then try to find the girls. Tomorrow after you and Louise have rested we will see about getting anything to two of you shall require while here."

"Thank you," Helene answered gratefully, stifling another yawn and rising to follow her friend. "Do you need help with the--? Oh." She had been going to ask if Marguerite needed help with the dishes out of politeness, but realized halfway through her sentence, to her embarrassment, that the servants of Blakeney Manor would doubtless be the people to handle that. Yet another thing to get used to. She needed to get some sleep before she made another faux pas. "I'm sorry," she added sheepishly, trying to amend her mistake, "I'm not accustomed to having servants, I didn't think..."

"Don't worry Helene, I'm not so used to them either." Marguerite said, "They're very nice, yet oddly protective of their duties. Once, I invaded to kitchen to make Percy breakfast, the kitchen staff seemed rather jumpy and upset at my presence, and as soon as I finished I was promptly pushed out the kitchen door."

"I think I can understand that," mused Helene. The staff here had their niche, and while it was not one she would have chosen, it was theirs and theirs alone. A man needs something to call his own, she thought sadly. Covering the emotion with another suppressed yawn, she turned back toward Marguerite. "And now I think I'll take you up on that offer of bedding down for the night." She smiled into her friend's eyes, adding sincerely, "Thank you, Marguerite--for everything."

Marguerite gave Helene a soft hug, "It's the very least I can do. Now, you go to bed and rest. Tomorrow we'll go into town and get you and Louise anything else you may need while here."

Helene embraced her friend gently in return, then walked upstairs with heavy footsteps and a soft smile on her face. She did get lost, but the first servant she asked led her straight to her door with a pleasant smile and a gentlemanly bow.

The exhausted Frenchwoman undressed and fell into bed, marveling at the welcoming softness of the mattress. She let sleep take her in a moment. Tomorrow would be a new day--and the portal to a bright future.

Back